Taavi grinned as he pointed behind Sean, “That one will do, eh?”
Sean looked just past his left shoulder where a tree almost double the size of the last one stood. “You guys sure you can delimb it after I bring it down?” Sean asked, looking back at the grinning quartet.
That wiped the grins from their faces. “If you can even drop it,” one of the others said.
“I understand hazing the new guy, it’s as old as time,” Sean chuckled. “How about a small wager? If I drop it, you all clear the limbs while I take a break. If I fail to drop it, you can tell Darragh that I was no help today.”
Cian nodded, “Wager accepted.”
Those words sent a chill tingling down Sean’s spine. It wasn’t the same as an Agreement being made, but he was still aware that he’d made a binding contract. “Game on, then,” Sean chuckled as he marched over to the tree. Licking his lips, he recalled what he had been told by his dad regarding cutting down trees. “Upstrokes on the side you want it to fall to, down strokes on the opposite side,” Sean muttered to himself as he got positioned, planning to drop the tree toward the stream.
Seeing how Sean was positioning himself, the quartet gathered their tools and moved out of the way. Lounging against trees, they watched as Sean seemed to be giving himself a pep talk. Taavi whispered, “I have tonight’s bread on him failing.”
Cian nodded sagely, but didn’t reply until the others had accepted Taavi’s wager. “I will match your wagers for the next three nights, if I lose, in the order you bet. But I get all three of yours tonight if he succeeds.” The three men blinked at Cian, but agreed to his wager.
A few seconds after that, Sean took his first upstroke into the tree. The impact was clearly audible. Sean grumbled, bracing his foot against the tree to pull the axe free since the blade sank in to the midpoint. Shaking his head in annoyance, he took a less powerful swing to make sure he could pull the axe back cleanly. A chunk of wood came spinning free from the second swing. His next few swings were quick and efficient, making headway into the trunk at a remarkable pace. When Sean stepped away, a good third of the tree had been removed from the section he’d been working on.
“Cian…” Taavi said his eyes wide.
“I see it. I will be needing to talk with Darragh when we get back.”
Sean moved around the tree and began to swing down on the other side. The angle of his cuts should drop the tree where he wanted, or at least close to it. Sweating as he worked, Sean could only smile. It had been years since he’d done this kind of pure manual labor and part of him reveled in the feeling. Faster than any of them would have thought possible, Sean made the last cut and the tree creaked as gravity took over.
“Timber!” Sean laughed as the tree fell almost perfectly, the very top of it gently splashing in the stream. Turning to the others, his grin was met with incredulous stares. “So I guess I get a break now, huh?”
The four men looked to each other in amazement before three of them scrambled for their hand axes. Cian walked to Sean with a slow, though steady, pace. “Sean MacDougal, we seem to have been wrong to judge you as we did. I apologize for our demeanor toward you when you first appeared. Truly you are a son of the Green, and we would welcome you as brother.” Thrusting out a hand, Cian waited.
Sean went to grab the hand, but something made him grab Cian’s forearm. “No hard feelings; the new guy always has to earn his spot.” He handed the axe over and flexed his hand and left arm, which were both numb. “I do need a small break, but I’ll join you after that.”
“Take your time,” Cian said with respect as he went to join the others.
Sean noticed that Cian had to pause and shake his arms after every branch he removed using his grandfather’s axe, after the first minute. Halfway through Sean’s break, Cian put down the axe in favor of one of the bronze hand axes. Sean’s arm had stopped tingling during his break, and unable to sit still any longer, he went to join the others.
“Are you sure?” Cian asked as Sean picked up the double bitted axe again.
“If I need to, I’ll take another break,” Sean said as he moved to the top of the tree. Grabbing it, he yanked the tip out of the water, “I’ll start down here.”
Chapter Five
They were able to clear all the limbs off the felled tree much faster than normal thanks to Sean’s help, though he did take another break when his arms started tingling again. His arms were just going numb yet again when he saw there were no more limbs to remove. The men started gathering the branches and sorting them into six piles while Cian gathered their axes.
“We thank you for your help,” Cian said.
Sean took a seat on the trunk, watching them work as he waited for his arms to feel normal again. “Why didn’t we separate them to begin with?”
“Normally the women separate them when they get here,” one of the others said. “It’s going to be a bit though before they get here and we can all go back, so why not make it quicker?”
Sean nodded, the logic clear, “Do we have anything to drink?”
“Just the stream,” another of the men said. “Did you not see us all drinking from time to time?”
“Guess not. I was kind of focused,” Sean said as he walked over to the stream, brushing the dirt off his ass as he went. Kneeling, he cupped his hand and brought some of the cold water up to his lips. It struck him suddenly that he had no idea what might be in the water and what it might do to him. He weighed the pros and cons as the water slipped through his fingers.
“It’s pure,” Cian grunted from near the tree. “They keep it that way, do not fear otherwise.”
Cupping another handful of water, Sean risked dysentery and drank it. The pure, crisp taste of alpine water hit his tongue. He quickly took another two drinks before he stood, feeling more refreshed than he thought he should be from just a few sips of water.
“It’s said that they also infuse the stream with energy, which might be why we can work as long as we do every day,” Cian said as he stepped over to Sean. “How do your arms feel?”
Rotating his shoulders, Sean frowned slightly. The slight ache he’d felt a moment ago was entirely gone. “Good?”
“That is what I am talking about. Just enough to refresh the body some from its exertion. You can’t live on it, but it helps with the hard labor. More so if you’ve been using grandfather’s axe.”
“So, what is the story with the axe? I notice it’s the only one that’s not bronze.” Sean figured he knew why there were no iron tools, as in many stories, the Fey and iron were not compatible.
“It was something he got from one of the nobles when he was younger,” Cian said. “He would have to tell you that tale.”
“His eyes—he wasn’t born blind?” Sean asked.
Face creasing into a thunderous frown, Cian grunted, “No, that is his Shame from the Summer Queen. Again, that is a story he will have to tell.”
“Fair enough,” Sean said, wondering how the leader of this village had upset one of the Queens.
Before he could say anything more, the sound of six ladies singing caught his attention. Turning his head to the trail he had followed Misa on, he smiled. The song was about a young lass taking a trip through the woods to find her beloved and bring him home.
“Did you hear something?” Cian asked as his hand fell to his dagger.
“Singing,” Sean said, “I think the women are coming.”
“I don’t hear it,” Cian said as he closed his eyes, trying to listen harder.
After another minute, Cian nodded. “I hear them now.” Opening his eyes, he appraised Sean again, “You’re a unique one in more than one way, it seems.”
With a tight smile, he realized that he was doing things beyond the norm again. Sean nodded. “It does seem that way.” He scratched at his chin, feeling the vaguest hint of stubble on it.
“Lads, they are coming,” Cian said, turning back to the others.
“And we are done,” one of them laugh
ed. “Won’t this surprise them?”
All eyes turned to where the path came out on the bank. The singers were now close enough for all of them to hear. The guys all took seats on the log and waited, while Sean leaned against a nearby tree, wondering what the meeting was going to be like.
The song came to an end as the women emerged from the forest. A man walked with them, arm in arm with one of the women. The newcomers stopped and stared at the men lounging around the clearing. “Now, doesn’t that beat all? We’ve come to work and they are loafing about.” The speaker looked to the other five women, raising her hands as if asking why.
“Now, Tamaya, maybe they have a reason for it, hmm?” one of the others said as they approached the men. “Maybe they were just enraptured by our song?”
“Enraptured with the idea of less work is more likely,” Tamaya said as she came to a stop before Cian. “Tell me, husband, why are you not working?”
Sean looked at Tamaya, realizing she was the one who Darragh had called his granddaughter, realizing it was by marriage. She and three of the other women were the ones he’d encountered first, outside Darragh’s home. He stayed where he was, as they were all ignoring him.
“Beautiful wife, one must wait when the work is all done and not enough time remains for more to be started. Byrne is well downstream, and this tree is ready for the village. We’ve just been waiting on you to get here,” Cian said as he stood up, towering over his wife by more than a foot.
Tamaya paused, looking around the clearing. The other women had paired off with the men who Sean figured must be their husbands, except for one. Sean mentally paired her with Byrne, who was absent.
“Since when do you fell and clear two trees in a single day?” Tamaya asked with raised brows.
“We’ve had some assistance today,” Cian said as his eyes went from Tamaya to Sean. “Darragh provided us with some unique help.”
All eyes turned to Sean, who pushed off the tree to stand. “Pleasure to see you four again, and some new faces as well. I’m Sean MacDougal. I have an Arrangement with Darragh, so I’ll be here for a bit.”
Everyone eyed him for a few heartbeats longer than Sean was really comfortable with. “Well, since you will be part of our village, for a time at least, welcome MacDougal,” Tamaya said before turning to the other women. “Come on ladies, we have to get the branches ready so we can head back.”
“We’ve already done that,” one of the men said.
“You’ve already done that, Walden?” the woman before him asked with a raised brow and pursed lips.
“We have indeed, Aoife,” he replied before cupping her face for a quick kiss. “I believe we had an existing wager on what would happen if we managed what we did today, eh?”
Aoife blinked, “We do…” she ducked her head for a moment before nodding. “It will be upheld, tonight.”
Walden slipped his arms around her briefly. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Tamaya coughed, “Later, you two. We have work now.” Her eyes went to the tree that had been felled. “Are you lot sure you can get that back to the village? It’s a bit bigger than you normally carry.”
Cian looked to Sean, before turning his eyes to his wife. “I believe we can. If you will lead the way for us?” Cian motioned Sean over as the women went to the six piles of brush and began to drag them to the path. “Can you take the front end?”
Sean eyed the log and the other five guys, weighing his seemingly greater than average strength and nodded. “Shoulder carry?”
“Aye,” Cian said. “You’re the shortest, so we need you on one end or the other.”
Sean nodded, as he couldn’t deny they all topped him by a few inches. “Should be good.”
“Let’s not disappoint, then,” Cian chuckled as the men all took up spots next to the log. Cian called out to the newcomer, “Eagon, no need to be that far forward. Sean can handle it.”
The newcomer looked at Sean and then the tree, his doubt clear, but he shrugged and moved closer to the others by a few steps. “I hope so, as I fucking can’t,” were the lightly muttered words.
“On three, roll and lift,” Cian said as he placed a hand on the tree, “Sean, temper your pull to match us please.”
“Got it,” Sean said as he waited for the count. Exerting less than half the strength he could, Sean still almost overdid the small roll and lift. Luckily, his roll was close enough in strength that the tree was soon settled on their shoulders.
“Time for home, lads,” Cian called out as he began to sing.
Sean didn’t join in, but soon found the rhythm of the song. The song helped them all stay in step with each other, and set the pace they walked at. Sean smiled at the lyrics—they spoke of a hard day that ended with a good meal and the company of a willing wife. As the song ended, Cian started it over again. This time, Sean joined in, singing the words in tune with the others, a little amazed that he could recall the lyrics so easily after hearing it once. As the song came to an end the second time, they’d made it back to the village and were directed to the home at the end of the village, where they dropped the log.
“Well done,” Cian said, clapping each man on the shoulder. “Be seeing you for dinner,” he added, the last to Sean as he clapped his shoulder, a small wince crossing his face as he shook his hand afterward. “You’re a lot more solid than I had thought to begin with.”
Shrugging, Sean replied, “Thanks, I think.”
“Food is in Darragh’s house just as the sun sets,” Cian said. “We’ll see you there.”
“Sure thing,” Sean replied as he watched the various couples split off towards different homes.
“Who are you, stranger?” a voice called out a moment later from the closest house.
Turning to the speaker, he found a redhead staring back at him, “Sean MacDougal. Who might you be?”
“Fiona,” she said as she eyed him. “Where did you come from?”
“That is a very long story,” Sean chuckled. “What of you? I didn’t see you with the others.”
“I’m different,” Fiona replied, her lips turning down slightly. “Will you be here for a while?”
“In the village, probably. Darragh is going to be tutoring me,” Sean said, wishing she would come out so he could see her better, as her face was only partially visible in the small window.
A soft whistle escaped her full lips, “Now that is a story I would like to hear; he isn’t normally willing to teach others.”
“I’d be willing to trade tales, but you won’t be happy with what I’d share. It’s not as exciting as you think,” Sean told her.
Fiona pursed her lips in thought. “I think you might be worth the trouble. We have an hour before dinner. Would you like to come in and share some tea?”
“I would be delighted,” Sean told her.
Fiona left the window and the door opened a moment later. “Do come inside, Sean.”
Entering the home, he found it to be a single room of about fifteen feet square. Clearing the doorway he turned to Fiona, who closed the door behind him. As he opened his mouth to speak, he lost the words as he registered what he was seeing.
Fiona’s left leg and arm were made of some silvery metal that had a faint green sheen. They transitioned seamlessly with her flesh as far as Sean could see. Sean couldn’t help staring, he’d never encountered anything like it before, especially not in the form of a beautiful young woman. “I don’t like being gawked at,” Fiona said simply as she went past him to the small circular sitting table that stood about a foot off the floor, supported by four intricately carved legs.
“I apologize,” Sean said as he tore his eyes off her. “I didn’t expect to see artificial limbs.”
Fiona frowned as she took a seat, “They aren’t artificial. They are mine, just changed, for my Shame.” Her smile was a bit strained as she poured the tea into two cups, “Please sit and speak with me.”
Sean sat. His eyes kept wanting to drift back to her metalli
c arm, but he forced himself to meet her eyes. He blinked as he found her to be heterochromatic, one eye was a perfect leaf green, the other a pale sky blue. “You’re one wonder after another,” Sean said without thinking.
Blinking, Fiona’s cheeks darkened slightly, “Thank you. I haven’t heard a compliment in some time.” She pushed a cup towards him. “I only have mint tea, and it is cold. I hope that is okay.”
“That’s fine,” Sean said as he studied her features more.
Tracing her sharp cheekbones with his eyes, he watched as her dimples came out with her nervous smile as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. That drew his attention to her ears, which had the slightest of tapered points at the tops of them. Coughing, he grabbed the cup and pulled his eyes to the table, realizing he was being creepy. “Sorry about that, mint tea is fine,” he took a sip and found the mint to be sharp.
“You really don’t seem to mind being here,” Fiona murmured softly, probably thinking too softly for him to hear, but he heard the words clearly. “I would like to hear your story about your Agreement with Darragh, if you don’t mind. I will trade you a tale in its place.”
“That’s fine,” Sean said, “but as I said, it’s nothing special.”
Chapter Six
Sean told Fiona about his short and unimpressive first meeting with Darragh. Finishing his story and his tea at the same time, he met her eyes to find them watching him with interest. “So, umm, yeah. That’s it.”
“You accepted Misa? That easily?” Her eyes narrowed, searching his face for any sign of dishonesty.
“I have no reason not to. I didn’t understand the concept of Bonded, or know that I should be wary because she’s a Naga,” Sean said, meeting her dual colored gaze. “Which, I’ve already been told, is unusual.”
Fiona nodded. “I see.”
“What story will you tell me about you?” Sean asked as she refilled his cup.
Fiona sat back as she considered what to say. Her hand idly rubbed the tip of her ear before brushing her hair back. “I have tales I could tell. Is there anything specific you would care to hear?”
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