by Joe Kuster
TJ couldn’t help but be impressed by how Abby was able to figure out the language as she scribbled on her paper. She might be bubbly, and her mannerisms were odd, but she wasn’t unintelligent. He guessed it would take him months of doing little else than studying to get as far if he’d been plopped in a new world and unable to communicate.
Thinking back to the situation with Bethany, he chewed on Abby’s comment. “I guess I can relate. There’s a lot of things that I avoid thinking about. I got lucky when I found Serina. Her coming of age changed a lot of things in my life. Before that… well, the situation was a lot rougher. Some of my captors weren’t known for being gentle or taking no for an answer.”
“Healing the body is one zing, but healing ze heart is another. I believe she will need some time, regardless of what she chooses to do with zis boon,” Abby said.
Rachel sipped at her wine, looking lost in thought, but every now and then, she’d eye TJ and blush.
The conversation tapered off as they each sipped on their drinks. Rachel and Abby had selected a watered-down blended table wine while TJ was sipping on some sort of clear liquor made from corn the locals called choop. The abrasive stuff wasn’t getting any better the longer he drank it, but it was the most potent stuff the bartender had behind the counter. TJ had raised more than a few eyebrows when he’d bought a bottle and started drinking it straight.
Bethany returned a few minutes later with a brown bottle in hand. TJ inspected her face but couldn’t make out what she was feeling. She seemed far too muddled in her own thoughts. Without comment, the blonde woman set a clean glass in front of TJ and removed the cork. She held it out for him to smell.
He couldn’t quite place it. The choop had dulled his senses, but it was warm and had a soft hint of cherries. He nodded, and she poured him a glass.
He took a careful sip, then relaxed into his chair. It wasn’t something he could pinpoint, so he assumed it was another local thing. He liked it, though.
He offered, “That’s a lot more my style. What is it?”
“It’s a special type of brandy that is usually reserved for holidays. It’s from Madam Cintra’s private stash and is probably the best Larton has to offer. I hoped you’d like it; I bought an entire case. It’s a gift. I want you to have it for your trip,” she said.
TJ pulled her into a soft kiss. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that, but I’ll think of you as I enjoy it.”
Bethany blushed, then returned to her seat.
“Still no way I can convince you to go with us?” TJ asked.
Her smile faltered. “I’m sorry, TJ. I’d like to, but… things are complicated.”
“Sorry. I’ll quit asking,” he said. He then glanced toward the stairs up to the rooms and grimaced. Rachel twisted at her braid idly while she studied his reaction.
As though looking for a diversion, Bethany pulled out one of the other bags and began flipping through it. Withdrawing the stack of letters, she frowned as she studied the destinations. She leafed through them, one at a time.
Putting them back down, she said, “I think the goblins must have killed a messenger. This looks like a mail dispatch.” She looked at Rachel. “Should I try to get these where they are going?”
“Yeah, that might be a good idea. There are a bunch of rings in there with family markings too. They aren’t worth much, but it would give the families some closure,” Rachel said.
TJ asked, “Aren’t they going to be upset that we’ve got the stuff the goblins took? Do I need to send some of it back?”
Rachel tapped a finger on the table then nodded. “My intended, would you mind if I sent some silver with the items? By rights, the spoils of our fight are ours to take, but it would go a long way to smoothing things over. I do believe a few will make a fuss over it otherwise.”
TJ answered, “Sure. We could use the goodwill. I’m sure we’ll be coming back, and I’m sure rumors will start flying at some point.”
Rachel grinned at the inside joke, then slid the pouch of simple jewelry and two stacks of silver toward Bethany.
TJ leaned back in his chair, enjoying his new drink. “So, Bethany, since you’re staying, I’m wondering if you’d keep an eye on things here and send us updates and anything newsworthy. Any chance you’d be willing? I’d gladly pay whatever you think is fair for the help. If Rachel’s father finds out she ran off with me, and he’s bringing an army to drag her back, I’d love a heads up.”
Rachel pursed her lips, then shrugged. “That’s actually possible.”
Bethany shifted uncomfortably for a moment. “What type of things do you want me to send?”
“Well, anything Rachel’s father is doing, and whatever the church is up to. Timarat isn’t very happy with me since I saved Rachel’s life,” TJ said.
Bethany tensed. “I, uhm… so, the Traditionalists or the New Order?”
“Ideally, both, but I really don’t understand the difference. Mostly I’d like to know what rumors are circulating and if anyone is doing anything noteworthy,” he said.
She sighed, then looked at the ceiling for several beats. Slowly she nodded. “I’ll send everything I can. Just make sure to send me messages as you go, so I know where to address my letters.”
Rachel added, “I know the church can get complicated. Father and I left it a long time ago, but they seem to get their fingers in everything. Broad strokes will be fine if it’s too close to home.”
Bethany seemed to relax at that. “Thank you. I’ll keep my ears open. Although, I’m not sure if I’ll be here at the Red Briar, or…” She grimaced and looked around the tavern. “I’ll try to let you know how things go.”
As the musicians in the corner finished their song, one of the women in the establishment giggled loudly as she pulled a man along with her, heading upstairs. There were a few muted hoots from his friends.
Bethany reached over to TJ’s wrist and left her hand there. He gave her a sad smile, then looked away. It was readily apparent to everyone at the table that a lot was being left unsaid. TJ could feel the tingle of Rachel’s attention over their bond as if she were reading his thoughts.
Sensing the mood at the table souring, Rachel scrutinized the other woman, then TJ, who seemed to be forlornly staring into his brandy. Nodding to herself, she retrieved a slip of paper from her pack and began quickly scribing out a message, then another.
Once they were done, she wordlessly rose from her seat and slipped across the room. Disappearing into the madam’s office, she returned several minutes later.
TJ gave her an expectant look as she returned to her chair.
Rachel slid the two letters in front of Bethany, who seemed lost in her glass of wine. “I wanted to show my appreciation for how you’ve helped me and my intended. These aren’t obligations, just options if you want them. I suspect that TJ is far too cautious about making his full opinions on the matter heard.”
Bethany opened each of them, quickly reading the contents. Her jaw quivered for a moment, then she nodded. “Yes, Mistress. I’ll… take one or the other. Thank you. This is…”
Overwhelmed, she dabbed at her eyes for a moment, then excused herself. She dashed into one of the backrooms, sniffling as she went.
Turning to TJ, Rachel explained, “She’s got enough money not to have to work the sheets anymore, but not so much she could afford a house of her own. If she left the Red Briar, she wouldn’t have a safe place to stay. One of those notes will give her an attendant apprenticeship at Blackstone Manor, where she’ll be taken in. The other is a general letter of reference that she could take somewhere else. My name carries enough weight that she should have her pick of options, but I have a hunch she’ll take the attendant option.”
Not caring that they were in public, TJ responded by grabbing her by the neck and pulled Rachel’s lips to his. She didn’t resist and let him hold her close, and their magic pressed together, glowing hot in their chests. She trembled at his touch at first, then pressed even harder in
to him. He didn’t let her up for over a minute as the sensations overwhelmed them both. Slowly, they somehow stopped themselves and disengaged, panting.
He whispered, “Thank you. If I were back home and someone did that, it would have gotten Bethany killed. I didn’t know that was an option. I didn’t want to…”
Rachel pushed a finger over his lips and placed her mouth next to his ear. “Shush. You aren’t hard to figure out, dear heart. You’ve bound my soul and dragged me back from death itself to be at your side. You’re not a songbird I could put in a cage, even if I wanted to. Serina gave you a heart that was made for sharing, and I understand that. Keep loving me, and trust in your intended. If it means you’ll keep kissing me like that, I’ll build our house until you surpass the king himself.”
Easing back into her chair, Rachel said, “Bethany’s training should be complete before we return, then hopefully, she can take a position in House Lightfoot.”
While she hadn’t made out Rachel’s whispered words, the interaction wasn’t missed by Abby, who was twisting a copper-colored lock of hair around her finger and grinning broadly. “I do believe zat once she collects herself, Bethany will be rather appreciative tonight.”
TJ coughed into his hand and blushed.
Rachel chuckled. “Does that mean you’re taking the night off?”
“Not on your life. I plan on taking advantage of zat appreciation as well,” Abby said with a devious smirk.
Chapter 18
The sun was barely peeking out above the tree line when the trio gathered at the stables. Rachel had their parcels ready from the night before and had arranged for the stable hand to help hitch two horses to the wagon. Since it was clear he was clueless, the boy had also shown TJ how to put on and take off the saddle and gave him a quick course on the essentials.
With that, they were off.
He’d ridden one of the horses from Rachel’s manor yesterday, and it hadn’t taken TJ long to decide that he didn’t enjoy traveling on horseback. Despite having his own horse now, it hadn’t changed his opinion. He had a well-mannered blue roan with a black body and white at its feet, and it seemed to read his intentions more than his actual movements, which fit his needs well. Still, it was mind-numbingly slow.
If the winds were favorable, he probably could have flown there in a day or perhaps two. Instead, it was going to be day after day riding alongside the wagon and camping in the rough. Thankfully both Abby and Rachel knew how to work with horses. Given the well-trained steeds and the fact that the wagon was little more than a large wooden box with iron bands, a set of axles, and a bench, it didn’t look spectacularly hard to manage.
He had considered hopping onto one of the crates in the back rather than riding. Unfortunately, Rachel had cautioned that the wagon was already as heavily-loaded as she dared. The two horses sharing the burden had no issues, but the half-rotten boards creaked and flexed ominously as they plodded along.
Sometime in the afternoon, they passed a run-down building that had been gutted. Rachel explained it was one of many waystations that had become deserted once the brickyard had shut down. They wouldn’t have inns until they reached Ardsville.
As they rode, Rachel explained the local culture, which had both Abby and TJ’s interest. Neither of them felt like they fit in particularly well.
When they weren’t talking, Abby read the vocabulary books that Rachel had secured for her. The redhead had been picking up the local language well, but she still got confused or said things that made no sense every now and then.
Once they reached the city, they’d need to mingle around the nobility, so TJ likewise tried to read books about the local culture while also listening to Rachel’s description of the politics and things they were likely to encounter. Thankfully, his horse had decided on its own to follow the other two as closely as possible, so it meant TJ didn’t even have to pay attention to the road.
As they chatted, the sun rose, then tilted across the sky. TJ contented himself with the ladies’ company, but even that hadn’t been able to take his mind off how incredibly sore his back was getting. By the time they stopped to make camp, he’d had to lie down and give himself some healing just to cope with the muscle ache.
He’d expected to prepare their trail rations that night, but in a pleasant turn of events, their camp wasn’t far from a river. That had led to more exciting options than salted pork, nuts, and dried fruit.
TJ put his now empty plate down by the fire and eased against the downed tree trunk he was using as a backrest as they sat in the soft grass. He then slid an arm over Rachel’s shoulder as she leaned into him while she picked at her own plate.
“That was tasty, thank you, Abby,” TJ said.
The redhead beamed. “You are quite welcome. It was very kind of Faith to share her catch. I had not expected fresh trout, much less more zan we could eat.”
Rachel chuckled. “I think the little monster just likes hunting.”
Yes.
TJ’s and Rachel’s heads pivoted until they found a slightly darker shadow on the outskirts of the firelight.
“You could join us by the fire, it’s warm,” TJ offered.
Hunting.
Guarding.
He replied, “Well, let us know if you change your mind.”
Abby asked, “You both speak as though she understands. Am I missing something?”
TJ frowned and thought on the fact that Rachel could hear Faith fine, but Abby couldn’t. “I think she might only be able to talk to me since I summoned her. Rachel and I have a separate bond, so I guess she can piggyback on that.”
“Oh,” Abby said. “Zat would make sense. What type of bond did you offer, Mistress Blackstone?”
Rachel tensed, then sighed. “I’m sworn to him. In every way possible. Body and soul. My afterlife will be with TJ’s patron, Lady Serina. There are things I cannot repeat, but I do not regret my decision. She’s given me a literal second chance at life. She cared for my soul and brought me back to the living. She’s also given me access to talents and, most importantly, my intended.”
Abby’s green eyes went wide.
“A lesser bond might work,” TJ said quickly.
Abby chuckled. “Zat would be more appealing. Although it sounds fascinating. I am not unfamiliar with ze process. I thought your wounds were grievous, not zat you had passed. As for talking with Faith, I admit to being curious and would like to test ze idea. She is no normal cat; zat, I can easily tell. I have questions, and depending on where she is from, she may have answers.”
TJ drummed a few fingers on his lip. “She’s not exactly verbose, but sure, why not. How about an oath to not betray secrets while you are in my employ? I… well, I’ve got some that you’ll probably find out, but it would make me feel better.”
Abby leaned forward in a conspiratorial whisper. “Like ze wings zat you keep trying to hide while we lay with one another?”
TJ’s jaw dropped open marginally, and Rachel began laughing.
“Uh, yeah. Exactly like that,” TJ said lamely.
Abby gave him a mischievous smile. “I assume you have others, but if zey will not hurt me in any way, zen zis would be acceptable.”
“My secrets might cause us problems in general. I can’t promise that no one else would try to harm us because of them. I can promise you that they will not cause you direct harm, but I can’t control what idiots do,” TJ said.
“Zat will suffice,” Abby said, then added, “I, Abigail Dartooth, do swear to keep your secrets for ze duration of my employ.”
Pressure built in the air, and TJ felt the oath swim toward his magical pool. Opening himself to it, the thin golden filament looped around his soul. Where Rachel’s bond was a massive chain, Abby’s was a delicate thread.
His magic thrummed happily, then struggled to cross the tiny strand. It bashed against it, trying to build a more significant bond but couldn’t. It poked angrily at TJ, as though it was disappointed.
Abby sat bolt
upright and put a hand to her bountiful chest. “I felt zat!”
TJ nodded. “I think I can accept oaths on the power of my benefactor. It would be a divine contract if I had to guess. No idea what happens if you break it, but knowing Serina, I wouldn’t recommend trying to find out.”
“Faith, can you speak to Abby now?” TJ asked.
Yes.
Abby’s eyes went wide, then she clapped excitedly. “Yay. You’re all so fun and interesting.”
Rachel offered, “If we swore to keep your secrets too, could you tell us more of your home realm?”
Abby scrunched up her face and closed her eyes. TJ assumed she was doing something akin to when he asked his magic something.
“Yes,” she said cautiously. “Not everything, but some. The geas was not about my realm, so much as it was about the situation zat got me here.”
“Then I swear to you to keep your secrets in turn,” TJ offered.
Rachel pledged her words as well, and TJ could feel a distinct click in place from both bonds.
Once that was done, Abby let out a long sigh of relief. “You have no idea how hard it is to not talk about zis. Even some flexibility is better zan none.”
“I can imagine. It would be hard for anyone to trust you without knowing your story, where you came from and such,” TJ said.
“Oh, you are correct beyond measure. As you expected, I came from another realm. It is a bit different from here. I believe more modern in many ways, and magic was far more common. We have plumbing in our homes, and most things run on magical stones. Everything from heating to our wagons worked on enchanted gems. As ze youngest of five sisters, I was to be a… well, I do not know ze right word. You have said consort or concubine, but I’m not certain if either is correct. I was bought by a…” she rolled her eyes, then tried, “…and trained with ze intent to service ze…” She trailed off and grumbled. “Ah, I find I cannot speak of zem.”
TJ rubbed at his chin. “A sex slave of some sort?”