“Fine, Charie, fine,” Saret sighed. “Sean, do you know anything about Weaver’s death? From what little I could get from Felora before she collapsed, the guard thought it might have been Marjorie, but we both know that isn’t possible.”
“Nothing,” Sean shrugged. “Only thing I know is they were asking about everyone’s whereabouts on Fourday.”
“He was found hanging from a line of silken scarves,” Flamehair said. “My people were called in to cremate the body. The guard was interested in the bruising on his wrists. It looks like murder, not suicide, but they aren’t letting that out.”
“Couldn’t happen to a nicer asshole,” Sean snorted.
“You do seem to have a way of having people you dislike get in trouble,” Mageeyes said. “A stone falling from a building, a mysterious mugging, and now, a hanging.”
“Huh?”
All three stared at him before Saret shook her head, “He really doesn’t know.”
“It sounds like you think I’m getting people hurt. I didn’t have anything to do with any of those incidents.”
“Our apologies,” Mageeyes said. “We are mistaken. I wonder, though… you haven’t done anything about the attack on you. Why?”
“Sergeant Carmady is looking into it. I respect the law more often than not. I doubt I’d find the person actually responsible, since they’re sure to use cat’s paws for their deeds.”
“Knowing your limitations is good,” Saret smiled. “If you could find out who orchestrated the attack, what then?”
Sean met her eyes and shrugged. “Who knows?”
Saret’s smile grew wider, “Oh, I knew I liked you.”
“We are sorry for keeping you, MacDougal,” Mageeyes said.
“Sean, please come by the Den whenever you want. I’ll make sure your bill is covered.”
Mageeyes sighed, “Have a good night, MacDougal.”
“Night to you all,” Sean said, leaving the room.
Lilly was waiting for him in the hall. “I hope the table got their drinks,” Sean said with a chuckle.
“Yes, they were cared for,” Lilly said, leading him back toward the front.
“That’s good.”
“Did you not have any of her wine?” Lilly asked after a pause.
“Only a sip. It was too sweet for me.”
“Oh,” Lilly said, her eyes going wide.
“I’m looking forward to that ale now,” Sean said.
“I’ll bring the mug as soon as we reach the tap room.”
“Thanks, Lilly.”
No sooner had Sean sat down than Lilly brought him a mug. Giving her a smile, he took a sip and was glad that the ale did not try to knock him on his ass.
“So?” Joseph asked once Lilly walked away.
“Dame Mageeyes, Saret Somnia, and Dame Flamehair were all there,” Sean said. “Flamehair wanted to thank me for the kettle I made her.”
“You made her one?” Eva asked. “Her butler has me making her three of them.”
“I told him that silver and other metals were with you and Fredrick,” Sean said.
“Oh, thank you,” Eva smiled. “I was happy to have the commission.”
“To friends,” Knox said, raising his mug.
“Friends,” the others replied, toasting back.
“We’ll have the pipes in the ground by Oneday, Sean,” Italice said. “We’ve been able to do more over the last tenday than we’ve ever managed before. How long do you think until you have the water ready?”
Sean grimaced, “I can put in some tomorrow, but I think I’m close to figuring out what I really wanted. If I can’t do it by Oneday, I’ll set it up with my current idea.”
“When do we want to look at opening, then?” Fredrick asked.
“Fiveday,” Sean suggested. “It’ll give us time to make sure we’re ready, and if we are, we can start letting people know.”
“Good idea,” Sam said.
“We can let Angus know about the bathhouse, and he could tell his friends,” Ryann suggested.
“We can spread word, too,” Italice said.
“Think Denmur will handle it well?” Fredrick chuckled.
“Not at all,” Eva smiled at him. “I’m looking forward to the party. Knowing what we are going to do and the fact that he has no idea makes me happy.”
“To foiling your foes?” Ryan asked, raising his glass.
“Now that I can drink to,” Sean said.
Chapter Twenty-four
Sevenday and Eightday flew by for Sean. He spent most of his time trying to figure out how to make the new enchantment idea he had work, in between sparring and work. He knew he was close, but he had not figured out what he wanted by the end of Eightday.
Showing Hob Callon to the door after training on Nineday, Sean was surprised to see Augustus MacLenn chatting with Chastity.
“MacLenn, what can we do for you today?”
“What, indeed?” Augustus laughed. “Can we talk business?”
“Ven, let Fiona know that Augustus is here for business, please.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I figured your senior wife would be included,” Augustus smiled. “Can we chat while we wait for her?”
“Sure,” Sean said and ushered him to the workroom.
As Augustus took his seat, Sean asked for someone to inform Andrea that tea was required, and a blur of silver let him know the request had been heard.
“I know it’s not official yet,” Augustus said, not waiting for the tea, “but I heard an interesting rumor about you, MacDougal.”
“Which one?” Sean asked as he lost his smile.
Chuckling, Augustus shook his head. “No, not those rumors. A rumor that you’re going to start selling a new kettle soon, an improvement over the last one.”
Staring at Augustus, Sean wondered where he had heard that. “How interesting. If that were true, it would beg the question about where the rumor came from.”
“You don’t have people gathering information for you?” Augustus looked shocked. “Hmm, that would explain why you don’t seem to know about things ahead of time. You were almost invited to tonight’s gala.”
Both Sean’s eyebrows shot up. “That would have shocked the fuck out of me.”
“So it would appear,” Augustus sighed. “I have enjoyed doing business with you, MacDougal, but you are woefully unprepared to stay ahead of your enemies. Pressure is starting to really build to cut off support for you. There are those even trying to influence me, even with the established deal we have in place.”
“Fucking Denmur,” Sean muttered.
“I came today about the kettles, though... if the rumor is true, of course.”
A knock on the door kept Sean from answering. Andrea came in with a full tea set and began to set it out for them. Fiona arrived before Andrea finished and took a seat beside Sean. Once she was done, Andrea left them alone.
“Sorry about the delay,” Fiona said when the door closed. “What business are we conducting today?”
“MacLenn heard a rumor about new kettles being ready soon.”
Sipping his tea, Augustus smiled, “Amongst others.”
“Hmm, of course you would have ears in various places. A good merchant house has to,” Fiona said.
Augustus bowed his head, “Of course. The only other rumor of interest I’ve heard concerned MacDougal being summoned to the gala, but that was decided against this time.”
Fiona’s looked startled, “Hmm, I wouldn’t have thought he would have garnered that kind of attention yet.”
“It seems his name is being bandied about at higher levels,” Augustus shrugged. “The price of innovation.”
“You wanted to know about the new kettles?”
“Yes. It would help me pacify those who are trying to sever our relationship.”
“Venn, please have Andrea bring out the newest kettle,” Fiona said.
“Yes, mistress,” Venn said, zipping off.
“You haven�
��t invented anything else new, have you?” Augustus asked with a smile.
“Not yet,” Sean said.
“A shame. I have a feeling you aren’t done yet, though. Please keep me in mind when you do have something new. I’d love to arrange a deal as soon as I can.”
“We will let you know,” Fiona replied.
A minute of silence passed before a knock on the door announced Andrea. “The kettle, mistress,” Andrea said, setting it on the table and leaving.
“It looks like the ones you sell now,” Augustus said.
“The old ones you have to have some energy to use,” Sean said. “This one only requires someone touch the gem. We’re still testing out how long the enchantment will last, but according to Andrea, it’s made over a hundred pots of hot water so far.”
“Goodness,” Augustus said. “Might I examine it?”
“Go ahead,” Sean said. “Fiona, if you can handle this? I have more work to do.”
“I will see that everything is settled, husband. Go do the things only you can do,” Fiona said, getting a kiss from him.
“Pleasant day, MacLenn.”
“To you as well, MacDougal.”
Sean left them and went out to their bathing rooms to work. The idea is solid... I just need to find a way to make it work. Maybe I need to give it a solid shape to attach to. Sean let the thoughts spin in his mind as he left the house.
~*~*~
Sean paused to spar with everyone but Fiona at midday. Chastity and Andrea were even more determined than before to absorb all they could. Myna praised or disciplined them equally when appropriate.
The last round was everyone else versus Sean, at Myna’s direction. Going into Camo, Sean dampened his energy signature as he moved away silently. Wind whistled past him as thrown items went through the spot he had been standing in. Focusing, he brought up Mage Sight in his right eye while keeping normal vision in the left. Myna was also Camoed and moving around slowly, looking for him. Ryann, Ida, Chastity, and Andrea had put their backs together, forming a square in the middle of the yard.
Myna first, Sean thought, carefully picking his way toward the sneaky cat. Myna was moving slowly but erratically, clearly waiting for him to attempt an ambush. Stopping by the woodpile they had for the stoves inside the house, Sean touched a log and Shaped a crude throwing knife.
“By the wood,” Andrea shouted.
Ryann spun and threw as quickly as she could. The training knife thunked off the woodpile a few inches from Sean, who had stopped in place. “He’s gone,” Ryann sighed.
How did you know? Sean wondered and began to inch away.
Myna had come toward the woodpile, making Sean’s job easier. Waiting for a few moments longer, he threw the blade before walking away again.
The moment the blade left his hand, Andrea and Chastity both threw training blades at where he had been. Myna was growling in frustration when she appeared, rubbing her nose. Ryann started to turn toward her, but stopped when she realized it was Myna.
“You’ve expanded on what you can do, Sean,” Myna said, moving toward the bathhouse. “You weren’t able to do two things at once without strain, but now you’re doing at least three.”
Sean had to agree with her, but he was trying to figure out how to break the four in the middle. He slowed his pace when he watched Ida kneel between them. What are you doing?
Sean almost whistled when he watched Ida’s energy begin to infuse the top inch of the yard, spreading out from her in a circle. Sonar, radar, something like that. Smart girl. With his options dwindling, Sean went for the frontal assault.
“Incoming,” Ida managed to say, her head turning in his direction.
The others looked at her, not to where she was looking. Sean caught Chastity between the breasts and pivoted to do the same to Andrea. Feeling something graze his arm, Sean sprang away and felt a hit to his calf.
Dropping Camo, Sean chuckled, “Left arm and right calf. Neither kills me.”
Ryann drew another knife and Ida picked up her hammer. “We have you now, though,” Ryann smirked.
“No, you don’t,” Sean said as both of his arms came up from his sides.
Ida and Ryann both hissed and they touched their necks, though the bruises were already fading. Sean shook his hands out, both of them sporting bruises that faded only a tiny bit more slowly.
“You deflected both attacks, but it cost you both of your hands,” Myna said. “It did kill them, though.”
“Only because I could do so much,” Sean said. “That pushed my limits, but it doesn’t help in a fight where I can’t do that.”
“True,” Myna nodded. “Pick up your weapons. Once everyone is ready, we will all attack him again, no tricks. Armor only.”
“Fuck me,” Sean sighed. “Should have kept my mouth shut.”
“I was going to do this, anyway,” Myna grinned. “You were right to kill me first.”
“I request to be on Sean’s side,” Ryann said. “I am supposed to be his shield.”
“Four on two... yes, that is a good point, Ryann,” Myna nodded. “Go.”
“Damn it,” Ryann snapped as she threw two knives, but her aim without using her Talent was not up to stopping Myna.
Sean met the first thrust and turned it away, kicking Myna in the stomach and throwing her back. “Stop them, Ry. I’ll deal with Myna first.”
“Fine,” Ryann hissed, turning to the other three. They were not prepared for the sudden start, either.
Sean grunted as a throwing blade hit his left arm, and he dropped it to his side. “Left arm out.”
“Good,” Myna smiled and came at him again.
Sean did not reply. He waited for her, not liking what he was about to do. Myna was not expecting Sean to step into her, his clothing as hard as adamantine where she struck his chest and side. His blade poked up into the bottom of her chin before she went tumbling away.
“Out,” Myna growled as she sat back up. “Good work. You used my known attacks against me and stopped them.”
“Sean!” Ryann shouted.
He turned just as Chastity and Andrea both jumped on top of him. They piled on and knocked him to the ground, both their training swords touching his neck.
“What the hell?”
“Ida let me kill her, but used her body to knock me down,” Ryann grumbled.
Ida bent her head, “Sorry, Ry, but our mission was killing him. It was worth it.”
“No,” Sean said emphatically, getting back to his feet when the other two let him up. “None of your lives are worth it to kill someone else. We don’t know how often or how long someone can be dead before I can bring them back, so please don’t do that again, Ida.”
“I’m sorry, Sean.”
“Time to clean up,” Myna said. “Taking wounds is okay. We heal fast, but death… death is hard even for Sean.”
“Understood,” Ida said, clearly upset with herself.
“Chastity, Andrea, you both did good. Using an ally to get an opening is good,” Myna said, patting their shoulders as they entered the bathroom.
“Thank you,” they said together, smiling and blushing.
“Yeah, I wasn’t prepared for that tandem attack,” Sean agreed when he went in behind them. “You’re coming along fast. How have you both been for Shaping?”
“I’ve had a lot of practice,” Chastity beamed. “I think I’m doing well.”
“I don’t get as much practice,” Andrea sighed. “It takes me longer and more energy than the others.”
“After our shower, we can spend an hour training you,” Sean said. “Sound good?”
“Yes,” Andrea said, her cheeks heating.
“You too, Chastity,” Sean said. “You both did good today.”
“Thank you, Sean,” Chastity smiled, looking at the floor as a pink tinge spread across her face.
“First, the shower,” Ida said. She had already stripped and was heading that way.
Sean shook his head, his eyes follo
wing her before shifting to Ryann, who was only a few steps behind her. Sitting down on the bench, Sean went to pull his boots off.
“I’ll help, sir,” Andrea said quickly, kneeling down in front of him and taking his foot in hand.
Forged Bonds (Binding Words Book 4) Page 24