Noble Solutions

by Schinhofen, Daniel

  Binding Words

  Book 7:

  Noble Solutions

  Daniel Schinhofen

  Copyright © 2021 Daniel J. Schinhofen

  No parts of this book may be reproduced in any form by an electronic or mechanical means – except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles or reviews – without the written permission from the publisher.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarities to real persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Copyright © 2021 Daniel J. Schinhofen

  All rights reserved.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-two

  Chapter Forty-three

  Chapter Forty-four

  Chapter One

  Sean was grim as he got into the carriage with his wives. The time they’d spent waiting for their possessions to be returned hadn’t helped his mood. The last day weighed on him, and his thoughts chased themselves over what he had to do before meeting the others at the Oaken Glen.

  Fiona placed her hand on his. “Sean?”

  Blinking, he gave her a tired smile. “I’m fine. I killed more people than I thought I’d have to.”

  “I can help with that later, if you need,” Felora said, looking around Andrea on her lap.

  “I’ll probably need it,” Sean admitted. “Even though we were just defending ourselves, I don’t feel good about killing.”

  “We’re glad you’re alive,” Ida said from his other side— she was sitting on Ryann, and leaned over to kiss his cheek. The others agreed with her.

  “We felt the Bonds tremble, and then you were pulling on them,” Fiona said. “I Shaped the door open... we feared the worst. We never expected to see what had happened.”

  “It wouldn’t have gotten that far if not for the immobilizing wand Amerut had. He froze me in place, and I couldn’t move enough to stop them,” Sean said tightly, remembering that feeling of impotence.

  “They had already killed me,” Helga said from where she sat with Aria on her lap. “I could not help. By the time I was back, his throat had been cut.”

  “You killed them in the end,” Myna said, kissing Sean’s cheek, shifting from her spot on Fiona.

  “Yes, and I’ll be visiting them soon,” Sean said darkly. “Bath, a quick meal, then a trip to see the former magistrate.” All of his wives reached out to touch him and he shuddered. “Thank you... I’m sorry for what happened. I thought I’d just have to deal with Denmur… I didn’t think it would cause this cascade.”

  “We’re with you, husband,” Fiona whispered, “no matter what happens. Ven?”

  Ven floated between them all. “Yes?” Their question was soft, clearly waiting for a rebuke.

  “Assign one of our Fairies to be a messenger only. If one of you had been able to tell us, we would’ve had the door open much sooner. I know you were all trying to help him, but the delay…” Fiona trailed off.

  “I’ve already taken that step,” Ven replied. “I thought of it after the fact. Four of us will be prepared to defend you, and one will be there to go for aid right away. We again felt like we didn’t do much to assist... In fact, we caused him more strain, as he brought two of us back.”

  Sean reached out, cupping Ven with his palm and bringing the Fairy closer. “You almost had their eyes. More practice is all you need. We’ll look into what else can be done to help.”

  “Yes, sir,” Ven said, though they were still clearly upset.

  “Sean, how is your energy?” Andrea asked from her place on Felora’s lap.

  “Low. I should not use any today if I can help it. I effectively brought myself back to life. My silver cord was fraying as I drifted out of my body…” Sean’s eyes went wide. “I died. The staff…!”

  “No,” Fiona said softly. “Arliat is driving the carriage, Sean. She was fine.”

  Sean exhaled as that fear lifted off his chest. “I… I forgot she was driving.”

  “Sharpeyes will be upset,” Felora said. “The loss of so many crafters is a blow to the city as a whole. The guards were effectively called out by the chief magistrate letting you go and by Jasper freeing Charie.”

  “Fuck him,” Sean said tightly. “We’ll deal with him. I’m going to have to talk with Lady Sharpeyes again. She might have a way for me to legally bring him to a duel.”

  His wives stilled at the very idea, but Helga nodded. “I shall take up that challenge for you, Sean.”

  Aria shifted in place. She looked back at Helga, then at Sean. “Sean, would you accept her as your shield?”

  Ryann inhaled sharply, then exhaled. “She is the best fighter, and she can die and come back for him, too. I know that one of us being his shield makes him worry.”

  “If you wish me to do so, I will take that mantle,” Helga said.

  “Ladies?” Fiona asked. “Consensus?”

  One by one, they all agreed, then looked at Sean. Sean returned each of their looks in turn before nodding. “I would feel better if it was Helga.” He faced Ryann. “Your point was why. I fear for you as my shield because you have to be in danger for me, and I hate that, even more now that you have our child.” His gaze shifted to Aria. “Aria, you were put off because of the loss and kids, but now… would you like to join them?”

  Aria’s smile grew wide. “If you’re offering to give me a child, then yes. All of your children will have a sibling from each of us to play with that way.”

  Andrea touched Aria’s knee. “I’m glad you get to.”

  Sean met Helga’s eyes. “You’ve killed and died for me, Helga. That’s likely going to be your life with us. I won’t force you, if—”

  “I will be your shield and your spear,” Helga said, interrupting him. “I am your Chooser; you have called me thus. My honor at being your first makes my soul sing, Sean. Please, allow me to be the bulwark for you and your wives. It is a small step on my path of redemption in your wives’ eyes.”

  “No,” Andrea said softly. “No... You did all you could for him and will continue to do so.” Swallowing, she turned to face Helga. “I absolve you of guilt. Chas would praise you for taking this role and allowing us to carry his children. I will be as she would. No more debt. You have a solemn task, though, protecting our soul.”

  Helga inhaled as she felt the surge of energy from Andrea. “Mistress...” The word was a whisper and Helga’s eyes glowed with black-white flame for a moment. “Your
word is my command.”

  Felora saw the fire and spoke quickly, “I reinforce this command, Helga Oathsworn. Your task is guarding our soul. Never fail in this.”

  The flame brightened as Helga stiffened. “As you command, mistress.”

  “Never fail,” Ryann added.

  Sean watched as his wives spoke one by one, the energy in Helga’s eyes glowing brighter with each repetition. When Helga spoke to assure Fiona, the last of his wives to speak, Sean said, “Helga Oathsworn, Chooser, my wives have spoken and I approve of their words. Let this be your purpose, setting aside all that came before to bind this to you.”

  Helga shuddered and her eyes blazed as she stared at Sean, her very soul vibrating to his words. “As my lord wishes and as his wives command, so it shall be. I am his shield, his bulwark, his spear, and his fist. I will protect him against all threats, safeguarding his soul, as that saves them all. No one, not even those false gods of my past, can sway me from this task.”

  Sean felt the bindings on her and shivered as it bled back to him bit by bit. “Accepted. Welcome to the family as a part of it, Chooser.”

  Helga slumped. Her lips parted and her eyes closed as she shivered. “My Lord... thank you.”

  Sean started to reply when he inhaled sharply— a flood of energy rushed from Helga to him. All of his wives were shocked to see the same black-white flame burning in his eyes for a moment before it faded.

  “Sean?” Fiona asked, touching his cheek.

  “I’m fine… better, actually,” Sean said slowly. “Helga?”

  “I lost a soul, my lord,” Helga murmured softly. “You had need, and they went to you.”

  Sean exhaled slowly. His energy was higher than it had been, but still below half. “Interesting. We’ll have to let you take some more souls from the bog. Having extra energy waiting is too useful to not use it if needed.”

  “That means you’ll never be as drained as you were for the battle before the city,” Felora said. “Could you… pass that straight to us?”

  Sean frowned. “We’ll have to test it, but right now might not be the best time.”

  The carriage slowed and Arliat’s voice calling caught their ears, “Open it up, Quinna. We’re home.”

  “We need to tell them about what happened, too,” Sean said.

  “While we eat,” Fiona told him. “First, a shower for you.”

  “Yeah,” Sean said. “I’ll be skipping the bath, though. I need to eat and then visit the bog.”

  “I can help get you there faster,” Felora said.

  “I was going to ask,” Sean told her as the carriage moved forward again.

  “We’ll all be joining you for the shower,” Fiona told Sean. “I think we all want to be close for a while. Also, we’d all like to see the bog, I think.”

  “I’m fine with that,” Sean said. “I want you all close, too. It relaxes me.”

  The carriage stopped. “Sir, we’re here.”

  Aria opened the door and got out first. His wives followed one by one, leaving Sean as the last one out. Stepping down from the carriage, he found all of the staff out in the yard.

  “We’ll need a light meal, Glorina,” Sean told the head cook. “Things didn’t go as planned, as you all know. We’ll cover it while we all eat. We’ll be taking a quick shower, then meeting in the dining room. After that, I’ll be visiting the bog.”

  “Sir,” Rumia asked quickly, “can I go, too?”

  The others all began to ask if they could go and Fiona cleared her throat. “Ladies, this is a purposeful visit, not for sightseeing. If you want to see the bog and manor, we can arrange it later.”

  “Fiona, wait,” Sean said. “Felora, is it even possible?”

  Felora looked at the staff with a small smile. “Yes. We’d have to use the dining room, as they won’t all fit into bed with us.”

  A few of the staff blinked, not having expected that answer. Rosa appeared the most uncomfortable, a few looked thoughtful or hopeful, and the twins seemed disappointed.

  “Okay, we’ll cover it, then,” Sean said.

  “Is meat and cheese with crackers enough for the meal, sir?” Glorina asked.

  “Sure. We’ll have dinner after I speak with the others at the inn. This whole day is off schedule, so we’ll work around it.”

  Glorina, Mona, and Lona headed for the kitchen, ready to do their job. The others followed the family inside, but went to the dining room as Sean and his wives entered the bathroom.

  Chapter Two

  They all finished bathing and eating quickly. Sean took a deep breath, looking at Felora. “Fel, what do we need to do?”

  “Everyone, hold hands,” Felora said. “This will let us make sure we’re together when the dream begins.”

  Sean took Fiona’s and Ryann’s hands, then watched as the others did as she requested. The Fairies sat on the palms of those to either side of them, holding hands among each other.

  Once everyone was ready, Felora nodded. “You’ll be going to sleep, so I suggest that everyone leans onto the table.” She leaned down to show them. “This way, you’re unlikely to slide under the table.” Once everyone was ready, she inhaled slowly and closed her eyes. “Separation, removal, step across the planes. Follow Sean as he leads us to his worlds, knowing that he will guide us.”

  Sean let her energy grab him and pull him into slumber, then across the planes. Blinking what felt like a second later, he was on the edge of the bog. The full moon illuminated the yew tree, which cast its long, shadowy fingers over the ground. Human heads broke the black peat, most of them near the clumps of heath and heather that dotted the landscape. Exhaling slowly, Sean waited as he listened to the people crying out for help.

  His wives and staff all appeared on the edge of the bog. The circular strip of ground that surrounded the plane was wide enough for at least a dozen people to stand abreast of each other. Wide eyes took in the surroundings— everyone who hadn’t been to the plane before stared at the people crying out.

  “This is the bog,” Sean said softly. “I can walk across the peat, but I don’t know if you can, so please stay on the edge.”

  “They’re trapped?” Rosa asked, fear coloring her words.

  “The plants bind them and hold them in place. They can’t get free and, if I will it, they’ll be pulled under. They won’t die even under the peat, as Denmur still rests there. This is for the people that are my enemies. None of you will end up here.”

  “What if I wished to tend to this for you?” Rumia asked breathlessly. All eyes went to her, and she blushed. “Forgive me. I was just wanting to help you, sir.”

  “Now isn’t the time,” Fiona said, taking Rumia’s hand. “He has people he needs to speak with. Sean, can we help you?”

  “No, I don’t think so. This place is… not a good place. Felora, take them to the manor, please.”

  “Sean,” Myna asked, touching his shoulder, “why?”

  Sean closed his eyes briefly, then met hers. “I’m about to be a man I don’t want to be. I’d rather no one witness this.”

  “I don’t want to leave,” Myna said. “I know you, Master. You might need to be unyielding and cruel, but these people deserve it. They are our foes— don’t fear what we’ll think. None of us will think badly of what you must do to protect us.”

  The others began to agree with her, and Sean noticed the silence that had fallen over the bog. He looked over the women watching him and nodded. “Very well.” Turning away from them, Sean walked out onto the peat, the ground firm under his feet.

  The closest people paled and stayed silent as Sean passed them. He looked grim, and his eyes shining with black-white flames made them fearful. The man Sean walked toward watched him like a man watching death approach.

  Coming to a stop, Sean squatted down to speak with Amerut. “You tried to kill me. You failed, and now, your soul is mine. I will give you a chance to not be tormented for eternity. If you lie, I will let the bog have you. You won’t die, but
you’ll slowly become a part of it. Understand?”

  Amerut’s eyes were large as he nodded.

  “Who ordered you to kill me?” Sean asked flatly.

  “We were supposed to kill your Bonded!” Venim blurted. “Fokler said we were going to kill her to make a point. When you were arrested, too, they tried to get your case to Amerut, but Jasper took it.”

  “Shut up!” Fokler spat at Venim. “This is all a lie. We’re not trapped— we have him in the courtroom. Amerut, break this already so we can get on with it! This must be the work of the whore that can twist minds.”

  Sean shifted his gaze to Fokler, a cold smile coming to him. “Take him under. Keep him there until I request him again.”

  Fokler had started to respond when roots wrapped around his head and pulled him under the peat. Venim babbled and cried, pleading for mercy. Amerut’s wide eyes grew larger, his mouth open as he stared at Sean in horror.