Noble Solutions

by Schinhofen, Daniel

  Myna purred, then sprang into a backward flip, whipping her leg out as she spun low. Coming out of the sweep, her two blades appeared in her hands and she cut through the air in one of her attack patterns. Coming to an end, she grinned wider. “It feels natural, Master.”

  Sean exhaled. “Good. I know it’ll work now. I’ll just need to call you in one at a time to fit you. I should also let you know Winston will be bringing an engine over in the next few days. Arliat, we’ll be making the carriage into a car then. I’ll go over everything with you at that point, okay?”

  “Of course, sir,” Arliat said.

  “We’ll take good care of the horses,” Quinna said. “Caleb has his two subordinates well in hand. They’ve been very docile, listen to us, and are a joy to have around.”

  “I had Caleb explain everything to them,” Sean said. “If you have any trouble at all, let me know.”

  A few Fairies came zipping up to Sean. “Sir, the guards are marching down the street.”

  Sean felt his blood go cold and his armor covered him instantly. “Ladies, please go inside for a bit. Helga, come with me.” Sean went for the front gate, ready to kill anyone he needed to to protect his family.

  Helga fell into step beside him. “If they attack, sir, I will buy you time to work your magic.”

  “Hopefully, that won’t be needed,” Aria said, summoning her armor as she trailed them.

  “If it is, they will never see me,” Myna’s voice came from beside Aria.

  “Maybe it’s nothing,” Sean said grimly. “We’ll just go see.”

  Reaching the gate, Sean looked left and saw the contingent of guards. The full patrol group moved more as small pockets, not as a unit. A man with each small group explained each structure as they passed. The guards looked at Sean, Helga, and Aria with wide eyes as they went by.

  “The MacDougal family and their shop,” one of the more experienced guards explained. “They’ve had trouble in the past.”

  “Sergeant, a word, please?” Sean asked that same guard.

  The sergeant looked worried as he came closer to the gate. “Sir?”

  “What is this?” Sean asked, motioning to the guards.

  “Familiarization, sir. We’re showing the guards who haven’t been in this patrol area around it. We’ve had new recruits join so there can be more patrols. This being the upper society area, it gets more than others.”

  Sean had met the man’s gaze while he spoke. “I see,” Sean said, relaxing a little. “I apologize. Suddenly having a lot of armed men on the street startled us.”

  The sergeant relaxed, too. “Understood, sir. There will be other groups over the next few ten days. Sorry for causing you worry and concern.”

  “Just concern,” Sean said as his armor became jewelry again. “Don’t let me detain you, Sergeant.”

  “Yes, sir. Have a good night.” The sergeant nodded, then moved back to the group of guards waiting for him. “Okay, let’s keep moving.”

  “Ven,” Sean said softly. When Ven landed on his shoulder, he nodded to the guards. “Have a few of the clan follow them and see if they’re really doing what he said. I believed him, but verification is always good.”

  “Yes, sir,” Ven said.

  Sean exhaled. “Not everything is a plot or attack.”

  “Being prepared is good,” Myna said.

  “I agree with her, sir,” Helga said.

  Aria laughed lightly. “Should we get training started now?”

  “Yes,” Helga said as her armor went back to jewelry.

  ~*~*~

  Sean greeted the group as he took his seat at the big table in the taproom. “Evening to you all. Sorry for the delay, but an oddity happened.”

  “Guards moving in packs through the streets?” Joseph asked.

  “Yeah,” Sean nodded. “A whole pack of them went strolling down the street at my place.”

  “I passed two pockets on the way here tonight,” Knox said. “They said it was new recruit training. Some of them did look pretty young.”

  “Before we go too far,” Fredrick said with a grin, “I made sure Joseph had no idea about my surprise so he couldn’t be impatient.”

  Joseph’s head snapped toward Fredrick. “What?”

  “We have a new employee,” Fredrick said. “Amedee, will you do the honors?”

  “Of course,” Mageeyes smiled. “Pura.”

  A silver flash told them Pura went off to do whatever it was they’d been asked to do.

  “You kept a secret from us?” Joseph asked. “I don’t know if I should be upset or laugh.”

  “Laugh,” Sam said as she chuckled. “This was preferable to you being a kettle.”

  More laughter followed her words, and Joseph joined in. “Okay, okay. I can get a little excited.”

  “Understatement,” Avery snorted.

  They were distracted when a man approached the table. Sean smiled broadly at him. “Babbitt, a pleasure.”

  “MacDougal, it’s good to see you alive. I heard about your duel the other night.”

  “Wait, Babbitt’s the new employee?!” Joseph spluttered.

  “Head of security for Forged Bonds,” Babbitt said. “I will be working with all the guards to fortify the shops and setting guidelines on all procedures.” He looked at Sean. “Can I get Aria to come with me to each of the shops tomorrow? She’d be a great help with the cuons.”

  “I’ll come with. It’d be better if I did,” Sean said. “Trust me.”

  “Hmm... Fine, as I heard there’s an Agreement to be taken to hear more of the story. I’ve been told the requirements and I’ll agree. Your place tomorrow morning?”

  “Sure. Getting it done early works for me,” Sean said.

  “Sean,” Mageeyes asked, “would you be willing to speak with Toivo, as well?”

  Sean smiled. “If he’s going to be beside you, it would be a good idea. He’s willing?”

  “He is. He’d be here himself, but he is discussing the duel with his father. His father had many questions about you afterward. On an adjacent subject, my courting with Toivo is going to advance quickly.”

  “Have him swing by tomorrow morning, and he can come with me and Babbitt. That would mean I only have to say it once.”

  “Pura?” Mageeyes asked before Pura flashed away. “Thank you, Sean.”

  “Sean, I would like you to come by my home on Nineday, please?” Flamehair asked. “I will be having extended family over and I want them to meet you.”

  “Westpoint family?” Sean asked.

  “Yes. It will be important in ways they can’t even begin to understand yet.”

  “Things are getting busy again,” Sean said. “When on Nineday?”

  “Midday?”

  “Sure.”

  “Drinks?” Tabitha asked, coming over to the table.

  “Dark Delight?” Sean asked.

  “We just got the keg in,” Tabitha smiled.

  “Hot cider,” Helga said.

  “And refills,” Avery said, handing over the coin.

  “Where’s Henry?” Sean asked, realizing that he wasn’t there.

  “Consolidating,” Fredrick said. “One of his brothers is trying to take the family over. They can’t find the will, so there’s some debate over who should be in charge.”

  Sean looked thoughtful. “Hmm... Maybe he’ll find it soon.”

  Fredrick’s eyes shifted to Babbitt before he nodded. “Perhaps. However, there is other news.”

  “More secrets?” Joseph asked, staring at Fredrick.

  “Maybe,” Fredrick chuckled, “but Tabitha will be back with the refills shortly.”

  Joseph groaned. “You’re doing this to make me go mad.”

  “Madder,” Knox laughed.

  “Sean, is Ida okay?” Sam asked as they waited.

  “She’s fine. She asked to stay home with the others. I think they’re wanting to stay as safe as they can. I’ll make sure she knows you asked. That’ll probably get her to come
tomorrow.”

  “It’s fine, I just know she was looking forward to sitting with us more. With her carrying a child, though, I don’t fault her for being cautious.”

  “She will be safe with us,” Helga said softly.

  Sam looked at Helga, then nodded. “Yes. You didn’t hesitate at all dealing with your opponent.”

  Tabitha brought their drinks to the table. “If you need anything else, just wave me over.”

  Fredrick took a sip as Joseph stared at him. “Amedee, you always have the best drinks.”

  “Oh, come on!” Joseph exhaled in exasperation.

  Everyone laughed at his antics, and Fredrick set his mug down. “Very well. Blissful Waters is closing both of their bathhouses in the city. I sent them an offer to purchase the buildings. It’d require installing new pipes and drains to get them turned around to ours.”

  “What about staff?” Saret asked.

  “That’ll be something we’ll have to decide on. I was thinking your newest daughter might like to run one.”

  Saret smiled at him. “Thank you, Fredrick. I will let her know. She’ll do her very best.”

  “I’d like to offer myself for the other one,” Avery said. “My wife mentioned that getting away from the smithy might be the thing to do now.”

  Joseph looked at Sam. “That’ll leave just us.”

  “It’s too far in our blood to step away,” Sam smiled. “In less than a cycle, our group of smiths have moved on to softer jobs. Heingerd will be happy, as will the others who didn’t stay, though. More work for them.”

  “True,” Joseph nodded.

  “Does anyone object?” Fredrick asked. No one spoke up, so Fredrick smiled. “Very well, Avery. You should begin wrapping up your projects. I’ll let you know when things are ready.”

  “Maybe we want to wrangle Heingerd?” Sean said. “Get him into making pipes for the association?”

  Eyebrows went up, and everyone looked at him.

  “He was an ass and might still be an ass, but his family are good people. Or, we can put orders in with all of the other smiths to see who produces the best sets, then offer them a better deal to work with us. Lock our supply down.”

  “Hmm, that’s a good point,” Fredrick said. “I’ll work on it. Funny... I do very little for my own business now. Thankfully, my two apprentices are very talented, and of course, my darling wife is also very talented.”

  “Nicely saved,” Eva smirked, then kissed his cheek.

  “Guess that accounts for my two newest cuons,” Sean chuckled. “I’ll have to send Schin word to see if he can just let me know when he gets more.”

  “I’ll just take Grema with me,” Avery said.

  “Okay, one of the two,” Sean chuckled. “I should still let Schin know to keep an eye open for me.”

  “I would suggest it, anyway,” Fredrick said. “I expect the other bathhouses to start falling one by one. Ours are always booked, and theirs have been losing more business. The ease of hot water makes ours sought after.”

  “Was one of the bathhouses that just folded the one down the street?” Sean asked.

  “It is,” Fredrick smiled.

  “There was a guy there that managed the place,” Sean said. “Fire him, please, and tell him I said ‘hi.’ He upset Myna the last time we went to use it.”

  “Very well,” Fredrick chuckled. “The receptionist is fine, yes? She’s been hopeful ever since we opened the first one.”

  “Oh, yeah, she was fine.”

  “More to work on,” Babbitt said, setting down his empty mug. “I’ll be going. Have a good night.”

  “I should go, too,” Sean said. “Ven, let Arliat know, please?”

  “Of course,” Ven replied from above him.

  “Not a bad idea,” Sam sighed.

  “Want a ride home?” Sean offered.

  “I won’t say no, not with the snow,” Sam smiled.

  “Sean,” Joseph asked, sitting forward, “do you have room for another?”

  Sean laughed. “Sure.”

  ~*~*~

  Sean looked at the bog and nodded. Felora and Helga appeared behind him a moment later. “Have you tried to bring anyone here yet?” Sean asked Felora.

  “No. I was going to dream with Rumia tomorrow afternoon, though.”

  “Let’s test the bog with you, first,” Sean said. “I’ll grab you if your foot starts to sink.”

  Felora smirked. “I know I want to be dirty with you Sean, but a bog isn’t what I had in mind.”

  Sean rolled his eyes, and Felora sighed as he refused to play with her. Taking a deep breath, she hovered her foot off the edge of the path, then pushed it gently at the peat. Her foot rested on it and she pushed down harder, but it stayed solid.

  “It’s fine for me,” Felora smiled.

  Helga stepped off the path— it was firm under her foot, as well.

  “Okay, I’m glad. Keep a hand on Rumia when she tries it.”

  “It didn’t work for my mother, though,” Felora mused. “Maybe because I believe in you, or perhaps because of the Soul Bond?”

  “It is not because you are his wife, at least, because I can, too,” Helga said.

  “I think it’s the Bond, but I’m not sure if a Life Bonded can do the same thing. That’s why I want you to be hypervigilant to help her.”

  “I will be. Now, why are we here?”

  “Darkfoam,” Sean said. “You can come with me, if you’d like.”

  “I’ll follow,” Felora told him.

  “I am behind you, sir,” Helga added.

  Sean walked out onto the peat, looking over the fearful faces that watched him. When he saw Darkfoam, he headed to the dwarf. Darkfoam’s eyes grew wide and he swallowed hard.

  “Darkfoam,” Sean said, squatting down to talk to the man more easily, “the more you help me, the less time you’ll spend here. At the moment, I’m all for letting the bog have you. You had my family and friends attacked, after all.”

  “No,” Darkfoam said, shaking his head. “I never—!”

  “Shut it,” Sean growled, his eyes flashing to black-white flame.

  Roots grew up and wrapped around Darkfoam’s mouth, causing the man to panic and wriggle.

  “You sent men out to hurt people on Carver’s orders, right?”

  Head jerking up and down, Darkfoam tried to answer as quickly as he could.

  “That had friends and family of mine hurt, so you don’t get to claim innocence. Maybe you didn’t specify them, but they were hurt because of you. Now, I will give you a chance to earn my good will back. Interested?”

  More frantic nods came from the dwarf.

  “Your will— where is it?” Sean asked, the roots unwrapping from around Darkfoam’s mouth.

  “In my secret safe,” Darkfoam said quickly.

  “Can’t be. Your son Henry can’t find it.”

  “He survived?” Darkfoam asked hopefully.

  “I saved him from the fire, then healed him back to perfect health.”

  Darkfoam began to cry. “Denmur, you idiot!”

  “Where is the will? Henry needs it. One of his brothers is trying to take the family from him.”

  Tears spilled from Darkfoam’s eyes. “You… you’re helping him? Even though he is my son?”

  “A child shouldn’t pay for the parent’s crimes,” Sean replied. “Where is it? This is the last time I’ll ask.”

  “My secret safe... it’s one he wouldn’t know about. In my office, he’d know of the hidden one and likely looked there. The third shelf of the rightmost bookcase has a collection of books that deal with the myths of the Hunter, and behind those books is a false panel. The safe is behind that.”

  “Good. If it’s not there, you’ll join Denmur and Fokler in the peat. If it is, you’ll be freed of the bog.”

  “It is!” Darkfoam said quickly. He swallowed. “Thank you for saving him. He’s from my first wife... He took after her. Henry counseled me to leave Denmur in the last tenday before�
�” Shuddering, Darkfoam trailed off.