Sean gave Bloodheart a grin. “If they get past him, I’ll be there to help.”
“Well said,” Bloodheart chuckled. “You are always welcome to stand beside me if it comes to a fight.”
“Understood. Are you going to be ready for Solanice?”
“He’s dead and doesn’t know it yet,” Bloodheart said with a glimmer in his eye.
“I have already informed my family,” Flamehair said. “My move to Accord and taking over the family there is already in process. Charu was happy to help, as it means she gets what she wanted.”
“Her daughter coming here?” Sean asked.
“Yes.”
“Saret, will all of your daughters be going with you?” MacLenn asked.
“No. I am letting some of them set up their own places,” Saret smiled sadly. “It’s so hard to let them go, but I have sheltered them too much. I will be arranging things for them over the next few days. It’ll be me and maybe ten of my daughters, and maybe a half-dozen staff.”
“Hmm... Sean,” MacLenn said, turning to Sean, “I might be going, as well. If I do… I’ll need your help when we get there.”
“Family?” Sean asked.
“The head of the greater family lives there,” MacLenn said tightly. “I’m sure he’s an ally of Truestrike. We’ll have to move fast when we get to the city.”
“If it’s needed,” Sean said. “If we bring in the association and show them what we have behind us, will that not sway them?”
“It might, or it might mean I have to… remove the current head,” MacLenn said. “I hope it isn’t that way, but it might be.”
“Understood.”
“I spoke with Clara,” Giralt said. “She insisted that we move. Said she didn’t wish to be without her friends.”
Sean laughed. “My wives will be happy to hear she wants to go. We can even fit you two in with us during the trip. Your car can follow us.”
“Oh, she’d like that,” Giralt grinned.
“I would like to go,” Jefferson said. “I can help as much as I can with the Shaping.”
“The seats would be easy for you,” Sean said. “I’d be glad to have you along.”
“Thank you.”
“Fredrick, Amedee, I spoke with Agatha today. She’d be interested in coming as a secretary for the branch. I told her to speak with you.”
Mageeyes nodded slowly. “I can see many uses for her. If she comes to speak with me, I will bring her with us... Which reminds me. Fredrick, you need to replace Bemin. I will be having her take over my inn for me.”
“Very well. We shall miss you, all of you, when you go, but we have time before that happens,” Fredrick said. He raised his mug. “To our association, and the growth of new ideals that will spread with us. To Forged Bonds.”
“Forged Bonds!” the table cheered back.
“I’ll need the materials to make the cars and, in Saret’s case, a bus,” Sean said. “Please see about dropping them off at my place and we’ll get them started.”
MacLenn nodded. “I can provide the frames.”
“Engines will be tricky, but we’ll have them delivered as soon as we can,” Fredrick said.
Everyone started to speak up about how they could assist and Sean just smiled. He was glad that even when it would come time to leave, he’d still have his friends beside him.
Chapter Thirty
Sean was glad that Fredrick had gotten him an engine— it was the last part he needed for the car that his wives had been working on the day before. Fiona asked him to let them try making another, using the engine as the template.
“I’ll see you all for evening sparring?” Sean asked.
“Yes,” Fiona said. “Rumia will take the shop when you spar this afternoon.”
“Okay,” Sean said, giving each of his wives a kiss. “See you all tonight.”
He was leaving the workshop when he waved to Hallie. “Didn’t expect you to be here. Is something wrong?”
“Fiona said that I could come over and help with some work today,” Hallie said. “Should I leave?”
“Huh? No, it’s fine. She just didn’t mention it to me, is all. They’re in there. Have a good one.”
“Thank you,” Hallie smiled, brushing her braid back over her shoulder. “I’ll see you for evening sparring?”
“Yup.”
As he walked away, Sean was a little curious as to why Hallie was over so early. The thought was driven away when he saw the people forming up by the gates. Rumia was there, speaking to the crowd as Sean approached.
“We’ll be opening in a moment,” Rumia was saying as Sean got closer.
“Go ahead, Rumia,” Sean said. “I’ve got the shop today.”
“Oh, yes, sir,” Rumia said and opened the gates.
A happy bark came from behind Sean and he looked back to see Caleb heading his way.
“Hey, boy. You’re with me in the shop today.”
Caleb barked again, heading for the door.
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” Sean laughed as he followed the cuon.
Sean had barely gotten behind the counter when a half-dozen people poured into the shop. The first was a rough-dressed man who looked ill at ease.
“How can I help you?” Sean asked.
“I was hoping to get a wooden hair clip,” the man said. “Maybe with a tulip design?”
“Of course,” Sean said as he picked up a plain hair clip. “What do you do for a living?”
“Hunter,” the man said tightly.
“Important job,” Sean said as he Shaped the flower onto the clip. “Is this what you were thinking?”
The man looked at the clip with wide eyes. “So fast? Yes, please.”
Sean quoted the price to the hunter, who grimaced. “I don’t have enough for that,” the hunter admitted. “Sorry to have wasted your time, sir.”
“I’ll take what you have, and you can make up the rest in meat,” Sean offered. “Three days to bring enough meat to equal the balance?”
Stunned, the hunter just stared at Sean for a moment before he quickly accepted. “Done and agreed, sir. Thank you.”
“It’s for your wife?” Sean asked as he slid the clip to the man.
“Daughter,” the hunter said, placing his coppers on the counter. “Wife died a few years back, but my Mindie’s been hoping for a clip since she saw them. I’d been saving up to get her one as a surprise.”
“Take ten percent off the price,” Sean said softly. “You’re a good man to do this for her.”
The hunter blinked again and cleared his throat, as he was overcome with gratitude. “Thank you, sir. I’ll bring some meat back soon.”
“Of course. Have a good day.” Sean took the coins and slipped them into the cash box under the counter. “Who’s next?”
A silk-clad woman sniffed as the hunter passed her. Her fan moved faster as if the man smelled. “Goodness, it is true. The rumor you sold to… everyone? I wasn’t sure it was true.”
“Everyone is equal in my eyes until they prove otherwise,” Sean said. “What are you looking for today?”
“A kettle with a mountain sunset Shaped onto it,” the woman replied. “I’d prefer the sun to be a garnet or ruby.”
Sean grabbed a copper kettle first, setting it on the counter. “Which do you want? Garnet or ruby? Ruby is more expensive, and did you want the contact gem to match it, or are you fine with quartz?”
“Hmm... ruby for both,” the woman said, closing her fan. “When should I come back to get it?”
“Give me a few minutes and you can take it now,” Sean said.
“Sir,” Rumia said, coming to the counter, “would it be okay if I worked with you today?”
“Sure,” Sean said. “Get me two rubies, about this big,” Sean said, holding out his fingers to show her the size.
“Yes, sir,” Rumia beamed before hurrying to help him.
They stayed busy for a few hours, with people coming in for an item or two each— their
patrons ranged from haulers to rich merchants. Sean treated them all equally, unless they acted up. Then, he tossed them out, regardless of who they were.
Rumia did her best to keep up with Sean, but had to pause and rest at times. She watched him intently every time he worked on an order, eager to learn more. It was a little shy of midday when the rush finally abated.
“That was the busiest it’s been since I’ve been in the shop,” Rumia commented.
“Bit busy, but that’s good,” Sean chuckled. “I’ll be turning the patents over to Forged Bonds when we go.”
“We’ll be relying entirely on what the association makes?” Rumia asked.
“I’m considering another avenue besides us just working on the association stuff, but that will be the bulk of what we do to start with until we get more people.”
“Sorry, I was just—”
“Easy,” Sean said, cutting her off gently. “Asking questions is fine, and being worried is fine.”
“Okay,” Rumia exhaled.
“I haven’t really talked to any of you,” Sean said. “Would you tell me about yourself?”
Rumia looked away from him, touching her elbow awkwardly. “There isn’t much to tell, honestly.”
“Anything is good,” Sean said. “What flowers do you like the most? Did you just follow in your mother’s shoes, or is this your passion, too?”
“Oh...” Rumia smiled softly. “I did follow after her, but I love plants as much as she does. I’m an eighth Dryad, so it’s part of me.”
“Fiona is part-Dryad, as well,” Sean said. “Not sure exactly how much, but she is.”
“Yes, she mentioned it when she hired us. It helped ease Mother’s mind some.”
“I’m sure you were both worried after Denmur.”
“I was until I met Fiona. She was just so friendly that I couldn’t see her working for a bad person. When we came to Bond, I started to worry again... but when you came in, I was relieved. You didn’t eye me the way others have before.”
“Yeah, that isn’t me,” Sean said.
“As I came to know,” Rumia giggled again. “You were so awkward when we all bathed the first few times, though you’ve gotten much better since then.”
“Thankfully,” Sean exhaled, but he was smiling.
“As for plants… I always enjoyed plants from the old world. When you mentioned the yew tree and the heather and heath, I felt a surge of eagerness to see and tend them.”
“It’s not a good place,” Sean said, thinking of the bog.
“It’s beautiful...” Rumia whispered. “Stark and beautiful with only a single pale moon that hangs in the sky, illuminating the place for the wicked to wait for your judgement.”
Sean leaned back a little— Rumia’s eyes were bright as she spoke. “You feel that strongly about it?”
Blinking, she shifted to look right at him. “Yes. I want to be the one to tend it for you. Please?”
“Easy,” Sean said, holding out a hand, palm facing up, to her. “I have no idea if anyone can stay there and tend anything. I’m not saying no,” he added quickly, seeing her eyes dim. “I’m just saying to calm yourself. It might not be able to happen.”
Rumia looked down. “Sorry. I understand.”
“Is that really what you want if you leave here? Wouldn’t you rather be in the manor?”
“Yes and no,” Rumia said. “If it could be only one or the other, I’d prefer the bog. Though if it was a perfect place, I could live with the others, then tend to the bog.”
“We’ll have to wait and see,” Sean said.
“Yes, sir,” Rumia smiled. “I’ll hold on to my hope.”
“How often have you gone?” Sean asked her.
“Three times with Felora. She could walk on the bog, but I couldn’t. Felora thinks it has to do with being Soul Bonded to you. I know I have to wait until I marry you for a Soul Bond.”
Sean blinked at her. “What?”
“Fiona said to marry you, we have to Soul Bond,” Rumia said. “We all agreed that we will when it’s our turn. Don’t worry, sir,” she said, seeing his eyes widen, “we know it’ll be a long way off yet. The dreams with Felora helped all of us relax about you not accepting us. Our insecurities about being the one left out are gone now.”
“Oh... that wasn’t what I was shocked about. I didn’t know Fiona had said Soul Bonds were required.”
“Shouldn’t they be?” Rumia asked. “To marry, you say you’re going to be with the other person forever. If we Soul Bond, it’ll be true. We all look forward to it. We’re each thinking about where we will fit into your planes. Helga was explaining how pantheons work, and how each god or goddess has a purpose.”
Sean swallowed as he listened to her. “Oh. So, you want to be the Tender?” He frowned, having felt the capitalization of the word when he said it.
“Yes!” Rumia nodded vigorously. “I do.”
“Have the others chosen their places?” Sean asked, half-afraid to know the answer.
“I don’t know,” Rumia said. “That’s the title I think of when I imagine caring for the bog.”
“Good to know,” Sean said, wanting to back away from the conversation. “Did you two work for many people before ending up with us?”
“Not too many,” Rumia said, shifting topics with him. “We started with…”
~*~*~
Sean grunted when Glorina threw him. He started to roll as he landed, but Glorina leapt onto him, hammering her fists down on him as he covered up. Sean grunted again, knowing a normal person would feel this more than he was. He hadn’t been prepared for her to close like she had, and that let her get to this position.
“Break,” Sean winced.
Glorina was off him in an instant, a wide smile on her face. “I won?”
“If it’d been a normal person, you would’ve been easily able to pull your knife and stab them at that moment,” Sean said as he kipped up to his feet. “I wasn’t expecting you to close the way you did. Good job.”
“Thank you, sir!” Glorina beamed.
“Let’s call it there,” Sean said. “Good work today, ladies.”
“Thank you, sir,” Mona and Lona said.
“We enjoy helping,” Quinna grinned. “It’s time to give the horses a wash, though, so we’ll be missing the bath with you right now.”
“Yeah. Best to do it now,” Quilla nodded. “See you for more sparring later, sir.”
“Okay,” Sean said, following the cooks.
He was the last of the four into the bathroom. The cooks were already stripping when he entered. He glanced at each of them, then sat down to get his boots off.
“I had a question, and it’s a bit awkward for me,” Sean said, broaching the subject he was a little afraid to ask. “Rumia said Fiona had told you all that Soul Bonds were required for marrying me. Are you really okay with that?”
“Of course,” all the cooks said.
“Ah, okay,” Sean replied awkwardly.
“Rumia wants to tend the bog if you’ll allow her to,” Mona said. “She talks about it a lot.”
“She’s very eager to do it,” Lona nodded. “I wouldn’t enjoy that at all. It’s so dark there.”
“I’d like to just cook for everyone,” Glorina said softly. “If the plants can be different and the library has unknown books, then what about the kitchen? I’ve thought about what it would be like to be able to cook for everyone you care for… to make new dishes and just be free to do what I wish.”
Both Mona and Lona nodded along with her as they finished getting undressed.
“Yeah. That would be a lot of fun. It’s even better that the kitchen cleans itself so we won’t have to do the dishes,” Mona laughed. “I’d like to bake all the time.”
“You hate doing dishes,” Lona laughed at Mona. “I could focus on desserts, then, right?”
“Sure,” Sean said softly as he pulled his clothing off. “I had no idea you loved desserts, Lona. Will all of you tell me more a
bout yourselves? What you like and dislike?”
Glorina’s face heated as she walked to the shower. “That sounds like you want to court us, sir.”
“In a way,” Sean admitted. “You’ve all said you’d marry me, if given the chance. I’d like to know more about you all before we ever get there.”
Noble Solutions Page 27