“I was trying to make the first one easier to cut down, but this one I only made hammocks in,” Sean said, turning around to see Myna adding some meat to the pot, then setting it over the fire on the stand that had come out of the bag. “Thank you, Myna.”
Myna nodded and went back to working on the small game she had caught. “You’re busy learning, I will tend to this while you do.”
“Well, this tree doesn’t feel as vital as it could,” Fiona said, removing her hand from it. “I’d say it was a combination of the other tree being more alive and you trying to Shape it in such a way that it would die.”
“You’re suggesting that the tree knows if I’m trying to end its life?”
“All living things have at least some desire to keep living,” Fiona said simply. “Why should plants be any different in that regard?”
“I know they’re technically alive, but they don’t seem to have any way of thinking, so…”
Fiona shook her head, “Outsider thinking. My family would be horrified to hear you right now. You’ve offered up some dire insults.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. As easy as it was to make the beds, I can’t refute your logic at the moment,” Sean shrugged. “The ropes are there so you and Myna can get to your beds easily.”
“Who are you sharing a bed with tonight?” Fiona asked, stepping into his space and laying her head on his chest.
“Myself. I made three beds, and none of them are big enough to share,” Sean told her.
Looking disappointed, Fiona nodded, “I see.”
“I don’t know what’s out here, so I thought it would be a good idea to make sure we’re not within easy reach,” Sean said, taking Fiona’s arm and leading her over to the fire.
Myna looked up from where she was preparing to smoke the rest of the small game she’d caught. “We have Vulnane,” she said, seeing Sean’s interested gaze. “I can’t properly tan it, but it’s still good to do what I can. It might still be worth something when we reach Pinebough,” Myna said, motioning to the fur that was laid out on the ground.
“Good thinking,” Sean said. He looked at the fur, noting that it was similar to foxes he’d seen in his previous life. “How did you catch it?”
“I had Fiona scare it toward me,” Myna smiled. “Many animals have developed the ability to detect camouflaged Feline Moonbound, so I stood still next to a tree and hoped it would come my way. It did, so we have meat tonight and if I can get this smoked, tomorrow as well.”
“What did you do, besides the fire and beds?” Fiona asked.
“Started testing my limits,” Sean said, “I’ll show you.” Walking over to the spot he had used before, he pointed upwards. “Watch the branch.” Once they both looked up, he jumped. His hand grazed the limb again and, being ready for it this time, he managed a superhero landing.
Both women blinked in shock at what he had just done. Myna spoke up first, “You are truly different. I can’t think of anyone else who can make that jump.”
Fiona went over to the same spot, looking straight up. “It must be because of how your body was made. What else have you tested?”
“Nothing yet,” Sean said as the sun started to set, casting long shadows over the ground.
“We should spar,” Myna said standing up, wiping her hands on a rag. “All of us should. It will help us understand our strengths and weaknesses.”
Fiona nodded slowly, “I agree. I didn’t do as well as I had hoped against the hunters.”
“You slew two of them by yourself,” Myna said softly. “That is more than any of the others, besides Misa and Darragh, could have managed.”
“It wasn’t enough,” Fiona said as she grabbed her staff.
“Learning how to defend yourself is always a good thing,” Sean said as he picked up Dark Cutter, Shaping it into a banded staff. “Do we need to make some swords for you, Myna?”
“Please,” Myna smiled at him, pulling one of her two blades. “To match this.”
Sean took the blade and went over to the wood pile he had gathered earlier. He pulled out the two biggest pieces, Shaping them into swords for her. “Here you go.”
Taking them, Myna twirled them around in her hands, before making a few attacks at the air. “I can work with these. Thank you, Sean.”
“Are we going two-on-one?” Fiona asked idly.
“Fiona said you dispatched Whelan alone,” Myna said, looking at Sean. “I think it would be best if the two of us attacked you.”
Stepping back and balancing his stance, Sean nodded. “Bring it.”
Myna advanced slowly, a smile on her lips, “As you desire, Master.”
Fiona, who had been watching the byplay, rushed Sean. Her staff blurred as she launched a series of attacks, forcing Sean to focus on her. He met her attacks with perfect counters, his body moving as if by memory. It had been years since he had sparred with staves, and that thought made him miss the next attack, which slapped into his forearm painfully.
Stopping with the hit, Fiona grinned at him, “I win.”
“I shouldn’t have lasted that long,” Sean said. “My body was moving as if it’s done this countless times before. I haven’t fought with staves in years, and never enough for it to be ingrained memory.”
“Darragh passed his Talents onto you through Misa,” Myna said from nearby. “You have his ability with weapons now.”
Sean blinked, “What?”
“Darragh passed his Talents to Misa, who in turn, gave it to you at his request,” Myna said simply. “Your unconscious mind knows what to do, which is why you only faltered when you thought about what you were doing. If you fight enough, it will become second nature to you, as they will be your Talents and not Darragh’s.”
“You’re saying I have all the combat experience that Darragh had, locked inside of me?” Sean asked incredulously.
“She’s right,” Fiona said. “We talked about it earlier. She needed to know since she is your Life Bonded.”
“So, this sparring idea was a test?” Sean asked.
“Yes,” Fiona nodded. “Do you think you could have kept up with me on your own?”
“No.”
“Exactly,” Fiona said. “We need to train until all of that knowledge is yours, or you’ll slip like you did with me when you’re fighting.”
“I’m going to be bruised,” Sean sighed.
“Better than being dead,” Myna said softly.
“Point,” Sean agreed. “Let’s go again.”
They attacked him one at a time to help him get used to his new knowledge of fighting. They finally called it off when the soup boiled over and made the fire hiss and sputter. Myna, cursing under her breath, rushed to the pot and quickly got it off the flame.
“I forgot,” she frowned. “It is not going to be a good meal.”
Sean took a seat as Myna dug out bowls for them to use. “I’m sure it will still be good.”
“The roots will be mush, and the meat will be tough,” Myna huffed as she ladled soup out for each of them. “I didn’t mean for it to boil, but I got caught up in the fighting.”
Unable to resist a long-standing urge any longer, Sean reached over and rubbed her head right between her cat ears. “It’ll be fine, Myna.”
Cheeks flaming as her head pushed into his hand, a small purr came from her before she sat back abruptly out of his reach. Eyes wide in embarrassment, Myna looked from him to Fiona, “That…”
“I’ve wanted to do that for a long time,” Sean said, trying to play off the moment to help ease her embarrassment. “Sorry if it caused you discomfort.”
“No, no, it’s fine, I wasn’t expecting it, is all,” Myna said, her cheeks flushing darker. “As my Master, you may rub my head as much as you like.”
“She obviously enjoyed it,” Fiona said with a bit of bite to her words, “she purred.”
Sean glanced at Fiona and saw the look she was giving Myna. “Fiona, stop please. Myna doesn’t deserve your glare. I was the one wh
o initiated that,” he sighed.
Fiona looked away from both of them. “You’re right.” With a deep breath, she looked back to Myna, “I’m sorry for being catty.”
Myna’s face went blank, and Fiona suddenly went red, making Sean laugh. “Did someone suddenly taste their foot?”
Myna’s blank face cracked into a smile, and she laughed with Sean, “I’m not upset at the phrasing, and thank you for the apology, Fiona.”
Looking down, Fiona picked up the bowl she had been given, “Thank you.”
“Let’s eat,” Sean said, picking up his bowl.
Myna had been right; the roots were soggy and the meat was tough. James would have been appalled at the meal, having been a cook for so long. The thought of his best friend slowed Sean, but he pushed it aside and went back to his food.
Once they were done, Sean summoned water and got the dishes cleaned up. Myna tried to object and said that she should do it, but Sean kept cleaning.
“You cooked,” he told her. “It’s only fair that someone else cleans up. We need to keep things balanced amongst the group.”
“But I’m your Life Bonded,” Myna objected strongly. “I need to learn how to do all things for you.”
Fiona coughed gently to stop Sean’s response, “Sean, she has a point that you need to accept. To everyone who meets you, she should basically be an extension of you. She should be handling all the tasks that should be beneath you. If it becomes known she has Moonbound blood, it will be twice as expected.”
Sean continued to clean the dishes. “We’re not at a town yet, so I don’t have to act like that to blend in.”
Fiona snickered, “Stubborn.”
“As you desire, Sean,” Myna bowed her head. “I understand this isn’t something that you wished for, nor a relationship you embrace. I will try to act more as you desire and not as society has ingrained into us. I will embrace the role while others are around though, to help you blend in better.”
“Thank you,” Sean said as he set the cleaned items onto a cloth Myna had put aside for them. “I’m just not used to the idea of someone being beholden to me. James would have been able to handle this much better than I am. Wish I could ask the asshole for some help now.”
“James?” Myna asked as she dried the bowls and packed them away.
“My best friend,” Sean softly lamented. “He would have fit right in here with the whole idea of Life Bonded.”
“We should get some sleep,” Fiona said gently as she got to her feet. “It’s still a long way to Pinebough.”
“She makes a good point,” Myna said as she got the rucksack closed.
“Up you both go, then,” Sean said. “Pull the ropes up after you.”
Fiona gave him a heated kiss before she climbed her rope. Myna bowed her head to him. Once they were both situated, Sean doused the embers of the fire and jumped to his own bed.
Chapter Three
Waking as the first rays of daylight broke the horizon, Sean sat up carefully, stretching with a massive yawn. Dropping out of the tree, he wandered a few dozen yards away before taking care of nature. He carried a new stack of leaves that had been Shaped to be thicker and softer back with him. Fiona and Myna were already awake and preparing a meal.
“Morning, ladies,” Sean greeted them, setting the leaves down next to the bags, then going to retrieve the ropes. “I’m curious—why aren’t the trees losing their leaves with winter coming fast?”
“Oh good, I wanted some of those,” Fiona said. “A tree doesn’t lose its leaves unless it’s dying. When spring comes again, they will regain their color.” She took a few of the altered leaves and walked into the woods, “Be back shortly.”
“I’ll go too,” Myna said, taking some for herself and following Fiona.
Sean held in the chuckle that even on this world, women went to the bathroom in pairs or groups. By the time they came back, he had the ropes stowed and tea ready for them. “I used the tin of leaves you left out, Fiona.”
“That’s fine, it’s a simple black tea,” Fiona said as she took a seat, and the cup he held out for her.
Myna handed out the bread and cheese, along with the newly smoked meat from last night. “Thank you,” she told Sean as they exchanged cup for food.
The Vulnane was much better smoked than it had been in the soup. Once they were done with breakfast, Myna frowned as she looked at the rucksack Sean had carried the day before. “I’m not sure Fiona or I can carry that for an entire day.”
Sean’s lips pursed, “That’s a good point. It does have some heft to it, and it’s bulky enough that I can’t exactly sneak with it on.”
“We can trade off today,” Fiona suggested. “I’ll carry our packs until around noon, then Myna can carry them until we camp for the night. This way, you get some training from each of us and neither of us will be exhausted.”
“I agree,” Myna swiftly agreed.
Fiona gave him a tight smile once she had gotten the heavy pack onto her shoulders, then reversed her own so it was carried on her chest. “You did this yesterday without difficulty?”
“Once you went with Myna, yes,” Sean said, giving her a quick kiss. “If you need to trade off earlier, just tell us.”
“I will,” Fiona said, “now get going. I’ll do the best I can to follow.”
Sean gave her another quick kiss, then followed Myna. Myna got them ahead of Fiona a bit before she motioned him to silence, then activated her Camo. Sean did the same and trailed after her, wondering how she planned to train him.
Her shimmer came to a stop a few feet away. “Sean, do you think you can lead?”
“Lead us west? I can do that,” Sean replied.
“Lead. I will follow and watch you for a time,” Myna said as she took a step behind him. “Do your best to make it difficult for me. I’ll leave a clear trail for Fiona to follow.”
“Okay,” Sean said as he drew the Camo around him a bit tighter. Moving with care, he began to pick his way west.
Sean stepped back, startled, when a black blur sprang away from the bush he was approaching. Catching sight of the ears and body shape, he guessed it was a Shadowlope. It vanished into a shadow, leaving Sean to shake his head.
A couple of hours later, Myna touched his shoulder, her words soft against his ear, “Wait.”
Sean did as she asked, uncomfortably aware of her pressed into his side. After a minute, a large bipedal wolf slowly came out of the bushes. Its eyes darted from side to side as it lifted its muzzle, sniffing the air. Its fur was dark brown, with solid grey around the muzzle and eyes. It had numerous scars dotting its body, and walked with a very slight limp.
Feeling his mouth go dry at the size of the creature, Sean’s hand tightened on Dark Cutter. Myna poked him gently with one finger, then motioned across his chest, followed by her hand brushing his side and moving across his chest the other way. He nodded slowly as he understood what she was trying to tell him.
Stepping lightly, Sean started towards the creature’s right flank as he felt Myna go the other way. Resisting the temptation to change Dark Cutter, Sean did his best to focus on holding the Camo as tightly as possible. He froze when the wolf-man sniffed loudly, its head pivoting right and left.
The beast suddenly leapt in the direction Myna had been going. Dropping Camo, Sean Shaped Dark Cutter into a spear, rushing forward to assist Myna. The wolf-man’s leap had only been a feint, and it spun back on Sean faster than he would have thought possible with the limp, its hand batting the tip of the spear away.
Skidding to a halt, Sean retracted the spear and Shaped it into a sword as the Canine Moonbound came at him. Letting his body lead him, Sean was barely able to parry the claws of the beast away. He had time to wonder why time wasn’t seeming to slow down for him before a plate-sized hand slammed into his chest, throwing him backwards and into a tree, which cracked from the impact.
As the beast stalked forward, it stumbled as both of its legs suddenly sported deep cuts. With a r
oar, it tried to spin on its attacker, but it buckled and dropped to its knees. “Feline! I thought I smelled your kind,” the Canine growled as it pushed itself upright, the wounds healing as it did.
“We’re just passing through, but you were tracking us, and have attacked my Bonded,” Myna replied, an angry cat growl punctuating her speech. “I would have let a lone Canine live, but you went too far.”
“I didn’t attack him, I killed him. No human can survive my strikes,” the Canine chuckled darkly. “Now to have some cat for dessert.”
Trying to rush Myna proved futile for the Canine, as she easily evaded the attack. Myna led the beast in a slow arc closer to Sean, keeping it faced away from him. Sean got back to his feet slowly, his ribs aching from the hit, but healing quickly. Picking up Dark Cutter, Sean formed it into a naginata and started toward the wolf-man.
Life Bonds Page 2
