Life Bonds

by Daniel Schinhofen

  Letting his thoughts turn to the women, he wondered if he was making the right decision. They both seemed to have set aside a good portion of their issues with each other, which was good for him. Could he even do what they wanted, being the man for them both? Sean’s thoughts went round and round as he drank his tea and the day faded to dusk.

  Chapter Twelve

  A knock on the door finally snapped him out of his reverie. Standing up, he discovered both his cup and the kettle were empty and the stove in the corner was down to embers. When he opened the door, Fiona was there with a double armful of packages. He started to reach for them before he remembered the role he had thrust upon himself. Stepping aside, he let her enter and shut the door behind her.

  “Thank you, Master,” Fiona said normally as she walked past him. Going to the bed, she dropped the pile of stuff onto it.

  Another knock at the door made Fiona turn around, but Sean had the door open before she could reach it. Myna came in this time, and set a new kettle with steam rising from it on the table. She put the empty kettle out in the hall, closing the door again when she was done.

  “I had to grab the tea,” Myna said, untying two cups from her belt.

  Sean got the fire in the stove going again while Myna poured for them. Fiona finished separating out the items on the bed, then they all took seats at the table. “Okay, who wants to start?” Sean asked as he took a sip of the berry flavored tea.

  “We had no trouble in the village,” Myna began, “though the rumor of a noble visiting unexpectedly with two Life Bonded has already made the rounds.”

  “That’s good and bad,” Fiona added. “It means we’ll be under a bit of scrutiny, as everyone waits to see what you’re going to do, but it also meant the merchants were on their best behavior.”

  “I really hate what nobles seem to represent in this world,” Sean grumbled. “I want nothing to do with them.”

  “We managed to get some of the things we needed today,” Myna said softly. “We have warmer clothing, to start,” she gestured at her clothing. “That was our first stop—we got a couple of outfits for each of us.”

  It was then that Sean realized that both of them were wearing gloves. “I see. That is an easy way to hide your body.”

  Fiona gave him a slight smile. “Yes. No one suspects at the moment. We have another set of clothing for you on the bed, to trade off with the winter clothing you already have. There’s also the set you came to the village with.”

  “Those are still in your bags?”

  “Yes, I still have them,” Fiona nodded. “We should remove the silk and sell that off. The clothing is decently made, but the silk lining is odd and would draw attention.”

  “Maybe in the next village, then,” Sean said. “What else did you manage to get before you came back?”

  “We only managed the clothing today,” Myna frowned. “It took a bit to find what we wanted, as we were trying to be circumspect about Fiona’s body.”

  “I did slow us,” Fiona admitted.

  “Can you get everything else tomorrow?” Sean asked, wanting to put this village behind him.

  “I hope to,” Fiona said. “I was also thinking a wagon would be useful. It would help with carrying our stuff, and if we take our time on the way to the next village, we can Shape things to sell and make ourselves look more like traders.”

  “I agree,” Myna added. “It will also help muddy the trail we are bound to leave behind us.”

  Sean shrugged. “Okay, if you both agree, then we can do that. A wagon will also let us carry enough food so we don’t have to hunt every night.”

  “It will make many things much easier,” Fiona nodded.

  “Can you gather everything tomorrow?” Sean asked again.

  “I don’t think it will be a problem,” Fiona said.

  “What might be a problem,” Myna said, “is that the village elders will likely be looking to speak with you. If a noble came out this far, it has to be for a reason and they will want to know what that reason is.”

  “Can’t I just act aloof?” Sean asked.

  “That might work, but the elder might be here for a reason, like Darragh was at Oakwood. They will want to know who you represent but will try to find out with indirect questioning, knowing that you might very well lie.”

  Finishing his cup, Sean pushed it aside. “This whole world is crazy.”

  “The nobles make everything complicated,” Fiona said.

  “So what do I do about the elders?”

  “Explain you aren’t here for the village, you’re simply headed back to Northgate,” Fiona said slowly. “That will suggest that you’re aligned with some noble of the Summer Queen and your mission just took a while.”

  “That might work,” Myna nodded. “You’re trying to get out before Winter is fully in power.”

  “I guess we go with that story,” Sean replied, rubbing his face. “I did this, this is my fault.”

  “Yes,” Fiona said, “but we could have thought to warn you and we didn’t.”

  “Dinner will be soon,” Myna said as she poured herself more tea. She looked at Sean and he nudged his cup toward her to be refilled.

  “We need to decide what to do about dinner,” Fiona said, nodding to Myna in gratitude as her cup was refilled as well. “Do you wish to go to the common room, Sean?”

  “No.”

  “Okay. I’ll arrange to have a meal brought up to you,” Myna said. “I’ll also arrange for me and Fiona to eat in our room.”

  “If none of us eat in the common room, it will only make them all the more curious,” Fiona pointed out.

  “Yes, but if he really is an ally of Summer, he wouldn’t want to be out too much,” Myna countered.

  “But that only makes him more obvious to Winter’s people,” Fiona added.

  “I’ll eat dinner in here,” Sean said.

  “I’ll go arrange things,” Myna said, getting to her feet.

  “Myna,” Sean called out, stopping her by the door, “thank you.”

  She smiled brilliantly back at him. “It is my pleasure, Master.”

  When the door closed behind her, Sean groaned, “She enjoys saying that word a little too much.”

  “Sean,” Fiona said softly, covering his hand with hers, “you’ll get used to it. You have to. At least with her, you know it's love that causes her to say it.”

  Shaking his head, Sean kissed her hand. “What about you?”

  “I know you don’t like it, so I’ll do my best to always call you by your name when I can. But this is something that is ingrained in us as children—a Life Bonded is to call her Holder either Master or Mistress. For Myna, not only are you her Master, but you brought her back from the dead. She would venerate you as a god, if you let her.”

  Covering his face with his free hand, Sean grimaced. “I didn’t mean to Bond her.”

  “Would you rather she were dead?” Fiona asked gently.

  “Of course not,” Sean said.

  “Then accept what is and let go of what might have been,” Fiona said, getting to her feet as she heard footsteps approaching the room. “Both of us care for you, and while the world might not be as you want it to be, it is what it is.”

  Crossing to the door, she opened it at the first knock. Myna came into the room with a tray. “Master’s dinner?”

  “Yes,” Myna said as she brought the tray to the table while Fiona closed the door behind her. “Dinner is Groober, with Setac and honey bread.”

  Sean heard the words, but had no idea what they meant. The smell told him that fish was on the menu. Not his favorite meal, but it would be better than jerky again. Sean sat there and let Myna serve him.

  Stepping back once she was done, she gave him a smile. “Is there anything else, Master?”

  “Not at the moment,” Sean said, watching her eyes twinkle. “Go eat. I’ll call for you when I have need.”

  Myna bowed her head with another smile at Sean before she turned to leav
e. Fiona waited by the door for her, giving Sean a sardonic smile. “I’ll return when you call, Master,” Fiona said, opening the door.

  The maid started in surprise as the door opened beside her. “Your meals,” she squeaked, trying not to look into the room.

  “We are thankful,” Fiona said, shutting the door behind her.

  Sean sighed when he was alone again. Focusing on his food, he ate slowly and hoped that the women would be finished with theirs by the time he was, so he could call Fiona back to him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  A light kiss woke Sean from his dreams. Struggling to push away the images of Fiona and him entangled in a torrid embrace, he managed a single sound, “Mhm?”

  “Breakfast shall be served soon, Master,” Myna said.

  Eyes snapping open and his dreams falling away abruptly, he saw Myna standing beside the bed. “Myna, did you just…?”

  Myna swallowed, her cheeks faintly pink. “Did I wake you incorrectly, Master?”

  Sitting up, Sean realized that Fiona was missing. “Where did Fiona go?”

  “She’s getting your breakfast,” Myna said.

  Pulling the covers back, Sean got out of bed. His mind raced with all the ways he could refute her way of waking him, but a part of him wondered: if it was so wrong, why hadn’t he already objected?

  “I don’t want you getting the wrong idea,” Sean finally managed.

  “I will never have the wrong idea about you, Master.”

  Grabbing his clothing, Sean dressed quickly lest she try to do it again. He sat down at the table, wondering how to broach the subject he wanted to talk to her about. Myna appeared next to him and poured him some juice, then stepped back.

  “Myna…” Sean said, then paused and took a sip of the grape juice. “About your feelings for me. Fiona suggested that what you feel for me goes way past love.”

  “She is correct, Master,” Myna agreed with a smile.

  “I brought you back because you’re a friend,” Sean explained. “I didn’t have ulterior motives.”

  “I know, Master. It doesn’t change the way I feel for you, though.”

  “How can you care for me that much when we’ve barely even talked?”

  “I’m not positive myself,” Myna said, looking down. “You fascinate me—the way you carry yourself, the way you care for everyone equally. I was drawn to you as surely as Fiona was, but I didn’t have the same opportunity that she did. The feeling was only exacerbated when we played in the woods. How quickly you took my instructions, how well you took my aggression, and how you were respectful, even when I shared my heritage with you.”

  Sean frowned as he considered what she had said, wondering what it must be like from her point of view. “Even still, Myna—”

  “Please let me continue, Sean,” Myna whispered, pausing to see if he would. Giving him a thankful smile, she went on. “Not being from this world, you probably won’t ever fully understand some things that we take for granted as the Queens’ will. You are unique in so many ways, your Talents and energy being the least of those in my eyes. It is your compassion and caring for those who are viewed as inferior that makes me love you more every day.” Giving him a broad smile, she asked, “I ask just one thing from you—please don’t stop my small displays of affection in private. I’m doing my best to temper what I feel out of respect for you and Fiona.”

  Taking a deep breath, Sean could see only love in her eyes, and Fiona was right; it looked like hero worship. “Myna, I’m not sure if I can do that. It feels like I’m cheating on Fiona.”

  “If Fiona said it was okay, would you be okay with it?” Myna asked.

  Conflicted, Sean’s mouth opened and closed a few times as he tried, and failed, to put his thoughts into words. Saved by a knock on the door, Sean was grateful to avoid answering the question.

  “I have brought your breakfast, Master,” Fiona said as Myna opened the door for her. “Our meal will be brought up in a moment,” she told Myna.

  “Of course,” Myna said, staying back as Fiona served the meal to Sean.

  Breakfast consisted of soup, a chunk of fresh bread, a pat of butter, and a pot of honey sitting on the side of the plate next to the bread. Sean gave Fiona a strained smile. “Thank you.”

  “Is something wrong, Master?” Fiona asked.

  Eyes flickering to Myna, Sean picked up his spoon. “I’m conflicted over a point.”

  “I will explain it to her during our meal, Master. Don’t let it worry you anymore,” Myna said.

  “Somehow, that frightens me even more,” Sean muttered.

  Myna gave a small cough and touched the door handle. “Our food is here, Fiona.”

  “We’ll be back after we eat and before we go out, Master,” Fiona said as Myna opened the door.

  Sean gave her a tight smile as the maid stood in the hall with a food tray. “Go eat. I’ll call when I need you,” he said as imperiously as he could.

  When the door shut behind them, Sean put the spoon down and covered his face with his hands. “You can handle it, Sean. You would rather she be alive than dead. It was only a simple kiss, it's not like she jumped you. Besides, Fiona’s going to sort it out for you.”

  Done muttering, he went back to his breakfast. The soup was an egg drop soup based on fish stock with an unusual flavor, but Sean ate it all. The black tea helped cut the fish taste between bites. Leaving the bread until the end, he took his time eating it, the butter and honey helping to clear the lingering flavor of the soup.

  Pushing his empty dishes aside, he wondered if the women were done eating yet. A knock on his door a moment later brought him quickly to his feet. He opened it and was surprised to find an elderly man standing there, hunched over a cane.

  “I think you have the wrong door,” Sean said.

  “I have the right door, sir,” the ancient man said as he straightened up a little more. “As the elder of this village, I came to speak with you, as is my duty.”

  “Fiona, bring tea for my guest and me,” Sean said simply.

  The door next to his opened and Fiona gave him a small bow. “It shall be done, Master.”

  “Come in,” Sean said, opening the door wide and stepping aside.

  The ancient man hobbled slowly into the room. “Thank you, sir. I know it is forward of me to impose upon you like this, but we don’t often see those of your level in the village. We’re not as popular as places like Oaklake.”

  Sean didn’t reply as he left the door open and went to the table. Myna came into the room a moment later, taking up a position next to the door. Taking a seat across from the elderly man, Sean waited silently for Fiona to return.

  The elder met Sean’s eyes, his gaze sharp and focused. Sean let his eyes go flat as he stared him down. “Are you seeking to challenge me, old man?” It sounded terribly arrogant to Sean, but it felt like the right line to him.

  Breaking eye contact, the elder looked away. “That was not my intent. I apologize.”

  Sean grunted, not saying anything more. Fiona arrived with a tea service a few minutes later. Myna shut the door behind her, her demeanor halfway between attentive maid and bodyguard. Fiona served both men, then retreated to stand behind Sean to his left.

  “Now that we have refreshments, you can explain why you came to see me,” Sean told the elder.

  “Very direct,” the old man said as he stroked the long goatee, “I shall answer in kind. I wished to know if my village is in danger.”

  “Not from me, nor those associated with me,” Sean said, trying for cryptic.

  “I see,” the old man said, sipping his tea. “Do you plan to stay long, sir?”

  “We should be leaving later today or tomorrow, depending on how long preparations take,” Sean replied aloofly.

  Still stroking his goatee, the elderly man nodded. “I see. If there is anything you need, I am willing to assist.”

  Sean gave a small nod, but kept silent. They finished their tea in silence. When his cup was empty
, the elderly man slowly got to his feet. Sean stood as well, watching the man limp toward the door, which Myna opened for him.

  “Just one more thing, sir,” the man said, stopping in the open doorway. “If it's not too much to ask, do you plan to return in the next ten years?”