Life Bonds

by Daniel Schinhofen

  Myna bit her lip, then asked a question that she was sure she already knew the answer to. “If I had said yes, and the entire town tried to toss us out, then what?”

  “I’d resist, and make sure you were able to eat while I dealt with them,” Sean said.

  “You are a unique man,” Myna murmured.

  Sean looked away. “I’m really not.”

  Shaking her head, Myna let it drop. “I’ll get our bed ready so Fiona doesn’t have to worry about it.”

  “You two are getting along better,” Sean said.

  “We’ve found some common ground, and the Bond is helping us,” Myna said as she began making up a bed out of the blankets. “I’m a little curious, though. I’d always heard that Life Bonds take years to really solidify, but Fiona and I seem to be growing together faster than I had ever anticipated.”

  “She said something similar,” Sean added. “I wonder about that—does the strength of the person who holds the Bonds influence that connection?”

  “I don’t know,” Myna replied, “but it would help explain things.”

  “Something to consider,” Sean shrugged.

  The meal was a stir-fry of mostly vegetables and was far more bland than Sean would have expected. When they finished, they all slipped down to the bathing room for a quick bath. No one bothered them, but Sean felt a growing sense of paranoia and was waiting for something to go wrong. Nothing happened during the bath, and the trio retired back to their room, ready for a good night’s sleep.

  Sean felt a little guilty about taking the bed, but both women refused his offer to let them have it. Sean stared at the ceiling for some time, even after he could hear two sets of soft breathing indicating that Myna and Fiona had fallen asleep. The look on Myna’s face—a mixture of exasperation and love—when he had offered to fight the entire village kept coming back to him. I must be fucking losing what little sanity I have left, Sean sighed internally as he rolled over and finally fell asleep.

  Chapter Twenty

  Daylight was shining through the window when the scent of mint brought Sean awake. “Morning,” he yawned as he sat up.

  “Morning, Master,” Myna said first.

  “Good morning, Master,” Fiona added. “We have breakfast ready for you.”

  “Mint tea?” Sean yawned again, rubbing his eyes.

  “Along with raisin frumenty,” Fiona replied.

  “Fru-what?” Sean said as he got to his feet and went to the table, where a bowl was waiting for him. “Oatmeal?”

  “It’s hulled wheat boiled in milk. This one has cinnamon and raisins,” Myna said from her spot on the floor, her bowl in hand as she took another bite.

  Frowning that they were sitting on the floor and he was in the chair, Sean went to move, but Fiona touched his leg. “Sean,” she said quietly, “it is supposed to be this way. Neither of us has an issue with it.”

  “She’s right,” Myna agreed softly. “You can give each of us a kiss afterward, if you feel the need.”

  Sean blinked at her before sighing, “I’ll get used to it eventually, or I’ll end up fighting all of society.”

  “The first option would probably be best,” Fiona giggled.

  “At least in the short term,” Myna added. “If our Master wishes to fight the world, we will stand with him.”

  “Of course,” Fiona agreed.

  Gazing at the two women, he felt a thump from his chest. He loved Fiona and had loved her for a while, but now when he looked at Myna, he realized he was starting to feel closer to her, too. It’s the Bond… it’s making me accept her more, and faster than they both thought would happen, Sean thought.

  “We’re just going to sell a saddle to the stable master, and maybe pick up some more travel food from the general store, right?” Myna asked between bites.

  “I’d like to get on the road again, so yeah,” Sean replied.

  “We’ll be ready once we’re done with breakfast,” Fiona told him. “We have the bags already repacked, and I slipped down to the bathing room this morning and cleaned the bloody clothes as best I could. Some of them need a needle taken to them to fix the holes.”

  “We can pick up a needle and thread at the general store,” Myna added. “I can get them stitched together today.”

  “You’re good with tailoring?” Sean asked, surprised.

  “No, but I can patch the holes at least,” Myna said sheepishly. “I’ve done it often enough with my own clothes.”

  “Makes you more useful in that department than I am,” Fiona added as she set her bowl aside. “Maybe you can show me later?”

  “I’d be happy to,” Myna nodded. “Between Shaping, though. Like you said last night, we need to make more things.”

  “We do,” Fiona agreed. “We’ll pick up some wood on the way.”

  Sean felt the smile on his lips, impressed at how far they had come over the last tenday; from all but declaring war on each other for his affections to being best friends. Taking the last bite of his frumenty, he pushed the bowl aside and picked up his mug of tea.

  “It sounds like a plan,” Sean said. “Which way are we going from here?”

  “That’s another topic we needed to talk about,” Fiona said. “Northwest will take us back toward the river. North will take us to Holden. It’s a small town, really more of a stop-over between the smaller villages down this way and the larger towns and cities further north. Or we could go west, which I believe would take us to Pinerock—it was built near a granite quarry.”

  “Holden will give us more options to travel?” Sean asked.

  “Yes,” Fiona replied.

  “That’s the way we go, then,” Sean said, draining the last of his tea. “I’ll meet you both in the stables.”

  “Of course, Master,” they said in unison.

  Rolling his eyes, Sean headed for the privy. It was going to be a long day, and making sure to be ready for it always made traveling better, at least for him.

  When he was done, he met Myna in the hall as she headed that way. He gave her a soft smile. “Left one has softer wipes now.”

  Myna giggled as she went past him. “Always so concerned over softness.”

  When he made it to the stable, Fiona was pulling a set of tack out of the wagon. “Master, I’ll have the goods ready in a moment.”

  Nodding, Sean looked to the man who had greeted them last night. “You’re the one who wishes to buy them?”

  “That’s right. These are quality goods, so I’m willing to go a silver for them.”

  Sean’s caught the small flicker of Fiona’s head and her three fingers in clear view. “Interesting. I think they’re worth a bit more than that. Quality tack from a well-known crafter could easily fetch five in some places. I’d be willing to take four, though.”

  The stable master snorted, “Five? Even four’s a bit ridiculous. I know you’re just trying to get the best you can, though. I’ll go one silver and eighty-five bronze.”

  “If I sold it for that, how would I be able to afford the feed for my horses, or my wine?” Sean chuckled. “Seeing as you are also a businessman, and wanting to make a profit, I’ll go three silver and fifteen bronze.”

  Shaking his head, the stable master sighed, “Still too high. I’d have to explain to my brother why I paid that much for tack. I’ll go two and fifty, but that’s the most I can do.”

  Deal,” Sean said, holding out his hand. “It’s just weight to me, and the coin will help with supplies.”

  Chuckling, the stable master shook hands with him. “I’ll go get the coin.” Turning his head, he shouted at a six-year-old boy, “Josephus, get this tack into the shed.”

  “Yes, papa,” the boy replied as he came running over.

  Watching the boy struggle to pick up the saddle, Sean motioned to Fiona. “Help him with the heavier items.”

  “As you command, Master,” Fiona said as she got out of the wagon and picked up the saddle. “If you will show me the way, young sir.”

 
“I’m gonna have a Bonded one day,” the boy boasted, picking up the rest of the tack and leading her toward a shed. “I hope I get a real person like you though, not a Moonbound or anything like that.”

  Sean’s eye twitched at the kid’s words. Even at that age, they already think of Moonbound as barely more than beasts. Shaking his head, Sean only just managed to bite back a reprimand to the boy. By the time the stable master came out of the inn, he’d gotten his expression back to neutral. “Pleasure doing business with you,” Sean said, dropping the coins in his belt pouch.

  “We’ll see you next time you come through,” the stable master smiled. “You’re all ready to go.”

  Myna came out of the inn and took the reins. “I’ll drive them to the general store, Master.”

  Sean caught the flicker of contempt on the stable master’s face before it vanished. “I hope you have a safe trip.”

  “I’m sure the road to Pinerock will be uneventful,” Sean chuckled.

  “It normally is, but some Canine Moonbound have been seen out that way, so be careful.”

  “Will do,” Sean said. “Fiona, hurry up; we’re leaving.”

  “Coming, Master,” Fiona said, scurrying out of the shed.

  Sean sat beside Myna on the driver’s bench and motioned Fiona into the back, waiting for her to get settled before saying, “Get us rolling, Myna.”

  A light snap of the reins got the horses moving, Myna deftly guiding them towards the open gate. “The general store first, Master?”

  “Yes.”

  The store was just down the road, a building as large as the inn, but only a single story. Myna guided the wagon to the front of the building, setting the brake once she got the horses stopped.

  “Did you wish me to stay with the wagon, Master?” Myna asked.

  “Yes,” Sean said, trusting her to have a reason for asking. “Fiona, grab what we’re selling and bring it in.”

  Sean walked into the store and took stock of the place. It looked a lot like Gern’s in Oaklake, but this store had a few items on display along the walls. Most notable was a set of leather armor, conspicuously displayed, with a patch right above the heart indicating what had become of the last owner.

  “That looks like some unlucky armor,” Sean chuckled.

  “I don’t know about that,” the shopkeeper chuckled back. “The man wearing that armor did keep his employer alive by getting him out of the way. So, for the right person, that could be very lucky armor.”

  Snickering, Sean grinned. “Fair enough. I’m in need of some feed for two horses, along with travel food for three. My Bonded is bringing in a few items we’re looking to sell.”

  The trader’s eyes went past Sean to the door, which admitted Fiona carrying a saddle and set of tack. “If your items are in good condition, I’ll be interested,” the shopkeeper said. “Put them here,” he told Fiona dismissively, as if she was nothing more than a walking piece of furniture.

  Sean stepped back, fighting to keep a polite smile on his face while he waited for the shopkeeper to examine the items. Nothing on display in the shop held any interest for Sean. By the time he looked back to the shopkeeper, he found the man looking his way.

  “Well, are you interested?” Sean asked.

  “This was made by a well-known crafter, so I’ll be happy to take it from you. I’ll go three silver even, for all of it.”

  Sean frowned, recalling Fiona’s signal at the inn that the saddle and tack was worth more than he’d gotten from the stable master. After a moment, he nodded to the shopkeeper. “That’s fine. How much will the supplies I asked for cost?”

  “If you want good quality feed and food, maybe twenty bronze. It will also depend on what else you might be looking for.”

  “A small amphora of wine. Nothing too expensive, but decent quality, please. My Bonded will give you a list of the herbs and spices we’re looking to replace. Shall we call it thirty bronze? I’ll also need it quickly. I hope to get on the road within the hour,” Sean said.

  “As long as the herbs and spices aren’t too expensive,” the shopkeeper chuckled. “I’ll let you know if you exceed the amount.”

  “Fiona, deal with the little stuff. I’m going to check on the horses,” Sean said, hearing voices out front. “Bring the money with you.”

  “As you command, Master,” Fiona said, stepping to the counter.

  Stepping outside, Sean saw a number of children gathered around the wagon, jeering at Myna. “Hey beast, why you wearing clothes?” one of them asked with a snicker.

  “Maybe she thinks she’s as good as the rest of us,” another jeered.

  “Children,” Sean snorted softly. “Do you have some issue with my Bonded?” Sean asked loudly.

  All the kids turned to him. One of them stepped a little forward of the rest. “You keep a beast as a Bonded, mister? Couldn’t get anything better?”

  “What would you know of life?” Sean asked back with a snort. “You’re what, eight? Why don’t you run off? She is mine, and I don’t take kindly to those who don’t respect what is mine.”

  “Or what? You won’t lay a hand on us. Do you know who my dad is?” the ringleader asked with the air of someone who thought they were important.

  “I’ll tan your ass, and I really couldn’t give less of a fuck,” Sean said, slowly walking forward, his voice going cold. “I’m leaving in a few minutes, and thrashing a disrespectful kid won’t matter once I’m on the road. I doubt your father’s going to come chasing after me.”

  “You’ll be banned from the village,” the kid said, stepping back twice and looking suddenly uncertain, “what do you think about that?”

  Snorting, Sean shook his head. “You trying to make that sound like a punishment? If you’re any example of what the village is like, then never being able to come back sounds like a reward.”

  “We’ll see about that,” the kid said shrilly as he backed further away. “Come on, we’ll go see what my dad has to say about this guy.”

  As the kids turned to go, Sean’s hands clenched. Myna reached out and touched his shoulder. “Master, it is fine. They wouldn’t touch me, only mock me.”

  “That doesn’t make it any easier for me to accept,” Sean sighed.

  “Because you care, and consider me an equal,” Myna said softly. “You have no idea what that means to me. Please, ignore their words; that is all they are.”

  Taking a deep breath, Sean nodded. “Fine. I’ll do the best I can. This whole world is fucked in the head, though.”

  “Maybe, but I’m part of this world, as is Fiona,” Myna said.

  “Point,” Sean said, taking her hand off his shoulder and kissing the back of it.

  “See? Told you he was a beast lover,” the kid’s voice came from down the street.

  Eye twitching, Sean growled, “Maybe just one kid beaten is okay?”

  Myna giggled softly, “No, but thank you.”

  “Master, I have the coin. We pick up the supplies around back,” Fiona said, coming out of the store.

  Sean climbed up and took a seat beside Myna. “Thank you, Fiona. Store the coin and let’s go get our stuff. The sooner we leave this village, the better.”

  Happier once Pinehaven was at his back, Sean glanced backward just once. “I was meaning to ask—the green-skinned guy who opened the gate for us the other day, what race was he?”

  “Orc, at least in part,” Fiona replied, “but he lacked the broader forehead and protruding jaw of a pure orc.”

  “Ah. My old world always pictures orcs with tusks,” Sean shrugged.

  “I’m sure a lot of the races here will be different from what you expect,” Fiona said. “Do you mind taking the reins so Myna can show me how to mend clothing?”

  Taking the offered reins as Fiona leaned over to claim a kiss, he smiled. “Of course not.”

  The sun climbed as Myna and Fiona chatted behind him, Myna showing Fiona her techniques for mending clothing. He mostly tuned them out, focusing on the road t
hey traveled. They came to a fork and Sean slowed the wagon. He spotted the signpost pointing the way to Holden and guided them onto that road.

  “Holden?” Fiona asked from the back.

  “Yup, I’m looking forward to what it's going to look like. I’ve only seen Oaklake, and I’m very interested to see how it compares as a travel hub.”

  “Holden is larger, even though it doesn’t have a dock,” Myna told him.

  “That doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Sean frowned. “Oaklake has a dock that leads down the river to Southpoint, so it should be bigger.”