“Is it really that odd?”
“You’ve talked— if briefly— with the other Shapers. Do you think they would give up any of their power or take the time to teach the way you do?”
“I hadn’t thought about it that way,” Sean said. “I guess that makes sense. If I wasn’t as… gifted… as I am, maybe I wouldn’t be so careless to do what I do.”
“I’m not so sure,” Ryann said softly. “You’re quick to defend those with less than you, even if it gains you nothing, like Andrea back at the inn in Merits. Most Holders would have told us to stay out of it. Not only did you not keep us from her, you encouraged us to help.”
“I don’t like bullies, much less rapists,” Sean shrugged.
“I hope one day you’ll understand why we all want to stay with you,” Ryann sighed.
“You want to stay with us?” Sean asked.
Ryann turned pink. “I’m cooking dinner tonight. We should hurry back. I need to get my practice in before I cook,” Ryann said, picking up her pace and trying to ignore the question.
~*~*~
At dinner, Sean nodded to the two Fairies as he took his seat. “Glad you two are settling in. Fiona told me you’ve opted to have her craft you a place attached to the back of the house?”
“We’ve never had a home of our own,” Ven said. “She is also crafting us a collection of furniture sized for us.”
“I think she’s finished most of it?” Sean said, looking at Fiona questioningly.
“I have a few things left to do, but I did finish the bed and two chairs,” Fiona informed the Fairies. “I was going to bring them to you after dinner.”
“I found some odds and ends that will work for bedding,” Myna added.
Venn looked at all of them with a huge smile. “Thank you all so much. None of the others will believe what you’re doing for us.”
“I was wondering if you’d be willing to do the same job as Ven if we paid you the same?” Sean asked.
“Yes,” Venn nodded. “You’ve been more than kind to us as it is.” Sean and Venn felt the weight of Agreement settle over them as the deal was sealed.
“Are you sure about us being here?” Ven asked nervously.
“Of course,” Sean said. “I’m an Outsider, so my norms are not what you expect. I have no problem with you being with us. You’re part of our growing family, and none of us here are troubled by you dining with us.”
Fiona, Myna, and Ida agreed with Sean, reassuring the Fairies. Ryann came out of the kitchen with a pot and set it on the table, then went back to get a loaf of bread sliced into sections and buttered.
“I’m also good with you joining us,” Ryann said, taking her seat.
Sean served himself then handed the ladle off to Fiona. While he waited for everyone to get theirs, he frowned, realizing that even with the smaller bowls and cups Fiona had made for the Fairies, they were going to have a hard time getting any food.
Ida paused, looking down at the ladle and then at the small dishes, clearly thinking along the same lines. “This is going to be a mess. Give me a moment, please.” Pulling out her knife and fork, Ida cut up the meat and vegetables in her bowl, then transferred the food to the Fairies’ bowls with her spoon. “There you go.”
“Thank you,” Ven and Venn said in unison.
“Ida, go ahead and refill your bowl,” Sean said, “and thank you for helping our smaller family.”
Cheeks pinking slightly, Ida ducked her head as she reached for the ladle again. “My pleasure, sir.”
Everyone complimented Ryann on the beef stew, earning smiles from her. Sean took a second helping, making her smile grow even wider. Eventually, he pushed the bowl away, sighing with contentment.
“I hope the maid can cook half as well as you all are able to,” Sean chuckled.
“I’ll be cooking tomorrow,” Ida said, collecting the dishes. “Sean, can I go with you to the inn tonight?”
“Sure, I’ll wait,” Sean told her.
“I’ll be fast,” Ida said.
Ryann touched Sean’s shoulder as he went to stand up, “I already have water heating for her.”
“Thank you for the meal,” Ven said, bowing to Sean.
“No need for formalities, Ven. If you don’t mind, can I ask you a couple of questions?”
“Of course,” Ven replied, both Fairies flying over to land near Sean.
“I’m curious. Where do the Fairies in the city stay, and how do you all survive?”
“Those of us without an Agreement do our best to find shelter where we can. We take the odd message delivery— like I did from Fiona— to earn some coin. If we take that coin to a certain few people, they will sell us fresh food.”
“There are others who help you?”
“Yes, and no,” Venn said. “They charge more than they should. It’s easy money for them, but it’s either that or theft for us to be able to eat.”
“Do Fairies end up before the magistrate?”
“We are always Life Bonded when that happens,” Ven spat. “Life Bond or death are the only choices our kind get.”
Grimacing, Sean shook his head. “That’s fucked.”
“That’s why we try to always be careful when we do have to break any law,” Ven said.
“You two are very similar in size and shape,” Sean said, trying to delicately approach the question. “You call yourselves paired. What does that mean?”
“We are paired,” Ven said, unsure of what else to say.
“We will one day have children with each other. All Messenger Fairies are paired to another when they are born. Finding your pair-mate is something every one of us wishes.”
“So you’re a couple?” Sean asked.
“Not as you think of a couple,” Venn said. “We aren’t different sexes like the other races.”
Sean’s brow furrowed. “If you aren’t different sexes…”
“We are neither and both,” Ven said, their face darkening.
“I didn’t mean to upset you,” Sean said quickly.
“Ven is embarrassed, not upset,” Venn said with a light laugh. “We don’t talk about ourselves to others normally. You are an exception.”
“Which is what we keep telling him,” Myna giggled. “He breaks the mold of what is expected.”
Fiona nodded, “Which we are grateful for.”
“Very grateful,” Ryann added.
“I just have different values, is all,” Sean said. “Anyway,” he added, changing the topic, “we’ll be heading to the bathhouse tomorrow afternoon if you wish to join us.”
“We’ll decline,” Ven said almost right away.
“If we could trouble you for a small bowl of water, we’ll be fine,” Venn said with an amused look.
“Fiona, can you make them a bath for their house?” Sean asked.
“I’ll do that when I finish the other items for them,” Fiona replied.
“I’m ready, sir,” Ida said, coming out of the kitchen.
“We’ll see you in the morning,” Sean told the Fairies. “We eat just before the sun rises.”
“Thank you,” they said in unison.
“Fiona, Myna, did you want to come with?” Sean asked.
“I’ll stay here and work some,” Myna said.
“I’d be glad to go,” Fiona said, “but I want to finish up the furniture for our newest additions.”
“Maybe tomorrow,” Sean said.
“None of the smiths go to the inn on Tenday,” Ida said. “It’s a day normally spent with family. Usually, it’s used to discuss any issues that occurred during the previous days.”
“Oneday it is, then,” Sean shrugged. “I’d like you both to come.”
“If that is your wish,” Myna murmured, a pleased smile on her lips.
“Of course, dear,” Fiona added, smiling at him.
“We’ll be back,” Sean said as he led Ryann and Ida toward the door.
Chapter Fourteen
Entering the inn, Sean gave a
friendly wave to the smiths and headed for the Shapers’ table. Stoneeyes, Watercaller, and Silvertouch were the only people there. Ida went to the apprentice table that had only one other person, and Ryann went to the smith’s table.
“Excuse me, I don’t mean to intrude, but I had a question for you two,” Sean said, making eye contact with Stoneeyes and Watercaller. “What would it take to connect my house to the network that the bathhouses and inns use? I wish to build a private bath where I live.”
Stoneeyes shook her head, “Prohibitive... it would require a lot of work, since you’re nowhere near the channels we use.”
“Stoneeyes has the truth of it,” Watercaller said. “I’d have to set up the purifying runes once she had the channels made, which would be in addition to her costs.”
“Just coin then?” Sean asked.
“Gold,” Stoneeyes replied. “What you’re asking would require a good portion of our energy every day for at least a tenday. Then there are ongoing costs, because the channels need to be constantly cared for and the runes reset, but that’s mere silver besides the cost to build it.”
“I’ll come back and talk to you when I have gold again,” Sean said. “Have you considered using copper pipes in the channels to stop or slow the constant need for attention?”
Stoneeyes blinked. “That would give me more time and energy to do other things... It would take a significant amount of copper, and a very skilled smith or a talented Shaper to make it work correctly.”
“It would also free me up more, since runes inscribed onto copper wouldn’t wear as quickly,” Watercaller muttered.
“The cost of the pipes,” Stoneeyes sighed. “It would take the Lord to fund it, and he would be very skeptical.”
“If I can supply piping for my home, would you be willing to use me as a test of concept?” Sean asked.
“I would be willing to try it, but the cost of our time and energy is still high,” Watercaller said. “I’d be willing to give you a discount, though. That idea— if it works— would make things much easier for me.”
“Two gold and I’ll get the channel made,” Stoneeyes said. “You’ll need to supply the pipes, and have them inscribed by Watercaller.”
“Fair,” Watercaller nodded. “Two for me, as well.”
Sean nodded, “Agreed. As soon as I can bring the coin and pipes together, I’ll let you know.” All three of them felt the Agreement settle on them.
“If he can’t do it, I’d be willing to have my home outfitted with a private bath,” Silvertouch smiled. “I can easily afford the cost, but finding a Shaper for the pipes would be a problem.”
Sean met Silvertouch’s twinkling eyes. “I can Shape the pipes if given the bars. I’ll make yours for four gold.”
Silvertouch laughed, drawing many eyes to the table. “You do dream big, MacDougal, but that is too much for the task.”
“I’ll include three hair clips made with your silver, to the specifications you want,” Sean added. “I think you’ll make the coin back easily.”
Watercaller and Stoneeyes watched Sean and Silvertouch with raised eyebrows, as business of this degree was normally discussed at the guild hall. Silvertouch nodded slowly, “Five clips, but I’ll provide the copper for your pipes.”
“Agreed,” Sean said.
“Agreed,” Silvertouch said.
As the Agreement settled onto them, Stoneeyes shook her head, “That’s going to take a while. We have work to do on the reservoir for the next tenday, in any case.”
“It’ll take him that long to make the pipes,” Watercaller chuckled.
“That’ll depend on when Silvertouch gets me the copper for her pipes,” Sean smirked. “How large are the channels normally?”
Stoneeyes held her hand up and made a circle with her fingers. “This size.”
“I’ll get them done. A pleasure doing business with you, Silvertouch. Pleasure to do business soon with you both, as well,” Sean said, bowing his head to them. “Have a pleasant night.”
“What are you doing with the real Shapers, MacDougal?” Carver’s oily voice came from behind Sean.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to sit with people who have better manners than the one behind me,” Sean told the trio at the table.
“What was that?” Carver hissed as Sean walked away from him.
“He has a point, Carver,” Watercaller snorted. “You’re being an ass.”
“My daughter is engaged to Denmur’s son,” Carver preened. “I’ll be moving up the ranks soon.”
“You know, I have an invitation that I believe I’m going to accept,” Silvertouch said as she got to her feet. “I’ll be sure everything is ready when you have time, Stoneeyes, Watercaller.”
“It’ll be a good test to see if he can Shape as well as he thinks,” Stoneeyes said.
“He seems very sure of himself,” Watercaller added. “Goodnight, Silvertouch.”
The Shapers were surprised when Silvertouch went toward the smith table. The smiths, who had just greeted Sean, were even more surprised.
Joseph jumped to his feet when she approached. “Silvertouch, would you care to join us?”
“I would be delighted, Tackett. Does anyone else mind if I join you for the night? The other table seems to be quite full,” Silvertouch asked, touching the back of a chair.
No one objected, and Werrick even went so far as to stand and pull the chair out for her. “Of course none of us mind if you join us. MacDougal was saying you might come by at some point, and I, for one, am glad of it.”
Silvertouch let him seat her. “Thank you for being so welcoming. I was honestly unsure if you would. I know I’ve turned down all your offers to apprentice one or more of your children.”
“MacDougal spoke well of you,” Sam said flatly. “We might not have been as welcoming otherwise.”
Silvertouch’s brows rose. “I see. MacDougal did say you’d welcome me, and it does appear he is right. He seems to have a way of getting people to listen to him.”
Sean shook his head. “I’d say I just have a knack for pointing out the obvious. They worry that you’ll act better than them, and you worry that they might snub you.”
All eyes at the table went to him with expressions of incredulity, except Ryann, who snorted into her mug. “Sean is also without a lot of the tact most people have.”
“Fair,” Sean smiled. “Most of you have at least one thing in common; not caring for Denmur and the cronies he keeps around him.”
All eyes were suddenly on Silvertouch, who smiled with a rueful shake of her head. “He wishes to attach himself to a House so badly that he forgets he isn’t a part of them, at least not yet.”
“Good to see you again, sir,” the maid said, smiling warmly at Sean. “What can I get you?”
“I believe Silvertouch likes wine,” Sean said, getting a nod from the Shaper. “Bring us two of her favorite vintage.”
“I believe it was my turn next,” Sam said, pulling out a bronze.
“Nonsense,” Silvertouch said, holding a bronze out to the barmaid. “This round is mine, since I just arrived.”
Sam pulled back her coin, “I defer. I’ll take the next round.”
Once everyone had ordered their drinks, the maid hurried off, her long hair swaying freely as she walked. Sean looked over at the apprentice table, where two more people had sat down. Ida was currently laughing with the others while one of the boys at the table was gesturing with his free hand, obviously telling a story.
“MacDougal,” Silvertouch said, bringing his attention back to her, “when do you think you’ll have the items for me?”
“Depends on when you get me the copper,” Sean said nonchalantly. “I’ll turn it around as quickly as I can after that. When I deliver them, I’ll take care of the other part of the deal.”
“Really? All five in the same visit?” Silvertouch asked, one eyebrow arching high.
Sean shrugged, “I’ll manage.”
The others at the
table all exchanged worried glances, wondering what Agreement the two of them had arranged. “MacDougal, will that affect our deal?” Joseph asked as Sean and Silvertouch stared at each other.
“Nope,” Sean said, pulling his gaze from Silvertouch’s.
Hearthglen (Binding Words Book 3) Page 14
