Hearthglen

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “It looks warm,” Sean nodded. “Doesn’t seem to hinder your movement much, either.”

  “It does a little, but it’s not that bad, thankfully. The others have ordered some, too. Fiona ordered one for you, even though you rarely seem to need one.”

  “Could have used one before Flento,” Sean admitted. “It’ll be good to have it on hand, just in case. Thankfully, the Queen seems to have calmed down.”

  “Thankfully. A blizzard like that wouldn’t affect the city as much, but it would still be less than pleasant.”

  “At least Andrea isn’t going to need to go get water,” Sean muttered. “With three of us able to summon it and the purifying rune on the barrel, we’ll be good even if it does get bad.”

  “I’ve been meaning to ask,” Ryann said as they got to the square, “do you think I’ll be able to summon water, like you three do?”

  “Possibly, since they can. It’s all about believing in it so much that the universe complies with your desire. Or at least, that’s how it was explained to me.”

  “I think I’ll give it a try tomorrow. It boggles me sometimes how much we can do because we’re with you.”

  Sean didn’t reply as they entered the inn, his steps slowing when he realized that the apprentices and Shapers were not present. Joseph waved at them, a shit-eating grin on his bearded face.

  “Okay, what’s going on? That grin is really freaking me out,” Sean asked as he took a seat.

  “Well, you missed the fun,” Joseph chuckled, mirrored by the other smiths. “Let me do my best to explain… Oh wait, here come the others.” Waving at Silvertouch and Gertihs, Joseph grinned at their puzzled expressions. Before they could get to the table, Stoneeyes and Watercaller entered, also looking confused at the lack of Shapers and apprentices.

  Once everyone was at the table, Joseph explained. “Avery and me were the only ones here when it happened. You see, Carver came in first with his apprentice. The usual bunch wasn’t far behind him and they went to their usual tables. No maids went to wait on them, and Carver seemed to be getting upset about that.”

  “Shocking,” Sean deadpanned, eliciting chuckles from around the table.

  “The fun really started when Denmur showed up,” Joseph continued. “As he was taking his seat, Dame Mageeyes made an appearance. She helped herself to a seat at the table and held a conversation with them. She spoke too softly so I don’t know what she said, but after a minute, Denmur shot to his feet, glaring at her.”

  “What?” Watercaller asked.

  Joseph motioned him to wait as he kept talking. “Denmur leaned on the table and asked if she had lost her mind.”

  “He didn’t?” Gertihs asked, shocked.

  “Oh, he did,” Avery chuckled.

  “She just laughed, smiled at him and then pointed at the door. She told him to leave, and that he and his associates were barred from the establishment until such time as he apologized for his rudeness.”

  “She barred him from the inn?” Silvertouch asked, in as much shock as the others.

  “Wait, it gets better,” Joseph chuckled. “Denmur stood up to his full height and looked down his nose at her, and stuck his foot further into his mouth. His comment was along the lines of ‘who’d want to come back to a place where animals cooked and riff raff seemed to be favored.’”

  “Oh goodness,” Stoneeyes whispered.

  “The Dame’s eyes sparkled and her smile went all cold. Getting to her feet slowly, she pointed at the apprentice table and told him that none of their apprentices were allowed back until the entire table apologized to her, her staff, and the ‘riff raff’ Denmur had alluded to.”

  “Oh, he went white at that,” Avery laughed.

  Joseph grinned broadly, “Then Denmur’s face flushed red. I thought he was having a fit, but after a moment, he stormed off with the others trailing after him. She stared down the apprentices, who quickly fled after their masters.”

  “He’s just making friends all over,” Sean said.

  “The Dame looked around the room before she bowed her head, apologized for the drama, and declared everything half off for tonight to compensate those who were discomforted by the display,” Avery quickly added.

  “Greetings, all. Can I get you a drink this evening?” Lilly asked with a smile.

  Once she had everyone’s orders and went to retrieve the drinks, Sean spoke up, “Let me tell you how my day started.”

  He had to pause for the drinks and to thank Lilly for showing up at the magistrate’s chambers, but he finished telling them about the impossible sentence the magistrate tried to levy against Ida.

  Sam was shaking with anger during the tale, but had calmed a little by the time Sean was finished. “What would you have done if no one had shown up?”

  “Spoken to a High Magistrate,” Sean replied.

  “I thought none of them had time for you,” Gertihs asked.

  “They would have had time if he’d tried to break my Bond with Ida,” Sean said flatly. “I will not stand idly by when a friend or family member is being taken advantage of.”

  Sam nodded, “Thank you. I can’t think of anyone who would have dared to all but call the magistrate out like you did.”

  “That was a very thin line,” Stoneeyes said. “Lucky Mageeyes… oh.”

  “You think that’s why she removed Denmur and the others?” Gertihs asked.

  “I didn’t think she took sides,” Joseph mused.

  “She doesn’t normally,” Silvertouch said. “She must have been upset that it started here. She’s giving them a way back, even though she made it harder for Denmur to swallow when he insulted her.”

  “What are you going to do, MacDougal?” Werrick asked.

  “Hunker down, sell to the common folk, and see what happens. I’m not trying to cause issues, I truly just want a quiet life. I’ll just have to wait and see if they let that happen or not.”

  “Denmur isn’t likely to let a perceived grudge go,” Gertihs said.

  “As long as we don’t initiate anything, it should fizzle out. I hope,” Sean said. “I’m going to be taking Ida over to the Dominguez family tomorrow, and I’ll be picking her up. I still have a trade Agreement with MacLenn, even though Denmur tried to get him to break it off. He’ll be coming by to see you both shortly, I believe,” Sean said directly to Gertihs and Silvertouch.

  “He saw me this afternoon,” Silvertouch said. “We’ve come to an Agreement.”

  “He’ll likely come by tomorrow for me,” Gertihs chuckled. “Augustus is a wily one. I’m sure he used a loophole or two to do what he wants, while telling Denmur his hands are tied.”

  Sean chuckled, “Worked with him before, huh?”

  “Augustus has made a few minor deals with me in the past. My family runs a small caravan up to Westpoint and back once per Queen cycle. Our dealings with him have been for the towns south and east of here.”

  “If you run a caravan to Westpoint, we should talk later, Gertihs,” Silvertouch smiled. “I’ll have some items that need to go that way.”

  A real smile came to Gertihs, “Certainly.”

  “What else besides the clips and the small kitchen items are you going to sell, MacDougal? That can’t be enough for you and the family you have going?” Avery asked.

  “Not sure. I have a few ideas, but it’ll be a few tendays before I can try them. I need some precious metals to try them out.”

  Both Gertihs and Silvertouch chuckled. “You’ll be getting some. I already have a dozen orders for hair clips from Lady Sharpeyes,” Gertihs said.

  “I have a double handful from some of the lesser nobility in the city,” Silvertouch added.

  “If things work out, I’ll have another item that will be in high demand,” Sean chuckled. “I’m going to try and make them in copper for the common people, but it might still be too pricey for them.”

  “What is it?” Joseph asked.

  “Nope. You’ll just have to wait,” Sean replied, taking a d
rink from his mug. He just smiled at the intensely curious expressions that were focused on him.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Everyone was still trying to brush the sleep out of their eyes when they all sat down together for an early breakfast. The meal was simple: fresh bread, cheese, and some meat, with either tea or juice to go with it.

  “Venn, are you good with doing as I’ve asked?” Sean asked.

  “Yes, sir. I shall be keeping myself nearby, so if Ida calls for me, I will be there instantly.”

  “I meant what I said earlier, Ida. If anyone does anything to cross the line, leave. We’ll deal with it.”

  “I understand, Sean,” Ida replied, her calm mask slipping periodically to show her nervousness. “Venn will be there to call for you if I need you.”

  “I’ll be there to pick you up when the sentence is over, as well,” he added as he got to his feet. “Everyone else, you know what we have to get done.”

  Venn landed on Ida’s shoulder as the young lady stood. “I’ll be there. No worries, Ida.”

  “Thank you, Venn. This will be easier to deal with knowing that help is only a call away.”

  The walk to the Dominguez residence was a good hike, but they made it before the sun rose. A wrinkled prune of a man in butler’s attire answered the door when they knocked. “May I help you, sir?”

  “I’m Sean MacDougal. I’m here to make sure my Bonded does her twelve hours of service for the Dominguez family.”

  “Oh, yes. The master will see her directly.”

  Sean stepped aside for Ida. “I’ll see you once this farce is over, Ida.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

  “If you would go to the first room on your left,” the butler said, stepping aside for her. Once she was inside, the butler faced Sean again, giving off a haughty air. “We shall take it from here. Good day.”

  The door shut firmly in his face and made Sean grit his teeth. Sean had no other real choice but to start walking home, with Ryann right beside him. “Ry? Do you think this will be okay?”

  “I’m not sure, Sean. I hope so, but at the same time, they apparently had their own child beaten to make the story believable for the magistrate. Still, Venn will tell us if there are any issues.”

  “You’re right,” Sean sighed.

  ~ * ~ * ~

  Sean threw himself into work when they got home. Hours passed by and Venn didn’t appear, so Sean began to relax a little. No one was at their sharpest during the sparring hour, and Myna commented that Andrea had been less than focused earlier as well.

  Near the end of their sparring session, an hour before Ida’s time was up, Venn appeared in front of Sean. “Sean, Ida is hurt! She was caught under some shelving that collapsed!”

  Sean ran at the back gate, jumping it cleanly and taking off along the street. “Motherfuckers,” he hissed under his breath. It could have been a real accident… and I might be the next president.

  Sean knew he was running faster than he should be able to when he caught glimpses of disbelief on people’s faces as he rushed past. He jumped over a wagon at one point when he had to cross a street, making the driver go slack jawed when he saw it.

  Sean got to the door of the Dominguez house just as the butler stepped out. “Where is she!?”

  Blinking and looking surprised and a little fearful of the wide-eyed man who was all but standing on top of him, the butler stammered, “Sh-she’s in the drawing room. I’m going to fetch the healer.”

  Sean pushed past the butler and pulled up Mage Sight, following the thread of energy connecting him to Ida.

  “Wait, you’re not allowed inside, sir!” the butler called after him, but Sean was already through the door.

  The trail of energy took him to the third door down the hall, but before he could reach it, a corpulent man dressed in fine clothing exited the room. “Why are you… Who the blazes are you?” The man had been addressing the butler, but shifted to Sean, who had drawn up short just before crashing into him.

  “My apprentice is in there. Move or be moved,” Sean said the words calmly, even though his blood boiled.

  The obese man stumbled to the side, clearly afraid. “You can’t just barge into my home!”

  Ida was laid out on the ground. Her forehead was covered in sweat and her eyes were glassy. A large lump, red in color, stood out on her forehead. “Sean… it hurts… help me, please…?” Her words were barely a whisper and she repeated them again, clearly in a daze.

  Kneeling down next to her, Sean felt his blood go from boiling to frozen. “Ida, you okay?” Ida didn’t reply, just kept repeating the same sentence. Scooping her gently into his arms, Sean got to his feet.

  “We are sending for a healer,” Dominguez said from against the wall.

  “Fuck you and your healer,” Sean growled. “I’ll see to her myself.”

  “She is still under my employ—”

  “Don’t,” Sean hissed as he walked to the door. “If I find out that accident was anything but an accident…” Sean let the threat trail off as he kept walking.

  “I can have the carriage take you to the nearest healer,” the butler said as Sean exited the house.

  Sean didn’t bother to reply, but kept walking while he fed more energy into Ida. When he made it to the street, Ida gasped and her eyes shot open. “Ida?” Sean asked.

  “Sean?” Ida whispered, looking at him but not focusing. “It hurts.”

  “It’ll heal,” Sean sighed in relief as she replied. His mind had gone back to the comment about Donnel’s head injury, and how those weren’t sure fixes for healers. “What happened?”

  “I don’t know,” Ida murmured. “Sleepy.”

  “Don’t go to sleep yet, Ida. Talk to me, please.” Sean said.

  “You worried about me?” Ida giggled softly. “Maybe I have a chance, then.”

  Sean was focused on Ida, so he didn’t see the looks he was getting for carrying her princess style down the street. “Of course I’m worried about you. You’re part of our family, right? Have to worry about family.”

  “Family… I want to be family with you. Like Myna and Fiona. Ryann says I have to wait my turn, though. Do I have to wait, Sean?”

  Brow furrowing, Sean didn’t understand what she was going on about. “We’ll have to see,” he hedged. “What happened back there?”

  “Cleaning the storage shed... lots of shelves, dusty. Almost done, almost time to see you. There was a metallic squeal and then… then…” Ida shuddered in his arms, whimpering.

  Sean stopped dead, his eyes going to the nearest person. “Which way to the nearest healer?”

  “Two blocks down. Turn right, it’ll be on your left,” the woman replied a little warily.

  Sean took off sprinting and held Ida close to his chest, hoping to keep her from bouncing too badly. “Hang on, I’ll have a professional look at you.”

  At the right building, Sean burst into the front room. “I need the healer, quickly, please.”

  A young lady sitting behind a counter stood up. “What is the problem?”

  “Head injury. Some shelving fell on her. She’s been rambling and whimpering,” Sean replied.

  “Go through that door,” the receptionist pointed, then stepped through the one behind her. Sean did as he was told, and found himself in a hallway with the receptionist. “Follow me. I’ll get the healer once we have her in a room.”

  She took them to the fourth door and ushered them in, advising Sean to lay Ida on the navel high counter. Sean did, his hands brushing at Ida’s head, missing the slowly purpling knot on her head.

  “Healer is coming, he’ll look at you,” Sean said as he pulled Mage Sight up in his left eye. Staring, he saw Ida’s energy swirling around her head, but also some smaller eddies swirling around her left ribs and her left forearm.

  “A head injury, is it?” a skeletally thin man asked when he entered the room.

  “Yes, but I think her left side and arm are inju
red as well,” Sean said, looking back to Ida.

  “Let me look,” the healer said as he went to Ida. He made a soft tsking sound when he saw the knot on her head, and placed a hand on her cheek.

  Sean tensed when he saw the faint gold energy encase Ida’s body. He’s helping her. It’s okay, just let him do his job, Sean told himself.

  “Her arm and ribs are injured, but not badly…” his voice trailed off as if he was puzzled by something, but then the golden energy coalesced around Ida’s head. “The skull has a small fracture at the impact. The brain is injured, but not overly so. Her Dwarven heritage is likely the reason why. I can infuse her with some healing, but it is expensive…”