Tabitha opened the door behind us. “Seth, I need you in here if you’re not busy.”
I excused myself and went into the healing room. The girl had the sobbing hics but seemed to have calmed down. I looked at the expression on Tabitha’s face that was pleading with me to be kind. I remembered the pain of my smashed face and the vomiting, which she’d helped to cause. “Tabitha, I know you want me to be nice, but after what this girl has done, I’m truly considering a ‘heavy flamestrike’ and going home. I don’t know what you can tell me that would change my mind.”
She hugged me, which always softened me up. “Her name is Raven Pinkins. She’s been working at our home since shortly after we arrived and has watched all of us. She would spy on you so she could tell the people what you wanted, and it got out of hand. She’s a very shy girl and liked the attention that she would get when she would have personal information about the ‘savior’. She knows now what she did was wrong, but she never meant to hurt you. The fact is, she’s unquestionably in love with you.”
“She’s in love with me?” I asked incredulously. “She almost gets me killed and then wants me to believe that she’s in love with me? I still think that I’ll have Celina set up a pole. The guards can bind her and I’ll make it quick.”
There was a sob from the bed and she slid to the floor. Walking on her knees she came to me and wrapped her arms around my legs with her head on my hip. “Your ‘onor, I accept your judgment because my actions ‘urt you. I don’t want to go on knowin’ that I’ve caused you pain. I ‘ope that after I’m gone, you’ll fin’ it in your ‘eart to forgive me.”
I sighed and Tabitha smiled. “Okay, hardheaded wife of mine, what do you want?”
Tabitha grinned. “Honestly? I’m thinking pink. You won’t find another that would love you more. Before you say it, I’ll have the other girls help me keep an eye on things and make sure there’s no more gossip.”
“Fine, then you explain it to her and if she doesn’t like it, I’ll have her moved to Omedo or something. I think I’m going to go blow something up now, in preparation for our little jaunt. I love you, Tabitha, but your collecting is worse than mine. Can I have the room now for all the white robes to join me?”
Tabitha giggled. “No, go blow up a target. That’s as hot as things better get between you and the white robes!”
I walked back to the porch and signaled Celina. I pointed to the target range and she grinned, then ported over. I ported beside her and watched the confusion that we’d caused in the crowd. The Captain was standing close by and nodded when I pointed to the pile of logs, which were there, I assumed, for my benefit. Cel and I set up logs as before and did our target practice routine. After our ’flamestrike’ spell, I grinned at Celina. “I have to talk to the crowd, then you’ll see what kind of mood I’m really in.” She smiled and nodded; I turned to the gathered masses. “My friends, you know my sister and me and have seen us do many things. You may be going into a combat situation with us soon and I want you to see something else that we can do. Remember that we’re just a man and woman with different skills than most. Most of all, remember that I love you all.”
“And we also love you,” intoned the people.
I turned to Celina. “’Meteor swarm’ on three? Aim a hundred yards past the targets for safety.” Her eyes went wide, because we rarely did that spell away from Wizard’s Castle, and then she giggled.
This was our slowest casting spell because of how it worked. Some people who have seen it think that we conjure the stone from nothing. That would be impossible; and if we could, we’d just conjure up gold and sit on our rich butts for the rest of our lives. The spell gathers loose rock, dirt and other inorganic or dead material from a huge area around the target. It then transports it to the point where the ‘stones’ appear. The magic then thrusts them downward at great velocity, creating the incredible destruction that the spell produces.
On ‘three’ we cast our spells and watched as the magic flowed, then the pop of the stones appearing. There was a frightening whistle of the heavy missiles hurtling to earth and the massive explosion when they impacted. It was an awesome thing to see, especially if it was the first time you’d ever witnessed anything like it.
We turned around and no one was bowing, but they were understandably intimidated. That was the most powerful spell that a caster wizard could cast. The sibs could cast spells that were more damaging, but that one made more noise and therefore, was more fun. Cel and I made our way back to the healing room and I gathered everyone together. I asked Joshua to inform me when the plans for the visit to the neighbors were complete, then we began the short walk home. On the way, Tabitha asked to stop by the tailor’s to get new robes for Karly and Raven. When she suggested we order uniforms for them, I was game.
Inside the tailor’s, I watched from the sidelines. When it came to ordering the uniforms, the tailor winked at me. I winked back and nodded and in that way my ‘special instructs’ were passed along. As we were leaving, I slid five platinum coins to the tailor, telling her to keep a tab because I was dressing a lot of young ladies these days.
She grinned and whispered, “An’ from da look of dem clothes, undressin’ um too!”
Laughing, I left the tailor’s shop and we continued to the house. Back in my room, I sat on a couch and the girls, sensing I had something to say, gathered around. “Ladies, I’d like you to meet Raven. She is the most recent concubine that Tabitha has taken, and to this point, the only one that we’ve disagreed on. You all know that I tend to forgive and forget and perhaps I will, but I have a dilemma. It’s understood that a concubine will share my bed, right, Karly?”
Karly batted her eyes. “That is exactly right, Seth. And the sooner the better, if I may be so bold.”
I chuckled. “You may, you may! However, I’m not sure that I’m ready for Raven. Raven, you’re beautiful, sexy and would be very attractive if I didn’t associate you with some very bad things happening to me.”
Tears were streaming down Raven’s face. “I understand, Seth, and I ‘ope someday you’ll realize ‘ow very sorry I am. I wouldn’t ‘ave spoke a word if I would ‘ave known someone would ‘urt you. Is there anything that I can do that will ‘elp you forgive me?”
“Here’s what I suggest to you, Raven. Get along with the other ladies in the household. Play with my daughter and keep an eye on her if she wants to go to the yard. Willingly do whatever chores or duties that Tabitha gives you, and those things will help you get in my good graces. I’ll see you as a good person and not as someone who caused me harm. On top of that, talk to the girls about their games. Anne has a game that wakes me up in a major way. Diana has a soft touch and playful nature with the other ladies in our bed. Tina likes to put … well, talk to her about that. Knowing fun things like that makes for an exciting concubine, if we ever get to that stage.”
Raven stared at the floor. “I’m ‘barrassed to say that I know them things already. I ain’t ever been wit’ a man, but I’ve watched you and the others together many times.”
“Speaking of that, how did you see into my room?”
“Do you see that crack in the mortar on that wall? The wall is ‘ollow and there is a tiny crawl space. I could barely fit, but I did fin’ that spot that looks right at your bed. I could see ever’thin’ you did after Noam went to bed and I could get into the wall.”
I looked at the wall and using an ‘Aunt Alice technique’, fused the gap closed. “I hope that’s the only one of those, but since we have the smallest member of the staff in pink now, we won’t have to worry about it. I think we should have lunch and then if Anne will let me borrow her room, I’d like to see Karly.”
Anne grinned and nodded while Karly blushed and whispered, “How much of Karly do you want to see?”
I whispered back, “Every tiny square inch.”
She looked concerned. “I’ve been talking to the girls already and know the games you like, but I also know to ask you to take your time.
I was told about a monster or something.”
I laughed. “I promise to be nice. I’ve only been mean to one girl and I think she’s forgiven me.”
Diana smiled and nodded, and we waited for our lunch to arrive.
Chapter Seventeen
I woke early the next morning and dressed to hike. I knew that if Captain Rufin had marching plans, he’d want us in robes, but they could go over my clothing. I quietly went out the door to find out if Noam had any word yet and was surprised to find I’d actually beaten him to his post, for once. I looked toward his room from the top of the stairs, just as the door was opening. A very lovely maid, near Noam’s age, was just leaving his room. She turned and stood on her tiptoes while Noam bent to kiss her. She was a dainty thing and it amused me, seeing the contrast between the two; but the love between them was obvious, even at this distance.
She went downstairs to begin her daily duties and Noam came upstairs. He was quite surprised to see me up and around that early. He came to his spot by the door. “Good morning, Seth! You’re up bright and early this morning.”
“I came out to see if you’d heard from Captain Rufin, but it seems that you were busy last night. Did you find a maid who caught your eye?”
He chuckled. “Yes, a long time ago she caught my eye and that’s why I married her. She stayed with me during my time as a cripple and now we’re enjoying each other even more. She was already working here and it made things very nice. I thought things were going to be wonderful when my daughter started working here also, but it didn’t work out that way. My daughter took my wife’s maiden name years ago so she wouldn’t be tied to the ‘cripple Spiro’. She took the name ‘Pinkins’, and as her father I’m responsible for her actions. I’ll sadly resign my post, if you ask.”
“Raven is your daughter? Why didn’t you tell me yesterday when you were the one to run her down?”
“I was able to run her down because I knew how quick she is and what she would do. I didn’t tell you because I was ashamed of what she’d done.”
“You were there when Tabitha accepted her as a concubine; what do you think of that? Since she is your daughter, and you are my most trusted friend, I’ll release her from that position and put her in your care.”
“My Lord, perhaps she can make amends and find her way into your heart; it would make me a proud and happy father. I’ll accept and understand if she’s never forgiven and is never wholly accepted into your family.”
I sighed. “She does seem truly repentant, and since she is the daughter of my closest and most loyal friend, I’ll do my best to forgive her. Hers was my first true betrayal and it stung me. She didn’t mean it as such and that’s why I am willing to give her a chance. You have no problem with her being my concubine?”
“Seth, being the concubine of the Governor would be enough for her to be honored and respected. Being your concubine makes a young lady exalted in the district! It would be the best honor that a man could give a father.”
“Very well, Mister Spiro, do you know what room she was given?”
He smiled. “She was given the room next to mine. The pretense was that I could keep an eye on her; the fact is, she’s my daughter and I wanted my family close.”
“Then I believe I’ll go talk to her. Could you find a messenger and see what the plans are for the day from the Captain?”
He nodded and took off for the gate. I made my way to Raven’s room and knocked gently. She opened the door quickly and I thought she’d faint when she saw me there. She backed away from the door to the middle of the room. She was dressed in her pink concubine uniform and it fit her amazing figure perfectly. But that wasn’t what I was there for. “Raven, I believe that we need to talk. Would you mind sitting on your footlocker with me?”
Tears were already streaming. “Of course, Your Honor.”
I had to chuckle. “You’re wearing that uniform; please call me Seth. I just came to tell you that I’m prepared to give you a fair chance. I was angry yesterday, but I’ve learned a lot over the last hour and it’s made me rethink things. If you’ll forgive any hurtful things I’ve said, I’ll return the favor.”
She’d been holding her breath and gasped as she released it. “Thank you, Seth. You ‘ave to know I dinna do it to ‘urt you but I thought I was ‘elpin. I’ll be the best girl ya got and work ‘ard to make you ‘appy.”
I laughed softly. “Your very first project could be working with Noam or Tabitha on your speech. The letter ‘H’ is our friend, too, and should be used. Now, with your permission, I’d like to kiss you and then we can go to my room for breakfast. The others should be up by now.”
She blushed and nodded; I leaned over and gently put my lips on hers. She threw her arms around my neck, pulling me to her, swung her leg over mine and straddled me. I finally broke away and laughed.
“There’s no question of you wanting to be with me, but we’re still getting to know each other. That uniform and your kiss were almost enough to make me forget myself, but we should go.”
Breathing heavily, she smiled. “I’m sorry, but I’ve been wantin’ to do that for a very long time. I’ve seen what you do at night an am wantin’ to feel it myself. The other girls really seem to like it; an watchin makes me very… excited.”
“I can tell! Soon perhaps, but not right now. There are other things going on that I have to attend to. Now, grab your robe and we’ll go to my room.”
She nodded, grabbed her things and I offered my hand. Hand in hand, we walked back to my room, past a beaming Noam.
Everyone had gathered in my room by the time Raven and I walked in holding hands. The room lit up with happy grins when they saw that we were, at least, getting along. As we settled in, I was almost overwhelmed with the amount of pink in the room. I began to wonder if some other color would have been a better choice.
After breakfast, Tabitha gave me some news that I was very happy to receive. She informed me that she wouldn’t be going on the march with us and would stay with Tamia. She thought, and I heartily agreed, that a battlefield would be no place for an expectant mother. Everyone hugged her and told her to take care of herself while we were gone. There was a knock on the door and Noam strolled in.
“Everyone is gathering at the compound and we’ll be prepared to march soon. All the gear is already there and packed on horses or in carts. We should leave as soon as possible to get things moving.”
The girls led the way out the door with Noam and me bringing up the rear. Noam snagged my red robe from a chair and tossed it over my shoulder with a smile. “We don’t want to lose track of you again.”
I chuckled and agreed that I didn’t want to be lost again. We filed out of the house and down to the street.
The city guards were alone for the first time in a very long time. The streets of Krose were deserted and we walked unimpeded for the first half mile to the compound. Then we ran into pilgrims who had heard that I was going to be out of town. They had lined the street with sick and injured people that I couldn’t pass up. Celina and I went to work healing as we made our way toward the compound and a few dozen folks in blue took up the job of talking to them after we passed. I told Celina to monitor herself and to remember that we’d need magic in a couple days. She nodded and winked, then continued to her next patient.
We finally made it through the crowd and didn’t miss an injured man, woman or child. It was very satisfying to see all the smiling faces in our wake. We moved on to the compound and I saw that we were the last to arrive. Everyone was in marching formation and waiting for us. Several guards directed us to our location near the end of the ranks. I felt a bit cowardly, going after the men who had arranged my abduction, while surrounded by women.
Joshua found me and joined me with a smile. “Hope you’re well, Seth. This campaign is going to be big for our cause. The Elders and Guard have decided that catching your abductors is our first priority. After that, or while their location is being discovered, we will be… interviewing t
he townspeople to see what recruits we can gain. We’re hoping that many of them have heard of us and will see the light without too much convincing. I know you’re all about healing, but sometimes a man’s heart must be shown that he needs healing.
I nodded. “I see how that could be, but I won’t stand for anyone being brutalized to make them join us.”
He chuckled. “The best way to convince a stubborn man isn’t through hurting him! You wouldn’t get a true, loving follower that way. If we found someone that was being hardheaded, we’d just talk to his wife, daughters or mother. You should know better than any of us how convincing a woman can be. I see the maid, Raven, in pink this morning. Yesterday you were convinced that if you found your leak, you’d put a permanent end to it. I’m sure your wife showed you the error of your ways.”
I laughed. “She’s always been good at that. She even let me know that I was taking my first concubine and who it was going to be.”
Joshua smiled. “So you know what I mean and we understand the plan?”
I shrugged. “It seems simple enough for even me to understand.”
He winked and walked to the group of Elders. We left the compound and headed down the road to the south. Three miles from there, we came to a crossroads that we followed to the west. After that, there was only mile after mile of open flat land, then forests that the road wound through. I walked with an arm around Tina and the other around Raven. Other than Feyna, who had decided to stay with Tabitha at the last minute, these two were the closest to my size.
My army, and by that point I couldn’t consider them anything but, set up camp shortly before nightfall. My family was set up in tents in a very well-guarded but separate camp away from the main force. Anne, Karly and Diana shared one tent while Tina and Raven were with me. I may have told myself that I’d trust Raven, but I trusted her more when I knew exactly where she was.
I slept restlessly, wondering if I wasn’t leading an army on some sort of quasi-religious campaign. I finally slept when I convinced myself that we were doing this for the betterment of everyone involved and to get dangerous people away from good ones.
Seth, A Naiad's Son (Generations of Eredwynn Book 3) Page 17
