As evening approached I located Tabitha, Karly and the kids. I let them know that I was going to go visit Ohana and would be back later. The walls of the huge castle were starting to close in on me.
As I was grabbing coins, in case I decided to be gone after dinner time, Tabitha told me gently, “I haven’t ever heard of working girls making good consorts. There’s James’ Lynna, of course, but I assume she’s the exception.”
I laughed. “The four young ladies we have now are taking care of the merchants, the children and the staff. My lovely wife is staying on top of finances and there’s nothing else we need done. I’m not hunting consorts, my love.”
She smiled. “I’m just saying… but if you found someone you liked, you know I’d be interested in meeting her.”
I hugged her. “Yes, I am still hurting because of Diana and Feyna. I don’t feel the need to replace them, though.”
“I guess you know me too well when you know the motives behind my comments. Go out, have fun and meet the people.”
My eyes glazed and I ported to the outskirts of Ohana. This was one of the largest and most beautiful cities in Eredwynn and home to the shrine of the famous wizard of old. I walked past it, remembering the stories about the books housed in the shrine. Father had never told anyone that they were just journals of the days the wizard had spent in Eredwynn. Many people still thought they were magical tomes. I walked to the Governor’s office and requested an audience. It took a bit of convincing, but they let the little boy in.
I walked into the man’s office and he looked up from his work. “What can I do for you today, son?”
“Your Honor, I’m Seth Stephenson. I just finally got around to making it here to introduce myself. I’m sorry for being later than I should have been.”
He started to get up and I quickly sat across from him. “Thank you, My Lord. It’s a bit harder to get up and down than when I first met your father. He was just a young lad then, but time passes. What can I do for you?”
“I just wanted to make sure that everything was going well. Near Starford, we started planting hemp, grain and other crops. We imported a village of Halflings that has been working wonders with the soil.”
“That’s what I’d heard. All of our crop production is high this year and we should have a very nice surplus. We do have quite a few peasants who are out of the fields due to an illness that’s been going around. If it gets much worse, I might have to contact Lady Chloe.”
I got a knot in the pit of my stomach, but knew what I had to do. “Sir, are the sick people staying somewhere together? I might be able to help them. I’m not nearly the healer that Lady Chloe is, but I do have some experience.”
“We’ve been housing them in a barracks south of town. It was a garrison for the ex-regent until your father and Aunt Alba cleared them out. We haven’t had a use for it until now.”
“Thank you, sir; now with your permission, I think I’ll go check on those people. Perhaps I can get your workforce feeling a bit better.”
“I wish good luck to you, son. Tell your father that old man Ridley said ‘hi’.”
I made it back to the barracks while the knot in my stomach tightened. I kept telling myself that this was nothing like what I’d done in Krose, but it still worried me. I opened the door of the barracks and saw men, women and children all crowded together. They all had some strange red dots on all the exposed skin that I could see. This was a new ailment to me, but I hoped I could cure it. If it was as contagious as it seemed, it needed to be handled now.
I walked to the middle of the barracks and amplified my voice slightly. “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Seth Stephenson. I’m one of the Princes of Eredwynn. I’ve come to try to help you feel better, and if I can’t, I’ll send for my aunt, Lady Chloe. I’m sure you’ve heard of her.”
There were smiles and nods at the mention of Chloe’s name. I had them gather the children up first, in case my magic ran low. Children are generally more fragile than adults. As I approached the knot of kids, I tapped the knowledge that my grandfather had shared. I found the water sprite healing skill and activated it.
I placed my hand on the arm of a little girl who reminded me a lot of little Tamia and smiled as her fever dropped and the spots vanished. I heard a collective sigh from everyone in the group and looked around. The spots were vanishing from everyone in a ten foot radius of the girl that I was healing! I quickly checked my magic and found that it had barely been touched. Remembering Raven, I scanned around for latent magic that might have enhanced my ability, and found none.
I turned and walked slowly down the center aisle of the building with my arms spread. People all along my path reached out and briefly took my hands as I passed. In the amount of time it took me to walk from one end of the building to the other, my grandfather’s magic healed them all.
I turned to the people. “I’m just one of the siblings that you all know. There’s nothing special about me, except that I’m cuter.”
That brought chuckles and thanks from the people. I relaxed and hoped that the people’s prior exposure to magic would prevent another stupid cult problem. This time I’d be much more careful. I’d learned that a cult that has people blindly follow is a bad thing. Fifty people or fifty thousand, the end result is always the same. I understood now what Father had been lecturing about for years, and wouldn’t repeat my mistake.
I left the happy people to pack up and return home. The evening air promised that summer was coming to an end. I almost looked forward to winter and the choreless monotony that it brought with it. I located a large tavern/inn and made my way inside.
I went straight to the bar. “Bartender!” I called. The man rolled his eyes and came to me. I slid a platinum coin to him. “I’m Seth Stephenson, Lady Della’s son. You’re going to serve a boy tonight and not spread around who I am. Do we understand each other?”
“Why certainly, young man! Have a few drinks on the house.” He pocketed the coin.
I wandered to a table out of the way so I could just people-watch and a confused looking waitress showed up. “Hey kid, the bartender said to bring this over. Is it for your dad?”
“Aye, ‘tis for me dad. I’ll keep it company for ‘em.”
She still wasn’t convinced, but left me the mug of ale anyway. I sat there quietly until the Stephenson part of my brain noticed the working girls on the stairs. There was a very cute, and, of course, very petite girl among them. Naturally, being me, the girl would have to be short to get my attention. I subtly signaled her to come to my table.
“Whatcha need, boy? I’m tryin’ to make a livin’ here.”
“I was just wondering if I could get a kiss on the cheek.”
She laughed. “I ain’t in the habit of kissin’ lil’ boys. An’ I sure don’ do anything with anyone for nuthin’.”
“Would you give me a kiss on the cheek and sit and talk for this?” I slid a gold coin along the table.
“Your pa ain’t gonna show up and take this away, is he? Ya know how much money this is, don’t ya?”
“Yes, miss; I know how much it is. What about it? Do I get my kiss?”
She snickered. “For a gold coin, I’d kiss a frog and talk all night!”
“I hope I’m better company than a frog. Would you like a drink?”
With a faux aristocratic tone, she breathed, “But of course I’ll accept a drink, my good man!”
I signaled the bartender and the even more confused waitress brought the girl a drink. With the girl paid, a drink purchased and my kiss received, I encouraged her to talk. I sat and listened as she told about growing up on a farm with three younger sisters. A few months ago, her father had told her that since she was almost seventeen and not married, she had to find her own way. She couldn’t land a job in any of the local shops, so she’d ended up here.
“You don’t sound like you like your job here very much, Heather. Why do you stay?”
She laughed. “I ain’t found another job. The
minute I do, I’m outta here.”
“I know of a maid’s position that you might like, if you were willing to do that kind of thing.”
“You, a little boy hanging out in a pub, knows of a job. Ok, where is this phantom job an’ what does it pay?”
I chuckled. “This job is at Starford Stronghold and pays a gold coin a week. If you’re doing better than that here, you should stay. If not, I know the man in charge there and can get you in.”
Tears came to her eyes. “This isn’t a nice game you’re playin’, young man. I think our chat time is over.”
“Wait a moment, please, Heather.” I pointed to the candle on the table and lit it with a thought. “I’ve not been exactly honest. I’m Seth, the Lord of Starford. The magic should have proven it. I’d like to hear more of your stories, but I’m not looking for a consort-type relationship. If you’d work at the castle, I could chat with you and we could become friends.”
“Your Highness, I’m sorry for rambling on and talkin’ so disrespectful. If ya really want me to work, I’d be much happier as a maid than a mattress. Maybe if I get ta know ya better and you grow up, I might try to change your mind ‘bout that consort thing, too.”
I laughed. “Perhaps. Do you have anything that you need to take with you? Do you have clothes or keepsakes? And do we need to notify anyone about where to find you later?”
“Will I wear a uniform at the castle?”
“Yes, you will have a maid’s uniform.
“Then I’m ready to go. They don’t care who is here or not. They’ll figure out I’m gone, sooner or later.”
I led the way outside and took her hand. “I’m going to teleport us magically. I just thought I’d let you know so you wouldn’t be frightened.”
“Thanks, you’re a really sweet kid. How old are you, anyway?”
I laughed. “I’ll be eighteen this spring. Having a mother that’s a Naiad keeps people confused when they see me. I’ve always been treated like a kid, but when we get to the castle, you’ll meet my two children. That should change your mind.”
“I’m sorry again, Your Highness! Every time I say something, it’s wrong. I don’t want you to change your mind about takin’ me outta here, so I’ll just keep me mouth closed.”
“It will be all right. Just treat me as a normal man. Here we go.”
I focused and ported us to the courtyard of Starford. I led the way into the castle and located my Regent. “Rostand, I’ve located someone who needs a position on the maid staff. She’ll need to be shown the ropes and also will need a uniform and a place to stay.”
“All right, Seth, I’ll have her sent for in the morning. If you’re going upstairs, you can put her in the first room to the right of the second floor stairs. What name would you like me to put down, Miss?”
“My name’s Heather, if you please, Sir.”
Rostand gave me a concerned look. “Is she ok, Seth? She’s white as a sheet and I could barely hear her.”
I chuckled. “I think she’s a bit stunned by the course of events. She was just talking to a little boy at the pub a few minutes ago. The boy turned out to have a job offer and his own castle.”
Rostand laughed. “I suppose that happens to you a lot, doesn’t it, Seth? People thinking you’re a decade younger than you really are? I suppose that when you’re forty, that might be a good thing.”
“It happens way too often! I had the hardest time finding a wife!”
Rostand’s laughter followed us up the stairs. At the second floor, I heard my favorite voice in the world. “I thought I said something about working girls not making good consorts. Well, bring her up and let us meet her!”
I chuckled and whispered to Heather, “She thinks that I’ve located a girl to be a consort. We just had two girls leave us because they had jealousy issues. We’ll explain things.” She nodded and we went up to my apartment.
Tabitha grinned when we walked in. “She is a pretty young lady. Where did you find her?”
I grinned back. “This is Heather, and she was a working girl in the pub in Ohana. I saw her there and decided to abduct her.”
Tabitha rolled her eyes. “No, really, where did you meet her?”
Heather spoke up, “My Lady, I was a working girl in Ohana until a little while ago. His Highness offered me a position on the castle staff as a maid.”
Tabitha grimaced. “I’m so sorry! I saw how beautiful you were and thought that Seth was picking on me about you being a working girl. I know that there are some who do that job because they must, but as pretty as you are…”
I laughed. “As pretty as she is, you thought I wanted her for myself.”
Tabitha nodded and Heather whispered, “He said that he didn’t want a consort. I’ll be happy enough as a maid, but My Lady, remember me if he changes his mind.”
Tabitha grinned. “Let me show you around. I guess you know where your room is. You can meet the people and feel more at ease. If you need someone to talk to for any reason, I or one of the girls are good listeners. Welcome to Starford!”
The next morning I woke early. I kissed Tabitha and started to get up. She pulled me back down to her and whispered, “I’m sorry about the misunderstanding with Heather. She is an adorable young woman who had to make a tough choice. I hate hearing stories about girls that are forced into that business because they have to in order to survive. Her father isn’t a rich man and with all those girls, she didn’t have much choice.”
“I see something running through that cute little head of yours. What idea is going on in your brain now?”
“Hear me out, husband of mine. Heather’s sisters are a year apart. They’re fourteen to sixteen, with Heather being nearly seventeen. She said that her father will end up putting them all out, not because he’s a bad man but because he feels that’s the way it’s supposed to be done. If you could take him some money and then offer the girls that abandoned farmhouse just west of the castle, they could work here as maids or in the kitchen. I’d find something for them to do, but I don’t want them ending up in that pub.”
“Is Mama Tabitha going to save the world?”
“Maybe not the world, but if I could save those girls from doing something that they don’t want to, I have to try. Would you mind doing that for me, please?”
I sighed and chuckled. “You know I can’t refuse you anything. Tell me where they live and I’ll go first thing this morning.”
Armed with information, I dressed and headed downstairs. I checked in with Regent Rostand. “Good morning. I have a question for you and you seem like the man with all the right answers.”
He chuckled. “I do at least try to get the most important ones right, from time to time. What can I help you with today?”
“I was wondering if I had a discretionary fund that I could draw money from.”
“Yes, there is, but it is quite small compared to what you have in your personal vault. You’d have to talk to the King to get more than you have in there.”
I was confused. “What money in what personal vault? I didn’t know I had either of those things.”
Rostand laughed. “I’m sorry, my friend. I thought that you had been told when I put it on the books. Your father sent over money when you first got here. He said that it was the same wedding present amount that he’d given your brothers. You have half a million in gold coin and one and a half million in platinum. Your vault is the one on the left side at the end of the treasury hall. Here is your key and I’m sorry for not informing you sooner.”
I was very happily surprised. “If you’d told me sooner, I would just have given it away sooner. No harm done, and now another question. Who owns the abandoned farm and farmhouse west of the castle, about a quarter of a mile away?”
“That farm, all forty acres, the barn, stable and the very nice farmhouse was taken over by the lord of the province years ago. So that means it belongs to you, to do with as you will.”
“Thank you very much, kind sir. Keep up the goo
d work. Stars know that this Lord has been shirking a bit, so it’s nice to know the place isn’t going to fall apart.”
I walked to the treasury hall, which was like the one I remembered from visiting Uncle Roger in Valeview. The guard was startled when I opened the door, but I nodded and went into the vault that belonged to me. Just as I’d been told, there were flour bags of coins set neatly in a corner. I looked around and found a stack of different sized bags and pouches. I took one and put fifty platinum coins inside and then filled three smaller ones with twenty-five each. That amount would be enough for the farmer to retire on, and the smaller ones would make for a very comfortable living for the sisters. I’d offer the same to Heather when I got back, but I hoped she’d stay at the castle. I couldn’t explain the soft spot that I’d developed for her in the pub last night. It wasn’t my little head thinking, either; there was just something friendly about her that she was trying to keep buried. I put the pouches in my money belt and pulled down my tunic.
I came back into the foyer just as Heather was leaving her room. I went up the steps to meet her. “Have you checked in and been given assignments yet?”
She was startled to see me. “No, My Lord. I haven’t made it to the Regent’s office yet. I’m sorry about getting around so slowly, but the bed was so nice after what I’ve been sleeping on the last few weeks.”
I chuckled. “Actually, I’m glad you haven’t. I have a proposition for you and you can tell me what you think. I’m thinking of asking your father to release your sisters to my care. I have a large farm with a nice farmhouse that I’d put them up in. It’s only a quarter mile from here, so you could stay there if you’d like. You and your sisters could work the farm next spring or I’d find them jobs here. Maybe that way we can keep them off the stairs at the pub. What do you think?”
Seth, A Naiad's Son (Generations of Eredwynn Book 3) Page 22
