She bent down and hugged me, then kissed me full on the lips. She stood up and tears were flowing, “Thank you so much, My Lord! My greatest fear is that I’d see one of my sisters walk into the pub, looking for a job. Could we go ask Father if he would release them?”
I smiled. “I was hoping you’d want to go with me. I’ll put us in the road near his house. Tabitha told me where he lived.” She nodded and we ported.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Heather snickered. “If I could do magic, I’d be happy if that was the only trick I knew.”
Laughing, I nodded. “The only problem is, I have the weakest legs in the province. Never walking anywhere makes one pretty puny.”
We walked down the wagon path to the front of the house. Someone inside must have seen us coming, because the door burst open and three girls sprinted to meet us.
The father waited on the porch and I went to meet him. “Good morning, Sir. How are things with you this morning?”
“About as good as can be expected, I reckon. What can I do for you today, son?”
“I’ve come with a proposition for you. Heather has told me that you’re having a hard time. With you having three daughters at home, I can understand. If you had sons, then you’d have the fields plowed and the cows tended. I own an empty farmhouse that I’m willing to let the girls have so they’d be taken care of. Since you’d be losing the farmhands that you do have, I’ve brought some money to make it easier on you. What do you think?”
He gave a grunting laugh. “Some lil’ boy shows up with some tall tale like that an’ I’m s’posed ta what? Let my girls leave with ‘um?”
I laughed a bit too loudly. “I can see what you’re saying, but not all little boys have my name. I’m Seth Stephenson, Lord of Starford. The house I’m offering the girls is close to my castle and the sum I’m offering you is fifty platinum coins. Does that change anything?”
The man bowed. “Your Highness, I’m very sorry about my attitude. I’d heard you was umm… a bit smaller than most, but I never expected you on my porch. If you’s willing to take good care of my girls, I’d be honored to have ‘um go wit ya.”
I smiled. “I won’t be taking them as consorts, or at least not in the near future. I’ve had women problems of my own lately and am not looking for a repeat. I will make sure they are well taken care of, though. Here’s the money that I offered, if you’ll agree to let them go.”
“Take them with my blessing, Sir. It ain’t that I don’t love my girls, it’s just things is hard enough without havin’ to deal with ‘um. Since their mother run off, I ain’t had no help raising ‘um.” He then looked past me and yelled, “If y’all gots anythin’ here ya wanna take, come get it!”
There were happy squeals and the girls rushed the house. I took advantage of the distraction to slip away and walk back toward the road. Women in our society were treated like property and a burden to their parents. I hoped that with all of my father’s lectures and his good example, someday they’d be looked at as equals. They did more work than men, for the most part, and they gave birth and took care of the families. They were rarely treated with the respect they deserved. I felt like I’d just purchased those girls for a handful of coins. My emotions were all confused and mixed up. Not long ago, I would have been thrilled by the idea of those four attractive blondes living close. Now I just felt protective and knew that I’d do everything I could for them. Once, when my father was very new to his psi ability, he’d plowed a farmer’s field. I assumed that I could do the same for the girls and would make sure that their farm was tended. My Halfling wife who had thought of this plan would be very helpful, too. I knew she missed farming, and this would give her the chance to do it again.
The girls came back out of the house, hugged their father and ran out to where I was. I handed the three younger girls a pouch with the coins in them. When they opened them, I thought they’d pass out.
“Heather, I’ll give you that much, also, when we get back to the castle. You can stay with your sisters or at the castle, as a maid. The choice will be yours. I never want any of you to feel that you were pushed into doing something you didn’t want to do again.”
Heather leaned down and kissed me gently. “Thank you, Seth, for everything. I want to stay at the castle, at least for now. I fell in love with Tabitha last evening and want to visit with her some more.”
I grinned. “I can relate to that! Now, what will you ladies need to purchase in Ohana before I show you to your new home?”
There was a quick huddle and one of the girls faced me. “My Lord, I’m Holly, and would have been the next to wind up in a pub doing things I’d prefer not to think about. We’ll need to get food stuffs and, I assume, things to cook with. If you’d walk with us, the town isn’t that far. But I know you might have other things to do and we could walk home after we were done.”
Heather chimed in, “I’m so sorry, Seth! She’s Holly, this one is Jasmine and she’s 15, then there’s the baby, Rosemary, who’s 14. I shoulda introduced them sooner.”
Rosemary chided her sister, “Heather, I’m not a baby! I donno if it’s such a good idea for you to call a Prince by his first name, either. He may have you beheaded for being too familiar!”
I laughed good-naturedly. “She’s kissed me twice today without warning and I think that’s pretty familiar. I actually kinda liked it, too. I’ve never had a problem with a pretty girl calling me by my name. Standing here with four pretty girls brightens my day. I’d be honored if you would all use my name; titles are pretentious.”
There was a round of blushes and giggles. The deepest blush came from Heather, who leaned over and whispered, “Did you really like me kissing you?”
I whispered back, “It surprised me, too. Perhaps when my heart heals from the situation that I had not long ago, we could revisit this?”
She nodded. “Tabitha told me about the two girls leaving you.” She looked at me slyly. “Maybe those two left your family to make room for mine. I bet my sisters would love to be consorts, too, instead of farmers. The pay is better and it’s much cleaner.”
I laughed. “Consorts, too?”
She blushed deeper still. “I’d never considered it in my life, until I talked to Tabitha last night.”
I grinned. “That figures, but that’s for later. What store in Ohana, Ladies?”
Jasmine spoke softly, “We could start at the general goods store and spread out. We could hire a wagon to haul our stuff back to the house.”
I nodded, focused on the general goods store and ported us all there. The screams startled me, but Heather reacted quickly, calming the girls.
I shook my head. “Ladies, I’m so sorry about that! I usually warn people who have never ported that I’m going to do that. It’s become such a habit that I do it without thinking anymore. Please, forgive me?”
Heather calmed them quickly, and when they heard the concern in my voice, they surrounded me. Rosemary was the first to give her forgiveness, in the form of a hug. The other girls joined in, including Heather. They then spread out and went shopping. I sat on a bench that was built around a tree in front of the General Store. Bags, boxes and other packages were dropped off near me and the shopping spree went on. Finally they’d gathered all they needed, including off-the-rack clothing from the tailor’s. Watching them come and go had made me wonder what each of them might look like in tight, blue and white material, but I quelled the thought quickly. I wanted them to be my charges, not my lovers. Well, at least the sisters. I was rapidly thinking more friendly thoughts about Heather.
When the girls had gathered at the tree, Heather asked, “Should we try to find the stables or can you move all of this the way you move things?”
I chuckled. “I’m sure that I could move it all, but there is a safer way. I’d prefer not to overdo it. Give me a moment, ladies.” They nodded and stood by quietly. I contacted Raven with our new mind communication skill that Grandfather called ‘telepathy’.
“Raven, my love, if you’re not busy, would you please come to the general goods store in Ohana? I’m out front near a bunch of parcels that I need moved.”
She replied instantly, “Of course! I’ll be right there.”
I opened my eyes and Raven popped in beside me, bringing another round of screams. Heather calmed them again, while Raven grinned at me. “Seth, all of these ladies are lovely! Tabitha said that she thought Heather was adorable, but just wait ‘til she sees the sisters, too! Are we going to take them all into the family?”
I laughed as all the girls blushed. “I don’t think that any of them, with the exception of Heather, has even thought about that. What we’re going to do is let them have the farmhouse west of the castle. I needed your assistance and special skill to move this and them to the farm.”
Raven sighed. “You couldn’t talk them into being consorts? You want me to talk to them for you? I know you could love them and us, too.”
I shook my head. “I didn’t bring it up to them, my dear. Let’s get them moved and then whatever happens, happens.”
She nodded and the girls gathered around. They knew what was about to happen this time and didn’t panic when Ohana disappeared and a very nice farmhouse appeared. The girls wasted no time carting their purchases inside. I followed them in and sat in the living room on a shabby old couch that had been there forever. I knew that I would have to have new furniture made for them as soon as possible. They unpacked their items quickly and Heather came and sat beside me. “Thank you so very much for this, Seth. It’s more than we could have ever hoped for. You should know that the girls and I are very rapidly falling in love with you. I’ll be back at the castle before dark, because I’d like to visit with Tabitha some more this evening. I’m going to help the girls check the bedding here and fix what we can.”
Raven, who was behind us, spoke softly, “Heather, I know him better than he knows himself and he had feelings for you before your trip today. Tabitha told me she could see it in his eyes. I saw it in Ohana and I saw the protective way he looked at your sisters. It wouldn’t take much of a push for him to fall for them, too. I’ll keep nagging at him for you, because I think you’d be good for him.”
Heather blushed. “Thank you, Raven. With all his insisting that that he wasn’t interested in anything more than a friendly relationship, I’d almost given up.”
I stood up. “I’ll be seeing all of you lovely ladies later on. Have a good day and welcome home.” I winked at Raven and ported back to Ohana.
I wandered the unfamiliar streets of my new home town in search of furniture. I located a shop and found a new couch, a couple comfortable chairs and a kitchen dining table with chairs. I had the shop owner arrange delivery and gave directions. I had enough coin in my pocket to pay for everything, with money to spare. It made me remember that there were people much less fortunate than myself. I’d just had a son and considered myself rich beyond measure. I wandered down the main street, passing out coins and healing to every beggar that I saw. It made me happy to be doing something for the poor and infirm again. That was the thing that I missed most about Krose, and here I could do it without worrying that a cult following would crop up. The people of Ohana would know that an Eredwynn Sibling had taken over the neighboring castle and they’d come for help. I happily noted that my girls wouldn’t be in glaring pink again.
I ported home, pulled twenty-five more platinum from the vault, and reported taking one fifty platinum to Rostand. I might as well keep the books in order, even if I’d never go through that much money. I went to my room and put the money in my desk. I was wondering what I could do for the remainder of the day, when I was suddenly standing by the river.
Raven, Celina and Warin popped in beside me shortly after I recovered from the surprise port. Grandfather smiled. “Children, I have a bit of a problem that I need your help with. Not long ago, a shooting star exploded over Eredwynn. Perhaps you saw it?” We nodded. “It showered the swamps of Itus with a metal that kills magic. No one who has magical abilities can cross the swamps now. That is a problem for us water sprites, as you can imagine. The large part crashed into a mountain cave system and affected all life there. It makes creatures very aggressive and changes them in incredible ways. It makes them immune, or at least resistant, to most magic, and the insects were affected the most. Children, they’ve become huge. I’ve heard reports of three foot tall ants, and those monsters are much stronger than us bipeds. We think they’ve been tunneling toward Eredwynn, so that’s why I’m here. I want the four of you to train with normal weapons, in case they are headed this way. I would imagine that the only way to finish the threat would be to finish the queen.”
I butted in, “Grandfather, wouldn’t soldiers work better for a job like this? Where should we get weapons and who will train us?”
Grandfather laughed. “Questions, questions! Most people just do what I tell them. You must have your mother’s blood in you!”
I nodded. “And that’s a fact I’m proud of. Without my mother’s blood, I wouldn’t be your grandson, and that’s something that I’m proud to call myself, too.”
He laughed. “Fair enough; you live in an old castle and old castles have armories.” He twitched and three short swords and one long sword, all with belts, appeared in front of us. There was also a shield lying at Warin’s feet. “Soldiers would want to attack as a group and the creatures would slaughter them. This mission will call for a small group that can locate the target, dispatch it and get out. As for your instructor, I know just the man.” He twitched again and my brother, Alec the Wanderer, was standing beside him. “Alec, my boy, I have a favor to ask of you.”
Alec bowed. “Of course, Your Majesty! You name it and if I can do it, I will.”
Grandfather nodded with a smile. “I’d like for you to meet my grandchildren. I believe you know them both. Seth and Celina have just been recently united with me after far too long. Now I need them to get into shape for a mission that I have for them. I would like you to instruct them in the use of weapons for me.”
Alec looked confused. “But Lord Hewteus, they are my brother and sister! Why would you have me train them? I’m sure that there are others better suited.”
Grandfather laughed. “It’s because they are your brother and sister. They are a Prince and Princess of Eredwynn, and any other instructor would take it easy on them and let them quit when they whine. Training is hard work and they’ll tire easily at first. They need their soft, magical bodies hardened and their skills honed. I could think of no one better suited for the job.”
Alec bowed. “Yes, My Lord. I’ll do my best to do as you ask.”
Grandfather smiled. “I know you will, young man. Now, if you’ll excuse me, there are many other pressing matters I must attend to.” He turned and stepped off the river bank, and was gone.
Alec turned to us. “So, you two are Lord Hewteus’ grandchildren! Wow! Talk about a noble heritage! You have a king for a father, a king for a grandfather and a princess for a mother! You look confused; didn’t you know that he was the king of the sprites?”
I laughed nervously. “No one ever told us that. We do know that he has amazing magical abilities, though.”
Alec laughed. “Yes, he does. He saved my life once in Itus and that’s how I met him. I wonder if he did it because he knew I’m your brother. It sure seems like a small world sometime.” Alec’s tone changed. “All right, boys and girls, strap on those weapons. I’ve been charged by someone that I respect very much to build you up. To build a body, you have to break the body. Your muscles will get sore, you’ll ache all over and you’ll hate me often. I can live with all those things. The first thing we’re going to do is draw your swords… Now put them back… Now draw…
I did hate him. I dreamed about swinging my sword and then a mace to build my arms up more. He had us switch to the very clumsy morning star that would fight your wrist as you swung it. Day after day after day…
The girls, incl
uding the sisters, would often come watch us practice. I’d get reports on how they were doing with the farm. They’d purchased several cows, a horse and a flock of chickens. They’d planted an herb garden with the hope it would produce before the frost. They were happy and that made me happy.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Finally, after two weeks of non-stop training, we were given a day off. I took the time to go to the sisters’ farm and see for myself how things were going. I was out in the barn, examining what they’d done there. It was still early morning and the cows were still in their stalls. The place certainly had a woman’s touch. Everything was beautiful and functional. I heard men’s voices outside and smiled to myself. I thought that the girls had finally had some young men come courting. I felt a twinge of jealousy, but fought it down. I had no claim over any of these young women that would justify those feelings.
I listened closer when I noticed a hostile tone in the male voices. I looked out of the barn door and a large man was speaking to all three girls. “I ain’t got no idea what ya damn women are thinkin’! Y’all can’t take care of no farm by yourselves wit no man around. It just ain’t natural and ya need to move on.” He walked up on the porch next to them. “Y’all know that the only things a woman oughtta do is cook an’ wrap their legs ‘round a man.” He reached behind Rosemary and grabbed her backside.
She slapped his hand and moved away. “Sir, you done touched the private property of Lord Seth Stephenson. When he hears of this, he’ll have your head.”
The brute laughed. “I reckon that we’ll be done with you three and gone afore he hears ‘bout anything. I don’t see him ‘round here!”
I walked out of the barn and amplified my voice. “I guess you’re not looking hard enough. You laid your hand on one of my ladies, and I won’t stand for that.” I fired a magic arrow between his feet. “I never miss by accident, so I suggest you run. If I do catch any of you men on this property again, I’ll take my ladies’ suggestion and have your heads.”
Seth, A Naiad's Son (Generations of Eredwynn Book 3) Page 23
