Morrigan's Bidding

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “Tomorrow is wash day,” Cian reminded Sean.

  “I remember. I’ll have to figure something out,” Sean replied.

  “I have a suggestion,” Fiona’s voice came from inside her home as the door opened. “Sean, may I have a moment?”

  “Off you go,” Cian laughed, giving Sean a nudge. “We’ll see you at dinner.”

  Tamaya slapped Cian on the back of the head. “Knock it off, and let them speak to each other alone, you lackwit.”

  The other guys chuckled as they walked off with their wives, eager to avoid being slapped as well. Sean watched them all leave with a smile. He was growing attached to them, faster than he would have thought possible. Turning to the open door, his smile broadened. “Evening, Fiona. We’ve kind of stacked you up on work again.”

  “So I see. Do please come in, Sean,” she replied.

  He caught the scent of berry tea as he stepped inside. “Borrowed some of Misa’s tea?”

  “No, Myna brought me some things earlier today. Apparently she had some time before the sun was high, so she brought Misa and me some herbs and berries.”

  “Ah, before she ran me through the wringer.”

  “Exactly. Please, sit,” Fiona told him as she went past him and took a seat herself. “I spoke with Darragh this morning,” Fiona said, pouring their drinks. “He was hesitant, but said he would consider letting you take an extra day off the day after wash day.”

  “What do I have to do to tip that to a yes instead of a maybe?” Sean asked as he sipped the fresh tea.

  “You brought back four Red-eyes earlier today, Misa told me,” Fiona said, ignoring the question for the moment.

  “It wasn’t just me,” Sean told her. “Myna killed one and the guys basically killed one.”

  “Which means you killed two all by yourself, if what Misa told me is the truth.”

  “Who told her?” Sean asked with a frown.

  “Myna, when she dropped off the plants. Misa then told me when I went to speak with Darragh again a few hours ago. She’d already told Darragh about the Red-eyes and the two logs outside my hut, which has now become three. Darragh was impressed and graciously granted a day’s reprieve to your Agreement, unless you would like to break it, he said.”

  “I’d rather not break it yet,” Sean told her. “I’ve met a number of kind people here and would like to stay longer.”

  Cheeks turning pink, Fiona nodded. “In that case, if you are willing to forego wash day, we can head to Oaklake. We can spend the day showing you around, take a room at the inn there, and come back the next day. If you’d like?”

  “Two days with you?” Sean asked.

  “Yes, it’s just—”

  “I’d love that,” Sean cut her off. “Two days with my friend, to see new things and learn more from you. I’d be the biggest fool in the world to pass up the opportunity.”

  “So it’s a date then,” Fiona said.

  “Indeed,” Sean said, then paused. “You’re going to be exhausted if you work all night.”

  “I was going to ask if you would help me for part of the night,” Fiona said. “Darragh is fine with me going, as long as I finish up a few things first. Then we can get a good nap in and head out after breakfast.”

  The setting sun came through the window, highlighting her sharp cheeks and different colored eyes. “I’ll be glad to help, Fiona,” Sean said, putting his hand on the table palm up.

  Hesitating for a moment, Fiona licked her lips and set her hand in his. “I’m looking forward to the next couple of days,” her voice was soft, tinged with hope and fear.

  Giving her hand a small squeeze, he smiled. “Maybe as much as I am?”

  Her smile bloomed, dazzling him. “We should go to dinner.”

  “After we finish our tea,” his thumb traced the edge of her palm.

  Shivering at his touch, her eyes met his. “Did your training go well?” The question was weak, as her breath caught in her throat.

  “I learned a bit from Myna, and we’re trying to come to an Agreement about learning more from each other.”

  Lips compressing, Fiona nodded. “What will you be teaching her?” Removing her hand from his, she sipped her tea.

  “Remember how you asked me to try to teach you to see into things?”

  “Of course,” Fiona said, her eyes hopeful. “Did you have another idea?”

  “Yes and no,” Sean told her. “When I was training with Myna, I was trying to think of a way to see past her Talent for camouflage. I used the same idea, but differently, and it let me see the energy she uses to cover herself.”

  “Mage Sight,” Fiona said softly. “Oh, I didn’t think that was what you did the other day,” she frowned. “I guess I won’t be able to learn it after all.”

  “Is it so rare?” Sean asked.

  “It’s said that less than a thousandth of the people who can reliably use magic can harness their energy in such a way,” Fiona told him.

  “Fuck,” Sean sighed. “I’m not sure the Dana did me any favors by giving me so many gifts.”

  “You do seem especially blessed, which will make it difficult if you wish to avoid the attention of the nobility.”

  “We tried to have you bring energy up to your eyes and it didn’t work. I was curious, though... Is there a way to imbue an item with magic?”

  “Of course, but most imbued items don’t last long. Imbuing energy into an item causes it to weaken, making it break after repeated uses.”

  “Do you have any silver?”

  Frowning, Fiona finished her tea, then got up to retrieve something. Reseating herself right next to him, she placed a couple of small silver coins on the table. “Why silver?” she asked.

  “An old myth on my world is that silver was a metal much sought after for its ability to hold magic,” Sean said as he frowned. “I don’t want to use your money, though. I know that’s a tidy sum.”

  “Are you going to make it vanish?” Fiona giggled.

  “No, but it might break,” Sean told her.

  “Do what you will. I think you’ll surprise me again,” Fiona told him, laying her hand on his arm.

  Licking his lips as his heart sped up, he nodded and stammered, “O-okay.” Coughing as he stumbled over the word, he picked up the coins and focused on them.

  Calling his energy forth, he melded the coins into a ring, large enough to look through with one eye. Once he had it Shaped, he focused on bringing the Mage Sight to his eyes. The room lit up, soft blues and greens dominating almost every inch of the small home. Placing the monocle to his eye, he focused on pushing the energy from his eye into the monocle, trying to saturate the metal with it. As he did, he could see the silver beginning to develop small flaws. Holding the energy where it was, he Shaped the monocle, fixing the flaws, before pushing more energy into it. That caused more flaws to appear, which he fixed again. Stopping there, he released his energy and wobbled in place for a moment as his vision swam.

  “Are you okay, Sean?” Fiona asked.

  Taking the monocle from his eye, he nodded and handed it to Fiona. “Try this,” he said, before draining what was left of his tea.

  Fiona took the monocle and placed it before her eye, her forehead creasing with lines as she peered through it. A moment later, a sharp intake of breath came from her. “Oh…”

  “Did it work?” Sean asked.

  “I can see everything,” Fiona whispered as she looked at the room. Head turning, she looked at him, and her jaw dropped. “You’re… goodness…”

  “What?” Sean asked.

  “You’re saturated in energy, every strand of your being holds so much…” Shaking her head, she reached out and touched his chest. “Here. Most of it resides here, next to your heart. But even your hair,” her hand gently touched his hair, “each strand holds energy. What you’ll be capable of, if you learn to harness it all…”

  “I’ll need a good teacher for that,” Sean said. “Want to help me?”

  Fiona’
s eyes snapped wide, causing the monocle to fall and bounce on the floor. She suddenly slumped to the side, her head swimming as the connection to the Mage Sight broke. Sean caught her, worried at her suddenly pale face.

  “Fiona? Fiona, are you okay?” Sean asked quickly, checking the pulse in her neck, finding it racing.

  “Hmm,” Fiona blinked as she came to. “What happened?” She slowly sat upright, assisted by Sean.

  “You passed out when the monocle fell off,” Sean told her.

  Eyes blinking rapidly, she looked at him, then at his arm holding her. “Umm…” Getting to her feet, she walked away from him, stumbling a little. “I’m sorry about that. Your item takes a lot of energy to use, and when it stops, it causes the head to swim.”

  Sean picked up the monocle from the floor and got to his feet. About to step towards her, he stopped, as he didn’t want her to feel like he was pressuring her or being clingy. Instead, he set the monocle on the table. “I’ll go over to Darragh’s. I’ll see you there, right?”

  “In a few minutes,” Fiona said, not looking at him. “I need to collect myself first.”

  “I’ll be waiting. I hope you’re okay, Fiona Mithrilsoul,” Sean said, before leaving her house.

  “I’ll be okay in a moment,” Fiona said into the empty room.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  “I don’t trust him,” Whelan’s voice carried from Darragh’s open door. “No one with the abilities and skills he possesses would just happen to show up. He has to be in the employ of a noble, or perhaps one of the Queens.”

  “Oh, come off it, Whelan,” Cian scoffed. “You’re just mad that he’s putting your efforts to shame.”

  “I will hurt you, Cian, if you mock our attempts to keep you fed,” Whelan snarled, his words accompanied by the sound of a chair being thrown back.

  “Enough,” Darragh said. “He is a guest, and he isn’t with either Queen, nor is he sent by their sycophants.”

  “How can you be sure?” Whelan asked.

  “There are some things that I know, Whelan,” Darragh replied. “Tomorrow is wash day. He will be taking the day off, and the day after as well. I suggest that you focus on your own tasks during this time. Maybe having him out hunting with you on Threeday will help you view him as an ally.”

  “Of course, Darragh,” Whelan said dismissively.

  “Evening,” Sean said as he stepped inside.

  All eyes turned to him; the lumberjacks and wives with friendly smiles, while Whelan and most of the hunters all gave him scowls. Myna sat there with a neutral expression, giving him a brief nod.

  “It was a busy day. Thanks again for teaching me what you could, Myna.”

  “You’re a passable student,” Myna shrugged.

  “Passable,” snorted Whelan. “We’ll see on Threeday when he hunts with us.”

  “Maybe you can keep the Red-eyes from our trail,” Cian said.

  Eyes narrowing, Whelan glared at Cian. “We’ll just have to see.”

  “I’m just glad Myna and Sean were there today,” Cian continued. “I hate to think of what might have happened otherwise.”

  “Food,” Misa said from the kitchen, just as Fiona came in. “Help, Fiona?”

  “Of course,” Fiona replied, heading to the kitchen as Misa came out, carrying a tray with plates on it.

  Each plate held a steak that had been seared on the outside, along with a small chunk of rye bread and two green husks. Sean nodded his thanks to Misa when she placed his before him.

  Sean waited until everyone had been served to start eating. The bread was warm and pliable, and vegetable husks were just as they had been before, but the steak was a different matter.

  Everyone at the table had belt knives they used to slice pieces off their steaks with. Frowning at his lack of cutlery, he grabbed the small blade he had carried without using the last few days. Focusing on it briefly and holding it out of sight, he Shaped it into a knife like the others used.

  Fiona glanced at him when he cut into his steak, her eyes dipping to the empty sheath on his waist. Lips pursed, she stayed quiet, even though it was obvious she wanted to say something.

  The meat was well into medium, but still leaked pink juice as it was cut. The flavor of the first bite was intense, carrying a smoky hint of the fireplace along with a sharp, spicy tang. Chewing, he found the meat a little on the tough side, but not too bad.

  Experimenting with the flavors, he alternated bites of steak with the bread or veggies. The plant increased the tang of the meat and helped highlight an underlying flavor of sweetness he had missed earlier. The bread, on the other hand, mellowed the tang and helped dampen the smoky flavor.

  Sated as he finished his meal, Sean finally looked up to discover he was the last one eating. “Err, sorry about that.”

  “Freak,” Whelan muttered as he got to his feet and left, followed by the other hunters.

  “Haven’t had steak in a while,” Cian said as he sighed happily. “Our thanks for helping us kill them, and for the meal, Sean.”

  The others agreed as they also stood up to leave. With a few friendly parting words, they all shuffled out, leaving just Darragh, Misa, Fiona, and Sean alone in the room.

  “I’ll see you in a bit, Sean?” Fiona asked as she began to help Misa clean the table.

  Licking his knife clean carefully, Sean nodded as he held the knife under the table. “After I speak with Darragh for a few minutes.” He quickly Shaped the knife back to its original form and sheathed it.

  “Okay,” Fiona left after a few moments, and Sean settled into a chair closer to Darragh.

  “I take it Fiona already told you?” Darragh asked.

  “That I have two days off, yeah,” Sean said. “Thanks for modifying the Agreement for me.”

  “You kept my grandson alive today, gave us meat for a tenday, and helped bring in three logs again.” Shaking his head, Darragh smiled sadly. “I have the feeling that you won’t stay for much longer, but I’m happy that you’ve helped as much as you have.”

  “I will leave eventually, Darragh, but I don’t think it’ll be soon.”

  “We shall see what fate brings,” Darragh said. “Now, what did you want to learn today?”

  “I don’t know if you know anything about Mage Sight, but I’m interested in hearing more about it,” Sean said.

  “Misa,” Darragh called out. When she poked her head out of the kitchen, he spoke again, “I need your assistance on a topic.”

  Misa came out of the kitchen a moment later with a kettle and cups. “What do you need my assssissstance for?”

  “Mage Sight,” Darragh said as he took the cup she handed him.

  “Mage Sssight isss a rare thing for the Naga, and rarer ssstill for other racesss,” Misa said as she put a cup before Sean. Taking a third for herself, she coiled into a comfortable position across from Sean. “What knowledge did you ssseek?”

  “Anything you know about it, but especially, can it be taught to others?”

  Misa swayed slightly back and forth, “Sssome of what I could sssay isss sssecret knowledge that my race keepsss.”

  “I won’t ask for anything that would cause you issues, Misa,” Sean told her quickly.

  “Very well,” Misa said, bowing to him. “Mage Sssight can be taught to othersss, but only if they have the aptitude for it. It isss a very taxing thing to do, and comesss with ssside effectsss. The most common isss vertigo. Othersss might experience nausssea or even temporary blindnessss.”

  “Is there an easy way to learn how to use it, provided one has the aptitude for it?”

  Misa swayed back and forth, “I can’t anssswer that.”

  “How about a yes or no, then?” Sean said. “Do you know of a way for a mage to teach someone Mage Sight, that doesn’t involve Naga secrets?”

  “No,” Misa said, tilting her head back and pouring some tea into her open mouth.

  “Myna told me that you slew three of the Red-eyes yourself,” Darragh said into the sile
nce that followed Misa’s answer. “How’d you manage it?”

  “I turned one of the axes into a spear, then got the jump on two of them,” Sean replied with a shrug. “The third was going to be killed by Cian and the others, but I stepped in to help out, so they wouldn’t get hurt too badly before they killed it.”