Forged Bonds (Binding Words Book 4)

by Daniel Schinhofen

  Fiona frowned, “I’ve heard something similar before, also used by a hunt master. Not sure if those were the exact words, but it was at least close.”

  “I’ve never heard it,” Myna added. The others agreed with Myna, never having heard it either.

  “Weird... it’s very similar to a traditional Irish farewell on my world, but it’s one attributed to Christianity. It could be a take on an older farewell, maybe?”

  “Irish?” Andrea asked.

  “They are the people who live on the green isle. They are the descendants of those who didn’t go with the Queens.”

  “You are Irish?” Andrea asked.

  “Partly,” Sean said, explaining his heritage. “I realize none of that makes a lot of sense without knowing about different nations. Maybe I can try to explain that later, but for now, I need to get going. I have some questions for Italice and Ryan about the reservoir.”

  “I finished the kettles for the Den,” Fiona told him. “You just need to enchant them. Maybe come home early so you can do that?”

  Sean caught the glimmer in her eye and chuckled, “Yes, dear.”

  “Myna, are you coming with us tonight?” Sean asked as everyone began to leave the table.

  “If you wish me to, Master.”

  Rolling his eyes, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into a hug. “Brat cat. I would never not want you at my side.” He nipped her ear, earning an uncertain mewl. “Now behave for me at least a little, please.”

  “Yes, husband, I will,” Myna purred happily when he let go of her ear. “I would like to go with you.”

  “Thank you, silly kitty,” Sean said. He squeezed her once more before ending the hug, but kept his arm around her waist. “Everyone else ready to go?” Ryann and Ida were by the door, waiting for them. “Seems so,” Sean chuckled, answering his own question.

  They ended up walking with Sam and Joseph on the way to the inn. Once there, they headed toward Knox and the other smiths and when they took their seats, Lilly was there near instantaneously.

  “Evening, MacDougal. What might I get you?” Lilly asked, beaming at Sean.

  Ryann’s lips thinned, but Myna took her hand and squeezed it. Sean missed their interaction, contemplating what he wanted. “I’ll take a wine of your choice.”

  “Same,” Myna added.

  “A third,” Ryann said, a little stiffly.

  Sam, Joseph, and the others ordered, and Callon handed over the money once everyone at the table had stated their preference.

  “Curious how the animals were, Sean,” Joseph said.

  “Interesting. The hunt mistress knew her stuff,” Sean replied. “The cuons are larger than I thought they would be. One of them even took down a Canine Moonbound, according to the Huntress. I can believe it after seeing them.”

  “I’ve seen them at a distance,” Sam said, shuddering a little. “I can imagine only too well what they could do if pressed.”

  “Agreed,” Joseph agreed. “They stand taller than me.”

  “Your drinks,” Lilly said when she came back to the table.

  “Ah, we just missed ordering,” Ryan said as he and Italice approached the table. “Good evening to you all.”

  “Oh, good. I had some questions for you two,” Sean smiled.

  “That can’t be good,” Fredrick chuckled. “When he questions things, we should all wonder what’s going to happen next.”

  “I’m not that bad,” Sean replied, but the others laughed.

  “Your drink, sir,” Lilly said, serving him last like she always did. “It’s good to see you again, as well,” Lilly told Myna. “I was wondering when you’d be coming back.”

  Myna smiled at the barmaid. “I come with him when I can. Thank you for the warm welcome.”

  “Can we get our usual drinks?” Italice asked as she took her seat.

  “Of course,” Lilly said. “That is what you both want?” she asked Fredrick and Ryan.

  “Yes,” they echoed each other.

  “I’ll have the same as MacDougal,” Eva said, the last to arrive.

  “Of course.” When Lilly left the table this time, she looked happier than she had the night before.

  “Okay, Sean, what did you want to ask?” Ryan said as he sat back in his chair.

  “The reservoir, are there overflow channels?”

  Ryan and Italice exchanged a look. “They were built into the design, but they’ve never been used. As the city grew, the level of water has stayed well below them. Why?” Italice asked.

  “You’ll be getting extra water in the near future. All the water used in the bathhouse will be summoned, not drawn from the reservoir. I wanted to make sure that the city won’t have a problem.”

  “All of the water?” Ryan asked. “Even the cold?”

  Sean grinned, “Yes, I—” He cut off when Lilly came back with drinks for those who had arrived last. Once she swayed away again, Sean continued, “I worked out a way to summon it just like the hot water. I’m trying to find a way to allow whoever’s using the shower to mix hot and cold water to their specifications and to keep it there while they wash.”

  The table was silent when he finished. Ryann and Myna sighed softly as they sipped their wine, and Sean wondered if he had gone too far again.

  “If you can do that, people will keep the showers running longer,” Italice finally said. “I can see where that would add an appreciable amount of water to the drainage system. I would ask you to find a middle ground; mixing the water to their desired temperature is more than enough. Letting the water continue to flow could have too many repercussions.”

  “I would be happy to have that extra bit for my private bath,” Eva said.

  “Well, it might be all right in private baths,” Italice conceded, “but I wouldn’t put it in the public bathhouse.”

  “Okay. I’ll take it one step at a time instead of trying to do both right away,” Sean said.

  “What was the other question?” Ryan asked.

  “It would involve knowing more about the overflow channels, but if they aren’t used, it’s not important,” Sean replied.

  “We might not have been able to answer as much as you’d have liked,” Italice admitted.

  “Fair enough,” Sean smiled. “As it is, I’ve been asked to come home early, so I’ll be leaving after this glass of wine.”

  The male smiths at the table chuckled, while Ryan and Fredrick grinned. Sam, Italice, and Eva all raised eyebrows and looked at the smiths pointedly, cutting the laughter short.

  “I have work that I need to finish before tomorrow,” Sean said. “Fiona reminded me before we left tonight.”

  “Eva, are you free on Nineday?” Fredrick asked suddenly.

  “I thought you were attending Sharpeyes’ party?” Eva asked, puzzled.

  “I am, but since you’re the one doing the work for Dame Mageeyes’ gift, I thought you might like to see it being received. I can take one person with me, and you were the first I thought of.”

  Eva smiled, “That is very kind of you. I would love to see her accept the gift. I’ll need to see about a dress that won’t shame me for the party.”

  “I should get a new one, as well,” Italice said. “Could you leave your work at midday tomorrow?”

  “Yes, that sounds lovely,” Eva smiled. Turning back to Fredrick, Eva smiled a little brighter, “Thank you, Fredrick. Let me know by Eightday when you’ll be coming to get me on Nineday.”

  “Of course,” Fredrick replied, his own smile broad.

  Finishing his wine, Sean got to his feet. “Sorry for leaving you all so early. Goodnight.”

  Myna and Ryann were both rising as he said goodbye. Ida said her goodbyes and went over to meet them. As they walked across the room, Sean could hear Knox laughing.

  “Work... I know what kind of work he’s going to be doing if all of them are going with him.”

  “How has Sandra not slapped you?” Sam asked frostily.

  Sean shook his head. S
ome guys just can’t help themselves.

  Sean sat on the couch in the front room, working on the enchantments when he got home. Andrea kept him company, refilling his tea when needed.

  “You think everything will be okay when you go to the Den?” Andrea asked.

  “Mageeyes told the owner that I wish to talk, so I’m sure that will help,” Sean replied. “I’m not going there to enjoy the offerings. I plan to hand off the kettles, speak to the owner about helping Marjorie, and leave.”

  “Chastity told me about the place when I brought her food today. She said that no one leaves without having enjoyed themselves.”

  “I’m not no one,” Sean muttered. “I’m not human, or even partially human. Love to know what I am now, but my damned status screen only shows a question mark.”

  “Status screen?” Andrea asked as she moved to sit beside him.

  “It’s a reference to my old world. If I think about wanting to know about myself, an image appears before me, telling me about myself and all my active Bonds. It seems to only reflect what I think, though, not the base facts. It said I was human to begin with, then it was human with a question mark, and now, it’s just a question mark.”

  “It’s said even the nobility can’t resist the women in the Den.”

  “We’ll see,” Sean said. “I think I know what they do, and I’ve given it some thought. Don’t worry about it, Andrea.”

  “You aren’t worried at all?”

  “I am a little,” Sean admitted. “I hold specific opinions about cheaters, though, and I’ll be damned if I become one.”

  “I’m glad to hear that,” Andrea said softly. “Dad was a little worried that you’d try to do things with me. Mom said you wouldn’t, and I trusted her. You didn’t look at me like the other men did when you were at the inn. You didn’t even look at Ryann the same way you did Myna and Fiona.”

  “Huh?” Sean asked, putting the second to last kettle down. “Of course not. Ryann was just my guard then.”

  “I know, it’s one of the reasons I agreed. I knew that I’d be safe, that you wouldn’t touch me without my consent. I remember the anger in your eyes when that man wouldn’t let me go. Thank you again for saving me back then,” Andrea said, touching his leg. “No one else would have stood up for me. Dad and Mom would have, but they wouldn’t have been able to save me. They would have just been seriously injured or dead if they had tried.”

  “I can’t sit by when rape is going to happen,” Sean said, patting her hand. “I’m glad I helped you.”

  “That was why I agreed to come to begin with. I wanted to repay you, knowing I could do so safely. I know now how shortsighted that was. You’re an even better man than I thought. You give so much of yourself to those you care about. I’m proud and honored to work for you, Sean.”

  “Umm... okay.” Sean’s cheeks heated at her words.

  “I didn’t mean to stop you, I just wanted you to know. Goodnight, Sean, and thank you again.” Andrea stood up and left him alone in the room.

  Watching her go, Sean’s brow furrowed. I wonder what brought that on?

  He went back to work on the kettles and had drained the cup of tea by the time he finished the last enchantment. He stretched, realizing that he was a little tired. He had pushed as much energy into each enchantment as he could.

  “They can’t be upset about the product,” Sean muttered as he looked at the table.

  Looking around, he realized he had not seen any of the others since they had gotten home. Sean frowned and stood, going to look for them. Pausing in the doorway to the master bedroom, Sean was surprised to find them all in bed. Each of them wore comfortable bedwear, and stopped talking when he opened the door.

  “Err?”

  “Is something wrong, husband?” Fiona giggled. “We were just tired and thought we’d get comfortable.”

  “We’ve made the bed warm for you,” Myna added, patting the spot between her and Ryann.

  “It’s just sleep,” Ryann laughed when she saw his expression.

  “We haven’t all slept together,” Ida said. “Fiona said you’d enjoy having us all hold you tonight.”

  “She’s right,” Sean admitted as he entered the room and shut the door. “I would enjoy it.”

  “Then don’t keep us waiting,” Fiona said, holding an arm out to him. “If the spot prepared isn’t the one you want, we’ll move so you can sleep wherever you wish, dear heart.”

  “Any spot on that bed would be just as full of love. I won’t turn down the spot you already made for me.”

  Sean sighed happily as the women arranged themselves. A deep warmth settled over him when they all rested at least one hand on him. Having multiple wives is a good thing... I was stupid to deny it like I did.

  Chapter Seventeen

  At breakfast, Sean pushed his empty bowl away and got to his feet. “I’ve got a delivery to make. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  “I hope that you find a way to help Marjorie,” Fiona said. “Do be careful while you’re there.”

  “I will be, and Ryann will be with me, so everything should be fine,” Sean said.

  “Sir, there is an Angus at the back gate saying you had requested his services,” Onim announced.

  “And that’s my cue.” Sean gave Myna, Ida, and Fiona kisses before heading out. “Ven, you ready?”

  “Yes,” Ven said, landing on Sean’s shoulder.

  Picking up the chest with the kettles, Sean carried it carefully downstairs. Ryann got the door for him and went to open the gate. Angus looked in to see Sean nearly there and pulled the blanket out of the cart bed.

  “Just the one?” Angus asked as Sean set it inside.

  “Just one, but they need to be treated with care. I’d rather not Shape them again.”

  “I can get it there,” Angus said, putting the blanket over the chest and tying it down. “My wife showed me the clip she got from you. I wanted to thank you for that. You’re paying me more than I’m worth for a single chest.”

  “This chest contains enough valuable merchandise that having a guard is a good idea. You’re technically pulling double duty today.”

  “Keep him safe, please,” Myna said as she closed the gate.

  Laughing, Angus grabbed the pull bar, “That explains it. I’m muscle in both ways.”

  “I don’t want to pry too far, but I was wondering,” Sean said slowly as they began the trek. “Your wife… is she okay?”

  The smile fled Angus’ face. “She’s fine.”

  “I don’t mean to upset you, Angus. I’m not implying anything.”

  Angus let out a deep exhale before he spoke again, “She has a condition, but she is fine. She’ll outlive me.”

  “That’s all husband’s hope, isn’t it?”

  “Aye, that be true,” Angus sighed. “I will keep her going.”

  “She enjoyed the hair clip?” Sean asked.

  “Been showing it off to all her friends. Had to remind a few of the men not to talk about my wife,” Angus growled. “Damned morons, the lot.”

  “Could I get you to deliver some pipes for me? From my shop to Knox’s father’s place?”

  “You mean that new building that’s gone up there? Aye.”

  “I would need you to keep what you see between us,” Sean said, plying the line with care. “I’d pay for the secrecy, of course. Double your normal fees and a new hair clip for your wife. One of copper?”

  Angus inhaled sharply, “That’s paying a lot for keeping my mouth shut.”

  “You have heard that I’ve made some enemies, I’m sure?”

  “Aye. Most wouldn’t touch any deliveries for you now,” Angus said. “Some people even trying to blacklist us for doing it. Morons. I’m the only one who does the heavy loads, and using others would cost them too much. Can’t blacklist me without costing them more. I’ll need one other to pull it off, though. When do you need to move it?”

  “Just you can do it. It’s not the heaviest load,” Sean s
aid. “Sixday would be best.”

  “Aye, Sixday it is. This cart big enough?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll bring my cudgel, just in case,” Angus nodded.