Noble Solutions

by Schinhofen, Daniel

  “I don’t know,” Sean said.

  “Ryann, go ahead,” Fiona said as Aria’s wings vanished and she sat back down.

  When Ryann’s new wings appeared, Sean understood it instantly. They were light blue like a parakeet at the roots, and the blue faded to a pure white at the tips.

  “It’s based on your aura,” Sean said. “The white is obviously because of me.”

  “I like them,” Ryann smiled as she let them vanish and sat.

  Ida went next— hers were a gray that became white. Andrea nearly panicked when it looked like her wings were only half there until she flexed them. As she spread them, they glowed a bright white, then faded.

  “Because you didn’t have energy of your own to start?” Sean suggested.

  “That might be,” Fiona nodded.

  Felora was next. Her wings were black at the root, but with strong red flecks throughout them. As the color faded to white, the red flecks became easier to see. When she sat down, Fiona was the last to stand. Her wings were a dark green that faded into white.

  “What about us?” Rumia asked.

  “None of you have been able to properly visualize your wings yet, have you?” Fiona asked as she took her seat.

  Rumia stood up and, closing her eyes, willed wings to appear. Seconds ticked by before all the women began to talk. Opening her eyes, she found wings open behind her, green from root to tip. “Oh…” Her disappointment was clear, even though it was the first time she’d been able to summon them.

  “Must be the Soul Bonds,” Sean said. “Odd that it only started now.”

  “Maybe it’s because we’ve been visiting your planes?” Aria suggested.

  “Could be,” Sean shrugged. “Not like we’ll ever really know.”

  Rumia let the wings vanish and took her seat. “If we Soul Bonded, would our wings change, too?”

  Blinking at Rumia, Sean was caught off guard.

  “Rumia, set it aside for now,” Fiona said softly.

  “Yes, mistress,” Rumia said softly, bowing her head.

  “Wish I could summon wings already,” Quinna mumbled. “You always do more than we do.”

  Rumia flushed. “Sorry.”

  Quilla rapped her sister on top of the head. “She didn’t mean it badly. Did you?”

  “No,” Quinna said quickly. “I just wished we could be as quick to learn as you are.”

  Rumia blinked at Quinna, then smiled. “I wish I was as strong as you.”

  “Always wanting to be better than you are is something we all wish for,” Andrea said. “And every day, we become a little stronger. Maybe not in strength or in mind, but we grow and become better.”

  The others agreed with her, and Sean exhaled, glad no one had hurt feelings. He knew that little back and forth could have gone very differently.

  Chapter Ten

  Thanking Allonen, Sean headed for the private dining room, surprised they were using it again tonight. “Good evening,” he greeted them.

  “Thank Morrigan you’re here,” Joseph said. “Fredrick has news.”

  “Joseph, one of these days, we need to work on your patience,” Knox laughed.

  “The problem is that he has none to work on,” Sam laughed.

  Joseph laughed along with the others, as he knew it was true. “Come on, now, Fredrick. We’re all here.”

  “Fine, I’ll tell you…” Tabitha came in, and Fredrick paused. “After drinks are brought in for everyone.”

  Joseph groaned, covering his head with his arms. “He hates me.”

  More laughter followed his overacting, and even Tabitha smiled as she took their order. She was gone and back with their drinks in short order, and Joseph stared at Fredrick intently.

  “Fine, fine,” Fredrick chuckled. “I met with Bemmle and Sons today. They were uncertain about my claims until I showed them the lightbulb. That broke them. They were eager to sign on to start with. When I told them that the ability to join for the lightbulbs was going to open up to more, they were unhappy, but Bemmle Senior is a smart one. We have our first converts to help with the making, selling, and distribution of lightbulbs.”

  “They can manage any of the three steps?” Sean asked before anyone else could.

  “No, but,” Fredrick said, holding up a hand, “they’ll retool to handle all the glassmaking. It’ll be easier if part of the process is already done.”

  “It will be,” Sean admitted.

  “They also have the contacts to help sell the bulbs to a wider network,” MacLenn added. “The Bemmles are the leading family in the Quaditals. The family head here has to be thinking this will move him up in their eyes.”

  “Indeed,” Fredrick smiled. “He already owns some of our other inventions and knows that this is the future. This is a solid step. I expect the others here in the city to turn in short order.”

  “Do any of them have energy?” Sean asked.

  “A few,” Fredrick grinned. “We’re letting them set up to be rechargers for the runes in the lightbulbs, too.”

  “Good,” Sean exhaled. “Still no idea how long they’ll last, nor if the glass will remain soot-free.”

  “They’ll produce the glass and ship it to our shop,” Fredrick said, “and they’ll take the finished product and sell them. The association gets half of all profits. We pay nothing for the glass from them and we set the price.”

  “The glass can be made in different colors, too, if it’s wanted,” Sean said.

  “Like the orange ones for the brake lights on the truck?” Mageeyes asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Are you planning on adding the upgrades to all the trucks?” Flamehair asked.

  “It’d be a good idea. It’ll raise the price, but it’ll make them better, overall,” Sean said. “We’d need a few more people with energy to help charge the runes.”

  “We’ll arrange it,” Fredrick said. “The improved truck will make them easier to sell. The ability to make the cargo a cold shipping area is a big advantage.”

  “Agreed,” MacLenn said.

  Pura landed in front of Mageeyes. “Mistress, there is a Henry Darkfoam here to speak with the group.”

  Mageeyes’ lips pursed. “Hmm... Very well. Have Tabitha show him in.”

  “I thought Darkfoam died,” Sean said as Pura flashed away.

  “This is his son,” Flamehair said.

  “Wonder if he’s angry…?” Sean muttered, sipping his hot cider.

  A few minutes later, a young man— obviously only a half-dwarf— was shown into the room. Standing tall, he entered and waited for the doors to shut behind him. His eyes looked over each person in the room, stopping on Sean. “MacDougal?”

  “Yes.”

  “I am Henry Darkfoam, the new head of the Darkfoam family.”

  Something about the young man seemed familiar to Sean. “How can I help you?” Sean asked.

  “I owe you a debt,” Henry said. “You saved my life.”

  Sean frowned, and then it clicked into place. “You were one of the five.”

  “I was. When Denmur shouted, my father grabbed his dagger and rushed forward. I wanted nothing of that madness and started to back away. When Dame Flamehair… defended herself… I was badly burned.” His voice hitched as he shuddered, clearly recalling the sensation. “When the healer saw me, he informed me that the only reason I had both of my eyes was because someone had helped me before he did. I will be undergoing intensive healing for the next few tendays to repair the rest of the damage, but as I am able to move, I felt I had to come to speak with you now.”

  “Helga, please,” Sean said.

  Helga understood, standing up and going to stand behind Sean.

  “Sit,” Sean said. “Do you still hold a grudge?”

  Henry shook his head. “No. I never did. I tried to tell my father that he was being foolish. Also, I thank you for the offer, but sitting is… unpleasant.”

  Sean hesitated, then motioned toward the empty seat again. “Please?” />
  Henry inhaled slowly and moved stiffly around the table, then gingerly sat down. His face twisted in pain as he did. Once he was seated, he managed to calm his expression again. “I do not mean to take up your time, nor the time of your allies. I just came to thank you and to offer Dame Mageeyes an apology for my family cutting off her supply. We will be resuming delivery, if you are amenable.”

  Mageeyes smiled. “I accept, but I do hope you are willing to give me a discount for a while to make up for the lack of supply that we experienced.”

  “I would be glad to offer you a tenth off for the next cycle.”

  Mageeyes’ eyebrows went up. “I see. I’ll accept.”

  “Is that a good deal, Amedee?” Sean asked.

  “Indeed, it is.”

  “Very well.” Sean gripped Henry’s shoulder. “I’ll let the grudge go.” He pushed healing through Henry’s body.

  Eyes wide, Henry stared at Sean. He swallowed hard as he felt his whole body relax, the pain fading quickly. When the pain was gone, he gasped. “You?”

  “Finished what I started,” Sean said with a shrug. “I had others to save that night. I’ll have your Agreement not to tell a soul about it, either.”

  “Done. I will not tell another person. If I do, I will willingly burn myself far worse than I had been before you healed me.”

  “Accepted,” Sean said. “I never had a quarrel with your father, but he did wrong to my friends and family. I absolve you of that.”

  Henry exhaled, bowing his head. “My thanks.”

  “I don’t recall you ever being this humble,” Saret said.

  Henry looked at her, freezing for a moment. “Madam, I learned a hard lesson and I have taken it to heart. I can offer nothing to this association, or else I would ask to join. I can see what my father did not. By the end of the cycle, I expect Lord Sharpeyes to have had worse difficulties than my father.”

  “Good bet,” Joseph chuckled.

  Fredrick looked over the room, then tapped the table with a finger. “Come by my place tomorrow. We will see if you can get a small portion of the association, but we have a tough Agreement.”

  Henry bowed his head to Fredrick. “I will be there.” Standing up, he cleared his throat. “I also came on behalf of the others that survived— all of us will stay out of your way. We ask that you allow us to make amends and do not consider us enemies.”

  “None of you are Carver, right?” Sean asked, but he knew the answer.

  “No,” Henry growled. “He is not my friend.”

  “Then I’m fine with it,” Sean said. “Fredrick?”

  “We’ll discuss it tomorrow.”

  “Very well,” Henry said. “I am sorry for intruding. Please have a good night.”

  Henry left the room and Helga took her seat again.

  “You’re a generous man, Sean,” Giralt said. “I’m not sure I would have healed him. You are taking his word that he wasn’t involved in the attack?”

  “I know, but he was afraid and felt honest to me,” Sean said.

  “Well, that was unexpected,” Mageeyes smiled. “Carver is running out of allies.”

  “Good. I still need to deal with him,” Sean said stiffly. “I’m just not sure how to do so at the moment. The guard will jump on anything I do.”

  “Hmm...” MacLenn mused. “I might have a way. Give me a few days?”

  “Gladly. By then, I’ll have my surprises ready,” Sean smiled.

  “More surprises?” Saret asked.

  “Yes. I’m working on them, so I don’t want to share anything yet.”

  “Sean, can you come by on Sixday to show the new workers how to put the trucks together?” Fredrick asked.

  “I’ll keep the day free,” Sean replied.

  “I hope to have Madam Archlet over to see things on Eightday,” Fredrick said. “That will give us enough time to get things rolling for production.”

  “Yes, it will,” Sean smiled. “Lightbulbs and trucks.”

  Ven landed on the table. “Excuse me, Sean? You might want to return home. A guest has arrived unexpectedly.”

  Sean gave Ven a look. “A friend?”

  “A family member. Myna’s mother.”

  Sean got to his feet. “If you’ll all excuse me, it appears I have a mother-in-law to see.”

  “Unexpected,” Knox chuckled. “Sounds like a mother-in-law, alright.”

  “Not all mothers-in-law are bad,” Eva said. “Fredrick’s mother is a very pleasant woman. She has not asked me more than twice for grandchildren. Not yet, at least.”

  Fredrick sighed. “She will get more insistent.”

  “It’s a good thing that I’m already planning on them, then,” Eva said softly, covering Fredrick’s hand. “I’m thinking at least two.”

  Sean gave Fredrick a grin. “Welcome to fatherhood. Excuse me.”

  Everyone said their goodbyes, and Sean left to go see his extended family member.

  Chapter Eleven

  Sean woke up to the sound of his wives whispering about what they had to accomplish for the day. “Good morning,” he yawned as he sat up.

  A chorus of replies came from them.

  Myna moved to his side. “Master, I’m sorry we called you home so abruptly.”

  Sean gave her a soft smile. “You had no idea she was going to sack out that quickly. Besides, it let me join the cuddle puddle.”

  Myna looked down as she sat beside him. “I’m worried. What if she doesn’t like—?”

  “Are you happy?” Sean cut her off gently.

  “Yes.” Myna’s reply was instantaneous and her head snapped up, wondering why he’d ask that.

  “Then how could she be upset about anything?” Sean asked. “Isn’t that what she wanted when she sent you with Darragh?”

  “Yes...” Myna said slowly.

  “And now, you have more love than most will ever know,” Sean said, motioning with his chin behind her.

  Myna looked back and saw all of their wives standing with soft smiles on their faces. She smiled and got up, getting hugs from the others. “So much love…” she purred. “I think my emotions got the better of me.”

  “Yes, they did,” Fiona said softly. “We’ll treat your mother as our own, our dear wife. No mention of ‘kitty’ until she is gone. There’s no need to embarrass you or make her doubt our love.”

  “Thank you,” Myna purred louder.

  Sean moved in and hugged her from behind, wrapping his arms around her belly. “Besides, once she knows you’re carrying a child, I’m sure she’ll be ecstatic.”

  Myna’s hands covered his. “Hmm, yes... She was always hopeful for grandchildren to spoil. Thank you, Master. Thank you, as well, our loving wives.”

  “We have you,” Ryann said softly. “Think she’ll be okay with us? I know I worry about it.”

  Myna gave her a soft smile. “Yes. She respects fighters, and we can show her a little of what we can do during sparring. Not fighting, of course, but just showcasing our Talents.”

  “Do we need to ask the staff to be more formal?” Aria asked.

  “No,” Sean said. “She’ll accept us as we are or she won’t. We should never hide who we are, especially from family.”

  “Alright,” Aria smiled.

  “Let’s get ready to greet her,” Sean said. “Myna, what’s her name?”

  “Mizuki. Grandfather named her.”

  “Yeah, that sounds right,” Sean said.

  ~*~*~

  Sean waited in the main room with all of his wives except Myna— she’d gone to wake her mother and escort her down to breakfast. He stiffened when he heard the voices coming closer. Myna appeared at the top of the stairs, standing next to an older version of her, a moment later.

  Damn, Myna is going to age well, Sean thought.

  “Mother, let me introduce you properly,” Myna said. “My husband, Sean MacDougal.”

  “An honor, ma’am,” Sean said a little formally, smiling.

  Mizuki gave him a
long appraisal as she came down the stairs beside her daughter. “MacDougal. I look forward to hearing more about you.”