Valorant’s sword came around to parry the strike, but he failed to account for Sean. The parry should have brushed his attack aside— instead, Valorant’s eyes went wide when his sword vibrated in his hand and the edge chipped. His eyes went wider when the adamantine blade punched through his mithril breastplate, his heart, and his backplate. Sean waited for Dark Cutter to kill the man before he yanked it free.
Cullin swept forward like Death— he had complete faith in his swordsmanship. Using his shield, he blocked Bloodheart’s attack and struck with his sword. When his sword met Bloodheart’s second blade, his whole body locked up. Every muscle tensed, refusing to release.
Bloodheart smiled darkly as he stepped in close, keeping his crackling blade against Cullin’s. He met the other man’s shocked gaze. “Insulting Amedee means death, and I take great pleasure in killing you for your words.”
With a quick move, Bloodheart pulled the electric blade away from Cullin, then swept it around. There was shock as Cullin’s head slid free of his neck. Only the screams of Patik filled the night, and even those cut off a moment later.
Helga took the step forward, looking down at the burnt man on the ground in front of her, and stabbed her spear into his head. With a snort, she yanked it free and shook the bone, brain, and blood from the tip.
Julian just blinked in shock for a few moments as the victors sheathed their weapons. “The duel is over,” he said suddenly.
The barrier dropped and Mageeyes was beside Bloodheart a second later. She grabbed him and kissed his cheek. “My champion, I am proud of you.”
Sean knew he’d need to ask Felora for help again, as he already felt a tremor in his hand. Pushing it down, he turned to Julian. “Are we done, sir? I’ve had enough bloodshed and want to go home.”
Julian looked at Sean, then at Valorant’s corpse. A single blemish marked the dead man’s armor. Looking back up, he held up a hand. “A moment. I need to see the spear to verify that it was the weapon creating the fire and not a Talent.”
Helga looked at Sean, who nodded. She handed it to Julian. “The rubies. Point it up and press one. Focus on how much flame you want when you do it.”
Julian pointed the spear up and thought about the biggest flame he could create. A fan of fire five-feet wide and long burst forth, burning as he held it. Shivering, he stopped it and handed it back to Helga. “It uses your energy, but it isn’t a Talent. The duel is concluded, and followed the rules.”
Helga let the spear become a ring again. “Excuse me, My Lord wishes to return home.”
“Yes…” Julian said slowly.
“Father,” Bloodheart said, “might we talk about my courting of Mageeyes?”
“Yes,” Julian said, nodding. “I’d like to talk about this champion blade, as well.”
Fredrick went over to Sean. “This will bring even more attention to you. You’ve made a habit of killing nobles.”
Sean snorted. “I’ve made a habit of self-defense. See if we can get that rumor going, instead?”
“Oh, I like it,” MacLenn grinned. “He doesn’t start them, but he finishes them. I can make that work.”
The sound of wheels on the road came a moment before Arliat guided the carriage around the corner of the Oaken Glen. “Sir?”
“See you all tomorrow,” Sean said. “Ven, please tell Felora I need her.”
“Yes, sir,” Ven said as another flash of silver took off.
Climbing into the carriage, Sean sighed. “And Ven, thank you again for stopping the ambush.”
“It is our honor, Sean.”
Helga took a seat across from Sean, watching him as he sat back and closed his eyes.
Chapter Fourteen
Sean woke to three sets of warm lips kissing his face, which was surprising. Opening his eyes, he found Fiona poised over him, wearing a smile. Myna’s happy purr came from his right on the bed. Felora’s throaty giggle came from his left— she was standing beside Fiona.
“Good morning, my lovely wives,” Sean smiled fondly at them.
“You need to wake up so we can have breakfast,” Fiona said softly. “You have a big day with the association today, too.”
“Helga is telling the staff about your duel,” Myna added. “We’re glad you told us last night.”
Sean exhaled as he thought about the fight. “I had to. Thank you, Felora.”
“Anything you need, Sean,” Felora said softly, her voice not sex-kitteny at all.
He turned his head to look at her. “Thank you. I remember how worried I was about you at first.”
Felora grinned at him. “I’m glad you got over that.”
“Master, did Fredrick say if he was going to get you more mithril?” Myna asked.
Laughing, Sean turned the other way to stare at Myna. “Someone wants more gifts, hmm?”
“Yes,” Myna said without a hint of shame.
“Greedy kitty,” Sean murmured before leaning in to kiss her nose. “Sadly, no,” he told her. “I was interrupted by the idiots. I’ll ask him when I see him today. Don’t worry... my kitty will have her pretty shinies soon.”
Myna purred and pushed against him, kissing him passionately.
“Oh, she wants more than just kisses...” Felora said breathlessly.
Fiona smirked as she watched Sean and Myna. “Well, it’s a good thing we came to get him early, isn’t it, dear Fel?”
“Yes,” Felora moaned as Fiona turned and nibbled her neck.
None of them noticed the door opening, nor Aria, Ida, Ryann, and Andrea entering the room. They only became aware when they joined them on the bed.
~*~*~
“Good morning,” Sean greeted the staff at the table.
“Sir, was it difficult?” Rumia asked.
“Was what difficult?” Sean asked.
“Killing the nobles? Helga said the fight was simple, but… isn’t killing hard?” The last three words were a rush.
Sean exhaled, looking down at the table as his wives filed into the room. “Killing is never easy, at least for me. I’ve had nightmares over the deaths I’ve caused... Felora helps dull the memory so I don’t continue to feel it. I hope you never have to know those feelings, Rumia, but if you do, Felora will help you.”
“Of course,” Felora smiled at the younger woman. “Ladies,” she said, addressing the entire table, then pausing as the cooks came in with food. Once the food was on the table and Sean began to serve himself, she started again, “Ladies, if you need any help with past memories, I will help if asked. If you need help with low self-esteem or other problems, I will help. You are family, and family is precious.”
Prita licked her lips, then asked softly, “Can you help me, please?”
“Of course, but with what?”
“I don’t think I’m pretty. My ears are too big, and…” Prita trailed off.
“I’ll help, but Prita, your ears aren’t too big. They’re larger than some of the others here, but they suit you. We’ll see how you feel about them after I help.”
Prita touched one of her ears absently as she nodded. “Thank you.”
“Just let me know, or send a Fairy if you don’t want it known by the others,” Felora said.
“Helga told you all about last night,” Sean said before anyone else could speak up. “Unfortunately, that will probably not be the last duel I end up in. I try to have Helga fight them where and when I can, but there will be times when I have to. I know your lives depend on me, so I won’t take any chances. I’ll try to do what I did last night— a clear, quick, and decisive victory. This is why we train. If you have to fight, you can do it in a way that leaves you as uninjured as possible.”
“We will safeguard you as much as we can,” Fiona added. “Between the cuons, the Fairies, and what we teach you, you should be as safe as we can make you.”
“What about the armor?” Quinna asked.
“I’ll be working on it starting tomorrow, if I can get the mithril needed,” Sean said. “I’ll work on my
wives’ armor first, then Mizuki’s, then yours. Don’t go asking which of you will get them in what order, either. I’ll make them as I can, and not based on any list or criteria, so don’t think that’s the case. I don’t want any arguments, fights, or hard feelings over who gets them when. Understood?”
Everyone said they agreed, and Sean began to eat. The meal was cheesy scrambled eggs, fresh biscuits and gravy, sausage, and bacon. Sean smiled when he tasted the garlic and pepper in the eggs, giving Glorina a knowing smile. She blushed, wearing an elated grin as she ate hers.
~*~*~
Sean greeted Fredrick as he got out of the carriage. “Fredrick, it’s good to see you.”
“Sean, I hope your day has been good so far,” Fredrick replied.
“It’s been pleasant,” Sean grinned. “We ready to work?”
“Yes. I also have some mithril for you to take with you now, and will have more over the next few days.”
“Just have the rest dropped at my house. One of the staff will help get it stored for me,” Sean told him.
“That’s easily done,” Fredrick smiled. “Let me show them what we have, and let me know if you think anything needs to change.”
“Sounds good,” Sean said, following him into the large warehouse.
The inside was divided into two halves. One side was set up for handling lightbulbs, and was smaller than the side for the trucks. A carriage already sat in the work area, clearly waiting to be worked on, and the finished truck sat beside it.
“Glad Augustus has it here, already,” Sean grinned. “Oh, do we have anyone who can Shape wood?”
Fredrick chuckled. “I’d thought of that. Let me introduce you to the woman who will be doing that task, along with the others you haven’t met yet.”
“A few of them I don’t know,” Sean said, smiling at the people waiting to meet him.
~*~*~
Giralt puffed on his cigar as Sean came out from under the carriage. “Well?”
“They’re doing pretty good for their first attempt,” Sean replied. “Should be finishing this one off in a few minutes. Can you set an engine aside for me? I want to make my vehicle next.”
Giralt chuckled. “I thought you might, considering the upgrades to the carriages we did. If I bring two over in the next few days, can we do them both?”
“Yeah,” Sean nodded. “How’re you doing with the engines?”
“Once they’re Shaped, I’m able to do the runes in quick order,” Giralt smiled. “Clara has been eager to see what improvements the carriage gets next.”
“It’ll be a car,” Sean told him. “A horseless carriage for people, not goods. Mine will be a little more armored than what we’ll do for you.”
Giralt nodded, taking another long puff on his cigar. “You expect more trouble.”
“It’s best to be prepared for it,” Sean said.
“Can we do mine equal to yours?” Giralt asked.
“You’ll need some adamantine,” Sean told him.
“I do have a stock of it. It’s left over from our work on the first truck.”
Sean thought about it, nodding slowly. “Add another few pounds, and it should work.”
“That much? Hmm... Very well.”
“You’ll also need more mithril. Again, a few pounds,” Sean told him.
“Very well. I have that on hand just because of my normal runes. What’s the difference between the truck and the car?” Giralt asked.
“Better seats for the passengers and driver. I’ll show you when it’s time… which reminds me,” Sean sighed. “Ven?”
“Yes, sir?” Ven asked, landing on his shoulder.
“See if Jefferson will send over twelve cow hides, then get with Fiona and see if she can manage to get me enough stuffing to make a dozen chairs.”
“Yes, sir,” Ven said before two blurs went shooting off.
“Does that bother you?” Sean asked.
“What?”
“If I just asked the air, would they do it?”
“They would,” Ven said, “but I do not mind you asking me specifically. I find it to be a badge of honor that I’m the one tasked with making sure your orders are carried out. Venn is the same with Fiona.”
“What about Onim?” Sean asked.
“They’re always at home, directing the rest of the clan,” Ven said softly. “They wanted to stay closer to the children.”
“Oh…”
“Onim enjoys the job and treats it as we do our own, Sean. Do not feel bad, please?”
“Okay. I’ll try,” Sean sighed. “If I’d just been better prepared—”
Ven patted his cheek, cutting him off. “No, sir. I will not let you do that.”
Sean chuckled, then began to laugh deeply. Ven blinked in confusion as they held onto Sean. When he calmed again, Sean wiped the few tears away. “You’re my fairy-wife.”
Ven blinked at him. “What?!”
“Hang on, hang on. My old world had a thing called an ‘office-wife’ or ‘work-wife.’ It wasn’t a real wife, nor did it mean opposite sex. It was more a relationship of trust, support, and loyalty that helped the person function better at work. That’s what I meant.”
Ven exhaled. “I was very worried.”
“Sorry,” Sean said. “It was a compliment.”
“It’s decidedly odd,” Giralt said with raised eyebrows. “I think I will never use this phrase.”
“Clara might object,” Sean agreed.
“You see me as close as a wife, but not in a physical way?” Ven asked to make sure they understood correctly.
“Roughly, yes.”
“I am honored...” Ven said softly. “I will do my best, sir.”
“You always have,” Sean replied. “Sorry to shake your world view. Let’s see how the other side is doing.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Time for sparring?” Sean asked as the door to his shop opened.
“It is, sir,” Helga replied.
Sean picked up a ring from the table and tossed it to her. “Your sword. It’s a match to Toivo’s— Mage Sight and electricity.”
Helga snatched it from the air and slipped it onto her finger. “Thank you, sir.”
“Let’s not keep them waiting longer,” Sean chuckled as he followed Helga out of the workshop.
The staff and his wives were all waiting for him. Myna watched him with eager eyes, shifting slightly from foot to foot as she did.
“I got two sets of armor finished, but I need to mold them to each person. I want to do Myna and Aria first, as they’re the next most skilled fighters we have.”
Myna’s smile went wide as she moved to him. “Thank you, Master.”
Aria hesitated a moment, then followed Myna. “As you want, Sean.”
Sean saw the flicker of disappointment on his other wives’ faces. “Fredrick told me he’d have more mithril sent over tomorrow. So don’t worry— the rest will be done soon.”
“Sorry, Sean,” Ryann said. “I know Aria is a better fighter than I am, but I just…”
“Still want to be my shield,” Sean finished for her. “I understand, Ry.”
Myna stopped just in front of him. “What now, Master?”
Sean pulled the jewelry from his bag, handing it to her. “Put them on, and then we’ll size it.” He pulled out more for Aria and waited as they put the pieces on. “Okay, summon the armor.”
Both Aria and Myna frowned at the ill-fitting, oversized armor that covered them. “Master...” Myna sighed.
Sean reached out touching both of them, focusing on molding the mithril to form to their bodies. The crowd murmured as they watched the metal become almost liquid as it flowed over the two women. When he was done, he let go of the energy and stepped back. Both Myna and Aria were covered in mithril. Myna’s armor had an articulating tail that made Sean grin.
“Okay, will them down, then back on,” Sean told them.
In moments, the women stood there in their regular clothes. After another
few seconds, they were covered in the same form-fitting armor. The breastplates were functional, not sexual, so there was no shaped breasts or breast windows.
“How do they feel?”
“Very light,” Aria said. She summoned her wings and talons and began to float upward. “A little more intensive to fly with it on... I’ll be far from a match against you now, but I think I can be as fast and as graceful as I was before my wings changed.”
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