Noble Solutions

by Schinhofen, Daniel

  “And one for Helga, please.”

  Helga blinked, then nodded her head. “As you wish, Sean.”

  Getting refill orders from the others, Tabitha quickly left the table.

  Joseph was practically vibrating when Tabitha returned with their drinks. “Well?” He blurted when Sean paused to take a sip of his drink.

  Sean was surprised at how fruity the drink was. A non-ice daiquiri, he thought. Giving Joseph a grin, he cleared his throat, “Sorry. This is a good drink, Sam. Different, but good.”

  “He hates me,” Joseph sighed in exaggeration, getting laughs from the others.

  “Fine, but it’s more personal news than anything,” Sean said as he set his glass down. He placed his hand on Helga’s. “Let me introduce you all to my newest wife. We won’t be here tomorrow, as we’ll be holding her wedding feast then.”

  Congratulations went around the table, and Helga smiled as she thanked each person. “I spoke with Fiona. If any of you would like to come to the feast, we would be glad to have you,” Helga announced. “I just need to know how many are coming.”

  Everyone at the table said they would come with their spouse, except Henry Darkfoam. Once the hubbub died, he asked, “Am I included in that?”

  Sean gave the man a grin. “Are you a friend?”

  “I… yes?”

  “Then yes.”

  “I shall make sure to bring an appropriate gift,” Henry said, sitting up straighter.

  “The feast will be after the business closes,” Helga smiled. “We will be glad to have you all there.”

  Bloodheart appeared thoughtful as he looked between Helga and Sean.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Giving the young Messenger Fairies a smile, Sean stopped by the desk. “How’s your studying going?”

  “Good,” Arla smiled. “Cali just brought us this book. She’d normally stay with us, but since you wanted the room, she left.”

  “I’ll use the table across the room, then,” Sean said. “Study well.”

  “We are, sir,” Jott said.

  “Sean,” Sean corrected them gently. “Sean is what I prefer.”

  Jott bowed low. “I will do my best.”

  “Sean is like our parents. He doesn’t see himself the way we see him,” Jutt chuckled, “like I was explaining last night.”

  “Okay,” Jott nodded.

  Sean gave them a grin and left them to read, going across the room to where Helga was sitting. “Sorry. This is the only room I could think of that wasn’t in use and wouldn’t be completely awkward for me.”

  “It is fine,” Helga smiled. “I thought your face might burst into flames when I suggested my room.”

  Sean coughed and looked away. “Yeah... I mean…”

  Helga laughed. “As much as you try, you are as your wives have said. You want this to be a good day for me and not feel forced.”

  “Well, yeah. Helga, I haven’t really gotten to know you, but I do care in my own way, besides you being my Chooser.”

  “I know,” Helga said, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I can feel you more today. Your nervousness adds to the incongruency of who you are.”

  “Because I don’t just haul you off to your room?” Sean asked.

  “That you did not just take me at dinner last night,” Helga corrected, smirking when Sean blushed again. “It is sweet… I like it. I have seen my sisters picked by their gods before, and they were never afforded such niceties— they would be taken where and how the god willed. We only had a choice of how and when if we chose one of the Einherjar for an evening.”

  Sean frowned as he sat back. “Was it bad?”

  Helga sighed as she looked into the distance. “At times, it could be. Odin only played with his eldest Valkyries, though they would instruct us on his preferences, just in case. I was lucky that I was given to Thor just before we were sent to this world, so I was not used by him.”

  “What about Hel?” Sean asked.

  Helga’s smile was soft as she recalled a memory. “She is different. She would never force us, never demand us, but if we went to her, we were left near unconscious in pleasure at the end of it. She is the queen of the frigid death, but her passions burn bright. I only laid with her twice before I was given away... once when I was inducted into her service, and once just before I was given to Odin.”

  “You miss her?” Sean asked.

  “I did for many years,” Helga sighed. “I found it was not her exactly, but the passion and softness of a woman that I missed most. My sisters and I would find our own pleasures with each other at times, especially the younger of us in Odin’s service. I find myself hopeful to join your family. Your wives are such beauties and they all have come to accept me. It will be okay if I lay with them, yes?”

  Sean coughed, his face heating some. “Uh... yeah. I don’t discourage that.”

  “I did not think you would,” Helga snickered lightly. “Few men would, but most would want to be involved. From what I have been told, you truly are happy if we find joy in each other without you.”

  “I want them to be as happy as they can be,” Sean said. “I’m only one guy, and while I am capable of pleasing them, I doubt I could please them all by myself every day.”

  “But you also enjoy having multiples of them at times,” Helga pressed. “Myna and Felora have told me stories.”

  Sean rolled his eyes. “They would. Damned sex demons and alley cats... both are nearly insatiable.”

  “Your feelings are only love, even when you say that,” Helga said, breathing deeply. “If I choose to lay with Aria, you would be okay with it?”

  The idea of Aria and Helga entwined in bed came to him and he coughed. The image in his mind changed to them in the air, making love under the light of the moon, and he shifted in his seat. “Y-yeah. That’d be okay.”

  Helga inhaled slow and deep again. “Good. She has been there for me the entire time, and we have much in common. I wanted to be sure that it was truly okay with you before I broached it with her.”

  “Go ahead,” Sean coughed. “Um... besides the sex, how was your life before?”

  Helga, feeling his need to change the subject, smiled. “Overall, it was good. We stay in the halls for years, then are sent to worlds to watch the warriors. When we find one we deem acceptable, we stay with them until they die. When that happens, we take their souls and carry them to Heimdall. He would judge them and then, they would be taken to Valhalla or, in rare cases, sent to Hel.”

  “What about you?”

  “I was a warrior,” Helga said, her eyes going distant again. “My old world was one of biting cold, and the predators were massive beasts that took entire tribes to hunt. Besides those, there were frequent raids on neighboring tribes. I was always the first into a fight and the one who searched the fields at the end, trying to save friends or send foes off. I disdained many men, as they would flee well before me. When my end came at the jaws of one of the beasts, I was shocked when I was whisked away. My elder sister, Asta, explained why I was saved as she brought me to Heimdall.”

  She paused and Sean just waited for her to go on.

  “I was deemed courageous enough to be worthy of becoming a Valkyrie. Asta was Hel’s eldest, so she took me to see Hel. I was asked if I wished to become a Valkyrie and I accepted. I spent two years learning the ways of Hel and being a Valkyrie. Then, Odin demanded one and I was sent to him.”

  “You enjoyed the time with Hel, but not Odin?”

  “I loved my time with Hel,” Helga smiled. “Odin… it was a good life. I missed being with Asta and Hel, but my newer sisters were loving enough to make me happy.”

  “You never found an Einherjar that you liked?” Sean asked.

  “No.” Helga looked down. “The few I allowed near me were like the two I slept with before I died. They believed I should feel honored to lay with them.”

  “Some men are just that way,” Sean snorted.

  “But not you,” Helga said with a smile.
“I have heard them speak of how awkward you are when laying with them the first time.”

  “Oh gods, tell me that isn’t discussed with everyone…?” Sean groaned.

  “Myna said it should only be told to those who would marry you.”

  Sean hunched over, covering his face with his hands. “Oh gods…”

  “Oh, I am afraid they all know. Every member of the staff has been told, and they discuss how and what they would like most when their time comes.”

  A knock on the door came just before Xenta came into the room with a tea trolley. “Would you like some tea, sir?”

  Sean looked at her in her maid outfit. Knowing what he did now, he began to flush. “Uh... yes?”

  Xenta blinked, her head tilting sideways slightly as she watched him. “Is everything okay, sir?”

  “I told him about what we have been told and how it is discussed among the staff,” Helga explained. “As Fiona thought, he is not taking it well.”

  “Why did you tell him?” Xenta asked, her own cheeks turning red.

  “Because I will not keep secrets from him,” Helga said. “None of us should.”

  Eyes closed, Sean breathed slow and deep, his face burning as he tried to calm down.

  “Fiona said we shouldn’t tell him,” Xenta said as she brought the tea cart closer. “She’s the one who knows him best.”

  “Hang on,” Sean said, exhaling roughly. “It’s fine. I’m fine. Honestly, I know what will happen in time. This is just my old ways doing this to me. As long as you don’t talk about it in front of me, I can handle it.”

  “As you say...” Xenta said softly. “We don’t want to make you uncomfortable, sir.”

  Opening his eyes, he saw Xenta looking worriedly at him. “Xenta, thank you. Just let the others know to keep it quiet around me and I’ll be fine.”

  “Yes, sir. I have black tea. Would you like some?”

  “Please. Are those scones?”

  “Yes, sir,” Xenta said as she started to serve them. “Umm… I did have a question, sir. I don’t wish to offend anyone, though.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “Are you going to speak with us like you have Rumia, the cooks, and Helga?”

  “Yes,” Sean said. “I want to know about each of you before we go further.”

  Xenta beamed. “Thank you, sir.”

  “Why did you think this would offend?” Helga asked.

  “Today is your day,” Xenta said softly, “and I asked a question for us, instead.”

  “Ah. You will be our wife in time,” Helga said. “I find no offense that you just want to be equal to the others. It makes me happy to hear that you will be, in fact.”

  “Thank you, mistress,” Xenta smiled. “Sugar or butter for your tea?”

  ~*~*~

  Sean was relaxed when it came time for dinner. He’d called off all the sparring for the day— the cooks had a large meal to prepare and he wanted everyone ready for the company. He’d spent all day with Helga talking about her old world, being a Valkyrie, and how she felt about being with them now. He’d answered her questions about his old life and how he felt about his wives.

  Fiona came and got him, sending him to bathe early. Sean was surprised to find himself with only Glorina in the bath. She was just as surprised, but was happy to have that moment alone with him, even if all they did was shower before getting dressed.

  Sean sat in the front room while everyone else bathed and got ready for the feast. He knew the guests would start showing up soon, and he was proven right a minute later when he heard a carriage coming up the driveway.

  Getting up, Sean stepped out onto the porch. The carriage was made of golden oak and the door was emblazoned with a dark, foaming mug. When it pulled up, the footman was quick to open the door.

  “Sean, thank you for inviting me,” Henry Darkfoam said as he climbed down.

  “Henry, glad you could attend,” Sean said. “Your driver and footman will have food and drink around the back.”

  “Of course. Where can we leave the gift?” Henry asked.

  “Gift?” Sean asked.

  “They should be here,” Henry frowned, looking back to the gate.

  A wagon with two oxen pulling it came into the yard then. Three haulers walked along with the wagon, which had five kegs stacked in the back.

  “Ah, there they are,” Henry grinned. “Two more kegs of Dark Delight, plus three other types of ale to help suit all tastes.”

  “An impressive gift,” Sean said. “You must value coming here highly.”

  “I did feel a debt from your help. Add in being invited today, and I have found a way to balance them.”

  “Very well. Gentlemen, just place them beside the back door. My staff will retrieve them later,” Sean told the haulers. “I’d help, but my wife would kill me for dirtying my clothing before a wedding feast.”

  “We understand, sir,” the lead hauler replied. “No problems.”

  “Let’s go…” Sean trailed off and turned back to the gate where he saw more carriages approaching. “Ah, more guests.”

  “Yes. Tonight will be a busy dinner,” Henry chuckled.

  “Husband, I’ll help,” Fiona said, opening the front doors. “Henry, if you’ll come inside, we can see to you while the others arrive.”

  “Thank you, dear,” Sean said.

  “Of course,” Fiona smiled broadly.

  ~*~*~

  Sean laughed at the story Fredrick had told. The meal was over, and it had been a grand feast. The cooks had sat with them one at a time during dinner, so the other two could prepare the next course and take care of the drivers and footmen out back.

  Helga sat to Sean’s right, smiling the whole time. Her happiness was easy for all to see, and easier for Sean to feel through their budding empathic bond. The best part from her point of view was the lack of loud drunks.

  With the meal over, everyone congratulated Sean and Helga again. Fiona started to shepherd all the guests out while the others helped her or the cooks clean the dishes.

  Myna stopped by Sean’s seat. “Master, use the back stairs. Good night.” She kissed his cheek, then followed Fiona.

  Sean swallowed, understanding what was going to happen next. Looking at Helga, he saw her watching him with amusement. “Um... shall we?” Sean asked, getting to his feet.

  Helga stood and took his offered hand. “As My Lord wishes.”

  Snorting, Sean led Helga from the formal dining room and toward the back stairs that led up to the rooms.

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Sean led Helga upstairs not to the master bedroom, but to the room near it. A single large bed filled the room. A frosted-glass electric light hung from the ceiling, casting soft light. This room was only used when one or a couple of his wives wanted him alone for an evening.

  Heart beating fast, Sean’s palms were damp as he closed the door behind Helga. “Well then, here we are.”

  Helga nodded as she stepped into the room. “Hmm... straightforward. Just a comfortable bed. Nothing to distract us from why we are here.”

  “Uh, yeah,” Sean said.

  Helga took a seat on the bed and watched him. “Tell me, My Lord, how shall your Chooser serve you tonight?” She crossed her legs, bringing one of her shapely legs out from under the blue dress she was wearing.

  Sean snorted, his nerves calming. “I’m not normally the domineering sort.”

  “Hmm... Myna and Felora think otherwise.”

  Sean gave her a put-upon look. “Really?”

  “They have described at length how they serve you.” Helga smirked, then added, “My Lord.”

  “I’d say the brat cat has told you many things,” Sean exhaled. “Is that needed?”

  “Sean,” Helga said softly, bending forward slightly to remove her shoes, “you are a god. You are my god. Beyond that, you were my savior, saving me from death and nothingness. You have been supportive and caring even though I cost you loved ones, and now, you are my husband. I
s it too much to ask to let me call you by a name I find soothing to me?”

  Sean leaned back against the wall as he considered her request. “It’s worse than Myna’s nickname for me… But no, I guess I shouldn’t try to deny you something so small.”

  “Thank you, My Lord,” Helga smiled as she dropped her shoes to the floor and scooted back onto the bed. “Now, if you do not wish to control this moment, I can offer suggestions.”