Flame of War (Binding Words Book 5), page 13
part #5 of Binding Words Series
“Hopefully successful experiments,” Sean said as she walked away.
“I wonder if Italice and I will be that close?” Ryan mused.
“How is that going?” Sean asked as they went into the back.
“It hasn’t yet. I was bringing it to my father, but instead, got slapped down. Italice said it was the same for her. She was bringing it to the head of her family and she was chewed out. She almost asked to be disowned but held off, just in case you had another answer.”
“One thing at a time,” Sean exhaled. “We’ll do this now and handle that tonight.”
“Agreed.”
Once they reached one of the private bathing rooms, Sean looked at the two showers and the tub that was large enough for four. Seeing the items he needed to heat the tubs, he smiled. “Top end items for the enchantment,” he murmured.
“Fredrick said he wanted them to last, and with him and Nick having the resources for it, it seemed prudent. It was you or Giralt to put the runes in, though.”
“Okay, let me handle this really quick. Can you add some water to the tub while I work? I assume you need it for your new Talent.”
“Go on,” Ryan said, “I’ll be waiting for you.”
Sean didn’t take long getting the ruby dust and mithril set, the enchantment ready, and applied the throttle on the rune so it could only heat to a certain point. “Need to share that with Giralt. If he doesn’t know how to do it, it might help things out.”
Ryan shook his head. “Improving another’s work as if you invented it yourself... I’m ready to show you my new trick.”
Sean took a seat on the edge of the tub where Ryan was kneeling beside it. “Okay, let it rip,” Sean said, Mage Sight already up.
Sean could see the extra energy Ryan now had, but didn’t mention it as he watched the man work his new Talent. Seeing the water flow as directed, Sean reached down and touched the water right where Ryan’s fingers were directing it. After a moment, he shifted his hand over and replicated it.
“You know, Sean, if you weren’t a friend, I think I’d hate you,” Ryan sighed. “That Talent hasn’t even been shown to my family yet and you figured out how to do it in a minute.”
“Wait,” Sean said as he picked up the copper tube he’d seen off to the side. Focusing on the new magic he’d learned, Sean formed the idea of a rune to make it happen, but left it unpowered. He touched the side of the tub and got the pipe connected to it with almost no water escaping.
Ryan watched with a frown, wondering what Sean was doing, but he stayed silent.
Grinning, Sean stepped back and motioned to the rune that was visible on the side of the pipe. “Give it a little energy.”
Ryan looked at the rune for a moment before he did what Sean asked him to do. Eyes going wide, he watched the water in the tub begin to circulate through the pipe. “I take it back: I do hate you.”
Sean laughed, “It’s yours. Patent it and sell it to the association, but let me refine it some, first. It’s going to serve a purpose.” Kneeling down, he tinkered with the pipe. After a bit, he stood up and wiped his forehead. “Try it again, but this time, just touch the gems with no energy.”
Ryan exhaled and did as he was told. Once the third gem was powered, Ryan put his hand in the tub. “That’s got a good stream to it. Why?”
“Imagine that was hot water and massaging your back after a long day.”
“This is from your other world, too, isn’t it?” Ryan asked, even though he was sure of the answer.
“Yup. We can modify all our tubs for our homes and have these for this bathhouse. Something the wealthy and powerful will want to use, even if they have private tubs at home.”
“I need the pipe to register the patent, and I’ll extend it as one the association can make and use.”
“I’ll get the runes under the tubs,” Sean said. “Outside of adding these new twists, this place is done, right?”
“Staff and this,” Ryan said. “Why did you show up so early? Weren’t you supposed to have tea with Lady Sharpeyes?”
Sean grimaced. “Did.”
“Did you anger her?” Ryan asked slowly.
“Not her.”
“Thank Morrigan,” Ryan exhaled. “I’ll see you tonight, Sean.”
“Yeah,” Sean agreed. “We’ll have a meeting and figure out a way to get your families to back off.”
“That’d be good,” Ryan said before leaving.
Sean whistled tunelessly as he went to the next room, ready to do what he could to help. His mind kept going over how Denmur was trying to sever the association and how he might stop it.
Chapter Fifteen
When Sean and Ryann got home, Fiona asked for him to go to the sitting room. Once inside, Sean gave the ten unknown people a polite nod. “Evening.”
“Sean, these are the staff for the manor, if you’re okay with them,” Fiona said. “Let me introduce everyone to you.”
Before she could, he leaned in to whisper to Fiona, “Why are they all women?”
“Is that a problem?” Fiona whispered back. “They are all highly skilled at their jobs. I thought you might comment on none of them being human, but not them being women.”
Sean took a deep breath to calm his mind. She found qualified people, idiot. She’s not Myna trying to bring even more wives into the family. Why do you think that first off anyway? Finished with chastising himself, Sean opened his eyes and greeted each of the newcomers.
“First, there is Rosa, and her daughter, Rumia,” Fiona said. “They have traces of my bloodline and were recently let go from Denmur’s service.”
Sean’s eyebrow went up. “Why?”
“My daughter slapped him,” Rosa said without hesitation. “He accosted her while she was tending to a rosebush.”
“He didn’t press charges?” Sean was surprised that Denmur hadn’t.
“He would have had to admit why and, right now, he’s on edge about anything that might bring his name to a negative light,” Rosa said. “So we had our Agreement broken and were just starting to ask about work when Fiona heard about us from Dame Flamehair.”
“That won’t be an issue for us,” Sean said. “I don’t go around harassing women.”
“Next, we have Glorina, who was a cook at the Den and will be our chef. To assist her are Lona and Mona, cooks who used to work at the Oaken Glen.”
Sean gave the trio of Rabbit Moonbound smiles. “You’ve all come from places of quality. I’m sure our table will be one that is envied by others.”
“Thank you, sir,” the trio said in echo as they curtsied to him.
“To care for the animals of the manor, we have the twins, Quilla and Quinna,” Fiona said.
Sean took in the large women. Farm-bred was the first thought in his head, and he was ashamed of it. The twins were well over six-foot in height and broad. Quilla had horns that jutted forward while Quinna’s horns went more sideways. In the chest department, each of them put both Chastity and Andrea combined to shame.
“Ladies, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Where did you work before?”
“Out on the farms,” Quilla said in a slow drawl. “Aria passed word to Dad that you’d need a couple of good animal handlers. We came and applied.”
“If Aria vouches for you, then I’m sure you are more than qualified,” Sean said.
“Tiska, Cali, and Xenta will be the maids under Lilly.” Fiona motioned to the Jackal, Wolf, and Fox Moonbound in sequence. “They come from different places, but Lilly vouched for each of them.”
“Ladies, thank you for applying,” Sean said. “I just need to get the Agreement for you.”
“Sir?” Rosa asked, “Mistress Fiona said that you could grant us more Talents and power if we Bonded in addition to the Agreement.”
Sean glanced at Fiona. “I can.”
The ten women began talking amongst themselves for a moment. Andrea cleared her throat, “Ladies, if you wish to Bond, you have just to let him know. Just ask clearly and do not hesitate. He will not rebuke you for asking.”
“She’s right,” Sean said. “Dad always said there’s no harm in asking. The worst that will happen is you’re told ‘no.’ I will point out that Fiona is in charge of all my Bonded; her words are my words. Andrea,” Sean said with a smile, “will also be over you in that regard. In addition, for those who are inside staff, Lilly will also be your boss. If that’s a problem, then you might want to back out now.”
None of the ten women made to leave, so Fiona spoke up, “Okay, let the Agreements start. The pay is ten silver a year, husband, except for Glorina, Quinna, and Quilla. It’s twenty for them.”
Rosa stepped forward with Rumia first. “We would like to Bond during the Agreement. Fiona said you are strong with Shaping plants. That is what we wish… and maybe the small healing we’ve heard of.” Her strong voice had gone hesitant at the addition.
“Okay,” Sean said. “Self-healing and better wood Shaping. That’s doable.”
“I, Rosa Rington, do offer this Agreement to Bond: I shall care for your manor’s gardens and plants for a term of no less than one year, with the chance to extend the Bond further if neither of us objects to it. You shall grant me access to your wood Shaping Talent and the self-healing you can do, along with a modicum of energy. I, in turn, will keep the secrets of you and your family, along with any of your business dealings we overhear, on my life. My pay will be ten silver a year. If you try to sexually molest me, this Bond will be nullified.”
Sean smiled at the last bit of the Bond. “Are you sure you don’t want as much energy as I can comfortably give you instead of a modicum?”
Rosa licked her lips. “I would like that, but the rest of the Bond stays the same.”
“Agreed,” Sean said.
“Agreed,” Rosa said, smiling broadly.
Rumia got the exact same deal as her mother. Beaming as she felt the Bond take hold, both of them looked at the thick bands on their left wrists with satisfaction.
“Ladies, we’ll see you at the manor tomorrow. You know which rooms are yours,” Fiona said.
“Thank you,” Rosa said as she and her daughter left.
Glorina stepped forward next, along with Lona and Mona a step behind her. “Sir, it is an honor to enter your employ.” Glorina’s voice was soft. “I would ask for a Bond, as well, but would leave the Talents and energy up to you. Felora has spoken often of how generous you are to those in your care.”
Sean gave her a soft smile. “Glorina, you were in the kitchen when I almost made a mistake?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How long of a Bond?”
“As long as you wish, sir.”
“We’ll start with a year to make sure it is something you want, then,” Sean said, a little unnerved by her deference to him.
“Yes, sir.”
“Same for us, sir,” Lona and Mona quickly said.
“I, Sean MacDougal, offer to…” Sean trailed off. “Um, what were your full names?”
“Glorina Coit, sir.”
“Lona and Mona Lenik, sir,” Lona said. “We’re sisters.”
“Okay. I, Sean MacDougal, offer the following Bond to Glorina Coit, Lona Lenik, and Mona Lenik: you will be granted access to self-healing and the Shaping of wood and metal, with as much energy as you can comfortably hold. In return, you shall be the staff in charge of the kitchen and dining room of my household. You will hold all secrets of me and my family, as well as any business dealings you hear, on your life. You shall remain safe from any unwanted attentions from my family, and if any guest tries to harass you, I will come to your defense. This Bond is to last no less than one year, and can be extended as long as neither party objects. Your pay will be twenty silver a year for Glorina, and ten a year for Lona and Mona.”
“Agreed,” the trio said together.
“Ladies,” Fiona said, “just step back for a few. After everyone is done, Sean will give you all the first bit of energy.”
Sean blinked and realized he hadn’t checked who could accept energy and who couldn’t. Exhaling a deep breath, he felt his cheeks heat slightly.
Quilla and Quinna stepped forward together, and Sean did his best to keep his eyes on their faces. Quilla was the one who spoke for her and her twin, “Sir, we’ve heard of the self-healing and when handling some of the animals, that would be useful. If Shaping metal and wood is okay, too, that’d be good for keeping everything in perfect shape.”
Sean nodded. “That’d be fine.”
Quilla and Quinna both recited the Bond, which was almost identical to the others, except they didn’t ask to be safe from harassment. Sean agreed to their Bonds and tried to not let his anxiety show when they stepped back to stand with the cooks.
The three maids also Bonded for as much energy as they could hold and to be equal to the cooks in healing and Shaping. None of the three asked to be free of harassment, either, and Sean had to wonder about that. Once the Bonds were made, they stepped back to stand beside the cooks, too.
Sean gave the ten women a strained smile. “Okay, um, yeah... If no one has told you before... um... the first couple of times can be a little... weird.”
“Husband,” Fiona giggled, “let me explain it.”
“Thank you,” Sean exhaled.
“Husband will be giving you energy right now. It’ll make you pass out, so please, everyone get comfortable on the floor. The first two or three times, there is a side effect from being given energy, but after that, you’ll always be getting energy, and how much you can hold will keep growing. I can easily hold three times what I did when I first met Sean, and that was not a small amount then, either. The longer you stay Bonded to him, the more you will also be able to hold and do. Now, the part that has him stuttering and blushing is the fact that since it is a man giving you energy, you’ll be feeling pleasure instead of pain. Do any of you have a problem with this?”
Xenta raised a hand slightly. “If you had Bonded us, it’d be painful?”
“Yes. Luckily for you, Sean is the master of the house, and as such, he is the one to hold your Bonds.”
“It’s wonderful,” Andrea said, speaking for the first time through the whole thing.
Sean winced at her input.
“Doubt it’s that good,” Quinna muttered, only to get nudged by her sister.
“Husband, none of them object,” Fiona said. “We know you feel awkward about it, but Bonds have been made.”
Sean gave her a look and shook his head. “Fine. Sorry about this, ladies.” Tapping the threads of their Bonds, he pushed the tiniest trickles of energy he could into them.
Gasps and whimpers came from the newly Bonded. Sean did his best not to flood them, trying to shut out the sounds and closing his eyes. After a few moments, he cut the flow of energy and quickly left the room, his ears burning.
“Sorry about that. He gets embarrassed…” Fiona’s voice trailed off as Sean got farther away from the room.
Walking out the back door, he went for the forge, exhaling deeply. You only did what was required... it’s okay. They all opted in. It’s not like you coerced them. Only one more time and they’ll be used to it, and then it won’t even be a thing. Quinna’s hips sure bucked hard, though… no, no, no, stop it, asshole!
Sean picked up some bars of copper and gems and began to fashion jet pipes for the bath. They might not use it after tonight, but it gave him something to focus on and thought it would make a nice gift to Ida’s family.
Chapter Sixteen
Sean didn’t join the women in sparring, instead wanting to finish his project before they stopped for the night. He’d just sunk into the hot, jetted tub when they all came into the room. “Evening, my lovely wives.”
Fiona eyed the tub with a curious expression. “Husband, what did you do to the tub? We’re not even using it past tonight.”
“This is what I was doing at the third bathhouse today. I know we won’t, but Ida’s family will be. I wanted to refine it a little more, as it was.” Leaning back into one of the jets, he watched as his wives stripped and started to shower.
Myna was the first one finished, practically racing through her shower to get to the tub. “I want to try what you’ve done.”
“Come sit next to me,” Sean chuckled at her. Once she was curled up next to him, Sean motioned to the three gems set on the side of the tub. “Touch the first gem.”
Myna did and blinked when she felt a gentle pressure against her back. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the jets. “This is... different.”
