Accorded Nobility Read online

  Binding Words

  Book 8:

  Accorded Nobility

  Daniel Schinhofen

  Copyright © 2022 Daniel J. Schinhofen

  No parts of this book may be reproduced in any form by an electronic or mechanical means – except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles or reviews – without the written permission from the publisher.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarities to real persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Copyright © 2022 Daniel J. Schinhofen

  All rights reserved.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-one

  Chapter Forty-two

  Chapter Forty-three

  Chapter Forty-four

  Chapter Forty-five

  Chapter Forty-six

  Chapter Forty-seven

  Chapter Forty-eight

  Chapter Forty-nine

  Chapter Fifty

  Chapter Fifty-one

  Chapter Fifty-two

  Chapter Fifty-three

  Chapter One

  Sean felt drained, mentally tired from what had come before. He’d removed the last of his enemies in Hearthglen, but it had come at a cost— one of his servants, Rosa Rington, and one of the cuons, Ursa, had died in the attack on the manor. On top of those two, six Fairies were killed during the attack at the Lord’s manor.

  The memory of seven of his friends dead in the main ballroom filled his mind. It was only because of Helga that he’d been able to bring them back to life. His Chooser had been vital, and he silently thanked her.

  “Awake, Sean?”

  Sean jerked upright, finding himself floating in space. Twin pools of stars filled the inky void before him. “Morrigan?”

  “Yes. I would have met you on your plane, but it was busy,” Morrigan said gently. “I do not wish to intrude on their grief.”

  “So many dead...” Sean exhaled.

  “Eight of your closest, and one more you called friend. The city fears you. Whispers of you killing your foes and saving your friends have begun.”

  “The Queens will hear about it,” Sean said.

  “In time, but you already plan to add distance. That will buy time,” Morrigan replied. “More pray to me now. Family, in fact.”

  “Bloodhearts?”

  “And others. You called out to me on the field of battle not long ago. A few have started to connect things. Luckily, they are friendly, so that will not cause trouble. Not for a while yet.”

  “I’ll be leaving the city soon, but I have a few things to finish first,” Sean said.

  “Yes, I’m sure you do.”

  “I have a question for you.”

  “Ask.”

  “When we talked last, you called the party that shipped me to this world a ‘wake.’ Was it the wake of the others? Dagda, Oghma, and the rest?”

  “You remember?” Morrigan asked.

  “No... but a wake is a feast to celebrate the life of the deceased,” Sean said softly. “When they gifted me, they died?”

  “They gave their divine sparks to you. Of the Tuatha, I am the last. We had faded so far... I would have gifted to you and passed, too, but the others forbade me. One of us needed to survive to see the old deal broken.”

  Sean breathed roughly as he considered what was being said. “I really am a god, then...?”

  “You have the divine sparks of gods,” Morrigan said. “You are starting to become a full god, birthing a new pantheon. You have already begun expanding your fledgling pantheon. Your Chooser has accepted others under her banner, and one of your staff is a whisper from becoming a Tender to your plane of retribution.”

  “Won’t that cause the Queens to come for me?” Sean asked.

  “In time, you will stand before them, Sean. At this point, the threads twist to make it happen. Fate is set. You have done too much for them to not know eventually.”

  “I have time, right?”

  “For now, but you bend fate, Nexus. How and when is the only question, unless you leave the world before that comes to pass.”

  Hands shaking, Sean swallowed as he thought about having to fight the two Queens, with his family caught up in the middle. “Can there be peace?”

  “Of course. There could have been peace with Denmur and Sharpeyes if you had chosen differently. Your choices can make anything possible, Sean.”

  Sean exhaled slowly, pulling his fear back under control. “Does Accord hold the history of the deal you made with the Queens?”

  “Accord holds many things,” Morrigan replied, her voice fading. “Do as you feel best, even if it means casting me into nothingness. I will never tell you what to do, Sean. You are free to choose.”

  “Wait!” Sean called out, then felt the connection snap.

  ~*~*~

  Soft lips woke Sean. Eyes opening, he saw Felora hovering just above him, her black hair creating a curtain around them. Meeting her brown eyes, he smiled. “Thanks, Fel.”

  “You’re welcome, Sean,” Felora whispered. “Do you feel better?”

  “Yeah. You always help me past the trauma of killing, even when I know I have to do it.”

  “Which only makes us happier to have her as a wife,” Fiona said from beside him.

  “A small bonus,” Ryann agreed.

  “Morning?” Sean asked as Felora moved aside and Fiona claimed a kiss.

  “Yes,” Myna added, her cat tail lashing the air behind her.

  “I’ll get up,” Sean said.

  His wives let him sit up in bed, but none of them moved to leave the room. He took a moment to look over them, giving each a smile in turn.

  Fiona’s heterochromatic eyes were warm as she returned his smile, her red hair pinned back by hair clips. Sean loved her maybe a touch more than the rest, with her having been his first love here.

  Myna’s soft purr caused his gaze to drift to her next. Her smile was wide and her black cat ears were standing up, her tail lightly swaying. It was her love that helped Sean go from refusing more than one wife to the harem he now had.

  Ryann shifted slightly. The blond-haired woman had once put a poisoned crossbow bolt into his shoulder, but now, they loved each other deeply. Her light-blue eyes sparkled with that love as she returned his smile. She held a trace of sadness that she was no longer his shield, but she was ecstatic to be carrying one of his children.

  Ida’s arm was a
round Ryann’s waist, showing their love for each other. The half-Dwarven woman was stout and firm. Her slate-gray eyes radiated her happiness as she brushed her black hair behind an ear. The former smith loved him deeply, as he was what she’d always wanted in a husband: a crafter at heart.

  That brought his gaze to Andrea, and his heart ached for her. Andrea’s lover, Chastity, had died during their fight with Evan Sharpeyes. The former maid was full of love, though, and she showered Sean in it. Her strawberry-blond hair was in a braid over her shoulder, and her hazel eyes twinkled with happiness as she returned his smile. Her hand rested on her belly, thinking of the child inside.

  Felora had taken a spot next to Andrea and had her arm around Andrea’s waist. Felora lost her longtime friend and lover, Lilly, in that same fight, bringing the two of them together in their mourning. The half-Succubus was nearly insatiable, but she tempered her desires with the love of their family. Her black hair was braided to match Andrea’s, and her brown eyes glinted with a hint of red glow as she winked at Sean.

  His eyes went next to the trio of women who all bore bold tattoos on their forearms and necks. Aria stood as the leftmost pillar of the group; her small white feathers took the place of hair, and her red eyes spoke to her non-Human nature. Part Harpy, she was the one who’d first brought energy wings to their family. In the middle of the group was Helga, the former Valkyrie. The statuesque blonde wore a happy smile when she looked at Sean. Her bright-blue eyes flickered briefly with black-white flame. The last of the group, and of his wives, was the newest addition: Hallie. The Dame bore the markings of his Choosers proudly. Her auburn hair hung loosely, and her light-blue eyes flashed with happiness as she returned his smile.

  “I love you,” Sean said simply as he stood.

  All nine women stepped forward, surrounding him, holding him, and murmuring back their love of him. The hug endured for several long minutes before Fiona broke them up.

  “We have a viewing to attend later today,” Fiona said when everyone stepped back. “Venn told us that we got word from Charie’s Fairy just before you woke. Rosa and the six Fairies identified as part of the clan are being readied.”

  Sean exhaled slowly, thinking again of the latest deaths caused by his fight with Lord Sharpeyes. “Ursa?” he asked.

  “Animals aren’t given the same send-off... not even a cuon,” Aria said softly. “We set her aside so we can have a send-off of our own. I thought you might cremate her here.”

  “Yeah...” Sean choked slightly as he wiped away tears. “I’ll do that after breakfast, before the other viewing. Is Caleb alright?”

  “We’d have to ask the twins,” Aria said. “We all just got up and dressed. We haven’t left the bedroom yet today.”

  “Did Rumia do okay, seeing her mother?” Sean asked as he pushed his sadness down.

  “She cried a lot, but was happier that her mother is able to tend the garden on your plane,” Fiona said. “We stayed for a little while, but not overly long last night.”

  “You’re going to help her, Fel?” Sean asked.

  “Tonight, after the viewing,” Felora replied. “She feels responsible for not going with Rosa when Rosa left to go to bed. Survivor’s guilt. I’ll help her put that aside, and ease her sorrow over losing her mother.”

  Sean exhaled slowly. “If I can do anything, please tell me?”

  “You being there for the viewing and showing your grief will be enough,” Andrea told him. “Trust me, husband.”

  “I do, and you being there will help her, too,” Sean said. Clearing his throat, he realized he was the only one naked. “I should go get dressed.”

  “None of us are complaining about the view,” Felora smiled, trying to help break the sadness in the room.

  “Not at all,” Myna purred.

  Sean’s cheeks tinged red. “Thanks, Fel, Myna. Go on. I’ll be down once I’m dressed.”

  “Come on, ladies,” Fiona laughed lightly, “let’s go. Our husband still blushes.”

  One by one, they collected a kiss before leaving him alone in the room. Sean cleared his throat again, as all those kisses had been far from chaste. Exhaling roughly, he shook his head. “They did distract me for a little bit...” he mumbled as he headed for his dressing room.

  The room was large enough for a dozen people to use it, but it only contained the clothing of five people. His things were bookended by Fiona’s and Myna’s to the left, and Andrea’s and Felora’s on the right. He knew the other dressing room had his other wives’ things. He wasn’t certain why Fiona had split them into separate rooms to begin with, but he made a mental note to make sure their next home had only a single dressing room.

  Sean got dressed slowly, thinking about what else the day would mean. Seeing the association tonight, at the very least. I have to catch them all up on things... I should make the plaques for the dead so we can enshrine them in the manor... We’ll take them with us when we go, obviously, but until we do, they’ll have their place here. Including Ursa.

  Strapping the braided bronze bracelet onto his wrist, his mind went beyond today and to the next few days. I’ll have to talk to Lady Sharpeyes. She needs to know about Cuander’s request... I want Lomar’s head on a fucking pike, as it is. I’m sure she’ll help me with both since I saved her life. If she balks… well… I doubt she will. Amedee and Toivo went back to help her after the massacre. They’ll have told her everything that happened, and I know she’s not stupid.

  Finally ready for the day, Sean took a moment to double-check that his jewelry was all on. “Can’t go without my armor and weapons...” he muttered. The mithril jewelry that made up his armor was all in place. He had on his mithril rings that marked his throwing knives, as well as the wooden one with his energy crossbow. The last was the most important one— an adamantine ring with a sharp thorn inside the band that pricked his hand whenever he made a fist.

  “I didn’t feed you a lot last night, but you’re getting a steady supply from me. Are you doing okay, Dark Cutter?”

  The ring thrummed contentedly on his finger. The image of a happy hound grinning at him filled his mind briefly.

  “Good. I think we’re out of people to kill— besides Lomar— for a while. I’m glad this arrangement works.”

  The image of the hound shifted to the man sitting at a feast. The man just grinned as the food was refreshed every few seconds. Picking up a goblet, he toasted to Sean.

  “A never-ending feast... that means you don’t need to worry,” Sean smiled softly.

  His smile faded when he headed for the door. His staff had worked all night to clean things up and guard the home. One of them had suffered a terrible loss, with her mother having been killed the previous night. He planned on letting them know how thankful— and how sorry— he was.

  Chapter Two

  Entering the dining room, Sean looked over everyone seated at the table. The staff looked back at him with concern. “Ladies... thank you,” Sean said, meeting their eyes one by one. “I know you stayed awake for most of the night, moving bodies and helping Flamehair’s people when they came to collect the dead.”

  “We wanted to help as much as we could, sir,” Quinna said.

  “Securing the grounds and moving the bodies was easy enough, and it gave you peace of mind,” Quilla said.

  Sean gave the two Bovine Moonbound a thankful smile. The large, strong women had known hard work on farms before becoming his animal handlers. Their horns were one of the easiest ways to tell the twins apart— Quinna’s thrust sideways, while Quilla’s jutted forward.

  “They moved all of the bodies,” Arliat added. Her horse ears flicked and her tail swished slightly. “I kept an eye out while they worked.”

  “We did the same,” Tiska said, her jackal ears twitching when she spoke for the maids.

  Cali and Xenta both nodded. Cali’s wolf tail swayed gently when she met Sean’s eyes, but Xenta’s fox tail was still when she did.

  “I kept my ears as open as I could, sir
,” Prita added, touching her large ears. She was a little sensitive about her Bat Moonbound ears, but she was proud to do all she could at the time.

  Rumia sniffled and she leaned into Prita, hugging the laundry maid. “Sean... when do we go to see her?”

  “Probably a couple of hours, Rumia,” Sean said softly. His heart ached for the part-Dryad— he knew what losing a parent felt like. Moving around the table, he bent forward, hugging her. “I’m sorry, Rumia.”

  Rumia let go of Prita and clutched him. “Will it always hurt like this...?”

  “No,” Sean whispered as he stroked her hair. “The pain will eventually fade. Felora will help ease that some later tonight, too.”

  The door opened as the cooks came into the room with breakfast. All three were somber, and their eyes went to Rumia being comforted by Sean. The trio of Rabbit Moonbound stayed quiet as they set out breakfasts for everyone and took their seats.