Forged Bonds (Binding Words Book 4) Read online

  “Yes,” the word was soft as she squeezed him tighter.

  “We can’t control all outcomes,” Sean whispered, his hand coming up to stroke her hair. “Luck, both good and bad, will always play a part in life. Today, we had the bad, but the good will come back to us.”

  “You… brought me back… I was dead,” Ryann sniffled and clutched him tighter. “You said you wanted me…”

  “I do want you here beside me. My shield, my protector… and now, my wife.”

  “We welcome you,” Myna said softly from where she sat stroking Ida’s hair. “Fiona will once she knows, too. Sean did for me what he did for you tonight. I wasn’t severely wounded when we fled— I was dead, just as you were. He promised me my heart’s desire if I would come back, just like he did with you.”

  Ryann lifted her head from Sean’s chest to meet Myna’s eyes, “You mean it? You and Fiona truly welcome me?”

  “I wouldn’t lie,” Myna replied. “We welcome you just as we will welcome Ida when she asks. We’ve been waiting for you both.”

  Ryann’s gaze went to Ida, “I would welcome her, too. Ida has been nothing but kind and supportive to me... I was mean in return because I thought she was going to be accepted and I would be turned away.”

  “Not what I would have preferred for our wedding night,” Sean said softly. “I hope you’ll give me a do-over.”

  Ryann snorted, giggled, then started laughing as she clung to him, “You did for me. It’s the least I could do.”

  The sound of the door at the end of the hall opening and footsteps approaching got their attention. The old guard came to a stop outside their cell with a cup in his hand. “I’ll have your Agreement that you will return this cup when you finish with it. You will not harm anyone with it, nor use it in any way other than a drinking vessel.”

  “Agreed,” Sean said.

  “Agreed,” Ryann said, stepping away from Sean.

  “Agreed,” Myna added.

  “I agree for my apprentice, too,” Sean said. “If she doesn’t uphold the Agreement, I will break the Agreement she holds with me.”

  Nodding, the guard set the cup just inside the bars of their cell. “Get some sleep. The magistrates get here after the sun has been up for a few bells.”

  “Thank you, we will,” Sean said, going to get the cup.

  The old guard walked away, stopping next to a cell a few down from theirs to check on another inmate, before continuing out the door.

  “We should do as he suggests,” Sean said. “Fiona and the others will be here when we go before the magistrate. We would be best served by getting some sleep. After all, the innocent have no need to worry... at least, that was the saying from my old world.”

  “If only that were true here,” Ryann said as she sat next to Myna.

  “Sean will make things right,” Myna said simply. “I have faith.”

  Sean shook his head, sitting on the floor next to Ida’s cot. “I’m sure everything will be fine.”

  Chapter Two

  The squeal of wheels in need of oil woke Sean from his restless sleep. Sean rubbed at his eyes and sat up to find Myna curled against his hip on his left, with Ryann on her left. A quick glance behind him confirmed that Ida was still on the cot.

  Easing himself to his feet, Sean made it over to the bars so he could see down the hallway. One of the three old guards was following a Moonbound who was pushing the squealing cart slowly down the hall. They paused at each cell to hand out small bowls of food.

  “Sean?” Ida’s voice brought him around to face her. “Where are we?”

  “Hey there... how do you feel?” Sean asked, crossing to her quickly.

  “My hip hurts. Feels like a nail has been driven into it,” she grimaced.

  “Do you remember what happened last night?” Sean asked, sitting on the edge of the cot.

  “We were at the Oaken Glen,” Ida began, her face scrunching up as she tried to think. “We left the inn, and then people… Ryann…? Nooooo,” Sean pulled her to him when the memory hit her.

  “Shh, Ida, shh,” Sean said and tried to soothe her. “It’s not as bad as you think.”

  “Ida?” Ryann asked, sitting up.

  Ida’s eyes bulged and she stared at Ryann. “Ry? You’re alive?” The words were a bare whisper as Ida reached a hand out.

  “Yes,” Ryann said, sliding over to hug her friend.

  Ida looked over the thick black bands on Ryann’s neck and wrists. “You…”

  “Breakfast,” the guard announced. “One of you, come get your helpings.”

  “I have it,” Myna said as she kipped-up to her feet. “Our thanks,” she told the Moonbound and guard.

  “Do you need more water?” the guard asked, looking at the cup near the cot.

  “Yes, please,” Sean said, picking it up and offering it to Ida. “Drink this. We’ll get it refilled.”

  Ida took it in a daze and downed the entire mug. Myna set the four small bowls down and took the mug to get it refilled.

  “Magistrates should be in soon, so eat up. I’m sure you’ll be one of the first called.”

  “We’ll be ready,” Sean replied.

  The squealing trolley moved on, and Sean gritted his teeth at the sound of it.

  “How?” Ida asked, taking Ryann’s hand in hers and stroking the band on Ryann’s wrist.

  “Not here,” Sean said softly. “When we get home. Ryann was injured— she didn’t die, and you passed out from the pain. That is what I need you to accept.”

  Ida blinked at him, tears falling from her eyes, “If that is what you need of me, Sean, it is the truth to me.”

  “You should eat,” Myna said softly, sitting down next to Ryann and holding the bowls out to both of them.

  Both took their bowls and sipped at the lukewarm broth they had been given. Sean gave Myna a strained smile as he took his and sipped at it.

  “Your wounds are still not healed,” Sean said softly. “We need them to stay raw for a bit longer. Try to keep them that way.”

  “Besides my hip, I don’t feel injured,” Ida whispered.

  Sean grimaced, “Clench your teeth… you too, Ryann. I need to make sure the wounds are still there.”

  Both of them did as he asked. Reaching out with his energy, he Shaped their flesh so the wounds reappeared, looking to be a dozen hours old and having been seen to by a healer. When he finished, he did the same to himself, grunting once when he felt his skin part to his will.

  “Keep your energy in check,” he told them, standing when the squealing cart started to come back toward them.

  Sean drank his soup and went to wait by the bars with their empty bowls. The cart was being pushed slowly back down the hall, pausing every few feet while the guard handed out food. Opening Mage Sight, he stared at the cart for a long moment before nodding. He listened to the hushed whispers of Ida, Ryann, and Myna as the cart drew closer.

  “I heard you calling for me,” Ryann said. “I felt terrible for what I had said earlier. All I wanted was to apologize to you.”

  “No,” Ida replied, “I had no right to be as forward as I was.”

  “Stop,” Myna said softly. “The guard is almost here.”

  Sean silently thanked her and called out to the guard, “Sir, the cart… can I fix it, please? You can’t enjoy hearing that every day.”

  The guard raised an eyebrow, “How are you going to do that?”

  “I’m a Shaper. I can fix that axle,” Sean said. “Please, that is like a knife in my ears.”

  Snorting, the guard shook his head, “In your ears? This thing has been like this for the last three tendays. We’ve asked to have it fixed, but those above are waiting on approval. Tampering with this cart could be seen as tampering with guard property. Damaging it is not something to take lightly.”

  “I’m not going to damage it, sir.”

  “I’d love to let you, but if it breaks, it’s my ass,” the guard said. “Keep serving,” he told the Moonbound.


  The squealing cart was only a cell away when the guard tapped the Moonbound on the shoulder, motioning with his head at Sean. The Moonbound ducked his head and pushed the cart right up against the bars of the cell Sean was in.

  Deliberately turning his back on Sean, the guard went to the cell across from them. “Waiting for your food, are you?”

  Sean knelt down and touched the cart’s wheel. A moment later, he stood up and held out their empty bowls, “Sir, we are done with these.”

  “Leave them there. We collect them in an hour.”

  “Of course,” Sean said, placing them just inside the cell. “I hope you have a good day.”

  “You’re very polite for a Shaper,” the guard said curiously. “What are you really, son?”

  “A Shaper,” Sean replied honestly. “I’ve only been in the city for a couple of tendays.”

  The guard frowned as the Moonbound pushed the cart to the next cell, now moving easily and silently. “New Shaper… what do you Shape?”

  “I’ve been selling hair clips,” Sean replied.

  The guard’s eyes widened fractionally, “You’re the one who sells the wooden ones in the bazaar?”

  “Sean MacDougal,” Sean replied.

  “Wife isn’t going to like this,” the guard sighed. “I hope you are as innocent as you say,” he said a little louder. “My wife was hoping to be getting a copper clip on Oneday.”

  “What’s your name?” Sean asked.

  “Gaoler Henik. Why?”

  “In case a Henik stops by my shop on Oneday, I’ll know to thank her for her husband’s kindness to his wards.”

  Lips twitching into an almost smile, Henik nodded before he followed the Moonbound. “Good luck, MacDougal. Since you’re here for potential murder, you’ll be needing it.”

  “I’m innocent, and I’ll prove it when I see the magistrate, sir.”

  “From your lips to the Queen’s ears,” Henik replied as he went back to work.

  ~*~*~

  It was a half hour later when a dozen guards came into the hall, following Henik. Henik led them to eleven other cells first, and each time, a single guard would escort their prisoner away. Stopping in front of their cell, Henik wore a small smile as he unlocked the door.

  “MacDougal, your group is appearing before Magistrate Jasper,” Henik explained. “Sergeant Carmady will be escorting you.”

  Myna nodded to the Sergeant, recognizing him from the night before. “We need a wheeled chair for our friend, please. Her hip is still too damaged to walk on.”

  “I have one waiting for you, but she needs to be carried up to it,” Henik said before the Sergeant could reply.

  “Our thanks,” Sean said as he stood up. “Sergeant, we are in your hands.”

  “Follow me,” Carmady said and turned for the far door.

  “I have you, Ida,” Myna said, picking Ida up carefully. “Hold onto me.”

  “I am,” Ida said and clung to Myna.

  The four of them followed the Sergeant down the hall and up the stairs. At the top of the stairs, the wheeled chair waited for them, along with the older guard who had taken their personal effects.

  “Your weapons and belongings are with the magistrate already,” the guard told them. “If you are innocent, they shall be returned. If guilty, they may be sold to pay off fines or to raise wergild for your victims.”

  “Understood,” Sean replied. “I look forward to having our items returned to us.”

  The guard frowned, but stepped away once Ida was settled in the chair. Carmady shook his head, staying silent as he led them from the room. They were taken through the front hall, which was now busy with people. Muttered conversations and exclamations followed them as they trailed the guard.

  “That must be them—”

  “All of them are bloody—”

  “I heard they were eating the bodies—”

  “No wonder Denmur has been speaking out—”

  “Husband!”

  Sean stopped dead when Fiona’s voice cut over the others. “Fiona?”

  “I’ve been worried,” she said, hurrying to them but stopping a few feet back when the Sergeant spun on her, his hand going to his truncheon.

  “Stay back from the accused,” Carmady said firmly. “Until they are cleared of charges, they are suspected of murder.”

  “I doubt they are murderers,” Fredrick Gertihs said, stepping out of the crowd. “I’m not known for associating with that sort.”

  “Nor am I,” Eva Silvertouch added as she joined Fredrick.

  “Shapers, are you here to speak on behalf of the accused?” Carmady asked with a touch of surprise.

  “As are we,” Italice Stoneeyes said, she and Ryan Watercaller moving over to them.

  “They are going to be seen by Magistrate Jasper,” the Sergeant said. “If you wish to follow and speak to their character, that is allowable. Please follow us, but stand back from the accused.”

  “We’re not late, are we?” Joseph Tackett asked, pushing through the growing crowd that had stopped to hear what was going on.

  “No, the others are here,” Sam Bronzeshield sighed in relief. “We’ve brought everyone.”

  Sean smiled when he saw the other smiths forming up behind Joseph and Sam. “It is good to see you all, but everything will be fine. I wouldn’t wish to keep you from your work.”

  “As if some of our work can go on without you and your family,” Knox said.

  Carmady looked a little leery of the growing crowd. “All of you are here for them?”

  “That we are,” Sam replied. “Why is my daughter in a wheeled chair?” The smith’s face darkened with anger when she laid eyes on Ida.

  “She was injured,” Sean said quickly. “We’ll be getting her seen by a healer once this is over.”

  Sam almost spoke, but snapped her mouth shut before she could say anything she might regret.

  Fiona nodded slowly, “I can make arrangements if you want me to.”

  “I’ll handle it once this is over. We are delaying the Sergeant and the magistrate,” Sean said. “Sir, please, take us before them.”

  “Follow,” Carmady said, leading them toward a hallway. “Make way! This is a place of law, not a carnival,” he snapped at some of the onlookers who failed to move out of his way fast enough.

  The comments following the now much larger procession were more diverse. Many of them were wondering why the smiths and Shapers had both come to support the bloody four being escorted to a magistrate.

  Chapter Three

  Carmady announced them as they filed into the room, “Magistrate Jasper, I have brought the accused. There are a number of people who wish to speak to the character of the accused, as well.”

  “Fine. Bring them in, Sergeant,” the tone of the reply betrayed slight annoyance. “Is this why you were delayed in your arrival?”

  Sean and the other three followed Carmady into the room, and Fredrick was the next one in the door. “They were delayed because of us, sir. Our apologies.”

  One of Jasper’s eyebrows went up as he noted the Shapers, and the other one joined it when the smiths followed them in. “Gertihs, Silvertouch, Stoneeyes, and Watercaller? You came to speak for the accused?”

  “We have,” Eva replied.

  “And you are smiths, I believe, yes? I recognize Tackett, at least.”

  “We are, sir,” Sam replied for them. “My daughter, Ida, is one of the accused.”

  “Ah, I see,” Jasper said as he motioned them into the room, which was a little crowded with over a dozen people. “Shut the door please, and we shall begin.”

  The doors clicked shut gently, and Sean readied himself for what he would do if the magistrate was not going to be reasonable.

  “Sergeant, you were the lead guard on the scene of the event. We will start with you. Please tell me what you observed, your findings, and your conclusions.”

  Carmady stepped forward, “Sir, last night, the hue and cry went up near the Oaken
Glen. When I arrived on the scene, there were eight dead, four of which had been viciously dispatched with blades. Two more of the dead had been taken in the throat with throwing knives, one’s chest was staved in, and the last one had been pierced through the heart. The dead were arranged four behind and four before the accused.”