Accorded Nobility Read online

  Rumia cried for a little bit, then sniffled, doing her best to calm down. “Sorry...”

  “No,” Sean whispered. “No need for that. None of us here blames you for needing to cry.”

  A chorus of agreement came from everyone.

  “Rumia, I have no parents, either,” Glorina said softly. “I can understand a tiny part of what you feel. If you want to talk later, I’m willing.”

  “As are we,” Mona said. “Lona and I only have Dad left, and he… isn’t a good person. We’re here for you, too.”

  “Yes,” Lona agreed.

  “All of us are here if you need to talk,” Sean said softly as he stood up. “After breakfast, I’m going to give Ursa a sendoff.”

  “I have an urn set aside for her, Sean,” Fiona told him.

  “Any or all of you can be there for that. I’ll be making the plaques for our lost afterward so we can add them to the front room.”

  “We’ll take them with us, right?” Rumia asked with wide eyes, suddenly fearful.

  “Of course,” Sean said gently. “Our family will come with us, and they’ll be enshrined again in our new home.”

  Rumia swallowed hard as she let him go. “Thank you...”

  “I need to serve so we can have breakfast,” Sean said, then bent and kissed Rumia’s head. “We’ll all be going to the viewing. You aren’t alone. Never alone.”

  Rumia’s lips trembled and she sniffled for a few seconds, but nodded. “Thank you,” she managed after a moment.

  Breakfast stayed silent as all of them thought of the dead and what the rest of the day would be.

  ~*~*~

  Quilla eased Ursa onto the metal grate Sean had built. Stepping back, she wiped her eyes, removing the tears that trickled from them.

  Caleb sat beside Sean, a soft whine coming from the cuon. Sean stroked his head gently as he looked at the once-mighty hound who waited for him. All around him, the others sniffled, and there were soft sobs coming from those who couldn’t hold back their tears.

  “Ursa, you weren’t with us long, but you were family,” Sean said thickly. “You were pack. We’ll miss your strength, your loyalty, and your love. Caleb, did you want to say more?” Sean asked the cuon.

  Caleb raised his head and let out a long, mournful howl. The sound echoed into the city, and other hounds began to pick up the cry, causing more of the mourners to sob. It wasn’t that they understood the howl, but because the sentiment was strong. Sean choked back his own sobs, as he knew what Caleb had said. Once Caleb stopped, he laid down and whined.

  Sean swallowed hard as he stepped forward. “Rest well, Ursa,” Sean sobbed out, just before fire engulfed the dead hound.

  The fire burned Sean, but he endured the pain as he watched Ursa being reduced to ash. His hands blistered, going raw and inflamed as he held the flame until nothing remained. Dropping his hands, Sean stepped back, his damaged skin already healing.

  “Give it a few minutes... then, you can collect the ashes,” Sean told Quinna thickly.

  “Yes, sir,” Quinna replied, wiping tears from her face.

  “Caleb, follow,” Sean said softly as he headed for his workshop.

  Caleb got to his feet and followed Sean slowly.

  The others separated to handle minor things or get a nap before it was time for the viewing. The only other one who followed Sean was Rumia.

  The three of them sat quietly in his workshop for a few moments before Sean cleared his throat. “Are you ready, Rumia?”

  “I’ll do my best, sir, but you might need to help me...” Rumia sniffled.

  “Caleb?” Sean asked.

  The hound went to Rumia and flopped at her feet. Rumia bent over and stroked the massive hound, knowing they’d both lost family.

  Sean retrieved the slabs of wood, bringing them back to the desk. He handed one to Rumia before he sat with the other seven. “We have time, so don’t rush.”

  “Yes, sir,” Rumia sniffled again.

  Sean placed one of the wooden slabs on the ground in front of Caleb. “Tell me if I get Ursa wrong,” he murmured to the hound.

  Caleb whined, his eyes focused on the unmade memorial.

  Sean didn’t touch the plaque, but it began to shift to his will. He held the image of Ursa in his mind and forced the wood to Shape. Caleb stayed silent the entire time. When Sean finished, Caleb licked the plaque, then let out a soft whimper.

  “Good?” Sean choked.

  Caleb snuffled it before pulling the wood to him, laying on it.

  “Go ahead, buddy.” Sean wiped his face, then looked at Rumia. She was crying as she clutched her plaque. “Rumia?”

  “I’m done, but can you sharpen it?” Rumia asked, tears in her voice as she held it out to Sean.

  Taking it gently, he looked down on Rosa’s smiling face. His heart broke a little more, but he did as Rumia asked, sharpening the image to perfect clarity. “Here.”

  Rumia took it back, then cried harder as she clutched it to her chest.

  Turning to the desk where the six other blank plaques waited, Sean stared at them, unseeing, as tears clouded his vision. He pushed out his will and all six pieces of wood changed. He didn’t know how long it took, but when he finished, each of the previously empty plaques held an image.

  Ven landed on the desk, wiping tears from their eyes. “Perfect, Sean...”

  “They all fell at the Lord’s estate?”

  “Yes. All of them were killed by the fire mage on staff. A single large ball of flame.”

  “Is he dead?” Sean asked, his sadness now mixed with anger.

  “He lost both eyes a second after he killed them,” Ven sobbed. “The cuons tore him apart after that. As he was being shredded, he burned a cuon to death.”

  “Fucker...!” Sean choked.

  “Can we go hang them up?” Rumia asked tightly.

  “Yes...” Sean said, scrubbing his eyes clear. “Here, take my arm.”

  Rumia did so, the plaque still clutched to her chest. Normally, she would have been elated to be on his arm, but that joy was missing, smothered by her pain. Caleb stood slowly, letting Sean pick up Ursa’s memorial. Once he had gathered the rest, they walked to the manor, ready to place the markers.

  ~*~*~

  Entering the viewing room, Sean tried his best to stay stoic, but he failed the moment he saw the seven bodies waiting for them. Flamehair’s family had again done their very best for Sean’s family.

  Rosa lay on a green sheet. Her face looked peaceful, the makeup hiding her lack of color. She’d been dressed in a beautiful, high-necked, green gown. Her nails had been painted green to match her dress, and soft slippers of the same shade of green adorned her feet.

  Rumia broke the moment she saw her mother. She rushed across the room, collapsing to her knees. Her head rested on her mother’s chest as she sobbed.

  The others all cried again, seeing the hurt that their friend felt. More voices joined them as Fairies began to fill the room. Ven landed on Sean’s shoulder, sobbing, while Venn was on Fiona’s.

  All of them went to Rumia one by one, whispering softly and holding their friend. Sean was the last one to approach her. He knelt beside her and placed one hand on her back, the other touching Rosa’s shoulder.

  “I’m deeply sorry, Rumia...”

  “No, Sean... no. You did all you could for us, so much more than we would ever have had,” Rumia cried into her mother’s chest. “She was so happy. We talked every night. She didn’t love you, not like the rest of us, but she was afraid that she would be asked to leave if she didn’t try.”

  Sean cried harder at the thought of Rosa being afraid that he would ask her to leave.

  “When I saw her in the manor, she cried and held me. She was so sad she wouldn’t be there for me, but also happy. She can tend to the garden... You don’t know how excited she was to see the new plants. If she could see me, she’d chide me... Told me to keep my faith so I could be with her again... Begged me to stay faithful to you. She fears t
hat I’ll be turned away and she’ll never see me again.”

  “Never!” Sean sobbed. “Never...” He shifted and held her. “As long as you wish to be with us, you will be.”

  Rumia cried harder. Her heart tried to soar while it was broken. “Always...!” she choked out.

  The tears continued for a long time. Sean eventually went to the Fairies one by one. He spoke to the paired of each who died, or to a friend if they hadn’t been paired.

  In time, Sean stepped back, fighting to master his emotions. With no idea of how long it took, he eventually managed to calm down enough.

  “Ladies?” Sean asked his wives, who knew what he wanted to do.

  Fiona sniffled, but nodded. “We’ll do our best, husband.”

  “Thank you,” Sean told her. “This comes from my old world, and is often sung at funerals. I’ll sing it twice... join in the second time, if you can.”

  A few breaths later, Sean raised his head and began to sing Amazing Grace.

  Chapter Three

  Sean glanced at Helga and Hallie across from him as they discussed what being Sean’s Choosers meant.

  “We guard his soul and his wives’ souls. We also gather the souls of the faithful, and send those who oppose him to the bog,” Helga said.

  “I’ve heard of the bog, but I haven’t seen it yet,” Hallie said. “We can take souls from there to act as sources of power for Sean, right?”

  “Yes. I used almost every soul I had during the party,” Helga nodded. “We will be going there soon to refill. Sean?”

  “Yes, all three of you,” Sean said to her questioning gaze. “Hallie, are you okay?”

  “I’ve been wonderful, husband,” Hallie smiled. “Aria is going to show me how to fly. I can’t wait to try.”

  “I need to make you a bow, too,” Sean said. “All the Choosers should have bows. Air superiority is a good thing.”

  “My Lord, I would request that we all carry the same armament: spear, sword, bow, and shield.”

  “I can manage that,” Sean nodded. “You’ll have to show Aria the best ways to use a shield.”

  “I can help,” Hallie smiled. “I’m adept with most weapons, but I know Helga and Myna will polish my skills to make them better.”

  “We will,” Helga nodded.

  “We’ll go back to the manor and bog tonight,” Sean said. “Everyone who wants to go can. I know Rumia will want to.”

  “All of them will,” Hallie said. “Sean, your planes are very peaceful. They soothe those of us who believe in you.”

  “Even the bog does,” Helga agreed.

  “The knowledge that, even if we die, we are caught, given a home, and held safe...” Hallie smiled softly as she looked into the distance. “It’s comforting. Add in that you can visit to see those there and it makes it even better.”

  Sean sat there in silence as he thought about what Hallie said. He was pulled from those thoughts by the bus slowing.

  “We’re here, sir,” Arliat said. She set the brake, then turned to face him. “Sir... Sean, she’s right. It’s freeing to know you have a safe place for us even if we die here. I’m not sure what I’ll do there, but I’m not afraid if something happens. Though I don’t wish to go for many decades yet.”

  Helga and Hallie stepped off the bus, telling Sean it was clear.

  Standing slowly, Sean glanced at Arliat. “I’d rather you stay safe for decades, too, Arliat. As for what you will do when the time comes… none of us know. I’m sure that, in time, there will be something for everyone.”

  “We all believe so, sir,” Arliat said, giving him a gentle smile. “I’ll be ready to leave when you are.”

  “Thank you,” Sean said before he stepped out of the bus behind his two wives. “Ladies, I’m ready.”

  Helga was in the lead, while Hallie followed Sean. The inn went completely silent when Sean entered. Fear showed on a large number of faces, awe was evident in a few, and there was a single man who looked indifferent. That very large man stood up, and some gazes shifted to him.

  “MacDougal,” Angus Angusson said, “I’m glad you’re still alive. Rumors have been thick all day, but not a single person has the story in full. When someone told me you died, I laughed in his face. The man who saved my wife wouldn’t be so easy to kill, I told him. Now, I see I was right.”

  Sean touched Helga’s shoulder, making her pause just short of the hallway they’d been walking toward. “Angus, the truth is that Lord Sharpeyes tried to kill everyone he thought was against him. The city lost a lot of people last night. I’m sure the story will come out, but that isn’t my place.”

  “Yeah, that’s fine. I know my wife would’ve been sad if you had died, and that would’ve angered me. I’m glad you live, and I can tell her when I go home.”

  Sean looked over the room, watching as some of the fear faded. “Things have happened. Lady Sharpeyes will undoubtedly let the news out in time. Those of you who are fearful, you have nothing to fear from me. I only ever defend myself. If you mean me no harm, I mean you none. If anything, I wish you happiness and long lives.” He gave Helga a nod. “Lead on, Chooser.”

  Helga bowed her head and began walking again.

  Following her, Sean briefly considered if they could get only part of the armor deployed at a time. The full mithril had been commented on a lot before the party. If she was wearing just the cuirass most of the time, maybe it’d be less shocking to most people?

  Helga knocked on the door, then opened it. “It is clear, My Lord.”

  Sean gave her a head shake as he went past her into the room, followed by Helga and Hallie. “Sorry for being a little late.”

  “Sean, we’re just glad you’re here,” Joseph Tackett said, the first one to grab his shoulder. “They kept me from exploding by telling me everyone at the party was okay, but we haven’t heard everything.”

  Sean exhaled, grabbing the Dwarf’s shoulder back. “I’m glad none of you had to go.”

  “So are we, from what we heard,” Chester Knox said, the next to greet Sean.

  It took a few minutes for Sean to get to his seat, and he made sure both Helga and Hallie were seated before him. He’d barely gotten settled when Tabitha came in with a cart. She set the mugs and glasses in front of everyone, along with pitchers and bottles on the table.

  “I asked for extras so we wouldn’t be disturbed,” Fredrick Gertihs said.

  “A good idea,” Dame Charie Flamehair said. “It will take a while to explain the party.”

  “I believe that is an understatement,” Saret Somnia said. Her usually sensual voice was suppressed, as the Succubus knew that the party had been a near disaster.

  “Before we start,” Sean said, “Charie, thank you. The viewing was perfect.”

  The head of the city cleaners and cremators gave Sean a sad smile. “We did our very best. Your family lost many...”

  “They’ve been enshrined,” Sean choked a little, then took a long drink. “We’ll enshrine them again when we get to Accord.”

  “Sean, who died?” Sam Bronzeshield asked with wide, fear-filled eyes.

  “Rosa, six of the Fairies, and Ursa. Ida is safe.”

  Sam, Ida’s mother, exhaled a shuddering breath. “Oh, thank Morrigan, but more importantly, thank you.”

  “I can explain what happened,” Dame Amedee Mageeyes said. She was holding hands with her husband, Toivo Bloodheart, who looked grim. “Lady Sharpeyes is alive because of Sean. The night before the party, she had dinner with her husband as a last-ditch effort to get intelligence so she could warn us. That worked against her. She was fed iron dust.”

  The table was aghast, all of them knowing what iron would do to the nobility.

  “While she was dying from iron poisoning, Lord Sharpeyes had her guards imprisoned, then attacked her chambers where her healer was trying to save her.”

  “How did they manage that?” Augustus MacLenn asked.

  “He had suborned her captain of the guard,” Bloodheart said tig
htly. “That same man surrendered to the cuons. He will not have a good end.”

  “Money?” MacLenn asked. As a merchant, his first thought was bribery.

  “Favors owed, and money,” Mageeyes said. “He moved them all into an outbuilding, which the Lord had reinforced, then they got locked in.”

  “He attacked her chambers?” Magus Winston Giralt asked as he puffed on his cigar.

  “Slaughtered everyone in them,” Sean said tightly, seeing the carnage again in his mind’s eye. “The maids were hacked apart. Nola, the Lesser Naga servant she had, died defending the apartments. She was killed with her blades in hand, Sharpeyes’ guards scattered around her. The bedroom had her chambermaid and healer cut down right beside the bed. Lady Sharpeyes was maybe an hour from dying when I got to her.” Hallie covered his hand with hers, and Sean took a long, shuddering breath, then downed his mug.