Accorded Nobility Read online

  “Nola? She was Lady Sharpeyes’ Lesser Naga?”

  “A friend,” Sean said.

  “Ida said she’s been over to spar a few times.”

  “Yeah. She made friends with everyone.”

  Sam nodded silently, thinking about what it would be like on this plane she’d been told about.

  ~*~*~

  “Sean, why the private room?” Joseph asked when Sean came in.

  “I had an update about my planes,” Sean said as he went around the table, taking his seat.

  That got everyone’s attention, but before he could elaborate, Tabitha came in for their drink order.

  “While we wait for the drinks,” Sean said, “news on vehicles: Amedee, Charie, we’ve started on yours. How many staff are each of you taking?”

  “Hmm... six for me,” Flamehair said. “I’ll have more waiting for me when my relative transfers their home over to me.”

  “Same for me in size,” Mageeyes said. “I’m still working on houses for you and the rest of us, though I do expect to have word soon.”

  “Uh... that is something I hadn’t considered,” Giralt said. “I’d need room for at least three more.”

  “Yours we can do in a few hours,” Sean told Giralt. “Come by tom… when am I supposed to be at the Lady’s manor?”

  “Midday,” Mageeyes said. “She should have sent you a message.”

  Sean looked troubled, but just then, Ven and another Fairy landed on the table. “Sir, a message,” Ven said.

  “Knight MacDougal, you are required to attend Lady Sharpeyes tomorrow at midday,” the Fairy said.

  “Tell her I’ll be there.”

  “Yes, sir.” The Fairy bowed, then took off.

  “Odd timing, but at least we know she sent it,” Sean snorted. “Come over in the morning and we can knock it out before I have to go,” he told Giralt.

  “I’ll be there,” Giralt grinned. “Might I bring Clara along?”

  “Of course.”

  “She’ll be happy,” Giralt replied, puffing on his cigar.

  “Ah, Sean,” MacLenn said. “Would it be possible to get a car for the trip? The truck is staying here to be used for work.”

  “Yeah, if you supply the materials,” Sean said. “We’ll tackle it after theirs.” He motioned at the Dames.

  “Mine is fine. It’s just me, Michelle, and Bix,” Jefferson smiled. “Saret… you’re okay if we marry, yes?”

  Saret beamed at the leatherworker. “Of course! She has been very hopeful you’d ask her soon.”

  “Hmm... I was thinking about when we get to Accord,” Jefferson said. “A double reason to celebrate. A new life for us together.”

  “Very symbolic,” Saret beamed. “I won’t ruin the surprise.”

  “No. Tell her, please,” Jefferson said. “I’m… bad at explaining things to her.”

  “Tongue gets all knotted up?” Sean chuckled.

  “Yes,” Jefferson sighed. “Still trying to understand why she’s with me, honestly.”

  “Because you love her and something she’s passionate about,” Saret told him. “You two both love leather, and that brought you together.”

  “It’s obvious you both care for each other,” Knox said. “It was easy to see during Sean’s wedding feast.”

  Jefferson looked down. “Thank you.”

  Tabitha came back with their drinks, and Mageeyes asked her to not come back unless they called for her.

  Joseph exhaled. “Okay... now we can hear it, right?”

  Everyone laughed at how impatient Joseph could be.

  Sean exhaled. “Saret went with me to see it, so she can help me explain things. But first, there’s more than my manor now…”

  ~*~*~

  “You said Saret went with you?” Joseph asked when Sean finished. “Can we go, too?”

  Sean paused as he considered it. “Possibly. Saret?”

  “Oh, I can easily do that, but so could you, Sean. You have more power than me. You just lack the fine control, as you haven’t done it often,” Saret replied.

  “Um... This will be easier if everyone holds hands,” Sean said slowly. “Those who want to go, that is.”

  Everyone took the hands of the people beside them, except Helga. “I shall stay here to keep an eye on things, My Lord.”

  “Makes sense,” Sean said. “Thank you, Helga.” He looked around the table before he exhaled slowly. “Here we go… Follow me across the planes, to the place where the soul resides: Home.”

  Sean felt his core draining, but it was far from a big impact. When he blinked, he was again in his bedroom. “Need to change where I spawn in...” he grumbled as he raced out of the room.

  Chastity opened the door, stepping back in shock at the number of people there. “Uh... welcome?”

  “Just a visit again, Chastity,” Sean said as he pounded down the stairs. “The association wanted to see the place.”

  “Oh, that’s good,” Chastity smiled. “This means they’ll have the option to come later, right?”

  “Yes,” Saret smiled. “Shall we start with the exterior, Sean?”

  “Good idea, since that’s the most important part for them,” Sean said. “We’ll start at the front and work our way around.”

  “Sean,” Fredrick asked, “can I see the bog?”

  “Want to see Carver again?” Sean asked.

  “To know for certain he is there. I trust you, but seeing him… would make it better.”

  “After the good, we can do the bad,” Sean nodded.

  “Can I go, too?” Joseph asked, followed by the rest chiming in.

  “Feels like a field trip,” Sean chuckled. “Okay, manor grounds first, then the bog.”

  They’d only made it to the front gate when something happened— Sean was explaining the woods beyond the gate when two people appeared just in front of him, standing hand-in-hand.

  “What is this?” Brendon Knox said as he stared at the group in front of him and his wife. “Where are we...? Dad?”

  Chester Knox choked as he stared at his dead son, then slammed into him, hugging with all his strength. “My boy!”

  “Orma,” Ryan Watercaller said with wide eyes, staring at his dead niece.

  “Uncle?” Orma asked, looking back at him in confusion.

  Sean turned toward Saret, who began to nod slowly. “They died at the same time as Marjorie... your plane was obviously formed at the same time. But did they believe in you?”

  “I... don’t know,” Sean said slowly, watching the family reunions.

  Brendon had heard the question and, when he could, he turned to look at Sean. “I believed he could do near anything. When that man…” Brendon trailed off with a shudder. “I called for help, but nobody came.”

  “You called for him,” Orma said, motioning to Sean.

  “Yeah...” Brendon said. “What is this, though? We died to that… man.”

  “This is the afterlife,” Sean said. “Don’t worry— the rest of us are visiting, though there are a few people here.”

  “Marjorie?” Brendon asked. “It doesn’t make sense for him to kill us and leave her alive.”

  “She’s here,” Sean said. “There’s a place for you, too, if you want to stay.”

  “We have a choice?” Brendon asked.

  “If you go back into the woods, you might find something different,” Saret said, “but this is the best you will find.”

  “There are homes here,” Sean said. “We came to show your families what those who believe will find after they die.”

  “Sean, can we show them?” Ryan asked. “I’ll stay out of the bog. I just want to talk to Orma for a bit.”

  “Same for me,” Chester Knox said.

  “Sure. The houses are this way,” Sean said, starting to lead them to the next gate.

  Chapter Eight

  Sean shuddered, his hands slowly unclenching the bedsheets. “Damn... that’s still one of the best ways to wake up.”

  Happy
giggles came from Myna and Felora as they kissed. Sean watched them, chuckling when they finally broke apart.

  “Thank you, Master,” Myna purred, moving up to snuggle his right side.

  “Yes... thank you, Master,” Felora said huskily, snuggling on his left.

  “Thank you, Fel, for helping me yesterday after the bog,” Sean murmured, kissing her forehead.

  A soft hand pulled his head the other way, and Myna kissed his nose. “I am grateful for you doing what I wanted done, Master. His suffering makes me very happy.”

  Sean kissed her nose back. “It rubs me a little wrong, but you’re welcome, my sweet kitty. No more going feral.”

  “I’ll do my best, Master,” Myna murmured, ducking her head.

  “We’ll do our best to help, Myna,” Felora said, reaching over to rub her ears.

  Myna purred loudly, rubbing her face against Sean.

  A knock came just before Fiona spoke through the door, “Time to get dressed. Breakfast is almost ready.”

  “We’re up,” Sean said. “Be down soon.”

  Felora snickered. “We just did both of those.”

  Myna giggled as she got out of bed, stretching while her tail swayed back and forth. “Yes, it was a good night and morning.”

  “Very good,” Felora grinned as she climbed over Sean, kissing him passionately, if briefly, as she joined Myna in stretching. “Careful Sean, or you’ll have another problem,” she snickered.

  “I think two brats are trying to get another rise out of me,” Sean said.

  “We’d fix it, Master,” Myna said, looking over her shoulder.

  “I know you would. Come on— dresses on,” Sean said, pulling on his pants. “I need some food after last night and this morning.”

  “I think Myna is full,” Felora snickered. “She had most of what you had to give us.”

  “She is pretty demanding,” Sean laughed.

  Myna purred as she pulled on the light sundress all of his wives favored wearing when they went to their dressing rooms. “It gets me what I want.”

  “Got us both what we wanted,” Felora added. “Thank you, Myna. You’ve been very helpful in keeping my needs in check. You and Andie. I need to pull her aside today and thank her for all she does for me too.”

  “She’s doing okay?” Sean asked as they left the room.

  “A little better each day, like me,” Felora said. “Chas and Lilly agreeing to our play helped both us and them.”

  “Good,” Sean exhaled.

  “Good morning, My Lord,” Helga said as she, Aria, and Hallie came out of the master bedroom.

  “Morning, my Choosers,” Sean replied, getting smiles from all three women. “How’s the training going?”

  “Hallie is learning quickly, and Aria is improving with her sword,” Helga replied. “We are skipping training today so we can go with you.”

  “All of you are coming with?” Sean asked.

  “That’s what Fiona told us,” Aria said. “All of your wives.”

  “Okay. Breakfast first, and then I need to alter Winston’s car for him.”

  “That means Clara will be here,” Myna said. “We’ll get to visit until it’s time to go to the Lady’s Manor.”

  “Yup,” Sean said. “See you all at breakfast.”

  ~*~*~

  “That went much quicker than I feared it would,” Giralt said.

  “Just needed to extend it and add a few more seats,” Sean shrugged. “You wanted it divided like that?”

  “Yes. That’ll put our staff with the driver while Clara and I can have some privacy.”

  “Hmm... should ask the others if they want separate compartments,” Sean murmured.

  “You treat your staff as family, but for most of us, they are just staff,” Giralt said. “Well-treated staff, but staff all the same.”

  “Husband,” Fiona called from the open double doors, “are you two ready?”

  “Is it midday already?” Sean asked.

  “Nearly,” Fiona said. “We’ll just be taking the bus up. Clara asked to ride with us instead of taking their car.”

  “That’s fine. Their driver can head home. We’ll drop them off after the meeting.”

  “Yes, that would work fine,” Giralt nodded. “I’ll let him know.”

  Fiona stopped Giralt from leaving. “A moment, please, Winston?” She touched his shoulder, and the pieces of dirt and grime from working fell away from his clothes. “There. Your wife was concerned about your clothing.”

  “Ah, yes,” Giralt said gratefully. “Thank you.”

  Sean chuckled as he got to his feet, fixing his own clothing as he did. “I would have gotten him.”

  “You forget things sometimes, dear husband,” Fiona said, coming into the workshop to hold him.

  “True enough,” Sean sighed. “How was the talk with Clara?”

  “Good. We all enjoy her company. She came from humble beginnings like Winston. While they both learned how to be ‘respectable socially,’ she’s loved being able to relax with us.”

  “Good.”

  “I’ve had all the staff rotating to help us with the vehicles,” Fiona said, changing topics. “They’ve been very happy to help, especially since we closed our business.”

  “The association has all the rights now,” Sean nodded. “How are we doing financially?”

  “We’ll be fine,” Fiona laughed. “Besides, you’ll create another wonder in time. Of that, I have no doubt.”

  Sean held her gently. “I was thinking of a different tactic for Accord. I need to talk it over with all of you... maybe tonight or tomorrow?”

  “We have time before we leave, much less get there,” Fiona said, leaning against him happily.

  “True enough.”

  With one last squeeze, Fiona broke the hug. “I really did come to get you so we can go. You’ll make me forget. Being in your arms just feels so comforting and warm that I want to stay there...”

  “As often as you’d like,” Sean said, taking her left hand. “But yeah, being late would probably be bad.”

  “I’m sure she’d forgive you, but let’s not find out.”

  ~*~*~

  Sean was the last one off the bus. Before he stepped out, he gave Arliat a smile. “Should be a lot less exciting than last time, but keep the doors locked.”

  “I will, sir,” Arliat said softly. “If I ask Felora, do you think she’d help me with the nightmares?”

  Sean turned to her. “Yes. I’ll mention it to her.”

  “Thank you, sir. I… didn’t kill anyone, but seeing them brought down by the cuons… it was hard.”

  Sean didn’t step off the bus— he went to Arliat instead. “Arliat, you don’t need to wait to ask, okay? If you need help, just let her know.”

  Swallowing, Arliat met his eyes. “I felt weak for needing to ask.”

  “No,” Sean said softly, then hugged her gently. “It’s not weakness. I need her help all the time, too. It just means you’re kind and caring.”

  Arliat’s arms went around him loosely, but she squeezed him to her once. “Thank you, Sean.”

  “You’re family. I’ll have her check with the others, too, in case they’re troubled.”

  “A few are...” Arliat whispered.

  “Thank you,” Sean said, giving her a gentle squeeze before letting her go. “Stay safe.”

  “I will, Sean,” Arliat said, her horse ears twitching as she looked away from him.

  “Everything okay?” Fiona asked when Sean stepped off the bus.

  “Fel,” Sean said, not answering Fiona directly, “later, can you dream with Arliat? She’s having nightmares about the guards dying just outside the bus during the fight.”

  “Of course,” Felora replied.

  “And check with the others at the manor? A few of them might need help, too,” Sean added.

  “I will, Sean,” Felora said.

  “Ah,” Fiona sighed. “She was trying to be strong?”

  “Yeah. Sa
id she felt weak for asking,” Sean sighed.

  “We’ll handle it,” Fiona said as she took his arm.