BW10 Recap and Ch1

Previously…

Sean settled into the city of Accord with his friends and family, starting a healing clinic that rubbed some of the previous healers the wrong way. In the end, a few shunned the guild after Sean pointed it in a new direction. Now, most of the healers in Accord would heal anyone who came to them for flat fees.

Forged Bonds had expanded during that time, too— Amedee had led the way with the association, taking over three bathhouses and an inn. All of them became tied to Forged Bonds, with Saret’s daughters running them.

Hallie guided Sean’s family in making allies with the nobles of the city, and even brought a few Dames and Knights in as close associates. Those allies included Dame Daria Iceblood— Sean helped strengthen her family Talent for both her and her father, the City Lord of Icehold— and the Bloodhearts of Accord after they’d proven their strength to them.

All of Sean’s wives were eager for the births of the children they were carrying; only Helga and Hallie weren’t expecting. Myna was the furthest along after accidentally getting pregnant back in Hearthglen. Sean was looking forward to the day his kids were born, too, but he was also worried about what others might do to them.

His Choosers had expanded to include not just Helga, Hallie, and Aria, but now Fiona, Myna, Quinna, and Quilla. Having them helped ensure that a Chooser would be close in every location where someone important to Sean was. Chastity and Lily, both on his plane, had also taken up the mantle of Chooser.

Velin Dykstra and Wallace Solanice— Truestrike’s old allies who languished in Sean’s bog— had been trying to help him. It wasn’t just for his benefit, though, as their help was the only thing stopping them from being pulled underneath the bog. Sean knew he still needed more from them, and would be seeing them soon.

The city had seen trials and tribulations leading up to the grand gala. After multiple riots and fires tried to destabilize the command structure of the city, it became known that a greater vampire was the one starting the incidents, but he’d escaped Sean the only time he’d been close enough to engage in combat. Three of the majors almost died in the riots, but Sean and the healers who called him friend managed to save each of them.

Sean knew all of the troubles were because of Truestrike, but he had no definitive proof to offer to Commander Queensblood or Advisor Earthfoot. It was known that Sean’d been the one to thwart all the troubles going on in the city, as the Advisor specifically called him out at the end of the gala.

The gala had been a major event in its own right. Sean had healed a dozen Lords, Ladies, Dames, and Knights throughout it. Hallie solidified and created new alliances during the party, and Sean even had his first face-to-face meeting with Truestrike. The pair separated after a small verbal spar, with Sean holding back from punching the pompous Lord in the face.

Sean spent the night dancing with each of his wives. It’d been unlike every other noble party he’d been invited to. He’d even danced with Advisor Earthfoot, bringing more attention to him, but clearing any debt she might have felt she owed.

The dance that had caused the most trouble was the one he’d had with Trisha Truestrike. Sean had been shocked to have Truestrike’s daughter all but demand a dance from him. He’d gone into it thinking that it was a trap set by her father, but when it was over, he’d set aside that notion. Trisha had been upset with him for killing her friends, but the real reason came out almost explosively as their dance was coming to an end. She’d cried over the loss of Darragh, praising the formidable fighter and damning Sean for killing him. He tried to explain that she’d been lied to, but she just shoved him away and fled.

That left Sean wondering if maybe Trisha might be an unknowing pawn of her own father. Hallie vowed that she’d look into it after the gala ended. If Trisha could be shown the truth, maybe Sean would have another avenue to strike back at Truestrike.

The Advisor spoke afterward, lauding some and giving notice to others. She warned the unknown conspirators that if they became known, she would ruin them, and then she’d praised Commander Queensblood and the majors for their heroic efforts. After that, she’d singled Sean out, praising him for everything he’d done. That clearly marked him as someone that had her eye, letting everyone know that he was the one who’d stopped every terrible event that’d happened recently.

The gala finally ended with Sean’s dance with Hallie. She’d smiled brightly, laughing softly as they waltzed together. His wives, all with their preferred pairings, and his friends swirled around them, leaving a momentary bubble where Sean could just enjoy time with his diplomatic wife.

Chapter One

Pushing the covers off, Sean got out of bed. The sun was up behind the curtained windows, and he was sure that breakfast would be soon. He felt that he was a bit at loose ends— he didn’t know if he had anything he actually needed to do that day.

My wives will help guide me if there’s something to be done, Sean thought as he entered the dressing room.

It didn’t take him long to get ready. He made sure all of his jewelry was on, as every piece except one was either a part of his armor or a weapon. The other one, which he put on last, was a simple braided bracelet of bronze. It was a reminder of how everything had started back in Oakwood with Darragh’s village. Other than his bracelet, the only non-mithril piece of jewelry was the adamantine ring on his right hand. The spike on the interior band gently pricked his finger, drawing a single drop of blood.

Sean almost never felt the thorn injure him anymore; it’d become background pain to him, but the bite from it this time had him looking down at the band. “How are you today, Dark Cutter?”

The image of a contented cat in a pool of sunshine came back to him from the intelligent magical weapon.

“We made it through an entire party without a fight. I was shocked.”

The image shifted to a man with steepled fingers at a table, conveying the idea of plotting.

“I know… Truestrike has to already be working out his next move,” Sean exhaled. “Hallie is probably doing the same for us.”

Leaving the bedroom, Sean strode past his staff’s rooms. Each room was assigned to a couple or, in one case, a triad, as they’d separated themselves based on romantic partnerships. That did cheer Sean up some, knowing that they’d always have a loved one beside them. The second floor held the crafting rooms he’d made for his family— a dance studio, a music room, a gym, a woodworking space, a painting room, and a few more. He’d spent time with the staff in those rooms just the day before, but it felt like so much longer to him today.

The entryway got him to slow his pace. He couldn’t cross the room without looking at the memorial wall that marked all those of his household who’d died. The Messenger Fairies and cuons were the most numerous— most of them dying in the last battle with Sharpeyes in Hearthglen. Only one of them had died before that: Onim, the Messenger Fairy. They’d been killed during the trial by combat with the younger Sharpeyes and his allies.

That fight had seen more tragedy, as two of Sean’s wives— Chastity and Lily— had fallen in that same battle. He stared at their wooden likenesses beneath their urns for a moment. The last two people depicted were Chastity’s mother, Marjorie, and Rumia’s mother, Rosa. Both had been killed by minions of Truestrike at different times.

All the dead were gathered on Sean’s plane of power. The realization that he was a burgeoning deity was something he still struggled to accept, but the fact that he had two planes of existence under his command made him acknowledge the truth. One was the bog, where those who stood against him ended up. The skeletal branches of a dead yew towered over the heath and heather-strewn peat. Those who became interred there would stay until Sean released them. Some rested with their heads above the peat, others below it, and a rare few knew torments for their actions. The opposite of that plane was what Sean called ‘Home,’ a place of peace. Those who’d been faithful to him and acknowledged his power came to reside there. It’d been only a manor at the beginning, but was now growing to be a small village. His lost family and friends resided there, able to study, play, or relax however they chose.

It was being able to visit that plane in dreams that let Sean accept his wives’ deaths. They might be gone from the world he was on, but they lived forever on his plane. He visited them often to love them, see friends, or go to the bog to get information from the damned.

Wish I’d been able to dance with you two at the gala… Sean thought as he gently touched the portraits of Chastity and Lily.

Exhaling as he let go of that regret, he went toward the dining room, knowing that his wives and staff would already be gathered. He couldn’t change the past— no one could— but he could plan a better future so he didn’t lose another loved one.

~*~*~

Entering the dining room, Sean looked over the gathering. All of his wives and most of the staff were at the table already, with the only ones missing being the cooks. Bright smiles greeted him when they saw him, and he returned them as he went to take his seat at the head of the table.

“Good morning, husband,” Fiona murmured, leaning over to kiss his cheek. “Did you sleep well?” Her heterochromatic eyes caught his as she pulled back, a strand of red hair slipping free from behind her slightly pointed ears.

“Yeah. I don’t remember any dreams.”

“We did wear you out last night,” Myna purred from beside Fiona. Her black tail swished behind her as she turned toward him, her cat ears perking up to hear him better.

“As he did us,” Felora chuckled throatily. The Succubus was a little farther down the table, but she leaned forward so her glowing eyes were visible to him. Her black hair had been pinned back, showing off the hickeys she’d received after the gala.

“Ladies, keep it clean,” Sean snorted.

“Felora knows better,” Andrea said, poking their wife gently in the ribs. “She just wants more attention later. I’ll deal with that, husband.” She gave Sean a smile, brushing a hand over her strawberry-blonde hair.

“There’s no stopping Myna,” Ryann snickered from Sean’s left, her light blue eyes full of laughter. “A cat will always cat.”

“You know me so well,” Myna grinned.

“We all do,” Ida smiled, covering Ryann’s hand with hers. “Sean, we should be getting the scrying crystals today.” Her smile lit up her face. “I’ll be personally thanking you later.” Her slate gray eyes made it known exactly how she’d meant that.

“Both of us will,” Andrea said, “since you got them so we could talk to our families. Mother and Father will be shocked when the Fairy brings them theirs, I don’t doubt.”

“Anyone would be,” Hallie added, her blonde hair pulled out of the way with the mithril hair clip she’d worn to the gala the night before. “Even my family would be shocked to receive a scrying crystal. Are you sending them anything besides that?”

“A couple of golds,” Andrea said. “More than that will be too much for them to handle, but it’ll let them afford more staff and help ease their work.”

“Oh, that’s nice,” Aria smiled at her. “I think being able to talk with you will be the capper, though. I’m sure your mom is excited about a grandchild.” She patted at the white hair pulled into a bun atop her head— she wasn’t completely used to having hair over feathers yet.

“Any parent would be,” Helga nodded. “A continuation of the family line is always welcome.” The former Valkyrie grinned. “They do not even know how special our husband is, so they have no idea how special your children will be.”

“That’s something I’ve wondered about…” Sean said slowly. “With all the Talents we have, what’ll that mean for the children?”

“They’ll have the chance to have any or maybe even all of them,” Fiona said. “It’s likely they’ll have reduced power or control, like Daria did with her family’s Talent.”

“Don’t worry, sir,” Tiska said, the Jackal Moonbound leaning forward slightly as she spoke. “Cali, Xenta, and I will be helping your wives with the children.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Cali grinned, her wolf tail wagging rapidly. “Watching over them as they nap.”

“Tucking them in,” Xenta added, her smile bright as her fox tail swished happily.

“We’ll accept the help when the time comes,” Fiona said. “With seven of us having children so close together, it’ll be very helpful.”

“We don’t have a lot to do,” Quinna spoke up, “with only Cuander and Caleb to care for, so we’ll help, too.”

“If that’s okay,” Quilla added, giving her twin a look when Quinna’s sideways horn tapped her forward-jutting horn. “We’d really like to.”

“All of us would like to,” Prita smiled. “Caring for the children is important. I’ll make sure their clothing is always soft for them.” The laundry maid wouldn’t let a child deal with uncomfortable clothing when the time came.

“The clan will be watching over them all the time,” Ven said from their spot at the table with Onim, Venn, Jutt, Jott, and Arla.

“It will be our honor to do so, even more than we watch over all of you,” Onim added.

“We’ll be glad to have all of you help us,” Sean said.

The doors opened admitting Glorina, Lona, and Mona with the food carts. The trio of Rabbit Moonbound started to set out breakfast. “Sir, today is another attempt at breakfast tacos. I hope the tortillas are right this time.”

Sean took one of the offered tortillas, nodding. “Looks and feels right to me.” He tore a small piece off and tasted it. “Great job.”

“Thank you, sir,” Mona grinned from further down the table.

“She’s the best of us when it comes to baking bread,” Glorina smiled at Mona. “Enjoy.”

Sean helped himself to the fajita and egg mix, quickly making a couple of tacos. “I always enjoy your cooking.”

Glorina’s green eyes twinkled as she finished serving. “We enjoy cooking for the family, so it works out for all of us.”

Breakfast was mostly quiet, but as the meal was winding down, conversation sprang back up.

“I’ll be having tea with Daria, Olivia, and Evelyn today,” Hallie said. “We’ll be going over the news from the gala. Later this tenday, we’ll potentially be having dinner with a few Lords and Ladies who expressed a desire to do so. Lady Emeraldeyes, at the very least— she’s very happy to have her foot back, Sean.”

“She was friendly,” Sean said after finishing his last bite of breakfast. “Did we make allies during the gala?”

“Oh, yes!” Hallie beamed. “You did wonderfully, husband. You were just you, and that worked out well. Many Dames and Knights were surprised at how approachable you were. Healing the Lords and Ladies worked well, too. Now they all feel indebted, and we can work with them so they can get to know you better. Once they do, it’ll be easy to turn that debt into an alliance they treasure.”

“We need to work on Trisha Truestrike,” Felora said. “If Sean’s right about her being upset about Darragh, it opens up more avenues.”

“We will,” Fiona said, “but carefully.”

“Commander Queensblood was friendly by the end of the night,” Helga said. “He mentioned as we were leaving that he would be calling Sean to his home in the future.”

“Good,” Hallie said. “No doubt he wants to spar. He considers himself the equal of the Bloodhearts and Titanswrath families for prowess in combat.”

“He did mention it,” Sean said. “Should be fine; he knows about Major Gleaming Blade being in Truestrike’s pocket now.”

“The Advisor is clear of any debt she might’ve felt she owed. The acknowledgement she gave you was a major step toward becoming a High Lord.”

“Great…” Sean muttered, earning laughter from the table.

“We know, husband,” Fiona smiled at him, patting his hand.

“The point is that Truestrike never got that same nod. You’re ahead of him in a critical area,” Hallie said.

“Is there anything I need to do today?” Sean asked.

“No. You can go to the clinic today— everyone will be taking stock of the gala today. No doubt Truestrike will be spinning new plots since you snipped his old ones.”

“Who’s at the clinic today?” Sean asked.

“Nineday pulled us out of rotation, so today, we reset,” Fiona said. “Ryann and Glorina.”

“As the mistress says,” Glorina smiled brightly.

“I’ll just need a few minutes,” Ryann said as she got up.

“Call it five, then meet at the back gate,” Sean chuckled. “I could use a pit stop before heading out.”

~*~*~

Sean held Glorina’s hand as they walked to the clinic. Glorina smiled brightly, loving the small acts of affection from Sean. Ryann walked with Helga and Aria, all of them smirking at the pair ahead of them.

Cerberus was sitting by the gate, his tail wagging when it opened. Sean laughed as he dropped Camo to pet the happy cuon. The other three gave the hound a pat before filing into the clinic.

“Okay, boy,” Sean chuckled, “I have to get to work.”

Cerberus barked happily before trotting away.

“Good morning, Sean,” Mizuki said, walking out the back door.

“Morning, Mom,” Sean greeted Myna’s mother. “How’re you?”

“Better now that I know you’re well. We heard nothing except the Fairies telling us that your family made it home last night. Did the gala go well?”

“I didn’t get into a duel with anyone, so I’d say yes.”

“Your track record is now blemished,” Mizuki deadpanned.

“Finally,” Sean laughed.

“I won’t keep you, then,” Mizuki said, opening the door. “I just wanted to know if there’d been trouble.”

“If you want to sit with us, we can recap it for you.”

“I will accept. I saw that it was Ryann and Glorina today.”

“What happened to the potential rioters that Saret dealt with on Nineday? I never asked.”

“The guard rounded them up,” Mizuki said. “I believe they were going to be questioned, then released.”

“Since they didn’t actively do any harm?”

“Yes.”

“That Vampire will be a major pain in the ass,” Sean sighed, “but that’s not for today.”

Mizuki paused. “Sean, if you need my assistance, I can help.”

“With what, Mom?”

Mizuki shut the door, as they hadn’t gone inside yet. “Myna doesn’t know, so I would ask that you not tell her.”

“Okay…?” Sean said slowly.

“I’m not a guard, Sean, which is what Myna thinks I was. I am an assassin. My Talent made it easy for me to remove people unseen.”

Sean stared at her before exhaling. “Wow… I didn’t see that coming. With Camo, it would make that easier. Why tell me now?”

“You might need someone to remove others, with deniability in doing so. That’s what I’ve done for over a decade. You could do it much easier than I could, but you never will.”

“No… it’s not who I am. I can’t just kill someone that way.”

“But I can. If you need me, son, just let me know.”

“Myna doesn’t know?”

“I’m sure she doesn’t. If she did, she would’ve asked me to take her under my wing. I didn’t want her life to be one of murder. Little did I know that her life would be in even more danger by going with Darragh.”

Seeing her sudden vulnerability at the thought that she’d almost gotten her daughter killed, Sean hugged her. “It’s okay, Mom. We’ll pay back the man who put her in danger, but I won’t let you be the blade for him. I’ll pull him down publicly.”

Mizuki hugged him back briefly. “You’re the best son-in-law I could have ever hoped for.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Sean smiled, letting her go. “How’s Gwen?”

“We’re good,” Mizuki said as they went inside. “She’s very understanding of what my life was before now.”