Chapter 48: Unintended Consequences

I now have an editor, so you all shouldn't need to put up with my typos and poor/dyslexic editing skills anymore. :)

* * *

As it turned out, the orcs really liked storytelling. It quickly became apparent to Ethan that he wasn't going escape with just the information he'd come for; not a chance in hell. The oldest orc -- Hobdrizen -- started telling the story, but everyone else jumped in at various places and there were a lot of places to jump in since they decided to start their history at the beginning.

Literally.

They started at the formation of their clan.

*Basically, the Blue Circles broke off from another clan several generations ago over a dispute about how to handle interaction with the Ivernians.* Ethan summarized to his wives during a brief break in the orc's story while they argued over some finer detail of the split. *The Blue Circles wanted to coexist, the other clan wanted to hunt the Ivernians because they were -- and I quote -- 'stronger prey'."

*Stronger prey?* Taloni interjected.

*I think they meant 'more challenging'.* He replied. *Honestly it's a little hard to tell what they mean sometimes because they use the word 'strong' so often that it doesn't have a well-defined meaning.*

*What happened next?* Beth asked. Her tone was almost back to her normal cheery self and certainly far better than it had been only that morning.

*Apparently, the honorable thing to do when you can't agree with the chieftain is to either challenge him for the role of chieftain, yield to his 'stronger experience', or form your own clan if you are 'strong enough'.*

*That makes some sense.* Selene mused. *Though, it's starting to sound like they have an honor culture like the wood elves.*

*Not like the wood elves, but honor is definitely important to them.* He replied. *Though, they actually think it's dishonorable and a 'lie of not-saying' to not give your unmoderated opinion.*

*Oh man, what I wouldn't give to hear a wood-elven diplomat talk to an orcish diplomat.* Selene said, laughter evident in her mental tone.

Ethan chuckled at that.

"What funny?" Grobozlesh asked him.

"I just thought of something, that's all." He replied.

"What you think?" The orc pressed.

"The wood elves--" He started to say, but was cut off but every orc in the teepee hissing.

"Tree elfs have weak honor." Drazglent spat. The orc chieftain pronounced the word 'weak' like it was a vile bit of filth that he didn't want to even think about.

"Not all of them." Ethan replied. "My first wife is a wood elf and she can be biting in her honesty."

Grobozlesh nodded approvingly. "First wife have honor."

"She's damn good with a bow too." He added, always happy for a chance to brag on one of his wonderful wives.

"She strong with bow?" Grobozlesh asked.

"Very strong." He nodded.

"Tree elf have weak arm." The orc replied, obviously confused. "How strong with bow?"

"Grobozlesh is very strong with a bow." The eldest orc, Hobdrizen, said. "Perhaps your first wife could compete in a bow contest with Grobozlesh to see her strength?"

"Tree elf have weak arm." Grobozlesh shook his head. "Honor strong, arm weak. Not strong contest."

"Oh, I don't know about that." Ethan replied, thinking of what Alana had said about her travel bow and how strong it would be when completed.

*Alana.* Ethan thought to the group chat. *How would you feel about an archery contest with an orc?*

*Excellent sir.* The wood elf replied.

He grinned and then looked at Grobozlesh "Would you care to make that interesting?"

"How interest?"

"I meant: did you want to make a bet?"

"Not fair bet." Grobozlesh frowned. "My arm strong, her arm weak."

"That doesn't bother us." Ethan countered. "If my wife wins, you teach a good friend of mine how to use those round shields." He was of course thinking about Selene and how much she'd been interested in how the orcs used the round shields.

"Not strong bet." Grobozlesh repeated.

"Then you have nothing to lose." Ethan replied.

The orc grunted, then nodded. "I take nothing when win, not hurt my honor."

"Deal." Ethan nodded, then thought to everyone. *Alana, you've got yourself an archery match coming up. If you win, he'll teach Selene how they use their round shields.*

*Don't I get anything sir?* The wood elf replied with a sly edge and mock offense in her voice.

*What do you want?*

*First in bed tonight... and last.*

He sent his amusement to her over their bond, then thought to everyone. *Deal.*

*I'm benefitting from Alana's libido.* Selene interjected with amusement. *I can't decide if that should make me feel dirty or not.*

*Why, do you want to feel dirty?* Ethan quipped.

*Took the words right out of my...* Alana let that hang for a moment. *...mouth.*

*You guys are terrible.* The Brazilian woman replied, though she was also clearly amused.

*We might be terrible, but she's the one who's blushing.* Alana thought to Ethan privately.

He sent his amusement to her and then turned his attention back to the orcs. "So, about the Red Hand clan; how did they start attacking the miners?"

"The clan we left split several times." Hobdrizen said. "The most recent was while I travel among the hu-mans to have stronger knowledge of them. The most aggressive split was Red Hands. That split was down the center, each took half."

Drazglent glowered. "That when change clan color to red."

"Does the red color mean something?" Ethan asked.

The orc chieftain scoffed.

Hobdrizen spoke up in his aged voice. "A red symbol means the clan will eat any meat; even orc meat."

Ethan stared for a moment. "So, the orcs I killed defending the mine got eaten?"

"Yes." Drazglent said, a note of irritation in his tone. "You not listen."

"I was listening, I was just confirming." He replied coolly, then turned to the ancient orc. "So that's when they got... aggressive?"

Hobdrizen shook his head. "No, they always aggressive. They not always eat orcs or steal children."

"Steal children?" Ethan's eyes widened.

The orc elder nodded. "Hu-mans call them 'goblins'. They are orc children."

"How long do goblins remain children? When do they become orcs?" Ethan asked, noting the rather large numbers of goblins and their rather uniform size.

Drazglent scoffed and Grobozlesh frowned.

"Orc not like hu-mans." Grobozlesh said.

"All Hu-man child grow. Only strongest goblin become orc." Drazglent stated.

Ethan looked at Hobdrizen, who seemed more genial and willing to explain. "Huh?"

"Orc females give birth to three males or three females when bred." The orc elder began to explain. "The females grow as hu-mans do. They are ready to mate at twenty summers. The males grow fast. In a few years, they are goblins. Only the strongest goblin of the three will grow into an orc. The rest remain goblins."

"What determines which goblin becomes an orc and which ones don't?" Ethan asked.

"Strength." Drazglent replied as if he was explaining that the sky was blue.

"Physical strength?" Ethan pressed. "Mental strength? Some other kind of strength?"

"All." The orc elder replied. "Whichever goblin is stronger than his brothers becomes an orc. The others not matter. They remain goblins and become reckless. Most eventually die because of weak foresight."

Hmm.

As Ethan thought about it, he realized that this single fact about orc biology explained almost all of their culture. Their obsession with strength was probably rooted in biology and was literally a matter of life and death. The choice was literally to be strong or die. He could see how that would've steered their entire culture.

Interesting.

"So the Red Hands started stealing your goblins -- your children -- to swell their numbers?" He finally asked.

Drazglent grunted. "Goblin not know honor, not know clan loyalty. Be loyal to clan when become orc."

"Ah, so they've been growing more powerful by..." Ethan grimaced; that was pretty despicable. "So, did your clan control the area next to the mine then?"

Hobdrizen nodded, the motion making the wolf's-tooth necklace around his neck rattle a bit. "I have strong experience, strong foresight. I know that orcs must have peace with hu-mans. Orcs stronger, but hu-mans much stronger numbers. Weak hu-man with numbers beat even strongest orc clans."

Ethan nodded, thinking that enough Ivernian soldiers would easily annihilate the orcs through sheer force of numbers, not to mention armor and superior weapons like airships.

"So you made sure you controlled the area around the mine?"

The ancient orc shook his head. "Ancestors also have strong foresight. They made politic and war so this our land. We want peace with Ivernian, so we make sure we border Ivernian as a shield. Red Hand clan not have access to hu-mans until they take mine"

"How did the Red Hands take it then?"

"War and politic." The ancient orc replied. "Steal enough goblins who became orcs to become strong; stronger than us."

Drazglent scoffed.

"We are strong; Red Hands stronger; much stronger numbers." Hobdrizen insisted. "Convince other clans to join them if we battle them, then push us out. Former clan chief not fight much larger clan."

"He was coward." Drazglent spat. "Gave lands without fight. His blood stain my blade with dishonor. Blade ruined. I throw blade away."

"You killed him?" Ethan asked the orc chieftain.

Drazglent nodded. "He make coward choice, not consult elders. He traitor. I challenge traitor, become chieftain."

"But the land was already lost." The orc elder added. "I warned the other clans this was a weak idea with my strong foresight. Clans not listen. I warn that hu-mans come when Red Hand begin to hunt hu-mans. Other clans not have strong foresight. They not listen. Now you come; you were sent by hu-mans, yes?"

"Yup." Ethan nodded. "The orc attacks have actually gotten somewhat famous in the Ten Kingdoms, or perhaps I should say infamous."

Drazglent grunted at Hobdrizen. "You have strong foresight."

"Now that you understand that, perhaps you will use my strong counsel." The orc elder replied with a shrewd look.

The orc chieftain frowned. "Our clan strong. Not need other clans."

Ethan looked at the orc elder and raised his eyebrow. The old orc shook his head. Apparently, Drazglent overestimated his clan's strength.

"How big of a difference is there between your clan and the Red Hands in terms of warriors?" Ethan asked.

"Red Hands have double." Hobdrizen replied. "Perhaps more."

"We have stronger warriors." Drazglent countered.

"Are you honestly saying that your warriors are twice as strong as the Red Hand warriors?" Ethan asked. "Because even if that was true -- and I doubt it is -- that only makes you evenly matched; not stronger."

"Our warriors strong." Drazglent insisted.

"Twice as strong?" Ethan countered. "Can each of your warriors defeat two or three Red Hand warriors?"

The orc chieftain scowled for several seconds before speaking. "We strong, not that strong."

Ethan pressed on. "A strong leader knows when he is outmatched and plans accordingly. If the other orc clans would help, why wouldn't you accept their help?"

"Strong warriors not need help." Drazglent retorted.

Ethan outright laughed at that. "That's a reckless way of thinking."

"He has not-strong experience." The elderly orc interjected.

"I stronger than all without help." Drazglent stood, glaring at Ethan.

Ethan stood as well. "I don't doubt it, but are all your warriors that strong too? Maybe you can kill five or ten Red Hand orcs easily; but can your warriors?"

Drazglent's glare intensified.

Ethan pressed on. "Maybe if all of your warriors were as strong as you, it could work. But they aren't, are they?"

The orc chieftain hesitated, then shook his head.

"You're the strongest warrior here." Ethan added, hoping to soothe Drazglent's wounded pride a bit. "You need to recognize that not all your warriors are as strong as you. If you go into battle thinking all your warriors can fight like you, they will die and your clan will become..." He wanted to say 'weaker', but thought that might be construed as an insult. "...less strong."

The orc chieftain clenched his fist and scowled, but slowly nodded. "You speak true words. Hurt like vinegar in cut, but true words."

Ethan very nearly breathed a sigh of relief that Drazglent was capable of changing his mind. He'd dealt with far too many people in his life who would stupidly stick to their biases despite clear evidence to the contrary. Apparently Drazglent wasn't one of them, which was good.

Ethan gave him a respectful nod. "Only the strongest men can admit it when they are wrong. You are very strong."

The orc chieftain gave him a respectful nod of the head, though the glare hadn't entirely disappeared.

"Your clan is strong." Ethan added. "But if you ally yourself with the other clans you'll be even stronger together; strong enough to beat the Red Hands."

Drazglent frowned, but nodded. "Strong word."

Ethan took that to mean he agreed.

"You have strong speech to convince." Hobdrizen nodded approvingly. "The elders and strongest warriors will take counsel on involving the other clans. That is our custom. Come tomorrow when sun sees camp. We talk more then."

"I'll see you then." Ethan nodded, and since he was already standing and was clearly being dismissed, he turned to leave.

Grobozlesh turned to leave as well, as he didn't appear to be part of the inner circle of the Blue Circle camp. Thankfully, the orc stepped over the log outside the teepee instead of lifting it as they had done to enter. Apparently, you only needed to prove your strength to enter, not leave.

"We go camp edge. Then you fly." The orc stated.

Ethan nodded and followed him down the hill to the spot where he'd sparred against Drazglent earlier that day.

"One thing before I go." Ethan said. "Why do orcs always blow a horn before ambushing?"

"Honor." Grobozlesh replied. "Dishonor beat not aware. Honor make aware, then beat."

"Okay." Ethan nodded slowly, somewhat surprised by this information. The Red Hands always blew a horn before attacking. Sure it was only a few seconds before attacking, but they did. Apparently, even cannibalistic orcs had a sense of honor.

Interesting.

He looked up at the sky to see the sun was getting low. He'd spent most of the day doing something either with or for the orcs and was looking forward to getting back to the Argo. He'd only just realized it, but it was dinner time and his stomach was feeling like it.

* * *

Sarah waited for Fiona to answer after she had told the copper-haired woman about her run-in earlier that day. The fact that the two predatory girls had seemed like they were picking on the timid girl -- Amy -- bothered her. Rather a lot actually. She thought that Fiona might know something about it since she lived in the dormitory building.

"Aye, I think I'm knowing who you're talking about." The copper-haired woman finally said. "They are much like you're describing from what I'm hearing."

"How so?"

"Well, I'd rather not be saying because I don't want to be gossiping about things I'm not knowing for certain."

Sarah nodded, slightly frustrated that Fiona wouldn't share, but she couldn't blame Fiona for not wanting to gossip. That was an admirable quality worth emulating.

"How about Amy?" The innkeeper's daughter asked.

Fiona smiled. "Amy is a nice girl. A bit shy, but nice. I expect you'll be meeting her soon enough."

"Oh?"

"Aye, she likes painting and sometimes is offering to paint the walls with decorations for a few coppers whenever someone new is moving in."

"Well, I am someone new."

"Aye." Fiona reached down and started playing with Conner, the infant smiling and giggling at the silly faces his mother made.

Sarah couldn't help but smile. "I hope to have children someday. Because of my problem, I was afraid that I wouldn't get married for a long time."

Fiona gave her an odd look, hesitated a moment, and then spoke. "Can I be asking you a question? It's a bit personal and I'm not wanting to pry, though this might be prying."

"Well, you can ask. I might not answer, but you can ask."

"Well, from what you've been telling me before, it sounds like your..." The copper-haired woman paused, probably looking for the right words. "...your problem is coming out when you're afraid, yes?"

Sarah nodded.

"And the stories I was hearing about how strong you become, and how your skin is becoming like armor; are those true?"

She nodded.

"Then I guess I'm wanting to ask: why are you afraid of so often?"

Sarah opened her mouth to reply, then cocked her head to one side. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's seeming like if anything was scary enough to be hurting you, then your problem would be coming out to deal with it, yes?"

"Um, yeah. That's what usually happens."

"So then -- and I understand that you'd rather not be having your problem -- but since you do; why are you so afraid of things? It's seeming like you wouldn't need to be fearing anything because your problem would be taking care of it if it could hurt you."

"Oh." Sarah had thought of that before of course, but something about the clear and simple way that Fiona said it made it hit home in a way that it never had before.

Huh.

"I... I don't know." She cocked her head to the other side. "Maybe... maybe I didn't need to be so scared."

"That's all I'm saying." Fiona said. "Though, I have been adding your problem to my prayers since I know it's bothering you. I just thought that maybe you could be taking advantage of the one good thing it offers before you're getting rid of it."

"Getting rid of it?" Sarah shook her head. "I don't think that'll happen. My father took me to the best luminars in Ivernia and they couldn't get rid of it."

"Don't be losing hope now." Fiona smiled at her. "Illuminar can be doing it, and I'll not stop praying until He does."

"Thank you." She smiled.

"You're welcome." The copper-haired woman replied, then turned to face her baby and said in a baby talk voice to her son. "Isn't she welcome? Isn't she?" She then blew a little raspberry and Conner laughed. Sarah did too; the baby's laugh was just infectious.

Fiona's smile somehow deepened and became more pained at the same time. "He's laughing like my Sean." She turned to Sarah. "What were you wanting to be doing tomorrow? We're having the whole day free."

It sounded like Fiona had changed the topic on purpose so Sarah went with it. "Um, I don't know. What do you usually do?"

"Well, the Lord Delmar is holding common court for part of the morning and I'm liking to watch that." The copper-haired woman replied. "There's not a lot else to be doing in the castle, and I don't have the coppers for most of the things in town."

"Oh, that could be interesting." Sarah said. "Tonight though, if you're not too busy, could... could you continue teaching me to read?"

"I'd be happy to." Fiona smiled.

Sarah beamed and turned her mind to the task, but in the back of her mind she was mulling over what Fiona had just pointed out.

Why was she so afraid all the time if she didn't need to be?

* * *

"Come on Thor, I promise I won't bite." Ethan said to the kitten, who was currently doing that thing cats do where they freeze mid-step as if they'd been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. He hadn't, but Ethan had just seen him finally starting to creep closer to him and the food he had in his hand. Everyone was sitting around the dinner fire on the Argo eating dinner after a long day and it felt good.

"He's thinking about it." Selene said, then took a bite of her own dinner.

"You can do it." Taloni said to the kitten, who took another half-step and then froze again.

Ethan chuckled, then looked at his first wife whose eyelids were a bit droopy. "You alright?"

"I'm..." She yawned. "I'm fine. I just got excited at the idea of an archery contest and made a really hard push to finish my travel bow."

"We all donated mana." Taloni chimed in.

"How far did you get?" Ethan asked.

"Pretty far." The wood elf replied. "We already had the form setup from the test bow, so I was able to shape it and give it the self-healing and strengthening enchantments already. It has the initial hardening enchantment as well, but it's not activatable yet."

"How long would that take?" He asked, rather curious to see the travel bow in action. He then held out a bit of meat to Thor. "Come on kitty, you can do it."

The kitten didn't move, but was eyeing him cautiously.

"I could do it tonight if anyone has mana leftover that they are willing to donate." Alana replied.

"I spent most of the afternoon restoring my mana after I donated the first time; I could do it." Rachel offered.

"Sure." His first wife smiled at the redhead.

Ethan smiled as well, but for a different reason; those two were adorable together.

"I'll try right after dinner then." His first wife announced.

"Speaking of dinner..." Ethan said, not looking down but watching out of the corner of his eye as Thor got within easy grabbing distance of the meat in Ethan's hand.

Most everyone watched as the kitted stretched his neck out, sniffing at the food while also simultaneously remaining as far from Ethan as possible. His little pink nose had just about touched the meat, when--

Clang!

Thor jumped at the loud sound and scrambled back to Selene as fast as his little legs could carry him. Ethan looked towards the source of the noise, and of course it was Raklan. He was carrying some kind of equipment and two metal bits had clanged together. It didn't seem intentional, but it was still annoying.

Oh well.

Everyone got up after dinner and his first and fourth wives held hands for several long moments while the redhead presumably transferred some regular mana to the brunette. He briefly wondered if they would ever exchange more than normal mana, but that would be a long way off if it ever happened.

Alana went to work on the bow and a half hour later she held up the floppy piece of leather with a grin. "Okay, the initial enchanting is done. I haven't done the advanced enchanting which allows it to release at a higher weight than it draws, so right now it's only a fifty-pound travel bow."

"Well don't keep us in suspense; activate it." Beth urged.

Ethan couldn't stop himself from smiling; his Beth was back again. He also noticed that Kendra was also smiling as she looked at the blonde and she looked somewhat pleased with herself. Alana had let him know earlier that the two had talked and that Beth had seemed much better afterwards. He needed to thank her properly for that as soon as he could figure out how.

Alana held the travel bow by the area that was clearly the handle and held it out at arm's length. "Okay, here goes nothing."

A moment later, the somewhat floppy piece of leather snapped into the shape of a bow like a coiled spring being released. The wood elf had already attached the bowstring, so it was strung and everything. The bowstring was attached in the normal way, but also had some thread wrapped tightly around the place it hooked into the bow so it would stay on when the bow was floppy.

It looked like a Mongolian short recurve bow, but even more elegant.

The area where his wife gripped was comfortably large enough for her hand and was two layers of leather thick. One layer was the bow, and the other one looked like it was there to add thickness for comfort. The second piece had an integrated arrow rest on the right side of the bow, since she shot on the right side and not the left like every other bowman he had ever seen on Earth.

The bow itself had a graceful look to it despite being just plain leather. The handle was wide enough for her hand and straight, then it curved out away from her before curving back towards her, ending with the classic recurve shape at the ends. Again, like a Mongolian short recurve bow.

"Nice." He nodded in approval.

Alana ran her hands over the bow for several seconds. "It's holding together fine and the damage from opening was healed almost instantly, just as it should be."

"How does it shoot?" Beth asked.

Not long afterwards, Ethan had gotten Raklan to haul an archery target from the lower deck and put it at the Argo's bow so Alana could test her new travel bow by shooting from near the captain's cabin door.

"Bullseye!" Taloni clapped.

The arrow had indeed landed in the bullseye, but the edge not the middle. The target was about 75 feet away and the bullseye was only three inches in diameter, but Alana was frowning.

"Not happy?" He asked.

"Oh the bow is fine; it's my accuracy. That's practically a miss."

Ethan laughed. "That's not a miss."

"Oh yeah?" The wood elf said, then turned and disappeared into the captain's cabin, coming out moments later with her old wooden bow. She unstrung the travel bow, transferred the string to her old wooden bow, strung it and then let another arrow fly.

It hit dead center of the bullseye.

The exact, dead center.

"That's a bullseye." She said looking relieved, then she looked at the new travel bow and frowned.

"Perhaps the new bow shoots a little differently?" Rachel suggested. "Or maybe you need to finish the travel bow so they release the same way? The sudden increase in poundage as the enchantment activates would likely affect the arrow's trajectory."

"Maybe." The brunette's frown deepened slightly. "I'll know for sure when I finish it."

"When will that be?" Beth asked.

"Hopefully only a few days." The wood elf replied. "It takes a lot of work to time the release enchantment properly. It took me a week the last time, but I have experience now so I should be able to do it faster."

"Doing it is good." Ethan grinned at her.

She rolled her eyes and then narrowed them at the first arrow while frowning and tapping her foot on the wooden decking.

"If you don't want to be first and last, I can..." Taloni said in a slightly sing-song voice.

Nearby, Selene was shaking her head.

"What?" He asked.

"You're living every man's fantasy." She replied, still shaking her head. "A half dozen beautiful women who want to sleep with you."

His eyes twinkled. "Wait, a half dozen? I only have five wives." He looked at her pointedly. "Can you think of anyone else who wants to join in?"

The Brazilian woman blushed slightly, but chuckled and rolled her eyes. "I was rounding for effect."

"He has a pretty incredible effect." Alana said with a sly grin, though she was still frowning at the target.

"I'm not the only one." He grinned at his wives, and they returned it with interest. He looked at Selene. "If you will excuse me, I think I have a full dance card this evening."

The Brazilian woman rolled her eyes, but nodded. She paused for a moment, then thought to him alone. *I'd say I can dance by myself, but someone won't let me.*

He raised his eyebrow, knowing that she was referring to what he told her about not finishing the fantasy situation he'd dreamed up when she was 'holding his wing' the previous day. *Nothing whatsoever is stopping you.*

She drew her lips into a thin line and gave him a look, but there was a bit of smoldering fire behind her eyes too, though it didn't seem directed at him. *I call bullshit. You know how much I want to hear the rest.*

He shrugged. *Suit yourself.*

*I can't decide if you're the biggest asshole I've ever met or the best Dom I've ever heard of.* The caramel-haired beauty replied.

*I'll let you work on that while I work on them.* He nodded his head towards his wives, then added with a wink. *The natives are getting restless.*

"You can't be that good." Selene said aloud, though her tone indicated that she didn't entirely believe her own words.

"Yes he can." Alana nearly purred, her attention having finally shifted away from the arrows.

"Mmm." Kendra sighed.

"Have a good night." Ethan said to the Brazilian beauty, not able to resist ribbing her slightly.

He just barely caught her look of annoyance as he turned and led his wives into the captain's cabin.

* * *

Selene had half a mind to bean Ethan over the head from behind, but the itch in her nether regions was reigning her in. She had half a mind to run down to the lower decks and do a solo version of the dance that was about to take place in the captain's cabin. The other half of her mind wanted to beg Ethan to finish his story/fantasy so she could get some relief. But she knew that would work. She would have to wait if she wanted him to finish it.

There was no way she was letting him not finish it,

He had given her the hottest fantasy of her life and she couldn't wait to hear more... but she had to wait. That fact in-and-of itself had created an ever-present background simmer that was threatening to slowly drive her mad with desire. Okay, not really. But it was very distracting to always be low-level horny all the time. That left her with a dilemma; take care of her frustration and miss the ending of the hottest fantasy she'd ever heard, or stay frustrated like this for another week.

It really wasn't a choice for her.

She resigned herself to more exquisitely torturous waiting and was about to go downstairs when she noticed Anthiel watching her from the quarterdeck above her.

"Yes?" The Brazilian woman asked.

"You aren't falling for Ethan." The high elf said simply. "At least, not like Kendra did after she bonded with him. You look like good friends, and I'd wager he knew exactly how to ignite your fantasies while you 'held his wing', but it doesn't seem to go further. That's interesting."

"Why?" She cocked her head to one side.

"Because I had thought you might end up being wife number six." Anthiel pursed her lips thoughtfully. "I'm not used to being wrong about these sorts of things."

"He's a good guy and I like him well enough, but I really don't feel that way about him." Selene replied.

"I see that." The high elf nodded. "He seems to have ended up in your 'friend zone' as Ethan once called it."

"Sort of." The Brazilian woman shrugged.

Anthiel smiled.

"What?"

"You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my long life." The high elf replied. "I find it odd that Ethan appears to feel similarly towards you as you do towards him. You're friends, perhaps good friends, but nothing more."

Selene shrugged again. "It makes things easy; no messy unrequited attraction to deal with."

"True." Anthiel said, then nodded towards her feet. "I think your kitten wants your attention."

Meow.

Selene looked down at Thor, who was now rubbing up against her ankle.

"Good kitty." She reached down and scooped him up. He cuddled against her chest and began to purr. After saying goodnight to Anthiel, Selene carried him down to her hammock and settled into it.

Her nether regions still itched slightly which made her want to relive that fantasy with her finger involved, but she resisted. Well, she resisted getting her fingers involved. It was strange; Ethan had given her the hottest fantasy of her life and she loved it -- and was looking forward to more -- but for some reason, it didn't seem connected to Ethan at all. At least, it didn't make her attracted to him. She vaguely wondered why, but didn't have much time to consider it before she slipped off to sleep.

* * *

Ethan sat down on the edge of the bed at his first wife's request. She came up to him, smiled, then in a totally innocent way that was also somehow smoldering, she straddled him and wrapped her arms around him in a non-sexual but incredibly arousing hug.

"I love you Ethan... sir." She whispered.

"And I love you Alana... princess." He replied with a wink.

"You are such a tease." She shook her head as she leaned back enough to look at him.

"Speaking of, what did you say to Selene?" Beth asked as she pulled off her dress, exposing her naked body underneath. "I know when you are teasing, and you must've teased her something fierce."

"I did, but I'm not sure she'd be comfortable with me saying what--" He stopped as the wood elf in his lap started rocking her hips against him.

He groaned.

"You don't have to say." Alana smiled widely at him as she stared into his eyes like he was the only man on earth. *I really love this sir.*

*Me too.*

"But I want to know." Beth interjected.

"But would you want me to tell your secrets to other people without asking you?" Ethan replied, not looking away from the gorgeous hazel eyes in front of him.

The blonde sighed glumly. "I suppose not."

"I'm really going to miss Selene when she leaves for Earth." Kendra spoke up.

"Me too." Alana nodded, then reached down and he felt her soft, smooth hands against his hard cock. "I love that you do this so fast for me."

He reached around until he could touch her slit, which was certainly wet enough that she didn't need much foreplay, if any. "Me too."

She slid her nether lips against the underside of his cock and started gently rocking her hips. "I'm going to miss Selene too." Alana leaned forward and relaxed against him except for the gentle rocking motion of her hips.

"That's a strange thing to be talking about while doing this." He pointed out as he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight while matching the rocking of her hips with the thrusting of his, sliding himself along her slit as they rocked.

"I don't care." She said dreamily, then sighed.

"Looks like they are going to be a minute Bee." Taloni said in a mischievous tone. "Maybe we should find something to pass the time."

The blonde grinned. "Or we could help them get there faster..."

The two teens descended on Ethan and Alana, touching stroking, caressing, and kissing. Before long, Alana slid herself up and then back down with Beth guiding him into the wood elf. He had parted his legs so she could reach, and then the blonde made a thoughtful sound.

"What?" He asked his second wife as he rocked himself slowly in and out of his beloved first wife as they stared into each other's eyes.

"I wonder if you would like..." The blonde trailed off, and then moments later he felt a soft, tentative kiss on his balls.

He groaned.

"You would like." Beth said, and he could almost hear the pleased smile in her tone. She started kissing him down there and he let out a satisfied sigh. This continued for a while before his first wife spoke, and she removed her dress as she did so.

"Don't hold back sir." Alana said as she rested her forehead against his, slightly off-center with her mouth hanging slightly open in a silent sigh or moan. Taloni was kissing her neck and back as the wood elf spoke again. "Pretend you're giving me a second child."

He didn't hold back.

Alana started gently shaking as he let himself go inside of her.

Almost a whole minute later, she leaned back and stared into his eyes. "I love you sir."

"And I you." He smiled back.

Behind her, Ethan noticed that Kendra was watching this entire display with rosy cheeks while biting her lip. She was shifting her weight around a bit too, and would occasionally avert her eyes from the scene, only to come back to looking moments later.

*You okay?* He asked her privately as he held Alana.

*Can you ask me what's on my mind? I mean, out loud?* She replied after several seconds and her tone was rushed, as if she wanted to get it out before she stopped herself.

*Sure, but why?*

*I want the others to hear too, but...* She bit her lip. *But it's hard to start.*

"Kendra, what's on your mind?" He said aloud, trusting the raven-haired woman.

She instantly went red and looked down a bit. He almost chuckled; Rachel and Kendra -- his two warrior women -- were also the most nervous in the bedroom.

"I um..." Kendra cleared her throat. "I..."

In all her naked glory, Taloni walked over to her, slipped around behind her, and then wrapped her in a hug from behind. "Go ahead Kendra; we're all happy to listen."

"I um..." Kendra took a deep breath. "You all are incredible, and I haven't..." She swallowed. "Um, I've been really nervous about you all seeing my scars." She looked around. "But I've been talking to some of you which made me realize that..."

Alana flashed him a smile as she squeezed her internal muscles around him. Oddly, he didn't think she was trying to turn him on; it was like squeezing someone's hand in excitement, only she wasn't using her hand.

"And I decided..." She hesitated, then reached up and unclasped her dress. She didn't let it fall yet, but it was unhooked. She bit her lip and looked around. She was trembling slightly and bit her lip.

Ethan was about to say something, but Alana beat him to the punch. "Kendra, I promise we won't judge and I'm happy you're doing this; but you don't have to if it makes you nervous."

Kendra swallowed. "You all have been so wonderful and I want to. I have a lot of scars though, so please don't... um..."

"We won't judge." The wood elf promised, again beating Ethan to the punch. It was sometimes amazing how in sync they were.

"We promise." Beth said. "We all have scars too."

"I had forgotten about that." Kendra nodded slowly.

"Let us remind you." The blonde pointed to her neck. There was still the tiniest faint trace of a scar where her throat had been slit in Arcanum. You wouldn't notice it unless you weren't looking for it, but it was there. Alana slipped off of Ethan, his cum dripping out of her onto the floor. The wood elf pointed to the scar on her shoulder where she had been injured in Lord Borden's vault. Taloni indicated her scar as well, stepping back from Kendra enough that she could do so.

Kendra turned to Rachel, her eyes quizzical.

The redhead bit her lip, looked down, and then nodded. Alana went over beside her and took her hand. From Ethan's position, it looked like the brunette had given the redhead's hand a gentle, comforting squeeze. Rachel hesitated a moment, then took a deep breath, reached up, and pulled her dress up slightly and off one shoulder to reveal the burn scar she'd gotten during the fight with Gonorran.

"And I have one right here too." The redhead touched her right side just above her right hip. "From the grenade casing when Havorleth ambushed us."

"I've got a ton, but you can't see them through the scales." Ethan said with a wink, partially to break the slightly somber mood that had fallen.

All the girls chuckled, though some more nervously than the others.

Kendra nodded, then moved her hands a bit.

The dress fell to the tops of her small breasts. She hesitated a moment longer, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, then moved her hands down to her sides. The dress fell a bit, but she had to wiggle herself slightly before it fell all the way down, revealing her in her almost naked glory; she still had her strength-enhancing vambraces on.

Her body was far more toned than his other wives and her skin was darker and more olive, like a Latina or Mediterranean woman. Her breasts were small and her many scars stood out somewhat against her slightly darker skin. Ethan didn't mind them though; they might blemish her skin, but they didn't blemish her beauty in his opinion.

* * *

Kendra stood there feeling completely naked. Of course, she was naked except for her vambraces, but she felt it; she felt utterly exposed. For want of something else to do, she slipped her vambraces off and waited for someone to say something. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting, but the longer she stood there the more nervous she felt.

Finally, after a few of the longest seconds in her life, Ethan looked her up and down and then wolf-whistled.

She blushed.

"We don't care about the scars." Alana said kindly. "I'm sorry you have to live with them because I know they bother you, but they don't bother us."

"They don't." Beth added. "They might make us curious--"

"Really curious." Taloni interjected.

"--about how you got them, but we won't pry." The blonde finished.

From beside her, Rachel said something so quietly that Kendra couldn't make it out. She thought she heard the word "brave", and the phrase "I wish I", but not much else.

"Thank you." Kendra said, still feeling incredibly exposed and vulnerable. For someone who'd spent her entire life trying to avoid being exposed, she was in rather uncomfortable position. She wouldn't have said no to a distraction.

Thankfully, Taloni provided one.

"So Kendra." The Fey teen said in a mock-accusing tone. "Did you take off your clothes because you wanted the same treatment that Alana just got?"

"What?" The raven-haired woman blinked. Taloni had just been kissing Alana's naked skin in an undeniably sensual way.

"I wasn't looking for... for that." She finally got out.

"It's too late." Beth said from the bed with a chuckle and sly grin. "Someone is about to get kissed."

"I'm about t--" Kendra's words were cut off as Taloni darted forward, stood up on her tip-toes, and planted a gentle kiss right on the dragon huntress's lips. She was too stunned to react for a moment, then her brain caught up with the sensation.

It was nice.

Not as good as with Ethan, but really nice. The Fey teen had soft lips and her kiss was full of emotion. Not the primal emotion that Ethan had, but something softer and more gentle; more feminine and lovely. It wasn't romantic, but it was loving, kind, and sensual. Kendra barely had time to process what was happening before she felt several sets of hands on her sides, back, and even the outer curve of her hip.

She pulled back enough to look around, but the only thing she saw was a sly grin framed by blonde hair before another set of lips met hers. That was overwhelming for a moment, then another even more overwhelming sensation hit her as two sets of hands started moving over her body. Kendra shivered as that same strange fire that always hit her when Ethan touched her also ignited in her now.

She shuddered as the sensations washed over her.

She didn't know what to do about these sensations either. She knew what to do when Ethan was involved, but with Taloni and Beth? The blonde moved her lips from the raven-haired woman's lips and began to kiss down along her jawline heading for her neck. The dragon huntress looked at Ethan for... for guidance? For direction? She had no idea what to do and it probably showed on her face.

"Ladies." Alana said. "Give her some space."

The blondes took a half step back, but they were giving each other identical mischievous looks anyway.

"Unless you don't want them to." Alana added, nearly slinking towards the dragon huntress. "They won't do anything if you ask them not to, but if you don't..." The wood elf gave her a sly grin. "...if you don't then I'm going to kiss your other set of lips."

It took the dragon huntress a moment to realize what she meant, and when she did her mouth fell open.

"W-what?" She gasped.

"I won't if you tell me not to, but if you don't..." The wood elf said, standing right in front of her.

Kendra's eyes widened and she looked at Ethan.

"I don't mind if you don't." He said with a wide grin. "You were a very good girl today and I think you deserve to be pampered a bit."

Kendra nodded her head slightly, and apparently that's all the approval the three naked women needed to descend on her in a flurry of kisses, caresses, and sensual touches that rekindled the fire between her legs faster than she thought possible.

"Careful." Ethan said to the other ladies. "She's pretty sensi--"

Kendra didn't hear the end of that sentence because her entire body locked up as her eyes rolled back in her head, then her knees started to give out because of the sensations coursing through her.

* * *

Ethan darted forward to catch his newest wife before her orgasm caused her to lose her balance and hurt herself. Just like with him, she was far more sensitive than any woman he'd ever heard of and his other wives had clearly not been expecting that. He held her as she struggled to remain standing through Alana, Beth, and Taloni's sensual assault on her body. Once she had come down slightly, he helped her to the bed where she collapsed.

Unfortunately for her -- or perhaps fortunately -- his first three wives decided that a stationary target was better and renewed their assault, again reducing the raven-haired woman into a puddle of barely coherent moans that were only mostly restrained by a trembling body.

Ethan chuckled as he stood up and watched. Kendra had done a lot for Beth today and he felt like she deserved the attention she was getting. Beth seemed especially enthusiastic in her affections, probably for the same reason.

Beside him and still fully clothed, Rachel was watching with an odd expression on her face.

"What's up beautiful?" He asked her quietly, knowing she would prefer a more private conversation.

"How did she do that?" The redhead asked, wonder evident in her tone.

"Do what?"

Rachel gestured to Kendra's dress on the floor as its owner arched her back and let out a strangled moan; Alana was between her legs, Beth was kissing her neck, and Taloni was massaging one breast while kissing the other.

"Just take her dress off like that." Rachel whispered back.

"I'm not sure." He shrugged. "Why, do you want to follow her example?"

The redhead looked down, bit her lip slightly, then nodded slowly after hesitating a few moments. "But I don't know if I could." She added quietly.

He put an arm around her and kissed the top of her head; she leaned into him and sighed. Ethan felt a smile creeping onto his face; God he loved her. All of them really.

"Why not?" He asked.

"I'm too... too..." She looked up at him, her pale blue eyes looking as beautiful and vulnerable as ever. "You remember how I was with you on our wedding night?"

He nodded.

"It would be like that, only with five people instead of one."

"Ah." He nodded.

"Yeah." She looked down. "My brain is sometimes my own worst enemy."

"You have a beautiful brain." He replied softly. "Sure it gets locked up sometimes, but maybe that's the price of such high performance." He winked.

Rachel made a sound that was halfway between a chuckle and a breathy exhale. "Thank you."

"You know, you don't have to do everything all at once." He pointed out. "I assume you still wear panties and that wrap to help support some of your most beautiful..." He winked at her. "...'assets'."

She blushed, but nodded.

"Then perhaps halfway would be easier?" He suggested. "You could take the dress off but keep the panties and wrap on."

Rachel made a thoughtful sound and cocked her head to one side. "I suppose I could." She cocked her head to the other side and frowned. "But I'm not sure I could do it with them watching me." She nodded her head towards the bed, where Kendra was shuddering her way through her... dozenth orgasm? Damn she was sensitive.

"So do it when they aren't watching..." He nodded towards the four obviously very occupied ladies. "...or when they're distracted."

"Hmm." The redhead slowly nodded.

"I'm not trying to push." He pulled her a little closer and gave her an extra squeeze. "We'll all have decades and decades together; I'm sure you'll get there eventually."

"Huh." Rachel looked up at him, a smile in her eyes and on her lips. "We will, won't we?"

He nodded.

"Then maybe..." She looked back at the others. "...maybe I can start now since I know I'll get there eventually? If they'll all see me eventually, then it makes sense to start now, right?" She looked up at him questioningly.

"I certainly wouldn't mind." He smiled at her.

She nodded slowly and he got the sense she was going to try. He moved his arm, letting her get enough clearance to do it. She hesitated for several long seconds, then looked at him again.

"Alana wouldn't mind, would she? I mean, it wouldn't make her uncomfortable or anything like that would it?"

He raised his eyebrow and then looked at Alana, who had just stuck her tongue out and licked Kendra's slit from bottom to top before closing her lips over the trembling woman's clit and starting to gently suck on it.

"You mean the woman who just did that? Would it bother her?" He chuckled.

A tinge of pink appeared in Rachel's cheeks and she nodded sheepishly. "Okay, point taken."

Ethan smiled at her, reminding himself yet again that she was only nineteen. A very mature nineteen, but nineteen all the same. She still struggled with the insecurities that most teenage girls struggled with, and probably more insecurities because of her strained relationship with her father growing up.

Rachel took a deep breath, then reached down and grabbed the hem of her dress. She hesitated a moment longer, then slowly pulled it up and off of her, leaving her in her fairly full-coverage panties and a cloth wrap that clearly wasn't designed to be alluring. It was alluring on her for some reason, but that was probably because of the woman wearing it and not the wrap itself. The panties were more like extremely short shorts that hugged her hips. They looked like silk and their red color exactly matched her hair and contrasted well with her pale skin.

She stood there a moment, then leaned up against him so that she was partially hiding behind him.

"Hey beautiful." He kissed the top of her head.

"I feel naked." She whispered.

"Then you're in good company." He replied, since she was the only person in the room wearing even a single stitch of clothing.

She chuckled nervously, but stayed partially behind him. She was smiling though. It was a nervous smile, but a smile nonetheless.

"Kendra has helped a lot of people today." Ethan said.

"She has." The redhead nodded. "Why don't you go help them thank her?"

"You know, I think I will." He grinned at her, kissed Rachel tenderly, and then headed off to do exactly that. Once the dragon huntress was taken care of, he moved on to each of his other wives, ending with Alana for the second time that evening. Once they all were properly taken care of, he fell asleep with a very floppy but incredibly content raven-haired woman in his arms.

* * *

Alana woke before the sun, a smile on her face as she remembered the previous night. Not at what they did together in bed -- though that was wonderful too -- but more at Rachel. The redhead had taken her dress off while others were around for the first time. She was glad that her best friend had become comfortable enough to do it and was grateful to Kendra for helping her. At least, she was pretty sure the dragon huntress's example had helped.

She tried not to dwell on how much of the redhead she had seen.

Alana had ended up at the end of the row of bedmates, Rachel right next to her as usual. That made her smile too. She lay awake meditating to restore her mana for some time, but regularly got distracted when her best friend adjusted in her sleep; the redhead's naked skin moving against her own was incredibly distracting. After some time, she decided to get up since she was mostly full of mana anyway, a lot of it having come back slowly during the night. That had never happened before she'd bonded to Ethan, but she was glad it did now.

As she slid out of bed, Rachel sighed softly and her lovely eyes fluttered open.

"Morning." Alana smiled.

"Mor..." The redhead yawned. "Morning."

"I'm just going to work on the travel bow; you can go back to sleep."

"Or I could get up and help you."

"Even better." Alana beamed.

The wood elf turned her back while dressing so that Rachel could get dressed without an audience. Having dressed, they walked out onto the weather deck where they both stopped short.

"We're docked in Dotmier." Rachel said aloud.

"Nothing gets past you." Anthiel said with a smile from behind and above them on the quarterdeck. "Since the airships went home and there was unfinished business here, I thought I'd save half the morning since I know he wanted to return once it was safe."

"Oh, thank you." Alana said, knowing that the high elf pilot was correct. The Blue Circle camp wasn't far from the city if he flew and she knew Taloni had wanted to come back to apologize to that luminar for calling him names.

* * *

Ethan flew low over the treetops towards the Blue Circle camp as the newly-risen sun began to illuminate areas of the ground with its rays. The orc had said to return when the sun hit the camp, which he figured was about now. He highly doubted they would be picky about the time unless he was super late or super early.

Breakfast had been nice, with both Kendra and Rachel smiling even more than normal. It had been really good to see. By contrast, Selene looked somewhat frustrated -- though not unhappy -- and adjusted her sitting position more often than normal. He was trying to decide if he should feel bad about that since he was almost certainly the architect of it. She seemed to love it though and he didn't feel like he should stop. It was strange, but he didn't.

He shook his head as the Blue Circle camp came into view over the trees. The orc's teepees were mostly covered by sunlight so he wasn't early. Yet not all the bases were tasting sunlight either, so he didn't think he was late. He circled once and then landed on the outskirts of the camp, intending to walk into the camp instead of landing in the center because he felt the latter would be rude.

"You return." Grobozlesh nodded when he'd walked into the camp.

"I said I would."

The orc grunted. "You have honor."

Ethan looked at him pointedly. "I'm not the only one."

Grobozlesh gave Ethan a respectful nod. "Come. Elders assemble. Tell decision."

"Lead on." Ethan said, though he already knew the way. The orc started walking and something occurred to Ethan. "Hey, did you ever recover your painting from yesterday?"

The orc nodded. "Strong painting. Strongest yet."

"You'll have to show me sometime."

Grobozlesh stopped and looked at him. "You like?"

"I didn't see it well, but I liked what I saw."

Grobozlesh nodded. "You have strong eye."

"And you a strong hand."

The orc smiled widely, then turned and waved a hand. "Come. Elder wait."

Ethan followed him through the orc camp until they arrived at the largest teepee in the center. As before, Grobozlesh lifted the log before passing under it and Ethan knew he would need to do the same. It was just as hard as the previous day, but he managed not to fumble the landing and set it down gently.

The orc nodded in approval and then led him into the teepee.

Inside, the orc chieftain and the elders were assembled. Despite the earliness of the hour, all looked awake and alert. The oldest elder, Hobdrizen, gave Ethan a respectful nod as he entered, the motion shaking the wolf's-tooth necklace he wore.

"You returned to hear decision?" He asked.

"I have." He nodded. "Are you going to involve the other orc clans in the fight against the Red Hands?"

"We ask." Drazglent said firmly. "Invite other clans to council, tell of hu-mans sending dragon, ask if join against Red Hands. If they have strong foresight, they join."

"And if they don't?" Ethan asked.

"We will fight that battle when it comes." Hobdrizen said.

"So what now?" Ethan asked.

"Come back, four days." Drazglent replied. "We tell reply."

"Four days huh?" Ethan asked.

"It should take that long." Hobdrizen replied. "We've already sent runners and will meet in three days. Day four will see our return. You should return when the sun is highest in the sky"

"You return, four days." Drazglent repeated. "We prove stronger than Red Hands."

"Sounds like a plan." There was something in the orc chieftain's tone that indicated the meeting was over, so he stood and looked at Grobozlesh. "Now, how about I go get my wife and we have that archery contest?"

"Strong plan." The orc nodded.

"I'll be back in a while then." Ethan replied.

* * *

Sarah sat with Fiona in the observation balcony overlooking Lord Delmar's throne room, which doubled as an audience hall and apparently a banquet hall as well when the occasion called for it. It was among the largest rooms she'd ever seen and certainly the largest stone room she'd ever seen. The vaulted ceilings were at least thirty feet high and the hall was at least twice that long. Elaborate tapestries and gold candlesticks filled the room, leaving visitors in no doubt of Lord Delmar's wealth and power.

Lord Delmar's throne was even more magnificent than the rest of the room. The throne was inlaid with gold in clever, intricate patterns and on a raised platform that occupied a decent portion of the rear of the room. A tall man might be at the level of the lord's feet. Behind him was a tasteful and magnificent stained-glass window depicting a rising sun and the great God Illuminar shining down favorably on the throne's occupant. Sarah imagined that from the perspective of someone seeking an audience, it would look like the lord was bathed in the radiance of the sun and Illuminar's blessings.

There were rather a lot of people in the room as well. Most were talking quietly or milling about the edges, and several Narlotten guards were stationed around the room. They hadn't moved a muscle since Sarah had arrived.

"That's quite the throne." Sarah said to Fiona.

"Aye, but I hear the Lord Delmar isn't liking it much." The copper-haired woman replied. "It's been like that since one of Lady Helene's less..." She hesitated, probably choosing her words carefully. "...less savory ancestors was installing it. They're saying that Narlotten's vault is under the throne room too."

"It must be a grand vault." Sarah said as she surveyed the finery of the room.

"Aye, I'm hearing it is." Fiona said as she adjusted Conner on her chest. The baby was attached to his mother by a long, wide strip of cloth wrapped around mother and baby so that he was held securely, but not tightly. Today he was on her front, but the wrap could also attach him to her back. Apparently that's how Fiona usually worked, the baby right there with her on either her front or back

As Sarah's mind had done almost constantly for the last twelve hours, it swung back to what Fiona had said to her the previous night.

Why was she so afraid all the time when she really didn't need to be?

If something was dangerous enough to hurt her, her problem would come out and deal with it. True, it often dealt with it far more strongly than she would've liked and she was concerned about that. But perhaps if she wasn't so afraid and stood up straight with her shoulders back -- which she could do because basically no one could hurt her -- then maybe the other person would back down and her problem wouldn't need to come out. She cocked her head to one side, the realization hitting her yet again.

She didn't need to be afraid.

It was such a wonderfully freeing feeling despite the reason for it not being good. However, maybe she could look at it as a silver lining to a very dark cloud. That seemed like a good way to--

"Sarah." Fiona broke into her thoughts. "I think he'll be starting soon."

The innkeeper's daughter looked down into the room below.

"All rise for the honorable and wise Lord Delmar, long may he reign." Someone dressed like a herald called from the floor below them.

"Long may he reign." Everyone in the room chorused as one as they stood, Sarah and Fiona among them. Then Lord Delmar came out from a side room, strode confidently to his throne, and sat down. Once he had sat down, everyone who had been sitting returned to sitting.

"Bring in the first case." Lord Delmar said. His voice was strong and confident, and it carried through the room so well that Sarah could hear him clearly even from the second-floor balcony.

"I'm hearing that they only bring the toughest cases to him." Fiona said quietly as a guard opened the large double doors to the room.

"Oh?' Sarah replied.

The copper-haired woman nodded as two women were escorted into the grand hall. One was taller and a brunette, the other was shorter and blonde. Both were middle-aged and they were glaring daggers at each other. Behind them, a guard was carrying something that looked like a small tapestry or thick rug that was rolled up and as long as a tall man. Both women looked artsy and there was a bit of whimsy in their clothing, jewelry, and hairstyles.

Sarah briefly wondered if she would look good in something like that. She'd been wearing practical clothes for so long that she had almost forgotten how fun it was to wear pretty or whimsical clothes. She had always enjoyed it very much when she was little, but her mother's death, her problem, and the subsequent poverty meant that she hadn't for quite some time.

Maybe it was time to try again?

Hmm.

"My Lord Delmar." The guard escorting the women said with a bow. "These two women have both claimed to have woven this--" He hefted the roll. "--and each claims that the other woman stole it and is pretending that it is hers."

"Please Lord Delmar." The shorter blonde said. "I've spent many long months working on this for--."

"You most certainly did not!" The taller brunette interrupted. The blonde looked like she was going to reply with equal vitriol when Lord Delmar spoke.

"Silence." His tone was so commanding that both women instantly fell silent, yet he hadn't raised his voice nor did he sound upset as he continued. "Another outburst like that will result in the case being dismissed and the item in question being burned before your eyes."

Both women looked horrified.

"Now, you." He pointed to the shorter blonde. "Make your case."

"My lord, I've spent many months and much gold on this." She began. "I've worked my fingers to the bone and spent the commission's down payment to make it, leaving me with little coin left. The man who hired me for it will demand I return the down payment and I'll be left destitute if I can't deliver it. My 'friend'--" She shot the brunette a nasty look, but her tone remained somewhat calm. "--knows this, but she messed up her own tapestry and so decided to steal mine."

The brunette opened her mouth, but stopped herself; probably because she remembered Lord Delmar's threat.

"Make your case." Lord Delmar said to the brunette.

"My Lord, this tapestry -- as small as it is -- is a labor of love that I've worked on these long months, spending countless hours making sure it was as beautiful as possible. I had an almost identical commission to hers, and this Saidow-spawn of a 'friend'--" She shot the other woman a look. "--knows this. She's an excellent weaver, but took shortcuts to make sure she could finish on time, which resulted in her own tapestry failing and needing to be entirely redone. Rather than admit her failures, she stole mine in the dead of night and pretended it was hers."

Lord Delmar regarded them impassively for a few moments and then addressed the guard. "What evidence is there?"

"None my lord." The guard bowed. "The threads found in both women's homes match the threads in the tapestry since they both buy from the same vendor. The commissions were near identical and both worked privately, each allowing only allowing the other to see her work."

The lord looked at the two women. "Do either of you have evidence beyond your testimony?"

The women gave each other nasty looks, but both shook their heads.

Sarah watched with great interest, not envying Lord Delmar's position here. She had no idea which one was telling the truth and which was lying. She felt sorry for whoever was telling the truth, and no small amount of anger towards the liar.

The lord was silent for almost a whole minute, then turned to one of the guards, beckoned him to the throne, whispered something to him, and then stood. "Ladies, it is obvious to me that this case has no conclusion. Therefore, I have sent my guard to collect my sword, whose edge is among the keenest in the Ten Kingdoms. I shall cut the tapestry in two and give half to each."

The shorter brunette gasped, and you might've thought she'd just been told that a close family member was about to die. She worked her mouth slowly, but no words came out.

"But Lord Delmar, I will have to pay back the down payment and I can't afford that." The blonde pleaded.

"The crown will speak to the commissioners and request that a second advance be given and deducted from the final price." Lord Delmar replied. Sarah guessed that a request for Lord Delmar would be honored.

The blonde frowned but nodded. "I wish it was not so, but I accept your wise judgment on this matter."

The guard returned with a sword in its scabbard and handed it to Lord Delmar, who took it.

"No!" The brunette cried out as he began to draw it. "No please don't destroy it. I'd rather see it in her hands--" She shot the blonde another nasty look. "--than see it gone forever." The woman's eyes looked slightly watery as she looked down and she said quietly. "Give it to her."

The blonde smiled.

Lord Delmar didn't.

He sheathed the sword and spoke. "The tapestry belongs to her." He indicated the brunette, then turned to the blonde. "Think very carefully before you answer the question I am about to ask, for I will consider it treason for you to lie to your lord, and I can summon a telepath if need be."

The blonde blanched.

"You didn't weave this tapestry." It was a statement, but he clearly intended the blonde to answer.

She hesitated several long seconds, then slowly shook her head.

"You know the penalty for theft -- even attempted theft -- in Narlotten?" He continued.

"But I don't have the money to pay it back double!" The blonde's eyes went wide. She worked her jaw for a moment. "I'll have to become a slave to wipe out that debt!"

Lord Delmar regarded her impassively, like a stone statue might regard someone who was gazing at it. "Then perhaps you will make better choices at the end of seven years when you are free again. In the meantime, you will serve as an example to those who would defraud others." He looked at the nearby guard. "Get this woman a flogging gown to protect her modesty and then escort her to the whipping post in the central square."

"B-but... but..." The blonde stammered.

Lord Delmar looked at her and her stammers died on her lips as he spoke in the same impassive tone. "The penalty for theft or attempted theft in Narlotten includes a public flogging and is the same for all: rich or poor, slave or free, man or woman; it makes no difference. The laws of Narlotten will not bend for you." He looked at the guard. "Take her away."

Sarah looked at Fiona to see the copper-haired woman also had her mouth hanging open slightly.

"That's not happening often." Her friend said. "Usually the case are legitimate disputes where there isn't a crime."

"But a public flogging?" Sarah went wide-eyed. "On a woman?"

"Well, they are using a different kind of flog for women that's less severe, but yes." The copper-haired woman was frowning, but she didn't look nearly as upset as Sarah herself felt.

"But still." The innkeeper's daughter grimaced and shook her head.

"Oh wait, look." Fiona pointed, and Sarah looked to see that the brunette was gesturing at the tapestry.

"--it's of the Lady Helene." The brunette was saying. "I met her once many years ago. I was just starting out as a weaver and was discouraged in my trade. She said that I shouldn't give up and talked to me for a few minutes. She was such an encouragement to me that I wanted to honor her with this tapestry. I did my very best to capture her essence because she was so wonderfully kind to me."

Lord Delmar still looked impassive, but to Sarah's eye, it seemed like it was a different kind of impassive. She couldn't quite place her finger on it, but whereas before he had seemed as impassive as stone, now he looked more like... like...

Hmm.

She cocked her head to one side as she tried to figure it out. It was almost like the difference between being stone and merely wearing a stone mask. She wasn't sure that made any sense, but it was the impression she got.

"Would you permit me to see it?" Lord Delmar asked.

"I would be honored Lord Delmar." The brunette replied earnestly.

A minute later, the small tapestry -- which was no more than six feet on a side -- was being held by several guards as Lord Delmar looked at it from his higher vantage point on the platform. From her own vantage point, Sarah also could see it quite well.

It was magnificent.

No, that wasn't a strong enough word.

She couldn't think of a strong enough word.

She had never met Lady Helene and had only seen that one portrait of her in Lord Delmar's office on his airship. This tapestry captured something about the woman that the painting hadn't despite the difference in the medium. Something about the eyes perhaps, or her look. Whereas the painting had probably captured her look accurately, Sarah guessed that this tapestry had captured her spirit.

The woman on the tapestry looked strong but also kind, fierce but also vulnerable. There was a softness to her that the innkeeper's daughter had noticed from Rachel, and she also saw the daughter's strength reflected on her mother's face. The resemblance was uncanny.

Lord Delmar looked at the tapestry for several long seconds before he spoke, and when he did his voice was perfectly even; almost too perfectly so.

"Name your price." He said after those silent moments. "If it was commissioned, I will offer the commissioner ten times the price and a seat at my table if he will sell it to me."

"I'm sure he will." The brunette replied, a slightly sad smile on her face as she looked at the image of the deceased woman. "I only met her once, but I tried to capture her essence. Is it a good likeness my lord?"

Lord Delmar didn't reply, he only nodded once.

He then turned and waved someone forward with two fingers. A slightly elderly man strode forward.

"That's Lord Delmar's personal steward." Fiona supplied helpfully.

"See to it personally." Lord Delmar told the man, who nodded.

The weaver of the tapestry saw that it was re-rolled properly and then was led off by the steward. Lord Delmar stood at the edge of the platform looking after the tapestry as it was carried out. A strange, almost eerie silence had fallen over the great hall. No one spoke. There was something in the air that would've made it seem disrespectful.

This feeling lasted for several long moments, then Lord Delmar turned and strode back to his throne, handed his sheathed sword to a guard, then sat down and spoke. "Call the next case."

The silence was broken and the hall returned to its previous level of noise as the guard led in the next supplicant. The rest of the cases weren't nearly as interesting, but Lord Delmar adjudicated in what Sarah thought was a wise and fair manner. They mostly were honest disputes, like one where a boundary stone had been moved by a flood and neither man could remember the exact location it had originally stood.

As she watched Lord Delmar carefully and judiciously wield his power for the betterment of his people, something that Ethan had once said to her came to mind. He had been telling her about one of his childhood storybook heroes and how that hero's motto had been "With great power comes great responsibility." Ethan hadn't lived up to that because he became a necromancer, but Lord Delmar did.

Maybe she should too?

Her mind immediately thought back to that girl she'd seen pushed around the previous day. Amy? Yeah, that was her name. She was clearly being bullied by those two other girls. Sarah tapped her foot on the floor as she realized that she too had been given great power. True it wasn't power that Illuminar would approve of, but she knew He would approve of helping someone who couldn't help herself and it seemed like Amy fell into that category.

Maybe she could help Amy?

She wasn't sure how, but she wanted to try.

* * *

Alana lowered her wooden bow after her second-to-last shot and then looked at her competitor, rather satisfied with where her arrows had landed. They were clustered at the very center of the target, and of course she'd made sure to adjust her aim slightly after each shot to ensure that she didn't damager her earlier arrows with later ones. By contrast, only one of the orc's arrows was in the bullseye, but the rest were close and they had sunk far more deeply into the target than hers had.

Beside her, Ethan, Kendra, and Selene all grinned at her. The two warrior women had insisted on coming, Selene to learn about how they used their round shields and Kendra because -- in her words -- 'just in case'. They had piled into Kendra's airship since it was faster and a lot less work than traveling in the Argo. The rest of her fellow wives had remained on the airship in Dotmier.

"Wife strong." Grobozlesh grunted as he looked at the target, then looked at the bow in her hands. "Bow weak."

"If the archer is 'strong enough', a weak bow will do." The wood elf countered.

"You prove." The orc replied.

"Okay, pretend that arrow of yours in the center is an enemy orc's eye." Alana said, then drew, took careful aim, and let one last arrow fly. It hit exactly where she was aiming: the center of the nock of Grobozlesh's arrow. It split the nock and the arrow shaft, coming to a stop only when it encountered the arrowhead.

Grobozlesh looked at it for several moments, then nodded his head again as a wide smile split his face. "Wife very strong. Need stronger bow."

"I'm making one." She replied.

"It's going to be amazing." Ethan added, and Selene and Kendra nodded.

Grobozlesh looked at Alana, and she thought he was sizing up her arms. "Weak arm. How weak arm shoot strong bow?"

"You'll see." Alana replied with grin. "It should be done by the time Ethan returns after your clan meeting. I can show you then if you like."

"Grobozlesh like." The orc grinned broadly. His tusks were showing, but he looked delighted rather than intimidating.

"Alana definitely out-shot you." Kendra pointed out. "Does that mean you'll show Selene how to use a round shield?"

Grobozlesh looked at the target again. "Come, see target back."

They all walked to the target, which was rather similar to a typical Ten Kingdoms archery target made from tightly braided and wound straw. The orc looked at the back, out of which his arrows could be seen but Alana's couldn't because they hadn't penetrated deeply enough. She knew that wouldn't be a problem when she finished her travel bow, but right now Grobozlesh's bow was far more powerful.

"We not make clear." Grobozlesh said looking at the target. "Archer strong, bow weak." He looked for a long moment at the arrows, then back at the Argo's crew. "Wife stronger in some way; not all way. We not make contest clear."

"Then how about you teach Selene some of how to use a shield, but not all." Kendra suggested.

"Pretty hu-man strong in mind." Grobozlesh nodded to Kendra, then looked at Selene. "I teach ugly hu-man some, but not all."

*Did he just...* Kendra's voice came to the group chat.

*I think he did.* Selene replied. *Damn, I've literally never been called ugly before. I don't think I like it.*

"Did you just call Selene ugly?" Alana asked, scarcely able to believe that anyone could think that of the beyond-gorgeous Brazilian woman.

The orc shrugged. "Not strong jaw. Not strong frame. She make not-strong childs." Then he looked at Kendra. "Strong jaw. Strong frame. She make strong childs."

*Suddenly, I'm not sure that was a compliment...* Kendra grimaced.

*Well, he did say you would make 'strong childs'.* Ethan grinned at her. *I think we should test that theory.*

Kendra blushed slightly. *I think I would like that, but can we wait until we're not in so much danger?*

*I intend to... and not a moment longer.* He winked at her.

Alana smiled at the shade of pink that the dragon huntress's cheeks became. She put her hand over her own womb, thinking of her daughter growing inside of her. It was a strange feeling to know that she was there. Wonderful, but strange.

"You know." Ethan said to Grobozlesh. "You could have another contest when Alana finishes her new bow. That bow will be much stronger."

"Strong thought." The orc nodded, the looked at Alana. "Tree elf want?"

"This one does." Alana grinned, then thought to her husband. *Hopefully my accuracy is up to par; I'd love to beat him completely.*

*I don't even think he would mind.* Ethan replied.

*Master.* Taloni thought to everyone as Grobozlesh went to retrieve his shield to teach Selene.

*What's up Tee?* Ethan replied.

*Shara, Lyra, and Taiven just arrived at the Argo.* The Fey teen replied. *They said that Lord Kalus would like to come, but he's still guarding the mine.*

*Okay, Grobozlesh was just about to start teaching Selene so we'll be back in a little while.* Ethan replied.

*Rachel should be able to keep her in-laws entertained until we get back.* The wood elf added, her tone unable to hide her amusement.

*Alana, if you weren't so wonderful I'd--.* Rachel started to say, but then stopped suddenly.

Ethan smiled at the wood elf.

Alana felt her cheeks grow warmer and her heart fluttered slightly.

Ethan chuckled, then looked at her. *According to Bee and Tee, Rachel seems to have excused herself to go hide under a rock.* Alana hadn't heard them, so she assumed that they had told Ethan directly.

*Well, please tell Rachel 'thank you' for the compliment from me, and tell her that I think she's wonderful too.* Alana replied.

Ethan paused for a moment, then thought to her. *She's glad.*

*Good.*

*Hang on.* He thought to her.

Nearby, Grobozlesh was showing Selene the basics of how to use a round shield. The Brazilian woman was using the leather round shield that Alana herself had made for her the previous day and seemed to be enjoying herself. The Brazilian woman was a quick study.

*Hey, Taloni was just talking to me.* Ethan thought to Alana not long after. *She still wants to go apologize to that luminar for calling him names.*

*I might suggest that she takes Kendra with her, and maybe Selene too.* Alana replied. *I'd feel better knowing that two of our best fighters are with her after that ambush, but you might not be the right person to go given how bluntly you said that his theology was stupid.*

*Good idea.* He paused for several seconds, then thought to her again. *She says that she'll be glad for their company." He cocked his head to one side. "You know, we created the group chat precisely so I didn't have to play these sorts of relay games.* He chuckled.

She chuckled too, wishing that she didn't need Ethan to relay messages to Rachel when she wanted to talk to the redhead without using the group chat. There really wasn't a good way around that though, or at least not one that didn't involve bonding.

Oh well.

* * *

"Anyway, those are the broad strokes." Ethan said as he finished explaining about the orcs to Shara and Lyra over lunch on the Argo. Once Selene had finished with her shield lesson, they had all returned to find the lord's wives waiting for them. Shara's son Taiven was also there, but he was playing with Thor. It was frankly good to see that the boy knew how to be a kid and play.

"I will tell my husband of this." Shara said. "I didn't realize that the orc clans were that way."

"So how did the Red Hands push the Blue Circles out?" Lyra asked.

Ethan hesitated. "I would tell you, but the clan seemed to think that was privileged information so I'd rather not say."

Shara smiled. "You are a man of honor; I would not trust a man who betrayed the confidence of another."

"Thank you." He replied, then looked around at the Argo's crew. "Now, we seem to find ourselves with a little bit of free time on our hands, since they said it would take a few days to ask the other clans for help. So, what do you want to do for a few days?"

"Mr. Ejder sir." Taiven spoke up. "Might I suggest that you come visit Timarou's capital city of Laerten? It is only a day's journey from here by airship."

"You would indeed be welcome." Shara added. "My husband explicitly said so, though he will be sorry not to accompany you."

"Speaking of, why is the lord of another country here fighting orcs?" Selene asked. "I get that he wants to help -- and I respect him for coming and fighting personally -- but couldn't he send someone?"

"No." Rachel shook her head.

"Why not?" Selene asked.

"Because it is customary to allow lords to travel freely into other realms with their personal bodyguard, but such is not the case for ordinary soldiers." Shara replied. "Were he to send someone else, he would be sending soldiers into another lord's realm without permission, which would cause a diplomatic incident. By himself with only his bodyguard, Lord Farbrottan cannot reasonably object, especially since Timarou purchases large amounts of iron from this mine."

Lyra grinned. "Basically, our brilliant husband put old Fat-bottom in a tight spot by coming here personally because he can't object without looking like a horse's rear end."

Everyone laughed.

"A somewhat uncouth but accurate summary." Shara said with a chuckle, smiling as she shook her head good-naturedly, which made her amber hair bounce slightly. "I'm afraid Lyra is somewhat famous for such uncouth summaries in Laerten."

"It would be loads of fun to have you all visit us there." Lyra said as she ran her hand through her ash-blonde hair, though perhaps 'champagne blonde' would be more accurate. "There's really great food at the castle, my father's horse farm isn't far from the city so we could all go riding, and there's tons of shopping; you can get anything in Laerten."

"Including cloth that can take two enchantments?" Selene asked. "After that ambush a few days ago we were talking about getting some just in case it happens again."

"Of course, we're wearing some now." Lyra said while waggling her finger between Shara and herself. "It's self-cleaning and cut resistant."

"Our husband and Octavian -- the captain of the bodyguard -- insisted." Shara added.

"Yeah, we always have a layer of that next to the skin." Lyra said, and then added with what seemed to be a determinedly straight face. "It's silk too, and feels great against the... skin."

Shara gave the ash blonde an amused yet longsuffering look, then addressed the Argo's crew. "We would be happy to show you the shop that sells it. The crown does business with them regularly."

"How much is it?" Alana asked, and Ethan thought she was suppressing a grimace.

"It shan't cost you a single copper." Shara replied with a smile. "We would be happy to furnish you with as much as you need to keep yourselves safe."

"Really?" Alana's eyes went wide.

"Of course." Lyra replied with a grin. "What's the point of being filthy rich if you can't help good people occasionally?"

"Further, you are Illuminar's prophet and I know our husband would be more than happy to help you however he can." Shara hesitated, and then added. "And I echo Lyra's sentiment; you are good people who are being terribly persecuted. I would love to help keep you safe."

"Thank you so much!" Alana said, and all of Ethan wives and he himself echoed the sentiment.

However, the word 'safe' jump out in his mind, which swung back to two people who probably weren't safe: Talven and Salma. The couple who had told him of the corrupt reeve might be suffering for doing so and he wanted to check up on them. He looked to the north, trying to decide how long it would take to get there. He knew it was about a two-day sail for the Argo, but he could fly far faster than the Argo could sail.

"Problem?" Lyra asked.

"Maybe." He replied, then explained about his visit to the reeve and his concerns about the couple. "We have four days until the orcs want us back. That's enough time to visit Laerten, but not enough to sail the Argo north to check on Talven and Salma. At least, it's not enough time to do any good if there are problems. Getting that fabric to protect you ladies is a huge priority though."

No one spoke for a moment.

Finally, Alana took a deep breath and broke the silence. "I really hate to suggest this, but what if we went to Laerten in the Argo while you flew north to check on Talven and Salma? If nothing is wrong with them, you could probably meet us in Laerten and we could maybe spend one of our two days there together. If something is wrong, you should have enough time to help."

"That's a tactically wise choice." Kendra said, then frowned. "But I hate it."

"Me too." Beth agreed.

"I don't like it at all Master." Tee added.

"Nor I my lord." Rachel frowned. "But Alana and Kendra are right. I know that you won't be able to not go, but we don't have time to take the Argo as far north as Talven and Salma's farm. Or at least we won't have enough time to do anything of substance. If we must be separated for a few days, perhaps spending them in Laerten might be suitably diverting."

"Not to mention getting you girls some protection." Ethan said. "That's an ultra-high priority."

*Judging by the doe-eyed looks your wives give you whenever babies are mentioned, I think they would prefer that you didn't use protection.* Selene thought to him with an amused smile on her face.

He looked at her, rolled his eyes, and chuckled.

His wives didn't look too confused because they probably could guess what was happening. Shara and Lyra looked confused. The former looked back and forth between Selene and Ethan for several moments with her eyes narrowed slightly, then fixed her gaze on Selene.

"You're a telepath." The amber-haired woman stated.

"Uh." Selene froze slightly.

"And if I wasn't sure before, that reaction makes me sure." Shara added, the corners of her mouth twitching up slightly.

*Selene, go with it.* Ethan thought to everyone. *I like the family -- rather a lot actually -- but the fewer people who know about our group chat the better. More peopling knowing means a greater chance that our enemies will find out.*

*Will do.* The Brazilian woman replied without looking at him, then she turned to Shara looking a bit sheepish. "You caught me."

"How the fu--" Lyra began with wonder, but stopped herself. "How did learn so fast? I thought you said that your world doesn't have magic, and you've only been here a month?"

"Both are true." She replied, then gave them the short version of her encounter with Lord Borden's telepathic mage and how that event had amplified her abilities. Ethan noticed and approved that she left off the amplifying effect of their bond as she continued. "It was a million-to-one shot, and I've barely learned how to do much more than communicate with people who are willing to."

"So what's that like?" Lyra asked.

"Um..." Selene started to say, though she was rescued by Kendra.

"Not to interrupt, but do we want to take the Argo to Laerten while Ethan goes north to check on Talven and Salma?" The dragon huntress said, swinging the topic back to the practical matter at hand. "If so, it would probably be best to get moving as soon as possible because we do have a deadline to return."

Ethan looked around at his wives. "Well ladies: thoughts?"

"I don't like it, but it seems like the smart choice." Alana replied.

"I'm with Alana." Beth frowned, then the expression turned into a half-smile. "Although, I've never been to Laerten before and I'm curious what it's like." The half-smile faded. "I'm going to miss you though."

"Master, I really like Talven and Salama." Taloni said. "I think it would be good for you to fly north to check on them because there isn't enough time for the Argo to go north. And if we're going to be parted anyway, then I like the idea of going to Laerten while you're gone."

"Agreed my lord." Rachel nodded. "It does make the most sense, little though I like it."

"I concur." Kendra nodded.

Everyone looked at Selene.

"What?" She asked.

"I asked for everyone's opinion." Ethan pointed out.

"Oh, I think it's a good idea." She shrugged.

"Yeah." Ethan sighed, not liking that they were all right. "Okay, what needs to be done before we leave then?"

"I promised the nurse that I'd help enchant some underthings to be self-cleaning when we first got here." Alana said. "I should go do that; won't take long."

"I'll go with you in case you need mana." Rachel volunteered.

Ethan smiled at the redhead's comment, but said nothing.

"I need to go see the luminar to apologize Master." Taloni said, not meeting anyone's eye. "And if it's okay, I'd like to see Arven and Ketura to thank them again."

"Okay, but take Kendra and Selene with you as Alana suggested earlier, just in case." He said. "I'd like to visit Arven and Ketura as well, but I don't think it would help matters if I came to see the luminar." He looked at Alana and Rachel. "Take your new travel bow with some arrows, and Rachel take your mage's staff; again just in case."

The two ladies nodded.

"Our airship is just over the border and won't be here for several hours after we call it." Shara spoke up. "We can meet you in Laerten, or you could delay your departure."

"Or..." Lyra said with a sly grin. "What if we hitched a ride on the Argo?" She looked at Ethan. "Assuming that's okay?"

"After what you've offered to keep my wives safe, you're welcome any time." Ethan replied.

"Perfect." The ash-blonde beamed. "Then we can give the border patrol ships a fright when they stop the Argo only to realize that we're on board."

"I don't know if that's a wise plan. What if--" Shara began.

"Come on Shar." Lyra replied, evidently using a nickname. "It'll be fun."

The amber-haired woman hesitated for several seconds, then nodded. "But we should bring Octavian and the rest of the bodyguards because I'm sure they miss their families." She looked at Ethan. "Could the Argo accommodate a half dozen more?"

"Easily." Anthiel replied from nearby. "There are plenty of hammocks in the crew quarters and plenty of food in the hold."

"They'd be welcome." Ethan confirmed, then looked around. "Let's all get going then; we've got a lot to do before we leave."

At the word 'leave', his wives all became noticeably subdued. He had to admit that he wasn't looking forward to spending the night away from them; probably several nights.

He frowned.

"Ah, newlyweds." Lyra chuckled.

"Huh?" Ethan asked.

"First night apart?" The ash blonde asked.

"Not really, but close." He replied, thinking of his imprisonment when he had been captured by Lady Ekthros.

"I remember our first night with Kalus gone." Lyra looked at Shara with the edge of a badly-concealed sly smile on her face. "Do you remember?"

The amber-haired woman went slightly pink in the cheeks as she nodded. Ethan was pretty sure there was a story there, but equally sure that it would probably be rude to ask.

"You might wish to accomplish everything in preparation for departure before you say goodbye." Shara suggested. "I've found it's easier that way."

"Good idea." Ethan nodded, glad to have something to focus on besides the impending parting from his wives, no matter how temporary it would be. "Let's get to it."

* * *

Selene followed the directions she'd been given to get to the luminar's house with Taloni walking beside her in much the same manner as someone might do while walking to his execution. She seemed determined though and needed no prompting, nor did she fall behind or slow them down.

"Why are you so determined to apologize?" Selene asked.

"Because the Book of Light says that when we wrong someone, we should." The Fey teen replied. "I... I might not feel like I had to if I hadn't been so angry that I called him a-- well, not nice names."

"What kind of names?" Selene asked.

The Fey teen's cheek went slightly pink. "Names I shouldn't ever call anyone."

"I agree, but what he said was pretty horrible." Kendra said.

"That's not an excuse." Tee said quietly.

"True." The dragon huntress agreed.

"Do you think he really believed all that crap?" Selene asked.

"Maybe?" Kendra shrugged.

"I'd love to know for sure." Selene mused.

"Well, there's one way you could find out." Kendra looked at her pointedly.

The Brazilian woman frowned. "I don't know how to do it very well."

"There's no time like the present to learn." Kendra countered. "You only tried three times. You said it didn't work on the man we captured after the ambush because he was in a blind panic. The two other times it didn't work because there were too many people to single the thoughts out. And I understand why you don't want to practice on Raklan; yuck."

Selene chuckled, and even Taloni cracked a small smile for a moment before it disappeared.

"I suppose I could." She grimaced. "But I'm not sure how I feel about reading someone's mind without his permission. That seems like a gross invasion of privacy."

"There are no laws against it." Kendra pointed out. "Though, that might be because it's so rare."

"There also aren't any laws about over-taxing Ivernians." Selene countered. "Just because it's legal doesn't make it right.

"Good point." The raven-haired woman nodded her head in concession, then hesitated. "Although, I knew a few people in the Aldmiri who could read body language like you can read minds. They could tease out what you were thinking in seconds whether you wanted to reveal it or not. This really isn't that different."

"I'm not so sure." Selene replied, then looked at Taloni. "What do you think?"

"I think we're there." The Fey teen took a deep breath as she stopped about ten feet from a house.

The house was like all the others in Dotmier; as well maintained as funds would allow and kept in service far past its prime. This one had an odd look to it compared to the other ones though. It was almost strangely clean. Like the couple themselves, something about the house and the way it was kept made it seem extremely proper with not a single thing out of place.

Hmm.

Interesting.

Taloni didn't move for a full five seconds, then she spoke. "I actually need to knock if I'm going to apologize, don't I."

It wasn't a question, but Selene responded anyway. "Do you want me to?"

She hesitated and then shook her head. "No, I should."

She didn't move for a full ten seconds, then slowly walked up to the door and knocked. Several seconds later the door opened to reveal the luminar's wife. She was wearing a dress that was perfectly pressed and neatly arranged, even if it was a bit thin in places. Her hair was loose but there were no stray strands of hair, as if none dared to step out of line. She didn't look severe or displeased, but something about her seemed like a very strict librarian, or perhaps a Catholic nun who taught school.

"Oh." The woman's eyebrows went up as she saw who it was, but her tone was kind enough. "Hello."

"Hi." Taloni said in a small voice. "I um..." She swallowed and looked down. "I need to apologize to your husband." She shifted on her feet. "Is he here?"

"Certainly, come in." She said kindly, then moved aside and waved them in.

The inside of the house was much like the outside and the woman herself; perfectly orderly without a single thing out of place. It looked like she was cooking and yet there didn't even seem to be a mess.

The woman looked at the Fey teen. "Percival is out back, but may I encourage you for a moment? You look concerned."

Taloni nodded.

The woman's voice had a kind and consoling tone that oddly wasn't grating as she spoke. "One of the best things about understanding the glorious mysteries of the depravity of all men is that you understand that we all fail every moment of every day. Thus, Percival will understand and forgive you because Illuminar bears our grievous sins and requires us to do the same to others."

Selene resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the least comforting 'comfort' that she'd ever heard.

"Thank you." Tee said.

"He's out back working." The woman said, then gestured to the back door.

"We're here for moral support." Selene explained as she and Kendra followed Taloni to the back door and then through it.

Just outside the back door was what looked like a cobbler's bench, and sitting on it was the luminar; Percival apparently. He was slightly hunched over and working on a half-completed boot in a very clean and tidy workspace. Oddly, the strangest part about this picture wasn't that the luminar appeared to have a trade -- as odd as that seemed to Selene -- it was that his posture wasn't perfect. For some reason, that didn't look right on him.

"Oh." He looked up, and his eyebrows went up in exactly the same way as his wife's had when he saw who it was. "Hello."

"Hi." Taloni gave him a small and nervous wave.

The luminar -- Percival -- looked at the three women, obvious confusion on his face. "What can I do for you? Did you need shoes?" He glanced at their feet.

"Um, no." The Fey teen shook her head.

Percival put his tools down and adjusted in his seat, looking like he was giving her his undivided attention. "I can hardly imagine that you came to ask about matters of faith, was there something else?"

Possibly the strangest thing about this meeting was that he seemed to be genuinely interested and concerned. Selene didn't think it was a farce either; he seemed genuine. For some reason, that made an odd contrast to his sermon from a few days ago.

She hadn't been expecting that.

Beside her, Kendra gave her a little nudge and subtly nodded her head towards the luminar. Selene nodded, then opened a window in her mental defenses so she could try to see what he was thinking. She didn't plan to go deep, just skim the surface thoughts.

It sort of worked.

There were two people nearby, the man and his wife. As she intentionally tried to open her mind to feel their thoughts, she found that sorting the thoughts out was like trying to listen to two people who were both talking into your ear, one on either side of your head. She couldn't understand because the two voices were 'talking' simultaneously, but since there were only two voices she thought she could learn to sort them out.

She closed the window in her mental defenses as she considered the problem. It was one she'd encountered before, but she wasn't fighting for her life right now and thus could focus on solving it. Her first thought was to simply create a window facing him and not her.

She tried it.

It helped a little.

The woman's thoughts were perhaps slightly muted, but not enough to make the man's thoughts clear.

Hmm.

As she thought about how to tackle the problem, her mind drifted to what she'd read on the topic and seen on TV. TV didn't usually explain much, but her reading often did. Well, some of her reading did. She would of course never admit this to anyone -- especially Ethan -- but she had often enjoyed erotic stories where the male lead had mind control powers and used them on the unsuspecting heroine.

She adjusted how she was standing slightly as she thought about all the different versions of telepathy that she'd read about. No specific one stood out, but there were patterns. Almost universally, everyone who explained it in any detail agreed on one thing: in the mental world, symbolism and intent were more important than almost everything else.

The mental fortresses that Ethan, his wives, and herself had constructed were made of stone, or at least they looked like they were. However, she didn't think that imagining them being made from solid adamantium, neutronium, or any other indestructible Sci-fi or fantasy material would be more secure because it was the intent that mattered.

Hmm.

She grinned as a thought occurred to her. She had loved Marvel's first Iron Man movie, and the suit in it had a head's-up display that highlighted whatever he looked at. She needed something like that. Something that she could use in combat without paying a lot of attention to it.

Hmm, that could work.

She imagined that she had a headphone with a visor on it, and the visor would auto-select whoever's mind she wanted to read.

That didn't work at all.

She frowned; was she overcomplicating this? She looked at Percival and opened another window, this time thinking the window would only allow his thoughts through, like a one-way mirror of sorts.

That was much better.

Not perfect, but much better.

For some reason, the narrowed focus made it harder to hear his thoughts, but at least his wife's thoughts were barely a whisper in the background. His thoughts were fuzzy, though perhaps they had been fuzzy before and she just couldn't tell with the two voices talking at once? Regardless she turned her mind to making sense of what she could hear.

It was strange, rather like listening to someone talk very fast and none-too-clearly as his mind moved from one topic to the next. She had trouble catching all of what he was thinking, but she supposed that made some sense because people could think much faster than speak.

She briefly considered trying to focus harder on his thoughts to get a better read, but then remembered her experience with Lord Borden's telepathic mage and thought better of it. She certainly didn't want to do to him what had been done to her.

Instead, she took a different tact.

She just sort of stepped into his thoughts and let them flow around her, trying to make sense of what she heard. The trouble was, she was getting more than just thoughts. There were images, impressions, emotions, and other things as well. She was seeing them all at the same time so it was hard to get anything specific. However, while she couldn't pick anything specific out of those emotions, she could get a general idea.

His mind was... strange.

It reminded her of Ethan in some ways, though it was very different as well. She didn't remember a lot about their bonding but she did remember her impression of him. He had this enormous well of darkness that was under the surface, like a wild animal on a leash that was only barely trained.

Percival was different. There was the darkness there, but it felt more like he'd barricaded it behind a closed door and piled everything he could find in front of the door to keep it shut and the darkness contained. Ethan was taming his darker impulses, controlling them and giving them a short leash so they didn't take over. This luminar was suppressing them with all his might.

"Are you okay?" Kendra nudged her gently.

Selene's concentration broke and she was snapped back to the moment. Taloni was talking with the luminar and looked much better than when she had arrived. Selene guessed the Fey teen had apologized and he'd accepted it.

"--but I'm not sorry I interrupted." Taloni was saying. "I should've been calmer, but you were blaspheming Illuminar and I had to say something."

The luminar made a thoughtful frown as he slowly nodded his head. "It is good that you have tamed your youthful cravings enough to be so dedicated to Illuminar -- blessed be He. But being young, you might not understand the darker side of man."

Selene almost laughed given how hard Tee's life had been until she'd met Ethan, but refrained. Instead, she let the conversation fade as she tried to get a sense of his surface thoughts again.

It took several moments for her to get the focus right and start hearing and feeling his thoughts again. They weren't clear this time either, but she could get general impressions of what he thought. Sadly no specifics, but she thought she might be able to with time and practice. Lord Borden's mage certainly seemed capable of it, so she didn't see why she couldn't be as well.

She wasn't really listening to his words as he spoke, more his attitude and the emotions running through his mind. More than once she got the sense that he was tightening his control over that door behind which he had locked away his darkness in order to suppress it. That's when she had a realization.

He really believed what he taught.

He really, truly believed that people were terrible to the core with nothing good in them. She wasn't sure how she knew, but she definitely got that impression. His darkness seemed to be the reason, though she had no idea what it was. She got the impression it was something in his past; something that he'd long ago turned away from and it haunted him still.

Hmm.

Honestly, Selene imagined that Kendra might have similar wounds, but Percival had taken to dealing with them differently. Suddenly, his rigid control made a bit more sense; he didn't want to go back to the darkness. She also got the sense that he taught the way he did because he truly wanted to save others from the darkness that he was so sure subsumed them as well.

Huh.

Interesting.

Sadly, this belief also seemed so deeply embedded in him that she doubted anything would ever change his mind. It was almost a part of him; a core part of his identity. Honestly, she felt a bit bad for him. It had to suck thinking that you were the equivalent of pond scum every minute of every day.

She withdrew from his mind, though she really hadn't done much more than dip a toe into it. She found it strangely difficult, like swimming against a current. She managed and it wasn't too hard, but she made a mental note to be very careful before delving deeply into someone else's mind. She got the distinct impression that the deeper she went, the harder it would be to return.

She would have to watch that.

* * *

Ethan bid Arven and Ketura goodbye after a pleasant hour at their house while Alana did the enchanting and Taloni apologized to the luminar. The couple's daughter Yalia hadn't been there; she was on a walk with Matthew discussing translation and how to best debate the town's luminar. Her parents had been wearing wide smiles as they told him that Matthew had decided to confront the luminar on his own. He was pretty sure they were already planning the wedding.

Taloni, Kendra, and Selene had come to the house when she was done and thanked the couple again. They had hung out there for a short time before Alana and Rachel turned up after finishing the enchanting. They stayed for a short time and then the Argo's crew left.

"Does anyone have something else to do before we leave?" Ethan asked as they headed back towards their airship.

No one answered, and the silence was deafening.

*I don't have anything to do, but I tried something you might be interested in hearing about.* Selene thought to everyone and then explained her first successful and intentional use of telepathy.

*So what was it like?* Beth asked. *I mean, what does it feel like to be in someone else's mind?*

Ethan smiled as Selene explained, glad his second wife was feeling better. Perhaps not 100% better, but much better. He still wanted to ask why she had asked him to stop calling her 'angel' though.

Discussion of Selene's success saw them all the way to the Argo. When they arrived, he saw half a dozen men he didn't recognize in chainmail. They were wearing blue surcoats on which was emblazoned a stylized white horse that was rearing. He was pretty sure that was Timarou's emblem, and the fact that Shara and Lyra appeared perfectly comfortable with them reinforced that impression. The lord's wives had some luggage on the Argo's deck, and Ethan couldn't help noticing that Lyra had far less than Shara, not that the latter had a lot.

"Ethan, I'd like you to meet Octavian." Shara said, indicating one of the men in a Timarou surcoat. "He's one of the best men I know and honorable to the hilt."

"Good to meet you." Ethan stuck out his hand.

Octavian shook it as he looked Ethan up and down. He hadn't been using his disguise gem in Dotmier, so the man could see him in his true dragon form.

Octavian was a wiry man who was just slightly taller than Ethan. He had dark hair which was just starting to show a little gray, but it wasn't quite enough to be called 'salt and pepper' yet. He had piercing eyes and looked over Ethan and the ladies, his gaze appearing to linger on Kendra and Selene for several moments longer than the others.

"You might be a prophet, but if your crew tries to harm the royal family--" He began.

"Octavian!" Lyra interjected.

"It's okay." Ethan said, nodding to the man. "The same is true if you harm my family."

Octavian didn't actually smile, but it looked like he was on the edge. "Then we understand each other."

Ethan nodded; they would get along just fine. Or at least they would if they were going to be in the same place for any length of time, which they weren't. Speaking of... He looked at his wives, it hitting him all over again that for the first time, he would be parted from all his wives.

It couldn't be helped; they needed the fabric for protection and he needed to check on Talven and Salma. He had a sinking feeling in his gut that things hadn't gone well for the couple. Seeing as he was partially responsible for what happened, he needed to go north while his wives needed to go southeast.

He hated that.

He looked back at them, sighed, and shook his head. "I'm going to miss you ladies."

"And we you." Alana nodded, a sentiment that the others echoed.

*Drago, could we say goodbye in the captain's cabin?* Kendra thought to everyone.

*Absolutely.* He replied.

*Enjoy.* Selene subtly rolled her eyes and shook her head with an amused smile. From her tone, he guessed that she thought they were going to say goodbye with a romp on the bed.

He looked at her and frowned slightly. "Ladies, why don't head into the captain's cabin; I want to talk to Selene for a moment."

They did, and he nodded his head towards the quarterdeck which was less crowded than the rest of the ship since Anthiel was its only occupant. They headed up the stairs and the high elf apparently guessed that they were there to talk because she spoke up. "I'll go help our guests stow their luggage."

Not for the first time, he found himself quite glad that she was their pilot.

He led the caramel-haired beauty to the rear of the ship and turned to her. "I think you have the wrong impression."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I won't lie: the sex is fantastic. But I love my wives for more than just the sex and right now that's the last thing we feel like doing."

"Oh." She pursed her lips. "I just thought based on what Kendra said..." She trailed off, a thoughtful frown on her face.

He shook his head. "There's no reason for you to know this, but it was Kendra's night to sleep in my arms last night, and she always wants to cuddle up against me the night afterwards. She'll miss that. You know her story and how much physical touch means to her, especially hugs. She wouldn't show it, but I think my being gone might be harder on her than the rest of my wives."

"Ah, I hadn't thought of that." Selene nodded slowly, then cocked her head to one side. "You really know your wives and make sure to take care of them, don't you."

It was more a statement than a question, but he nodded anyway. "I try."

"I suppose I've had ample proof of that before, it's just..." She hesitated. "...I see a guy with five wives and I guess a part of me -- the part that grew up in monogamous America -- subconsciously assumes he must be a complete horn dog who isn't interested in the women for who they are, but for... other things." She gave him a piercing look. "You aren't like that and I guess I needed to be reminded of that, yet again."

It looked like that information had hit just now in a way that it hadn't before. Like she really 'got it' now where she hadn't before. It seemed like it might stick this time.

She looked at him for several seconds, then spoke again. "I'm sorry."

"It's already forgiven and forgotten." He smiled.

"Thank you."

They stood there for several seconds of silence that wasn't awkward. The gorgeous Brazilian had an expression on her face that was halfway between a thoughtful frown and a smile. They looked at each other for several long moments, neither saying anything. Finally, Selene broke it.

"Go take care of your wives." She had a genuine smile on her face. "And I realize I'm not you, but I'll give Kendra a few extra hugs while you're gone."

"She'll love that." He smiled back, being struck all over again by just how incredibly gorgeous she was, especially when she smiled. She had started doing that a lot more often lately and it was good to see his friend smile.

Selene nodded her head towards the stairs and he started walking.

"Ethan." The caramel-haired beauty said.

He stopped and turned. "Yes?"

"Don't ever stop being you."

"I won't." He smiled.

"Good." She nodded, then started turning towards the rear of the Argo, but she stopped. She glanced back at him for a moment with an odd look in her eye that he couldn't quite place. Then she shook her head, seemingly to herself, and turned to look out the back of the Argo. He wondered what she was thinking, but right now his wives needed him.

* * *

Sarah spent much of the day thinking about the new revelation that she didn't need to be afraid anymore. More than once she had laughed out loud for seemingly no reason at all. She found herself humming or quietly singing songs to Illuminar throughout the day. She found herself doing little dance moves that she hadn't done since she was a little girl. She noticed the dresses that the ladies were wearing, especially the more whimsical ones. She found herself rearranging things she saw in her head so they were more artistic and beautiful.

She'd forgotten how much she loved all those things.

She felt so wonderfully light and free, like a bird that had just learned to fly. She felt like she could go anywhere and do anything.

The first thing that keep coming to mind was to help Amy, but she didn't know where the girl was. Fortunately, Fiona had told her that Amy liked painting and would probably find Sarah to ask if she wanted anything painted for a few coppers. All she had to do was wait and she'd get to meet her. She might be a bit nervous about that ordinarily, but not now; not with what Fiona had pointed out earlier.

She started humming a cheerful tune as she thought about that.

"We'll, someone is happy." Fiona said after an early dinner as they sat in their room. The copper-haired woman was feeding Conner with a blanket over her chest and she had a wide smile on her freckled face as she looked at the innkeeper's daughter.

"Thank you so much for what you said last night." Sarah said while doing a little twirl in her dress for no reason other than that she felt like doing it.

"I was happy to be helping." Fiona beamed, then winced and looked down. "Hey, no biting." She shook her head and said absent-mindedly. "Sheesh, he is like his father." Then her pale cheeks reddened a bit.

"Like his father?" Sarah cocked her head to one side.

"Aye." Fiona hesitated, then spoke somewhat delicately. "There are some things that are painful outside the bedroom that are... the opposite inside the bedroom."

"Oh." Sarah felt her cheeks get slightly warm.

"Don't worry, you'll be finding that out when you're married." Her smile was a bit sly.

"I'm actually already betrothed." Sarah replied. "But I don't think that he..." She frowned.

"He's not the loving kind?"

She nodded.

"Well, he might be surprising you."

"Maybe." The innkeeper's daughter had known Rindrin for a long time. She guessed that he would try, but she doubted that he would succeed. He was a simple fellow; not stupid, but simple. She doubted that he would be a good lover; he was too blunt for that.

"I um... Before I learned what Ethan was like, I met him and wanted him to..." She trailed off. She had thought he was so good and that he might be a tender lover... until she'd learned the truth. "I'm just really glad that Lady Ekthros told me the truth while we were imprisoned."

"Wait, while 'we' were imprisoned." Fiona cocked her head to one side. "Are you saying you were imprisoned and she was getting you out?"

Sarah shook her head. "No, we were both imprisoned."

Fiona stared at Sarah for a moment, during which time Conner started fussing and she switched him to her other breast under the blanket. Afterwards she gave Sarah a piercing look.

"What?" The innkeeper's daughter asked.

"You're saying that someone was putting Lady Ekthros in prison against her will?"

"Yes." Sarah nodded.

The copper-haired woman frowned. "Sarah, I'm not sure if you're knowing this, but Lady Ekthros is a mage."

"What?"

"Aye." Fiona nodded. "She's a mage, and right powerful one if I'm hearing right."

It was Sarah's turn to stare, which she did wordlessly for several seconds before speaking. "You're sure?"

"Well, I haven't see her use magic myself, but I'm hearing from the other servants that it's the case. There's very little that the servants don't know, and they are talking to each other. I'm not participating, but I can't help hearing sometimes. The servants aren't talking about things with non-servants, so I don't think that most of the nobles are knowing. But Lady Ekthros is a mage, and like I was saying: she's a right powerful mage too."

Sarah stared at Fiona for several seconds, her mouth hanging slightly open as she considered what this meant.

Lady Ekthros was a mage?

And a powerful mage too?

How?

If she was a mage, then how could she have been captured with...

With...

Her mouth opened wider and her eyes followed suit. What if Lady Ekthros hadn't been captured? Or maybe she had allowed herself to be captured? But why would she do that? What possible reason could she have? Did it have something to do with her? She frowned; it must have something to do with her, right? She couldn't think of a single other reason for her to...

"Sarah, are you okay?" Fiona asked after a moment.

The innkeeper's daughter swallowed hard. She remembered exactly how she had felt when Lady Ekthros had told her that Ethan was a false prophet; a necromancer. She had felt almost broken inside, like a hollowed-out shell. She could almost feel herself starting to have that reaction with Lady Ekthros, and yet...

And yet...

Hmm.

This time was different.

Maybe it was the possibility that Ethan wasn't a bad man if she had been lying, maybe it was what Fiona had pointed out earlier about not needing to be afraid, maybe it was simply that she had been through more things in the past few weeks than ever before and they had made her tougher. Whatever the reason, she didn't feel that same aching, piercing pain she had felt when Lady Ekthros had told her about Ethan...

...but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

She sat down on her bed, mouth still agape and scarcely believing it was possible. She put a hand over her mouth and looked around the room, as if she would see something that would make this make sense. She knew she wouldn't, but she suddenly felt like a rug had been pulled out from under her.

"Maybe there's an explanation?" Sarah finally said. "Maybe she... I don't know, maybe they put some mage-binding cuffs on her so she couldn't do magic?"

Fiona raised her eyebrow. "Were you seeing any?"

Sarah bit her lip, then shook her head.

"I have my own reasons for not liking Lady Ekthros." The copper-haired woman continued. "And I don't feel like I should be sharing because I don't want to be gossiping. But I am saying that if Lady Ekthros was telling me that the sky was blue and the grass was green, I would be going outside to check."

"She spent a lot of time convincing me that Ethan was evil." Sarah replied, not sure how to harmonize that with what Fiona had just said.

"That fooking dragon put an arrow through me husband's eye" Fiona said venomously, though the venom wasn't directed at Sarah. "Lady Ekthros might be a--" She stopped and took a deep breath. "Well, even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while."

Sarah nodded slowly, having something entirely new to think about. She had spent the entire day bursting with happiness and often considering how she might help Amy. She was still happy and still wanted to help the girl, but with this new information...

She shook her head.

What should she do about Lady Ekthros?

At the back of her mind, she couldn't help but wonder a related question. That question added an additional kernel of happiness to the joy she'd felt throughout the day as she pondered it: was Ethan innocent?

* * *

Kendra stood in the captain's cabin waiting for Ethan to return and reminding herself that the mission came first. She couldn't even begin to count the number of times she had heard that during training, so much that it echoed in her ears even now. Her husband needed to go north to check on Talven and Salma and they needed to go southeast to Laerten. That was the mission and it came first...

...but her shoulders slumped even further as she thought about it.

On either side of her, Bee and Tee came up and sandwiched her between them in a tight hug. The dragon huntress felt her eyes get moist.

"Thank you." She whispered.

"No, thank you." Beth said with a significant look.

Kendra gave her a half smile.

Moments later, Ethan came in and closed the door behind him. The blondes let her go and Kendra did something she rarely did; she acted on impulse. She stepped around Ethan to lock the door, then turned and started taking off her dress and vambraces.

She was naked before long and stepped up to him, her eyes a bit watery. "Hold me?"

He wrapped his arms tightly around her and pulled her into him. She hugged him back tightly, fighting back tears.

"I'm okay." She said after several moments. "I promise I won't do this every time you leave and I know I'm overreacting, I just..." She sniffed.

"You don't have to apologize." He replied softly.

She hugged him tighter.

Moments later, she felt something incredibly wonderful; she felt more skin against her back and sides. She looked without letting go of her husband and saw that Alana, Beth, and Taloni were entirely naked, while Rachel was only wearing her breast wrap and her underwear. They had made her the center of a group hug; an almost entirely naked group hug with more skin touching hers than she'd ever felt before at one time, except possibly the previous night.

She sniffled slightly, trying to hold the liquid in her eyes that was threatening to come out. "I love you all so much."

"And we love you." Ethan gave her an extra squeeze as her fellow wives echoed the sentiment.

"You should hug everyone else; I'm hogging you." Kendra said after a moment, but he didn't let her go.

"I call dubs!" Rachel said, then paused. "Wait, or was it--"

"Dibs!" Alana called out.

Ethan chuckled.

After a moment of sorting out who was next -- Rachel, because she thought to call it first -- Ethan gave everyone a long hug. And of course, the woman being hugged by him ended up in the center of an almost entirely naked group hug. Rachel was still partially clothed and she didn't look entirely comfortable with her state of undress, but she didn't re-clothe herself either. The redhead did slowly relax as the hugging wore on though.

There was a knock on the captain's cabin door and then Anthiel's voice came through it. "Captain, we're ready to make sail whenever you're ready."

"Thank you." He replied, but didn't move.

No one moved.

Finally, Ethan took a deep breath. "I need to go."

"I know." Kendra said, feeling much better now after all those wonderful hugs. "They need help and you can't not help them." The raven-haired woman caught Beth's eye and smiled. The blonde smiled back.

He sighed one more time and then looked at Taloni. "I'll need to see a map for directions, and I should probably be loaded for bear."

"Huh?" Kendra looked at him.

"I mean, fully armed and armored." He explained. "Loaded up as if I'm hunting a bear, or at least I think that's where the expression comes from."

"We used to say: 'armed for dragon'." The dragon huntress gave him an amused smile.

"That." He nodded. "That means I should bring the grenade satchel too, though it's getting a little light."

"We can make more on our journey." Alana said.

"Prioritize your travel bow and learning to heal each other, but good idea." He said.

The ladies got dressed and then they all filed out of the captain's cabin. Taloni got a map and then she and Kendra showed him how to find Talven on Salma's farm from the air and how to navigate using rivers and landmarks so he didn't get lost. Finally, Kendra folded the map and put it in his satchel, just in case.

"Captain." Anthiel said when they were done.

"What's up?" He asked.

"I guessed that you hadn't considered food much." She held up a small bag that looked full and a leather canteen. "It has enough lightweight food to keep you going at full rations for four days, but you'll have to refill the canteen along the way. I also included some coin from the ship's treasury."

"Thank you." He said.

Ethan gave each of his wives another hug and kissed them all. *Remember that I'm only a thought away, and have fun with Shara and Lyra in Laerten.*

*We will.* Alana replied.

"I love you all." He said aloud.

They all echoed that sentiment.

Ethan smiled at them, sighed, and then turned and walked to the Argo's railing. He looked like he was about to jump, but looked back one last time first. He smiled at them for a moment and then jumped off the side of the Argo, spreading his wings and heading north. Kendra and her fellow wives stared after him for a while as Anthiel piloted the Argo out of its berth and began sailing southeast towards Laerten.

"I hate this." Beth huffed after a minute or two. "I know he needed to go, and I would've been disappointed in him if he didn't, and I know I'm totally overreacting, but I hate this."

"Me too Bee." Tee nodded glumly.

Dinner that night was more subdued than normal. Shara and Lyra probably could tell that Ethan's wives were feeling glum and didn't try to force conversation, a fact for which Kendra was grateful. The dragon huntress knew that she would occasionally need to spend a few nights away from Ethan; it happened sometimes. She knew they were all overreacting, but it was the first time that he had left and she hated it.

Even Selene seemed a bit more glum than usual.

The gorgeous Brazilian woman even declined an offer to spar from Octavian, and as far as Kendra could recall she had never declined to spar before. After that, the dragon huntress came up to her.

"You okay?"

Selene shrugged. "I'm fine, just thinking mostly."

"About what?"

The caramel-haired beauty hesitated, then shook her head. "Ask me later once I've sorted things out a bit; I'm not sure I'm ready to talk about it just yet."

"I will." Kendra nodded. "Anyway, good night." She started turning but was interrupted.

"Kendra." Selene said.

"Yeah?" She back around.

"Would you like a hug?" The Brazilian woman looked slightly sheepish as she spoke. "I'm not great at them since I haven't had much practice, but I'll do my best."

"I would love that." Kendra smiled.

The hug was indeed a bit awkward, but it was wonderful anyway.

"You know." The Brazilian woman said when the hug broke. "I didn't have many friends after my brother died; I was too busy trying to become an FBI agent. And I know we've only known each other a month, but I think you're the best friend I've ever had."

Kendra felt herself get a bit choked up and had to apply significant effort to make her voice sound normal as she replied. "Thank you. I'm not... I mean in the Aldmiri we didn't really..." She smiled. "I think you're the best friend I've ever had too."

Selene offered another hug which Kendra readily accepted.

This one wasn't awkward.

They talked for another minute before bidding each other good night, after which Kendra slipped into the captain's cabin. Her fellow wives were already there and looked at a slight loss as to what to do.

"Can I make a request?" Kendra asked everyone. "Can... can we not wear our dresses to bed?"

Everyone looked at Alana.

The wood elf smiled. "I like skin contact too." She stood up and pulled her dress off, after which the others followed suit.

They were all snuggled up on the bed not long afterwards. Everyone but Rachel was naked and even she was mostly naked. The skin contact was wonderful and Kendra could almost feel it cheering her up. No one made any attempt to be amorous or do anything more than just snuggle. Rachel would occasionally glance at Alana and either bite her lip or else subtly lick her own lips, but both were probably subconscious.

Nothing went any further than that.

They had laid in bed snuggling for probably a half hour before Beth whispered. "Is anyone else still awake?"

They all were.

"I can't sleep." The blonde said.

"Me either." Taloni replied.

*Drago.* Kendra thought to everyone.

*Yeah?* He replied almost instantly.

*We can't sleep sir.* Alana explained.

*Yeah, I know the feeling.* He replied, and Kendra could almost see the exact facial expression he would make when saying that too. For some reason, that made her feel better.

*Let's not do this more often than we have to.* Rachel added.

*Amen.* Ethan replied.

Kendra did eventually get to sleep, but she didn't sleep very well without Ethan there, even with her fellow wives snuggled up all around her.

* * *

Selene lay awake in her hammock long after Shara and Lyra had fallen asleep in theirs. There were four hammocks in the ladies' area and they were arranged in a square. Selene slept in the starboard rear while Anthiel had the starboard front. Lyra had taken Alana's old hammock to the port rear, which put Shara in Rachel's old hammock at the port front. Thor was curled up on Selene's chest sleeping, but the Brazilian woman herself was finding it harder than usual to get to sleep.

She didn't know why.

She thought back to her brief conversation with Ethan earlier, and also the brief conversation that Ethan and his wives had just had about not being able to fall asleep. She felt a small smile on her face when she thought of them. They really were some of the best people that she'd ever met.

She briefly wondered if she could ever be a part of that family, but she just didn't feel that way about Ethan. He was a great guy and she could easily see why his wives loved him, but she didn't feel that way. She liked when he was around, she liked talking to him, and she liked sparring with him, but not more.

He even had given her some sexual fantasies that she would never forget.

But she just didn't feel that way about him for some reason. She wasn't sure why, but she didn't. She perhaps loved him like a close friend, but not more. Honestly, there was even a part of her that wanted to feel that way about him because -- despite the hazards and not getting to see her family -- her time on the Argo was the happiest she had been since her brother had died. A part of her wanted to stay with them and maybe even join the family, but she just didn't feel that way about him.

She shrugged, which earned her a reproving "meow" from Thor as the kitten was jostled.

"Sorry little kitty." She whispered, after which the kitten laid his head back down on her breast -- which apparently made a good pillow -- and fell back asleep.

As she thought about it, one thing stood out in her mind more than anything else: she was going to miss them when she went back to Earth; all of them.

She was going to miss them a lot.

* * *

Ethan woke long before the sun, having not slept well the night before. He hadn't slept terribly, but certainly not well. That was only partially because he'd opted to sleep in a tree for safety. He had found a large tree with branches large enough to comfortably lay. It worked and it wasn't too bad... but his wives weren't there with him.

He hated that.

He slowly shook his head and pulled some food from his grenade satchel, in which he had stowed the food that Anthiel had grabbed from the ship's hold. It most mostly dried meats, some dried fruit, and other things of that nature. He ate in silence with only the stars to keep him company. They were beautiful, but a poor substitute for his wives.

Hell, he missed Selene too.

He found a clean-looking stream to refill his canteen, drank some water, relieved himself, and got back to flying. His muscles were only a little sore despite the many hours he'd flown the previous day. He'd flown well into the night before he'd gone to bed and thought they would be worse, but thankfully they weren't.

He had been flying for over an hour and the sunrise was approaching when Alana thought to the group chat. *Are you up sir?*

*Yeah, and have been for over an hour. I didn't sleep well last night.*

*We didn't either.* Beth's voice had the makings of a yawn in it.

They chatted with each other a little, but eventually the ladies got hungry and so stopped so they didn't give anything away to their visitors. Ethan had no reason to distrust Shara or Lyra, but more people knowing about the group chat meant a greater likelihood that something would slip out. Their group chat was incredibly powerful and he didn't want his enemies to know about it if he could help it.

He flew for much of the morning, watching the lush Ivernian countryside scroll by underneath him. He started using thermals to stay aloft instead of flapping when it got warm enough, which was a lot less work.

Finally, he started coming up on his destination mid-morning. He recognized the area from before and oriented himself towards Talven's farm in fairly short order. He was flying quite high when he finally saw the place where their house had been.

His jaw dropped.

The only thing left of Talven and Salma's house was a pile of ash.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Note: This chapter began on day 94 of Ethan's life in the Ten Kingdoms and ended on day 96.

Please Note: The next chapter will have some fun "Easter Eggs" for those who have read my other story: "Strange Bedfellows". It's the backstory for Shara, Lyra, and Lord Kalus, and 3 of the 5 chapters are currently rated over 4.9 stars. It's not necessary to read it, but I think it will make the next chapter a lot richer if you do. Obviously that's up to you. It's on my stories page if you're interested. I submit new chapters on the last Wednesday of every month, and they usually drop after the 2-3 days review process. Thus I'll submit the next chapter on August 30th, and it'll probably drop on September 1st or 2nd.

I'd like to extend a very special thanks to two of my patrons, one of whom didn't want to be credited by name. So "Anonymous" and Joseph: thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate it.

STORY TAGS: dragon, brunette, elf, teen, romance, virgin, harem, cuckquean, blonde, redhead