A Dragon's Tale Ch. 85

Chapter 85: Things lost... and found?

* * *

Ethan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He glanced at the waitress in the restaurant, though 'diner' was probably more accurate. She was an elf, so it was hard to guess her age, but she was certainly at least middle-aged. She couldn't be much younger than Nakhim Nalfigar, given the story that Falkaan had just told, so that seemed right. She looked like she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders, and it showed in her posture and on her face.

"Ethan, can we help her?" Sarah asked.

He turned to look at his betrothed and couldn't help but smile into her gorgeous emerald eyes. She had a heartfelt look of concern in her eyes and her body language screamed that she wanted to help.

"I don't know." He replied honestly.

Sarah looked confused for a moment, then spoke again. "I meant that I know we can help, I was asking if you would be willing to."

He imitated Yoda. "So certain are you?"

"I am." She nodded without a trace of doubt in her tone, and she obviously missed the reference.

At another part of the table, Selene smiled, obviously suppressing a chuckle; at least he could rely on Selene to get his Earth humor.

"Dominus, I second that." Beth said.

"Master, I would like to help her too." Tee added.

Ethan hesitated, self-aware enough to know that his hesitation was coming from his experience with his ex-fiancée back on Earth. Man, he'd really dodged a bullet there. He thought about it for a moment, then looked at Selene. "Can you see if she was being evil to Nakhim, or if she was just young and naive?"

"I could..." Selene replied hesitantly.

"Problem?" He asked.

"I'm not thrilled about jumping into just anyone's head." Selene replied. "The bad guys, sure. If someone is trying to hurt us, absolutely. But she's neither, and it's a serious violation of privacy."

"Of all the telepaths in all the towns in all the world, I marry the one with a conscience." He winked.

Selene chuckled.

"I do not possess such reservations." Myla spoke up. "If Selene's heart feels significant reluctance to ascertain the disposition of her character, I could undertake that task instead."

"I'd be more comfortable not doing it." Selene nodded, then smiled wryly. "It somehow feels less bad to let someone else do it for me."

"Hai." Myla nodded, then closed her eyes.

Alana looked at him, her eyes slightly narrowed. "I can tell when you're trying to be open-minded even though you don't want to be. I'm especially proud to be your wife when you do things like that."

"Thanks." He smiled and sat up a little straighter.

"Her situation has some complexity." Myla said after a minute or two. "She did not have malice in her heart toward Nakhim, and in fact had some small affection in her heart towards him. It was not strong, but it was present. At the time of the event, she did not consider that he would be so severely displeased, despite her deducing that he would have some displeasure."

Ethan frowned.

"She revealed the information at her father's insistence, and in fact, his outright command." Myla continued. "Since she revealed the information in obedience to her father, to this day, she does not believe that she engaged in wrongdoing. However, she has much regret in her heart over how the situation resolved itself."

"That she hurt Nakhim, or that she ended up penniless?" Ethan asked.

"Her greater regret is at her current life situation." Myla replied. "However, her heart had regret for the pain she caused him when the event happened, and such regret persists to this day. It is less than she feels over her life situation, but present."

Ethan sighed. "Dang, I hoped it would be simple."

"Ethan, if I've learned one thing from poking around in other people's heads, it's that people are basically never simple." Selene said.

He inclined his head in concession.

"What about the other elf she started flirting with right afterward, the one she ended up marrying?" Beth asked.

"Her attraction was faint, and even then consisted entirely of physicality." Myla replied. "The primary object of her flirtations was to induce Nakhim to jealousy in an attempt to recover his affections."

Selene winced. "File that under 'epic fail'."

"That would indeed be an accurate assessment." Myla agreed.

Ethan frowned.

"Can we help her?" Sarah asked again, her emerald eyes still pleading.

He tipped his head one way, then the other, then looked at Myla. "Is she a good person?"

"She possesses complication in that arena." Myla replied. "She would not intentionally cause harm to anyone who had not wronged her. However, in her current life circumstance, she would likely be willing to perform actions of questionable morality and legality to improve her situation, provided that it was not likely to cause significant harm to anyone, whether financial or physical."

"I was hoping you'd say that she was a saint." Ethan sighed.

"Ethan, almost no one is a saint." Alana pointed out. "If we only help saints, we won't help very many people."

"That's fair." He nodded.

"Please?" Sarah asked.

Ethan hesitated a moment, then a strange thought occurred to him: was this how Illuminar felt when someone prayed for someone else? Huh, he thought about that for a moment, decided that he hoped that Illuminar was a better person than he was, and then pushed the thought out of his mind.

He looked at Sarah for a long moment, then turned in his seat and raised his hand to the waitress to get her attention. She noticed him and made her way over. Ethan was pretty sure that if she had been on Earth, she would've been a heavy smoker. It was probably good she wasn't.

"Did you need something?" She asked.

"Only sort of." He replied. "You got a minute?"

"I can if I need to." She glanced back toward the kitchen.

*Myla says that you should offer her a copper.* Selene thought to everyone.

Ethan fished one out of the front pouch on his belt and set it on the table right in front of her, then looked up at her. "Copper for your thoughts?"

Her eyes locked on the single copper for several long seconds, then she looked at him. "Only my thoughts?"

"Yup." Ethan nodded.

She hesitated, eyed the copper, then looked at him with slightly narrowed eyes. "If this is a prelude to a proposition, I will not accept it."

Ethan resisted the urge to chuckle. "I have never done that, and I would never do that. We--" He indicated everyone around the table. "--want to talk to you for a few minutes."

The waitress hesitated and then looked around at all of them, her eyes finally settling on Sarah.

"We want to help." His betrothed said, and a blind man could see that she cared.

"Pull up a chair." Ethan said, then tipped his own chair back far enough to reach an unused chair at another table and pull it closer.

The waitress hesitated for several long moments, looked at the copper, looked at the chair, and then looked at Sarah for several long moments. Honestly, she looked like she was afraid that they would attack her. After a final glance at Sarah and then the copper, she finally accepted the chair and sat down. Notably, she sat down far enough away that the table wouldn't make it hard for her to bolt.

"What did you wish to know?"

* * *

"Thank you so much Marge, I'm really appreciating this." Fiona said to the Helene's cook, who was also the castle's cook when Lord Delmar was in Karnas, and she was Fiona's former boss as well.

"It's no trouble." Marge replied as she punched down a lump of dough and then began kneading it.

"Well, thank you again anyway." Fiona replied with a smile, then left the Helene's galley and headed up toward her room. Conner would need to be nursed before he went down for the night, and her breasts were feeling a little full anyway.

Not long afterward, she was in the rocking chair in the converted playroom right next to her and Lord Delmar's room. She smiled as she thought about that; he had converted it just for her, and it had been one of those little early indications that he cared.

As she nursed, she found herself thinking of the upcoming luncheon with Rachel that was planned for the next day. It could be a wonderful thing for her husband to reconnect with his daughter, and she hoped it would be. She wasn't quite sure how it would go, but she was hopeful.

"Illuminar, could you be helping this lunch to go really well?" She asked as she looked out the porthole into the night sky. "I would be loving it if they could be repairing their relationship, even with my husband hunting Ethan."

She switched Conner to the other breast, not bothering to cover herself back up since the only other person who might see her was Lord Delmar. Honestly, she was hoping he would. She knew it was a bad idea to compare husbands, but her first husband had wanted to spend time with her in the bedroom as often as possible, even twice a day. She smiled as she thought about their record, which was three. She hoped that Lord Delmar might want to break that record at some point.

She heard the door to the bedroom open, then close. A moment later, her husband appeared at the doorway.

Fiona smiled at him, then adjusted slightly in her chair so her one naked breast was more visible to him. He didn't react much, but she could've sworn that his eyes momentarily flicked down to her breast. It was too fast and too subtle to be sure, but she thought so.

"I was finishing preparing everything for the lunch with Rachel, Sarah, and Sarah's friend Amy." She said, wanting to keep him there with her breast out as long as possible.

"Thank you Fiona." He said. "I am grateful for your efforts on this."

"I was happy to be helping milord." She replied, and let her joy show on her face.

He nodded once.

"I'm also happy to be letting you look milord." She said after a moment, pushing her chest out slightly. "If you were wanting to look more often, I would be loving that."

He looked her in the eyes for a long moment, then his eyes adjusted downward for a moment. They lingered for perhaps a second, then he looked her in the face again.

"What are you thinking Milord?" She asked, her nether regions waking up at his attention.

"While this is poor form for a husband, especially a former widower, I was comparing." He replied. "You have slightly more defined areola than Helene had, and slightly more prominent nipples as well. I have no particular preference for either, I was merely noting the difference."

Fiona nodded slowly. "Well, I'm knowing how much you were loving Helene, and I was hearing some stories about how you two were... amorous in public, so I'm knowing you were very attracted to her. I'm thinking that me equaling her in some way is a compliment." She tried to put the best spin on it she could.

The corners of her husband's mouth inched upward slightly, though returned to normal after a moment. "It was not intended as a compliment, but your conclusion is fully justified."

Fiona beamed. "I'm glad to be hearing that."

"Helene always looked on the bright side as well." He continued. "I grew to appreciate that about her."

Fiona nodded.

"I do look occasionally." He added.

"Oh?" She asked; that was news to her.

"I routinely rise before you awake, and -- just like Helene -- you remove your clothes in your sleep." He replied. "I am not a eunuch, and therefore find the sight..." He paused, probably for effect. "... diverting."

Fiona bit her lip. wishing Conner would finish because she had some things she wanted to do.

"Not tonight." He said, though she thought she detected a hint of... of something in his tone. "I must return to the palace for a meeting with Prince George regarding the revelation of my species to Narlotten."

She nodded. "How is that going?"

"Much planning is being done, though none have succeeded in producing a plan superior to what Lady Ekthros and I spent many years preparing." He replied. "The more pressing concern is how to reveal it to the members of my council."

"Mage Weston is here, and he's a very understanding person." She said. "Could you be telling him first to see how he would be taking it? I'm sure he'd be willing to keep it a secret until you tell the rest of your council, and Narlotten after that."

He didn't reply immediately, and when he did, his tone was pensive. "That is worth considering. Thank you Fiona."

"You're welcome milord." She replied with a smile.

He looked her in the eyes for a moment, then deliberately lowered them to her chest, looked her in the eye once more, then left.

Fiona would've preferred a different ending to the evening, but that was very much progress.

* * *

"What did you wish to know?"

Ethan considered the waitress's question for a moment before answering. Sure, Myla could poke around in her head and get a sense of things, but he wanted to get an idea himself, firsthand. However, he needed to be careful about it; clever.

"Well first, what's your name?" He asked.

"Delilah." She replied cautiously, as if it was a trick question.

*Damn.* Selene thought to him with laughter in her mental tone, though her face was straight. *Make sure that Nakhim's real first name isn't Samson.*

*Right?!* He thought back, then spoke. "So, you've already met my betrothed." He indicated Sarah.

Delilah nodded.

"She has many wonderful qualities, and one of them is that she wants to help everyone that she meets." He looked at the waitress. "What would help you?"

Delilah swallowed. "I do not think anything would."

"Why not?" He asked.

"Consider what life has taken from me." She replied, and her jaw was a little... stiff. "I have passed middle age, I cannot bear children, and the two I once conceived never..." She stopped, then swallowed. "I have no family to speak of, life and age have taken the beauty I might have used to attract a husband, and I have no children to take care of me when I can no longer do this." She indicated the restaurant around them.

"You can't think of anything that might help?" Ethan asked.

She shook her head. "It would take Illuminar Himself -- blessed be He -- or His prophet to help."

"The Prophet can be hard to find." Beth said with a suppressed smile. "You never know what he's up to."

"Have you met him?" Delilah asked.

Beth hesitated. "I have."

It almost looked like the waitress was going to ask a question, then she sighed.

"You didn't say how we could help you." Ethan said.

"Save for charity, which would be dishonorable to accept on a long-term basis when I can work, I cannot think of a way." She paused. "Unless, perhaps, you know of an elf who wishes for a second or third wife who could not bear children for him." Her tone was skeptical and had a touch of bitterness in it.

*That might actually be a selling point for Nakhim.* Rachel pointed out. *No kids means no other heirs competing for an inheritance.*

*Fair point.* Ethan replied.

*Okay ladies, follow my lead.* Alana thought to everyone, then spoke aloud to Delilah. "You mentioned children, were you married?"

"Once." Delilah nodded. "He was--" She stopped. "It was a long time ago."

*Rachel, you're up.* Alana thought to everyone.

"What happened to him?" Rachel asked.

"He was not well." She replied. "Our life circumstances changed and his health declined dramatically, and eventually, fully."

*Kendra, do your clinical voice and ask if any former suitors would be interested.* Alana thought to everyone.

"You seem to detest your situation." Kendra said, her tone clinical. "Is there a former suitor who might help you out of it? Perhaps through marriage?"

Delilah's face got slightly more -- for lack of a better term -- rigid. It seemed like she was trying to conceal her reaction, but she did a terrible job.

"I do not think so; I did not have many suitors." She replied.

"As I understand it, 'not many' usually means more than one." Rachel pointed out.

"Only one other." She replied. "But my father ensured that he would never be interested."

*Kendra.* Alana thought to everyone.

"I don't mean to be rude, but you said that you no longer have any family to speak of; if your father isn't alive anymore, how could he get in the way?" She asked.

Delilah's face got rather stiff. "I would prefer a different topic."

"Who was the second suitor?" Ethan asked. "The one you didn't marry."

The stiff look on her face cracked for a moment as the corners of her mouth momentarily pulled upwards, but it was short-lived. "He would not be interested." After a moment, she stopped and then looked around at all of them. She got a small frown on her face and her eyes narrowed slightly. "Why do you ask?"

"Because I wanted to see if you'd drop his name, and honestly, Nakhim is being an ass." Ethan replied, figuring that there was no reason to hide it now that she was suspicious.

She stood up. "Whatever your designs on him, I will not be a part of them." Her mouth was a thin line and her jaw was clenched. She glanced at the copper that Ethan had offered her, which was still on the table. She hesitated, then turned pointedly and walked away.

Ethan slowly drummed his fingers on the table, then looked at Myla. "Would you have guessed that she would react that way?"

"No, Meelas." She replied, a small note of confusion in her tone.

Ethan shrugged. "I suppose even reading someone's mind doesn't mean you can tell what she would do."

"I must agree with that apparent truth, Meelas." Myla agreed.

"Hmm, interesting." Ethan mused, then looked at Sarah. "Well, that makes me more inclined to help her. She might not be a saint, but it seems like she still cares for him."

"So, can we help her?" His betrothed asked.

He nodded. "Yeah, I think we can."

He stood up and turned toward Delilah, who was at the other end of the diner. "Delilah." He called loud enough to catch her attention.

She turned the upper half of her body and head to look at him, but didn't face him. "Yes?" Her tone was controlled, but also rather cold.

"What would it take to convince you that I mean him no harm?" Ethan asked. He could just drop the disguise gem, but was curious how she would reply.

"Convince the Prophet of Illuminar to come here and swear you mean well." Delilah replied. Judging by her tone, she thought that pigs flying was more likely.

"Well, since you asked..." Ethan shrugged, then clicked his disguise gem off. He was wearing his armor, as he always did when he left their suite, so he should be easily recognizable.

Delilah gasped and nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Ladies, turn yours off as well." Ethan said casually.

Moments later, Delilah's mouth fell open. She looked from one to another of his wives, her eyes getting bigger as she did so.

"I'm not that big into subtlety." Ethan said. "I was being honest when I said that Nakhim was being an ass."

After a moment, the waitress looked at him, her face getting slightly pale.

"We didn't know who you were when we arrived, and only found out afterward." Ethan continued. "I thought we were only here to hear the story of how Nakhim became such a misogynist." He paused. "Did you know that he was one?"

Delilah shook her head, and it seemed to take several seconds for her to find her voice. "He... he always seemed nice to..." She trailed off as she stared at him.

"Yeah, well, as best I can figure, the way you treated him soured his view of women." Ethan replied.

Delilah frowned.

She also nodded, but the frown made Ethan think that she wasn't convinced.

"I was telling the truth that Sarah really wanted to help you, and not because she wants something from you; she really is just that kind." He continued. "I'm a little more practical, but honestly, seeing that you turned down that copper even though you're obviously hard up for coin made me want to help you more. So, now that you know who I am, let me ask again: What would help you?"

"I... I don't know." She replied after several long seconds.

"Buying out her work contract." The cook in the kitchen said. "She has a few years left on it, and unless someone does that, she can't go anywhere or do anything."

*My lord, nod your head slowly like you're thinking.* Rachel thought to everyone.

He did. *What's a work contract?*

*Basically, she agrees to work a specific job for a certain time, and is guaranteed food, shelter, and clothing in return. Poor people tend to like the extra security.* Rachel explained.

*Thanks.* Ethan replied, then spoke aloud. "How much is left on her work contract?"

"Tell you what, I'll sell her work contract to you for a single copper -- and that's just to make it legal -- if you'll walk out of here like that so everyone can see that the Prophet of Illuminar -- blessed be He -- and his wives ate here. That'll be worth more than a buyout would be."

"You're the holder?" Alana asked.

"Yes ma'am." He nodded. "This is my restaurant."

Delilah hesitated. "But I would have to agree before you sold it, and..." She looked at Ethan.

"Del, take him up on it." The cook, and apparently owner, said. "Opportunities like this don't present themselves often."

She looked at Ethan and company. "Do you swear on Illuminar himself that you won't let me starve?" Judging by her tone, which had a trace of suspicion in it, she was genuinely concerned that he might.

"I promise." Ethan said, thinking that if worst came to worst, she could come on the Argo. He was certain that wouldn't be necessary because he knew enough people that someone would be able to find her a job. And again, there was always the Argo if that didn't work. And that was assuming that Nakhim wasn't interested.

Delilah hesitated. "Okay."

"No 'thank you'?" The cook admonished with the kind of sigh that a parent might make when reminding a child of something for the millionth time.

"Thank you." She said to Ethan and company.

"You're welcome." He replied, then grabbed the copper from the table and gave it to the cook.

The cook beckoned him toward the back, and Alana followed them. The cook had a small office of sorts off the kitchen and he fetched a scroll from it. He rolled it out, signed his name, had Ethan sign his -- which he only did after Alana read it since it was in elvish and he couldn't read it -- and then handed him the scroll.

"She's your responsibility now." The cook/owner said. "Remember, the work contract says that you can't ask her to do anything other than food service type work, and you have to make sure she's taken care of."

"I'll keep that in mind." Ethan replied, shook the elf's hand, then they headed back out front, him carrying the scroll.

*I asked Thea, she can put her up in the servants' quarters for now, and employ her as a server for the guards and such.* Selene thought to everyone. *She'll have someone meet us outside our suite building to take her there.*

*Perfect, thanks, and tell Thea thanks for me.* Ethan replied.

*Will do.* Selene replied.

"Okay, let's blow this popsicle stand." Ethan said aloud, leading to a bunch of strange looks.

"It's an idiom from Earth; it means 'let's leave'." He explained.

"I will need to visit my living quarters first." Delilah stated. "I have a few things that I would not like to leave behind."

"Sure." Ethan agreed.

* * *

"This kind of thing will cause trouble in the Wilding Lands."

Selene looked at Kendra and considered what her friend had just whispered as they were walking toward Delilah's living quarters. "Because they won't like it, or because he'll want to help everyone?" Selene replied just as quietly.

"Mostly the latter." Kendra replied. "I'm not saying we shouldn't help, we probably should, but we need to be careful."

"Wait, we 'probably should'?" Selene raised her eyebrow.

"Mission creep can be deadly." The former Aldmiri replied, but didn't elaborate.

"What makes you say that?" Selene asked when she didn't clarify.

"Experience." Kendra replied calmly. Selene got the distinct impression that there was a story there, but also that it would take Ethan and about a gallon of whiskey to get her to tell it.

"You have to give me more than that." Selene whispered, figuring that there was no harm in trying.

"Lots of experience." Kendra replied with the tiniest trace of a wry smile on her face.

"Careful, you're getting downright expressive there." Selene chuckled.

Thankfully, nothing bad happened on the way to Delilah's living quarters. She hadn't grabbed much at all, just a dress or two and a small collection of things that she ended up putting in a pillowcase to carry. It was a sobering reminder that sometimes, life could hit you like a wrecking ball.

*So Boss, what's the plan here?* She thought to the group chat as they started walking back toward their suite.

*Honestly, I don't really have a plan.* He replied. *I'm trying to decide if we should try to be sneaky, or just get a meeting with Nakhim and tell him what we found.*

*I doubt that we'll be able to be more sneaky than Nakhim; House Nalfigar does have a certain reputation.* Alana pointed out.

*And, if he isn't interested in her, trying to be sneaky could backfire.* Rachel said, which made Selene smile; that particular Earth idiom seemed to be catching on among her fellow wives.

*Okay, well, then I suppose I'll just try to get a meeting with him and tell him what we found.* Ethan replied.

*He might already know.* Kendra pointed out. *The odds are very high that he's watching you closely.*

*Let the customer come into the store?* Selene suggested. *Maybe he'll contact you?*

*Doubtful, as that would make it look like Nakhim wanted something from us, and he wouldn't like that look.* Alana countered.

*I'll reach out in the morning; it's tired and I'm late.* Ethan replied, then stifled a yawn.

*Strike that, reverse it.* Selene replied in a passable mental imitation of Willy Wonka, the older version played by Gene Wilder.

Thankfully, nothing bad happened on their way home either. Thea did indeed have a servant waiting to lead Delilah to the servants' quarters, and he identified himself as such. Delilah was staring at the palace and obviously hadn't heard him, so Sarah gently nudged her. Of course, Sarah had been talking to her on the way back to the palace, though nothing of any real importance was said.

"They'll take care of you." Ethan said to her. "Don't worry."

"I was not worried, it has merely been a long time since I have been to the palace." Delilah replied.

"Well, you're back now." Sarah said brightly.

"Only as a mere servant, but yes." Delilah replied, then looked at the servant. "Lead on."

They departed.

Once they were out of earshot, Selene spoke aloud. "Did you notice that she didn't say 'thank you'?"

"I did." Alana frowned. "Considering how much better her life is about to get, that seems odd."

"Um, I don't think it's odd. Or at least, not for her." Sarah said, and the smile had disappeared from her face.

"Why?" Selene asked as Ethan led them toward their suite.

"Um, I was talking to her on the way here." Sarah replied. "She... well, she seems to think that she deserves to be where she was before. Um, I mean her status."

"Deserves?" Selene asked; that wasn't good.

"I don't think that's a good word, but I can't think of a better one." Sarah replied as they entered the building containing their suite. "She doesn't seem very grateful because she seems to think that she's finally getting what she deserves."

"Entitlement." Ethan frowned. "That's not good."

"The cook had to remind her to say thank you." Kendra pointed out.

"Damn." Ethan sighed. "How could someone be that entitled after working at the edge of poverty for years?"

"The rich don't have a monopoly on entitlement; I've met plenty of entitled poor people too." Selene replied. "It's a human problem, not a wealth problem."

"Not just humans, but right." Alana said as they reached their suite.

Selene inclined her head in concession.

"Okay, we'll deal with that in the morning." Ethan sighed again, then turned to Sarah. "Kiss goodnight?"

She beamed and stepped forward so he could kiss her on the forehead, then everyone went to bed. As Selene lay there completely naked with Kendra on one side of her and Taloni on the other, she found her mind wandering to the whole situation with Delilah. That was quite a pickle.

*Selene, you still awake?* Thea thought to her a few minutes after they had gone to bed.

*Yeah, what's up?*

*Myla filled me in on what happened.* Thea replied. *Did you go snooping in her head at all?*

*No, I'm trying to take the high road.* Selene replied. *Plus, I think Ethan showed earlier that people can surprise even a telepath.*

*He did.* Thea's mental tone sounded like a concession. *However, I was also able to see her in person and how she interacted with the other servants, though she didn't know I was watching. She's pretty stuck on herself.*

*Yeah, we noticed.* Selene replied. *I'm not sure which would be worse for Nakhim; thinking she intentionally broke his heart or realizing that she didn't and then marrying her.*

Thea didn't reply immediately. *That's an interesting point.*

*Yeah, now we just need to figure out what to do with her.*

*I might have some ideas, but I need to think about them for a while first.* Thea replied. *Good night.*

*Night.* Selene replied, then yawned.

Next to her, Tee was obviously having a good dream because her wings fluttered against Selene's skin, which tickled. Selene adjusted so they wouldn't tickle as much, then closed her eyes. Sleep didn't come quickly, and she couldn't help but wonder how this would all play out.

* * *

The King found the current situation reminding him greatly of when Thea was younger. After becoming his ward, she had often felt lonely and sought him or The Queen out. One particularly memorable night during a thunderstorm, she had run into their room and begged to sleep in there, even on a couch. Of course, The Queen would hear none of her sleeping on a couch, and the young Thea had fallen fast asleep in the bed, her fears having completely fled with them nearby.

There was no thunderstorm, and she was no longer a child, but it was nice to have Thea in the royal bedroom near the end of the day as she told him what had happened. Of course, she was doing so under the guise of not being sure what to do, since it was against tradition for anyone to admit they knew something that The King didn't. He thought that was a particularly foolish tradition, and hoped the Prophet might address it soon.

"I feel really bad for her." Thea said, her face sympathetic and tone sad. She had always worn her heart on her sleeve, which he had always found endearing.

"It is unfortunate that while adversity causes some to rise to the occasion, others sink to the level of their parenting." The King replied with a sigh. Around his family, he could be more expressive. "Sadly, her particular malady is not easily cured, for an inflated opinion of oneself that is not corrected by years of hard living is unlikely to be corrected at all."

"I know, I just wish..." Thea stared out the window for a moment.

"You wish that you could bind the wounds of everyone you meet." The King said with a smile. "It is a testament to your father and mother that they nurtured such a caring disposition in you. Sadly, in this world, not all can be helped."

Thea nodded slowly. "I know, thanks for listening."

"I shall miss these talks, dear future daughter." He said. The Queen was still planning the official ceremony for the Rite of Adoption, and the party afterward. "I would suggest that once you have married, you have them with your husband."

"I will, and I'll really enjoy that, but I'm going to miss this." Thea gave him a smile that was equal parts happy and sad.

"As shall I." He replied with a similar expression. "As shall I."

"Well, goodnight, and thank you for being such a wonderful father." She paused. "Technically guardian, but really, father."

The King let his joy at her words display on his face without restriction. "It has been one of the greatest joys of my life."

Thea beamed.

"Tell the Prophet that I shall be happy to procure Delilah's work contract, should he wish it." He said after a moment. "She can be employed in royal service as long as necessary."

"I will, and thank you."

"You are welcome."

She got up, he gave her a kiss on the forehead -- for which she had to stoop down a little -- and then she left. The King watched after her, pride and sadness mixed in his heart. It was incredible to see the woman she had become, but another daughter was leaving. It was natural, healthy, and the way of the world, but it was not without sorrow.

"I shall miss her as well." The Queen said a few minutes later when she arrived in their room.

He nodded slowly, then looked at his wife. "Something troubles you."

She nodded. "You know my standards for events, and especially for something like Thea's wedding. For some reason, I have been unable to make it rise to those standards."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "That would be a first."

"It would be." She frowned. "Something about the whole thing is..." She seemed to cast about for the right word for a moment. "... off. If it were just Thea, it would be perfect. Even if there were a third bride, it would be perfect. But with exactly two, some elements refuse to align themselves the way I would wish them to be."

"A third bride?" The King mused. "That would be a most interesting development."

"Interesting, but unlikely." The Queen replied.

"I would not phrase it that way." The King replied. "It is possible that, perhaps, there is an enticement that might ease the decision of Nakhim in acquiescing to his son marrying Alana's mother. If they were to be wed at the same ceremony as the Prophet and the daughter of The King, there could be no possible stain remaining from her dishonor."

The Queen opened her mouth, hesitated, then closed it. "My sister would actually..." She cocked her head to one side, and The King could almost see the incredibly precise and capable gears in her mind working.

"If..." The Queen started to smile. "One of the Prophet's wives mentioned that Sarah wished to be wed in the Hanging Gardens. I, of course, told her that it would not be in accordance with tradition to use it for such purposes, but that was before the decision to make it a double wedding. If, perhaps, there is a third bride as you suggest, those getting married would be the Prophet of Illuminar -- blessed be He -- The King's daughter, and the first time in history that House Kalon and House Nalfigar were joined."

"It would be such a momentous occasion, that, perhaps, a venue suitable to the occasion would need to be chosen." The King replied with a small smile. "While the Palace would be appropriate, for such a wedding, something more would almost be required, given the status of those being wed."

The Queen raised her eyebrows, as if to ask a question.

"I shall consider it, and perhaps consult with others as to the suitability." He replied to her unasked question after a moment.

The Queen smiled.

* * *

Fiona looked at the table she had just set up for the upcoming lunch with Rachel, Sarah, and Amy, then frowned; it wasn't right. She had decided to get a jump on the preparations, and things like this made her glad that she had. She looked around the dining room on the Helene, and she realized that maybe that was the problem; it was indoors.

"Can you be bringing a table large enough for five to the front of the weather deck?" Fiona asked one of the servants nearby.

"Yes my lady." He bowed, then left.

Yes... yes, on the weather deck would be better, especially since it was shaping up to be a beautiful day. She went up to the weather deck and waited for the servants to bring a table. It was the ideal size for six, but perhaps a little extra space for the five who would be dining would be nice. She was halfway through setting up the arrangements when one of Lord Delmar's guards came up to her.

"Lady Delmar, Lord Delmar requests that you come to his office as a matter of urgency."

"I'm going." She nodded, then hurried over to the stairs and then down to his office. She knocked on the door when she arrived.

"Come." Her husband said, and she slipped inside the office. It was neat and orderly as usual, but the unusual thing was who else was in there.

"Lady Delmar." Mage Weston said respectfully, but his eyes were slightly narrowed and he was looking at her as if he wasn't sure what to make of her.

"Mage Weston." She did a small curtsey, then looked at her husband. "Milord, you were wanting me here?"

Lord Delmar indicated Mage Weston.

The mage didn't speak immediately, and his voice was low as he did. "You married a dragon?"

Fiona half froze, then looked at her husband.

"I took your advice from last night." Lord Delmar said

Fiona turned to look at Mage Weston. "He's a good husband, and a good lord."

"That would be a yes." Mage Weston said with a thoughtful frown

"Aye, I did." She smiled.

He then slowly took a deep breath, then let it out just as slowly. "That was not something I suspected I would learn today." He rubbed the gray hairs of his chin, then looked at Lord Delmar, then back at Fiona, then at Lord Delmar again. "I always suspected that you were more than you let on. There were signs, and I'm sure that others on your council have noticed them as well. However, I would not have suspected this." He let out an exhale that was half chuckle. "I would never have suspected this."

"That is how I hoped it would remain." Lord Delmar said. "Alas, it was not to be."

"You say that the prophet knew this, and yet didn't try to reveal it, nor blackmail you with it." Mage Weston said as he slowly rubbed his short beard with his right hand, the hand that had the dragon-steel ring with the small red gemstone.

"I have been unable to ascertain why." Lord Delmar said. "As I said, that is what prompted the revelation to the Crown Prince."

"Understandable if you were worried about him trying to blackmail you." Mage Weston said, his tone still pensive. "Most would construe the fact that he didn't as evidence that he isn't nefarious."

"That would be an understandable conclusion." Lord Delmar replied neutrally.

Mage Weston made a thoughtful sound. "How and when will you break this news to your other council members?"

"Likely as soon as I return to Karnas, which will be mere days before the initial announcement of an upcoming proclamation."

"I concur." Mage Weston said thoughtfully, then spoke just as thoughtfully. "Helene knew, didn't she?"

"She did." Lord Delmar nodded once.

"How will the other members of Lord Delmar's council be taking the news?" Fiona asked.

"Likely well, as long as they find out directly from Lord Delmar." Mage Weston replied.

"I have already informed the council that I have an important revelation concerning myself to share with them as soon as I return." Lord Delmar replied. "That should ensure that even if the secret is leaked, they will know that I intended to reveal it to them."

"Good idea." He paused. "I don't suppose you'll let me examine the disguise gem you're using."

"No." Lord Delmar replied. "Further, as I understand it, a disguise gem of this strength is nigh impossible to make for a non-dragon."

Mage Weston inclined his head in concession. "I didn't think so, and that does make sense."

"If there is nothing else, there is some work I must attend to." Lord Delmar said.

Neither Fiona nor Mage Weston had anything else to say, so they both took their leave.

Once outside, he turned to her. "Thank you for suggesting that he tell me. It brought me clarity on something I've been pondering for some time now."

"Pondering what?" She asked.

"How sure I am of Ethan's story." The mage replied. "The fact that he knew for months and did nothing with that knowledge is telling. Someone might argue that he lacked the opportunity, and I suspect that Lady Ekthros would, but he seems resourceful enough to make one."

"Aye, I'm agreeing on that." Fiona said.

"Enjoy your lunch." Mage Weston said after a moment. "I shall say a prayer that it all goes well."

"I'm really appreciating that." Fiona said with relief.

* * *

"Amen." Ethan said as his family finished their morning prayers. They had been consistent about praying together, and if it seemed like they would forget, Taloni always made sure to remind them. He smiled as he thought about that.

He looked around at the seven women that he would spend the rest of his life with; his family. It was such a strange thought. A wonderful thought, but a strange one.

"What?" Beth asked.

"This is the first day of the rest of my life." He replied. "This is my family."

They all smiled at him.

After a moment, he looked at Kendra. "Go ahead."

"I didn't say anything." She replied.

"But you were going to." He grinned. "Go ahead."

"I was going to ask where we are on everything." Kendra said. "With everything going on, I want to make sure that nothing slips through the cracks." She looked at Ethan. "For example, how are things coming with you enchanting yourself so you won't be harmed by the speed enchantment that Alana was going to put on your armor?"

"I'm pretty far along, but not quite done." He replied. "I have all the major joints -- spine, hips, shoulders, knees, elbows, ankles, wrists -- and I'm working on the fingers and toes. After that, I'll start on the wing joints."

"How long will it take?" Alana asked. "I can get started on the enchantments to your armor any time, and then just wait to finish them until you're ready."

"Um, probably less than a week." He replied. "It's hard to know for sure because each joint is differently shaped, and so takes different amounts of mana. "Hopefully four or five days, but it might be longer; shouldn't be longer than a week though."

Kendra looked at Alana and Rachel. "How are you coming with the warding enchantment for Ethan's armor?"

"It's slow going, and we keep getting distracted by other things." Alana replied. "I finally understand how the enchantment works, but I still haven't figured out how they made it so 'small' in terms of enchanting space. I could probably do it now, but I don't think there's a material that exists that has enough enchanting space. I need to figure out how it's compressed so much."

"You'll figure it out." Rachel said with a confident smile and no trace of doubt in her tone, then added with the tiniest trace of a purr. "I can help with motivation."

Sarah's cheeks got a tiny bit of pink in them, but she smiled too.

"What about those war picks that Ellis suggested?" Selene asked.

"War picks?" Ethan asked; this was the first he was hearing of it.

"Yes, Ellis came by while you were at the tournament and suggested that if we'll be fighting large creatures like minotaurs and giants, we would need a weapon that could hurt them." Selene replied. "A war pick is basically like your hammer, only with a longer spike and a polearm shaft."

"Oh, so you can get it going fast enough to punch through; got it." Ethan nodded.

"He also suggested that you could basically turn your war hammer into one if we replace the shaft." Alana said. "If it was dragon leather, then it could have a double activatable enchantment for two lengths. One shorter like it is now, and a longer one to give you the extra power you might need to take on a minotaur."

"That speed enchantment plus my war hammer having a war-pick-like length..." Ethan grinned. "Me likey."

All of the Ten Kingdoms natives gave him a strange look, probably at his phrasing.

"It would be very effective." Kendra said. "We should seek out the forgemaster later today and see if he can change the handle on your warhammer."

Ethan frowned, sighed, then nodded. "Damn, that was a wedding present from Alana."

"I don't mind." Alana said. "I would prefer that you had a more effective weapon and came back alive, rather than using something I gave you which doesn't work as well."

"Maybe you could make it into something else?" Sarah suggested. "I don't know what, but maybe?"

"I'd like that." Ethan smiled. "Okay, forgemaster later today."

Kendra looked at Sarah. "You're the only one on the Argo who doesn't know how to fight."

Sarah bit her lip, then nodded. "I'm, I'm not very good at it, am I?"

"No Darlin', you aren't." Ethan replied, remembering how Kendra and Selene had started trying to teach her, emphasis on 'trying'. They were fine teachers, but Sarah took to it like a fish to the desert.

"Then the question is: should we try to fix that?" Kendra said. "I don't like having a non-combatant on the Argo. However, given Sarah's personality and lack of aptitude, it might be worse if we taught her to fight -- which would put her in harm's way -- and then we would have someone we need to protect on the battlefield."

"I always hated protection missions." Selene spoke up. "In video games I mean." She looked at Sarah. "I love you like a sister, but you're terrible at fighting. Truly awful. Now that you've gotten rid of the demon, I wouldn't want you in a fight because I'd be distracted by worrying that you would get hurt."

"Agreed on all counts, especially protection missions." Ethan said.

"Some basic self-defense stuff might be best." Selene said after a minute. "The kind of unarmed things that a woman can easily learn to defend herself."

"I would like that." Sarah said. "But I don't like fighting. I want to help, but I really don't like it."

"Then I don't think we should keep training her for it." Kendra said. "Better one fewer fighter than someone we need to constantly watch."

"Agreed." Ethan nodded, then looked at Sarah. "Well, I suppose your contribution can be to make sure we're all well-fed before combat. Remember how important a well-fed army is according to Lord Kalus."

"I can do that!" Sarah smiled.

"Anything else?" Ethan asked Kendra.

"That was it." She confirmed.

"That's it until we hear from the Conclave about the ceremony to remove shame." Alana said. "I wish they would hurry up and make a decision."

"I'm sure someone will let us know as soon as they do." Ethan said, then looked at Rachel. "So, are you ready for lunch with your father?"

"No, but I'm glad it's happening." The redhead replied. "Are you ready to meet with Halvaer, Navaro, and Sarisa with Thea and Ahjah?"

"No, but I'm glad it's happening." He winked.

Everyone chuckled.

"Hopefully we'll be able to come up with something that'll change Nakhim's mind; having Navaro there should help a lot." He said.

"Hopefully." Selene agreed. "I get the feeling it'll take something unusually strong to move him though."

Ethan nodded slowly, though the way she'd phrased it made him think of something he wanted to talk to her about. "Well, Selene, you want to spar for a bit before I need to leave?"

"Sure." She smiled, and he was struck by just how beyond gorgeous she was.

They grabbed their training weapons, he kissed the rest of his wives goodbye -- Sarah on the forehead -- and they set off.

"You wanted to talk?" Selene asked when they had left the building.

He smiled. "What gave it away?"

"You can be subtle, but you usually aren't." She replied.

"Fair." He chuckled. "I wanted to ask about something you said yesterday. We were talking about how I'm perfectly fine not chasing weird stuff in bed, and that I would be perfectly fine with 'vanilla sex' for the rest of my life. You said that there was nothing wrong with vanilla, and that a good vanilla was better than chocolate or a complicated flavor."

"I did." She acknowledged, though there was something hesitant about how she said it.

"I thought it was odd that you would say something like that, given your tastes in the bedroom." He replied. "I was curious why."

"Um, I'm not sure..." She trailed off. "No, I can't say that honestly." She paused, frowned, then looked around. "It's a beautiful day today."

It was.

The sun was out, birds were chirping, and up above, he could see a large flock flying south. The trees around them on the palace grounds were kept immaculate of course, as were the many flowers and decorations.

"You can be subtle, but you usually aren't." He echoed her words and gave her a significant look.

She chuckled. "I'm... I don't know if I'm ready to talk about it." She replied after a few moments. "What you said yesterday got me thinking, and I'm... yeah, I don't think I'm ready to talk about it."

"Fair enough." He shrugged. "Let me know when you are."

"I will." They walked in silence for several seconds before she spoke again. "It's nothing bad."

He smiled. "I didn't think it would be."

* * *

Candice walked slowly through the palace grounds, carefully putting one leg after another and using her cane frequently to maintain her balance. She still felt drained from the ordeal that had led to her finding her mana, but she was recovering quickly. The maid who had been assigned to her had had another bath filled with soothing balms when she'd returned the previous night, and even another one this morning. Consequently, Candice was feeling almost back to normal.

Almost.

She took a bad step, didn't get her cane up in time, and tumbled to the ground. The grass was soft so it didn't hurt anything except her pride.

"It will get easier ma'am." A voice said from nearby.

Candice turned to see one of the elven maids nearby hurrying over. She extended a hand and helped her up.

"Thank you, but are you sure?" Candice asked as she got to her feet.

"I am ma'am." The maid said, then lifted her dress high enough to reveal that she also had a wooden leg. "An accident in my childhood, yet you saw me hurry over."

"Thank you." Candice said; it was good to know that she might be able to move quickly like that one day.

"Would you like a spot of advice about the walking ma'am?"

"Please." Candice replied.

"Leave the cane behind." The maid said. "As long as you are relying on it, you will learn to walk more slowly."

"But it stops me from falling so much." Candice replied.

The maid smiled. "Because you are using it as a third leg ma'am. If you want to learn to walk on three legs, keep the cane. If you wish to learn to walk on two, only use two."

Candice frowned.

"Your leg is of far higher quality than mine." The maid said. "There is no reason to use a cane at this stage. If you like, I can carry it for you ma'am."

"I guess I can try it." Candice said after a moment.

It wasn't easy.

In fact, it was a lot harder not relying on the cane all the time. However, after a minute, Candice did see the maid's point. There was nothing wrong with either of her legs, and she could see how the cane had been changing her gait a little. She started walking a little more deliberately and carefully now that she didn't have the cane. She moved a little slower, but it felt better.

"I can return this to your room ma'am, if you would prefer." The maid offered.

Candice sighed. "Please do, and thank you again."

"You're welcome ma'am." The elven maid curtsied, then left with the cane.

Candice moved more slowly as she neared her destination -- the guard's training area -- but honestly, even though it was harder, she liked it better. She liked standing on her own two feet again. Well, one of them wasn't her foot, but the sentiment held. She did eventually reach the palace guards training area, and the guard at the entrance let her through, as Thea had said he would.

Inside, Ethan was sparring with Selene.

It was incredible to watch.

She remembered the fights at the tournament, but she hadn't realized just how much Ethan had been holding back. He was masterful, incredible, and almost impossibly skilled. Further, Selene was incredible as well, especially with that long, slender blade she used. Candice guessed that Selene could've easily placed among the top fighters of the tournament, if not outright won it. She lost to Ethan fairly often, but held her own against the royal guards when one of them subbed in for Ethan.

"Thea said you might drop by." Selene approached her as she watched Ethan engage four of the palace guards at once. He was winning.

"I wanted to talk to Ethan." Candice said.

"I know." Selene smiled. "How did your date with Halasses go last night?"

Unbidden, a small smile came to her face. "I enjoyed it. Not how I thought I would, but I did."

"I'm glad." Selene's smile widened; how was it possible for a woman to be that beautiful? Selene nodded toward Ethan, then added. "You know, he's not even fighting full strength."

"He isn't?" Candice asked.

"Nope." Selene replied. "If he was, he would've won already."

Candice stared at Ethan, and moments later he scored a hit on the final guard. The combatants all bowed to each other, then Ethan walked over to the ladies.

"Hi Candice, I hear that you wanted to talk to me?" He said.

"I do." She nodded.

"How are you getting on with the leg?" He asked.

"I'm managing." She replied, suddenly feeling a little unsure of herself. It wasn't this warm earlier, was it?

"I'm up next." Selene said, then headed away.

"So, what's up?" Ethan asked as Selene slipped into the ring again.

"Um, you're very good." Candice said, nodding toward the practice ring.

"You should see Kendra or Serif; they're better, though I'm catching up to Kendra." He replied, then looked at her pointedly. "But that's not why you're here."

She shook her head. "Um, Halasses asked if I would be willing to marry him, assuming that my father would agree, and I know he would. So I'm trying to decide if I should."

Ethan nodded slowly. "So, I'm not blind; you're still pretty hung up on me, aren't you?"

Candice hesitated, then nodded. All of a sudden, it felt really warm.

"Look, I already know you want to get married, and you've gushed over everything elven since I met you." Ethan said. "I haven't known Halasses long, but he seems like a great guy and The King appointed him as head of the Lightguard. I don't know if you've met The King, but he's sharp as a tack and has great insight into people."

Candice didn't know what a tack was, but she understood what he meant. "I did meet him, right after I came here. I had lunch with him and The Queen."

"Right, I forgot about that." Ethan replied. "Anyway, I can't help you with how you feel about him. That's entirely a 'you' thing. However, I can say this: if you were my daughter asking my advice, I wouldn't have any reservations."

Candice tried to hide her response to that, but it was hard.

That hurt.

His daughter?

Ethan thought of her more like a daughter? Not even a sister, but a daughter?

Trying to hide her feelings about that, she nodded slowly. "Okay."

"Anything else?" He asked.

She shook her head. "I have plenty of time to decide, since he won't be able to ask my father for a long time."

"I could help with that." Ethan said. "I can carry one person while flying, and I'd be happy to fly out so he can ask."

"Really?" She asked.

"Absolutely." he replied. "Honestly, I feel a little responsible for your leg, so -- like I would for my daughter -- I'm trying to take care of you."

"Thank you." Candice replied while she felt like her heart was about to break. He really saw her more like a daughter than... She resisted the impulse to swallow, and resisted the impulse to cry even more.

"So, you tell me if that's something you'd like, and I'll take care of it." Ethan said with a smile.

"Okay, that's..." She was having a hard time forming sentences. "Thank you. I... Um, I think I need to go think about it."

"You're welcome." He flashed her a toothy grin, then jerked his thumb at the ring. "I should get back to it, take care."

"You too, and thank you again." Candice said, then carefully turned and walked away as quickly as she could without falling. It wasn't very fast, but more important was the direction; from behind, he couldn't see her cry.

* * *

*I feel like a heel.* Ethan thought to everyone as he watched Candice leave. She had been trying to conceal her reaction, and was even pretty successful, but not totally so.

*It was the right move.* Alana replied, though her tone wasn't perfectly happy either.

*I agree, and I'd do it again, but you should've seen her face when I compared her to a daughter.* He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. *Ladies, that was a brutally effective suggestion for how to make her lose interest in me, but man.*

*Sometimes, you need to be cruel to be kind.* Kendra pointed out.

*Halasses said that he liked how capable she was.* Beth piped up. *I think the contrast might help her fall for him.*

*Hopefully so.* Ethan replied, still feeling bad. *Anyway, I need to get ready for my meeting, and Rachel, you need to get ready for lunch with your father.*

*I'm almost ready.* Rachel replied. *Alana was helping to boost my confidence.*

*Loudly.* Beth chimed in. *They weren't being quiet about it.*

Ethan chuckled. *Well, have a good time.*

*Master, I know we just prayed for that this morning, but could we pray for it again?* She paused. *And could we pray for Candice too? She must be hurting.*

Ethan smiled; good ol' Tee. *Sure.*

* * *

"Rachel, it will be fine." Sarah assured her as they walked toward the Helene on the Nalatia docks. Amy was right next to them, and she seemed a little nervous as well. Though, that might just be because she was intimidated by Lord Delmar.

"I hope so." Rachel replied, then she took a deep breath.

"I'm sure it will." Sarah replied. "You already know that he cares about you, and didn't he suggest this lunch?"

Rachel cocked her head to one side. "You know, he did."

"See, it will be fine." Sarah said.

Rachel took another deep breath, then let it out. This time though, it seemed a little more hopeful. "I suppose it could be." She even got a small smile on her face.

That was new.

Sarah had been spending a lot of time around her future co-wives and this was new for Rachel. Normally, she tended to spiral, but she wasn't now. That was really wonderful for her.

They neared the Helene and Sarah could see Fiona pacing near the gangplank.

"Fiona!" Sarah yelled and waved her hand.

Fiona turned toward her and her face split into a wide smile, then she waved back. "Sarah!"

Sarah tried to start forward, but the Lightguard and some of the palace guard were in the way. She understood why, but it was a shame. Eventually, they did reach the Helene and Sarah hurried across the gangplank to give her friend a hug, with Amy close behind.

"I missed you." Sarah said.

"And I was missing you." Fiona said back, then pulled Amy into a hug as well.

After a moment, the hug broke and the friends smiled at each other. A moment later, Fiona's eyes shifted to behind Sarah, where Rachel had come up the gangplank.

"Hi." Rachel gave a small wave and an awkward smile.

"Hi." Fiona replied, her smile also awkward.

That was followed by a slightly awkward silence.

"I um..." Rachel hesitated. "I feel a little awkward. I've never had a stepmother before."

Fiona responded with a smile that was both awkward and understanding. "I'm not sure how to be a stepmother, and honestly, I'm not feeling old enough to be one."

There was another slightly awkward silence.

"Maybe we could be pretending that we aren't?" Fiona suggested. "Maybe we could be pretending that we're just two women with mutual friends meeting for the first time?"

"Um, okay." Rachel said, hesitated, then stuck out her hand. "Um, I'm Rachel."

Fiona shook it. "I'm Fiona, and I'm pleased to be meeting you."

They shared an awkward smile.

"Um, I hear you have a son?" Rachel asked.

"Aye." Fiona replied, her smiled widening as she relaxed just slightly. "He's actually sleeping right now on his nap."

"Oh." Rachel replied.

"We could be checking on him if you're wanting to." Fiona said after a moment.

"That... well, honestly, that might give us something to talk about so this isn't so awkward." Rachel replied with an apologetic smile and slightly forced chuckle.

"Then let's be trying that." Fiona replied. "Come on, he's downstairs."

* * *

"Hey, next time you see The King, please thank him for me." Ethan said to Delabor as he and Alana followed the elf through the palace to the small meeting room that The King had prepped for them. He had also helped to arrange the meeting by summoning everyone to the palace; one doesn't simply refuse a summons from The King. Frankly, it would've been really hard to get everyone there without him.

"I shall do so, honored Prophet." The herald replied.

"And thanks for guiding me too; this place is pretty big."

"Again, you are welcome, honored Prophet." The elf replied, then stopped at a door. "In here, honored Prophet; the others have already arrived."

Ethan nodded, then walked in. Navaro Nalfigar, Halvaer Kalon, Ahjah, Thea, and Thea's sister Sarisa were already there. Notably, the only ones who were talking were Thea and Sarisa. Ahjah seemed relaxed and comfortable, but Navaro and Halvaer seemed a little... stiff. Honestly, given the history between them, Ethan wasn't surprised.

It wasn't a large room, but it was well lit and almost cheerful. The carvings on the walls around the room -- ubiquitous in elven decor -- depicted scenes of elves in clearly deep thought around tables. There was a table large enough to comfortably seat eight in the center of the room. Notably, those who had arrived before him had left the seat at the head of the table open, probably for him. The seat on its right-hand side was also open, probably for Alana.

"Hi." Ethan said cheerfully.

Everyone returned the greeting with various levels of formality.

"So, shall we get started?" Ethan asked, then sat at the head of the table, since again, it seemed like they had left it open for him. Alana sat at his right hand, and he liked her sitting there.

"Honored Prophet, Pelathea has informed us of what you have found concerning Delilah." Halvaer said. "Does this figure into your plans?"

"Honestly, I have no idea." Ethan replied, then added in what he thought was a decent impression of Indiana Jones. "I'm making this up as I go."

"Movie?" Alana asked.

He nodded.

"Before we continue, The Queen said something very interesting to me this morning." Thea said.

"Please share." Ethan replied.

"She mentioned this casually, like it was just something she had thought up in the moment, but I don't think she wanted me to take it that way." Thea said. "She mentioned that the wedding plans might work better with three, and if the third person was significant enough, then it might be possible that the wedding could be held in Nalatia's Hanging Gardens." Thea smiled. "Then immediately afterward, she wished me luck at this meeting, and said that she hoped we would be successful in bringing about this significant marriage."

Ethan considered that for a moment, and it made him smile.

"Sarah said that she'd love to see the Hanging Gardens, and even that she'd like to get married there." Alana pointed out as she grinned ear to ear. She looked at Ahjah, Thea, and Ethan. "Would you be okay with that? Would Sarah be okay with that?"

"I have no objection." Ahjah said.

"Honestly, I think Sarah would almost prefer it." Ethan mused. "I'd have to ask her, but part of the reason that she liked the double wedding idea was that some of the focus would be taken off of her. If Kalaya got married at the same time, that would be doubly true. Literally."

"I agree." Thea said. "She has a really tender heart, and if she can take some pressure off of herself and help Kalaya and Navaro get married at the same time, I think she'll love that. I certainly don't mind."

"I'll ask her when she gets back." Ethan said, then looked at Halvaer. "Even if Sarah does agree, you would need to allow Kalaya to marry Navaro; would you?"

"I am not altogether fond of the match as a whole, for obvious historical reasons." He looked significantly at Navaro. "However, I do believe it is the best possible match in terms of her happiness. Further, I do not believe that anyone save for an angel or the Prophet himself--" He indicated Ethan. "--could force her to bond to anyone else."

Navaro was clearly trying to suppress a smile, but he was failing spectacularly.

"Ah, she's strong-willed." Ethan said in a mock-thoughtful tone. "Clearly nothing like her daughter then."

That daughter sighed and it looked like she resisted rolling her eyes with difficulty.

Navaro was nearly beaming at this point. "Honored Halvaer, I swear that in the future, should you agree, I will always and forever put the good of your daughter first."

Halvaer looked at him. "That is part of the reason I hold reservations."

"Wait, why?" Ethan asked.

"It is not the duty of a husband to 'put the good of his wife' first." Halvaer replied. "It is the duty of a husband to put the good of his family -- all of its members, himself, his wife, and his children -- first. He should not make decisions to satisfy any one family member's desire over another, or their good over another. He should instead make those decisions in accordance with what is in the best interest of all of the family members, not just one."

"Huh." Ethan cocked his head to one side, thinking of something that Lord Kalus had said about leadership. He'd said something very similar, only in the context of leading the people who would be following him.

"In the context of defense, yes, a husband is required to defend his family's lives, even if it's at the cost of his own." Halvaer continued. "But in the ordinary things of life, the good of the whole family -- husband, wife, and children -- must be considered."

Navaro nodded slowly. "My father always emphasized the good of House Nalfigar over the family, how duty to the house was the most important thing. He taught me a lot about that, less about immediate family."

"Precisely, which forms part of the core of my reservations." Halvaer replied. "Given his reputation, I find it unlikely that he has instilled in you the behaviors and mindsets necessary to be a good husband and father. That is not an indictment of you; it is a deficiency in the training that you should have received from your father. However, I would not wish my daughter or potential future grandchildren to suffer for your father's oversight."

"I have no defense against your non-indictment." Navaro replied. "However, if you would be willing, I would happily spend more time learning from you. I have every desire to be a good husband and father, but you are correct that my own father did not instill such ideas and mindsets in me. I would be honored and grateful if you would be willing to help correct that oversight."

Halvaer made a thoughtful sound, and Ethan guessed that he hadn't thought Navaro would reply that way.

"If I may." Sarisa spoke up.

"Please." Halvaer said.

"I have worked somewhat closely with Navaro for many years, as you know." Thea's sister said. "He has on more than one occasion expressed a desire to learn how to be a good father and husband, as he was unsure that the advice which he received from his father was equal to the task."

Halvaer nodded at Sarisa, and then addressed Navaro. "Should such a marriage become possible, I would give my permission for it to take place."

"Thank you." The younger wood elf replied. "I greatly appreciate it."

"You are welcome." Halvaer replied.

"So, does anyone have an idea how to make it possible?" Alana asked.

No one said anything.

Finally, after several seconds, Thea tentatively raised her hand.

"Thea, please, don't keep us in suspense." Ethan said.

"Well, I had an idea last night." Thea said. "I mentioned it to Ahjah, and he thought it might work." She looked at him as if looking for confirmation.

"It has potential." Ahjah said. "Please, relate it to the others."

Thea took a deep breath, then started explaining.

* * *

Rachel couldn't help but smile as she held Conner. The baby had woken up before they had arrived, and so Fiona had tried to get him to calm down, but he wasn't having it. Rachel had gotten closer, and apparently Conner found her red hair interesting enough to stop crying. Apparently, his mother's copper-colored hair didn't do the trick.

"He likes you." Fiona said after a moment.

Conner had a sort of half-smile on his face, but he also was slowly blinking because he was obviously tired as well.

"I guess he's my brother." Rachel said after a moment. "Or stepbrother." She paused as he waved his hands in front of his face, and it looked like he was trying to get a hold of her hair. "I've never had a brother before."

"Well, you're having one now." Fiona said from nearby.

"I like that." Rachel felt her smile widen. She reached her other hand up and touched the tip of Conner's nose. He made a happy baby noise, then yawned and his eyes partially closed. A moment later, he reached up and took hold of Rachel's finger, though it took him a few tries. Another few tries later, he was sucking on the tip of Rachel's finger and his eyelids were drooping.

"Is this what having a baby is like?" She asked after a moment.

"The best parts, aye." Fiona replied. "There's also the cleaning, and the midnight feedings, and sometimes crying when there's nothing you can be doing about it. But these parts are making up for all of it."

"Yeah..." Rachel replied, her attention utterly captivated by the baby in her arms. "Yeah, I can imagine..."

She was.

Quite literally.

She was imagining that she was holding her own baby, hers and Ethan's, and he was looking at her like this. For possibly the first time in her life -- outside the bedroom anyway -- her mind was mercifully peaceful. Holding this baby was one of the most calming things she'd ever done.

"It's wonderful, but I'm wanting to make sure that you're realizing they aren't always like this." Fiona said at some point later, though Rachel wasn't sure how long; she'd lost track of time.

"That's okay." Rachel replied, and the dreamy note in her voice was entirely unintentional. "If it's like this just ten percent of the time, or even five percent..."

Fiona chuckled. "Thankfully, it's more than that. And that's not counting playing with him while he's awake."

Rachel nodded slowly, only partially hearing her. Right now, her attention was entirely focused on the baby in her arms. Suddenly, she understood a little better why Beth was so baby crazy. If the war was over and it was safe, she would've gone home and immediately begged Ethan to get her pregnant.

"And they aren't always that size you know." Fiona added, clearly amused. "They do grow out of being babies."

"But you can have more babies." Rachel said, though, she couldn't imagine a world in which she wouldn't love her children even more as they grew up.

Out of the corner of her eyes, even as distracted as she was, Rachel noticed that Fiona had a slight reaction. It was very subtle, and she doubted that Sarah or Amy had noticed, but Rachel did. She thought about it for a moment, and then felt like maybe she should ask Fiona about it. However, it seemed like it would be better if the conversation was private.

Hmm.

"Sarah, Amy, could I talk to Fiona for a moment?" Rachel asked.

Sarah cocked her head to one side, hesitated, then shrugged and looked at Fiona. "Um, could I go say hi to Marge?"

"Aye, I'm sure she'd be loving that." Fiona replied. "She probably won't be showing it, but I'm sure she would like it."

Sarah chuckled, then turned to Amy. "Did you want to come with me?"

Amy nodded, then the two of them left.

"What were you wanting to talk about?" Fiona asked.

"So, I don't want to pry but..." Rachel trailed off as Conner's arm finally relaxed and he seemed to actually fall asleep.

"He's not doing that for many people." Fiona said, and she sounded impressed.

"I hope I'm a natural." Rachel said, though her voice was barely louder than a whisper.

"I'm guessing you will be." Fiona smiled. "But what were you wanting to ask?"

"Um, you reacted when I mentioned having more babies." Rachel replied, having barely enough presence of mind to look away from Conner and at Fiona as she spoke. "Is... I can tell that you're pregnant from the baby's mana, but you reacted when I said something about having more; why?"

"I... I'm not thinking we'll be having more." Fiona got a slightly sad smile on her face. "Lord Delmar, your father, is being reluctant to show affection because he's always being reminded of Helene whenever he does." She stepped closer and lowered her voice. "He was enchanting himself to have a perfect memory, and so he's always feeling like it's the day she died, even after all these years."

"Oh." Rachel nodded slowly, so many things clicking for her at once. So much about how he had behaved in her childhood suddenly clicked for her in a way it never had before. If he felt like that all of the time...

She swallowed.

She couldn't even imagine what that would be like. Just as her brain began to spin up all the possibilities -- which she could already tell would make her tear up -- Fiona mercifully interrupted her train of thought.

"And he's not wanting to change that, because then he would be losing the feelings from the happy memories as well." Fiona finished.

"Um, let me ask Ethan about that." Rachel whispered. "Maybe he can come up with something to help."

Fiona nodded.

*Ethan?* She thought directly to him.

*I'm in the middle of that meeting, is it important?* He replied.

*It is.* Rachel responded.

*Then hang on a second.* He said. About ten seconds later, he replied again. *What's up?*

She explained the problem, then added. *Is there anything you can think of to help? Something about enchanting or memory? I think we could really help him.*

*So, off the top of my head, he could just modify the enchantment to let negative emotions in a memory fade while leaving the memory of the event itself and the positive emotions associated with it intact.* He replied. *But I find it hard to believe that he hasn't thought of that.*

*You might be surprised.* Rachel replied. *Until I met you, I thought that memory was just memory. You have all these different categories of memory, and it didn't occur to me that it could be segmented out like that.*

*Well, you can suggest it.* Ethan replied. *The worst thing that could happen is he'll refuse to try it.*

*Okay, thank you.*

*You're welcome.*

Rachel explained what Ethan had suggested to Fiona.

"I can be suggesting that." Fiona smiled when Rachel was done. "I'm really hoping it'll be helpful because he's in a lot of emotional pain, and I'm wishing there was something I could do."

"Maybe that's something?" Rachel suggested. "It can't hurt to suggest it."

"I will, thank you." Fiona smiled, then looked at Rachel holding Conner. "I'm guessing that your arm is getting tired.

"It is." Rachel admitted. It was actually starting to ache.

"They're lighter when they're born, so that's helping." Fiona said. "We should probably be putting him back down and having lunch with your father."

Rachel bit her lip, then nodded. Honestly, she was mostly agreeing because her arm was getting quite tired, and she didn't want to risk it feeling weak when she was holding such a precious baby.

* * *

"That's... that's an idea." Ethan mused as Thea finished explaining.

"Do you think it'll work?" Thea asked the room at large, and then looked at Halvaer and Navaro.

"It could, perhaps, be part of a coordinated strategy." Halvaer replied. "Perhaps the capstone of a large plan. However, it would not be effective by itself."

"I had a few other ideas." Thea said after a moment.

"Other ideas?" Ethan asked.

Thea nodded. "Remember what Nakhim did to that minor house to begin its road to ruin?"

"Publicly said that he'd cut ties with them, why?" Ethan asked.

"What if someone else publicly said that he didn't want to deal with House Nalfigar, or at least Nakhim?" Thea looked directly at Ethan.

Everyone looked at him.

"Oof, you really play hardball." Ethan replied as he thought about the effect it would have if the Prophet of Illuminar said that in the incredibly devout wood elven society.

"I would object to that plan." Navaro said. "House Nalfigar is responsible for many, many thousands of elves whose livelihoods would be in danger if the Prophet did such a thing."

Thea didn't reply, but she did frown and looked a lot less happy with the idea now as well.

"Ethan, what about that game on Earth that you've mentioned before?" Thea said. "I think it's called 'poke her'."

"Poker." Ethan chuckled. "You're talking about bluffing?"

Thea nodded. "That might be an option."

"What is 'bluffing'?" Navaro asked.

"It's like in a game of finescharwtz when you have a ploustuar, but don't want to retire." Alana replied, and everyone around the table slowly nodded except for Ethan.

Navaro nodded as well. "That, I would not object to."

"We could also threaten to publicly dis-invite him from Sarah and my wedding." Thea added. "I'll be The King's adopted daughter by then, and that would carry some weight."

"It would imply in many minds that The King thinks that severing ties with House Nalfigar is acceptable as well." Halvaer said. "That would not be a small blow, even to a Great House as mighty as Nalfigar."

"Would it be enough to convince him?" Ethan asked.

"Possibly." Halvaer replied after a moment. "Likely not in isolation, but as part of a larger stratagem, it might."

"And then, I was thinking that we could present an alternative." Thea added. "Ethan once mentioned the 'carrot and stick' approach, where there's pain from the stick if the person doesn't do what you want, but then also there's a reward in the form of a carrot if the person does what you want."

"You have a 'carrot' in mind?" Navaro asked.

"I bet I could convince The King to give him an hour of undivided time once a month for at least a year, maybe longer." Thea said.

"That would be quite the 'carrot'." Halvaer observed.

"I really want this to work." Thea replied.

"Any other ideas?" Ethan asked.

They talked about it for another half an hour or so, but no one came up with any other ideas that were equal to what they had already come up with. Eventually, they called it and stood up to leave, but Ethan made his way over to Thea.

"Hey, can I talk to you for a moment?" He asked.

She nodded and they stepped away from the others.

"What?" She asked.

"I really appreciate the help, but it seems like you're more invested in this than I thought you would be, even considering how much you care about people. Why?"

Thea glanced at her sister, Sarisa, hesitated, then spoke very quietly. "It's because of Sari."

"What about her?" Ethan asked.

"Promise you'll keep it to yourself?" Thea asked, then paused. "Well, you can tell your wives, but ask them to keep it to themselves too."

"Sure." He agreed.

"I didn't really understand until I spent time around Alana and Rachel, but I think Sari is in love with Kalaya the way Alana and Rachel are with each other. If Kalaya marries Navaro, then I'm pretty sure that she'll convince Navaro to marry Sarisa so she and Kalaya can be more like Alana and Rachel." Thea smiled. "I can't even begin to tell you how happy that will make Sari. She's been longing..." She paused. "Honestly, I think I can say that she's been pining for Kalaya for twenty years now, and she shows no sign of slowing down."

Ethan nodded slowly and felt a small smile creep onto his face. "Ah, gotcha."

"She's my sister." Thea continued. "She's always been there for me in everything since I was a child, and she's done so much for me my whole life. I just really want to do this for her, if I can. It'll make her so happy and after everything she's done for me, I really want to see her deliriously happy."

Ethan's smile widened. "That says as much about you as it does about her."

"Thank you." Thea replied, paused, then spoke. "Did you know that half of the style elements in Sari's house -- the one you visited -- aren't actually her preference, but Kalaya's?"

"Really?" Ethan asked.

Thea nodded. "She's fine with them, but even though Kalaya was shamed, Sari built her house so that Kalaya would love it, just in case she ever got her shame removed, or escaped, or was otherwise able to visit."

"That's... that's quite the commitment." Ethan said.

"That's Sari." Thea replied. "I really want my sister to have her-- " She cocked her head to one side. "What was the phrase you once used? Happily ever after?"

"That's it." He nodded. "Well, with you on the case, it sounds like she might."

"I hope so." Thea had a little longing on her face too. He was reminded of the first real conversation of any substance that he'd had with her, right after the battle of the orcs. She had felt bad that the Red Hand orcs had been raised to become what they were, because they were once young and didn't know any better. He had been slightly touched by how much she cared.

"Thea, we'll make it happen." He said. "I'm not sure how, but we will."

The gorgeous elf beamed.

* * *

On the Helene's deck, Sarah, Amy, Rachel, and Fiona had all just sat down and were waiting for Lord Delmar to arrive. Apparently, he had been detained by some important business, but would be coming soon.

"Amy, Sarah was telling me that you're expecting?" Fiona asked.

Amy nodded as she almost whimpered. "Twins. How am I going to raise twins?"

Fiona smiled. "I'm guessing about the same way you'd raise only one."

Amy's eyes got a little wider. "Yes, but twins?"

Fiona chuckled. "I'm sure you can be doing it. And how is Rindrin? Is he everything you were wanting?"

Amy got a dreamy look on her face. "He told me that my morning breath was terrible the day we left."

Sarah smiled, remembering how an almost brutal level of honesty was important to Amy. Sarah herself preferred a bit more tact, but was glad that her friend had found someone who she fit with so well.

"How is Rindrin?" Sarah asked.

"He is more busy at the forge than ever." Amy replied. "There's been a lot more traffic through the outpost recently, and he can work from sunrise to sundown and still have jobs. He's even thinking of raising his prices."

"Wow." Sarah felt her jaw drop. "Rindrin is considering changing something?"

Amy nodded. "He is, and I think he should. He works really hard, and there are two children coming." She suddenly looked apprehensive again.

"Amy, you'll do fine." Sarah assured her.

"Sarah is right, I'm sure you'll be doing fine." Fiona said.

"Twins..." Rachel mused, and she had a slightly faraway look in her eye. Sarah guessed that the newly baby-struck woman was wondering what it would be like to have twins.

"I want children, but twins?" Amy said. "I would be fine with a dozen children, but two at a time?"

Sarah had to resist the urge to laugh.

That was about when Lord Delmar approached the table. Sarah had forgotten just how large he was, larger even than Rindrin. He was about six and a half feet tall and powerfully built. He was a whole foot taller than the tallest person at the table, and they were sitting down while he hadn't yet.

Amy instantly fell silent.

"Please, do not let me interrupt." He said as he sat down. "Children are a blessing, and should be celebrated."

Amy nodded mutely.

Lord Delmar sat in the open chair, and in order from his right were Fiona, Sarah, Amy, and Rachel, so that Rachel was also sitting next to him.

"If you wish for a dozen children, would not the birth of twins hasten that goal?" Lord Delmar asked Amy.

The artistic girl seemed to grow smaller and shrink at the question, even though he was being calm and conversational.

"Amelia." He addressed her. "We have spoken twice now, and neither time was in such an informal setting as this. You have nothing to fear from me."

Amy nodded, but didn't seem wholly reassured.

"I give you my word as Lord of Narlotten that -- save derision or physical attack -- you may speak your mind freely without fear of reprisal."

Amy seemed to relax at that.

"However, I do understand your apprehension concerning twins." Lord Delmar continued. "It will feel overwhelming at first, but you will adapt. It will become harder once they learn to crawl, but considerably easier once they are able to relieve themselves without assistance."

Amy nodded, but her tone was still hesitant. "That's... that's good to hear."

"I speak from experience, as in her infancy, my own daughter proved quite adept at relieving herself at the most inopportune times." He continued.

Everyone at the table chuckled, even Rachel, though she also turned bright red. The mood at the table had certainly lightened somewhat.

"However." Lord Delmar continued. "While you will likely find it the most difficult task that you undertake in life, no other occupation will be as rewarding."

Rachel looked at him, cheeks still bright red.

"Really?" Amy asked.

"Yes." Lord Delmar nodded once. "You will find that your children's joys will become your joys, their pains your pains, and their defeats your defeats. No other occupation will cause as much joy, sorrow, heartache, or fulfillment as that of a parent. While I believe that I have performed admirably as lord of Narlotten, it is not the most important role that I hold."

Rachel swallowed, and it looked like she was about to tear up even as a smile broke out on her face.

"I would only suggest this." Lord Delmar continued, addressing Amy. "Do not fail to inform your children how dear they are to you, lest, perhaps, at some time they might doubt their place in your life."

Rachel rubbed her eyes and sniffled.

Amy looked at Rachel, then back at Lord Delmar. "I'll keep that in mind, thank you."

He nodded once, then looked at Rachel. "I overheard your conversation with Fiona earlier. I think that now, after holding Conner, you might perhaps understand a parent's mindset more thoroughly."

Rachel nodded.

"I also appreciate your concern for my well-being." He continued. "However, I am not willing to risk a test of the suggestion."

"What if you tried it on a specific--" Rachel stopped, probably realizing that this was hardly the time or place to finish that sentence, probably with the word 'memory'. "Um, one that wasn't important to you."

Her father scrutinized her for several long moments. "I will consider that. However, given the original source of the suggestion that you relayed, I am not inclined to test it."

Rachel opened her mouth to reply, but hesitated and then closed it.

Sarah wanted to say something, but wasn't sure what to say with Amy there. Obviously she couldn't give away the fact that Lord Delmar was a dragon, but she did want to help. She wished she was a part of the group chat so she could say something telepathically. Oh well, hopefully soon.

* * *

"We shall take the utmost care in this work, honored Prophet."

"Thank you." Ethan said to the elven forgemaster, then reluctantly handed his war hammer to the man. They were in his forge after he had requested a meeting with him, and he had been shown in almost immediately.

The elf looked at the war hammer very closely for almost a minute before speaking. "This is masterwork; Graflex?"

"Yup." Ethan nodded. "I'm not sure how long the longer length of the handle should be though."

"That depends on the wielder." The forgemaster said. "Come, we shall do some tests in the yard to determine the ideal length."

They did.

The forgemaster quickly removed his war hammer's shaft. Then using their moldable clay that could magically harden, he created a version of the head that was a similar shape and the exact same weight. They then went out into the nearby yard and the forgemaster put several different lengths on and had Ethan swing them around to find the exact right length.

The testing involved smashing large fruits and vegetables, which was honestly kind of fun. It took over a dozen iterations before the forgemaster seemed happy, and the last few were different sizes by only a fraction of an inch.

"Test this length." The forgemaster said as he handed Ethan the most recent version.

He took it and swung it. This time, he smiled. He had been skeptical that a quarter of an inch would be enough to make a difference, but for some reason, it did.

"That is the length, honored Prophet, unless you object." The elf said.

"No, it's perfect." Ethan grinned. "You really do refine this down as much as it can go."

"If it has a flaw when it leaves this forge, I have failed in my duty." The forgemaster replied. "I would ordinarily suggest a spike on the head so it could be used for thrusting as well, however, I would not dare to consider modifications to a design delivered by an angel of Illuminar -- blessed be He."

"I've often wondered about that." Ethan mused. "But, considering how I usually carry it, I'd probably end up skewering myself with it."

"That is a realistic possibility." The elf replied. "The modification you have requested is relatively small, there is much daylight left, and no project in our forge is more important than assisting the Prophet. If you return at dinnertime, the modification will be completed."

"Awesome, thanks!" Ethan grinned. "I hate being without it."

"You shall not need to be for long." The forgemaster replied.

Ethan thanked him again, then left.

*Ethan!* Alana thought to him privately. *They are going to release the details for the de-shaming ceremony this afternoon!*

He smiled. *We should be there for that; when and where?*

*The Conclave steps just after teatime.*

*Okay, we'll be there.* He smiled, and the joy in his wife's mental tone was almost palpable.

* * *

"That went well, right?" Sarah asked Rachel as they left the Helene with stomachs full of delicious food. The Lightguard and the palace guard formed a protective circle around them as they began to walk back toward the palace.

"I think so." Rachel said with only a trace of hesitancy in her tone.

"I think so too." Amy agreed. "It was a little awkward, but nice."

"It was." Sarah agreed, then looked at Rachel. "Your father was even trying to be conversational."

"He was." Rachel smiled.

They hadn't talked about anything important after Lord Delmar had addressed Rachel's suggestion, but that was probably for the best. They had mostly talked about mundane things, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Sarah had loved getting to see Amy and Fiona together; that happened all too rarely.

The rest of the walk back to the suite, the three women dissected the whole conversation and, generally, they all agreed that it had gone well. Even Rachel was smiling as they got closer. Amy gave Sarah a hug once they were on the palace grounds, then left to go find Rindrin, who apparently was going to be visiting an elven smith.

That left Sarah and Rachel to talk as they headed toward their suite.

"Thank you for coming." Rachel said after Amy left. "I think it would've been even more awkward without you and Amy there."

"I was happy to come." Sarah smiled. "Even if Fiona wasn't there, I would've been happy to help."

"You are one of the most helpful and unselfish people I've ever met." Rachel smiled. "That's ironic because before you joined the Argo and before she got to know you, Alana was initially worried that you would take all of Ethan's attention because he liked you so much."

"She was?" Sarah felt her jaw drop.

Rachel chuckled. "She was, though she stopped worrying about that before you were even betrothed to Ethan. She really likes you now."

"Oh, good." Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad, because... Is that Mage Weston?" She was looking at the entrance of their building, and it looked like he was leaning up against the wall near the two Lightguard who were usually stationed at the entrance. Though, there were almost a dozen right now.

"Mage Weston?" Rachel said when they got closer, and she smiled.

"If it isn't the red-headed wonder herself." Mage Weston smiled, and as usual, Sarah thought he looked like a grandfather. Though, this time, a grandfather who was just seeing his favorite granddaughter after a long time.

Rachel hurried forward and gave him a tight hug. "It's been forever!"

"Which would make you ancient." Mage Weston chuckled as he hugged her back. When the hug broke, he looked at Sarah. "Sarah, it's good to see you again as well, and without that magical disguise marring your features."

"Thank you, and it's good to see you too." Sarah replied.

"What brings you by?" Rachel asked.

"I had an experiment go well, and thought you might appreciate the results." The mage replied. "Though, it is a bit private."

Rachel led him a bit farther from the Lightguard, then turned to face him again. Sarah followed of course, curious what it could be.

"It's this." Mage Weston pulled out a piece of paper that was folded like a letter and sealed with wax. "Wait to open it until you only have your husband and fellow wives around you, and no one else." The letter clearly had something in it, though it wasn't large.

Rachel took it, then lowered her voice and spoke. "What is it?"

Mage Weston smiled. "The enchantment doesn't have a name. However, its function is to be a modulator to attenuate and regulate a mobile micro-fissure into the aetherian domain to enable the controlled effluxion of prodigious quantities of thaumatological catalysates for noetic, arcane, and aetheric applications."

Sarah stared at him.

She blinked

"It's..." Rachel was staring at him, eyes wide and jaw slack. She looked down at the letter, then back at him. "You didn't figure out how to... did you?"

"I did." Mage Weston held up his hand, which had a small ring on it.

Rachel just stared at it. "That's... how?"

"Decades of study, research, tinkering, and being able to observe a truly masterful -- if revolting -- piece of enchanting mastery."

"Will breaker ring?" Rachel asked.

He nodded. "Indeed."

Rachel looked down at the paper like she couldn't believe her eyes. "Thank you. Thank you so..." She trailed off as she looked at the letter. "I can't believe you figured it out. I didn't think anyone was even trying."

"I suspect that I'm not the first, but that the rest wisely chose not to reveal that such a thing could exist." Mage Weston replied. "I will follow their example, and I suggest that you do the same, even if you are able to discover how it works. I would actually suggest that you not attempt to ascertain its inner workings, for you cannot reveal what you do not know."

Rachel nodded. "Alana is curious, but not that curious. We won't tell anyone or try to figure it out."

"Good." Mage Weston replied.

"My father would be furious with you if he knew you gave this to me." Rachel said after a moment, and Sarah could hear a touch of concern in her tone. "It's hard to keep a secret from Lady Ekthros."

"He would, and it is." Mage Weston replied. "However, even the long reach of her intelligence arm stops at the walls of this palace complex." He indicated the area around them. "The wood elves do not have a reputation for effective intelligence, mostly because they are skilled enough to have avoided creating one. That itself is a monument to how effective their intelligence service is."

Rachel smiled. "Having met The King, I'm not surprised."

Mage Weston nodded. "I had an entirely legitimate and long-planned meeting with The King's court mage. We merely decided to take a break for lunch, and then we will resume. You will not need to worry that your father or Lady Ekthros discovered that I gave this to you."

Rachel nodded. "Thank you again."

"You are welcome." He said with a smile. "Alas, I must return to the palace. Someday, when your father has come to his senses, we should talk at more length."

"Someday?" Sarah asked. "You think it will happen?"

"I know it will." Mage Weston replied, and his tone had the same kind of settled confidence one might have when asserting that the sun will rise in the morning, or that magic required mana, or that Beth would be curious.

"How?" Sarah asked.

Mage Weston just smiled. "I am glad to see that your demon is gone, and that you can now be seen for who you truly are."

"Thank you." Sarah beamed. She didn't miss that he hadn't answered her question, but she beamed anyway.

"May Illuminar guide you on the path of Light as you travel." Mage Weston said.

"And you as well." Rachel replied.

Mage Weston inclined his head in respect, then turned and walked away.

"What is it?" Sarah asked Rachel while looking at the letter.

* * *

"An arch-mage ring?" Ethan raised his eyebrow, keeping his tone low as Rachel had suggested. He and all his wives were in the suite, Rachel having urgently asked for all of them to meet there not long before.

Rachel nodded. "That's the best name I can think of for it. It basically mimics what an arch mage can do when he draws mana directly from the aether." She looked down at the unfolded letter in which the small ring had come. "This says it's not as effective as doing it naturally, but there's no risk and it should allow me to pull a lot of mana when I need it."

"I'll take 'effective but safe' over 'risky and OP' any day where one of my wives is concerned." Ethan nodded.

"OP?" Beth asked.

"Over-Powered." Selene explained. "It's a term from video games."

"You were given mage hands yesterday." Kendra said after a moment. "An arch-mage ring combined with the mage hands..." She trailed off, a subtle smile on her face.

Ethan grinned. "Well, hello sexy superweapon." He winked at Rachel, who blushed slightly.

"I won't quite be that, but I will be a lot more capable of taking on enemy mages." Rachel said, then she paused.

"Problem?" Ethan asked.

Sarah chuckled. "She got to hold Conner, and now Beth will have some competition for being the next mother."

Ethan looked at Rachel and raised his eyebrow.

She nodded.

"Really?" He asked.

His most sensitive wife hesitated a moment, then nodded. Her pale blue eyes got a look of deep longing in them. "If we weren't about to go to war, I would want..." She took a deep breath. "I would want to go into the bedroom and get started right now."

Ethan grinned. "Damn, if we didn't have a war to fight, I would totally be down for that."

Rachel blushed deeper, but the look of longing on her face got stronger.

Much stronger.

"Well, maybe I'd wait until Sarah and I are married so she could watch." Ethan winked at Sarah, who went bright red instantly. Though, despite that, suddenly the look in her eyes wasn't so different from Rachel's, and she bit her lip.

"I wanted to be next." Beth sighed.

"Maybe we can make a party out of it." Selene suggested.

Everyone looked at her.

"So, I don't mean to be crude, but Alana is already knocked up, and I don't think the rest of us want to wait very long." Selene said, then looked at Ethan. "So why not do us all at once when the war is over? Then no one has to wait."

A certain part of Ethan reacted very strongly to that suggestion. He clicked his disguise gem on so Sarah wouldn't get an eyeful of something he was pretty sure she didn't want to see... yet.

"So, I really like that idea." He said. "But, I'd rather make it a bit more special than a..." He paused, trying to think of how to say it.

"A breeding party?" Alana supplied with her trademark impish grin. "Since I'm already pregnant, I'll coordinate." She then put on a mock imperious tone. "So everyone should definitely endeavor to get in my good graces."

Everyone laughed.

However, despite that, the atmosphere in the room had definitely shifted. It was hard to describe, but there was a low-level tension in the air, and it wasn't bad tension either. Even Sarah was participating, though she could've probably been Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer's understudy at this point.

"Boss, I'm from Earth, the monogamy-only haven where we deride polygamy as backwards and repulsive, and even I don't mind."

"I've shared a bed with you." Beth spoke up. "You don't mind anything."

Ethan made the sound of water sizzling after being dropped into a hot pan and then spoke to Selene. "Would you like some ice for that burn?"

"Actually, we've never tried ice in bed." Selene shot back. "And now that Rachel has that ring, I think we should put it to good use; we just need some ice cube trays."

Ethan laughed out loud. "One of the most powerful and secretive weapons we've ever heard of gets dropped into our laps and you want to use it for kink in bed."

"Come on Boss, tell me you don't want to tie me down and torture my poor, helpless nipples with some ice." Selene replied entirely without embarrassment.

"You sure you still want to join this family?" Ethan asked Sarah with a chuckle.

Sarah bit her lip, then nodded. "Um, yes." She went even brighter red. "I... um..." She worked her mouth, but didn't seem to be able to get any sound out.

"She's curious." Beth said. "I know that look."

Sarah nodded her head fractionally, and now her upper chest was nearly as red as her face.

"About ice on your nipples?" Beth asked.

Sarah seemed to slightly freeze. "Uh--"

"You don't have to answer." Ethan told her.

"Um, I want to..." Sarah took a breath. "I... I don't know what I'll like." She hesitated. "I kind of want to try..." She swallowed. "Um, try everything. Um, well, maybe not everything, but... um... If I don't try, I don't think I'll know what... what I'll like."

Ethan smiled at her. "Well, I promise we'll start slow. If you're ever uncomfortable, just say something and we'll stop, okay."

Sarah nodded.

"She's not like Selene." Alana said after a moment. "She might want to try things, but I get the feeling that her tastes are a little more..." The wood elf looked at Selene pointedly. "... vanilla."

Selene blushed slightly. "I maintain that a good vanilla -- like French vanilla -- is a damn site better than chocolate or a more complicated flavor."

"I'm missing something..." Sarah said.

They explained what Ethan had said before sex the previous day, and Sarah looked like her heart was about to melt.

"I wish we knew what needed to happen before we can get married." His betrothed said with both longing and desire in her eyes.

"Actually, I might know..." Ethan said, then explained about the possibility of a triple wedding with himself and Sarah, Ahjah and Thea, and Kalaya and Navaro.

"I love that idea." Sarah beamed.

Alana looked like Christmas had come early.

"Okay, so triple wedding?" Ethan asked.

Sarah nodded vigorously.

"And then a war..." Selene said with a sigh.

"... and then a breeding party." Alana said with her trademark impish look.

Ethan rolled his eyes, not that he wasn't interested. He definitely was, but not yet. "And you all would want that?"

All of his wives except for Alana nodded.

"The alternative is that we spread everything out." Rachel pointed out. "If we do it all at once, no one has to wait."

"I don't want to wait either Master." Taloni said, and basically everyone else echoed the sentiment.

"Plus, our cycles are already starting to sync." Selene said. "It's almost like nature wants you to." She winked.

Everyone chuckled.

"Okay, show of hands, who--" Ethan started to ask, but was interrupted by all of his wives raising their hands at once. "Dang, I was hoping you'd all agree." He chuckled.

"Ethan, this has always been the endgame." Alana pointed out. "We've been talking about starting a family -- well, adding children to our existing family -- for months now. I can't think of a good reason to wait longer than the end of the war."

"We're not getting any younger you know." Selene winked.

"Okay, it's a plan." Ethan smiled.

"Also, it will be good motivation to make sure we are efficient in prosecuting the war." Kendra added. "I know it will motivate me."

The rest of his wives agreed.

"Yeah, no kidding." He nodded. "Okay, so first we need to get Kalaya and Navaro married, then the Wilding Lands, then Lord Farbrottan, hopefully Lord Delmar will come around, and somewhere in there we need to deal with that embodied Nesteri." He looked around at his wives. "Then we'll start making babies."

Every one of his wives grinned, including Sarah. She was redder than the rest of them, but looked just as excited.

* * *

Candice had been able to hold back her tears until she'd returned to her room. After that, she couldn't. She had dropped onto the bed and managed to make a small wet spot, even though the sheets were self-cleaning and therefore water-resistant. At some point, she must've fallen asleep because she was waking up now.

She sniffled.

Ethan really thought of her more like a daughter?

How could...

She swallowed.

A part of her didn't blame him. All of his wives were incredible women and she probably just couldn't compare to them. She was even prettier than a few of his wives, but apparently that wasn't enough either. She wasn't used to that. She had been one of the prettiest girls in her town, but as her father had once said: sometimes the fish that seems big in the pond doesn't seem so big in the lake.

She didn't like the thought that that might be her.

She laid on the bed for some time, and she had lost track of time. She turned everything that had happened between her and Ethan over in her mind. She couldn't understand why he only saw her like a daughter. She'd done everything she could to help; apparently being pretty and feminine wasn't enough.

Knock. Knock.

She didn't move.

Honestly, unless it was Ethan changing his mind, she wasn't sure that she cared.

Knock. Knock.

She ignored it, and whoever it was didn't knock again. About ten minutes later, the door opened.

"Candice?" Thea's voice came from the living room.

She didn't reply. She tried, but it was hard to summon the willpower.

"Oh, good you're decent." Thea said a moment later. "There's someone here to see you and I need to get going, so have a good talk."

She left, or at least Candice heard her footsteps travel away. There was the faint sound of whispering, then the door closed. A moment later, someone else walked into the room. The footsteps were heavier and more deliberate.

"I have been temporarily reassigned." Halasses said. "I am to watch you until we have talked."

Candice almost managed a chuckle. "Thea?"

"Indeed." He replied.

She moved her head to look at him. He was standing nearby calmly, like a tree that had weathered many storms, or maybe a mountain that was utterly unaffected by them. He looked so... so... tranquil.

"I understand if you do not wish to talk." He continued. "I shall take this opportunity to enjoy that most precious of luxuries." He smiled. "A nap."

She cocked her head to one side.

He sat down in a nearby chair, closed his eyes, and the pattern of his breathing changed a moment later. He couldn't have fallen asleep that quickly, could he?

Apparently he had.

Still though, she felt better with him around. For some reason, she could breathe a little easier.

* * *

"If you aren't careful, you'll vibrate so much that you'll float up into the sky." Ethan whispered to Alana as they waited near the Conclave steps for the official announcement of the procedure for removing a person's shame. He and all his wives had disguise gems on and active, just because they were in public and wanted to remain incognito. The Lightguard was grouped around them, but in plain clothes as well.

"I'm trying, but this is just--" Alana very nearly vibrated as she grinned so wide he thought she'd split her face in half. She had her hands up near her face and her hands clenched into tiny fists, like she could squeeze the air and get things to happen faster.

Rachel put a hand on Alana's shoulder. "Don't worry, I won't let her float away."

Someone ahead of them turned around and put a finger to her lips. "Shhh!"

"Oh, I'm sorry Karen." Ethan replied coolly. "I didn't realize that you owned this part of the Conclave."

The woman drew herself up to her full height -- about 5' 2", Beth's height and a full six inches shorter than Ethan -- and spoke imperiously. "My name is not 'Karen'." She looked down her nose at them, even though she was shorter. "My name is--"

"I don't care." Ethan cut her off.

She huffed, then moved elsewhere.

Alana leaned on him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He smiled.

About three minutes later, the door to the Conclave opened and a luminar came out. He looked younger, and Ethan guessed that his role was a herald of sorts because everyone stopped speaking immediately when he came out.

He opened his mouth and started speaking...

... in elvish.

Ethan sighed. Honestly, given that he was in Nalatia, he probably should've expected that. Alana was hanging on the herald's every word though. Ethan's other wives all looked at each other, though Rachel appeared to be listening as well.

*My elvish isn't as good as it should be.* The redhead thought to him. *My father wanted me to learn, but I was a terrible student.*

*Alana will fill us in later.* Ethan replied with a smile.

The herald spoke for about ten minutes, all in elvish. Alana seemed to smile wider and wider the longer he talked. Finally, he finished, said something that was clearly a farewell, then went back into the Conclave.

"And?" Ethan asked Alana when the herald was done.

"It's wonderful." Alana sighed with a dreamy look on her face. "The ceremony shouldn't take too long, and he specified that it should be a simple ceremony. The person who's being un-shamed confesses their wrongdoing, two or three witnesses testify that he or she is repentant, and then the luminar pours water from a pitcher over their head to symbolize the washing away of their shame. Then, the luminar addresses the newly un-shamed person by name, and the title is suggested -- but not required -- to be 'un-shamed'."

"Oh, that's not too bad." Ethan said.

"I know." Alana looked like she was floating on cloud nine. "The herald also said that the Conclave had been in communication with the palace, and they are planning for the first ceremony of its kind at dawn in two days, so basically a day and a half."

"Dawn?" Rachel said. "To symbolize rebirth in Illuminar's light? Or perhaps that a new day has dawned for the person being un-shamed?"

"Both." Alana nodded.

"So, did they say who was going to be un-shamed?" Ethan asked.

"Not by name of course." Alana replied, looking even more dreamy. "But he said that The King would be there, and that it would be a person from a prominent family."

"Kalaya." Ethan grinned.

Alana nodded.

"You speak her name?!" The elven 'Karen' from earlier said.

"Yes, Karen, I do speak Kalaya's name." Ethan replied back cheerfully.

She looked incensed. "You had best be careful; there is a Prophet of Illuminar -- blessed be He -- again, and I doubt he would look kindly on such things."

Ethan laughed out loud.

The elven woman looked even more incensed.

"Come on ladies, let's go find that prophet and see what he would think." Ethan said, still laughing as he led his wives away.

The elven 'Karen' stared daggers after them, not that Ethan cared. He waited until they were out of earshot, then spoke again. "So, we really need to step on getting Nakhim on board with the marriage plan then."

"Yes please." Alana was very nearly skipping along, then she stopped and hugged him tightly. "Thank you. None of this would've ever happened without you. Thank you so, so much."

"You're welcome." He replied with a smile. "For you, I was happy to help."

Alana beamed.

"So, how do we get Nakhim to agree?" Beth asked.

"You all remember that I told you about Thea's very interesting idea?" Ethan asked

They all nodded.

He got an impish grin on his face. "Maybe it's time we tried it."

* * *

Fiona knocked gently on the door of her husband's office, Conner strapped to her chest in the wrap she had used so often when working at the castle. She missed having Conner this close all the time, and was starting to think that she might do this more.

"Come." He said, and she slipped inside his office.

"It is not a wise idea." He said when the door had closed.

"Milord?"

He beckoned her closer, then spoke quietly when she was. "You wished me to consider the idea that Rachel suggested concerning my memory. That is not a wise idea."

Fiona smiled. "I'm liking that you're getting to know me well enough to know what I'm wanting to ask."

He nodded once.

"Are you so sure it's a bad idea?" Fiona asked.

"I am unwilling to risk degrading my memory." He replied. "Not only because of Helene, but also because of my office. My success as a ruler is in large part due to my memory. Thus, I would do a disservice to the people of Narlotten."

Fiona had been leaning over the desk, as there wasn't another place she could be sitting. She wanted to sit on his lap but didn't think that would help the conversation, so she sat on the edge of the desk.

He reacted to that.

Subtly, but he did.

"Milord?"

"Helene often did that when she wished to speak to me." He said after a moment.

"Milord, that's why I'm wanting you to try." Fiona said. "I'm knowing how much you are loving Helene, and so I'm knowing how much missing her is hurting you. I'm not wanting you to lose memories of Helene, but Rachel was suggesting that maybe you could be feeling the pain less. That's what I'm wanting for you. I'm not wanting you to remember the happy times less, or the happiness less, but only to let the pain fade."

"I am unwilling to alter even a single memory of Helene." He replied.

"But you must be having other memories you could try it on." She countered. "Something from before you were meeting Helene?"

He didn't answer right away.

"Please?" She pressed. "I'm asking if you can be finding a single memory that you wouldn't be missing, even if it faded like a normal memory. Can you be finding just one?"

"I do have a few memories from before I met Helene whose absence would affect virtually nothing." He conceded after a moment.

"Then can you please be trying what Rachel suggested on one of those memories?" She asked. "I'm hating to see how much missing Helene is hurting you. And while I'm not wanting you to forget her, either the good times or the bad times, I am wanting you to let the pain fade."

Again, he didn't reply.

"It's not natural how your grief can't be fading." She continued. "It's supposed to be fading, or no one could be living their life after a great loss. I'm just wanting you to try. Please, try for your own sake."

He regarded her for several long seconds, then finally spoke. "I will survive. I have survived these many years, and I will survive many more."

Fiona said a silent internal prayer, trying to figure out how to get through to him. She couldn't believe that he was being so stubborn, even when the possibility of getting better was right in front of him. Given all the care that he took with Rachel...

Huh.

That was an idea.

"Milord, if Rachel was having a memory like yours -- or Helene, or even me -- what would you be advising them to do?"

The tiniest trace of a frown crossed his face.

"Milord, my grandfather was always telling me that we should be treating ourselves like someone we had the responsibility to care for." She continued. "If you were doing that, what would you be telling yourself?"

Her husband made a faint, thoughtful sound, and the trace of a thoughtful frown on his face grew very slightly more noticeable. He still didn't reply though.

"Then, can I be asking you to try it for me?" Fiona asked. "I'm knowing that we haven't been married long, but I'm asking this as a favor to me."

"You have not asked for favors before." He replied. "Or at least, not favors for yourself."

She wasn't sure what to say, so she nodded.

He was silent for at least twenty seconds; twenty of the longest seconds of her life.

"You are not asking for a favor for yourself currently either." He finally said. "You are phrasing it as a favor because you wish for my good, and I am not acquiescing."

She nodded. "I really am wanting the best for you."

He nodded very slowly.

After several long seconds, he took a deep breath and then let it out slowly, scrutinizing her the whole time. She waited with bated breath.

Finally, after nearly a minute, he spoke. "I will promise to give the matter serious consideration." It didn't sound like he was brushing her off; it sounded like he meant it. "I will devote some time to seeing if it is possible to isolate a single memory without affecting my other memories. If it is possible, then I am willing to make an attempt."

Fiona beamed. "Thank you Milord, I don't think you'll be regretting this."

He gave her the tiniest smile. Well, it wasn't actually a smile, but the corners of his mouth were slightly above level. "Helene would not have wished to die. However, if she could have chosen a wife for me to succeed herself, I believe that she would have chosen a woman such as you."

Suddenly, Fiona's heart felt like it could melt.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Note: This chapter began on day 149 of Ethan's life in the Ten Kingdoms and ended on day 150. I submit new chapters on the last Wednesday of every month, and they usually drop after the 2-3 day review process. Thus I'll submit the next chapter on October 28th, and it'll probably drop on 30th or 31st... On Halloween; Spooky! ;)

I'd like to extend a very special thanks to my editors, and also several of my patrons, two of whom didn't want to be credited by name. So, to both Anonymous patrons, Joseph, Waniel, David, and "Veron De La Morte": thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate it.

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