Bard's Tale 04 - Holly Wood

Her laughter died away as her heart suffused with love. "A grá mo chroí, Reison Whisper Wind." An Irish phrase meaning my love, my heart. "Careful, my dearest, you will set me to crying again. My heart is still settling and old wounds are finally healing."

"Hearing you speak my mother tongue is like listening to the sweetest poetry, your breath more fragrant than petals of the most lucius flowers in full bloom, the taste of your lips more heady than the finest mead. 'S'truth, my lady."

The tangles straightened, he gave her hair long strokes with the brush, helping to dry it out faster.

Tahna chuckled. "I too easily forget that you want to be a bard like Mindal. Are you practicing your honied ways on me, Lord Whisper Wind? Though wedded and still being bedded, I appreciate your fine words."

"And I tell you again the bedding will never end. What you hear as flattery I say is simple fact, my beauty. I will never willingly lie to you, Tahna. That, too, is fact." He scooted closer, putting his arms around her waist, pulling her back to nestle against his chest. "I will be remiss in my duties as your loving husband if I do not sing your praises to you often, dear heart. And worry not. Your sisters will get their share, too."

Too full of emotion, Tahna leaned back against him, pulling his hands around her. His words comforted her.

When Sally and her helper were done, they loaded up the carts and opened the door, taking the dirty dishes and laundry with them.

Tia returned, pausing long enough to cast a regenerate spell on him, before returning to her normal seat.

Mindal plopped unceremoniously into her own chair. "I still think it's faster to use cantrips to clean the bed, Tia. The magic works just fine. Changing the sheets every day is getting old."

The priestess shook her head. "Part of the process is airing out the bed, too. Sex is fun, but it's wet and messy, and keeping the bed clean and the sheets dry help keep everyone healthy."

Lids came off the serving dishes, and hot, delicious smells filled the air. Tea, coffee, and fruit juice were poured, and they heaped food onto their plates. Reison used a ribbon to tie off Tahna's hair, and they both settled into their seats.

After a few words from Tia to bless the meal, there were no further words as four hungry people dedicated themselves to filling empty stomachs.

Naturally, there was a loud rapping at the door. Faces looked at each other in surprise.

"I wonder who that could be," Mindal said, her mouth full.

Tia growled, tossed her napkin onto the table by her plate, then got up to answer the door. Opening the door wide, she prepared to snap out a pithy saying, but instead froze in shock.

Tahna, her mouth full, called out, "Whoever it is, tell them to go away. We're still on our honeymoon."

"Yeah," the bard opined. "Tell them we don't want any."

They heard from the hallway, "Well, aren't you going to ask us in? Or are you going to make us stand out here all day?"

To Reison's surprise, he saw Tahna blanch and rise up.

Mindal suddenly coughed, struggling to swallow her food. She started to choke. Reison patted her back vigorously, and with great difficulty, she managed to swallow it down.

"We are so screwed," the bard muttered hoarsely.

A pale Tia opened the door. "Uh, my apologies. Please, come in. Come in. Make yourselves at home."

Reison saw three beautiful women swoop in. Out of politeness, he stood at the appearance of new guests.

The first to catch his attention was an adult Elven woman. Dressed in a yellow blouse, a forest-green vest, with dark trousers and dark, soft leather boots. She was small-breasted, which was typical of Elven women. Honey-gold blonde hair in a French braid and sharp, hazel eyes. Wearing a long sword on her hip and travel pack. A bow in its case on her back, with a covered quiver of arrows. Necklace, small gold earrings. Simple in design, her clothing was of high quality materials.

Next to her stood a slightly taller brunette, also with hazel eyes, and auburn hair falling in waves to her shoulders. She wore a forest-green blouse, with a large, heraldic golden-colored wheat-sheaf over her left breast, and was considerably more full-figured than her companion. Her skirt was an ankle-length Celtic tartan of greens and black and greys, with leather footwear. A wide, black belt, with a belt knife, and also carrying a travel pack. Her clothing, too, was of the finest quality.

Leading the group was also the tallest. A warrior woman by her stride. Reison could tell that right away. It was clear, too, that she was taller than him by several centimeters. Thick, dark auburn hair tightly braided and tied in a fighter's queue. Intense green eyes. Long-sleeved burgundy blouse with a black, sleeveless leather bodice, black trousers, and calf-high soft leather boots. Long sword on her left hip and a short sword on the right, and like the other two, also carrying a light travel pack. Like the others, her clothing was also expensive and well-made. And she bore a face strange yet achingly familiar to him.

All three women radiated a strong physical charisma and by looking at them, Reison knew all three were forces to be reckoned with.

The tall woman zeroed in on him, glaring. She fisted her hands, setting them on her hips in an all-too-familiar parental look of displeasure. The other two wore stern looks as well.

Reison tensed, realization dawning. He glanced back to Mindal, then back to the tall warrior woman. Then to Tia and Tahna. Similar facial structures...

Sweet Brigit, he thought. My mother-in-law herself, 'tis, it is. Please let this go better than it did with my own parents.

The fierce warrior woman suddenly dropped her hands. Her breath hitched and she sucked air. Lip suddenly trembling, she gazed at the three sisters, anguish plain on her face. "My babies got married, and . . . and they didn't want me there! Me! Their own flesh and blood. Me who birthed them, loved and fed them and raised them right and proper. Or so I thought!"

She turned to other two for confirmation, and they nodded grimly. "For shame," the other two intoned.

Then all three frowned at Tahna and Mindal.

Tia quickly closed the door and interposed herself before the visitors."It wasn't like that at all, Mom!"

"I had six kids, and four girls that survived! Four! And three of them, right here before me. I carried all of them with love in my heart. Glad I was to bear the hours and hours of agony, blood, and exhaustion to give them life. And all of us, we fed these girls with milk from our breasts! So we did!"

The other two women nodded grimly. Like a Hellene chorus pronouncing doom, they spoke in unison. "'Tis true. We fed them and loved them like our very own."

"Oh, goddess," Tahna winced, muttering. "Mom's going with a full-on guilt trip."

"Mother--" Tia began.

"And your father! We left him at the temple. You are his children and he loves each of you dearly. He's praying that you will forgive him for whatever slight he's done, that he could not be present for the wedding of our three precious girls. Girls who said nothing about their plans to get married before leaving home a mere three-and-a-half weeks ago."

"Your other mothers, Morgan and Renenet, they are praying, too," the brunette added.

The elf woman sighed dramatically. "It's truly heartbreaking to see them in such a state. How could you do this to us?"

Tia stood straighter. "I'm the eldest. If you must blame anyone, blame me!"

"No one of the family was invited--" the auburn-haired woman continued.

Tia's pointed finger was up in a flash. "Now that is not true! Mother Charmain's daughter Ehvona was here, days ago and downstairs in this very inn. She was invited to witness the ceremony. She declined to participate."

That brought the three women up short.

"Declined? Whatever for? You are her half-sisters--"

"Because!" Tia burst out. "We were married old Irish country-style. We did it naked, Mom! Naked! And each of us witnessed our sisters consummating the marriage. We jumped the broom, smashed the oatcake, and then he carried us over the threshold. Then he thoroughly bedded each of us. When we rose from the wedding bed, our pussies dripped with our husband's seed. Did I say dripped? Reison is a good husband, Mom, and he did right by each of us. My thighs were coated with his seed. And he did right by Tahna and Mindal as well."

Both the monk and bard stood flanking Reison, taking in his shyness at Tia's bragging, doing their best to support their elder sister.

The elf woman blushed furiously at Tia's words. The brunette covered her mouth and did her best to hide her growing smirk. The taller, warrior woman looked at her daughter, the high priestess, mulling over her words.

Several seconds of awkward silence.

Clearing her throat, their mother pulled out a chair and sat down. Wiping at her eyes, she stared at the floor, pulling her thoughts together. Then she looked back at Tia. "Not a Ba'lorian wedding, nor a modern Irish one? Whatever in the world possessed you to use that ceremony?"

"Because it was the quickest way to get wed! He underwent part of the Rite so we could become his wives. He was already a blooded warrior when we met him. And I could not stand the thought of letting him get away, or having another day going by without becoming his wife."

Pleased by her words, Reison gazed affectionately at Tia. Though no introductions had been made, the seated woman was clearly Frínulas Landers, the famed sword master of New Brittany, and the birth mother of his three wives.

From what Mindal had told him of their parents, and by process of elimination, the elf woman must be Galamindöl Landers, the renowned bow master and bowyer. The third woman did not appear to be a monk, and appeared human. Taking a guess, she must be Charmain Landers, one of the three queens of the High Priestess Order of witches. Like Tia, Tahna, and Mindal, these women were people of formidable power.

He took a breath. "Tia? I think it's past time that introductions were made."

"Yes, of course," she murmured, standing aside. "My apologies, Husband. You are quite correct. This our mother, Frínulas Marynne Starshine Landers, Second Wife to our father, Mikel Soloma Landers, Lord of New Brittany. This is Mother Galamindöl Amarië Hawthorne Landers, Father's First Wife, and that is Mother Charmain Ehvona MacBride Landers, Father's Third Wife. Mothers? I present our husband, Reison Whisper Wind. We three have taken his House name for our own."

Reison stepped forward and gave a half-bow. "I'm afraid all of us were caught up in the moment, and I beg your forgiveness. I'm afraid my own parents didn't take the news very well either."

Tahna snorted, and Mindal nodded grimly.

Out of politeness, Frínulas stood up and half-heartedly shook his hand. "Congratulations are in order, I guess. Still, I'm reserving judgment, mind you."

Tia growled out, "Mother!"

Ignoring her daughter, Frínulas continued. "I received Tia's letter. However, that is not satisfactory. You are my children, girls. We're here to hear the whole story from your own lips. And I intend to hear everything, as your father will have questions when we return."

"No!" Tia blurted out. "That's quite impossible, Mother."

Everyone turned to her.

Tia shook her head. "We can come visit in a couple of days before we set off for the capital. But not right now."

"Why in the world can't we visit now, Tia?" Frínulas demanded.

"Because we're in the midst of fertility spells, that's why!"

"What?!"

"Oh, my," said the elf, turning the darkest shade of pink bordering on red that Reison had ever seen on a high elf, bar none.

"Oh, this is perfectly delicious!" Charmain burst out laughing.

"It's not funny, Charmain." Frínulas scowled at her eldest daughter. "You just got married. What is the rush to get pregnant? When you left, everything seemed normal, like you've been for years. Years, Tia, going on decades. You traveled around, doing good deeds and setting things right. Each year you visited with your friend the duchess, spent some time with your twin and tended to church matters in the capital. And each winter, you came home. Yes, all of us have worried about you some, but each of you seemed content with the way things were."

Tia shook her head. "But that's just it, Mom. We kept up appearances, but inside, we really weren't very happy. Rather, things were becoming desperate for each of us. I've felt empty, rootless. I love being in New Brittany, and I love each of you and the rest of my huge family dearly. But now I need to make a home of my own. To have my own family. After all this time, I know. Huge shock. Stop the presses. Tia's finally going to settle down! But it wasn't just me, Mom. Tahna was so wounded, she could hardly feel anything any more."

The monk winced at the truth of her sister's words.

"And poor Mindal, she had lost her music. She was drinking more and more to ease her pain. I think she was even considering ending her life."

Startled, Frínulas looked to Tahna and then Mindal for confirmation.

Both nodded in support of Tia's words.

Their mother noticed the trembling of Mindal's lips and took it in. Saw her younger daughter seek out the young man's hand for comfort and him take it.

Frínulas sighed. "All right. You put on a brave face and said nothing. Not to me, nor to your father, or to any of your other mothers. If we ask how you are doing, don't tell us you're fine when you aren't! Why didn't you say anything?"

Blinking rapidly, she briefly looked away before focusing back on Tia. "If . . . if you didn't think you could say anything to me, there were many others who would have been happy to listen. Family looks out for each other, girl. Ever since you were little, you have done a marvelous job of taking care of your little sisters. I was and remain so proud of you for that. All the things you three have done have made me proud to be your mother. But what did any of us do or say to make you think you had to go it alone? I thought I had a good relationship with all of my daughters. Now I find out there's a wide gulf between us, and you've been hiding your pain from me. How did that happen?"

"Okay, Mom," Tia said, wiping at her own eyes. "I admit it. I was wrong and I fucked up. We were unhappy, but we didn't know how to go forward. It crept up on us, and we didn't know what to do. God's Great Blue Balls, Mom--"

"Do not take God's name in vain, Tia! You, a priestess, should know better!" Their mother raised her finger in warning.

"And I'm sorry. I will apologize to the gods later," the priestess answered. "Right now, I need you to see that we didn't intentionally set out to hurt any of you. And that's the truth, Mom."

"It's true," Tahna added. "Elisabeth told me her concerns about Mindal's drinking, and said she'd told one of you about it." Mindal looked at Tahna in surprise. "She didn't say which parent it was, though."

"Uh . . . that would be me," Charmain admitted.

Frínulas turned and glared at her. "And what exactly did you do, Sister-Wife?"

The elf woman raised her eyebrows, giving her attention as well.

"I spoke with Morgan. We went to the sacred pool and she cast her runes. Morgan said you three were tied together, and that you would have to make major decisions by the end of spring. She and I agreed that if we didn't hear from you by summer, we would let the rest of the family know and we'd come check up on you. And we would inform your father about Mindal's drinking."

"And your reason for keeping me in the dark?" Frínulas persisted.

"Morgan cast the runes again, asking that very question. We suddenly got a personal visit from the goddess Cerridwen, compelling us to remain silent. She informed us that other powers were involved in the outcome."

"What other powers, Charmain?"

"The goddess did not say." The witch looked contrite. "I'm sorry, Frínulas. You had every right to know, but Morgan and I had no choice."

Frínulas sighed.

"We already know who was involved," Tia told her. "The Lawgiver and Lady Brigit of the Tuathans brought us together, and both have given their blessing to our marriages."

"You know this to be true?" their mother asked.

Tia nodded. "Look. Our food is getting cold. Please sit with us, and I will answer your questions. I remind you, too, we are under the effects of the fertility spell. My sisters may take our husband to our bedroom and have their way with him."

"You did mention you were under the influence of magic," Frínulas admitted. "And we did show up unannounced. Though in my defense I say we were completely justified. All right. Let's move to the table. You eat and you'll talk, too."

Once they were all settled, Tia began talking, taking bites between explanations. Tia noticed that both sisters sat right next Reison, and ignored the fact that sometimes hands disappeared under the table, and a few times his face scrunched up. Charmain discreetly took in their antics, smirking. Frínulas and Galamindöl, however, deliberately focused on Tia's story.

Tia was still talking about the fight with the orcs and wargs when she noticed Mindal and Tahna both getting antsy.

The priestess paused her tale, saying, "All right, you two. Reison? I hope you're done eating, because they are."

"A proper goodbye, girls," Frínulas insisted.

The monk and bard dutifully gave each of their mothers a quick hug and kiss.

"A pleasure to meet each of you--oof!" he said, standing, just as Tahna scooped him up and carried him off to the bedroom. Mindal positively danced behind them before shutting the door.

Within seconds, both women began making loud groaning noises. Charmain snickered, and when the male voice hesitantly joined them, the witch queen burst out laughing. Seeing the scowl on her mother's face, Tia grinned, but managed to herself from laughing.

Mindal yelled out, "Harder! Harder! Oh, give it to me harder, you manly-man!"

Followed almost immediately by Tahna's declaration, "Oh, yes! Yes! I'm com-m-ming! Give it to me, you studly-stud!"

Reison gave a low yell, then Mindal yelled, "You can do better than that! Come like you mean it!"

He roared louder.

Then laughter from all three of them.

Charmain held her sides, barely able to breathe, she was laughing so hard.

"Crazy kids," Frínulas muttered.

Then Frínulas and Galamindöl looked at each other, slowly smiling.

"Tahna's laughing," Frínulas observed with wonder. "I can't remember the last time I heard her laugh."

The elf woman nodded. "Mindal, too. Both women are happy."

"And that," Tia declared, "Is exactly why I could not wait another second to marry that man. Tahna has found her life-mate, and Mindal her soul-mate."

"That's a really big claim for one man, to be so right for three different women," Frínulas replied. "And yes, I know the absurdity of my objections, because your father managed to land five of us, and has kept us happy for decades. But still, Tia, he looks so young. How old is he?"

"He'll be twenty-one in . . . let's see. Today's the thirtieth, and his birthday is April 6. A week from today, then. But it's more than his physical age, Mom. Sometimes he says things, and I think I'm hearing the words of someone much older than I am. Those changes in Tahna? He did that to her." Tia shook her head. "Me? I was a goner the first time I laid eyes on him. He looked at me with those baby blues and that sweet face, and all I could think of was wanting to be kissed and loved by him. He looked at me this morning, and it was just as intense.

"Mindal hit it off with him right away. They both love music, and he wants to become a bard, so naturally they're two peas in a pod. Both of them report hearing music when they make love together. I've never heard such a thing."