Welcome back gentle reader
I read a lot of military scifi, it is probably my favorite genre. Some of those authors treat battles as these long drawn out affairs over many chapters, sort of like how a Dragon Ball Z battle lasts 20 episodes. I am not the biggest fan of that style, I prefer the action to be sharp and pointy. From here on out the fighting will get thicker at times, let me know which style you all prefer in the comments.
Once again the standard disclaimer, multiply ages by roughly two to get equivalent Earth ages. Everyone is a consenting adult. There's also a section where the sex gets a little rough.
-- Chapter 10: Soldier's Rest --
-- Second Tenday of Yantaen 813 AGR --
If the road is easy, you're likely going the wrong way.
- Goodkind
Yantzee led Jebidiah into the main inn of the rest area, larger than most of the inns they had encountered on their journey. In the back of the inn was a meeting room that could comfortably hold thirty people. It looked filled to capacity when Jebidiah entered. Seated at a central table was the Duchess surrounded by many, many Stockmar women. More than had been at the council meeting. Jebidiah's sense of unease greatly increased.
The Duchess began once Jebidiah was announced, drawing his attention as he had entered and acknowledged her with the customary "Your Grace". There was no seating offered to him. "Young Master Valor, we are sorry to surprise you with this meeting, however circumstances are not always as easy as we would wish and there have been some, let us say complications, with timing. First I would like to introduce someone who has been waiting to make your acquaintance. I present to you Lady Mira Vander Stockmar, my sister, Tenner's mother."
Jebidiah bowed deeply. "My Lady, it is an honor to finally meet the mother of someone we hold so dear."
"I hope this meeting proves that out, Jebidiah." Mira responded. "We've had numerous correspondences from Tenner concerning you over the years but what has been told of late is most concerning. I won't lie to you, the purpose of this meeting is to determine your intentions with your group, your house, and your future and if we cannot be satisfied here and now, then Tenner will be rejoining us and will be forbidden to see you again."
"That is unfortunate, Lady Stockmar. I had hoped we would meet under better circumstances. As it stands, we may be at an impasse."
Her eyes flared, "What do you mean? What have you done?"
"Tenner has joined our bond already. Surely Greta had already informed you if Tenner had not? I'm assuming now that Greta's presence in our group is more a fact finding mission than actual interest?"
The Duchess had never taken her eyes off Jebidiah. "Beth?" she queried without a spoken question and a woman further in the back answered "He tells the truth."
Jebidiah took a second to glance over to the woman who had spoken and found yet another beautiful Stockmar woman whose head was surrounded by a golden nimbus. Some form of priest divination then, most likely a Detect Lie spell cast before he entered. Seated beside her was an equally handsome woman whose head was surrounded by a green glow. Most likely a mage enchantment spell if the colors held true. So this was some form of a test, and a serious one.
"I sense a lack of trust." Jebdiah said with a flat voice.
"I sense a lack of humility." the Duchess replied.
"I sense a lack of trust, Your Grace." Jebidiah said just as flatly.
The Duchess continued with a dry voice, "There are serious concerns within our House, and quite frankly from far outside it as well if reports are to be believed, that you have been using nefarious means to either coerce or charm our young women into a sick, depraved, hedonistic, and most importantly for some, misogynistic harem for your pleasure. They even believe you have somehow managed to enthrall the Crown. It is ridiculous to expect a newly woken Artificer to accomplish such feats on their own, so, by many people's logic, there must be someone powerful backing you and your efforts. Meaning you are nothing more than a man pawn for some powerful woman out there wanting to make a play for the throne. Some minds need to be set to ease and if some harmless magic is all that is required, so be it." Jebidiah took the wave of her arm to mean some of the women present had reservations.
"And you, Your Grace? Does your mind need to be set to ease?"
"I believe that you are what you say and our Tenner and Greta will be in good hands. I do regret this has to be done in this manner however time waits for no woman and time is something we lack. I have several reports that House Crag is sending forces to intercept you once you pass from our lands into House Marlen's. Your destination lies within Marlen territory and they will not stand against House Crag's power. Our signal relays tell us there is also a House Faltha group heading this way from Silvertoe. You will need to leave the caravan and make your fastest time to just before the first Marlen outpost and turn north over the plains. If you are fast enough the Crag soldiers will miss you.and wait for your arrival until the Faltha troops reach them and they know you have slipped by. Everyone expects you to spend a few days in Soldier's Rest with us which will not happen. It is all the time we can provide you to delay your pursuers."
"Now prepare yourself young Jebidiah. This may not be pleasant for any of us but it must be done."
"I understand, Your Grace." Jebidiah sighed in resignation. "Who is first?"
Tenner's mother once again took the lead. "Do you love her?"
For the next hour the women of Stockmar quizzed Jebidiah over many things about his relationships and goals. It was grueling but also enlightening to see where their primary concerns were. They centered around his feelings for his wives and the others in the group, the dynamics of their group, and his plans for House Valor. Mira posed a majority of the questions with some coming from her other sisters as well. The Duchess asked a few, but those few were the most pointed and gave Jebidiah the most pause. One of Tenner and Grace's aunts, Janice, brought up Mila and how Jebidiah had included a known assassin, one who had targeted Jebidiah, into their traveling group and led a series of questions centered around his answers.
The Duchess Lydia interrupted the questioning toward the end, asking Jebidiah if there was more than his desire for answers that kept Mila by his side. His denial was the first time the diviner Beth announced he was not telling the truth. The response shocked Jebidiah and he failed to keep his thoughts from reflecting on his face. The Dutchess asked more questions about his relationship with Mila, many of which also were met with declarations of falsehood until finally Jebidiah answered "Apparently I need to answer some of my own questions regarding Mila. I am not attempting to hide anything." When Beth did not challenge Lydia finally nodded and let the other women's questioning continue.
