Joe smiled at that, then shrugged, “Many of my people have had successful marriages doing this, but, like I said, it requires communication, no hiding or lies… um… honesty, trust, commitment to never quit, an effort to always try and… well... responsibilities, I guess, then love, respect, encouragement, time together, joy in one another, and always seeking the other’s happiness to make it a happy marriage. Many miss one or the other and fail to do both. Marriage is hard work permanently till your death. Many forget that. It’s not perfect. There are always fights. The key is to never let a fight keep going… my dad always said to end the fight and make up before the end of the day. Probably a good idea. Fight, but fight fairly, end it quickly, and forgive each other immediately and return to your happiness.
“Easy to say, I guess, but it is… well… that is the trick, from what I’ve seen. But… yeah… that means you gotta always be open for new things or changes… nothing is permanent. People always change, so you have to be willing to accept that change and accept that you change as well, which will change the relationship and marriage… so… gotta accept that change as well, then work to make sure the new changes meld with the marriage and the marriage sticks together.”
Gwenvair nodded at that, “Changes will happen.”
Joe laughed at that, this laugher burst of genuine mirth, “Always. Always.”
“Then incorporate it into the happy and meaningful marriage encouraging and loving one another.”
“And all the other stuff.”
Gwevnaire seemed to shiver at that, excitement visible in her eyes, “It seems… so different from ours.”
Joe cocked his head, “How so?”
“The leader is the one of greater status, so my mom holds sway in her marriage. All others must simply submit completely. They have no choice or options.”
Joe nodded, “Well, that makes sense, although my people might have it set up that the wife is leader in the job or position, but the husband might be leader at home, or vice versa, if things work that way. But, in the end, it’s a partnership, not a master slave situation. There are times when leadership rests in one person because they are best at that… thing, then it may shift to be in the hands of another because they are better… it can change or they have more time, but it also has to be a situation where everyone works together to try to help each other grow and develop as well. That sometimes requires sacrifice from one or the other, but it is very important that we learn to sacrifice equally for each other. That… takes a lot wisdom to make sure that the sacrifice is fair and best both for the person and the whole family. Sometimes one has to sacrifice location while the other may sacrifice pay for a job or something like that, but it should be done so it is a benefit for the whole family. So… I guess sacrifice wisely for one another and learn to trust each other when one is better for a certain situation than the other.”
“Sacrifice I understand, but changing leadership?” Gwenvair voice dropped to a whisper in excited wonder at the end.
“Well… yes and no. The leadership of the area doesn’t change. One is always leader in their position and the other is always leader in the home, or whatever… but I guess if you mean leadership changes from person to person… OK, I can see that perspective.”
“This works?” Gwenvair asked.
“For some. It requires honest and trusting people who respect one another.”
Gwenvair stared for a bit before looking away, lost in thought. Joe saw her begin to lose herself in the idea and turned to Kilniara who looked at him with excited wonder.
“Now do you understand why I am so careful before continuing? I do not seek a simple thing.”
“No… you do not,” Kilniara’s excitement waned, replaced by worry, “I fear that I cannot … meet those requirements.”
Joe laughed at that and shook his head, “I cannot either. But that is why one of the requirements is to forgive and trust one another, and promise to keep committed to the relationship. We both will fail, but then… we just say sorry, truly forgive each other, and continue the relationship.”
Kilniara thought on this for a moment before she slowly began nodding her head, the nodding becoming more rapid as she understood, “I see.”
Gwenvair had quickly snapped her head in when she heard Joe’s response on the expectation of failure combined with an expectation to forgive and continue despite that failure, and her eyes burned.
“This is... the relationship and responsibility of your Queen?”
Joe frowned at that, “Hmm… well, it’s a mutual responsibility. … I kinda was a bit random. I’m sure there’s things I’m missing, too, but maybe a goo… decent beginning? I would have to think more carefully. You can see it is rather random and varied. This is kind of why I’m so cautious, to make sure.”
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Gwenvair nodded at that, her thoughts hidden but the process easily seen, once again thinking deeply, “I will … need to know more. This is important.”
Joe grinned, chuckling softly, “It is very important. I’m glad you are so concerned for Kilnaira.”
“Of course I am. She is my sister.”
“Your sister?” Joe asked with a quirk of his eyebrow.
Gwenvair grinned back happily, “Of course! My sister!”
Joe laughed, glancing over to see Kilniara’s reaction and only saw her blushing with a hint of red, but smiling with brilliant happiness. Joe sighed deeply in his own happiness to see her joy, glad that Kilniara had gained such a good friend. For her part, Kilniara didn’t seem to really take much notice of Gwenvair and simply lost herself in the moment as she smiled up at him brightly. Joe laughed and slid a hand out. Kilniara reached out and grabbed his hand for a brief moment before sliding hers back. Gwenvair remained lost in thought for several more moments, but their snack arrived and broke her out of it and the conversation came to an end, but not before Gwenvair dragged a promise out of him that they continue speaking regularly and often on the topic. Something Joe found a bit unusual but a quick glance at Kilniara’s happy smile relieved him and he realized that Gwenvair was asking the questions that Kilniaira struggled to ask so took the promise seriously as he did truly want this relationship to work.
They finished their snack and this time returned back home early, all three heading up to their room where Gwenvair and Kilniara excitedly engaged Joe in conversation which he found to be quite enjoyable until the boys returned and they headed down to the dining room.
And that was the second change, Gwenvair began to spend her evening meals with them regularly before heading home. It’d gotten to the point that Joe was concerned for Gwenvair’s safety but when she showed the two body guards she had with her, Joe calmed. Because of that, he made sure their meals were finished a bit earlier while the light was still available to give her enough time to return home. The evening meal was enjoyable and ended the day quite well but a nervous energy smothered the natural mood as the monster tide was arriving tomorrow. Despite that, he settled in to enjoy their meal and the new friendships that were forming with Gwenvair.
The last event that occurred was one of great celebration, as Garnedell hit level twenty already, and Kilniara even got to level twenty one. Joe found himself quite ecstatic about the first event, Garnedell now much more willing to trust in him and his advice when changing out to new jobs. Kilniara’s excitement to continue on in her cloth armorer skill, however, had Joe feeling a bit frustrated as he realized that getting Kilniara to change might prove even more difficult.
While his thoughts considered how he could help Kilniara, he acted to help Garnedell. After Garnedell hit commoner level twenty, Joe swapped Garnedell back to adventurer during one of the many times they were alone together. After he’d done that, he grinned at Garnedell when his eyes shot up in shock at a pop up showing in front of him. Garnedell looked at Joe with some confusion and no little worry and quickly showed the prompt to Joe. Joe’s smile dropped a little when he realized what he’d done. Kinda… forced a job change on him… glad… ok… that could be bad. Glad the system actually makes sure and asks first. The popup was simple; a statement stating that Joe had attempted to change Garnedell’s job to adventurer and asking if Garnedell wished to change. Joe decided to clarify.
“Wanted to give you a surprise.”
“A surprise?”
“A good one. Figured you would like it since we’ll have to deal with the monster tide tomorrow and I’m not sure, well, I don’t think you will be able to gain many levels during the tide.”
Garnedell nodded at that, “OK. What do I do?”
“Just say yes. Accept the change.”
Garnedell did so, then looked at Joe with some confusion again and Joe grinned, “Open your status.”
Garnedell looked confused a bit, but opened it immediately before his eyes opened wide in shock, a grin rapidly forming on his face, the red glow of a combat job glowing back at him, “Wha… how?”
Joe’s grin grew and Garnedell looked over at him before his eye’s widened in shocked understanding, “You?!”
Joe nodded, “We’ll get you shifting through so many jobs you will become as strong as me!”
Garnedell’s grin sobered a little, then returned and he laughed, a great one of joy but also tinged with enough relief that Joe was easily able to notice it. As Garnedell laughed, he turned back to stare at his status, and Joe felt himself sober, noticing just how important the color of his status was to Garnedell. Joe’s smile fell from his face as he struggled to deal with the odd emotions that welled up within.
* * *
Telnia, First in Line for Matriarch of the Grugtrim clan, grumbled unhappily as the carriage trundled through the streets of Coushar. She had been excited to be able to arrive at the large city but found the harrowing and long ride unpleasant. They’d spent very little time resting, with the majority of the time moving, the cart only stopping long enough for the horses to rest slightly before being rejuvenated and returned to their harnesses. Even with the almost nonstop travel, they had only barely made it in front of the beast tide. They’d heard the roars of the beasts for almost a greater Bell until they’d fled far enough ahead of them, coming to the gates of Coushar late in the afternoon.
Their entry was rapid, as should be for a clansman, and the request for a runner to take them to the eccentric’s inn only slightly more difficult. A tip much too extravagant for a worthless peasant had the runner leading them through the streets and when they finally stopped before a rather dirty and useless inn, Telnia cursed and almost turned away.
“There is no stable for the horses or carriage!? How can we stay at this ridiculous place? Hold the carriage. Find this eccentric and inform him of my apprenticeship, then we will find better accommodations. Inform him he is to meet me at the new inn tomorrow. I tire and am unable to meet or begin training today.”
The guard acting as steward bowed to her and entered the inn. The guard returned a few moments later bowing to Telnia. She heard laughter break out in the inn and nodded to herself. Of course, he must be ecstatic to have one such as I. She quickly waved for a quick leaving, calling out to the driver.
“Find a suitable residence!”
She was tired. She was grumpy. And she needed a bath!
* * *