Ch: 186 The Shadow Of Your Smile

“It pays to be a good boy…” He crooned. Shai woke him very gradually, by scratching his back in tiny random circles. It felt like he imagined waking with a litter of puppies or kittens in his bed, might.

They came stumbling downstairs looking for coffee and food an hour before dawn, with goofy grins on their faces. The insufferably happy pair greeted the dawn by making a mountain of biscuits and muffins, an ocean of coffee for a house and bath filled with strangers discussing their ‘crazy dreams’.

#

The whole whole herd of horses had decided that Gary, Shai and anyone associated with them were compelling, which complicated things a little…

“So now we have a special place in Eponna’s cult… This is getting pretty complicated.” He mumbled. “Horsies are easier to accept than giant spiders, for some reason.”

Zach had a nuzzle and a carrot while no one was looking… he was a good boy too. “Yes! You didn’t show up in human form naked in the kitchen.” Gary burbled at the friendly fellow.

“Where did all these little baby horsies come from?” Gary wondered.

“Those are new familiars. They appear when the contract is made, like Annie did.” Khan answered happily, while trying to count the yearlings gamboling around. “Equine familiars, especially destriers like my Annie are among, if not the most powerful and if I may say, are the most remarkable familiars.”

“I wish I had a familiar…” He burbled and cooed at whichever horse stuck its face in front of him for a treat.

“Does he ever run out of carrots?” Angie asked softly, while saddling Pickle.

“Never. He visits old man Shrafer for carrots, sweetened oats and the finest hay all the time. I heard Annie had him out riding around searching for some weird kind of hay that only one farmer grows. Timothy was the name.”

“The man? Or the grass?” Angie asked.

“Yeah, Timothy Grass.” Becky answered.

“That didn’t help…” She complained.

“Let’s just drop this whole thing, Gary is getting all worked up.” Becky whispered.

#

Hardly anyone had stayed at the camp up the hill, breaking it down and clearing it away was the work of a tranquil hour for the well practiced veterans and youngsters. Wagons were packed and rolling, while some of the nobles were still figuring out which brocade pantaloons to wear over their tights.

There were a few poofs and slashes of velvet and silk, some damask and costly lace… Yet many had embraced the free and easy dress of the wedding party, the fine ladies let their common clothes, in uncommon cuts and colors do the hard work.

‘Comfort is always fashionable and sexy is always in style…’ Jennah’s credo rang true, and the ladies were enjoying the proofs of that, while their more conservative peers suffered mightily, in corsets and layered skirts.

An early rising bee flew into Isidore Gonzales’ elaborate coiffure of dried wildflowers, pretty understandably… Her wild freakout caused a carriage jam, as the coach emptied, save for the screaming, panicked marchioness of Brintly Vale. The bee survived her assault, buzzing out the opposite window in search of pollen and nectar, while she was still flailing wildly.

Her hairdo was the only casualty of the battle of Bee Coach. Some wag cracked a joke about setting off a flare to call Gunnar Singh out for emergency roadside hairdressing in Isidore’s hearing.

She refused to believe that ‘The Barber Signal’ wasn’t a thing and continued to fuss, until Abed and Jaspreet Mubarak climbed aboard her coach and shooed the rest of the occupants out into their own borrowed coach.

When the party stopped for an early lunch, catered by the orphans, somehow… Isidore emerged a convert to the cult of comfort. Her dark ringlets washed over her shoulders, restrained by a band of white silk, while she wore red and white striped skirts and a simple bodice of indigo linen, embroidered with silver stars.

“I’ll introduce you to my new tailor, he’s an absolute wizard…” Jaspreet murmured happily.

Julius and Kermal rode beside the Belen men, while the ladies took the first coach in line… save Tawny, who never missed an opportunity to ride Magnus.

She scratched the happy boy under his jaw and gave him a good rubdown before lunch. Sandi too, was even more biddable than usual, cooperating with her hoof checks without complaint, even her ticklish left rear. All the horses seemed over the moon…

“Gary, I know last night was… unusual. Did something happen with the horses?” She asked softly, when he worked his way down the horseline to meet her in the middle.

He vanished his curry brush and grinned that mad, cheerful, slightly sad smile she remembered from the first time she really saw him… playing music with all his heart for strangers by the fountain, just because he could.

“We… and that means you and Liam too, we’re all blessed by Eponna, goddess of horses and the racing wind across the plains. Did you notice six new horsie familiars in the caravan?” He asked quietly, among the horses and ponies.

“Four of the orphans touched iron rank last night, I guess that everybody with an open Contract slot formed or at least was offered a Contract.”

He smiled at his golden friend. “You’re talking to me again, is Healer satisfied?”

“Yes, but she was very cross with you. Because of your connection to me, she took your action personally.” Tawny sniffed, clearly still not done with him. “Becky told me all about it and I concur. You were reckless, foolish, violent and unrestrained by good sense, but at least no one became… ‘piders’.” She shuddered and leaned against the big musician, while he scraped a small stone out of Winslow’s hoof.

“I think it’s just bruised, buddy, we’ll have Shai take a look at it to be sure…” He whispered to the big racer, who nuzzled his ear in reply.

“Did you work with horses where you came from, Gary?” Leo asked, with a curry brush in his hand too.

“Nope, only rich people and hobbyists have horses where I come from.” He answered distractedly, working at a loose shoe. “The gang taught me what little I’ve learned.” He used a pincer to snub down that loose nail and secure it.

“We’ll re-shoe you when we get home, Peony.”

“Your home sounds very strange, much like the dreams many of the company seem to have had last night… Do you have any insights into such dreams?” The duke asked gently, while braiding Hermione’s tail.

“Bathing in my pools and sleeping under my roof have… effects. There was a candy mixup that sent you into my personal dream world for a night. It can’t hurt anyone, but it can change people. We’ll see….” He hugged Amy up from among the hooves and plopped her on Sandi’s back.

“Shai says lunch is ready… you gotta wash your hands. I’m posta’ remind you.” Gary leaned in for a kiss and scooped his little blue songbird up onto his shoulders.

“I promise, I’ll wash up. Leo will make me.” He whispered to the little girl clutching his hair. “What we will see is more spontaneous Contracts. More of the great fae, old ones and elder gods are waking and returning from the void every day.” He answered the duke, picking up where they left off, without dropping the beat.

“Sununnus was in the woods last night… he has doggies!” Amy sang in his ear.

“Cernunnos, god of the wilds, the forest’s bounty, the hunt and harvest. His hounds call the wild hunt, braying and howling for lost souls in the darkest hours of the night. I can use the help.” Gary corrected her gently.

“That’s what I said… Sununnnus!” She nodded her firm agreement.

“Yes dear.” He answered obediently.

#

They washed up in a water basin provided to his little group, by a dewy eyed young orphan, with a frisky young colt nibbling at her skirts. They dried off on some of the towels he always had tucked away in his bottom, before joining Shai and the rest for a picnic lunch.

Blankets and baskets were scattered far and wide over a pleasant pasture, with small groups enjoying a leisurely early afternoon.

“How did you do this?” Gary asked, eyeballing the impressive spread. Each basket held a cold fried chicken, an assortment of cold sandwiches, a bottle of decent, young red wine and a covered crock of a local vegetable and grain salad, dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.

“I mean, how did you get all this ready in time and get it here?”

Shai leaned against him and sighed tiredly. “We hae a team at the orphanage, cooking an packing things fer this. They do stash them in me kitchen, then Liam doth pluck them out. He kin dip his fingers intae me household goods frae afar.” She yawned and snuggled against him. “In truth, it does tire me an he out; fiercely so, an we be too far afield.”

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“Wild! Can he do that with my stuff?” Gary asked, becoming more animated. I have to summon the whole house to get anything that’s not on me…”

“Nae, we did try. He doth say yer house be nae fully real, even when it do exist. Tis the effect ye have on the area that makes yer home seem real… or sumat like that.”

“Disappointing…” He mumbled, pulling her close to lean on his shoulder. “You look exhausted sweety, take a nap in a carriage after lunch. You and Liam both look wound down and frayed.”

Liam was getting the same orders from Tawny, on the other side of the blanket: “...and you won’t shift from that seat until I get you near a proper bed… Riding spirit ponies all night like a fool…” She glared fondly at Gary on that note, for some reason.

“You were right there with me…” Liam murmured from her lap, eyes closed.

“Yes, but I didn’t then go on to overextend myself magically and physically all morning.” She answered crisply, as she gave his ear a gentle flick.

“Men… as bad as women sometimes…” Tawny grumbled in golden and serene pleasure, while Shai made herself comfy on Gary’s suddenly very crowded lap.

“Stop fidgeting, it’s naptime.” Amy scolded him, with a gentle flick on his ear.

“Doesn’t feel very restful…” Gary complained, from beneath a pile of kids.

“You are comfortable, that doesn’t mean you get to be comfortable… That’s why you’re the Pillowking.” Becky murmured comfortably, while Amy draped herself over his shoulders.

#

Wheatford’s upland gate came into focus through the afternoon heat haze, while fifth was still on its second chime. Most of the carriages and wagons rumbled through the gate and down the wide avenues, in the shade of the fruit and nut trees carefully cultivated to shade the wide boulevard and sidewalks.

The Bathers and the wedding party split off, heading around the city on the farm roads. They rattled over the stone bridge and back to the sunny meadow beside the river.

Esperanza was moored on the shore of the deep pool, her crew enjoying the cool shade and gentle breeze off the river, as they lounged on deck. The captain sat on a boulder by the bridge, with a smile on her red, pouty lips.

“Welcome back, brothers and sisters… and noble ladies…” She murmured with some surprise when the casually dressed luminaries hopped from the borrowed coach.

“Mistress Esperanza!” Abed Mubarak shouted with glee, even as he dashed forward. “I simply must have more of that potent herb… where ever did you acquire it?” He asked, while the trader looked around nervously.

“Your grace is usually more… circumspect in our trading…” She murmured, eying the noble ladies cautiously.

“Oh it’s fine, my new bride is also a devotee of… literature…” He murmured, not quite so effusively as before.

“Oh, splendid… This one has a few new chapters of ‘Madeline’s Whisper’; her forbidden romance with the count’s bodyguard is heating up…” Esperanza cooed warmly.

“So this is your much rumored pornographer…” Jaspreet whispered coldly in his ear.

“Lady duchess, this one is honored to meet and pleased to greet your august beauty.” She swept a deep curtsy and dipped low with a sassy smile. Her low cut bodice made the graceful and humble gesture a potent attack.

“I see…” The new duchess answered calmly, while blushing at the naval artillery on display. The ducal bodice’s sails were nicely filled, but the woman was her own armada, the cotton and canvas she wore struggled to restrain such potent forces. Her wide leather belt and waxed shearling vest creaked subtly when she moved, like a ship under sail.

Even her walk evoked the rolling, sensual sway of a boat on smooth waters… so much swaying.

“Ranza… knocking on Iron rank’s door!” Gary cheered, with a still sleepy Shai leaning on him and smiling stupidly. “I gotta put this babe down for a nap, then these little terrors need dinner.” He gently handed his mostly asleep giantess to the care of the buxom trader, who staggered and nearly fell under the burden. Tallum steadied the pair with one big hand, while Ivy, Angie and Becky all chased fractious and feisty children in and around the horses’ hooves.

“Ok, now he’s going to do the thing.” Julius gasped as he and Kermal trotted across the bridge to join the group waiting for Gary to ‘do the thing’. They hopped down from their mounts and began the horseman’s ritual. Unsaddling, cooling down and grooming the animals was time consuming, but the rewards were more than worth the work.

Duchess Sheng approached the hard working duke, as he gave his mount a vigorous rubdown.

“I’ve noticed… you, like the Belens, you tend your own mount, rather than having your squire perform the duty…” She cooed softly, standing near enough that he could feel her breath on his neck as she ‘observed’ his progress.

“Rosie carried me all day, duchess, it only seems fair that I tend her myself. A true knight tends to the needs of his… mount. Under any and all circumstances.” He murmured, as the shy and excited boy vanished again, behind the smooth, suave mask of duke Rummel. His innocent smile was guileless and charming, but there was a naughty twinkle in his eye.

She sighed softly, still standing close, to watch him work. “Duke Rummel, I’d hoped to ask you to join me for a late dinner tonight, if I may be so bold.”

“Your grace need not be bold, when asking her humble servant to attend her, whatever the hour, or task…” He crooned, with a low confident bow, despite the cruddy hoof knife held casually in his hand.

He waved the simple hooked tool elegantly, as though it were a duelist’s prized rapier. “Shall I take up arms and slay some foul beast, or drive off a horde of invading monsters… or does your grace have a stone in her shoe?”

She slipped and released a girlish giggle… the kind she hadn’t heard from her own lips in so long. The blush and even more girlish and vapid giggle she released in the shock of the moment would have been humiliating, were they not wholly unobserved.

Lost among the placid and gentle horses, the suave duke of Port Clement drifted away on a freshening evening breeze. Jules giggled right back at her, leaning on Rosie for support.

“I’d be happy to join you for dinner, Grace. But first I need to watch him create this home of his… there is some trick to it…” Jules looked over and sighed.

The towering plume of steam was already drifting in the evening sun. a tide of warm hairy bodies began ambling to the open stable gate, carrying the two nobles along in their slow, gentle stroll.

“I always miss it… he’s infuriating.” Jules muttered, his disappointment tempered by the duchess, holding his hand among the gentle beasts.

“I’m sorry Julius, I’ve never been much of an equestrian and find myself interested in the art, after a dream I had last night.” Her voice was warm and intimate, so close in the press of bodies that he felt the vibration of her words on his skin.

“I know that dream, I had it too. We can talk about it… at length. Have you seen the private baths?” He asked, feeling forward and blushing the way duke Rummel never would.

“I was going to ask you the same question… Jules.” She purred a little on his name, it made his tummy rumble very pleasantly.

#

Dannyl set his willow charcoal stick down and smiled happily. That was shaping up nicely, he had the image sketched out, right from boughs of the olive tree overlooking the horseline. A man, in rough outline at the moment, standing too near a woman, also still lacking details.

Each wore a feathered mask, as though for the feast of Secrets, each mask was gradually slipping away, to reveal the faces he had yet to fill in. At the moment it was only eyes, just the outline of them, even so they seemed passionate, intrigued, excited.

The two masks, an eagle and a falcon, hanging at the wearers’ cheeks, chastely kissed; unnoticed by the subjects of the unfinished work.

This was going to be awesome…

#

Dannyl was limping when he made his way into the house, drawing the attention of Liam and Tawny immediately.

“I’m fine, I just jumped out of a tree and shook my hip and insides up a little.” He complained, while the two healers gave him a going over.

“Silly boy, no more climbing trees for at least a week, light duty, minimal physical training.” Tawny pronounced the sentence grimly, there was no wiggle room.

“Oh, well… in that case, you won’t want to hear what I learned while perching in that tree…” He dangled that bait just long enough to get their interest, then snatched it away. “I’m off to bed, an injured man needs rest to recover.”

“Dannyl, you sit right down and gossip, physician’s orders!” Tawny snapped, bringing the wayward rascal to heel.

Dannyl opened his mouth to dish, just as Grace and Julius convened in the common room, in bathrobes. The duke and duchess linked elbows and skipped… Skipped! Off to the private bath together.

“I learned that…” The young artist’s frown of disappointment became a huge yawn. “G’night.”

#

“Really Jennah, He’s just turned eighteen and she’s thirty!” Tawny fussed over their private dinner in her palace chambers that evening.

“Really Tawny… I thought you’d gotten over that sort of thing.” Jennah said smugly. “Lucius Holloman’s wife is twenty years his junior, you seemed happy for them.”

“That’s different… he was a young widower… She was a grown woman of eighteen..” Tawny flushed the color of a new minted bronze mark in the middle of her impassioned defense. “Oh shut up Jennah, you too Liam.”

While Tawny fumed prettily, Jennah rose and excused herself, handing Liam a small paper wrapped parcel as she departed the suite, with her hood up to conceal her face. “That’s for you… and Tawny.”

She let a little giggle out as she kissed his cheek and fled down the palace corridor. The guards at the end found their bootlaces deeply interesting for a moment, as she flashed by.

“Perhaps I should go visit Gary’s spider friend, she seemed very wise. I could use some advice.” Tawny huffed, still upset at being outplayed by Jennah and upset at herself, for not being happy for her two friends.

“What did that scheming sister of mine give you? Some new naughty for me to parade around in?”

“No…” He mumbled from behind a folding screen. “It’s for me, exercise apparel I think. Very comfy, excellent freedom of movement.” Liam stepped out and stretched, getting ready for his bedtime cooldown set, just a few dozen each, crunches, lunges and squats, a bit of isotonic resistance work and some yoga.

Tawny stared in open mouthed delight as the compact, muscular warrior took his evening routine. All he wore was a pair of white silk boxer shorts, cut high up the leg. The silky fabric had a good stretch to it, allowing free movement, while the wide waistband rode securely, just below his navel.

The brief, thin garment rode on his hips in a way that accentuated the smooth, rippling musculature of his lower abdomen. The satin, almost sheer fabric hugged and draped in turns, clinging to outline this, fluttering to conceal that… There was a lot of this and that going on.

Liam’s ‘cooldown’ would have left Tawny gasping, if she attempted to follow his routine… following it with her eyes was a different form of conditioning.

“Everything is cultivation…” She whispered softly, as she pounced.

#

Ducky and Thirp had a big screen setup, continuing their ‘Mortal Studies’ lectures, for a pretty considerable audience.

“...Yes, it does often come back to the reproductive drive, it is among the most powerful motivators mortals have.” Marduk was saying when Gary slipped out the door, looking for Shai and the kids.

“Oh, Gary! Come demonstrate an erection please…”

“Hell no Ducks… you can hoist your own flag… ask Eponna about it if you need help… or Sandi and Magnus…” He smiled as the two goofy kids ran by, naked, but in equine form tonight. They were having a grand time chasing each other around the meadow and garden…

“Ok… you don’t need to ask… I’m outie.” Gary fled the scene, as the class started taking notes on where ponies come from, while Eponna explained the action.

The family was over in the childrens’ little swathe of parkland, with three playhouses and two comfy cottages nearby. Streams of clear, warm water ran around and among the scattered homes, with sassy stepping stones or silly vine bridges, wherever one might want to cross.

Gary and Shai wandered around the little hamlet, holding hands while the kids played with Becky, Angie and a good slice of Eponna’s herd.

They sat on the porch of Shai’s roundhouse, watching the sky for a while. “Shai… why are there two cottages there?” He finally asked.

“Angie hae moved in... Methinks she, the wee ones an Becky kinnae be parted, any more than we an they.” Shai murmured, nestled in his shoulder.

“I told thee that ye could nae collect women…” She grumbled gently. “Ye hae made a fine mess of that, ye letch.” She sighed with pleasure as Esperanza joined them on the porch swing, cuddling up to Shai’s free side.

“Young Liam gave me a small candy, he said there was a thing this one should experience…” She whispered, watching the children run. “He is wise, young Liam.”

Esperanza melted over Shai, relaxing into a soft blanket of warm, unruly curves and snuggles.

Eventually, Gary felt the divine party break up, as the avatars of a fair number of deities, spirits and entities departed through the gate. He pulled the two sleepy women to their feet and turned them in the direction of his inn.

#

Morning landed early and heavily, as all three little brats landed on the big bed at daybreak. Angie, Becky and Esperanza came after, following the kids, who were eager to bathe. First, Gary and Shai needed to be up, for some reason. Amy was vague on the details, but insistent.

“Wilf…” Angie sang gently to the youngest bather. That failed utterly to gain his attention.

“Wilford Brimley Ward, keep your pants on until we are in the bath, Adventurer.” She snapped firmly, using a tone of voice that Luna taught her. “We have guests in the house, Mister BareBottom!”

Willf snatched his hands from his trouser ties and tried to look innocent, even as they dropped to his ankles.

“Ok, I think that sets the tone for today…” Gary mumbled, around Rio’s bare foot in his face. “That’s my nose, buddy…”

Somehow, Shai was still asleep, with the sweetest look on her face, even while Amy was sitting on her tummy and scolding away at the lazy grownups.

“Liam was right, This one needs to experience these things…” Esperanza murmured, as she snuggled in with Shai for a morning nap.

#