I wake up with something pinning me to the bed on both sides. Beneath the sheets, the three of us are entwined like a litter of kittens. On my sides, waves of red and gold on each side decorate the pillows.

The bunk beds the girls sleep on would be too small for the three of us together, so we moved the wool mattresses to the floor after drying the room and spread some bedrolls on top.

Just to be sure, I checked our status within the party management window, and none of us earned any weird title. I was worried about getting something negative but it didn't happen. Nothing changed. In the status window, I mean. Here in the real world, everything did.

In retrospect, the events of last night were telegraphed several times before. The teasing, the clinginess, the sudden change between being very close and very distant. The resignation when she announced she would be staying behind. But I would have lost if Zahariel hadn't slapped me with the reality across the face. Once again my values from Earth would get in the way of my happiness. Even on Earth, some societies allow people to have polyamorous relationships.

"I wonder how many wives can men have in this world..." Distracted, I leak my musings out loud.

"As many as we let you," Red says.

"And it is forever set to two. No more, no less." Gold replies.

"If you are awake, why don't you say so?"

"And ruin this perfect morning? Are you aching anywhere? Sleepy arms or legs?" Asks gold.

Red presses on "Are you feeling sticky from being together like this?"

"Not at all. It is a really good feeling being like this."

"Then why move an inch? We are very happy to be here right now the way we are."

"True!"

Defeated, I sink into the improvised bed and savor the moment. A few minutes later I remember that I have arranged several crafting lessons today starting an early morning!

"I have to go! I have to go to the merchant association for my training!"

I had to appease them with lots of kisses and caresses, but less than half an hour alter I was able to get out into the street. I did my best to ignore the amused looks of the household denizens, but I am sure this will come back to bite me later. Today I am wearing my fancy clothes, the magical ones that only the very wise can... recognize as magical, I guess?

Outside, one thing that always amuses me is the number of pregnant women doing chores in the streets. Shopping, selling, etc. I must return to the apothecary for more silphium extract and live plants.

I dashed in the main streets to the merchant association but I was late to my first lesson of the day, weaving. After apologizing to the teacher, he went to tell me about looms and spinning wheels. I used some of the tools for a while and he corrected me on several points. It was a success. [Weaving (F)] and [Appraise (cloth) (F)] obtained.

The second lesson was pottery. I ruined some clay imagining doing the famous scene of the movie, but the part about glazing and cooking in a kiln was really the hard part. I learned how to etch patterns into the clay too. [Appraise (pottery) (F)] and [Pottery (E)] obtained.

While out for lunch I visited two seamstress shops and commissioned some clothes for the day after tomorrow. I even paid generously for the rush job.

By noon I was learning how to make civilized weapons. I could not learn the appraisal skill no matter how much I tried, but my [Weaponcrafting (crude) (F)] merged and evolved to [Weaponcraft (D)] when I acquired the skill. And the level was bumped to 6. I'll try the weapon appraise later. Or figure out why I couldn't learn it. I also went to a tavern specialized in meat and learned several tricks on how to soften the meat. I got [Gourmet Cooking (D)] and [Cooking (F)]. Strangely they didn't fuse.

The afternoon was fast-paced, and to fit all the lessons I had to cut some shortly after I earned the relevant skills. I got [Metalsmith (E)], [Basket Weaving (F)], [Tapestry Weaving (E)], [Glass Blowing (D)], [Jeweler [C] ], [Embroidery (D)], [Armorsmith (D)]. The appraisal skills were [Appraise (metalcraft) (F)], [Appraise (woven goods) (F)], [Appraise (jewelry) (E)]. I spent some extra time at the Jeweller because I needed to craft some items, but I got the skill up to level 4. Once more I could not gain the appraise armor no matter what I tried. Maybe it is locked to a specific job.

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Before nightfall, I met with Zahariel at the warehouse, and we enchanted the stuff I crafted earlier today as magic items for Helen's... my family. Swords for the men using the scythes of the blood mantis. And for the women necklaces.

Night came and I returned home exhausted. I also went wild and bought several materials and tools. A grand total of fifteen gold coins.

 I am greeted by the girls in the living room. They are wearing new dresses. Marcy is wearing a deep green sleeveless dress that goes just above the knees and a pastel shirt underneath with white cuffs. The shirt and dress were designed to enhance the deadly factor of her ample chest. Helen is wearing a pink frilly dress that has a deep V in the sides and straps that cross behind her back with a white turtleneck sweatshirt. They are also wearing matching suede boots.

"What is the occasion?"

"Father is taking us to a fancy tavern today. He said we have to celebrate something but didn't reveal what." Helen answers.

"Are these dresses new? You two look gorgeous!"

"We got this overcoat to go with your clothes." Marcy picks a coat from a chair and presents it to me. It is a brown leather coat with a muffler that would not be out of place in a detective flick. Wonderful! I open a smile and give her a quick kiss when I pick it up.

"Put it on, we are leaving!" Helen rushes me.

"But I am all sweaty."

"Cleaning!" Helen casts a spell over me and looks at me with a 'hurry up' face.

Discreetly, I reach out to Zahariel and give him two small ornate boxes the size of a swiss army knife. "Keep it hidden until I ask for them later," I whisper to him.

I put on the coat and leave the house with the four females and Zahariel. The seraph is wearing leather overalls with a shirt with long sleeves that end in frills. As a certain book duke's son. The girls take their official place by my sides and we walk behind Hilde and Bredda. They are holding each one of Zahariel's hands.

"Something really good must have happened, right?" Marcy starts the small talk.

"Yes. Fater was thrilled with this new development, but he wouldn't tell us what it is."

"I think someone has raked a lot of gold in," I give my two cents.

"Awesome!"

I feel on cloud nine with my two brides on each side. The only shadow looming over all of this is how temporary this town life will be. But I am intent on enjoying it to the maximum.

We reach the tavern, it is really a wonderful place. It rivals the one I slept at in Heorot's capital city. Inside we are ushered to a private room, where Azelinus and Bertramus are already waiting. They are wearing lower aristocrat clothing, very similar to what people would wear on a fancy fox hunt back on Earth.

"Welcome, welcome! My wonderful family. Sons, daughters, wife! I am really blessed with such a large family!" It is touching how much care and love Azelinus gives his family.

Most people on this planet treat their children a bit better than servants, but a lot worse than what children should be treated. But the death rate and the harshness of the world coupled with the Curse explains it. One should make as many children as possible so some survive to make more children. One of the weapons humanity has against monsters is the birth rate.

"Father, what is the occasion for such a fancy dinner?" I ask.

"Beowulf, it is mostly due to your business savvy! You see after we parted yesterday, I ran to the association and registered 'Dungeon Golden Treasure' as my own brand! I then ran to the adventurer's guild and posted several requests for more honey. My associates and fellow merchants were literally starved for more golden treasure to sell to nobles and aristocrats all over the world! And to my surprise, the guild sent notice that the requests were already fulfilled, all of them! I was very lucky that other adventurers were able to..."

He stops and looks at our faces. "Was it a whole 60-gallon barrel?" I ask.

"Yes! Bertramus and I spent most of the night filling glass vials with honey! So delicious. We were able to fill over.."

It is Helen's turn. She smiles and says "over fifteen hundred bottles? That is a lot."

Bertramus makes a eureka face and asks, "wait a second, was it you guys that fulfilled the request?"

Marcy punches him in the arm. "Yeah! Of course. Who else do you think could dive to the fifth floor of that hellhole? The guild set a restraining order, no adventurers are allowed near that dungeon until they give clearance for exploration."

Azelinus bursts into laughter. "Ho ho ho! That was our fault for not asking! But still, the profit was awesome! And to think that the gold will remain in the family, all the best! Bertramus, learn this, once a business is completed, only gold and lessons remain. If you are lacking on gold, dig your memories for the lessons!"

"Yes, father!"

He then addresses me, "Beowulf, my son, if you have any more profitable merchandise, run them through me first. I heard you spent the whole day in the association making connections with craftsmen, I expect great things. Oh, to think I'd marry my daughter to such a moneymaker!" The old man is in tears. "Two of them!" He gives a sweet smile to Marcy.

"Yes, father!" I imitate Bertramus with an excited voice. "But we must pace ourselves. Flooding the market with too much novelty will only tire out the people and they need time to replenish their coin before they spend again."

Hilde changes the subject, "But who will deliver our baby now!"

"Don't worry mother, I'll help you find someone trustworthy," Marcy replies.

The conversation descends into girl talk after that, and I just dive into the food before they can drag me in.

Tomorrow it is time to visit the guild and get our gold. I want to leave south as soon as possible.