Darrowford Village

The village of Darrowford had seen better days. Nestled against the riverbank, repeated seasons of heavy flooding had turned its once sturdy wooden bridge into a sagging, worn down affair. The roads leading into town were more dirt and mud than stone. With the few remaining cobblestones becoming more of a hindrance than doing anything to help.

No wonder this village requested aid from the Core, Quinten thought as he carefully led Ronan and Cedric across the village’s main bridge, exceedingly mindful of its current state.

“Do you think Blackwell knew how bad this place was when she sent just the three of us? Stars above. We could have at least used Garrick with us. He could strap us to our horses for the ride back. We’re likely to fall off in exhaustion by the looks of this place,” complained Cedric as he guided his horse around a particularly weak looking portion of wooden planks. The clip-clop of their horses echoing across the river.

Ronan sniffed the air, his nose wrinkling even without un-augmented senses. They could almost taste the sourness of unwashed bodies, the sick, and of animals kept far closer than they should be. “I don’t think I’ll have enough in me to take care of all their sick. You should decide who’s helping me now. That way you won’t have to when you’re tired and crabby.” The truth that lay within his joke garnered a laugh from his friends. “How did the local Baron let it get this bad?” He added after a moment.

“I have no idea. Neither of my grandfathers would have waited this long to relocate these people.” Guiding Star with the gentle pressure of his knees, he marveled at how well she’d taken to her training. “We’ll do what we can and make a report about what we’ve seen. Maybe someone will come and investigate. Sadly, I doubt it.” Quinten said, shaking his head.

Over the last few weeks, they had been dispatched to help a number of villages and towns during their journey west. Each kept detailed records of all requests needing mage assistance. These lists would continue to grow until a contingent of Core mages passed through. The work honestly wasn’t much different from what his grandfathers hired poorer mages to do in their own lands. Based on what Q’d seen so far, it seemed they were unique in that effort. The counties their supply caravan passed through to this point were all in need of aid, waiting solely on the Mage Core to fix their problems.

It wasn’t a sustainable model, and it gave Quinten a whole new appreciation for the lengths his family went to managing their lands.

They each let out a breath of relief when their horses were back on solid, if muddy ground. Their approach and distinctive brown Core robes had been noticed and a crowd already gathered at the village center. The villagers themselves matched the surrounding buildings, appearing just as worn down and in need of repair.

Quinten dismounted Star. Patting her neck, he fished an apple out of his satchel and broke it into quarters with a quick pulse of his gift. He fed the mare one piece at a time while he inspected the assembled villagers, using it as an opportunity to scan them with Empathy.

Exhaustion and sadness were the prevailing emotions, and buried beneath them was only the smallest spark of hope while the group stared at the new arrivals.

Quinten gave Star one last rub before leading the horse forward. Let’s see what we can do here.

The village’s needs weren’t much different from the others they’d helped, just on a larger scale. Several people started crying when they learned that Ronan could heal, even if he wasn’t an official Healer yet. Headman Carter dispatched a number of runners to gather those that needed healing. The young mages shocked them all when he asked to be taken to those worst off. This went contrary to every prior experience they’d had with nobles, let alone a mage. They never considered he would be willing to travel to and enter the homes of their poor. As he was being led away, the headman, Quinten, and Cedric discussed the badly needed repairs. They quickly realized they would need to prioritize what they could accomplish with just the two of them.

They started with the bridge. it was the main way into the village and it was in terrible condition. Wood rot warped and degraded the structure where the stone wasn’t already crumbling. Deciding that Quinten would focus on his Elemental Gift, using earth manipulation to set Cedric up to Transmute it to stone, splitting the workload. They stripped down to their breeches, not wanting to waste their magic on drying and cleaning their robes. Not when they had so much else to do that day.

The pair noticed, with a combination of humor and embarrassment, that the villages young, and those without a duty demanding their attention, were now perched atop the bridge watching the two young mages with curiosity, interest, and even a little awe.

Beginning at the bridge’s base, Quinten guided the river water around them while they visually inspected the foundation. Where the water had worn away stone, Quinten raised a layer of earth. Refilling the gaps and cracks which Cedric, following along, turned the fresh layer of mud into basalt rock. The Core’s recommended choice because of its resistance to wear and tear.

It took them over an hour to repair the bridge’s foundation. The longer they worked, the angrier Quinten became. This travesty was on its last legs. Whoever built it deserves to be condemned and it should have been torn down and rebuilt long ago. I’m amazed the thing hadn’t given way already.

The watching villagers mutter amongst themselves, getting particularly vocal when Cedric transmuted a largely visible section of earth. A substantial piece of driftwood came floating down the river at one point, heading straight toward the narrowly focused mages. Cedric, currently waiting for Quinten to raise another earthen layer, took notice of the yelling crowd first. He followed their pointing arms to the fast approaching danger.

Cedric took hold of the dried out old tree with his mind, ensuring that the strength of the natural flow of water, even shifted as Quinten currently had it, would be enough to push the white-washed oak far enough to the side that it’d pass them by.

With their repairs to the bridge’s foundation complete. Quinten boosted his voice and asked for the spectators to clear the area. He proceeded to walk down the center of the bridge, pushing a wave of water before him, washing away the old mud, dirt, and manure coating the warped wooden planks. He pulled a second stream of water from the river, this time using his earth manipulation to pull with it what he needed. The minerals and the water came into contact with the old, rotted wooden planks. Using his Gift to bring each plank life, he commanded them to suck in the nutrients, restoring their strength and functionality. He would have preferred to turn the entire bridge to stone, but by leaving it made of wood, he left the possibility that future repairs could be done by someone other than a mage.

They were just finishing up when a trio of young women separated from the onlookers and approached them. The feeling of desire coming off of them strong enough that Quinten could sense it, even without actively using his gift. This desire felt off, though, and it took him a moment to realize why. It wasn’t sexual desire he felt. Or at least not just sexual desire. Over-powering it was a sense of greed. These young ladies wanted them, sure. But what they wanted even more was to have a Gifted child. Quinten understood the motivation, even if it left him feeling soiled. The truth was. A child from one of them was likely their best option to get out of this shit hole.

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I’ll have to warn him, just in case he’s finally over Celeste. He thought, watching Cedric’s gaze sweep over the women.

“Thank you for all your hard effort, lord mages.” Said one of the women. Her long flaxen hair done up in a coiled braid that highlighted her long neck. “The village is putting together a lunch for you and the Healer. May we show you the way?”

Cedric and Quinten traded knowing glances, but accepted the offer. Asking for a few minutes to clean themselves up. They walked down to the river where Quinten hit them each with a blast of water before wicking it off their skin and pulling the liquid from their breeches to dry them.

Subtly casting a wind barrier, Quinten said. “If you feel like taking anyone here up on their—”

“Offer? Cedric suggested when Quinten struggled to come up with a proper word.

Nodding his thanks, he continued, “That—They’re really only after one thing from us and it’s not for a fun roll in the hay.” Pausing to think it over, he scratched at his stubbled chin. “Well, not really.”

Sighing, Cedric dipped his head. “Yea, it’s our babies they want.” He pinched his nose and said. “I could smell something was off.”

Quinten raised a brow. “You could pick that up? I didn’t realize you were still testing out your augmented sniffer.”

Cedric mimed pushing Quinten into the river and they both laughed. “Too many kids to keep the ears running. It got too loud. I figured that this far away from the village, boosting my nose was a safe alternative.”

“Good call. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

Freshly cleaned, they donned their outer robes and rejoined their three guides and the gaggle of village children sprinting around them, pretending that they too were Gifted. Quinten focused on the joy and glee radiating from them. Rather than the tainted desire rolling off the older ladies. Who, it seemed, enjoyed both their show of magic and the spectacle of watching them bathe.

Edith, Nell, and Alice eagerly tried to pry information from the two as they walked toward the village center, but Quinten and Cedric, with practiced ease, answered in general platitudes. By the time their rapidly growing group reached the main hall, the women’s efforts yielded little. Inside, they spotted Ronan already seated, with what had to be the rest of the village’s available women crowded around him, staring at him with stars in their eyes. The pair shared a grin before making their way over to join their friend.

It was customary for the area receiving aid to provide food and lodging for the mages during their stay, and Quinten glanced at the smiling young women around them. Remembering the motivations he’d felt earlier, he couldn’t help but wonder if these gatherings also served as an opportunity to expose young mages to interested women that were hoping for a payday from the crown if their luck bore fruit.

Breaking open a loaf of bread, Quinten leaned in so he could be heard without shouting and asked Ronan about his morning. “Heartbreaking, really,” said his friend. “I’ve had to re-break so many bones to set them properly that I’ve lost count.”

Quinten frowned at the thought. The idea made him feel a bit queasy. Sighing, he shook his head. They would fix what they could before moving on the next day, leaving the village to fend for itself until the next time the Core passed by. It’s a never-ending cycle. Like slapping on a bandage but leaving the wound beneath to fester, Quinten thought.

He was pulled from his thoughts as a hand settled on his thigh. A wave of emotions slammed into his unprepared senses. They contained the same mix of greed and desire from earlier. But, there is a healthy dose of attraction and.. jealousy—no, competitiveness. Quinten jerked back, breaking the connection. His eyes tracked the hand back to its owner with a frown.

“I’ve heard that younger men can be a bit dense. I wanted to clear up any doubt that you are welcome to stay with me tonight,” Alice said with a predatory edge to the teeth showing through her smile.

Quinten, still shaken from the barrage of unexpected emotions, was taken aback at her forwardness. You would think I’d have grown used to this by now, he thought as he eyed the cute lady beside him. Her golden-brown hair reflecting the midday light coming through the open windows.By her own admission, they were the same age, but between Quinten's Gifts and the rougher life she’d led, she appeared a few years his senior.

He forced a smile. “Thank you, Alice. But we still have much to do today, and I’m not sure I’ll be up for company by the time we’re done.”

Alice nodded, accepting his rebuff, but pushed forward, nonetheless. “I’ll find you tonight after dinner. We’ll see how you are feeling then.” Rising from the bench they shared, she made her way from the hall.

Her vacant seat was quickly filled. “Don’t waste your time with her, my lord mage. She’s used goods. I am untouched—”

Quinten tuned out the woman. He would later feel a touch of guilt for his lack of respect. Pushing away his empty plate with a sigh, he couldn’t help thinking that it was going to be a long fucking day.

Several hours passed, but Cedric and Quinten managed to work their way through the village’s highest priority issues. Several new wells were dug, buildings reinforced, and Quinten even had enough energy left over to raise and reinforce the current embankment to help combat future flooding.

The three young men currently soaked in one of the few luxuries their hosts had to offer, a heated communal bath. After working long into the afternoon, Headman Carter’s offer to stay the night was an easy one to accept.

“Uggggghhh,” Cedric groaned as he placed a hot, wet rag over his face. “Q, can you turn up the heat a little?”

Without opening his eyes, Quinten conjured a flame beneath the bath and circulated the water to disperse it evenly. He sunk into the water until only his head remained exposed.

“Anyone else happy we’re alone for this? I don’t think I could handle roaming hands at the moment.” Ronan commented as he ran a comb through his hair. After a day of intensive healing, he had more blood and other peoples fluids on him than he wanted to think about. He’d been gracious enough to ask Quinten for a quick rinse before joining them in the tub. But the thought of someone touching him right now was too much to bear.

Cedric grunted, “They are awful friendly here, aren’t they?”

“We know what they want. It’s the quickest way to a better life for them.” Quinten said, pausing for a moment. He looked at his friend in concern. The question banging around in his mind for some time now. “Ronan, what is your plan for marriage? I don’t think the fact you aren’t attracted to women is going to absolve you of the King’s mandates. They are going to demand you marry and have children.”

He was quiet for several minutes as Quinten and Cedric let him think. Eventually, he answered. “It’s… complicated. You’re right though, I’m not exempt. And even if I was, my father would never let that stand.” Frowning, his brows drawn low, he continued. “My parents were in talks with several families that are aware of my affections. Though, I’m not sure if he’ll even consider me his heir, let alone his son, once he hears about me leaving the Academy. The issue has always been over what happens after marriage.” Ronan sighed. “We will have to consummate the marriage, of course, and they’ll need to provide an heir, plus the additional children required by the mandates. Who inherits is already going to be a problem, but what happens if they take a lover and become pregnant? If they do not, will they be forced to remain alone? What kind of life is that to force on someone…?” The pain and self-loathing evident in his voice as he ducked his head under the water.

Cedric and Quinten traded a look, unsure of how to help ease their friend’s mind. When he resurfaced, it was Cedric who broke the silence. “Can you find wives attracted to other woman?”

Summoning a tendril of water, Quinten was about to spray it into his friend’s face for his poor choice of timing, when Cedric raised his hands in defense, “Hey, I’m serious. Think about it. If they were attracted to other women, then they’d have each other or at least could find someone, another woman. You wouldn’t have to worry about bastard children or about sentencing your future wives to a life of loneliness.”

Quinten paused, and after a moment’s thought. He let the water fall back into the tub. He turned to Ronan and asked, “That’s… actually, not a bad suggestion. Is that possible?”

They watched as Ronan frowned in consideration. “It might be? I’m not sure if it would ever be appropriate to ask their families if they are attracted to women.”

“Once your family narrows your prospects down to a manageable number. Make their consideration contingent on a private meeting between the two of you. It would be nice to meet someone you could potentially be spending the rest of your life with, anyway. If you feel like you could get along with them, that’s when you broach the subject.”

While the other two continued to brainstorm ways to bring up such a delicate topic, Quinten fully submerged himself in the tub, holding his breath while he wondered about his own marriage prospects. His thoughts immediately went to Izzy, but he pushed the mental image of her away. Instead, considered the guilt and shame his grandfather had felt during his departure. He may already have a promised bride. It seemed a likely request that someone powerful enough to sway a council vote could make and expect to be fulfilled.

Letting out the last of his breath, He watched as the air bubbles rose. That’s one bridge that I’ll cross when I have to, he thought.