*Sarial's POV*
When I awoke the next morning I was a little sore. I noticed Mills was staring at me. He'd woke before me and was feeling like I was an illusion. It was plain on his face as the daylight filtering in through my window. I kissed him, helping to center him. It ended up turning into another round of sex before we got ready for breakfast.
Uncle looked a little lost at breakfast time. Eating quickly and returning to Tyra. I couldn't eat anything. The couple of bites I did take made me have to excuse myself to be sick. The broth I was given afterwards was barely tolerated.
After breakfast I played that instrument we'd found for Daelyn and Dia. The depth to it's sound was brilliant. I revealed Tyra had called it a guitar. Daelyn played it some after I had. We took a short walk with Dia around the garden outside, and visited the pegasus. It really was doing well. Sunlight truly helped me feel like I'd come home.
Lunch went the same way as breakfast, except I only accepted broth. Dia rather enjoyed the cooks food. He played with Daelyn after lunch. He had to be gentle with him, but he had a lot of fun. I fell asleep watching them. I woke close to dinner time.
We had dinner, spent time with my family and Dia, then went to bed. The next morning was much the same. We ate breakfast with everyone and played the day away. The only change being dinner time when Uncle carried the awake Tyra into the dining room. She seemed fine. Mom suggested we all play a game together after dinner. Uncle carried Sky and Tyra to the family room to play.
After the game, I borrowed Tyra's communication device and Mills and I headed to my room. Dia had decided to sleep outside. He liked the moon. Once in my room I contacted Sienna and Plight. I wanted to let them know I was back and ok. I hadn't wanted to bother Uncle for it.
Sienna answered after a short time. "Hey, everything ok?" She asked.
"Yeah. We're back at my family home. I'm with Mills even."
She and Plight were happy with that. "When will you be coming here?" Sienna inquired.
"Soon. We intend to go see Adelaide. I figured I'd meet Lucrecia and her fiancé, and perhaps get an audience with the Sultan to establish trade between our town and them. The fields are producing crops, right?" I asked. "If we don't have the man power I can find people to tend the fields."
"Lucretia lives at the library with Phintias. Yes, the fields are producing. The teenagers and previously disabled people are harvesting. We've tons of ways to store them. Some get salted, some get put into dry storage the dwarves built in next to the mess hall, and some are pickled. By this point we have enough to begin trading with." Sienna grinned.
"Oh, excellent. I wasn't sure how things were being handled." I said.
"Dean's been keeping everyone calm and going in the right direction, all according to your vision, along with some mischief." Sienna replied. "Like replacing the Dwarves alcohol with water."
I laughed, "That's Dean alright. Speaking of, I need to chat with him. For now, he may enter the office for the conversation. If someone'll fetch him. I think I know what his answer's gonna be.. But I still want to hear it."
"I'll get him." Plight replied.
"Alright, thanks. If you tell him it's regarding me and should be private, he'll come." I suggested. "Was there anything else going on?"
"Incidentally, yes. There's an adorable little girl named Bryna that Bibs has adopted." Sienna smiled, then asked, "Is everything ok?"
"Yeah." I replied. "I gave him a week to make a decision about staying or going.. With the information that I am pregnant and intending to be with the father. It's odd that Bibs decided to adopt a kid, I'll have to mention it to Mother."
Sienna seemed to mull it over. "She's a funny kid." Then looked surprised. "Wait, Dean has feelings for you?"
"Yeah. I've never been sure how serious he is.. He's always been very childish and immature. We'd gotten into a serious fight after Bit had called him out on his feelings. Words have been exchanged that neither of us intended to use." My voice trailed off. "He was once my best and most trusted friend."
"Maybe your friendship with Dean can be rekindled." Sienna said.
"I hope so. I'm hoping to get fruits going, too. I know we have veggies and grains, and I got ahold of a different grain, too. Though it needs special care to grow, and tons of water. It's rice. Berries would be nice to grow, too. What do you think?" I asked.
"Berries and fruits seem rare around here. I don't remember seeing it growing wild or in East Haven, either." Sienna noted.
"It's grown on a couple of islands close to Ymir's Town. It's be huge to get it going here." I told her. "It's one of the largest exports between the areas, the islands don't belong to the Kingdom or the Realm so they deal with either without the politics."
"Hi Dean," Sienna said. "It doesn't require a whole lot. If we can get seeds, I bet the kids would really like helping it grow."
"We're talking about growing fruits, too, Dean." I explained, since Sienna had let me know he'd gotten there, "And rice. Ah.. Anyways. I needed to have a word with you.. It can be private if you'd like."
"Hi, Sarial. Good to see you aren't kidnapped anymore. If you're mentioning a private conversation, sure. Let's have a private one." Dean said.
"Very well. If everyone would please vacate, and allow Dean to borrow the device. Mind you, I won't know when you're alone or not. It only shows the current speaker." I said, squeezing Mills hand and mentally telling him that he is an exception.
"Alright. Everyone else has left." Dean said. "What needed to be so private."
"I have to assume you received the letter. And yes, I did manage to get home safely. A dragon was involved that you'd probably stab between the eyes." I smiled in an amused manner. "But this is about the contents of the letter."
"About how you're pregnant and want to stay with the father. I am assuming that's what you want to focus on." Dean said.
"Rather, I'd prefer to overlook that and focus on your part in my town. I understand you've been amazing, as I knew you would be." I replied in a light tone, "But I can see where you'd get hung up otherwise on those small details."
"Small details? You are pregnant! Not a small detail." Dean countered.
"Oh, no. It is small. You can't even tell by looking at me until I'm near food and ill because of it." I half joked.
"Well, that sounds rough." He said, unimpressed. "But if you don't want to talk about that particular part of your life.. fine."
"If it's what you'd rather discuss, I'm talkative." I used a casual tone. "You're body language is impossible to read over this thing."
"Good, that gives me the upper hand." Dean said.
"Yeah. You have the upper hand." I admitted right away. "You've done your job amazingly, and I've been lost for nearly a month. Regardless if you phrased it as doing my bidding, you are known to them and they'll look to you."
"Good, they know who's in charge." Dean replied. "What's the next part of the plan, Mon Capitaine?"
I hesitated. "You're staying?"
"Course I am. I spent to much time here to bother leaving now." Dean said.
I teared up a little. "Before that... Should I tell you who the father is?"
"Oh, now that's a mystery I've been dying to hear," He covering his mouth and quietly added, "And maybe he will to."
I laughed. "His name is Mills. He's a hunter and merchant. But you'll know him as soon as you see him by another name."
"Ooh. Mysterious." He said. "What, is he some noble I've vexed in the past?"
"Nathan." I said.
"From the thieves guild? I never thought you two had a thing." Dean commented.
"Denoir." I concluded.
"Wait. It is a noble? And didn't all the Denoirs just die?" He said.
"All but Nathan. He'd been in 'hiding' after he got backstabbed. The backstabbing we'd fought over." I said. "He's gone by Mills and prefers it. He's terrible at hiding."
He sighed and shook his head. "Of all fuckin' people. It had to be a Denoir. I'm gonna ask you one very important question."
"What would that be?" I asked.
"You happy?" He asked.
"As if a dream was plucked from the universe and set within my hands." I answered. Thieves cant, that he'd taught me, for 'unbelievably happy'.
"Well, atleast you still remember the old ways. Fine." Dean said.
"You're gonna end up teachin' my baby all kinds of bad habits, aren't you?" I asked, teasing him.
"I'm gonna teach them the sweet spot of where to kick if any dude messes with them." Dean said.
I laughed. "The Dwarven Union has all my schematics. But I can tell you, I've designed the city the dwarves wanted to craft in the lower part. They've started it, haven't they? I haven't talked to my father yet, but I intend to pass it off as merely a town and keep us in that tax bracket instead of a whole assed cities bracket." I said. "I'm sure my father won't correct it. Has trade been established yet? Like concrete? Because I probably have a person coming to do just that. I'm going to start recruiting more people to come live there, too. We'll need more guards. I want to try to bring in Haril."
"Haril!?" Dean said, "I'm sorry did someone knock you upside the head while you were away?"
"No, but I very painfully nearly miscarried." I said. "Does that count? I don't think we'd be able to convince him along. And you're crimeless in my town."
"Wasn't really concerned for my well being, well. Maybe a little, but. That's not important. I would suggest the guards before the extra people. If you don't have guards to guard your people it just gets nuts." Dean said.
I nodded. "Yes, I would like to be selective in the process. I don't want corrupt rats digging in. Which reminds me, did you meet Lucretia? I intend to meet her."
"Yes, I.. Yes, I did." Dean said. "She's a real lovely lass. A real giving type."
"Had some fun, huh?" I laughed. "She let Dad use her old home to get me and Tyra out of the Underdark. I'm hoping to use her skill with magic."
"Well, if she's not too busy you could always send her back up here, too." Dean said.
"Careful," I cautioned him. "Has Eluvian adjusted? She didn't trust me at all when last I spoke to her."
"Oh, yeah, she's doing great with the runts around here." He said.
"Think she can be a suitable teacher?" I asked. "I intend for there to be a school."
"It's what she's doing now." He said.
"What are her strong suits? Does she need any schooling herself?" I inquired.
"She seems to be good at talking and math." He said.
"Has she scolded you?" I asked.
"Only a couple of times. After the second time, I told her if she does it again in public there will be a problem." He said. "Never been much of one for scoldings."
"Follow up, did you deserve it?" I asked.
"Oh, totally." Dean nodded.
I laughed again and said, "What'd you do?"
"Used my own water slide before was done." He said.
"Alright. Hope the other time was more valid." I said. "I had hoped she could relax a little."
"To be fair it was mid construction with Dwarves working on it." He said. "I may have swiped a hammer."
"Hm." I thought on that. "As soon as I get a teacher in, I'll take her shopping."
"Thought you wanted her to relax." Dean replied.
I shrugged. "I want her to relax, yes. And to befriend her. Aside from Sienna and Leonin, I have difficulty getting along with women, it would seem."
"Most women you interacted with were nobles. Didn't want to get dirty." He commented.
"Yeah. Has there been a redheaded Gnome woman around with huge tits and ass? A bard." I asked, disdain showing on my face.
"Yes, I've spotted her from time to time." He said. "She's been asking for help to break into a jail but no one wanted to help."
"She, and the person she's trying to free, have problems with me." I said. "She has more disdain for me than you do for nobles. And I didn't actually do shit to her."
"So, give her the ol'," He made a cutting motion at his neck, "Eh, eh."
"I'd love to say yes. But if she can be there when I come back... I'll kill her." I replied coldly.
"Now, Sarial. You're pregnant. What would your father say?" Dean said.
"Good girl?" I joked. "She's been warned by Mom to stay the hell away."
"Well it sounds to me like I just definitely won't kill her." Dean said.
"You know my family are nobles now, right?" I asked him.
"I'm choosing to ignore that. Trust me, it's not easy." Dean said.
I lowered my head slightly. "Dean, title or no, I am who I've always been. I know my mannerisms have always grated on your nerves.." I sighed heavily, losing what I wanted to say.
"Listen Princess, it's fine. You're a noble I'm choosing to serve. Which makes you a freakin' unicorn, ok?" Dean said.
"You serve yourself, Dean. I intend to make you part of the governing faction. My say will be final, but I'll listen to the advice of those I bring in." I said. "Which brings me to the next question, what do we need to succeed?"
"More knives are always helpful." Dean said.
I nodded. "Yes. That's very needed. Have my dogs been well? There should be three blink dogs running around."
"Those things are everywhere. I swear there's more than three." He said.
I laughed and leaned against Mills. "I doubt they've reproduced by now. Are we running low on anything?"
"Actually no. We have way more supplies than we know what to do with." Dean said.
"Phew. Good. If you could, I'd like three crates of our best looking crops prepared in three days. I was to organize trade between us and Ymir's Town." I said.
"So you want it fresh, or dried..?" He asked.
"As I understand it, we have it three ways." I said. "Do you think you can test our people and see if any have an aptitude for trading? It may be necessary if the person I have in mind rejects my offer."
"Only a fool would, but sure. I can ask around." Dean agreed.
"I don't think he's a fool. He's smarter than I am." I said.
"Someone smarter than you that you want to have trade for your town. Hm. Your dad?" He asked.
"Pfft. Hell no." I said.
"I didn't think you wanted him running things. Who did you have in mind?" He asked.
"Vincent." I said. "I don't think he's happy. I think he's bored."
"Vincent. Your little brother. Isn't he like six?" Dean asked. "What's your plan there? No ones gonna listen to him, even if he is really smart."
Mills seemed to be questioning me as well. "You can speak, Sweetling." I told him.
"Alright. Hello Dean, I completely agree with you, he would need someone to be his face." Mills said.
"How long as he been here? Last I checked private meant private. Not private plus a dude you hide in a corner." Dean demanded to know.
"I didn't send him away." I answered. "You might belittle this, but he needs me right now. It's a valid concern. One I intend to handle by using Adelaide, if I can."
"I won't belittle, I can relate. Let's just move on." Dean grumbled. "So you plan on using Adelaide, your birth mama, as your brothers face. No one's gonna question her, that's for sure."
"Or that trash Derek." I said.
"Eh, let's stick with Adelaide. Have you gone to talk to her? Last I checked she was a little out of it." Dean said.
"Tomorrow." I said. "I plan to, tomorrow."
"Bring your uncle just in case. Sell tickets, it might be a good show." He said.
"Unlikely, and I didn't intend for my family to be involved. Though, I don't think I have a choice." I sighed, looking at Mills. I sarcastically added, "So glad you both question my decisions on this."
"It's not that I question your decision on who, it's just, people don't tend to listen to children." He said.
"My father over came that. He's been highly successful since he was fourteen." I pointed out. "He and my Uncle were successful before then, too."
"So Adelaide would be what? His guard?" Dean asked.
"Possibly. But I hope not." I replied.
"Well, if he's going to be based here then he'll be fine." Dean said.
"I plan for him to have a store in the city expansion. But he would have to earn that." I said. "I figured he could start with a stall in the upper area, and send goods between Hearthstone Town and Dueling Rivers."
"He's gonna have to earn it like a big boy, hm?" Dean said.
"Do be a dear and don't taunt my brother. You know how stupid protective I am." I said, giving him a stern look. "Call it a trial. I have expectations, and I won't let anyone stay that fails them."
"Ooh. A big scary Princess. Fine. I'll let your brother work." Dean said.
"I think he'll do exceptional work." I said.
Mills ran his fingers along my jaw and when I looked at him, tapped his temple. I got the hint and Mind Linked to him.
<'Should I speak up against the way he's talking to you, or is that playful banter between the two of you.'> Mills
<'Why does he hate them so much, to the point of detriment?'> Mills
"I certainly hope you're right." Dean said.
<'Yes, I.. I do. I would like to understand this fellow.'> Mills
"What was your favorite fruit again?" I asked.
"Apples." Dean said. "An occasional orange is quite nice as well."
"Ah apples. The only thing aside from apples that doesn't currently make me sick." I sighed. "I'll get some seeds and we'll get some of those trees going."
"Alright. I know that elf girl Sienna can make things grow real quick." Dean said.
"Apparently." I said. Mills arms tightened around me. "How do you like my office?"
"It's cozy. Wish I'd bothered to have them make mine like this." He said.
"You got an office made for yourself?" I asked.
"I'm sorry, am I not allowed to have an office? Hardy-taw." He said.
"It's unexpected... Upstanding even." I replied.
"It's more for the sign that says, 'don't bother me unless I'm in here.'" He said.
"... That doesn't actually help your case." I laughed.
"Was is supposed to? I was unaware I was trying to help a case." He said.
"I'm gonna have to go, Dean. I've enjoyed talking to you, but I am getting very tired." I said apologetically.
"Oh, that's alright. The Princess needs her beauty rest." Dean said.
"I've not had much energy since I got pregnant, and I became a bit malnourished in the Underdark." I told him. "I probably lost twenty muchly needed pounds."
"Well then. Go get some sleep." Dean said. "Answer seems pretty self apparent to me. Oh yeah, and mush your food."
"Get the device back to Sienna if you would. I'll be there soon enough... Against father's wishes." I said.
"Alright she should be hanging around here somewhere, I'm sure. Everyone tends to be nosy when it's a private conversation." Dean replied.
I closed the device and looked at Mills. "You ok?"
"He's gonna be someone I'll have to get used to the way he talks to you I suppose." Mills replied.
"Up to you. If he keeps it private, I won't mind." I said, kissing Mills' jaw. "I wonder how Plight would feel about the fact Dean slept with his little sister."
"Hooh, that. That seems like it would be a loaded topic. Certainly meant for someone with a more gentle approach." Mills said.
"Yeah, I'ma stay out of it. I should talk to Bit." I said.
"Yes. If your planning on making him a merchant we should plan on having a conversation with him." He said.
I got into my pack next to the bed and checked the time. "Looks like that's gonna be a tomorrow's problem." Putting it away I turned and leaned into Mills' chest.
He agreed with my decision and we went to sleep for the night. In the morning, things seemed normal. Uncle wasn't just carrying Tyra everywhere, but he was acting strangely. Meanwhile, Tyra just treated the behavior in an aloof manner. She was acting normally, I guess. She's often aloof.
Then I looked at Dad's face and realized Uncle was bullying him in a way. Amused, I decided to leave the situation alone and talk to Bit after breakfast. The advice Tyra had given about the buckwheat gruel was taken seriously. And honestly? It didn't make me the least bit sick.
Tyra managed to get dad quizing me about my plans. I noticed Bit looked at me, but he didn't say anything. Tyra scolded me for attributing my accomplishments to my dad. And Dad agreed with her. In fact, no one argued it. Then I mentioned that I'd not done those puzzles she'd told me to do.
Breakfast ended after that. Uncle was affectionate towards Tyra, and gave Dad a secretive look, before heading to train Jasper. Everyone else, aside from Dad, were heading to the library. I asked Vincent to come with ne instead. He obliged easily enough.
He usually does, he likes to make me smile. It's a cute quirk of his. He can often appear cold and calculating to others, we accept that about him, but when it comes to his big sister, he's very tolerant as long as I appear to be happy. Like how he allowed me to carry him around even when he'd out grown wanting to be carried. When he'd turned seven is when I took mercy and stopped carrying him. Three years longer than he appreciated. In a way, making me happy made him happy.
Either way, I took him to the family room, knowing it'd be vacant, and I got him to sit next to me. I cuddled him, placing his legs over my own. Mills sat nearby, I didn't blame him for his anxiety of not wanting me out of sight.
"So, Bit.. no, Vincent. Have you thought over my offer? To become the primary merchant for Hearthstone Town?" I asked, getting straight to it. "I do have someone else prepared, in case you want to turn it down, so please don't feel pressured." I did, in fact, not have someone else in mind. "I won't fault you if you'd rather stay at home, you're still young."
Vincent looked at me and said, "Sister, did you believe for even a moment that I would turn this down?"
"To be entirely honest, I had hoped so. I know you're smart enough to not be interested in typical kid stuff, but that doesn't prevent me from hoping you'd play around a little. Taking the job is kinda the opposite. But I also know you're bored and perfect for it." I sighed.
"You want me to have fun, you've just given me the greatest opportunity to do so." Vincent said.
I sighed and shook my head and said, "Alright, are you going to talk to Father about it? You've got a room set up in Hearthstone Town already. They aren't set up for business yet, that I know of. They were a little too successful with growing vegetables and grains."
"Yes, I will be talking to Father. I will make sure he's well aware of what the plans are." Vincent said.
"Have you considered what you need to start up?" I asked.
"That would be the main issue. I do not have a product to sell." He said.
"I doubt anyone present in town currently is looking to buy anything. I'm having three crates being prepared to take to Ymir's town to get permission from the Sultan to trade between our city and theirs. And I figured we could trade some of our excess vegetables with Dueling Rivers. I'd like you to spear the negotiations with both. If there is anything you want for stock, you can look around and I can fund you." I explained. "Ivan has also procured some trade routes, though I'd need to get ahold of him to give you specifics."
"People always need something." Vincent said. "It's a merchants job to figure out what that is."
"Tell me if you need anything or want to quit, ok? I'll never be disappointed in you." I say.
"If I were to quit I'd be disappointed in myself, but I'll keep that in mind." Vincent said.
I gave him a hug and said, "Are you excited to be an uncle?"
"Honestly, that's hard for me to answer before they are born." Vincent said.
"I understand. I wanted to meet you because of Derek, I wasn't sure I was going to like you. But you were adorable." I said.
"Were? Past tense? I see how it is." Vincent said.
I laughed and said "You're always my cute little brother. But not really adorable anymore after you fixed your pronunciation. I'm gonna try to get Adelaide to guard you.. or help you be taken seriously. I just have to get to her."
"A physical intimidating partner would be advantageous." Vincent agreed.
"If that doesn't work out, maybe I could ask Fish." I said. "He's annoying, but I can manipulate him pretty easily."
"Let's explore the Adelaide option first." Vincent said.
I nodded. "That is the plan."
"So when were you intending for me to move out there?" He asked.
"As soon as I return to town, I was going to bring you." I said. "If you'd prefer to go sooner, then I can arrange it."
"No, I will arrive along side you. I will go and break the news to the family." Vincent said.
I nodded and said, "Very well. I need to see a belting happy guard captain."
With another hug, I let Vincent head off, gave Mills a kiss and set off to see Haril in his office. Which included leaving the house and crossing town to arrive next door to the Lucky Stone.