My name day had passed, and I dared not reveal this information; paranoia had grown within me. Instead, I focused on my work. Extreme commitment was an understatement to my level of determination to set the stage for my learning. Everyone causing trouble was crushed mercilessly in an attempt to grow a reputation of ruthless fairness.
Ashe, Mar, and I stood in front of the large wooden box around waist height with a fresh circuit to chill the air.
"Magic is somethin'," Mar said as he stuck his hand in.
"So we just drop food in there?" Ashe asked.
I nodded, "Aye, fruits, vegetables, and the like. It will keep for much longer. The ice box can be used for storing meat. I'll make a stove for you two once my furnace is finished. I'll make somethin' to keep the room warm. Maybe make a self-heating pot that creates drinking water. Your bath is simple enough. I can make another wind dryer. You'll need a paper divider. Doubt you'll want to bathe in front of your brother. Maybe an iron mirror with shape transformation I can...."
"Ahh, boss," Ashe said as I started rambling. "How much this gonna cost?"
I shrugged, "Nothing, consider it a perk of being my employee."
She shook her head, "It ain't right to just take all this without nothin'."
Mar rolled his green eyes, "Speak for yerself, I want that bath," he mumbled.
Ashe was firm. Pride can manifest itself in strange ways. I could mollify her the same way Sim often does for me.
"You think this is a great treasure?" I chuckled, "It barely took me ten minutes. The bath and the rest are the same. In the end, these things are little more than trinkets. And don't think I'm being a saint here."
"No skin off yer back to make all this. And you get loyalty and gratitude." Ashe mused.
'What was she looking for in this conversation?'
I considered the tall red-haired woman and decided to remain truthful, "That's how leaders lead. The carrot is always more effective than the stick, and if these trinkets keep you healthy, strong, and loyal, what fool wouldn't provide them?"
"You plannin on being a leader?" Ashe asked.
I laughed, since I had no such intentions. "Not in the least, such things are distractions."
"But yuh' seem good at it," Mar commented.
I shrugged, "I've seen good leaders in action, I simply copy. And these people are just peasants trying to get by. Not noble lords and ladies to placate, threaten, and cajole."
"Could you?" Ashe asked.
"Could I what?"
Ashe clarified, "Could yuh, if you really wanted to, learn to control lords' ladies and such."
I threw my mind back to the time I spent with Barron Redstone and his daughter. To council meetings involving trade disputes and the passing of laws, it was complex, and even now, I didn't fully understand the subtle power plays beneath the thin veneer of civility. If I were to dedicate myself to it, I suppose I could become a good leader.
''I could, but I have no passion for the role of a leader. Without this driving force, I would be mediocre at best. Magic is my true passion. Without full dedication, I would fail."
'It's the same reason why Surian failed in her magic. Wasn't it? She wasn't as dedicated.'
Ashe chuckled as if I said something amusing. Both Mar and I looked at her, bemused.
"So, the only reason why you don't want to rule is cause you don't care, not that you can't take control?" Ashe asked.
"Essentially yes," I said as if it was obvious.
Ashe lost her humor as she searched my eyes for something. "You're confident in yerself. More than most."
"If you don't believe you can do something even when reason, logic, law, or the gods themself say you can't. Then you will accomplish nothing in life. Belief in oneself is a great power. Strong enough belief can tear through all barriers and bend even reality itself to your will." I said, coming dangerously close to the meaning of the Animus.
All three of us stood in silence for long moments, allowing my words to settle.
"You cookin' again tonight?" Mar asked. They had grown rather fond of my cooking.
Ashe still looked at me, though searching for something. Why? I couldn't imagine.
'Did she want me to take up the role of a leader? If so, then why?'
I shrugged, abandoning that line of thinking. Instead, focusing on cooking, for whatever reason, I enjoyed serving good food to others. Darion always did; perhaps some of that rubbed off on me.
'Hopefully they like my fruit tarts.'
~
Jenna, Neil, and I stared at the 15-foot-tall energy furnace. I marveled that it only took four days to complete. The process accelerated as they got used to the workload.
The base was four feet across, while the heating chamber widened to five in the middle, then narrowed to three for the flue. The three intake tubes were angled to blow air into the energy furnace to create a left-rotating spiral of air.
Inside the burning chamber was a circuit to circulate and heat the air even faster, and right at the entrance of the flue was another circuit to condense and spiral the air, pulling it up the 10-foot-tall flue.
Jenna and Mar opened the door and started piling in coal, instead of wood. The burning chamber could hold quite a lot, but I was careful not to overfill it. Still, they managed to fit almost a hundred pounds of coal inside. It was expensive, but it burned hotter and longer than wood.
"Everyone ready to ignite it?" I asked as they closed the door.
"Aye, though I don't see how you gonna ignite that much coal?" Neil commented.
"Magic, pa. O' course," Jenna said.
I started by creating a serial connection between the heating chamber and the three intake tubes. As soon as they were all connected, I strengthened the binding to my max power.
Immediately, we heard the rush of air entering the furnace. Smoke billowed from the top rapidly, from black, slowly turning into light grey. After several minutes, I was satisfied that most of the coals were heated since the chamber was starting to glow a dull orange.
I licked my lips and created an unfocused binding between the spiraling air current, exhaust, and the three intake tubes. The main arcane source was made with silver. I held it in my mind and bound it to the Dragon's breath circle in my right hand. I was eager to test the power of the energy furnace.
"Everyone ready?" I asked.
Neil and Jenna nodded dumbly as they watched me. I held up my palm, and slowly a small flame flickered to life. I strengthened the binding: 2 feet, 3 feet, and at ten feet, the flames wouldn't grow taller. It was still a terrifying amount of fire. I looked to the energy furnace to see that it wasn't frosting over. Meaning it didn't reach the minimum energy point for air. That could only mean the substance of the leather gloves was limiting the throughput of primal energy.
I grinned, "Excellent."
Neil whistled as I cut off the flame, "Well, ain't that terrifyin'."
I chuckled at his reaction. "It's not even full power."
Neil shook his head with a smile. I walked over to him and held out a hand. He was rather cautious since it was the same hand that spewed fire.
"Thank you for your help, Neil."
Neil smiled and shook my hand firmly. "It's muh pleasure. Business been boomin' thanks to yous." He looked up at the sun and said. "Bout time I head back to the shop, got an order I need to finish."
"Pa', I'll help Sera, clean up," Jenna said eagerly.
Neil nodded nonchalantly. "Aye, Aye." Neil looked to me and, with a twinkle in his eye, said. "Sera, you should teach her a few tricks in the kitchen. Girl here is still hopeless."
Jenna scoffed as Neil walked away with a pep in his step.
"Still searching for a husband for you?" I asked as Neil got out of earshot.
"Aye, but he's too busy with the store to put real work in." She said, annoyed.
Pleased with the answer, I stared at my energy furnace. So eager I was to test it that I almost sent Jenna away. I had learned much about handling metal: forging, creating steel, tempering, melting, and casting. They reach the end of their usefulness, but I desired Jenna, and why should I not enjoy her? I wasn't a machine.
"It's an amazin' thing." She said, staring at the furnace. Jenna was dirty, sweaty, and covered in soot from handling the coals. I was in a similar state. Even her brown hair was dirty. She looked at my hand and asked. "What's it like? Havin' so much power?"
I smiled and pulled off the glove on my right hand.
'I should find someone who can create those tattoos like Elis had. Much safer than the gloves.'
"Care to find out?" I said.
She stared at the gloves, terror, anguish, eagerness, they all warred on her face. Carefully, she took the gloves and put them on. They were slightly too small for her. But she managed to fit her hand in.
"What do I do now?"
I stood behind her and held her palm upright. She didn't seem perturbed by how close our bodies were. I spread her fingers wide.
Then I strengthened the binding. A small flame flickered to life in her palm. She jumped, but I gripped her wrist, and my left arm wrapped around her waist, since I didn't want her to accidentally burn herself. I actually managed to convince myself it was my only motivation.
"By Anier. Magic in my hands." She muttered.
"Are you ready?" I asked.
She nodded, her back tensing as I spoke close to her ear.
Slowly, the flames grew larger. The three-foot-tall spiraling stream of blue-red fire was as beautiful as it was terrifying.
"It's pushin' my arm down," Jenna muttered, enraptured.
I was paying more attention to her face. "How does it feel?"
"Amazing," she said, relaxing in my one-armed embrace.
Slowly, I let the flames die, and Jenna turned to look into my face. Her brown eyes caught mine. I looked between her lips and her face, almost asking her for permission.
I found no answer in her eyes. So, I moved forward, her eyes widening as she realized what I wanted. She took in a deep breath and, slowly, moved closer. It was a game of inches. She would approach; I would follow. She had to twist, so we were facing each other head-on.
Slowly, ever so slowly, our lips drew closer. My heart was thundering in my chest. At the first brush of our lips, Jenna pulled back a few inches. Then slowly she returned, each time the contact lasted longer, deeper. I closed my eyes. I could smell the sweat, the soot, even the oil in her unwashed hair. None of it bothered me.
Jenna's arms snaked around my waist as she pulled me closer. I didn't know how to kiss, but that didn't seem to matter. We tilted our heads, trying different angles, approaches. Hesitation, slowly fading away into curious exploration.
After several minutes of this, I stared into her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was breathing heavily.
"I'm going to take a bath. Would you like to join me?"
Jenna took a deep breath. "Yes." She muttered.
~
Mar and Ashe were out patrolling, so the entire warehouse would be empty for several hours. Jenna walked into my room, and I closed the door behind us. We spoke little; conversation seemed difficult to form.
After muttering a quick binding, I heated the water for the large bath. Its surface steaming, almost inviting you inside. I went over to my armoire. I could feel Jenna's nervous eyes on my back as she stood hesitantly by the door.
She took in an intake of breath as I immediately started undressing. I could feel her eyes on my back as I removed my shirt, pants, and small clothes. Good eating allowed my body to fill out some more. And I was reasonably confident in myself. I tossed my dirt and sweat-stained clothes into a basket. With a deep breath, I removed my protective medallion and perhaps the most important item. The stone that almost always remained tied around my neck with a leather strap and in a small silk pouch. Hiding them away in my armoire, I stood naked with my back to Jenna.
I turned to face her, smiled, and nodded to the basket. Jenna was looking me up and down as if to sear me into her mind. It pleased me immensely. Though I was nervous, I didn't let it show. Jenna stared at my face, roamed to my small chest, and settled on my lower half.
"I have extra clothes you could use," I said. My voice was steady, though unlike Jenna, I could hide my nervousness.
That seemed to snap her out of her examination of me. She nodded quickly. I gathered oils, soaps, and fresh cloth. Standing on a small stool, I dropped into the bath, careful not to make a splash. Jenna stood by my armoire, almost in the exact same spot, her back to me as I watched her.
She turned around and threw a glance at me, checking if I was watching. Then, with another deep breath, she slowly pulled off her leather overalls. Her simple shirt and canvas pants. I admired her firm rear end, strong back, and arms, built from years of working with her father. She loosened the tie around her brown hair, and it fell to her shoulders.
Another quick breath, and she turned around rapidly to face me. Her chest was bigger, though not by much. She had wider hips and a brown patch of hair between her legs, unlike my black. I spent several minutes admiring before our eyes met. After giving her an appreciative smile, she walked to the small stool and lowered herself into the bath.
Gasping at the warmth. She couldn't stop herself from releasing a pleasurable moan as she sank fully into the four-foot-deep water.
"You are lovely, Jenna," I said after she got acclimated to the bath.
Jenna blushed, looking up at me sweetly, "You too."
Minutes passed in silence, and slowly, the awkwardness faded as I grew accustomed to being naked with another woman.
"I still can't believe you bathe in this every day," Jenna said, as she gestured to the steamy water.
"It's the best, isnt it?"
Jenna nodded, "Aye, I could spend a day in 'ere."
"Do you want to see the best part?"
"It gets better?" She asked.
I sank into the water, covering my head, then stood. I was pleased when Jenna's eyes focused on my chest. After reaching the center of the bath, I lay on my back, slowed my breathing, and allowed myself to float. I stretch my arms and legs out to allow me to float better.
"I sometimes stay like this for an hour. Just floating; my mind, not focusing on anything."
Jenna responded, but I couldn't hear her with my ears being beneath the surface of the water. I stood again and asked her, "Would you like to try?"
She nodded, "I've never floated before."
"Not to worry, I'll help."
Jenna, with a heavy sigh, said. "Alright," she took up the center. We were around the same height, so she didn't have to worry about fitting.
"Just lean back and breathe steadily."
She nodded and went to the center. I stood and watched as she tried to copy me.
She struggled a bit, so I placed an arm under her back to help her float. My intentions weren't pure. Jenna was floating naked in the middle of my Bath with her hands and legs spread wide. I was shamelessly searing her form into my mind. Every bump, blemish, old scar, or birthmark, I carved into my memory.
She was beet red and not from heat, but surprisingly, she didn't shy away as I had expected her to. Even I was surprised at how far Jenna was willing to go with me.
What we were clearly doing wasn't exactly a sin in Anier's eyes. But society never accepted such things, to the point where it was simply not discussed.
But that mattered little to me at this moment. I wanted to run my hands along her body to feel her skin on mine. To taste the sweat of her brow. A heat rose within my core as impure thoughts spiraled in my mind.
Jenna sat up, shaking her head, "Water got in my ears."
I laughed, "It'll drain out in a few minutes."
From another stool next to the bath, I grabbed the soap and cloth. She looked at the glass bottle, confused.
I smiled and said, "Just watch."
Jenna bit her lip as I showed her how to use the soap. There were cheap alternatives that peasants would use; however, this sweet-smelling liquid cost three silver coins, the bottle fit for the wealthy or nobility.
Of course, I demonstrated its use on myself. Some vain part of me enjoyed that she enjoyed watching.
After handing her the bottle, she copied me, and I watched her. The more intimate cleaning was done with our backs turned.
Then we sat in the deep water for some time.
"What are we?" Jenn asked. Her hair was matted down as she sat in the chest-high water.
"I don't know. More than friends, not quite yet lovers." I mused.
"You want that," Jenna asked.
"Yes, I've no experience, but I always enjoy learning." Jenna blinked rapidly, a sign she was embarrassed or excited.
"Been with a boy once." She muttered.
I raised an eyebrow. Sometimes I forget that she's two years my senior. "How was that?" I asked.
She shrugged, "Hurt. Didn't really enjoy it. But women say the first time's like that. Gets better after."
"I wouldn't know."
I thought of how unpleasant it would have been to bed Greg. I still intend to kill the ox someday.
"Do yuh' mind?" She asked hesitantly.
'Did she notice something on my face?'
Her question dragged me out of my murderous thoughts. "No. Why would that bother me?" I asked, genuinely confused.
Jenna shrugged and didn't answer, though she looked pleased. I observed Jenna's posture: reserved, hesitant. It seemed she spent every ounce of bravery she had in the past half hour; no point in pushing her further. Even I felt a bit exposed.
"Why did you run away that day?" I asked Jenna.
She sighed and looked away, ashamed. "I didn't feel worthy."
"Worthy?"
She nodded. "I'm a peasant, ain't got much of a future. Couldn't see myself in yours."
"What changed?"
"Pa asked me bout gettin' a husband. Met a few. Ain't like any of 'em. Even the good ones. They can't compare to you. You're so grand, like you'll run off to some great destiny while I get left behind. "
'She wasn't wrong.'
I remained silent, and she continued. "So, I figure I might as well be as happy as I can until that day comes. Life is short. Don't wanna die with too many regrets."
"That is fair. So then, let's enjoy this moment and not worry about the future." I said.
Jenna smiled. "Aye, that sounds good."
We spoke for half an hour about simple things. Sharing stories, I even retold the many hijinks that David the dimwitted managed to get himself into. She found them endlessly entertaining. She told me more of her upbringing, her friends, and her family. Once more, I felt it. The comforting arms of complacency were trying to pull me under. To make me forget my goals. But my mind was iron; I would not stop. But was there anything wrong with enjoying a few calm moments?
We got out after our arms looked like prunes. Jenna was amused by the wind drying, impressed with my ability to braid hair. She cooked, though it wasn't as good as mine; it was filling. Throughout it all, there was an undercurrent of impermanence as if we both acknowledged that this relationship had an expiration date. I accepted the truth, and so did she, so we might as well live life until that point.
She kissed me once more before she left. She had another meeting with a prospective husband. There was a promise in her eyes, a promise that we would do more, next time.
~
After using my new energy furnace to forge the bases for the five kettles, I went to bed early. The thoughts of Jenna's body wouldn't leave me. As I lay in my warm bed, unable to get myself to sleep. My hand drifted between my legs, touching, exploring, rubbing, caressing. It took over an hour of experimentation before I released the tension within me. I savoured the pleasure and tried to drag it out for as long as possible.
Twice more, and I was finally able to fall asleep. Though I couldn't stop wondering what Jenna's hands would have felt like.