[Chapter 18]  [Chapter 19]  [Chapter 20]
[Chapter 21]  [Chapter 22]  [Chapter 23]
 
 
 

Chapter Seventeen.
 

Ancelin walked into her queen's suite, curtseying.  "You had me summoned, My Queen?"

"Ancelin, I did."  She picked up her hand, smiling at it.  "Fairly plain."

"It suits my usual nature," she reminded her.  "I expected none but a simple band."

"Good."  She let it go.  "How is the husband?"  She blushed at that.  "Still!" she demanded.

"We were going to but we came home to find his cook and caretaker dead," she said quietly, sitting across from her.  "Then you sent Cofostat for me."  The queen winced.  "So we'll take this trip as our honeymoon and go visit the family home.  Are my cousins here?"

"They have been summoned.  They'll be here tomorrow."  She smiled at her.  "I do like that dress."

"The seamstress he took me to for all those ones I inherited was just across the border in Italy so I had her make half theirs and half ours.  And let her have the ones that wouldn't suit me at all."

"As was wise," she agreed, smiling at her.  "How is his library?"

"Nearly as large as the royal one you personally fill, Highness.  His contained some books that helped in me," she cleared her throat, "education."

"What did your maid teach you?" she demanded.

"To close my eyes, let my husband move me like I was a puppet, and endure it," she said bluntly, getting a horrified squeak from one of the other ladies.  "She said that."  She smiled at her queen.  "Volka has been very gentle with my instruction."  That got a look from queen, earning a smile back. "As you said," she said quietly, getting a smirk back.  "I left them both with Sir Cofostat looking at the palace."

"I understand that urge.  The trip with my husband in the carriage was unnerving at times.  He snores when he travels."

"They tell me I snore all the time."  She burst out laughing, swatting at her.  "I had caught a cold, Highness.  Lightening hit a tree behind our stables.  They went out to take care of it in simple breeches and no shoes, I went out in my nightgown and shoes.  We all got a bit ill for a few days.  His grandmother had made this huge quilt that we cuddled under on the couch while we read together."  She blushed a bit but cleared her throat again.

"And Chauvis?"

"He did travel with us.  He's staying to research in the library. He answers questions when I have them too."  The queen smiled at that.  "May I go find them, My Queen?"

"You may, Ancelin.   He did pass on the message to bring those journals?"

"He didn't but I did anyway," she admitted, standing up and bowing.  "Thank you for letting me sit.  A saddle makes one sore after such a trip."  That got a nod and a smug look.  "I'll see you at dinner?"

"You will but I would change into something thinner."

"I brought one that's light blue and one that's in cream."

"Wear the cream one.  Wear something serious again tomorrow."  That got a nod and she left.  She leaned back.  "Marriage does suit her after all.  It simply took an extraordinary man to suit her."

Her helper looked at her.  "She finally married and we weren't invited?"

"She married Volka."

"The man who keeps the tower on the border?"  She nodded, smiling at her.  "But..."

"He's an avid reader, he has a huge library his family has been collecting for years.  She met him through her former instructor.  They've been friends for years.  He's as playful as she is.  Cofostat said he's a good swordsman as well and she's mentioned hunting trips on past visits to his house with Chauvis.  It does suit her even if they are using this as their honeymoon."

"But she's born noble on both sides," she hissed.

"He's of noble birth but not titled if I remember right.  His family's noble lines trace back to Roman times."  She looked a bit impressed at that.  "That's how they got the border tower and the job to guard it.  It suits her even if he isn't one of those who hang about in court.  They would annoy her anyway.  She's not the frivolous, shopping sort.  She goes a few times a year at most."  The handmaiden shook her head, going back to unpacking them all.  She did not know how women went without that many clothes.  It was simply unwomanly!
 

***
 

Ancelin looked at her cousins the next morning, smiling at them.  "I haven't seen you two since I was about that one's age,"  she said, smiling at the child with them.

"We found her wandering around and was hoping someone here could find her parents," the male cousin said, shaking her hand.  "How have you been, Ancelin?"

"Newly married," she admitted with a smile.  "Is the old house still standing?"

"It's been locked since your mother's death," he assured her.  "None of us want to go in there.  It's said your grandmother caused spirits to hang about it."

"Then we'll go see.  They should dissipate for me."  That got a nod from her female cousin.  "You have no children?"

"Not after ten years of marriage.  How newly married?"

"Four days before this trip."  That got a giggle and a nod.  "So this is our honeymoon.  I was going to show him the house anyway.  He has a large library and I was hoping to bring some of the books back with me."

Chauvis came out.  "We can definitely help with the supposed spirits."  He nodded at them.  "Well met."

"Well met.  Her husband?"

"Former teacher."

"This is Chauvis.  He used to be a priest.  When I accused Father I went to him for advice and protection.  He introduced me to my husband."  She pointed at Volka, who was outside soaking up the sun.  "That's my mate."  They looked and her female cousin smiled.  "He has been wonderful to me and Chauvis resides with us at the moment since he's doing some research in our library."

"It's good you've found peace," her male cousin agreed.  "I'd have brought the wife but I figured you'd come visit."

"I am after the wedding if we're going to have to attend.  If not, sooner."

"That'll be fine.  It'll be a good reason for a celebration."  He herald came out, nodding at them.  "Time?"  He nodded.

"Volka," she called.  Her female cousin flinched so she smiled.  "He's very nice to me."

"I remember Grandmother's rhyme."

"She knew his father as I found out this last year.  She was a frequent visitor to his tower."  He came in and she took his hand.  "Chauvis?"  He held up the diaries.  The male cousin said something to the guard, pointing at the child, getting a nod.  "Thank you.  Shall we?"  She waved for them to proceed her.  She curtseyed properly.  "Highness."

"You look much like a painting we have of your grandmother, child."

She smiled.  "I don't remember her that well," she admitted.   "She died when I was a young child.  My mother soon after."

"Your father never remarried?"

"No, he courted one woman but decided to stay with his mistress instead.  I was too young to understand why at the time."

"Very well.  I've heard that you went back to your mother's title?"  Chauvis handed over the diary, already open to the correct page.  She winced.  "That would certainly explain why you pulled yourself out of your father's line."

"That and I came in with proof he had tried to summon something demonic to have me," she admitted quietly.  The queen gaped.  She moved her collar to show the scar.  "I've had it removed by another knight's caretaker, m'lady.  She made sure it wouldn't infect.  Chauvis was the priest I went to at that time for protection and help."

"Father," the queen said.  "Is what she said true?"

"It is.  Though I have since retired from the order, My Queen," he said, looking a bit grim.  "He had her maid paint on the mark of an incubus.  Then he tried to give her away to it.  At the time, Ancelin was able to defeat his advance and snatch his mark and power band to bring to me.  She followed her grandmother's instructions to a house she had knowledge of where I was in a meeting.  We came back to accuse her father of it in front of their king.  With the evidence in front of him he was banished.  He was later thrown in jail when he came back to kill her for showing them what he had done."

"With that information and with my mother's own words I thought it better to take myself out of my father's succession.  He had a daughter by his mistress.  Everything not in my room and not my two horses went to her.  The house went to the new holder of his title and Chauvis helped clean out all the demon summoning books.  I knew my cousins would not mind, that they were not interested in the title and I wrote them soon after it happened, getting their agreement."

"We have no interest in the title," the male cousin agreed.  "We like working the land with the other families around the main house.  We've always taken the tithe as was proper but my wife thinks our grandmother was a witch so it's cursed."

"As does my husband," her female cousin agreed.  "He blames her for me being barren."

"She did know some herb healing," Volka admitted.  "She knew my father as well and helped when he was injured a few times."

"You are?"

"Volka, m'lady."  She smiled at that.  "Ancelin is now my wife.  We married just before this trip."

"Interesting how that works out."  She considered it, smiling when her husband came in.  "Eavesdropping or watching the knights from their country?"

"Watching the other knights.  They do bounce to attention when that one comes by."

"Sir Cofostat or Sir Gallen, Sire?" Ancelin asked.  "Sir Cofostat is the senior trainer.  Sir Gallen is one of the top field commanders."

"Then they'd best jump," he agreed with a smile. "You are?"

"Ancelin Feronia Thera Constantsos-DeGuire."

"Ah!  The duchess."  He nodded.  His wife handed over the journal.  "Your father lives?"

"In jail for summoning a demon to have me, Sire," she said honestly.  "That's shortly after I found Mother's journal, that one, and when I accused him I presented that as well and took myself out of his succession line.  He had a daughter by a mistress."

"Interesting.  The rest of the family doesn't mind?"

"It's her by rights, she's the more direct line since it's gifted to the females of the line," the female cousin said.  "My father came from our grandmother, as did his."

"No other relatives?"

"None living, Sire," the male cousin admitted. "We both live and work on the estate, though no one lives at the main house.  Both our spouses consider our grandmother a witch and want nothing to do with what was hers."

"Whereas she does look just like her grandmother's portrait in the walking gallery," the queen told her husband gently.

"I'm told I'm fiery of temper like my mother Abigail and her as well," Ancelin said with a small smile.  "The first the King knew of it I was challenging my father to a duel over my honor."

He blinked, looking at Chauvis.  "I know of you."

"She came to me for protection and help.  I helped her accuse her father.  The other is Volka, her spouse."

"Interesting."  He looked at her then at the cousins.  "You truly do not care?"

"I'll gladly cede the estate to her upon our deaths," the male cousin agreed.

She looked at him.  "I have no need of an estate.  My husband has one of his own," she said gently.  "As the rest of the family wills it.  There's ever hope of children."

"You'll probably more likely to bear than we are," the male cousin told her.  "They're newly married, Sire."

"I ask no profits from it," she assured them.  "I would like to visit the main house again and they've agreed since they believe Grandmother cursed it."

"As do the rest of us," the King admitted.  He looked at Volka.  "You do know they're all fiery women?  Her mother's baptized name of Feronia is because of the iron they all carry in their wills."

"I have noticed that.  She introduced herself, asked for help, and when one man in our group snickered she challenged him to prove herself worthy."  That got a snicker from the king, and her male cousin, who nodded.   "Yes, I know.  I love her because of that.  It matches my own stubborn nature."

"Good."  He considered it.  "You will be visiting more often?"

"As life allows, Sire.  I had plans on at least vacationing frequently.  I live almost a full seven-day from my natal court and nearly two seven-days from here."

"I understand.  We would see you at least every few years, Duke Volka?"  He raised an eyebrow.  "If she keeps the title it is yours as well."

"Thank you, Sire.  My family was from a noble Roman line."

"As I've heard," he admitted.   He smiled.  "Well?"

"As life allows, Sire.  If I can get her here every few years I would not mind that.  It's a wonderful spot when we're full of snow at home."

"Good.  Her cousins have no dispute?"

"We'd like to keep the land.  She can have the estate house," the male cousin told him.

"That's more than reasonable. I have no need of the profits," Ancelin told him.  "At some later point we'll figure out where things go to the next generation."

"If they have no heirs it would go to your heirs," the King told her.

"As you will it, Sire."

"Thank you.  Your King had warned me you were like stories of our amazon women."

"I like to use a sword, ride, and hunt, Sire," she said with a sheepish smile.  "I see nothing wrong with a woman being able to defend herself from men who have no business touching them.  Chauvis chastised me more than once for teaching the girl children in his village how to defend themselves from the boys."

"Her grandmother nearly got thrown in jail for the same thing," her male cousin admitted.  "She was in her last few years too."  He shook his head.

The king smiled at that.  "I remember.  Her grandmother once swatted me."

"My mother once spanked our King," Ancelin shared.  "He was bothering her horse."

The King burst out laughing.  "Yes, it has been passed down to you, child.  Newly married?"

"Four days before this trip, Sire," Volka said happily, stroking over her shoulder to adjust her collar.   "We'll be spending our wedding night at her family home if it bothers none."

"Go, child.  She must be here for my own daughter's wedding."

"As you will it," she agreed, curtseying to him.  "Then we'll go to the estate."  He nodded.  "Thank you, Sire."

"You're welcome, Ancelin.  Do mind your husband."

"I try," she said with an impish grin, making the queen snicker and nod for them to go.  She walked out on his arm, Chauvis taking back the journal for her.  "Thank you," she said, hugging both cousins.  "The wedding is tomorrow?"  They nodded.  "Then we'll travel the day after."

"The road's a bit worn at the moment," he said.

"We're riding singly."

"Then we'll see you late that night.  I'll have someone stack some wood and things outside the manor's door.  None will go in."

"I don't think it will bother us much," she assured him.  He nodded and let her hug her female cousin, letting them go.  She looked at Chauvis.  "You cannot abandon us for the library," she teased.

"I have no plans of it," he promised, patting her on the back.  "Come, let's go to the market.  They have things I've never seen."  They nodded, heading that way.  A money changer changed their gold to local gold at a good rate and it was fine.  They could see all the oddities and new things that hadn't made it to their home shopping bazaars yet.
 

***
 

Ancelin looked at her dresses, staring in consternation.  Nothing looked like the local fashions.  Nothing was probably good enough for this ball.  She scowled at Volka when he walked in whistling.  "There are days I wish I was a man. You have it much easier."

"Wear the blue."

"I can't wear the blue, it's the wrong fabric."

He sighed, sitting on the bed, looking at Chauvis as he walked in.  "Was there a barmaid down there?"

The former priest gave him an odd look.  "There usually is," he pointed out.  He looked at the dresses on the bed, shaking his head.  "Wear what you want, it doesn't really matter to us."

"It will matter to someone.  They'll think I'm snubbing them.  It'll cause a scene, it'll be a problem at the wedding.  It could cause an international incident that could cause a war.  I heard the French had that problem at one time."

Volka coughed, smiling a bit.  "You're a duchess, I'm sure that was a princess.  Wear whatever you want to wear, wife."

She growled, stomping out of their rooms.  "Men!" she complained, making the barkeeper laugh.  "Help?  What do I wear to a wedding?"

"Something less comfortable than what you're wearing now," she told her.  "What did you wear to yours?"

"Mine was done in haste after something threatened me.  My spouse got highly protective and knight-like."  She hit herself on the head.  "Any of the knights around?"

"Not at this inn, Duchess.  Come watch the bar!" she yelled into the kitchen, following her up there.  Both men gave her an odd look.  "It's nothing you'd ever understand.  Men can be sloppy.  Women being sloppy creates problems and rumors."  She looked at the dresses, then at the dress in the trunk on top.  "I'd wear that one."

"I don't want to look like part of the wedding party.  It's off-white."

"True, but the church will be warm.  The gold is a good color.  Even on you."  She dug into the trunk, pulling up something.  "You wear simple things?"

"Most often."

She put it back.  "Not today, Duchess."  She found something at the bottom, pulling it out.  The rich, vibrant blue with silver tracings got a long look.  The fabric was touched and nodded at.  "It's a bit heavy.  You'll pass out from the heat."  She handed it over.  "Wear that one."

"When did I put that in there?"

"You're the one who let Younger pack for you," Volka said dryly.  He smiled at the innkeeper.  "That one instead of the white and gold?"

"She's right, the white and gold could make a statement about being a wedding dress."  She looked at her.  "Wear that one.  It'll look good on you."  She smiled. "Do wear the corset though.  We've noticed some of yours are built in."

"This one is too," she admitted, showing her.  "It's much more comfortable.  Thank you."

"Welcome."  She went back downstairs, smiling at the knights waiting.  "The Duchess was having a clothing crisis.  I had to help her pick out a dress.  Give her a few."

Cofostat the  Younger sighed, going up there, pounding on the door.  "Don't wear the white, anything too simple, or the green dress, or anything you've worn," he called.  She opened the door, letting Volka tie off her waist's strings. He blinked.  "I packed that?"

"You must have, I didn't," she told him.  She looked back at Volka.  "Unless you packed it on me?"

"I didn't.  Chauvis?"

"I'm not that concerned with what she wears," he pointed out, going back to his reading.

"Dress," she ordered.  Both men sighed and went to do that while she found and put on her shoes, standing up again.  She grabbed her brush and did her hair quickly, making Volka take the pins from her.  "I have to have it up.  It's not seemly for a married woman, even me, to have her hair down."  She took the pins back, doing back up her hair.  The braid was simply wound up in a small bun and then caged on the back of her head before her headpiece was applied.  Which looked odd.  She groaned, taking it off and tossing it onto the bed.  "No one here wears one."  She stepped back to look at herself, walking behind the door to adjust the top's caging so she didn't look so ordinary.  She finally got done, tying off the inner bodice strings before coming back out, tucking htem back in.   Younger's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

"Excuse us for a moment," Volka said, slamming the door to fix that for her.  Before she fell out of the top or someone wanted what was his.  He got her adjusted so she was more modest, then tightened the strings on her again, giving her a swat when he was done.  "There.  Jewels?"  She held up her wedding ring and he glared.  "Jewels," he repeated.  "This is a royal wedding."

"I don't think he packed any."  She got into her trunk, opening the door again.  Volka sighed and found them in the top of the bag, handing over the earrings and the delicate necklace.  She looked then nodded.  It'd go.  It was silver.  She put it on, looking at Younger, who nodded.  "Thankfully you're in Court more than I am.  I was going to wear the plain cream one and he wanted the other blue one."

Younger shook his head.  "No, that's why we came to make sure.  Like your sister who comes to make sure you can still do your own hair."  He escorted her down, getting a nod of approval from the barmaid.  Volka and Chauvis came down dressed, finally, and they headed up together.  She had already delivered her present, he hoped.  "Present?" he asked.

"I gave it to the Queen last night to present with all of ours."

"Excellent choice."  His father smirked, he knew he did, the same as he knew he was shaking his head.  "I know but sometimes these things have to be done."  He walked them out, taking them to the church in the carriage they had rented.  His father was part of the groom's honor guard so he had to do that while they were seated in the church.  Which was very warm.  The queen was already fanning herself delicately.

Volka whispered in her ear.  "We will not pass out, correct?"

"If I do, I'll fall on you so it merely looks like I'm asleep.  I won't be some dowager with vapors," she assured him quietly.

"Thank God for that," Younger said, shuddering a bit.  "My wife's mother is one of those."

"Your wife's mother could use a dose of sense according to Severtina," Ancelin reminded him.

He smirked at her.  "I do try.  She lets me dress her too."

Ancelin pinched him.  "Behave."  The queen looked back at her.  "He should."

She smirked.  "I do like that dress on you, dear.  I'm glad I had it snuck into your things."

"Thank you, My Queen.  I was in a snit earlier trying to figure out what to wear."

"I figured you were."  She turned to look farther back then coughed.  The groom was coming.  His honor guard escorted him in and to the front, where his father was sitting next to the other King behind the altar.  The bride's honor guard escorted her up and she curtseyed to them both before taking her betrothed's hand.  The priest stepped forward to do the mixed ceremony - she was Orthodox and he was Catholic.  It was a nice one, Ancelin sniffled a bit.  The queen sniffled a bit.  All in all it was a good joining of the two peoples.  More than worth the saddle sores from the long ride, the hectic problems with clothes, the heat, and the finding of a suitable present.
 

***
 

Ancelin danced with her husband first that night, making quite a few of her natal court's people gape in awe.  They hadn't heard the gossip.  They could see it now.  It was a dance for all newlyweds, led by the bride and groom.  Ancelin bowed to her husband as was proper, earning a smirk.  They twirled and came back together, letting him bow to her.  Then they moved on with the dance, letting it end.  The end movement was a kiss with the new husband and she blushed but did so, earning a smile.  He led her back, letting Chauvis have her for the next dance.  Volka sat down, sighing in pleasure.

"You don't like to dance?" one of the native young women asked.

"I'm not often up on the new dances," he said, smiling at her.  "Chauvis is my best friend and much smother on his feet so he can take her out all he wants while I get to stare in appreciation."  She giggled and went to spread that back around.  After that dance, Ancelin went to ask her King for his dance with her, getting a nod and her trying hard not to mangle one of the local ones with him.  They didn't look too bad.  She handed him back to his queen and the local king asked for his so she danced with him, earning a smile and some praise from the queen.  She curtseyed to them and went to get her husband, who waved her off.  She pouted.  He caved and led her out there to dance with her again.  This was an older one that he knew very well.  They finished and he led her over to get her something to nibble and drink, bringing it back to their table.  They sat next to Chauvis, sharing with him.  "We do look adorable out there," Volka told them, getting a grin from Chauvis and a look from her. "How long must we stay?" he whispered in her ear.

She shivered, looking at him.  "Until the blessings."

"When will that be?"

"When she cuts the cake," Chauvis told him.  "That depends on how impatient she is to get onto her honeymoon."  He sipped some of his wine, smiling at one of the local young daughters who was coming over.  "Yes?"

"Which one of you is the new duke?"  Volka raised his hand.  "May I dance with you, sire?"

"If you wish," he agreed, getting up to let her dance with him.  He smiled at her as was proper, letting himself follow the others around him.  He had no idea what this dance was.  "A local one?" he asked.  She beamed and nodded.  "No wonder I've never seen this one."

"You do fine," she assured him with a bright smile.  "How long have you been married?"

"Four days before this trip."

"Awww.  She's very pretty for being from a witchly line."

He looked at her.  "What or what not her ancestors were don't concern me."  She giggled but nodded. "I would have married her even if she was titleless."

"Are you landed?"

"My own family's titles haven't meant much since Rome fell into a city," he admitted.  "We were high in their esteem and our land granted from the emperor directly."

"Well."  She nodded.  "That's interesting."  She paused to curtsey to him.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome.  You could come ask instead of trying to sneak around me for information."  She blushed and walked off and he went back to his seat.  "She wanted information and said you were very pretty to be from a witchly line," he reported.

"Did you tell her to ask?" Chauvis asked, getting a nod.

"You do know that was one of the younger princesses?" Ancelin asked dryly.  He groaned.  "She wasn't insulted.  Any good princess learns how to sort gossip from fact quickly."  She stood up when the queen came over.  "Highness."

She smiled at her.  "I came to ask your new husband to dance.  I fear my daughter was rude."

"She wasn't, but I did tell her she could come ask us in person," Volka admitted. "I'll dance with you anyway if you'd like."  That got a nod and he led her out there for the next dance.  "I am sorry if I insulted her."

"No, you didn't.  She said it was nice someone gave her good advice."  She smiled at him. "You two can escape in an hour, Volka," she said quietly.  "I know you want to be on your honeymoon and you're not used to your local court."

"Thank you, Highness."

"I was that young and spirited once.  I hope the same for my daughters."  She smiled and let him go at the end of the dance, taking his bow.  She turned, finding her counterpart there.  "Did you want his hand next?"

"Please," she agreed, taking it once he had bowed.  "Volka," she said, smiling at him.  "How goes the marriage?"

"So far good, My Queen," he said, concentrating on the steps.  "This is not like we have at yours," he said quietly.  "None of our dances are this complicated."

She laughed.  "Each place has different ones.  You still manage not to look bad," she assured him, giving his hand a squeeze.  "You will treat her well?  She is a very special girl.  Even when we don't favor her or like her vendetta against some of the squires we like the girl, Volka."

"I'll do my best, My Queen.  Has she said otherwise?"

"No.  She blushed and giggled."  She gave him a look.  "Remember, I do know."

"We're waiting on our official wedding night for Rome," he said quietly.  "We'll do other things to celebrate at her house tomorrow night."  That got a nod and he nearly tripped, giving the other person a sheepish  look.  "Sorry."  That got a smile and a nod.  He led her back to her husband.  "You have no need to fear me mistreating her, My Queen.  I love her - biting stallion, sword work, inherited clothes, and all."  She giggled, nodding as she sat down.  "She is a precious thing, as is her mind.   I have appreciated it all along."

"Good," she decided, smoothing down some of his hair.  "Got it trimmed a bit short."

"As happens most times," he admitted sheepishly.  She waved him off so he bowed.  "If you want another, come ask before we sneak off on our own honeymoon, My Queen.  Sire," he said, nodding at the returning king.  He ducked back to their table around the dance floor, smiling at the queen.  "She really does like you."

"She's watched me rail at my father for years," she admitted.  "She saw me go after some of the vain young squires who thought they were better than the all the knight's daughters put together.   She watched me humiliate a few in open court."  She smiled sweetly.  "The one who tried to grope without my permission during a ball nearly died of shame himself.  He's since doing much better as a knight."  She pointed at him.  "I caused his clothes to fall during an event by finding a loose thread and plucking at it like it was lint."  Chauvis shuddered.  She smiled at him. "It fell about three dances later.  He was a bit scrawnier then."  She ate another berry, then fed one to Volka.  "I only turn mean when someone deserves it.  Like Charlotte throwing pots."

"I know."  He kissed her gently.  "We have permission to sneak out."

She growled in his ear.  "Soon, Volka.  Soon.  Let her cut the cake then we can sneak off."  He nodded.  She smiled at Chauvis, who gulped a drink of his wine.  "Dance with me?"  He nodded, going out to dance with him.  "This air is making me react funny."

"It's the difference in the wine," he assured her gently.

"Then I'll abstain from now on," she promised, nodding at the knights.  "Cofostat, next dance?"  He bowed at that, letting Chauvis lead her off.  "I'm being very forward, aren't I?"

"A bit," he admitted.  "No more wine for any of us."

"Good.  That could help."  She finished the dance and walked over to their knight, bowing to him.  He bowed back, taking her hand and going off with her.  At the end of that one the new bride called them to bless her and watch her cut the cake.  Ancelin didn't say anything, feeling she'd be too loud and possibly vulgar, but she did clap.  People looked at her.  It had to be a unique blessing.  "I hope both bride and groom share a long, mostly happy life, and that any unhappiness be as unpainful as possible," she said, getting a beaming smile for that one.  That got a bit of applause from the men, who looked a bit wary.  All the wives knew that a bit of unhappiness was going to happen and taking it into account in a blessing would mitigate it.  At the end they all got cake and she fed it to her men, making them smile.  She watched as the new bride slipped off and looked at her men.  "I'm feeling a bit done in by the wine," she said quietly.

"It is strong," Volka admitted.  "Sneak away now?"  They nodded and she gathered her cloak, heading off like they were escorting her to the privy.  They slipped outside, nearly running into the new couple.  "Many happy returns," he blessed.

"I've heard you were off on your own honeymoon," she teased.  He nodded, smirking a bit.  "Do have fun.  You as well, Duchess."

"Many happy returns, Highness.  I hope you're as happy as I am."   That got another beaming smile.  "Shoo, go, before they come out to follow you."  She blushed and giggled, getting into the carriage, pulling her new, gaping husband behind.  She waved and they snuck off to their inn.   "I think I stunned the prince."

"Possibly," Volka admitted.  "The wine was very strong."

"It tasted odd too," she admitted.

Volka kissed her, then licked his lips.  "That's because someone drugged yours," he admitted.

"Sleeping potion?" Chauvis asked.  Volka nodded, walking them on.  They made it to the inn, taking their keys back.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  She all right?"

"Her wine was a bit strong."

"Always better to retire than to make an ass of one's self," he agreed.  That got a smile and a nod from Ancelin.  "Have happy sleeps."  They went up to their room.  It had two beds, one for the married couple and one for their guard. Their guard came back down.  "Yes?"

"Can you wake us when someone wakes to start breakfast?"  That got a nod.  "Thank you."

"Traveling on?"

"To her family home.  It'll take most of a day's ride."  That got a nod and Chauvis went back upstairs.  He kissed Volka.  "Were you drugged as well?"

"Possibly.  I shared some of her wine.  You?"

"No, but I have a stronger tolerance for heavy drink," he reminded him.  He settled on his bed.  "Rest."  That got a nod.  "We'll be woken for early breakfast."

"That's fine," he agreed, putting an arm over her chest.  If someone wanted to hurt her they'd have to get him first.

Chauvis settled in.  He could hear the wedding festivities slowly dying off.  He figured if anything was done it'd be within an hour of that dying.  It was a bit into the witching hour when their room's door opened, letting him look at the person standing there.  It was either a slight man or a woman.  She snuck in further and he saw a dagger.  He caught her hand, making her scream in pain as he crushed her wrist.  He walked her off, taking her down to the innkeeper.  "She has a knife?"  The innkeeper flicked back her hood. "Princess."

"She's a witch," she glared.

"She's not."

"She's marrying beneath her and sullying her family."

"If the first were true it wouldn't matter, would it?"

"My mother thinks highly of her ways."

"Because she can ride and hunt?  Because she can defend herself?" Ancelin said from behind her.  She turned.  "My grandmother was many things, including one who saved yours a few times, princess.  Besides, I want nothing from you and your family.  I already have everything I want in life.  The only reason I was here was so  your parents could agree with what my king and queen had done."

"You wished ill on my sister!" she shrieked.

"Every marriage has spots of unhappiness and fights.  I wished them as little pain as divinely possible.  It was a kind and gentle act.  There's no marriage that isn't touched by pain.  Sometimes it's loss, sometimes it's a bad set of battles within the couple, sometimes it's issues with the lineage.  Sometimes it's even someone being overthrown.  Especially with royal marriages that's always a possibility.  I wished her as little pain as could come for her.  She'll have that much from childbirth!"  The girl shrank back.  "Now,  you should not be here.  If I must have you taken back by the guards, I will."

"You didn't have a title before," she sneered.  "Your mother married a nobody."

"Actually, her mother married a knight that fought our country for years before he changed sides due to the overthrow of his old king," Chauvis told her.  The princess spat.  "Fine.  As you will it.  Can we please have some guards?"  The innkeeper nodded, going to get some.  "Ancelin, you should be clothed more."

"I didn't feel like unpacking everything to find my dressing gown," she admitted.  Guards rushed in.  "She was standing over me with a dagger when Chauvis found her."

The guards looked at her then at the man holding their princess.  "You're who?" one sneered.

"Father Chauvis."  He backed up, a scared look on his face.  "Newly retired.  I found her trying to stab the duchess and her husband.  Both of whom had been given a sleeping potion earlier at the wedding festivities."  She was handed over.  "I care not what you do with her."

"Her parents will hear," one o the guards said quietly.

"I'll have you killed," the princess sneered.  "How do you know she isn't making me do this to discredit me?"

"Because you did it to another rival last month," he told her.  She screamed and went after him but he took the dagger and put her onto the floor.  "Thank you, Father.  Duchess."

"We'll be leaving for my family home tomorrow," Ancelin said quietly.  "Tell whoever I'll not press charges if she's helped.  I wish no royal scandal and I have no idea where her fantasies come from."

"Agreed.  I'll tell them that."  He hauled her up by her hair, walking her off, letting one of the others get the dagger.

The first speaker looked at him.  "Was she possessed?"

"Not that shone out at me.  There's a priest locally who would know."

"I know of him, I'll suggest he look at her," he agreed.  He glanced at Ancelin then looked away.  "There are many rumors about your grandmother."

"I know," she agreed.  "All of us in my family are strong women.  If they consider us a witch for that then I'm sorry for their problems.  I cast no spells and the only herbs I know are healing ones for wounds.  As any knight's daughter would know."

"Thank you, Duchess.  Have a peaceful night."  He walked the others out.  They found the first guard had already gotten the father started on his path up to the palace.  He walked the rest of them inside.  "She said she'll not press charges as long as the princess is helped with her fantasies," he told the king, handing over the dagger.  "She said she's no witch and she's in the company of Father Chauvis.  He's known like our own Father Dimitri is."

"She did what?"

"Chauvis found her above the duchess with a dagger, sire," the guard who had her noted.  "I have asked Father Dimitri up since I knew that question was going to be asked."

"Thank you."

He pulled something out of his armor, handing it over to the king.  "My brother is up where Lady Pellegra was killed while hunting, Sire.  That's his warning to me,  I've shown my commander only."

He read it and glared at his daughter.  "I had wondered about a few things."  An older Father huffed in, panting hard.  "Thank you for coming this time of night, Father."

"If she is truly possessed, there's no time to waste saving her soul.  If not, it's best known before morning announcements so you can tell the others whatever you wish."  He looked at the princess, pulling her face up to look into her eyes.  "Get me some water to bless please?"   He was handed some, blessing it.  Then he put it on her forehead. She only struggled against those holding her, not against the holy water.  He sighed, shaking his head.  "No demon makes itself known."

"What would make her kill others?" the king asked.

"Jealousy," the priest said.  "Lady Pellegra was about to marry a knight the princess wanted.  The new duchess is just below her own station and has a very nice husband who I've heard of a few times."

"He's untitled," she sneered.

"His family was titled and gifted by one of the Roman emperors when his family saved them and all of Rome from falling.  Their title precedes this crown, child.  Just because the people who gifted him are long gone does not make it any less noble of blood."  He looked at the king again.  "There is no demon but her own mind, Sire.  She's jealous and greedy.  She wants their men for her own use."

"She wished ill on my sister."

The priest slapped her.  "Every priest blesses a wife to as little pain and unhappiness as possible in her marriage.  No marriage is all sweetness and doves cooing, child.  What she blessed was a kindness.  It will hopefully lead to no miscarriages, him not straying too far from her, and him not falling out of love with her."  He looked at the king.

"My own wife was blessed such and ours has been a mostly trouble-free marriage," he admitted.  "It takes a strong woman to give such a blessing.  Since she turned in her father for consorting with demons I take her as one."  The priest smirked at that and nodded.  "You knew?"

"He was known to others who're not among Father Chauvis' group, Sire.  He had a wife before her noble mother.  One who mysteriously died four days after birth with her infant son in a tragic house fire that only took the suite they were in."  He shuddered.  "He was well known for it.  Her having stood up to him for trying to sic an incubus on her?  She's in the right spot within that group.  I've heard she has sense and could easily hunt as well as those men around her do.  She is her grandmother's daughter."

"Good to know," he agreed, smiling at his wife when she came in.  He handed over the letter.  "From one of the guards' brothers who works where Lady Pellegra supposedly fell while hunting."

She read it over then looked at her daughter.  "She was doing what?"

"Nearly stabbed Duchess Ancelin, Highness," the guard reported.  "She said she would not press the matter or charges if she got help for her fantasies."

"Greed and jealousy," the priest corrected.

The queen looked at her daughter.  "Lock her in her room.  Bar all the windows again.  Set a guard outside the door as well.  I want her in there and unmoving until we've made a decision."  That got a nod and they drug her off to do that.  She looked at the priest.  "She's not possessed?"

"She didn't react to holy water.  If there's one it's been with her a very long time, Highness," he said sadly. "It's too deep to remove."

"Your advice?"

"What you're doing now is good but tiring," he said.  "I know not what to do with a jealous girl.  I'm not that familiar with women."

She nodded.  "Then I'll talk to the other ladies, seek their advice.  Thank you, Father."

"I only wish I had been needed, My Queen."  He bowed and left again.

The queen looked at the king.  "The duchess is kind."

"Very, and a bit wise.  Was the wine that strong?"

"I believe we'll find she paid another servant to drug her.  Her own queen thought something must've happened when she heard the blessing."

He nodded.  "That's a good reason to disappear so quickly."

"They're on their honeymoon," she teased, smiling at him, getting one back.  "We'll deal with her in the morning."

"Agreed."  He came down off his throne, walking her back to their shared suite.
 
 

Chapter Eighteen.
 

Ancelin rode up to her family's home, pausing her horse.  "The house has held up well," she said, smiling at Chauvis.  Volka was a bit behind them again.  Apparently he was liking to watch them ride.

He smoothed some of her hair back behind her ear.  "It has.  Your cousins?"  She pointed at some lanterns coming their way.  He smiled at the cousin who appeared.  "Well met."

"Well met, Father.  Good time as well."  He smiled at Volka when he finally appeared.  "Her stallion a bit fast?" he teased.

"I like watching her ride."  The male cousin laughed at that, nodding a bit. "We don't want to interfere since it's so late tonight."

"Not a problem.  We figured you'd want to see the grounds tomorrow after you spend tonight dealing with the spirits in the house."  That got a nod from all of them.  "We've left you some wood for the fireplaces and a small basket of bread and home cheese."  That got a smile from Ancelin, who slid down.  "The horses can easily rest out here.  The stable's in bad shape."

"They're used to grazing," she assured him, getting a nod and a smile.  "Thank you."  She kissed him on the cheek.  "Pass that onto your wife, who I'll meet tomorrow?"  He nodded.  "Good."  She smiled, walking up to the door, letting Chauvis handle her stallion.  She opened the door and leaned in.  "Grandmother, if you're floating around, it's Ancelin."  She heard something break and sighed, heading inside, closing the door behind her.  "Grandmother!"  A ghost faded in, letting her look at her.  "You turned back into a young woman my age?" she asked, smiling in delight.  She got a nod.  She curtseyed.  "Grandmother."

"Ancelin," she breathed, moving closer.  She looked at her.  Then at her hand. "Your husband?"

"Outside.   I think you will approve.  You knew of him as a young boy."  She gave her a confused look so she opened the door.  "Grandmother is here," she told her cousin, who crossed himself and walked off with the lantern.  Both her mates stepped in.  Her grandmother shrieked and started to throw things.  "Stop it!" she ordered.  Her grandmother stopped.  "You're on the other side.  Surely you've seen the visions?"

She glared at her granddaughter.  "It is not moral."

"I'm retired from my calling, as someone foresaw I would be," Chauvis told her.  She stared at him.  "The other is handfasted, Grandmother."  Another ghost floated in and he bowed.  "Is that your grandfather, Ancelin?"

She looked then nodded slowly, studying him.  "He died a few years before Mother married Father.  I've only seen his picture here."  She bowed to him as well.  "Grandfather."

"Granddaughter."  He looked at her then at Volka.  "I know of your tower."

"She's mine as well," he assured him.  "She came to us when her father tried to make an incubus keep her."

The grandmother spirit moaned, floating closer. "It is still against God's mandates, grandchild."

"No, Grandmother, if it were we would have been struck down.  We were married in a holy spot," she said quietly.

"The heirs?" Grandfather asked.  His granddaughter blushed at that.  "Ah.  Newly married."  He looked at his wife.  "They will protect her."

"I'm Volka's helper in the tower, Grandmother."

She grimaced.  "As I was for his father."

"I saw that in the journal that was found in the royal library at home."

"Probably your mother's doing," she admitted.

"Can you tell if he was actually my father?" Ancelin asked.  Her grandfather glared at her.  "Mother was drugged as she admitted by her own hand in her journal.  I've went back to the family's title because of that and him summoning demons."

"She came to me when he tried to have her taken by a demon," Volka told her.  "All we ask is for your tolerance.  After all, I'm not a rich husband she can abuse."

She studied him.  "We shall see.  You're staying?"

"For a few days then we're going to the holy spot for the Sorthes in Rome.  I'll introduce her to my ancestors then we'll have our official wedding night."

She nodded.  "That's wise.  They don't often like your family's choices for wives.  Especially ones that are nice and sweet."

Chauvis laughed.  "Her?  Sweet?  She was teaching village children how to fence and defend themselves.  She challenged her father in court when he knocked down the squire she had chosen to take the original challenge.  She is every bit the amazon they call her.  As I've heard you were."

"I am compared quite often with yours and mother's temperaments," Ancelin offered.

Her grandfather looked at Volka. Then at Chauvis.  "Watch out for thrown things when she's finally gotten pregnant.  My own threw many things at me when she realized she was first pregnant.  Each and every time.  She nearly castrated me once and laughed.  Even though she had come to me asking to bear another heir."

"She's already thrown things at me," Chauvis promised, making the grandmother laugh.  "We only ask to prove what good husbands we will be to her," he said quietly, staring at the grandmother.  "That way you won't curse her."

She considered it.  "It would have activated upon your marriage if you weren't good for her.  I suppose that's something."  She looked at her granddaughter, who was starting to glare at her.  "You do not give me that look."

"Yes I will!  You touch them and I will find a way to banish you to the nether realms instead of somewhere higher."

Her grandfather laughed.  "Much like you, love.   Or don't you remember telling your mother that when you brought me home to meet her?"

"Very well."  She looked at her.  "When did your mother die?"

"I was eight," she said, staring at her.  "I was nearly three when you died."

"Who did he marry after my daughter?" she asked.

"He raised me with some maids who kept trying to follow his orders to make me more girlish."

Her grandfather floated off laughing.  "The only ones that have ever been able to be called girlish in her family have been a few of the boys."

"He made many bad mistakes with me," Ancelin assured him.  "He tried to have me kidnaped by dragging me behind his troops now and then."  Her grandmother moaned, floating off.  "Chauvis wanted to look in the library.  Would you mind?"

"Go ahead," she said, looking at Volka.  "I do not like my granddaughter following in my footsteps."

"That was my decision since I asked to be a true apprentice, not a helper," she called as she led him to the library she remembered.  There were a few books missing but they were on a nearby table.  Another one floated down for them.  "Thank you," she called.  Her mother faded in.  "Mother?"

She nodded.  "Thank you for stopping your father, dear."  She stroked her cheek.  "Mother, I approve of this match," she called.  She smiled at Chauvis.  "You'll do very well for her.  You don't underestimate her and you don't take her mind for granted.  Should you, you'll be seeing us again."  She faded back out.

Volka leaned in.  "The tower is blessed so spirits can't get in unless it's an emergency or they're messengers."  He smiled at them, coming in to hug her.  "It'll be all right.  I promise."  She nodded, sniffling against his chest.  He glared at the ghost floating in.  "Come on, we'll go find a bed."  She nodded, letting him lead her that way.

Chauvis looked at them.  "Do not harm her again," he growled.  Her grandmother floated in.  "She does not need this.  If I have to protect her from this harm too I will."

"Agreed.  She wanted to tell her she approved, not harm her."

"Yet, she did.  She's lost much recently."

She smiled.  "You should follow them."

"I will in a minute."

She nodded, floating off to talk to her granddaughter.  She had to knock out her husband first, it was the rules she now lived by, but that was fine.  "Granddaughter?"  Ancelin looked up from her chest.  "I cannot talk to him about this."

"What?"  She sat up.  "What's wrong?"

"Are you sure in your choice of husbands?"

"Grandmother!" she complained.

"The Father Chauvis I know is a good, kind, gentle man.  The one you married was."  She stared at her.  "The own downstairs is in a bit of a temper."

"I knew something was wrong," she growled.  Her grandmother floated back.  "Tell me?"

"I cannot.  I'm bound."

"What can you tell me?"

"Go to Rome.  They'll know there, granddaughter."

"Do you approve?" she asked more quietly.

She smirked.  "We'll see.  Come back here afterward?"

"If I can and they wish to."

"Good."  She smirked.  "We'll be seeing you again soon.  Let him handle what he can and tell him in Rome."

"Not before?"

"Not unless you don't want the original back."

"If he guesses?  They've been friends and together for years."

"Then he guesses."

"Possessed?"

"Hidden."  She stroked her cheek. "Your father was worse than I had feared."  She gave her a gentle smile. "But do enjoy this husband while you're here."  She winked and faded out.

She put her head down on Volka's chest, waking him.  He grunted in annoyance.  "Day after tomorrow we'll head for Rome?"

"Why not wait longer?"

She smiled at him.  "Because I want to see the Holy City.  Then we'll come back here?"

"We do have to let Younger go home sometime soon," he said dryly.

She put a finger over his lips. "I have my reasons.  Grandmother and I just talked, Volka.  She said we have to go to Rome and then come back."

He stared at her.  "When can I know?"

"Rome.  I can tell you something's wrong and it's not me.  It may be about me but she said you'd be told in Rome."

"Which means my ancestors are involved as well."

She nodded. "And possibly something else my father did," she admitted quietly.  He sat up, staring down at her.  She nodded.  Chauvis came in, slamming the door.  "Grandmother get on you to rest?" she teased.

"Nagging about the amount of candles they burn in the library."  He stripped off his shirt and laid down on her other side, yawning a bit.  "I'm tired."

"Then sleep.  We'll be back here someday soon," she soothed.  He nodded, putting an arm around her.  She stared at Volka, who pulled her closer, holding her tightly.  She sniffed his neck, taking a soft lick, getting a moan.  "Thank you, husband," she whispered.

"I'm sure you have your reasons and we'll be back," he agreed, staring down at her as she fell asleep.  He watched Chauvis sleep.  He was stiff.  He used a foot to stroke his leg, making him flinch away.  Now he knew.  Something was very wrong with Chauvis.  He needed to see his ancestors.  He let himself drift off wrapped around her to protect her.
 

***
 

Ancelin smiled at her cousins when they came out to her picnic.  She hugged them both, smiling at the spouses.  "We've been summoned to Volka's relatives in Rome for a few days and then we'll be back after that."

"When are you going?" she asked.

"Tomorrow.  He said it takes about four days good riding to get to Rome.  Then a few days there then back."  That got a few relieved smiles.  "Then we'll finish talking to Grandmother and Grandfather."

"They're both haunting the house?" her male cousin asked, sitting his wife down.  Ancelin nodded, handing the wine to him.  "Do we know how to banish them?"

"I think we'll be taking a small detour in Rome," Volka said as he joined them.  "Chauvis is in the library again," he complained lightly, getting a few laughs.  "Ancelin would be but she wanted to hear family news."  He sat down next to her, taking her hand to kiss.  "We'll be back after a few days in Rome."

"That's more than acceptable," her female cousin said happily.  "Your family should meet and approve of her."

"I hope they will."  He smiled at Ancelin, getting a naughty grin back.  "Behave or I'm making you bathe Vorchain's cub the next time we see them."

"I like Spots."  She looked at them.  "A mutual friend has a young leopard cub."  They gaped.  "He found it while hunting, it's mother had been killed so he's been raising her."

"Are things often like that in Court?" her female cousin's husband asked.

"No, only around Vorchain," Volka admitted dryly, making them laugh.  "He's a bit loud.  Tells wonderful stories though."  He smoothed down the stubborn piece of her hair.  "Still just as stubborn as you."

She smirked at him.  "Should I remark on you trying to out-stubborn my stallion?"

"Please don't."

"Didn't win?" the male cousin's wife asked.

"She hand raised him."

"Say no more.  Like mistress, like horse," the male cousin said, nodding at that.  "Are there other spirits up there?"

"Grandmother and Grandfather," Ancelin said.  "I think I saw Mother but I couldn't be sure."  That got a nod and they dished up food, sharing gossip about the farm and Volka telling them about his family - the group - and the tower.  They got back to the house shortly before dark and he found his mare leaning against her stallion.  "What happened to you?  Did you turn an ankle?"  He came over to see.  "You've got something stuck in your shoe.  Ancelin?"  She handed over one of her hairpins.  "Thank you."  He slipped the pin behind it to leverage it out, holding it up.  "That's an odd shape to have stuck in there unless you were kicking a tree."  He looked at her, standing up.  "What is going on?"

"I'm not fully sure," she admitted.  "Grandmother said we had to talk to the family in Rome."  She leaned forward to kiss him then sniffed his neck, looking at him.

"It's not him," he said quietly.  She shook her head.  "Where?"

"I think it has to do with my father but he's not possessed."

He took a deep breath.  "He's been acting odd since our first day in Athens."  She nodded.  "That would explain why he doesn't want to touch you."

"And why he's given you some jealous looks."

"True," he agreed.  He looked.  "Chauvis?" he called.  He came out of the house.  "Did she kick a tree?"

"I think she stepped on it.  She didn't want to let me near her; I figured she wanted Ancelin to fix it since she mothers all their injuries anymore."

"That's fine."  He led her off, taking her to the small pond.  It was farther away from the house but probably safer for the horses.  All of them were led over there, Ancelin walking the other mare and her stallion following his herd.  He tied them nearby once they had drank.  Loosely so they could get free if they needed to, but still basically tied up.  He looked at her again.  "Anything else you know?"

"I wasn't supposed to tell you until Rome.  He's hidden not possessed.  If you guessed it was fine but I wasn't to tell you."

He nodded.  "Okay.  We'll get some help in Rome."

"She kept saying she'd see me back here soon."

"If it's a battle it can't happen at the tower.  Doing so here would be for the best," he agreed quietly, giving her another kiss.  "Should something happen to me, I'll teach you how to summon the others tonight," he whispered.  "We'll need Charlet and one of the madmen."

"Not the others?"

"I could use Shaun but he's still with his family that I know of."  That got a nod.  "If something bad happens to me?"

"I come back here like Hell itself is after me and get into the library."

"Good girl."  He took another kiss, checking the horses before walking back inside.  He went into the main room since there was a fire in there.  "Ancelin, dinner?"

"Let me see what we have left of the supplies we brought."  She went to do that.

He wrote out a note, putting specific words of their code on it.  Then he muttered something before tossing it into the fire.  It disappeared.

"Screwed up the letter home?" Chauvis asked.

"My handwriting wasn't readable this time," he said with a small grin.  "You know how I am when I'm tired.  Her cousins are just as energetic as she is."  That got a nod and a small smile.  "How many books are we taking home with us?  Her grandmother wanted her to come raid the library before we went home."

"There's a few we could use.  A few were absolutely trash so I thought about burning them."

Ancelin came back in.  "You, burn a book?  Even trash?"  She put down a tea tray.  "Let it steep.  I just put in the leaves."  She went back and brought out sandwiches.  "Here, we'll eat these tonight.  How early do we have to leave to go to Rome?"

"Fairly," Volka offered.  "It's four good days of riding."

"Will your mare make it?" Chauvis asked as he sat down, taking his own sandwich to check then eat.

"She should.  She's not lame, simply limping a bit."

"I brought some money with me.  If we have to we can stable her and rent another for a few days then pick her up on the way home."  She ate a bite of dinner at Volka's look.  "We need to come pick up books anyway."

"We could.  Or take a carriage," he agreed.  "Yours would throw fits if he wasn't with you."

"As long as he's well taken care of.  I remember my cousin saying there's one in town."

"Maybe he knew when she stepped on the wood."  Volka ate a bite, leaning back, smiling at her.  "Did you settle everything?"

"They've both been married over ten years without issue," she said quietly.  "Grandmother?"  She floated in.  "They're blaming you for lack of children."

"They should blame the redheaded wench down in the village," she said dryly.  "She's the cause of a few men not being able to have heirs."  She gave Volka a look.

"I have her, what would I need another wench for?  I'm having a lot of fun teaching her what she needs to know."

She faded out shaking her head.  "Shameless," floated back.  "Simply shameless. Just like your father."

"Thank you," Volka called.  He finished his dinner, looking at Ancelin's.  "You're not hungry?  This would be a bad time for female problems."

"I am.  I was thinking."  She finished her sandwich and poured them tea, handing over the other two cups.  "No sugar."

"That's fine," Chauvis said, taking a sip.  It was warm, strong, and good after the dry meat and bread. "Are we going to stop in to see the Brothers Chapalet in Rome?"

"I thought they were in Florence this month," Ancelin said, looking at Volka, who shrugged. "If we do I wouldn't mind.  I still want to know what well."

"I'm sure we'll find out in due time," Volka said, looking at her.  She smiled back.  "Do we want to leave the horses here and take a carriage?"

"While it's romantic and would let use ride straight through I'd rather have my horse if necessary.  What happened with that princess made me uneasy."

"That's reasonable," Volka said, patting his lap.  She came over, letting him pull down the simple bun she wore to brush through her hair.  "Now and then you're like a cat," he told her, making her giggle and swat back at him.  "You are.  You like to be petted like Spots does."  She smiled at him.  "You're just as exotic too.  Very rare."  He finished finger combing it.  "Get ready for bed."  She nodded, going up the stairs.  "She's in her fertile phase so we're waiting until Rome for the wedding night."

"That's reasonable.  I don't think children are a priority right now."  He finished the last bit of meat that had fallen onto the plate, looking at him.  "Go pleasure her.  I'll be up later."  Volka smiled, heading up the stairs.   "You should get it while it's still yours," he said quietly.  "Once you have her, I can."

Volka walked in, finding her in a fairly stiff nightgown.  "We have a few free hours," he said, taking off his shirt before coming over.  She smiled at him, lifting the blankets for him.  He slid out of his breeches, sliding in with her, making her stare.  "You've seen this much of me before but we couldn't go farther because of Cofostat's bad timing."

She ran a hand over his chest.  "It's still new to me.  Of course I stare."  She leaned forward to kiss him, sniffing his neck.

"It's me, Ancelin.  You'd know if it's not me," he promised.  She nodded, letting him remove her nightgown.  "And a shift too?" he teased, taking that off as well.  "Remember, he can't touch you with me here," he whispered in her ear, kissing her, running a hand down her side.  She was naked and he had on a pair of underthings.  He stopped her hand from going into them.  "Not this time."  He kissed her hand.  "Soon enough for that.  For now I want to let you look and touch the rest of me."  She nodded, shifting so she was on top of him, him on his back, letting her explore everything that was now hers.  She stared at his nipples, biting them like he did hers.  He hissed.  "More gently?  Mine are still very sensitive since I don't have to tie mine down."  She eased it with a kiss and moved to kiss the other.  "You can suck, lick, or bite gently," he promised.  She sucked on that one, making him wiggle. "You suck very strong," he said, holding her head down.  She got free and moved down, playing with the rest of his chest hair.  He giggled at a few spots.  "Ticklish," he reminded her.  She beamed at that, doing it on purpose.  "Not tonight, Ancelin."

"Spoil sport.  You should laugh like I do in bed."

He kissed her.  "You can do that some other time.  Tonight I want to see if you'd like to examine my manhood."  She blushed but shrugged, disappearing under the blankets to look him over.  He flipped it back over he head.  "So I can see too."  She nodded, removing his underwear, letting her see it.  "That's it just starting to wake.  It's like that most of the times."

"It doesn't retract like the horse's?"

"No, no sheathe like them," he said.  "That's all there is to it."  He sat up on his elbows.  "See the fleshy things below him?"  She looked then nodded.  "That's my balls.  That's where a man's seed is stored.  They're *very* delicate.  You can touch them but not squeeze them."  She ran a  finger over it, making him moan.  "Good.  You can play with those if you want."  He laid back down, watching her try to figure out what to do with his exposed cock.  "You can touch it like normal or taste," he offered gently.

She touched it like she normally did, watching as it got harder.  "I was told it swelled like it was injured."

He chuckled.  "Something like that.  Same process from the surgeon's book at the castle."  She nodded, going back to playing with it.  He moaned, arching his hips up when she did what he liked.  "Taste it from the source, Ancelin," he ordered gently.

"It'd please you?"

"Greatly."

"Is that why men go to wenches?"

"Sometimes."  He stroked over her hair, getting it out of his way.  She smiled at him, leaning down to lick over the head.  She tasted it then did it again.  He groaned, going weak in the rest of his body.  "Take more.  It's a treat for me."  She did it, making him stiffen more.  He was ready to come in her mouth but he had to warn her.  "I'm going to shoot, Ancelin."  She looked up and gave him a deliberate lick of her tongue, making him smile.  "That would greatly please me."  She kept trying to go further down.  "Gentle suction, no teeth, love."  She did that for him and he groaned, shooting off in her mouth.  She swallowed most of it, going to clean it up afterward.  "Thank you."

"No messy hand," she teased, coming up to kiss him.  He wrapped his fingers in her hair, moaning into her mouth when she got back onto his stomach.  "Can we touch me too?"

"Of course."  He turned her onto her back, looking down at her.  He slowly made his way down from her throat to her breasts, making her whimper and try to keep him there.  "Soon, precious.  Soon."  He moved down, finding a spot on her stomach that made her laugh.  "The same as the day you tickle me in bed I'll be playing with that spot," he teased, going further down.  She tried to close her legs but he pushed them apart.  "I told you I'd taste you soon."

"I should bathe first."

"You taste like your sweat.  It doesn't bother me."  He leaned down to look at her then took a lick, nearly making her jump off the bed.  He chuckled into her hair, latching on again.  He was having a lot of fun.  She was squealing, writhing, and kicking the bed around him.  At one point he had to hold down her mound before it slammed up into his nose but it was good.  He let her come a few times, cleaning her gently afterward.  Then he came up to kiss her.  "As I told you before, that'll become my favorite breakfast someday soon," he said quietly.  She kissed him again, clinging to his neck.  "My love."

"Yours," she agreed quietly. She smiled.  "When he gets back can we tie him down so he can't leave again?" she asked quietly.

"It sounds fair to me," he agreed, smiling at her.  He took another kiss and handed her back her shift and nightgown, pulling back up his underthings.

She looked at him.  "You're swollen again."

"It's called hard, Ancelin.  It's nothing that won't wait until tomorrow."

"We won't have time," she said quietly, kissing him, going to please him again. She found pleasing her husband to be very fun.  He made all sorts of noises for her pleasure.  Like that groan.  She looked behind her.  "Grandmother!"  She chuckled but faded out.  She leaned her chin on his stomach.  "She's probably not that sorry," she admitted.

"She was making sure I pleased you as much as you do me," he assured her.  She grinned and went back to it, making him forget any other spirits that might be hanging around to watch them make love.  He heard a human footstep and nudged her with his toes, nearly getting bitten for it.  "No teeth, Ancelin."  She finished him off with a moan of her own, coming up rubbing her jaw.  "I know, love, but it'll get better soon."  She helped him into his clothes then got into hers, sliding into his arms to sleep.  He kissed her forehead.  "That's my girl."

She smiled.  "I'd better be.  If not, I'm definitely not a good girl anymore."

"You'll never be a wench, Ancelin.  Even if you were forced into it you'd never be a wench."  She smiled at him.  "You're much too precious to everyone around you for that."  She nodded, putting her head back on his shoulder.  "Thank you."

"For?"

"Taking good care of me."

"Didn't I promise Joseph I would?"  He laughed but nodded.  "Are we meeting him soon?"

"No, not him.  He'll be busy with the winter babies and blessings for handfastings and late crops."  He only hoped Joseph remembered how to summon the others.  Chauvis quit waiting in the hall and came in, stripping down to his breeches again and laying behind her, putting an arm over both of them.  She snuggled deeper into Volka's arms to dislodge his. He kissed her on the head.  "Her grandmother just showed up again."

"I heard her yell at her."  He looked at him.  "Are you sure the Chapalets aren't in Rome?  The last I knew they were."

"If they are we'll see them.  If not, we won't."  He smiled.  "You should sleep.  We'll be leaving early tomorrow."  He nodded, snuggling down to rest against her back.  The hand came back but once he heard a snore he plucked it off and put it over his own stomach.  "I'll not be touched by that tonight," he muttered, flipping in the other direction, pulling Ancelin with him.  She groaned a bit but he let her wrap herself around him and it was nice.

Chapter Nineteen.
 

Ancelin rushed inside from the pouring rain, looking at the owners of the inn they were at.  One of the Brothers Chapalet gave her an expectant look.  "No, go hide.  Now."  Tobias opened his mouth.  "It's a problem, there's danger.  Now!"  He nodded, going to hide with his brother in the back.  Volka came in after stabling their horses, Chauvis behind him.  "The innkeeper's not in.  Florence as I thought."  That got a smile from Volka.  "How do we get keys?"

"I can get you one," a  female voice called, coming out of the back.  She looked at Volka then at Chauvis.  "You again?"  He nodded, smiling a bit.  She looked at Ancelin.  "I've heard them speak of you.  You're the princess?"

"No, I'm the duchess.  Volka's the princess," she said with a smirk.  The woman laughed, slapping the bar, nodding a bit.  "I'm Ancelin."  She shook her hand.  "Volka's helper."

"Well met, Duchess."

"Titles bore me," she told her.  "Unless you're a demon or I'm bored with you."

"Even better.  Two rooms, three?"

"Two."  Volka held up her hand, getting a squeal.  "Or at least one room with two beds.  I know how narrow they are around here.  It's like your bosses are stingy with the mattress stuffing."

"Business or pleasure?" she asked with a wicked smirk.

"Business, my grandmother told him to come see his relatives," Ancelin told her.

"We've got a nice room upstairs.  Let me get the keys from the office."  She went back there, being handed a key and a note from the older brother Chapalet.  The younger was pacing.  She came back out.  "Here, the two madmen left you this as well, Volka."  She handed it over and the keys to Ancelin.  "To the holy honeymoon suite, Ancelin.   Up the left stairs and to the back of the inn."  She smiled and nodded, going that way with her bag.  Chauvis followed.  She looked at Volka, who read the note then shook his head.  "Him?" she whispered.  He nodded.  "I'll tell them."

"Tell them to go take a vacation but be available."  She nodded, going to do that. He went up there.  Chauvis was on the second bed.  "This one's actually big enough for a couple?  I'm shocked."

"Must be where it's the honeymoon suite," she teased.

"Mayhap," he agreed, tossing his bag down.  "She told me they're on their way back but aren't expected for at least two days, Chauvis.  Apparently the younger one, Leonard, ran into some blue snake god again."

"From which pantheon?"

"I'm not sure.  He said blue skinned the last time I talked to him.   She said they ran into it again."

"That's got to be harder to banish than an incubus or demon," she said thoughtfully.  "Are they going to need our help?"

"No," he said, smiling at her.  "It's one case where giving them what they want is harmless and better for humanity so they have."  She nodded, pulling down her hair.  He smiled, coming over to help her with the few knots she had.

"Are we going tomorrow or tonight?"

"Tomorrow.  I'm tired from the long ride."  He kissed the back of her neck, making her laugh.  "Before you ask, you don't have to dress up for it.   Wear something comfortable."  She nodded, leaning back against his chest.  Chauvis turned around and read facing away from them.  He looked at her, giving her a reassuring smile.   If they didn't know something was wrong before now they would when he didn't want to help him love their wife.  Someone knocked on their door.  "What?" he called.  The woman from earlier leaned in, handing him a note.  "Who sent this one?"

"Charlet."  He took it with a nod.  "The messenger is waiting?"

He looked at it then walked out with her to write out a new one, looking at the brothers.  "It would be better if you two hid better since the demon asked about you repeatedly," he said quietly, finishing the note to hand to Shaun.  He looked at him.  "There's much news you should hear tomorrow."

"We'll be there," he agreed quietly.  He nodded at the brother.  "We're with Younger."

"He'll have to have help getting in."

"I can get him in," Shaun reminded him.  "Though I have heard some of it from Joseph."  He hit him on the arm.  "How has the honeymoon been?"

"Could've been better.  There was a jealous princess who wanted me so she tried to stab Ancelin.  He disappeared somewhere in Athens," he said quietly.  "Other than that it's been good."  That got another punch on the arm from Shaun, who walked out.  The two brothers both stared.  "She's my helper and married to Chauvis.  I'm handfasted to her," he said quietly, leaning on the bar.

The younger brother got him a drink of good whiskey.  "Here, you'll need it for your nerves."

"So far she's been great.  Cook died and she's taken over there.  Who's watching the tower and Joseph's house?"

"Cofostat the Elder is at the tower.  He managed to hurt his ankle again.  Somehow.  Joseph's is being guarded by Charlotte," the elder one said.

"As usual," the younger added, getting a nudge.  "So, is she as fiery and temperamental in bed as out?"

"Haven't fully gotten there.  This got in the way.  She was summoned to Greece four days after we were wed and we found Cook on the second day."  He slugged the drink back, then put down the empty glass.  "Thank you.  I'll need it to sleep tonight.  Being here always makes me jumpy."

"Your ancestors tied many things down in this city," the older one pointed out gently.  "Only one's ever gotten out on them.  They did great things for humanity."  Volka smiled, going back up there to find Chauvis watching her sleep.  He looked at his brother.  "If she has to ride hard, you or Shaun follow."  That got a nod and he went to pack a bag.  No matter how good she was, she hadn't taken on any higher demons yet and this was definitely a strong one if he had managed to get Chauvis out of the way and become him.
 

***
 

Volka walked her up to the door, smiling at her.  "It's I, the current Volka," he announced quietly.  The doors opened.  He walked her inside, holding her hand when she shivered.  "It's not possessed."  She smiled and nodded, letting him walk her inside.  In front of them was a small altar and a lifesize bronze statue of two men back to back. One a bit thinner, one a bit more sturdy built.  They had their swords in hand but pointed down against their thighs.  She sighed, smiling at it.  "There's another in our ritual cavern under the mountain," he told her.  A ghost faded in.  He was young, thin, had curly hair.  "Uncle."

"Volka," he said, smiling at him.  "And this is?"

"My wife."

"Interesting.  Ancelin."  He floated closer, smiling at him.  "He guessed, it doesn't hinder anything."  She nodded.  He ran a hand over her forehead, then smirked at Volka.  "As fiery as any others who've been introduced to us.  A good choice for your wife."

"For my helper?" he asked.

"If we could get the demon she was given to at birth, yes."

Volka moaned.  "You were told it had to do with your father."

"He cannot have her while that last bit of purity is left.  That's why her father summoned the incubus," the ghost told him gently, smiling at him. "With her marrying he was able to get closer."  She moaned, sitting on the floor.  "It's not your fault, dear.  You did not know."  He stroked over her hair, looking at Volka.  "You know the rules."

"We're going back to her family home.  Her grandmother was my father's helper when she lived."

"I remember seeing her.  She was quite feisty."  He looked at her.  "Quit beating yourself around the heart.  It was not your doing.  You aren't marked externally. Chauvis himself was the one who set it off.  That's how the demon took him instead of our Volka."

She looked at him.  "Does Volka mean something?"

"It was the name of my brother's only son," he said softly, smiling at her.  She stood up with Volka's help.  "I'm sad to say this demon is higher than most of them we've ever fought, nephew.  This one is about the right hand of Satan.  Her father took her for power."

"I supposedly almost had a half brother," she said quietly.

"You nearly had two," he assured her.  "One died during childbirth.  The other was sacrificed since he couldn't have the prophesied twins he wanted.  Instead he settled for a girl child.  He picked your mother for her powerful blood.  It'd make you stronger as a sacrifice.  Had you been what he wanted you to be, the shock and horror would have been greater and he'd get more power."

"Is he still in jail?" she asked.  He nodded.  "Will it still go to him?"

"Yes.  Before you ask, if you kill yourself then my line dies out and the knowledge in the caverns and the ones tied here in Rome will be in the open."  She nodded at that.  "Are you prepared to fight?  Even if it means killing them both?"

"We haven't...."

"I know.  That's what's saving you," he promised her.  "Once that last bit of purity is taken, he can claim you."

"What do we do?" Charlet and Shaun asked as they came out of hiding.

"I thought I felt you three.  The young one?"

"At the inn with the older Brother Chapalet," Shaun told him.  "What do we do?"

"She has a good place to fight.  Follow her back to it.  Volka will have to do what many in the family have feared."  He hung his head but nodded.  He kissed him on the forehead.  "It won't hurt you as long as you find reason to come back."

"Then I will," he agreed.  He gave Ancelin one last kiss.  "Go, now.  I won't know you when I'm him."  She nodded, hurrying off with Shaun following her.  "When was she gifted?"

"Three days after her birth.  It's marked on her hymen.  Chauvis himself brushed across it, alerting them it was nearly time.  Thankfully you haven't been that alone for a while."  The ghost smiled.  "He'll be fine and come back when you've killed that one demon for good.  Younger's sword was good but not what you need."  He waved a hand at the altar.  "You know what you must do.  Charlet, do you know the way there?"

"I do.  Younger will follow at a slower pace to make sure we get there."  That got a nod.  "Thank you, Elder."

"You're welcome, young one.  We do appreciate this generation.  Even though he's not like either brother particularly.  Usually the sons go one way or the other."

Volka looked at him.  "You'd be surprised."  He looked up.  Then at Charlet.  "If I can't come back, do not let me hurt her."

"No matter what you won't hurt her.  Your ancestors weren't known for raping, Volka."

He nodded, turning back around.   They watched as he looked at the swords, picking up the one that called to him.  He stiffened as a mist formed around him, then looked up, his eyes changing from his pretty flower blue to an icier blue.  He looked at the ghost.  "Brother," he said, his voice a bit more gravely and a little bit deeper.  "What's happened?"

"The son of your line married his helper not knowing that her father had done more than try to offer to an incubus," he said sadly.  That got a grunt of irritation.  "Do not yell at him.  Talk to him on the trip.  It is a love match.  They'll be strong for decades together, their children stronger than even he is."  That got a simple nod.  "Her father was a sorcerer.  A most foul one.  He tried for twin boys and didn't make it when one died in birth.  He sacrificed the mother and remaining son.  He then married a Greek woman.  A duchess of the line of Artemis."  That got a snort.  "She is.  Her mother Abigail gave birth to a single female.  Abigail died when she was eight and her father tried for years to warp her into a girlish sort."

"A daughter of Artemis would *never* be a girlish sort," another ghost said as he faded in.  "How could he try?"

"He offered her soul and body for the demon's use when she was three days old in exchange for multiple victories in battle and power," the first ghost said quietly.  That got a growl.  "She's still pure.  Your line's son has only touched and tasted her so far.  He's handfasted to her and she's his helper.  She's married to a former priest who didn't know and brushed the mark with his fingers."

"On her maidenhead, as was usual in our day?" the ghost said.  That got a nod from Charlet.  "We cleaned her of other influences?"

"We had to cut off the mark her father had her painted with for the incubus," Charlet said.  "When he was summoned she managed to fight him off, take his mark and power center, and then get away from the house.  Her grandmother had served this Volka's father.  She told her daughter, who told her daughter, a rhyme to find the current Volka.  She came and asked for help and admittance."

"A girl?" the one in Volka sneered.

"She's the daughter of a knight.  Self taught but she managed to beat the son of a knight and then tie with Vorchain."

"Him I remember seeing," the second ghost said with a grin.  "Really?"  Charlet nodded.  "She's good?"

"She's very good.  She was helping and learning under Chauvis at first.  She decided she couldn't handle combat after having to kill a few times.  She found the connection between hers and Volka's line and went to talk to him.  He took her in as his helper."

"Is she the pretty blonde one in his mind?"

Charlet smirked but nodded.  "She is.  Ancelin.  She'll be heading for her ancestral home and her grandmother's spirit.  Shaun's with her."

"Very well," he sighed.  "We'll chase her.  It's probably smart.  The priest disappeared where?"

"Athens," Charlet told him.  "There's a priest in another group named Dimitri who knows what's going on, at least with demons.  He may know what happened here as well."

"I'll go to him," the second spirit said.  "Have a good hunt, brother."  He faded out, going to bother this father.  He had to wait, he was at the palace but that was fine.  He could listen to the current gossip.  The world had changed since Rome had been a strong, powerful empire.

Volka and his passenger walked out together, taking the ancient sword with him.  Charlet followed as his honor guard.  "Which way?"

"Greece.  Upper Greece," he said quietly.  "A day's ride from the Grove planted for Athena's pleas."  That got a nod and he mounted Volka's waiting horse.  Charlet got onto his.  "We have one of us with her and another following more slowly to give us directions if we get lost."

"This one knows the way," he admitted, looking at him.  "Is she sweet?"

"To him."  That got a soft smile and a nod.  "She makes him play when he's bored.  They hunt at the tower," he said as they rode out of the city.  The chamber would once again be sealed until either the spirit was freed with Volka's death or he was unpossessed.  "You would love her as he does.   She's a bit mouthy.  She's very strong.  She's smart and learned.  She banished a demon at her sister's wedding with a pot of wine the Father blessed."  That got a laugh and a nod, letting them speed up.  "They came from there last night.  I have money if we need to rent a horse on the way."

"Thank you.  Hers?"

"She rides a knight's stallion, Ancient.  Her father was one, albeit a bad one without honor.  She has honor, she is very chaste, and likes to teach girl children how to defend themselves."

"A few years back we had an old woman who was a helper who did that."

"Her grandmother."

He snorted.  "She was a mouthy one."

"As is her granddaughter, but she's good.  She's very good and she's very special to both Chauvis and your line's son."

He nodded.  "I'll do what I can to give him the time with her," he promised.  He kneed the mare into a faster canter once they were past the last gate to the city, heading out the road.  "This way to Greece still, right?"

"That hasn't changed much in the centuries since you passed on, Marcus."

"Good to know some things haven't changed.  Women wear much too much clothes by what he's thinking."

"Not her.  She hates corsets.  Has them built in so she doesn't have to wear one until she's birthed a child."

The ancient one laughed, nodding.  "Good for her.  It's a sensible woman who doesn't put herself in pain for fashion."

Charlet snorted at that.  "Women in recent times found it fashionable to have so narrow a waist a child could put his hands around it.  Fortunately she was born after that."

"Good.  It's good she doesn't try either."  He looked at him.  "She is pretty."

"She is. Volka dotes on her.  She's also very full of men's seed at times.  She literally walked in and asked for admittance and to be helped.  Offered to prove her sword skills.  Which she did."  He laughed and nodded at that.  "I'm sure Volka was very amused."

"Very.  By the end of that meeting he had a lot of respect for her.  She had earned it."

"As do we all.  She handles Vorchain."   He smacked himself on the head.  "The well he has visions of her touching!"

"I'd hope not.  It would be awkward for her."

"We'll make sure she doesn't.  Do you two get on with the Chapalets?"

"They are a lot like us," he agreed, smiling at him.  "They also invited us to use them so we could touch again.  Prostitutes are even different now."  He shook his head. "I'll never understand that."

"Now and then things have to change so we get new ideas.  I've heard Volka put out a question about how to put in a boiler for hot water in the tower using the tubes you ran when you were younger."

"An interesting idea.  Use it to heat water directly."  He nodded.  "I'd put it in the room where the well is."  He nudged the mare to run faster.  "I felt the demon feel her leave."

"She'll have to draw him out."

"I know.  Can she?"

"If she must but she'll break down and be ill later.  She did when she had to stop an assassin.  She did when she had to help Chauvis save an herb witch from the French."

"Then she'll be fine," he agreed.  "Eventually."  He mentally promised his line's son that he would not touch his bride unless he knew he could not leave him.  Then he would do what he could to leave him with her for that at least.  That way she could carry him an heir.   She would definitely do.  They had a long talk about his new wife, earning a few smiles.  She was one feisty Daughter of Artemis.  Crossed with a small line from Athena's lineage on her father's side.  No wonder she was so stubborn.
 

***
 

Ancelin rode up to the house, jumping off her horse.  She undid his tack, handing him to her cousin.  "Take him and hide him.  Something's chasing me and I need Grandmother's help.  My stupid father marked me to be taken by a demon when I was a child."  He gaped.  "That's why Grandmother cursed Mother.  She knew something was wrong with him, just not what.  Please?  We'll keep it in the house."  He nodded, walking him off.  She laid her tack out to dry.  "He's been good for me.  We've ridden the last day and a half straight."

"I'll feed him for you, Cousin.  Your spouses?  I know the name Chauvis from what he used to do."

"On his way as well.  Both of them are behind me with the demon."  That got a nod and he went to make sure everyone stayed away from the house.  Her poor stallion was going to be babied by the children around there.  "Behave for him, {{{Horse}}}.  No biting!"  She headed inside, closing the door.  "Grandmother!"  She faded in.  "He marked me at birth?"

"He did?"  She looked at her granddaughter, then nodded slowly.  "I can see it.  That's an old rite.  Volka?"

"We went to visit his ancestors.  He's behind me."

"Chauvis is on his way as well?" she asked.  Ancelin swallowed but nodded.  "If he is killed you can have your spouse back, child."

"Whole and healthy?"

"Most likely."  That got a nod.  "Come, you need my work room."

"I'm not a skilled witch, Grandmother."

"You need not be.  I'll do what I have to."  They walked past the kitchen to an old hidden area that had hidden them from Romans.  Ancelin lit the candles as ordered and they got to work on the potions they'd need.  She floated off and came back with a small flask of blood.  "Do not ask."

"I have a niece?"

"No, one of the families that works here has a daughter-in-law who is a witch.  She lent me some of her daughter's blood.  She's a child but was injured so it didn't hurt her."  That got a nod and she did what her grandmother instructed, mixing the herbs and the special things from the ancient sealed flasks.  They heard the door slam and winced.  She got the last two ingredients in and mixed, then grabbed the rapier in there.  She looked at it then at her grandmother.  "Silver," she agreed.

"Will it matter?"

"Coat it in the potion."  She did that and grabbed the other sword in there, the atheme.  That also got coated and a prayer said over it by the ghost.  She walked out, the sword on her back, the rapier in her hand, the potion in her other hand in a bottle.  She ran into Volka.  "You're early."

He kissed her.  "He told me."  He looked at the sword on her back, taking it to look at.  "Very pretty."

"My grandmother's."  She took it back, holding up the potion.  "Should I throw it on you or not?"  He backed up.  "I know how Volka kisses.  He tastes differently.  He smells differently."  The demon changed back into the same form she had seen in the woods around the sacred spring.  "Do you not die?"

"Not until I have you."  He reached for her but the sword came up.  "I underestimated you last time, Ancelin.  I will not this time."

"You already have."  He laughed.  The door crashed in.  "Don't break that!  I'll have to fix it after we defeat this one!"  She lunged, making him back away laughing.  The real Volka pulled a silver sword.  She smiled and handed him the potion.  "My grandmother bade me make that?"

He sniffed then nodded.  "That will help.  Her atheme?"  She nodded.  "Good."  He poured some of the potion over his blade, not touching it with his hand.  She gave him an odd look.  "We'll talk later."

"Gladly."  She lunged at him, making him back up again.  They got it trapped between them.  He looked and tried to rush Volka but he was a very fierce warrior even without the spirit in him.  He backed toward Ancelin, letting her get him.  Volka advanced while she fought him.  He managed to snap her rapier but she had the other one.  She pulled it and went after him again, not giving him a chance to rest.  "I want my spouse back," she sneered.

"I'm afraid too many want him, Duchess," he sneered back.  "You'll join him when I've had you."

"Never.  I'll die first.  Dying a virgin no less."  He shrieked and lunged at her.  She got him in the stomach, making him howl in pain.  The others ran in.  "The potion's on the shelf," she panted.  Charlet nodded, grabbing it.  She wiped her forehead off.

"Girl, off," Volka ordered.

"No!" she shouted back.  "He wants me he can beat me."  The demon sneered, lunging at her, hands and claws outstretched.  She got him in the gut again, letting the other one stab him in the back.  The demon screamed and faded out.  "Now!" she ordered.  The potion was tossed over.  The demon reformed but he was bleeding now.  She pulled out the sword and stuck it back in, making him whimper in pain.  Volka did the same.  The blade nearly came out into Ancelin.  She looked at him over the demon's shoulder. "My blood?"

"Would help."

She ran her free hand over the edge of his blade, getting a nod.  He pulled it out then stabbed him in the chest again, making him die.  "Now what?" she panted, leaning down.

"Now we take him and make sure he stays gone from this plane," Shaun said, stepping forward.  "You take care of Volka.  He must not be stuck with his ancestor in him, Ancelin."  She looked at him.  "If he is he'll die," he said more gently.  "Man was not meant to hold spirits."  She nodded, putting the sword down carefully on a table, leading him off.  "Charlet, make sure, drop the last of the potion on him."  He did that, making the body whimper.  "Good.  Younger started a bonfire."  They drug him out together, tying him to a tree Younger had cut down, tossing him into the fire.  Then Shaun and Charlet chanted, banishing his body back to hell and his spirit to remain in the ashes.  They watched the fire go on, not wondering what was going on in the house.  It would give him a way out of the fire if they did.

Ancelin took Volka to the kitchen, using the pump she had gotten to work when they had visited the first time.  She wet down a towel, handing it to him.  "Here, you need this."

"Thank you, daughter-in-law."  He wiped his hands and face, then looked at her hand.  "That may need stitched."

"It's a mere cut, I'll handle it when you're gone.  Not that I might not like you as a relative," she said, looking miserable.

He tipped her face up.  "It is a hard thing to be a Volka," he said quietly.  "He knew the risk but he took it for you."

"Then am I not reason enough for him to come back?"

"He tries."  He kissed her on the forehead.  "If not, I'll do what I can to leave you at least alone with him for a few minutes."  She clutched him.  "Shhh.  We must finish banishing that demon.  That means breaking the demon's seal on your body."  She nodded, leading him up to their room.  "Your grandmother had good taste," he offered.

She smiled.  "I hope I have the same taste in my old age."

"If you make it that far."

"I'm not one to die in childbirth.  What about Chauvis?"

"The sooner we get him back to hell the sooner he'll be free and so will you."  She nodded, letting him pull her closer.  "He tries very hard," he whispered into her ear.

"I loved him enough to break my vow to my mother to never touch a man before I was married," she whispered back.  He chuckled.  "I mean my vows, Ancestor."

He nodded.  "I'm sure you did, Daughter of Artemis."  She looked at him.  "It is your line's name."

"No wonder we hunt so well together," she said, trying for light but he gave her a gentle smile.  "How can I help him?"

"He must have a reason to come back."

She considered it then whispered in his ear, getting a moan from him as he sat on the bed.  "Chauvis and I are his.  He's told me that.  Without him I'm not anyone's."  She looked at him then heard her grandmother whisper something.   "I should challenge you.  He has beaten me in every challenge I have ever set him," she said.  "You haven't."

"You're exhausted and this keeps the demon here longer."

"I'm not your wife.  Doing that to me would make sure I did not bear a child."  He looked stunned.  "Another vow I made to my mother."  She put her bodice dagger on the bedside table.  "I will not break that vow.  I am the daughter of a knight."

He looked at her.  "I don't want to harm you."

"You're still not my husband."

He nodded.  "I'm not."  He looked at her.  "You still must have it broken."  She pointed at the dagger.  "A thing does not rob you of that even if it does break the seal."

"The fingers with it would do."

He considered it then nodded.  "They would," he admitted quietly, looking at her.  "You'd find me that distasteful?"

"No, I want what's mine back.  Only he and the other may touch me there!" she shouted.  "You know what pure women are like!"

"Hush, child.  I  do know."  He considered her.  "You would have to bleed.  I cannot harm you that way."

"He won't harm me that way," she said.  "I'm told the blood is natural to the act itself."

"It is."  He stood up again, looking at her.   "If that's what we must do."

"Can you do it and not look?"

"Not usually," he admitted.

"He knows my body."

"He does.  I can bring him back for a while."

"Only if that's the only way I'll see him before you take him.  And what happens if the child is a girl child?"

"Shaun is a distant relative. You'd have to conceive by him or the tower and all the hidden things we entombed would be open for someone to break them free."  She huffed.  "I wish it were different."

"I wish I had known this before.  I wouldn't have come to him.  I would've died totally pure after accusing the one who started this."

"You accused your father?"

"He had me given to an incubus.  Of course I did.  That is not how a knight works."

He nodded, smiling a bit.  "You're right, it's not."  He pulled her closer, grabbing the dagger.  "Are you sure?"

"Only my husband can touch me there," she said, turning around and closing her eyes, taking off her dress.  "There.  That's as close as I'm getting."

He looked over her back, feeling his line's son fighting harder.  He started to move and he fought him.  The knife came up and cut into the shift, making it fall.  "I needed that out of the way as well."

"You'll need the cloth to gather the blood," she said, using her hands to cover herself as best she could.  She changed her stance.

He grimaced.  "I've never had a woman who would not let me touch her."

"I'm not every woman.  I'm your son's wife.  It's not right you touch me."

He laughed.  "Very true."  A bottle was floated in and hit him on the back, making him yelp. "Witch!" he bellowed.

"Only her husband may touch her," her grandfather said as he manifested.  "No one else but him.  Or else her grandmother can destroy her for it."   He held up the dagger.  "Even that is too close."

"If I could make him come back, I would!" he defended.  "I have no desire of having him join me!"

"Can we banish you like we would any other possession?" Ancelin asked.  He shook his head.  "Because it was voluntary to save me?"  He nodded.  She took the dagger, and slit her fingers then reached up with the handle to break that.  He stopped her.  "If it must be done it should be done by me."

"No, it must be done by the one who killed him," he said quietly, staring at her.  "I know why you fight," he admitted.  "I wish it weren't so."  She teared up.  "If I can."  He felt his nephew give a shove to his spirit and felt him coming forward.  He moved the dagger, looking at it.  It was silver, pretty, rounded edge.  It would do.  He reached down but his grandson shoved again, getting him dislodged for a moment.

"Ancelin, let him," he ordered, panting.  "Please?"

"I cannot.  I will not carry a child by anyone other than one I've chosen."

He touched her face.  "I'll be back.  For now, let me."  He tossed the dagger aside, pushing her onto the bed.  "It's still me."  He held onto his mind, stripping himself as fast as he could.  He laid down with her.  "Deep breath, my love."  She sucked in one, starting to cry.  He kissed her, piercing her as gently as he could.  Something screamed outside as the fire flared up.  He pulled back and did it again, making her cry harder.  "Shh.  I'll be staying if at all possible.  I've got control this long.  I'll get him out.  I'll do my best."  She kissed him, making him smile.  "I told you you're mine."  She nodded, letting him do what he must.  "Next time will be better, Ancelin.  Next time I'll make it not hurt and you'll feel special and loved again," he promised, keeping on.  He finally came and felt the dagger dig into his side.  "Ancelin," he groaned.  She pulled the dagger out, staring at him.  He smiled.  "My girl."  He passed out.

Her grandmother floated in.  "Well!  He passed out."  The bloody dagger was tossed aside.  "Interesting way of getting him out.  You're the only healer we have around here, dear. You're a bit sore and upset."

"You have what I need."  She got up to get it, coming back up the stairs still naked.  She didn't care who saw her.  She bound the cut, using her shift as a bandage.  She put him to bed, sitting down once she had back on her dress.  Shaun pounded then came in.  "I'm decent," she said when he walked through the second door.  "Is it gone?"

"It's gone.  How is he?"

"I'm not sure yet.  Chauvis?"

"Probably about dawn.  That's when the second ghost said he was taken."  She nodded at that, biting her lip.  "You did what you had to do, Ancelin."  He stroked over her hair.

"They said if I didn't conceive and he died I'd have to lay with you."

"I know.  I'm a very distant cousin.  The third or fourth child of the line bedded one of my distant grandparents."  He continued to soothe her until she fell asleep.  Then he prayed like he had never prayed before.  The second ghost came up.  "Can you help him?"

"She's one strong girl," he said, giving him a look.  "She stabbed him to get my brother out."  He looked at him.  "Wake up.  Nap time's done with."  Volka groaned, opening his eyes.  "Come on.  I can't touch you if you're in there.  She'll stab me too."

"He can't shove me out."

"He can.  You're stubborn, like she is."  He held out a hand.  "Come on.  Or else you can't go haunt the tower to watch their children grow."

"Did she conceive?"

"No.  Nor will she.  Not this month or this year.  The demon tried to bind her when it died."  He groaned.  "She will conceive as soon as the other gets back here."

"When?" he asked, checking the bandage.  "She put a poultice on it for me?"

"She doesn't want him to die, she wants him back," the ghost said, giving him a look.  "As your wife once wanted you out of me and stabbed me to make it so."  He blushed but nodded.  "Come on.  You can get out of there."  Someone stomped in, slamming a door.  "Tired, Father?"

"Sore, tired, desiring Hell to burn itself out," he muttered.  He looked at Ancelin then at Volka.  "Shaun, get me what I need."  He hurried off, coming back with what he'd need to fix him.  "The cardinal never accepted my resignation," he admitted.  "I never handed him the letter."  He ignored the laughing as he worked on unpossessing Volka. The spirit came free, looking content.  "Will he be well?"

"If the stab wound doesn't kill him I haven't," he admitted.

He nodded.  "Thank you for your help.  She would say the same."

"She has.  I'd take the dagger from her.  The last binding on her?"

Chauvis turned, doing a baptism.  It faded off.  "He never had her baptized."  He looked back at them.  "Do you accept her as our wife?"

"I do and you make a nice wife too," the second ghost said with a grin.  Chauvis blushed.  "Good.  I like that."  He looked at his brother, giving him a hug.  "It'll be okay, Brother.  The prophecy said he'd be injured when she conceived one of them's heir."  He stroked his face, getting a smile.  "Come.  We have to make our brother quit worrying.  He's going to fuss over us worse than she will him for stabbing him and that one for ending in hell for a few days."   He smiled at him.  "Very good sword work."

"His body is well trained and so is she.   She'll do well bearing our heirs and teaching them."  He smiled at them.  "Don't let her touch the well Vorchain did."  Chauvis groaned, smacking himself on the forehead.  "We'll leave you in peace.  Get her to bed as well."  He smiled at Shaun.  "You make a very good second."

"I'll be glad when there's a Younger Volka born," he admitted.  "Thank you, Ancestors.  Is he gone?"

"From this world until the next one calls him," the first ghost assured him, fading out.

"Help me get her into bed, Shaun."

"You're her spouse!  Strip her and put her there yourself," he said dryly.  "I'm not touching her, she'll stab me too!"  He walked off, going to find some liquor.  He found Younger in the library, staring in horror at some of the books.  He looked.  "Ah.  She'll want this one to go with her."

"The whole thing goes with her," a female voice called, fading in.  "Shaun!  All grown up too," she said, beaming at him.

Shaun looked at her.  "Aunt Abigail, you have one very strong amazon wench for a daughter."

"I'm very proud of my girl.  She's survived a lot in her life."  She floated closer, kissing him on the cheek.  "I have missed you.  When you're on this side we'll have to chat."

"If it would please you, as long as it's not tomorrow by your daughter's hand."

"She'll be a bit busy tomorrow," she said with a knowing smirk.

"So, which one is her father?"

"The other one."

"Then she is my half-sister?"  She nodded.  "Should I tell her?"

"It might comfort her, make her worry less about that taint being passed on."  She ruffled his hair.  "You're so adorable.  I remember changing you."

"Aunt!" he complained.   Cofostat the Younger laughed.  "You'll have a conversation much like this some decade with Severtina."

"I have no doubt.   She complained the morning after my wedding that I was too grown up.  That she had changed my diapers and now I was getting ready to change some of my own.  She asked Father if he wanted another child that night.  I think he limped off groaning."

"Your father is amusing," Abigail said, smiling at him. "By the way, it's a set of twin girls."  Younger groaned.  "The next or the one after will be the boy you need however."

"Her mother will kill me," he complained.

"Grandchildren do soften those things," she pointed out.  She winked.  "Tell her my own daughter will be bearing an heir to her line within a year."  She faded out.

"It took?" Younger asked. "She'll be even worse pregnant."

"We won't see her most of it.  Volka's possessive," Shaun reminded him.

Younger smirked.  "Good!  Maybe he'll be able to take the sword from her hand."  He looked around.  "If this is all coming with us, we should probably get someone to pack it."

Shaun patted him on the back. "It's time you did an honest day's work, Cofostat.  Find crates."  He groaned but walked out.  "It's this or moving baby furniture for your upcoming ones."

"They'll need a cart."

"All the horses are dead tired anyway," Shaun said, taking the first crate to start on the books.   Around dawn a few more were brought in by her cousin.  "Her grandmother said so."

"We talked to her," he said grimly.  "It's a shame a wench brought down the family name."

"Ancelin will be conceiving within a year," Shaun said with a smile.

"Good!  At least her husband didn't get a diseased wench."  He walked off shaking his head, going to tell the town's head.  He tapped on his door about twenty minutes later, getting a very displeased man. "Don't give me that look, I've just talked to my grandmother's spirit."

"She is at the house?"

"She is but she's going with our cousin Ancelin.  The duchess."

"Ah.  I heard about that.  Does that mean you'll take the house?"

"Not hardly."  He gave him a look.  "We know why there's no children.  It wasn't her doing.  All the barren men in town trace back to the redheaded serving wench at the inn.  She's diseased and caused us to be infertile.  So said Grandmother, who was a very powerful witch.  The husbands caught it, passed it onto a wife, and a few others."

He groaned.  "I'll have her put down for it," he assured him.  "There's six of you?"

"Nine.  Those three sons of yours have visited her too."

"Damn," he muttered.  "Thank you.  What other news do you have?"

"They'll need a carriage.  She's taking the whole library and her horse is dead tired already.  She had to come running back from Rome to fight something with Grandmother's help.  We saw the bonfire and heard the screams of what she fought."

"So she's like the old witch then?"

"Very.  Even looks like her.  Grandmother said she'd have an heir for our line within the year."  That got a pleased smile.  "So, anyone who's tired of their cart?"

"Two or three.  I'll get them up there to talk to her."  That got a nod and he walked off.  "Is hers a gelding?"

"Stallion, already jumped one of mine," he said blandly.

"I've got one that could use new blood too."

"She handed me the horse last night and ordered me to hide him from the demon.  He's resting.  He ran the day and a half before then.  Winded but not bad.  Not sick, only a bit stiff this morning."

"I'll bring my mare over later," he agreed.  "With the carriage people and some crates."

"Thank you."  He rode home, going to tell his wife and his cousin what was going on.  Maybe she'd take a lover for a moment to fix herself.  Of course, if she had laid with the wench too....  He wouldn't put anything like that past the women in the family.

Chapter Twenty.
 

Ancelin woke up to having her hair stroked.  She blinked at the man beside her.  "Tell me you're yourself?"

"I'm me.  Hell is full of courtiers, eunuchs, and fops who suck up to the head there," Chauvis said gently.  She nodded, smiling a bit, until she turned to find the bed empty.  "He's fine.  He's looking at the horses," he promised.  "We all about ran ours into the ground."

"My stallion?"

"Probably fine.  He's of strong stock.  Knight's horses have to be."  She nodded, relaxing.  "I've warmed you a bath if you want one."

"Please.  I feel sticky and nasty."

"That's my girl," he praised, helping her up and over to the tub, letting her settle herself in with a hiss.  "I'm told you won't conceive this month or next but the month after is fair game."

"The demon?"

"Gone.  I also baptized you.  The demon's mark couldn't have stayed like that if you were."  She blushed.  "Your father's plans, Ancelin.  Your mother was sick in bed after having you.  He told her he had it done and she believed him."

"Love can make one blind," her grandmother said as she faded back in.  She tossed something onto the bed.  "There, a dressing gown so you don't have to run to the kitchen naked again," she said, staring at her granddaughter, who blushed bright red down onto her stomach.  "Not like I care but your grandfather nearly choked himself into a higher plane."  She looked at Chauvis.  "Good to have you back, Father."

"I'll fix that when I get home."

"Don't worry, I hid it before, I'll make sure he sees it this time," she said with a smile.  He groaned.  "Not like God will mind, son."  She looked at Ancelin.  "If you need to talk about things, I am still here."  She waved a hand around.  "For many more years."

"We've been ordered to come home for a vacation at the very least every few years," Ancelin offered.

"Good.  That's good timing.  The children should be old enough to travel by carriage by then."

"I don't need a carriage."

"So!" she snorted.  "Hush!  Your true husband is much adored in Rome.  There's many who would give him one if he asked."

"Of course I'd never ask," Chauvis pointed out, sitting beside the tub to take the brush from her fingers so he could do her back for her, making her blush more. "I am married to you.  I may see you naked."

"He... he didn't even try to touch me."

"He knew he couldn't while Volka was with you," he soothed, stroking over her back.  He got the pimple in the middle of her back.  "There, back to perfect again."  She shook her head.  "Hush.  I think you are.  Therefore you are."  He went back to his scrubbing, watching as her grandmother faded out.  "What else did you two do?"

"I, um, learned how to taste Volka one night."

"That's a good skill.  Most men enjoy that art and do it in return."  She giggled but nodded.  "I'm glad he was here for you when I couldn't be.  If it were legal we'd be fully married to him."  She nodded, sharing a kiss with him, making her smile.  "Taste like myself?"  She nodded, taking the brush back to resoap and do her feet.  Volka walked in. "How are the horses?"

"Exhausted but fine.  They'll need a few more days' rest.  Thankfully the boys are still packing the library.  Not that I  know how we'll get it home or where we'll put them."  He came over to take his own kiss, making her smile.  "That's my girl.  How do you feel?"

"Sore, a bit sticky."

"As you should.  Here, let us help."  He knelt at that end of the tub, taking the brush to help her with her front since Chauvis obviously got the back.  "Four people offered us the chance to buy their carts.  I took some of the money for that.  Your stallion added another two mares to his herd today."  Ancelin groaned.  "They haven't had much outside blood in the stock recently.  It was good for them.  It let us have the carriage and some food at a reduced rate.  Chauvis, there's a Papal messenger in town."  He groaned.  "I told him you'd see him tomorrow."  That got a nod.  "It'll take at least another three before they're up to trotting behind the carriage.  Much less pulling it."

"Put the mares in front of the stallion, make him sniff them all the way home?" Chauvis suggested.

"We could.  Younger's headed home with the news that we won and what happened for his father to note down in the chronicles.  Plus to baby his wife since her mother told him it was probably twin girls."  Chauvis moaned.  "So Cofostat will get to train his own amazons soon."  She giggled at that.  "Within a year?" he asked her.

"If you want."  He smiled and kissed her, soaping her chest for her.  "That's not where I need cleaned."

"You were sweaty when we had to do that last night."

"You scared me," she admitted.

"I know.  I scared me. I always considered myself stubborn."

"Did stabbing you...."

"It helped," he promised.  "I promise you it did help me get him out."  She smiled and nodded. "They'll come check on us once there's children around."  She nodded at that, smiling a bit.  The brush slipped lower, making her hiss.  "Sore?"

"My nipples are.  Female problems are about to start and they hurt."

"I'll soothe them in a few minutes."  He looked at Chauvis.  "I know you wanted her purity."

"I'll have her first this time.  It'll be the same for me.  Last night was a necessity, not out of love."  Volka nodded, letting him finish cleaning her.  "Remake the bed?"

"If I must," he sighed, going to do that. The blood on the sheet made him smile and toss it aside.  He found clean sheets in a closet and put them on, watching as Chauvis got her out and toweled off, using it as an excuse to touch her.  She was whimpering into his mouth while his fingers danced around her nether section, making him quite happy.  He finally put the pillows back, waving a hand.  "If she's dry the bed's done."  He picked her up to carry her over, laying her down and stripping so he could lay with her.  Volka laid behind him, stroking his back.  "Remember to be gentle. She's sore," he advised.  He got swatted by Chauvis for it.  "Just for that I should have you while she watches," he said in his ear, getting a shiver.  "That'll be for our first night home."  Chauvis gave him a dirty look so he grinned back.  "It's a good homecoming present for all of us."

"It is," he agreed.  "Not what I want to think about right now."

"Can I have her then?"

"No!  Mine!"  He swatted him again, going back to tasting her breasts. She was making such pretty noises so he moved on, going further south to taste her.  She tasted good.  He stayed to play, using his tongue to get her used to something being inside her.  She finally had enough and pulled on his ears until he looked up.  "What?"

"Please?  More than your tongue?"

He smiled as he moved up, positioning himself to slide inside her.  She hissed so he waited then she squeezed a bit and he shifted, making her moan.  He slowly worked his way in and out of her, making her arch up.  She wrapped a leg around his hips at Volka's instigation, making him go deeper into her.  It was good. She was making the pretty noises and he was soaking them into his soul.  They were the nourishment he needed to be whole and heal.   He finally came and she whimpered. "Shhh.  Let me finish, Ancelin."  He used his thumb to tease her nub until she finally came.  He kissed her.  "Thank you."

"I wish I was still pure for you," she whispered.

"You were in your heart.  That's all that matters to me."  He kissed her again, laying beside her to cuddle.

Charlet tapped then opened the inner door.  "Since you're up and noisy you could help..... um, never mind. Sorry, go back to...celebrating surviving and all that."  He left, heading back to the library at a run.  "They're celebrating."

"Finishing her education as a wife?" Shaun teased.

"Chauvis was naked, she was naked, Volka was stroking her arm and thigh?"

"You didn't hear?"  He slowly shook his head.  "She's married to Chauvis and handfasted to Volka to save her reputation and because she's his helper."

He shivered.  "That's got to be one loud marriage bed.  Chauvis and Volka are loud.  Chauvis and she were loud earlier."

Shaun laughed.  "Thankfully they don't live anywhere with neighbors who could complain.  How are we getting these onto whatever carriage?"

"Pull it beside the window and hand the boxes out?"

"It would save carrying them out to the road," he agreed thoughtfully.  A small wheeled platform was shoved over by one of the ghosts.  "Thank you," he called.

"Thank you," Charlet agreed.  "Now all we need is a spate of no rain while we move the books and they'll be happy people."

"It wouldn't dare rain on a carriage full of books Chauvis and Volka were moving," Shaun noted dryly.  "God's not that cruel to those who do his work."

"Good point.  Think she'll include her part into the chronicle?"

"Perhaps.  I was wondering why she stabbed him in the side."

"Amazon mating ritual?" Charlet guessed, getting slugged on the arm for the joke.  "You can't tell me she's not one."

Abigail faded in.  "Actually, the original name of this family line was Daughters of Artemis."  They both gaped so she smirked.  "Shaun's father way back when was from the lineage of Athena."  Shaun slapped his own face in mortification.  "So, we do come by it naturally, Charlet.  How's the new French boy doing?"

"He's all right.  Fairly political."

"It'll be fine I'm sure.  You might wish to have that nice Leonard Chapalet write him to tell him how to get rid of the incubus following him around."  She faded back out with a smile.

"I'll help him with that.  I did the brothers," Shaun sighed, looking up there.  "I should tell her that."

"No, I believe they're going to be busy all day.  It is their honeymoon."

"On mine we didn't move from our room all week."

Charlet snickered.  "I remember Vorchain running into you on purpose and you being under your wife by his description.  Did she really throw her shift and panties at him after telling him that was all he was getting of her?"

Shaun nodded, grinning some.  "That she did."

"You had a wife like Ancelin, didn't you?"

"More tact, more temper, less sword play."

"Probably a good idea with how often you left her alone."

"She came after me with one once.  She was pregnant though."  He beamed and got back to work.

"What did your mother want?"

"To spank me for threatening the people who were trying to burn her for being a witch.  She said it only made them worse.  I pointed out I could easily burn them instead and it'd solve that problem."  Charlet patted him on the shoulder.  "My mum, she went after me with a sword this time.  Said it was the only thing I'd understand."

"We could send her over to teach your sisters and sisters-in-law."

"Don't you dare," he ordered, staring him down.  "I'll have a demon come eat your balls in the middle of the night if you try that."

"Depending on the demon that might be fun.  Charlotte's sister was said to be cute and fun."

Shaun hit him on the arm again, walking off shaking his head. "Chauvis, Charlet wants introduced to Charlotte's sister!" he called up the stairs.

"I'll let her know the next time I write her," Ancelin called back.  She squealed and someone thumped onto the floor but Volka was laughing so he assumed it was all right.  He went outside still shaking his head.  There were some days when Volka acted younger than Cofostat the Younger.  And he still wanted to know why she had stabbed him.
 

***
 

Ancelin looked at Volka that night.  "If I do get pregnant I want both Charlotte and Severtina in attendance," she ordered quietly.

"We keep them apart because now and then they try to rule the world," he complained.

"Do you want to deliver it?"

He stroked her stomach.  "Not really.  I'll get them there if we can."

"Thank you."  She kissed him and rolled onto his stomach to continue kissing him.  "They're going to make us help with the books tomorrow."

"Shaun wanted to talk to you as well."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure."  He kissed her again, letting a hand drift down her backside. "Still sore?"

"Not at the moment but I suspect you're about to change that?"

"You suspect very well," he assured her, giving her another kiss as he rolled them over.  He'd teach her about being on top some other time.  Right now, he wanted to taste her so he did.  She let out a loud squeal, making Chauvis wake up and moan, kissing her silent for now. "I wanted that," he complained.

"The others want sleep.  She's loud enough to wake the village."

"So are you," Volka teased.  "Vorchain complains about that."  He got back to what he had been doing, making her squeal happy noises before he planted himself inside her and showed her that she was his and only his.  They were both his and he could prove it later with Chauvis, who was looking like he was reading his mind again.  "What?" he asked, thrusting in harder.

"Waiting for you to start telling her she's yours."

"She knows she's mine, you're the one who forgets now and then."

"I say you're both mine," Ancelin said, flipping them over, pinning Volka down, smirking at him.  "The books you gave me were most educational, husband."  He had the grace to blush but she did what the book had said, making him whimper and moan loudly while she road him and worked her interior muscles.  "You never did get around to showing me why women liked going the other way."

"We will when we get home," Chauvis assured her, using a finger to tease her clitoris.  She finally came with a muted swear into his mouth, letting Volka follow her lead and go limp under her.  "There, now can we sleep?"  They nodded.  He pulled her down between them and let Volka have her front.  She blew a kiss over her shoulder, earning a light spank.  "I'll be making you sore in the morning.  Rest.  You'll need it."

She giggled and he spanked her again, then covered them with the blankets so they could sleep.

Up the hall Shaun pulled his head out from under his pillow, listening to the snores.  "Her and Volka have got to be separated for a while.  Before they drive poor Chauvis insane."  He put his head back down, going back to sleep.  At least until the next bout in a few hours.  He was definitely going to check them all for possessions at breakfast.   Not even amazons should have that sort of stamina and need for their husbands.
 

***
 

Shaun looked up as Ancelin wandered in the next morning, watching her sit down with a hiss and fall asleep.  "Not going to be allowed today," he called loudly.

"I bite."

"I've heard you taught your stallion that skill when you handraised him and then your mare picked up your bad habits."  She made a rude gesture.  "No, you have to wake up.  I know you want to sleep but if you had slept last night it wouldn't be a problem today."

"Did we keep you up?" Volka teased as he walked in, kissing the back of his wife's neck before stealing the band keeping her hair up.

"Yes, you did.  All six times," he said dryly, handing him a plate of eggs from the stove.

"Only six?  Seemed like more."  He sat down, eating heartily.  "Ancelin, food?"

"If I do I'll want to jump you again and then you'd die. You said so at dawn."

Shaun choked.  "I did not need to hear that."  She made the rude gesture again.  "Duchess!" he said, sounding scandalized.  "I doubt you know what that means."

She looked at him.  "The fourth and fifth times this morning when all I did was watch," she said dryly, putting her head back down.  She looked at her mate, then at his plate, stealing it to eat.

He sighed but got up to get another batch of food. He had been nearly done anyway.  "What were you going to talk to her about today?"

"Some things we found out while packing the books."  Ancelin looked at him.  "We could speak in private."

"He'll hear anyway."

He coughed.  "Your mother's journal was right."  She dropped her fork.  "Which means that we're related."

"How?" Volka asked, eating a bite of eggs.

"It was my father that was his best friend," Shaun admitted.

"So that means any children I have won't be of his lineage, none of the evil will pass on?" she asked, sounding hopeful.  He nodded.  She got up and hugged him.  "I knew I treated you badly the first time we met for a reason," she teased.

"Apparently there was," he agreed, smiling at her.  "You don't mind?"

"No, I don't mind.  It's better.  It means the evil can't be passed on through me and someone will have to watch Marjorie and Philip's children for them going bad."

"I'll talk with Marjorie and Philip on the way back to France," he promised, making her smile."

"Since she confiscated his journal it should be hers," she offered.  "She can read but she can't write very well."

"Severtina could probably read it to her," Chauvis said as he walked in.  "It's on the east wall in the study," he told Shaun.

"I'll be escorting you back so I can get it and leave the next morning," he promised.  "We'll make sure she gets all the babies baptized and that he hasn't had contact with them."  That got a nod. "Plus I'll get Severtina to make them a charm to protect them from evil until they're old enough to make their own choices."

"Thank you," Ancelin said quietly.

"Not a problem," Shaun said in his gentle accent.  "Now eat.  You kept us all up, you get to help us move books to the cart today."

"What sort of harness do we have?"

"We have a dual hitch," Charlet said, coming in from the back lawn.  "We also have two to pull it.  A farmer was selling his to a carter back toward our border so we'll use them until we drop them off."

"If he didn't mind," Volka agreed.

"I asked, he said it'd be best with books.  Get us there faster anyway.  Yours can all be hitched behind and walk for the first few days.  Do we need to make any stops?"

"I can go to Rome on my own to deal with the Pope on this last matter.  I'm sure he's heard," Chauvis offered, getting them both breakfast.  Charlet looked at his plate and handed most of it to Ancelin, getting a shy smile for it.

"You could but there's a Papal messenger in town for you anyway," Shaun told him.

"Why?"

"Apparently the Pope was most distressed that you broke your vows to marry her."  Chauvis moaned.  "We told him it wasn't as it seemed.  He said it didn't matter."

"I saw another holy messenger riding this way earlier," Charlet told him.  "I think someone had a word with him about how it truly was and why."  He dug into his diminished breakfast.  "So, will we be seeing heirs this year?"

"Younger's having twin girls," Ancelin told him.  "Mother said so."

"He heard.  He nearly passed out but he heard."  She smiled.  "I meant from your womb."

"Well, Vorchain said when I was injured," Volka said, looking at his wife.  "I still don't blame you.  You had to so I'd get free."  He kissed her.  Then he grinned.  "I can do that openly," he taunted to Chauvis.

"I can too but it'll get funny looks," he said dryly.  He finished his breakfast, playing with some of her hair.  "I see why he wants it down.  It gives you something to play with."

"With one frustrating lock that won't stay back," Volka agreed, pushing it behind her ear again.

"Married women are to have their hair up to show they're not maidens," Shaun teased.

"Then I guess we're getting it annulled," Volka joked back, getting an elbow to the ribs from Charlet.  "I was joking!"

"You'd better be.  She'll gut you next time instead of simply stabbing you."  She nodded, finishing her toast.  "There should be more."

"I'm not with spawn yet.  I don't need to eat that much at the moment."  They all gave her odd looks.  "Female issues means I don't eat that often.  It's going to onset sometime soon."  They all just nodded and went to load the carriage with books.

"No having relations in the back of the cart!" Charlet yelled at Volka and Chauvis.

"Do wait until you get home to show her how that's done," Shaun complained.

She walked out and looked then smiled.  "He's right, he was bigger when he's swollen."  She hefted in a box of books while the men all groaned and Volka giggled.

Chauvis slapped at Volka.  "You taught her the wrong things."

"Not like you minded earlier," he teased back.

"The longer we have to stay here the more Grandmother can watch us have relations," she reminded them.  They got down to get dressed and help her load the books into the carriage.

Shaun came back out of the house.  "Your grandmother was wondering if you wanted any of her things."

"I have plenty of inherited clothes."  Her grandmother's laugh floated out of the house.  "I do!  I killed an assassin and his mother sent hers to me."

Her grandmother faded in standing in the doorway.  "You what?"

"She killed an assassin to save the King and Queen," Charlet said, packing in another box of books.  "The mother decided to die of shame but send her everything of hers since her family had disowned her when she had married."

"She got four trunks of ungodly bright colors that even God can't claim to find in nature," Volka agreed.  "She sold some of the ones that didn't look right on her and had the rest fixed to suit her figure."

"Give some to Marjorie, I'm sure she could use it," Grandmother offered.

"I've offered, she turned me down when she saw one.  They're very pretty silks.  All very pretty silks.  Just very bright pretty silks.  A lot of patterns too."

Her grandmother shook her head.  "Come up to my room, granddaughter.  It's not right you don't take my things with you."  Volka moaned.  "You hush.  You can turn her room into a closet so you can play with the clothes.  You did mine often enough.  I used to walk in and find you wearing my hats."

"Like the boy in the market who was dancing around in her dress?" Chauvis teased.

"I don't remember that," Volka said firmly.

"That's odd, your father nearly killed you beating you the last time he caught you doing it," she said bluntly, walking her granddaughter upstairs to her suite.  "Yes, you can have the books too," she promised.  She smiled and went to get some of the last crates for them, heaving them down the stairs with the other ghosts' help.  Then she was drug back up there to pack the clothes, writing desk materials, and jewelry.  Plus shoes. She had a lot of shoes. They went on top of the books and the oiled cover was pulled down with a sigh of pleasure.  "Shoo.  Go, boys."  They went to get their horses and tack, putting the tack in the carriage too and tying the horses to the back of the cart.  She waved.  "Come see us soon with the future babies.  We want to see healthy ones."

"I won't spank her if she's pregnant unless she comes at me with a sword," Volka called, waving back at them, getting a laugh from everyone.  He kept driving.  "I like this pair."

"They are good," Charlet agreed.  "I'll have to recommend him the next time I'm asked."  He looked over, finding her asleep against a sleeping Chauvis, nudging Shaun for him to look too.  That got a smile from him and a nod.  The papal messenger rode up after them, both of them, arguing still. He held up a hand.  "He's napping.  You have to go that way anyway, ride with us and do not wake her up.  She is feisty with a sword."  They shuddered but nodded, leaving it there until the father woke naturally.  Or until she did, whichever came first.
 

***
 

Ancelin finally got the last book inside, flopping down beside her men, looking at them.  "I'm not cooking tonight."

"I don't blame you," Volka said tiredly.  "Our horses?"

"Outside," Chauvis admitted.  "Stable boy?"

"Didn't see him."  They all groaned, going to do the right thing and put their horses up.  They found Spots outside and smiled, going back to their couch to rest.  Vorchain would.  He was like that.

Vorchain rode up into the courtyard, seeing the cart, looking at the other one.  Then at the horses that still had their tack on.  He shook his head, getting down to put them all away.  He walked Spots inside, finding boxes in his way.  "Are we moving the library?" he called.  He heard a snore and snuck out to the main library, finding more boxes in there and no lack of books on the shelves.  He shook his head, going back to the kitchen, finding Spots playing with a wolf cub.  "You can't have her."  Someone threw something heavy at the kitchen doorway, making him look out there.  Ancelin was nearly in Volka's lap and he was nuzzling her neck, holding her around the waist.  Chauvis had his head in their laps and looked very comfortable.  "Did I miss something?" he muttered, going to feed his cub and try to shoo off the gray wolf.  "No, you're not allowed here. You eat the horses," he complained.  Both cubs growled.  "No, Spots. You can't keep her!"

"Send her to Younger for the twins," Chauvis called.  "Please put up the horses?"

"I already did.  She's adopted a wolf cub."

"Wonderful.  I'm sure Younger will have fun training it to watch his girls," Volka called.

"No, he might try to skin me for a rug this time," he called.  Something heavy was again thrown at the door.  "So that's who's doing that."  He tossed the cub outside, going to make sure the barn was locked in case there were more of them around.  He came back to find a pitiful wolf howling in misery.  "Quit!" he demanded.  Spots started.  "Spots!  Both of you stop it!"

Ancelin stomped out, glaring at the cub.  "Quit, now!" she growled.  It stopped, looking at her, head tipped to the side.  Then it barked.  She walked off shaking her head.

"Well, they do say girls having female issues are like dogs," Vorchain admitted.  He sighed and fed both cubs something, watching as that one settled out there to eat it.  It was barely old enough to have teeth and open eyes.  He went to check in the crates, finding more books.  "Why does this not surprise me?" he complained quietly, heading up to his room to rest.  He nearly came back down at the happy couple noises but he didn't want to interrupt whoever that way.  They'd hit him.  He'd been hit enough this week.  He'd see who it was later.
 

***
 

Volka walked into Ancelin's room that night, looking around.  "Your grandmother was a bluejay of a different sort," he said dryly.

"Apparently she also liked pink," she admitted, holding one up.  Volka snickered.  "I know.  I should not be afraid of pink.  I do not like it anyway.  I'll pack them up for Marjorie.  She's threatened to come visit next week when Cofostat the Elder comes up."

"Meeting?" he asked, looking confused

"He was retired back to only training and he's pouting."

"Ah.  Severtina?"

"Pouting worse so we're getting them both."  That got a nod and he walked off shaking his head.  "I'll be there in a few minutes."

"When you're done."  She smiled, getting back to sorting clothes.  He walked into his room.  "Her grandmother wore pink, lavender, and light yellow."

"It is hotter down there," Chauvis said, considering it.  "Those don't seem matronly colors."

"I doubt she conformed to that social rule," Volka said, stripping down and sliding into bed.  "It's good not to have to put on clothes so I wouldn't molest her in her sleep."

"I'm glad we lasted that long," Chauvis said, stealing a kiss.  He heard the pitiful scratching and sighed.  Ancelin let both cubs in when she came in.  "No furry things in bed that aren't attached to a human."

Volka petted both cubs then gave them a nudge off the bed.  "Go rest with the mother, cubs."  Spots picked up her new friend, carrying her off in a huff.  "Sorry, we want her to pet us tonight instead of you."  He pulled her down, stripping off the dressing gown.  "There's no other relatives, right?"

"Unless Shaun buys me clothes, no."

"Good!" Volka said happily.  "How much is going to Severtina and Marjorie?"

"About a trunk's worth each."

"Even better," Chauvis said happily.   "Will the others fit you?"

"A few are meant to be looser," she admitted.  "Some are meant to be maternity clothes.  She made sure I packed them."  They smiled at that.  "None are for cold weather."

"You have plenty of cold weather clothes," Volka assured her.  "If not, we'll make sure you do."  She nodded, cuddling up on his chest with a yawn.  "Tired tonight?"

"If it's not too much trouble."

"No, you rest," Chauvis said, patting her back.  He watched Volka watch her.  "She's not still bleeding."

"Thankfully.  I didn't know what was wrong with her."  He gave her a squeeze, letting Chauvis have her back as well.   "We should rest."

"We should," he agreed, stroking over his hair.  "We'll get to show her all sorts of other things to do too."  That got a smile and a nod.   "Did you ever look in the storage here?  Her grandmother might've left other things."

"Please not more clothes," he moaned.

"She's not complaining about them," Chauvis said gently.  "Most of them stay packed.  Her room is now more like a storage room."  That got a nod.  "Not like you'll have to share yours."

"True, I won't have to share my closets," he agreed happily.

Chauvis shook his head.  "I suppose it could be worse.  I could be married to Cofostat's son.  He's even more of a fop about his clothes than you are, Volka."

Volka gave him a look. "I am not."

"You're the one who won't wear patched things outside, even to clean the stable."

"Someone might see."

"Why would they care?"

"They would.  My mother said they would."

"If you say so," Chauvis said finally, closing his eyes to sleep as well.  He wasn't going to fight with him over something as trivial as clothes.
 

Chapter Twenty-One.
 
 

Vorchain looked up the next morning as Ancelin walked in wearing a pretty, simple dress.  "You look happy this morning.  Slept well?"

"I did."  She smiled at him then at the cubs.  "Keep the new one away from my mare."

"Not a problem," he assured her.  "I've already fed them and mucked their stalls since none of you got up anywhere near a decent hour."  She blushed.  "Really?"

"I'm not telling you.  I don't share that sort of gossip."  She went to look around the kitchen.  "Since it's so late we'll make brunch."  Vorchain giggled.  "Isn't it?"  He nodded. "Then we'll make brunch."  She got to work, smiling when Chauvis walked in.  "He's already taken care of the horses."

"We need more bookcases and more room to put them."  He kissed her gently, getting a smile.  Vorchain made squeaky noises and pointed.  "Yes, she's mine."

"You're both mine, get it right," Volka called as he came down the stairs.  Vorchain made higher pitched squeaky noises.  He slapped him on the back.  "Choking?"

"On my tongue," he said, his voice very high pitched.  "The maiden....."

"Married Chavuis once he retired and handfasted to me.  Plus she's my assistant," Volka said smugly.  He kissed Ancelin too, getting a whimper of pleasure. "My ancestor said many things about how you were like his first wife.  He also told me how he pleasured her so she wasn't so mean to him when he had to go fight."

She snuck a kiss.  "We get to hunt together and I'll fight with you if I must.  That's enough for me."   He smiled, sneaking a bite of food.  "Give me ten minutes.  Did you wash your hands?"

"Already done," he assured her, sitting down at the table in there, looking at the two cubs.  "I see you adopted another child to mother," he told Vorchain, who pointed at Spots.  "So the wolf cub is your grandchild then?"

"Apparently," he said dryly, looking at Chauvis.  "Need any pointers on how to please a wife?"

"No, he doesn't," Ancelin said firmly.  "Neither one does.  I'm surprised you didn't hear the complaints from Shaun and Charlet."

"They'll be in today," Volka reminded her.  She nodded.  "Which means I should run to the market, right?"  She smirked and nodded.  "I can do that.  What do we need?"

"Anything you don't feel like hunting for?  A new milk beast might help too."

"I'll see what I can do."  She pulled down one of the new jars of canned fruit, adding some of that to the table with the stale bread she had warmed so it'd be softer and the eggs someone had nicely gathered for them.  She finally came over and they dug in, eating heartily.  "Do we have room to shelve any of these?"

"Maybe a crate's worth," Chauvis said.  "Where are we putting the new bookcases, Volka?"

"I'd suggest the root cellar," he said lightly.

"What about the room off your study?"

He looked at her.  "When were you down there?"

"When the diplomats were here.  I was cleaning with Cook to keep myself from killing them.  We only cleaned the outer chamber but there is that landing and the pre-room.  Most of these are books that probably relate to that anyway knowing Grandmother."

"Your grandmother?" Vorchain asked, looking confused.

"She's floating around the family home in Greece," she told him, making him moan and shake his head.  "She was very nice to them and helped quite a lot when we ran into trouble."

"Speaking of, we need to chronicle it for later generations," Volka told her.

"Something that bad?" Vorchain asked.

Chauvis nodded.  "We hadn't realized her father had her marked in other ways until the demon came for me.  It got solved but she met his ancestors, we met hers.  It was an odd honeymoon trip."

"This is why I'll never marry," Vorchain complained.

"You're more likely to marry a woman who acts like a demon," Ancelin teased.

"I've had a few of those," he admitted dryly.  He got up to make more tea, coming back while the water warmed.  "How high was it?"

"She got to meet my ancestor in person," Volka told him simply.  He hissed and checked him over.  He found the bandage.  "It helped get him out.  No matter that Shaun thought it amazon bonding rituals."

She gave him a look, eating her last piece of bread.  "I'd have to look that up.  As far as I know they kept them tied up and treated them like slaves."

Chauvis shook his head.  "We won't let you even when you are with child."  She smiled at him.  "Who do you favor for making the new bookcases, Volka?"

"One of the local men in the tiny village at the foot of the mountain can.  It'll give him something to do over the winter."  That got a smile.  "We'll have to negotiate for a good price."

"You know, there is that other office area," Vorchain pointed out.  Volka gave him a confused look so he led him back that way, letting him see it.  It was down a small hallway and on the other side of the kitchen wall.  "This space.  I always thought this was meant to be another study."

"It could be," he agreed.  "Or where they did sunlit rituals when it was raining."  He nodded, looking around.  "I can see this."  He went to look at his mare.  "Want to go shopping?"  She snorted, stamping a foot.  "I've got to buy her treats."  She stamped her foot again.  "You're the least tired."

"Take mine," Vorchain called.

"Thank you."  He pulled her out to saddle her, noticing her gravid stomach too.  "Something will have to be done about that," he said dryly, glaring at the stallion. "Before we have a whole herd of horses."  He went inside to grab some gold from the family safe, getting handed something by Ancelin, earning a smile for the simple set of earrings.  "Your grandmother's?"

"No, my inherited things.  They're in some of the colors I couldn't wear. If he has a wife she'll adore them."

"Thank you."  He kissed her.  "Be ready for me when I get home," he murmured.  She smiled, giving him a swat.  He strolled out, mounting up and heading down the mountain.  To the village first.  He found the men having a lunch in the fields and paused on the road.  "Well met," he called.

The men smiled.  "Well met, Volka.  Back from your honeymoon?"

He smiled and nodded.  "We are.  She brought back her grandmother's library."  That got some laughs.  "So I have need of bookcases and I thought of your families first."

One of them came over.  "They're not that hard to make," he admitted.  Volka held up the earrings, getting a long look.  "Those real?"  He bit one to show him.  It was barely scratched by his tooth, which was right for that stone.  Volka also held up coins.  "I like those more.  My wife would get uppity with new jewels."  He looked at him.  "We saw the cart."

"That was full of crates of books," he admitted.  "I found a room the size of my study to fill.  So perhaps ten, fifteen new cases?"

"I can do that by spring," he admitted.  "Say two gold each?"  He counted that out, handing it over.  "Need anything else?"

"We might need a new couch or something but I'd go to someone for that so you didn't have to waste planting time doing it."  That got a smile.  "My present ones are ten shelves high, normal spacing.  With the hallway it might be better if they'd have to go down eight.  I might have to have you make more though."

"Narrow hallway?"  Volka nodded.  "That short one to the sunny room with the windows?"  He smiled and nodded.  "I've been in there once when we held my wedding up there.  We can get the ten shelves in there.  Especially if we plane the boards down here and put them together up there."

"You could borrow one of our carts to haul the wood," he promised.  That got a smile and a nod.  "I'm off to buy the woman food."  He smiled and turned his horse around.  "Send a messenger when you're ready.  Also, send up the stable boy again?  They're all gravid thanks to her stallion."  He walked off laughing, nodding at that.  "Thank you."  He headed to the next village.  The seamstress gave him a hopeful look when he tied off his horse.  "She brought some of her grandmother's things home but they're staying in storage until she needs maternity wear."  She smiled and nodded, ducking back inside.  He went to find them something for the upcoming week.  They had horse feed and it was a good time to graze so he wouldn't worry about that.  A new milk beast he didn't have the money for.  So he went to exchange the earrings, getting a long look over them.  "Someone gave them to my wife when she died."

"Your wife died?"

"No, the original owner died.  She left them to my wife."

"Ah."  He looked at them, doing the bite test.  "They're not good quality."

"You can sell quartz as diamonds," Volka snorted.

"I can," he said smugly.  "They're suitable for a daughter's first jewelry.  Ten?"

"Thirty," Volka sighed.

"Fifteen?"  Volka stared at him. "I can't go higher than twenty."  He got a nod and handed it over, putting the earrings away.  "How is the wife?"

"Good.  We just got back from Greece on our honeymoon.  We went to her ancestral home and got the library her cousins didn't want to see."  The money changer laughed at that.  "One of the local men at the foot of the mountain will make bookshelves for us."

"Getting her a treat?"

"And a milk beast."

"Hank has two or three good looking goats."

"That could help," he agreed.  "Thank you."  He walked out to look at them.  There were a few late birth ones.  Scrawny too.  He saw a good, plump one and pointed.  "How much?"

"Ten, Volka."

"Done.  The wife needs a new milk beast.  Ours apparently got eaten by the wolves we had last year."  That got a nod.  "Lead rope please.  I'm riding singly today."

"I saw the cart.  Not supplies?"

"Her grandmother's library we both coveted."  That got a loud laugh.  "Exactly."  He walked the goat off, tying it to his saddle.  One of the kids gave him a long look.  "She's at the tower.  No clothes to play with this time."  They wandered off, making him smile and shake his head.  The rest of his supplies got put into a basket he picked up, letting it ride in his lap while he rode home.  It was enough for the next week at the very least.  He got home and found Ancelin was smoking their former pig.  He kissed her.  "Time already?"

"We'll need it soon," she promised.  "Did you get salt?"  He held some up and she kissed him again, smirking at the goat.  "Hello, dear."  She was let into the paddock with the horses, going to nibble.  "Thank you for getting us a pregnant one."  He groaned. "It'll mean we won't run out of milk soon."  She took another kiss, taking the basket inside to put things up, finding her honey treats.  She nibbled one while she worked, going back out to add more wood chips, finding him manning that.  "Are you sure?"

"I am."  He kissed her.  "Some of that jewelry was cheap."

"I noticed but I figured the locals would want them instead of the diamond broach that's nearly as big as my palm."  He shuddered.  "Exactly.  She had some simple pieces and some larger, ostentatious pieces."  She went to find the jewelry box, bringing it down to show him.  He moaned at a few of them.  She held up one large stone pendant.  "I don't think she could use this like the one in the story you leant me.  It's got sharp corners."

He kissed her again.  "We'll deal with that some other time, Ancelin."  She nodded, going to put it back up.  He went back to making sure the meat smoked right, getting joined by Vorchain.  "Changing mares?"

"I was hoping one of yours would adopt the foal," he admitted.  "I can't stand to sit still for that long."

"Her mare might."  That got a nod and he went to check his mare to make sur she was all right.  "We're a fertile bunch up here," he told himself.

"We will be ourselves some day soon," Chauvis told him.  "Your father had foals I'm sure."

"Many of them.  Then he got smart and rode a gelding."

They shared a look, smiling at each other.  "It'll give her something to do besides read, pounce us, have children, and take care of the tower," Chauvis pointed out gently.

"True.  I can't fault her.  The foals will stop within a few years and we could use the future horses.  I should probably get him his own enclosure so he can't keep pouncing the mares."

"They'd fuss," Chauvis told him, patting him gently.  He looked at the smoke tree then at him.  "She did it right after you left."

"By herself?"

"Had me bless it but she stabbed it and then drained it."

"Is she possessed?"

"No, she's avoiding the books," he said with a smile.

Volka shook his head.  "I never figured her for that."

"Only for the moving and shelving.  We've got them all into that room to wait on us.  We'll have to make sure it's not leaking the next rain storm but they're out of the way.  She let us do that while she did this."

"I don't blame her.  Moving books is hard."  Chauvis nodded.  "Anything else I should be aware of?"

"She canned some of the vegetables as well.  She was thinking about a small garden for next year."

Volka smiled.  "There's a good spot halfway down the mountain for that," he agreed.  "I'll show her where mother used to."  That got a nod and he went to pull her out into the small front courtyard, pointing.  "See the spot without trees?"  She nodded, looking up at him.  "M other used to garden there."  He looked at her.  "The earth is soft, it's pointed toward the summer sun.  If you wanted to garden, you can use there.  It was rock free the last I knew."

"I'll prepare it early this spring," she agreed happily.  "Anything you want me to plant?"

"I'll eat anything."  He kissed her, wrapping his arms around her stomach.  "Are you sure you'll want to?  If you get pregnant this winter you'll deliver right before or during harvest."

"I'm sure I can count on you to watch the baby or help me harvest?"

"You can," he agreed, kissing her.  "Or Chauvis.  He could use something to do other than the books too."

"That's what I was thinking."  He smiled at that.  "Plus I'll be canning too.  That way we don't have to buy or starve all winter when food gets more expensive."

"We'll still be able to hunt."

She smiled, snuggling into his arms.  "Tomorrow?"

"I could like that."  He kissed her again, making her giggle when a hand drifted lower.  "We'll see about this."

"Not outside with guests," she chastised.

"So without guests?"  She blushed but shrugged, heading inside, pulling him with her.  He followed, watching her walk.  That's why he pounced her in the library, making her squeal and swat at him for it.  "The guests are outside," he assured her, nibbling on her throat. He had found the spot that made her groan in pleasure every time.  He also found her wearing minimal underthings.  It wasn't that hard to untie his pants and slide into her body, letting her settle in his lap so they could enjoy each other again.

"Her stallion sees less action," Vorchain complained from the kitchen.

"Get out of the food!" Ancelin called.  Volka kissed her, making her focus on him and what he was doing to her, making it very good for her.  She panted as she finished up, head on his shoulder, cuddling him.  "Thank you."

"Welcome, my love."  He kissed her forehead.  "Let me adjust us."  He slid out, moving her clothes back into place and his as well.  She settled in his lap for a quick nap, making him smile.

Shaun and Charlet stomped in, finally, after having delivered the cart horses.  "We're here."  Volka pointed at the wall the diary was on, letting him find it.  Shaun looked at the young lady.  "That's a picture worth painting."

"She's worn herself out.  She slaughtered the pig this morning and we're smoking most of it."

"The rest is being salted," Vorhcain said as he came out.  She got a look and he smirked.  "She looks comfortable."

"She is," Volka assured him.  "Didn't she say not to nibble?"

"I only took some of the stale bread."  He finished it, looking around.  "Chauvis is manning the smoker."

"That's fine.  I'll take my turn soon enough.  The horses?"

"My mare's ready to pop any day now," he admitted. The cubs ran past everyone and up the stairs, Spots chasing the new one.

"What did you name the second one?" Charlet asked.

"Furry."  They all sighed and nodded.

"Of course you did," Volka agreed.  He nuzzled his wife's hair, stealing the band she had it back with.

Chauvis walked in.  "I stuffed some of the cracks in the smoking tree.  That way it won't wear out too soon."  He smiled at Ancelin.  "We have been keeping her up."

"Us keeping her up?" Volka teased. "Who was it that woke her up to snuggle this morning?"

"You," Chauvis said.

"I thought that was you."

"No, you woke me as well," Chauvis taunted with a smirk. "The only one you didn't wake was Vorchain."

"I might've already been up," he admitted.

"That happened a lot at her ancestral home," Shaun said, sitting down beside the couple.  "I see you didn't let her wear breeches today."

"It was her choice, not mine," Volka told him.  "Though she's not allowed to wear my breeches any more.  It's a bit inflammatory."

"If you say so," Charlet told him.  He sat down as well.  "All we need is a fussing future father, his father, and a few others.  It'd be a meeting."

"I'm told Cofostat and Severtina are coming up with her sister," Volka told him. "The ladies can giggle while we talk."  That got some nods.

"They'll have to deal with the nursery issue," Chauvis told him.  "We'll need one someday.  Did she have a girl or a boy?"

"I'm not sure," Volka admitted. "She should have just had it or be about to have it."  He smiled.  "Severtina will know."  That got a nod.  "I wonder if Cofostat the Elder congratulated his son on the upcoming twin girls or ranted at him for them being girls?"

"Probably ranted," Shaun said dryly.   "Since he's retired from field maneuvers his grandson needs to come into being soon."

"I'm sure one will," Ancelin said quietly.  "Grandmother said so."

"True, she did," Volka agreed happily.  "We'll have to tell Elder of course."  They all nodded at that, silently vowing to be out of sword reach.  "Fine, I'll tel him."

"We could let Grandmother tell him," she said, looking at him.  "I found her floating around earlier."

"Is there a window open?"

"One broken, I noticed it when I rode up," Charlet told him.  "Top of the tower."  That got a nod and Volka got up to fix it.  "Any spirits can come in when the windows are open or broken," he explained.  "It's not against your grandmother."

"No, it probably was.  She had this bad habit of floating in to watch us have relations."  The men all blushed.  She got up, heading into the kitchen.  "It's not smoking as well."

"I sealed it so the smoke wouldn't escape," Chauvis called.  She nodded, getting back to her salting things.  "How do you know how to do that?"

"We had a farm associated with the manor house.  When it was tithing time all the women came in to help can, smoke, and salt food."  That got some smiles.  "He would've complained if we had run short.  He always said food went up in the winter to make the poor sorry for being poor."

"True," Chauvis agreed, smiling at her, getting a kiss when she came back out with tea things.  "Water warmed?"

"It is.  I just added the leaves so let it steep."  He pinched her, getting a swat back.

Vorchain shook his head.  "I'll not get used to that anytime soon."

Volka came down the stairs laughing.  "Ancelin?"  She came out of the kitchen, following him up the stairs when he wiggled a finger.  He pointed in her room, making her sigh and shake her head.  The cubs had pulled down a few of the fancier dresses to use as a bed for their nap.  "They're adorable."

"They are.  Someone should paint that."

Charlet and Shaun came up, Vorchain behind them.  Charlet went to get some paper, shaking is head.

"You paint?" Ancelin asked.

"No, I draw.  Joseph paints."  He smiled, sketching it out.  It was a cute scene. He made notes on it, getting a head shake from Shaun.  He was finally done so Vorchain went in to remove the cubs from her clothes, helping her put them up.  Spots snuck back in there before they were done, tugging one off the hanger and back onto the floor to nap on again.  Joseph giggled, pointing when they gave him odd looks.

Vorchain huffed.  "Ladies dresses are not beds, Spots.  Off her clothes."  He picked her up with a grunt.  "You're getting too big for this, cub."  He tossed her into the hall, making sure the other one wasn't in there before shutting the door behind him.  Spots had slunk off to rest on one of the other beds.  The other cub came trotting past, sniffing until he found the bed she was on, hopping up to curl up with her.  Vorchain looked then moaned.  "It's the scent of the new wife they were wanting."

Joseph flipped over the paper to draw that one as well.  Joseph would be amused by that.
 

***
 

Ancelin came out when she heard horses a few weeks later, smiling at them.  "No sister?"

"Behind us in her carriage," Cofostat the Elder said, dismounting to give her a hug.  "How is taking care of the mentally deranged one going?"

"He is not."  She swatted him.  "Go bathe. You're sweaty. I put a tub up there for you."  He nodded, going to do that.  Younger rode up and dismounted, rolling his eyes.  "Bad ride?"

"Fussy wife. I had someone confirm it was twins.  Her mother's driving her insane now."  He walked inside.  "Food?"

"After you clean up."

"Thank you."  He went up to his usual room, finding a hot tub waiting on him.  He stripped and sank in with a sigh of pleasure.  "This is a good end to a long ride."  He heard his bag thump down outside his door.  He'd get it in a few minutes.  After he took a nap in here.

Ancelin finished putting up the horses, smiling when the small carriage came up and stopped.  It was a lady's carriage so she could drive herself.  "Marjorie."  She hugged her.  "How are you?"

"We're good."  She handed over the baby.  "Your nephew."  She smiled, taking him to put inside then came out to help her put up the horses.  They walked in together, picking up the baby from Spots' careful attention.  "You let the leopard watch him?"

"She'd only lick him.  She has no idea what babies are, other than toys to chase and carry around."

Marjorie shook her head, settling on the couch.  She shifted.  "Leaking roof?"

"Wolf cub," she said, pointing at where it was chained by the fireplace.  "Sorry."

"Not your fault I'm sure."  She smiled when her sister settled in beside her, taking her nephew back. "There, that's your aunt.  Fuss at her."

Ancelin cooed, getting a baby smile.  "You're adorable, nephew."  He flailed an arm.

Volka came out of the study, letting the wolf cub free to run outside so he could mark the bushes.  He came back to look at the baby.  "You're tiny.  It's hard to believe I was your size once."  He smoothed the hat down over his sparse hair again. "There, that's better since we've got a draft."  He smiled at Marjorie.  "How is married life?"

"I should ask the same after I swat my sister for not telling us!"

"It was rather sudden," Ancelin told her.  "Something had came for me and he got jealous."

Marjorie looked at Volka.  "You do know I know how to gut things for slaughter as well?"

"I'm sure you do," he agreed.  "You have no need to threaten me.  I treat her like spun gold outside of bed and she's more precious than that in bed."  He smiled, walking off.  "Chauvis, Marjorie and the babe are here."

He came down from upstairs, smiling at the baby.  "Baptized?"

"I got the journal; he was blessed the same day he was born," she promised.  "I let the cardinal read it to me when Shaun brought him over as well.   Is Severtina late?"

"She takes the mountain path very slowly," Volka called.   He came back out of the study.  "No talisman."  She pointed at the marks on his stomach.  "That henna stuff, right?  From the East?"  She nodded.  "Huh.  Interesting use."

"It wears off from what I've heard," Vorchain said.  He came in from outside.  "Severtina's nearly here.  Her horse is huffing at her for going so slowly."  He looked at the baby. "You're very tiny.  Some day you'll be my size and won't your mother be surprised then," he teased, tickling him.  The baby flailed an arm again.  "I'll go help her."

"Thank you," Ancelin said, settling in to hold her nephew for a while longer.  "We want to the ancestral home in Greece."  Marjorie beamed.  "I brought back grandmother's library and her things. I've separated some things out for you, dear.  She wore a lot of lighter colors and pink."

Marjorie laughed. "Philip would be peeved at me."

"Save it for the next time you need something new, then have it renovated."  That got a smile and a nod.  "I have plenty without it.  I've got Severtina some too."  She finally came in.  "There you are!"

"Mountains are scary," she told him.  She kissed her on the forehead.  "I've heard there's news?"  She held up her ring, getting a squeak and then a strong hug.  Marjorie had to save her son from being crushed between them.  "Finally!"

Cofostat the Elder came down the stairs.  "I could say the same thing," he noted dryly.  He looked at the child.  "Hello, Gallahad."

Ancelin looked at her.  "Philip's idea?"  She blushed but nodded.  "That's fine.  I'm sure he told Sir Gallen it was in honor of his name," she teased.  Marjorie nodded.  That got a giggle from Severtina, who wiggled between them.  "The wolf pup made me spill my tea."

"I wash just as you do," she assured her, taking the baby to hold.  "Awww, so precious!" she cooed.

"If you wanted one of those we'd talk about who you'd get to do it," Cofostat told her.  "But you will have to quit wearing mourning clothes."

"I am a widow, Cofostat.  I was when I came to you."

"I don't care.  Wear something other than black."

"When I brought back Grandmother's things there were a few that would look quite darling on her.  Some would even work as maternity wear."  Severtina looked at her.  "You have a whole trunk of clothes upstairs."  She beamed at that.  "It keeps the cubs from pulling them down to lay on them."

"I saw Joseph's new painting on the way up," Sevetina teased.  She looked up when the wolf started to howl.  "What's wrong with it?"

"He wants to play with my clothes probably," she sighed.  "Stop it, Furry!" she yelled.

"Of course he named it that," Cofostat sighed, shaking his head.  "Where is he?"

"The root cellar scrounging food," Ancelin joked.  That got a smirk and a nod, him going to find him.  She looked at Marjorie.  "Really, I have plenty for a courtesan even without them."  She giggled at that.

"She does," Volka agreed.  "When she finally gets pregnant we'll have to have some tailored for maternity wear.  That way she has some that are and some that aren't."

"At least no more breeches for a while," Marjorie teased.

"Bet me," Ancelin said dryly, making Severtina laugh.  "You can't hunt in a skirt.  I do hunt for the table here."  Her sister just shook her head.  "Come on, we'll go let the cub quit howling for a bit."  She helped them both up and upstairs to her old room.  She found both trunks.  "They might have marks on them, you can scrape them off or paint them if you find them.  I haven't."  They nodded, digging into the clothes.  The cub came in to sniff the baby then walked off to sniff at Younger's door, howling again.  Chauvis walked past to let him inside, walking away shaking his head.  "Looks like he wants to go to the twins instead of Vorchain," Ancelin said happily.  Both women swatted her. She only giggled at them.  "He does.  He's also a lap wolf."

Younger yelped.  "What are you doing, beast!"

"His name's Furry," Severtina yelled.  "Vorchain's Spots adopted him."

"Of course she did," he called, sounding grim.  He came out a few minutes later, handing the wolf back to her.  "Keep him."  He went back to his room, finding the drain and tube for the tub.  Water came up it so he shut it off quickly and found another one, letting it be drained.  "How did they do that?"  He came out fully dressed, going to find Volka.  "How did you pipe in hot water for baths?"

"A boiler to warm it and then the same sort of pipes as we have in the privy chambers."  He grinned.  "It was her idea."

He shook his head.  "Now she builds too?"  He walked off to find his father.  "She builds too."

"I noticed.  It's a good design.  Keeps you from carrying water and warming it in front of the fireplace."  He handed over some bread.  "They're where?"

"With the baby, the wolf pup, and surrounded by clothes up next to my room."

"That'll do.  Maybe Severtina will wear something other than black for a change."

"I doubt it."

"As do I but it could happen.  She saved her some things.  I'd like to see her out of mourning clothes anyway."

"You know, Joseph is coming up," Volka called.  "He married us."

Cofostat leaned into the study.  "Don't tempt her."  He walked in.  "What happened in Greece?  Shaun said it was going into the chronicles?  We haven't written anything down in years because it's been the same things."

He handed it over.  "By hers and Chauvis' hand and I sealed it with mine."  He looked at Younger.  "She knows the others will know.  It was managed."

Cofostat turned the page, going on.  "She has very pretty handwriting."

"She does," Volka agreed, smiling at him.  "She has said that she wants Severtina and Charlotte both here when she delivers."

"I don't see a problem with that.  Is there even a doctor in the next village?"

"The one across the border," Volka admitted.  "I don't like him.  He's ...almost evil seeming.  He had that same air that you get from some of the minor demons.  That slimy, enjoys to hurt others feeling."

"Surgeons do get to hurt others," Younger admitted, taking it when his father was done.

Elder looked at him.  "It was fully fixed?"  Volka nodded.  "Anything else come of it?"

"Her grandmother's library."  Cofostat the Younger snickered at that.  "Her grandmother agreed we're adorable together. Her inheritance was upheld.  Now that they know why the other parts of the family are barren it might end up staying over there.  I don't know of that yet."

"You have to go back every few years from what I've heard," Cofostat told him.

"True, we do.  We're hoping not to run into problem from the jealous princess who wanted to stab her because she wanted me."

"We heard of that.  The king said it wasn't yours or Ancelin's fault.  That Ancelin had good taste in men who would keep her steady."  He gave him a look.  "Her father has snuck out of jail somehow."

"So sending Marjorie was to protect her?"  Younger nodded, handing back the book.  "We can easily do that.  As long as we don't get trapped by the early snows this year."

"You need to stock up," Cofostat warned.

"I know.  I had plans on doing that tomorrow.  We won't be expecting snow for another week at the earliest I remember."

"We can probably borrow her horses to pull the carts," Younger said.  "I saw you have two of them now."

"We got the second coming back from Greece."

"Define a library," Younger said.  Volka got up to lead them to that room, letting them look at all the crates of books.  "Someone's going to be building bookcases all winter."

"I've got one of the village's men doing it for me," he admitted.  He smiled.  "Next summer she's planting a garden."

"Hay cutting?"

"Shaun and I did some while he was here.   It should get us partway through the winter.  We'll do fine buying the rest."

Marjorie leaned in.  "The King hasn't appointed a knight over my father's inheritance so the house is sitting empty and the tithes still came this year.  I asked if he would mind if I gave it to you since you live so far away from civilization.  The King said it was fitting and that it was fine with him.  It's coming behind us in a supply wagon."

Volka hugged her.  "I do enjoy you."

Marjorie smiled at him.  "Thank you."  She smiled at Younger.  "How goes your wife's pregnancy?"

"She's extremely fussy."  She laughed.  "Should the snows come early this year I'll be going back with you to make sure we both get back there."  She nodded at that.  "Does your carriage cover itself?"

"It can, but it's a cloth cover."

"Then we'll figure it out.  It shouldn't be before a week."

"Will they have him captured by then?"

"We can only hope to have him dead by then," Cofostat the Elder offered.  She nodded at that.  "You and Gallahad will be safe.  Philip is surrounded by other knights. He's more likely to come after me because I supported her.  He'd try to get money from you instead."

"Is there any way to check me to make sure I wasn't touched?"

"We have his work journals and things," Volka told her, smiling gently.  "You were never mentioned, Marjorie."

She smiled.  "Thank you, brother-in-law."  She curtseyed and walked off.  "By the way I do know.  The queen told me so I wouldn't worry about her."

"That's fine.  As long as no others know."

"I understand why," she called.  "Act normally around me."

"I can do that."  He smirked at the Elder.  "Severtina wants a babe?"

"She does," he complained.   "I've told her if she wanted to ask someone within the group to do so she was allowed to.  As long as she quit wearing mourning clothes.  I'm tired of the black clothes.  Besides, I figure we'll need more sons in upcoming years.  Joseph's are the only ones I know of so far."

"Maybe God means for the next generation to be women.  It could be demons who target women next generation.  Or it could mean that they'll be less likely to die because of social issues."

"Hush," his father ordered.  "Don't speak like that."

"It could be possible."

"I do not care.  I don't want to think the future would be that bad."  He looked at Volka.  "Tea?"

"I can do that if she hasn't."  He led the way back to the kitchen, finding Marjorie making tea.  "Will there be enough for us as well?"

"Of course," she said with a smile.  "Are you going to order more winter supplies through whatever village is around here?"

"I usually do.  We were talking since we had the two carts that we'd borrow your horses.  Hers seems to have gathered a harem."  She giggled and nodded.  "We'll see how he breeds within months."

"Go ahead, Volka.  Do so soon in case there's snow.  You'll be trapped up here part of the winter I'm sure."

"You can get a single horse up here but not a cart," he admitted.  "The regular pass gets slick as well."

"Then go today.  Take the other menfolk."  He nodded, going to hitch her horses up to the carts so they could go down there.  Ancelin contributed a few of the pieces of inherited jewelry she'd never wear to it and they left.  "Remember blankets," she called after him.  He smiled and nodded.  She looked at Ancelin.  "How do you deal with that level of fussing.  Philip isn't near that bad."

"It's sweet and he only hovers when there's danger," Ancelin said, looking at her.  She just realized that it was Marjorie showing up that was the danger.  "So, how is your father?" she asked.

"Well enough.  Leaving for France today."

"They know what he did too.  The cardinal told the others when he was banished."  She thought quickly.  "So, are you possessed or are you simply here to take what's mine?"

"You took what was his."

"I wasn't about to be gifted that way," she said firmly.

"You're his daughter."

"No, actually I'm not as it turned out.  Grandmother agreed with me."  She shrieked and went after her with her nails, letting Ancelin deal with her until she could lock her in a cupboard.  She sighed, leaning against the door.  "Severtina, check the babe?" she called.

"I did earlier.  He's fine."

"Thank you."

Severtina came down the stairs.  "I think she's possessed."

"I think so too.  The babe?"

"Furry is watching over him."  She gathered what they needed, and ropes, grabbing her from the cupboard to drag out and tie up, getting to work on her.  By the time the men got back at dinner she was crying but free of the demon.  The demon had been removed and then banished, the only way they could do it since they weren't priests.  "I did not know demons could enter a woman during childbirth."

"If her father called it that would be an opportune time," Ancelin said, stirring the food in the big pot over the fire.  "Any woman isn't concentrating on there being bad things that can take her.  Marjorie, are you eating?" she called.  Her sister came down with her face washed, clutching her baby.  "Severtina already checked him," she assured her.

"I thought I'd be safer than that," she whispered.

"No woman is concentrating on that problem when she's in labor," Severtina told her.  She nodded, giving them each a hug.  The men came in with crates and baskets of food, carrying them out of the way for now.  "Is that stuff to can?"

"It can be," Volka agreed.  He looked at them.  "What happened?  I smell herbs."

"Father had me possessed," she said weakly.

"Ah.  That can happen," he said, giving her a hug.  "It's not bad of you.  When you get home ask the family priest or cardinal to give you communion. It'll be fine."  She nodded, clutching the baby tighter.  "We'll make sure you're not touched by him again.  I'll write to Joseph myself."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."  He smiled. "Now, hand off the babe and help us carry."  She nodded, handing the wolf the baby for now.  He laid there with his chin on the baby's stomach, watching while they carried things in.  Volka looked at the wolf then at Vorchain.  "Do you not find normal pets?"

"No.  I'm extraordinary so they must be too so they match my brilliant nature."

"Ah."  He nodded, grabbing another bushel basket to carry inside.  "Ancelin."

"The stew will burn."  He removed it from the fire on her, making her come help.  She smiled and did help, getting everything they needed into the kitchen.  The horses were put up by Vorchain, who glanced inside.  He whistled, bringing the others running.  His mare had given birth but was ignoring the foal.  She let her mare out of her stall, bringing her over.  "This foal needs love and help," she said gently, letting her nose it.  Her mare nosed it then licked it, making it wobble and pant.  "Shh.  Let's get you back with the mother," she soothed, carrying it over to her mare's stall with her following.  She got her more food and settled in to watch the mare take care of the adopted foal.  "You're going to be an excellent mother, dear."  She stroked her neck, getting a look.  "I'm watching you to see how to take care of babies."  The mare shivered and went back to her taking care of, even letting the foal nurse.  Ancelin got her some clean water and checked her over.  "You're nearly birthed too.  I should stay out here to check you."

"We'll watch over her," Volka assured her.  He led her inside.  "She'll never birth with you watching.  They're not like that."  He locked the doors and headed inside.  The wolf wasn't going to give back the baby this time.  "Vorchain, there's others of his pack coming."

"My bow's in the armory," Ancelin told him.  He nodded, going to get it.  When the first one howled and the cub answered they took the baby from him, getting a growl.  She glared back.  "Do not start that."  He slunk over to Younger, climbing into his lap to be petted.

"Why come to me?  Your grandfather's outside."

The wolves howled again then one yelped.  A few more growls and a few more yelps, one from Vorchain.  Volka went to check on him with Cofostat the Elder.  "Did they get you?" Volka asked.

"No.  One tried to attack and got my boots."  He looked up, pointing.  "It's going to snow tomorrow."

"I'll send Younger and Marjorie out in the morning," he said, patting him on the back.  That got a nod.

"You missed one," Cofostat noted.

"It's just a cub.   I can't kill the cub."

"We'll give them to the village.  The scent of the fur will make any others leave them alone," Volka offered.  He nodded.  "The cub too."  Theirs came out.  "You go inside."  It ran back inside.  "Bundle them onto one of the carts."  They nodded, doing that for him.  He went back inside.  "Vorchain's reputation will grow by a full pack of wolves, minus a small cub."

"Awww," Severtina said, going out to look at the cub.  It growled and batted at her so she batted back then petted it.

"It is not going home with us," Cofostat yelled without even having to look.

"It's still a suckling one."

"Then maybe one of the people in the village will adopt it as a future hunting hound," Volka offered.  She huffed and picked it up, taking it inside to feed.  "Why are all the women around us stronger than we are?"

"They're women.  The desire to have multiple children shows that they're stronger and slightly insane upon birth," Younger said grimly. "My wife's already talking about our next one so we can have a son."

"Your wife is insane," Elder told him.  "I'll let you borrow Severtina if you need help with them."  He walked back inside to wash his hands, going back to helping put up food and put dinner onto the table.  "Do not feed that thing at the table," he ordered.  She stuck her tongue out.  "Do not make me find the hayloft, Severtina," he warned.

She held it up.  "At this age it's just a pup, like a hunting hound.  It needs love."

"Someday it could grow up to eat both of us."

"Not if we raise it well."

"It's still a wolf."

"Furry's going to your son's twins."

He glared at her then at his son.  "You're taking the wolf cub home?"

"No, he's staying with his grandmother."  He sat down, looking at the bowl of stew.  "Burned it," he said dryly.  Ancelin popped him on the shoulder.  "You did."

"I was stirring until I had to come help.  You could have stirred."

"No thank you.  I have no desire to learn how to cook.  If I ever have to learn I'll let Severtina or Charlotte teach me."

"She cooks better than Charlotte does," Chauvis told him.  He sniffed, looking at her.  She pointed at Marjorie.  "We'll make sure you're safe."  She smiled at him, holding her son.  "Don't worry about it.  It's even happened to me."  He sat down, taking his own bowl of stew.  "Ladies, it looks like it'll snow soon.  That means we'll have to get Marjorie down the mountain shortly."

"With my son guarding Marjorie," Cofostat told him.  That got a nod.  "Severtina, are you going with them?"

"No," she snorted.  "I'm going with you when you go back.  After the foals are born."  He just grunted, eating another bite of dinner.

"You can help me can if you want," Ancelin offered.

"I haven't done that in years," she said happily.   Volka snorted.  "I haven't."

"I never took her as one who could," Volka told her.  "Or you."  He looked at her current dress.  It was dark blue instead of black.  "That's adorable."

"Thank you," she said happily.  "It was in her grandmother's things."  She dug in, getting up to get something.  "It needs it."  She sat down again, digging in with the pickles in the stew.  Her men didn't look at it but Ancelin tried it, shaking her head.  "You'll like pickles soon enough," she assured her.

"I always wanted clotted cream while I was pregnant," Marjorie told her.

Severtina giggled.  "It varies with each woman."  She patted the baby on the back, making him belch.  "There, no more bad tummy noises."  She ate another bite, humming happily.  "Did they bring back more jars to can?"

"And rings," Chauvis told her, pointing at one crate.  "That's full of jars.  There's another of seals."  Ancelin hugged him, getting a kiss.  "Thank you."

"No, thank you."  She got back into her dinner.  "How long will we be up here when the snows hit?"

"Most of the winter," Volka told her.  "A single horse can usually make it up but not always down if we get a good ice storm or three.   I've been trapped up here with Joseph and Chauvis a few times."

"Me too," Vorchain admitted.  "I had to escape so we walked down through the mountain itself."

Volka nodded.  "That is an option."  He smiled at her.  "Why?"

"Thinking if Grandmother was right I'd have to get some things fixed soon," she said.  He gaped.  "At least by late winter."

"I hadn't thought of that."

"Plenty of what you have up there is still able to be worn when you're pregnant," Marjorie told her.  "The waistline will ride up some.  The things from Greece are all cut like maternity clothes so it should be all right."

"I need to look at how to fix some of them that way," she admitted.

"Move the waistline up under your bodice," Severtina told her.  "Let the rest drape.  Like the French do theirs at the moment."  She shuddered.  "I know, but it's comfortable.  Plus no corset."

"Thankfully."  The men all smiled at her.  "I can easily stick the rest of you in one too," she offered.  They went back to eating.  They knew she'd do it.
 
 

Chapter Twenty-Two.
 

Ancelin waved at her sister's carriage as it started slowly down the slopes.  "Will they be safe?"

"They'll be fine.  The horses have their hooves covered," Cofostat told her.  "The delivery wagons are all miliary issue so they have wheel chains."  He patted her on the back, walking her inside.  "They're off, Volka."

"Did the wolf go with them?" Severtina asked, petting hers.  Cofostat growled, walking off.  "I'll take that as a yes."  She giggled at Ancelin, who winked at her.  "Cuddling the son?"

"Keeping him warm until they get back to where it's still fall."  That got another giggle.  "Now, what about you two? You could be trapped up here with us."

"Vorchain took his mare off already so he wouldn't be.  He said last time he got so desperate for tavern wenches he walked his mare down the mountain itself."  She put the cub down, getting growled at.  "Go love the others.  They'll pet you.  My fingers are tired."  It huffed off, going to find the others to pet him.  She smiled at her.  "Canning?"

"Please.  They brought a lot of things that I'm not sure we can preserve."  She found a cookbook and pulled it down to look through.  "Ah, here we are."  They got to work on the wood stove, getting things ready to be taken care of.  They did that all morning, then boiled the jars closed before going to check on the horses.  She ran back inside.  "Volka, your mare's early," she yelled.  "Mine's going now too."  She hurried back out.  Her stallion was led outside since he was making grumpy noises.  "Here, guard the goats."  She walked back inside to help her mare.  They were concerned because of the scoring she had gotten from the wolf.  She might not have the muscles left to push the foal out.  Severtina came in to help haul it out.  The mare screamed in pain but they couldn't help her at that point.  She finally calmed down, leaning back to look at her foal.  They pulled it closer, letting her lick it clean.  The one she had adopted from Vorchain's mare came over to help, getting nuzzled as well.  She wasn't going to abandon him just because of the new one.  She finally got the foal breathing right and attached to a nipple, then went to clean the rest of him.

"Mine's a mare," Volka announced.

Ancelin looked at the two there.  "Two stallions."

"Chauvis' horse will probably have a mare then," Volka decided, coming over to look.  "They both look fairly healthy.  Does she need help cleaning him off?"

"I was going to get a towel that was stained to help her," Ancelin offered, going to do that and take the jars off the stove.  She came back out with a very stained old dress, coming to wipe the colt off.  The mother snorted in displeasure.  "I'm helping," she offered gently, wiping down a side.  "Just taking off the majority of the nasty stuff.  You can have the rest."  She finished up on the tail, making the colt quit feeding to complain.  She nudged his nose back onto the nipple, letting him go back to it.  She finished pushing out the afterbirth, which Ancelin sent off with Volka to bury, watching as she stood up.  The foal tried a few times, his brother trying to nudge him into standing.  Severtina pulled him off, watching as he finally made it to four shaky feet and latched onto a nipple again.  Severtina let the older one go, watching as he came over to latch on as well.  The mare nudged them both, going back to cleaning the new one.  They backed out, leaving her alone for now.  Some clean water and she'd be fine for the night.  In the morning they'd change all the hay for her.  Chauvis' mare was starting in labor but wasn't quite ready yet so they decided to come back a few hours later. "Two stallions and a mare," she told Cofostat."

"Congratulations."  He smiled.  "They didn't seal."

"They will."  She put them back onto the fire, adding more wood to make it boil faster.  The seals were finally melted and she put them away in the root cellar.  She brought up a wineskin as well.  "I think we need to celebrate the new foals," she defended at the odd look she got from Volka.

"At least one of them is being fixed," he demanded.  "I won't have a whole harem of horses."

She kissed him.  "Of course not."  He smiled at that.  "When they're old enough to see who's stronger we'll geld one."  He nodded at that, accepting her promise.  She gave him a nudge.  "Set the table."  He went to do that, going outside when one of the mares screamed.  He brought back Severtina's cub, handing her off.  "Severtina!"

"I forgot to check for him."  She glared at him.  "You leave the horses alone.  They're sensitive to you guys.  You scare them."  She put him down, giving him a nudge under the tail with a foot. "Go play."  He went to find somewhere to nap.   She helped set up the next batch to be canned, smiling at her friend.  "You really want Charlotte and I here when you finally birth one?"

"Do you really see Volka in a birthing room?"

"No," she admitted, giggling a bit.  "I can't.  They can guard against demons.  We'll handle the womanly stuff."  She got back to work, adding to dinner as well when there was extra of the fruit compote she had bene working on.  Ancelin added some bread she had baked the night before and they settled in to eat.  "The supply wagons?" Severtina asked Cofostat.

"Probably later this week," he admitted.  "It should be fine as long as we don't have a blizzard by then."  He poured the wine, sipping gently.  "Good wine."

"We brought it back from Greece.  Her family's lands produce it," Chauvis told him, dishing him up some fruit as well.  He sniffed the bread.  "What did you use to make this?"

"The grain in the bottom of the barrel.  Why?  Was it bad?"

"A bit fermented," he said, letting her sniff her piece. She groaned.  "It happens to all of us, Ancelin.  Don't worry about it.  It won't hurt us tonight.  We'll feed it to the goat tomorrow."  She nodded and they dug in, getting a bit tipsy on the strong wine.  Chauvis wobbled out later to put the stallion in the farthest stall for the mares' safety, finding his mare had delivered and was nursing her standing foal.  "Can I check?" he slurred.  He looked under the tail and smiled, wobbling out, making sure the goats had made it inside as well and the doors were bolted.  "It's a mare," he announced, getting a small laugh from Volka.

"I'll get one of the stallions," Cofostat said, sipping more of his wine.  Ancelin smiled and nodded.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome."   She looked at her men, seeing them staring at each other.  "I think we'll retire to bed.  Night all."  She pounced Volka, making him growl in her ear but carry her off to their room.  The wolf pup got kicked out and the door shut.

Cofostat smiled at his helper.  "We should retire too."

She kissed him then smiled.  "We should."

"We're not married."

She pinched him on the cheek.  "You said we'd talk about a babe in the house."  She got up, heading up to her room.  She had some of the books Ancelin had learned from and was enjoying reading them a lot.  She even got a bit loud pleasuring herself while she read.

Cofostat opened her door. "You're noisier than the whole trio together," he complained, staring at what she was doing.  "Why are you doing that?"

"It feels nice."  She waved him in but he blushed and shook his head.  "Come here.  You can see."

"I'm not that drunk."  She pouted and he caved as she knew he would.  He sat beside her, letting her read to him.  It was a very inflammatory book.  He knew he was reacting and the wine was solely to blame this time.  Perhaps the bread that was made with fermented grains.  That's why he kissed her to quit her reading.  She kissed back.  The book got tossed aside.  "Trash like that doesn't come into my house," he ordered.

"I won't need it at home."  She let him have her however he wanted and it was good.  It was soothing and good between them.  She heard Ancelin squeal in pleasure and giggled.  "It's good it's good for her too."  He growled in her ear, making her squeal in her own pleasure.  He finished up, laying with her.  She covered them up, snuggling into his arms.  "You rest, Cofostat.  We'll rest and see what happens in the morning."  He grumbled but was half asleep already.
 

***
 

Ancelin got up the next morning a bit stiff and sore.  Both husbands had competed to see who could make her squeal the loudest last night.  She wobbled in to clean herself up, then down to the kitchen to fix breakfast.  She found Severtina in there making tea.  "Good morning."

She smiled at her.  "It is."  She walked off two mugs of tea.  "We'll be down soon."

"That's fine."  She made their own tea and then went to gather eggs.  She found it had snowed a lot the night before.  "Volka, it snowed a good twelve inches!"

"It'll be fine and will melt soon," he called from his bedroom window.  He looked out.  "Make sure the chickens didn't freeze.  Put them in the barn too.  It's got water heating out there."  She nodded, going to do that while he got dressed and came down to get the teakettle off the woodstove.  He looked out the door then at Cofostat when he came down.  "Have a good night?"

"Don't say a word," he growled.

He nudged him on the shoulder.  "I care not who you sleep with, old friend, as long as it's not my wife."  That got a dirty look.  "I don't."

"She got me while I was vulnerable."

"If you made her pout she'll be doing it for weeks."

"Perhaps.  She knows it's a rare thing."

"That's between you two.  I would do something nice so she doesn't pout this time."  He nodded, grabbing some of Ancelin's honey treats to take up to her.  Ancelin came in from moving the chickens.  "They all frozen?"

"Two were.  I put them in there anyway to see if they'd thaw and live."  He nodded at that, giving her a hug.  "Eggs?"

"Please."  She moved to the stove and he looked at her.  "Sore?"  She blushed but nodded.  "I think I can fix that."  He looked around before kneeling behind her and moving her dress out of the way so he could lick her clean and less sore.  She whimpered, grabbing onto the railing above the stove.  He made her shake and come against his mouth.  He was even nice enough to sit her down and fix breakfast for her.  He brought it over, letting her settle in his lap to eat.  "That's better," he said with a smile.  She pinched him on the nipple.  "What was that for?"

"Now I need a bath. I'm all sticky and sweaty."

"You can have one later.  What were you doing today?"

"Severtina and I were going to be nosy in the storage areas.  See if there's more books we should have shelved."  He nodded, grinning at her.  "You'll be doing what?"

"Hooking your horse to the road blade so we can move some of the snow around."  She smiled and nodded.  "Were they all right?"

"We should change out the hay for them.  They've all delivered.  It's got to be smelling to them."  He nodded, kissing her again, feeding her another bite of eggs.  Chauvis walked in and took his own kisses.  "What are you doing today?"

"I figured I'd check the barn, make sure it wasn't too drafty."  She smiled and nodded.  "You?"

"The ladies are going into the storage caverns.  I'll have Cofostat help me move the snow with the road blade."  That got a nod and he settled in to eat too.  "She claims I made her sticky."

Chauvis stared at her then at him for a moment.  "You seem to enjoy that."   Volka smirked at him.  "I know, it's newlywed syndrome.  Remember, next month we'll have to start watching her cycle if she doesn't want to get pregnant this year."

"I'll figure that out later," she promised.  He smiled.  "Will you change the hay out for us?"

"Of course."  He took his own bites of breakfast since Volka was feeding him.  "I should go check on them and the chickens."

"I put the chickens in there but two were frozen," she admitted.

"Then I'll make sure if they're dead.  If they are they can stay frozen for now. We can thaw them later on to eat them."  She nodded and he finished up the shared breakfast before going outside.  Volka took another kiss, putting her on her feet.  "Be safe if there's ice."

"I will."  He gave her a pat and headed out to get the road scraping blade.  Her stallion wasn't being happy about it but he let himself be hitched to it.  He wanted to play in the snow.  Volka let him as long as he frolicked in a downhill direction.  He ran into the supply wagons, nodding the lead wagon to follow him.  They got them up the hill and the men unloaded the hay and horse feed.  "Any others?"

"Two more.  One had a broken axle, it'll be a few days, sire."  Ancelin came out with a letter.  "I have one for you as well, Duchess."  He handed it over.

She read it then giggled.  "I didn't ask."  She went to write a reply on the same paper and handed it back.  "Here, for him.  I did not ask for it, my sister suggested it for me so I wouldn't starve in my newlywed year."  The carter smiled.  "Is this all that's coming?  Not to sound greedy."

"Two more carts, Duchess.  One had a broken axle so they stayed together."  She nodded at that.  "Can we get something to feed us for the day?"

"Of course.  We've just smoked and salted some pork.  Volka, what did you want for lunch?"

"Whatever you feel like fixing," he said with a smile.  She went in there to make them a basket of food and then the men real food for doing all the work.  The carters smiled and headed back down, going slowly and carefully on the slick pass.  He took a kiss with his bread and meat.  "Thank you.  Now we have plenty of horse feed."  She poked him on the side.  "It'll be fine."

"I gave them a jar of pickles and one small one of the redfruit jam you had me make," she told him.  "Neither one had sealed properly so they needed to be eaten soon."

"That's fine," he assured her.  "Come see your foals?"  She beamed, going to look at them.  Chauvis' mare tried to hide hers but he frowned.  "It's her stallion who rode you," he reminded her.  She let them pet the foal and they moved onto the others.  Her mare was most proud of her foals.  She let them pet them and get them used to human hands.  The other mare watched them but Volka was there so she wouldn't worry.  After a few ear pets they left them alone.  The goats were bedded down for the day. The chickens had their own stall in the barn next to the pipes from the external stove that heated the water pipes.  They were content to cluck and lay with a few handfuls of horse food as well. They closed the barn back up, not sealing it this time.  They'd need to get in there later on to feed them that night.

Cofostat came down from the last of the hay being arranged, taking his lunch from Ancelin.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome.  He said there's two more coming.  The king said he'd allow me to ask this time since he didn't want us to starve our newlywed year.  I wrote back I didn't ask but I did thank him and told him I had plans of planting this spring."  He smiled at that.  "Severtina and I are finding a lot books in storage, Volka.  Did you want them moved to the new room too?"  He nodded.  "Any reason why they're in there?"

"No room.  My grandfather and father had them moved when they didn't want more bookshelves built."  That got a smile and a, with her going back to help heft books.  "That much hay should last us most of the winter," he decided.

"All winter if you're careful," Cofostat told him.

"I'll let them frolic in the snow when the days are warmer and the foals older," Chauvis told them.  He came down and got his lunch as well.  "How soon for the others?"

"They're fixing a broken axle on one," Volka told him.  "There's two more carts."

"They probably have people food instead of horse food," Cofostat offered.

"I'd hope so.  She and Severtina have canned most everything and the cellar's still not half full," Volka admitted.  He finished his lunch and looked around.  "Let's let the stallion frolic for now.  He likes the snow."  They let him loose, letting him go play and roll around in the snow like a silly colt.   It was good for him.  They walked back inside to get warm, finding Ancelin and Severtina both giggling over something.  "I sense thoughts that Spots would have to clean from someone's hair," he teased.

Ancelin blushed, handing him the book and the box it had been in.  "We were wondering what those were for.  I know not any bodypart that needs a plug."

He looked then groaned.  "Who put this in there?"

"Your father," she said with a teasing smile.  "From my grandmother."  He walked off moaning and shaking his head.  "Are they truly naughty?"

"Very," he called.  He put the box down in front of Chauvis, getting some water while his lover spluttered.  "The ladies found it.  Her grandmother gave them to my father for storage."

Cofostat looked at them then at him.  "Interesting gifts her family gives.  What does she give for the holidays?"

"Last year I got a set of shelves and a desk," Chauvis admitted, pushing the box away.  "We should spank now.  Before the bad thoughts start."

"The girls were giggling over it," Volka told him, sitting down next to him.  He pushed the box aside as well.  "Perhaps we can use them on the mares?"  Cofostat gave him an odd look.  "There must be some way not to have another set of foals so soon since she doesn't want to geld her horse.  Only so many of our friends will need new horses."

"I doubt they'd work the same as they do on humans," Chauvis told him.  He looked at Cofostat.  "Were you hiding from your grandchildren's naming ceremony?"

He nodded.  "The Queen will sob.  She loves twin girls.  She's always wanted a set of her own."  He took a drink of Volka's water.  "Are they back to getting into trouble?"

"Moving books."

"Makes up for all the ones we moved from her family's home," Chauvis joked.  "What else is down there?"

"Things Father and Grandfather didn't find appropriate for me to get into," he admitted dryly.  "There's no telling.  As long as they don't undercover a sealed demon...."  Chauvis got up and hurried to check on them.  They hadn't giggled in a while.  He looked at Cofostat.  "Your son will be hurt if you're stuck up here."

"He ordered me to get stuck up here.  He thinks his wife is ready to bear another one within a year on my orders."

"So he thinks you command her like you do the fields of battle?" Volka joked.  Cofostat smirked and nodded.  "We'd welcome you, you know that."

"The king did too.  He wants to make sure that we're not invaded this winter."  He heard Chauvis swear.  "What sort of demon was it?" he called.

"A cursed sword!"  He brought it out with his hands wrapped in his shirt.  He opened the back door to throw it out in the snow.  "Someone placed a fertility curse on a sword."

"Well, it is often thought to represent the male form in art," Ancelin said as she came in, giving him a kiss. "Thankfully it was girls who uncovered it."  She took two mugs of tea back there for them to sip while they worked.

Cofostat looked at the other two.  "Should we go help, just in case?"  Something fragile broke.  "Mouse?" he called, sounding hopeful.

"Not quite," Severtina called, pulling the imp out and tossing it out into the snow too.  "It was hiding."  She went back there after stealing a piece of meat to nibble on.

The men groaned, following their strange women.  Before something worse was found and tried to take down the tower.  They found the girls giggling over some naughty pictures in another book, Volka snickering at the awed look on their faces.  "Mythology?" he guessed.  "I remember that book and the beating I took for asking my father if something was possible for humans or only for Gods."

"Indeed," Ancelin said, handing it over.  Cofostat looked and snatched it, putting it down closed.  "It is an important work of mythology."

"It's obscene," he said bluntly.

"It's for those who can't read so they still know the stories," Severtina defended.  "You must admit, the Greek Gods got more than their fair share of lust."

"Indeed," Chauvis said dryly.  "Doesn't mean we need it in picture form."

"I was going to give it to Younger's wife.  That way she could have some fun with him," she said with a sweet smile.

"Should you, we'll be revisiting a hayloft," Elder said grimly, staring her down.  "No giving the daughter-in-law bad thoughts, Severtina."  She pouted.  "She doesn't need any more.  She has plenty of her own."

"Her mother prompts them."

"Obviously," he agreed.  He settled in to look in the boxes.  "Did your ancestors have knowledge of the Ottoman Turks?" he asked, holding up a turban.

Volka looked then nodded.  "My grandfather had a friend who was.  He was a wise, holy man who did what we do for them.  They traded many stories when he went to Greece."  He smiled, getting back to look in his current crate.  He sighed, putting it aside.  "Old clothes."  Severtina held one of them up, making Chavuis choke.  "Not my mother's."

Ancelin looked at the dress.  "It's charmed.   It's also about a hundred years old by what I've seen in paintings."

Chauvis took it to look at, frowning at the charm woven into the lace.  "It is charmed.  It looks like folk charms for calmness, relaxation, and obedience."  He put it back.  "Did we perhaps stock this storage area with things that we had confiscated?" he asked Volka.

"I thought that was in the top of the tower," he admitted.  "This was general storage.  That was to freeze the imps and things that were trapped in things we confiscated.  Or so my mother told me."

"It's possible the earlier generations simply stuffed it wherever," Severtina offered.  She pulled out another dress.  "This one has lust charms built into the weave."  Cofostat took that one from her before she could do more than hold it up by two fingers on each shoulder.  "I wasn't going to put it on.  It's much too small for me."

"Or me," Ancelin giggled.

"Not that you need it," Chauvis assured her.  "It was probably part of the same wedding trousseau as the wedding dress was."  They found more and put them back into the box together, Ancelin marking on it with a small brush and some black paint she had found.  That got put back into the corner and they got to work on the next few crates.  Some dishes were uncovered but no one could find out why they weren't in use so they got carried back to the kitchen by Volka.  Not the box, but the dishes.  The box was needed elsewhere.  They kept going, uncovering a few more naughty things and some more books.  Some more naughty books too.  Those were put into the study with the mythology book.  The rest went into the new book room.  They came back with more tea and got to work on the next crate, finding it being regular clothes.

"Why does she seem to have a clothing gift?" Cofostat asked Volka.

"Because I never wanted a fashion plate for a wife," he said blandly.

"Which I'm not.  Most of my things are still in trunks, husband," she said with a sweet smile.  She got back to work, finding that everything in there was too small for her.  "Which of your female ancestors were that small?"

"Grandmother was a huge woman.  Mother was normal sized," he admitted, considering it.  "Mayhap it was before them.  Or one of their relatives."  He shrugged and kept going.  That box got marked and put aside as well.  The next one he blushed and closed.  "I don't think we need to get into those."

Chauvis looked then at him.  "No, I think we have enough dicks in our marriage bed.  Bringing in fake ones would worry me."   The girls looked and giggled at them.  "You don't need them," he reminded them.

"Cofostat said we're not together so I could use some and I am a widow," Servertina told him.  She found a few she liked, putting the rest back.  Cofostat took them and put them back, nailing that box shut himself and carrying it off.  "Hey!"

"You don't need them either.  I'd rather have you out wenching than playing with those."

She pouted.  "Why?  At least I can't get with child from them.  Besides, wenches won't let other women play with them."

"Tough," he repeated, sitting down again.  "I'd rather you got pregnant than brought such things into my house."

"Then you'd growl at the child," she noted patiently.  "Which means I'd have to leave and you'd get Charlotte."  He shuddered at that.  "I'm lonely, it's what widows become after decades alone."  He looked at her.  "Not like you bed me."

"I've slept next to you a number of times," he said quietly. The other couple got up to let them fight.

"No, I've slept next to you to help you with the nightmares.  It's still not the same sleeping at the foot of your bed as it is to sleep in a man's arms."

"You could remarry."

"And you'd do what?  Starve?" she asked bitterly.  He sighed at that, shaking his head.  "You know you need me for other reasons."

"If you find one, I'll gladly let them into the home as long as they're decent."  She got up and stomped off, making him look confused.  "What?" he called.  "What did I say this time?"

Ancelin walked in and smacked him on the head.  "Even an elder Cofostat apparently needs some sense now and then.  Why would she take a man and flaunt him under your nose?  She could have taken a man years ago and didn't because of you."  She walked off shaking her head, muttering about how clueless men could be.  Volka kissed her, making her smile.  "You take hints."

"I do.  He's not used to being around her all day."  He took another kiss.  "He'll see what she's saying soon enough."  He stole a third kiss.  "Let's get back to work before you get bored."

"Yes, dear."  She went back in there, finding Cofostat growling.  She sighed and rolled her eyes, smacking him on the head again.  "If she had wanted another man, other than you," she said patiently, "she would have taken one.  Which would've meant she would've left you long ago to suffer and raise your own son.  Her duty or not."  He got up and went to find his caretaker, making her sit down.  "Finally!"

"They'll finish the fight somewhere else," Volka promised.  He sat down beside her, looking at the box Cofostat had nailed shut.  "We could have use for those."

"We already have two of those in our marriage bed," she said with a blush.  "Why would we need more?"

"So you could have us as we have you?"  She went bright red at that.  "Or so I could tease Chauvis while I was buried inside you?" he suggested.   The blush spread.

"That seems very naughty," she complained.

"Only God watches us in our marriage bed."

"And Grandmother."

"All right, God and your grandmother, and I doubt she'd mind since she gave them to my father."  She giggled, swatting him.  "We'll see some other time.  For now, there's still many things we haven't tried yet."  He gave her a gentle kiss, smiling at her when she moaned.  "Work now, sex later."

"Yes, dear.  Where is Chauvis?"

"Probably still in the barn."  She nodded, accepting that.  "It would've been a lot easier if the foals had been born in the spring."

"Sorry."

"No, not your fault, but I will be separating him out when they're in heat.  Just in case one of us has to rush off to do something important."

"Then you'd take mine," she agreed.  He smiled and nodded.  "I'll make sure he won't bite you."

"That would be nice, thank you."  He took another kiss and they got back to work until Cofostat came in.  "Is she coming back?"

"The other two carts are here."  They got up, going to help unload things.  There were a lot of canned supplies and more hay, which they did need, plus some more grain barrels.  There was also a wrapped present for Ancelin.  "Your birthing day is when?"

"Next week," she admitted, looking inside.  She smiled and went to put it up in her room, coming back to sort out the canned goods.  She hugged both carters, giving them a lunch as well.  "Be safe and thank you.  Thank her as well."  They nodded, heading back down the mountain.  She went back to her sorting.  She found her pot for canning and smiled at it, putting it upstairs.  Volka gave it an odd look.  "It's called a pressure pot.  It cans things faster than boiling them.  It also makes stew faster."  She got back to work, handing him a jar.  "My old cook's pickles are better than mine.  We'll have some of those for lunch."

"All right."  He put them on the table and brought out lunch.  They'd want it by the time things were put up.  She came up out of the root cellar, giving him a smile.  "Anything good?"

"Everything is good but a few things are stuff my mother liked when she was pregnant," she admitted, putting a jar down.  "Those are hot, from India."  He looked at the small red tooth-shaped things. "They're a type of pepper but they're spicy."  She went around him to finish making lunch, putting it down.  "FOOD!" she bellowed.  Severtina came down from upstairs, getting a hug.  "Men are silly," she whispered in her ear, getting a nod.  She sat down once Chauvis was in from the barn, having scrubbed out there.  "How are the foals doing?"

"Suckling happily.  Vorchain's tried to help me shovel hay.  He's very curious."  He sat down, saying his own grace.  The pickles got a look.  "Yours?"

"My original cook's."  She gave him one.  "Try them.  She does it better."  He ate one and nodded.  "She was taught by someone from the Middle East.  They use a different pickling vinegar."  She looked at Severtina.  "I also got sent some spicy peppers from India.  Mother favored them when she was pregnant with me.  She told me many times about how she ate whole jars while Father was gone."

She gave her a hug.  "Then you'll probably want some soon."  She dug into her lunch.  "What new things did we uncover?"

"None," Volka admitted. 'We were kissing and talking about some of the things that had been found."  Severtina giggled lightly but you could tell she still wasn't happy.  Ancelin gave her hand a squeeze.  "I was thinking, Severtina.  Shaun's mother is getting pushy for more grandchildren from him."  She looked at him, getting a look back.  If she truly wanted the grumpy one he'd help.  A jealous man acted faster to keep his woman his than any other sort.

"Shaun would hate not traveling," she pointed out.  "I'd never be a wife of someone who couldn't support me.  He spends much time doing odd jobs."

"True," he agreed.

"If Joseph hadn't taken his orders he might have," Chauvis offered.

She smiled at that.  "At least he could've supported a new family."

"There's always the Brothers Chapalet," Ancelin offered.

She looked at her friend.  "That's a very naughty thought."

"Why do we call them madmen?" Ancelin asked.

"They're very proud of the fact that someone in the Vatican proclaimed them mad," Chauvis told her.  "That's how we met them.  They were found to be mad because they knew a spirit was haunting them but the priest couldn't find it.  Three priests could find it but Volka did. The Vatican amended their decision but they're very proud of it."

Ancelin nodded.  "For some reason I can see them giggling over that."

"Oh, they have," Severtina agreed, patting her hand. "You should eat.  The future babes will need you a bit fatter at first."  She blushed but dug in.  "If I did go to them at least they could support a new child.  The inn does very well from what I've heard.  Many priests prefer to stay there because it's blessed ground."  She ate another bite.  "They're very sweet as well.  Neither has children."

"Tobias has one but the mother denies it's his.  Even though it looks just like him," Volka told her.  "He laid with a wife who came to him and her husband accepts the little curly headed one as his own.  Said she looks just like his sister."

"Now and then Tobias looks like someone's sister," Severtina agreed, cracking Cofostat up.  "I'd have to make him trim his chest hair.  He's almost as furry as the wolf pup."  She looked around and Chauvis pointed.  "The barn?"

"Pasture, frolicking with the stallion."

"What does {{horse}} mean?" Cofostat asked.

"Horse," Ancelin said, making him smile.  "I wasn't that old when I got him.  Plus it upset Father to no end because I did learn Mother's native tongue."

"Your stepfather had his reasons," Chauvis reminded her.

She nodded.  "Marjorie said he had been heading for France while she was possessed."

"We've sent word back," Volka promised with a smug look.  "He'll be captured soon enough."  She relaxed again.  "Eat.  You've got to find a reason to renovate more dresses."

She snorted.  "I'll need more breeches before I need maternity dresses."

"We'll see," Volka said smugly.  She gave him a look.  "We will.  Eat, woman."  She dug in again.  He looked at Severtina.  "Why the sudden desire to have children?"

"It's time to set up for the next generation.  My dreams have said so," she said simply.  "That way we have time to enjoy them out doing wild things before we pass on."  She ate her last bite and grabbed another pickle to nibble on.  "These are good.  Can we get her recipe?"

"She won't share," Ancelin sighed.  "She uses a different vinegar, plus a few different spices.  I know not what.  She wouldn't let anyone watch her cook them down or seal the ones that she doesn't cook, like these."

"What was sent for your present?" Cofostat asked.

"Your son sent it for me.  It's a book.  Plus Cook sent the pressure pot."  She smiled at Severtina.  "It's a handy pot if you can find someone to make you one.  It keeps the steam inside so pressure builds up and you cook things faster.  You also can a lot easier, though in smaller batches.  You have to remember to open it away from you but otherwise it's a very handy pot."

"I'll have to look at that.  Younger sent you a book for your birthing day?"  She nodded.  "Which one?"  She went to get it for her, making her smile.  "It's a thoughtful gift, to record the new babies," she said, showing Cofostat.  "I have one on him as well."  She handed it back gently.  "That's a very thoughtful gift."

Ancelin hugged her.  "Let the men clear the table, we'll go work on our things or we'll go berry picking.  There's still some and some of the tree fruit up."  She nodded at that so they went to change into something they could wander the woods in, grabbed baskets, cloaks, and Ancelin's bow with a few arrows just in case.  They waved before heading outside.

Volka looked at Cofostat.  "Could you really see her going to one of the others of us?  Giving her up totally?"

"Stay out of this, Volka."

"As much as I like to stay out of marital business," Chauvis started.  "You two are married by common law traditions."  He looked at him.  "Since it wasn't announced it can be ignored, but Volka's right.  It would destroy you to let her go, Cofostat."

"We all go sometime."

Chauvis hit him.  "You're not that old.  They were doing it because of your foot and the fact that your son is now having children.  They know your training is going to be needed by others soon enough.  Especially with the first royal grandson on the way."

"Two," Cofostat told him.  "The Queen asked Severtina to check since the last four have been daughters."  He finished his water, looking at them.  "While I couldn't stand it if she left, what alternative do I have?  I'm no good for her."

"You'd think after all the years she spent with you she'd know that," Volka said dryly.  He got glared at.  "Honestly.  She wants you, even knowing that you're grumpy, that you limp a bit, that your son will be your only heir, all that.  Even knowing what you do in your life.  Even knowing how bad things have been after battles in the past.  Like my Ancelin, she fusses because she loves you."

"Ours," Chauvis reminded him.

"You're both mine," Volka said firmly, staring him down.

Cofostat shook his head.  "I've not seen such possessive men before."

"Eeh, I'm allowed.  With what I have to do, I'm allowed to be possessive and hold onto what's mine.  I can even be a bit jealous when Chauvis has her first, but I usually take him and it's better."  He grinned at Chauvis, who snorted, shaking his head.  "It's not?"

"What did your ancestor say about me?" Chauvis asked dryly.

"That you were very strong, yet adorable.  He said if I needed one of each then the fights must have slowed down for a bit because he never had that sort of energy."  Cofostat snickered at that, nodding.  "And that if I mistreated you to come tell the madmen down there since they like to borrow them now and then so they can touch others.  I'm wondering how they do it."

"They're like open doors," Chauvis said patiently.  "The spirit has nothing to stick to, like it does in your mind.  Therefore they can come in and go at their own pleasure."  That got a nod of understanding.  "I still think Severtina knows her own mind, Cofostat.  She's known what an ass you were for years and how bad and mean you can be."

"She's never seen me in battle."

"She has," Volka disagreed.  "She saw you battling the thing inside you.  She saw you battling after that because it was the precursor to an attack.   She saw you defend the kingdom that day and snarl at them.  She's seen you at battle with yourself and with others now.  Even battling your son so he'd grow up straight and strong."

Cofostat looked down.  "I'd only hurt her."

"It was not your fault they died," Chauvis said firmly, reaching over to touch his shoulder.  "You had no idea one would pretend to die because she made a bad choice.  Nor that one would actually die.  You didn't drive the first insane either.  She was already there when you married from what I heard.  That's why her mother was so anxious to marry her off quickly.  No caring mother would ever not protest a dowry, even in token.  Your others didn't do the same, did they?"

"No," he admitted.  He looked at him.  "What was so wrong with me that the next one had to pretend to die?"

"She was selfish," Volka told him.  "She had decided you were everything she wanted but the reality conflicted too far.  She wanted glamorous parties, not the Lady Knight's sewing circle.  She wanted the fairytale knight who'd come home shiny and happy to have slayed something.  Not someone who came home knowing who he had killed.  If you were more shallow she would've been happier but you're a deep man."

"I try now and then," he said grimly.  "Usually it gives me nightmares."

"Which I'm sure she couldn't handle," Chauvis pointed out.  He shook his head.  "Any one with any sense, even a new wife, would ask you why you have nightmares, let you try to explain it to her."

"She did ask.  I told her it was from the battles.  She grimaced and agreed that I could sleep separately."

"Because your sleeping battles disturbed her sleep," Volka pointed out.  He nodded. "There, proof she was selfish."

"So she married a simpler man and had children for him?" he said.  He looked at him.  "That makes no sense."

"She knew she couldn't go higher without you finding out but she found a lover who worships her like Severtina worships you," Chauvis said patiently.  "Any woman would like that, though I believe ours would check us for possession after a few days of such doting attention."  Volka nodded at that.  "A man who has nothing to do but pay attention to his wife is rich enough so they'd be comfortable.  When they were before the Cardinal he came in to check her over, making sure of any bruises first.  He didn't even look at anyone else, even the Cardinal."

"I remember."  He leaned his arms on the table, leaning forward.  "The last one was taken by a fever."

"Fevers happen," Volka said gently.  "To all of us.  I had another brother until a fever took him.  My mother was extremely skilled in herbs and we still lost him to a fever and spots."

"Illnesses happen," Chauvis agreed.  "What would you like us to do?  Stop the plagues that come every few decades?  No one can stop those.  Feel lucky the poor are hit more often or you could have lost those two and the two you had before her."  He shuddered at that.  "Severtina did her best with them.  That means she was exposed to whatever took them.  Where was Younger?"

"The palace nursery while she fought it," he admitted quietly, looking at his hands.  "I could have lost her."

"You could have lost her and your other son," Volka agreed.  "You definitely could have lost her and if you make her go to Rome to mate with the madmen brothers then you will lose her.  They will keep her as is proper but then who would keep you?   Who would lay with you to help your nightmares?"

"Who would put up with your son in a panic?" Chauvis added. "I'm sure she's calmed him down many times during the pregnancy."  Cofostat nodded at that, earning a small smile.  "Think what you would have if she left, Cofostat?  Up here, you two can be together all you want, without the Court and the royal family nagging you."

"Personally I think the Queen's nagging was what caused this problem," he admitted, looking at them.  "We would have to be handfasted."

"Want me to summon Joseph?"

He considered it then nodded.  "Yes.  I'd like that."  Volka went to the fire to do that, then came back.  "Your wife is either talking up the madmen or giving her ideas."

"I think your girl has plenty of ideas for you," Volka said dryly.  "Did we tell you her cousins are both barren because of a tavern wench?"

He snickered.  "It happens to some very good families."  They went back to puttering around the tower, fixing things that needed it, watching the foals play.  They decided to let them out for a few hours even though they were newborns.  In nature they got out their first minute and they were stronger than pampered lady's horses.  The foals came out to romp in the snow, though Vorchain's did like to shake the snow off his feet for the first few minutes until the stallion and goats came over to play with them.  The goats pushed him over, getting a neigh of complaint.  He chased the mother goat around the pasture for a few minutes until his mother called him back.  Then he huffed back, head up, tail up as he trotted.  "He's so like Vorchain," Cofostat said, shaking his head.  "We should name the horse like he would."

"I think that'd confuse Ancelin's horse," Chauvis said.

"He told me before he left to think about naming him Hay," Volka told them.

They all shook their heads at that, sighing a bit.  They all looked up the mountain when something screamed in pain.  "The ladies?" Cofostat asked.

"Ancelin had her bow," Chauvis said.  "Ladies!" he shouted.  "Are you all right?"

Ancelin and Severtina came back a few minutes later.  "You never told us we had bears."  She looked at Volka.  "I think she was ill.  She was stumbling and halfheartedly attacked us.  We couldn't find cubs."

"I'll go check.  Where were you?"

"By the berry patch."  He nodded, taking her bow and remaining arrows up to check on it.  She handed Chauvis the basket then handed Cofostat Severtina.  "She got wiffled by the bear.  That's what upset her."  She handed Chauvis that basket too, then she went inside to change and grab another bow and more arrows to help her husband hunt.

Cofostat held her, looking down at her.  "Are you all right?"

She shook her head.  "Scared."  She burrowed into his arms.  He walked her inside to get her some warm tea and hold her on the couch in the library.  She finally looked at him.  "You're going to push me away again, aren't you?"

"No."  He tipped her chin up farther.  "If you're sure you want me to be the child's father I will consent but we will be handfasted." She nodded, tucking her head back under his chin.  "You're sure?"

"I may already be with child," she pointed out.  "That could be what the bear scented."

He kissed the top of her head.  "Not even bears can tell that quickly, Severtina."  He gave her a squeeze.  "No more pouncing me when I'm drunk."

"You came to me to complain."

"Yes and it felt like you compelled me with the noises you made."

"It was happy times."

He pinched her on the side.  "Behave."

"Yes, Cofostat."

"Nothing else changes."

"What if it's a son?"

"Then we'll talk to Younger."  She nodded, giving him a cuddle.  "I truly wouldn't mind either way.  As long as any daughter doesn't turn into the amazon wench who lives here," he said quietly, making her giggle and poke him.  "And you quit wearing black all the time."

"Some black?  I'm used to it."

"Some black but more colors."

"Yes, Cofostat."

"Thank you."  He went back to holding her.   They heard another animal scream and then silence.  "Sounds like they found another one."

"I think the bear was ill too.  Bears are faster and pounce like the wolf cub.  This one wobbled on her feet."

"It's possible.  There are diseases that she could have gotten from eating something tainted.  Better that than having to put a horse down because a rabid bear bit it."  She nodded.  Chauvis came in with the baskets.  "What did they find?"

"Some apples and a few berries.  I saw one of them shoot a deer."

"They'll denude the forest," Severtina told him.

"No, others will move in since the area isn't being used.  It'll support this small family and any of the farmers at the bottom of the mountain who hunt.  Should we prepare the smoke tree?"

"I'm going to wait on that.  Just in case it was diseased too."  Another animal scream and then silence.  "We'll be getting some meat from this hopefully."  He looked at them.  "Joseph would be here within four days."

"I want to look over that new mythology book again," she said with a small grin.

"You have no need of that trash," Cofostat said firmly.  "Especially not around me."

"Yes, Cofostat."  She gave him a hug.  "Can I read it to you later?" she asked with an impish grin.

He looked at her.  "You don't have to *read* me anything, Severtina.  Simply ask."

"Then would you take your afternoon nap with me?"

He nodded, grinning at her.  "I'll lay with you so you don't have nightmares."  She smiled and went back to cuddling him.  Another scream and then more silence.  Then the wolf cub came down the stairs growling, heading out to help them.  "Watch him!  He has the sense of a young child!"

"He is a cub," Chauvis pointed out.  "He headed up their trail, sniffing it the whole way."  He heard a howl and then another scream, this one higher pitched.  "I think he found a rabbit."  He went out to check, smiling at the couple coming down with two deer and the cub proudly carrying his rabbit.  "Good job, Scruffy."  He went to show his mommy, getting praise from both of them.  "Only these?" he asked, looking at the deers they had been dragging.

"The bear was sick.  Her hide was covered in sores," Volka admitted.  "I'm going up there to burn it."  He stole a kiss from Ancelin, getting a grin back.  "Good work."  He took her remaining arrows and headed back up there to burn it.

"One for each of us for winter meat," she said happily.

"We'll strip and gut it here then smoke most of it," he promised, helping her by finding a good knife.  "Cofostat, come help us dress out the two deer!" he called.  They came out with the wolf following.  He sat down to nibble on his rabbit and the guts they pulled out, more than happy to help with that.  They got the deer cleaned out and bled through a neck vein.  Cofostat hauled them up onto a beam for them so the blood would drain.  Then they skinned them while they drained.  Chauvis blessed each one before the serious chopping and smoking was started.  By that time it was nearly dinner and Volka hadn't come back yet.  Ancelin looked up at the mountain.  "What?" Chauvis asked.

"No smoke," she said quietly.  "The berry patch isn't that far out of sight."  Severtina looked too, frowning.  "I should go check."  Chauvis and Cofostat stopped her.  "I know the path.  It's where I go when I hunt."  She got free and headed up with the knife.  She found Volka under the bear, panting in pain.  "What happened?"

"It somehow came back.  Get her off me?"  She got the bear off his legs, wincing.  "She scratched me, didn't bite me."

"If she's rabid, would it matter?" she demanded.

"She's not, Ancelin.  She's not foaming around the mouth.  She had some other illness."  She helped him stand but he collapsed again.  "All right.  Light her on fire.  Get someone."  He held up the snapped bow.  "She batted it."

"I'll have them bring up something else."  She drug him to safety next to some rocks and went to get a firebrand from the house.  "Volka's injured.  The bear we thought was dead got up again,"she said as she came into the courtyard.  "I need a firebrand for the bear."  Chauvis hurried to get one while Cofostat came to get Volka with her.  She led the way back up there, lighting the bear while he fussed over her husband.  She wrinkled her nose. "They do stink."

"Burning fur always does," Volka agreed.  "Help me, Ancelin?"  She came to help him up and back down to the house.  Fortunately not that far away.  He kissed her.  "Let Severtina help me."

"I'll watch the bear," Cofostat told him, taking her knife and the arrows, plus the spare bow before going back up there.

Severtina came out.  "I've got the main tub for the fireplace set up and filling.  Come on."  She nodded, leading him that way.  One leg was gored but he'd heal.  She had healed the mare's injuries she could heal him.  Severtina looked then winced.  "Rabid?"

"No foaming," Volka told her.  "It had sores in the fur.  I'd say it had been captured and tortured personally.  We know there's someone on the other side of the mountains who does that.  I've run into a few deer he's done that to."  He settled in the bath with a hiss for his injuries.  "Ow.  Salt?"

"No, a touch of vinegar to help us clean them out," she admitted, coming over to check.  "Nothing under your breechcloth, right?"  He shook his head quickly.  "Good, then I won't look," she said with a grin.  She gently cleaned all the wounds, letting Ancelin get her herbs and bandages for him.  "Anything broken?"

"The leg won't hold me," he said quietly.  She pushed gently on each of the bones, getting a head shake.  "My knee?"

"The scoring below it probably made it a bit weaker.  Ancelin, we'll need to splint it for a few days even though nothing's broken.  One's bothering his knee."  She nodded, going to find sticks for that.  She looked at him again.  "Do not make me fuss over you too."

"I'll have plenty," he assured her with a weak smile. He leaned back, letting her fuss with the wounds for him.  He winced when she cut off a piece of hanging skin.  "Was that necessary?"

"It can trap infection.  You'll have scars no matter what I do."  He nodded, letting her help him out and onto the floor in front of the tub, on top of a towel, so she could pat the injuries dry and start to bandage them.  His whole leg ended up swaddled but it was necessary.

"We were sure it was dead," he said quietly.

"How can you tell a heartbeat on a bear?" she asked dryly.  "I know I can't."

"I should've stabbed it to make sure.  I gauged it on breathing."

"Then it looked dead.  Stabbing it if it was dead would've been senseless.  Did you kill it?"

"It snapped the bow but I grabbed an arrow and sent it into its eye and brain."
She smiled at that, nodding a bit.  "Hopefully he'll be all right."

"Cofostat faced down Ancelin's father for years without getting more than a few scratches.  A bear isn't much harder to kill."  He smiled at that.  It was a good point.  Ancelin came in with the splint and another few bandages.  "Good."  She splinted his leg, snapping off any extra on the sticks for the fireplace.  She bound the sticks to his leg and patted him on the head.  "Bed or the couch?"

"Either's fine as long as I can get out of the wet breechcloth," he said grimly.  Chauvis came in and pulled the screen around, letting Ancelin get him something to put on.

"Would you like a dress?" Ancelin called finally.  "None of your pants will fit without cutting off a leg."

He groaned.  "Not really."

"Shaun's cousin said his wife's people wear a kilt," Chauvis offered.

"I'm not like his cousin's wife's people," he said grimly.  "Nor do I want to cut my pants."  She came over to hand him the breech cloth and a shirt, then wrap his lap in a blanket.  He grimaced.  "It doesn't seem right. Other's wives are present."

"The choices are for you to put on a skirt or to cut a pair of pants or to sit like this," Ancelin told him.  "Which would you rather do?"

"I don't mind as long as you're covered, Volka," Severtina told him. "Not like I'm interested in you. Your manhood has much on its mind already."  He cackled at that, nodding.  "Good."  She went to drain the tub and put it away, then tidied up the mess.  The extra herbs went back into the boxes in the cabinet in the kitchen.  She looked out, seeing the fire going merrily along.  She sniffed.  "The meat doesn't smell right."  She looked back in the library.  "I'm going to bring Cofostat something to nibble and some tea.  Be right back."  She warmed some water quickly and made him a small pot of tea, taking it and some bread and cheese up to him.  She only got lost once, making him shake his head and relax when she came out into the clearing he had created.  "Volka's leg looked worse than it was.  For bear swats they weren't that deep.  I've bandaged it and splinted his leg so he can't move it."  She handed over the meal and tea, sitting next to him.  "We're sure it wasn't rabid?"

"No frothing around the mouth or nose.  The hide had sores," he told her.

"He said there's someone on the other side of the mountains who could have done that," she said quietly.

He hummed, kissing her on the head.  "I know of them.  We've ran into a few others he's done it to.  I still wouldn't want to risk it with how Ancelin described her behavior."  She smiled at him.  "I can be safe and maybe catch a rabbit to contribute to the smoking tree."

"Scruffy would like that.  He's still gnawing on his rabbit's back end."  He laughed at that. "Maybe ears are a trophy for young wolves."

"Most likely it's because they're not edible."  He kissed her on the top of the head again, getting a smile.  He let her settle in against her.  It was an odd romantic moment but this was Severtina.  Perhaps she enjoyed watching animals be burned to ashes.  One never knew with her.
 

Chapter Twenty-Three.
 
 

Severtina curtseyed in front of the king and queen, smiling brightly at them.  "Well met, Highnesses."  Her new dark green dress did suit her very well and she was having a happy day.

"Well met, Severtina.  Is there news from the Cofostat household?  Beyond the obvious?" the king asked, nodding at her stomach.

"A bit.  Cofostat the Younger wishes to announce his wife is with child and the indications all say male this time, so there'll be an heir to Sir Cofostat."

"Good of him to announce it finally since she's due in a few months," the queen said.  "Who is the father of yours, dear?"

She looked at her.  "I am a widow.  Did you think I wore all black all the time because I liked it, My Queen?"

She blinked.  "Well, you are a bit strange, and your mother was known as a witch," she admitted.  "I thought it might be something to do with her area of expertise."

She giggled and shook her head.  "Nay, m'lady.  I was married when I was sixteen summers old.   He died in a hunting accident within a year of our marriage.  His horse got scared by something small and furry and threw him."  That got a wise nod.  "His horse was a bit like some delicate daughters in the court now and then.  We wouldn't let him breed because of his temperament."

"That's probably a wise thing," the king agreed.  "So who is the father?"  She held up her ring.  "Is there other news then from your household?"

"No, this is a All Saints baby, sire," she said, stroking her stomach.  "He wishes no change in the heirs and I think it's a daughter.  Which he'll make sure is just as delicate as Duchess Constantsos on his own, without her help."  The queen groaned so she smiled.  "But we are finally free of the snows and back if you needed him.  He's at home grumbling about the letters that were waiting on us.  He told me to come up and greet you and tell you that news."

The Queen smiled.  "Is the father pleased that it's a girl?"

"Fairly so."  She beamed.  "Naughty you," she teased. She blew a kiss at the crown prince.  "You've grown, you've got spots."

"Better these than a leopard named Spots," he joked.

"I love Spots.  As well as Furry and Scruffy."  She beamed.  "Another one got orphaned up there so I raised him."  She curtseyed again and then walked off.

His son looked at the King.  "So, Cofostat is still a true man?" he asked quietly.

"Apparently he has handfasted," he murmured to his wife.  "Perhaps we should pressure him about the wedding before the babe is born?"

"With the last few?" she asked gently.  "It would be painful to them."

"That's fine.  She's not the first to go that way in a household."  He smiled at his son.  "He is every bit a man, son, and you'll be training with him soon."

"Yes, Father.  I know he made some of our best knights.  Should I ask him for a letter from Duchess Ancelin about future children?"

"I'm sure we'll get one.  I can see him stomping in.  Sir Cofostat."  He bowed then handed the queen a letter.  "How are they doing?  I thought it nice her sister asked for her."

"They're doing very well, Sire.  There was a person torturing bigger game animals across the border that peeved her spouse after a damaged bear attacked them.  He seems to have run away instead of face Volka and I."  He smirked at the son.  "You, practice yard."  He nodded, going to do that.  He looked at the king again.  "Volka's leg is fine.  He's back to hunting with her.  She's begun preparing a patch for gardening.  Practical gardening, not pretty gardening.  That pressure pot of hers is very useful."  The queen snickered and handed over the letter.   "She'll be due around summer solstice."

"A boy?" the king asked hopefully.

"A girl, an heir for her then one for her spouse, Sire."

The queen nodded.  "Severtina's babe?"

He looked a bit embarrassed.  "An All Saints baby, Highness.  We were celebrating a bit."

"Ah.  Yours then?" the king asked gently.  He nodded.  "You're hoping for a daughter?"

"My son needs someone to advise on clothes since his daughters are technically my heirs instead of his."

The King burst out laughing, drawing a bit of attention.  "I'll let him know you said that.  The new one is a son?"

"The new one will be a son in a few more months," he agreed.  "I've made sure he talked to a healer at the very least for her.  She's been well taken care of and he's staring at Severtina's stomach in consternation.  She assured him he's her first baby, this one is her second.  It soothed his ego."

"Good," the queen agreed.  "Handfasting?"

"When it was realized," he agreed.

"Further formal notice?" the king suggested.  His knight gave him a long stare then shook his head.  "I understand you're hesitant."

"She said should I try she'd turn me into a changeling.  Then I wouldn't do anyone much good.  The duchess would have to teach my future sons how to be knights."

The king smiled but nodded.  "I can see that point.  Perhaps afterward?"

"I doubt she'll change her mind.  She hasn't had many mood swings so far, Sire. My son has had more than she has."

"I'll remember that," the queen said dryly.

"I told him thus this morning," he admitted.  "He walked off in a snit, like any good daughter would."

The king coughed so he wouldn't laugh.  "I got a great many mood swings when my wife was pregnant."

Cofostat nodded.  "I remember.  I also remember you telling all of us to eat pickled eel for two weeks, sire."  That did get a loud laugh.   "Beyond the youngest son, is there anyone else you'd have me teach?"

"The youngest daughter thinks knights are romantic and being one would be good for her to find a prince," the queen sighed, looking at him.

"I'll teach the princess how to fence, My Queen.  Plus how to take care of her own horse.  That alone should stop that notion.  Mucking stalls is gross."  He bowed and left, going to get his things so he could work with their children.  He saw the young princess.  "You are coming as well?" he asked.

"I am," she said firmly, walking out with him.  "Is your Severtina really with child?"  He nodded, looking down at her.  "How?"

"Ask your mother.  I don't answer those questions.  She even answered them for my son."

"I'll do that later," she announced, pouncing her brother and knocking him down.  "Ha!  I'm still better."

Cofostat smirked at the son.  "Sometimes you'll find humoring them easier," he shared.  He helped him up.  "If you're both to learn, come on.  We are not learning in the garden when you have a practice area."  He took them both in there, getting to work on the littlest royals' egos.   They both needed knocked down and then rebuilt properly.  The girl held up better than he had assumed.  She even told him she was tired and sat down to take a nap in a corner without him prompting her.  His son walked in.  "How's the wife?"

"Much happier now that I've reminded her she's my wife and they're my heirs as well as yours."

"Severtina's carrying a daughter, son."

"My wife thinks she'll never stop now."

"No, I think she only wanted the one."  He showed the prince a new move, practicing it against him until he got it right.  "Take a break."  He bowed and went to do that, including getting his sister some water to drink too.  He looked at his son.  "What have you been doing?"

"Some limited spying.  I seem to be good at it," he said smugly.  His father gave him a proud look and a nod of agreement.  "The bear and Volka's leg?"

"He's fine now.  The bear had been tortured by someone over the border.  He and I went to have a talk with him when another tried to gut him with his antlers.  The man ran for his life before we got there."  His son smirked at that, crossing his arms over his chest.  "Ancelin's due around solstice."

"Good.  A son?"

"An heir for her then her husband."

"I still wonder why all of us have daughters."

"You hush.  Vorchain finally sired a son and the rest are starting to come out sons."

"So it's his fault?"

"As many things have been since he touched the well over three hundred years ago," he said dryly.  "He thinks she'll be the next one to touch that well so we're all keeping her away from there with her knowledge."  That got another dry, amused smirk.  "Any other news?"

"Marjorie's father was captured in Italy.  The Brothers got him and brought him to the palace to present the capture.  They got a nice reward for it and he was executed down there."

"Truly gone?"

"Truly gone.  They made sure of it."  That got a nod.  "Who'll be blessing her children?"

"Her mother's journal was right," he said quietly.  "She found that from her grandmother."

"Ah.  Who?"

"Shaun's father."

"I'm sure his mother will be pleased with that.  Oh well."  He smirked.  "Want me to work with the princess?"

"I was going to teach her how to truly take care of her horse.  You can teach her that and how to muck stables."

"Gladly.  I've got to get a new stablehand.  She can help me."  He went to wake her up.  "Princess Anastasia?"  She blinked at him.  "Come along.  Father said I'm to teach you how to handle a horse and how to take care of one."  She beamed, hopping up, taking her water cup with her.  He handed that to a groundskeeper, taking her hand.  "There's much you have to know about horses to take care of one like a knight.  Including how to take care of their hooves, manes, and stalls."

"We have people for that."

"Knights in the field don't and most knights don't live at the palace.  They're off doing great deeds for the royal family and the kingdom."  She nodded, bucking up at that.  She'd make a good stall mucker and he'd let her braid his horse's tail for helping him.  She was good with hair.  He brought her back a few hours later, presenting her to her mother.  "She learned quite a lot about horses today, Highness.  Even if she did slip and fall once."

"I can smell that," the king said, looking at his daughter.  "I'd hug you but you need a bath."

"It's like mud, father.  Really," she sighed.  She smiled at her mother. "I got to brush his horse, and braid her tail, and help shine her hooves, and then helped muck the stall because proper knights can do their own when they're traveling.  He's promised to teach me how to ride as well."

"That would be a good skill to have," the queen agreed.  "Very good, daughter.  Now, have your nanny give you a bath before dinner."

"Must I?"

"You stink," her father said bluntly.  "Horse's manure stinks much more than mud and it's not something to play in, daughter."

"I didn't, I slipped and fell on my backside, Father."  She curtseyed.  "As you wish, Sire."  She skipped off to her room, the guards following her to make sure she got there, one running ahead to get the bath started before she got there.

"She had a good hand with my touchy mare," Younger admitted with a small smile.  "She also braids backwards, My Queen.  If you wish her to continue learning I've got to teach my own and she's much nicer than mine will be.  It's good practice."

"As you wish, Cofostat," she said, smiling at him.  "Did Ancelin bless them to be strong children?"

"Only by long distance.  Neither of my girls want to sleep at the same time.  Their mother's going insane.  Fortunately Severtina wants to practice taking care of babes for a few days," he said with a manic smile.  "So I'll be taking her on a picnic tomorrow but she can come over the day after."

"I'll let her know," she promised.  "Thank you for watching out for her."

"Not an issue, but if she'll be hunting we may want to set an official female hunting costume so she doesn't take up some's ways and wear men's pants?"  She rolled her eyes.  "It's one of the reasons Duchess Ancelin is with child, My Queen.  Her husband got pleased with her wearing his pants.  He often does from what I witnessed at their house last time."

"I'll see what I can do about that," she agreed.  "Thank you, Younger."  He bowed to them and left.  She looked at her husband.  "We probably should set appropriate guidelines for female hunting costumes."

"There's those split skirts that Ancelin used to wear."

"They're still too big for hunting in brush.  We'll talk about it tonight among the ladies.  Let me make sure she's being scrubbed."  She smiled and left him alone.

Cofostat the Elder walked in the older son.  "He's got a firm hand on his sword but a depth sensing problem, Sire."

"Will he grow out of it?"

"I'd say he needs reading spectacles like the Cardinal does.  Only his would be worn all the time."

"I'll see what we can figure out then.  Beyond that?"

"He'll do with a lot of training once that gets fixed. Your daughter did well her first lesson.  His former rapier went to her and she swung it everywhere, as you'd expect a child to do.  She settled down fairly well and did as ordered.  She'll grow into her grace."

"Good.  She managed to slip mucking a stall earlier and was still happy about it."

"It's not often women like their horses, Sire.  Those tend to take very good care of the royal hunting lines."

"We could use that," he agreed with a smile.  "Son?"

"I ache, Father.  May I be excused to bathe?"

"Go," he agreed.  "Twice a week, son."

"I'm told the aches will get better," he said grimly, bowing to Cofostat before leaving.

The king waited until they were alone.  "How bad?"

"Not bad.  If his vision can be corrected he'll be a lot better.  Never a knight but able to defend himself and his family some year.  Not one to go out to get into pointless fights either.  That is your more scholarly son."

"True.  Thank you, Cofostat.  Your son is going to keep teaching her about horses as well."

"He could use the help anyway, Sire.  His daughters are terrors already.  They only settled down when Severtina came in to talk to them.   Their grandmother has been over recently."

"Ah.  That explains some things.  She is very excitable."

"That she is.  She also nearly got beaten by my son for snubbing Severtina."  He gave him a look.  "I'll leave you to your happiness tonight, Sire. I've got dinner waiting by now.  She's in a baking mood for some reason."  He walked off smiling, nodding at a few of them.  Philip ran up to him, hissing in his ear.  "We can check.  Bring her over tonight."  He nodded, going to do that while he went home.  "Severtina, Marjorie might be possessed again."

"I've got the herbs we'll need already," she shouted from the kitchen.  The babies cooed.  "They're both being very good.  Can I hit her mother?"

"No, you can't hit her mother."  He kissed her on the neck.  "The two youngest are taking to their lessons very well."  She smiled at him.  "The son took the princess to teach her how to take care of horses."  She beamed at that.  "She slipped."  She giggled.  "But she was happy and claimed it was like mud."

"It can be."  She kissed him properly and handed him a plate.  "There, eat."  She bounced over to talk to the babies, getting happy babies.  His son came home, slamming the door.  "Wife?"

"Her mother.  Trying to pressure her to snub you as well.  I told her honestly that you two were handfasted and that's as far as it was going.  If she gossiped I'd have her charged as a witch since I scented herbs on her again."  He sat down, getting food put in front of him.  "I'm not hungry."

"Bring your wife here, that way we can make sure the babe won't be hurt," his father ordered calmly.  His son nodded, going to do that.  "Can you handle them if they move back?"

"Of course!  Not a problem."  She smiled when someone else stomped in.  "Back here, Vorchain."

He came back and stared at her stomach then at her.  "Did I miss another announcement?" he pouted.

"Yes," Cofostat said, digging in.  He moaned.  "Did we bring back some of those cavern mushrooms you and Ancelin found?"  She beamed and nodded.  He held a piece out.  "Try that."  Vorchain did and moaned. "They grow down in the ritual cavern off on that dark side.  Ancelin was cleaning and found them."  He finished his dinner, looking at the happy grandbabies.  "You two have been quiet tonight."  Their mother walked in and they wailed.  "Hmm.  Check her as well."

"It could go into the child," Vorchain reminded him.

"We can free the child," Younger said.  "You're right though.  I caught her mother casting on her."  He handed his wife to Vorchain.  "Please free her?"  He and Severtina walked her off.  "Her mother's a succubus."

"That explains how happy you've been," his father noted.  "Do you mind?"

"She chose not to be.  As Charlotte probably did."

Cofostat the Elder nodded at that.  "That's reasonable then.  Vorchain, there's other offspring coming as well."

"I heard!" he called back.  The woman screamed then went limp in his arms.  "Hmm."  He looked down at the sound of liquid hitting the floor. "She's having the baby tonight!" he called.

"Only two months early," Younger said grimly.  "I'll get the doctor when she says to."  He finished his dinner, going to help since it was his wife.  His next one would have to be much stronger and less greedy.  Plus an orphan if he could manage it.
 

***
 

Vorchain rode up to the tower a month later.  "Ancelin!" he bellowed, sliding out of his saddle.  The cub behind him growled.  "You quit."  He helped it down, letting it prowl toward the open back door.  "Ancelin!  We're starved!" he called, following the small cub.

"You're demon food if you don't let me read," Chauvis called from his usual seat. "Shut up before you bring more demons down with your flashy manners!"

"You wound me," he called with a grin, nudging his cub to go in there to investigate.  "Ancelin!"

"She's birthing her daughter," Volka called from upstairs.  "Quit bellowing or else come help if you didn't bring Severtina and Charlotte!"

"Aww, you do love me," Vorchain said happily, smiling at his friend.  "They're on their way up as well.  They're behind me in a carriage.  Charlotte's driving."

Chauvis shuddered.  "Wonderful."  He looked at the cub then at him.  "Did you shrink Spots?"

"No.  That's her daughter.  She had twins and couldn't nurse both of them.  She's staying with the mate's human since he has a large garden for them to lounge around in and animals that get sent in now and then.  The Prince was most pleased when she mated with his male."  Chauvis shook his head, rolling his eyes.  "You're not helping?"

"I got banished.  She's not letting go of Volka at the moment so I'm working on keeping the demons out."

"I can help with that."  He handed over something.  "Severtina said I'd get here by hours."  He smiled, taking them up to burn around her room.  Vorchain peeked in. "Can I help?"

"Stay out there! I do not want you to birth this child!" she ordered.

"That's fine.  I helped birth Younger's son before his wife died from her mother's hand two days later because she didn't want Cofostat to have a male heir.  He's healthy if a bit tiny at this time.  Her own babe was born last week too.  She's fine and healthy.  Lots of hair."  He grinned.  "They're on their way up in a carriage."  She moaned and shifted.  "Let her lay on her side.  Severtina did until it was time."  He closed the door, going to help ward the rest of the tower.  He saw the ghosts talking in the kitchen and paused.  "Is it because the door is open?"  One of the ancestors nodded, smirking at him.  "Is it not a girl child?"

"It is," the one who had possessed Volka said, smiling.  "She'll be much more like her great-grandmother. A formidable witch.  We're here to greet her and the others coming."  That got a nod and he went to ward the rest of the house.  "He really will have to settle down sometime.  The curse on the well said he'd walk until he found his perfect mate."

"His perfect mate doesn't exist," Ancelin's grandmother's spirit said dryly.  "It may never exist."   Chauvis gave her an odd look.  "Look at what he wants in a woman."

"It is very contradictory," he agreed.  "Perhaps some year."  He went back to reading.  "She'll be coming in a few hours."

They nodded, going up to check on her until she started to swear at the men again. Then their little brother still stayed for a few more hours.  It was the oddest birthing room ever.  But that was the destiny of a Volka and his mate.  A Volka mating with a Daughter of Artemis could only bring stubborn, strong children and a strong future.

The End.