FOREVER KNIGHTS: #12 Primal Intent

Rosewynn Manor, Outside Meadowbrook, Grier Country

DERAGAN

Deragan was having a cup of tea as he chatted with Nora this morning. She’d come down and made her usual cup of hot chocolate. There wasn’t much to discuss so they soon lapsed into companionable silence.

A loud knock made them exchange a look.

“I’m not sure there’ll be any room left in this Manse if people keep arriving.” She jested.

That made him chuckle. There are certainly plenty of rooms left.

Unfortunately Deragan had plans to use them if his men were injured fending off Cimmerii.

Another loud knock sounded, echoing through the corridors and shaking up dust in the foyer.

Deragan’s humor was doused by the rush of power he sensed. Something magical is on the other side of that door.

Nora reluctantly rose and went to the door.

Deragan on her heels. What did my wolves let pass?

Cracking the door revealed three mob-capped women standing on the stoop.

Opening the door in surprise she asked. “Who-Who are you?”

Elven people. Deragan identified as he recognized the woman at the forefront. I’ve seen her before.

“Rosemary sent for us.” The older woman said briskly as she eased past Nora into the house to look around. “Our expertise is maintaining mansions like this.”

Bronwynn and her invisible daughter. He recalled meeting them in the woods when they’d given him Isabelle the fairy. He’d sent them to Rosemary to help her.

Now, apparently she’s sent them here to help.

An ingenious idea actually!

Nora’s eyes widened. “I can’t pay for that! I don’t know what Rosemary was th-”

“I can.” Deragan interjected. “I’ll pay you. It would be ideal for you to have some help.” He remarked as she turned to face him with stunned blue eyes.

He caught both her hands tenderly and turned them palm up. “These hands should be playing with Beth or enjoying your leisure time not tending the whole Bishop family like a maid. Let me help you?” He urged.

Nora opened her mouth blinking huge eyes. Before she could answer the woman at the forefront of the elves barged in.

Two women about Nora’s age were on her heels.

Her daughters. Lily and…He couldn’t remember the other one.

“Just how do you make your coin?” She asked. “You’ve been here for months. Surely you must need it!”

“I’ve an inheritance.” He shrugged and turned away.

Inherited from treasures and land I’ve acquired and people I’ve befriended over the years. It wasn’t fully a lie.

Though not fully the truth either. And that made him feel filthy. I hate deceiving her…Had I not given her my word…

“Thank you.” Nora whispered to his back as she caught up to him.

He nodded.

The older woman appeared from the parlor to intercept Nora. Offering her hand. “I’m Ms. Morris. These are my ladies. Lily is an exceptional cook.” She gestured to the blonde daughter. The other one was substantially darker. “And this is Mary.”

Ms. Morris told Nora what all she’d be doing to help Nora.

Lily, the curly haired blonde raised her arm to tuck loose tendrils under cap. As she did she bumped her mother’s.

Ms. Morris’ head snapped to give Lily a reprimanding look. Revealing a clear view of Ms. Morris’ grossly oversized, pointy, ear.

Deragan groaned inwardly. Subtlety is not their forte.

Nora still stared slack-jawed when Ms. Morris looked back at them.

Without a word Ms. Morris spun on her heel, long skirt swishing as she smoothly shoved her ear under her hat.

Spreading in different directions the three women scattered throughout the house. Walk quick and purposeful.

It won’t take them long.

Still shaking her head Nora entered the Dining Room. Finding the room abandoned.

Picking up an empty trencher, she reached for another as Lily strode in. Chatting happily, Lily helped clear the table.

Nora gasped when she glanced down and saw she’d collected two, while Lily had gathered a teetering pile. Lily holding her hand out expectantly, forced Nora to slap her two on the mountainous stack.

Nora followed Lily to the kitchen but found Ms. Morris already filling the sink while Mary wiped down the stove.

Gnawing her lip, Nora backed out and went outside. Near the orchard she bumped into Marcus. “Have you seen Nick?”

“No.” He wiped the back of his hand across his dripping forehead. “But Derrick’s back here.” Clicking his tongue he gave her a wink.

Eyes narrowing she glowered. “Very funny.”

“You know, it’s the damnedest thing Nore, he’s hauled out more dead branches and trees than me and Will combined.”

“How long was he out here?”

“Few hours this morning. And just got back out. That’s his pile.” Marcus pointed to a heaping mound. Next to it were two smaller piles.

“I know the feeling.” She grumbled.

“William and I have been at it since dawn. William isn’t getting out of our bet just because that man decimated both of us.” He vowed. “I still did more than him.”

Nora shook her head and walked on.

Talking to Nick was useless.

She explained what had happened.

Nick had given her a sweaty sideways hug.

Making her cringe. “Get off me. You’re smelly.”

Giving her a mockingly wounded look, he sniffed an arm pit and winced. Then shrugged and went back to work.

“What was that for anyway?” She queried.

“Persuading a gentleman to assist with finances. Well done!”

“But I didn’t!”

He laughed. Adjusting a leather glove and going back to tossing branches.

“It’s not funny Nick.” She said dryly.

“We could use the help.” He said in a more serious tone as he bent to heft the branch of a dead fruit tree. Walking to a pile behind the others, to toss it onto.

Shoulders slumping she went back inside and found lunch practically ready.

Deragan came down the stairs and saw her looking confused. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure what to do with myself.”

“Why?”

“Lunch is almost ready, already.”

The women were hauling platters from the kitchen to the Dining Room table.

“I didn’t even know we had all of this in the house.

You didn’t.