Chapter 6

Andrew

As the serving girl left, Andrew glanced at Brena. He just looked at her. Brena tried to keep herself indifferent but failed, “She is a street whore, Andy. We are getting you cleaned up. I won’t have a flea-bitten bitch like that gets you infested.” Andrew shrugged but remained silent. After a few minutes, the water began to cool. He stood and noted he felt much better. “Come on, ladies, we need to see about some new clothing.” He grabbed his towel off the wall peg and wrapped it around his waist. Brena and Hara wrapped theirs around themselves, and the three returned to their room. Catcalls and whistles followed the women up the stairs from the commons.

In their room, Andrew went through his clothing. He managed to find a few pieces that still fit. With these on and the women back in their loose shifts, they headed out of the Inn to see if a general store might have what they needed. Rather than the general store, they found a tailor’s shop. The three travelers returned to their room and gathered clothing that no longer fit. The Tailor looked at the clothing and the changes in size they needed. The Tailor, Robert Threadcutter of the family, Threadcutter was young, as was his wife, Lucinda. Brena noted the marks on the woman’s belly. She had had many children already. Seven, to be exact, from a quick count of the little ones in the shop. The children ran around, ranging from barely walking to not quite in puberty. These two had started very young.

“How long will it take to fix our existing clothing to match the changes to our bodies?” Brena asked.

Robert seemed confused, “Change in size, ma’am? I don’t understand.” He looked at the well-worn clothing and then back at Brena. “I don’t see how you could have worn these before. They are obviously too small for any of you.”

He set the old clothing on the counter and looked at Andrew. “You, sir, are a small giant of a man. I must work to create a complete wardrobe set for you.”

Lucinda looked at Hara, “I think I know you, she said in a puzzled voice. “At least, I think I do. Weren’t you a slave to that old thief and smuggler?” She looked Hara up and down. She reached up and pulled the shift’s neckline to look at Hara’s chest. Lucinda studied the spot that used to have the owner’s brand. “It can’t be you, though. That brand can’t be removed.” She let the cloth go. Hara straightened the shift, smiling at Lucinda.

“Your eyes do not deceive you, Lucinda. The brand has been removed, and the skin healed.” Hara put her hands on Lucinda’s Shoulders and pulled her in for a hug. She gave Lucinda a light kiss on the forehead, then released her. “I am a free woman now, Lucinda.” Hara smiled at Andrew, “At least as free as I want to be.” She looked at Andrew with an adoring smile.

“Well, free or not,” Lucinda snorted, “these clothing will not be salvageable to fit any of you.” She turned away and pulled open a wall curtain. Behind the curtain were rods of hanging clothes. Pants, shirts, dresses, tunics, and skirts for men and women. “Business is slow, so we have been making a stockpile for the next trade caravan to purchase.” She looked at her husband, “Suit the big man up, Regu.” Robert looked at his wife and nodded to Andrew.

“Come on, big man, you will need your measurements. Go stand on that round platform.” Lucinda opened a toolbox and pulled out several measuring tapes. Robert picked up a notepad and nodded for his wife to begin once Andrew was where he needed to be. Robert pulled down a basic underwear set for Andrew to try on. Andrew blushed when he had to remove what he was wearing. He hurried when he heard Lucinda gasp, looking on in dazed wonder at the sight before her. Robert was licking his lips at Andrew’s size. Robert shook his head and told Lucinda to get busy with the measurements.

The afternoon was spent testing fittings, splitting seams, re-sewing, test fitting, and starting over. Once the sizes had been worked out, “It will take at least four, maybe five days to produce your order, sir and Ma’ams,” said Robert. “Now about payment...,” he asked questioningly. Andrew pulled open a pouch he had carried the entire time, emptying it into his left hand. Andrew separated ten Plat Royals and, from a second pouch Brena had, added ten small glow pins that Ledger had sent along to use as trade goods. After explaining how to use the pins, The party returned to the Inn, leaving two stunned craftsmen wondering about two years’ worth in payment and the magical gift of new lighting. Andrew looked at the sign over the door. A simple bed and fork adorned it. He shrugged and entered the building.

Inside, he was blind until his eyes adjusted to dim lighting. One of the serving wenches saw them enter, came over, and asked if they wanted to sit and have the evening dinner. Andrew didn’t consult with his women this time. He gestured for the girl, Andrew estimated her to be about thirteen, to lead them to a table. She took them to the corner furthest from the door. Once seated, the girl asked if they wanted wine or ale. Andrew asked for a large flagon of ale. Brena and Hara both asked for red wine. The girl left to bring the drinks to them. Andrew looked around the common now that his eyes had adjusted. He noted that none of the current patrons seemed more than lightly armed. All were in pairs that appeared to be out having a quiet evening meal.

When the serving girl returned with a tray loaded with ale and wine, she sat it down and asked if they would like to have the night’s dinner. It was roasted beef with leaks and onion. It also came with a loaf of fresh bread and melted butter. Andrew nodded; that would be fine, and the girl left again. Brena continued to look around, watching everybody in the room. “Andy, I know none of these folks are a threat; I have an itch telling me there is trouble coming soon. I didn’t mention it before, but that streetwalker warned me several hunters arrived a few days ago. They are laying low for now.” They continued to eat in silence for a few more minutes. Andrew was in the middle of a sip of ale when a voice called out in his head.

‘Andrew, you awake yet?’ It was Aston calling to him.

Andrew managed not to spit his drink out, ‘Yes, I’m awake now. What do you need?’ Andrew asked. Brena had seen this reaction to mind speaking before. “Aston?” Brena mouthed. Andrew nodded to her. ‘Bring in my women, Aston.’ ‘Got it.’ Came the reply. Hara had never experienced this before, her eyes going wide. Brena put a finger to Hara’s lips, motioning her to stay silent.

‘Andrew, there have been several incidents here since you left.’ Aston started to explain. ‘Hunters have been trying to get at Bloodrend in the vault. Aco has a kill count that’s getting scary. She and Claw sent word to the court to back off, or an entirely new government would need to be created after she finished with them.’

Andrew snorted, ‘Good for her.’

‘That’s not surprising, though. We have had several attacks on us here. The last and worst was from another world. It would seem that once Ledger fixed the Weave, Gardallen became visible to everybody everywhere. Worse, they could see Bloodrend. There is a multi-realm warrant out for his capture.’

‘Yeah, about that,’ Aston interrupted, ‘Gareth is going to kick your ass when you return. That sword blew the vault apart and shattered every lower-floor window when it escaped. Oh, not to mention those heavy-duty main doors? They had to remove them so the frames could be repaired,’ Aston said.

‘Ouch?’ was Andrew’s reply.

‘Yeah, ouch. Gareth is royally pissed,’ Aston said. ‘I have good news; Weena is awake now and has escaped the lizards. I’ll explain how later. ‘Brena. How are you holding up?’

‘Better than normal, Aston. I haven’t introduced you to Hara yet. She is a co-wife to Andrew and myself.’ Brena gave Aston a brief rundown on how they had gained another woman for Andrew. ‘Aston, as much as I love sex with my man, I needed a backup to take the load off. It was getting hard to walk some mornings.’

Aston chuckled, ‘Well, I don’t know if I will ever have that problem. Aco made it clear she doesn’t share. Hello Hara.’

Hara was initially reluctant, but a nudge from Andrew made her speak. ‘Greetings Aston. This is all new to me, so please forgive my reluctance.’

‘Not a problem, Hara, mind speaking was rare before. It is becoming more common now that the power is on,’ Aston said. ‘Listen, I need to cut this short. Aco just said a small army of hunters is approaching the Hotel. I will get the others up and moving. What? Are you sure? On my way, Aco. Guys, we are going to have our hands full. These hunters are not human in the least.’ Aston cut the link.

Hara looked back and forth, “What did he mean not human?” she asked quietly.

Brena looked at Andrew, “You had better explain it to her.”

Andrew paused and asked Bloodrend, ‘How much should I tell her?’