A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 42: Day 60
"Are you well pleased?" Tyra asked impishly when she and Matthias woke at first light.
"Surely you jest!" Matthias replied, laughing softly. "How did you know Zoë would be receptive to being with a girl?"
"I noticed how she looked at me and responded when I would touch her arm."
"You've been with a girl before."
"Before I was with you the first time. I have always been attracted to girls, and only recently to men."
"Which do you prefer?" Matthias asked.
"They are different, so I really have to say 'both'."
Matthias and Tyra got out of bed, washed, dressed, and headed downstairs to have breakfast. All the others were awake, so Matthias ate with them, noticing that both Tristan and Lisette looked unhappy.
When he finished eating, Matthias made his usual circuit around the Estate, seeing Mark, an archer Milos had hired, on patrol. When Matthias approached the door, Lisette was coming out, so he followed her to the herb garden.
"You and Tristan both seem unhappy," Matthias observed. "Is there anything I should know before I speak to him?"
"He feels tied down and is lamenting what he considers a mundane existence. After thinking about it, I chose to release him from our pledge."
"I feared that might be what was wrong," Matthias lamented.
"I asked him to think about what he truly wants, and if that includes me, as his wife, then I will accept a proposal. Until then, he and I are both free."
"I'll speak to him."
"Please do not push him towards me. He must decide of his own free will. I compared him unfavorably to you and Milos, and I'm sure that cut him to the quick. But I also made it clear to him that I had no intention of coming to you. I desire it, but I think it important not to do that."
Matthias nodded. "I agree. Once you compared us unfavorably, it would be a grave insult to him if you came to my bed. I'll go see him."
Matthias left the herb garden and found Tristan watching the men as they extended the walls. They were nearly done, and when they finished, they'd remove a section of the old wall and install a locking gate between the old and new sections.
"What are you thinking?" Matthias inquired.
"Lisette spoke to you."
"Yes, though I approached her when she came out of the house."
"I don't know what to do," Tristan said.
"I have advice, if you'll hear it."
"Of course I will," Tristan replied. "The situation has nothing to do with our friendship."
"Give it a half-moon and see what comes of the notices, or of the war that seems imminent. Bed some maidens, drink ale, and spar at the Fulham Keep. I'd appreciate it if you would ride with Milos and me to see the remaining farmers this morning, but I'll excuse you if you wish. Whatever you do, please do not simply sit and brood."
Tristan nodded. "I'll ride with you. Lisette may have our room. I'll get a room at the Soaring Falcon, but join you here for the evening meal each day. And, of course, I'll travel with you to Haven for Milos' knighting."
"I'm going to ask Jorah to hire an architect to add on to the Manor," Matthias said. "We're going to need more room, especially with children."
"I'm happy for you and Lilia, but that is the last thing I need!"
Matthias nodded. "In the OP, I'd have said the exact same thing. Here, it is absolutely the right thing to do."
"Are you two ready to ride out?" Milos asked, coming up to them.
"Yes, we are," Matthias confirmed.
🎲🎲🎲
"Excellent," Tyra said to Zoë. "Both missiles struck the center of the target. When you can do that every time, we'll try three, but that requires even more intense focus and concentration."
"It's difficult because practice is limited by the number of available crystals."
"That is the challenge," Tyra agreed. "But you can practice five times a day."
"I will do so!"
"Good. Was last night enjoyable?"
"Very much so!" Zoë happily affirmed.
Tyra smiled. "Send Krista to Matthias tonight and join me in my bed, if you wish."
"I do!" Zoë declared.
🎲🎲🎲
"Remember," Jorah said to Matthias when they met before the evening meal, "that while you have tremendous resources, they are not unlimited."
"I understand," Matthias replied. "I will keep that in mind, but that said, the windmill patent alone will bring in enough to cover all our expenses for the foreseeable future. Once Lewis Smith and John Tinker perfect piping, we'll seek a Royal Patent on both the shower and a self-cleaning privy."
"Self-cleaning?" Jorah asked.