Eight
Shepherd's Third, Thayne
It took a few days to find a berth on a ship going to Thayne.
I was willing to go either as a passenger or a working hand, but getting a job for such a short hop wasn't easy.
Shepherd's Third was part of a commercial cargo fleet owned by a company named Shepherd, so all their ships were named after the company and given a number.
Like a lot of haulers, they were willing to take a couple of passengers, as long as you were paying. They had two staterooms; however, both of them were booked. When I told them I didn't mind sleeping belowdecks in a regular crew berth, they were more than happy to take me on at a cut rate.
It was a little strange, sailing on a ship on which I didn't know anyone, but while I might not travel solo often anymore, I still did it.
The ship was the same class as the Kashmir, a Meteor-class, though it didn't have the upgraded fans the Kashmir had. So it was slow, really slow. It took nine days just to get to the portal to transit through to Thayne. Port Surber, our destination, was a good five-day flight after that.
Mostly, I exercised and did sword drills on the front deck when no one was up there. The crew was all men, so nothing to chase in that department, and I think the other paying passengers were just afraid of me. I hadn't told anyone who I was, beyond 'Will', and had no desire to.
I'd filled Fel in on everything that had happened, though I was sure he already knew once I showed up in his domain one night while I was sleeping.
He told me I'd done a good job, and Vikoria was quite pleased.
Gomerty was also happy that I'd done what I could to make sure his people got a square deal, as well.
For all that it wasn't that exciting, I'd done some good work and spread Fel's name around in a positive way.
I wondered if I'd be bringing a couple of priests or priestesses out there at some point and helping them set up a church?
Now that I had a reason to visit, maybe in a decade or two, I'd talk to Carol about it.
We were only a couple of days out of Port Surber as I stood at the rail, looking out over the ground below and considering all that.
There were a number of ships in view, obviously heading to the same port.
Slower ships were rare, as we weren't going that fast ourselves.
Faster ships were common; we got passed a lot.
Apparently, Shepherd's Third had a full load on for this trip.
I could see what looked like a military ship that was tacking our way.
"William?"
"Yes, Captain?" I asked, turning.
"The Ulhness' Pride is about to come alongside; they said they're here to pick you up?"
I laughed. "Well, I guess that saves me from finding a ship to Rossiya!
Tell them to come along the bottom of the starboard wing, and I'll just slide down onto the deck.
Now, if you'll excuse me, Captain, I need to get my things.
" I started walking, then stopped and turned for a moment.
"Oh! Thank you for the passage. For all that she may be a bit slower than most, you have a nice ship and a good crew. "
"Thank you, William."
I smiled, waved, and ran off to get the small duffel I'd brought.
By the time I'd gotten back up on deck, the Ulhness' Pride was flying with the starboard wing of our ship ending just above the center of the forward deck.
Vaulting over the ship's railing, I burned an accuracy cantrip as I landed on the wing and carefully slid down to the end, where I gave a small hop and landed on the deck.
The moment my feet were planted, the Ulhness' Pride started a slow descent and a starboard turn to open up separation from Shepherd's Third.
I waved to the people on the bridge, recognizing Tabitha, as I made my way around and into the deckhouse, then went up the steep stairs, stepping out onto the bridge.
"Captain, permission to come aboard?" I asked, smiling at her.
"Permission granted, Will."
"May I hug the captain?" I asked with a wink.
"Yes, you may!"
Smiling, I stepped up and gave her a warm hug. "It's good to see you, Tabitha," I whispered. "How's our son Bill doing?"
"How do you know his name?"
"Because I asked Feliogustus, he asked The Ulhness, and she told him."
Tabitha smiled up at him. "It's nice to see the rumors are true."
"So where's Tia?"
"She's busy back home, watching both your children, and dealing with her general duties. You can put your things in her cabin."
"I'd rather put them in yours," I said with a smile and kissed her.
She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Well, if that's what you really want, who am I to argue?"
I laughed as she smiled and gave her another kiss.
"I'll be waiting!" I purred and left the bridge as the helmsman, the first mate, and the lookout snickered.
I'd just finished putting my few things away when Tabitha came into the room, smiling. I took her in my arms and kissed her.
"Are you really planning on spending the trip home with me?" she asked, looking a bit surprised.
"You are the mother of my child, my son. I can't be here to help—not that I think you need it—but still. I worry about my children, I worry about their mothers, and I'd like to show you just how much I appreciate you having him."
Smiling, she put her arms around me and pulled herself close. "There are going to be a lot of unhappy women on board."
"That may be, but there's only one I want to make as happy as I can. Now, how about we get you out of those things, and I'll show you just how much I missed you?"
"Sounds like a good idea to me!"
It took three days to get to Braeton, the city on Rossiya where The Ulhness had her main temple.
Which, of course, was where Tia lived. I spent most of that time with Tabitha, and I honestly did not dally with any of the other women.
Which, when you consider that I had slept with several of them the last time I'd been aboard, was a feat of great restraint for me.
But I knew Tia would probably end up monopolizing my time, and Tabitha deserved special treatment. She'd given me a child, after all.
The ship landed in a lake near the temple, where I noticed another half-dozen warships already berthed. Tabitha—the captain—escorted me up to the temple because she very much wanted to see our son. When I stepped inside, Tia was there smiling at me.
"William, wel—"
I latched onto her and gave her a very passionate, long kiss, while wrapping my arms around her and pulling her close. She immediately put her arms around my neck, her right hand sliding up the back of my neck, and her fingers running through my hair.
"Somebody miss me?" she teased breathlessly when I'd finally let her come up for air.
"Yes, I did." I looked up. "I'm sorry, Ulhness, if I sorta waylaid Tia there for a moment. I meant no disrespect."
The sound of warm laughter filled the room. "It is hard to find fault with someone who shows such warm and heartfelt feelings towards my Tia, especially when said man is the father of her child."
"Thank you," I said with a smile and turned back to Tia. "Speaking of children, I would very much like to meet my new daughter and my new son?"
"Of course, Will! Come!"
Linking arms with me, Tia took me to the nursery, where Tabitha was already picking up our son. Tia went immediately to the crib next to it and picked up our daughter.
"I named her Vera."
I nodded. "Fel told me."
"He did?"
"'Cause I kept asking," I said, a tad embarrassed. "Also, I know my son's name is Bill."
"Somehow, I'm not surprised. Well, let's all sit for a while, and you can take turns holding your daughter and your son."
Sitting down, she handed me Vera.
"So how has life been treating you?" I asked as I smiled down at my daughter.
"With the whole Two Rivers war being over, things have been returning to normal. King Valinstar has been working hard, rebuilding the lands and the towns that were destroyed during the war, and the people very much appreciate it."
"All of them? Or just the ones living there?"
"All of them. Of course, all our priests and priestesses have been preaching in support of his actions. Same for Peruna, Gomerty, Vanham Estar, and the other established gods."
"What about the others who helped but weren't established?"
"They're building their new churches and temples in those areas and gathering up the former followers of Par while sniping as many of Ral's as they can. But they're supporting the king and his efforts, and bringing in aid from the other realms.
"Support for King Valinstar is high. Everyone is impressed with how he is rebuilding and rehabilitating instead of engaging in reprisals or punishment.
There's an undercurrent of 'why did we ever stop following a man who so obviously cares?
' going about, and all the gods and goddesses have taken to preaching, 'Let the king heal the country while we heal your souls'. "
"Nice," I said with a smile.
"Everyone knows what you said to him regarding what to do next."
"What? Everyone?" I asked, surprised.
Tia laughed. "Sorry, I meant the gods. The gods all know."
"Well, hopefully they're not mad at me!" I said, chuckling as I passed Vera back to Tia, and Tabitha passed Bill to me.
"There's nothing for them to be mad at you for," The Ulhness said, her soft voice coming from above.
"What about Thom and the other champions?" I asked with a heavy sigh.
"Cinn has very much taken what you said to him to heart, according to Judal. While Judal told me Cinn doesn't like you all that much, he doesn't hate you, and in fact respects you a great deal now.
"As for Thom, he has left Saminkaupunki and taken up with another god far away."
"Uh-oh," I said.