Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 811(@200wpm)___ 649(@250wpm)___ 541(@300wpm)
He kept his mouth shut and let the man he loved go about doing what he needed to do.
The day was growing late, the sun having begun its descent from the sky, and as Teddy knew from helping his father in his work, the day started early, in the dark, and ended early, when the darkness came again. Especially in the winters.
And then in you went for a hearty meal to begin to rejuvenate the vast amounts of energy you expended in the day. Then shortly after, you slept so you could finish that effort.
Thus, not long after they rode up the lane and dismounted, hanging about in wait, Teddy caught his father approaching from the north field.
His sire did not look happy to have visitors, but then he had never been a jovial man.
Life was toil, the earning of money from that, an occasional evening trip to visit the pub in town and listen to music, if it was on offer, while you drank your ale.
And not much else.
Thinking on this, Teddy found he was like his father in that respect.
He wanted a simple life.
He had had adventures, not entirely of his choice.
They were, until very recently, not enjoyable.
Thus, once he returned to Firenze, he wished naught but to embrace Nyx and Lorenz, settle Moira, settle himself with Faunus, teach his children at the school and spoil the ones Lorenz eventually gave to Nyx.
His father’s step faltered, and his expression grew astonished when he noted Teddy in the midst of his party.
And then Teddy watched his face grow hard.
He waited until he was close before he called, “In the company of Firenz warriors after alliance. What’s the poof done now?”
The instant fury seething from Faunus (and Saturn, not to mention Moira), made Teddy whisper, “Calm.”
“I am Faunus, of the Trusted of the King of Firenze,” Faunus decreed.
His father’s chin shot back into his neck as he came to a stop a few feet away from them.
“And this is Saturn of the Trusted,” he went on, indicating Saturn.
Saturn didn’t move. Just stared at Teddy’s father.
“And we escort Moira, of the Lesser Thicket, unblooded sister to your son,” he stated.
Moira wore an openly contemptuous expression.
Teddy’s father’s head ticked as he glanced at her before he returned his attention to Faunus.
“We are here to inform you we return to Firenze, taking your son with us,” Faunus continued.
“Like I said, what’s he done now?” Hans Swensson asked.
“We are in Wodell on the mission of saving him after he was abducted by leaders of The Rising. This after Tedrey acted valiantly and was instrumental in the bringing down of the radicals,” Faunus declared.
His father’s eyes grew large.
“Unfortunately, we were unable to find him before the men who had taken him also abducted a large number of women. If you have not yet heard of it,” Faunus said, “I have no doubt you eventually will. They were massacred up north. Only seven survived. And those seven survived because your son was able to free himself of his bonds, and at great peril to himself, he saved them all.”
Hans turned his astonished gaze to Teddy.
“He returns to Firenze a hero of Firenze, a hero of Wodell, and as such, before we began our journey to here, he was King True and Queen Farah’s guest at Birchlire Castle,” Faunus carried on.
“By the gods,” his father murmured.
“This is the man your son became,” Faunus declared. “Thus, you have the gratitude of two nations.”
At that, in surprise, all eyes shot to Faunus, even Teddy’s.
Faunus did not take his attention from Hans.
“For if you had not turned him out due to the flaw in your soul,” Faunus continued. “A flaw no man should have, and certainly no father, he would have been here, at work with you in your fields, unable to do the deeds he did to bring peace and save lives. Fortunately, he was not and the peoples of two realms, and specifically seven very grateful women and their families, are indebted to him.”
Faunus then bowed low toward Hans.
“Tedrey,” his father whispered, and Teddy looked to him.
Hans’s skin had slightly paled, but his eyes were brightening with pride.
Faunus’s voice sounded, regaining both a son and his father’s attention.
“You should know, as Tedrey is a particular friend to the Captain of the Trusted and his wife, and they have grown to know him very well, that Mars, King of the Firenze, and your King True, are aware of your betrayal of your flesh. And although your son has great humility, and will probably have some difficulty in accepting the praise of kings and the rewards they will wish to bestow on him, it will be made clear to them that you had naught to do with this outside causing him to learn how to be extraordinary by surviving your cruelty.”