Mana Soul: Chapter 35 - The Treatments - Aela

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The last couple of days had felt like a dream. Aela would never have imagined that bringing Markus to the clan home would have made such a significant change in their relationship. In almost a complete reversal compared to staying in the house in Endem, Aela held a near-complete monopoly over Markus’s time and company. Besides occasionally checking on Magnus’s progress and feeding the strange prisoner they had brought from the dungeon, Markus spent every other waking moment with Aela.

Even more importantly, she could kiss Markus whenever she felt like it, so long as she was careful not to cut his lips with her teeth again and kept her tongue out of his throat. Sometimes, Markus was even the one to kiss her first! Although the progress of their relationship was slow and guarded by chimaera standards, Aela was also somewhat aware that it was considered quite fast for the sensibilities of southern nobles. More importantly, Aela’s intuition told her that Markus was already giving as much as he was comfortable with, so she just had to remind herself to be patient.

However, listening to the twins, all four of them, loudly discussing names for their future children, still made Aela feel jealous. It didn’t feel good knowing that Markus would be gifting so many children, and yet none of them would be hers. Perhaps this was why Markus was being so affectionate? Maybe he is trying to console me? She thought while watching Markus sleep.

As poorly acclimated to the cooler climate of the north as she was, Markus wore a full set of clothes and was bundled up amongst the furs alongside her. It was perhaps Aela’s own bias, but Markus always seemed to sleep more deeply and peacefully when they shared the same bed.

She had heard Markus crying out in his sleep a number of times while staying in Endem. Although Aela was unsure if it was nightmares or something else, there was always a tired look in his eyes the morning afterwards.

Knowing she would need her rest for tomorrow, Aela snuggled closer to Markus and rested her head on his chest and shoulder. Listening to the gentle rhythm of his heartbeat, Aela slowly drifted to sleep.

Waking up early, Aela was surprised to find that Markus was already up and about. Catching a glimpse of him as he quietly left the room. Because Aela had Markus to keep her warm at night, she was only wearing her loincloth and her breast bindings. Leaving the residual warmth of the furs, Aela began to shiver almost immediately. Pulling on her tunic and quickly fastening the brooch, Aela began to feel much better.

As she was considering pulling on her pants over her loincloth, she remembered how flustered Markus had first been seeing the comparative state of undress of the chimaeras. Feeling that perhaps she was passing up a prime opportunity, Aela simply tied a cord around her waist and wore the tunic as a sort of short dress. If it weren’t for the cold and her barely-present breasts, she may have forgone the tunic entirely.

Bracing herself against the cold, Aela left their room to look for Markus. He was not difficult to find, despite the chieftain’s hall being large by chimaera standards, it had very few room’s since the majority of the floor space was dedicated to the meeting hall.

Just in time to find Markus leaving Svala and Magnus’s room, Aela made a point of yawning loudly and stretching her arms out above her head. With her tunic drawn higher by the exaggerated motion, a fresh chill swept up her thighs. Gritting her teeth, Aela bore with the discomfort and secretly glanced at Markus to see if there was any effect.

Disappointingly, he hadn’t appeared to notice. Although Markus was excited, he did not seem to have noticed her yet.

Realizing she had a second chance, Aela maintained her stretching position and yawned again, this time much louder.

Clearly startled, Markus quickly noticed her bare legs and began to stare.

Wanting to encourage him, Aela continued to stretch more thoroughly. Thinking that she was being too obvious, Aela was worried he would grow suspicious and say something. However, sneaking a peek over her shoulder, Aela was happy to see that Markus was blushing profusely with a thoroughly frazzled expression on his face.

Unfortunately, a loud crashing noise broke her spell and quickly brought Markus back to his senses. Blushing even deeper than before, he made straight for the front door and stepped outside.

Surprised, Aela quickly followed along behind him. She found Markus sitting on a tree stump a short distance from the great hall, his hands clenched tightly on his knees. Markus saw her coming and made room so she could sit beside him, but still said nothing.

It wasn’t until a few moments later after the twins vacated the hall as well that Aela realized what was going on. Markus had finished the first stage of his fertility treatment experiments. Which meant that the noise she had heard was Magnus and her mother. Trying not to laugh, Aela had to remember that Markus was quite shy and was embarrassed easily.

While the twins had left the great-hall as well, their current heading through the village suggested an ulterior motivation than their mother’s privacy. True enough, a couple of minutes later, Bjorn and Ulf had returned with Freja and Frida in tow.

“So you finished it right?!” Bjorn asked eagerly, not sparing any time to offer a greeting.

Markus nodded, cleared his throat as if preparing to say something, appeared to change his mind, and nodded again.

The pair of twins grinned at each other before returning their attention to Markus again, expectant looks on their faces.

Deliberately avoiding eye contact, it was highly likely that Markus couldn’t appreciate the effort. As the minutes passed by, it proved to be the case. Releasing a deep sigh, Markus appeared to have regained his composure, or most of it anyway. However, the vague look in his eyes made it clear that he was deep in thought and might remain so for some time.

Realizing they would have to wait a bit longer, the twins picked a place a short distance away and began chatting excitedly amongst themselves.

Now that they were relatively alone, Aela slowly and carefully began wrapping her tail around the both of them. Partly to leech Markus’s body heat but also to be closer to him, Aela was sure Markus wouldn’t mind much if at all. He had actually demonstrated a surprising fondness for her tail on a number of occasions. He would even stroke it, provided it was clean or at least not particularly dirty.

After a short while, Markus blinked and became aware of the world again. “Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about something,” he apologized, nervously scratching the back of his head.

“That’s alright,” Aela replied, knowing that there was usually a good reason for him to be distracted like that.

“You’re not wearing pants...” Markus commented quietly, staring bashfully at her thighs from the corner of his eye while making a point of looking elsewhere.

“I’m not,” Aela agreed cheekily, happy to find she was now able to enjoy the reaction she wanted earlier.

Markus looked like he was going to say something, then closed his mouth.

“It’s fine though, isn’t it?” Aela asked with feigned innocence.

Markus nodded and roughly cleared his throat, “Ah, but aren’t you cold?"

She was, a little. But Markus didn’t need to know that. “No, I have you to keep me warm, after all,” Aela replied coyly. With the sudden renewed spike in his temperature, she knew her words had the desired effect. Aela silently thanked Abigail for her advice. While she had proven a poor student in learning needlecrafts, Aela had absorbed Abigail’s advice for seduction and flirting like a sponge.

Casually leaning her head on Markus’s shoulder, Aela draped her arms around him and made as if to take a nap. With her tail still firmly cinched around his waist, she knew Markus was unable to slip away and knew that he knew it too. With no way out, Markus would just have to sit there and enjoy it.

Aela didn’t feel guilty, far from it. She knew from insights provided by Abigail and by observing Markus, that all he really needed was an excuse to justify himself. So, because he couldn’t get away, Markus would make the best of the opportunity.

Aela couldn’t help but smile as she felt Markus wrap his arm around her and absently began stroking her arm. Sneaking a peek through her eyelids, Aela was pleased to see a soft smile and look of contentment on his face. Aware that soon their lives would become incredibly stressful and hectic again once leaving the clan home, Aela wanted to help Markus relax while they had the opportunity to do so.

To the twin’s credit, they waited a full hour before approaching Markus again. Likely goaded on by Freja and Frigg, Bjorn and Ulf pretended not to notice Aela’s glare and clamoured for Markus’s attention.

“Markus, could we perhaps have the fertility treatment now?” Ulf asked earnestly, his request accompanied by intense stares from the other three chimaeras behind him.

Markus sighed and shifted slightly as he looked back towards the great hall, “Hmmm. my supplies are still in my room and I am not sure, Svala and Magnus are...er, finished...” He explained somewhat awkwardly.

“So you just need your supplies?” The way Bjorn said it sounded more like a declaration than a question.

“Uh...I suppose so...” Markus answered, although he sounded quite hesitant. “I still-” Bjorn and Ulf had already rushed back towards the great hall “-need to make sure the female treatment doesn’t need tweaking...” He let out an exasperated sigh. “Ah, so Freja, Frigg, just to be clear, the treatment will take longer just so I can make sure, alright?"

“Alright!” Freja and Frigg immediately agreed in unison, making it painfully obvious they were as earnest and eager as Bjorn and Ulf.

“Uh right...I also won’t start until Aela wakes up on her own,” Markus said the last part with particular emphasis, clearly unaware that she was already awake and witness to everything.

The twin’s attention shifted to Aela in a heartbeat, already aware that she was awake after Aela had attempted to intimidate them earlier. Freja and Frigg glanced worriedly at one another, no doubt trying to decide if they could out her ruse without angering Markus.

Knowing that all the power was in her hands, so to speak, Aela snuggled in closer to Markus and let out a contented sigh with a satisfied smile. She could get used to this.

A few minutes later, Bjorn and Ulf returned with a leather pouch, one of the pack’s they had been asked to carry containing a crystal mana reservoir and both of Markus’s tablets. “This is all you need right?” Ulf asked eagerly.

Before Markus had a chance to answer, “He will not begin until your sister awakens of her own accord,” Frigg sated frigidly, the barest hint of her anger laid bare.

Ulf scowled, glancing at Aela and furrowing his brows.

“But she is al-oof,” Bjorn was abruptly interrupted by Freja delivering a swift jab to his kidney. His confusion only lasted for a moment before he seemed to realize the situation.

The pair of twins briefly retreated and began a hushed discussion, likely on how they would best proceed.

“How long do you intend to toy with them?” Markus breathed quietly.

Aela stiffened, she had not been aware that he knew about her deception.

“Is there perhaps something you wanted?” Markus asked, clearly amused and a little confused by her little power-play.

Aela honestly hadn’t given much thought to what her siblings or future relatives would be able to give her. She had just wanted to spend more time alone with Markus. Aela decided it would be best to be honest, “I just want to spend more time with you,” she replied somewhat jealously.

Markus sighed, then he chuckled quietly. “Wouldn’t we be alone after I send them away?” Markus asked with amusement.

Aela hadn’t thought of that.

“Maybe we can have them bring out one of the big bear’s furs? I could just say it is to help you get back to sleep again and that we wouldn't be so cold,” Markus explained thoughtfully with a hint of mischief in his voice.

“That would be good,” Aela agreed, smiling at his resourcefulness. She honestly hadn’t given much thought to how the standoff would have ended otherwise. It wasn’t like Aela actually wanted to worsen her relationship with her brothers or their life-mates. She just wanted to establish a clear boundary regarding what was hers.

They briefly stared into each other’s eyes and Aela was convinced that Markus was both aware and accepting of her intentions. He nodded and gave her a small shy smile before turning his attention to the others. Motioning with his free hand to get their attention, Markus waited until the pair of twins approached. “I know you are impatient,” he began empathetically, “So I have a proposition for you. So as long as you bring me one of the large bear furs from our room and one of the large tarpaulin, I will wake up Aela,” Markus offered generously.

Not wanting to pass up their sudden good fortune, Bjorn and Ulf immediately raced back to the great hall. Freja and Frigg were similarly excited and apparently no longer cared that Aela was obviously faking. In less than a minute, the twins had returned with the required items.

“Lay out the tarp and weigh down the corners, please. You can just leave the fur on top of it afterwards,” Markus directed somewhat loudly.

Taking that as her cue, Aela yawned, rubbed at her eyes and straightened her back in what she thought was a convincing performance of just having woken up from a nap. Of course, Aela didn’t have to actually fool anyone, since everyone was aware she was not asleep in the first place. So there was very little pressure to do a good job of it.

Allowing Markus to guide her over to the tarp and bed of fur, Aela settled herself back down and got comfortable.

“I will be back in a few minutes,” Markus told her quietly. Briefly kneeling down by her side, he planted a kiss on her cheek before getting back up to leave.

Aela couldn’t help but smile. The kiss alone had made it all worth it, but once Markus returned they would be left alone to cuddle for hours, perhaps even the rest of the day.

Just as he had said, Markus returned a few minutes later and had the expected sheepish embarrassed expression on his face. “They didn’t even wait for me to leave the room...” He muttered quietly while crawling into the furs alongside her.

Aela laughed quietly, she couldn’t help it. Just how naive did Markus have to be not to expect as much? No, that wasn’t quite right. Markus had known it would probably happen, but he was still embarrassed anyway. Come to think of it, Markus seemed to have led a rather sheltered life in regards to women. Or rather, since losing his memories, no one had been there to explain things.

Before meeting Aela, Markus had obviously not been a part of any meaningful relationships either, romantic or otherwise. Having a reserved or even timid temperament, and a complete lack of experience, it made sense that he would become easily flustered and embarrassed.

According to her mother’s advice, his timidness meant that Aela should take charge and steer their relationship toward what she wanted, regardless of whether Markus initially agreed or not. However, Aela had come to understand that such an approach would only drive an irreversible wedge between them. She had already been skirting disaster when she forcibly began kissing him and driving her tongue down his throat.

Although Markus had been nothing but supportive, seeing how she could hurt him without meaning to, Aela knew she had to make an effort to avoid similar incidents in the future. Having seen the scars on Markus’s back, and having a reasonable idea of both how he got them and who inflicted them, Aela could not risk being nearly so reckless with Markus.

So it was with great care that she wrapped herself around him, making sure that she held him loose enough to let him breathe and not break any bones. While also being tight enough to discourage him from getting up and leaving.

To his credit, Markus didn’t complain, instead, shifting and squirming to get himself comfortable. Camping in the woods with Markus, Aela had been impressed by his adeptness at both sleeping on the hard ground and being comfortable while doing so. When she had asked him about it, Markus had simply replied that he had only been sleeping in a bed for a matter of weeks before first having met her. Markus had admitted that because he was worse than useless at setting up a camp of his own, he had often been forced to sleep out in the open.

It had been difficult at first to think of Markus sleeping out in the open like that. Aela had assumed he had always lived in a house similar to the one he had now. However, considering his loss of memories and being left on his own, it was perhaps to be expected. It had certainly framed his treatment of Arlee and her mother, Abigail, in a new light in her mind. It was difficult to think about, but Aela had been forced to consider how Markus had lived before becoming an adventurer. How hard had he struggled just to raise the membership fee and the retinue certificate?

Aela felt ashamed when she thought of that. It had been her mothers plan to trick an adventurer into letting them join them in a dungeon. Aela had enthusiastically agreed, of course. Markus had fallen for the trap perfectly, beyond even their expectations. At the time, it had been considered their good fortune to find someone so gullible, weak and desperate. After getting to know Markus better, Aela now knew that he had been kind, not gullible. He was generous to a fault. The proof was his continued support of her family even after being harmed and taken advantage of.

It wasn’t like he was unaware of their deceptions either. For someone so cripplingly naive in some respects, Markus had proven remarkably shrewd in determining when he was being manipulated and why. And perhaps that was why he had been so alone.

After making himself comfortable, Markus let out a contented sigh and fell asleep.

Aela couldn't help but smile. In spite of everything, the trust Markus had in her warmed Aela’s heart. As someone who was rejected by everyone outside of her immediate family for nearly her entire life, Markus’s acceptance meant the world to Aela. It was so precious that she didn't know what she would do if she were to lose him.

Unable to sleep, Aela was content to hold Markus as he slumbered in her embrace. It wasn’t until a few hours later that the twins returned with flushed and expectant faces. Knowing what they had been up to, Aela adamantly held her tongue to stop it reflexively tasting the air.

“He is asleep?” Ulf asked, not having a clear view of Markus’s face beneath the furs.

Aela nodded with an expression that made it clear she wanted to keep it that way.

Ulf understood her meaning and nodded in return, quietly returning to the others and hurrying away towards Hildr’s dwelling with Markus’s spare tablet clenched tightly in Ulf’s hand.

Assuming they had only intended to thank Markus, or maybe ask permission to borrow the tablet, Aela shrugged and let them go. However, a couple of minutes later, the twins returned with Hildr fussing over her daughters.

Bjorn and Ulf were sharing worried glances with one another, while Freja and Frigg both looked somewhat embarrassed.

“Where is he?” Hildr demanded anxiously, apparently having overlooked Markus amongst the furs.

As one, the four twin’s pointed to Aela, who admittedly had very nearly hidden Markus from sight by wrapping herself around him.

“What do you want?” Aela asked quietly, to avoid waking Markus.

“The magic glass stopped working,” Hildr replied bluntly, holding out Markus’s spare tablet.

Bjorn awkwardly cleared his throat, “Ah we were just showing Hildr the pregnancy’s when I started running out of mana. We are a little worried about twins too, so could you wake up Markus to give it mana?” He asked anxiously.

Sorely tempted to shoo them away, Aela relented. The possibility of twins made such childish selfishness far too dangerous an indulgence. “Alright,” she agreed reluctantly, releasing Markus and gently jostling him awake.

“Wuh?” Markus yawned sleepily as he searched bleary-eyed for the reason he was awakened.

“They want you to recharge the tablet,” Aela explained gently while pointing to the gathered chimaeras.

Letting out another yawn, Markus’s eyes slowly grew black, the iris’s flashing silver as he prepared to use his mana. Within moments, the faint light began emanating from the tablet. “It should be working now,” Markus explained somewhat drowsily and rubbed at his eyes.

While Hildr was experimentally looking at her fingers through the tablet, Ulf crept closer, “Ah, since you saw it last time, could you maybe check Frigg and Freja?” He asked anxiously.

“Hrm?” Markus didn't seem to know what he meant, looking somewhat puzzled.

“They are worried about twins,” Aela explained patiently.

“Oh!” Markus was suddenly wide awake. “Here, lay down,” he motioned to the tarpaulin, “It is easier to see that way."

Not needing to be told twice, Freja and Frigg both hurriedly laid down.

Rather than asking for the spare tablet, Markus withdrew the primary tablet from his pants pocket. Activating the magic inside, Markus slowly panned it over Freja’s belly before stopping and tapping at the tablet with his fingers. “Hrm, it is too early to tell, see?” He pointed at the contents of the tablet. Markus repeated the process with Frigg and came to the same conclusion, “Hrm, I will check again in an hour and every hour afterwards if you like, but here is what it looked like with Skadi,” he tapped at his tablet a great many times and retrieved the images taken shortly after determining Skadi had twins.

The anxiety of the twins visibly lessened and Hildr was dumbfounded. “Y-you... H-how... W-what?...My daughters are actually pregnant?!” She seemed unable to believe what she had seen. Fumbling with the tablet and holding it over Frigg’s abdomen, she let out a gasp, “It's true! I can see the child growing inside!"

Having witnessed the early development of the unborn children in Skadi’s womb, Aela was aware there was not much to look at right now. However, she also knew that everything else was visible and there was not exactly anything else it could be. Particularly since you could see the mana growing, spreading and building with every passing second. Has Markus considered making something like this for humans? Aela wondered. He would likely make a great deal of coin selling it to nobles and hospitals.

“If you see them change to be more like this,” Markus motioned to his tablet, “Just come get me, I’ll be here with Aela all day." Having thought of something Markus added, “It would probably be a good idea to start feeding Freja and Frigg marrow soup and other food since they are pregnant at the very least anyway."

Ulf and Bjorn nodded emphatically, clearly taking Markus’s advice to heart.

Watching her brothers gently helping their respective life-mate to their feet as if they were made of porcelain, Aela felt a familiar pang of jealousy. How long would she have to wait before Markus would be the one worrying like that over her? Aela found herself sympathetically rubbing her abdomen and stopped. “My turn will come...” She whispered adamantly, “I just need to be patient."

Markus didn’t go back to sleep after they had left, instead, he remained sitting where he was and seemed lost in thought.

Able to tell that Markus would be thinking for some time, Aela took up a sitting position behind him and wrapped him in a fresh embrace. Feeling Markus lean back toward her, Aela smiled contentedly and rested her head over his shoulder. While not the same as laying down next to one another, this still felt nice in its own way too.

“-wouldn't it be much easier?” Markus asked suddenly.

“Hrm,?” Aela hadn’t been ready to listen and missed most of what he said. “Sorry, what did you say Markus?”

“If I had a bigger screen like the one at home. For diagnosing pregnancies. Wouldn't it be much easier?" Markus repeated, not in the least annoyed.

“Wouldn't it be too big?” Aela asked, a little confused, ”How would you hold it?"

Markus nodded, “It would need to be paired with the tablet, but the larger screen could show a bigger version of what the tablet sees. That would make it easier to see the sex of the child sooner as well,” he said cheerfully.

“Is that important?” Aela asked, genuinely curious.

Knowing what she meant, Markus chuckled a little, “Beowulf and Skadi seemed to think so,” he replied.

“But why though?” Aela asked, somewhat confused, “It’s not like they could change anything,” she snorted derisively.

Markus shrugged, “Maybe it helps them feel closer to the children they can't even hold yet?” He offered wistfully.

Aela blinked, she hadn’t thought of that. Recalling how obsessively they had pestered Markus to use the tablet, it made a weird kind of sense.

“Besides, if you know if your child is going to be a boy or a girl, it helps you pick names too right?” Markus asked.

Aela smiled, “That’s true,” she agreed, rubbing her neck against Markus and giving him a brief squeeze.

“I was also considering modifying one of the reservoirs to store chimaera mana as well. So I could link a couple of beads with the mana transference beads to it and a couple more that siphon mana. That way, chimaera’s could store mana away and use it in case of emergency.” Markus explained, “What do you think?"

“It sounds like a good idea,” Aela agreed, understanding that the limitation of the enchantment extended beyond reprieve for those with troubling pregnancies. It could also be used on fussy or ill newborns and assuming they were lucky, the chimaeras who had overdrawn their mana.

”I have already made a bunch of mana transference necklaces for the clan to keep, but I would sleep better at night knowing there was something else in case of emergencies, you know?'' The tone in Markus’s voice made it obvious that he meant it.

Aela nodded. She knew Markus well enough to understand that he felt responsible for them, despite being the one offering the priceless gifts of children and asking for nothing in return.

After sitting there for some time, Markus stirred a little, “I would have thought, erm...” He paused in thought for a second, “Ah, I would have thought Skien and Strida would have returned by now, with their children in tow,” he chuckled.

Aela laughed, “I think perhaps they were waiting to see what happened to Magnus first. You did say it would take days for the experiment,” she reminded him.

“Hehe, true,” Markus agreed, “I just kind of thought they might have been watching Hildr and the twins. They are acting pretty suspicious after all."

Aela had to agree with Markus on that point and nodded. With Bjorn, Ulf and Hildr being so overprotective, it would be clear to any chimaera with eyes that Freja and Frigg were pregnant.

“I kind of just want this to be done with,” Markus explained awkwardly, “The waistband for Freja and Frigg were fine, but for the others...” His face suddenly became much hotter, “Definitely want them cleaned before using them again...” Markus muttered.

Not understanding right away, Aela was about to ask what made him so embarrassed, then she thought about it for a second, “Oh..."

The silence stretched between them for a while before Markus cleared his throat, “Anyway, there is something I wanted to ask your opinion on,” he said seriously.

“What is it?” Aela asked, a little worried by the shift in his tone.

“Do you think the clan would move to a castle bordering the deadlands?” Markus asked.

Recalling that Markus was now the legal owner of such a castle, Aela had to consider the matter carefully. “You would need to ask mother to be sure,” she hedged, “But I think most would go if only because mother tells them to. Even though it is close to the deadlands, it is not inside the deadlands itself. The castle is also much safer than the current clan home too. Worst case, they would think they just have to move the clan-home again if you evict them.” She explained. “Even though I know you wouldn’t do that, many of them don't know you,” Aela quickly added.

Markus took no offence and nodded, “And once they find out about the fertilization treatment?” He asked pointedly.

Aela didn't even need to think twice, “I don’t think a single chimaera in their right mind would risk missing out on such an opportunity."

Markus nodded, likely having expected as much. He was quiet for a short while before speaking again, “I think I have thought of a method to trap dungeons."

Aela was stunned, “What did you say?..."

Markus sighed, “I think I have a method for trapping dungeons. I can’t be sure without testing it first of course, but I think it will work. But I am pretty sure I will at least be able to force them to spawn within a certain radius."

Giving Markus a squeeze, afraid that she was dreaming, Aela was surprised to find that he was in fact real. “To do something so amazing...” She whispered. This was far bigger than even Markus’s plans on seizing the great valley. If Markus could force dungeons to open when and where he wanted, wouldn’t that mean Markus wanted the chimaeras to farm the mana for him? Assuming he would offer fertility treatments in exchange, Aela held no doubt that many Chimaera would do so.

“I don't want anyone to know about it,” Markus explained seriously. Although the ‘anyone’ he was referring to was probably the guild and nobility. “Assuming I can force the dungeons to spawn close to the castle, guild detection magic would probably be unable to differentiate it from a group of chimaeras. Assuming they detect it in the first place.”

Aela nodded, even though she was unsure of what the detection magic was or how it worked, Aela trusted Markus’s knowledge of such things. “So that is why you want the clan to move to the castle?” She asked.

“Partly,” Markus admitted, “I was also hoping that staying so close to the deadlands already, they would be less hesitant about colonizing the valley after seeing the resources committed to seizing it."

Aela smiled, according to what she remembered, Markus held a legal claim on the castle for the next twenty years. So even assuming he could not completely manage to claim the deadlands, an entire generation of chimaeras would have been raised in the meantime. There was literally no downside to the clan accepting his offer.

“Peabody is already gathering supplies and craftsmen to conduct repairs on the castle. Peabody actually started doing that the same day we left Endem,” Markus snorted and shook his head, “I suppose from the golem’s perspective, I would either be victorious or dead. So it didn’t make much difference.”

Aela nodded uncomfortably. She was not keen on Markus's last observation regarding the merchant golem’s callous pragmatism.

“The castle has a small town within the curtain wall, but it's been abandoned for quite some time apparently. On the upside, that leaves a lot of space for chimaeras to move in. Peabody also said that a merchant caravan can be established to trade for animal hides, assuming any chimaeras want to earn coin for cooking pots or other things," Markus explained optimistically.

Aela blinked, “Huh?” She wasn’t sure she had heard him right.

Markus turned his head so he could look her in the eye, “That was my idea,” he admitted, “I noticed that besides weapons, the chimaera around the clan-home doesn’t really have much in the way of kitchenware or even tools,” Markus seemed a little embarrassed. “I just figured that since chimaeras were such good hunters and animal hides sell well, that it would be easy to establish trade."

“It is...” Aela agreed, “But humans don’t make fair deals with chimaeras,” she sighed and prepared to explain, “Because most merchants and tradesmen will openly refuse to trade with chimaeras, we have no choice but to accept the price of whoever will. Often it is through an intermediate who will pay many times less than the hides are worth,” Aela explained bitterly. “And no one will willingly sell a weapon to a chimaera, so most are scavenged off the dead."

“Is learning trade skills something chimaeras in the clan would be interested in?” Markus asked helpfully, “I could have Peabody arrange some craftsmen to teach them at the castle,” he offered.

Aela didn't know why she hadn't expected such a response, he truly was generous to a fault. “I know many would leap at the chance to learn to smith,” Aela replied quickly. Although perhaps leatherworking and tannery would be more profitable since the primary materials were acquired themselves. Smithing would allow the recycling of broken and scavenged weaponry and the making of their own tools. If Markus could convince even a single blacksmith to teach even a fraction of what he knew to just one chimaera, it would be an enormous gain for the clan.

“Alright, I'll have Peabody arrange it,” Markus agreed, “There is almost certainly a blacksmith amongst the debtors who would be willing to teach their skills in exchange for freedom and compensation."

Knowing just how wealthy Markus was at this moment, Aela didn’t doubt he would accomplish such a thing.

The twins and Hildr returned a short while after Markus had drifted off into thought again. Just as nervous as the last time, Bjorn and Ulf wore anxious expressions now shared by Hildr.

Carefully passing the tablet over Freja’s abdomen, Markus suddenly paused, Incredibly familiar with his various tells, Aela knew something was wrong. Tapping at his tablet for a few moments, Markus sighed and nodded, “Freja is having twins,” he confirmed soberly.

Bjorn and Hildr both flinched, but before they could say anything, Markus continued speaking.

“I have already made some mana sharing necklaces like those I have to Beowulf and Skadi, so as long as you make sure to increase your food intake there shouldn't be any problems,” Markus explained calmly, removing a pair of leather cords each adorned with a single crystal bead from his belt pouch the twins had left nearby earlier. Markus draped one over Freja’s neck and handed the otter to Bjorn.

The moment the beads had touched their skin, the beads had changed colour. The bead worn by Freja turned red, while the bead worn by Bjorn turned blue. “I wanted to put some other things on the necklaces too, so you could tell they were a matching pair. But I am not very good at things like that.” Markus lamented with a sigh, “So if you can maybe add some matching wooden tags, or even small bones or something, it would help avoid accidents in the future,” he suggested while turning his attention to Frigg.

“Ah, so Frigg is having twins too...” Markus stated, and nodded his head, “Perhaps twins having twins is more likely amongst chimaeras?” He wondered aloud while removing another pair of necklaces and handing them over to Frigg and Bjorn.

“What do these beads do?!” Hildr demanded, “Will they save my daughters?!” It became clear that either mother had not told her about the artifice, or their function had slipped her mind under distress.

Markus remained calm, “The blue bead transfers mana from its wearer to the wearer of the red bead as needed. As the pregnancy progresses, so too will the rate of transfer. Effectively, the risk is higher on the person wearing the blue bead, but any healthy chimaera can swap places with them at any time if necessary. Basically, it just allows willing parties to share the load and make the risks much more manageable,” he explained carefully, “Particularly in instances where the pregnancy overdraws a chimaera’s mana. Like what happened to Skadi, you can revive them by sharing mana while also replenishing your own by eating at the same time."

Hildr was amazed and looked to Bjorn, Ulf and Aela, in turn, to confirm if it was true.

“It’s true,” Aela promised solemnly, “The volunteer will feel on edge, and it's more efficient to stay close by, but otherwise it's just as Markus said.” She was going to leave it at that but then thought of something, “We had four other chimaera taking turns to share the load. It would be a good idea to ask friends and family to do the same,” Aela suggested.

Hildr nodded, understandably eager to learn as much as she could about the artifice that would keep her daughters and unborn grandchildren alive.

“Svala wants to see you, Markus,” Magnus announced suddenly, most likely having approached while everyone was distracted.

Cocking his head slightly to one side, “What is it about?” Markus asked, evidently a little annoyed by the interruption while discussing such an important matter.

Magnus narrowed his eyes, “Svala asked to see you, isn't that enough for now?"

Markus frowned, “You cannot just tell me?” He asked.

Magnus snorted and rolled his eyes, “Svala didn't tell me, so how can I tell you?"

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Markus got to his feet. “If you have any questions, just come find me,” he told Hildr and the twins before turning to Aela, “Are you coming?” Markus asked.

Aela smirked and nodded, getting to her feet she followed Markus and Magnus inside the great-hall. Somewhat surprisingly, Svala was not by the hearth in the hall. Leading them to his and Svala’s private quarters, Magnus opened the door and motioned for them to enter.

Entering the room, they found Svala languidly reclining on a pile of furs.

Even without using her tongue, just by breathing Aela could smell the musk in the air. Judging by the crinkling of his nose, even Markus could smell it.

“Are Hildr’s daughters with child?” Svala asked without preamble.

Markus nodded, “Both Freja and Frigg are pregnant with twins."

Svala stiffened briefly, “I assume you have made the necessary interventions?” She asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

“I gave both couples mana transferring necklaces, explained how they work and recommended they find family and friends to help share the load,” Markus replied honestly, “There isn’t a great deal more I can do besides that,"

Svala nodded, now quite relieved, “To both have twins...” She said while shaking her head before suddenly stiffening, “Ah, perhaps it would be prudent for you to check me as well? Just to be safe,” Svala asked with a hint of worry again.

Markus furrowed his brow slightly in confusion, “I had thought that was what you wanted in the first place...” He said while stepping forward with his tablet. Slowly waving the tablet over Svala’s belly, Markus shook his head, “It isn’t twins, you shouldn't be in any danger."

Magnus and Svala sighed in relief, even Aela felt her tense muscles relax.

“It is an odd thing,” Svala chuckled, “To have both regrets and relief from the same news."

Markus nodded with a wry smile, “I think I can appreciate what you mean."

Svala nodded and sighed wistfully. “Although it was not the reason I asked to see you, the peace of mind is welcome all the same. I had originally intended to confirm what Bjorn and Ulf told me shortly before you first arrived,” she paused momentarily and propped herself up into a sitting position before continuing, “Is it true you intend to conquer the deadlands?” Svala asked intensely.

Markus did not reply straight away, as if carefully considering his answer. “A part of it,” he admitted.

“Ah, and you intend to invite chimaeras to live there?” Svala asked bluntly.

“I do,” Markus nodded.

Svala was silent for a while before speaking again, only this time she directed the question to Aela, “From what you have seen, do you think he can do it?"

It was a fair question, despite Aela’s obvious bias. Svala had not witnessed all of which Markus was capable of, but Aela had and they both knew it. “If it is Markus...No, only Markus can do it,” Aela replied confidently. Rewarded with a small smile from Markus by her show of confidence, she continued, “Using golems, the mana draining enchantment and building an enchanted wall, it would definitely be enough to claim the great valley and hold it at the very least."

Svala was quiet, most likely weighing Aela’s words carefully against what she already knew and could measure. After some time, Svala slowly nodded, But before she had a chance to speak, Markus spoke first.

“One of the rewards I received from conquering the dungeon is the twenty-year management and ownership rights of Arngier castle on the border of the deadlands. I will be using the castle as a staging point for seizing the great valley once the necessary preparations are completed. In the meantime, it was my intention to offer your clan the opportunity to stay within the castle until the great valley is safe to occupy,” Markus stated the facts coolly and was noticeably more guarded with his explanation than he had been with Aela. Since he had now witnessed Svala’s power-plays and benefits hoarding, it was rather understandable.

Svala was somewhat lost for words, “A castle? You would let us live in a castle?” She asked dazedly.

Magnus was similarly thrown off balance, “But surely you want something for this? Or is it maybe a trap?"

Aela glared balefully at Magnus, “Has Markus demanded payment from us even once in the many times he has generously offered gifts?” She sneered contemptuously, but wouldn't give him the chance to answer, “No, he hasn't! As for being a trap? Why would he bolster our numbers and provide us with a safe place to raise the newborns? You are simply too paranoid and petty!"

Magnus's expression darkened with anger, but he remained silent.

“I have an ulterior motive,” Markus agreed, surprising everyone including Aela, “It was my intention that the chimaeras would be able to witness the progress of conquering the great valley from the relative safety of the castle and make a decision on whether to settle there or not. Simply having you force those who are loyal to resettle and live in fear and doubt is unreasonable."

Svala nodded, “I would not have resettled my people to such a place without assurances and proof,” she agreed matter of factly.

“I assumed as much,” Markus shrugged, “It is just something to think about-"

“We will do it,” Svala hastily agreed.

Although Markus had probably expected Svala to agree eventually, he was certainly not prepared for her to agree right away. “O-oh, you will go to Arngier castle then?” Markus asked, obviously surprised.

Knowing her mother as she did, Aela did not find Svala’s choice and immediate reaction surprising at all. Her mother was nothing if not opportunistic. Besides, the humans would want the chimaeras gone from here within a month anyway.

Svala nodded, “When can we resettle in the castle?” She asked bluntly.

Somewhat lost for words, Markus glanced at Aela with an uncertain look in his eyes, perhaps wondering if she was being serious.

Aela smiled and gave a small nod as reassurance and was glad to see his look of gratitude before turning back to Svala.

“The adventurer’s guild has already confirmed the transfer of ownership. I have already arranged for craftsmen to conduct repairs and for supplies to be delivered,” Markus explained, “I would probably wait until some of my representatives lay physical claim to the castle, but realistically, the clan could resettle nearby and then move in once any potential problems have been resolved."

Svala nodded eagerly, but then seemed to have realized something, “You will not be joining us?” She asked with a shrewd expression.

Markus shook his head, “Not right away. I have other business to deal with before I can head to the castle. I think there is still enough dungeon mana for about seven more chimaeras to receive fertility treatments, so I want to do that before leaving. Also, I need to contact the Skalisberg soldiers to let them know they can leave. After that, I have made promises to meet with certain people, so I have obligations to follow through on before leaving for the castle."

Perhaps expecting as much, Svala nodded. “If you do not have particular candidates in mind I could make a few recommendations,” she offered with a predatory glint in her eyes.

Markus narrowed his eyes in return, but his tone remained even and steady, “At the very least, the children of Skien and Strida, I think their names were Loken and Frohd? There was also a male chimaera I had a confrontation with at the gate, Moulin?” Markus looked to Aela for confirmation.

“Mjoln,” Aela corrected, quite aware of who he was talking about.

Markus nodded, “Mjoln,” he repeated, “At the very least those three and their prospective life-mates if they are not already fertile. So depending on how that pans out, there is only one guaranteed treatment left over."

Half expecting her mother to make outrageous demands, Aela was surprised when Svala calmly nodded instead. “Alright,” she agreed magnanimously, “When were you intending to perform the remaining treatments?"

Markus took a moment to think about it, “Now would be fine. I have the process more or less figured out now, so it doesn't take long."

Magnus glowered at Markus.

“I assume you will be assisting Markus with navigating the clan-home?” Svala asked Aela.

Aela nodded but made no further reply, it didn’t really call for one.

“Then I won’t keep you,” Svala smiled and relaxed back into a lounging position again, apparently finished with them.

Leaving the room, Aela heard Magnus complaining quietly in a hushed tone, “-should have saved it for Thyra! She is old enough and has plenty of potential mates!"

Aela scowled, of course, Magnus was being selfish. The fact that he was now expecting a second child at no expense or risk had only made him bolder.

“It's fine,” Markus muttered as they left the great hall, “Thyra will get her chance at some point anyway, assuming things work out. Better to just focus on the positives for now,” he suggested, playfully bumping her with his shoulder.

Aela smiled. Markus was right, it was better to focus on the good they were doing rather than the selfishness of Magnus and her mother. “Who did you want to visit first?"

Markus considered it for a moment, “I think it might be better to help Skadi’s family first. They probably live close to each other right?"

Aela nodded and led the way through the dwellings of the clan home. Relying on her tongue and sense of smell to find them, it did not take long to find their shared dwelling.

“No way I could have found it on my own,” Markus chuckled, looking around at the other dwellings somewhat nearby, “They all look the same to me."

Aela gave his face a playful flick with her tongue, “That’s because your nose is weak, hehe."

Markus gave an exaggerated sigh and nodded, “It's true,” he admitted melodramatically, “For as long as I can remember, I have been able to sniff peppermint without gagging."

“Hey!” Aela gave Markus a playful shove that nearly threw him off his feet, “That was one time!" Markus had bought Arlee some sweets as an incentive for doing well in her studies. She had offered one to Aela, but the intense smell and flavour had caused her to reflexively gag to the point of almost vomiting.

Skadi’s family were not currently home, so Markus and Aela settled down on a clear patch of ground nearby and waited.

After receiving a number of curious looks from their neighbours, it wasn't a surprise when Skien soon came rushing over. “Is it time?!” He asked excitedly.

Markus nodded. “I have enough still for erm-” He looked at Aela expectantly, apparently having forgotten the names again.

“Loken and Frohd,” Aela interjected helpfully.

Markus gave her a thankful smile, “Right, enough for Loken and Frohd, as well as their potential life-mates if they need it,” he explained.

Thankfully a great deal less greedy than Magnus and far more gracious, Skien made no attempts to quibble over who exactly was receiving the fertility treatments. Instead, he excitedly seized Markus’s hand and clasped it with both of his own in a show of gratitude and bowed. “I will go fetch them!” He announced excitedly and quickly rushed away towards the clan-home gate.

Quite bemused and a little shaken by Skien’s enthusiasm, Markus just shrugged and shook his hand as if to restore feeling. “See? Just focus on the positives, hehe."

Aela smiled, he was right. It felt good to be a part of this.

Within a few minutes, Strida had returned home with Frohd and a lupine chimaera Aela was not familiar with. Similarly proportioned to her sister Thyra with the canine features of her mother Svala, this chimaera girl’s parents were likely both lupine chimaeras themselves.

“Ah, as you know this is my Frohd,” Strida slapped Frohd’s shoulder affectionately, “And this is his promised Maeve,” she gave a far lighter slap to the lupine chimaera girl. “Is everything ready? Can you do it now?!” Strida asked enthusiastically, while Frohd and Maeve looked on with bated breath.

Markus nodded, “Ah, so, the effects will become active rather quickly...Is there a private place or?...” He looked at the dwelling with an uncertain expression.

“They can take the hearth!” Strida agreed happily, anxious to get things moving.

“Ah..right, but what about Loken?” Markus asked awkwardly.

Not immediately understanding what he meant, Strida had a confused look on her face.

Markus coughed and roughly cleared his throat, “If Frohd and My-Maeve? If they are using the hearth, where will Loken and his promised go?"

“Oh...” Strida now apparently understood what Markus meant and glanced around, “I do not think that his promised’s family would begrudge their hearth,” she suggested deviously.

Far from Magnus and Svala’s self-interest, Strida obviously just wanted things to begin and it was not like her suggestion was incorrect.

Markus looked to Aela for confirmation.

Nodding with an amused look on her face, Aela very nearly snickered the moment he looked away again. Markus was so cute when he was flustered like this.

“Ah, alright.” Markus agreed. Gingerly removing a pair of beads from his belt pouch, Markus quickly checked them before replacing one and taking out another. Markus began to explain what they needed to do.

Strida and Aela both crowded in closer to get a closer look. This was very likely something they would need to know in the future for their own children after all.

“Okay, so Mi-Maeve,” Markus was still struggling with the unfamiliar pronunciation of northern names, “You will need to hold the bead about here,” he held the bead over her abdomen and motioned for her to hold it. “It's okay for it to be a little off, just so long as it is in that general area and roughly centred, that's fine. If you want, we can use a cord to hold it if you're nervous."

Maeve anxiously nodded, ”Y-yes please!” She stuttered nervously.

Markus nodded and threaded the bead onto a long length of leather cord and tied it just above her hips. Taking a moment to shift the bead to the centre, he nodded. “It will happen really quickly and the cord is really snug against the bead, so there isn't anything to worry about. Besides, the mana knows where it needs to go,” Markus explained soothingly.

Aela felt conflicted, on the one hand, she was jealous of how close and intimate he was being with Maeve. On the other hand, Aela was reassured by how caring Markus was and couldn't help but think of how he would be as the father of their children.

Now that it was Frohd’s turn, Markus became much more taciturn. “You just need to hold the bead against your vulnerable area, down there,” he pointed to Frohd’s loincloth. Markus then handed him the bead.

“Vulnerable area?...” Frohd mumbled anxiously in confusion.

Markus sighed, “If I were to kick you down there, what would you say is your most vulnerable area?" He asked brusquely.

Frohd’s eyes went wide, “Oh!"

“Since I have learned my lesson,” Markus’s cheeks flushed, “I will activate the beads remotely. So go inside and try to stay as far apart as possible alright? This is to make sure that each of you doesn’t accidentally take mana intended for the other. Understand?"

Maeve nodded, but Frohd was somewhat embarrassed, “Then what do we do?” He asked nervously.

Very nearly exasperated, Markus sighed, “Do I really have to explain that part?” Although he looked angry, Aela could tell Markus was just flustered and embarrassed.

Maeve took Frohd’s hand and dragged him into the dwelling behind her. A short while later she anxiously called out, “We are ready!"

Markus nodded and withdrew his tablet, and gave it a few taps. Putting his tablet away again, Markus hurriedly began walking away.

“H-hey!” Strida quickly moved to block his path, “Where are you going? Don't you need to make sure it worked?!"

Markus was about to reply but was interrupted as one of the walls of the dwelling shuddered, the impact accompanied by a loud feral cry. Giving Strida a telling look, Markus stepped around her and continued briskly walking away, the tips of his ears flushing a deep red.

Aela followed Markus until they stopped a decent distance away from Srida’s dwelling. Staying in plain sight, Skien would have no real problems finding them, even if his nose was distracted by other things in the general area.

Hugging Markus to provide support, Aela made a point of rubbing her pheromones on his clothes and exposed neck. The last thing she wanted was an opportunistic bitch trying to steal her man once the treatments became common knowledge. Marking her territory would be the first and last warning any of them would get.