Bearly Maintained (2/2)

“I'm not sure how that's worse.”

“You're not sure. Humans are. Especially human nobles. And this causes very big problems when it comes to heirs, and titles, and bastards. A lot of humans find our kind sexy, and the nobility are no exception, so this used to cause all sorts of wars and disagreements and assassinations both quiet and loud.”

“That sounds awful!”

“It is. Which is why most big kingdoms and places where bunnykin are common have a no-rabbits law. If the mother's a rabbit beastkin, then the child can never inherit or hold a title, and will never be recognized by its peers. Doesn't stop love, and lust, but it means that nobles have to be careful about who they marry. So the ones who are drawn to bunny beastkin usually just have a mistress or six on the side.”

Threadbare tilted his head to one side. “You know. The human nobles in our lands were wanting to make laws about marrying golems and doll haunters. Because we're potentially immortal, mostly.”

“Yeah, that doesn't surprise me. Humans are all the same,” Stormanorm said, with a trace of bitterness. “They're decent until they get a taste of power, then they do everyone else dirty to hold onto it, and keep everyone else out of the club. And they band together with other humans the second a non-human tries to get into the good life.” He paused, looking Threadbare up and down, eyes widening. “Uh, no offense, Miss Celia.”

“It's all right. My father has much to answer for, and he was a human noble.” Threadbare paused, considering. “This doesn't explain why it's important that you're male.”

“Several reasons,” Stormanorm said, getting closer and squatting down a bit as he lowered his voice. “One is because we're rare. Very much prized by those lucky enough to marry us, or become otherwise... involved. Two is because we're the only ones who can carry our family names. Three? Three is because all of the laws are old. And they were written before the bastards who shut us out knew that we had males as well. Old laws are hard to change. Even in the face of new crimes.”

“So what you're suggesting is that you're going to marry someone noble and have a lot of babies that count for holding titles and all that sort of noble stuff?”

“Close. Marriage is optional. I've been training as a bard for most of my life. Pretty sure once I get past twenty-five that I'll be able to seduce damn near anyone I need to.” Stormanorm shrugged, and waved a hand. “Not that that's a good way to do stuff with noble titles. Usually leads to wars. But once I get rolling, I figure there are going to be wars anyway. So I'll probably end up marrying someone really powerful and influential, and backing her to get our children to where they need to be.”

“And where is that?” Threadbare asked, starting up the array. The wires twisted, the sprockets eased toward the sockets...

Your Tinkering Skill is now level 22!

...and the gear caught. A full rotation. Two. Then Threadbare nodded, as it chugged along. Then he shut off the drive, and looked at the rest of the engine, at the places that the parts were waiting to be sorted into their assemblages.

“To a place where it works,” Stormanorm said, watching the gears slow and fold into each other, running a hand over the casing. “To a place where we can live with fewer enemies, more prosperity and more choices. The same thing that anyone wants, really.”

“And kidnapping me gets you closer to that place?” Threadbare asked.

“Yes. I'm sorry, but it does,” Stormanorm said, straightening up and turning away. “Oh, for Mom this is just a grand adventure, and a chance to get us more experience and skills. But the payout will help keep the warrens going for another year. Give us wealth we can turn into influence. And make us friends with pirate employers in a place far from our worse enemies.” Stormanorm sighed, and turned his head back to consider Threadbare. “I'm sorry, Lady Cecelia, but it was too good to pass up. Even if I like you and think you're a good person.”

Threadbare looked at the deck as he thought, gathering his thoughts as he gathered up his tools, and the spare parts required for the next assemblage.

“I understand what you're trying to accomplish,” he said. “I think it is a worthy goal. But I don't think your methods are good. At best they'll earn you a lot more enemies, and at worst it will make things even harder for your species.”

“You may be right,” Stormanorm said, sighing. “And perhaps we could make better progress slower, and with more caution. But right here and now I'm a pirate, and all my power comes from piracy and one of the best damn pirate mothers a boy could ask for. And pirates go for the prize, and throw caution to the winds, or they sink and drown.”

“No matter how many like Plumbarista have to die for it?” Threadbare asked, and immediately regretted it. “I'm sorry. That's unfair.”

“No. No it isn't.” Stormanorm said, looking away. “She had her dreams too, even if I didn't know them. And I would have helped her try to bring them to reality, if she'd gotten brave enough to tell me about them. She was crew. And crew helps each other find their dreams. I'm sorry I can't help her do that now.”

And that decided Threadbare. He was a pirate, and very sketchy overall, but he was still a good person, down deep. While Stormanorm looked away, Threadbare walked behind the engine and whispered “Soulstone.”

“What did you say?” Stormanorm asked, ears twitching.

Threadbare walked out from behind the engine. “I asked if you would do me the favor of carrying a Soulstone?”

“Necromancy?” Stormanorm took a step backward.

“Yes. It's a place you can put your soul if you die. Then I could build a golem body for you.”

“Why would I... why would you think I would do that? Or be all right with that?” Stormanorm asked, voice hesitant.

“I don't know if you are. But this would give you a second shot to work on your dream, if the worst happens.”

And as Stormanorm hesitated, Threadbare heard the wind whisper in his ear.

“Threadbare, this is Cagna. You don't know me yet, but I'm with Celia and allies and we're here to rescue you. Sit tight, and be ready for violence.”

“I rather think you should take it,” Threadbare said. “I just have a feeling that it will come in very handy...”