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Paul could hardly wait to get home. Now he knew Claire would be safe and cared for, it was as if his whole focus had shifted. Up until now, she had been his to guard and protect. Now he could think about himself and what he wanted. The house would probably need some maintenance, but it was sturdily built and well looked after—apart from the past year—so he was reasonably certain it would be standing and not need too much work.
As long as the rain had not come through the roof, and providing masterless men had not stolen his property, there should be clothing, cooking utensils, and food still in the house. Some of the food would have gone bad, especially the vegetables, but he hoped there would be some seed left for next year’s crops and enough to help feed them all over winter. Besides, even he could tell they all needed new clothing after wearing the same things for a whole year, and he needed some grain to barter for fabric and thread.
With Claire provided for, he could even think about getting married himself. Just one woman though. He was pleased Claire had accepted both Mitchell and Ivan. It certainly made life much easier for them all. But as for himself, all he wanted was one woman, someone he could love and respect, but also someone he could have a real conversation with. That was something he’d particularly enjoyed in the forest. Being able to sit around the fire at night and talk to Claire and Ivan about anything and everything. He wanted that in a wife, too.
But first he needed to see his land. He had to make sure it was still as he left it, that no one had taken it from him, or dug up his strip farm, or damaged his house. It was a real worry now, but at the time, he’d had no choice. Life with Lord Jeffrey attacking people was not to be risked. He couldn’t let them kill Claire or steal their food and watch her die slowly of starvation. His only option had been to flee. But now, now they could return and rebuild their lives, providing his house and land were not badly harmed.
As they got closer, they started to walk faster, and then they left the road and cut through the fields going directly to Paul’s farm. He couldn’t wait any longer to see his house and land, and the others were content to spend the night there instead of at the stronghold.
“The lord will manage without his horse for one more night,” said Mitchell.
“We won’t be able to sleep on the bed. The stuffing will have rotted. But at least we’ll be indoors again,” said Claire.
Paul couldn’t listen to them. He was totally focused on seeing his farm. He wanted to run ahead, to race to it and look, but they needed to stay together even this close to home. Masterless men could be anywhere, at any time, and it was not wise to relax his vigilance just because they were almost home. Oh how he hoped, wished, prayed everything was as he’d left it. That nothing had been stolen, nothing damaged more than usual effects of the weather. What if his farm was destroyed? What if he had to start all over again from the beginning? He’d do it. He’d rebuild if he had to, but he hoped, hoped, hoped…
When they finally came out at the path and he saw his land, Paul dropped to his knees in relief. It was as he’d left it, although a fine crop of weeds had grown on his land. But at least that meant the soil was healthy, even though it also meant many hours of hard work to pull them all up.
Unconsciously he picked up a handful of soil and let it run through his fingers. Yes, yes, it was good soil. No damage had been done to it.
He looked up and felt Mitchell and Ivan standing behind him, one at each shoulder. “Come, let’s check out how your house has weathered this past year,” said Mitchell gently.
“The roof looks solid,” said Claire from atop the horse where she had a better view than the men.
A few more minutes and they reached the house. It looked as it had when they’d left. Claire was correct. There seemed to be no roof damage. Taking a deep breath, Paul unlatched the door and pushed it wide open. Nothing had been touched, but the smell of fermenting fruit proved the fruits and vegetables had not lasted a full year.
“Ew. You’ll have to dig me a pit to bury the rotten fruit,” said Claire, looking through the doorway.
“If we stay here tonight, we could do that, and we’d have the horse to carry your possessions back to the stronghold,” said Ivan.
“And the grain. The grain is heavy. That is, if it is still good.” Paul hurried to the back wall of his home where the grain bags were piled in a neat row. There was no sign of damage from small animals. The door had been firmly latched, but rodents seemed able to get in through the tiniest of gaps. However, this time, it appeared all was well. There were no nibbled holes in the sacks.
“I’ll take care of the horse while you explore your domain,” said Mitchell, helping Claire down and unpacking the rolled bundles from the horse’s back.
* * * *
Ivan built a fire while Claire collected water then began cooking them a meal. With delight she chose some of the vegetables she’d stored, things they hadn’t eaten in a long time, knowing they’d all enjoy the variety in their diet. If they were going to stay there all the next day, she’d bake bread. Bread would be wonderful. It’d been so long since they’d had it, and she had some wild honey stored which they could spread on it. Pure heaven!
She watched with a secret grin as Paul walked around touching everything then went outside. She knew he’d be looking at the land again. She was thrilled for him that it was in good heart. Of course he’d have set to work repairing anything that needed it, and there were a lot of weeds grown on his land, but life would be so much easier for him to not have to begin again.
Once their meal was bubbling in her pot, she began sorting out the spoiled fruits and vegetables. Because she’d stored them very carefully, so each vegetable didn’t touch any other one, hand did not affect its neighbors should it go rotten, and less than half the fruits and vegetables were spoiled. That would make a big difference to them this winter. Mitchell would have stored plenty of food for himself and his grandmother, but now there were five mouths to feed, not two.
By the time the meal was ready to eat, Mitchell and Ivan had dug a hole and buried the rotten food, Paul had climbed on the roof and checked no thatch needed mending, and Claire had looked over her food supplies and was content with what remained. It was enough, she thought. Not ample, but enough. Especially if the men were able to catch a wild boar, or even enough small animals. There were probably nuts still to be gathered and maybe even some late-blooming berries. They would survive.
Claire was also hoping the men would fuck her that night. It’d been a long time since her night with them, and she longed for them to take her again. Of course, Paul would be there, too, but they’d had to throw out the rotten bedding and hadn’t yet gathered fresh, so they’d be lying on the ground in their cloaks just like in the forest anyway.
When it was full dark, Paul picked up his cloak. “I’ll stay outside with the horse. You can use the house.” He looked a little embarrassed, Claire thought, and suddenly she realized that he and she had always been together. He’d always looked after her. Now that had all changed.
Quickly she ran across the room and hugged him. “You’ve been a wonderful brother to me, Paul. No woman could have had a better brother than you. You’ve been my parents and my friend as well. I love you.” She kissed his cheek, which blushed even redder. He nodded, patted her shoulder, and left.
Ivan fetched a pile of leaves and bracken that had been left near the fire. Claire had assumed it was for fuel, but now realized these were softer foliage, and Ivan had gathered them for their bed.
Again she realized how much he cared. All these men cared for her and looked after her. In many ways, she saw herself as self-sufficient and independent, and yet the men were there in background, watching over her, protecting her, anticipating her needs.
Hot cream dripped from her cunt onto her thighs. How could she not love such men as these? She was beyond fortunate to have three men who loved her, her brother and two husbands. As soon as they returned to the stronghold, she would look around for a wife for Paul. She’d search for someone who he could love and who would love him in return, who would bring him the joy she’d found with Mitchell and Ivan. Or maybe, she thought naughtily, two wives!
Then Mitchell and Ivan were standing before her, crowding close to her. “Are you ready for us, our bride?” asked Mitchell huskily.
“Oh yes. I’ve been longing for the night you’d both take me again.”
