Chapter 75: Interlude: Eleven

Fifteenth day, Seventh Moon, 253 AC (+2 days)

A nervous energy race through him – well, not nervous exactly, more anticipation.

Koryn was looking forward to the future so much that it felt as if he could not wait until it occurred. His hand clenched and unclenched; he felt the need to move or at least do something. Planning sessions with Michael usually left him like that, ever since he had first laid eyes upon Osend. At least, he felt that energy when they weren't talking about awful things, like the Ironborn. The latest planning session that had just ended had stoked his imagination. Michael and Donovar were trying to finalize the concept of districts for a military call-up and seeing them go over what might happen in the future for Osend was thrilling.

To see all that land and responsibility was captivating. He may have ended up daydreaming in the meeting, thinking of what that would look like one day. The towns dotting the landscape, people transporting goods down rivers, or as Michael says, 'the gears of civilization turning'.

He pulled his hood over his head a bit tighter as the rain started to come down harder. Luckily, it was not windy today, so his cloak kept most of the rain off him. He was walking the familiar path home from his goodbrothers house and passing through the fields which were showing signs of growth, now that the last harvest was over a month behind them.

By the time he reached the door, the rain was pouring even harder, and he hurried inside.

The house was quiet, except for sounds coming from the kitchen. Koryn stripped out of his wet clothes and boots and laid them to rest by the fire to dry out. Making his way to the kitchen, he found the heart of his life preparing dinner.

Alessa looked up at his entrance and smiled at him. "Ah, your home. How was Michael's?"

He walked over and pulled her in for a heavy kiss, pulling her tight against his body. "Good. Though, it's got my thoughts going again."

"Oh? Thoughts of Michael has your hands wandering?" She said, playfully, as Koryn's hands moved over her body. "Should I be offended?"

Koryn snorted. "Hardly. My thoughts are moving too quickly; my body wants to move as well."

"Move like a newlywed, perhaps," she replied, as she hit his chest playfully.

"Are you saying I ever stopped worshipping you?" teased Koryn.

She rolled her eyes. "Ass."

Koryn nuzzled her neck. "Your ass."

"Anything new today?"

He shook his head and rested it atop hers. "No, not really; just more about the districts. I just kept thinking about what the future holds. I want to start working on our castle, and I want to build, build, build, and build some more. I can finally understand Michael now, and what drives him to constantly build things."

Alessa laughed. "You finally understand your best friend?"

He rolled his eyes. "Understand more."

"Right…" she said, unconvinced.

"So, mean to me," he teased. "I am excited for the future, though I know I will miss Redbridge after we move. It has always been home, but Osend is calling to me. I can feel it."

"Well, I can certainly feel something," she said, dryly.

Koryn grinned. "Plans have been going through my head too, though many are silly."

"Speaking of plans, did you ever talk with that horseman?"

"Aren? Aye, I talked with him this morning. He was part of the first group of horse experts from the Rills that arrived with horses for Michael that stayed here. He was willing to become my stablemaster once we get Osend started. He said it would be nice to be closer to his extended family, who still live in the Rills."

"That's wonderful news!"

"Aye, but it has even more thoughts and plans racing through my head, going so quickly I can't even finish them."

Alessa chuckled as she rested her head on his chest. "Try and start writing some of them down? It might help."

Koryn felt himself grimace. "I hate writing but judging by Michael's workload, it might be inevitable."

"Might as well start then."

"I think I'll hold off for now and keep dreaming of sweet things instead."

"Oh? Sweet things? Should I be worried?"

Koryn chuckled. "No, you are my sweet thing, oh heart of my life."

"Nice save," she replied, dryly.

"Thanks. I meant sweet things as in thoughts of trying to create a new breed of horse perhaps. The Dustin's are supposed to have the best in the North, while the Dornish the best in the south. What if I crossbreed them? Will that work? Would it survive the cold of the North? That's how my thoughts race. Question after question. Potential after potential."

"It'll all work out," she said consolingly.

"I know that. I know that even if I don't do anything new, I will probably do a fine job. But I don't want to do just a fine job. I want to do the best job I can. To Protect and Serve."

"I know, dear; I think we will flourish at Osend. Though it is still a pity that we couldn't get Stonefisk, instead of Osend. It would have been nice to live close to my parents and brothers. Having a castle towering over my old home would have been nice too."

Koryn chuckled. "There's still time to convince them to come with us."

He could feel her shake her head beneath him. "No, they are set on staying. My parents don't want to move only to leave my brothers behind, and my brothers don't want to move and leave their wives' families behind. Or so they say."

"Are they jealous of you?"

"Of course, they are. I just hope my brothers get over it soon. At least Zane and his family will be coming with us."

Truthfully, Koryn was very happy to have them come with his family. It would have been lonely having neither Zane nor Michael around once they moved to Osend. Michael had already drawn up plans for Zane's family to take charge of an inland farming community in Rillplainshire, that would focus on soybeans. It would be a good fit for Zane, who had never quite taken to planning with the same enthusiasm as Michael had, but was still a farmer through and through. "Aye, I am happy about that. Though that means we have to find someone to take charge of both of our families' farms. It doesn't feel right to leave them outside the family."

Alessa hummed contentedly. "Somehow, I still underestimate Michael."

"Oh? How so?"

"That mansion idea of his, for the wine valley? It seemed rather strange and a bit over-the-top, but as the reality of moving is setting in, I can see the wisdom of it. Of bringing the family back together. I really want to do something similar for my side of the family as well."

"Aye, it is a good idea. I'm sure we can think up something for your family as well. Still, it's bloody crazy to think about – owning multiple houses, one of which will be a bloody castle."

Speaking of moving had gotten him thinking of who would inherit the farm once they moved. He would like to give it to one of his kids, but he also wanted all of his kids to come with him. After all, a castle would offer a better life for them than this farm. He would have to talk to his kids about it at some point, but failing that, he could just leave it to Michael or one of his children.

"Where are the kids at?" he inquired.

"The boys are with Donovar, and the girls went to the school in the village to play with some friends. They should be back in another hour or so."

A grin formed on his face. Sweeping his wife into his arms, she let out a shriek. "What are you doing, you oaf?"

"It's all this energy, oh heart of my life. I've got to put it to use somehow, and the kids won't be back for a while."

The heart of his life rolled her eyes. "Energy, right."

"What?" he asked, rhetorically, as he carried her to the bedroom. "You were doubting my commitment earlier. I need to show you just how important you are to me."

With a heave, he tossed her onto the bed. "Ass," she said, as she sat up.

"Your ass," he replied, as he went to shut the door.

"My ass," she said, fondly.

The door shut with a heavy thump.

A/N: This will likely be the last post before the year mark since I started this story (January 21, 2018)! Don't worry; this isn't me saying I will stop the story! I just wanted to thank everyone who has been reading along this whole time and offering feedback! I've written around 143K words over the past year, which is much more than I ever thought I would do! I'm not sure how long it will take me to finish this story, but I hope you all continue along with me for the journey!