I looked critically at the surroundings of the community. It’s a very wide open space out of the forested lands. The Palisade, however, was very small in comparison to the open space. This wouldn’t do. There was only one road into the community, so I saw no reason not to start playing. I erected a sliding gate directly over the road, on which I had manifested stone to coat the road surface after the gate. I envisioned a huge surrounding around the entire meadowlands with multiple stairs on the inside to allow for archers to defend any approach. I added a few smaller versions of the sliding gate, so they were all forced tighter closed if rammed from the outside.

  Kent and Tammy, along with the Prisoner, are simply stunned at the huge construct I had erected seemingly with no effort. I made sure to leave access for the stream, with a grate to keep animals out. My guard detail was slightly less surprised, having heard some rumors about my abilities, but Jeanette and Alian were able to take it in stride. Gabby, though, was super excited and super proud of her Mom, as if she were born to me in truth. It was adorable.

  The townsfolk came out of the Palisade in a steady stream, looking in amazement at the enormous structure. They were frightened at our approach until they noticed Alian and I with our Tiger Stripes on full display. The Village Elders, a group of three people who, honestly, I couldn’t imagine surviving to their current ages in this world, approached slowly with timid respect. “Miladies, it’s an honor to have such distinguished visitors. I hope we haven’t done anything to offend the Royal Family, as this wall seems to entrap us.”

  I smiled warmly. “Although I am a little hurt you’d think I’d trap you for some imagined slight, I do understand your concern. Honored Elders, this wall doesn’t trap, it protects. I don’t know how good your eyes still are, but there are stairs to allow you to reach the top for defense. If you look here, you can see a bar on the right side of the gate. Observe as I twist that bar slightly, and then push. Once you’ve pushed the right side of the gate outward, you can then wheel the whole gate to the right, which runs along tracks. The concept of this gate design is that anything on the outside only pushes it tighter closed. There are smaller gates on all sides of the wall. This is a gift, not a punishment. In honor of my marriage to one of your own, along with Princess Alian. We are also here on Business, I am going to be building structures that are designed to grow plants INSIDE, meaning you’ll be growing food in winter.”

  Everyone from the town gasped in amazement at the thought of growing crops in winter. “I don’t know if the wooden palisade is worth keeping or not, but if you decide to dismantle it, you can either make new buildings, or keep it as firewood. I’ll be building grain silos, which allow you to store grain safe from rodents, and moisture. Also, if new barns are needed, I can manifest them with earth magic. Please, discuss with yourselves where the best locations for new crop fields should be, mark them out with stakes, and string if you can, then I can build the structures over the top.”

  Jeanette came forward next. “Hello everyone, it’s good to see you all, I’m happy to return home for a visit. Don’t stand on ceremony, we’re currently hiding from Court intrigue, as two of us are Pregnant,…each child,…is a triblend. This has never been done before, and it was Jane’s idea, so every noble woman is going to be overexcited for some time. We need to let things settle down for a time. Plus, this is a perfect location for Jane’s greenhouses, as my Parents are here, and can vouch for all of you, just as much as I can. We need this to be kept secret, as desperate people would attempt to break into the Greenhouses in an attempt to steal food. Thus keeping it here, away from prying eyes till crops are ready for harvest this winter.”

  A woman and two children with Wolf features came running out. The Woman throws herself at Kent, while the two little wolf children slam into Jeanette. “Hello, you two, I’ve missed you, have you been good?!”

  ”Big Sis, Welcome home, yes we’ve been good!!”

  I looked at the two, a little jealous that I hadn’t gotten a welcome like that. “Do you have a greeting for your new Sister in laws?” Alian had come to stand next to Jeanette’s other side.

  ”Both of them? You married two Nobles? Daddy said only one was a Noble.” Their speaking in unison was epically awesome, though a bit weird, since they aren’t twins.

  “I wasn’t a Noble before I married Alian. Seriously, I come from FAR AWAY, and there, Tiger People aren’t Nobles. Imagine my surprise when Jeanette tells me that all Tiger People are Nobles here. The way I came here wasn’t by my ability, nor did I commission the transport; I have no understanding of how it happened. I never saw the person who brought me here. Also, when I arrived, I was completely naked, and fell flat on my face in front of Jeanette.” Their eyes pop open wide at that, and the girl clasps her hands over her mouth as she gasps.

  Darla speaks out in shock. “Naked, you must have been so embarrassed!”

  I chuckled. “Well, I have a unique situation, so I wasn’t embarrassed at all, but Jeanette.”

  She slapped my shoulders. “You don’t have to tell them about that!”

  “Awe, why not?”

  “Because it’s embarrassing!”

  “But you’re adorable when you’re embarrassed!”

  Her face was bright red at this point, being so embarrassed as she was. Darla giggled, and Mitchell just face-palmed. “You really do love each other. I’m so glad. Though I guess that means it’ll be even more awkward at home.”

  I grimaced at that. “Not from us, we can hold off, and besides, I already talked to your Dad, and Tammy, and depending on your Mom’s opinion, I might just be taking you two to the Capitol when I leave, so I can teach you things that will help on the Farm. So maybe a working vacation is in your future. We have to wait for your Mom’s decision, though.”

  Their eyes widened again. “You mean it?!”

  I nodded. “Don’t get your hopes up yet, but that’s my intention. If not, I’ll at least build a new house with bigger rooms that are soundproofed, so you SHOULDN’T hear things as much. Probably do that anyway.”

  Now their eyes were sparkling with eager anticipation. “I heard that, my instant feeling is to refuse, but you are family now, and you’re talking about teaching them things. What things would those be?”

  I smiled at their Mother, Mira. “The first two things I intend to teach are Writing and Math. I won’t be too strict on the Writing, but they’ll be able to do record keeping, and read letters from me, or write a letter if you need something. Math can help them in various ways, and my numbers are much easier to learn instead of writing the words. Other than that, there are food crops that nobody in the Castle even knew about, one of which is Sugar Beets.”

  Mira’s eyes, along with Kent and Tammy's, were full of surprise. “I know what sugar beets are, but you can’t eat them.”

  I chuckled. “True, but the reason they’re called Sugar Beets is because you can extract sugar from them, and refine it into fine crystals. I know that method too, so I can teach them, as soon as I get hold of some Beets to demonstrate. I can make a decent batch with about ten beets.”

  “I can get you those easily, with the new wall, I know a patch inside that is easy to reach, if they’re really a good crop, we’ll have plenty within a few months.”

  I beamed at her. “Perfect!” We all moved towards the palisade as the majority of the townsfolk had returned to their business, realizing that we had switched to family mode, but the Elders had already pointed out a location for a test field.

  “Milady, this would be a perfect location; we’ve placed a stake at each corner, but we don’t have any string yet.” I moved over, and seeing the stakes easily, I began to cast. The framework of the greenhouse rises out of the ground, and before anyone knew what was happening, the glass formed, and the main sliding door formed a second later.

  “There’s the first one. If you till the field, and put some sort of fertilizer into the soil, then you can start planting soon.”

  “What is this material?!” asked one of the Elders.

  “It’s called Glass. I use magic to create it, but there’s a non-magical method as well. It requires fine white sand, and you heat it until it melts, then after forming the molten glass into the shape you want, you have to slowly let it cool. If it cools too quickly, it will shatter.” Wonder and amazement are plain on the elder's faces. “In this structure, the way I designed it, it will allow the sun’s light into the structure, but it will also keep snow out; water flows into drains and into holding tanks so you can use the water collected. It also protects against cold winds. Thus, winter temperatures won’t freeze the soil, or prevent plant growth.”

  Understanding and joy cover their faces. “I see now what you mean about growing crops in winter. We’ll mark more fields, and I’ll arrange for this one to be plowed.”

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  “What might you intend to use this field for? Should I make a Silo, also maybe a Farm House, so a Family can move out here.”

  “Hmm, yes, I think a Grain Field is wise, and the thought of spreading the Families out with this new larger wall is also nice.”

  I looked at the sky, to plot the Sun’s travel, and site the best place for a new house, and silo. They rise perfectly as I intended. Glass windows adorn the house, and a clear Chimney rises out of the roof. The Silo is designed to allow sacks to be easily filled from the bottom, while it’s easy to climb stairs to dump the grain into the top. I also constructed a conveyor belt with a crank system to run the belt, once it’s actually attached. I fell to my knees in exhaustion. “You’ll need to fashion a belt of fabric that can hold the grain. When you crank the spindles on top, and bottom, it will carry the grain into the silo. I’m too tired for any more.”

  Jeanette lifted me up under my arms and led me away to her home. “You should take this house, Kent, it’s much larger than any in town, but I expect they’ll all look the same. Moving your things here would put you in a prime spot to supervise the…Greenhouses. Only makes sense for you to have the first new house.”

  I looked back at the house I had just built. “Too bad there’s no furniture inside yet, or I’d just go there. Ah, well, we can move things tomorrow before I do any more Greenhouses.”

  We stumbled off as a group. “Thank you, Elder, I think I’ll accept. We don’t exactly have a proper place for our new Family to visit, but there’s no help for it tonight.”

  Mira opened the door to their house about twenty minutes later, having taken longer due to my stumbling around through the twists and turns of the Village. I’m guided to a bed in the one large room. This was definitely awkward for the Kids, and I couldn’t blame Jeanette for leaving, and the other kids are just as eager, if too young to legally leave on their own. “See, this won’t due. This is no way to raise a family. It’s fine for a night or two, or when it’s just you and some babies, but with Teens, it’s just cruel. I’m going to make sure nobody has to live this way. It’s the least I can do for this community, taking charge of the greenhouses.” I pass out immediately after speaking, with my last words slurring out before my eyes go blank.

  I woke up about two hours later, having regained enough Mana to be functional again. “Sorry about that, guess I shouldn’t do so much in a day, huh?”

  Alian smiled gently down at me as she sat on the Bed, fondling my head and ears. “I didn’t mind, I got to watch you sleep, it’s something I haven’t enjoyed before. Usually we all pass out together for…Reasons.”

  I laughed, alerting the others to my waking up. “You’re awake!” Darla said, stating the obvious, as just like Gabby, she barreled into me with a fierce hug. “Can you teach me magic like that?!”

  I hugged her back, as I struggled up laughing gently. “Not sure, I just kind of do the things I imagine. I don’t know if there are aptitude restrictions, or how a person’s Mana works, or anything really. I’m all new to this myself. Nobody taught me, I just do it. BUT, we haven’t actually introduced ourselves, have we? I know you’re named Darla, from talking with Kent and Tammy at the Capitol during the Wedding. Your Brother is Mitchell, right? Did anyone mention my name yet, or were you waiting for me to wake up again?”

  Darla beamed at me, already loving my instant acceptance of her sisterly affections. “You’re right, I am Darla, and my brother is Mitchell, but nobody has said your name yet. The Princess told us her name, and the Guards did too, oh, and the Racoon-Woman who you have tied up, they got her Son, and brought him here. Why is she tied up anyway?”

  “Well, first, my name, in full, is Jane Rae Richards, but please call me Jane, or Big Sis Jane if you want. As to the Woman tied up, she and her husband, along with some others, had been fooled into thinking that attacking us would help the Kingdom; she was completely fooled, but everyone else in the group was a rebel. She’s going to be treated as a traitor, but as a last request, I’m going to adopt her Son as my own. SO, that little boy is your new Cousin, I hope I can count on you.”

  “Oh, he’s adorable, but what’s that about a last request? She’s still alive, she’s not sick.”

  “Sweetie, when people commit acts of Treason, they either win or they die. That Woman, whose only crime was being tricked, is going to have her head cut off. Either that, or if the King is feeling very generous, and taking into account she was tricked, she can be placed as a Slave Laborer in a particularly bad work space like a Salt Mine or something. It’s terrible, but I can’t change things. Not even sure if she’d be better off alive as a Slave or Dead. Maybe I’ll let her decide if I should ask the King for the Slave thing.”

  Darla’s eyes widened. “She’s a Traitor? She attacked you? But you’re adopting her Child? You’re amazing, most Nobles would just kill the Child, or leave it to its fate without worrying about it. You can count on me, I’ll be the best Cousin ever!”

  “Thanks, sweetie, I needed that. I hate having to do this, you know. I’d rather let her live, maybe even put her to work in the Castle or something. Only problem is that Treason is too big a deal, and can’t be forgiven in any event. Nothing I can legally do, and she knows it. Alian, should we talk to her now, or later when we’re on our way?”

  She thought for a moment. “I think you should focus on your work here and get some family time for now. If you keep struggling to break away and focus, then we’ll address her first, and continue once she’s decided.”

  I nodded. “What’s our new Son’s Name?”

  “She refused to tell us, because she says if we keep that Name, he’ll be included as a Traitor, while if we give him a Name, he’s ours, and nobody can say different. SO, we get to name him. He’s too young to talk still, but not nursing anymore. Such a little sweetheart though. He’s been clinging to Jeanette; she had babysat for the little one before. That makes things easier.” I got up from the Bed, and we moved to the main living area where everyone else congregated.

  “Are you feeling better, Jane? You worried us back there, practically collapsed after raising that house.”

  I smiled. “Yeah, between the walls, and the other structures, that was a big ask for my Mana Pool, but the funny thing is, I feel it’s gotten bigger. Like, the more I use, the more I can hold. I bet after a good meal and a night's rest, I’ll be able to do even more at one go.”

  Mira had a Pensive look. “I’d be careful, Jane, I know I don’t have any right to say, but you worried me there. Don’t overdo it, with what I’ve seen already, we can’t afford to lose you, as Family, let alone what you can teach people. Jeanette is super happy, that’s clear for anyone to see, and you already care for my children as a sibling should, I can tell. You can’t fake that, even if you didn’t stink of Familial protective instincts.”

  She smiled at that. “Yeah, about that, Jeanette, what do you think, should we tell them? Will they accept everything? I want my detail to know, they deserve it, but Alian, you need to decide on that, being that you know Father’s opinion better than mine.”

  “It makes sense for the Detail to know everything, they’re, absolutely loyal to you already, because you accept them as they are, more you don’t want them to change at all, and hate the idea of them faking manners for some Noble, or Merchant, choosing to have them be silent instead of using fake manners. They’d die for you, learning your truth won’t change that Love.”

  “As to my Family, yes, they will accept you just as much as I do, they can smell the Truth as you speak, so there’s no fear. The only one left, is our Prisoner, but considering what’s likely to happen, that doesn’t matter all that much. Either she will lose her head, or keep your secret to protect her Son from needless attention.”

  I nodded. “Ok, everyone, Jane isn’t my birth name. My Birth name is John, and my middle name had a different spelling, so I altered that to the feminine version. I wasn’t born a Tiger Person, or a girl. I wasn’t even born in this world. The world I come from is more advanced in technology, like Glass, and the Stainless Steel I introduced, weapons that I won’t introduce, vehicles, machines, so many things. However, there was no Magic, and my original species was the only one there. Never were there ever Cat people, or wolf people any other beast person. We have animals that are named and look like your beast-like appearances. However, I suspect that’s due to a Translation Magic that’s embedded into my head. I can’t even write in my old language. The only reason I can write numbers still is because you hadn’t invented a specific number series. My Family back home is all Dead, there’s nobody back there for me, nobody misses me, well as far as I know anyway. So even if I could go back, I wouldn’t, unless it was for a shopping trip anyway. Though I doubt that would happen in any event, because this Body wouldn’t be allowed in that world, and my old Body, which is much older than this one, is long since been cremated into ash. There’d be no way to even visit that world even for trade.”

  “That’s,…I can’t really imagine how you’re coping so well. What does this have to do with how much you smell of your convictions?”

  “My species from before didn’t have strong scents, and our sense of smell was very weak. We evolved from Apes, so even though we were omnivores, we had to cook our meat, or get really sick. I suspect that my instincts and scent glands are on overdrive, because I’m basically a Baby in that regard. Despite how old I am inside, and how I look outside, this Body is basically a Month old now. I’ve only dealt with my Monthly one time in my life. Those cramps were horrible, but Jeanette and Alian had me pinch them to share the pain level, and they said I was lucky. I hope it dulls in my mind over time, but I’m super not looking forward to next time, magic pain relief, or not magic pain relief.”

  Jeanette giggled. “It was so funny and cute watching her stumble around like a newborn, dealing with her tail for the first time ever. It’s so helpful for balance when you have control, but clearly when it’s mindless, and adult size, it’s a detriment.”

  “I have more trouble with the idea of other worlds, but it’s clear everything you said is true. I can see why you’re not spreading this around. If the wrong people find out about this, it will cause panic. I assume you’re working with the King to limit what you share, and what you keep secret.”

  “Exactly, there are so many things that are just too dangerous in the wrong hands. It’s too big an issue for me to choose.”

  “Jane,…is that why you’re so comfortable with us more rough types? The lads and I have been wondering, you don’t see us as anything other than people, you don’t treat us as disgusting, even though you like Women, and clearly not Men. Most Women in your situation would still see us a Men, and be leery around us.”

  I chuckled. “I’ve been in more Men’s rooms and Locker Rooms naked around More Men than any of you ever have. In High School PE, which is Physical Education, we were required to change from our normal school clothes, take a shower, and dress in special Gym clothes for a little over half an hour, then strip naked again, shower again, and put on our regular clothes. Twenty boys naked as the day they were born, soaping up and rinsing off together. I’m really one of the guys, if I catch you taking a Piss, I don’t care, it won’t phase me in the slightest. IF, however, you start trying to get amorous, then you’ll likely lose something, just to ensure you don’t have that issue again.”

  Freddrick nods in understanding, but Bobby and Dillan look rather pensive. Vivian and Marla, though, laughed joyously. “Hear that, you two, better mind yourself. Mistress Jane won’t tolerate your nonsense!”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re lucky she isn’t really your type, cause I’ve seen you make moves on principals in the past. If that had happened with our Jane, you’d be a girl yourselves! Ha ha ha!!”