Journeyman (A Wizard's Life) by Eric Guindon Page A

even though we mistrusted you. You’re a good man, Benen.”
    “It doesn’t bother you that I’m a wizard?”
    “I’d be proud to be the wizard’s wife. You can do things no one else can and, instead of using your powers to hurt people, you came to help us.”
    “Thank you Sania. I’d like to take some time to consider now.”
    The girl got up and was about to go, but then, on impulse, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. She blushed after doing it and hurried from the room. It did not have the same effect Brenia’s kiss had, but it warmed him and made him smile.
    He pondered the question of which daughter to marry, alone in the sitting room for long enough that his host came to look in on him.
    “Is there a problem, Benen?” Pol asked. He took the seat across from Benen.
    “How does one choose? Each of your daughters is a delight in her own way, Headman.”
    The compliment pleased Pol. “Thank you, they take after their mother.”
    “How did you choose your wife, Headman? If you don’t mind my asking.”
    “She chose me, actually.” The man smiled at the memory. “In this part of Estren, the woman traditionally chooses the man she wishes to marry and proposes.”
    “But you agreed to marry her. Why her above any other offers you might have had?”
    “You overestimate my appeal, wizard.” He smiled. “Although there was one other offer. Why did I choose my Miria?” He thought for a moment. “I guess she seemed the most likely to make me happy in the long run. The other woman, Shella, was ambitious and smart and beautiful, but she was always thinking of the next scheme to advance herself and, presumably, her family. She moved to a big city after I turned her down.”
    “Thank you for the advice then, Headman. I just need a bit more time.” Benen stood up. “ Perhaps I will take a walk to clear my head. You will have my decision when I return.”
    The headman agreed to this and saw Benen to the door.
    As he walked in the woods, Benen considered each of the girls in turn.
    Brenia was by far the most beautiful. More than that, she was a sensual delight. He lusted for her, but she also intimidated him. Her plans were grand and not at all what he wanted out of his own life. She was the wife his baser parts yearned for.
    Dania was someone he could truly discuss intellectual subjects with. She was smart and educated, but she seemed cold and unemotional about their marriage. She wanted someone to have conversations with. She was the wife his brain yearned for.
    Sania was cute and meek, friendly, if shy. She was warm and caring and wanted to build a life where she would take care of him and he of her. She was the wife his heart yearned for.
    He couldn’t satisfy all his organs with any one wife and he could not marry all three; he had to choose.
    First he eliminated Dania, her distance and calculation had made her unattractive to him. He would love to cultivate a friendship with her, if possible, but he did not want her as his wife.
    He knew then that he should choose Sania. If he chose Brenia, he would be able to satisfy his need to be with her, sexually, but what then? She would want to move to a big city and go to balls and be part of ‘society’ which he had no interest in. Still, he wanted her and he struggled with this for most of the rest of his walk. Finally, he decided he would marry Brenia even though he knew it was the wrong decision, in the long run. His desire for her was that strong: she was magnetic.
    He returned to the headman’s house and, when he entered, found himself in the presence of all three women. They had been waiting for him in the foyer. The headman was also present. All four turned to him with expectation when they saw him.
    “Welcome back, Benen. How was your walk?” asked the headman.
    “Good, thank you,” he said, buying some more time. Seeing all three girls again, Benen was no longer sure if Brenia was the right choice. Sania’s shy smile had caught his eye when he