When Shada had been John, he had both children and grandchildren. He knew all the ins and outs of infant care. Magical infant care was somewhat different.

  Shinobin recovered from giving birth like only a skilled healer could. She was ready to get back to work in a few days. Her job was demanding, tiring, and often exposed her to all manner of toxins, and pathogens, that should never be near a newborn.

  Shada figured that Vanestra would come help, but he learned she couldn't. She was tied tightly to the cottage wards that acted as an anchor for the wards keeping beasts away from the entire region. Vanestra also worked on private divinations and custom artifacts during her spare time.

  The idea of Alexzandros playing nursemaid was somewhat laughable. They were discussing options, on the day after Luca was born, when Alexzandros made a suggestion.

  “Just hire a wet nurse. It isn't like we lack the money, and the prestige and benefits of working for a High Healer will give you plenty of options,” Alexzandros said.

  Shada wasn't familiar with the concept. He had been from a country where such practices had fallen out of favor.

  “What is a wet nurse? I am not familiar with the term. Is it like a nanny?” Shada asked his family.

  “Wet nurse is actually a Profession. It is a woman who will care for and nurse children for those who can't or don't have the time. They typically work for noble households, but not always,” Vanestra explained.

  “Are you telling me there are women, who make a living, breastfeeding other people's children, and you think this is a good idea for Luca?” Shada asked in mild disgust.

  He guessed formula was not a thing on Sierrallas. Could he reinvent formula and bottles? He had no clue about the ingredients, but alchemy might bridge the gap, he thought. Feeding babies magic formula might not be his best idea.

  “There is nothing wrong with wet nurses, Shada. It is a perfectly respectable profession.” Shinobin added her opinion to the discussion.

  “What about me? I experience what Luca does. It is awkward enough when Shinobin feeds Luca, but a stranger? Also, I don't want to hide all the time and I have to stay close to Luca to avoid wasting Essence,” Shada shared his concerns.

  “Just have whoever you hire sign a binding contract with the System. It is also fairly standard in noble households,” Alexzandros said with his normal pragmatism.

  “We would have to set up interviews. We can't just hire anyone. Would you like to participate in the interviews Shada? You will be the most affected after all, but there will be patients that need treatment I can't give, if I have to stop healing frequently to breastfeed. So I do think it is a good idea,” Shinobin commented.

  Shada was definitely conflicted. On the one hand it was a practical, no nonsense solution. On the other hand he would have to deal with the experience of Luca breastfeeding from a stranger.

  “Is it safe? I think we had wet nurses on Earth in the past, but that was long ago. We used artificial breast milk, called formula, and special bottles with fake nipples when breastfeeding wasn't practical,” Shada explained to his horrified family. He also thought about how weird baby bottles were when described to someone unfamiliar with the concept.

  “That sounds atrocious! Those poor babies. Of course it’s safe! Wet Nurses have literal Skills for it after all,” Shinobin said while shaking her head in disgust at the thought of ‘artificial breast milk’.

  “Truly, your old world was a strange and barbaric place, Shada dear,” Vanestra added.

  “I can see why it seems like that to you, but we didn't have Beasts or Monsters or extra dimensional entities feeding off the System everyone depends on. Of course some might consider politicians and lawyers to be parasites, but moving on. I reluctantly agree that it is a logical idea, but how do you go about hiring someone here?” Shada asked in a less than thrilled mental tone.

  “We can just have Besta take a message to one of the professional guilds. I can do interviews in one of the offices at the clinic. It shouldn't take long to get a response, and start interviews, when I am ready to start working, which won't be long at all. I heal fast,” Shinobin said humorously.

  They discussed things in more detail, but it seemed that hiring a wet nurse was practically a done deal. They suggested that they could use the Root golem to pass Shada off as a nature spirit and guardian for Luca.

  —

  It seemed like no time had passed, since the birth, before Luca, Shinobin, and Shada were conducting interviews for Luca’s future wet nurse. There were quite a few applicants.

  The first applicant was scared of the golem/fake nature spirit Shada was pretending to be. The next seemed prejudice against unmarried mothers. The few Imperial applicants weeded themselves out when they learned Shinobin was an unmarried Wylderfolk.

  It was Shada's first real encounter with cultural and ethnic prejudice in his time on Sierrallas. It made him curious about the, Wylderfolk vs Imperial, divide in the city of Westlin. He asked Shinobinabout it between applicants.

  “Is there a conflict between the Imperial and Wylderfolk that I need to know about?” Shada asked.

  “It’s complicated. Do you know anything about local history or politics?” Shinobin replied.

  “No, there has been little chance to learn. My lessons have been magic and Skill focused,” Shada replied.

  “The Eastern Imperium is an expansionist nation. We Wylderfolk are part of several nations that border the Wyldwood, which is quite extensive by the way. So there is a history of border conflict and racial tensions.”

  Shada thought for a moment before asking. “So did the Imperials conquer the Wylderfolk?”

  “No, Westlin is a diarchy ruled jointly by the Queendom Of Gloddus, a Wylderfolk nation, and the Eastern Imperium. In fact the city is divided into two sections. The Branches where the Imperials live and the Roots where Wylderfolk live. They are joined by the fortress along the Trunk above the Dungeon,” Shinobin explained.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  “Is the city shaped like a tree?” Shada asked.

  “It is. The whole city sits on a sloped plateau that narrows in the middle. When the area was surveyed the planners decided it looked like a tree so planned the entire city around the concept. The Imperials got the high ground and the Wylderfolk the lower area near the forest. I will show you a map sometime. The Branch roads are all straight and their buildings precise and angular. Here in the Roots we build to reflect nature more as you have seen,” Shinobin said.

  “So what about the woman that didn't like you not being married? Is it a religious issue?” Shada enquired.

  “Not really, it is cultural. The Queendom, and Wylderfolk in general, are matriarchal and the Imperials are strictly patriarchal. So she likely thought me unseemly for being an unmarried woman and conducting the interviews myself,” Shinobin explained.

  The next candidate surprised Shada for two reasons. One she was plump and tall. Not fat, but Physical Cultivation tended to help maintain physical fitness ,and most people were fairly lean. The other reason is she came with a newborn in her arms.

  “Miss Philomina Currackle?” Shinobin said inquiringly when the woman made herself comfortable in the interview chair.

  “Oh yes, that’s me, but do please call me Mina. No one uses my full name, including past employers,” the gregarious woman said while giving a somewhat tired smile.

  “Mina it is then. I see you have a little one yourself. What's their name?” Shinobin inquired politely.

  “This is my little Westlin and the reason I am looking for new work,” Mina said proudly.

  “So Mina, tell me about yourself. Your Path, Class, and Profession aren't on the information sent by the Guild. They do that to protect your privacy, but it would be nice to know. Luca is a special child and I have to know who I am working with,” Shinobin explained.

  “Hmmm, I walk the Physical Paths, my class is a Guardian/Warrior variant, and I am a Professional Wet Nurse/Nanny,” Mina replied.

  Shada was confused. The idea of the plump and friendly Mina being a warrior of any kind seemed far-fetched, but Sierrallas could be strange at times. Mina was certainly large enough to be a fighter, but her shape and demeanor did not match Shada’s idea of a fighter.

  “That’s excellent actually! So tell me why did you leave your last employer?” Shinobin asked as she went through her list of questions.

  “I worked for an Imperial couple, up in the Branches, until I became pregnant. They tried to convince me to seek out the Mother's Temple to ‘fix’ the problem. They didn't want an unmarried pregnant guard for their children. They said it would ruin their reputation. So I had to leave once I began showing,” Mina explained.

  “I am sorry you went through that. I had an Imperial applicant leave abruptly, because I am not married either. So we have that in common, but you look Imperial, will it be a problem for you?” Shinobin asked the fair skinned blond haired Mina.

  “Not at all. I came to Westlin to get away from the prejudice the Imperium has towards women. My employer had seemed open to unconventional women, but apparently not pregnant unmarried ones,” Mina said with a sigh.

  “So what did you do at your last job?” Shinobin asked next in a relaxed tone.

  “Primarily, I watched over and cared for the children of the couple's estate, in the Branches. They had a large family. I will miss the kids,” Mina said while cuddling her son.

  Mina went into detail about her duties and work. She described her work as both guard and nanny.

  “Well it sounds like you are qualified, but first things first. I need you to sign a binding Non-disclosure Contract under the System. There are secrets involved in the job. I have to insist on the Contract, but I imagine you signed similar Contracts up in the Branches,” Shinobin said earnestly.

  “It’s standard practice up in the Branches, but I am surprised to be asked for one in the Roots,” Mina replied unbothered.

  “Ok, I have two Contracts. One just covers the interview. Before I offer you an employment Contract; I need to introduce you to someone. Luca has a special guardian and you will have to work with and get used to them. Please sign the first Contact before we proceed,” Shinobin said while handing a parchment and quill over.

  “Here’s hoping that she is made of sterner stuff than the last one to get this far. The screaming was weird.” Shada sent to Shinobin privately, which made her hide a smile.

  “Ok…seems a little iffy, but I am also curious now. So I don't see the harm.” Mina said after reading the Contract. Even while juggling little Westlin she signed the Contract with ease.

  Shada was impressed at the dexterity on display.

  “Shada, if you don't mind, I will pick you up and introduce you now,” Shinobin said to Shada and reached for the small wooden golem. She picked him up and placed him on the desk in front of Mina.

  “What kind of toy is that? It looks like some kinda wood sprite or brownie?” Mina asked while studying the golem.

  “One that is Not a toy,” Shada responded, much to Mina's surprise.

  Mina startled at first, but then just stared curiously at the animated talking golem, before looking at Shinobin. “I am afraid I don't understand. Is this a type of prank you play to test people?” Mina asked curiously.

  “Not at all. This is Shada, a nature spirit and guardian for Luca. He will be with Luca in spirit form or as this golem, he calls Root, most of the time,” Shinobin explained cheerfully. She was encouraged by the woman's nonchalant behavior.

  “Hmmm, hello, Shada was it? How did a nature spirit end up as a child’s guardian? I assume this is one of those secrets?” Mina asked curiously.

  “Yes, it is. Are you still interested? I have to admit that I was excited to hear you had a warrior class. Any extra protection for Luca is appreciated,” Shada replied for Shinobin, who nodded in agreement.

  “I can't say it is the strangest thing I have ever seen. I delved for a few years after all, but it is definitely different. If I accept the job I will need to know why Luca needs extra protection, but I am not opposed to working with Shada here. I am of course assuming he is more capable than he looks, because he is rather cute!” Mina said with a grin.

  “You will learn some of our secrets, enough to make your job easier. I mainly need you to care for Luca while I am here in the city. Shada is a caster. I am having one of the rooms in the Clinic turned into a nursery where you will work. My mother is going to personally ensure it is well warded,” Shinobin explained.

  “You don't mind me bringing Westlin with me?” Mina asked.

  “Of course not. Luca will need a playmate eventually. A milk brother would actually be ideal,” Shinobin said.

  “Payment and compensation?” Was Mina’s next question.

  “Hmmm, since you also have a warrior class I can double what you would make in the Branches, provide free healing for you and Westlin at the clinic, and will supply anything you need for your day to day expenses while working,” Shinobin said with a hint of excitement.

  Shada had learned little about local economics, but the deal seemed more than fair to him. He had seen what people had to pay for certain types of healing. It wasn't cheap in terms of Essence.

  “That is a more generous offer than I expected. Especially in the Roots. Free healing is almost worth more than the salary, but the deciding factor is Westlin. I can't bear to be separated from him right now,” Mina said while smiling warmly at her child.

  “So you accept?” Shinobin asked hopefully. She liked the unassuming woman and thought they would get along well as new mothers together.

  “I do, let’s go over the Contract shall we?” Mina replied with a smile.

  Shada watched as the Contract was scrutinized and amended until both parties were satisfied. Westlin and Luca were placed in a cradle together. Shada put on a little light show, to distract the babies whil,e the two women went over the Contract.

  He was curious what it was going to be like having new people in his life, but he got a reassuring feeling from his connection to the Goddess that told him that this was a good idea. Since their last meeting Shada had been more aware, perhaps in tune with the link to the Goddess Sierra. He trusted that she wouldn't encourage anything bad. He and Luca were needed after all.

  After the signing. The ladies discussed care details, logistics, hours, and all the minutiae needed to get Mina settled. They even discussed plans for the nursery/playroom. Shada only added minor input.