by P. S. Power
Hardgrove was interested when Tor asked if Instructor Fines could join them, and pretty pleased when he realized the whole school was invited to the Capital.
The students, faculty and others that wanted to join them did have to declare they were coming first though, so they'd have enough space and food for them. Transports too.
Then he got Fines alone for an hour and covered everything. The man blanched, winced and even shook, as if cold, during one part, but in the end he agreed to see what he could do. After all, Tor represented the kingdom, and they were on war footing…
“Builders tend to be a little selfish though, you understand? Not you and not your working group, amazing what you've done with those children, by the way, but the other students, they might not respond as well.” He didn't seem pleased by the idea of trying to get some of the others to put more effort in.
That made Tor nod in return. He could see that. Most builders were a bit selfish, weren’t they?
“Well, you know, they should jump at the chance. These are some of the most interesting projects going right now and anyone getting them done stands to make a lot, if that's the goal. The communications network for the army alone is worth millions of golds and that's practically giving it away. If anyone wants to try, I can get them in to the palace to look at the one I have set up already. I can do it, or I could, but well…” He held out his hand, and the old man took it, looked abstract for a half minute then patted the back of it.
“For all intents and purposes you aren't alive, you know that don't you? I don't understand how you manage to move about at all. Healing and repairing the field damage, yes, but… This is bad. You live, so you must get it and it makes sense as to why you aren't just doing everything yourself… Don't. Dying now would be a waste of all you can do in the future.”
Tor laughed. It sounded pretty thin and a little breathy, but it was heartfelt.
“Not my plan at all. Hence letting everyone else do it all. So, if you could ask for me? Please Sir?” He tried to look hopeful, as if that would help. It kind of did, since the instructor told him he'd put the word around and see if anyone was interested at all.
“If not, I may just take a crack at it myself. After all, it is only copy work and if young children can do hundreds of units a day, I should be able to.” He ruffled his white beard, closer cropped now and tidy looking.
“If nothing else I can sneak it into your groups work.” His eyes sparkled.
“Yeah, I had that thought too. I think Lyn Cooper can do it, copy the central devices I mean. The hand-held’s aren't hard to do at all. I'm not sure about the others yet, but they need to be given a chance to see what they can do. All of them have it in them.”
Then almost everyone did, if they wanted it bad enough. Tor didn't add that though.
After he finished everything they all went back to the Capital, since there was all that party planning and nonsense to do. It was nearing dark already, so about six-thirty, maybe later. Trice got them back in good time. Casually she asked how old the next oldest brother in his family was. After Todd
“Terek is fifteen. Then Weasel, who turns twelve in a month. He likes blonds though, I think. Sara in particular.”
That got a smile from Ali and a baffled look from Ursala. Tor sat and just listened when his wife spoke.
“I have, from sources, meaning Countess Thomson, heard that Timon has actually put forth a letter of interest there. Very proper too. Just saying that the invitation is open for his fourteenth birthday, if she's interested and available then. It might be worth it for her to wait. He's younger than her, but has a lot of high powered connections, plus, he's going to be good looking when he's grown, which can't hurt. Tamerlane says that he's wicked smart too. He actually won a place at the Printer academy you know. As in took on over a thousand others in tests to see who got the spot. Otherwise he'd be going off to Lairdgren.”
A surge of pride ran through him for the boy. It was impressive, him winning his own place. Tor would have to make sure that the Countess knew not to let him have a scholarship though. Tor could pay, and more to the point, his brother could, most likely. He didn't want some poor kids spot taken up after all.
Once on the ground it turned out they had to head straight to the palace, with the Wards, since the Queen had decided on a dinner meeting about Postern. Tor wanted a nap, so let the others know they were in charge, in case he just nodded off.
“Not the plan, but I make no promises at all. So, Um, Maria, Ali… You've got this?” They looked at him and smiled, happy enough to be in charge of something.
Count Ward just sat, looking affronted and Ursala grumbled outright.
“What about me? I'm not good enough to be of use?”
Tor wanted to grab his forehead. Eek.
“Um, you're busy with the transportation network. That's going to take everything you've got, and probably a full team as well. The new lift plates and controls should be coming in a few days. Out of Lairdgren.”
“Oh, right.”
Tor stuck his tongue out and laughed a bit, “Now the rest of you, please stop acting like you need me to constantly pat you on the back and show how much I love you, OK. I do, we're all friends, but I'm about done here. I really need to rest and I can't keep running each day if I'm going to get better. So, um, I was wondering, Marvin, Trice, would you two cover for me? Just for a bit? That way I can concentrate on the case with Smythe and make sure Brown and Burks aren't just stringing us along. Plus, I need some other things done… No, you two can do that too. But it has to be done in secret. I mean, if you'd do that? I get that you both have other things to do and I know it's lazy of me-” But he really didn't want to die of exhaustion and while he felt better, not getting rest was taking a toll on how fast he could get back to normal.
“Certainly. I'll need a list of what you'd be doing though.” The giant Count behind him sounded pleasant about it at least.
Trice just landed the craft slowly and gave a lopsided grin that Tor could only see half of.
“OK… we need to be careful though as to what we agree to though Marvin. Tor might just put us to baking for hundreds if we aren't careful. He does that himself every now and again. Gotten me to help too, so, you know, that’s a real thing that might be on the schedule.” She sounded happier though. As if him admitting he needed help touched her, made her feel better?
“No, not this time, but I need Marvin to go to my mother and act as a go between for Sandra. It's a bit of a hard road right now, as great as she is, Ursala is her main competition for it and Todd already put forth that it would be a good idea to send a go between to her. I don't know if that's going to happen now or not, since you kind of declared intent openly already like that, but it still might.”
The tall blond Countess smiled and took a deep breath, “really now? And here I thought I wouldn't stand a chance. Sandra is fascinating. A future Countess and looking to be one of the best builders of her generation already? That's hard to match on paper. Worse, she's sweet. A bit quiet, but notice how that didn't stop her from just speaking up earlier when she wanted something? All is fair though. I think I'll point out the need for a nice bakery in Thorgood. I can even provide land in Valhalla. Right on the main strip too.” She got quiet, thinking then.
Marvin went quiet.
“If that's the task, I'll do my best for the girl. I feel a bit at cross purposes here. I don't want to give affront to Ursala. On the other hand, Tor asked me to work against her cause.”
Oh, well, he had, hadn't he. Ah…
“Sorry. That's true. Hmm… OK, so I'll send in someone else. No problem, though still a lot of other things to do that won't put you on the spot like that. I didn't think. My apologies there.”
Tor made himself walk in, but it was a real chore still. Instead of a long bit of mingling, there was an almost instant arrangement at a table, a square one, so that no one would know where the top was easily. He sat next to Count and Countess Ross, with Ali and Ma
ria on either side of the Queen. That made sense, they were the power group here.
Johanson the finance minister kept smiling like all the gold was going to him and Rolph kept making notes, and double checking figures. The whole plan came together quickly, with no real arguments. The only point that could have been was that the Queen wanted a maskers procession through the town, handing out candies and singing, and wanted a massive indoor eating area with giant bonfires and free food for the masses.
The cost for all of this was so high that both women winced and started making smaller plans. Rolph tapped the paper in front of him, looked at Tor and then Ali. Tor waved at his wife. She was in charge of it, not him. What was the point of having her do it if he was going to second guess her? More to the point, if they had the money in the treasury, he wanted to spend it. It sounded insane, but it would do a lot more in people’s pockets than in a giant vault or whatever.
After a second the Prince nodded. “Alissa, that's well within budget for this festival. Given the requirements, I'd suggest we find at least two more similar events. Maybe something that will take in other cities? Or pick a small town somewhere at random and gift them with a celebration spectacular too?”
She nodded and said that they'd do that, carefully not looking at Tor. Quietly she suggested that they set aside some of the funds for those children that lived in orphanages. They didn't often get fine foods or parties. They weren't abused, but that didn't mean life was simple or easy for them.
It made sense to him at least, but he didn't say anything. It was her idea.
A very kind one too.
At the end of two hours they stopped and ate dinner, which was done in high palace fashion. There he was between Collette and her mother, again pretty far down the table. He managed to sit without too much discomfort and smiled at the ladies, listening more than speaking. They had a lot of ideas about things too. A whole lot. After dinner he mentioned that, and coaxed them to speak even in the company they were keeping. Then he shut up and let the real powers in the room take over again. He didn't nod off, but he so truly wanted to.
Finally he got to leave, Johanson only half happy.
“I was kind of hoping that we could spend a bit more, to tell the truth.”
“Get with the, I don't know what to call them… The top of the table there? I once heard from the King that you were the best person he'd ever seen when it came to spending golds. It wasn't an insult or a joke either. So you know, counsel away.” He smiled which got the older man to simply snort back.
“Oh, I do like you Counselor Baker. I do indeed.” The bow he gave had no irony at all and he walked off to bug the Queen immediately.
Half an hour later, Tor was in his room, actually getting to sleep in his bed, the sores mainly healed. It felt nice, but he still had to sleep on his side mainly. He woke up, snuggled between two bodies. Large and warm, but both female, and no one was doing anything to him at all, so he just went back to sleep. In the morning it was a bit of a shock to find that it was Maria that held him from behind, smelling of jasmine and lavender and Collette in front, his right arm gently over her. Just past that on the huge bed that had gotten bigger while he slept in it, he thought, was Count Ward holding Trice, Ali was between them all and slept alone, looking young and cute, eyes closed tight to block out the bit of sun coming through the window.
It took a minute to get free and Maria woke up, murmured something at him and then went back to sleep. Well, they were friends and they'd followed his rules, so he had to be all right with it. He also needed, rather badly, to first go to the bathroom and then get to everything he needed done. It was looking to be a long day again…
Except that he had help, didn't he? Smiling, he got himself cleaned up and showered, then shook first Trice and then the count awake.
“Work time!” He whispered, but tried to sound happy about it. He felt that way. For the first time in his life, having help didn't feel like cheating.
Not overly.
Just a little.
Tor found the little room behind the dining area and decided to use that for his office and got a couple of soft lounging chairs to appear by thinking about it for a few moments while touching the wall on the left, which Collette had decorated to look like wood and leather for some reason. It had a real “work” atmosphere at least. The chairs matched the color of the wall, but had a surface like satin, which he liked the feel of better personally. They were very fine looking, but Tor made himself stand. He needed the exercise.
When the others were comfy he went over what needed to be done for the day. Trice had some paper and took notes. It was darling of her, because he'd forgotten to do anything like that. It was nerve racking talking to two nobles like they were supposed to be listening to him, but they’d agreed. Still, it was hard. He kept expecting Count Ward to order his death or something. After all, he'd been touching his wife all night. It didn't matter that “The Rules” didn't allow for that level of jealousy at all. Tor still half expected it.
“If you'd go up to Lairdgren today and check on the working group there Count Ward? We really need to make sure they're resting at least part of the time, oh, and eating. Make sure there are people seeing that they don't go hungry if they’re in a working trance for too long. That can be fatal. They should be looking out for each other, but they all have loads of work right now. I don’t want anyone being missed.” Tor thought for a few seconds, going silent.
“Oh, um, also, be encouraging? They can all do more than they have been for instance. Pat them on the back and make sure they know I have complete faith and confidence in them? I do, so it shouldn't be hard to manage.”
The Count chuckled a low rumble deep in his chest.
“I can do that directly. Just get with the headmaster to find them all?” He said as if going to the man in charge just made sense to him. After all, he'd be able to walk him over to everyone’s rooms, wouldn't he?
Tor froze for a second. It was noble like in how high handed it was, but the Dean deserved far more respect than being used for errands. At least ones for Tor. He blinked…
“Um… Yes, but I need to send a letter with you for that, I think. Or, I don't know, I mean you have a Counts right, but I'm just some former school student of his, what should I do here?” A fine social panic tore through him then but Trice just looked at him appraisingly, fortunately getting it all without explanation.
She was incredible like that.
“If it's just Tor asking, then you need to find someone else to take your messages around. Sending a Count, even one that's a friend of yours, is too much. If it's the Counselor of magics doing it, then Kyle will just have to jump and pretend to like it. He's high merchant class, and important himself, as you know, but as headmaster…” She spread her hands.
“Now if you were going, or just some regular errand boy, it wouldn't matter. Just grab some kid in the commons to show them around…” She glanced at the Count and smiled.
“I know, why not pull out your William Merchant disguise? Then you can do either without seeming high handed. Sure, Rolph's dad coming to check on everyone won't have the same impact, but everyone likes him there and really, that seems far more likely than a Count being sent anyway. Tor knows the man too, so it works all around. I can fly you in, using Tor’s fast carriage and be back inside an hour and a half, then pick you up later? Or, I don't know Tor, do you have an extra of those floating around?”
He did and ran to get one, just sitting in a box near the front door. It was more of a pained shuffle than a real run, but it wasn't floating and faster than a walk.
Yay improvement!
The Count and Trice had followed him out, because he hadn't said anything about coming back. That was really rude of him, but neither seemed overly concerned.
“Here. Oh, and a better shield… Or, no you already have a class six. Does Maria?” It was a good question. Having been used by the Larval assassins already and personally threatened, she might be su
bject to a death dust attack or just a knife when she wasn't ready.
“No. I've offered her mine, but she refused, since it was given directly from your hand. She doesn't wish to stress your good will.”
Tor couldn't help it, his head tilted and eyebrows went up slowly, it felt like his face was melting. Maria was forgoing protection, fearing he might be concerned about where a shield went? He shook his head.
“I'll… fix that then. Um here. Just you know, don't go to war with the kingdom using these, right? It's part of the deal all the Counts have to agree to when they get weapons.” It was too. Even Ursala had to agree to it.
Trice sucked in air like she was drowning. It made Tor jump a little.
“Oh, Gods, I… that's not some weird insult is it? Giving him weapons? It's just a an air choke and an explosive weapon, one of the smaller ones, not a copy of the planet killer.”
After a few second his girlfriend, tears in her eyes shook her head.
“Nothing like that. Just, you know, you called him friend and we all shared a bed, which as far as anyone else in the world is concerned means we all had sex, but giving someone a weapon is a sign of trust beyond… Well, especially something like this.” Her hand flew out.
“Plus, you have them sitting in a little box by your front door? That will be fixed before hundreds of school kids come in, right?”
It was a good point.
“Yeah. OK.” Tor had to laugh, even though he didn't know why. It was a hard thing at first, but just didn't stop for a while. The others joined in after a bit, if much more softly. Being polite likely.
“OK, Trice, um, could you help me with the next bit? I have an idea who to get to act as a go between for Sandra, but it will take some begging most likely. Then I need to contact each Count and Countess and invite them for Postern. I'll get with Collette on that, she's good at those kinds of things.”
Trice went stiff, but Count Ward left without hesitation, which was heartening. Before he stepped out the door the man touched his chest and transformed completely. If Tor hadn't seen it before he would have goggled a bit. There was no way, without using magic, to tell it wasn't him. Except possibly scent.