by P. S. Power
The next event didn't need him to test personally, it was a fighting square, but the “weapons” were just weak shields that looked like swords in a glowing red about two and a half feet long and each person fighting got protected with a shield too, one that was strong enough to stop the swords blows and glowed a sudden and brilliant gold when hit, the look was kind of impressive. Get hit three times and you were “dead” and your sword vanished, leaving you holding only a focus stone handle. The cool thing was that you could block with the blades and it actually felt like hitting something real and made a clashing sound like metal would have. All the kids wanted to try it when it was explained to them, but Tor held back. He knew the system and actually had sword training. It wouldn't exactly be fair, would it?
Lyn kept staring at him, but now it wasn't just curiosity over his amulets he didn't think. No, now she probably saw a chance to make her dreams come true and he was someone that had knowledge of what she needed to do. That made him special to her right now. Hopefully she'd remember what he'd said and at least try. Burks had told him not to do everything for everyone, but it was so tempting to just make it all work for her. She needed to do it or it wouldn't mean as much. It was simple and obvious, but he had to fight not to do it anyway.
They wanted to keep playing with the “shield combat” gear but Tor saw that the next event was being set up already and got everyone to hurry over. This was the one he thought people would love the most. Or hate. You put on a harness that went around your middle and buckled in place, just so no one could drop it. After that you stood on a light tan focus stone plate that was about two foot wide and jumped. Then it took you into the air, magnifying your jump by about thirty times, slowly lowering you back to the plate. But you could also jump up and out in any direction, so it would allow some stunts. It always took you right back to the plate no matter what you did though. As you moved through the air you left a multicolored trail of sparks and light. It would be impressive after dark and looked kind of neat even with the sun out.
The colors were in purple and gold to start, but could be set by the person running the device if they got bored with that. The lights worked well and the landing was more gentle than it would have been if he'd actually jumped up in the air a few feet. There was clapping when he finished, his new group of young friends mainly, but by the time they were all jumping around and doing tricks, about fifty people gathered to watch. Tor clapped along, because they were doing things that he'd never dreamed of, holding hands and spinning around each other leaving brilliant spirals, flips in mid air and little dances comprised mainly of hand and arm movements and spins.
After that there wasn't a lot more to look at yet, so Tor waved good bye to the others and called Lyn over.
“Remember what I said? I'm serious. Ask for any of those people and show what you've made, explain it to them and see what they say. Really, you should do it before dinner.” She looked scared, but determined, which was better than Tor would have done at her age.
Was he asking too much of her? Well, if so, he'd make a point of tracking her down later and trying a gentler approach. The kingdom never had enough people that were builders, or even good copiers.
That thought made him want to slap himself in the head. He looked around for a rock, but couldn't find one. Well, later maybe. The idea was so basic, so… easy, that he should have thought of it before. It didn't even take any magic, not on his part.
Testing.
He'd set up a test and anyone that passed would get a full scholarship to Lairdgren. He could afford it. At first the idea was just for kids, but then he shrugged. If a person had talent, why shouldn't they get a shot? Most adults would have other things going on, jobs and families, but if they could work it out, why not? Was that doing too much for them? They had to have the will to try and talent to make it on their own, it was only a chance, if they took it.
Tor tried to hurry, but it took the rest of the afternoon, mainly because he had to go to Debri house to borrow a copying template. He'd stopped using them for the most part and didn't have any with him at all, not even old ones. Well, except the healing device one, but that was just too complicated to use for a test of people that hadn’t done it before.
There had been a couple simpler ones in his gear, but Holly Printer had borrowed those. He wanted to take someone with him, so he searched out Rolph, but he was actually working and being useful, helping load ice for an older woman driving a mule cart. There were a lot of older women in his line, probably because he was working with his shirt off and had a good bit of lean muscle on his giant frame. Who'd blame them for looking? Collette smiled the Prince's way when his back was turned, earning a wink from the woman on her cart. Well, they weren't being subtle, were they? Of course Rolph had a temperature equalizer on and magic clothing, so the lack of shirt was just to give them a show anyway, he realized.
Well then.
Tor grinned but didn't say anything. It never hurt to advertise, did it?
He wasn't always good with awkward social situations, Tor knew that, and even after apologizing to Heather, just showing up was a little nerve wracking. Especially since his little bit of rudeness before had actually ended up with him demanding all his templates back from them, which would have functionally killed their business for about a year or more. Going in asking for one now… awkward.
Changing on the doorstep, trying to be impressive, in green silk and dark brown leather, with soft boots in deep green, he knocked. There was a bell but it was higher than he could reach still. He wondered what they'd think if he came over someday and tied a rope to it? Better, he'd come at night. Even the Wards had a long rope on their doorbell and Count Ward was huge. The Debris didn't have that excuse. Tor glared at the bell, straining to look up when the door opened.
Instead of a doorman or butler, or even one of the people he recognized, it was a blond boy about his own height, if five inches taller counted as that really, who looked fifteen or so, maybe sixteen. When he looked down enough to see Tor, he smiled.
“Hi! I heard a knock. Um, this is Debri house… Is that what you were looking for? I mean the residence, not a shop or anything. But, well, if you need something I'm sure that someone here can find it for you. If we don't have it here, we'll send of it.” The boy sounded charming, rather than professional, as if the offer wasn't what everyone would be getting if they came and knocked on the house door.
“Hello. I'm Tor. Torrance Baker? Anyway, is Heather Debri here or… Kris maybe? I'm coming unannounced, so I can come back if I need to, I just had an idea, and as always, that means running around looking half insane.” Tor shrugged but the boy nodded.
“You're Tor? Sara said you were good looking, but I thought, you know, she was just saying that, because we kind of need you, but if I would have known I would have tried to meet you before. Come in! I'll get people, um… can I get you drunk? Maybe out of those hot looking clothes?”
Tor froze, and thank god, smiled. The rules, he remembered, just in time to not make a fool of himself. It was a proposition and he didn't have to take it, but he couldn't be rude. What was he supposed to do though? He scrambled and his brain worked manically.
A lot of royals had same sex partners. Heck, people probably though he and Rolph were an item, having been roommates, and then together so much after school. And this guy was cute, like a male version of Sara, so he was probably used to people saying yes to him. Gods. What to do? Finally he shrugged and just told the truth.
“Um, I come from a really rural place and men don't do things with other men like that. I'm not judging, or even saying no, but I doubt my backwoods mentality will allow for it any time soon. I don't want to be rude to you though, because it's a very nice offer, and you are very good looking. Unless I missed the meaning, which is possible, I'm new to all this stuff and like I said, the rules where I come from are really different. In that case just hit me a few times and well call it even?” Tor turned away a little and squinted, arms com
ing up slightly ready for the blow. If it came it would just hit shield, but it was a natural reflex for him.
The boy laughed.
“Yeah, Sara said you'd say about that. Actually she said you'd blush and run away if I tried it, so I think she'll be impressed. Wasn't even a no was it? Well, you should try it some time. With me I mean. I hear that if you score with the Wizard Tor you automatically get a prize? I'd love one of those cooling units, the ones that glow when your mood changes? Anyway, come with me. I know where Sara is and mom's with her. She'll want to see you, you're all she talks about practically. Sara, not mom. All that Heather she talks about is her great disappointment with her youngest child, at least when I'm around.”
The walk was to a different room that Tor had never been to, on the other side of the house, water poured over a false stone wall at the back making the room about twenty degrees cooler than outside Tor bet, if a bit humid. Like how it was always cooler by the river. The case Tor had half forgotten followed him in. It had the look of purple rosewood and light golden pine, purple and gold, but in wood. Festive. Inside he needed to be careful not to take corners too fast or it could get stuck on the other side of the wall. It wasn't really there, a totally magic box, and like all of those it naturally wanted to float at the same height as the amulet, so the box was at his head level, just below really. The boy eyed it speculatively as they walked.
Heather Debri was wearing a shear gown that was nearly see through and Sara was wearing flight leathers and still looked cooler. She had one of the new emotion tracking equalizers out, which Heather had been looking at enviously. The boy cleared his throat and both women looked up, smiles suddenly on their faces.
“Tor!” Sara said, jumping up like someone important had entered the room. He was tackled nearly instantly and kissed more warmly than he was comfortable with in front of her mother. Heather didn't blink, but the boy standing next to him winced.
“Ah, and here I was just asking him to get naked with me and he put me off. Nicely, even complimented my looks, very proper, but still, a bit mean to do that right in front of me, don't you think sis?” The kid shook his head sadly.
It made Tor tense up, since he hadn't intended to be rude at all. God this was all so complicated. What did he have to do, have sex with anyone that was halfway nice to him? He'd only just started doing anything like that at all and now it seemed like he was just walking from one potential disaster into the next.
He bowed to the boy and apologized, trying to be correct and all that. Sara pulled him up after a second and kissed him again. The boy just bowed back and smiled.
“Don't worry Tor, Kurt's an outrageous flirt with anyone not related to him. He nearly got Trice into bed when he was thirteen. Come to think of it he got her into bed at fourteen. That's why mom won't send him to a nice school like Lairdgren and he has to suffer away at Holden academy way up north. He wouldn't even be back right now but someone managed to get him flying gear. I blame Kris, but no one will tell me for sure.” She pulled him down next to her protectively with a small glare for her brother.
Thinking about it Tor really couldn't complain too much. When Sara had met his younger brother, Timon, the boy had asked her to marry him. She'd been really polite about it and even asked him to send a message to her mother, treating it as a serious offer. It would have been a good match, if Timon hadn't been nine at the time. Ten now though. Fourteen was legal, so if she stayed available for a few more years he might even stand a chance. He was going to mention that, curious as to if his brother had followed through, rather than teasing, but Sara suddenly looked worried.
“Is there a problem? You've never visited alone before. Is something wrong?”
There was always something wrong with him wasn't there? This time it wasn't a problem at least, more like a request, he took a breath and dove in.
“So, I need a template. I'll give it back at the end of the week, but I just don't have one right now and really, making one would be courting death for the next few months. Maybe longer. It's not permanent, but in the future I guess I have to learn to be a bit smarter about how I do things in regards to direct effect, you know? Do you have anything?” He held his breath. Would they trust him not to grab it and run? Did they have a reason to?
Heather shrugged.
“All yours are spread all over the kingdom at different manufacturing centers. All we have here is a Gamble cutter for decorative edgings. Would that do? I'd… like to come and see the events if that's all right? Forming contacts early can't hurt. Have you considered such testing for any other areas or is it only for builders?” The question was innocent, and said as if just indicating it was a thought, not a concern, but the fact was he hadn't considered that in any way. There were other subjects, weren't there?
Well, darn.
OK, could anyone help him with that? Probably. He'd ask. There was just so much to do. Even without building. He missed it, that feeling of actually being effective at something. Real life left him feeling disjointed and a little lost most of the time.
Heather promised to send the template for the Gamble cutter over the next day, early in the morning so they could get started without delay. Now Tor just had to find someone else to run it all. He'd forgotten he was supposed to be on vacation. When he mentioned this out loud Kurt smiled and touched his arm. He had his shield back on, a shield at least, but the boy didn't mean harm, even if the contact was unsettling.
“Alright, no need to beat around the bush. I'll do it for you. But only because I want to get closer to you. Can I stay at your house tonight? So I can be there bright and early in the morning?” Tor nearly said yes but Heather frowned and shook her head.
“I don't think so. You sir, are grounded, and you know it. No parties. No dates, and no sex until you learn to not get serving girls pregnant. You're lucky I'm giving you the run of the house. I should call you home and lock you in, or send you off to the country estate, but I don't want to deal with you that much right now.” Looking at Tor the forty something woman sighed loudly, a sincere and long thing that got his attention at least. He knew the feeling, if not exactly, failing having a precocious young son yet himself.
Tor almost made a suggestion, about how he could watch Kurt so that he could work at something useful, but then he kept his mouth shut. Invite the boy over and he'd wake up with a visitor in his bed he was sure. He could find someone else.
“Hey, Sara, since, you know, you haven't gotten anyone pregnant lately, at least not that your mother knows about, would you like to come stay over? If you're not needed here I mean? I should hit the palace with my idea, and make sure everything is alright there, but going places alone is less than my favorite thing. Plus we haven't really talked for a while, not alone.” It was as pointed as he wanted to get in front of her mom. It wasn't like he had some big speech planned or important heart to heart talk, they should just cover some stuff. Spying mainly. But there was time for that. First the palace, then back to his place, in case Lyn came by. If no one was there to help her she might not call twice.
Sara rode beside him, he reconfigured the magic carriage for it, making it nearly tiny, the top still see through. It was slightly harder to drive, being off center, but it was doable and let her touch him when she wanted. It was nice. She pretty much kept contact with him for the whole ride, scooting closer so their legs touched cozily. The gate guard wasn't someone he knew, but did accept his word about who he was, with a truth device on, one of the gate guard ones. Same for Sara. It meant under the new rules that they didn't have to wait for someone to come and vouch for them, since they were both on the visitors list, speeding up gate traffic incredibly with the huge party coming up.
That reminded him of something. As soon as they got to the meeting that was going on, led by Connie, but attended by everyone, Tor stopped and didn't blurt out what he'd intended. He wanted to remind them to get him an invitation this year, so he wouldn't be locked out again like last time. If it happened twice it wo
uld be a tradition, and he'd never get to go. Well, he certainly wasn't wondering around the city this time, he mused nearly laughing, until he got a look at the Queen’s face.
Connie… looked horrible. Drawn again and tired. The King too, now that he glanced that far up to check. Even sitting the man was taller than he was in these chairs. Had something new happened then?
Lairdgren was there and didn't seem too concerned, but that wasn't shocking. He was thousands of years old. No matter how bizarre or harsh something was, Burks had seen it, done it or lived it. Probably more than once. Tor would even hazard that at some point a Princess had sold him as a whore for amusement or to make a point.
No one was wearing black, not even an armband to show grief, so it wasn't a death at least. Not anyone close or an official anyway. Thank the universe for that. They asked him why he'd come, the King sounding sad when he spoke. Burks however nearly jumped at the chance to run the testing for the new project, smiling at Tor as if he'd done something right for a change. Richard gave a real, if weak and sad smile about the idea, but Connie didn't seem to respond at all. It was a good plan, but not enough to shake them from whatever concerned them. It was just them in the room, all friends and no dignitaries, so shrugging, Tor simply asked.
Connie looked at him with tears in her eyes.
“Oh Tor… One of Karina's friends… was found dead this morning. We don't know how to tell her…”
It was a death? God, Ali? Had that situation with her being sold gone wrong? If so, it was his fault. He hadn't thought it would be lethal, but if that was the case, then in part it was his failure. The King continued.