Kingdom of Stars (The Young Ancients: Timon Book Three)

by Power, P. S.

  So he shrugged.

  "Let's go tonight? We can get a guard to go with us and see about visiting with Julie White. I was a bit hard on her when we last left each other, and should go and smooth that over anyway. Not that she'll hold a grudge. That isn't her way. Still, we could take some gifts, and all that? I'll try for a guard that isn't too tall, if you want to see about the other things?'

  She stopped the carriage in the middle of the street, which had people looking at them. It was strange after all.

  "I... We have to stay here though, don't we? Or go back to space? If you are, I should go with you. I haven't been up there yet, and if you're going to be the Ambassador for the new colony, well, I need to get my space legs under me, don't I?" She looked at him sidelong, as if it were supposed to be a huge revelation and grinned a bit, happily.

  "Ah, hence the Lord Baker things. Is it a Counselor's position? I wasn't aware that Ambassadors were called that."

  There was a moment of silence, one that stretched out, since they had a check point to get past first, but when they were moving again she picked right back up.

  "No. They just added the honorific as a ploy, in hopes that you wouldn't notice that they were trying to reward you with a job that doesn't exist yet, and that you're a major part of making happen in the first place. I'm sure half of them feel very clever about it now."

  Timon glanced out the shield window to see where they were, which was by the South gate, near where Debbie Smalls used to have her bakery. Before she was run out of the city, because her brother turned out to be an insane killer. It wasn't burned out, and seemed to be a bakery again, someone else having taken the space over.

  "And the other half?" He wasn't trying to be obscure, but she got what he meant, if half were feeling good about it, that left another fifty percent, didn't it?

  She actually hissed, and it didn't sound happy at all.

  "The other half... They'll feel small now. Maybe insulted by what you did. Not because it was bad, but because they were the ones pulling for Uncle Richard, and here you didn't even make them beg or bribe your good actions. Even I didn't have to. You could have asked for anything, and they knew that they would have done it for you, and then you walked in and gave it to them. It isn't like with Tor either, where a few of them realize he didn't have a choice really. Now the smart ones are sitting there and wondering if they didn't make a mistake. Maybe you should be King."

  She shook her head, but Timon just sat and watched people going by.

  "No. Trice... I'm a horrible person. Terrible. The most dangerous assassin that has ever lived picked me to kill it, because it thought I might be a better killer than it was. That sounds great, on the surface, or in a tavern if I ever need to impress a girl, but think about it for a bit. The whole problem that we have right now is that a few Ancients have lost their minds, over the course of time. We can barely hold them back from killing us all. They've all lived this before. They've seen the great wars and know how to best fight them. If we survive this, if I do, then eventually I'll become one of them. If I'm this dangerous now, what will I be in a hundred years? Or a thousand?" On the good side, no one without Rhetistics really made it much past six hundred or so, but that didn't mean there was no danger to the situation, did it? That was just the point where he'd have to decide to either kill himself, or the whole of humanity. By that time he might even be able to pull it off too.

  He didn't want to admit it openly to anyone, but he could do it in a few weeks time, already. What worked for the Ancients could be reconfigured for everyone else, easily enough.

  Trice didn't try to pretend she didn't get the idea. Timon was dangerous, and she knew it. She just changed the subject.

  "So, after Soam, what should we do then? The business is running smoothly enough for us to take a few months off. We could go to Austra. Not on a vacation, but they need help rebuilding. There are complete towns that are just gone now. It would be good if we were represented there, don't you think?"

  "Yes. You know, Brown asked me to take over there, once. About five months ago."

  That got Trice to frown, which looked cute on her, in a petulant little girl way that didn't really fit the rest of her personality. That was fleeting however. She replaced it with a considering look instead.

  "Wait, so he's basically asked you to replace him as High King of Austra? What is it with you Tim? Everyone keeps throwing offers of power at you suddenly. True, I'd get to be Queen in any of these scenarios, which I guess is something, but it seems a bit like I'm being snubbed really, don't you think? Where are my offers?" She was playing, because there just wasn't anything else to do.

  Timon understood that. It almost didn't make sense. Almost.

  "I know. I'm not letting it happen though. You'll just have to put up with being a merchant's humble wife for the duration." The sad thing about the statement wasn't that he meant it, but that Trice laughed, as if it were a joke. She had to know better by that time, but it still came out, as if to say that would simply be impossible.

  Timon was reading a lot into her posture and body language, but it was still there, at least a little. His wife wasn't putting down the idea, she simply didn't believe it was a real thing.

  He tried to rally and grinned at her.

  "A space merchant?" That was going to be a thing, wasn't it? Someone would need to sell things to the new colony after all. Or trade with them. Provided he could come up with a good system of generating water and air soon. It would be more work, but he had the basic idea down he thought. A lot of things could be made that way, using bits of solid material, like he'd already done to make emergency air for the new shields.

  His wife didn't stop again until the last check point, and then they had to stop at their own gate, and be checked again, using their own Truth amulets this time. It was a hassle, but had to be done, in the world that the Ancients had created for them. Tim was sort of blaming them all for it. That wasn't fair or good, but it still felt like anyone that had thousands of years to prepare for things like this should have done a better job protecting the real people. The average ones.

  After putting the little craft away, Timon pulled his favorite Fast Craft and configured it for a real trip, making it big enough for a half dozen giants without having to be too cramped. It was all silver and slightly mirrored on the outside, since that was his favorite color, and the inside was made to look like his house. Or as close as he could get without being ridiculous. Smaller, naturally, but all they needed was some food and water and they'd be set for a nice long trip.

  Then he got in touch with Sir Kolbrin, which took a lot longer than it should have. The voice that answered was young and male, and from the clashing of wooden and metal weapons in the background was probably the weapons square at Lairdgren in the background.

  "Hello? I noticed the light?" The boy didn't sound all that bright, but was polite enough in tone.

  Tim tried for friendly, since who knew who he was? Some Baron or Countier. That or a scholarship boy. He didn't particularly want to make enemies with any of that sort either.

  "Good afternoon! I'm trying to get in touch with Baron Kolbrin? Kolb, in case you haven't heard him called that before. This is Timon Baker?" Hopefully if he spoke long enough, it would get the man's attention. It had worked in similar cases before after all.

  This time though, the boy on the other end just grunted.

  "Oh? I thought he was in space. Why don't you pull the other one?" There was a bit of laughing from the background and fewer people were practicing, clearly thinking that he was going to be entertaining them.

  "I came back yesterday. Last night really. So, Sir Kolbrin?" He still, he decided seemed a bit too pleasant sounding. He could tell, because the other fellow was shouted over by a rather slow sounding, and clearly large, man.

  "Oh! Ask him if we can all come and visit him in orbit! I want to go, but so far no one is giving away rides." That got more laughter.

  It took a second, but h
e worked it all out well enough, he thought.

  "So, I take it that all the students there have been making fake communications to one another? It's illegal to claim to be a nobleman, but who can prove who did what, right? I'm actually Timon Baker though."

  That didn't seem to be enough to get anyone to pay attention, even if his sister was in their section, which should have made it seem plausible enough really. She wasn't there though, being at the emergency Council of Counts.

  Finally at least there was a semi-familiar voice on the other end of things. Mags. Timon had nearly forgotten that she went to school there at all.

  "Um, hello?" The others went quiet at least then.

  "Mags? Is Kolb around? I need to talk to him. This is Tim Baker? We need to set up a visit in the Capital." He'd asked her to come before and she'd seemed positive about the idea. She was big, and not that great looking, being slightly mannish, but she'd also helped Tiera save his life once. That kind of meant they were friends, in his book.

  "Tim? I don't know where he's gotten to, let me see..." The voice faded, but there was some calling out and about a minute later the man himself finally got to the device.

  "Timon? Is there an emergency?"

  Now it was time for the hard conversation. The magic they were using had been made by Tor, and they had to assume he could listen in. He was probably still busy, but that wasn't good enough anymore. Not when they had a real mission to see to. One that might actually influence the war itself.

  "I need guards for a... thing." It wasn't the most brilliant way of saying things ever, was it? He was supposed to have Kolb himself, but everyone there was a good fighter really. The man might try to just send along some of the kids.

  "I see. How major of a thing?"

  That got dead silence from the weapons square behind the man. They were all listening then. That was either brilliant or horrible, depending on what he wanted done. After a moment, Timon shrugged and sighed.

  "Not as big as the last time we took a trip. Except that it might turn out to be a lot larger." Was that vague enough? He nearly just explained then, but the man cleared his throat before he could.

  "I think I understand. I'll bring a few bodies then. Say... twenty?"

  Timon looked at the way his craft was configured and nodded. That would have to change if they did that, and it might be overkill. Soam was peaceful after all.

  "Two, I think, with everyone else standing ready to move, if we have problems?"

  As if they were haggling, a voice in the background shouted out ten, meeting nearly half way. At least people laughed at it.

  "Fine, but they have to travel in their own Fast Craft. I'm bringing my wife and don't want to be cramped." That got silence again. It was a dangerous situation though, wasn't it? One that might need a lot more than just ten of the best fighters really. "You know what? Bring everyone, if they don't mind staying on the craft most of the time. I don't know how long this will last, but we don't want to scare the natives." That should be vague enough. He was going to have to go food shopping though.

  "Oh? A trip then? Very good. Karen, get everyone set up. We'll need a head count. Havar, get with the morning section and set up classes. I don't want any first year students going this time. Have George see to the classes here. The rest of you, meet back in the commons in... How long Tim?"

  "No huge rush. Call it two hours? No, three." It would let him do that shopping first. "Let me know how many we'll be hosting?"

  Trice came and stood next to him, having set her own tasks right already, not being a moron that ended up inviting a small army with them, but when she worked out what was happening, she didn't complain. Not even after he got off the line. Instead she just walked inside with him to get some supplies, being mainly coin, from the strong room. It wasn't the mountain of gold and silver Tor had at his house in the Capital, but it was clearly enough that they could afford the trip. Or a few thousand like it, without hurting. His wife grinned after going through the complex opening procedures and then pulled out a single small chest that wasn't that tiny really. It was big enough that she got him to carry it.

  "We should get Mona and her family to come then. They can play servant for the others. The girls can use the chance to make some contacts." No mention was made of inviting Laurie, even though she was there. That was either rude or had some greater meaning. Gerent however was suggested.

  That turned out to be helpful even, since he put things together handily for them, just looking for something useful to do. He had one of Tim's new style craft even, so offered to be in charge of the students for the trip.

  Timon smiled.

  "All right, you are the best brother ever. Definitely. Let's get moving?"

  They got into place in time, after spending a lot of gold and silver in the large market. Trice had to be hurried along a little, but she had the harder job of purchasing the fine gifts for White. In the end it was Gerent that pulled her along, laughing as he did it.

  They were friends after all. Timon didn't think they were sleeping together, or at least hadn't been when he'd run off to space. Trice had been a little repulsed by Ger's looks, before, but those were improving and Gerent was a great guy, so Timon couldn't really say much about it, by the noble social rules, if they were having a relationship. On the good side, Trice wouldn't have thought twice about him doing anything while he was away either. Other than suggest that he'd been practicing, she hadn't even thought about it, most likely.

  The difference was one that cut to the middle though, wasn't it? She was from a different world than he was, and at times it was going to leave him feeling uncomfortable. Asking her to change wouldn't work though. Not that she couldn't, but she probably wouldn't really see a need for it, which would lead to her lying and hiding what she did. That would end up in tears, so he didn't push it.

  For now it got things done and Gerent managed to pilot his craft nearly as well as Timon did, which meant that the man had been doing it regularly. It was a bit of a surprise, but not a bad idea. Who wouldn't want to travel to new places if they could?

  The two craft, with Gerent's being the larger, and all done in a nice green color, since he was a Lairdgren after all, settled in the large stone area at the school. There were rows of students, all in brown, standing and waiting for them. A lot of them. More than he'd been told to expect, by about a third. Almost as one, showing some kind of preparation, the clothing changed into a variation of fighting leathers. The only big difference there was that a small group went into green and yellow clothes, and another into all black with a purple stripe down the leg.

  Trice looked at him and shook her head.

  "Well, it seems like we're really taking everyone then. I don't suppose they're bringing their own cooks? Mona and her girls might raise a fuss otherwise." She was being a bit snarky, but Timon pointed out the front shield window.

  "Right there. By Sherri? In with the fighters. It looks like half the homemaking section. Half the school too. They must be holding the rest back in case of emergency."

  Sighing Timon stood up, stretched and went to the door, popping it open with a thought, not even bothering to touch the thing. Instead of doing the sensible thing, which was telling them that he'd changed his mind and that they didn't need everyone and their little sister going, he waved to them all instead.

  "Hello! We're going to Soam. This isn't a drill, and we might have to actually fight. We probably won't, but there will be real work to be done. If you want to come along, you're welcome, but you may die. That or be really, really bored. Think about that before loading up. If you want to go anyway, you'll be on the other craft. Sir Kolbrin?" To his mind that's who would be in charge, but it was the Headmaster that moved forward, adding his own voice to the mix.

  "Lord Baker." The man actually bowed, though not too deeply. Part of that was due to the fact that Timon was still standing in his craft, making him a nice three feet higher than the old man with his great gray beard. He at least was in
a nice looking red and brown outfit, with shoes that didn't exactly match. The left was exactly one shade lighter tan than the right. "Thank you for your words. It's good to remind the young that these are dangerous times. What level of resistance do you think to see?"

  Timon got the idea, he was supposed to talk up the danger, so that the numbers might drop a bit. That wouldn't really work though. These kids were either morons that wanted glory, or had seen real combat themselves before and were grudgingly doing their duty. There wasn't a lot of variation there.

  "Like I said, this will either be a lot of sitting on the craft, waiting for a trip back home, or death. Given the weapons being used, there may not be a lot of middle ground anymore. We should probably cut the numbers going, to hold some in reserve for later. This isn't a pleasure trip." Not for them at least. Sherri, being ever helpful just waved and started to walk toward the other craft.

  For her that was practically sassing him directly.

  That also got everyone else to move, except a few of the kids on the fringes, who looked uneasy, as if they didn't want to seem like cowards, but like they didn't really want to die. Burning from the inside out wasn't a great way to go, and plagues were hard to fight with fists and force lances. In a way, these were the smart ones then. Half the Lairdgren group was in the mix, including Ali, his sister in law.

  Timon waved her over.

  "The rest of you, if you could come over here please?" He meant the group, but got all the stragglers, which cut the overall number in half nearly, since the slow walkers turned toward him too. "If you could all stay here? I now that you want to go, but there will be things in the future. You can all come and help with the new colony later, perhaps? It's valuable work. I really don't have food for everyone if we all go. I know this is terribly rude of me, I hope you can all forgive my lack of foresight?" When in doubt, take the blame. Tim knew that letting these kids feel like cowards wasn't going to help anyone at all, and if shamed too much, they might well just go anyway, to prove their mettle.

  Alyssa smiled at him and winked. She was cute, in a decently tall blonde way. She was thinner than he remembered her however, as if she'd been stressed for a long time.