Ancient Kings (The Young Ancients)

by P. S. Power

  A poor one, but little steps in the right direction counted too.

  He was, it seemed, coming to luncheon, and there would be no discussion of that, according to the queen. It was a bit heavy handed, but he had the time and besides, Queen. He kind of had to do it, even if it would be uncomfortable...

  Tor froze in place.

  It was that thing again. It was an invitation to a meal, but he took it as a direct order and then assumed it was a good thing. He couldn't even see that it wasn't one, at all. Even armed with the information he had.

  Crud and double crud.

  "Certainly Connie. I should be available for it, I'll need to talk with Richard first though and I'll warn you now, I might be storming out in a fit later, so if I miss it, please don't be offended." He sounded like he was flirting, which wasn't his intent at all, but thankfully the woman, virtually his daughter, let it go without comment or counter move.

  Bless her.

  "Oh? From what I understood from Richard earlier, he feels much the same way. That he might be the one stomping out. It should make for a light and easy meal, don't you think?" She laughed a little, which still sounded like bells to him. Worse, he felt a stirring in his pants.

  It wasn't a good thing at all.

  "I should be at the small north gate in fifteen minutes." He could get there faster, but it was just about enough time so that people could be warned and gotten into place without having to run. The Palace was huge after all. When the line went silent, he reloaded his black floating trunk and started to walk away, Gerent and the Captain following him, as if they weren't finished.

  "We probably need to be looking for this person. Can you put out a hand bill with a picture of the boy? I don't know what else to do, to be honest. The ones to go to would probably be the City Guard, but I just want to chat with the kid, not attend his funeral."

  The giant rubbed at his reddish brown hair and smiled.

  "We can do that. The men have a lot of free time just now, and walking around the Capital looking at things probably won't hurt their feelings. I'll put the word out to subdue with as much gentleness as possible." The sense from him included the image of nets being deployed, but it was just a thought. One of those random things that people considered that would never be acted on.

  "Great. We'll, I'd better go then. I can almost assure that keeping both the King and Queen waiting would be considered rude."

  The other two let him go and ten minutes later he was at the gate that he said he would be, with a young Royal Guard he didn't recognize standing there, watching him closely, ready to fight at need, it seemed from his field. The boy was tall and very thin. He also looked to be about fifteen or so. That was probably why he was all the way over on the gate no one ever used. Alone though, so being given a real responsibility.

  "Halt!" There was good projection there, but the fellow didn't seem to really remember what to do next and he was scrambling internally. That wasn't his fault, Tor didn't think. The shield was down, but he was new, since the attack a few days prior at a guess, still in training even.

  Settling to the ground, Tor tried to look friendly and ignore the distrust he was getting from the kid. It was his job after all.

  "Good day! I'm Torrance Baker. Um... Sir Torrance Baker, Countier Four Lairdgren, Magics Counselor for the kingdom, also known as just Tor, the Wizard Tor. Sometimes the Troll of Galasia? Occasionally 'hey you' or 'stupid little peasant'?" None of this was impressing the boy at all, since he clearly thought it was the other Royal Guards playing a trick on him, as a hazing joke.

  He didn't say that though, he just sort of froze, then scrambled for a thick ledger and looked inside.

  "Well, all that sounds correct, but... I don't recognize you, sir." Distrustful in tone, but polite enough really, like a person that expected to be tested by a riddle.

  "Ah. Well, I don't recognize you either. Like I said, I'm Tor. Did they leave you a Truth amulet?" It made sense, but after looking around in the little two person guard house the kid came back, shaking his head.

  "No... no, sir. Nothing. I don't know what to do. This wasn't in the training lecture I got yesterday and no one has come through yet at all. This is the first day the shields been down since the attack. What do I do?" He looked hard, instead of lost, though he felt uncertain about the whole thing.

  It was, almost certainly, a mess from his perspective. If this were a joke and the little man in front of him was just a boy set to the task of making him look the fool, he could be reprimanded, which would be mortifying on a level that few would understand. That was part of the Royal Guard training after all.

  If Tor was telling him the truth though and he sent him away, or even made him wait too long, he'd also get in trouble. There was no good way out for him. Yelling was possible, but that would look unprofessional. There was supposed to be a whistle for signaling, but for some reason this kid had been left without one. Probably on purpose.

  "I think I see your situation. Here, I'm going to use my communications device to call into the Palace and we'll get someone out here to vouch for me. That puts you in the clear without letting in unknown riffraff. Just the known kind should be allowed through, or why have guards at all, right?"

  Amusingly the kid just nodded, and mumbled that he was correct. Then he blushed.

  It took ten more minutes, but at least they knew why he was running a bit late. George came out himself, carrying both a Truth amulet and a silver whistle for the boy, that looked very official. He ignored Tor at first, giving the kid a mock glare as he locked into a very straight, dead ahead position.

  "Lyle. I hear you've been having a little problem here? Got lucky I take it? Not everyone in the kingdom has a communications device with them. It's part of your position to ensure that you have all of your gear at all times. Are you at least armed?"

  The boy admitted that he had a knife, hidden under his jacket. The older Royal Guard looked like he was ready to hit the kid for being too stupid to live.

  "Lyle, this is a real posting. You have to take it seriously, there's a war on, and people want to kill our charges. You can't leave to go to the armory now, and I have to escort the dignitary inside. What do you propose you do toward arming yourself. You can't have my weapons, I assure you."

  The kid seemed ready to break down, internally, but nothing reached his face, even as he desperately looked around, looking for anything that might work. A heavy rock or branch even. There was nothing. Finally he looked at Tor and furrowed his brow.

  "Um, sir, might you have something I could borrow? I promise I'll return it at the end of my shift."

  It was a good idea, but he didn't have anything he was willing to part with either. His multi-weapon was too powerful to just lend out casually, and he didn't want to be disarmed. Instead he walked near the wall and picked up a tiny stone that was about the size of a gold coin. The boys face fell when he saw the action, and expected to be handed it right away, but Tor stepped past George and moved to his right, hiding behind the tall wall of the place. Then he focused, letting darkness take him for a bit. Sometime later, both men still standing and watching him, he opened his hand to show a glowing sigil on the light gray, decently flat stone.

  From the kids wide eyes it couldn't have taken that long.

  "Force Lance. From the strength of it, the field should last a few months. Here you go." He didn't make a big deal out of it, just passing it over. There was a single glowing arrow, showing which way the force would go after all and new or not, the kid was a Royal Guard. They didn't take idiots in for training.

  George didn't even nod at him, watching the boy with a steady gaze that was clearly looking for some kind of error.

  "This is a onetime thing Lyle. Don't count on anyone else doing that for you, or lending you high magics without a second thought. He'll have that to you at the end of his shift, Lord Baker." Then he nodded and gestured for Tor to walk with him. It was more companionable than not, to tell the truth, but they were, a
fter a fashion, friends.

  When they got to the Palace George stopped inside the door and then closed it. Only when it was safe, did he laugh.

  "Oh... the poor boy. Varian set him the duty and then stripped the post, knowing something like this would happen. Not kind, but the time he has to learn his true duty is rather shorter than for most. War is a dicey thing at the best of times and this is only the third time in history that the Palace itself has been attacked directly by our own people. That was a good trick though. That took what, a minute? At this rate you'll fill the world with magic all by yourself soon." The man started walking again, but he didn't seem concerned about the idea overly.

  "No, I won't. That would end up with more wars like this, and too many innocent people being killed. If you can't take out the Count, you go after his holdings, including people. We're doing it, not helping sick people in those parts of the land whose nobles have turned on the King. I'm going to have to start holding back very soon that way, and eventually leave building altogether. Count Lairdgren's orders. He's probably right though." Unless Tor was just doing what he was told again, of course. Then, how would he know the difference?

  "Then Lyle was luckier than he knows. Is that for all builders or only you?"

  "Just me. Luckily I have a wife that can support me." He grinned about it, but it was probably going to be true in a few years. They had time though, even with that hanging over him. He'd be fine and so would she. Even without magic they would have been. Life was filled with good things for those that were willing to work hard, after all. It wasn't the only thing, since luck counted too, but it was a pretty good start and he had skills.

  Like baking.

  When they got into the throne room, the one with the communications device, Tor didn't bother to wait before speaking to Richard. It was just the two of them after all, and it was time for him to take charge of something in his life and just do what he wanted, right? He wouldn't really get to, not totally, he was sure, but it felt like it was time to try. If he didn't want to be a slave forever, he was going to have to learn how not to be one.

  To that end he bowed very low, and smiled.

  "I resign." It sounded very nearly happy when it came out, and with only a moment's reflection, he realized that was just the truth. He really felt pleased about the decision. He stood after a bit, realizing the King was a bit shocked by the words.

  "Over the High Servants situation? I know that's a major concern, but Sir Karen asked for a week to straighten it out. We talked about it and she seems to think that the new people will do better now that they understand we all consider this a real honor. Surely that's not enough to cause such an action yet. Or is it this escape?" He seemed to be worried that Tor was going to be angry over something, but that wasn't it at all.

  "I'm just leaving, that's all. To work on my own projects. The Space Carriages and the drive system for them, but otherwise... I'm opening a bakery. I'm really going to do it, finally."

  The King frowned for a few seconds, then settled back into his chair, the giant throne he sat in with its purple cushions and glossy shine. It was a fine thing to look at, and sized to fit him perfectly.

  "Is that for the best? The Kingdom needs you. You're a Knight and we're at war."

  Tor snorted at the man, which got him to wince, actually shrinking into his seat a bit. Tor was standing, about ten feet away, but was still looking up his nose.

  "I know about the mistake that Green and Cordes made. How they accidentally fractured us as a people. You and I both know that I'll never be accepted by the nobility, not most of them. Even those that consider themselves my friend are at best just thinking of me as a handy little guy to have around. Like a trained monkey. I thought that for a long time about myself even, but in the last days I've been reading everyone I meet, constantly. It paints a dismal picture. Then there's the effect I have on you and your children. Even Kedrin." Tor shook his head, but actually felt the smile that came to his face.

  "Torrance... Maybe you just need a break? Certainly. Take all the time you need." He tried to sound like he was being relaxed, and unconcerned, but he got the implied order this time.

  "Oh. No. It's things like that, that mean I have to go. I want to be free, like a real person is. It might be a bad decision to just give everything up, but I know that it's my decision. Or at least one only roughly influenced by Burks. You have my gold and the things I've made. The Lairdgren Group is good, but most of them aren't even half as trapped as I am by this..." He waived down at his body and shuddered, not bothering to hide it.

  The King watched him and made a face that almost looked a little loopy and cute, like a tiny child who's cookie had fallen on the ground. After a bit the man rose to his feet, and walked down the steps in front of him, his footfalls heavy and hollow sounding. That part was probably just Tor's imagination though. The whole thing felt heavy suddenly, like it was serious and no one would ever love him again if he did it.

  Except...

  That wasn't true at all, was it? He was still him and choosing his own path was his right, at least if he could take it. That was harder than it seemed though, and Tor wanted to go back on what he'd said suddenly, just leave things as they were, and not stir a mess up.

  "Are you sure you won't change your mind Tor?"

  He didn't answer directly, the question leading him to do exactly that. Really, he needed to get out of there fast, if this was going to stick at all.

  "Did you really tell both Trice and Sara to try and get me to fall in love with them? So that you could have control over me?" He didn't know that was why, not for certain, but he trusted Sara. The King nodded and walked away, looking out a high window that let in a lot of light, but that Tor wouldn't be able to see out of without floating nearly three feet up in the air.

  "You have to realize Tor, for thousands of years my family has been the puppet of the Green Man. Burks isn't a bad person at all, and is a fair master, but some part of me wants to be my own man, and that isn't allowed to me. Or my son. Then you came along. Another Green Man. A being so magical and powerful that the instant I met you, standing there with tears in your eyes, saying that you'd marry Ursula Thorgood, if my own child wouldn't, I nearly laid on the floor in front of you in supplication. It was such a powerful thing that I nearly ordered you married on the spot you know. It took so much work to go against what you wanted. So very much." He started pacing just moving back and forth, the stone under his feet clacking under the leather of the boots he wore. The fake material of his clothing device at any rate.

  Nothing was said for a long time as the man collected himself. So long that Tor nearly spoke, but stopped himself. It was Richard's turn, and it seemed like he was struggling with something inside.

  "The only argument Burks and I have ever really had was over Patricia you know. He saw the trap for you, the one that he knew I laid, setting Count Overland onto her trail and letting her know about how giving you an order would work, due to your Ancient heritage. I hoped that maybe, you being little more than a child, she could bend you to her will. She's rather good at that, in case you haven't noticed. A regular force of nature. I have to admit that she rather stepped in the puddle with her break up, but it worked. To Burks benefit. I... Can you imagine what that's like? Having a being that you simply have to obey like that? Worse, that you want too, no matter what?"

  Crossing his arms Tor stared at the pacing man and tapped the toes of his right foot, waiting for him to catch up mentally to the situation. After a few seconds it was clear he was going to take too long though, his own blinders preventing that from happening.

  "I really can. Go figure, right?" It was dry, but he managed a smile. No need to start a fight after all. The man was huge, the King, and had nearly twenty Royal Guards listening in the walls. Eavesdropping too, for all but eight of them who actually had the job at the moment. Better than a play for entertainment, he guessed. That or they didn't think they could take him with lesser numbers, if somethin
g did start. It wouldn't though. Not between the two of them. It was odd, but in a very real way, they were very nearly true equals. Tor felt like he had to obey the man, and Richard seemed to feel that even more strongly than he did, the other way around.

  Practically brothers or something. No wonder he got along so well with Alphonse.

  The ruler stopped and stared for a moment, then bowed low.

  "Forgive me, I didn't mean to rub salt there."

  Tor waved it away.

  "No need, I do understand though. Another reason for me to go away, at least until things settle a bit. You don't need two Green men here, pulling at you. I'll even forgive you about the thing with Trice, if you promise not to do it again, please? Just, I don't know, send a letter next time? I know you couldn't tell me before, but..." There were no words for what he wanted to really say. He was hurt by what had happened, but now he understood a bit more. It could have been handled better.

  For a few seconds he tried to think, using his brain like he'd been told to, getting that Burks had snuck that one in on him somehow, making it a command, if one that helped him. Tor almost couldn't help it now.

  "So, you didn't set me up with Varley, did you? That wouldn't really work, because eventually I would have influenced her to my way of thinking, so why agree to it?"

  That got a laugh at least.

  "Oh, Tor. I forget how young you are sometimes. When your wife and daughter gang up on you someday and start pressing for a favor, I wish you the greatest luck in denying it to them. It wasn't a horrible plan either. Even then you had many traits one could only wish for in a son in law. Wealth and growing power, even though you were only seventeen, a heart so good that my own Counts forced me to name you a Knight. Did anyone ever tell you about that? They called a cohesion on me. Over a Knighthood. Every Count and Countess agreed that you should hold the title you know. Even the ones that thought we were just keeping you around as a decoration. Except Count Lairdgren. He saw it as another way of holding you that he didn't particularly want for you. I tried to hold them off, but Counts Ford and Thomson were most insistent. By the time Count Isle threw in with them I knew we didn't have much choice. Shrewd mind, for all that he's near ninety-five, Count Isle. Told us that if we didn't act to bind you to us now, you'd be our new King, inside ten years."