by Power, P. S.
After a moment of thinking looking at all of them, including Gerent, who was ignoring the interplay with a will at the moment. His aunt and uncle had planned to talk to him about something, it was clear, and now these others were in the way of that. It was possible that they had information about the Adversaries, but that felt wrong. If it had been that kind of thing, then it would have been done over the handheld, or just sitting there in front of these others. Unless they were suspected of being in league with the darkness.
He looked at all of them, and thought the whole thing through, based on what he knew about them all.
"Count Ward, you're the natural child of known parents. The same follows for you too, right Aunt Petra? Same parents and all that?"
Marvin looked baffled, and Maria seemed insulted, but after a few seconds Petra just answered.
"Yes. Why?"
"Both Straughan and Bill had come from nowhere. One was adopted, the other had no story at all. From my notes, they both said something about not having been people really. Lyone..." He looked at the others, closely. "You all know about her? The mechanical people and the aliens from the void that are coming?" It was possible that they weren't in the know on that score.
The giant count, looking smooth faced, even at near fifty, nodded.
"It's a tale that's hard to credit, but yes, King Richard told us of that. I still can't believe it, to be honest."
That was the kind of thing that he could see, himself. He wouldn't if he hadn't gone to see their fleet himself.
"Sensible. It's real, but... Well, let's deal with this part first. Her people say that people have been replaced, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. So far. So people with known parents and provable points of origin can be, possibly, trusted not to be in with the enemy."
Maria furrowed her pretty brow, and then nodded.
"I can vouch for myself, and my family then. You've met Collette? My father, too."
Petra looked at Countess Printer then.
"Which will work for you too, Holly. So that leaves..."
Gerent turned around, "me. I came from nowhere. Well, I guess I kind of have a family now, but I can't prove that really. It was just the story that was told. So I guess I can't be in on the secret plans?"
Dareg winced, not having really thought about that, but then nodded.
"I'm in the same boat that way. I know there were those tests, but we can't be certain that having the same... DNA printings isn't something that this threat can't manage. My point here is that we can probably speak freely toward that end. I mean, I'm not one of those things, Gerent? How about you?"
That got a laugh, but he nodded along.
"I'm not, but isn't that exactly what they would tell us?"
Petra, normally kind of happy, did smile, though it was more considering.
"Wouldn't the work that Tim did on you mean you had to be a human at least?" She was looking at Gerent directly.
Dareg tilted his head.
"Unknown, but you know, probably? That's almost certainly as good as my nearly random guess that people without a provable back story are suspect. So, just me, out of this group? Good to know."
That got Petra to nod hugely then, her smile going bigger.
"Those genetic tests? They're proof that you're a human, too, then. It's the same kind of thing, those changes that Tim made? That's what we were told."
Maria smiled then, letting out a big gust of air.
"I hadn't even thought of any of that. Good to know we aren't suspects for once. At least for the time being. So, we were interrupting a secret planning session on that topic? I can see why that would be difficult to manage then, Petra. For a moment I'd figured that you were just planning to have sex with Dareg here, without me." She looked over at him like he was something good to eat, and lowered her eyelids enough to signal she meant at least part of what she was saying. "That would be rude, don't you think? It made sense however, as to why you started acting all edgy with us."
Holly, helpfully, nodded, her face serious.
"I hadn't gone to sex, in my thinking, but if it's a secret battle strategy session then I can see the difficulties, myself. I'd thought it was simply the change in plans." There was a shifting of weight, her rather nice dress, all in deep blue satin, shifting around over her muscular shoulders. She was lean, but it was kind of plain that the woman did a lot of physical things in her life.
Probably fighting, or practice for it, given the calluses on her fingers and palms.
Her blue eyes, shining a bit, stared directly at Petra, trying to read bits of information from the lady. It seemed like that anyway.
After a few moments, still sitting there in the landing area, his aunt sighed.
"It actually was neither of those things. I... Gerent and I... We were..." She looked away, her face closing down a bit suddenly, as if fighting embarrassment. "We were planning to ask if Dareg wanted us to pay for his schooling." She nearly whispered the last words.
Like it was a huge problem for him.
Oddly, the others looked away, as if letting him know that they didn't want to see his horrible discomfort with the issue.
"Well, that's a nice offer. How much does that kind of thing cost, anyway?"
Countess Printer, who owned a school, turned to face him directly.
"Most run about seventy-five gold per year. That covers room and board however, not simply lessons. It's fairly standard, though there are programs that cost more, for special studies, and a few scholarships that are available, if you can past the tests for it."
Marvin bowed to him, still sitting.
"Or, if you'd rather not press family, Maria and I could cover that for you? It wouldn't be a burden."
Dareg smiled at the man, and bowed.
"I don't think that will be needed? I can probably pay for it myself, actually. Though I might need to start working soon. I was thinking earlier that supporting two or three palaces fitting for a princess might take a steady income beyond my monthly allowance. School... I guess I could do that. Or lessons? You mentioned getting Orange and Tiera to help with weapons work? Alice... She suggested I get with the instructor at Lairdgren, Instructor Remy? Timon is going to help with some building things, I think." It hadn't been stated that way, but it was probably close enough.
Countess Printer smiled at him then.
"Those all sound fine. You need math, science, classes on ruling and spy-craft, and military strategy as well, at the very least. History if you can find the time for it. The new term starts after Noram day. You're fourteen?" She said it like she didn't know for certain.
"Right. About a month and a bit now."
"Good. So, we can set you up at Printer School. You can pay... Really, however you want. Or not. It isn't like Tor doesn't have a line of credit with the place." She looked at the others and shook her head a bit. "He paid for it. All of it. To start the whole thing? It pays for itself now, so I think we can rather allow that to count?"
She kept looking around, like the gold was any kind of problem for him.
Petra seemed pleased by the news however, reaching over to pat her tall Countess friend on the arm.
"That sounds settled then, doesn't it? Of course, you can still say no, but it is a good plan. Especially if you get that tutoring first. Are you going to be working on the ports at the same time? No one has known what the score is on that one, since the attack."
He thought for a moment, and then nodded.
"I can get that done first, and set up to run themselves. Really, if I can get workers, it will only take a month or two. I have, what, five months?" He looked at Holly, who shook her head.
"Nearly six. Good, I'll set that up, as far as paperwork is needed. Now, you're marrying a princess? Which one? Taman, or... Tara?"
Petra covered her mouth, and Maria rolled her eyes, but smiled politely.
"Princess Karina. It isn't common knowledge yet, in all circles, but it's going to be a rather large event. I have to agree though, Prin
ce Dareg, setting up a business or two might work well. You don't get revenue from the ports, that being done as a philanthropic effort, correct? I bet we can find you a few things, given your family resources." She clapped once, and then smiled at the back of Gerent's head. "I know just the man to ask about that, as well. Torrance. Everything he touches seems to turn to pure gold. Not that he wouldn't simply give you coin. He's offered me gold, for projects. We haven't always had the most firm friendship, either. I have to imagine that he'd be even kinder to those he enjoys."
That got Gerent to nod, the back of his head moving as the craft started up in the air.
"True. It can't hurt for Dareg to make his own, however. People respect you more when you don't have to beg for every copper. Even if it's just owning a few properties. At least that's what I was always told. You know, even if it doesn't make coin, you should start an orchard around the port here, and probably in other places. I bet you can get the land, at least for use. You can bother the King about that later? There was a plan for it anyway, so that one will work I bet. Vagus, Afrak... Afrak will be really easy about that one. They kind of just assume that everyone will try to grow things anyplace they can. Soam... They have that radiation problem still, but it's getting better in a lot of places. Austra... That one will be interesting, but you should try it."
It wasn't a horrible idea. He could ship the goods out from the ports that way. Then, a lot of people could use that, as long as they could find space on a ship. Which was a thing that he was just then setting up. That connected in his head suddenly, and he nodded.
"A shipping concern, too? That works. I'll probably need more than that, but it's not a bad start for a kid."
They were moving, off to the west, then up, and around, so they could settle over the King's Palace. They were really early, since it was just then turning seven and the meal wouldn't be until nine, as far as he knew. That was the normal time for that kind of thing.
On the good side, they were able to unload the glowing green craft without hurrying to get the thing out of the way. Since Holly didn't have a date with her, Dareg stood by the door to aid her out, since she had a dress with at least five layers of heavy cloth to manage on the steps.
"Thank you." She smiled at him, her face a bit hard underneath her makeup. That looked to be real, instead of a disguise amulet.
She'd been warmer before, but he worked out her point now. If he was going to her school, later, and that actually happened, they'd need to have distance between them. As a prince, that could be hard for her to manage. Especially if he ended up a prince of Noram as well as Harmony. That was fine with him, since his only goal was to prevent her from landing on her face, so he just bowed a little in response and let go of her, instead of trying to guide the thirty-odd year old woman inside.
She wasn't so pretty that he couldn't let her get away without being in his bed first. Not that he was going to get that chance really anyway. She was fit, and not homely really, but her attractiveness was in her personality, more than her face. It was fair really. In some ways that was probably better for a Countess, when you got down to it. Holly Printer was meant to rule, not decorate a room, or bed.
They weren't met by guards this time, which was different than the last meeting, and while it took half a minute for Gerent to pack the craft away, the older fellow that met them held a bow the entire time. Dare did it back, since it would have looked awkward for the man, having to do it alone like that. The others waited for Ger to finish, then bowed in turn, with Count Ward and Countess Printer going last. She curtsied, wearing a dress like she was.
The older man that met them was of merchant blood, from his size and look. The butler, probably, since everyone seemed to know who he was, except Dare.
"Welcome! All of you. We have some time before we'll be sitting, some small entertainments have been arranged? I believe that Prince Alphonse and Princess Veronica have set up in the greeting room for that? This way, if you please?"
That they had a room set up for people that came early was a good idea.
The halls of the place were well decorated, and bright, magical lights being set up all over the place. More than the last time he'd been there, by far. Dare heard a din before he got to the room where the waiting was to be done. The voices nearly drowned out the dulcet sounds of a string quartet. Not quite however.
It meant however that what he'd figured to be a tiny party with a few friends was rather more than that. In fact, when he got into the waiting chamber, it was both huge, and filled with bodies already.
At the door, the butler, or whoever he was, bowed again.
"If you'll please help yourselves to refreshments?"
Then the man scurried back the way he'd come.
Chapter four
The room was large, with impressive crystal inlays along the walls and ceiling. It looked like quartz to Dareg, but he couldn't have sworn to that, not having a lot of knowledge on types of rocks. The furnishings were a lot more standard, holding to wood, with a lot of soft seeming cushions all over the place. There were islands of seats, so that small groups could form to talk to one another.
That of course meant that of the six or seven groups that were possible, given the numbers there, two of them were huge, and the rest were far less advanced, holding only one or two people each. The largest one held Alphonse and Karina, who were clearly being singled out as the important people to gain attention from for the moment. Due, no doubt, to the fact that he was the heir, and the King wasn't in the room.
Everyone that had come in with him instantly moved off in that direction, Holly giving him a solid, almost manly, clap on the back as she passed. No one suggested Dare go with them, so he didn't, not wanting to add to the din and press of bodies. There was a table of refreshments, with some small bits of things to eat, along with a man who was pouring wine and other beverages, standing not far away.
It looked nice, but other than the idea that he was allowed to have some of these things, he didn't know what to do. Stuffing small crackers with paste into his mouth had to be poor form, but there didn't seem to be another way to consume them that wouldn't make a mess. A very tall man, who had a mix of gray and red to his full head of hair, as well as a full, very well groomed, beard walked up to the table next to where Dare had settled himself.
He gestured to the man in servant green behind it.
"A smooth port, if you have any?" As the man looked at the wooden rolling cart behind him to see if such a thing existed, the giant, who was over nine feet tall, looked down at Dare.
"I normally don't come to these kinds of things, but I haven't seen my grandson or granddaughter in over a decade. More than that, I'm ashamed to say. Baldur, by the way." A quarter bow came from the man, which was basically him being incredibly polite.
After all, he was claiming that some pale, common looking, boy was his equal in the movement. Then, they were in the palace, so it kind of made sense that anyone there would be fairly well placed.
So he did it back, going just a bit lower. That way he'd be covered whoever this man turned out to be. From what he'd said, he was probably the old King of Noram. The looks and words all fit. The name too, though it could have thrown people off, without the full thing, or a title being thrown in. If the man didn't want to rest on that, then it was his job not to force it on him.
"Dareg. Dareg Canton. Um... Lowest Prince of Harmony, along with some other titles of which I'm also the farthest down the line." He smiled at that, since it was just the truth, and honestly he didn't care. "Also engaged to Princess Karina? So that would, at least eventually, make us family. I mean, as long as it goes through, and all that kind of thing. She hasn't told me to get lost yet, so at least there's that." He smothered a yawn and then forced a chuckle.
Baldur looked at him carefully, and sighed.
"You've done your research then, if you know who I am on sight. People tend to forget, over the decades. Well, that could be worse, I suppose. Better a smart be
trothed than a dull one. For some things at least."
The waiter had found something red and fruity looking, which was handed over in a crystal chalice of some kind. The old man took it and took a healthy swallow.
"Not bad. Thank you." That was said to the server, who bowed back and said nothing.
Instead of walking back toward the others, the man stood there, took another sip and then took a half step back from Dareg, so they could speak without looming being involved. Not too much.
"So, Prince Dareg..." He punctuated the words with a sip from the shining crystal in his fingers. It kind of matched the cold looking room around them. "What kind of hobbies do you have? Wenching and drinking vast quantities of the best liquors? Hunting the days away? Or perhaps you favor men for bed chamber sport? You have that pretty look about you that some get. A bit too much so."
The words were plainly spoken, and clearly meant to get a rise out of him, but the man didn't seem to care about what it was that Dare was honestly getting up to. There was, in truth, a hint of a glimmer behind his eyes. Like it was all a grand joke.
"As if I'd admit to any of that here? Not that it's true, which is probably a failing on my part. I'm new to the whole noble thing however, so, you understand, I need some time to get up to speed. So far I've..." He nearly froze, but he did have things that he was doing, and they weren't all being paid, so could count as hobbies, even if they were boring ones. "I'm working to put together the world's port system, building it up. Also I'm taking a group of Austran's to see the planet Saturn in a few days. That's past Mars. It has some great rings around it, so it's interesting to look at."
Rather than mock how little he had going on, the man smiled suddenly.
"Oh-ho! Well, that's better than I would have figured on, given your age. You didn't even fall into my clever trap there. Admitting to doing those things, or claiming that you didn't with too much energy would have been the wrong answer. Yours was most correct. Very well, I won't have to spend the rest of the night needling you for secrets. Just send in the spies? Cute female ones?" He was teasing again, but hid it very well.