by P. S. Power
Timon.
It was a very strange idea, since he was still only twelve, but that wouldn't last forever and an Ancient, even a young one, wasn't a person to try and cause problems with, were they?
"It doesn't matter. I'm going to kidnap Count Rodriguez tonight. Then I'm going to get information out of him. When that's done, I'll either deliver him here for execution or do it myself. Either way, no matter what, he doesn't survive this. No matter what we promise him, or tell him, to get him to speak, he's going to die. I've arranged for Petra to come back for it. We may be out of touch for a while."
The two giants in front of him looked shocked.
Why that was slipped right past him. Did they think he was too young to do it? Or that he was afraid of going to war with a county? He didn't care if he died doing this after all. He'd be careful and no one would know it was him that had it done. There was a gap in the plan, which was why the man might end up going back to the Capital for execution. If he was hung as a traitor, no one would go to war over it at all. If he wasn't in on the plot, then he'd end up in the ocean. Timon would admit to killing him and move to Austra. There would be no war over it. The Guild might come for him someday, but that was all.
He was about to tell them this, when the King nodded.
"Alright. You understand, I can't condone this officially? The man has been a problem for years. We need to know who's with him in this. It seems clear that the Larval are working with them, though I can't see exactly why. Do they wish to overthrow my rule for a specific reason?" It wasn't meant to be answered, but Timon shook his head anyway.
"No. This is all about Tor for them I think. They believe he's The Great Unknown Factor. That's a mathematical possibility that no one has accounted for, and not a specific thing. The funny thing there is that it doesn't have to be bad. No one counted on a person like him showing up, but he clearly isn't a bad thing for the world. It seemed to me that the Larval that... tortured me, had a plan, but it was all about Tor. They just happened to be using the nobles for their own ends and the same on the other side. It isn't about you at all from that direction. Not as far as I can tell. That means they're a factor, but not one you should fear overly, I don't think." Of course, they were also clearly insane. So who knew what they'd end up doing?
"Very well. Keep us apprised. If this goes wrong..."
"I was tortured and lost my mind, then lashed out in a combat rage. Being so young, you would have to have me exiled, or at least hidden away on a country estate." It made sense to him, but the two in front of him looked half panicked at the words.
It wasn't that, Tim realized after a few seconds, they were just amazed that he understood what would be required.
He bowed once, having forgotten to do it earlier, and left, organizing his mind as tightly as he could, trying not to dwell on what had happened, or even dream of what he was going to do. That would probably make him break down or pull back at the last second. That knowledge wasn't something he was comfortable with, so avoiding that was suddenly very important to him.
He landed his craft in the central courtyard of the school, getting out and taking the thing down almost instantly, putting the amulet under his shirt, feeling exposed as everyone stared at him. Timon stood for a few seconds and finally approached a large girl that was pushing seven feet tall. She was plain looking and reminded him a little of Nora. It was hard to do, since she made him feel very afraid, even though she personally hadn't harmed him. A part of him was waiting for it to happen, as he spoke.
"Excuse me miss, could you help me find the Headmaster's office? More to the point, could you walk me there, so that it looks like I don't know where it is?" He was trying to act like he wanted her company, which got the large girl to blush a bit.
"Oh, sure, y'all just come with me. I'm Judith, what's your name?" She started walking instantly, not staring at him overly, playing it cool. She seemed nice enough, but he couldn't really trust it yet. Countess Alan had seemed nice enough too.
"Timon Baker. I've come to see about my sister, Tiera." It was as good an excuse as any, especially since he wanted to steal her away for several days.
Next to him the large girl came to a sudden stop and froze in place. Then she stared at him and blushed a very furious red. After a few seconds he could see it wasn't blushing at all, but the start of a combat rage. He just looked back at her.
"Crap. What did she do? Ali asked me to talk to her a few days ago, but something came up, so I'm late. If she wronged you, I apologize." He didn't bow, since it could be anything in the world that caused the girl to react, but she started breathing hard and walked again for a few feet, then stopped as soon as they got around the corner of the nearest building. Her hands turned into fists as she turned on him, making him take a step back, his shield triggering instantly.
The giant didn't attack. Not even with words. Not him at least.
"That bitch of a Doretta was rude to Henry. Turn him down flat, telling him he was too poor and ugly for her. Then she went around telling everyone what a joke he was, laughing with her rotten friends about him all over school. He nearly quit. I would have beat her in the commons, but she always wears a shield, on account of her brother being Tor. So I called her names instead. I don't care if they kick me out for it, she can't get away with that." The girl looked ready to fight him on the point, right then and there and seemed shocked when he just nodded at her.
"That... Well, she has no call to go and call anyone here poor. She was raised the child of a small town baker and worked as a delivery person for years herself. As for ugly... Well, who cares? That's no reason for her to be unkind to anyone. I don't care who it is. I'll talk to her about it. If she doesn't listen..." He shrugged, what could he really do?
"Then I'll drop her in Vagus and strand her there for a year. They won't put up with things like that there, I don't think."
"What?" The girl stared then, as if confused. He could see that, so he nodded.
"She's immortal, like Tor. Or more exactly, really long lived. My sister too, and we get along alright, but I can't let her get away with things like that. It's my duty to make sure she behaves, or at least has a good reason to be acting up if she is. I have my moments too, so, you know, it's not like I'm saying she has to be perfect all the time, just.. That's kind of an important social thing and no one here can really call her on it right now, with Tor gone. Let's get with the Headmaster and see to that now."
The girl, Judith, seemed far happier suddenly for some reason. In fact she hurried her steps as if she thought he might change his mind. He probably wouldn't abandon his sister in a foreign land. Not for a full year. Lyn would watch her and he had no doubt that the Ancient builder could get around a shield if she wanted to spank the girl. Really, he could too, most likely.
There was a woman sitting at a secretary's desk outside a closed door when they got to the right place. It was a functional thing, largely made of plain, but clean wood, stained a dull brown.
"May I help you?" She took in Timon second, since he was wearing the clothing style he'd gone into the palace with, his normal black velvet. Judith was in plain student browns, looking like canvas rather than silk or a richer fabric. From her hard form she was probably some kind of combat student. The clothing looked new and perfect, which was a giveaway that it was magical in nature. Like his own probably.
"Here to see Dean Hardgrove. Please. I need to liberate some students for a few days. King's orders." It was illegal to claim that if it wasn't true, so hopefully Richard would back him on it. If not, this was going to get embarrassing. The woman looked pretty skeptical already. Timon shrugged, looking bored. "Tell the Dean that Timon is here from the fast transport concern and that King Richard asked that the school aid in the upcoming wedding of two of its former students, Lyn Red, the leader of Vagus and Dorgal Sorvee, of the merchant house."
That didn't seem to help much, but the woman brushed her ash colored hair off of her horsey face and stood efficiently, kn
ocking on the door firmly, poking her head in without waiting for a response. Ten seconds later she pulled back, looking amused.
"This way please." She didn't apologize for doubting him, but she did seem at least a bit more relaxed. He started in and waved for Judith to follow. He had an idea.
The Dean was behind his desk, looking stately and tidy enough, in a nice black and green velvet tunic with a funny black soft hat. His beard was still the most impressive thing about him, as far as Tim was concerned. The spy master thing was right up there, but anyone could do that. Growing that masterful and manly a face full of hair took something special. He smiled at the thought.
The man gestured for the giant girl to close the door, which she did, looking a bit odd. It was hard to figure out the mix of emotions. A bit of intimidation, a bit of admiration for the man in front of her and a little bit for Timon for some reason. She almost seemed shy suddenly.
"Now, what can I do for you, and the Kingdom, today, Countier Baker."
He gestured at Judith first.
"Is she a good fighter?" It was a blunt thing to ask, and made the girl look down at the ground as if ashamed of something, but the Dean smiled and nodded instantly.
"One of the top second year students. She's been acting as one of our first year instructors, while we try to get things together in that department. Doing a very good job as well. Why do you ask? This isn't about that incident with your sister is it? A duel isn't the way to solve minor problems, besides, I'm not certain Tiera was in the right in this case. In fact I have to rather rule against her. She seems to have gotten the idea that being the Count's granddaughter makes her immune to punishment here." That got a stern look from the man. "If you seek to have Judith here removed..."
Timon shook his head hard.
"Far from it. My parents won't put up with Tiera pulling things like that or flouting your authority. I'll talk to her today and set this right. If I can't, well, I'll bring my parents up, and if they won't do anything, I'll bring in the Count himself, who will. I'm just want to see if I can hire Judith here as a bodyguard for the rest of the week. I'll pay her a gold a day and teach her how to fly a Fast Craft, if she doesn't know already." He turned to her and bowed low. "If you want to. I've had some trouble lately that having another body around might have helped. It's real work and... There are some secrets involved, if you want to take it. Plus it will tick off Tiera, if that's something you want to bother with."
She looked suspicious for a few seconds, until the Dean started nodding. Then she looked at Timon again.
"This ain't nor a trick to get back at me for wanting to beat your kin, is it? I mean..." Her accent nearly dropped away in the next breath, sounding like a fairly cultured merchant. "This isn't a trick?"
He pulled out a Truth amulet and started it with a flick of one finger, holding it in his other hand.
"Not in any way. It's a real job offer. If you do a good job it could lead to work as a pilot too, since it would be good to have a woman on staff that can go to Afrak and not set my grandmother off." That thought reminded him of the note she'd sent him, if it was from her. Look at Count Wend. He still didn't have a real clue what it was supposed to mean, other than the fact that a man of that name existed.
Maybe Count Rodriguez could help him out with the information?
"I can't promise you that it won't be dangerous. I can say that as long as you're loyal to the Kingdom and to me, I won't let anything happen to you, if it's within my power to stop it." It probably wouldn't help her to feel good about the whole thing, but the slim girl bowed back.
"Why sure then, if I can get the time? That's up to the Dean, but I could use the golds sir."
The Dean smiled, making his great beard move a bit.
"I think it's a wonderful idea. Will you be taking your sister as well?" The implication was a bit dark, even if the words were polite enough.
He was asking if Timon intended to use the combat trained girl to beat her. It was an idea, but Tiera wasn't a monster, even if she had been messing up a lot. They'd discuss things for a while and she'd see reason. It was nice to have a backup plan however.
"Not like that. I need her to do some pick-ups on the east coast, since Judith and I will be busy. It isn't a punishment, she just owes me a favor."
"Very well. Do talk to the girl however. If she keeps on the path she's taken, I fear that I'll have to request her removal."
It made him wonder what the hell his sister had been up to. It had only been a little over a week, and already people hated her enough to want her gone. She was a little strong willed at times, but this didn't sound like her at all.
"I will sir."
Then they had to go and find her, Judith altering her clothing to look like his, only huge. She looked better in black than brown he noticed, which sent a chill down his spine. It was too close to sex for him to consider. He made himself stare at her, smiling as they walked toward the student housing area. She was different than Nora. He tried to think about all the ways that was true. Her hair was a bit lighter, her skin slightly darker and her face was a bit more square. She had blue eyes, which was a noble trait, but she wasn't so high placed that she thought she could beat Tiera and get away with it, so probably not from a titled family.
The girl noticed his looking at her and ducked her head a bit. "Am I supposed to wear something different?"
"No. That's the right uniform. Do you have any weapons?" It was a fair question, since kids generally didn't. Not even huge ones that studied fighting. She surprised him by nodding.
"Cutter with a five foot sweep. Military grade force lance, the kind that don't quit, and an air lance, which is good for light combat. You know, if you don't really want to hurt no one too bad. At school it's the go to weapon now. It works pretty well and no one can have you charged for using a lethal weapon, if you get in a fight. Ali gave me mine. Copied it herself for me." She looked a little defensive about it, as if it might be a problem. Technically only the builder of the item was supposed to be able to gift them to people that weren't nobles like that, not the copiers. Timon didn't care. He'd been going around handing out shields that he'd made for instance. They weren't his original work either.
"Good. Probably won't need that tonight, but the other things you might. That kind of work. Is that something you can do?" How did he ask her if she was a hardened killer? Or at least willing to be. Most people never killed anyone at all. He had now, but it hadn't sunk in yet.
"That's the job." She didn't go into her philosophy on the matter and he didn't ask. Instead she knocked on a door and waited. It was a plain thing, identical to all the others, except for a black ribbon on the outside, tied in a neat bow.
It was Ali's roommate Sheri who answered, her face happy enough to see them both.
"Hello! Ali isn't here right now. I think she's in the copying space, working on something. She said it might take all night. Would you like to come in? I was just doing some class work. Memorizing recipes."
Timon shook his head a little.
"I'm actually trying to find my sister, Tiera? I don't know if you've met..." From the look on the girl's face they had. It didn't seem to have gone well either.
"Top of the stairs, second door to the right. The idea was that she'd be close to Ali, since they're family. I... Well." Her tone went prim and disapproving. He decided to tentatively put her in the camp that would approve of a beating.
"Thank you. When you see Ali, please let her know that I'm doing what I can to see to that situation."
There was a single stiff nod, but the door didn't close until he'd stepped back a polite distance. Then it was a very careful thing, clearly meant to show her anger wasn't about him.
He moved up the stairs then, Judith shadowing him, looking more than ready to fight if the need appeared. He found the second door over on the fourth floor and knocked firmly four times, waiting. There was noise from inside, but no one came for several minutes. He knocked again, hearing giggling.
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"Oh, one moment!" The voice wasn't Tiera's at all, and he figured that he might just have gotten the wrong room. That was until the person speaking opened the door. She was a tall girl, but only about five-eleven, not a real giant. She had nice long red hair and eyes that were nearly orange, instead of a real brown. When she saw him she smiled, then noticed the person behind him, earning them both a low huff.
"What do you want?" The look was directed toward Judith at least.
After a few seconds Tiera came to the door to see who was there, her face hard and disapproving, until she took in the scene for herself.
"Oh. Timon." She swallowed and pretended to not notice Judith at all."Is everything alright?"
"No. Grab what you need, we're leaving right now." He didn't explain even as the other girl looked shocked. Really, he didn't intend to. He didn't have time to explain it all and this whole thing seemed so stupid he was about ready to just drop Tiera in Two Bends and tell the Counts that had sent gold they could have it back.
There had to be limits after all. Timon decided that when it came to stupid things he was about at his.
Chapter fourteen
They rode toward the Capital in silence, his older sister glaring at the back of Judith's head so obviously Tim didn't even have to turn around to know it was happening. Finally, most of the way to Two Bends she started speaking, her voice low, almost hissing in anger.
"You have no right to do this. I'm older than you. I outrank you! The others said that means that I'm more important than you are. I'll go to the King and then you'll see..."
"Shut up." Tim didn't bother to hide the scorn in his voice. "If we went to the King with something as moronic as your little school troubles right now he'd probably have both of us locked up for the rest of the week, just to keep us out of the way. We don't have time for this. You know better. I don't even know what the hell you've gotten up to, but I spoke to a grand total of four people about you in the last week and all of them want me to do something about you. That isn't good Tiera. You're better than that."