The Silence Within (The Young Ancients: Tiera)

by P. S. Power

  If the words had come from anyone else in the world, she would have expected it to be sarcastic. Even if it didn't sound like it. This just sounded... real.

  "That would be good, actually. I kind of have to fix that County I broke. I'm working on that today, but will be around for dinner tonight. At Ali's house? Sherri invited me."

  "Perfect, I'll make sure to collect some things up for you then. I was going to mention something like this to you, but, well you were so angry with the Morris family that I didn't think it would work. I take it that something changed there?"

  She let her eyes go to the ground, and her face go dark and sad at the same time.

  "I killed them all. Even the little one and her mother. That was collateral damage, and not what I intended, but it happened. So now the King has me doing this. It's going to be hard, juggling it and school, but I'll have to make do." She wasn't quitting after all. That would be too much to ask of her, wouldn't it?

  "Ah. I'm sorry. I know that has to be hard. We can talk more about it later, if you want? I have things that need to come out of the oven..."

  He didn't wait, signing off in a rush. That was the life of a baker, the product came first, most of the time.

  The people that eventually showed up, all in decently large craft, since Timon had ordered his people to put on a show, were mainly women. At least the sitting Baronesses were. Three men, seven women. Half of them claiming they were ready for war. That actually got shut down in a very nice fashion by Gerent, who had them all get into his craft and took them straight up in the air, trying to hold his position over Bakersville the whole time. He shifted some, and had to correct often, but it mainly worked and the people standing there, looking out the very large front shield window, didn't argue about "war" after that.

  Or course part of that was down to Aunt Orange and Count Lairdgren.

  "Green, remember when the coalition dropped rocks on Asia, devastating the population there?" She smiled at everyone and explained. "It's called Vagus now, because the real names were all forgotten. Before, it had been one of the most densely populated places on the planet, then in a war that few remember, one of the sides hung over it, much like this, and dropped big rocks onto it, from just about this high. It sounds minor, doesn't it?"

  Count Lairdgren sighed.

  "Yes, luckily that's forbidden now. Over a billion people died in those attacks. Of course, Tiera isn't a signatory to the Treaty making that something she could do. I don't recommend it however, dear. It plays merry havoc with the atmosphere and I don't want the growing season in Lairdgren changed that rapidly, if it can be helped."

  She nearly suggested that she wouldn't need it, since she could slaughter their military forces without such things, but she realized that would sound too mean and pushy. People were just scared, or didn't believe that she was more than a child, which was a little unfair, since she was, technically, both an adult and their Countess, even if they didn't want to bother with believing it yet.

  "Don't worry. I won't hurt my people that way, or let anyone else do it. If anyone has that kind of an issue with me, we can simply fight a duel over it, and replace them." She probably sounded a little too certain of herself, but no one called her on it.

  The oldest man there, one that hadn't been against her vocally so far, snorted and covered his mouth, to hide his laughter. His gaze was on those claiming that they'd go to war over the whole thing though, not her, so she fought her annoyance down and waited to see what he said before punching him in the groin. He was tall. It would work.

  Baron Lincoln, she thought his name was. She'd really need to learn all of that, she realized. Visit and stuff.

  "There you go. Just challenge the child to a duel. Notice that when the old Count did it, he had to have his wizard daughter and some of his military help him? It was without honor, and he still lost. Now she'll be the one with an army at her back. We get the point however, we'd best get in line or you'll simply kill us all."

  Tiera shrugged, and shook her head, which got everyone to stare at her for some reason.

  "Yes and no. Someone is going to be in charge of County Baker. If you back me, then you'll get new businesses and an influx of coin to help make up for the fact that someone damaged the whole place earlier this year. If you don't, then you probably get to deal with years of infighting and less coin, as well as worse conditions for you and your people. There really isn't another way. Not that I can see. You want me to be on your side though. You may not know it yet, but you do. So, if you'd all line up and do whatever swearing you want, then sign the documents that Lawrence here has, we can get you back to your lives and start setting up a better future."

  It sounded good to her, but she wondered if the first duel in space was about to happen anyway, when a grumbling man in his thirties moved in front of her and started to call her names. Whore was in there, as well as cunt, ass-licker and moron. She held her tongue, realizing that she had said he could do whatever swearing he wanted, so it was inside the rules, if a bit rude.

  Then he knelt and said that he'd pay her damned taxes and back her in war, if it was needed.

  She smiled and bowed to the man.

  "If you'd sign the document too? Otherwise the people at court will think I'm just making claims. I never do that, but you know how the King is, wanting proof and all that." She waved her hand a bit, making it seem like a light and airy statement.

  She didn't make them use the Truth amulet, since she understood that none of them probably meant it anyway. They didn't have to, just do what they were told. It was the classical arrangement after all. It meant that it was nearly four when they were all being returned to their places, and she had to hurry, taking her own Fast Craft out of there. When she got inside, she waved to Lawrence, calling out from the door.

  "Can you meet me here, tomorrow? I should have some things for you. I know it isn't the best plan ever, but I don't have facilities here yet." She was surprised, because the man didn't even ask when, just saying that he'd be there. "Great, thank you, by the way. I should be in about one or so..."

  Then she flew off directly and landed at the Palace, which was a lot closer to her new city than the school was. About ten minutes away, traveling at full speed. Less than that really, but she took the greatly reduced vehicle down slowly, which added four minutes to the whole thing. It kind of demonstrated why the King didn't want an enemy in charge there, didn't it?

  She didn't even try to go in however, just motioning for George to come and hand her a Truth amulet.

  "I'm Countess Tiera Baker, County Baker." It showed as being true, so she grinned at the slightly shocked faces of the guards, who stiffened, since it was new and nothing that they'd heard about at all. "Which used to be County Morris. Changed the name earlier today. I have some papers for King Richard, Also, please let him know that I swear fealty and all that? Um..." She bowed toward the door of the place, trying to make it seem cute, rather than like she was just in a hurry and didn't really want a big conversation with the man himself, even though that was the case. "I do so swear. Along with a rough mutual protection agreement, if he agrees as well."

  The white and golden yellow glow around her didn't waiver at all, so the Guards all bowed again.

  "Very well, Countess Baker. Do you wish to have an audience now?" George looked at her blankly, probably remembering the time that he'd hit her across the face, wondering if it would be a difficulty now.

  That had been ordered however, by her, so why would she even think that? If the man didn't have oaths to the King, she would have snapped him up to lead her own forces. Since that wasn't going to happen, she just smiled at him and touched his arm gently. It was flirtatious, but she didn't press it, because the other Royal Guards would make fun of him if she did, even if he was in charge.

  "Not today, thank you. Just, if the papers and little oath I just did can be reported? That should make it all real enough. I need to get back to school. If he needs to get in touch, Prince
Alphonse has the ability to do so. Or my Brother Tor, but using a new communications device would be faster, since I have one with me."

  "Very good. Congratulations." There was more bowing then, but no one seemed upset at least.

  "Thank you. All of you."

  Then she got out of there before anyone of note could come and require her to wait until dinner, missing her real work. She had meditation class and would probably be punished for missing her fighting practice the next day. That was fine. It had to be done, and if she had to scrub the practice square on her hands and knees for a week, then that was a fair price.

  She didn't go back to her room, just making her clothing change into a pretty deep blue dress, one with only a bit of frill at the edges. It made her look young, so she added the whole package, with shiny leather shoes in black that had little girl buckles on the front, pure white stockings and then decided that white gloves would be too much. She took her craft down and got to the door, thinking she might be a little early, but knowing that it most likely wouldn't be a real problem.

  That was wrong. It wasn't a problem, but she was, according to the rather nice and large standing clock inside the door, five minutes late. Sherri pulled her in and kissed her meaningfully, since no one else was there. Then they held each other for a bit, pulling back as Ali came into the room.

  "Tiera, there you are. Dinner will be ready in a few moments. We're waiting for Tor, if that's all right? He normally gets here about this time."

  "Not a problem at all." She gave the taller girl a hug too, and sighed. She hadn't really realized how stressful the day was, until she got to someplace safe. That she counted her brother's house that way, with his young wife and her school roommate as protectors, simply made sense. They were family after all, and that meant something real. Even when they annoyed the crap out of her.

  She moved back to Sherri for another hug, getting a smile from both her and Ali, though they both had to run back to the kitchen to get the food. She traipsed along, since, as she pointed out, guest or not, it was proper to help do her share. That got a funny look from both the other girls, but they nodded when she finished the whole thing.

  "After all, I want to be invited back, don't I? I'm going to have to be eating here most of the time for a while, until I can earn a bit of coin. I had to spend most of what I had with Tim earlier. He gave me a great deal on some Fast Transport work." She didn't go into the whole thing, since that would be for after the meal.

  Tor got back a few minutes later, just as all the food was going on to the table. It was a family style meal, which meant they had all the dishes in front of them and didn't have separate courses. Except for the dessert, which was a pudding made from sweet rolls that Sherri was trying out. She mentioned it as they sat down.

  "I'm a bit worried it might be too sweet. I didn't add sugar to the apples I put in, so... here's hoping?" She'd made the whole meal by herself, and it was a good bit better than anything Tiera would have managed, so she really didn't think that would be a problem. The folded crisp bread was actually flaky on the outside, and fluffy in, as it was supposed to be, despite the crunchy sounding name. It was a difficult thing to make for most people, and took hours to get right.

  "This is very good. You could go into business for yourself, if you wanted." She meant it as a compliment, but knew it was risky. After all, as a Baronetta, Sherri didn't really expect to ever have to work. She could, but if so, it would be in something other than a bakery, at least later. She did enough at Tor's to really count, but he wasn't paying her for it.

  No, he just gave her coin when she asked. It was more of the arrangement that he would have had with a girlfriend or lover, but they weren't sleeping together. Sherri had mentioned it, several times.

  "Thanks. It's good to know. I haven't come up with any marriage proposals yet at all. I need to get on it soon, or all the good ones will be taken."

  That was a real concern for a lot of noble women. Her people were a good example of that. For some reason, probably misadventure and a high rate of death for the young boys, nobles skewed towards having more women than men by a good percentage. It was enough that, given the three steps, Sherri might just not be able to find a husband that was considered suitable at all. It was a big part of why she was at school. She didn't really need to learn about homemaking, since she'd probably never have to do that kind of work at all, but going to school gave her a chance to rub elbows with nice young men that were from a similar background and social status. Plus a few that really weren't, but had very good prospects, like the Lairdgren Group. Sam and Guide were both probably going to be close enough to her in social position to count, in a few years. Sam Builder might be already, she realized. After all he was the aid to the Magics Counselor for the Kingdom. Since there wasn't one of those at the moment, it meant he was basically doing the job himself. Tor had been, but he'd quit.

  To devote himself to baking.

  They didn't talk about anything of note until after the pudding, which was excellent. They all gushed at Sherri over it and Tor asked for the recipe, which was the highest compliment someone could pay, when you came up with a new dish.

  Then, without preamble, her brother stood and walked from the room.

  "Be back in a bit."

  It took longer than that, so Tiera helped clear the table, and they "retired" to the family drawing room, where she was offered her choice of either brandy or strong coffee. Tiera chose the first one, since coffee would keep her awake and alert, but the Brandy wouldn't do anything to her at all. It was sophisticated even and polite of her to accept something, but she noticed that Ali had a bit of coffee, and Sherri clearly came back with her own drink being apple juice, not the adult beverage at all. It was a bit strange, but made sense. They had real schedules to keep, after all, and Ali was a builder.

  Tor came back eventually, with not one, but four large cases floating along behind him, the amulets for them being in his left hand, which he passed to her without comment.

  "What you mentioned, plus some of the new communications devices, one of the hubs for that too, and a dozen of the larger houses. Some small ones as well, so that you can use them for schools and religious meeting centers or whatever is needed.

  She popped up, drink in hand and carefully gave him a hug. No one else asked about it all, but she shrugged, since it wasn't a secret really.

  "This is for my County. I think that's even official now. County Baker. I got the Baronies to sign fealty and swear to me, and the King has been notified. So you know, Countess and all that." She said it without a lot of weight, but Tor just nodded.

  "Sorry about that. I get the basic idea, someone has to fix things there and you did kind of do some damage. Oh, Ali, she also wants to start that manufacturing system for the orphans? I put some extra gear in... one of the cases, for that, earth movers and compressors. The kids will have theirs too, but it can't hurt to have spares."

  "Thanks. So, Alyssa, what do you say? Can I get those workers? They'll be well enough paid, and I think I can get plenty of land for it. They should be able to build their own homes too, right? That will make it a lot cheaper for them. I need someone to organize it all for me, but..."

  For some reason, both girls started screaming and jumping up and down, pulling her to her feet.

  Sherri kissed her again and looked nearly manic.

  "You're really a Countess? That's incredible! We should have a party, or... many parties. You'll have to throw some too, oh, we need to get that organized. You don't have a staff even yet do you? What else do we need... Ali, do you have some paper and a pen? We need to make notes..."

  It turned out that homemaking for Baronetta's was more of a home management course load, so in about half an hour, they had a whole lot of things that she'd need to take care of, or as Sherri pointed out, whoever she got in to do that for her to take care of.

  "That's what people do, in the main. I can help, if you want, I mean? It's all right if you have other plans
, of course." She seemed shy suddenly, as if she thought Tiera would say no?

  "Thank you! I'm going back tomorrow, to pass these things out and set them up, so, if you could come? It's in the afternoon, so, if you have classes..."

  "I do and I'm almost certain that if you don't mind a few others coming with us, that won't count against me. This is... Life experience, isn't it?" She looked at Tor, as if he'd know the answer for certain, and he nodded like he actually did. Tiera wasn't nearly as certain, but why not? Even if it was half the school, she could take them with her. Maybe that was even a good idea?

  "I can do that. I guess we can all meet in the commons at noon? Or, well, after lunch. I'll need to beg some crumbs from my brother for that. If I don't want to eat spit at least." She shuddered and it wasn't totally fake either.

  Then she realized that she had to run to her meditations class. At least that was the same as always, Though Doris was pickier about things and insisted that she hold her mind more still than before, which she sort of managed, thanks to the extra time she had to get it right. The first half hour was rough, but the rest worked out pretty well.

  She'd taken the floating trunks with her and no one had mentioned that at all, though Sam had seemed interested at first and followed her out at the end, walking behind her, but not at a great distance or anything. She realized she was supposed to stop and talk to him, or at least smile politely or something.

  "Hello!" She tried for bright sounding and almost made it she thought. "How have you been doing?" They weren't really friends and had even sort of fought a bit, if in a social combat fashion, which meant the very common looking boy from an orphanage had completely dominated her, getting her assigned to very bad seating at Lyn Red's wedding. It was kind of incredible and indicated to her that she didn't want to challenge him there again, if it could be helped.

  "Pretty well. I have a new build planned in a few days and... Um, really, I was wondering if you'd like to... You know, do something? Mitchell, he told me that you and he sort of, well, proved that you weren't a Doretta? I know I shouldn't, but I haven't been having a lot of luck with women and..." He blushed and laughed nervously. "That probably isn't winning you over, is it? I guess I shouldn't... never mind." He said the words softly and started to back away, but Tiera tilted her head back and forth. After all, it wasn't like he was ugly, just poor, and honestly, that wasn't the case was it? He was one of the top fifty or so builders now and probably had a big chest of gold hidden away already.