It would take far too long for him to use the magic carriage in the crowded streets, and no matter how fast they went, Yardley wouldn't be coming back, so they used Not-flyers, his box following them still. Damn, he'd meant to give Heather and everyone some gifts. Equalizers and cooling plates just for their house. He pointed back distractedly and told Sara that was what was in the case. She nodded but didn't speak.
Right. Poor Yardley. Who were her people? Would anyone mourn her? He felt a knot in his stomach and kind of feared that he’d be doing that himself, even if they'd only seen each other once. What would Karina do? She'd been so down lately already…
“Right. Sara, Karina isn't to be alone now. Not even to go to the restroom. I don't care what we have to do, or if we have to face down Rich and Connie to do it. From now on we stay with her. I know I don't have any right to order anyone to do anything, but it feels right… I,” can't use magic to fix it.
No device would. Dead was dead. Even if he could bring people back he wouldn't. How could you decide who was worthy or not? The world would end up with people elbow to elbow and frankly, as unlikely as the idea sounded, it sent a chill down his spine to think of it. Not just a creepy feeling, but real fear, like he was about to be killed.
Just from an absurd thought? He wouldn't be doing that though, even if he figured it out. That, he knew, was probably going to hurt later. Didn't he want his friends with him forever? He did, but it wasn't natural. He wasn't natural, but that wasn't the issue at the moment, now it was Karina.
Sara nodded to him, her short blond hair not moving much, while his long black locks waved in the wind annoying the heck out of him. He should have tied it up again. It looked ridiculous. Everything about him probably did. Not-flyers looked stupid. Who flew four inches above the ground instead of using their legs? Just him.
Well, and a few thousand other people now, but it looked odd.
When they got to the south gate they just turned off the Not-flyers and flew over the crowed, avoiding the sparkling jumpers, their patriotic streamers beneath them as they danced in the air. It was prettier now that the sky had slightly darkened, but there was no time for it. Sara goggled a bit at the spectacles and events near his house, but he just flew, fast and hard.
It took a minute to negotiate the door and the people in the foyer, mingling and waiting for dinner.
There in the midst of the crowd, looking lost and more than a little terrified, stood Lyn, her little light field in her right hand, cord wrapped so it wouldn't fall. Crud, he didn't have time for her now, but didn't want to lose her either. It was important that she get her chance. Important to him, and the kingdom too, most likely. He couldn't let this hurt that.
Spotting Collette he waved and got her to come over, walking quickly, seeing his obvious intensity. At the same time he drew Sara over to Lyn, taking a moment to make sure things happened correctly. Even if it was heavy handed.
“Collette! This is Lyn, she's a builder, but needs to go to school, can you get that worked out? Lairdgren. I'm paying for it, we won't bother with a scholarship… I'm sponsoring her directly. Get with the Count and her parents please? There's an emergency or I'd do it myself. Lyn? This is Collette. She's your… best friend, for the night at least. Sorry to be all rushed like this, Where's Karina?”
No one knew.
Right. The place was huge and the girl had legs. Inconvenient of her really. Tor tried his room first, wondering if Ali might have come already and been taken there. It made sense, being that Karina was kind of staying with him, sharing his room, when she slept at his house. He was dragging Sara along for moral support, not sure if that support was for Karina or him.
Screw it, Tor knew it was for him, which was low and made him feel weak. Still that was the truth, no denying it. If he could have avoided the whole thing he really might have. But he couldn't. His friend needed him.
They broke in to his bedroom without knocking, to find a scene that, at first, Tor's mind refused to understand. He stared for a bit, trying to make sense of it all, but nothing came for a long time, about ten seconds. He just froze. Sara did too at least, so it wasn't just him being a freak.
Trice was there, naked, and so was Ursala, which worked for him so far, though he hadn't seen Trice naked before. Rolph was having sex with someone on the bed, but the man was tied face down and grunting as if in pain. He had a gag in his mouth to keep things quiet. The girls stared at him first, wide eyed. Then Rolph turned and froze, still inside the man.
On the bed, tied to restraints that had sprung from the headboard, was Ridley.
Ah. Well.
Tor shrugged.
He didn't have time to play the hick right now. Rolph was screwing some guys behind? So be it. It wasn't his, and Ridley just looked curious now, not in distress, so tied up or not, he wasn't being forced. That was fine in their sick little world. So be it.
“I need to find Karina. Anyone? It's… urgent. From the King’s lips.”
It got everyone to stop what they were doing and put on clothes at least. Urgent seemed to mean something in their world. The Prince tried asking, but Tor didn't answer, just shaking his head no. If he told Rolph, and he really wanted too, then he might slip and tell his sister out of concern or sympathy.
Godlings, this was all so screwed up.
They finally found her in a room on the top floor, alone with Ali, the short busty girl that seemed a little dumb, but pleasant enough. Karina was holding her and telling her it would all be fine. When she looked up her eyes were concerned and a little moist but not unhappy.
“Ali was afraid that Jerral was going to force her into being a prostitute. Lilli made her sign papers for it, so if I hadn't been actually buying her, or well Tor really, since he paid for everything, then that's probably what would have happened. Well, not with Jerral there, of course, but anyone else.” Karina looked at the girl with a bit of affection, kind of like how you look at a slightly slow child that's trying really hard.
Ali sobbed a lot, her voice hiccupping out.
“But… Lilli said that the men were going to… do things to me, and that I wanted it, so I had to do it now. I wrote my name, and now I have to…” She cried loudly.
Crap. Alright, Tor decided, one thing at a time, they could all melt down later, right? He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, seeking control. It took more work than he’d have thought. A sudden rage burned at Lilli that Tor simply hadn’t counted on at all. Taking a few seconds he forced relaxation and then spoke, trying to sound confident, rather than like he wanted to kill someone.
“Ali, Lilli was being bad, and did bad things, so some people that work for…” Tor almost said the King, which was true, or even Karina, also the case, but altered it. If the girl was going to flip out over all this, her old friend being arrested, better she just hate him, right? They weren't close, and hating Tor would never lead to treasonous speech. It couldn't.
“People that work for me, had to arrest her. She's in jail now. As to some contract, a forced signature isn't binding, not for anyone, ever. Meaning you don't have to do anything you don't want to. I won't let anyone make you.” His voice suddenly sounded fierce and tough, which had to look ridiculous coming from him, but no one even cracked a smile. The crying girl sniffled and looked at him with very blue, dewy eyes.
“Really?” She said, her crying a little softer now. “I don't have to do things? If I don't want to? What if I want to?”
It was an odd question. Tor shrugged.
“That's all right then, as long as the other person,” he glanced at everyone else slightly, raising his shoulders at them. “Or people, want to do those things too. Then it's OK. But you don't have to. Not ever.”
He walked to Karina and gave her a hug and found Ali joining in, a bit awkwardly, but he moved to let her, her friend had been killed too and if Karina had to be watched, this girl would need it twice as much.
“Karina, I hate to do this, but you're needed at the palace, your father asked me to tell you specifically that it's urgent. I've been forbidden to tell you why. Please don't ask. We need to move now. Um, Bring Ali and… everyone. Get Bonita too. Collette and Petra can stay here and run things for now, please? They know where the money is and all that. Let's go.”
Ali couldn't fly, and neither, oddly enough, could Ridley. Or was it that odd really? When would he have learned? Tor had given him poison detectors for his family, but not flying rigs or shields. He should have given them shields at least. They'd been having a squabble with the Wards' and feared being poisoned, why, Tor didn't know, but it seemed to have been resolved, at least no one had stabbed anyone else at his house yet. Right, so shield for them as soon as possible, even though the danger had probably passed. He had on two and gave one to Ridley without explaining.
The man looked at him, concerned, recognizing what it was.
“Is there physical threat?” He spoke almost into Tor’s ear as they walked, almost casually, as if asking when dinner was or if there were plans for later.
Tor shrugged and kept going.
“No, not now I don’t think. Just get with me, or Trice, later and get shields and flying rigs for your family? Grab some weapons for you and you’re parents to.” Outfitting his little sister with a full compliment seemed a little bit much.
Ridley didn’t say anything after that at all, just dropping to the back of the group.
Tor pulled out the carriage amulet and marched to the front of the house, setting it up on the stage behind a rather good musical group that played string instruments, there were about ten of them. Not too bad, if he could judge things like that. He reformed the vehicle to make enough seats for everyone, and made it clear on top so that they could be seen.
Then he focused, just a little, using his own pattern exactly like he wasn't supposed to, but keeping the damage down, being careful, making a glowing symbol appear under his left hand. It was pumpkin orange and a bit ugly, a stylized f, to indicate flying. Then he lifted off, going straight up to the cheers of the crowd. People treated it like it was a fire work, or another display.
Fine. He wished them the enjoyment of it.
Slipping the communications plate out of its little carry bag he passed it back to Rolph left handed, but he didn't know what it was at first, since all the other plates had been fixed in place. Ursala did the work for him, hitting the glowing palace sigil, the one that said “Capital” and making it turn blue. After that though, once Richard was talking, Rolph didn't hesitate.
“Dad, we're all flying in a craft Tor made, Karina and her friend Ali are with us. Countess Thorgood, Trice, Ridley Dens, Sara, Tor and I. We're almost there, could you let them know we're coming? This vehicle doesn't look like a transport at all. We're over the palace now. Um, it’s purple.”
Tor made the decent slow, and if it wasn't as smooth as some pilots, well, they generally weren't coming in on their first solo flight either, were they? Tor decided to keep that part to himself and strive for a smooth, slow action that looked professional. He got down into one of the bare patches the bigger normal palace transports had worn, just as Connie and Richard walked out quickly to meet them. They didn't keep everyone in the dark, simply explaining about Yardley Principle, and what they'd found out so far. Tor almost cried out for them to stop, knowing that Ali wouldn't be able to handle what they said very easily, but they didn't hesitate.
Karina just nodded stiffly.
“I… figured it must be something like that. She's been questioned? Lil… Lillith Degray?” The Princess stood straight and didn't look broken at all.
It was worse than that by far. Tor knew that aspect of being personally, he'd lived it once.
Karina was going to go find the one that caused her pain, and make her pay. Lethally.
Right.
Well, he'd back her, if that's what she needed to do. Even if he had to kill Lilli himself. The idea made him shake a little, but that didn't matter. What mattered was being there for his friend. Tor walked over to her, but didn't touch her. If she wanted to be touched she'd reach out to him. Clinging to an undersized bakers son wouldn't look all that regal. She just stood straight, head high, and eyes on fire with rage.
“What has she said?” The Princess barely moved, but the King laid it out clearly enough.
It wasn't complex, amongst all her other crimes, a fairly extensive theft and underage prostitution ring that Karina hadn't known about at all, the girl, who was in her mid twenty's not the sixteen she'd told everyone, had been selling women for years. Normally as private sex slaves, under contract as whores. It was illegal in several ways, but the girls she preyed on were usually not all that bright. Tor winced when the man said it, but Ali nodded. She knew who, and what, she was.
Probably meaning she was actually smarter than she thought.
Yardley's “crime” had been trying to keep Ali from being sold. They'd argued and Lilli wouldn't put up with another “traitor”, what she called anyone who disagreed with her at all, so she killed her. The pieces at the end weren't big enough to save her. Kolb's people had tried, using one of Tor's healing amulets. Yardley was identifiable only because the head was left intact. Mainly. The girl’s parents were calling for blood.
The King seemed of a mind to give it to them.
So was everyone else.
Tor kept his mouth shut. The idea made him shake with fear and rage and gave him a perverse desire to try and save the woman, but that wasn't sane and he knew it. The execution would have to wait for the trial, Karina murmured softly, her light freckles darker in the dim light of the courtyard for some reason. That or all the blood had rushed from her face.
His shield kicked in as she started to lash out, first at Ali, who was closest to her and either too worn out, or too stunned to run away. Tor jumped between them, the Princesses shield suddenly pounding against his, over and over. The strength of the blows was great, a lot more than seemed reasonable, the ground under him making dull, echoing thuds when he was hit. Count Ward had punched harder, but not much, and the man was at least four times the thin princesses weight. Everyone else backed away, Rolph dashing in to grab Ali, and pull her out of the way, shielding her with his own body, thankfully.
The attack went on longer than any Tor had seen or heard of, nearly a full hour of pummeling and blows raining down. She pulled weapons, but only a force lance and a cutter, so not too much else was effected. He was fine when they hit him, but if they hit the palace it would have done damage and the wall around the complex hadn't been rebuilt yet. So really, no hiding it, if it was done. He tried to keep her going after him with focus and precision. Tor could have taunted her into it, but he couldn't stomach that, not after her good friend died. Her girlfriend or lover. Kind of heroically even, trying to protect their other friend, who clearly couldn't stand up for herself. Even if Yardley had been too late to stop anything, if the sale had really been happening.
Finally she went still, unmoving, not even panting somehow. Her look told him how confused she must have been and how close to death she'd worked herself. Her brain would be fried for a while, and the next day would hit like she'd spent the whole night drinking instead of pounding him. She'd also be depressed and probably cranky in the morning.
Got to love being a royal, Tor thought, wondering again what the benefits were exactly. Being rich? That was gold, not royalty. Being tall? OK, but was being able to reach the top shelf really worth it? For a split second Tor wondered what would happen if he took Karina and Nita away, say to the forest, and just left all this behind? They had another Princess after all, they didn't need this one. He couldn't protect her from life though, not and let her have one. No one could do that.
The Princess stared at him, so clearly confused that Tor almost cried.
“Tor… what, how…”
“Combat rage.” The words came out easily and without rancor. No one really meant what they did in a combat rage. So far the only one that could really control it at all seemed to be him, for all the good that did. She looked down.
“I see. Are you hurt, did I… anyone?”
It was a noble effort on her part, after that long in, that deeply under, it was amazing she could remember to try and ask the right questions. Who was I fighting? Why? Did anyone get hurt? Do I need to apologize for my actions?
It was clear that Connie wanted to run to her, but she waited. A royal had to act with decorum after something like this, even if it wasn't fair. She had to show she was in control. But it was enough. Tor dropped his shield and after a few, slow thinking seconds, she did the same, so they could touch. Other people moved in slowly each taking a turn holding her. Ali looked like she wanted to, but was baffled, not knowing her place it seemed, or why her friend had attacked like that. Tor waved her over and told her it was all right, hoping that it really was.
She hugged her friend tightly then and clearly didn't want to move, at least until Karina chuckled and suggested they go someplace softer, so it wouldn't hurt as much when she fell down.
That turned out to be bed for her, and they all trooped off to her room. It was the first Tim he’d been in her space. Looking around Tor saw that her chamber was covered with hangings showing old battles and strange devices from history that his mind could barely understand. Some of them he'd seen before though, machines that flew, like those of Austra. The shapes were different, but he got the idea rapidly enough. Products of “technology” rather than magic. Oddly on the far wall was a single tapestry that looked out of place for the room, a thick and durable woven thing that had a deep burgundy background with small black designs, diamonds, and a stylized rabbit wearing very Ancient style clothing. He had a funny hat too. Most hats were a little silly looking to Tor, but how was that one supposed to work with those ears? The light brown fur looked likely, but the eyes were an odd green color. Bunny's didn't have green eyes, did they? He'd always thought they were all black.
Karina was out faster than he expected. Then really, would he have lasted longer? After that? No, she needed to sleep and it was pretty much what had to happen now. When the light was turned off, he met everyone else in the outside hall.
“Ali… do you have parents or someone that's going to look for you tonight? We should be in touch if-” The question died on his lips as the girl hugged herself and shook her head.
“My dad, he… kicked me out two years ago… said I was too much work and didn't pull my weight. I tried, but… I was living with Lilli. I don't have anyone else. I…” Her eyes misted up, but Tor shook his head.
“You're with me now then. You can… be my assistant. Tonight though we need to stay with Kari, so no bad dreams scare her too much. Is that all right with you?” His voice could have sound patronizing using those words, or like he spoke to a child. Instead, by some miracle, he sounded reasonable and like he had a plan. Ali nodded gently but looked better somehow, less worried.
“In the morning someone will have to spell us. Rolph and Trice? No, Trice and Sara. Then at least one of you can, comfort her, if she needs it. Ridley and Alphonse later in the day? Bonita will want to come by too. Basically make sure she doesn't kill herself or go around killing other people for now. And… if she insists on running off, anywhere, I'm going with her. If anyone tries to stop us, if that's her choice… I'll…” Do what? Yell at them and cry? What could he do that wouldn't make things worse?
“What I'll do is… go anyway. With her. Alright?”
Oddly everyone but Sara nodded. Even the King and Queen.
“Me too. If there's leaving, I'm going along.” It was a simple statement and probably meant that she could act as a spy for the King if need be, but that was alright. She could come, they all could as far as he was concerned. His point, if he even had one, was just that he wasn't abandoning his friend when things got hard for her. That was all.
For some reason Trice was standing beside him, her right hand in his left. It didn't bother him, but it seemed odd. Really if anyone was going to feel the urge to hold his hand here, he would have expected Connie to, but her thoughts went to her child, where they belonged.
But didn't Trice have Ridley now? Or, really, probably the whole time they knew each other? It was alright, but seemed odd to him. So much did here. In a way he longed for the more innocent times of even two years before, when he was just a school boy and no one treated him as anything more. Back when everyone was pleased enough if he did his school work on time and managed a little extra credit now and again. No girls looked at him to do more than glare and the boys only glanced to make sure they didn't accidentally step on him.
Or even the times when he could hide in his work and not be a part of everything. Back when, if he just left no one really worried or cared, they only wanted him for his work. Was that different now? He didn't know, but it felt like it. Maybe people didn't love him, but they acted like it, they hugged him and held his hand and even made love to him, saying it was because they wanted to.
Nita wouldn't want him now, of course, not after Rolph had been with her. Tor couldn't compete with him, the Prince was just… incredible. Petra had hardly talked to him in days, so she probably had some boyfriend from home he didn't know about, or one of Kolb's people. She was one of them, so why wouldn't she? They all had more in common anyway. And Trice was… weird. She held his hand and didn't let go, as if they were together or something. Yeah, he'd called her his girlfriend, but what was the definition of that in their world, the noble world?
In his, it would mean that they'd most likely get married, but that clearly wasn't the case. Which was fine, her being a royal and all… a noble, Tor corrected after half a second of thinking about it.
Even that, he realized looking around, was different here. In his home village, anyone over six-six was a “royal”, title or not. Here the King’s family were the royals, the others with titles were nobles and there were layers and levels below them.
With him at the bottom.
Only that wasn't true, he reminded himself, as Burks had told him to.
Tor was only, what, two steps from Rolph or Karina? One if he took over as Count some day. And he was a Knight. A small, weak, and right now internally whiny one, but he had the title. Basically, for him it just meant doing what the King said and trying to protect people. It was as close as he could come to describing what he'd want to do right now. The protecting and helping people part.
Trice didn't let go of him when he went into Karina's room, following instead. Well, the bed was big enough, and Ali took the outside anyway, so he snuggled in between Karina and Trice. She didn't try anything, she just hugged him, as if he was the one going through all the darkness here. It was nice, but Tor would be fine, in the end, he always was.
Even when he wasn't.
Eventually he fell asleep, only waking at about four when Burks tapped on the door gently, politely not popping his head in at least, but Tor was at the door before he realized it anyway, staring at the man.
“Something?” Tor asked, a shock still running through him from the sudden sound, fear tickled his mind, because it could be an emergency. And any emergency bad enough to wake him up for had to be horrible, didn't it?
“Nothing. It's just that I know you've been baking in the mornings, you and Karina. If you're going to go, you need to get on your way soon. I suggest you try the healing amulet on her first. It may not work, but until you try, you won't know.” The Count spread his hands lightly, a gesture Tor had never seen before. It was basically just saying that what he'd said was just a suggestion, Tor guessed. Good enough.
He nodded and thanked the man, who was always a really good servant, showing up when you needed and leaving when you were about to do something awkward or embarrassing. Unless he couldn't. Then he did his task totally unperturbed. Tor would have to ask how many centuries that would take to kick in, that aplomb in any situation. He certainly didn't have it yet.
Trice had woken and blinked at him, her eyes puffy still and short blond hair with dark brown roots a little messy, kind of totally pressed down and matted on the left side.
Tor grabbed a healing amulet, the one around his neck, and woke up Karina handing it to her without warning, hoping it wouldn't hurt too bad. In this case she just sighed and looked up at him after a minute.
“Oh… yes. That's much better. I feel almost human again. So, the plan?”
Baking for the day and taking care of the remains of the Jerral situation, he whispered softly, lips almost to her ear. No complaints from her, just a nod. Ali woke up and looked scared for some reason. Sleepy still too. Karina reassured her with a hug.
“We need to get ready now Ali. Clean clothes and a bath, teeth and hair brushed. Someone will bring the right stuff for you, don't worry. I'll make sure of it. Tor will get you some magical clothes.” The Princess handled her friend gently, and as if the plan had already been set. The busty girl just grinned.
The clothing actually got handled by Trice, who had four sets on her. She grinned but didn’t say anything about it. Tor nodded to her. Having extra all the time was starting to seem like a good plan. He’d have to copy it.
Ali spoke, sounding very young suddenly.
“Thanks Kari. You always were nice to me. What are we doing?” Her face actually got excited when she heard it was baking for the next week. That baffled Tor until they managed to escape the palace getting around the guards by using the carriage he'd made and flying past the wall, then taking it at low floating level to Debbie's, coming in through the south gate. True no one said they couldn't leave, but it was tiresome to deal with the Royal Guard all the time. They were good at their jobs, but that didn't mean they weren't also a giant pain in the rear. A common theme with them in fact.
That thought made Tor flash on the scene he'd seen with Ridley, Rolph and Trice. That whole thing was at least a bit messed up. Rolph and Trice being cousins, close enough they wouldn't be marrying, and what they were doing to Ridley… Sure, Ursala too, it had probably been her idea, perv that she was, but at least she wasn't related to anyone in that mix. It was confusing. Tor just had to assume it was more innocent than it looked. Rolph hadn't been having sex with Trice at least…
The day went quickly enough and Jerral just didn't show. Kolb's people all did and so did Davie, if a bit late. Well, he wasn't getting paid for the work either, so what could they say? He had a good reason though.
“I have Jerral locked up in my room at your palace Tor. I told my father that we kidnapped him and were going to beat him until he became a man, which, as you may imagine, dad was fine with. Didn't even ask why, or if I really meant it. I'm half tempted to feed him on hand pies and throw women at him for the whole week just to spite the bastard. Dad, not Jerral. But we've already planned a good solid beating for him every day this week. I get to go first today, after work here. You're up tomorrow for it Tor. We need to liberate Debbie for her turn later in the week. Kolb’s going to help her with that.” He laughed when he said it, so it sounded like a joke, but Tor wondered. He didn't think he could beat a person really. Even spanking a child seemed wrong to him. Even if they deserved it.
Tor solved the problem of the girls by taking them back to the palace before his run and fight practice after the mornings work. They went through the main gate, and no one yelled at him, until they got all the way into the main hallway.
What was yelled shocked him to his very core though. Not that it was a bad thing…
“Court Jester!” A brightly colored dark skin woman that was so brown she looked almost a deep blue, standing maybe an inch taller than he was and who had brilliant red hair and pale blue eyes, both of which seemed natural, no matter how odd they were. She was lean and could run faster than most horses, he knew, having seen her do it. Her smile was glowing.
“You promised me rivers! Did you forget me? I would be sad at that…” She shook her head mournfully, playing with him.
Tor tilted his head to one side.
“Mom?” He said dryly, looking around playfully, as if searching for someone else. Then smiled at her and bowed.
“Oh… It's the other lady that nags at me to get my chores done.” Tor grinned at her, not even having to look up, since they were about the same size.
“I not only didn't forget you, I had to make all your rivers twice, because the first ones were, um, “borrowed” and got lost. I have them back at my house, in my bedroom. Want to come with me? I have transportation that can get us there and back without going through the streets if you'd like to try it? I have the digging equipment I promised back then too. I…” He shrugged.
“Really I have no excuse. Everyone is busy, and I should have made time for your project like I said I would. I can only say that I'm truly sorry for not having gotten to work on it sooner.” Tor bowed low and wondered if he should try for a full abasement. After all Mutta's people had been trying to reforest their great central desert for over a thousand years, and all they needed was clean water. He had ten rivers that would float above the ground and take pure water from the salt of their oceans, along with other gear for the project just sitting in the corner of his room in magical chests. Before he could get any lower Mutta grabbed him firmly by the shoulder and stood him upright, patting his arm gently.
“Ah, Court Jester! Don't concern yourself overly. You say three months, we of Afrak think thirty years. We are a patient people and in no great hurry. Besides, your Queen, Constance the fair? She told me of the tales of Tor and what you've been up too. I asked her to have them written up, people back home would find such stories fascinating! A tiny person like you battling an army of giants, and a man at that.” Her teeth practically gleamed in her dark face.
It hit him then that he could do that, make teeth shine, skin darken or even change hair and eye color. It was only a matter of organizing how light reflected after all. He could do the work in about a day, even without ripping his pattern apart. He grinned and shook his head. He could write out the idea so he wouldn't forget later, but for now he needed to focus on not working. Not building at least.
“Oh? “The Tales of Tor”? Is that an instructional book on how not to live your life then? I should read it, as awkward as that would be. I need all the help I can get.” Tor made a face that got the Ambassador to laugh loudly and pat his arm again.
“Truly I need to take you home to my village! You are the best part of coming here you know, always making me feel welcome and the days bright. We could marry you off to my youngest sister and then keep you for parties, pulling you out to caper and make merry. Do you still not sing? It would really round out your act you know. Or at least play an instrument. Everyone loves music.”
The idea wasn't a bad one. The learning to play an instrument part. Burks had said something about music hadn't he? He had no particular desire to be pulled out only for parties to dance about telling jokes. That felt just a little too close to what he did now for his comfort, even though it wasn't really true.
“Hmm. Well, I don't know if it would be proper for the Noram Ambassador to Afrak to caper and make merry at parties really. Maybe a few private functions? Really, I should learn your language first, at least what I can of it. Oh, and your customs to. I need to find a teacher for that, don't you think?”
Mutta blinked at him and then bent over laughing for a while.
“Oh, Jester! Would that your rulers had such wisdom as to send a beauty as yourself to my people! A warning though, with your talents they may be loath to ever let you go. I need to tell your Queen you said that! Do you think she would lend you to us, even for a few weeks? I promise that we won't really keep you. You can lift spirits with tales of magic rivers and flying men!” She clapped her hand joyfully at the idea.
Ah. Right.
Afrak was run by women almost exclusively. Men existed there, at least he thought so, but they were the home makers apparently, and did the low work, while women were the thinkers, planers and ruled in all things. Very different. Mutta kind of had a problem getting the idea that Tor, a man, might actually be able to do anything without being told to by a female. He shrugged.
“Ambassador Mutta… I… this isn't a joke. I really am the Noram Ambassador to your people, at least until the rivers are in place, and they really are in my room. I know it's hard for you to understand, me being male, but try to wrap your mind around it. As it is you keep accidentally insulting the King and really, he's in charge of the whole kingdom, not the Queen, as capable as she is in her own right. It's kind of why we call it a “kingdom”.” He remembered something she'd said last time.
“It had to be in your briefing packet!” His tone was wry and she chuckled again.
“So it was. But… Really, men in charge? What do women do then?”
Sighing Tor told her, which had her thinking he was joking again. Oh well.
“Still, why don't you teach me your language? Even if you only think I'm going to use it to tell jokes? After all, the worst that happens is that you steal me off to your court or whatever and I tell amusing stories everyone can understand, yes?” He kept his voice even and playful. She just couldn't get it and wouldn't just because he got frustrated with her. Besides other than that, she was nice.
The bright figure with her many colors bowed.
“The wisdom of the fool. Very well then Court Jester, I will teach you Afrak and you can come home with me. First, shall I let you lure me back to your room with the promise of magic rivers? Given your people I have no clue if that means you have a joke for me, or if you intend to try and get me into bed… I warn you though, my people take that kind of play seriously and if you wish to lay with me the price is your hand in marriage.” She chuckle and Tor grinned again throwing her a small bow.
“Real rivers, I promise. You know though, it sounds like your ways might be a bit more like mine back home, in Two Bends. Still, this is the Capital of Noram, so you should try to do as they do here… That's a good line to get you into bed without marrying you, don't you think? It even makes sense. Wars start if you buck the customs of a place, especially as an Ambassador.” He shook his head and looked down mournfully.
“You wouldn't want to do that would you? Well, nothing for it now, back to my room then!” Taking her hand he started walking away and to his surprise she followed easily. Laughing, but she didn't resist at all.
They didn't get a hundred feet towards the door when Burks called out to him though, getting him to stop with a smile. He liked the man, even if the whole thing with them being virtually the same person somehow was creepy. They waited for him to catch up, which he did at an easy, but efficient walk, not making a sound with his steps at all. Tor looked at his feet, but the soles looked like hard tanned leather, not soft. That was impressive now that he noticed it. It spoke of control over his every move that Tor couldn't even approach at all. Not yet. He made more noise even with padded cloth around his feet.
“Tor! Good to catch you, I was wondering if you could give me a ride to your event site? I could walk, but going through the streets right now, this time of day, is near a lost cause.” He bowed to Mutta gracefully his eyes taking in her form completely but without a hint of judgment.
Then he said something in a flowing bit of language that Tor didn't track at all. Afrak probably. The woman's eyes went wide, but she didn't speak, instead she took both of them by the hand and moved to a long table that ran along a wall, only about a foot wide from front to back, made of a deep brown stained and finished wood. The work on it was light and elegant. A lot of stuff in the palace was though.
The Ambassador pulled a small, flat, woven bag of bright colors from under her robe on the right and started setting up a baffling array of things on the table in front of them.
Then she grabbed Tor’s right hand and stabbed him with a needle, drawing a large, bright red, drop of blood. That wasn't enough for whatever strange ritual she had in mind, so she pulled some hair from his head and used a flat, tiny metal blade to cut off some skin and mixed it in one little jar, then added a green liquid to the mix, put a ceramic cap on the whole thing and shook vigorously. The only good part about the indignity was that she did the same to Burks, who suffered it in silence too, just waiting for her to find whatever she was looking for or finish invoking whatever magic she needed.
It took nearly five minutes of muttering and putting small strips of paper or possibly skin, in the liquid, then comparing them closely, but in the end she turned and bowed to them both, as if the ritual had made them special somehow?
Gods and all, Tor hoped they weren't married now. That would be… disturbing. Burks talked to her in another burst of language, which made her mouth open and work at first, then she clapped again in glee.
“You know, I can't understand a word either of you is saying, but if you want to keep talking, we could do it while going to my house? Mutta needs her rivers and I need to get to my daily running and then be beaten by giants for a while. Well, I don't need to be beaten, I haven't done anything wrong, but that's what's going to happen anyway, so I may as well accept it now.”
The Ambassador looked like the cat with all the cream as she packed up and allowed Tor to take her by the hand gently in order to lead her out while she jabbered at his grandfather. Finally, as they got outside she saw one of the transports and stopped talking.
“These fly? I heard… but they're so big! How much power does it take to keep them up? We don't fly in Afrak, well, some of our animal friends do, but the people stay on the ground.” Her voice was hesitant.
Tor set up the carriage they were using, shifting the color to look official, which made the woman stop talking and start staring, unmoving. She finally touched it, pushed at the gold and cream colored carriage, the scroll work a little closer to the actual royal carriages this time, Tor thought, and after Burks showed her it was safe and had a top to it, even if invisible she climbed in, shaking.
“Tor, could you make the top opaque? I think that might be easier for the first trip.” Burks held her hand now, his face serene. Taking the hint Tor tried for a similar look, but added a smile to it.
The ride over was punctuated by gasps, but no crying out or begging to land, which showed a good bit of courage from the lady, since she was obviously terrified. He landed on the stage behind the performers, jugglers this time, who didn't miss a single beat as the carriage set down gently, or even when the incredibly exotic Ambassador stepped out.
In fact people cheered and stomped their feet on seeing her, so one of the jugglers signaled for them to all stand in the middle of the flying torches for a bit, realizing that a bit of color can’t hurt no doubt. Tor wincing away from the fire obviously and comically, getting some hoots from the audience. He straightened and stuck his tongue out, fingers wiggling in his ears, then finally getting the field they were using just walked out of the star of fire being made without breaking the pattern. Burks followed him easily, but Mutta had to wait for the men and women to let her go, which they didn't want to do, because the crowd had more than tripled suddenly, with her there in the middle. She was just that exotic, and everyone had heard about her already. It was even fashionable to try and dye hair the same color as hers Tor had heard.
Of course.
Taking down the carriage was an event itself and caused a happy roar, as if they hadn't seen it before a dozen times. Well, right now almost anything would make the crowd happy. They'd come for that purpose and that always made things easier. Once inside Mutta took a good look at the place. Her head tilted and a smile curled on her lips.
“Court Jester? This is your house? A castle nicer than that of the Queen? How is that?” Her gaze scrapped the walls, the lovely decorations that looked a good bit more tasteful than the palace did, if what Varley had told him was right. No gaudy displays of wealth, past the polished stone, wood, and silk on the walls. The big staircase in the middle was carpeted all in red now. It had been stone earlier, but Collette took joy in changing things around, since it was so simple here.
“Oh, it's magic. Don't worry, it's not really here at all. It's like the carriage we came in, a little focus stone amulet. But if we turned it off right now all the things and people would end up in a jumbled pile on the ground, which would be a big mess, so you'll have to trust me on that one.”
Burks bowed to Mutta and made his way out to the little magic house that had been set up earlier by someone for the school testing. It was directly in back of the large house so that the noise from the festival wouldn't disturb anyone trying to get a scholarship.
Taking her hand again and walking slowly so her robes wouldn't trip her up, Tor led the Afrak woman up the stairs, the gaze of nearly twenty royals following them as they went. Well, she was certainly worth looking at, given her exotic coloration. The red hair alone, bright like a birds, not copper like Rolph's, but true red. Brighter than blood even. The dark skin looked like polished stone under the magic lights, dimmer in here than the sun outdoors.
At his door, which had his name on it, he pounded and then waited for a few seconds before entering.
“It's my room, in my house, but the last time I just walked in there were four nobles on my bed doing… stuff. Really, I think if I described it you may have to run away in shock. Then I'd have to find you again to deliver the rivers.” Tor mock shivered.
“Giant hairy red butt.” He said, fake fear in his voice.
It earned a big smile.
Inside the room he went right to the rivers and earth moving rigs, explaining which was which and how to set them up, activate and control them by tapping different sigils. She nodded along, looking at the bed several times. Finally he got it, the restraints used on Ridley were still there, attached to the headboard and the bed was unmade. Ooops. And he'd told her it was his bedroom too. How embarrassing. She didn't say anything but did give him a faintly wild eyed look.
Probably wondering if it was just polite to be tied up like that, and if there was any way to decline without being rude.
He handed her the amulets that let the boxes, decorated as lovely wooden chests with brass work, in a golden colored wood, follow her. That made her stop in the door as they rose into the air and came along.
“Are these… are they truly the desalination systems? I… Can we set one up? I know that it's an imposition, but…”
But the idea of her “Court Jester” even having something like that wasn't something she could grasp, not really.
Tor got the gist of what she meant. Well, why not? He wanted to learn Afrak anyway. He'd grab some of Kolb's people and… Karina, and make an outing of it the next day. The fighting instructors had set one up before, and it should take less than a day to make a loop. They could raise it somehow and use it as a decoration for the big party the following evening maybe? No one else would be expecting a decorative river, would they?
He was later for his run than he liked and didn't find Kolb until after he finished, nearly three hours after he should have. The huge bald man thought it the height of rudeness to make anyone wait, Tor knew, so he wasn't surprised when he held out his large hand for Tor’s shield, then set three of his largest men after him, making Tor start unarmed again. The fight was brutal until he managed to get one of the big blades from the men and started swatting at the weak points in the armor at their knees. It wasn't very effective really and they killed him after a while, then interspersed drinking water with going after each of the giants three on one as well, Tor with only a stick about his own height for that part. It was the very first time that Tor had ever worked with the combat giants, rather than just being their target.
He tried to focus and cooperate with them, remembering what had worked on him in the past. It was a little strange, but no one seemed to think he sucked at it totally. He even made a single kill himself. The huge mean looking Baron. The other two men managed to pin him to the ground while Tor pantomimed hitting him in the head with his stick until, laughing more than a little, the Baron admitted that even his hard skull wouldn't have lasted through the beating.
When Kolb came over he had Petra with him. Along with a serious look that was caught halfway between bland and giddy. Tor didn't trust it at all.
“Petra, if you would?” Was all he said.
Tor half expected her to start beating him, but instead she had an analysis of all their performances ready. All of them. It was excruciating in its detail, down to the times his feet had been slightly off position and when he dropped his blade tip while leaping back a few times. At first he felt bad about how he'd done, but he realized that everyone else was getting the same treatment.
Right…
This was part of how they got so good. Focusing Tor memorized what was said, then moved off to the side to try and practice it all.
After a few minutes Petra came over and watched, calling out suggestions which he followed pretty well, at least she didn't scream at him for doing it all wrong. Finally she stopped him and handed back his shield.
“Good. Keep that up and you may actually make a fighter some day.” Then she hugged him. It wasn't the typical “warrior's hug” being too soft and smooth, but it was nice.
Looking down and feeling about five feet high, he blushed.
“Petra? If you don't have anything to do later, would you like to spend the night with me? And Karina and her friend Ali?” He was going to spend the time with the Princess, but having Petra there would be fun too. She nodded.
“I'd love too, just remember, Karina and I are related, distantly and we're both girls, but you know, doing anything too close would be… off putting.”
Ah.
That hadn't really been what he'd had in mind, but he nodded seriously. Who knew what they'd get up to? He got it set up without hesitating. The communications device was nice for that. He actually got to talk to Karina and make plans, which made her sound a lot happier. Ali got on and jabbered at him about her day, as if they didn't have all evening for that. She even told him about the baking parts. Tor smiled and listened, making appropriate noises until the King himself intervened, sending the girls off on an errand. It seemed the plan, instead of cosseting the girls was going to be keeping them busy and working for the time being.
It made sense. It was avoiding the pain of the situation with Yardley, but they couldn't do anything about that. Sitting around and crying wouldn't make them any better either, keeping them busy would be no worse. That and making sure they weren't left alone at all. Not that Karina would kill herself, thank all things good in the world. No, but she might torture Lilli to death. Even without reading her field Tor could feel the ideas coming off of her. They were strong and starting to influence the world around her with their intensity. If the field for it got too powerful, she'd do it. That or someone else would. But that would be cheating Yardley's people of their own vengeance and Lillith Degray of justice. Everyone deserved that. Even an insane monster.
What is it Davie had said? They could put her on trial first, find her guilty, and then kill her? It seemed a pretty good plan to Tor at the moment.
Organizing everything took time and Tor was supposed to try and eat at the formal diner each night at his house if he could. People expected it apparently. Something about him being the host and all that.
The service was a bit weak, compared to the palace, but they had more guests and fewer servants, all of whom were pulling out the stops to make the meals special and unique each night. The food was good, at least as good as the King’s table would be without Laura, the head cook that ran their kitchens before she died. Part of it was that the facilities at his house were simply better, and the kitchens bigger. The other part was all these people the Queen had sent them. If they weren't professionals he couldn't tell. They were flawless most of the time and the few small errors he noticed were fixed so fast it was like magic, even though they used skill for it. That and cleverness.
The seating arrangements were a bit confusing, they had several full Counts and countesses each night, usually coming at the last minute, which meant that things had to be changed so that they were near Tor at the head of the table. Collette played hostess, so she was next to him the whole time, no matter what, but he had a lot of close friends that he wanted near him at table, but who ended up halfway down. Tonight he had Rolph to his right, as if Tor were the King or something, which made him smile, feeling more like he should have been working in the kitchens himself than up front. Across from the Prince sat Karina. The seating was boy-girl after that, so Burks sat next to her with Bonita on his left, as his date. She kept smiling and touching his arm which half filled Tor with panic.
After all, he doubted many people in the world could compete with a good looking, fantastic looking, he admitted to himself, three thousand year old man in bed. But… if she liked him and he liked her back, well… Burks was a sitting Count and wouldn't die. That meant Bonita could be a Countess for the rest of her life if they married. It hurt a little thinking of it, but it would be best for her. Shouldn't he want that for his friend? Not liking it at all Tor decided to investigate the idea later. Even if it meant losing her for himself, he had to try, right?
Ali was next to the Prince, and to her left was Count Ross and his wife, the sitting Countess. If they minded being sat next to a sixteen year old girl that had basically been a whore and a thief for the last several years, they didn't show it. Then, Rolph saved the day on that point rather gallantly, when Count Ross, clearly meaning no harm, asked after what Ali did.
The Prince stepped in nodding.
“She's currently Master Tor’s ward and personal assistant. In the next term she'll be attending Lairdgren school, one of the finest academies. She's to study domestic management I believe.”
From across the table Burks nodded, it was his school after all, so for him to chime in wasn't only not rude, it was expected.
“That's right. The arrangements were made today. One of the twenty slots left open for the Capital. The competition is fierce this year. We also have several promising building talents thanks to the new testing Tor devised and arranged. Special scholarships from the County Lairdgren Special Fund. That's what I like to call Tor's account with the kingdoms treasury.” The man smoothly held up his right hand and looked at the Countess Ross with a charming smile.
“He volunteered the funds for that. His idea in fact. However Ali is going as Tor's ward. I believe he's has already petitioned the King and Queen to adopt her formally himself, which will make her a Counserina, what is it, twelfth?” The Count lied smoothly, as if it were a preplanned speech.
Either incredible skill on his part, or it really was planned.
Well, Tor wasn't planning to have sex with her, so why not? Besides it made Karina glow suddenly, the happiest look he'd seen on her face in weeks and Ali, Alissa he decided, if she was to be a noble, nearly clapped her hands, stopping just before she made a scene. He couldn't bring himself to disappoint her then, could he? He nodded to her.
“Thirteenth. More specifically I plan the formal presentation on Thursday. Count Lairdgren offered as well by the way, but I won out in the end, since this will put her in line for Lairdgren. We all have great expectations for Alissa.” He didn't say any more, because there was a stirring at the far end of the hall. Nothing bad he saw, just some musicians coming in. They were strolling all over the city, paid for the task of making the whole place sound bright and cheery after all. These were the first to brave the “scary wizards house”, so that worked to their credit in Tor's mind.
Like he was scary? Ridiculous.
They played well, the tunes tripping from their fingers with clear long practice and skill greater than the vast majority the city had seen in the last few days. Really they were so good it was surprising they weren't playing in the palace.
Then Tor got it.
These weren't professional players at all. They were party crashers. He recognized two of them as they moved closer to his end of the table, Dorgal Sorvee, and his fellow bully, Marco. The others were all of the same look. Smug.
Great. Just what he needed.
More problems.