Trice didn't respond at first, just hanging her head a little.
“Yeah, I know.” She whispered.
“That’s not an explanation.” The much smaller girl said, walking forward, looking ready to hit someone. More to the point, like Trice was about to get a beating.
That couldn't happen of course, because of all the shields involved, but it was kind of a poor way to start a conversation, before anyone could say anything at all, Ali shrugged and looked down herself. It was just enough to get Tiera to look at her.
“I'm sorry.”
That got Tiera to stop in her tracks. Her problem was with Trice, though Tor didn't know why exactly, but Ali apologizing seemed out of place. The smaller girl asked why she was sorry.
“After all, you didn't lay into Tor in public and then break up with him. You married him as was proper. Didn’t invite me to the wedding, but I understand there were circumstances involved that precluded that.” She seemed confused by the whole thing and it showed on her face.
“Oh… that. Well, I don't know what that was about. I was just saying that Trice is here because I asked her to come with us. I didn't know that you'd have a problem with her. She's really nice though. I know that she and Tor didn't get married, which really worked out for me, so I'm not going to complain about it. They seem to have gotten over it though, so, shouldn't we?” It was sensible and said so innocently that even a bossy fourteen year old, near that age at least, wouldn't fight about it.
He hoped. Tiera kept glaring though.
Which made sense after a fashion. She didn't know the whole story at all. Tor told her. The whole thing, how the King ordered Trice to do it in order to find who tried to kill him. Since her own parents had been the likely suspects she did it, which, when Tor heard what she'd said, made him break up with her.
“So, you know, no debts between friends. It's past and all.”
Tor noticed that his mother looked a little shocked at what he'd said too, his little sister taking it a lot better, just throwing her long black hair over her right shoulder and… bowing.
“The error was mine then. I apologize.” It was grudging and a little tense in tone, but Trice just nodded.
“I get it. Thanks. I hope we can be friends too.”
That was… nearly perfect for the situation. In the city those words didn't seem to mean that much at all. Here, in Two Bends it was like she'd just sworn to protect the girl with her life. Tiera nodded then.
“Alright.”
That was all. Just an acceptance that they were friends now.
Laurali stood and walked to her son, who floated in place, hands by his side, trying to smile gently.
“So, what have you done now?” She waved at the air under his feet, nearly making him want to sigh.
“Pushed myself foolishly, building to the very edge of what I can manage. I'm a little surprised no one told you. I was working for about two months straight.”
“I… see. No one mentioned it at all. Well, you lived, which is good. I suppose it's going to take a few weeks for you to regain your health?” Her voice held and edge, so he shrugged.
“Most likely longer. I don't know how long. Half a year? Maybe more.”
His mother sighed and shook her head with crossed arms, “Was it at least worth it?”
“Remains to be seen. So far it seems to be.” He waved to the little dragon on Trice’s chest, which moved to look at Tiera when she got close enough. She tilted her head at it and it did that too.
“It's alive?” There was awe in her voice, since it looked like it lived in a circle of glass.
“No, it's just a field that responds to motion and Trice’s thoughts. The real field, well, that isn't my story, but it was needed at the time.” Then he shut up.
His mother wasn't happy with that, but after a minute she just shook her head again.
“So to what do we owe this visit? You didn't come to borrow gold.” It was a statement, not a question.
He explained quickly, a long range plan, that involved a lot of work, golds being spent by him and a centralized package delivery service. Added to the people moving transport system.
“There would have to be more delivery people ready to fly, and kind of spread out, but the transports would get the packages closer to their individual bases, so they could be home each night and only work most of the day, instead of all.” He gestured with his head to Ursala, who looked interested.
“She's in charge of the transport part of things. I can get the flight plates made, and other equipment. Or I can get the Lairdgren group to do it at least… What do you think?”
It was asked to the whole room, not just his mother. Tiera nodded as if considering something.
“That would make sense, we could cut the trips in half that way. Lots of fields though. Do we get them for free?”
“Nope. You have to repay the kingdom in good works. Taking emergency messages for people that don't have money, transporting goods in emergencies. That kind of thing. Though you, of course, will be off at school for most of this.”
The girl grinned, “I keep saying that, but Mother and Father don't wish me to go. They think it's too dangerous.”
That got Sandra to clear her throat. She'd been so quiet that Tor had forgotten to even mention her being there. He quickly made the introduction and let his head hang a bit.
“The school is secured now. Every person there has proved themselves honest and loyal. It's probably safer than almost anywhere else in the area. Even here.” Which got the girl to look down, since Tor's mother was staring hard and looked ready to snap at her.
“Um, so I was thinking, maybe we should get you all updated shields? I think the ones you currently have are class two? Tor’s-class two if I get the feeling right. You should all have sevens. I can do that, I think. If that's alright?”
First Tor blinked, then he nodded smiling again. Sandra was a good friend to have.
“And new flying rigs. I'd love to see what improvements you can make on both too, not just raw copies. Say a week? Shields first though.”
The girl just nodded but Laurali seemed offended.
“Why are you giving this girl orders Tor? She looks to be your senior by several years.” Her tone was so dry Tor thought he felt the water leaving his system.
For once no one said anything, leaving him to do it. Fair enough, his job after all.
“I'm the Magics Counselor for the kingdom now. Still, Sandra,” He turned to look at her, excluding everyone else. “Those aren't orders, just what I'd like to see. If you have your own stuff to do, well, I can't say much. It's worth doing though, if you get the time.”
His mother just gave him a look at that, as if being the Counselor of magic might as well be Counselor of annoying sons. She was good at doing things like that.
“Well. That's something then.”
Sigh.
He was just going to leave after that, but was a little surprised when Sandra stepped forward towards his mother and bobbed her head a bit.
“I'd like to start negotiations for marriage, if possible. I'll send a go between…” Looking around she glanced at Tor. “I'll send Tor as my go between. I've heard that works. He got Princess Abbie engaged to the Prince. For your son Todd? Countier five Lairdgren?”
Ursala folded her arms and made a disgruntled noise.
“Hey, I was the one talking to him in there just now. Hmmm. No fair at all. How about, Tiera, would you be willing to act as my go between in this? Otherwise I'm short an agent on the ground.”
The girl looked excited for some reason.
“Sure, but I want to see a write up on what you have to offer. I mean, if I need to make a full pitch.” She looked at her mother who just nodded.
It was the tradition, so they kind of had to.
“Right, Sandra, one for me too. We'll have to race that into place, Ursala is a shrewd and canny adversary.” He smiled though. After all, Todd had already suggested that she'd do, so that would kind of set his mind in that direction.
It was Ali who confirmed the Postern plans though and made sure that everyone was invited.
“The whole family dear?” Laurali said, her voice soft and kind when speaking to her. It always was though.
“Oh, I meant all of Two Bends.” She dimpled at everyone.
Tor just nodded. Why not, they were, by and large, his friends too, weren't they? They could send transports for everyone that wanted to go, even arranging day trips if anyone wanted to sleep in their own bed at night. It was only for three days.
His ma nodded firmly, but suggested they let Tom the Mayor know as well. If it were a serious offer. That took another half hour, but was worth the effort. The man laughed at first, but had to keep bowing to Ursala and Trice, as well as Sandra. He skipped Ali for some reason, even though she was tall enough to be royal in his eyes. Probably because she was simply family now.
That was how things worked there.
Then Tor just had to get with half a dozen people at the school to arrange things and it would all be set. He hit the group first, and made sure to slip all of them some gold. Lyn got more, but he was her sponsor. Not that she needed it from him, having been making her own for months now. The coins in hand reminded him to check in with Ridley and Henry, since they were handling the schools funds for the students.
Henry pulled out a ledger and held it up so Tor could see it.
“The expenses out are a little higher than I thought they would be… We do have funds through the end of the month though. I… spent three gold a week on improving the food here. I know that isn't essential… The fine students, they complained a lot though. Is that OK?” The real question was did he have the right to do that, of course. Otherwise it could be considered theft of funds.
He did, of course. He was the man in charge of that and had really been rather frugal, considering the whining he’d probably had to put up with.
“That's good, nice call, I'll bring or at least have delivered another payment.”
Ridley didn't have much to add, since Henry did all the real work with the coins, he informed Tor with a wink. “I just get to yell at some entitles noble dinks every now and again. Keep them from acting like Master Tor owes them full upkeep and whores in town. I told them they could handle that for themselves. That ticked a few people off. I really just meant they could use their own coin, but things have been a little tight for some.” He chuckled, but didn't seem to be trying to make every other word into some sly sex thing. It just happened with him most of the time.
“Wait, we have whore in town? I don’t remember questioning any of them…” Was there a gap in his net? Did they need to rush the military back into place?
Ridley didn’t laugh for once.
“No, you did. A lot of the shop girls and waitresses make extra coin that way, especially on the holidays. It’s nothing official, but it helps keep their families fed, so no one minds much.”
“Oh.” That made sense then. Good. He was worried for a second.
Hardgrove was interested when Tor asked if Instructor Fines could join them, and pretty pleased when he realized the whole school was invited to the Capital.
The students, faculty and others that wanted to join them did have to declare they were coming first though, so they'd have enough space and food for them. Transports too.
Then he got Fines alone for an hour and covered everything. The man blanched, winced and even shook, as if cold, during one part, but in the end he agreed to see what he could do. After all, Tor represented the kingdom, and they were on war footing…
“Builders tend to be a little selfish though, you understand? Not you and not your working group, amazing what you've done with those children, by the way, but the other students, they might not respond as well.” He didn't seem pleased by the idea of trying to get some of the others to put more effort in.
That made Tor nod in return. He could see that. Most builders were a bit selfish, weren’t they?
“Well, you know, they should jump at the chance. These are some of the most interesting projects going right now and anyone getting them done stands to make a lot, if that's the goal. The communications network for the army alone is worth millions of golds and that's practically giving it away. If anyone wants to try, I can get them in to the palace to look at the one I have set up already. I can do it, or I could, but well…” He held out his hand, and the old man took it, looked abstract for a half minute then patted the back of it.
“For all intents and purposes you aren't alive, you know that don't you? I don't understand how you manage to move about at all. Healing and repairing the field damage, yes, but… This is bad. You live, so you must get it and it makes sense as to why you aren't just doing everything yourself… Don't. Dying now would be a waste of all you can do in the future.”
Tor laughed. It sounded pretty thin and a little breathy, but it was heartfelt.
“Not my plan at all. Hence letting everyone else do it all. So, if you could ask for me? Please Sir?” He tried to look hopeful, as if that would help. It kind of did, since the instructor told him he'd put the word around and see if anyone was interested at all.
“If not, I may just take a crack at it myself. After all, it is only copy work and if young children can do hundreds of units a day, I should be able to.” He ruffled his white beard, closer cropped now and tidy looking.
“If nothing else I can sneak it into your groups work.” His eyes sparkled.
“Yeah, I had that thought too. I think Lyn Cooper can do it, copy the central devices I mean. The hand-held’s aren't hard to do at all. I'm not sure about the others yet, but they need to be given a chance to see what they can do. All of them have it in them.”
Then almost everyone did, if they wanted it bad enough. Tor didn't add that though.
After he finished everything they all went back to the Capital, since there was all that party planning and nonsense to do. It was nearing dark already, so about six-thirty, maybe later. Trice got them back in good time. Casually she asked how old the next oldest brother in his family was. After Todd
“Terek is fifteen. Then Weasel, who turns twelve in a month. He likes blonds though, I think. Sara in particular.”
That got a smile from Ali and a baffled look from Ursala. Tor sat and just listened when his wife spoke.
“I have, from sources, meaning Countess Thomson, heard that Timon has actually put forth a letter of interest there. Very proper too. Just saying that the invitation is open for his fourteenth birthday, if she's interested and available then. It might be worth it for her to wait. He's younger than her, but has a lot of high powered connections, plus, he's going to be good looking when he's grown, which can't hurt. Tamerlane says that he's wicked smart too. He actually won a place at the Printer academy you know. As in took on over a thousand others in tests to see who got the spot. Otherwise he'd be going off to Lairdgren.”
A surge of pride ran through him for the boy. It was impressive, him winning his own place. Tor would have to make sure that the Countess knew not to let him have a scholarship though. Tor could pay, and more to the point, his brother could, most likely. He didn't want some poor kids spot taken up after all.
Once on the ground it turned out they had to head straight to the palace, with the Wards, since the Queen had decided on a dinner meeting about Postern. Tor wanted a nap, so let the others know they were in charge, in case he just nodded off.
“Not the plan, but I make no promises at all. So, Um, Maria, Ali… You've got this?” They looked at him and smiled, happy enough to be in charge of something.
Count Ward just sat, looking affronted and Ursala grumbled outright.
“What about me? I'm not good enough to be of use?”
Tor wanted to grab his forehead. Eek.
“Um, you're busy with the transportation network. That's going to take everything you've got, and probably a full team as well. The new lift plates and controls should be coming in a few days. Out of Lairdgren.”
“Oh, right.”
Tor stuck his tongue out and laughed a bit, “Now the rest of you, please stop acting like you need me to constantly pat you on the back and show how much I love you, OK. I do, we're all friends, but I'm about done here. I really need to rest and I can't keep running each day if I'm going to get better. So, um, I was wondering, Marvin, Trice, would you two cover for me? Just for a bit? That way I can concentrate on the case with Smythe and make sure Brown and Burks aren't just stringing us along. Plus, I need some other things done… No, you two can do that too. But it has to be done in secret. I mean, if you'd do that? I get that you both have other things to do and I know it's lazy of me-” But he really didn't want to die of exhaustion and while he felt better, not getting rest was taking a toll on how fast he could get back to normal.
“Certainly. I'll need a list of what you'd be doing though.” The giant Count behind him sounded pleasant about it at least.
Trice just landed the craft slowly and gave a lopsided grin that Tor could only see half of.
“OK… we need to be careful though as to what we agree to though Marvin. Tor might just put us to baking for hundreds if we aren't careful. He does that himself every now and again. Gotten me to help too, so, you know, that’s a real thing that might be on the schedule.” She sounded happier though. As if him admitting he needed help touched her, made her feel better?
“No, not this time, but I need Marvin to go to my mother and act as a go between for Sandra. It's a bit of a hard road right now, as great as she is, Ursala is her main competition for it and Todd already put forth that it would be a good idea to send a go between to her. I don't know if that's going to happen now or not, since you kind of declared intent openly already like that, but it still might.”
The tall blond Countess smiled and took a deep breath, “really now? And here I thought I wouldn't stand a chance. Sandra is fascinating. A future Countess and looking to be one of the best builders of her generation already? That's hard to match on paper. Worse, she's sweet. A bit quiet, but notice how that didn't stop her from just speaking up earlier when she wanted something? All is fair though. I think I'll point out the need for a nice bakery in Thorgood. I can even provide land in Valhalla. Right on the main strip too.” She got quiet, thinking then.
Marvin went quiet.
“If that's the task, I'll do my best for the girl. I feel a bit at cross purposes here. I don't want to give affront to Ursala. On the other hand, Tor asked me to work against her cause.”
Oh, well, he had, hadn't he. Ah…
“Sorry. That's true. Hmm… OK, so I'll send in someone else. No problem, though still a lot of other things to do that won't put you on the spot like that. I didn't think. My apologies there.”
Tor made himself walk in, but it was a real chore still. Instead of a long bit of mingling, there was an almost instant arrangement at a table, a square one, so that no one would know where the top was easily. He sat next to Count and Countess Ross, with Ali and Maria on either side of the Queen. That made sense, they were the power group here.
Johanson the finance minister kept smiling like all the gold was going to him and Rolph kept making notes, and double checking figures. The whole plan came together quickly, with no real arguments. The only point that could have been was that the Queen wanted a maskers procession through the town, handing out candies and singing, and wanted a massive indoor eating area with giant bonfires and free food for the masses.
The cost for all of this was so high that both women winced and started making smaller plans. Rolph tapped the paper in front of him, looked at Tor and then Ali. Tor waved at his wife. She was in charge of it, not him. What was the point of having her do it if he was going to second guess her? More to the point, if they had the money in the treasury, he wanted to spend it. It sounded insane, but it would do a lot more in people’s pockets than in a giant vault or whatever.
After a second the Prince nodded. “Alissa, that's well within budget for this festival. Given the requirements, I'd suggest we find at least two more similar events. Maybe something that will take in other cities? Or pick a small town somewhere at random and gift them with a celebration spectacular too?”
She nodded and said that they'd do that, carefully not looking at Tor. Quietly she suggested that they set aside some of the funds for those children that lived in orphanages. They didn't often get fine foods or parties. They weren't abused, but that didn't mean life was simple or easy for them.
It made sense to him at least, but he didn't say anything. It was her idea.
A very kind one too.
At the end of two hours they stopped and ate dinner, which was done in high palace fashion. There he was between Collette and her mother, again pretty far down the table. He managed to sit without too much discomfort and smiled at the ladies, listening more than speaking. They had a lot of ideas about things too. A whole lot. After dinner he mentioned that, and coaxed them to speak even in the company they were keeping. Then he shut up and let the real powers in the room take over again. He didn't nod off, but he so truly wanted to.
Finally he got to leave, Johanson only half happy.
“I was kind of hoping that we could spend a bit more, to tell the truth.”
“Get with the, I don't know what to call them… The top of the table there? I once heard from the King that you were the best person he'd ever seen when it came to spending golds. It wasn't an insult or a joke either. So you know, counsel away.” He smiled which got the older man to simply snort back.
“Oh, I do like you Counselor Baker. I do indeed.” The bow he gave had no irony at all and he walked off to bug the Queen immediately.
Half an hour later, Tor was in his room, actually getting to sleep in his bed, the sores mainly healed. It felt nice, but he still had to sleep on his side mainly. He woke up, snuggled between two bodies. Large and warm, but both female, and no one was doing anything to him at all, so he just went back to sleep. In the morning it was a bit of a shock to find that it was Maria that held him from behind, smelling of jasmine and lavender and Collette in front, his right arm gently over her. Just past that on the huge bed that had gotten bigger while he slept in it, he thought, was Count Ward holding Trice, Ali was between them all and slept alone, looking young and cute, eyes closed tight to block out the bit of sun coming through the window.
It took a minute to get free and Maria woke up, murmured something at him and then went back to sleep. Well, they were friends and they'd followed his rules, so he had to be all right with it. He also needed, rather badly, to first go to the bathroom and then get to everything he needed done. It was looking to be a long day again…
Except that he had help, didn't he? Smiling, he got himself cleaned up and showered, then shook first Trice and then the count awake.
“Work time!” He whispered, but tried to sound happy about it. He felt that way. For the first time in his life, having help didn't feel like cheating.
Not overly.
Just a little.
Tor found the little room behind the dining area and decided to use that for his office and got a couple of soft lounging chairs to appear by thinking about it for a few moments while touching the wall on the left, which Collette had decorated to look like wood and leather for some reason. It had a real “work” atmosphere at least. The chairs matched the color of the wall, but had a surface like satin, which he liked the feel of better personally. They were very fine looking, but Tor made himself stand. He needed the exercise.
When the others were comfy he went over what needed to be done for the day. Trice had some paper and took notes. It was darling of her, because he'd forgotten to do anything like that. It was nerve racking talking to two nobles like they were supposed to be listening to him, but they’d agreed. Still, it was hard. He kept expecting Count Ward to order his death or something. After all, he'd been touching his wife all night. It didn't matter that “The Rules” didn't allow for that level of jealousy at all. Tor still half expected it.
“If you'd go up to Lairdgren today and check on the working group there Count Ward? We really need to make sure they're resting at least part of the time, oh, and eating. Make sure there are people seeing that they don't go hungry if they’re in a working trance for too long. That can be fatal. They should be looking out for each other, but they all have loads of work right now. I don’t want anyone being missed.” Tor thought for a few seconds, going silent.
“Oh, um, also, be encouraging? They can all do more than they have been for instance. Pat them on the back and make sure they know I have complete faith and confidence in them? I do, so it shouldn't be hard to manage.”
The Count chuckled a low rumble deep in his chest.
“I can do that directly. Just get with the headmaster to find them all?” He said as if going to the man in charge just made sense to him. After all, he'd be able to walk him over to everyone’s rooms, wouldn't he?
Tor froze for a second. It was noble like in how high handed it was, but the Dean deserved far more respect than being used for errands. At least ones for Tor. He blinked…
“Um… Yes, but I need to send a letter with you for that, I think. Or, I don't know, I mean you have a Counts right, but I'm just some former school student of his, what should I do here?” A fine social panic tore through him then but Trice just looked at him appraisingly, fortunately getting it all without explanation.
She was incredible like that.
“If it's just Tor asking, then you need to find someone else to take your messages around. Sending a Count, even one that's a friend of yours, is too much. If it's the Counselor of magics doing it, then Kyle will just have to jump and pretend to like it. He's high merchant class, and important himself, as you know, but as headmaster…” She spread her hands.
“Now if you were going, or just some regular errand boy, it wouldn't matter. Just grab some kid in the commons to show them around…” She glanced at the Count and smiled.
“I know, why not pull out your William Merchant disguise? Then you can do either without seeming high handed. Sure, Rolph's dad coming to check on everyone won't have the same impact, but everyone likes him there and really, that seems far more likely than a Count being sent anyway. Tor knows the man too, so it works all around. I can fly you in, using Tor’s fast carriage and be back inside an hour and a half, then pick you up later? Or, I don't know Tor, do you have an extra of those floating around?”
He did and ran to get one, just sitting in a box near the front door. It was more of a pained shuffle than a real run, but it wasn't floating and faster than a walk.
Yay improvement!
The Count and Trice had followed him out, because he hadn't said anything about coming back. That was really rude of him, but neither seemed overly concerned.
“Here. Oh, and a better shield… Or, no you already have a class six. Does Maria?” It was a good question. Having been used by the Larval assassins already and personally threatened, she might be subject to a death dust attack or just a knife when she wasn't ready.
“No. I've offered her mine, but she refused, since it was given directly from your hand. She doesn't wish to stress your good will.”
Tor couldn't help it, his head tilted and eyebrows went up slowly, it felt like his face was melting. Maria was forgoing protection, fearing he might be concerned about where a shield went? He shook his head.
“I'll… fix that then. Um here. Just you know, don't go to war with the kingdom using these, right? It's part of the deal all the Counts have to agree to when they get weapons.” It was too. Even Ursala had to agree to it.
Trice sucked in air like she was drowning. It made Tor jump a little.
“Oh, Gods, I… that's not some weird insult is it? Giving him weapons? It's just a an air choke and an explosive weapon, one of the smaller ones, not a copy of the planet killer.”
After a few second his girlfriend, tears in her eyes shook her head.
“Nothing like that. Just, you know, you called him friend and we all shared a bed, which as far as anyone else in the world is concerned means we all had sex, but giving someone a weapon is a sign of trust beyond… Well, especially something like this.” Her hand flew out.
“Plus, you have them sitting in a little box by your front door? That will be fixed before hundreds of school kids come in, right?”
It was a good point.
“Yeah. OK.” Tor had to laugh, even though he didn't know why. It was a hard thing at first, but just didn't stop for a while. The others joined in after a bit, if much more softly. Being polite likely.
“OK, Trice, um, could you help me with the next bit? I have an idea who to get to act as a go between for Sandra, but it will take some begging most likely. Then I need to contact each Count and Countess and invite them for Postern. I'll get with Collette on that, she's good at those kinds of things.”
Trice went stiff, but Count Ward left without hesitation, which was heartening. Before he stepped out the door the man touched his chest and transformed completely. If Tor hadn't seen it before he would have goggled a bit. There was no way, without using magic, to tell it wasn't him. Except possibly scent.
That magic could be used was a real point too. The height thing as well. He could make him look taller, but shorter… It didn't seem possible. That probably meant it was a brilliant idea if he could work something out. Tuck one of these giants into a commoner body and no one would ever find them.
As they walked back into the work room Tor remembered that they hadn't fed the Count yet, which had to be all kinds of rude, when you had a royal guest. Tor held his breath after mentioning it to Trice, who just shrugged, a sullen and unhappy thing. Tor winced.
“That bad?”
“No, well, normally yes, if you refused him food it would be a big deal, especially if you had it and I can smell the kitchen working already. But he left on his own, probably to avoid seeing me humbled.” She walked to the door of the room and stopped.
“I know that, things between us have been a bit… less than perfect. I accept that you may require me to do things to win your trust. I…” Her voice caught, like it did when she was starting to cry, “I'll do what you ask. Who do I have to beg?” Her face looked so forlorn it nearly caused him to start chuckling, but he knew better than to let that happen.
“Oh! I'm… That was just a turn of phrase Trice! I want to see if we can get Countess Cannor in as go between for Sandra. It may be hard, since she hasn't seen my mom since, well you know all that. But she should, and really, if we can get her around for it, it should be done even if we can't get her to act in that capacity.” He shrugged. “In that case I was thinking of Countess Printer. Really, she should start a working group at her academy too. I should bring that up.”
Tor moved in and gave Trice a hug. It wasn't all he wanted to do to reassure her of her place, but really, sex was just out. He wasn't even sure he could function at the moment. Nothing happened from pressing his body against hers and that normally did the trick all on its own.
“Don't worry, I love you. It's, well, I'm not holding any grudges. Honestly, I… don't think I can.” It was really almost an alien concept. He knew it happened, people getting mad and even staying that way for years, or even the rest of their lives.
How they did it just didn't work mentally for him at all.
Mary Cannor answered her communications device herself, sounding excited and happy. She even offered to start that day cross country by carriage to perform her task.
“No time for that Grandmother Cannor.” Tor said, using the words for the first time. Step-grandmother was too big a mouthful. A happy sound came from the device at least when he said it.
“So, what I'd like to do is send in Patricia Morgan in with a fast carriage. Those fly, but are really safe, far safer than a regular ones with those unpredictable horses and all those divots and bounces along the road.” He was leading the conversation, having a feeling that the Countess had never flown before.
“Oh, I can handle it. I want some of that flying gear though, if you’re looking for a birthday present for me.”
Tor tilted his head and shrugged.
“I… have a few to catch up on. I'll send some things, if that's all right?” She was family after all.
When the connection was broken, only ten minutes later, Tor started writing.
“I need the dam there checked on too, if you can? Also check to make sure no one is struggling that much? After the flood… I’ll get you some gold just in case…” He didn't want to meddle, but if they needed something, the kids would need some time to get everything around.
Trice surprised him then by giving him a big hug, standing over his chair, warm breasts pressed against his face. It was still fun, half broken or not.
“I love you. I guess I never realized how much you really did for other people before.” It was followed by a kiss, which was warm and very well done. He responded as best he could.
From the door a throat was cleared.
“Breakfast is ready. Unless you two are planning to skip it?” Collette didn't sound displeased by the idea, but Tor knew he needed to eat.
“Tempting, but I need to grab a quick bite and get to county Cannor and back to Two Bends, so kind of a hurry today.” The little dragon stared at Tor and nodded firmly. What that meant he didn't know, but it was cute. It had turned a reddish purple color. The eyes were ice blue though.
He knew that because her right breast was still looming over his face.
“Um, Collette? Not to be bossy, but can the ice manufactory keep working if you spend the day with me?” She was a business woman too, after all. He had to remember that.
“Oh sure! It's the slow season. People hardly buy ice at all this time of year, even here. It will probably pick up a bit for Postern. Not much though. The hot festivals, now those are good for business. So, yes, the workers don't need me most days at all. I just check in once a week or so.”
Tor nodded and stood, which forced Trice to step back, smoothly though, with more grace than not. Her grin was infectious and Tor caught it.
They all ate together, but as promised Trice hurried, leaving half way through. Ali and Maria had plans to go to the palace for the day, so they'd be taken care of too. Reminded Tor jumped up from the table.
“Um, excuse me for a moment, I'll be right back.” He paused but they all smiled gently and murmured that it was fine.
When he got back he set a small pile of amulets next to Maria.
“New shield, flying gear, old style military not flyer, force lance and an air choke.” He pointed to each in turn. “Those are for you. To see to your safety.”
Now all they needed was to get the names of everyone else that didn't have the new shields and get those off. Hopefully the King and Queen would be passing out the gifts from Sandra already too. He was going to run out of things way before he could get back to work himself. He had a bunch of stuff made up, but the desire to do things was eating at him already.
Maria held the little amulets, all on focus stone, with glowing sigils as if they were more than trinkets.
“I…” She started crying then. Tor scrambled for something to short circuit her on that. Eep. Too many tears by far in his world.
“Oh… We should see if Glaran will go with you. I don't know how well you cook or bake Maria, but Ali needs a bit of practice for large crowds and the Queen, while a wonderful organizer, might push her staff too hard, trying to save coins that we're trying to spend, instead of hiring people. Is that all right?”
It was, since in one of those odd turns that Maria often had, she liked the woman better than her own mother. Tor had never met her at all. Given everything the woman was probably a delight. Maria had fought with both Collette and Petra for years after all, but loved Bonita, which made little to no sense. Not that Nita shouldn't be loved, that was clear, just that the others were wonderful too.
That taken care of and a nice kiss from Ali, they managed to be gone shortly after the meal. That meant all Tor had to do was use the communications device he had to talk to about fifty people. It had to be done though. If he left anyone out they might feel slighted.
That would be bad.
Collette wasn't too worried though, reminding him that, as long as he had room for people, and they were going to, and as long as he basically let anyone stay with them, his part was taken care of.
“People will just show up when they hear though, that were putting up everyone, so we probably need housing and food for twice the number of people it seems like… We have enough houses. The only thing is… Well, we need to rent the length of the south wall to the river. Then we can let people set up shops and stand rent free, between the temporary structures.”
She shrugged.
“That's going to cost. About three hundred gold for the week. It's a huge space.”
“Do we have that to hand? I know that Count Morris mentioned sending some golds, but I don't know what we have available at all.”
The golden blond beamed at him and looked down at the table.
“Oh, yes, it hasn't just been him. Everyone has sent funds, we have nearly a quarter million gold locked up in the safe room. I told everyone to invest it locally for you, instead of sending more. That of course means that people are starting more businesses, I think you actually own several hundred concerns outright now, managed by the people on site. You also own a lot of property. Martya has been buying up a lot in Warden and most of the other capital cities too. She and I… If it's all right, we're planning ice manufactories in all of the major cities. We don't have the devices for more than six right now, but, I was wondering, what would the Lairdgren group charge us for their efforts? I know that they're busy right now, but if we bought them ten at a time, for say, five thousand gold? Do you think that's fair? The price is low, but it's not original work. We could pay you, but we figured that if we left you part ownership…”
Tor laughed. It was a fine idea after all.
“I know they're busy, they have school work to do too, but we'll ask during Postern, I've invited them to stay here. Actually I invited all of them, the whole school, and Two Bends. If we could put those next to each other and maybe the place for the Counts and their families on the other side…” Tor looked down.
“But all of that is up to you, of course. Me trying to do it would be silly.”
They started calling then. It was a lot harder than Tor thought it would be.
By far.