Counselor tya-5

by P. S. Power

  Well. That was nice of them. Tor thought. Waiting on the street to cause problems instead of damaging the decor. The group he was with mainly had smaller people in it, even though most were a noble of some kind of another. Their collective plain clothing probably made them look a little poor or unimportant, but whatever the reason was, these men moved on Gersh as if they wanted to kill him on the spot.

  Tor shook his head and stepped into the path of the biggest and most aggressive seeming of the bunch and everyone with him. Tan silks and leather pants, which were stylish, and way too hot if you didn't have a temperature equalizing device on, which this man didn't seem to at all, given the sweat on his forehead and under his arms. The dark patches on silk would leave salt stains and by noble standards make the shirt unwearable there after. It was a waste of materials then. Tor considered the whole thing for a moment and wondered why the men hadn't opted for cooler clothing. Being trendy was all good and fine, but it didn't matter who you were, waste was waste.

  “Gentlemen.” Tor smiled, trying to look friendly, these guys may be attackers or they could just be looking to ask Gersh out on a date and going about it all wrong. Until he really knew being impolite was a bad idea.

  “Can we help you with something?”

  The big one stopped and peered at him, eyes still angry, but taken aback for some reason to see someone suddenly in his way. That man didn't look bright, but smart wasn't the only criteria of worth or value in the world, so Tor let that thought go for now.

  “Um, I…” The man peered at Tor carefully and smiled. It wasn't an angry thing anymore, just baffled for some reason. A glance flickered to Gersh, then back, taking in the whole scene.

  “I'm just going to talk to my brother, miss.”

  Ouch.

  Tor laughed and grabbed his hair, while everyone else stiffened a bit. At least Rolph and Ridley did. Getting something like that wrong could lead to a dual after all. The man didn't seem to mean anything by it though. Just a simple mistake, Tor being small, thin and having long black hair at the moment didn't help.

  “So you're saying I really do need to get that haircut then? I've been worried about it, well, I'll do it first thing tomorrow.” Shaking his head he sighed a little. It really wasn't this guys fault, he knew. Not cutting his hair for over a year had left it running down his back, a look some of the noblemen could get away with, but then the ones that did were all huge and manly looking.

  Everyone else winced again, this time including the big and not overly bright man in front of him.

  “I… Forgive me please. I erred out of-” The man seemed to flounder for a bit so Tor let him off the hook with a waved hand.

  “Nah, don't bother yourself over it, it's my problem not yours. I'll get it fixed. Now, you seem a little upset with your brother, is everything all right?”

  That started the shouting match. The big one, who now that Tor got a good look did appear to resemble his younger and smaller brother a bit, was named Johan. At least that was what Gersh kept saying trying to get his attention long enough to explain how he was able to afford eating at the nice restaurant if their father hadn't given him the lion’s share of the school funds. It seemed that this year the funds they'd gotten were only about a third of what they had the previous year and their father had cautioned them to be more frugal.

  Henry looked at the scene and spoke softly to the girls.

  “It's the war with Austra. Even without huge battles yet a lot of the budget for the kingdom is going to pay for military buildup, so people that own businesses that don't deal with that area directly are losing money. It settles down so that the whole economy slows. The big merchants make more money for less work, and fewer people have jobs. Everyone is feeling the pinch now. If I didn't have this scholarship from the King, I'd be getting ready for a day’s labor at a mine somewhere to keep my belly full. That or trying to sneak into the army myself.” The boy pushed his light brown hair out of the way, it was slightly matted with sweat.

  Rolph nodded after listening.

  “That's not exactly correct, but the end result is about the like that. Even my parents sent me with half funds and told me to make do this year.”

  That got Tor’s attention fast. Since he was doing so well it hadn't occurred to him that other people wouldn't be. His breath nearly froze in his lungs then. The reason they weren't doing better was even largely to do with him and the devices he made. What could he do about it though? It was frustrating. He knew that just giving money out wouldn't work, everyone had told him what a bad plan that was, but these people here, they were students. No one had time to get a job on the side, not a real one. Some of the poorer kids would even find themselves lacking funds for school supplies, just so he could have golds building up hand over fist in vaults around the kingdom. Gold he wasn't even using for anything.

  “Um, Johan is it?” Tor said, the big man going silent suddenly, blushing and biting his lip, nodding and remembering that he'd just called the man in front of him a girl. That could lead to a fight, dual or even assassination attempt if Tor wasn't just going to really take the blame and fix the issue like he'd said.

  “I paid for everyone and Rolph got the tip, so this situation at least isn't indicative of your brother having any extra funds at the moment. I'm sorry for any mix up or distress this might have caused you.” Bowing low he waited, the other guy could do anything now, including telling him to get out of the way so that he and his brother could have a row in the street. They were brothers, it wasn't like Tor could beat Johan up if they did fight.

  Instead the man bowed back, nodding.

  “Sorry.” It was mumbled, but seemed genuine enough. Really the big guy just looked horribly embarrassed again.

  Rolph, being used to command started ushering them all back towards the school, smiling and laughing the whole way. Everyone else felt relieved enough to join in, problem averted, except Tor of course, who had no clue about what to do now. Ali walked up beside him and took his hand gently.

  “You're always so brave. When I saw those big men coming I almost ran away in fright!” She sounded very young just then, so he gave her hand a squeeze back.

  “Exactly the right thing to do in case of a real attack, even if you have a shield on. Don't be shy about it, no one expects you to jump forth and do battle at a moment’s notice or anything like that.” Wrinkling his nose he grinned at her and bumped his shoulder against hers.

  “Honestly I shouldn't have done it either. It's never a good idea to get in between family members squabbling. If one attacks you, then you kind of have to protect yourself, but the rest would have to jump in and help them, because they're family, right? It was silly of me.” The shrug he gave her was distracted and slightly abstract, but she cuddled up against his arm as they walked, either not noticing or getting that her husband was just odd like that sometimes.

  They stayed as a group though, some fourteen people, most of whom Tor didn't know at all. Probably half spies. Actually, the ones in black were literally spies, but not necessarily targeted towards him personally. As they passed the Dean’s office Tor sighed and led everyone inside. Gersh and Johan both looked down guiltily for some reason, but bravely strode to the front of the group, standing right behind Ali and Tor.

  Ready for their beating or whatever they expected. Tor didn't care about that though. It had just been an argument after all. People did that.

  There was a small waiting area, brown wood that looked a little gray with age and neglect, with a high counter of the same material in front of them. Behind it sat a sour looking man, Proctor Campbell, who stared at everyone in the group closely, as if memorizing their faces for arrest later. When he got to Tor he snorted.

  “Trouble already?” Was all he said, his voice actually sounding like the man was sucking lemons before they'd come in. Did he keep one in his pocket at all times, Tor wondered? It must take something special to keep that expression so dour like that.

  “Yes, but I'd like
to speak to the Dean if he's in sir, if that's all right sir. I know he's probably hugely busy right now, but I promise to only take a moment of his time.”

  The man harrumphed loudly and gave him a doubtful look, but didn't lecture him about how improper it was of him to come in demanding to be seen like some minor lord of the keep asking to see the head groomsman in the stables. A half minute later Campbell came back and said that they could enter.

  “Thank you sir.” Tor looked at the group for a few seconds. Who did they really need?

  “Um, Rolph, Ali, Ridley and… Henry I think, would you all come in with me?” It was a request and only Henry looked worried about it. Ali did feel worried, but Tor could only tell because he was getting to know her signs about such things. Her face had stayed perfectly relaxed and gone almost blank. With her, blank meant scared. Nothing in her life had trained her to do otherwise, not her abusive monster of a father or living on the streets for years.

  They moved in quickly, Tor hurrying a little because the Dean really would be busy this time of year. It was the beginning of term after all.

  “Mr. Baker? Is there a problem or is this about what we talked of earlier?” The tone was a little cool, clearly thinking that it might be another attempt to get his housing situation around.

  Tor shook his head.

  “No sir, I understand the importance of rules and tradition, it isn't that… Um, this is a little awkward, but I guess that a lot of kids aren't going to be coming well funded this year and, I don't want to embarrass anyone, but people should have food and school supplies…”

  Sighing Hardgrove nodded, “Indeed. Unfortunately the school doesn't have a lot of extra resources right now. About half the students are new and on scholarship from either the King or Countess Printer. Amazing good luck for us, since she's starting her own school as well. Knows the value of education and threw some youngsters our way as well, but there's only so much we can do. Most of our people have already agreed to work for half wages as it is, just so we can stay afloat. I've personally set all my own coin towards that end and won't be drawing anything at all until things settle.” His hands went wide and the face under the gray beard grimaced. His bald head shone a little on top too.

  This next part was what Tor dreaded most. How did he arrange things so that it wouldn't look like he was playing the big man and throwing golds around to impress people? Taking a deep breath he jumped in with his idea.

  “Um, that's very noble of you sir. I… don't want to be…” Suddenly stuck for words? Grimacing himself he stammered on.

  “Well, what I'm saying is that I'm footing the bill this year. I mean Lairdgren is. Um, the County Lairdgren Special Fund. It’s what we used to pay for the last King’s day celebration, in part. I have… some control over that.” Was that real enough? He was in line to be Count Lairdgren after all. The real point there was that Burks would back him on it. Tor hoped so at least. He might get a beating for overstepping himself though. “Um, School supplies and clothing, I'll provide devices to everyone for that, and right now I want to get permission to set this all up and kind of, um, keep it secret? Would that be all right? The funds aren’t the problem, but the Count can be a bit of a stickler when it comes to people doing things for themselves. I just disagree about that when it comes to students. We may have a fight about this later.

  “ I was thinking that since Henry here seems to know economics, he could run the ledgers and handle payments for the supplies at the student store and Ridley could over see the rest and make sure everyone has what they need? He's personable and going to be a Baron some day, so it's good experience.”

  They both looked flabbergasted, but the Dean smiled and gave a nod. It wasn't cold at all, but he did raise an eyebrow towards Tor and didn't actually smile.

  “The Count mentioned the County Lairdgren special fund to me before as a matter of fact.” A small hint of a wry grin showing from under the thick beard.

  “I seem to recall that being his pet name for your personal funds being held at the treasury.” The man didn’t seem to expect an answer at least, probably getting that Tor was trying not to make a big issue of the matter.

  If he wasn't happy about it, Hardgrove didn't tell him to go away either, or seem upset overly. It made Tor feel very small, knowing that this very good man probably felt like he was belittling him. It wasn't his intent, but what could he do about it now?

  Chapter Two

  Rolph gave him funny looks the next day as they sat in the student’s dining room eating bowls of oatmeal, dried fruit bits stirred in, and drank small cups of fruit juice. Hardgrove had let them use the facilities so that everyone would have something to eat before lunch, and came to eat with them himself. Tor and Rolph had actually made the food, humble as the offering was, and Ali helped out by serving it along with her roommate Sheri. It was a team effort all around and if no one mentioned it, they didn't complain about the quality of the food either. Since they were mainly nobles, that spoke about just how many of them had gone without the day before.

  Most of the highborn loved to complain.

  When Hardgrove asked, his voice quiet, what should be said about who was paying for everything, to throw Burks off, Tor actually had an answer ready. It had come to him in the middle of the night as he dozed and fretted over that very thing. Not that he could really hide it from Count Lairdgren, since it was being done in his name, but he could distance himself a bit and get some cover maybe, using someone else as a shield.

  “Right. Well… Um… it's a special project of the Queen and the Princesses isn't it? Gathered up their allowances and some other coins from friends, and are spending them here on us, so that we can repay the kingdom later with knowledge and good works. Plus… it isn't free really. Everyone is expected to work on breaks or during emergencies if they have to. Not that people wouldn't anyway, but it will let people feel that what they're getting has value and that they aren't being humbled by it. I hope so at least. We really will put them to use if need be, right?”

  That got an actual smile from the man.

  “Very good. I must thank they're majesty's then. You may want to get with them first though. So they know of their good works and don't get taken by surprise. We wouldn't want the Count to feel confused as to who's doing what, would we?”

  Tor just smiled back and nodded himself, happily. It didn't shock him at all that Hardgrove had figured out his plan so easily. The man was basically the kingdoms “trainer of spies” or something like that. He could probably have a fairly accurate accounting done of how many pair of socks Tor owned.

  The answer was zero, though he wore a good facsimile at the moment. Brown to match the heavy canvas clothing he affected.

  The rest of the day for Tor was spent working, at least after he gave five thousand gold to Ridley and Henry for their part of things, which had required a run up from the Capital to deliver it. Collette, his friend, got his little sister Tiera to deliver it. It was nice to see her, even if she was a little pushy at times.

  Rolph said it might be too much, but Tor didn't think they'd steal it from the other students. Besides, if you didn't trust people they couldn't prove worthy of it, could they?

  It wasn't fair really, but Tor dumped a lot of the work on his friends, sticking to copy work for a few days as the term started, at least in the evenings. It wasn't good, he knew, not enough, but he did make an effort to spend time with Ali each day, making love when they could, of course, but also just talking about how things were going for her. She seemed happy enough so far, but Tor worried, because she would have said she was happy even if she felt miserable, just to keep his spirits up, wouldn't she? He could have checked directly, but she was his wife and leaving her that extra bit of internal privacy seemed important. Instead he just did his best and tried to balance out his school work with the rest of his life.

  The new classes amazed him to no end, so at least he didn’t have to contend with boredom on that score.

  Music
especially, since he hadn't even known what went into it before. Reading sheet music was like learning a new language, if a simple one, and the instruments were varied and each had to be treated differently. In the beginners class he was in they got to try them all out, to see what they liked best. Tor ended up with the violin, because the guitars were all a bit too big for his hands and the woodwinds all sounded off to him. He wasn't very good yet, he knew, so tried to work in an extra hours worth of practice each night, using one of the sound canceling devices so that poor Rolph wouldn't have to listen as he screeched and scratched away.

  Economics was fascinating, even if it was taught by Wensa, the Royal Guard Captain in charge of protecting the Prince. She didn't advertise the fact and was simply “Instructor Wensa” at the school. She was probably the second hardest teacher Tor had ever worked with, Kolb being the first. He was a weapons and fighting Instructor, but since he left and took everyone else with him, that section of the afternoon was pretty much left empty. With a war on it was too hard to find anyone that could fight well that wasn't off getting ready for the Austrans.

  It was on the second day that Tor had an idea. Again one of those stupid and probably overbearing ones that made him feel embarrassed for having thought about it in the first place, but a real enough one. When he got to the practice area to begin his personal run and stones work out, he took a deep breath and called everyone over. His face felt full of blood, but he made himself say the words and tried to sound confident.

  “The weapons instructors are slightly delayed, due to the war, so we're going to break up into three groups and the senior students will act as instructors until the real ones get here. I'll let you decide who does what, but we want armed, unarmed and magical device sections. Everyone is going to be learning to fly, so that needs to be set up too. Can anyone fly yet?” He looked around but even the older students didn't raise their hands.