by P. S. Power
At the girls side he stopped, not sure what to say. Meeting new people was often hard. How to start? Right. Normally. Just like everyone else did it.
“Hello? Are you Judith Kerry?”
Whatever people had been doing to her, the girl was ready to fight, whipping around with a fist clench and anger in her eyes. She froze when she saw him though and didn't move for a second, her face melting from harsh to blank.
“Yes.”
Not much of an answer, but it would have to do he decided.
“Oh, good! It was written on my schedule that we had a lunch date? Next time we should grab something in town though, it's a bit crowed in here this year.” He sat next to her before she could deny that the date was real. A clutch of girls, not the one with Ali, looked at them and giggled, but it sounded mean and harsh.
Ah, her bullies. Well, at least they weren't much bigger than she was. Superior numbers though, since there seemed to be four of them to her one. That could be fixed.
The girl was about sixteen, maybe older, her clothing was new, first year new, that, or she was growing incredibly fast, some of the royal kids did that.
“Sorry, sar. I'aint norstanding yer fraid.” Her accent was strange and heavy, a little like an extra strong version of the Printer accent. Ah. One of the new scholarship kids. Tor tried to remember what he'd heard there and craft a reply she could get. He sounded a bit stilted, but her eyes lit when he spoke.
“Are you from Printer? The accent sounds familiar. I'm Tor. Someone wrote that we have a lunch date today, so here I am!” He waited to see what she'd say, but the girl ducked her head and mumbled, instead. Finally she glared at the girls, having figured out the likely culprits already, they stopped laughing though, when Tor managed to speak clearly to her.
“Sir… are you the Tor? Countess Printer said that you'd be here and that we all owed very much to you, even if we don't realize it yet. I came to learn history and geography as well as fighting. The Countess said that I should meet with you if I could, only I didn't ever write that we should meet yet. I didn't know you could speak regular or anything. Most people here talk too funny to hardly understand.”
It got easier to communicate with the girl after a bit and Tor found out that she was actually slated to be a combat giant. He hadn't noticed her in the practice square, because she was in the morning section with Rolph. He'd set up lessons for them early on, but hadn't gone to them himself, being busy that early in the day.
“I can't really talk to the instructor though, so I don't know how I'm doing or anything. I miss a lot because of that. He tells me things when I mess up, but I only get about half of it. Lots of hand waving and hitting then, trying to make it all clear. Kind of frustrating.” Her large shoulders shrugged as if to ask what she could do about it.
Tor waited for her to finish eating then asked her to come with him. When the girl stood she was nearly six foot six already and only fifteen she'd mentioned earlier as they ate. The royal girls troubling her were a lot smaller and probably always would be. Really, if they had half a brain they would have thought about that. A giant girl with a sword could be a problem for them. Yes, a common girl like her might be killed for doing it, but if they were dead or crippled, it wouldn't be fun for them either. Noble didn't mean invulnerable. Sometimes scary and tough, but Tor would have bet on Judith over the bullies if it came down to it.
Kolb looked at her and then Tor, when they walked over.
“Problem?” He asked succinctly, face calm, which on the lean and hard man looked a bit scary.
“Not really, I was just wondering if Judith could have her weapons practice with me for a week or two, while she gets up to speed language wise. She mentioned that she's not been understanding about half of what was said here, so…”
“Alright. I'll make it happen. She'd yours for the week, and longer, when you get back. Run and stones first, if she can keep up with you. If she can't you don't get to slack off, remember that.”
So, Tor got to spend the rest of the week helping Judith adapt to school. The language was the same, just with a heavy accent, so it wasn't too hard to learn to correct. She was smart enough and diligent, which was what got her the scholarship Tor figured. Holly or one of her people had seen that in her and they weren't wrong. Bit of a rough adjustment, but all the girl needed now was a bit of help and some good friends and she'd be fine.
To his surprise she seemed to be taking care of the friend’s situation pretty well as soon as the language situation had been sorted out a bit. On the day before he left, he walked into his room to find Judith and Rolph naked on his large and rather nice bed. For once when he walked in on Rolph doing something, his naked butt wasn't sticking up in the air pumping away. The girl sat on top, frozen in place and staring when he came in. She grabbed for her top in a panic but Tor just waved.
“Hey Judith. Hi Rolph, I need my violin then. Just a second… Be right out of the way.” A year before he would have been vastly embarrassed, but now it was almost normal to him. When had that changed, he wondered.
He didn't stop, just took the instrument in its case and his sheet music. He could just set up in the commons, kids did that sometimes and the weather wasn't bad for it, not too hot or cold, he didn't think, the air was just about right for the instrument humidity wise, if he'd learned enough to tell yet. Of course most the people playing in the open like that were actually decent already, but since he didn't want to embarrass his friends, it was that or skip practice and he wasn't good enough for that yet at all.
The practice stand was a thin metal piece that telescoped out and had clips for the paper, not that he needed the sheet music for this one, having practiced it several times already. Still, Instructor Binchly, the lady that taught the beginning music class insisted they all learn to sight read, and said that practice was the best way to gain the skill. She wasn't wrong there, at least as far as experience had taught him. Doing things right always helped.
Mainly.
Tor felt very aware of people watching him, so he focused as hard as he could on his hand and wrist position, his breathing and carriage, then worked to play as smoothly as he could.
It wasn't a simple piece, Binchly had given it to him to test his resolve she'd told him, one day after class. That comment didn't get explained, but Tor understood that she meant for him to practice it daily. Finally, on the third time through he lost himself in the music, the notes felt almost like they were a part of him, he wasn't using the paper anymore, so he could play through the whole thing in one go without the rustling of paper six times in order to keep up with the lines. He noticed the scratches and uneven parts as if they practically glowed in the air, but when he stopped playing a gentle applause came. It was just one boy, standing and watching carefully.
It was him.
Or rather Burks Lairdgren in his natural form, which being essentially the same person meant that he was him. Closer than twins he'd said. After a second his clothing changed to match the canvas browns Tor wore.
“Very good. I won't point out the errors. I know you got them. Still, they'll smooth out rapidly enough. Thought I'd come get you myself. Are you ready?”
Tor tilted his head.
“I was planning on leaving tomorrow. After lunch. I suppose I can go earlier, but I want my things, since I'll need to keep up with my schooling on the trip and I want to let people know I'll be gone for a while. My wife for instance, I don't know that she'll miss me, but we have a regular meeting each night, so she might notice if I'm not there.”
His grandfather, three thousand years old and looking fourteen gave him a knowing look that Tor couldn't exactly place. The man was incredible looking, even like this, almost pretty, but in a way that didn't make him look that feminine. Of course, Tor realized, he might just be rationalizing that bit, since, after all, to most people they looked identical. Burks was taller, which Tor would be too, eventually. If the crazy Austrans didn't kill him first.
That. Ugh. Tor h
ad been putting off thinking about it really and decided to keep doing so. He was going for a rescue mission, because in a strange and bizarre fashion, Denno Brown, the Ancient of Austra, was his brother. In a weird way his grandpa was too. It hurt his head to ponder, so he didn't. Finally Burks shrugged.
“Al right, I'll be over at your house with Bonita then. She came up to stay with Alissa while we're gone.” Burks look was appraising instead of angry when he started speaking, his voice even sounding a little amused.
“So, you've decided that she and I should marry? It would have been nice for you to have mentioned that to me first you know. Oh well, if we manage this next bit alive I said I'd make an honest woman of her.” He held up his right hand quickly.
“Old term, it means “to marry”. I haven't really been with anyone since Mary. I hear you were helping her out recently. Any problems there? I mean with her, you can tell me the rest later, or not. You know, when you explain how County Lairdgren is aiding the Queen and Princesses in supporting the school here?”
Tor thought about it, then decided to dodge the school issue all together if he could. Mary wasn't a problem at all, she was in fact, sharp. Almost every move she'd made worked and once she set someone a task she didn't bug them about it, just let them do their job. This made Burks grin widely.
“Good. I worry about her. She… has her moments. Both good and bad I'm afraid.”
Tor shrugged and got an identical one back.
“I'll meet you at my house in two hours then.” If the wait bothered the older man, well tough. Tor had obligations too, and his wife and friends came before travel plans.
He decided to meet with Ali first, and found her actually reading a school book instead of entertaining someone when he got there. He understood why she had sex with so many people, sort of at least, she was looking to reassure herself that she was loved, but it was always uncomfortable to come to the to find her and some young man or woman scrambling to dress and pretend they weren't doing anything. Even to Tor it was obvious.
Today she looked normal enough, sitting on her bed, a thick book in her hands which turned out to be a complete cookbook. Tor had heard of such things, but he'd never seen one like it before. He sat next to her and they looked at it together for a while, finally she kissed him and worked her way down his body, loosening his clothes and servicing him gently on her bed. When she was done she looked up sadly.
“It's time for you to go and do that thing, isn't it?” She knew about the plan, was even in on it, and had been the whole time, but whatever had happened in life to make her that way, most of it very bad he was sure, his wife knew how to keep secrets. Even alone she wouldn't mention anything more specific than “that thing”.
“Yes, I leave in a few hours, less now. I just wanted to see you first, and Rolph. He was… entertaining Judith Kerry in our room when I last saw him. Hopefully they're done by now, I need to pack.”
Ali smiled at him broadly, a happy thing.
“Good for her! Rolph's a nice boy and everyone likes him, that should get some of the third year harpies to lay off. They'd have taken after me I think except I have you, so they don't really dare. Plus Petra and Trice have been watching out for me. They don't think I get what they’re doing, but I do. Judith doesn't have anyone though.”
“Except us.” Tor said thoughtfully, getting a nod for it.
“Except us.” Ali gave him a strange, considering look and nodded. “Right. I'll see to that then.”
Judith was still in the room when he got there, but had clothes on and was looking a little embarrassed when he walked in. At least she refused to make eye contact and blushed prettily enough.
“Sorry sir. We thought we had more time.” The accent was still there, but just sounded charming now, she was clear and understandable, for the most part.
“Tor, not sir. Really though, you two have as much right to the room as I do. For now though, Judith, could you give us a bit? I have to go away for a while and Rolph is my best friends, so… I hate to be rude.” His face showed the pain he felt at even suggesting it. He didn't want her to feel rejected or anything, as she walked past he gave her a hug and whispered into her ear.
“Thanks for being so understanding.”
Rolph didn't need to be told what was going on, just that Tor was going and that in two weeks the real mission started. What plan there was so far, he knew as well as Tor did. Maybe better, if any updates had come in from his parents. Normally Tor would have expected people to tell him things like that, but in this case it may just be better for him to not know.
For instance, if the plan turned out to be him waiting to be castrated and set to being used by the crazy masses in Austra as Daria Serge had promised as her wedding “gift” to him, then really, it was better not to tell him. Of course she wasn't getting that chance. Tor was going in shielded and armed and if they had a problem with it, they could forget the whole thing. At least shielded, he reconsidered. A weapon might be too much to ask, but even insane people couldn't feel threatened by a shield, not if they were trying to give the illusion that they didn't just want to kill him outright.
The Prince didn't say much, he just looked at him for a long time and then shook his head.
“I'd go with you if I could. Or take your place. Even if it meant dying.”
It was a true statement and for a second tears stung at Tor’s eyes. The idea wafted off of Rolph's field, it sang to Tor so loudly he couldn't ignore it. It was what lay under that sense of desperation and fear for his friend that made Tor draw back mentally.
Rolph loved him.
Not, “hey buddy, let’s go pick up chicks” love, or “hey… don't get yourself killed” even, but the real, “I'd die for you” kind, mixed with “let's share a bed”. It was something that Tor had never noticed before from him.
Or expected.
Tor just nodded, not able to find anything clever or witty to say. Not that he managed either of those all that often. Rolph was funnier and lighter most of the time. He had to say something though. You couldn't leave that kind of statement just resting in the air.
“I know. Never doubted it for a second. Unfortunately you won't fit in my clothing. The rest I think we could manage, but making you look smaller would be really hard.” He smiled, even though it wasn't funny… it was true. Both parts.
Tor needed to be able to disguise himself and soon. The more tricks he had up his sleeve the better. Premier Glost Serge was a nut job from what he'd seen and Lilli, the name that Daria had used while roaming the streets of the Capital, stealing and killing people, personally disliked him for some reason.
That or she thought threats of castration and forcible and repeated sodomy to be foreplay. Tor was kind of hoping for the crazy threat, to tell the truth. Then he wouldn't feel as bad when he had to kill her. He'd never directly killed anyone. Paid for it to be done, once, but to just do it? Never. But he knew that getting Denno Brown free might mean he'd have to. He might have to murder a bunch of people.
He hugged Rolph goodbye. It was troubling and awkward for him, but his friend was still his friend, and if that meant Tor had to deal with complications and issues he really wasn't ready for, then so be it. The hug was long, but had that back pounding “guy hug” feel to it. Good enough. As he left Tor wondered how long his friend had that going on in his head, those kinds of feelings. Days? Weeks?
Years?
Well, something to deal with when he got back. After all, he really could die doing this. What were the odds that the Glost's plan for him involved lavish entertainments and candy? Not very likely. All he could do was ready himself and then go do his best.
The walk to his little house on the edge of the school complex only took a few minutes. It was his, literally, but it felt strange to just walk in. He'd only been inside once, and it looked different now. The front room was tasteful, larger and had a lot more decoration. In fact Bonita Coltress, one of his very good friends, was showing off her ability to decora
te it to Count Lairdgren. Her actions and words all but shouted, “I'd be a wonderful wife!” it was cute, but she really was trying too hard, the man had already said yes, and didn't seem inclined to change his mind. Which was good, since then Tor would have to tie him up and deliver him to the wedding that way. The only reason Tor was letting them get married at all was that he couldn't marry Bonita himself.
But the Count seemed to get the idea without needing to be told. A benefit of being thousands of years old probably. It was good. Tor wasn't sure exactly how to go about capturing an Ancient anyway.
He seemed entertained by the antics at least. Then he probably found it cute too, since Tor and Burks patterns were essentially the same.
Tor walked in and gave her a huge hug.
“Nita! So I hear you've talked the Count into settling down? I figured it would be you… who could resist?” Certainly not Tor. She was nice. Her face was close to a true oval, her eyes just a bit too far apart for pretty and her nose was large, straight down the middle and hooked down at the end, but on the wrong face for it to really work. Her smile showed too much gum and her laugh was shy and timid most of the time. She was also one of the sweetest and most caring people he'd ever met, and bright too. In short, nearly perfect.
At least if you had enough brains to see it.
Burks did. So did Tor. Seeing them so happy together made him a little sad, but joyful at the same time. They both deserved something wonderful in their lives. Nita smiled at him, large and innocent.
“I know, I didn't even have to bribe him or anything, go figure? It's good to see you Tor. Do you have time to chat?”
Did he? Sure, he had all the time in the world for her. Especially if it meant putting of thinking about his pending mission. Burks chuckled, obviously having a good idea of what he was thinking. He was older, wiser and probably better at everything imaginable, but he'd been Tor. The circumstances were different, but he'd lived all this more than once, probably.
