by P. S. Power
“I've found over the years that it's best not to anger my fellows. I might be able to outrun the kingdom of Noram for a few generations, but I don't think I'd like to try my odds against Tor.” Smiling he winked at Karina.
“Besides, I really can't stand Daria Serge. I should have taken care of her long ago, but I really don't have the stomach for it. But helping you do it, that I can manage. Shall we eat first or…”
The Queen gave the man a cold look, but gestured towards the far end of the table. The very last position. If Denno got that this was the poison seat he didn't respond to it at all. He simply sat quietly, and waited. Diner came, it was good, but not much would have pulled attention from the Austran Ancient, all eyes rested on that last chair, staring and examining in a way that would have made any Noram noble simply refuse to eat, even if it would give offense. As it was the man simply smiled and ate slowly. Tor didn't get it at first, yet in the end it made sense in a strange way.
If he was poisoned and ate slowly, he'd be able to realize it and stop before getting too much into his system. Tor couldn't confirm it, and really couldn't ask, ordinarily you didn't talk about such things at the table after all. Did Denno's pattern, genetics or whatever it was that made him immortal, help him fight off the effects of such things?
It kind of made sense.
When Tor had been poisoned it had sucked and he was worn down for a long time, but he'd also had a lot of cyanide. A whole lot. Enough to kill several people at least. Was it the same for this other man?
A moot point anyway, because no one here planned to kill him. Really it was the other way around, as long as he wanted to help out. Karina was watching the man closely, but her damp eyes had dried and a look that spoke of craftiness had taken the place of defeat. Ali sat next to him, her leg pressed to his for comfort, so Tor made a point of touching the white puffy sleeve of the gown she'd changed into, a soft fabric that reminded one of clouds. It was the look to clothes that she seemed to prefer. Light colored and fluffy.
For their parts, without letting it show too much, both Richard and Connie seemed shocked to learn that the Brown man had been working in their guest house. More, the report from Quavel, the Queen’s personal butler Tor thought, if such a position actually existed, was that the new man, Greg, was actually doing a superb job of it too. Diligent and hard working, as well as learning the ropes faster than normal.
Tor just shrugged.
“Well, for now, I guess he should just stick with that then.” Tor addressed the royals directly, but then turned to Denno and smiled.
“Though after you get together with the girls here, I think you and I should start on those years of needed discussion? Maybe you can short hand it so that I can get mainly up to speed a little faster than that?”
There was a small look of shock from the older man, which baffled Tor, but he stood and bowed, which wasn't the custom in Austra, so was done for some other reason. When he sat he ate again, still slowly and frustratingly didn't explain. Probably a trick then, to make Tor wonder what it was all about. Of course he just didn't care really.
It made him harder than usual to fluster.
Honestly, while Tor didn't want his friends hurt or killed, it didn't matter much to him who ruled the world. That was the kind of thing that almost had to change eventually. The current system was old and stable. That didn't make it perfect. Of course if the Austran Ancient tried to hurt his kingdom, Tor would try and stop it, just a given really. If the man had a thousand year plan to take over, then that wasn't really a problem was it? Not anything to fight over. They could get together and just chat about it, draw maps and make plans so that no one got hurt and in the end things ran more smoothly.
Really he just assumed that that was what the treaty the Ancients went on about was.
The big issue for Tor was the Larval assassins. If he had that situation right, there was an army of insane super beings ready to be turned loose soon. On them. Given everything so far, possibly on him, personally. They really seemed to dislike Tor for some reason.
The thought stuck in his head for a moment. Was that really the case? Austra had declared war, a full out, hard core battle of wills and armies, but all they'd done is send in about fifteen assassins and a few fast flying craft. They had some boats off the coast, but really, they honestly just pulled up along fishermen and called them names. They had a full military, Tor had seen some of them, so it wasn’t like that was honestly the best they could do. It had been nearly two years now even…
Who declared war and didn't fight?
Someone that was using it as a distraction for their real goal, that's who.
Ah. So, at the very least, someone was pulling strings behind the scenes. That was probably an Ancient then. Denno? Lara? Tor reflected on it for a moment, and then had to let it go. He didn’t have enough information to guess, did he?
Tor took a deep breath and let it out so slowly he couldn't help but fall into a trance state. No one noticed except Rolph, who was a lot more attuned to such things than anyone else for some reason. It really wouldn't shock him at all to learn that the Prince had more than a little bit of natural building talent. Something to think on later. For now Tor gave a slow nod and a smile.
“Rolph, would it be all right if you and I talked after the meal? Some things, land and a few other bits.” The words had that slow cadence and almost drugged slurring to them that meant he'd gone deep. It was the kind of thing he did to prevent panic. In the whole kingdom only one person really knew that, everyone else just thought he was a little air-headed sometimes, or at least drifty and not connected. Rolph, his friend, the heir to the kingdom, got it instantly.
“Alright, I've been meaning to set some things up with you anyway. Besides, I think the ladies are going to want to keep their own meeting from us…” The smile he gave his sister and then turned on Ali could have made them squirm, but Karina just chuckled. It was a little scary, because it didn't sound like her. Really, it didn't even seem exactly sane. It sounded like Lillith Degray, to tell the truth.
“Oh, don't worry. We won't do anything illegal or even immoral. Remember, Daria Serge has already been sentenced to death legally and escaped custody using coercion on a grand scale. All we're going to do is fix that.” She had a wicked smile on her face as she looked at her father.
“Can't fault that, can you? I mean, you could, but this is real justice here, I'm not even talking simple revenge or using the principle of placement. This is all legal and everything. Granted, we have to be careful, but I promise we will be.”
Rich looked down at the table for a long time before clearing his throat.
“I won't forbid it, but run the plan past me and your brother before you take action? Whatever you do, it can't come back on us later.”
That was reasonable and while Karina clearly saw it as a trap to stop her and Ali from doing what they had to, Tor didn't. At least ten ways to execute the girl flashed through his head instantly. Of course most of them would endanger a lot of innocent Austrans, so should be taken off the table. Killing was to be avoided when possible. Even if the people being saved would never thank you for it.
There was no lengthy talk after the desserts came, people just left for their own work or scheduled activities. Rolph said that he had something to take care of but would be back in about half an hour, leaving Tor just sitting as everyone else left.
Except the Queen who was already sitting right next to him. For the first time in a while she made a point of touching him, her hand going to his arm and just resting on it gently. After a few seconds she stood and pulled him along behind her. Bemused and maybe a little baffled Tor walked along. Today she wore a deep green velvet dress, but as with most of what she wore lately, it wasn't real, but the amulet around her neck. Perversely Tor wondered what would happen if he turned it off. Probably a beating from the Queen, he decided, wondering if it would be worth it anyway.
They “retired” to a small room that held only a
low sofa and a couple of wooden chairs. Nice ones but this was almost a closet for the palace, maybe six by ten, if Tor had to guess. There were no lights on inside and Connie didn't bother arranging for one. A secret meeting? Well, the nobles did love their intrigue, didn't they. Settling on the soft cushions the attractive woman patted the seat next to her.
“I was thinking, since we have time, maybe we should-” She stopped when Tor moved in and kissed her hard.
Where that came from he didn't know, but it was all he could do to keep from ripping her clothes off suddenly, he was hard already though he hadn't been a moment before. At least she kissed him back, it would have been embarrassing if she didn't.
It was wrong, but Tor suddenly didn't care anymore. Using a bit of intent, he turned off her clothing and then his own and kissed her again, moving to her breasts faster than he normally liked to, but then, they had a time limit, didn't they? She gasped slightly as his lips touched the soft nipples, licking and stroking gently.
“Tor…” It was a murmur, a gentle thing that sounded a lot more like “do more” than “please stop”
He pushed her back gently and did things to her that she seemed to enjoy, then did a few more that they both did. It was fast and intense and really, regardless of the fact that he'd been the one doing it, felt off-putting and wrong now that they were done. After all, she was married. It was pretty normal for the royals and she probably did things like this half a dozen times a week, which didn't help Tor feel better about the whole thing at all. Sure, he loved her. That didn't mean he had a right to use her like this. It was fun, and felt… great, if he was to be honest with himself, still a cold and dark sense came over him too. Sigh. Stupid prudish bumpkin. Can’t even have fun when it was freely offered. That was hardly sane, was it?
Connie seemed pleased though, cuddling him to her even as they both got their clothing back on.
“Well! And here I was going to ask you to stop playing games with my affections. I was a little bit put out when you didn't show for our walk in the garden you know, but this, well, we need to make plans to make it a regular thing I think. I didn't know you'd be so manly about the whole thing. Bonita described you as being gentle and attentive. Not that I have any complaints! That was almost exactly what I needed right now.” She held him close until Rolph stuck his head through the door, no more than three minutes later.
“There you are! Well, if you're ready?” It was all that was said, but the look on his face… Tor knew that the Prince got what had happened. Mortifying.
Tor stood and kissed the Queen on the cheek.
“I enjoyed our talk, we really should do it more often.” There, that wasn't too indiscreet and still told her that he planned to do it again. Really, as wrong as it was, he kind of felt like giving it a try as soon as possible. Maybe with a little more foreplay and some other things thrown in?
Yeah, that would be nice.
Laughing Rolph took his hand and led him away at a fast walk, leading him down a familiar set of gray stone steps that went down into the deep basement, a damp and cool place at the best of time. The little room at the bottom was empty, which meant that Rolph really had gotten the whole thing at dinner. The guy was mentally quick for sure.
Tor pushed the heavy iron door shut and turned, letting his face go serious.
“Austra isn't at war with us.” It was a statement and he didn't stop there, lining out all the evidence, starting with the lack of attacks and the Larval army being built.
“So… I think their planning something else, an attack on another land maybe? Because honestly, if they tried for us, well, the Larvals wouldn't last that long against our military, not fully armed. It's one thing to attack a few parties or get in a fight with some unarmed little builder, but take on the King’s army with a few thousand lightly armed and unshielded people? I think not. But…” This part was the most difficult really, Tor just didn't know enough.
Rolph nodded.
“But if they’re not coming after us, and I agree, it would be foolish, assassin force or not, then who are they going for and why use a long term distraction like this? As far as I know Austra isn't even being aggressive towards anyone else right now. They’ve even left Tellerand alone for years.”
What if, Tor asked, pensive and focused, this wasn't about war at all? Or not a war like any that two Noram boys would think of. What if this was about something deeper, older? A war between the Ancients? Something a lot bigger than any of the rest of them had thought of, because they all worked on normal mortal time scales.
“Except you.” His friend chimed in, not seeming put out by the idea.
“Nah, I do too. I'm only nineteen, it's not exactly like I have a few thousand years behind me to become jaded or bored or whatever their rationale is.” Tor spread his hands and grimaced.
“Not that we know any of that for sure. I think we should pin a few Ancients down and… No. I should pin a few of them down and find out. This isn't really your concern, as long as Noram isn't directly involved yet. A family thing. A messed up, moronic, and probably incestuous, family thing.” He shuddered as he said it, but Rolph laughed.
“A bit that, huh? Well, I've heard of a lot worse. Recently even. At least the Ancients have convoluted plans and reasons involved. Half the noble houses are related to each other, which means nearly half the dates I've ever been on were a bit too close for more than hand holding, you know?”
Right. Well, Tor just shrugged.
“You’re not too closely related to Dorgal though, so at least there’s that. I… Well, we're supposed to be friends now, he and I, so I guess I should just be happy about the whole thing, still, it's a little rough for me. I mean Dorgal Sorvee? Well, I'll adapt. We didn't even fight over all those weeks trapped in the mountains like we were. He was polite the whole time, I can’t fault him there at all.” It was just an offhand comment, but Rolph winced.
That kind of took Tor by surprise. After all, He'd walked in on his friend doing Ridley from behind once, nearly a year before. Or, well, time was just a blur to him anymore, wasn’t it. A while ago, Tor figured, at least. That was a nice specific way to look at things. He really needed to get a calendar. The idea that his friend did guys too wasn't exactly a new one to him though, so that didn't seem to be the issue.
“Ah… So, yeah. Well, clearly you got that one. OK. Um where to start?” Rubbing his big red head he sat on the table behind them, an old and rough wood piece that would probably give him splinters if he scooted around too much.
“I… Well, Dorg and I were kind of seeing each other a bit, you know, just as friends, before the whole thing with Maria Ward. When she went around telling everyone that you and I, you know, that we were lovers? Well, Dorgal heard it and kind of… Really from what he told me a few weeks ago, he kind of flipped.” Rolph held up his hands.
“I swear, I wasn't even putting him off or anything and, you know, we were just friends, close and we did some things, but it was mainly just hanging out and stuff. Anyway, he kind of figured that, well, if I had you that he couldn't compete at all, so he sort of took off after you then, trying to break us up…”
Ah. That made some sense then. Well, good to know Dorgal had a reason all that time, wasn’t it? He didn’t hate poor scholarship kids at all then, it had just been Tor. Well…
Good.
“So the bully that plagued my time at school and the most embarrassing moment of my life to date are linked?”
“Kind of. Worse, they’re both linked to me too. I'm responsible for most of the bad things that have happened to you in the last few years. Even the attacks from the Wards. Everything really.” He looked miserable about it, but Tor just shrugged.
“No debts between friends. Besides, while you should have fixed a few things, like the stuff with Maria, earlier, how could you have known about Dorgal? I mean he didn't come to you at the time and chat about it or anything, did he?”
Rolph blushed.
“Well…”
The Prince hopped up and started pacing back and forth, it wasn't a comfortable thing, or even something that seemed playful or just to relive tension. Finally after about four minutes of this, which was spent in silence he sighed loudly and turned.
“Back then he asked me if I liked you, you know really liked, not just as friends? I didn't think much of it at the time, I mean, Dorg and I were buddies, and you're hot, so I figured he just wanted to know if he could take a shot at you, right? But I told him that I kind of did, so that, you know, he wouldn't bug you. I think maybe that was a mistake.” Rolph blushed a brilliant crimson color.
Tor nodded anyway. It was a lie. He didn't even have to read his friend to get that. He shook his head and groaned softly. Gods, well, this was coming out then, wasn't it? Less than fun. Well nothing for it then.
“You mean you told him that you really liked me, and were trying to move things along, because thought you loved me? Only you didn't make a move after that, because of the whole Maria thing, and then later because I was such a prude about anything sex related, especially with guys?”
Rolph turned white. It wasn't the combat rage white, just the kind that happened before you passed out, Tor thought.
“Um. Yes. Pretty much that one.” Looking down he nodded, going tense. “That’s about what happened.”
“Oh. Well, that makes sense then. I…” Gods what to say? The truth, but would it be too hard to hear? Well, Rolph was tough and… really what else could he do?
“Look, I'm still the same way, about men, and really, I think I'm just kind of made that way. Denno talked about how hard he'd worked to get Burks into bed, but couldn't. If a man looking like him can't do that in three thousand years, then it's a pretty strong thing, right? I know I feel the same way about that. Sex with men just isn't… me. I don't think it ever will be. I… know it won't.”
Rolph looked ready to cry, damn it, which made Tor feel like a heel. He couldn't just close his eyes and pretend his friend was a girl? What kind of monster was he? Tor couldn't though, it really wasn't something he could do at all.
