by P. S. Power
They did. That was part of the reason for floating up in the air away from spies like they were. This action had nothing to do with courage or honor, not with anything good at all.
“Because Daria Serge is living with the man right now, during the last week of each month. That's unusually close for Austra by the way. I don't think it's incestuous, but he watches her like a hawk. Probably because she'd do him in if she could. If we strike at the right time it will look like simple retaliation. They don't think we can do it.” Tor waved a hand over his shoulder, not at them, but his craft, which had kept growing stronger for months. Faster.
Not the equal of the best Austran craft, but a solid two thirds of their best craft speed. Also about a million times better than the not flying at all that Austra still probably expected out of Noram. Things had changed pretty quickly on that score.
“If we do this right, we end the war inside a month. If we do it wrong, we also end it in a month, just with actual fighting and dying, which I personally would like to avoid. For either side, as much as possible.”
The Princess nodded, excitement coming off her like she was five and getting a puppy. It wasn't cute at all though, because it meant the death of at least two people. Tor couldn't judge there, it was his idea. He just wished she didn't seem so very pleased by it. It was off-putting. Scary.
“ I…” She looked at Kolb and shook her head. “I want Lilli dead Kolb, but I can't order this. Not alone. Let me get with my parents and, the others too I guess, and run it by them. If you could have your forces prepared and ready though? Say in five days?”
The man bowed while sitting.
“Yes Princess Karina. It will be done.”
She nodded, satisfied, “you know, I though Tor was going to ask us to kill Baron Diddles for him. Have you caught wind of that one Sir Kolbrin? Rochester got himself healed up from the beating Tor gave him and is coming back for more, unencumbered dual it seems. Dad got the paperwork last night from Countess York. What's your plan Tor, I… you aren't well enough to fight like that, are you? I pinned Sandra down on it the other day and she told me that you probably wouldn't survive a beating right now. Well, she said a solid sneeze, but I think she meant it. Is that accurate?” Her tone conveyed information gathering, not play.
“Yeah, I mean a sneeze wouldn't do it, not really, but being beaten solidly… I'd say it probably would, but that would be lying. I just couldn’t survive it. Without a shield right now, a solid fall might take me out. I mean off a chair, not a mountain. Notice how I haven't risked flying or used my Not-flyer past a strolling walk speed? It's for a reason.”
Karina went white hearing that, but Kolb chuckled a deep kind of thing that he'd never heard before.
“So our plan?” He said, voice rasping just slightly.
“Run away?” Tor was half playing himself, but shrugged. “Really, I'll have to send the challenge back, won't I? Eat sour over it and humble myself if needed. Otherwise I might as well walk out on the field and douse myself with lamp oil and set myself alight, because I'm dead anyway.”
The man nodded, “good. I didn't train you to be a moron. Heal up and then go kick his ass in a year when you're strong.”
“Fuck.” It was a hard word for a Princess. Her accent made it sound royal though. Like something you'd definitely want to try if you could, at least with her.
“Tor… He's specifically posted it with the King’s court. And he named you as Sir Torrance Green Baker, Knight of the realm…”
“Fuck.” Kolb seconded.
“Um, I… don't really get it, what's the issue here?”
No one spoke for a while, but finally the older man, who was actually forty-two, but appeared a strong thirty, once you looked under the scars on his face explained it.
“By citing you as a Knight specifically, and addressing it to the King’s view, he's functionally locked you into doing it. For you to avoid it, would be the kingdom saying it was wrong, or too weak to answer the man. It would create a crises of confidence. Not immediately, but over time the King’s enemies would use it against him. As if they'd do better as rulers.” There was a deep sound, which became a growl.
“So. We'll think of something. Tor can't fight and Rochester can always withdraw the challenge.”
Tor went cold though. He had to fight?
Sure, he was a Knight, and if it came to it, fighting to save lives, and protect the land was his duty, even if it meant he had to die to do it. He could accept that, but just to make this rather stupid man feel a little better about himself? It was insane. For one thing, if he did fight, he'd do it with the best weapons he could find.
Since he had access to those, even on his person, that would be better wouldn't it? Rochester might have a hidden card, that kind of made sense even, some trick or magic to kill him if they fought, but using magical weapons made more sense to him. He might survive that.
“Could I… Challenge him to a duel to the death instead?”
Kolb shrugged, “You could, but this one comes first. If he doesn't withdraw it, then you have to fight him anyway, and if you die, the second challenge won't have a lot of meaning.”
Right.
Well, that sucked. Tor was just kind of doomed wasn't he?
Crap.
“Well… then I'll just see what I can come up with and try to get him to set the date as far off as possible…”
There was a soft groan from the Princess, “Postern. He set it for here, on Postern morning. No one really got all of it last night. Tor…” She sounded like there were tears in her eyes. He was looking out the clear shield that made up the front of the vehicle.
“OK. Well, I've beaten him before. I'll just have to be smarter about it this time. I doubt I could survive a full combat rage either. I… Have an idea. Don't tell anyone though.” Then without waiting Tor took them back to their spots, the school then the Capital. He didn't get out and go in when he set Karina down, letting her walk in while smiling at her confidently.
On the way back to his house he hyperventilated.
He was going to die.
Worse, he was going to do it ignobly, if front of everyone in the world that he knew. Whee. When he walked into his house there was a well dressed and liveried man standing inside. Not the King’s livery, some other royal. It turned out to be Countess York's messenger, who had the duty of handing over and witnessing receipt of the challenge. He looked grim enough at least, instead of smiling and laughing. So Tor did it for him.
“Hmmm, angry that I had to administer a bit of a beating, and now he thinks to come for more of the same? Probably heard I was under the weather and thinks to capitalize on that. Brilliant of him.” Tor chuckled, making it sound as happy as he could. “Tell me, will he be leaving a widow? I have several brothers that are looking for nice wives. It wouldn't do to leave her or any children uncared for.” It was a serious question, said earnestly enough that the man actually answered.
“Yes Lord Baker. The Lady Priscilla Clark Rochester recently married him, not a year past. His first wife died tragically, falling down some steps. Four of them I believe.”
Meaning it was suspicious as could be imagined and the jerk had probably killed her. Tor nodded, eyes half closing as he did.
“Oh? I recognize that name…” He really did. Lady Priscilla… It came back to him in a rush. “Oh! Right, I remember, she was being attacked by a man in full combat rage. He and I fought then, when I came to her aid. We managed to do that without anyone being harmed. Just one of those things. Duke Winchester. He was a good man, that incident aside. He later died saving my life from a Larval assassin, while I stopped a death dust attack.” Tor realized he was rambling.
“Ah, sorry, say, would you like something to eat, or a ride back to your county?”
He actually said yes to both and didn't seem displeased that Trice was going to be taking him at all. Since they were cousins and all.
Tor hadn't realized that the messenger was the Countesses’ thi
rd son. Nice of her to send someone so high ranking for the task. He was nearly his own father’s age, Tor guessed, but seemed polite and well spoken.
“I shall relay your words to the proper places.” He bowed on the way out, walking backwards to do it.
Really nice seeming guy. Tor called up his mother, Countess York, and made sure she knew they had space for him, and the rest of her family too. Why not? Even if Tor was dead, the holiday would continue. No need to leave anyone out just over that.
Then, locking himself in his bedroom alone, Tor pushed himself into a deep and focused trance state. As hard as he could, focusing on what essentially made up his own being. If he did it enough, it should help him build up faster. Maybe. He didn't know if it would be even half enough. Or even a big enough percentage to count. But it was what he had, so he did it. He drove deep into himself, focusing not on building anything, but fostering a sense of growth. Of strength and power, weaving it into his own being. Making it a part of himself.
From then on, he tried to spend six hours a day rebuilding his own pattern, and two in exercise. Which was kind of pitiful, just being walking and working with tiny weights, never over thirty pounds, usually not even that. Less than half of his best for some of the exercises. The rest of the day he worked on the festival and helping get things ready. No one talked to him about what was going to happen, not at first. Three days away from the event itself, he was summoned to the palace.
By the Queen.
She was… not pleased with the current plan at all. She said that so clearly Tor kind of winced.
“Which makes two of us, but so far I haven't found a loop hole or way out. If it was just my honor at stake, or even if it wouldn't effect things to make the King look bad, I'd walk away from this, laughing. It's worse than stupid. Instead I'm getting myself ready. On the good side I shouldn't just die if I take a blow or two now.” It had a carefree tone when he said it, but it was about the honest truth. A sharp fall wouldn't kill him now, but repeated blows just might. Even ten or twelve. He wouldn't survive a fight with Veren the Royal Guard for instance. Then, that had never really been the case, not if the man wanted him dead, so it wasn't that big of an issue really. Not for his ego at least.
And he was far too slow to get himself out of the way easily. Then, if he did hit, his tired and exhausted frame just couldn't deliver the needed power. Hitting the man over and over again with a pillow would be about as effective. More maybe, since at least that would be a weapon. To survive he needed to discover something, some kind of trick or something to make it all work.
There was silence in the room for a while, almost a coldness coming from the Queen, who looked a little worn down for some reason. Hopefully not him, Tor thought, since that shouldn't be something to bother with. After several minutes of silence she stood and walked to him, wrapping him gently in her arms.
“I won't let him hurt you. We'll declare you under the Queen’s protection and that will be that. Either he takes back his challenge or I'll have him executed.” Low and deadly she seemed about to go on, when a voice behind her interrupted.
“And cause every count and Duke in the kingdom to doubt our ability to defend ourselves. There's a very real reason why no Knight challenged as such backs down dear. We pick the best only, those willing to die for the people of this land, able to stand no matter what. If we protect Tor from a man he's easily handled before it will show a lack of faith in our own people and our own trust in him.” The King didn't boom, being normal speaking tone. It wasn't hidden though, spies in the walls or not.
Meaning he wanted people to hear him.
“That said dear, a hard challenge right now or not, I don't think it would do to undersell Tor. We've seen him take on things no one else could have survived and frankly, Baron Rochester isn't in his league at all as a fighter, which the man knows. That he tries to strike at a time of infirmity confirms that. The man fears Tor, it's clear. Even now I'd hazard. It has to have occurred to him that Tor both crippled him and created the device that healed him as well. Even a moron would have to understand the kind of power that represents.”
That was heartening, the speech the King gave for his wife and the listeners benefit. A bit of a shame though, Tor decided, the Queen’s protection would have been nice about then.
Stupid honor.
“Right, well, as I was just about to say, this isn't a real problem. I've been working to recover my strength, field pattern solidity, and have made great strides, I just have to get a bit more done and I'm sure it will be fine. I mean, I may lose the fight, I won't lie there, I really am pretty weak right now, but I shouldn't die.” It was a lie of course, at east possibly. Right now it would be a bit like a five year old trying to fight the man, maybe a nine year old. There was still real enough danger. He made his voice go smooth and confident, shrugging as he said it.
“Not fun, but I'd hazard it won't be the last beating I ever take. Who knows, maybe I'll figure something out in the next few days? I know that I'm not making funeral plans for this.”
He wasn't. That task, by tradition, was for the living, if anyone cared to do it at all. Otherwise they could just drop him in a hole. That would work well enough.
Laughing, as if much reassured himself, Rich slapped him on the back, gently, gave his wife a hug and left them alone, probably thinking they'd have sex. Tor hadn't noticed him doing things like that before, but it was kind of obvious right now to him for some reason. Well, he'd give her some cuddles, but doing much more was pretty much out.
They moved to a back room and shut the door. Tor moved with her gently, kissing her at first, as soon as she sat on the low leather sofa. They just held each other, nibbling and stroking for a while, then he playfully turned off her clothing amulet and looked at her. Creamy soft skin, dark hair at the juncture of her legs with just a bit of a red hint and dark nipples that puckered just slightly at his touch.
“I love you, you know.” Tor whispered it, as he sank in front of her, letting his mouth find the mound of her womanhood. He might not be up to a twenty mile run, but he managed with her all right, though it left his tongue sore and lips feeling a little chapped.
She sighed after tensing and spasming under him and pushed him away a bit, so that he could be pulled up to her lips.
“I love you too. Don't die.” The last was a command. Solid and forceful. “I don't care what you have to do. Flee, or cheat. Have the man killed or poisoned before hand to make the fight more even. Whatever it takes, live my love.”
Then she spent a while kissing him, moving finally to repay his efforts with her own, trying to get his clothing off. Tor stopped her with a wink.
“Sorry, none of that, I need to keep my strength for a bit. I know it's a silly superstition, not being with a woman before a battle, but just in case, I don't want to push it.” Plus, he hadn't responded at all, even while working on her. She was as lovely as a woman could be, but… nothing.
It was embarrassing.
At least she let him off the hook easily, either understanding the real problem or accepting that he had some reason for not doing it at that moment. She dressed, a simple flip of her hand near the chest, turning the amulet for her soft blue velvet gown back on with a thought. It was clean, of course, with no signs of what they'd done, no wrinkles or stains. Then it wasn't really the same garment was it?
It just looked like it.
Tor stood and smiled, nodding to her and giving her a hug before standing back. She was taller than he was, and always would be. Even for common men he wasn't over tall, right in line for average. That made a difference in a fight.
So, if he would do it, Burks would have to slouch.
After all, wasn't he essentially the same person? It would look right at least. Tor would need to coach him in fighting though, he realized as he flew back to his house. Otherwise Burks would win too easily. Provided the man didn't insist he fight anyway. He could be too busy or just not want to be bothered after all. In that cas
e Tor would fight and do the best he could. It wasn't exactly a good plan, but what else could he do?
Cheat.
Tor smiled. Yeah, he could do that.
It was time, he figured, for another trip to Grenwyn. If nothing else, maybe Burks would have an idea or two for him? It would probably require him to give up his life and run away or something though. Or possibly just doing something he hadn't thought of. Publicly humble himself in front of the man, begging for forgiveness? He wasn't sorry though, so it would probably seem false. The man had relations with a little girl. The only reason Tor had left him alive had been the fact that he hadn't done it again after that one time.
There were ways. Getting Burks in was a handy idea, of course, if possible.
Or he could build a device that would make him faster and stronger? Wrap him in a shield that would work on mental feedback, and help his body move…
Which would totally work. It would be cheating, but he was so willing to do that. Had orders from the Queen to do it if he could even. The only downside being that it was an incredibly complex field and would take him a month to make, carefully, if he was well. He doubted that anyone else could make it. Yet. Lyn would be able to in a year or two, he didn't doubt, but until then, no. He made a point of writing the idea down and mapping it out though. I could still come in handy later.
He had a lot of ideas, but all of them ran to about that level of difficulty. He could do them, if he was healthy, or someone else could, if they had time and a reason too. He could even just have the man killed, except Baron Rochester dying two days out from any kind of dual would look suspicious. Enough to make people talk and doubt the King.
Shaking his head, Tor decided to go to visit his grandfather the next day just in case he could come up with anything.
It would mean a scolding no doubt. Tor got that he'd messed up of course. He acted when he shouldn't have, beating the man when the matter wasn't his business to deal with. If he'd held his hand, this wouldn't be happening. For that matter it wouldn't have if he'd killed the guy either. The only thing that could have caused this was what he did.
