by P. S. Power
It was different.
The washing up was a bit lonely that day, no one else having shown up for it while he was there. He kind of thought that was down to the idea that it was Taman’s private pool. That, or people just didn’t wash up until later. Coatl and the other men had all been clean and tidy. Given that they sat on dirt floors all the time to eat, that meant they bathed and washed regularly.
When the washing up was finished, done with soap that he liberally had stolen from Taman, simply by asking to borrow the amulet, he returned the thing. It was on white focus stone, with a soft green sigil on it. She took it back, then nodded at him.
“Here’s the book to be returned. Plus, instructions. Count Ward might refuse to give them to you. In that case, you’ll need to retrieve the letter and try to follow it yourself. You have until noon to get things done. Try to blend in. You’re going in as Countier Lairdgren. Can you come up with a costume for that?”
He basically copied the clothing from a few days before. She shook her head at him then.
“It could work, but will make you look poor, wearing the same outfit like that. The Ward’s weren’t there, but Maria Ward is one of the top spy masters in the kingdom. Count on her knowing what you had on.”
She didn't give him any suggestions then. He thought for a bit, then altered the color of green to a deep shade, using mint around the edges of it. The whole thing shimmered just a bit, on the jacket. Not glowing or anything. Then he made a small hat appear on his head. It was a bit funny looking, but there had been a man at the party wearing something similar. He’d been further down the table, but at the meal with them, so it wasn’t a servant thing. He’d had it on the whole time as well. The color was made to match the jacket. The trousers were just a plain brown, though he kept the boots like they had been. A dark green color, with scuff marks on them. Then he made the jacket and hat flawed, so that it would seem real.
His master laughed a bit.
“That makes you look like the perfect dandy. It isn’t wrong, really. You seem a bit like a waste of space, but for visiting a nobleman in his own county, that’s not incorrect. Can I hear your accent in Standard again?” She’d spoken the whole time in English, with a smattering of names and phrases in other languages. Mainly so that he’d learn them correctly.
“Certainly. This is the way that I was trained to speak Standard. I know that the accent is a bit off…” To him it sounded like his Aunt Tamerlane and what Clem and Dumas used.
Tam rolled her eyes and snorted.
“It’s a perfect use of Royal Standard. You sound nearly ready to go and tutor the young Prince. Which… That isn’t a horrible idea, for later. Have you met Princess Allison?”
That got a head shake.
“Alas, no. I fear I haven’t had that honor as of yet. I saw her the other night at the evening meal? A vision, truly. I believe that my cousin Clemance has designs there already? If not for that I’d probably put my own word in.” He was trying to seem more polished than he actually was. For a moment he figured it would be too much. When the correction came though, it wasn’t about his words, exactly.
“No. No noble would stand aside in something like that. Instead, claim that you plan to steal her away from him if you can manage it.”
He paused, then spread his hands. It was a thing that he’d seen Clem do a few times.
“Ah! You caught on to my secret plan. Here I’d thought myself clever, trying to hide that. Too transparent, you think?”
His aunt nodded at him then, touching his left arm and holding it.
“Better. Too good, actually. It’s clear that Timon pushed you mentally. How are you doing emotionally?”
He thought for a bit, but kept to the act that he was trying to work up for the day.
“A little flat? More than that, to be honest. I can fake emotions and do feel them. They’re muted however. I should have been a shaking mess last night, servicing Coatl as I did. Instead I didn’t do anything of the sort until I was well away from the situation.” It was true, for the most part.
Inside he’d been hit a little harder than that, but had buried it behind a blank mind. It was a useful trick. Now… Well, he was able to speak of things without feeling too bad about them. That probably wasn’t normal for him.
“That makes sense. You should probably move along. Remember to be back at noon.”
He started away, holding the book and the brown paper envelope, keeping the instructions for later.
“Oh… I’ve been guessing at things, but… Do you know if I can get a woman pregnant? I’m a bit worried about Itzel. We didn’t take precautions…” That had been in the book, near the front. Including a list of things that could work to that end.
The tiny wizard touched his arm, casting her senses over his entire body.
“You’re not able to do that, in this current form. You also can’t get any diseases, so that isn’t a problem for you. Not that Itzel isn’t protected. So is Aslam. It’s good of you to think of that kind of thing. Next time, make certain you do it first? Now, go. Hurry.” There was no real urgency in her voice however.
Not that she was playing a game with him, Willum didn’t think. She was serious enough in what she wanted him to become. It was simply that, much like he was feeling himself at the moment, she didn’t really know what that was. A person that could learn to make his way anywhere he went. Including places so strange that there was no way for him to go in with real context in first. The idea was, he knew, a thing that was probably going to be his life’s work. At least for the next decades.
It kind of made him want to go back to wood working.
That had been understandable enough to make sense. People needed a chair, so you made one for them. It was relatively simple. Boring, after a fashion, with a lot of prep-work first, in that it had been his job to sharpen the tools, get the wood a year in advance then trim it using cutters into the boards and planks they might need later. Then he had to run the kiln to dry it all. Now Elis would be expected to do that all by himself. The man wasn’t old however.
Worse, he couldn’t just pop into Pine Creek to explain things to him. Or to his family. Diana might understand, having seen him the day before, but to the rest of them he’d be some stranger making fun of them, claiming to be Will Baker. It was a flaw in the plan, since him vanishing wasn’t going to work forever. They could stall for a while, using the relatives that would understand what was going on. Timon and Taman for instance. Maybe Queen Tiera. They’d all met her at least. Eventually he was going to have to show back up. Before he grew all the way. It meant doing that inside the next week or so, since he was supposed to be six feet high in just over a month.
If people didn’t see that first, there could be trouble with it.
How he was supposed to get that done…
Well, the answer there was that he was supposed to work that kind of thing out. The simplest way would be for Timon to do that work, letting him change, then move back. It was a lot to ask of the man, but he was either in on the plans or not. That would need to happen later however. Possibly at night. Aunt Taman had suggested that he spend his nights with her magic rock for the time being, but that was when he had the most freedom, he thought. Unless his new boyfriend wanted to use his body then.
The idea was a harsh one, for a moment. Then he shrugged.
After all, his job was to fit in. If that did it for Coatl, then he was being good, taking care of his friend. Not that they were really that. It didn’t take the smartest man in the world to recall what Taman had told him. Troy Lopez as well. They had to be ready to fight people they knew. Killing them even. Including themselves. That was probably easier than doing that to a friend. So he couldn’t let himself feel that way for anyone really. Not that he knew how to fight at all. That had been mentioned, but he had to learn English better first.
The trip through the hut to Warden was quick and efficient. He was dropped off next to a bakery and magic shop, but the thing was clo
sed at the moment. There was no scent of smoke from the ovens, either. It wasn’t that hard to look down the road to find where the Count would be living. As he moved he listened to the people around him talking. It was accented Standard, clipped in some places, longer on the ending sounds. Rounder as well. It left everyone sounding pleasantly happy enough. He was stared at, but the people, who had darker skin than he did now in the main, waved and smiled at him as they did it. A few even called out to him.
“Hello! Are you coming for the party later at the Estate?” This was from an older woman, who was dressed in light white cloth. It wasn’t see through, but would be when damp, he was willing to bet. Given that it looked like that might happen, from the heavy clouds above them, it could be an issue for her soon.
In fact, as he walked, roughly toward her, a few fat splotches of dampness hit him. He didn’t let his shield turn on yet, since no one there was going to have that kind of thing. He already looked a bit out of place, dressed up as he was.
“I don’t know? That sounds fun, but I might have to go and work later.” He nearly winced, but kept that off of his face. Nobles didn’t really talk about work, he didn't think. They hunted or played. Listened to musicians and wasted their days in leisure. At least that was what the stories had told him over the years. He certainly hadn’t seen that yet, but the one dinner party he’d gone to had been closer to that than what he was used to.
The lady seemed happy with that answer.
“I hear you there! Try to make it if you can? I’m Lara. We could dance? Maybe more than that?” It was really forward, but clearly the custom of the area. No one glared at him over her talking to him at any rate.
“That would be most welcome. If I wasn’t so busy right now, I’d invite you to spend some time with me, Lara. Later however? That would be… Interesting.” He looked at her then, smiling. He got one back, so it probably wasn’t that far out of how they flirted there. Maybe a bit. Honestly he should have just nodded and waved, instead of engaging with her. Others had done that, so it was probably closer to the correct answer.
“Fun! Well, see you later? I’m normally at the party here, when the Count and Countess hold them. That’s most nights…” There was promise in the words. He thought.
He traveled up the walkway to the front of the palace. There was no wall around it. No moat either. The thing was lovely though, having a red roof on it, and white walls, with hundreds of windows. As his hand came up, he changed his hair to blond again. Or tried to. His eyes were green, which he was fairly certain of. Glancing at his arms he realized that his hair had gone copper red on him again, just as the door opened. The man there, who was about his own size, if a bit heavier, was dressed in a nice white jacket and trousers.
“Hello. This is the Ward Residence. May I help you today, my Lord?”
He wasn’t the lord of anything, so understood that the man just didn't know who he was. Even being youthful looking wasn’t enough to have him set aside as non-important, it seemed.
“Hello! I’m Countier Four Lairdgren, Willum Baker? I was asked to return this book to Count Ward? I have a letter for him as well. It’s supposed to have instructions in it for me, so I can’t just pass that off. I should probably try anyway, but you know, it’s part of my task for the day, so…” He tried for a combination of interested and pleasant in his words. It wasn’t exactly right, he didn’t think, but the man in front of him just bowed. He got one back. Will didn’t go as low, but the man was in nice clothing, so might be important. That meant he nearly matched him, which got his eyes to go wide in return.
“I can see if the Count is entertaining today? Perhaps you would step in, I think it’s about to rain.”
Not that the porch covering wasn’t large enough to keep him, the book, and the letter dry, but it was polite seeming, so he agreed without issue.
The inside of the place was even nicer than the outside. It rather made the Thomson’s seem poor, actually. Since that had been the richest place he’d ever seen in Noram before that moment, it meant something. Glancing around, he tried to keep to his act. That meant being observant, but not gawking like he’d never seen anything as splendid before. Even if that was close to the truth. Though, the hallway and shops on Harmony had been pretty nice. The stone buildings in Soam were grand as well, if in a very different fashion. It meant that he was just standing, his face still and relaxed, when the man in white came back.
“This way, sir? The Count and Countess are in the drawing room today. They’re most eager to make your acquaintance.”
That didn’t seem like a trick or trap. More like something that was simply said. Like well met or asking how someone was doing that day, even if you were busy and didn’t have time to actually listen to their problems. He took it that way, hoping that he wasn’t doing the wrong thing.
It took a few moments to walk to the room in question. The thing was very large, but only held two people. A lovely woman who was a bit over six feet tall, as well as a giant of a man who was closer to nine feet than not. Over that, in fact. The man was standing, though the lady, in her thin white gown, stayed seated.
“Countier Lairdgren? I… Honestly, I don’t know you yet, I don’t think? Please forgive me. I learned the names, I thought, but Willum escapes me. I apologize for the lack.” He bowed, going just shy of halfway down. That was really polite, but spoke of the man being very uncertain as to what was actually going on. Will went lower.
“So pleased to meet you. That portion isn’t hard to understand. It seems that my father, Countier Second Lairdgren, had abdicated years back. Except that the old Count didn’t put the papers through. In fact, he rather left a note with Count Lairdgren to send the line of advancement down to his children, for some reason. It’s a shakeup, to say the very least. We were only informed a few days ago. Before that…” He spread his hands, the book and letter in the left one.
That got the Countess, Maria Ward, if she was the right person, to stand then.
“Ah? You’ve met with Taman Baker then? She borrowed that from me a few days ago. Has she seen good use of it?” There was a curled smile, as if he were supposed to know what had been happening with the thing in her regard. Bowing, he handed it over, as if it were a gift. She took it with both hands, which was what you did with that kind of thing.
“In that she had me memorize the whole thing? I think so.”
That got her to wink at him then, open the book at random, pointing at something.
“Page eleven, halfway down the text, line… Seventeen.”
It took him a second, since he had to count down himself, before he could start.
“Placing the other man in your palm, twist slightly as you pull the skin you find there toward the end. Only halfway, so as to not create discomfort.” Part of him wanted to blush at the words, but it was her book. Even the Count just walked over, looked at the page and then clapped, as if it were a trick.
“I see! Well, one could do worse than learning this book. There are others that might be of aid to you as well, if you have the time? Maria is rather a master of such teachings. You should consider her as a friend for that?” It was a bit leading, but the woman didn’t slap at either of them, just seeming pleased that it had been spoken of already.
“Oh! That would be marvelous. Things have been a bit quiet around here of late. I’d been hoping that we’d have more visitors, once the Ancients came back, but so far only Taman has come around. That only a few times. I should go and see her soon, if I can book passage.” She blinked at him. Fluttering her eyes.
He just bowed.
“Have you considered using the transportation network for that? Soam is a lovely place. I’ve been staying there for the last few days, making friends with people. Very friendly and kind, so far.” It was actually true, but he managed to make it sound like he was slightly bored of being there. It had been painful, worrisome and probably damaging to him, but not boring yet.
The Count nodded.
“I
’ve been mentioning the same thing. Maria simply doesn’t wish to go alone. Perhaps you could give her a tour of the place soon? Myself as well, if that would be allowable?”
Bowing, he held out the letter. If he were about to be plowed in an uncomfortable way by the man, they might as well be friends.
“That should be doable. I can’t today, having a full schedule, after I finish here, but perhaps soon? If I know a few days in advance, I can make certain to have the time. We can go other places as well, if you wish? Count Lairdgren rather has me running errands for anyone that wants to send packages or letters. Anyplace the new network goes. I’m almost certain I’ll be well versed in things inside a few weeks.” Which was the point, at a guess.
Meaning that the man was probably in on the whole thing with Taman. It was, Will decided, better than being set up to die. Maria moved in and hugged him, passing the letter over to her husband. That meant, being bent in half he got her chest rubbed all over his face. It wasn’t unpleasant, though he stood up quickly enough that his interest in her wasn’t immediately apparent. She did her own moving back then, not seeming to be scandalized by anything he was doing, yet.
She spoke while the giant man moved to get a letter opener, which was a dull looking silver colored blade.
“That would be wonderful, if it isn’t a problem? We just met, after all. Perhaps you could come and stay here with us for a time? That would be… Interesting.”
He had to agree that it probably would be. If nothing else, he could see more of their incredible palace. He was about to suggest setting that up, when there was a gasp from the Count. He was looking at the letter, his face having gone several shades lighter. Without speaking, looking mortified, he handed the thing off to his wife. She was a bit lighter in color to start with, but instead of gasping, her face turned a nice red shade. It was pretty enough, except for the scowl on it.
“I can’t… To ask this of us. Or of her nephew… Why? It doesn’t say. We should tear it up and send it back to her.” It sounded like she meant it.
