Envoy to Earth

by P. S. Power

  Now, without hardly noticing himself changing, he'd become that to the woman next to him. A threat, or perhaps a potential asset, but not someone that she could easily accept as an equal.

  "I understand. We'll just have to fight through that anyway, because I was serious. We have orders to be friends, if unspoken ones."

  Gerent smiled, letting himself seem happy about it, since it wasn't exactly a hardship for him at least. The woman next to him, leading the way, reminded him of Tamerlane, which got him to grimace, after she turned away to open her shop, which was just down the street from where the Wards lived. Close enough that it showed special favor, them letting her set up that close to the palace. Not just anyone would be allowed to do that, he was willing to bet.

  She grabbed a sheet of paper and a pencil, and then handed them both to him, which got a wry look to come to his own face.

  "Well, this is awkward. I hate to admit it, but I don't write well. Or read much either. Midgets aren't given much schooling, laws saying otherwise aside. No one sees much need for it. Honestly, if my friend Patty hadn't taken the time to teach me letters, I wouldn't even have that. I should practice more, I know, but for the moment it might be faster if you do it?"

  She looked horrified, if only for a second, then smiled, covering for him. It was embarrassing, not knowing how to do that, but she didn't rub it in, like some did.

  "Here then. Things haven't been selling out too fast, but I could still use some replenishing. A year is a long time, even in a slow market." Then she walked her shop, marking down how much she might need of what items, and then tapped the page, at the end of it. "I'll mark down that I could use anything new that they want to part with as well. Thank you for suggesting this. Even if nothing comes of it, it would be good to be in touch with Tor. I heard that he can't return here for years?" She looked at him, sidelong, as if trying not to accuse him of anything.

  It was his fault, but had still been needed.

  "That's right. It would kill him. Nine more years, I think. You can go visit him there, however. I should have a jump ship, after this trip, so we can set that up. I don't know if they have inns there, or how that works, never having been myself, but it's a good idea."

  She demurred, but then, she would. He was, like it or not, a nobleman in her eyes. That meant the kind of person that could say anything he wanted to get her to drop her undergarments, even if he didn't just order it done. So, until he actually took her there, anything he said like that was going to be viewed as idle chatter. Gerent thought it might be a good idea, however. As long as things up there weren't so primitive that no one should go. If that was the case, he'd know it shortly himself.

  They didn't dawdle, which left them with about an hour to kill. On the good side, Debbie softened toward him, and spoke more freely as time passed, showing him her house and relaxing a good bit when he didn't insist they retire to her bed chamber.

  "I live pretty simply, most of the time. Right now I spend my days over in the estate. Maria and Marvin have been very kind to me, so I want to do what I can to repay them. I don't... Well, other than some baked goods or magics, I don't have much. Coin isn't short for them, so... Playing servant. I know I should be humbled by it, but I don't mind. I was raised in a small village, Copperton, and moved when I decided not to marry the local blacksmith's second son. Nothing against him, but I like my men to have at least most of their teeth." She tapped the magic light as she walked past, making the bright glow stop suddenly. It plunged them into darkness, but it was pretty clear she was taking him outside. Or he thought that was the case.

  There was a whisper then, as she moved closer to him.

  "I... Maria and Marvin, they aren't really against the King. I'm not supposed to tell anyone, but you need to let Tiera know that. She can... we need the help here. I'd go and beg myself, if I thought it would work. We do fine, but people in the other cities are starving, or at least half starving. We don't have the resources that the Timon devices offer. Even with them working for the King, he can't show them favors, since that would give them away to our enemies. But if you got those devices for us, we can claim that it was... I don't know. Can you work that out? We need help." She moved close enough to him that Gerent wondered if she were going to try to kiss him, but that didn't happen. He was probably supposed to be the one doing things like that, he knew.

  It was just so far outside his own experience. Not that he was all that shocked to find out about Maria and Marvin. Rebellion right then was stupid. If he'd been the one in charge he would have told everyone to wait ten years, for things to stabilize a little. Or at least make sure they had regular food before spending their time and efforts trying to get rid of a King that was no worse than any they'd ever had.

  "I'll ask about that. Even if I can't figure it out, I bet some of the others can. We should get back, before everyone thinks that I'm stealing you away tonight." Not that it wouldn't be fun, but it was pretty clear that wasn't exactly what the woman was going for.

  "Thank you. I know that you'll do what you can."

  Then, as they walked back, she folded the paper she'd been working on and handed it to him. He made a special little pocket for it, on his left breast, so he wouldn't lose it. There was a little flap that lifted, keeping it from falling out.

  Debbie might not have been family to the Wards, but she walked right into the palace there as if she owned it, not even bothering to knock. In a bit they were back with Collette and the others, who seemed to have done their writing work quickly enough. One by one they all handed him their sealed envelopes, marked with different names on the outside. Several to Tiera, Timon and Tor. One addressed to Conserina Karen Derring, and one to Conserina Farlo Ross. They were both in the same hand, if he could make that kind of thing out well enough.

  Thanks to Patty he could understand them. He hadn't lied to Debbie, about not reading well, but his writing was very slow and stilted, comparatively. Gerent could make out most of the simple words on things now, if he tried hard enough, and guessed for a while. He'd never even tried to read something like a whole book. That was the same as magic to him. As far as he knew it was even related. After all, the wizards he'd met could all read.

  Gerent was willing to stay and talk, but the important things had apparently all happened while he was being coached by Debbie at her store. Collette stood and started hugging people at any rate, so he followed along. Bowing to most of them, except for Petra who grabbed him pretty forcefully. The embrace being just a bit warm. Friendly even.

  That got Maria to smile and move in for her own hug, though the Count stood back this time, just smiling.

  His deep voice rumbled enough that Ger actually felt it in his chest.

  "We can expect you both back soon? Perhaps for a longer stay?" It was polite, but the fact of the matter was that Gerent just didn't know the real answer.

  Collette started to nod, as if wanting that, but he had to think first, trying to work everything out.

  "We'd love to, of course, and one way or another I will be back with aid for your people. Even if I have to tie Tor to a chair and threaten to ruin his baking for a whole day to get it done. As for the rest, I don't know what I'll have time for soon. If things are this bad here, well, other places will need help too. Afrak, Austra... Vagus and Tellerand. I don't even want to start to imagine what's happened in Soam."

  The whole room got quiet then, and everyone stared right at him, as if he'd said something wrong. Not just slightly off, but an evil so vast and dark that he might need to be cleansed with fire to make the words right in the minds of those present. Then, even when no one else moved, Baron Eager bowed, going low. After ten seconds he stood, his face a bit red from exertion.

  "I think, in our focus on personal concerns, that we forgot about those others. Thank you for reminding us. I'll..." He sighed and shook his head, then looked at Countess Printer. "I have to see to my people first, but surely some of our young people could be spared to help with such effort
s? You could offer them extra marks in school for good works, perhaps? Not that I'm telling you how to run your school..." He blushed, but Holly just let her face look bemused and nodded, which got the man to relax a good bit.

  Then she looked at the darker and shorter fellow and took a single, very deep, breath.

  "Right. I'll put the word out. I know, you can lead them, Countier Lairdgren! A students brigade of the High Servants, perhaps?" She tried to say it seriously. Gerent was nearly certain that wasn't being said to tease him or as a joke. It was meant as a flat offer. She'd give him workers, drawn from her body of school children. Unfortunately for her, she broke up after she said it, laughing uncontrollably.

  Watching her for a second, he nodded, knowing a comedy bit when he saw one.

  "I'm sorry, but I must decline. I honestly don't know if I'll have time, or I'd give it a go. We really can use all the help we can get. That, and of course, have you work on your presentation. I mean, if you could have held that last bit, with the sputtering and doubling over until I left, it might have worked. I know, I'll talk to the King tomorrow and see if he has anyone he wants that foisted on? That isn't me, I mean." He let himself go still, but the reaction in the room was pretty mixed.

  It was the Dowager Ward that cleared her throat. He expected that to be for his scolding, since he'd been pretty flip with a sitting Countess, but she sounded relaxed about it all, really.

  "That... Might work. Thank you Countier Lairdgren. If you could have him connect with Countess Printer about that? Things are... Strained at the moment, but regardless of who comes out on top in the end, we need to see to the safety of all, or what was the point of it to begin with?" She looked at Petra, who stood up, her face slightly stubborn seeming.

  "That is a very good point, mother. I'll head out and see to that myself, since the Royal Guard hardly ever executes me on the spot, unlike the rest of you. I love you all, and won't betray you, but I think you're wrong to go against Richard. He's a good and fair man. You all think you can do better, but it took you this long to remember Soam, didn't it? No one is suggesting Gerent to replace the King though, are they? I bet that he'll have something in place." She crossed her arms and glared at everyone, claims of loving familial regards or not.

  Holly made a hard face at the other woman, and then waved a hand.

  "I have my reasons, Pet. Still, we can do without you for a few days, if you can set that up? Martha isn't wrong, after all. In the end we need to do the right thing, or there was no point to this. If the people with... contrary views, won't stand for good and right, then we deserve for the world to turn its hand against us."

  The words were a speech, and the lady held her head high, as if they were a crowd, and she were winning them over to her way of thinking. It worked too, since everyone started nodding along. It was a good effort really, but a little off, which Gerent mentioned, clearing his own throat.

  "Look off into the horizon a bit more. Eyes up. It gives the sense of looking into the future. Otherwise, that was well done. Did you have classes in that? I had some, after a fashion, from a High player that had fallen on hard times. He taught me to play the part of King Valiant the Bold." They all looked at him, so he shrugged. Everyone knew the classic piece, which he'd done straight, but it was still comedic. Or had been. "Lo! There, off to the East, the fleet of the seven arrives! Hold fast, for by morning we will see if the Austrans are men, or mere wind, to be scattered from shore to shore!"

  He did the whole thing, body posture and all, which got a small clap from Maria.

  "That's not bad! You know the whole thing too, from memory? We'll have to have you perform it sometime. In private of course. Since your station is too great for that sort of thing in public." She moved toward him, and reached up, for another, if briefer, hug. "You make it seem very noble and manly!"

  He crossed his eyes and stuck his tongue out.

  "But imagine it, as it was even a few years before... I stood barely to most men's... waists, that is what we call that area down-" He waved a hand just below his crotch, drawing the eyes of all. "Or not! Well, it was a parody back then. But yes, seek the distance when you speak, Countess Printer, for the big speeches. Not the ones about cakes or apples, because then people will think them of major meaning and import. Probably best not to speak of lizards that way, too. Unless they are very grand ones."

  No laughs came, but the Countess looked at the right spot, her head high.

  "Like this?"

  He looked down at her, and then had to agree.

  "Exactly. It makes an impact. Not that you didn't before. I mean, you clearly had the whole room. Now, before I get myself either pilloried or drawn and quartered, I think I should remove myself from this space. It was very nice seeing, or meeting, you all." He was performing the whole thing, his voice fake sounding, but stage like. It was doing the King Valiant bit. Even just the one line. It reminded him of some of the happier times that he'd had in life. For the whole year that he and Donal were together, they'd eaten almost every day, and no one had beaten him. That had been years before, when he was about nineteen or twenty. Not that he knew how old he was now.

  He thought he was twenty-eight, but it could be younger than that, or older, by years in either direction. If there had ever been anyone to record his birth, Gerent had never met them.

  Marvin, being kind, walked him out, a hand on his shoulder as they neared the door.

  "Do come again soon? Both of you. We wait the day." That was a bit flowery for the man, but it seemed like he meant it, so Gerent nodded.

  "I'll return as soon as I possibly can. With help. Don't let those others forget what they said in there? I think that this whole rebellion thing is a bad idea right now. Not that I know that kind of thing. Still, I don't know the reasons people have, and the idea that we all have to bend over and take it from our masters is..." He didn't go on, since that had been all too real to him, more than once in life. The King didn't do that to anyone though. Not without flowers or sweet words first. Not even when it was metaphorical bending. These people, some of them, didn't know how good they had it.

  "Indeed. I disagree, but I can see your perspective. Perhaps I should send my sister along with you? Do you head toward the Capital? She has her own craft, but I fear she might challenge Baron Eager to a duel if the night wears on too much longer in the current vein. The man is an able fighter in his own right, but I don't think he realizes that Petra walks around with more weaponry on her than most battle groups. Don't let this out, but more than one of the rebellion has been removed that way. Petra challenging them to a fight and then killing them out of hand. Three, in fact. Only two of them really deserved it however. So, if that's acceptable? I'm nearly certain that she likes both of you."

  Ger nodded, though Collette looked a bit displeased about the whole thing. That got Marvin to call for her, actually going to get the woman himself.

  "Gerent was just mentioning that it would be most pleasant for you to travel with them back to the Capital. I think that would be a good idea." His voice was stern enough to make it an order, but Petra was his sister. Nobleman and in charge or not, which meant he caught more attitude from her than most men in his position would have put up with from younger women.

  "You can't get rid of me that easily. I was thinking that it might be good if your friend the Baron met with an accident."

  Marvin let his lips tighten and turn white.

  "Pet..." He closed his eyes, then opened them wide and smiled. "I don't mean to be a pain, but Countier Lairdgren is within your marriage pool, and both a man of bravery and good heart. I even think he's managed to grow into his station quite nicely. If you can't see that spending time with him is possibly beneficial to you, I might have to suggest that you aren't as brilliant as I've been telling people all these years." It didn't sound mean, but Petra didn't laugh, just smiling a little.

  "True! After the last failed set of plans I'd just figured it was the life of the spinster for me. At least
until the new crop of thirteen year olds gets old enough to be interesting. So, what do you say Gerent? Are you open to marriage proposals?"

  He nearly froze, but Count Ward laughed and patted him on the back, buying him a few extra seconds. Blinking Ger looked at Collette, who seemed actually upset, even if she were hiding it. Normally things like that went through go betweens and often had mothers involved, to make certain it was a good match. He didn't have one of those, so didn't know what to suggest.

  "You know, I am. I think. Both Alice Orange and Collette have first call, but neither have confirmed anything yet. At least I think that's right." He meant that Alice had spoken of marriage, as a joke, but he didn't think she really meant it. She was his friend, but it wasn't like they were lovers. Collette had agreed to be his girlfriend however. So had Sara Debri, now that he thought about it. He mentioned all that, but Petra just looked at her brother and tilted her head.

  "Oohhh. But there are no real proposals on the table yet? How did everyone miss this one? Collette is hard to beat, but Sara, while sweet and lovely, is only merchant class. You have to marry within three steps if you can, and you have a wide open pool... Still, I won't stick a fork in your eye, Collette. Do you plan to ask for him? If so, I'll back off. At least on the marriage part. Dating the Lunar Envoy might be a good plan, regardless, even if he wasn't cute."

  They chattered about that, as they went out and he set his Timon Craft up. He had a faster one, but used the more comfortable of the two. Petra offered her Fast Craft, and let her eyes pop wide when he explained his reasoning.

  "That... Do you have a space ship in your pocket too?" She was, clearly, flabbergasted.

  Collette answered, letting him get into place, making extra seats for Petra. Two, which let her drop her little bag next to her.

  "He's getting one in a few days. One of the new Jump Ships, too. Family connections, but still."

  Petra was behind them both, as he took off, moving straight up first, and then finding west, heading that way fast, but keeping an eye out the shield glass window. It was dark out and harder to navigate that way. Besides, it was interesting, listening to people talk about him as if he had value. That part didn't feel real at all, and never would, he knew. That wouldn't keep him from taking all the benefits of it that he could get, however. Gerent wasn't that smart, but he was clever enough. He wasn't that big, but he'd been able to grow, thanks to magic. He wasn't wealthy, but Tor had left him with chests of gold, and more came in every day. Not his, but for him to use, if he wanted. And in return, people had asked almost nothing of him.