“Don't worry Tor, Kurt's an outrageous flirt with anyone not related to him. He nearly got Trice into bed when he was thirteen. Come to think of it he got her into bed at fourteen. That's why mom won't send him to a nice school like Lairdgren and he has to suffer away at Holden academy way up north. He wouldn't even be back right now but someone managed to get him flying gear. I blame Kris, but no one will tell me for sure.” She pulled him down next to her protectively with a small glare for her brother.
Thinking about it Tor really couldn't complain too much. When Sara had met his younger brother, Timon, the boy had asked her to marry him. She'd been really polite about it and even asked him to send a message to her mother, treating it as a serious offer. It would have been a good match, if Timon hadn't been nine at the time. Ten now though. Fourteen was legal, so if she stayed available for a few more years he might even stand a chance. He was going to mention that, curious as to if his brother had followed through, rather than teasing, but Sara suddenly looked worried.
“Is there a problem? You've never visited alone before. Is something wrong?”
There was always something wrong with him wasn't there? This time it wasn't a problem at least, more like a request, he took a breath and dove in.
“So, I need a template. I'll give it back at the end of the week, but I just don't have one right now and really, making one would be courting death for the next few months. Maybe longer. It's not permanent, but in the future I guess I have to learn to be a bit smarter about how I do things in regards to direct effect, you know? Do you have anything?” He held his breath. Would they trust him not to grab it and run? Did they have a reason to?
Heather shrugged.
“All yours are spread all over the kingdom at different manufacturing centers. All we have here is a Gamble cutter for decorative edgings. Would that do? I'd… like to come and see the events if that's all right? Forming contacts early can't hurt. Have you considered such testing for any other areas or is it only for builders?” The question was innocent, and said as if just indicating it was a thought, not a concern, but the fact was he hadn't considered that in any way. There were other subjects, weren't there?
Well, darn.
OK, could anyone help him with that? Probably. He'd ask. There was just so much to do. Even without building. He missed it, that feeling of actually being effective at something. Real life left him feeling disjointed and a little lost most of the time.
Heather promised to send the template for the Gamble cutter over the next day, early in the morning so they could get started without delay. Now Tor just had to find someone else to run it all. He'd forgotten he was supposed to be on vacation. When he mentioned this out loud Kurt smiled and touched his arm. He had his shield back on, a shield at least, but the boy didn't mean harm, even if the contact was unsettling.
“Alright, no need to beat around the bush. I'll do it for you. But only because I want to get closer to you. Can I stay at your house tonight? So I can be there bright and early in the morning?” Tor nearly said yes but Heather frowned and shook her head.
“I don't think so. You sir, are grounded, and you know it. No parties. No dates, and no sex until you learn to not get serving girls pregnant. You're lucky I'm giving you the run of the house. I should call you home and lock you in, or send you off to the country estate, but I don't want to deal with you that much right now.” Looking at Tor the forty something woman sighed loudly, a sincere and long thing that got his attention at least. He knew the feeling, if not exactly, failing having a precocious young son yet himself.
Tor almost made a suggestion, about how he could watch Kurt so that he could work at something useful, but then he kept his mouth shut. Invite the boy over and he'd wake up with a visitor in his bed he was sure. He could find someone else.
“Hey, Sara, since, you know, you haven't gotten anyone pregnant lately, at least not that your mother knows about, would you like to come stay over? If you're not needed here I mean? I should hit the palace with my idea, and make sure everything is alright there, but going places alone is less than my favorite thing. Plus we haven't really talked for a while, not alone.” It was as pointed as he wanted to get in front of her mom. It wasn't like he had some big speech planned or important heart to heart talk, they should just cover some stuff. Spying mainly. But there was time for that. First the palace, then back to his place, in case Lyn came by. If no one was there to help her she might not call twice.
Sara rode beside him, he reconfigured the magic carriage for it, making it nearly tiny, the top still see through. It was slightly harder to drive, being off center, but it was doable and let her touch him when she wanted. It was nice. She pretty much kept contact with him for the whole ride, scooting closer so their legs touched cozily. The gate guard wasn't someone he knew, but did accept his word about who he was, with a truth device on, one of the gate guard ones. Same for Sara. It meant under the new rules that they didn't have to wait for someone to come and vouch for them, since they were both on the visitors list, speeding up gate traffic incredibly with the huge party coming up.
That reminded him of something. As soon as they got to the meeting that was going on, led by Connie, but attended by everyone, Tor stopped and didn't blurt out what he'd intended. He wanted to remind them to get him an invitation this year, so he wouldn't be locked out again like last time. If it happened twice it would be a tradition, and he'd never get to go. Well, he certainly wasn't wondering around the city this time, he mused nearly laughing, until he got a look at the Queen’s face.
Connie… looked horrible. Drawn again and tired. The King too, now that he glanced that far up to check. Even sitting the man was taller than he was in these chairs. Had something new happened then?
Lairdgren was there and didn't seem too concerned, but that wasn't shocking. He was thousands of years old. No matter how bizarre or harsh something was, Burks had seen it, done it or lived it. Probably more than once. Tor would even hazard that at some point a Princess had sold him as a whore for amusement or to make a point.
No one was wearing black, not even an armband to show grief, so it wasn't a death at least. Not anyone close or an official anyway. Thank the universe for that. They asked him why he'd come, the King sounding sad when he spoke. Burks however nearly jumped at the chance to run the testing for the new project, smiling at Tor as if he'd done something right for a change. Richard gave a real, if weak and sad smile about the idea, but Connie didn't seem to respond at all. It was a good plan, but not enough to shake them from whatever concerned them. It was just them in the room, all friends and no dignitaries, so shrugging, Tor simply asked.
Connie looked at him with tears in her eyes.
“Oh Tor… One of Karina's friends… was found dead this morning. We don't know how to tell her…”
It was a death? God, Ali? Had that situation with her being sold gone wrong? If so, it was his fault. He hadn't thought it would be lethal, but if that was the case, then in part it was his failure. The King continued.
“Not that I approved of her little group of friends, but It seems that the ring leader, Lillith Degray I think her name is? Murdered another of their group. A young lady named Yardley Principle. The Degray girl is in custody, Kolb's people got to her within moments having been patrolling the area, unfortunately a cutter had been used, a weapons grade one. Nothing could be done to save the poor thing.”
“Yardley? I… We only met once I think. She used a healing device to get rid of her acne and the scars from it. She was so happy… Why? Does anyone know?”
The King shook his head.
“No, but we mean to. It's nothing to worry you now, but Karina may need you and her other friends to lean on. This kind of thing is hard on youngsters. Hard on anyone, no matter how old, but after a time you begin to grow a little callused from the beatings of the world. I… it would be cowardly for us to have you tell her, could you send her home immediately? Please, don't give specifics, just tell her it's urgent. She'll respond to that.”