He bowed to the King, then to Connie, and gestured for Karina and Rolph to come with him. Varley hadn't been at the execution, thankfully. She was young, and just had a baby. Her time should be spent on life, not slaughter. He was shaking, true, but not with cold, or even fear. He didn't know what it was, but that didn't stop it from happening. He stopped and looked down at the floor.
“Um, I don't mean this in a threatening way…. but there will be no retaliation against Debbie or the Smalls family. If I hear of such, well, it won't be pleasant, will it? Debbie, please come with us now. And… Maria, Marvin, would you as well?” It was a request, but it would make his begging easier, if they were there for it, wouldn't it?
They looked shocked by it, but came along as if commanded by the King himself. Everyone else cleared the room as Tor went outside and cycled his clothing until it was clean, then touching her shoulder, he did the same for Debbie. No one else had been as close to the spray. She had blood on her face, a streak of it, still red and just starting to harden. He probably did too. It would serve for the moment.
Death shouldn't be pretty. Tears fell then, from almost everyone.
As they landed Tor looked at the Wards, before the door was even open on the carriage, just sitting, looking at them for a while.
“I'd like to relocate Debbie and her concern to Ward. Would she have your protection if that were to happen? From Carol I mean? There will be retribution for this, but I don’t want it to touch Debbie.” Him making commands or not in the execution chamber, it was a valid question. He didn't think they'd go after her themselves, but that was different than being marked as someone to personally protect.
Marvin nodded once, “Yes. Though I don't think anyone of Ward would harm her over this situation. Do you suspect treachery?”
“I expect that people, some of them, will be very angry and hurt for a long time and without anyone to blame, may look for the adjacent target. If she stayed here, unprotected, I don't think it would be… good.” He felt so tired. So sad.
It wasn't fair. But it was less fair to everyone else than him, so he couldn't even complain, could he? Instead he just waited, amazed as Maria moved in and hugged Debbie.
“Don't worry Debbie. You're with us now. No one will hurt or blame you. We'll make arrangements for your family to come as well. None of this was your fault.” Her voice was fierce, protective.
That got a snort from Trice who was at the controls still. Tor didn't drive them, being too worn down. Crashing wouldn't have helped them at all after all. His friend… Tor had to stop there, they were all his friends, weren't they? Trice smiled, but looked a little sad and nodded.
“Tor has the right of this. We need to send you with a guard for a while too. At least while you pack up to move. Who should we get?” Her voice was a little too knowing for Tor.
Checking her field it was clear that she was starting to suspect something was up with Kolb and his people. Still, part of that made sense didn't it?
“Her friends, Trice… Like Davie and Haver, their people. Maybe Kara from the palace and some of her buddies?” That should skew the count enough, he figured, adding Royal Guards to the mix.
Trice just shrugged.
“I'll see who I can scrounge up. Karina, give me a hand?” She asked and gave the girl a glance.
“No. I'm staying with Debbie. For now at least. She's my friend. I can't abandon her. Rolph, will you see to it?”
“On it.”
It was enough. No one doubted that Rolph would get things done. No one sane. The giant red-head climbed out, clothing shifting to a fine and official suit of clothing, a dark purple jacket that looked nearly black, with shining gold button on it. Royal crest on the heart. He didn't get five steps toward the door before people started bowing. He just stood for a second and then gave an almost imperceptible bow back.
That would kind of end the idea of people not knowing who he was at school, wouldn't it? Half the kids standing there were just gaping. Sam didn't, he just walked over and looked at the outfit Rolph wore and straightened a bit.
“Need help?” He said succinctly. Really it was an incredibly rude way to address the Prince, but Tor decided to talk to him about protocol stuff later. He was doing at least as well Tor would have at his age after all. The Prince nodded.
“Instructor Kolb? That or his people?” Then he waited.
Sam spun, but instead of taking off to look, like Tor would have, he called out.
“Instructor Kolb, anyone know where to find him?” It took a few minutes, but a runner was sent and when Tor looked back, Sam was out of his student Browns and into a nice set of velvet and silk black clothes, ones that looked like with Tor had worn the other day, but with a single purple stripe down the leg. Guide and Sandra both ran up, dressed in identical outfits. A uniform then? Well, that worked for him. Lyn and Weasel came out a few minutes later too, looked around and both changed to match. It suddenly looked very official, didn’t it? The clothing devices were just dead handy that way.
Tor just sat for a second, a little blankly, then he smiled at them and gestured Sandra closer, since they'd all just been standing themselves. Looking guilty. Probably for promoting themselves to his assistants without asking.
Ah well. Worked for him.
“Builder Morris, please set up a protection detail for Miss Smalls here. There is a real chance of problems, Instructor Kolb and some of his students will be coming soon, but until then, we do it.”
“Yes sir!” She didn't salute, just turning and waving people into place. They had force lances in their hands within seconds.
Heh, except Guide, who was holding an explosive weapon. A strong one. It was close to what Tor had built, but wasn't a copy. Not exactly. It was a novel build. Well then. He had a right to carry it, by law if that was the case, didn’t he?
“If we come under attack, try to take them alive. If overwhelming force is presented, Guide will cover the retreat along with me.” It was ridiculous of course, but good enough practice. He had explosive weapons on him too and got his multi-weapon out. Anyone looking for a spot of revenge would have a fight on their hands.
One they probably wouldn’t survive.
As it was they looked intimidating enough that Kolb, Baron Haver and Petra Ward all walked over slowly, Rolph behind them, since they didn't recognize any of the short uniformed people with weapons out. The all held their hands away from their bodies.
Tor waved them in, it probably looked high handed, but he was still sitting in the carriage and didn't intend to stand until he had to. He explained it all quickly enough and waved a little towards Marvin.
“So the Wards are hosting her in Warden, her family too, once we clear them. I'd like a real protective detail to go with her, we can buy her a house, or send her with one.” He turned to the Count to explain. “I'm not trying to send spies in. If I want to know something I'll just use the communications device and ask. But these people won't let anything bad happen. Is that alright with you?” It might not be, Tor knew. But sending Baron Haver as a spy was… funny. Yep, that's what it would be. The idea of him hiding in the bushes trying to listen to secrets…
Not that he couldn't do it if need arose, but he didn't look the part at all.
“That would be fine. We don't have much crime there, so the security forces are a little light. I don't think that Miss Smalls will have any trouble, as I mentioned. I'll introduce her to Martya, so she can quickly establish her new business.” He sounded kind enough about it.
Debbie was still crying softly, but she spoke then. Tor expected her to complain about him sending her away, which he understood. It was high handed and bossy of him. He hadn't even asked, but he also didn't think she could make a good decision at the moment on the matter.