Wensa drilled him on economics, which mainly dealt with accounting in the phase they were in, which was pretty much the same everywhere, and what Tor read about before he had to leave, because the instructor had ordered him to. Raising a single eyebrow she said he had a grasp of the material, but she didn't praise him more than that. She wouldn't though, not with him. They got along OK now, but they weren't exactly friends or anything and she seemed to expect him to pull miracles out of various orifices while at the same time hiding in the woodwork. Not that he wasn't good with that plan, it was just hard to do sometimes.
The rest of his classes where pretty gentle about him having been gone, since the Dean had told them that Tor was away on a rescue mission. Not subtle at all, but true enough, he supposed. Instructor Fines handed him not one, but three new books to read on building theory.
“Now, don't run off and do all of it at once, some of the things in there probably shouldn't be done at all, even if they can be, but it might give you some ideas.” The man seemed pleased and said that Tor could easily catch up if he applied himself and the kingdom’s needs gave him half a chance. It was a load off his shoulders to hear that.
Really being gone nearly three weeks in the middle of a term should mean he had to repeat the whole thing, which would be a pain, at the current rate he'd be eighty and still working on the end of his fifth year. Sure there was time, but school was a means to an end, learning. That's what this was all about and just like he had the last time he was in school other things kept getting in the way.
OK, so all the instructors were being really nice to him about it, which helped, but Tor felt bad about not doing his part as fully as possible. He decided that, just as soon as Denno was settled a bit there would be a serious academic push for a while. That planned out he went to find Rolph, who was actually in their room doing schoolwork like a good student, wearing plain canvas browns and brown boots. It made him look like one of the poor combat giants, instead of the Prince, but to Tor it was a wonderful sight.
A hard working Prince not afraid to look humble, who didn't seek the best luxuries for himself even in private? Who didn't like that? The Two Bends kid in him wanted to bow and scrap a little at the sight. It was like something out of a legend.
Rolph looked over when the door opened, a slightly shocked look on his face. That was understandable, since no one knew when, or if, Tor would be back. He jumped up and hugged Tor tightly for a long time, his feelings warm and friendly, a bit of love mixed in that suddenly threatened to overwhelm the poor guy, Tor noticed. He had to know what was going on, so spying on his friend’s field was needed. At least he told himself so. But it was also unfair.
To Rolph. The guy was great, fantastic even. His best friend and really, when it came down to it, Tor knew he loved him too. Not a huge love that overwhelmed him, but he'd die for him if need be and not even think about it. Or maybe even kill to protect him…
That was the important part.
There were a lot of people that Tor would die to protect, even some he didn't know. Any child or person that couldn't defend themselves for instance. He once went to his death, what should have been his death, for Maria Ward of all people, and he'd disliked and distrusted her more than anyone else on the planet at the time. But there were few he'd actually kill for.
Connie. Yeah, Tor had kept his distance there and she hadn't pressed him for a long time on the matter, but she made the list. Rolph of course. What scared Tor a little there is that when he judged the feeling he was more willing to do it for his friend than anyone else. The implications really frightened him. A lot.
Changing the subject he realized that Trice also made the list. Sarcastic, judgmental and sometimes bitchy about things that didn't even make sense, but she was his. If anyone tried to harm her, they'd die. Tor nearly laughed, which must have showed on his face, because Rolph let him go, looking embarrassed.
“Sorry…” Rolph mumble, looking down, but smiling himself.
Tor hugged him again.
“It wasn't directed at you, I just realized something about the people that I'd protect no matter what, who I'd die and kill for, and the idea of me going all military commando and taking someone out just struck me as ridiculous, that's all. “Me mighty Tor, me crush you!” You have to admit, it's a bit silly.” Tor mugged a little and puffed himself up when pretending to be the big warrior, which got a smile.
“I don't know Tor, I think a lot more people than you might expect would just run away in fear if you started towards them with intent. I've seen the new military plan for handling you if you get out of control and it's…” He just shook his head seriously.
“There's a military plan for that? What is it? Or… or is it a secret so I can't plan for it, I'd guess that would make sense, maybe I shouldn't know.”
Rolph shook his head and sighed, Tor recognized that a joke was coming, so steeled himself for it. The Prince wasn't normally cruel, but his jokes could be ill timed now and then.
“Tor… It's truly horrible. If you get out of control and are attacking them… their supposed to drop to their knees and grovel, the idea is that it would embarrass you so much you'd be rendered incapable of fighting anymore!” There was a chuckle in his voice, but Tor went still.
Totally still, thinking about different scenarios he'd experienced in the past. Rolph stopped smiling and gave him a look, one that asked silently if he was offended by what was said, Tor shook his head, not smiling at all.
“I… that would probably work. I mean as long as they weren't hurting anyone, what could I do? I might run away then, but I couldn't keep fighting, could I?” Tor threw his hands up playfully. It was just true after all.
It wasn't funny, but they both laughed and waves of affection came off his friend. Tor felt like a heel then. It wasn't something he could help, but now that he knew it, how Rolph felt, he had to stop being so mean to him. It… There was just nothing he could do. If he were a better person, or even just less backwoods in his thinking, he could just be Rolph's lover and that would fix it. His feelings were real enough for his big friend for that.
It just wasn't something he could manage, not for real. Even kissing Denno that one time was gross and he was as pretty as a girl. The whole situation sucked, and not in a way that anyone would like at all. Looking at his friend in front of him, hair red, but still short, a military cut, Tor decided to let go of the whole thing for now. Why worry overly about what he couldn't do anything productive about at the moment?
“Anyway Rolph, dinner at the palace tonight, we leave at eight, plan to stay over though. Burks and I got Denno, but I'll fill you and Ali in on the trip… I think she can know about it at least. It doesn't seem to be a secret or anything.”
Until then they'd just do school work, Tor decided. He badly needed to practice his violin, you didn't get better without work after all, and he needed it there. As it was it felt like he'd fail that class for sure. His instructor was a wonderful woman, older and gray, but she had a keen ear and always called the kids on lack of practice. In front of everyone. Tor focused himself, started a noise canceller for Rolph's safety and peace of mind and practiced until he felt his friend shake his arm. Blinking Tor realized that he'd dropped into a working trance while playing, which was decidedly odd. Really he hadn't even known that would be a possibility. The activity of doing something active, with his eyes open should have prevented it. He’d been deep too.
They collected Ali, a small magical trunk floating behind her, filled with… nothing much, Tor guessed, some brushes and make-up maybe? That reminded him to provide his people with the disguise amulets soon, especially the girls. It could be made to color their skin in place of cosmetics and would be a lot faster, at least once preset. Less time spent doing that meant more time to work and help others, right?