After a few second his girlfriend, tears in her eyes shook her head.
“Nothing like that. Just, you know, you called him friend and we all shared a bed, which as far as anyone else in the world is concerned means we all had sex, but giving someone a weapon is a sign of trust beyond… Well, especially something like this.” Her hand flew out.
“Plus, you have them sitting in a little box by your front door? That will be fixed before hundreds of school kids come in, right?”
It was a good point.
“Yeah. OK.” Tor had to laugh, even though he didn't know why. It was a hard thing at first, but just didn't stop for a while. The others joined in after a bit, if much more softly. Being polite likely.
“OK, Trice, um, could you help me with the next bit? I have an idea who to get to act as a go between for Sandra, but it will take some begging most likely. Then I need to contact each Count and Countess and invite them for Postern. I'll get with Collette on that, she's good at those kinds of things.”
Trice went stiff, but Count Ward left without hesitation, which was heartening. Before he stepped out the door the man touched his chest and transformed completely. If Tor hadn't seen it before he would have goggled a bit. There was no way, without using magic, to tell it wasn't him. Except possibly scent.
That magic could be used was a real point too. The height thing as well. He could make him look taller, but shorter… It didn't seem possible. That probably meant it was a brilliant idea if he could work something out. Tuck one of these giants into a commoner body and no one would ever find them.
As they walked back into the work room Tor remembered that they hadn't fed the Count yet, which had to be all kinds of rude, when you had a royal guest. Tor held his breath after mentioning it to Trice, who just shrugged, a sullen and unhappy thing. Tor winced.
“That bad?”
“No, well, normally yes, if you refused him food it would be a big deal, especially if you had it and I can smell the kitchen working already. But he left on his own, probably to avoid seeing me humbled.” She walked to the door of the room and stopped.
“I know that, things between us have been a bit… less than perfect. I accept that you may require me to do things to win your trust. I…” Her voice caught, like it did when she was starting to cry, “I'll do what you ask. Who do I have to beg?” Her face looked so forlorn it nearly caused him to start chuckling, but he knew better than to let that happen.
“Oh! I'm… That was just a turn of phrase Trice! I want to see if we can get Countess Cannor in as go between for Sandra. It may be hard, since she hasn't seen my mom since, well you know all that. But she should, and really, if we can get her around for it, it should be done even if we can't get her to act in that capacity.” He shrugged. “In that case I was thinking of Countess Printer. Really, she should start a working group at her academy too. I should bring that up.”
Tor moved in and gave Trice a hug. It wasn't all he wanted to do to reassure her of her place, but really, sex was just out. He wasn't even sure he could function at the moment. Nothing happened from pressing his body against hers and that normally did the trick all on its own.
“Don't worry, I love you. It's, well, I'm not holding any grudges. Honestly, I… don't think I can.” It was really almost an alien concept. He knew it happened, people getting mad and even staying that way for years, or even the rest of their lives.
How they did it just didn't work mentally for him at all.
Mary Cannor answered her communications device herself, sounding excited and happy. She even offered to start that day cross country by carriage to perform her task.
“No time for that Grandmother Cannor.” Tor said, using the words for the first time. Step-grandmother was too big a mouthful. A happy sound came from the device at least when he said it.
“So, what I'd like to do is send in Patricia Morgan in with a fast carriage. Those fly, but are really safe, far safer than a regular ones with those unpredictable horses and all those divots and bounces along the road.” He was leading the conversation, having a feeling that the Countess had never flown before.
“Oh, I can handle it. I want some of that flying gear though, if you’re looking for a birthday present for me.”
Tor tilted his head and shrugged.
“I… have a few to catch up on. I'll send some things, if that's all right?” She was family after all.
When the connection was broken, only ten minutes later, Tor started writing.
“I need the dam there checked on too, if you can? Also check to make sure no one is struggling that much? After the flood… I’ll get you some gold just in case…” He didn't want to meddle, but if they needed something, the kids would need some time to get everything around.
Trice surprised him then by giving him a big hug, standing over his chair, warm breasts pressed against his face. It was still fun, half broken or not.
“I love you. I guess I never realized how much you really did for other people before.” It was followed by a kiss, which was warm and very well done. He responded as best he could.
From the door a throat was cleared.
“Breakfast is ready. Unless you two are planning to skip it?” Collette didn't sound displeased by the idea, but Tor knew he needed to eat.
“Tempting, but I need to grab a quick bite and get to county Cannor and back to Two Bends, so kind of a hurry today.” The little dragon stared at Tor and nodded firmly. What that meant he didn't know, but it was cute. It had turned a reddish purple color. The eyes were ice blue though.
He knew that because her right breast was still looming over his face.
“Um, Collette? Not to be bossy, but can the ice manufactory keep working if you spend the day with me?” She was a business woman too, after all. He had to remember that.
“Oh sure! It's the slow season. People hardly buy ice at all this time of year, even here. It will probably pick up a bit for Postern. Not much though. The hot festivals, now those are good for business. So, yes, the workers don't need me most days at all. I just check in once a week or so.”
Tor nodded and stood, which forced Trice to step back, smoothly though, with more grace than not. Her grin was infectious and Tor caught it.
They all ate together, but as promised Trice hurried, leaving half way through. Ali and Maria had plans to go to the palace for the day, so they'd be taken care of too. Reminded Tor jumped up from the table.
“Um, excuse me for a moment, I'll be right back.” He paused but they all smiled gently and murmured that it was fine.
When he got back he set a small pile of amulets next to Maria.
“New shield, flying gear, old style military not flyer, force lance and an air choke.” He pointed to each in turn. “Those are for you. To see to your safety.”
Now all they needed was to get the names of everyone else that didn't have the new shields and get those off. Hopefully the King and Queen would be passing out the gifts from Sandra already too. He was going to run out of things way before he could get back to work himself. He had a bunch of stuff made up, but the desire to do things was eating at him already.
Maria held the little amulets, all on focus stone, with glowing sigils as if they were more than trinkets.
“I…” She started crying then. Tor scrambled for something to short circuit her on that. Eep. Too many tears by far in his world.
“Oh… We should see if Glaran will go with you. I don't know how well you cook or bake Maria, but Ali needs a bit of practice for large crowds and the Queen, while a wonderful organizer, might push her staff too hard, trying to save coins that we're trying to spend, instead of hiring people. Is that all right?”
It was, since in one of those odd turns that Maria often had, she liked the woman better than her own mother. Tor had never met her at all. Given everything the woman was probably a delight. Maria had fought with both Collette and Petra for years after all, but loved Bonita, which made little to no sense. Not that Nita shouldn't be loved, that was clear, just that the others were wonderful too.