That taken care of and a nice kiss from Ali, they managed to be gone shortly after the meal. That meant all Tor had to do was use the communications device he had to talk to about fifty people. It had to be done though. If he left anyone out they might feel slighted.
That would be bad.
Collette wasn't too worried though, reminding him that, as long as he had room for people, and they were going to, and as long as he basically let anyone stay with them, his part was taken care of.
“People will just show up when they hear though, that were putting up everyone, so we probably need housing and food for twice the number of people it seems like… We have enough houses. The only thing is… Well, we need to rent the length of the south wall to the river. Then we can let people set up shops and stand rent free, between the temporary structures.”
She shrugged.
“That's going to cost. About three hundred gold for the week. It's a huge space.”
“Do we have that to hand? I know that Count Morris mentioned sending some golds, but I don't know what we have available at all.”
The golden blond beamed at him and looked down at the table.
“Oh, yes, it hasn't just been him. Everyone has sent funds, we have nearly a quarter million gold locked up in the safe room. I told everyone to invest it locally for you, instead of sending more. That of course means that people are starting more businesses, I think you actually own several hundred concerns outright now, managed by the people on site. You also own a lot of property. Martya has been buying up a lot in Warden and most of the other capital cities too. She and I… If it's all right, we're planning ice manufactories in all of the major cities. We don't have the devices for more than six right now, but, I was wondering, what would the Lairdgren group charge us for their efforts? I know that they're busy right now, but if we bought them ten at a time, for say, five thousand gold? Do you think that's fair? The price is low, but it's not original work. We could pay you, but we figured that if we left you part ownership…”
Tor laughed. It was a fine idea after all.
“I know they're busy, they have school work to do too, but we'll ask during Postern, I've invited them to stay here. Actually I invited all of them, the whole school, and Two Bends. If we could put those next to each other and maybe the place for the Counts and their families on the other side…” Tor looked down.
“But all of that is up to you, of course. Me trying to do it would be silly.”
They started calling then. It was a lot harder than Tor thought it would be.
By far.
Chapter Eighteen
At first it all went fine. Really well, Tor thought. People were pleased enough to hear from him, and either said yes, or in a few cases, made polite excuses, generally having their own plans for events. In those cases Collette gave them contact information for the rest of the Postern committee, so that they could get in on whatever mobile events that were planned. There were some magical fireworks and transport rides available for instance, as well as some of the Kings week events that, while they were needed back for that, were being lent out, so others could enjoy them.
The Waterfall mountain might be a little cold, but by just using some water heaters at the right points it should be able to be kept toasty enough. Then it would need to be cooled on the way out, but a careful hand could do it.
No the trouble came when they got to Countess York.
Tor didn't know her at all, but she, apparently, knew a whole lot about him. It wasn't that she was rude, or even cold, just a bit stiff. At first. Finally she got to her issue, which wasn't really hers at all.
“I… received some troubling information a few days ago. I don't know how to proceed on the matter. One of my Barons, Rochester, has set writ, declaring his intent to seek a duel with you for cause? I had to sign the papers, you understand? It's traditional if there is any cause at all and he claims that you beat him quiet soundly? No reason was given…” She tried to lead the question, but didn't ask outright.
“Oh, yes. Well, I can't say, promises were made to that end, to protect his name. To him. So telling you now would be cause all on its own. Well, that's unfortunate.” Tor felt a lot worse than that about it, but held his voice steady.
It was never a good day when someone wanted you dead.
“At least he registered it as a duel without encumbrance, so it shouldn't be too the death.” The woman’s voice was concerned and after a minute Tor got it. She was worried that Tor would kill the guy. Ah.
“I take it that he's been restored to health then?” He asked with a smile, letting it carry into his voice.
“Oh my yes, we have a wonderful traveling doctor in the area with one of your healing devices. He did charge Brian through the nose however, I believe it was something like five hundred gold? Worth it though. Perfectly fine now. I told him he should count himself lucky and let it go, but he didn't listen. He often doesn't. A bit of a hot head, not that you heard it from me.”
Tor sighed and made sure she knew that she was invited to stay in one of his houses for the event and that they could send a transport around if desired. She accepted with a bit of excitement. More than the others had even. She'd always wanted to fly after all. Even before it was something actually possible.
The instant the connection was broken Collette jumped to her feet, looking ready to fight the Baron herself right then.
“That… monster! He must have heard about your current state and wants to capitalize on it. What are we going to do?” She sounded really worried.
“Um, tell him no?”
“But then you'll lose face and people will look down on you…” Her words were flat though, as if she thought it was a good idea, but really didn't want to be seen as coaching him to that end.
Thinking for a while he finally stood himself, a laborious thing that took the better part of fifteen seconds.
“Well, or he can wait half a year for me to just heal up. Either way works for me. I mean, I get that he might have some hard feelings. That isn't really my issue though is it? Plus, maybe we shouldn't jump to conclusions. He may just be looking to pay me back, not knowing that anything is going on with me at all. When he's told he might just withdraw his claim, or at least wait. If not, then, well. Tough. It's too stupid to worry over and if people want to think I'm not fighting because I'm scared, well, that's the truth, isn't it? I really don't want to be beaten to death if I can help it. It's my least favorite way of dying after all. Other than burning, or being buried alive I mean.”
That actually got her to calm down and they managed the rest of the day’s work pretty smoothly. Count Rodriguez was a little cool to him at first, but warmed up when he got his invitation.
“I'd heard from sources you were having everyone in, but I didn't think I'd make the list. When we last met it wasn't under the best circumstances.”
It hadn't been. It was the only other duel he'd been in. Well, except for the fight with the seven Larval assassins. He'd gotten the guy to withdraw, mainly by torturing him into it. As a seated Count he couldn't really just be killed, not in a duel. That would cause his county to cry foul and go to war. He'd challenged David Derring to a fight to the death, to try and punish his father it seemed. Tor had kind of recklessly gotten him to fight him instead. It probably saved the Counts life. David had orders from his dad to “accidentally” kill the man if he didn't withdraw in shame first.
“But we left as friends. You don't leave your friends off the list if you can help it, right?” His words sounded innocent, even to him.