remember correctly.” He suppressed a wince.
If anyone on the campus already knew all that it was this man. If Tor ever learned half of what he knew, it would be a miracle. Instead of chastising him or even giving Tor a funny look the old instructor just nodded, as if the whole thing was some plan he'd had the whole time.
“Very good. I'll get with you on that later?” He said. That was probably when the talking-to he deserved would come. Well, what could he do put take it and agree? He was way too young to be pushy like that and the man was being very gentle with him, not embarrassing him in front of the younger student. He bowed low.
“Sir, if it's all right, could I borrow some of your time to show you a few of my own projects? I'm afraid we'll have to send Builder Guide away for this part… sorry about that Guide, but it kind of has to stay secret for a bit. Relates to kingdom business. Um…” Tor didn’t know what to say, so he just shrugged at the boy.
“That’s actually true even. I know it sounds weird, but…”
Guide just bowed, looking a bit awkward about it, first to Tor, then Instructor Fines.
“I’ll be going then.” He hesitated for a bit though, as if waiting permission.
Fines nodded and stood, suggesting they go elsewhere for it, if it was to be a secret.
They didn't talk about it, but at the edge of town Tor pulled out an amulet around his neck, one on stone, and looked around carefully for watchers. It was the one that had been grown using an organic field. The man blinked when he touched it, even though it wasn't turned on.
“My! That's strong.” His hand touched Tor’s arm, a slight sense of contact brushed gently. “And you didn't rip yourself to shreds building it? So I take it you've been applying some of the ideas from my class? Wonderful. What does it do?”
It was a carriage Tor told him, the man seemed almost disappointed, since Tor had already made those before. It could fly, but he'd done that too. Trying not to smile, Tor asked if the man had a watch, which he did and then if he wanted to go for a ride.
“Well, certainly. Any specific destination in mind?”
“Oh, sure… I was thinking the Ocean?” Tor grinned suddenly. “The Eastern Ocean on the other side of the kingdom. I don’t think it will take too long.”
Set up to look sky blue and a bit flatter than a normal carriage, Tor took them straight up. Fines held his watch out, getting the idea and clicked a button on the top.
“Go!”
They went. The feeling was slow and quiet. No roaring like the Austra fast craft used, and they traveled with the vehicle as one piece, the powerful field moving the whole thing along, organizing their movement through space carefully. The ground actually blurred below them, which was new to Tor. He held the control half way down and slowly moved it forward, the black hand control that normally floated in the air resting in his right palm comfortably.
It wasn't instant, even at these speeds, but less than two hours later they saw water below. Fines looked excited and gave him the time.
“Well…” Tor had to shake his head a bit grimly. “That's not fast enough. It will have to do for now though. The Austran craft are said to be nearly three times faster and Burks, um, Count Lairdgren, said they have a few that are able to cover this distance in about fifteen minutes. Still, it's a start.”
They rode back in silence, the trip going faster, cutting nearly ten minutes off because the drive lever was thrown all the way forward the instant Fines said go the second time. Setting down directly over the place they left from, which was surrounded by pine trees. Tor couldn't bring himself to be happy about it, for all that the basic idea had worked all right. If they were going to flee Austra, they'd need some way of alluding their fastest craft. For some reason Tor doubted that just matching the sky's color would be enough to hide them.
The other thing he wanted Fines to look at was right out of the textbook. It was hinted at there anyway. Tor demonstrated it on a tree, tapping the sigil firmly, giving the old man in his blue robe like outfit a playful look, then walking through the three foot thick trunk. It was dark inside, but didn't hurt. It did feel slow, like he had to fight his way through and he couldn't breathe inside, but it only took about ten seconds. Other than the slowness and lack of air, it didn’t really feel like much of anything in particular.
Fines sighed and nodded firmly.
“So you’re going to be gone for a while? I'd suggest you take your text books and whatever else you need with you then. Don't want to fall behind. What classes do you have right now?”
When he got to economics the man grunted loudly.
“Oh, definitely get with Wensa before going then. Unless you come back dead she'll want to see your class work. Indeed she will. Just as a heads up, never gamble with her at cards. Wicked player. I still owe her three silvers from our last game.”
Chapter Four
Trice sat on his bed, looking at him with the small smile that Tor used to think was her being smug or smirking at him, but now got as just her being content and maybe even slightly happy. Knowing that made it easier for Tor to relate to her, to feel more connected and a lot less judged. She was wearing a soft version of special school blacks and stretched out a bit, pushing her medium sized chest at him in a move that might, or might not, have been by accident.
“So, what are we doing? I could use my mouth on you if you want? We haven't done hardly anything at all since you've gotten married. I've gotten more off Ali to tell the truth. Definitely time for some Tor quality attention.” Her voice was playful, but she kissed him firmly enough to get a reaction. She had a reasonable point. She was his girlfriend after all.
“Well, you know, busy. Very. But, if you don't mind, could you use your hand? On me I mean.” He grinned as she held up the left one teasingly. Without the ability to feel she'd probably injure him if she tried it.
“Alright, but won't Ali mind the bruising down there?”
Tor laughed and held up the new hand amulet, this time on a simple dark brown hemp string so that when it was turned off she could slide it over her hair with one hand. The silver chain of the other one had to be a pain for her, even if she never complained.
She recognized the sigil and shrugged, replacing her left arm quickly. The new one started ugly and wrong looking, but quickly melted to match her perfectly as she looked at it, her own intent subconsciously organizing the field into an exact replica of her original hand. Finally stopping when it looked right, down to the fine dark brown hair on the back. Tor reached over and stroked the soft fuzz softly, causing her to jump.
“Hey, that tickles!” Then she touched the arm herself.
“Oh. Got that finally then. Hmmm. Not too bad.” Her face was serious and considering for a moment.
“Only one problem with it.”
“What?” Tor asked, hoping it wasn't too major.
“Well, obviously I have to steal you from Ali and keep you in bed for the next fifty years to pay you back.” She grinned. “Thank you! I love you so much. You’re the best overly short wizard ever!”
Then she wanted to use her hand for things indeed. A few even involved Tor.
That got him mainly caught up and for two weeks after that Tor just helped other students with their novel builds, ran flight practice and attended his classes. That and had a stream of girls at his door nightly. It wouldn't have been a big deal if they were just the ones he knew, or even if he'd been able to feel comfortable enough with his marriage to have just sex with them, whoever they were. As it was though a lot of them were total strangers to him and clearly came wanting attention for some reason. From him.
Tor felt ready to pull his hair out, but it was too short for that now. Rolph pointed out a solution, which he was totally thankful for.
“Post a schedule. Just hang it on the door. Then when you're busy, anyone coming to visit unannounced would be rude to knock. True, people will fill in your empty time slots for you, but that takes guts, don't you think? Anyone willing to do that without asking probably has a real reason. Just be sure to fill in when you plan on spending time with your wife.” His big friend sighed.
“I'd do the same, but Rolph Merchant doesn't get half the attention that Prince Alphonse Cordes would get
