alone. I think they don't want to risk slowing a delivery.”
With a wave Tor got them all going in the right direction.
The new complex was just a large empty wooden structure, at least it had no interior walls to speak of, just the outer shell of a building. It had stuff in it, mainly cases with float plates on them. At a square wooden table he found his mother, sitting alongside Tiera, who had grown to look very similar to, but not exactly like, a younger version of their mother.
Thank god. Now if it just meant she had a shot at being her own person and not another copy of Lara Gray, Tor would have to start believing in some god or another so he could thank them properly.
“Hi everyone!” Tor tried for happy sounding, which got attention at least. His little sister ran to him and gave a large familial hug, then turned one on Alissa, sized up Ursala and bowed, then saw Trice through the door.
Small hands clenched into fists as she did that and she stepped forward moving between Tor and the other girl.
“What, do you think you're doing here?” The girl said, her voice almost copying the royal accent perfectly.
“Bitch.”
Chapter Seventeen
Trice didn't respond at first, just hanging her head a little.
“Yeah, I know.” She whispered.
“That’s not an explanation.” The much smaller girl said, walking forward, looking ready to hit someone. More to the point, like Trice was about to get a beating.
That couldn't happen of course, because of all the shields involved, but it was kind of a poor way to start a conversation, before anyone could say anything at all, Ali shrugged and looked down herself. It was just enough to get Tiera to look at her.
“I'm sorry.”
That got Tiera to stop in her tracks. Her problem was with Trice, though Tor didn't know why exactly, but Ali apologizing seemed out of place. The smaller girl asked why she was sorry.
“After all, you didn't lay into Tor in public and then break up with him. You married him as was proper. Didn’t invite me to the wedding, but I understand there were circumstances involved that precluded that.” She seemed confused by the whole thing and it showed on her face.
“Oh… that. Well, I don't know what that was about. I was just saying that Trice is here because I asked her to come with us. I didn't know that you'd have a problem with her. She's really nice though. I know that she and Tor didn't get married, which really worked out for me, so I'm not going to complain about it. They seem to have gotten over it though, so, shouldn't we?” It was sensible and said so innocently that even a bossy fourteen year old, near that age at least, wouldn't fight about it.
He hoped. Tiera kept glaring though.
Which made sense after a fashion. She didn't know the whole story at all. Tor told her. The whole thing, how the King ordered Trice to do it in order to find who tried to kill him. Since her own parents had been the likely suspects she did it, which, when Tor heard what she'd said, made him break up with her.
“So, you know, no debts between friends. It's past and all.”
Tor noticed that his mother looked a little shocked at what he'd said too, his little sister taking it a lot better, just throwing her long black hair over her right shoulder and… bowing.
“The error was mine then. I apologize.” It was grudging and a little tense in tone, but Trice just nodded.
“I get it. Thanks. I hope we can be friends too.”
That was… nearly perfect for the situation. In the city those words didn't seem to mean that much at all. Here, in Two Bends it was like she'd just sworn to protect the girl with her life. Tiera nodded then.
“Alright.”
That was all. Just an acceptance that they were friends now.
Laurali stood and walked to her son, who floated in place, hands by his side, trying to smile gently.
“So, what have you done now?” She waved at the air under his feet, nearly making him want to sigh.
“Pushed myself foolishly, building to the very edge of what I can manage. I'm a little surprised no one told you. I was working for about two months straight.”
“I… see. No one mentioned it at all. Well, you lived, which is good. I suppose it's going to take a few weeks for you to regain your health?” Her voice held and edge, so he shrugged.
“Most likely longer. I don't know how long. Half a year? Maybe more.”
His mother sighed and shook her head with crossed arms, “Was it at least worth it?”
“Remains to be seen. So far it seems to be.” He waved to the little dragon on Trice’s chest, which moved to look at Tiera when she got close enough. She tilted her head at it and it did that too.
“It's alive?” There was awe in her voice, since it looked like it lived in a circle of glass.
“No, it's just a field that responds to motion and Trice’s thoughts. The real field, well, that isn't my story, but it was needed at the time.” Then he shut up.
His mother wasn't happy with that, but after a minute she just shook her head again.
“So to what do we owe this visit? You didn't come to borrow gold.” It was a statement, not a question.
He explained quickly, a long range plan, that involved a lot of work, golds being spent by him and a centralized package delivery service. Added to the people moving transport system.
“There would have to be more delivery people ready to fly, and kind of spread out, but the transports would get the packages closer to their individual bases, so they could be home each night and only work most of the day, instead of all.” He gestured with his head to Ursala, who looked interested.
“She's in charge of the transport part of things. I can get the flight plates made, and other equipment. Or I can get the Lairdgren group to do it at least… What do you think?”
It was asked to the whole room, not just his mother. Tiera nodded as if considering something.
“That would make sense, we could cut the trips in half that way. Lots of fields though. Do we get them for free?”
“Nope. You have to repay the kingdom in good works. Taking emergency messages for people that don't have money, transporting goods in emergencies. That kind of thing. Though you, of course, will be off at school for most of this.”
The girl grinned, “I keep saying that, but Mother and Father don't wish me to go. They think it's too dangerous.”
That got Sandra to clear her throat. She'd been so quiet that Tor had forgotten to even mention her being there. He quickly made the introduction and let his head hang a bit.
“The school is secured now. Every person there has proved themselves honest and loyal. It's probably safer than almost anywhere else in the area. Even here.” Which got the girl to look down, since Tor's mother was staring hard and looked ready to snap at her.
“Um, so I was thinking, maybe we should get you all updated shields? I think the ones you currently have are class two? Tor’s-class two if I get the feeling right. You should all have sevens. I can do that, I think. If that's alright?”
First Tor blinked, then he nodded smiling again. Sandra was a good friend to have.
“And new flying rigs. I'd love to see what improvements you can make on both too, not just raw copies. Say a week? Shields first though.”
The girl just nodded but Laurali seemed offended.
“Why are you giving this girl orders Tor? She looks to be your senior by several years.” Her tone was so dry Tor thought he felt the water leaving his system.
For once no one said anything, leaving him to do it. Fair enough, his job after all.
“I'm the Magics Counselor for the kingdom now. Still, Sandra,” He turned to look at her, excluding everyone else. “Those aren't orders, just what I'd like to see. If you have your own stuff to do, well, I can't say much. It's worth doing though, if you get the time.”
