He nodded and thanked the man, who was always a really good servant, showing up when you needed and leaving when you were about to do something awkward or embarrassing. Unless he couldn't. Then he did his task totally unperturbed. Tor would have to ask how many centuries that would take to kick in, that aplomb in any situation. He certainly didn't have it yet.
Trice had woken and blinked at him, her eyes puffy still and short blond hair with dark brown roots a little messy, kind of totally pressed down and matted on the left side.
Tor grabbed a healing amulet, the one around his neck, and woke up Karina handing it to her without warning, hoping it wouldn't hurt too bad. In this case she just sighed and looked up at him after a minute.
“Oh… yes. That's much better. I feel almost human again. So, the plan?”
Baking for the day and taking care of the remains of the Jerral situation, he whispered softly, lips almost to her ear. No complaints from her, just a nod. Ali woke up and looked scared for some reason. Sleepy still too. Karina reassured her with a hug.
“We need to get ready now Ali. Clean clothes and a bath, teeth and hair brushed. Someone will bring the right stuff for you, don't worry. I'll make sure of it. Tor will get you some magical clothes.” The Princess handled her friend gently, and as if the plan had already been set. The busty girl just grinned.
The clothing actually got handled by Trice, who had four sets on her. She grinned but didn’t say anything about it. Tor nodded to her. Having extra all the time was starting to seem like a good plan. He’d have to copy it.
Ali spoke, sounding very young suddenly.
“Thanks Kari. You always were nice to me. What are we doing?” Her face actually got excited when she heard it was baking for the next week. That baffled Tor until they managed to escape the palace getting around the guards by using the carriage he'd made and flying past the wall, then taking it at low floating level to Debbie's, coming in through the south gate. True no one said they couldn't leave, but it was tiresome to deal with the Royal Guard all the time. They were good at their jobs, but that didn't mean they weren't also a giant pain in the rear. A common theme with them in fact.
That thought made Tor flash on the scene he'd seen with Ridley, Rolph and Trice. That whole thing was at least a bit messed up. Rolph and Trice being cousins, close enough they wouldn't be marrying, and what they were doing to Ridley… Sure, Ursala too, it had probably been her idea, perv that she was, but at least she wasn't related to anyone in that mix. It was confusing. Tor just had to assume it was more innocent than it looked. Rolph hadn't been having sex with Trice at least…
The day went quickly enough and Jerral just didn't show. Kolb's people all did and so did Davie, if a bit late. Well, he wasn't getting paid for the work either, so what could they say? He had a good reason though.
“I have Jerral locked up in my room at your palace Tor. I told my father that we kidnapped him and were going to beat him until he became a man, which, as you may imagine, dad was fine with. Didn't even ask why, or if I really meant it. I'm half tempted to feed him on hand pies and throw women at him for the whole week just to spite the bastard. Dad, not Jerral. But we've already planned a good solid beating for him every day this week. I get to go first today, after work here. You're up tomorrow for it Tor. We need to liberate Debbie for her turn later in the week. Kolb’s going to help her with that.” He laughed when he said it, so it sounded like a joke, but Tor wondered. He didn't think he could beat a person really. Even spanking a child seemed wrong to him. Even if they deserved it.
Tor solved the problem of the girls by taking them back to the palace before his run and fight practice after the mornings work. They went through the main gate, and no one yelled at him, until they got all the way into the main hallway.
What was yelled shocked him to his very core though. Not that it was a bad thing…
“Court Jester!” A brightly colored dark skin woman that was so brown she looked almost a deep blue, standing maybe an inch taller than he was and who had brilliant red hair and pale blue eyes, both of which seemed natural, no matter how odd they were. She was lean and could run faster than most horses, he knew, having seen her do it. Her smile was glowing.
“You promised me rivers! Did you forget me? I would be sad at that…” She shook her head mournfully, playing with him.
Tor tilted his head to one side.
“Mom?” He said dryly, looking around playfully, as if searching for someone else. Then smiled at her and bowed.
“Oh… It's the other lady that nags at me to get my chores done.” Tor grinned at her, not even having to look up, since they were about the same size.
“I not only didn't forget you, I had to make all your rivers twice, because the first ones were, um, “borrowed” and got lost. I have them back at my house, in my bedroom. Want to come with me? I have transportation that can get us there and back without going through the streets if you'd like to try it? I have the digging equipment I promised back then too. I…” He shrugged.
“Really I have no excuse. Everyone is busy, and I should have made time for your project like I said I would. I can only say that I'm truly sorry for not having gotten to work on it sooner.” Tor bowed low and wondered if he should try for a full abasement. After all Mutta's people had been trying to reforest their great central desert for over a thousand years, and all they needed was clean water. He had ten rivers that would float above the ground and take pure water from the salt of their oceans, along with other gear for the project just sitting in the corner of his room in magical chests. Before he could get any lower Mutta grabbed him firmly by the shoulder and stood him upright, patting his arm gently.
“Ah, Court Jester! Don't concern yourself overly. You say three months, we of Afrak think thirty years. We are a patient people and in no great hurry. Besides, your Queen, Constance the fair? She told me of the tales of Tor and what you've been up too. I asked her to have them written up, people back home would find such stories fascinating! A tiny person like you battling an army of giants, and a man at that.” Her teeth practically gleamed in her dark face.
It hit him then that he could do that, make teeth shine, skin darken or even change hair and eye color. It was only a matter of organizing how light reflected after all. He could do the work in about a day, even without ripping his pattern apart. He grinned and shook his head. He could write out the idea so he wouldn't forget later, but for now he needed to focus on not working. Not building at least.
“Oh? “The Tales of Tor”? Is that an instructional book on how not to live your life then? I should read it, as awkward as that would be. I need all the help I can get.” Tor made a face that got the Ambassador to laugh loudly and pat his arm again.
“Truly I need to take you home to my village! You are the best part of coming here you know, always making me feel welcome and the days bright. We could marry you off to my youngest sister and then keep you for parties, pulling you out to caper and make merry. Do you still not sing? It would really round out your act you know. Or at least play an instrument. Everyone loves music.”
The idea wasn't a bad one. The learning to play an instrument part. Burks had said something about music hadn't he? He had no particular desire to be pulled out only for parties to dance about telling jokes. That felt just a little too close to what he did now for his comfort, even though it wasn't really true.
“Hmm. Well, I don't know if it would be proper for the Noram Ambassador to Afrak to caper and make merry at parties really. Maybe a few private functions? Really, I should learn your language first, at least what I can of it. Oh, and your customs to. I need to find a teacher for that, don't you think?”
Mutta blinked at him and then bent over laughing for a while.
“Oh, Jester! Would that your rulers had such wisdom as to send a beauty as yourself to my people! A warning though, with your talents they may be loath to ever let you go. I need to tell your Queen you said that! Do you think she would lend you to us, even for a few weeks? I promise that we won't really keep you. You can lift spirits with tales of magic rivers and flying men!” She clapped her hand joyfully at the idea.
Ah. Right.
Afrak was run by women almost exclusively. Men existed there, at least he thought so, but they were the home makers apparently, and did the low work, while women were the thinkers, planers and ruled in all things. Very different. Mutta kind of had a problem getting the idea that Tor, a man, might actually be able to do anything without being told to by a female. He shrugged.
“Ambassador Mutta… I… this isn't a joke. I really am the Noram Ambassador to your people, at least until
