Lord of the Sky (The Young Ancients: Timon) (10 page)

"We might as well get in. It's not going to test itself."

The woman didn't say anything, but also didn't seem doubtful that it would work.
He
felt it, just a little. After all, no one but Tor had ever managed to make one of these go faster than a regular flying carriage. Everyone in the Lairdgren group had tried it too, at least on the level of making copies. This was built the way that Tor had told him to, grown like a tree, slowly over the last month, but would it be enough?

The inside was a bit nicer than what Tor had. For one thing the control mechanism didn't require you to hold your arm out in front of you being right above the arm of his seat instead, so that the pilot could rest a bit while flying. It also had a restroom in the back. You could take it out, but it was there when you set up, so that everyone would know about it and not try to hold it for six hours while they flew across the ocean.

There was a low whistle from the woman next to him. That, apparently was a thing she did.

"Nice. New cargo hauler?"

"Mainly for people, but that too. You might as well be up front with me. You can work the clock." He had a watch, but she pulled one out of her waist pouch, a thing that he'd noticed, but only barely, since it was designed to blend with her dress really well. Then she waited for him to rise slowly into the air, getting used to the controls before racing away. They were a bit more sensitive he noticed, which made sense, given that the distance he had to move the thing to get it to go full speed was only about half of what the other kind of Fast Carriage had.

"Alright, I think I have the direction. So, start in, three, two... Go." He didn't shout the word, but slammed the hand control all the way forward suddenly. There was a slight sense of acceleration, which the other kind didn't have, but it wasn't bad. He was able to rise into the air higher, but didn't try any other maneuvering. That would just throw him off of his line.

They didn't talk about anything in particular, but about forty minutes later they could see the purple glowing river on the Capital's wall. It was off in the distance, but closing fast. As soon as they were over it, he called time.

Trice clicked a button on the top and held the watch up, to read it in the dim light.

"Not bad. About fifty-six minutes. Twelve hundred miles... So about half what the other Fast Craft can manage? Considering it's got so much more size that isn't bad at all. Do you think it will get faster? The ones Tor made all did." She locked the words down, as if expecting him to feel upset about it, but it was a fair comparison.

"They should. I was hoping for a bit faster, but coast to coast in two and a half hours will do for most people. My guess would be that they should get around forty percent quicker in the next six months? Maybe a bit more than that."

There was a soft touch on his arm, the one that was keeping them hovering above Tor's Palace. His place was right next to it and Gerent's was about twenty feet further along, so he settled directly down and very slowly moved over. That part was better than the Fast Craft as well at least. On the ground you could only go about fifty miles an hour, but the control was five times smoother. You could turn in place for instance, which would make parking easier, if nothing else. That and unloading cargo. He had things built in for that too, to help load and unload, but didn't have anything to test that out with right then.

Trice hopped out and ran to get Gerent without asking, and loaded the tiny and slightly hunched little man into the front seat, next to her, if on the far side.

"Thank you, both of you." It was an odd thing to say, as an opening line, but Tim decided not to correct him. After all, it was a bit of a trip that they'd made.

"Not a problem at all. Did you bring supplies with you? We'll be up most of the night and then tomorrow you're supposed to spend the day with me. I don't know where we'll end up, so best to have a toothbrush." Those words got him to scurry back into his cottage, as Trice nodded a bit.

"Good plan. I... kind of forgot about him. That was cruel of me. I shouldn't do that." She looked off into the night, looking at the lights from the city, since this evening, of them all, things were lit. It was part of the tradition. "Say, Tim..."

She might have said anything then. That she wanted him to take her, right there, or that she wanted a free trip someplace, or even to borrow some coin. Instead she was just silent, waiting for something.

"Um, yes?" It wasn't a very good prompt, but she took a deep breath and let it out then spoke in a rush.

"Will you marry me?"

He blinked.

"Sorry?" For half a moment he thought that she was asking about something else, but on review the words had been said. He wasn't sure, but he thought she was even blushing. "You mean in a few years? I have a few other possible engagements lined up, but I suppose we could consider it..."

"No, I mean now. Tomorrow, actually. I know it's rushed, but I need to be married, and it has to be to someone that's within the three steps. I'd go with Gerent, but no one thinks that his adopted status will be enough. It's... complicated. Basically, if I'm not married by the end of this year I have to go into an arranged marriage with someone that... Well, honestly he makes Howard Turnbull seem like a brilliant choice. I got out of an arrangement with Count Overland a few years ago that Tovey had set up, and he's got something else lined up now. My father made the deal and the boy's parents aren't going to let me out of it, because no one else would marry him. I thought I had more time, but..." She stopped and looked out the window on the other side, never actually looking at him at all. "I... When we were kids I used to play with him. Alphonse did to. He isn't right. You know the kind of boy that kills cats for fun? Only he was worse than that. He never leaves his home Barony, so no one can arrest him for the stuff he does, or even scold him for it, but... He's a Gala. I wouldn't complain if he were any of the others in his family, most of them are good people, more or less. Rico..."

It had to be pretty bad, if she was willing to marry a child to get out of it.

"Ah... Give me a second to think this through?"

"Sure. Take two even. Just say yes?" She actually sounded scared.

 "I'm a little young for that. I take it you have a plan? I
thought
you were going to try and get me to do something, but I figured it would involve smuggling a person somewhere while you were hanging out at the Palace, as an alibi." The words felt a bit distant, but he nodded slightly, actually thinking about it.

She froze, staring at him.

"That's a great idea. Mind if I use that sometime? Using this kind of craft you could move a small military force in a few hours..." Tossing her hair she made a face and finally stared at his face. "It's a bit out there to marry someone so young, but it happens. Normally when a woman gets pregnant by a relative and there are landed titles at stake. I think I can get Uncle Richard behind it, if you say yes. Maybe not, but I have to try something. He's a freak. This isn't about looks or anything shallow like that either. He's a
Gala
, so pretty nice looking, they all are. Please help me Tim, I'm out of options otherwise. I can't even run off to another land, because... You know."

He did. She was the future spy master for Noram. That kind of meant both surviving and making certain that she was available to do her job. The simplest thing to do would have normally been for her Uncle the King to push in and tell the Gala's that their precious little boy wasn't getting married to anyone, being who he was, or at least not
Trice
, but doing that while they were at war would push on the loyalty of some of his own people. After all, his brother in-law made the arrangements, it wasn't like it was a trick or anything as far as Tim could tell. No, if that was the case then it would have been undone long before. Anyone that Trice could have married first would have probably been enough to get her out of it, but she'd botched getting that done with his brother, and if she had anything else on the line it wasn't working out for her too well.

Gerent would have jumped at the chance himself, Tim knew. That the man loved her with all his being was painfully obvious. That he wouldn't be considered good enough was pretty clear as well unfortunately. He was an "off line" Countier, but only by adoption. Trice and her advisors were right as far as that went. She wouldn't be allowed to get out of things that easily.

"I take it that you already looked into having this Rico killed?"

There was a soft snort that sounded a bit like derision. It was a fair question, if he were honestly that bad a human being. It would probably be a service to the
world
, if he was as bad as it sounded like. A true monster that was held in a cage where no one could touch him. Or would, at any rate. That probably meant he was both the Baron's heir and that his parents had arranged things so that they wouldn't know exactly what kind of things the man got up to most days.

"I...
Fine
. But we don't make a huge deal of it and you have to get it cleared with the King, my parents and Tor. Gerent too. No dodging out of it or hurting him. Gerent I mean. Tor's a big boy and can take care of himself. We also aren't consummating anything. I don't think I can yet. I'm working on getting past it, but it will take time. If anyone asks, we
lie
."

Trice sighed and touched his arm again, gently.

"Thank you. I'll be a great wife, I promise. You'll hardly know that I'm around most of the time or anything. I'll handle everything else. Don't worry about it. Will you be available tomorrow? Or, I guess, the next day. I don't know anyone that can officiate that will be willing to work on Noram Day. I don't want to wait. We only have eight days until it's too late."

"Sure."

Timon really couldn't believe his luck. After all, Trice was set up to be in a position to know almost everything in the land. That didn't mean she'd instantly share it all with him, of course, but as her power and influence grew, so would his. It was, as marriages went, not a bad idea. Karina would have been better, but really, what were the odds of that happening? About one in twenty or so? Patricia Morgan was sitting right next to him, both with a need and the pull to possibly make it happen, even if it did make her look bad.

Gerent climbed back in, a small black bag in his right hand.

"Sorry that took so long. I wasn't really ready to go anywhere. I should have my things ready for it all the time. I've gotten into some bad habits. There was a time when my things were never more than fifty feet from me, ready to run, all the time."

He settled in next to Trice, who seemed a little nervous but not too much so to start right in.

"Gerent? I have to tell you something..." The story got repeated, with the little man looking at first angry and then frightened. When the punch line came he simply nodded.

"Of course. Thanks Timon. You're a good brother. I don't know what we'd do otherwise. Go on the run or something. This is better. This way you can have a real life Patty. I just wish..." Gerent didn't say what he wished, but they all knew.

That he could be the one marrying her.

Timon didn't pretend not to understand.

"Well, you know, noble rules, so you two can date or whatever you want. This is just what's needed to alter the situation at hand. I'd love to know what your father was thinking at the time, Trice. Then again, arranged marriages are kind of a
thing
for the nobility. Too bad this Rico turned out to be so much of a creep."

The curly haired woman just nodded and looked out into the night.

Inside the Countess's mansion people were mingling and a few still picked at plates of food or were busy drinking beverages that smelled flammable. Just after they got there and Gerent managed to collect a dozen hugs at least from various people, Trice started making the rounds to get her plan into motion. Timon wasn't invited along for that part, not at first anyway. That was the deal, wasn't it? She had to make it happen. He put the odds of it actually taking place at about fifteen percent or so.

His lack of years would trump an awful lot of good arguments after all. Possibly even her safety and future well being.

It was still interesting to watch her work the room. He would have attacked the problem head on, going to the parents first, or perhaps enlisting Tor to help argue her cause. Patricia didn't do that at all, going first to Count Thomson of all people. Then, together, about ten minutes later they both headed over to Count
Peterson
. The man was far more than half drunk already, but crossed his arms and started shaking his big head, clearly disagreeing with whatever it was that they were saying. It sort of made sense, once Tim took time to think it over.

As a Count, one related by marriage to the King, Peterson would probably have a lot of pull on the others, if they could get him on their side. If they couldn't, then the man, not known as a shrewd politician, would probably keep things to himself. It was good thinking, but backfired almost immediately, since the second the others left him, the bearded giant in green practically ran to Count Lairdgren. Thomson and Trice were headed toward Laurie by then, which probably meant a fight was about to take place. Most likely not a physical one at least, since his mother wasn't a violent person by nature, but she was opinionated and bossy most of the time and very protective of her children. Most of them at least.

She was a bit hit or miss with Tor actually.

The room started to flow then, with people going from group to group, pretending like they were being polite, when it seemed like they were all ready to take action of one sort or another. It had always been a long shot, so he didn't let the idea that it would be forbidden get to him. That might even be for the best.

After about half an hour the sides had clearly been taken with people standing in different parts of the room talking heatedly about things. There was a third group that was a lot quieter, made up of Count Lairdgren, Bonita and Ali. After a few minutes Douglas walked over to chat with them. They mainly shrugged at each other.

Count Peterson was getting loud, so even the kids learned about what was going on sooner rather than later.

"I won't let you steal his youth! He shouldn't have to even think about things like this until he gets some girl pregnant, or needs an Heir. You should be ashamed of yourself Ducharina Morgan. He's only
twelve
! I don't
care
if he owns his own household and holds a position of power." The man was so angry that he'd put down his drink, and stood with his right hand suspiciously close to a tiny pouch on his right side.

The person that answered him was surprising. Almost too much so really.

Terry walked directly in front of the man and made a face. It wasn't angry at all, but seemed so confused that the giant actually looked down and stopped talking.

"What
should
we do then? If Patricia has to marry this bad man, then she'll be hurt and maybe
killed
. If we can stop that, don't we have to? She's our friend. We
have
to protect her, even if it means doing hard things, or things that no one wants to." There was an innocence and certainty to the words that left the bigger man speechless for a bit.

The issue was largely ended a moment later, when Douglas sighed and stepped next to his son, a hand going to his shoulder.

"I have to agree with Terry on this one. Timon
is
young, no one can deny that, but it's the part of a man, even at his age, to protect those around him. We raised him to be a good person, I can't see telling him to learn selfishness now, just because this situation is less than perfect. The measure of a man is in how he handles the hard things, not the simple." Then he pulled his pipe and bit the end, he didn't light it. Smoking was a thing done outside at home after all. Or at least not in the bakery. No one wanted tobacco flavored bread.

That little speech got most of the rest of the room to go silent then to, and Count Lairdgren, who seemed to have been arguing
for
the marriage, as hard as that was to believe, bowed to him.

"Laurie, you're his mother, what's your final word on the whole thing?" The man watched her closely but didn't suggest a course of action or hint at the right thing to do. He'd already stated that after all.

"He's too young... I can see the problem, but... can't we do something else?"

That got four people to start talking at once. Trice started to list her reasons, which were oddly political, having to do with how much the kingdom needed to be seen as strong and following through on their agreements. As the King's niece that was actually a thing for her to think about. Gala wasn't huge or important, but they were wealthy and had a lot of business contacts. It didn't hurt that Tim's brother had saved their main city, Galasia, once either. No one would say too much about Trice marrying him, even if it was obvious that she was actually dodging out of the arranged marriage.

"They pretty much just want it because no one else sane will be connected to their son." She made a face, but said the words out loud. It was dangerously close to being a Doretta after all, speaking like that. Pushing Gala too much might set him onto the path of working against King Richard, if they weren't careful.

At the same time, Tor crossed his arms and practically growled at her.

"Why
him
?" No one answered, since that was far too obvious. It was because
Terry
was too young. There just weren't enough options for Patricia Morgan and she had a real time schedule. It was also why she just didn't kill Rico Gala. Everyone would know it was her after all, or one of her friends, which would cause another war to happen, no doubt. No, she had to do something that no one would take enough offense over to be that angry about.

Timon didn't talk, just watching the forces in the room ebb and flow. It was strange to see his younger siblings actually work into the mess, but they were all standing with their father. Finally, after about five minutes of hand wringing, which wasn't like her at all, Laurie gave her blessing, if grudgingly.

"Do it then. If you hurt him however, or make him feel less than loved, Patricia Morgan, know that you will have made an enemy of me. This is
only
being allowed to prevent harm to you. Don't mess that up." It sounded violent enough that a lot of nobles would have bristled at it, but Trice just smiled, realizing that she'd won. Sort of.

"As I would have suspected that even if the words weren't said. Of course I still have to survive Tiera finding out, but if we have your support, I should contact my parents and King Richard. Aunt Constance as well. And Karina. I hadn't thought about that one. Well, if I live to see the morning we can set things up? We're having a small wedding, as Timon requested. I suppose everyone here is invited?"

That at least started a different conversation, and people sat down, instead of standing in ad hoc battle groups. The only one not settling into the new plan gracefully was Count Peterson, who seemed to think the whole thing was a trap for some reason. He was, Timon realized, probably correct. After all, marriage was a serious thing for nobles, and even more so for the common people, like those he grew up around. Once connected to her, that would be for life, which meant until she died most likely. It was a good enough way to position himself, but she wasn't an easy person all the time, was she?

Manageable, he thought.

If he were a regular boy, that wouldn't be the case, not for a long time, but things were different than they seemed. He hoped that was the truth of the matter anyway. After all, if he were a normal kid, or even hadn't had the experiences that he'd gone through in the last months, it might be possible to control him with sex. It would be legal, in marriage, and that would give Trice two years to bond him to her, before he became legal for everyone else. That wasn't happening, not soon. She'd have access to him, but it would be far more normal and probably drive them further apart, if she wasn't careful. Even if he couldn't, or wouldn't, have her, his wife taking up with scores of lovers, including two of his brothers, wouldn't go over well at all.

For half a moment he wondered if she thought that he'd insist on Two Bends rules for her behavior or not? That would come as a shock, no doubt. Timon let a small smile come to his face then, but it didn't touch his eyes. After all, being mean or playing pranks wasn't going to help the situation.

Tor made the connection to the Palace, setting his older communications device on the table, which had Trice putting her new one next to it, so that her parents could join in. There was a bit of oddness then, since the Royal family all came in to chat about things. Karina wasn't half as upset about it as he might have hoped, but she did sigh and call Trice a less than polite name. The situation was a known thing, with most of them sounding rather relieved that something was being done that didn't involve Trice having to go through with her father's original plan.

Then as if drugs and strong drink were involved, the mothers started planning a huge ceremony that they couldn't possibly set up in time. It would be the day after the holiday, held in the Capital, since Constance insisted for some reason and be held at the King's Palace, in the large chapel there. After all, Trice was family and so, from a different direction, was Timon.

This went on for about half an hour, with people calling out "helpful" suggestions, when Timon waved his right hand a bit lazily.

"Or, and I mean this without any intent to harm feelings, we could actually plan something that can be brought together in time. Invite the families and friends, no parades, no huge party afterward and no fireworks, Tor." He'd done that for Red and Dorgal's wedding and Timon was almost certain that he actually kind of
hated
the man. "You can do the cake instead. I know, it's a great honor, but I know you'll do a good job."

Looking around he saw some wide eyes, with only Ali actually nodding along with him. The girl didn't say anything, so he went on.

"Patricia, who do you want as your ladies maid?" He knew already, of course, but it was only polite to ask.

"Sara, she's my best friend and since I'm stealing her potential husband, I should at least make certain to rub it in a bit." She didn't sound mean when she said the words, but Timon got the idea. Putting it out in the open would make it easier for them all to stay friends. It also ensured that he wouldn't get mad that Sara hadn't wanted him and force Trice to lock her out of their lives in ten years or something.

"Good choice. For music I'll get Marco Sorvee to come and play for us. He's in Austra right now, but I think he's taking some time off. Very popular there. That way Brown can be picked up too. Maybe a few others." He grinned and shook his head. "There. You all have me doing it now, adding to things like that. Count Peterson, would you stand with me?"

The man was pretty drunk still, but he was well trained enough that he knew the expected response. Surging to his feet, he managed a slightly sloppy bow.

"Honored to. I wouldn't have expected..."

Tim just nodded, getting that. If he'd been
fighting
for the marriage and someone spoke against it, there might be hard feelings. It wasn't lost on him that the Count, out of everyone, was the single person that had openly noted
his
best interest as being important. Even his mother had pretty much just reacted in the way she thought she was supposed to.

"Who else? I need someone that will help me keep the rest of this lot under control and not let the event get too big." It was playful enough that the man laughed, then moved his chair to sit next to Timon, taking his duty as guardian of the proceedings seriously, it seemed.

They worked on it past midnight, but as the day turned, everyone stopped and started to sing. Taman did it first, her voice piping, but not shrill. She wasn't breathy, which made it better. It was the same song that was on her magical device. Countess Montblanc started it on the second verse, making it seem like there were two of his sister singing, with musical accompaniment. On the third verse almost everyone joined in, even in the Palace, and in Duchy Morgan.

On the last line, the one that reminded them that on Noram Day, everyone stood together, Timon stood up. It was a bit of manipulation, but everyone else did too, the song saying they should. It would remind them all that they were, like it or not, on his side. When morning came it wouldn't do to have people forget the plan after all.

Then they all moved off in different directions, to either talk or find a bed. He had enough room for his family, even Tor and Ali. Trice was grabbed by Petra who'd been very silent the whole time, and Heather, who apparently were going to make certain she didn't sneak into his place for a little prenuptial testing or anything. That or they planned to beat her for marrying someone as inappropriate as he was.