Envoy to Earth (25 page)

If she needed for him to think
she was better than most people however, and had actually tried her best, he
could let her have that one. Smiling, he nodded at her tale and didn't tell
much of his own, so that her illusions wouldn't be disrupted with the idea that
her lack of finding him had meant he was molested and beaten hundreds of times
as a child, not having real protection in the world.

Finally, half an hour later, she
let them go, seeming interested in having Gerent come back and talk to her
soon. It was, he decided, a good enough idea. After all, no matter what else,
this made it pretty clear that he'd had real parents. Not rich ones, and not
the King or a Count, but that wasn't the important part of this. Crazy and humble
people... that had
loved
him, until they'd died and couldn't protect
him... That left a warm spot in his heart. Even if it had been mere obligation
to them, keeping him around, it was enough. He did like the idea that they'd
cared, however, and so far nothing the Dowager had told him indicated
otherwise.

"Thank you, ma'am. That
sounds wonderful. I don't know what my immediate schedule is going to be like
as far as visits to people, however. I need to be back in Harmony tomorrow, and
after that I have a project that needs to be seen to. I don't know how long
that one will take." He didn't explain what it was, but she asked, being a
polite person.

"We could help you with it?
If you need?" Her voice cracked with age, but her eyes looked pleased with
the idea. As if doing something for him in particular would make things better
between them. As if being family wasn't enough?

Gerent wanted to blush, or at
least seem humble about it, and then refuse, but Wallace nodded, and spoke up
instantly.

"We're going to kill the old
Count Rodriguez. Torturing him first. He let, or ordered, a daughter of the
peerage be tortured for information. His own betrothed at the time. She was
rescued, but not until after the guards had brutalized her in a monstrous
fashion. Gerent already has the word of the King on it, but is seeking the rebellion
too, so that we'll all stand united in this. A collection of Counts, and Dukes,
I think, plus some others, like the old King of Vagus, are in on this as well.
We're also going to punish the men that did the actual acts. So far no one has
tried to stand against the idea. I can't say more, right now, since..." He
didn't go on, looking away from the still decently tall old woman, who smoothed
her dress and stood, looking down herself.

When she spoke, her voice was
firm however.

"I understand, Baron Eager.
I'm not the Countess any longer. Once the title is passed, certain aspects of
life are closed to you. What I can do is send you to my son with a letter of
introduction. It won't take but a moment."

They sat and sipped at tea when
she left. It took a lot longer than a moment, but eventually she returned, and
handed a folded and sealed paper to Gerent. It had red wax on the back, and an
impression in it, on very heavy and fine paper. It seemed important, at least.

"There you go. Now, off with
you. Gerent, I expect you to come and see me very soon. I'm old enough that
even a few weeks might be too long, so make the effort. As for you other two, I
have to say that I'm more impressed with today's youth now, seeing you close up
like this. Both of you, off seeing to the world like you are, at such young
ages. That's very impressive. Now, out. Don't make me call for a servant to
show you the door." There was a tiny grin to go with the words, and she
winked at Wallace for some reason.

Then, at the front door, their
High Servant friend standing outside for some reason, she patted the Baron
First on the behind on the way out, her hand groping a little more than could
be called proper really. She was old however, so they both accepted the
movement with good grace, and only a bit of jumping, which got her to chuckle,
but not comment on it.

When they got outside Erid looked
at the other boy, and shrugged.

"Could be worse. She could
have been insisting that we all stay the night instead of working. Now, we
should get everyone over to the right place. This only took... What, an extra
two and a half hours from the day?" He didn't really seem upset however,
even if he was trying to be efficient and get the real job done as fast as
possible. "Worth it though, if she was being honest about you, Gerent.
I... You did want to know about your parents, didn't you? I would, if it were
me, but... It isn't, so I don't know if that follows really."

He nodded, as they all walked to
the Tim-Craft and climbed in, moved straight up into the air and then settled
at what was the second nicest place in the city. As they floated to the ground,
Ger finally broke his silence.

"I think so. It's better to
know than not. There were some holes in her story, but it's a good enough one,
don't you think? It gives me a family. I mean, one other than the Bakers. It
might have all been a lie, but why would she bother?" He couldn't think of
any real reason, but Wallace patted his back gently as they all stood to climb
back out and go meet the guards that had come into the walled courtyard. They
just had spears, so nothing that would harm anyone in their group.

Shields were really nice to have,
that way.

Wallace sighed and shook his head
a little.

"There really isn't a lot of
good reason for something like that, I don't think. She could be faking it all,
but telling you that you had a mother and father that were loosely related to
her was a risk on her part. After all, what if you blamed her, or this entire
county, for not seeing to you better as a child? You've been flying around in a
ship that has weapons on it capable of making the whole place a crater, from
what I've been hearing. If you took things the wrong way, and really, most
would have, then a lot of people might just die because of it."

Gerent could understand that
thought pattern. It was a pretty noble one, and not how he thought, but, the
woman was a noble. So was Wallace. It was always easiest to assume that
everyone else thought like you did. To their minds it would be about the wrongs
done, not the adventure of finding out new things like that. For him... Well,
he didn't really know yet. It felt like a good enough thing, but that might
change, over time. Oh, not into some kind of massive attack or anything like
that, but he could feel a certain draw toward just dropping off the amulets,
and leaving forever.

The tale he'd been told wasn't
too bad, so far. If he left and never came back, then these people wouldn't
have a chance to disappoint him, would they? As they got out, a tall and
somewhat homely, but
very
tall, man came out, dressed in a smart looking
outfit of black material that seemed ready for war. He was lean, but in a rangy
fashion that showed muscle, rather than bone, lived under his skin.

As they walked forward a bit,
Gerent smiled.

"Count Harris?" It was
a guess, and a risk, but the fact was, the man looked like his face did in the
mirror now. Not identical to it, but close enough that he could see a certain
resemblance. Unless he was imagining that.

"You have me at a
disadvantage, sir. I am, however, Maverick Harris. Count Harris. May I enquire
as to why you've come? We haven't had any visitors with such a fine craft as
this, before." He tried to keep his voice calm, and very cultured, and
made it, for the most part. There was a large gesture at the Tim-Craft, which
shouldn't be too unfamiliar to the man, since Tim's business, the fast
transportation service for people, used the same ones. This man was rich enough
to have at least tried it, unless he didn't want to for some reason. That was
possible, since flying could be scary for some people.

"Gerent Lairdgren. These
gentlemen with me are Baron First Wallace Eager, and High Servant Erid. We have
some magical devices for you, from Queen Tiera of Harmony. Oh... Um, I'm also
some kind of relative of yours. I just found that out, from Dowager Harris?
I... Here, there's a letter. I don't know what it says. Hopefully nothing too
bad." He passed the heavy paper to the man, who took it instantly, looking
down at Ger a little.

It wasn't a glare or anything
like that, just a questioning look. Then he popped the seal and read whatever
was inside paper, folding it again after three or four minutes, and smiled.
Then he bowed, which got Gerent to do it back and everyone to change positions
as they tried to bow to all the right people, in the correct order.

Finally the bigger man reached
out and clapped Gerent on the arm, if gently.

"So, cousin Gerent? You
aren't even coming for a handout, but are actually
bringing
things for
the County? I have to say, that's different, isn't it? Most of the time the
family offshoots just come to see if we guard the silver well enough. Mother
wants me to invite you to stay. She fears that she scared you away with her
story." That wasn't really an attempt to save the day, but the man didn't
seem unkind about it, did he? Gerent searched the broad and rather unbalanced
face, but couldn't see it there. This man was big, and hard looking, but not
mean. Not to family at any rate, or possibly other nobles.

He may keep prisoners or slaves
out back, but he waved the guards away then, casually, as if Gerent being a
relative, even an unknown one, was enough for him. Erid and Wallace bowed
again, and then went to unload the goods. It occurred to him then that Erid,
High Servant or not, had actually used his oath as an excuse to get out of the
awkward conversation, and waited for them instead of leaving to get things
done.

It didn't take too long, since
they sort of had the pattern down now.

As they did that, Maverick moved
a bit closer and whispered slightly.

"You need my aid in taking
down Count Rodriguez? He's being held in the palace. It will be difficult to
get at him. Do you have a plan? Mother didn't mention why you needed to kill
him, or the particulars, but I'm in. Do we need to take a full force? A few men
and women might move more quickly. I can't promise that however. The Royal
Guard are tough. Can you get shields from your contacts?"

Gerent had to catch up mentally,
and then ran over the whole thing with Petra, using her name.

The giant teared up, but then
shook his head, his slightly gray hair moving a bit. He wasn't ancient, but
looked to be pushing sixty or so. He also seemed to be doing it in good health,
with a lot of strength behind his movements. Nothing tracked down his stubble
covered cheeks, and the man was back in control of himself a moment later.

"Ward must be ready to kill
them all. I would be, if that had happened to my sister. So, what's the
plan?"

Gerent took a deep breath.

"We won't have to attack the
King's Palace. We have an inside man there. As for the guards, we need to track
them down. I suppose. It will need to be in a few days. On the good side there,
I
can
get you a shield. A good one too, rated for space work. Everyone
that helps with that part, collecting the evil men, will get them. Petra...
She's very close to Timon Baker. His best friend, I think. That's the wizard
Tim, Tor's younger brother? The one that
made
the new shields. The food
devices, too. We need to get one set up so we can show you all how to use it.
Anyway, he can't come and see to this, so
we
need to do it."

The Count acted like that was
totally normal, and paid close attention to how to work not only the new food
unit, but everything else that he was given, ending with the communications
devices from Terry. That those were a gift from Countier First Baker wasn't
lost on him, for all that he had a fairly simple feeling about the way he
spoke. The words were on point, and even clever enough, showing real
understanding, but there was just the hint of something simple behind his eyes.
Innocent, without being that way at all. Kind enough, but also like thinking
was hard for him, and that it took work to do it most days.

No one had ever said that all
noblemen were intelligent however. Well educated, and in charge, but that was
all. That, and generally large. Smiling, the man thanked them for coming, and
asked that his thanks be sent to Tiera.

"Say, is she looking to get
married? I have a son, Ronald, he's thirteen and will need to find a good woman
soon. How old is this new Queen anyway?"

Blinking, Gerent had to think
about it for a second.

"I... Honestly, Tiera is
single still, I think. I'll need to enquire about that, but she isn't old. Sixteen
now. So that could work out. Is Ronald interested in space travel? He'd need to
live on the Moon for a while, since Tiera and the rest of the Baker family, as
well as the new immortals, are all barred from Earth by a magic that Timon
made. It will be another nine years nearly, before they can come back." It
was nearly boring, telling that bit of news again, but at least he didn't have
to cover how it had all happened. The man was far too interested in getting
special perks for his boy.

Since Gerent had a ship, and
Ronald
was
, as it turned out, interested in trying out almost anything
new, the man suggested it might be educational for him to go up. It was a bit
heavy handed really, and clumsily done, but did make a certain sense. If the boy
was slow, or simply hideous looking, it would be best to know that sooner,
rather than later. Then he could find a way to let the kid down gently, without
bothering Tiera with the idea.

They decided, that if the idea
worked out, Gerent would ask the boy if he wanted to go into orbit, on his next
visit. The man didn't pressure him on an exact date, but since they were
discussing things that would have them together inside a week, two at the
outside, it probably wouldn't be all that long. It wasn't exactly hard work,
doing that, so he nodded about it and waited for the man to let them all go. It
took longer than it should have, the man actually wanting to impress Gerent it
seemed. Why that was, well, he had some small idea. He was, at least as far as
anyone could tell, family. The Dowager had probably asked him to be nice.