Out of the Woods (The Coalescence Book 1) Read online

  The man waved, but at someone who was off the picture. After a moment a small, very dark woman, spoke to them. Her voice was deep, considering she must have been very tiny. That, or the Prince was huge.

  “Husband… We have nothing planned this night? My mother is here however…”

  Not missing a beat, Dumas smiled hugely.

  “Would it be allowable for her to attend as well? I was unaware that we had such esteemed visitors. I’m…” He seemed slightly embarrassed suddenly. “I’m not really certain we can host a meal fine enough here for a head of state. She leads all of Afrak, so…”

  The small, very dark woman smiled, then called out in Afrak.

  “Mother… Would you like to attend a meal with some relatives? They fear that their grand palace will not be enough to impress you, as if you don’t live in a hole in the ground most of the time.” The words were playful seeming, rather than scolding at all.

  The voice that came back was faint, but also in Afrak.

  “It would be a relief. Especially if they can speak our language? My Noramish is failing me, at each meal.”

  Not thinking first, since that was the stupid kind of thing that he did, Will smiled and spoke loud enough to be heard over the device.

  In Afrak, naturally.

  “I do speak that tongue. So does my sister? We had it in school, only, so no doubt our accents will be horrible, but we should be able to manage at least some conversation?”

  The words got clapping then, from two of the women.

  The older one spoke, pushing her face in front of the screen. She was very interesting seeming. He knew she was older, since she was the mother, but other than the title, he wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference in age from the images.

  Princess Abbey had ice blue eyes and bright red hair. That was famous enough that he’d heard of it. The other woman had bright orange hair and pumpkin colored eyes. It was very different, but not ugly or anything. Just really interesting.

  So he bowed to the image.

  “I’m Willum Baker? My sister Diana will be there, I think? If that’s all right?” He looked at the other boys, which had Dumas nodding.

  Also speaking in Afrak.

  “Yes. That’s my plan at least. Good then. I rarely get to hold parties. I’ll need to go and see to that, if it’s all right? We’ll meet at Thomson house at nine? You can use the transport system for it.”

  Then he repeated the words in Standard, so that the Prince could understand. He, it seemed, didn’t speak Afrak. Which was a bit odd, given his wife was from there. Not that Will was going to call him on the lack. Not everyone had a head for languages, after all.

  The man smiled at them, as he understood things.

  “This sounds wonderful. Would it be all right if I invited my niece as well? Princess Allison?”

  Interestingly, Clem sighed.

  “See, I was going to try to avoid that one. Both Will and Carlisle are better looking than I am. Countiers, too. Willum is really smart, as well. Like she is?”

  What that would have to do with anything in the world, Will didn’t get, but Dumas nodded, after wincing a little. Alphonse just let his eyes widen a bit.

  “Hmmm. Well, from what I’ve heard you have a fair head start on them, so far. You might want to firm that up a bit? Allison is a catch, after all.”

  Then they spoke for a while, about how nice it had been of them to get in touch and how much they all looked forward to seeing each of the others. It took almost exactly five minutes. Then, finally, the screen went dark. Clem hit his little brother on the arm. Not hard, but it was clear he meant it.

  “That was bold of you. Well, you best get to that then, or mother will have both our hides. Get with the servants and set things up. I’ll go and introduce our cousins around. I think the first place to check in will be with Count Lairdgren. Not the Prince. Then, that wasn’t a horrible call, given that it worked.”

  There was a strange look, but Dumas nodded.

  “Right then. See you all at nine? Oh, Clem, you should pick up some magical clothing for them. For their entire family? We aren’t exactly giving anyone time to select visiting finery. Sorry about that, both of you?” He bowed as if that were the real thing going on.

  Even Will, country boy from near as deep in the woods as people lived, understood what he was actually doing. The finest thing either of them owned wouldn’t be nice enough by a fraction for the meal that night. So he was getting them magical things somehow. Probably from Harmony, where the shields had come from. That, or someplace similar. Otherwise they wouldn’t be getting them, since magic was expensive to even borrow.

  Interestingly enough, when Clem got back in the box, he rolled his eyes a bit.

  “He means well. Dumas. Don’t even imagine that he doesn’t have fifteen layers of plans in place here. It’s why he wants to go traveling around, to be honest. Calling the prince like that… Pure machination. I just don’t know to what end. Don’t tell him I said that however. It’s bad enough he’s smarter than I am. Letting him know that for certain would be too much power by far.” As the door closed he gestured to Diana. “If you would? We need to find the sigil for Lairdgren School?”

  He waited, probably wondering if they could both read. They could of course. Most did, but if they were going to lack that particular ability, then being from a place like Pine Creek would be where they were from. Which meant that Clemance was at least pretending that he hadn’t gotten information about their lessons. That would mean he was out of the loop, or wanted them to think he was.

  Which the real case was, Will didn’t know at all. Not yet.

  Diana did the trick with the sigil about as fast as he could have. At least he saw the name at the same time as she scrolled down, using the bright blue glowing arrow on the red wall. When the star was pressed, the door opened behind them again, showing a large stone expanse, with big buildings on the far side. Those were focus stone, but looked fancy, compared to the places in Pine Creek.

  Clemance started out, walking directly to the right, down the street. It was a place that wasn’t as big as the Capital had been. Also raining. If lightly. That wasn’t too big of a deal, at all, since after a moment it stopped. Except that, of course, it didn’t. It was pouring outside, but he was staying dry and warm as they moved. So was Diana.

  The water drifted away from them both, making shimmering lines in the air. About a foot from their bodies over the arms and nearly twice that over their heads. It was probably the real shape of the shields they had on. Things that had activated as the rain tried to fall on them. Automatically. Clem’s had done the same thing. Which meant it was built into the device itself.

  Which made sense. After all, they were mainly there to keep the air around a person in space. There was little to no air there, so if it got away, say while a person slept, the shield would have to be able to protect them. Nodding, he smiled about it, but then just walked. Clem was moving at a good clip after all.

  After one turn, which was to the right again, they ducked into a decently large seeming building. The door was made of untreated wood, but held a sense of age to it. Inside there was a woman behind a desk, who had blonde hair, mixed with silver. Otherwise she looked young enough. In her forties or so. It was hard to tell, he realized, since she had a lot of makeup on, covering that part up. She grinned at them all, taking in him more closely than Clem or Diana.

  “Well, hello. What can I help you with today?” From the look on her face, she wanted him to help her into a wedding. At least that’s what he would have read from it if they’d been in Pine Creek.

  That wasn’t actually a horrible thing, either.

  There were no prospects for him in the village. The only girl near his own age who was eligible at all was Diana. So, if he met a woman who showed interest, it would be a great idea not to dismiss anyone, even if this lady was a bit too old for that. She might also have been looking for her daughter or, and he knew that it could really be t
rue, he might have just been interested in her and pushing his own feelings outward that way. She was pretty enough, after all.

  Clemance was more task oriented, so bowed a bit, which Will also did instantly, going as low as the other boy. Diana did the same, only half a beat behind them.

  “Is Count Lairdgren in? These are Countier Fourth, Lairdgren and Conserina Fifth, Lairdgren.” Their names weren’t given this time, though the woman stood gracefully, bowing back.

  “Allow me to announce you?”

  She knocked on the door, getting a rather firm sounding voice to call back at the prompting.

  “Enter!”

  That got them in. Instead of being announced, the old man, who had white hair mixed with gray, a lined face and very nice clothing, all in brown, stood up suddenly. Then he took in who was standing there, clearly working out what was going on without being told. Of course, he probably knew the players, at least from description. If Countess Thomson had a person in place, she might have even told the man about them.

  Instead he pretended not to get that. So well that Willum kind of figured that might simply be the truth. That, or the man was a master at schooling his face.

  “Countier Thomson! You’ve brought friends?” He bowed, going middling deep then. Toward all of them. Which was interesting really. He was a Count and it was his own county, if Will had that right. He didn’t have to bow that deep to anyone there, if he didn’t feel like it. Halfway down was pretty polite, given that fact.

  Clemance waved at Will first then his sister.

  “Willum and Diana Baker. Heirs of yours? In the line for that anyway. Teral Baker is their father. They have an older brother, Carlisle. He doesn’t speak Standard well yet?” There was a glance at the two of them that seemed hesitant then, from the boy himself. As if he was afraid that he might be maligning their brother. Pointing out something the other boy lacked.

  Nodding, Will agreed with him however.

  “The schoolmarm that Countess Thomson snuck in on us never seemed to be that concerned with teaching him standard. Most of the other kids, either. A few were. Diana and I were taught several languages however. Manners as well.” He smiled and shook his head then. “Which means I probably owe Aunt Tamerlane a thank you note. Who did you have watching us, if it’s all right to ask? Master Elis?” The man was tall for a back village like they were in. Common looking for all that, having appeared as if by magic a year before Willum needed to find some way to survive, other than baking. A real master of his craft, in their tiny backwoods village.

  Rather than scold him, the older gentleman simply winked at him.

  “Not bad. Yes. Master Elis was placed there by me, to keep an eye on things. Now, you worked out the bit about the school mistress there?” He was asking a question.

  Clem answered it.

  “Yes, sir. He did it with almost no information either. It was kind of like magic. I swear, I need to get with the Wizard Tim and see if he can change me to be more intelligent. That, or hire a man to stand behind me at meals to make certain I don’t drown in my soup.” He smiled about it, making it a joke.

  The Count in front of them shook his head just a tiny bit.

  “You aren’t lacking in intelligence. It’s merely that you are around several who hold significant ability in that regard. Though it might be interesting to see if Timon can actually do that? If so, keep me informed? Now, other than coming to confront me about my spying, which is fair enough as a reason, what might I do for you today?” For some reason he seemed interested in Diana then.

  At least he kept looking at her.

  Clemance bowed.

  “We’re holding a meal at nine at Thomson Residence? Dumas is. We seem to have several notable people coming. The leader of Afrak, Prince Alphonse and Princess Abbey? Their child Benjamin as well. I was thinking that I’d invite you to the meal? You can work things out and tell me what my little brother is getting up to?” He laughed a bit then. “Also, you can meet with your new people? Honestly, I should connect with Laurie Baker and see if she could make it as well.”

  He stopped, as the elderly fellow pulled a speaking device out, which was much like the one that Dumas had used not long before. Then the man forced a smile, looking into his palm.

  The voice that came was young sounding.

  “Count Lairdgren? Is everything well? We can come to you almost anywhere, if you need aid?”

  “Laurie! Nothing that dire, though it would be good if you could come for a meal tonight? I believe it’s being held by Countier Thomson, Dumas. His brother is taking pains to stress the plans by inviting all and sundry? It’s not a horrible method of throwing off plotting, if you don’t know what’s going on. I believe that Taler and his family will be in attendance? I know that they all look forward to meeting their grandmother, I’m certain.”

  There was a pleased seeming gasp from the device.

  “Douglas and I would love to attend! If it’s no hardship, adding to things like that?”

  Clemance sounded at least as happy about things.

  “It really shouldn’t be, grandmother. Dareg got in a nice food unit for us, not long ago, so the staff shouldn’t be too stressed that way. Actually, we’re headed to Harmony in a bit, to meet with Aunt Trice? We should see if we can’t add a few more bodies to things. Let me call this in to Dumas. I’m sure that it will please him.”

  The young seeming lady on the device, who was upside down to Will’s perspective, nodded.

  “Well, we do need to keep the family in place. Also in contact. At nine, at the Capital Residence you say?”

  “Exactly! I look forward to seeing you all. See you then!”

  The Count didn't go in for ten minutes of fancy talk, just repeating the same thing then hanging up.

  “Well, that should get things stirred up a bit. Now, Willum, you have a place as a wood worker? Part time only however. Also an ear for languages? You, Diana, will be attending school here?” He seemed hopeful, rather than commanding about it.

  She froze a bit.

  So Will nodded for her.

  “That would be a kindness, sir. If I may ask, what would such a thing cost?”

  The Count shrugged then, his face kindly.

  “For one of my potential heirs? Nothing. A bit of coin for her to use as a stipend might be in order. I can give that to her of course, but I think that I’d like you to arrange that, as her brother. I’d suggest checking with Tor first on that. He’s remarkably good at generating that kind of thing. An excellent person to apprentice with, if you seek training as well. Yes. See to that?” Again, it was a question.

  Also a thing that seemed impossible. Certainly, family would give them coin, but asking for it like that was galling. Then, the man probably meant he was supposed to find a way to earn it, not rob the man for his sister’s upkeep that was his father’s duty. Of course, his da lived in the woods, baking pies and bread for the village. It barely made them enough coin to hold things together, most years.

  So it did make sense for him to find a way to help his little sister make her way in the world. At least to start with.

  Even if he had to humble himself to do it.

  “I understand. It will be done. Somehow. I can’t say I understand that bit yet.” He meant it, but the white haired, fluffy bearded fellow just smiled.

  “That’s part of the lesson. Just because you’re an adult, that doesn’t mean you should be finished learning. If you have any problems getting that done, come and talk to me. I’ll try to work out some plans for you to use.” He folded his hands together, then rubbed them a little. “Now, Countier Thomson mentioned a trip to Harmony? That’s exciting. Not to be pushy, but you should see to that now. Before the meal. Get clothing amulets for your entire family. They’re incredibly useful. Also, see if you can get with Timon as to how to use them? He’s rather proficient at that.”

  Dismissed, Clemance led them out. He didn’t speak until they were back at the transport hut.

 
; “That was a bit strange. Not the school part, but what he said to you, Willum. He really seems to want you to meet with Tor and Timon. Not that getting some gold from Uncle Tor will be hard for you. Either of you, really. He’s famous for giving the stuff away just for the asking. So, it’s got to be something different than that. I don’t know what, however. He mentioned apprenticing to Tor… That would be in building. Being a wizard? Notice, he didn’t suggest that for me? Or you, Diana. Though if you go to school here you can take lessons. Which you should. We all should. After all, it’s clear that kind of thing is what the future is going to be built on.”

  The words got a nod from Diana. Willum just thought for a bit, not able to see how any of the pieces met yet. There just wasn’t enough to go on.

  “Well, all I can do is try my best. We should go and meet our new aunt?”

  Clemance nodded.

  “We can call Dumas from there. After all, we should invite them, too. That’s only polite, given that they’re family. Come on. You can get us there, Will. Harmony Main.”

  That didn’t take long to work out at all. He’d seen the system being used several times now, so did it pretty smoothly. When they walked out there was a bit of a shock. The air pressure changed, slapping them with a gust of air when the hut wall opened for them.

  Outside the place was all made of solid stone, with a lot of light. It seemed like it came from the sun, but looking up he noticed that it to be produced by giant green gems. Magical lights. It was rather fine happening, to be honest. Clemance took them through a red painted door to the right of the hut. Inside there were shelves and hangers all over the place, holding hundreds, or more likely, thousands of amulets. A lot of them glowed gently in different colors.

  The very tall lady behind the counter to the right smiled at them.

  “There you all are! I’m Patricia Baker.” She waved toward the back, which had a giant man walking forward, smiling.

  Right until he locked eyes with Willum. Then his face fell. There was staring as well. After a bit the man walked toward him, holding his hand out. A wave of something came off of him. It was a bit tickling. Especially at his neck in the back. Willum rubbed at it. It nearly stung in a few places for some reason.