The Silence Within (The Young Ancients: Tiera) (16 page)

"I didn't think that I'd see you again."

If a person could sound more defeated by the world, Tiera didn't know how. She stood then and bowed low, holding it for a long time.

"I'm responsible for her death. If Sandra Morris hadn't been fighting with me, if I would have acted better originally, when her father goaded me, Regina would still be with us." The weight of it drove her to both knees, and then to lay flat on the floor. "I forfeit my life for that. My work in the matter is done, as I promised you." It was hard to get the words out and they sounded stilted and uncomfortable in her mouth. It was her turn to sob again, even as the rather frail seeming man picked her up from the floor, tears in his own eyes.

"No, you loved her. I know that. What... did you promise me again?" He seemed to have forgotten, which seemed a bit odd, but she thought she understood. A little girl, grieving, had stood in front of him and swore revenge on powerful people. He'd probably never taken it seriously.

"That I would kill Count Morris, then Sandra Morris. I bring partial proof." She moved to the box, but hesitated before opening it. "This is a bit gruesome. It's Sandra Morris's head. Her family is dead as well, but we couldn't find enough of them to prove it."

Then she opened the lid and stood back, so the man could see, if he wanted. He brought a lamp, not wanting to touch it at all. Not even the clean and sterile container that held the slightly gray colored dark head.

"Oh... my." There was a long pause as he looked at it, his face hardening. "I... wouldn't have thought, not at all. How did you do this?"

She told the whole story, not sparing anything at all, and the man let his eyes go much wider than they were. He didn't smile, or seem glad, but he bowed to her in return, finally.

"Thank you. I'd thought them all beyond the reach of justice. Today you brought it to me. Thank you." There were tears, and she held him for a long time, but finally he rallied, and sent them away. It wasn't done roughly, but Tiera had to wonder how much longer the man might live.

Then she got them back to the school, diverting first to the training center.

"Oh, right, take the trays from the back. I guess I should check with people and let everyone know what's going on. Not that I have a clue myself. I guess I should go and get in trouble now, shouldn't I?"

Gerent hugged her and held her closer than she thought he would have. Not inappropriately so, but close enough that she could tell he was taller than he had been, before.

"Do you need me to do anything? I can stay with you, or..."

"That's the part that's got me too, that 'or'. Don't worry. I'll be fine. It isn't like everyone couldn't see this one coming, was it?"

Orange didn't seem impressed, just grabbing the trays and taking the Space Craft back, collecting the amulet after the whole thing was taken down.

"Remember your work on the space suit project. We don't have forever. Try to have those within the month." Then she took everything and walked away. Gerent looked at her and sighed, but didn't follow instantly.

"I guess being that old must make things hard, in a way? Everything seems bland in her world, I bet."

"I know. Well, I'll see you in a day or two?" Unless she was dead. Executed by the King and his forces, or just gone after dragging a cutter across her own neck. Either way. It really wasn't that late, she realized. She even had time for a full shower and long soak before calling the Palace. She took her time and really didn't know who to contact at first.

The King, by some mistake, didn't have one of the new communication devices. Neither did the Queen. Smythe of Westend
did
however, so she hit the name with a firm tap and waited, not knowing if he'd pick up at all.

"Smythe." That's all he said, sounding remarkably fatherly, for the head of the military.

"Tiera Baker here." She was about to just tell him what was going on, but he spoke first, his words rather friendly, considering they didn't really know each other.

"Oh! How wonderful to hear from you. Is everything well there? I should have thought to call and check with you for an update. You are involved in the new program there, correct? The space one?"

"Loosely. I was just in orbit a few hours ago... Then, when I came back... I sort of killed Count Morris and his family and have his daughters head in a box. Not Heidi, Sandra. They were traitors, so I'm sure the new leadership there will be better." She waited, figuring that the man would gasp or growl at her, but the chuckling he did was a bit off-putting, to tell the truth.

"Excellent. Being done by a third party who had cause, no one will be able to blame the Crown for it, but it clearly speaks of why one shouldn't attack the Capital." He cleared his throat and sighed. "Or, clearly, harm your friends. Do you claim the matter settled then, or do you wish to destroy all of his people as well?" He clearly meant it, as dumb as the words were.

Like she had enough energy left to go around killing that many? Besides, even in her rage, which was mainly gone now, she wouldn't have done that.

 "Um... It's done. Do you think anyone wants the head? Otherwise, I'll just drop it in the ocean or something. Maybe even bury it, as if I wasn't a complete heathen."

"Do the latter. It costs you less to find a headstone, than have a bad reputation that way. Let me... I need to go in to the back room here... This is rather important, thank you, Kevin." He was speaking to someone else who was muttering at him, his both voices going low, but not arguing.

A minute later she heard the King, asking what was going on and the Queen gasping, when the situation was explained.

"Are you well, dear?" This was pitched in a fashion that made Tiera feel almost loved. She was actually concerned with her wellbeing? That or she could fake it on a level that was close to magical.

"I'm... at loose ends. I've planned this for a while, since... well, you all know. Now, I don't know what to do. I guess I figured that I'd die, one way or the other. I should probably see to that now."

That got the King to yell at her.
Loudly
. She nearly disconnected on the man, he sounded so angry with her.

"You will do no such thing young lady! You destroyed the leadership of a County, by yourself, and have already defeated their military forces. Again without the aid of others. You have a responsibility to these people to see they aren't abused or harmed now, that they do not go hungry, suffer no neglect, and to make certain that no one uses this vacuum to become too powerful.
Especially
since it's on the eastern border of my own holdings."

She nearly pointed out that she didn't care and really, all things considered, didn't like him all that much anyway. Instead she sighed.

"Fine, you can work up a list of people suitable for the job and I'll interview them, over the coming days. I need to get to class however. I doubt I'll do well, since it's meditation, but..." She was so downcast sounding that no one bothered to talk for a long while. "Or, I don't know, should I go and take control of the place myself first? Before some general or shopkeeper does it?"

From a bit further away, Smythe spoke, sounding thoughtful.

"That might be for the best. Even if you don't wish the job long term, taking control will be good experience for you. As long as you don't die while doing it. Do try to leave people alive, if possible. Otherwise it will be a mess."

She couldn't like it, herself, but nodded at the little focus stone device in her hand. "I'm getting a nap first. I'll be in touch tomorrow then, to let you know what's going on that way. Mid-afternoon?"

That seemed to be fine with them. It meant missing classes, so after meditation and sleep, she wrote out a note for Kolb, and passed it to Karen, who was back in their shared space. The woman didn't ask about it, seeming a little preoccupied, but finally she put out the light, so they could both sleep.

The next day she decided to use a show of force, if she could, rather than the real thing. It took a bit to arrange, since she'd gotten up early, but she managed to borrow three of the very large Space Craft and Judith Kerry, as well as Orange, her grandfather, Bonita
and
Carol Coltress, since she had some groveling to do. Apparently she'd done some already, but no beating had been applied so it didn't count. She clearly thought that she was going to get out of that, but it wasn't happening. Not with Tiera on the watch.

 She didn't really explain the plan, but it was clear that everyone got it, more or less. She just walked out of the big floating craft, which was decorated to look deep green, with a sky blue stripe on it, for both Lairdgren and Regina, and landed just outside Morrisberg.

That, she decided, was a stupid name.

She had to wait nearly an hour for the guard to come, and from what she could tell, most of them along with the military, had actually scattered in fear, the night before, or early that morning. That was fine, since she was a little suspicious of anyone that had been in her enemy's military forces. Luckily she had a Truth amulet for that.

"Good morning!" She waved to them all, her voice happy sounding. "As you may know, last night, Count Morris and his immediate family died. By my hand. This was in revenge for the death of someone I loved and the breaking of treaties and a surrender pact the man himself signed. I chose not to take it out on you, since most of you are relatively innocent in this. As of right now however, I'm claiming control of this County. No one that was in the old military or guard has a position, at least here. Small town and city guard units are still in charge of their areas and will be paid. Any weapons that belong to the Count or County need to be turned in. On the good side, I'm currently hiring for
very
similar positions. If you think you can be as loyal to me right now as you were to Morris, then please step forward to prove it."

She held up the Truth amulet, but no one moved for a long time.

"The first man here gets to be general, then we'll assign things going downward from there..."

That got a response. Half the men moved and a portion just decided it was too uncertain, took off their weapons and tossed them to the ground. One of them ran at her, swinging a rather sharp looking sword. She caught the blow on her shield and then punched him hard, in the sternum. He was still standing, but looked surprised, which meant he had a shield too. That got turned off and a second blow was delivered to the side of his face, which put him down, hard.

She pointed up at the ships, as if nothing had happened at all.

"These are the new colors. I understand it will take time for you to get new uniforms, but please spread that around, will you? Also, this city is now called Bakersville and this is County Baker, at least until I change my mind. So, who's going first?"

It was a man that said he had been a Major and who was very surprised to find that he didn't have to claim he hated the old Count, only that he was willing to be loyal to her.

"It would be stupid to expect you to suddenly love me.
Hate
me if you want, just be true to your word and do the best work you can. I'm just doing this so I can clean up the mess I left here. Nothing else." For some reason that got some of the people that had been walking away to stop, and come back. A job was, after all, a job, wasn't it?

The next order of business, her grandfather informed her, was to get her Barons and Baronesses as well as a few High County officials in so they could swear to her.

He seemed to think the whole thing was boring, but was helpful enough about it all.

"Normally you'd need to get with your Duke or Duchess as well, but for this area that role is actually taken by Richard, so you can kill two birds with one stone there, only having to swear once. Or, I suppose, not at all, if you're seeking to overthrow him?" There was no weight to the words, but the man didn't blink or look away either.

She shook her head.

"Not if I'm in charge here." She said it loudly enough for everyone to hear. "The rebellion is doomed, or seems so for now and I won't take you people into that mess further. From this point on, you're all on the King's side. Even if you weren't two hours ago, or secretly hate the man. If so, swallow that and don't let anyone hear you say a bad word toward him. It's what I plan to do." She got a gasp from the listeners, which was loud, since half the city must have come out to see the giant craft, which were, clearly, something impressive.

"No longer will plowboys have to fear their lives being thrown away against the grinding wheel that is the Royal Army! No longer will old women and men go hungry, because their leader starts battles that he shouldn't! Now this County is under
my
protection, and, while I can't promise you an end to all strife, I can swear that I will see that you all get the best lives you can earn, without some loud mouthed idiot in the way stopping you!"

That got a cheer, and embarrassingly enough, chanting.

"
Ba-ker, Ba-ker, Ba-ker
."

It wasn't total power over the situation, but was a start, she thought.

The trick to being charge, Tiera realized shortly after that, had less to do with personal ability to rule than it did the trappings of power. It was nearly funny, as she watched the collective crowd, half of them most likely unaware that Morris was dead, bow low to her. Or perhaps the three Space Vessels behind her.
Or
, possibly just because everyone else was.

There were things that had to be done however, as soon as possible. Green, in his bored and apathetic way that still reminded her of Tor, explained what those things were again, for the third time, as if she might just be too stupid to know what they were. The thing there was that he kept adding in
other
suggestions each time, hidden in the lines, that were actually really good advice.

"You should have the leaders of each Barony come here today and sign papers, after they swear to you. Showing that you have access to the new faster transportation methods will help reassure them that you aren't just a child, playing at taking over."

Tiera knew she needed things signed, but not what, though a man that walked from the crowd, an older fellow in a decently nice robe, with a ring of white hair, being totally smooth and slightly shiny on top in the sun, explained it to her.

"Papers of fealty are different than simply swearing to you... Countess Baker. In reality you don't even need that, though being without an army, it might help. The other method would involve going to each Barony and taking over by force. If they'll sign, it would be better, over all. I could draw those up for you?"

She didn't wait for the man to give his name, just casting around for her Truth amulet, only to find that the General of her new army, who only had one name, Justin, was using it to pick who was going to be in the thing with him. They needed more of those magics then. Luckily, once she explained this, her grandfather pulled one out and handed it to her. It was on a plain hemp string, which might have marked it as Tor's, except that she wasn't totally sure what Green did that way either and the two men were very alike in some regards.

Handing the thing to the older man who still stood there, looking at her politely, she started asking questions.

It didn't take long to find that the situation was a good bit more surreal than not.

"Would you share your name, sir?" It was probably too polite coming from a Countess, but her intent wasn't to stay one forever, and making enemies with people that might be friends was a poor plan on any day. Besides, he'd been nice to her and so far, really, she was just some girl that had shown up, claiming she was in charge now.

Without wavering at all, or even sounding hesitant, he nodded.

"Lawrence Morris, head archivist for the old Count. His second cousin." The words were both bold,
and
got the attention of everyone that could hear him. The man wasn't being quiet about it either.

She got the plan then. Most would have killed the man on the spot, since he was, at least in potential, heir to the County. That he was far enough away from that for it to never have been real to him was just a fact however, if he'd basically been given the task of being the librarian.

"I see. Are you willing to serve the people of County Baker, given that? It means not trying to kill me or sabotage my efforts. On the good side, if I'm screwing up, you'll be allowed to come and yell at me without fearing death or retribution for it, so there are perks too." She smiled, a bit hopefully, but the man nodded, his own look serious.

"I do." It had the formal sound of someone actually taking an oath, not just a person answering a random question. He also meant it, which the Truth amulet made clear, the brilliant glow around him never wavering at all.

Tiera nodded.

"Good." She raised her voice then, calling out and pulling the old, fairly dark skinned man around to face the people watching. "This man, Lawrence Morris, is now my top advisor and will be responsible for the day to day governance of County Baker. If anyone has questions, concerns or problems, please bring them to him for resolution. Pass that around, if you will? Now, if you think you can do something useful for the County, get up here and let me know about it. I can't promise instant wealth over it, since the County has had some minor setbacks recently that way, but you all know that people in charge tend to do better than those on the bottom, and I'm just passing out jobs here today..."

That actually got very little immediate action, but slowly, over the course of minutes, Lawrence was approached by several people. Some he sent away, after using the Truth amulet on them, but others were brought to her, one by one.

"Countess Baker?" He bowed to her each time, which was cute, but a bit overdone. She'd have to talk to him about that later. "This woman is a school teacher. The students haven't been at lessons for weeks however. Since Noram day, fearing conscription. You mentioned that was ended?"

"Right.
Especially
for school children. We'll be making a heavy educational push soon and..." It took a bit to get the woman's name, but she seemed to have enough years for it to seem real. "Clara Holt, will be overseeing that. Inside ten years I expect close to a hundred percent literacy and numeracy for all. Lawrence, would you make up a suitable title for her position? Clara?" The woman looked scared, but didn't back away from the duty, so Tiera smiled at her. "Don't let this go to your head. You still need to teach classes and keep your hand in that way as well. I also want some schools for higher learning set up, for common children of promise, as well as the nobles. Figure out what will be needed for that." How she was going to pay for it, she didn't know at all.

Between people, making an effort to smile at the individuals that had come with her when she could, even if it wasn't real, exactly, she pulled her new style communications device and started getting in touch with people.

She started with Timon, who answered with a slightly clipped and upset tone to his voice.

"Timon Baker, Fast Transport Service."

She grinned for a moment, then realized it might seem a bit out of place, so schooled her face.

"Hello, can I have an estimate for ten pick-ups? They might have staff with them, or family, so call it forty in all?"

He didn't even ask who it was.

"Over what distance?"

"All inside County Baker, which
was
County Morris, so you can actually find it. Probably no more than fifteen hundred air miles for each." It would be less, but it was better not to underestimate, in case someone had a problem and needed to go back and get their nice jacket or something.

"Will you want to send some guardsmen or functionaries with them?"

She rolled her eyes, since it was a good plan.

"Yes. About four for each trip, I don't want to seem aggressive, unless it's needed."

"Twelve hundred gold. I suppose you want a discount, for being my sister?" Now he sounded playful, almost as if she wasn't supposed to have realized he'd get who it was the second she mentioned County Baker?

"A steep, steep discount. I have... six gold. That means I have to eat in the student dining room too, so unless you want my last copper, I really can't go a lot higher than that."

There was a pause and the crowd watched her closely, seeming puzzled at her actions and words, until Timon sighed.

"Fine. Six gold. This time only, if you want my services in the future, I expect at least half rates. My people need to eat too, you know."

"Done. Thanks Tim. I already have Judy Kerry here, and... well, given the day, I doubt I should do any of it myself. That would look a bit underpowered, so..."

Her brother laughed.

"I have ten people that can come, if I scramble. Get maps of who is going where ready and we should have it all done about half an hour after the last nobleman stops screaming at us. Maybe sooner, if we can convince them that the privilege of taking the ride is worth it anyway."

One of the really nice things about power, she realized, was that she, personally, wasn't responsible for things like getting maps around. She didn't even have to
ask
. Lawrence had them, back at his library, and started to set out to get them on foot, when Judy stepped forward and bowed.

"I can get you there faster. Fast Craft pilot. I need to come back here, but if it won't take too long?" She looked at Tiera, which was nice, considering that the girl had tried to beat her up the very first time they meant, and had cursed her in the commons for several minutes. Now she was being nearly pleasant about the whole thing.

"Would you? I fear I can't afford to pay for such trips yet, but... perhaps we could work out a deal? Later payment or a trade of some kind?"

She just called for a spot to be cleared, and brought her Fast Craft into being, sizing it for two people.

"Sure. I could use some map copies. You can never have too many of those."

The man beamed at her, looking so happy Tiera was afraid he'd fallen in love with the very tall Conserina already. Then, if he had, he could apparently buy her good will with pieces of paper, so it might work out for him. She wasn't that good looking really, being a bit thin and plain through the face, but she had her solid points, and a discerning person would be able to get that. For instance, she was a sixteen year old girl, that had her own Fast Craft. Plural.

If Tiera had it right, she might also be a Space Craft Pilot soon. That was a person worth knowing.

The rest of the early day kept on in that vein, and while the assemblage of people wasn't exactly a party, drinks were served. She had water, from the same dipper that the new military men were using, and as their first assignment, suggested that they see to getting some for everyone else. No one complained, but one of the men did ask if there was a way to use one of the Space Craft for that.

Gerent stepped forward on that one.

"I think we can actually do that, if you don't mind being part of a test of the new devices?" He glanced at Orange who'd been almost silent the whole day, earning a small smile from the woman.

"Very good thinking. You and I will go to the sea and handle that?" She actually made it a question, though the craft were actually hers. It was very kind of her.

That got a greatly reduced vehicle coming back about twenty minutes later, and a station set up for people to drink the purified and cooled water from. That part, the cooling, was what had taken so long, Gerent allowed.

"We, erm, actually froze it at first, then had to collect heat to undo that. The system is a bit sensitive that way."

People were impressed and came to drink from it, standing in a long line, gawking a bit that the flying craft was able to change shape and carry water. She finally got a chance to call Tor, about two in the afternoon, which meant waiting for him to answer, since he didn't carry his communications devices on him at work. They sat behind the counter, off to the side. She didn't get him at all, but Sherri Bonner instead.

"Hello? This is Tor's device, Sherri Bonner speaking, what may I help you with today?"

"Sherri!" Tiera felt a little bad for not having gotten in touch with her before that, after break was over. They were friends after all. Lovers. It probably meant she was a worse person than she thought. Of course murdering little girls because they were in the way sort of trumped that, so she didn't comment on the idea. Not that she would have, in public. "This is Tiera. I was just calling Tor to see if I could get him to send me some amulets and possibly some coin. Or, well, I can pick it up, but you know what I mean."

"Tiera! I've missed you. Ali and I were just saying that we should have you over for dinner tonight, say at five? Tor has been helping me learn to make folded crisp bread, which he assures me will go very nicely with the fowl and cream sauce I have planned. Please say you'll come?" She wasn't really begging, but it did sound a bit like she intended for it to simply happen, even if Tiera was busy. Working things out, Tiera nodded to herself.

"I think we can do that. I
might
have to duck out on you, so if that's the case, please don't hate me? Things are hectic suddenly. That's why I need to get in touch with my brother." Probably more than one even, she realized. This was kind of a big deal after all.

"One moment." There was a pause, then Sherri called out, away from the device. "Tor? Tiera's on the communications device for you. I think it might be an emergency?"

There was a clatter, which seemed to be a tray or baking pan being dropped and the sound of running feet, not five seconds later a voice called her name.

"Are you all right? What do you need?" Not what happened, just what help she
needed
, since that was the important part, wasn't it?

"Um... I could use several copies of anything that can be used to start a business of any sort, outfitting for... call it four hundred city guards men and women. At least one magical river, and permission to steal some of Ali's orphans, to work in a focus stone manufacturing set-up." Not that she knew how to do all of that, but she'd figure it out. "Oh, and... can I have a million gold? I mean, just to have, not borrow. I probably won't pay it back or anything, so I don't want to misrepresent myself here." So, in total, enough funds to start her own County.