Tamora Pierce owns the entire universe of this story, all the characters,
the world they live on and the very air they use to sustain life. Only the
vague plot and dialog I have attributed to TP's characters in this tale
belongs to me. I freely give my permission for Tamora Pierce to use any or
all of the plot/story/dialog/concept if she so desires in any way she
desires.
Blame all lousy spelling and grammar on the California Education System. Thank the Lord for spell checkers.
Chapter 25
Briar shouted, "Let's get some grooms over to take the Dukes horses."
A group headed toward the gate at a trot, where the Duke, Sandry and a company of guards, were leading a carriage full of Winding Circle friends and two wagons full of Circle Four employees and students.
Tris, Daja and Briar met the Duke, Yazmin and Sandry, "Welcome to Green Acres, Your Grace, Countess, Ms. Hebet." Briar bowed, Tris and Daja curtsied. They had spent some time practicing that morning so it would be in unison.
The Dukes guards joined the Green Acres guards and spread out surrounding the Duke and his friends.
The Duke said, "Good morning," Sandry walked over and grabbed the three in a group hug, "About time."
Keth, driving the first wagon got down and lifted Evvy and Glaki out the wagon. Glaki ran over and grabbed Tris around the hips in a tight hug. "Missed you, Missed you, Missed you," she said.
Returning the hug Tris told her, "I missed you too Glaki, we will talk a little later."
Little Bear came running over and almost knocked Glaki over in his enthusiastic greeting. Briar grabbed him to save Sandry's clothes from dirt and damage.
Chime swooped down and landed on Tris's shoulder and chimed a welcome to everyone, it sounded like a glass xylophone falling down a flight of stairs.
Through the gate came a carriage with Dedicate Gorse driving and filled with baskets of party food.
Stopping near the Duke he asked Daja, "Where's Julia?" Daja pointed to the cooking area near the forge.
He drove over to the area shouting, "Julia, I've come to steal your recipes!"
Julia, over by the pit fire waved and yelled back, "You need to get good ones somehow."
Evvy pulled a shoulder bag out of the wagon, hanging it on her shoulder she walked over to the four and Briar threw an arm around her and hugged her, "Welcome." He said.
Lark and Rosethorn walked up, "You built a greenhouse! I thought I taught you better than that."
Briar grinned at her, "I use it to get a jump on the growing season. I'm going to beat you to a ripe tomato this year."
"In your dreams, boy, in your dreams." She replied.
Niko, Frostpine and Crane drifted over and joined the crowd, greetings were exchanged all around, as they drifted over to the area where the party was starting they tended to bunch up into groups with common interests.
"It's going be a nice day for the celebration." Commented the Duke.
"We are very glad you could come today," Your Grace.
"I was happy to come, the idiots in the Emelan council give me a headache."
"Replace them with some that don't." Suggested Tris.
"Impossible! Anyone who wants to be on the council for more than a month is by definition an idiot. All their relatives shove them onto the council to keep them out of the way. It's cheaper than hiring a keeper for them."
Briar laughed, "Send them on a fact finding mission."
"What?"
"They are all minor members of the nobility or of important families, pack the lot up and send them out to visit each of the districts to gather facts on the condition of the realm, if you work it right you could be rid of them all spring and summer. Handpick the escort and order them to go slow. It will make the council members feel important and give you a respite from the constant meetings. They could spend the fall writing reports on their findings. Then have someone you trust cull the reports and see if anything is actually found that needs action."
"I'm going to think on that. I could send them here first."
"You do and we will put them all evaluating the spring plowing."
The Duke laughed at that.
As the party got going the guests spread out the explore the estate and join in the assorted games and displays of athletic ability, tables under shade trees had contests of Royalty and Knights and assorted games of skill and chance going on. There were races, displays of swordsmanship and archery. A group of staff and retainers had formed a band and were playing music for dancing.
Tris, Keth and Glaki were at a table with fruit juice, talking about school, dance and Glaki's latest boy problems.
Frostpine and Daja were in the forge discussing ongoing work.
Sandry, Lark and several of the manors seamstresses were around a large table with needlework samples.
Rosethorn, Briar and several of the manor gardeners were in the gardens.
The Duke and Niko were having a quiet talk and watching the games.
Evvy was involved in a massive struggle with the manor champion in a game of Royalty and Knights.
Crane came storming out of the greenhouse, madder than a wet hen, he charged up to Briar and Rosethorn in the garden and said through clenched teeth, "If you do not want visitors in you greenhouse all you have to do is post a sign. Setting traps is not the proper thing to do!"
"What are you talking about?" said Briar as he turned to face Crane.
He could see that Crane's head and shoulders were wet. "What happened to you?"
"I was in the greenhouse when you trap soaked me."
"There is no trap in there, I don't care who goes in there. I have no idea.." His voice faded out.
"Please come with me." Taking Crane's arm he lead him to the table where Tris was talking to Keth, Glaki had left to join in the games.
"Tris, where is Pudge?"
"I don't know," she answered, "I haven't seen him since yesterday, why?"
Briar nodded toward Crane, "I think he is in the greenhouse."
Taking in Crane damp condition Tris said, "He could be, the last time I saw him Chime was hot on his trail an he was in full blown retreat."
"What is a Pudge?" Crane asked through clenched teeth.
"Sit," Tris told him, and explained about Pudge.
"A weather sprite! You don't often see one of them." Commented Rosethorn who had followed Briar and Crane over to Tris.
Crane relaxed, "You should put up a sign to warn people."
"I will, I'm just glad he didn't hit you with lighting."
"Lighting! If he throws lighting you should defiantly warn people."
"Just small bolts, enough to sting but not really hurt." Tris told him.
"I'll put up a sign tomorrow." Said Briar.
As the afternoon wore on people started leaving the party to go home, they searched out the new members of the nobility and gave them their congratulations and then headed home. Some of the first to go were estate farmers and their families. The day started early on a farm.
The two wagons from Circle Four and the school loaded up and left, some of them were feeling no pain.
The manor staff loaded up baskets of surplus food and sent it along with the departing party guests. The Dedicates from Winding Circle loaded up in the Carriage Gorse had brought and headed home so they would not have to travel in the dark.
The staff and retainers were cleaning up the area, and as darkness fell the Duke, Yazmin, Sandry, Keth, Evvy, Glaki, Briar, Tris and Daja moved into the manor.
Entering the library they all found comfortable seats and settled down to a quiet evening. Briar opened a cold cabinet and asked what everyone wanted. Everyone opted for cold water of fruit juice.
"You can all stay the night, we have plenty of room, and it's not really safe to ride in the dark."
"That's a good Idea." The Duke said, "Tell the guards that we are spending the night."
Briar started to leave the library and saw Alfred in the hall, "Will you please inform the Dukes guards that they will be spending the night?"
"Yes, Baron." Alfred replied, "we thought they might so we have rooms ready for the Duke and your friends here in the manor and rooms for his guards in the barracks."
"Thank you Alfred."
He returned to the library and saw Glaki asleep in a chair, standing in front of the chair he said, "Tris".
Keth saw Glaki sleeping and said, "I'll take her up to bed."
Daja stood, "I'll show you which room."
Keth picked up Glaki who didn't move a muscle and followed Daja out of library.
Daja turned at the door and said, "No surprises until we get back."
"That's right, you promised us a surprise, what have you got under the table illusion?" asked Sandry.
"When they get back." Said Tris.
"Illusion?" The Duke asked, looking at the table in front of him.
Keth and Daja came back in laughing, "Like putting a limp towel into a bed." Daja told Tris, "She is good for the night."
Briar went over and slid the library doors closed and locked them.
"Walking back he leaned on the back of Tris's chair, "Ok Copper curls, do it."
Tris concentrated and removed the illusion, the table vanished and the iron bound locked chest appeared.
Daja went to the chest and using her metal magic opened the padlock and then lifted the lid of the chest exposing the contents to the Duke and Sandry.
"Mila of the Grain," said Sandry when she saw the chest full of gold.
"This was in the cavern?" asked the Duke.
"Yes along with barrels and barrels of assorted wines."
"How much is there?" asked Sandry.
"We haven't counted it yet, we need to know what amount of the total is properly tax's that should go to the Duke, then we can determine how much there is left to share among the four of us."
"What do you mean, the four of us?" asked Sandry, "This is money from Green Acres and belongs to the three of you."
"Hold it. There is no three, there is only the four of us, share and share alike." Said Briar. "In the store and the school and Green Acres."
"That's right." Echoed Tris and Daja.
The Duke said, "I would say to use the funds to restore Green Acres."
"We discussed this, you, Your Grace, has allowed the farms two years tax free in order to entice good farmers to our fields, how about we cover the two year tax debt from the funds and use the rest as needed."
"Sounds good to me." Answered the Duke.
Daja closed the chest and relocked it. Tris reactivated the illusion spell and once again a table stood in place of the chest.
As the discussion about how best to utilize the funds continued, Evvy went to where she had left the bag she had brought from STONE-GLASS-METAL. She carried it over to a table by the wall, placing it on the table she opened it, she pulled a light stick from the bag, the light stick was made of wood with a clear ball on top that shined with a bright light and was the same size as a standard candle. Evvy removed a candle from the wall sconce and replaced it with the light stick, from the bag she took a translucent shade and placed it on the bright ball creating a soft light to fill the area.
Keth had wandered over by the shelves and was examining the titles of the books in the wall of books as Evvy was replacing the candles in the room with the light sticks she had made. Keth had taken a book out of the case and was standing leaning against the shelves when Evvy lifted the candle just to the right of him. The books shelves he was leaning against spun clockwise on a center pivot and Keth and the books vanished and a blank wall appeared.
"Eeek," Evvy squeaked, "Keth's, vanished!"
Everyone in the room turned to look, "What happened Evvy?"
"The wall just swallowed him."
Everyone stood and walked over to examine the blank wall, "There was a small table here." Said Tris.
"Yes," Evvy replied, "Keth was standing beside it looking at a book."
"Look at the floor, there is a circle here in the stone." Daja was kneeling and examining the floor closely.
Briar was pushing on the wall but it had no effect.
Faintly through the wall they head, "Evvy."
"Keth, I hear you." Evvy shouted.
"Put..the..candle..back."
Evvy pickup the candle and, clearing everyone away from the wall, jammed it back in the wall sconce.
The wall spun clockwise a full 360 degrees, Keth appeared and then disappeared as the wall spun.
Through the wall could be heard, "Take..the..candle..out"
Evvy pulled the candle out of the sconce and the wall spun counterclockwise and jammed as Keth tried to get though the opening as the wall spun, the wall catching him halfway through the opening.
Through lips distorted by the edge of a wall Keth said, "Don't..put..the..candle..back."
With Briar and Daja helping, Keth managed to get free of the wall that spun 180 degrees and closed when he was clear of it. This time Evvy was in the wrong place and vanished behind the wall.
Faintly through the wall Evvy could be heard, "Put..the..candle..back."
The Duke, with a muffled laugh, picked up a candle from beside Evvy's bag and said, "This is how these things usually work." He put the candle in the wall sconce and the wall spun to show the shelves full of books and Evvy leaped clear. Then lifting the candle momentary he replaced it at once, and the wall rotated 90 degrees and stopped to stand open.
They all peered into the dim area behind the wall.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
A/N
Lady Lorene - Maybe some day I will have some action.
Blame all lousy spelling and grammar on the California Education System. Thank the Lord for spell checkers.
Chapter 25
Briar shouted, "Let's get some grooms over to take the Dukes horses."
A group headed toward the gate at a trot, where the Duke, Sandry and a company of guards, were leading a carriage full of Winding Circle friends and two wagons full of Circle Four employees and students.
Tris, Daja and Briar met the Duke, Yazmin and Sandry, "Welcome to Green Acres, Your Grace, Countess, Ms. Hebet." Briar bowed, Tris and Daja curtsied. They had spent some time practicing that morning so it would be in unison.
The Dukes guards joined the Green Acres guards and spread out surrounding the Duke and his friends.
The Duke said, "Good morning," Sandry walked over and grabbed the three in a group hug, "About time."
Keth, driving the first wagon got down and lifted Evvy and Glaki out the wagon. Glaki ran over and grabbed Tris around the hips in a tight hug. "Missed you, Missed you, Missed you," she said.
Returning the hug Tris told her, "I missed you too Glaki, we will talk a little later."
Little Bear came running over and almost knocked Glaki over in his enthusiastic greeting. Briar grabbed him to save Sandry's clothes from dirt and damage.
Chime swooped down and landed on Tris's shoulder and chimed a welcome to everyone, it sounded like a glass xylophone falling down a flight of stairs.
Through the gate came a carriage with Dedicate Gorse driving and filled with baskets of party food.
Stopping near the Duke he asked Daja, "Where's Julia?" Daja pointed to the cooking area near the forge.
He drove over to the area shouting, "Julia, I've come to steal your recipes!"
Julia, over by the pit fire waved and yelled back, "You need to get good ones somehow."
Evvy pulled a shoulder bag out of the wagon, hanging it on her shoulder she walked over to the four and Briar threw an arm around her and hugged her, "Welcome." He said.
Lark and Rosethorn walked up, "You built a greenhouse! I thought I taught you better than that."
Briar grinned at her, "I use it to get a jump on the growing season. I'm going to beat you to a ripe tomato this year."
"In your dreams, boy, in your dreams." She replied.
Niko, Frostpine and Crane drifted over and joined the crowd, greetings were exchanged all around, as they drifted over to the area where the party was starting they tended to bunch up into groups with common interests.
"It's going be a nice day for the celebration." Commented the Duke.
"We are very glad you could come today," Your Grace.
"I was happy to come, the idiots in the Emelan council give me a headache."
"Replace them with some that don't." Suggested Tris.
"Impossible! Anyone who wants to be on the council for more than a month is by definition an idiot. All their relatives shove them onto the council to keep them out of the way. It's cheaper than hiring a keeper for them."
Briar laughed, "Send them on a fact finding mission."
"What?"
"They are all minor members of the nobility or of important families, pack the lot up and send them out to visit each of the districts to gather facts on the condition of the realm, if you work it right you could be rid of them all spring and summer. Handpick the escort and order them to go slow. It will make the council members feel important and give you a respite from the constant meetings. They could spend the fall writing reports on their findings. Then have someone you trust cull the reports and see if anything is actually found that needs action."
"I'm going to think on that. I could send them here first."
"You do and we will put them all evaluating the spring plowing."
The Duke laughed at that.
As the party got going the guests spread out the explore the estate and join in the assorted games and displays of athletic ability, tables under shade trees had contests of Royalty and Knights and assorted games of skill and chance going on. There were races, displays of swordsmanship and archery. A group of staff and retainers had formed a band and were playing music for dancing.
Tris, Keth and Glaki were at a table with fruit juice, talking about school, dance and Glaki's latest boy problems.
Frostpine and Daja were in the forge discussing ongoing work.
Sandry, Lark and several of the manors seamstresses were around a large table with needlework samples.
Rosethorn, Briar and several of the manor gardeners were in the gardens.
The Duke and Niko were having a quiet talk and watching the games.
Evvy was involved in a massive struggle with the manor champion in a game of Royalty and Knights.
Crane came storming out of the greenhouse, madder than a wet hen, he charged up to Briar and Rosethorn in the garden and said through clenched teeth, "If you do not want visitors in you greenhouse all you have to do is post a sign. Setting traps is not the proper thing to do!"
"What are you talking about?" said Briar as he turned to face Crane.
He could see that Crane's head and shoulders were wet. "What happened to you?"
"I was in the greenhouse when you trap soaked me."
"There is no trap in there, I don't care who goes in there. I have no idea.." His voice faded out.
"Please come with me." Taking Crane's arm he lead him to the table where Tris was talking to Keth, Glaki had left to join in the games.
"Tris, where is Pudge?"
"I don't know," she answered, "I haven't seen him since yesterday, why?"
Briar nodded toward Crane, "I think he is in the greenhouse."
Taking in Crane damp condition Tris said, "He could be, the last time I saw him Chime was hot on his trail an he was in full blown retreat."
"What is a Pudge?" Crane asked through clenched teeth.
"Sit," Tris told him, and explained about Pudge.
"A weather sprite! You don't often see one of them." Commented Rosethorn who had followed Briar and Crane over to Tris.
Crane relaxed, "You should put up a sign to warn people."
"I will, I'm just glad he didn't hit you with lighting."
"Lighting! If he throws lighting you should defiantly warn people."
"Just small bolts, enough to sting but not really hurt." Tris told him.
"I'll put up a sign tomorrow." Said Briar.
As the afternoon wore on people started leaving the party to go home, they searched out the new members of the nobility and gave them their congratulations and then headed home. Some of the first to go were estate farmers and their families. The day started early on a farm.
The two wagons from Circle Four and the school loaded up and left, some of them were feeling no pain.
The manor staff loaded up baskets of surplus food and sent it along with the departing party guests. The Dedicates from Winding Circle loaded up in the Carriage Gorse had brought and headed home so they would not have to travel in the dark.
The staff and retainers were cleaning up the area, and as darkness fell the Duke, Yazmin, Sandry, Keth, Evvy, Glaki, Briar, Tris and Daja moved into the manor.
Entering the library they all found comfortable seats and settled down to a quiet evening. Briar opened a cold cabinet and asked what everyone wanted. Everyone opted for cold water of fruit juice.
"You can all stay the night, we have plenty of room, and it's not really safe to ride in the dark."
"That's a good Idea." The Duke said, "Tell the guards that we are spending the night."
Briar started to leave the library and saw Alfred in the hall, "Will you please inform the Dukes guards that they will be spending the night?"
"Yes, Baron." Alfred replied, "we thought they might so we have rooms ready for the Duke and your friends here in the manor and rooms for his guards in the barracks."
"Thank you Alfred."
He returned to the library and saw Glaki asleep in a chair, standing in front of the chair he said, "Tris".
Keth saw Glaki sleeping and said, "I'll take her up to bed."
Daja stood, "I'll show you which room."
Keth picked up Glaki who didn't move a muscle and followed Daja out of library.
Daja turned at the door and said, "No surprises until we get back."
"That's right, you promised us a surprise, what have you got under the table illusion?" asked Sandry.
"When they get back." Said Tris.
"Illusion?" The Duke asked, looking at the table in front of him.
Keth and Daja came back in laughing, "Like putting a limp towel into a bed." Daja told Tris, "She is good for the night."
Briar went over and slid the library doors closed and locked them.
"Walking back he leaned on the back of Tris's chair, "Ok Copper curls, do it."
Tris concentrated and removed the illusion, the table vanished and the iron bound locked chest appeared.
Daja went to the chest and using her metal magic opened the padlock and then lifted the lid of the chest exposing the contents to the Duke and Sandry.
"Mila of the Grain," said Sandry when she saw the chest full of gold.
"This was in the cavern?" asked the Duke.
"Yes along with barrels and barrels of assorted wines."
"How much is there?" asked Sandry.
"We haven't counted it yet, we need to know what amount of the total is properly tax's that should go to the Duke, then we can determine how much there is left to share among the four of us."
"What do you mean, the four of us?" asked Sandry, "This is money from Green Acres and belongs to the three of you."
"Hold it. There is no three, there is only the four of us, share and share alike." Said Briar. "In the store and the school and Green Acres."
"That's right." Echoed Tris and Daja.
The Duke said, "I would say to use the funds to restore Green Acres."
"We discussed this, you, Your Grace, has allowed the farms two years tax free in order to entice good farmers to our fields, how about we cover the two year tax debt from the funds and use the rest as needed."
"Sounds good to me." Answered the Duke.
Daja closed the chest and relocked it. Tris reactivated the illusion spell and once again a table stood in place of the chest.
As the discussion about how best to utilize the funds continued, Evvy went to where she had left the bag she had brought from STONE-GLASS-METAL. She carried it over to a table by the wall, placing it on the table she opened it, she pulled a light stick from the bag, the light stick was made of wood with a clear ball on top that shined with a bright light and was the same size as a standard candle. Evvy removed a candle from the wall sconce and replaced it with the light stick, from the bag she took a translucent shade and placed it on the bright ball creating a soft light to fill the area.
Keth had wandered over by the shelves and was examining the titles of the books in the wall of books as Evvy was replacing the candles in the room with the light sticks she had made. Keth had taken a book out of the case and was standing leaning against the shelves when Evvy lifted the candle just to the right of him. The books shelves he was leaning against spun clockwise on a center pivot and Keth and the books vanished and a blank wall appeared.
"Eeek," Evvy squeaked, "Keth's, vanished!"
Everyone in the room turned to look, "What happened Evvy?"
"The wall just swallowed him."
Everyone stood and walked over to examine the blank wall, "There was a small table here." Said Tris.
"Yes," Evvy replied, "Keth was standing beside it looking at a book."
"Look at the floor, there is a circle here in the stone." Daja was kneeling and examining the floor closely.
Briar was pushing on the wall but it had no effect.
Faintly through the wall they head, "Evvy."
"Keth, I hear you." Evvy shouted.
"Put..the..candle..back."
Evvy pickup the candle and, clearing everyone away from the wall, jammed it back in the wall sconce.
The wall spun clockwise a full 360 degrees, Keth appeared and then disappeared as the wall spun.
Through the wall could be heard, "Take..the..candle..out"
Evvy pulled the candle out of the sconce and the wall spun counterclockwise and jammed as Keth tried to get though the opening as the wall spun, the wall catching him halfway through the opening.
Through lips distorted by the edge of a wall Keth said, "Don't..put..the..candle..back."
With Briar and Daja helping, Keth managed to get free of the wall that spun 180 degrees and closed when he was clear of it. This time Evvy was in the wrong place and vanished behind the wall.
Faintly through the wall Evvy could be heard, "Put..the..candle..back."
The Duke, with a muffled laugh, picked up a candle from beside Evvy's bag and said, "This is how these things usually work." He put the candle in the wall sconce and the wall spun to show the shelves full of books and Evvy leaped clear. Then lifting the candle momentary he replaced it at once, and the wall rotated 90 degrees and stopped to stand open.
They all peered into the dim area behind the wall.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
A/N
Lady Lorene - Maybe some day I will have some action.