Free Lord of the Sky (The Young Ancients: Timon) by P.S. Power

grizzled looking man that Petra had gotten healed first. It wasn't just the magic either, since they'd all seen them being used that day already, a few moments before even.
    "Yes, Sire. Things are going to plan. We need to arrange for some food shipments and possibly some other goods. Some coin too, to get things going again. People are healthier now, and thankfully it's winter, but a lot of people lost work for weeks."
    The grumble that came back sounded a bit confused, but only slightly.
    "Thankfully winter? Doesn't that make it harder?"
    "Well, most already have food set by, so they aren't as desperate as they would have been otherwise, I don't think." It made sense to him, but no one seemed pleased to have that pointed out.
    "Ah, I can see that. Still, the people of County Cannor and County Printer have stepped up their fishing efforts, knowing that harder hit areas might need their goods. We have special funds set aside for this, from your brother and his Lady wife. My son and your new brother, Gerent Lairdgren, are in charge of those funds I believe. Can you make arrangements with them on that score? I could send someone..."
    "No, thank you. It will go faster if I do it, I think, even if that normally wouldn't make sense. I'll need to get with one of them and Collette Coltress. She's off in Barony Coltress right now, I think... Anyway, happy Noram Day. Please tell everyone I said that? Especially Aunt Constance. Rumor has it that we're not getting along well now and that she intends to sabotage my social life. I look forward to it, since that probably means she'll have to build one for me first."
    There was a dead silence from the device in his hand, and people stared at him like he was insane. Heather actually looked away, her lips tight.
    Finally there was a soft laugh, like bells, and a rustling that indicated someone was walking toward the device in the throne room.
    "Things aren't that bad, yet. I was going to leave your name off some lists, but I think you might have a point. Taking away things that you don't care about won't do at all, will it? I'll have to fix that first." There was a general chuckle from the Palace, before she went on. "I look forward to it. Will you be in for the main celebration tomorrow?"
    "After a set up like that? No, thank you." Timon actually smiled, meaning it for once. It was certainly more interesting now, such parties and what not, when the stakes were being raised. "We should get together and chat, soon. Tea or something? I can bring some winter cakes. I have a good recipe for them." That was just the truth. Enough so that he decided to try and make some for later that day. It wasn't too late yet. Not if he could get the ingredients.
    The Queen answered as if he were actually a person at least and not an enemy, which probably meant she had an actual plot against him in mind.
    "Let's say a week? Things will have calmed down here a bit by then, I think."
    "I look forward to it. See you then, Aunt Constance."
    There were a few minutes of pleasantries, and the King got back on to say good day properly, but the conversation was actually over. It wasn't until he looked up that he realized half the people around him had very strange looks on their faces. Countess Montblanc in particular. She was, for some reason, close to tears. Reviewing the conversation didn't shed any light on the whole thing, but Petra explained well enough, clapping him on the back and letting her hand linger. Protectively, he realized, rather than in any kind of closer manner.
    "Well, very few would willingly go head to head with the Queen like that. Not so openly." She sounded a bit dark about it, for all that there was a very large smile on her face. It let her very white teeth show nicely, but was clearly fake at the same time, strained around the edges.
    The Countess moved toward him and then bowed, going low.
    "Forgive me. My actions have caused trouble for you with her. I..."
    Timon grinned, then let out a small