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

laugh.
    "Don't let it worry you. She and I have never really been friends. She finds me a bit rude, I think. Which is correct most of the time, no doubt. Ill bred and poorly taught as far as manners go. That causes me to not think of her as kindly as I probably should, so, you get what happens. We go round and round, making problems for each other. This latest bit is just more of the same and has little to do with you or yours." It was just the truth, but he had to explain to Petra what the most recent thing was then.
    That meant everyone else heard his story about building the new device that showed his fake crest too. They all actually seemed impressed at least.
    The Countess bowed again.
    "And that's what caused the extra tension. Timon protecting me from their scorn. I have to say, Richard was gracious enough about it all. I made a mess of things, didn't I? I should have stayed out of it." She looked miserable enough for the moment, so Petra distracted them all by trying to get in touch with Tor.
    That didn't take long either, the actual device was, once again, in the hands of Trice. She really needed to get her own. It wasn't like Tor wouldn't give her one either. In fact, he probably had already. It was just the kind of person he was, handing out presents and coin as if it had no value. It was one of the best things about him really.
    "Petra? Are you calling to tell me to back off of your boyfriend already?" There was enough playfulness in her voice that Heather actually smiled. Given everything that was actually good to see.
    Petra, having missed the whole conversation the night before, looked at that and then worked out that it wasn't all about Tor on her own. She often acted far more innocent and slow than she was, but the woman had a keen mind behind the pretty face. Anyone thinking otherwise was going to be taken by surprise.
    "Possibly. We should at least share. Work out a schedule or something. I was actually just getting in touch to let Tor know that his devices were being spread out and used in County Montblanc. I know he was concerned about them being withheld." She stopped and looked at Timon, but Trice cleared her throat.
    "He's baking right now. We have about thirty people coming to spend the evening with Heather, to show there are no hard feelings. That means Tor personally feels like he has to bring food for a hundred and fifty. You know how he is. Still, it smells good in here. I take it that you haven't had a lot of chance to set up a party there? Don't worry about it. Ali and Sherri Bonner are coming in early to help with that. Tell Timon not to plan anything for tonight. We have a date, he and I." She made it sound naughty and like something was actually going to happen.
    Petra just gave a gentle nod.
    "I see. Well, if you do too much with him, I will remove some of your teeth for you. Just so you know."
    That got a bit of a chuckle, but when Trice spoke again her voice was more serious.
    "Fair enough. Don't worry, we'll keep to the letter of the law. We should be in about seven, but the girls will be out sooner. In fact they should be there anytime really. They borrowed my Fast Craft."
    The conversation wound down with just a bit more teasing directed his way and he managed it without any blushing or flashbacks to horrible torture. It was kind of odd, but he liked Trice well enough. It was more of a friendly thing than she was hinting at, but that was a message for him, most likely. She wanted something from him and it wouldn't be sex. Not even if she were secretly a bit of a pervert. Tim could buy that she might be, but this was different.
    There was only so much that she'd come to him for, so it narrowed things down a lot.
    He had some gold, true, but she could get a lot more from Tor, or even the King, if it was needed. For that matter she was a Ducharina and probably had a rather nice allowance of her own to fall back on. If she wanted magic, well, living in Lairdgren she had access to about seven