Tori Transmigrated Chapter 56: He's a Grown Man

There were fortresses all along the coast, from Anlar to Sur. The fortress at the border between the two regions, which was on a mouth of a river, was jointly overseen by the two marquis families and was a training grounds for new sailors in the Sur navies. Tori was able to watch so training exercises from their ship.

It wasnt really sothing that interested her, but Andy was very excited to show her, so she sat through three hours of it as he stood next to her and enthusiastically explained what was happening. Afterwards, they went on shore to explore the city. It mainly catered to shipping crews passing through along the coastal route, and the navy, so there wasnt much in terms of tourist activities.

Still, it was a good opportunity for Tori to continue gastronomical research on seafood dishes. She also took that chance while on land to make comcry calls.

Tori used her comcry to talk to her friends and communicate with delta project leads, but she typically did so at specific tis, which were always while she was in her room on Moss Hill. She didnt use her comcry when exploring Kings Harbor and definitely not when they were out on the water and she was playing on a boat.

As a result, she didnt know that she couldnt make comcry calls when over water. While she knew she had a legitimate reason for not knowing, it was still embarrassing for Kasen to have to explain to her that comcrys needed to be grounded to work. By this, he ant that she needed to be on land.

They were programd crystals that needed to have a connection directly to the ground. This could be through a person holding it or a table that touched the ground. It didnt matter if the user could ground and charge; the crystal sought out grounding and energy on its own. She thought it akin to only being able to use an appliance when it was plugged in. That also explained why she never had to charge her comcry. On land, it was always on her person or on a table; always plugged in.

Crystals could not ground over water, or rather, it was too difficult and comcrys essentially lost power because they were cut off or had insufficient energy. Tori couldnt even get her comcry to glow.

She did a test and watched her comcry while trying to activate it from the ship on their approach to a dock. When there was a connection of rope or a gangplank on to the dock, the comcry had a fleeting, faint glow, but would quickly die.

After a few minutes back on land, she was able to activate it as usual and call Ilyana. It looked like it took a while to have enough energy to wake up.

No wonder none of my calls went through, Ilyana said. I told it to call you and nothing happened.

No beep or static sound? Tori asked. She sat on the terrace of a restaurant, looking out at the fortress across the mouth of the river.

No...whats static sound?

Like...shhhh...bzzzt.... Tori could feel her face turning red as she tried to recreate the sound as quietly as possible. She tried not to sink in her seat as she almost slipped and impersonated a dial-up connection.

I havent heard anything like that. Ilyana didnt seem to think anything was amiss.

Thank God, your friend thinks youre normal. So, it doesnt work when were over water. Thats good to know...and explains why everyone kept using flags.... Tori reached for her juice on the table. Her parents had gone to walk along the beach below the restaurant, and Kasen and Andy were at the fortress doing what she assud were navy-related things.

She lingered at a table having a snack before their late lunch so she could call her friends.

Where else are you stopping?

Were going to Tres Arcos after this to drop off my parents and Kasey. Sebby is eting us there and hes coming on board to visit the delta, Tori said. After that, were stopping in Karap and zzaluna before the delta.

Those are big port cities, Ilyana said. Look around and see whats selling. Maybe you can get more ideas for the delta.

Thats the plan! Tori nodded in approval, pleased she and Ilyana were on the sa wavelength. I have a lot of recipes Ive collected so far. And Im really loving these seaside restaurants. Theyre very relaxing. We should have so built at the delta.

Im jealous. Its my ho, but there isnt really much to do, Ilyana said with a sigh. Oh, Mom and brother want to visit. Do you think theyd be able to stay in the delta for a little bit next spring and sumr?

I think so. Im hoping to have sothing up by then to show visitors from Horizon. The construction seems to be going very quickly and were considering moving phase three to the shoreline and pushing the original phase three island plans to phase four.

A lot of people do want to stay on the shore. I think thats a good plan. The allotted land is limited, so there isnt too much to build on.

Architect Ebbadottir is returning soon, as well. Well do a big developnt eting to finalize the next few months, Tori said. She craned her neck as she saw the tiny figures of her parents returning. Okay, I have to make a few more calls. Im going to see if Mr. Zisos is free when I get to Karap. I should also see if I can visit the Bishop.

Then call the next ti youre on land!

The two ended the call and Tori slid her finger across her comcry. Call Constantine Zisos. She leaned back against her chair. Since she and Constantine seed to be on good terms, it wouldnt hurt to strengthen their friendship with city exploration. Unlike her call with Ilyana, Constantine didnt pick up quickly.

Just when Tori was going to end the call and try at another ti, a breathless voice answered.

Lady Guevera, my apologies. I was sweeping and needed to step out and take the call, he said in a rushed voice.

Toris brows rose a bit. Oh...sorry, Mr. Zisos. I didnt an to bother you. I can call back in a bit if youre busy.

No, its fine. I can take a call. Is there anything I can help you with? he asked.

There is and I hope its not too much, Tori said with a slight chuckle. I ended up taking my cousins ship back to the delta. Were currently on the Anlar-Sur border and were going to stop at Tres Arcos, Karap, and zzaluna. Since were stopping at Karap and its not far from where you are, I wanted to know if youd perhaps have ti to accompany around the city and maybe visit the Bishop.

He was silent for a mont before he answered. When will you arrive? I will make ti to co down and et you at the dock. Is there anything youre particularly interested in seeing?

Toris smile widened. Im not sure yet. Ill have a better idea of our arrival date when we reach Tres Arcos. Im interested in trying the local food, observing tourist spots, and I like going to places of historical, social, or religious interest. I think you said that Karap has a lot, so maybe just the top two or three sites, since my ti is limited.

Okay! Ill arrange it! Constantine sounded excited. How long are you staying?

Probably just overnight. I know its not a lot of ti, but you kept talking about Karap, so I wanted to see it.

You wont be disappointed. Ill take you around and let the Bishop know. Im sure hell be excited to see you.

Great! Ill call you and confirm the details when Im in Tres Arcos, Tori said. Bye, Mr. Zisos!

Ill see you soon, Lady Guevera.

The call ended and Tori moved on to her next call: Sebastian. His was very quick; just a confirmation of when they were eting and how excited he was to see her and go see the delta he kept hearing about.

Youve already left?

Soon. Its a two-day horseback ride to Tres Arcos. Im switching out horses at garrisons on the way, Sebastian said. Ill also arrange a small tour of Tres Arcos for you.

Thanks, Sebby. See you in a few days!

Was that your brother? a voice spoke up behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see her parents, hand in hand, walking up the wooden stairs to get to the terrace. Her father snorted. Did he already leave the Fortress?

Tori smiled weakly. Hes leaving today.

Gregorio let out a little tch sound. Dont let him overstay his welco. He has one month.

I know, Tori said. Hes doing important work helping . She looked over at her mother, who was frowning. Mama?

I want to go, too, Antonia said in a low voice.

Darling.... Gregorio chuckled and stroked her back to soothe her.

Sebastian and Kasen have already gone to Horizon with her, and both of them will have visited the delta. I also want to see where our daughter lives and works! Antonia said, shooting her husband a disapproving look.

Mama, youve already planned to co after I graduate. The delta will have more to see then. Tori took her mothers hand to try to placate her. Im also hoping to secure an island to build a nice, small ho to relax in. Wont it be more comfortable if there was a place to stay instead of a tent?

Antonia still looked sowhat annoyed. I can stay in a tent.

Mama.... Tori scooted closer and nuzzled her mothers shoulder. Its not ready for you, yet. I want to make it nice so when you visit, youll be impressed.

Antonia stroked her daughters hair back. Mama is already impressed. My Tori is so amazing, those Horizon nobles cant stop talking about you.

Good or bad?

Antonias eyes narrowed dangerously. Good, if they know whats good for them.

Mama.... Tori sighed. She shuffled in her seat and stood up straight. Speaking of Horizon, I still have to call Piers. Ill be back.

She stood up and took her comcry before leaving their table. She could hear her father suspiciously asking her mother why she felt the need to talk to Piers privately. Toris lips tightened into a line.

Piers had recently co into the habit of saying questionable things that could be misconstrued by others as romantic, if not, as Ilyana insisted, flirty. Tori secretly blad Axton, though on her last call to him, he blatantly denied having told Piers anything.

Do you know what your brothers would do to if I tried that? he had said, as if the very thought of doing so would get him killed.

My brothers wont do anything crazy! Tori had, of course, defended Sebastian and Kasen. She had been answered by silence on Axtons end before he finally replied.

You really are sheltered by them, arent you?

Tori did have suspicions about how her brothers acted when she wasnt around, but didnt want to dwell on them. After all, there mustve been so reason why Piers and Axton, and Professor Ignatius, were intimidated by her brothers and did their bidding.

She reached the beach below the terrace and glanced over her shoulder to make sure her father wasnt leaning over the edge to try to listen in. When she was assured, she slid her finger across the comcry. Call Piers du Soleil.

There were three flashes across the crystal before he picked up. Tori?

Guess where I am! she said, almost smirking proudly.

Anlar.

Yes, but where?

Eastern Anlar, unless you stopped to go sightseeing, Piers said.

No. Im at the Anlar-Sur fortress on the mouth of the Greize. She felt a small bit of satisfaction for throwing him off.

Youre taking a ship back? Piers sounded almost disappointed. To where? zzaluna?

Directly to the delta. Were stopping at Tres Arcos next, Tori said. Were taking so ti to sightsee so of the port cities, but Ill still arrive at the delta earlier than expected.

Arrive earlier? There was a slight uptick in his voice. When?

Im not sure yet. Im going to ask if we can stay an extra day in Karap. Mr. Zisos says there are a lot of things to see there. There was silence in return and she furrowed her brows. Piers?

Is he the Popes adopted son?

Yes, hes my schoolmate and is working on a project in the delta. I told you about him, rember? Tori asked.

I rember. Are you going to Temple Mountain to see him? Piers sounded sowhat disappointed.

No, hes eting in Karap and is going to be my guide, Tori said. She paused and thought for a mont. Now that she thought about it, he was stuck in the palace this entire sumr while she was traveling around. All her calls to him mustve seed like she was bragging. Do you want to get you anything from Karap? I dont know what the specialties are, but I can bring you back sothing.

I dont want anything from Karap.

Are you sure? Tori frowned a bit with disappointnt. Nothing at all?

No.

She thought once more before perking up. When you have ti, do you want to co to the delta and do a sort of informal inspection? It will get you out of the palace. A change of scenery will be-

Okay, Piers said before she could finish. Can I co when you return?

You can co when you are done with your work at the palace. You should finish what you and the Emperor have planned.

I will be finished soon.

Dont overwork yourself, Tori said as she crossed her arms and looked at the comcry in her hand. Youre still learning from your father. Dont take on too much before youre ready.

I wont.

And take an hour to rest, not counting when you eat, every day, like we talked about.

I am.

Tori narrowed her eyes. Is this how Ilyana felt whenever she called? No wonder she didnt believe her; Tori didnt believe Piers was resting at all, either. If you ever feel the slightest bit overwheld, stop and take a break. If you want to call , then call .

You worry about .

That is what friends do, Tori told him coolly. So, dont overwork yourself.

Okay.

Ill let you know when we leave zzaluna and approximately when well reach the delta. If you have ti before the polo tournant and your mothers banquet, you can co. Its changed a lot since you last ca, Tori said.

I will co.

Tori let out a tired sigh. I have to go. Were having lunch. Ill call you again soon.

She heard Piers let out a low hum before the call ended. Tori took a deep breath and exhaled.

Hes a grown man; you dont need to coddle him.

Ah! Tori whirled around, clutching the comcry against her chest as she turned to see her brother crossing his arms as he raised his brow. Kasey!

Piers is perfectly capable of managing his ti. How else do you think he gets so much work done and still has ti to drag you around to dinners? her brother asked.

Tori inwardly winced. I know, but hes really working hard lately. I just want to make sure hes not doing more than he can handle.

Kasen narrowed his eyes. And that requires him to call you?

Axton is at the border. Of course, she still called Axton every now and then. If she could figure out what specific tis hed be at rest, then surely, so could Piers.

Her brother kept his questioning eyes on her. You never seem to worry about or Sebastian overworking ourselves.

Tori rolled her eyes. Because my brothers are exceedingly talented and capable individuals who continuously tell to go to them for help despite being the heir to, and working on the managent of, the march. She countered his argunt. Shed been hesitant to bother them because she always felt they already had a lot of responsibility, but they were insistent that she could depend on them and would even act insulted if she didnt.

We would not support Piers as the crown prince if we didnt think he could live up to our expectations, Kasen said as he put his hand on her shoulder and turned her around. But its good you think so highly of your brothers.

About that, Tori said as they began up the stairs. Ive been aning to ask: why do Piers, Axton, and Instructor Ignatius do whatever you tell them to?

Her brother was quiet for a mont. He glanced down and gave her a gentle smile. Tori, he said as he lifted a hand and stroked the back of her head. Thats nothing for you to worry about.