Chapter 21
In spite of the late night and deep sleep, ingrained habit still woke Kyminn around the sixth hour. For a few moments, he simply indulged in the temporary luxury of a feather bed. Finally, prodded by both nature and his duty, he rose and cleaned up.
Unable to put off the next step any longer, he dug out a map of the holding and settled into a chair. Much as he wanted to trust Lord Kellix, he was duty bound to make sure the baron had been honest in his dealings. Kyminn strongly suspected that the tenor of this household – the baron's care for his lands and tenants, the contented professionalism of the servants, the quiet pride of the household – were too deeply ingrained to be a façade presented for Kyminn's benefit. Still, it was possible that this was all a carefully constructed illusion, designed to conceal rather than reveal. With a sigh, Kyminn settled in and thinned his shields.
He came back to himself a candlemark later with an even deeper respect for Lord Kellix and his management. The images he'd gotten from the birds throughout the holding showed the same, consistent tale. Fences, sheds and stables were all in good repair, as were the small cottages that dotted the landscape. In the one or two cases where the buildings showed signs of disrepair, stacks of building materials showed that repairs, if not already underway, were planned. In addition to the general solid quality of the buildings, Kyminn's birds overflew more than a few horses. These, Kyminn examined more carefully. In each instance, the beast in question proved to be either a mare with foal at foot, or an older animal, unsuitable for inclusion in the levy. Clearly, Baron Kellix had done exactly as he had told Kyminn in bringing any possible suitable beast in for the levy.
Relieved, and now decidedly hungry, Kyminn left in search of breakfast. He politely stopped the first servant he encountered and asked the man where he might find something to eat.
"Good morning, Healer," the man nodded politely. "Milord asks if you would be willing to join him in the small dining room for a working breakfast. Breakfast is usually informal, with the meal set out on the sideboard and the family serving themselves. If that's not to your liking, I can have a tray made up and brought."
"Thank you, Cam, the working breakfast sounds perfect. If I may also ask, would someone be available to take the dogs back to the kennel? I think they'd be better off there for the day." A wry smile. "I'd take them myself, but I expect his lordship will be claiming all my time this morning."
Cam offered a small smile in return. "Certainly, Healer. I'll have it seen to right away. Should we anticipate the dogs having any concerns if approached by a stranger?" In other words, 'Will they bite?'
"They'll be fine, but if there's any concerns, I'll return and leash them if you'd like."
The man hesitated only briefly. "Thank you, Healer, but if you say there won't be a problem, then that will do. Can I show you to breakfast? It's the same room you dined in last evening."
"I can find it, thank you. I won't take up any more of your time." Kyminn clapped the startled man on the shoulder and sauntered off down the hallway.
Kyminn found the baron already settled into the dining room. To judge from the papers spread about, the baron was serious about it being a working breakfast. Glancing at the baron's plate, Kyminn was relieved to note that the baron had apparently only just begun his meal.
"Good morning, milord." Kyminn offered a formal bow.
"Good morning Healer Danner," the baron gestured to the sideboard. "Help yourself, or have the footman make you a plate if you wish. There's usually too much to do around here to indulge in a formal breakfast. We tend to save those for rest days and holidays."
"Thank you, sir." Kyminn fixed himself a hearty plate of sausage, bacon, eggs and toast. He accepted some fresh fruit, but declined – politely and emphatically – the porridge.
"So," the baron ate neatly, his movements economical and precise. "Have you had a chance to review the pedigrees to your satisfaction?"
"I have sir, and I thank you. I believe I have a tentative list of animals that will almost certainly not be suitable for inclusion in the levy." Kyminn ate with equal care. He very much doubted he'd ever take good food for granted.
"And have you verified the information?" The baron didn't look up.
A bare pause, as Kyminn swallowed. "I have, milord. I found the records to be accurate in all respects." He paused, then, delicately, "If I may, milord, was it so obvious?"
The baron's smile was ironic. "Not obvious, no. But Sendar is nobody's fool. This levy is going to fit in some craws like a goat going down sideways. The Barony of Dunn has always been - and always will be - loyal servants of the crown and Circle. But, I'm not so stupid as to think some others won't do their best to obfuscate, shade, wriggle, lie, and otherwise try to avoid their obligations. It's obvious – to anyone with a brain, at least – that Sendar wouldn't send someone who didn't have some way of verifying the records. I also imagine," Kellix's gaze was shrewd, "That you have a fairly big stick to wield, too."
Kyminn nodded slowly. "I do. I have recourse to Herald's Judgement, as well as a Royal Warrant." He paused. "I very much hope that I have to use neither."
A grunt and the baron stabbed a sausage with unnecessary force. "Unfortunately, Healer, you probably will. I can think of one or two who would be likely to drag their feet all the way to the royal balk line if they thought they could get away with it."
Kyminn mentally ran through his extensive litany of army-derived curses. "Milord, if there are any insights you could offer with respect to local bloodlines (Kyminn carefully didn't say which species) or personalities, I'd welcome the tutelage."
"I'd be glad to. Now, let's see that exclusion list of yours…."
They were engrossed in the list and the Records when Lady Neydra entered the room. Kyminn rose automatically, but seated himself again at her gesture. Somewhat to Kyminn's surprise, the lady was dressed in loose trousers, cut to resemble a divided skirt. Both the trousers and her top were of rugged fabric, designed for hard work.
"Neydra manages most of our livestock," the baron explained. "Horses, cattle and sheep. We don't keep bloodlines for goats, but we do make sure new stock comes in to prevent inbreeding."
"I see." Kyminn tried, and failed, to hide his surprise. Accustomed as he was to educated, capable women, he was still surprised to see such in the noble class.
The baron's smile was wintery. "Necessity, Healer. That and prudence. I was the third born and never, ever, thought I'd hold the title. As such, my training in management of the holding was scant. Like many spare sons, I saw my future in the guard. Losing both of my brothers within a half year…well, that put paid to that notion. Those first few seasons were hard on both me and the tenants. I thank the gods every day that my father trained good stewards to see us through.
"I married Nida within the first year of taking the holding. It was hasty, and necessary, but we've made it work. When the first two children were girls, I realized that I might not have a clear, strong heir. That would leave Lecia and her husband to manage things. I decided two things right then. First, that I would teach her everything one needed to know about the holding. That way, if her husband turned out to be incapable or worse, died young, the holding would have an able hand at the helm. Secondly, that I would try to find her a match that was not only capable, but accepted that she was capable." The baron shook his head.
"Frankly, Healer, I couldn't afford to raise daughters whose only skills were in selecting husbands or clothes. And if I was training one…well…better to train them all. I certainly would have benefitted from such a notion."
"I see," Kyminn said again, and this time he did. Part of him realized just how extraordinary Lord Kellix was. No wonder the man seldom went to Haven. He must surely find the posturing and gilding maddening!
"If I may, milord," Kyminn asked, "Did you succeed in your second goal? Clearly, you succeeded in the first." He smiled at Neydra.
"Heh. I think so. When Lecia was about sixteen, I wrote to my fellow officers in the army. Most of them were married by then, with sons that were 'sons of second or third sons', so young men with the bloodlines, but no hope at a title. Not many choices for an intelligent and able youngster. I offered to foster some, teach them about estate management. That would make them eligible for work as stewards or similar."
"Of course," Neydra broke in with an impish smile, "His friends all saw right through him. They knew he was bringing in prospective husbands for us. The winner of course, would get Lecia and the title. I don't think a single of them turned him down!"
"Imagine, Healer Danner, if you will, seven or eight well-born young men, all eager to prove themselves and desirous of marrying to advantage. I don't think I've ever seen so many young pups falling over their feet before!" The baron grinned.
"I take it things worked out, then?" Kyminn tried to picture the chaos.
"It did indeed. All of the suitors were intelligent, educated and of suitable breeding. Most were quite capable and willing to learn."
"Except that one, Father, remember him? The poncy, dancing master fellow. What was his name? Lord Ladverial was it?"
"Landriel, yes. That one." The baron's face darkened briefly. "He didn't stay long. Nor will he set foot on these grounds again. While I've no objection to servants making romantic matches amongst themselves, or even setting their caps a bit above their class, I DO object to anyone who uses his status to importune those who are bound to obedience."
"Fortunately," Neydra was cold, "It never got too far. Our servants trust us to be just in our dealings and the maid in question came straight to Father's steward when it happened. He denied it, of course, but others came forward as witness. Father dismissed him immediately."
"AND wrote my fellows with a dis-recommendation for the fellow. I'll not have that sort of nastiness in my house. I will not!" The baron glared, then subsided.
"Anyway," Neydra took up the tale, "Berl proved to be a very good match for Lecia. They are both bookish and enjoy mathematical puzzles. I'd say he learned the holding quite quickly, wouldn't you Father?"
"He did well, that's quite true. I'm confident that the barony will be in good hands when the time comes. I still think he wants to invest too much in flax, but well, one can't have everything." This last with a smile.
"Of course, Ellin and I were too young to be considered, although one or two did approach Father about future matches. Fortunately, there was no rush and Father was willing to wait. It seems to have worked, Ellin is betrothed to a fine young fellow and we will be holding the wedding feast at Midwinter. Will you be here for it, Healer Danner?"
"I'm afraid not, milady. My schedule calls for me to spend about a fortnight at each holding before I move on. I've eight estates to visit and with winter travel, I expect to need all of it if I'm to get it done before the spring campaign. My congratulations though, to Lady Ellin. I hope she and her husband will be happy together." A little corner of Kyminn's mind wondered if Neydra had just indicated that she considered him a suitable match.
"You may yet get to meet him," the baron offered. "He's expected back here soon. They'll winter here but are considering returning to Haven come spring. Well," he slapped the table with his hands. "If everyone's finished, shall we get started?"