"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." - Carl Bard
Ragnar listened closely as Herald Joyeuse told the class about the relations between Valdemar and Menmellith. "After the affair with the self-appointed 'General' Thallan, King Kiril…."
::Chosen! It's starting!:: Mikizi's mindvoice broke Ragnar's concentration.
Having spent the last five nights on foal watch, Ragnar knew exactly what 'it' was. He leaped from his desk. As he ran out the door, he shouted "Get Healer Kyminn!" to the startled Lord Marshal's Herald and his yearmates.
Ragnar sprinted down the hall and stairs, narrowly avoiding people along the way. Once out of the Collegium, he headed straight for Companions' stable, ignoring the angry shouts of those who jumped out of the path of his headlong run.
Mikizi was already flat on her side when Ragnar skidded to a halt in the foaling stall. Keren was at her hindquarters, assisting the birth. Ragnar panicked for a moment, worried that something was wrong. He dropped to his knees beside her, uncertainly turning his head back and forth from her head to her rear.
"Relax, papa. Everything is going fine." Keren grinned at Ragnar's anxious expression.
Ragnar moved to assist Keren. The foal's forelegs and head were already emerging. "Wrap that cloth around her tail." Keren nodded at a nearby pile of gear.
Ragnar picked up a cloth and held Mikizi's tail. Fumbling nervously, it took him three tries before he had Mikizi's tail securely wrapped. Mikizi lifted her head to look at Ragnar, then groaned and lay flat once more. Ragnar started to get up to cuddle her head. "Stay here! You're needed here!" Keren ordered. Ragnar sat down again.
Mikizi lifted her hind leg and groaned again, straining to push the foal out. Ragnar moaned in sympathy. Keren smiled knowingly. "I said 'relax.'" Turning back to Mikizi she said "Push, my girl. Push!" The foal's nose was now visible.
Mikizi groaned and contracted again before lying flat once more, breathing rapidly. Sherrill was now beside her head, stroking and comforting the mare. "Again, my girl! Now!" Keren said.
Mikizi lifted her leg once more and groaned louder than ever. The foal slid three quarters of the way out, only its hindquarters remained inside. As Keren tore the amniotic sac, Mikizi gave one more push and the foal lay on the straw. Keren grabbed a towel and began rubbing the foal dry; Ragnar grabbed another and did the same; he cleared the last of the sac from the foal's hind legs. "It's a boy, papa." Keren grinned at him and tossed her head towards Mikizi's front.
Ragnar scrambled on his hands and knees to cuddle and caress Mikizi's head. He kissed her and petted her "You are the most wonderful mother ever."
Mikizi snorted lightly. ::I have done this before, you know.:: She said, sending an image of a raised eyebrow. Ragnar smiled and kissed her again.
Shifting around, Mikizi bent to sniff at her new son. She and the foal touched noses.
"It appears I am not needed." Kyminn said dryly. The Healer stood at the door, leaning on his cane.
Ragnar grinned at the healer and turned back to Mikizi, who was now breathing normally. Gathering her legs under herself, Mikizi got to her feet with Ragnar offering needless support.
The mare turned around and nuzzled the foal, who was still panting on the straw, his ears floppy and his coat damp. Mikizi licked him gently as she stood over him.
"What's his name?" Ragnar and Keren asked simultaneously.
::Jakayr.:: Mikizi said. Ragnar told the others.
Hearing his name spoken, the foal lifted his head. He attempted to rise on his forehand, but fell back.
Ragnar, Keren, Kyminn and the small crowd that had gathered in the aisle stood silently for several sunwidths as little Jakayr found his feet and finally managed to stand on wobbly legs. With gentle nudges from Mikizi, he found his way to her teats and began to nurse.
Kyminn gave both the mare and foal a quick check and pronounced everything good before leaving.
###
::Are you sure he is ready for this?:: Ragnar eyed Jakayr anxiously as the young colt ambled beside his dam. The rising sun tinted the youngster's coat orange as they left Haven on the North Road. Leaving early allowed them to make their way through the city's winding streets before they got too busy.
Jakayr pinned his ears as he looked up at Ragnar and blew a dismissive snort.
::Well, he thinks so.:: Mikizi chuckled in Ragnar's mind.
Not at all reassured, Ragnar said. ::Let's be careful. I don't want to strain either of you. We'll rest often.::
Jakayr snorted annoyance once more before sprinting ahead a hundred yards. He stopped to graze beside the road while Mikizi walked along unconcerned.
::You, my Chosen, are a worrywart.:: Mikizi sounded more amused than irritated.
Ragnar tried to repress his doubts, resolving to say nothing. Not that Mikizi wasn't aware of them, anyways.
::Especially when your shields are leaking like a drunken cooper's barrel.:: Mikizi snorted.
Ragnar tightened his shields. He looked Jakayr over. At two and a half moons, the colt was sturdy and well-muscled. Over the summer, Ragnar enjoyed watching Jakayr run and play with the other foals in Companions' field. Keren reassured Ragnar Companion foals developed faster and were generally studier than the foals of regular horses. Ragnar did not have the horse experience to make a comparison, but stablemaster Tahk said the same thing. Ragnar deferred to their opinion reluctantly, all the while fretting the journey might overstrain Jakayr.
Jakayr pinned his ears and snorted once more. ::Your thoughts are leaking again.:: Mikizi laughed.
Ragnar turned his attention to the road, which was slowly becoming more crowded. Unlike his journey from Redruth, when he, Ansen and Leo moved at the trot and canter and wove their way through the other travelers, Mikizi now stayed at a steady walk, neither faster nor slower than those around them. Maybe, Ragnar thought, Jakayr would be fine.
Mikizi and Jakayr both blew loudly.
###
In the late afternoon, Tom Murray and Bryston greeted them a half mile from Leuven: His Companion told him they were approaching.
Tom's left arm was in a sling. "I was halfway through my first solo circuit when a trio of farmers took exception to my judgement against them." Tom explained cheerfully. "I took care of one of them before another whacked my arm with a shovel. I'm on leave until I can return to duty, so I decided to spend time with my family."
"What happened to the farmers?" Ragnar asked.
"Oh, Bryston subdued them until the other villagers could tie them up."
With a wicked glint in his blue eye, Bryston arched his neck and stamped a hoof meaningfully. Tom laughed and stroked the stallion's neck. "I fined them ten shillings each and sentenced them to thirty days service on the road gangs. That will allow them to get back home in time for their harvest."
Ragnar admired the nuanced sentence: Just enough for the farmers to know they were being punished, but not so long they would lose their harvest. Better yet, the farmers would have every incentive to be model prisoners in order to avoid additional time which might delay their release.
::You've been paying attention to Mirilin, my dear.:: Mikizi approved.
They arrived at The Blue and The White and untacked Mikizi and Bryston. Tom's sister Kitya dropped all her fifteen-year-old's pretense of sophistication and made a beeline for Jakayr, who stood with his ears pinned while she cooed and fussed over him. As soon as Ragnar and Tom finished caring for the adult Companions, Jakayr darted through the gate into the field reserved for Companions. Mikizi gave Kitya an affectionate nuzzle before following her son.
Sonja Murray escorted Ragnar to the 'Heralds' table' and presented him with the register. It was too early for dinner so Ragnar and Tom sipped kava and talked about the Collegium. They shared their stories of Kensie and Bredin.
When Ragnar said he was going to Bransat to spend a sennight with Count Wyeth and his family, Tom was puzzled. "Usually, we avoid guesting with anyone besides our own families, especially highborn. That way, we can't be accused of favoritism."
"Elcarth and Kyril told me that, but they thought it would give me experience in Courtly Graces." Ragnar said. Tom grinned knowingly at him and Ragnar blushed. "I know. I'm guessing that story is being told in Seejay by now."
"Probably. Rumor is the only thing that is faster than a Companion." Tom agreed.
After dinner, they passed the evening in conversation. When the bard playing at the in struck up 'The Grey Stallion', Tom said. "Bredin hated that song. He put on a brave face and smiled, but he hated it." Tom told Ragnar the story behind the song.
At the end of the evening, they made a quick visit to the Companions and went to bed.
###
Tom warned Ragnar about Martin and Leif and Leif's gift, so he wasn't surprised when the pair met him half a mile from Bransat. Both were mounted on small palfreys and escorted by a man riding a huge black stallion. Ragnar recognized Lord Martin, who introduced Leif Kase. Leif was dressed more plainly than Martin, but more like a minor highborn than a merchant's son. The man on the black introduced himself as Sir Chase Tanner; Count Wyeth's horsemaster had a weathered face and a touch of grey peppered his brown hair. From the way Sir Chase carried himself, Ragnar could see he was an experienced soldier. The two boys fell in on either side of Mikizi and Jakayr with Sir Chase following behind.
Martin and Leif chattered happily to Ragnar all the way to Bransat Manor, casting covetous glances at Jakayr as they went. Jakayr ignored them, only giving Ragnar reproachful looks from time to time.
Count Wyeth and Lady Lora waited at the foot of the stairs beside Baron Grayson and Lady Mina. Gaytha had drilled Ragnar for candlemarks for this moment. Ragnar dismounted and shook hands first with Baron Grayson and his wife, who were technically his hosts, then with Count Wyeth and Lady Lora, giving all four the 'bow to one of higher rank' as he did so. Ragnar introduced Mikizi and Jakayr: Grayson looked strained and faintly incredulous as he welcomed the Companions; Count Wyeth accepted them as a matter of course.
Greetings done, Count Wyeth said "I know you need to care for Mikizi first. Please join us once you are ready. Spod will show you to the special stall and paddock we made for – Companions."
Ragnar noticed the hesitation and twinge of sorrow on the Count's face. He thanked Count Wyeth and followed Spod. Martin and Leif went with them on either side of Mikizi and Ragnar. Jakayr scooted ahead, through the stall and out into the large grassy paddock beyond.
Ragnar untacked Mikizi and groomed her (with the well-meaning 'assistance' of Martin and Leif). Picking up his saddlebags, he, Spod and the boys returned to the manor. Mikizi went out into the paddock to join Jakayr, who had managed to evade the boys' offers to groom him.
Bransat Manor was Count Wyeth's 'country home' and not as elaborately decorated as Poldara House in Haven, but it was still far more luxurious than any place Ragnar had ever stayed. But Elcarth and Gaytha spend a fortnight preparing Ragnar for the visit, including 'rehearsals' in one of the vacant suites of the Palace and observations of the Court from hidden galleries, so the surroundings did not overwhelm him. "Even if you are nervous, act as though you are absolutely sure of what you are doing." Gaytha advised with a wink. "Brass trumps protocol nine times out of ten."
After a quick bath and change to a set of the formal grays Gaytha sent with Ragnar, he joined his hosts on a balcony of the "Count's suite" overlooking the river valley and the town of Bransat. Grayson Poldara and his wife Mina joined them as well. Count Wyeth seemed more relaxed than his second son, whose expression was slightly condescending.
::Count Wyeth knows he has rank, is self-assured and knows how to put others at ease.:: Mikizi put in. ::Grayson knows his duty but hasn't yet learned his father's touch.::
"Will Lord Martin and Master Leif be joining us?" Ragnar asked.
Count Wyeth smiled. "No they had a brief respite from lessons to welcome you, but they are now back with the armsmaster. If you listen closely, you can hear them." He paused for a moment. In the silence, Ragnar could hear shouted instructions and the clacking of wooden practice blades. Ragnar smiled back at the Count.
"So, you were in the guard before you were Chosen?" Wyeth asked.
"I was an auxiliary scout." Ragnar said. "Colonel Chase said she was going to recommend me for the regular guard, but Mikizi came first."
The count chuckled knowingly. "Ah, yes! If Companions are the fastest way to send a message, Guard procedures are the slowest. When I was an ensign, it once took me a whole moon to get new uniforms for my squad. But what was it like being a scout on the Karse border?"
For the rest of the afternoon, Wyeth drew Ragnar out on his experiences scouting along the border. Fascinated, Grayson soon lost his reserve and added questions of his own. Ragnar noticed that the Count worried about the possibility of war with Karse while his son sounded eager for it. Whenever Grayson got too enthusiastic, Count Wyeth would recall a horrible war experience of his own.
Dinnertime arrived and Lady Mina led them to the 'family' dining room. Martin and Leif joined them there. Grayson and Mina's own son, Cassius, was too young to join them. Over dinner, the ladies now took their turn to question Ragnar, asking about his life in the clans.
Ragnar answered carefully, describing his training in tracking, hunting, fighting and seamanship, including the building of boats and sailmaking, while tactfully avoiding the more brutal aspects of clan life. When he described life in the longhouses, Mina remarked at the lack of privacy.
"That is true, My Lady." Ragnar said. "Everyone knew what everyone else was doing. We did have curtains to separate each family, but it was all very open. It is bad manners to stare and pry and equally bad manners to be loud and disturb others. In good weather, we spend a lot of time outdoors. There was also Tatakat."
The others looked at him curiously. Ragnar explained "Strictly speaking, 'tatakat' means 'silence', but Tatakat is a way of withdrawing. When winter or bad weather confines everyone to the longhouse, someone who does not want to be with others does Tatakat: They sit facing the walls, saying nothing. Sometimes they cover themselves with a blanket. It is very rude to disturb someone in Tatakat."
Lady Lora looked pensive. "I see. It is a way of being 'alone', even in a crowded room."
Lady Lora asked about Ragnar's mother, he paused. Softly, he said "The clans treat women very badly. My father took my mother as a raid-prize: For all that he loved her, she was really his slave. I like my new home better."
In the awkward pause that followed, Lord Martin piped up. "Did you get that scar in battle?"
Lady Lora tried to shush her son, but Ragnar grinned. "No, it is my blooding scar, when I was made a warrior." Ragnar went on to describe the ritual for young warriors, starting with the Vision Quest and ending with Dancing the Fire. The others were fascinated, listening raptly.
"That sounds much like a knighting in Valdemar." Grayson commented. "We do a vigil the night before the dubbing, praying for guidance and insight."
Ragnar nodded. "Shaman Kadir said the aim of the Vision Quest was self-knowledge." He decided not to mention his vision of the Eagle, saying only that the shaman told him he would have find others to train him.
###
The next morning, Ragnar went to see Bredin's family. He rode Mikizi down to the village; Jakayr flatly refused to leave the paddock. "Little bugger doesn't want anyone near him" Cael Warfield said. Jakayr turned his back on the Count's stableman and pinned his ears.
::Are you sure he'll be ok on his own?:: Ragnar asked. Jakayr gave Ragnar a dirty look.
Mikizi sniffed. ::The question is more whether the people will be ok.::.
Leaving Jakayr standing in the middle of the paddock, they set off.
Enro and Zelar Kase were waiting for Ragnar when he rode up on Mikizi. So was half the town. To forestall wild rumors and speculation, Count Wyeth let everyone know Ragnar was coming. The result was still a festival, but the warning allowed Reeve Dane to make preparations to prevent a mob scene. When he told Enro, the count emphasized the story of Ragnar recovering Bredin and Kensie's bodies: Ragnar barely had time to introduce himself before Zelar and Enro tearfully embraced him, thanking him for what he'd done.
Ragnar soon found himself and Mikizi surrounded by people coming forward to greet them and touch them. Everyone had a story to tell of Bredin and, occasionally, Kensie. Ragnar could barely acknowledge each person before another took his or her place. Nonplussed and overwhelmed, Ragnar could barely get a word in edgewise.
::Get used to it, dear. This isn't much worse than what you will see on circuit.:: The throng engulfed Mikizi, too, petting her on all sides and seeking her attention.
Ragnar spoke up. "Please allow Mikizi to return to her foal. Open a way for her." Though the townspeople had seen Lacaral come and go on his own many times, they were still dubious. Reluctantly, they opened a path for her, allowing her to turn and canter up the street and over the bridge. Cael Warfield would untack her at the manor as well as put the tack back on when Ragnar was ready to return.
"I thought she would stay here." Enro gestured at the special stall that had once been Lacaral's, cleaned and refreshed. "Companion Viveka used this stall when Herald Corey did the review for Bransat six moons ago." Enro boasted. His face clouded a little. "Viveka was Lacaral's dam."
Another candlemark of greetings and shaking hands followed. The names and faces blurred together, he could not remember them all. Ragnar worried he might slight someone later by forgetting a name. ::Don't worry, dear. You'll learn to fake it.:: Mikizi said.
Eventually, the mob eased. Enro appointed himself Ragnar's guide for a tour of the town, telling his guest stories of what Bredin had done here or there. The only time Enro mentioned Kensie was in front of the Temple of the Twain, saying that Bredin had put the Truth Spell on Kensie when the latter renounced his inheritance.
At noon, they stopped at the Boarshead, where Ragnar found himself the chief entertainment as the townspeople peppered him with questions. It was Micah Cork who finally pointed to Ragnar's forehead and asked "Did you get that scar fighting bandits?"
Four years of experience had taught Ragnar to meet the issue head on. "It is my blooding scar from when I was made a warrior of the Eagle Clan. I was a pirate on Lake Evendim." Jaws dropped throughout the crowd. Ragnar told the dumbfounded townspeople of his clan and their ways.
"It was Herald Kensie who spoke up for me." Ragnar said. "I owed him a life debt. Now I am Valdemaran and a Herald Trainee. Now I have a chance to make things right."
"How do we know we can trust you?" Jeran Rankin said. The innkeeper's son looked belligerently at Ragnar. Some of the townspeople seemed to share Jeran's doubts, most looked embarrassed.
"I can give you my word that I will be loyal." Ragnar said. "But that is only my word, take it or not." Ragnar shrugged. "Beyond that, ask the Companions and Heralds, I believe they are trustworthy." The doubters shifted nervously; for all of Valdemar's history, they trusted Heralds. The notion the Heralds could be wrong was unthinkable.
At the end of the afternoon, Ragnar returned to the Kase house and joined them for dinner. To his surprise, Lord Martin was there as well, brought by a bodyguard. Zelar explained how, while in Bransat, Leif had dinner with his own family three nights in each sennight and Lord Martin joined them for a fourth night. The other three nights, Leif had supper with the Count and his family. The practice was so settled that Enro had lost his ingrained deference to Lord Martin's rank and now treated the boy no differently than his own grandson. Ragnar smiled inwardly at this, seeing how Count Wyeth was teaching his youngest son to accept others while Leif learned to move among the highborn.
Now able to speak quietly with Enro and Zelar, Ragnar could tell them his sorrow over failing to save Bredin and Kensie. In his own way, Enro had already rationalized Bredin's death. "If Lacaral couldn't save him, how could you?" Enro asked. "It was those damned Karsites. The Count told me how you brought them home afterwards. It's us who are in your debt." Zelar nodded agreement and wiped a tear from her eye.
Shortly after the late summer sunset, Mikizi returned along with Lord Martin's bodyguard. "Leif will come up to Bransat Manor tomorrow morning." Martin said as they crossed the bridge.
####
Ragnar joined Count Wyeth for an early breakfast the next morning. Over the meal, the Count told Ragnar of his plans for Martin and Leif. "I don't want Martin to become a useless hanger-on, hoping to make his fortune through a good marriage. I admire Urson Felthan, whom I believe you know, and his determination to make his own way. When Martin made friends with Leif Kase, I saw a way for Martin to learn to work with others who don't have his birth rank. I can't just use young Leif, of course. I'll see to it that he gets opportunities of his own."
::He's still using Leif, of course.:: Mikizi put in. ::But Leif is getting an opportunity most commoners would never dream of.::
Ragnar kept an impassive mien. He remembered Mikizi's hints that both boys might be Chosen. ::You mean if one of your blue-eyed white friends doesn't kidnap them first.::
::I tell no futures, Chosen. But even so, they will be well prepared for the Collegium, don't you think?:: Mikizi's mindvoice was smug.
Lord Grayson joined them, apologizing for his lateness. "I wanted to get a ride in before breakfast. I am due in the Courthouse in half a candlemark for morning assizes." Count Wyeth asked his son about a few cases, which the young lord answered quickly while eating as quickly as good manners permitted. Ragnar noted that the Count did not comment on Lord Grayson's replies.
::Like Mirilin in your law classes, Count Wyeth is allowing his son to make his own mistakes.:: Mikizi said.
Ragnar nodded mentally, but his mind focused on something else: Highborn had duties. Count Wyeth and his son took them seriously. Ragnar decided his visit to Bransat was the perfect opportunity to learn something about the life of the nobles. Diffidently, he asked Count Wyeth about the Count's courts. Count Wyeth gave Ragnar a brief outline and invited him to watch some of the proceedings.
As the breakfast concluded, Count Wyeth wiped his lips. "I have concealed something, or rather, someone from you. It is time for you to meet him." He rose and Ragnar followed, wondering what the Count had in store.
Count Wyeth led Ragnar through the courtyard and into the training yard, where a circle of his armsmen surrounded two men sparring, one apparently instructing the other.
There was a 'thwack' and a grunt. "See! That's what happens when you guard too high." Ragnar thought he recognized the voice.
One of the armsmen spotted the Count and alerted the others, who turned to face Count Wyeth and opened a space in the circle of spectators, revealing the two men within.
Ragnar's jaw dropped and so did Khal Alikan's. They stared at one another tensely while the armsmen looked back and forth between them. "You two know each other?" One of the armsmen asked.
Khal Alikan turned to the armsmen. "Go through the standard drill twice. I must talk to the Count." With uncertain glances, the armsmen began to practice. Khal Alikan walked over to where Ragnar and the Count stood.
"I know how you two met before." Count Wyeth said. Looking Ragnar in the eye, he went on. "Colonel Chase knew me from my own time in the guard. She wrote to me, saying that Captain Alikan was truly sorry for his actions and asking me to forgive him. At the time, my old armsmaster had just retired. When Herald Alberich added his recommendation to the Colonel's, I took Lord Alikan into my service. I have made my peace with him and hope you will do the same."
Ragnar hesitated until Mikizi spoke. ::If Count Wyeth can forgive a man who helped to kill his son, can you do less?::
Slowly, Ragnar held out his hand. Khal Alikan took it. "I am truly sorry." The former Karsite captain said. After a short conversation, Khal Alikan returned to his instruction and the Count left with Ragnar walking silently at his side.
####
After lunch, Ragnar was grooming Mikizi when Khal returned from a ride on his stallion. Cautiously, the two began speaking, sharing their experiences. Within a candlemark, Ragnar realized he liked this man. They were still talking when Khal's elder son came in.
Dietrich's eyes went wide as he saw Mikizi and he made a beeline for her. "Ghost horse!" He said in Karsite, eliciting laugh from Ragnar.
"Told you we would meet again." Ragnar said as Khal looked fondly at his son. The boy barely acknowledged Ragnar as he continued raptly stroking Mikizi. From his mother's other side, Jakayr snorted his disgust.