"Heads up, heels down."
Bredin settled in to life at the Collegium much as any other Trainee. In his studies, he was ahead of most of his fellows, particularly in history, geography and arithmetic, and struggled with things like commerce and accounting.
He excelled in Karsite language as Myste drilled him mercilessly on the vocabulary, grammar and idioms. She insisted that Bredin not merely be fluent in the language, but master the accent and cadence. She told Bredin would he would learn to speak like a resident of Sunhame.
Bredin worked alongside Jan in weaponswork. The two of them had more sword training that the rest of their yearmates and the young highborn had a cheerful enthusiasm for the drills that made the class fly by. To match Jan's aptitude with a sword, Bredin quickly mastered the bow under Alberich's tutelage. The two boys goaded each other in a happy rivalry.
Alberich approved silently, knowing that their drive to outdo each other was pushing both boys to improve faster. Bredin and Jan encouraged their yearmates as well, freely giving time to Lars at the pells or Jillyan at the range. Naturally, Alberich remained the remorseless, demanding Weaponsmaster for whom nothing was ever good enough, keeping his satisfaction at their progress to himself and Kantor.
In unarmed combat, Bredin alternated between teaching at the Collegium one day and taking his own lessons at the Temple in the city the next. Bredin found that having to teach unarmed combat forced him to think carefully about his own skills, further speeding his own development, though he asked Father Toma for guidance in how to teach.
As Grandmaster of the Order, Father Toma was too busy to work with Bredin himself. While frequently taking a few moments to see Bredin and talk to him, he delegated Deacon Tsareyn to instruct the boy. Tsareyn Joung was the greatest master of unarmed combat in the entire order as well as skilled in passing on his knowledge. Deacon Tsareyn, though much more approachable than Alberich, was every bit as implacable in his drive for improvement.
The fourth and fifth year Trainees whom Bredin helped Alberich instruct in unarmed combat admired his skills and showed no resentment at being taught by a boy several years younger than themselves. All of them were athletic and had passed the through the 'awkward' stage in their physical development. Well co-ordinated and eager to learn, they improved quickly to the point where they sometimes bested Bredin, which became a rite of passage among them. They were proud of their 'Little Master', who became their unofficial mascot, and praised him to any who asked. Lord Lovat made a point of introducing Bredin to his father when the Earl visited the salle.
Riding was Bredin's greatest source of frustration. He lagged far behind his yearmates. Even Ari, the daughter of a merchant in Haven and whose only acquaintance with horses was passing them in the street, sat more easily on Pania than Bredin did on Lacaral.
Less than a moon after Bredin's arrival, he and his yearmates were working under Keren's watchful eye as a light snow drifted down on the riding ring. The surefooted Companions had no difficulty in coping with the snow underfoot and, unlike ordinary horses, the cold weather did not make them 'fresh.'
"Jillyan! Get those heels down! And lift your chin. You are making it hard for Hadas to balance! Alright, everybody, sitting trot. Drop your reins and stretch your arms out at your sides!" Keren called out into the cold air as Bredin and his yearmates rode in a circle around her.
Bredin hated this exercise. Though Lacaral's trot was as smooth as any Companion's, Bredin simply could not find the rhythm and bounced uncontrollably as the stallion worked beneath him. Bredin's muscles were becoming used to stretching and flexing, but sitting trot still pounded him painfully against Lacaral's saddle. Bredin's thighs would stiffen and ache through the night despite a hot soaking in the tub before bed. Though Lacaral never complained about Bredin thumping on his back, Bredin would apologise to his Companion after every ride.
Part of Bredin's problem was that the natural 'ready' position for unarmed combat – slightly crouched and flexed – was different from the erect, vertical position that a rider needed. Bredin was having to learn a different balance and to apply the appropriate posture when required.
In a vicious circle of frustration, Bredin would force himself rigidly into the riding posture only to start bouncing because he wasn't relaxed. Feeling unbalanced, he would stiffen his muscles further, preventing the flexing that he needed to move with Lacaral. Then, when he started to slip, Bredin would adopt the combat crouch and have to grab on to the pommel to avoid falling.
Lacaral did everything possible to protect his Chosen, moving swiftly to keep Bredin in the saddle and preventing the boy from 'eating dirt' scores of times.
Bredin stretched his arms out as Keren commanded. As usual, he felt himself starting to bounce in the saddle. Instinctively, he 'hunched' defensively.
"Bredin, head up, shoulders back!" Keren ordered. "Stretch your legs down! Lars, you too!" She added to Lars, who was following on Cealine.
Bredin tried to obey, but leaned to the outside. As Lacaral slowed to catch Bredin, Cealine was struggling to keep Lars in position and did not slow in time. She bumped into Lacaral's hindquarters.
Lacaral stumbled and Bredin pitched over his shoulder.
Bredin tucked his shoulders as his combat training taught him. Instead of landing on his face or head, he rolled as he hit the ground, coming up to his feet just outside the circle.
Lacaral halted beside his Chosen. Bredin threw his arms around his Companion's neck ::I'm sorry.:: Each of them apologised to the other.
Beside them Lars and Cealine halted as well. Both began apologising to Bredin and Lacaral.
Keren called the rest of the class to a halt as she rushed over to check on Bredin. Bredin insisted he was unhurt. After confirming by her own inspection that the boy was merely shaken by her own inspection and Dantris passed Lacaral's agreement to her, Keren stepped back.
"I been told that this has happened before, but this is the first time I have ever seen someone come off their Companion." She said. "You've managed to surprise me, youngster."
Embarrassed, Bredin blushed and stammered another apology.
Keren, sensitive to Bredin's feelings, smiled. "Don't worry, youngling, It's one of those things that happens. You just have to learn the right movements. All your training goes the other way and you have to learn a completely different balance than the one you know. From what I hear about you in Alberich's classes, you are quite an athlete. You are going to learn to ride well, never fear.
"Now get back on Lacaral and we will go through that again."
Bredin hauled himself up onto Lacaral's back. His mount was anything but graceful as he clambered up.
Keren raised her eyebrows at his awkwardness, but said nothing. She returned to the center of the ring and the class resumed.
After the class was done, she took Bredin aside. Bredin looked at her apprehensively, sure that he was going to be reprimanded. Instead, Keren said simply "I think I have a plan that will help you. Come and see me after supper."
"Yes, Senior." Bredin said. He went back to grooming Lacaral. He fretted about Keren's plan.
::Don't worry, Chosen.:: Lacaral reassured Bredin. ::I think I know what she has in mind. If I'm right, you will like it.::
Despite Bredin's pleas, Lacaral did not share his guess. The Companion would not say more, other to repeat that Bredin would like Keren's plan. Once the grooming was done, Lacaral offered his Chosen a bareback ride to the salle, where it was Bredin's day to assist with unarmed combat.
After dinner, Bredin dutifully appeared at the stable where Keren was untacking Dantris after their usual breakneck round of the obstacle course. Keren and Dantris rode the obstacle course at a blistering speed that made even the best riders among their fellow Heralds blanch; non-Heralds thought she must be mad. Dantris evidently enjoyed it as much as his Herald; when the two got back to the stable, the Companion looked eager to go again.
Keren threw a blanket over Dantris' back and pulled on a cloak to protect herself from the chilly air.
As Bredin approached the equitation instructor, Lacaral joined them. Lacaral wore his own stable blanket.
Keren smiled at Bredin. "Welcome, youngster. Do you think you can get on Lacaral on your own, without a mounting block or a saddle? Can you vault onto his back from the ground?"
Bredin looked at Lacaral appraisingly. Lacaral's back was well above the top of his head, but some of the kicks that he was learning from the monks required that he throw his leg that high. If he placed his hand on Lacaral's withers, that would give him a pivot point and an extra bit of lift.
Saying nothing, Bredin positioned himself facing backwards. Lacaral stood square, turning his head only slightly to watch his Chosen. Crouching slightly, Bredin sprang upwards, throwing his right leg over Lacaral's back. Rolling and turning as he rose, Bredin rotated over his Companion, sliding into position where the saddle would lie. He straightened and grinned down at Keren. Keren grinned back at him.
::Well done, Chosen!:: Lacaral congratulated Bredin.
Keren positioned herself beside Dantris and mounted the same way. The two Companions walked out of the stable side by side. It was dark and cold. The Companions were two ghostly shapes moving along the pathway. Keren was a shadow on Dantris' back. Lacaral's body heat warmed Bredin's legs through the blanket where his legs lay against the Companion's sides. Bredin pulled off his right glove to rest his hand on Lacaral's neck.
"Well done!" Keren echoed Lacaral. "I was hoping that training your monkish friends gave you would allow you to do that. I didn't think you would make it on the first try, but you did.
"Now, how comfortable do you feel just sitting on Lacaral like this? No saddle, no stirrups, no reins, just you and him walking along?"
"I love it, Senior. There is nowhere I'd rather be than with Lacaral. But any time we trot or canter, I think I am going to fall. Especially trot. I sort of get canter, even though I bounce around on his back." Bredin stroked Lacaral's neck in silent apology as he spoke.
"That's what I expected." Keren said. "You have to learn the rhythm of riding. The only way for you to do that is ride and ride and ride some more. The more time you spend on Lacaral's back, the sooner you are going to develop a feel for the movement and rhythm. And the best way to develop that feel is bareback: No saddle, no bridle, no tack."
Bredin looked at Keren in alarm. Surely he wouldn't be taking lessons bareback? In the dark, he could not see her expression, but he wondered if she was joking.
::Keren would never joke about that. She really wants to help you, Chosen.:: Lacaral put in. Bredin stroked Lacaral's neck nervously.
"I can come to the stable in my free time, Senior." Bredin said. He thought he could probably squeeze another candlemark a day into his busy schedule. He could also spend more time with Lacaral on Rest Days. He would miss time with his yearmates, but this was important.
::Some of your yearmates will probably join you. They could use the time with their Companions as well.:: Lacaral put in once more.
"Well, I don't want to deprive you of time with your friends," Keren said, unconsciously echoing Bredin's Companion, "but they would probably enjoy the time with their Companions as well. I see your friend Jan down here constantly."
Bredin snickered at that. His yearmate was positively infatuated with Gadar and would talk about his Companion at the slightest excuse. Jan's incessant talk about Gadar reminded Bredin of Kensie Poldara's obsession with his stallion. Even Gadar seemed to find his Chosen's constant attention amusing.
Lacaral snorted agreement. ::Yes. Your yearmate could justifiably be called 'Companion-crazy' in the same way some people are 'horse-crazy.' Though we are naturally superior to any horse.::
Though it was too dark for his expression to be seen, Bredin rolled his eyes at the condescension in his Companion's mindvoice.
::I heard your eyes roll, there.:: Lacaral said indignantly.
"Yes, Your Highness." Bredin retorted.
Lacaral bucked lightly; Bredin laughed as he clung to the stallion's back.
"What was that all about?" Keren asked. Her body was turned towards him, but her face was invisible in the night. Bredin thought he heard a hint of a chuckle in her voice.
"His Majesty was reminding me of his superiority to a horse." Bredin said. Lacaral bucked again.
Keren laughed. "They do seem rather touchy on that point." Now Dantris bucked, much more vigorously than Lacaral. Keren stuck to his back effortlessly.
Bredin giggled. He leaned forward and hugged Lacaral's neck. ::Love you.:: He thought to his Companion.
::Love you back.:: Lacaral answered.
"I want you to notice something." Keren said. "You rode that little buck without effort – without even thinking about it. In fact, you have been riding your Companion without working at it ever since we left the stable."
Bredin thought for a moment. What Keren said was true: Riding like this was no effort whatsoever, just pure pleasure in his Companion's company.
"I think," Keren said, "that part of your problem in your lessons is that you are trying too hard. You are attempting to force yourself into the proper position and correct every flaw all at once."
Bredin nodded vigorously, even though the darkness hid his movement. "Oh, yes!" He agreed. "I am trying to put my legs down and keep my back straight without looking down and sit into the saddle all at once. I think about one thing and something else falls apart."
"Exactly," Keren said, "every rider struggles to get all the different parts of their body to move independently while working together. In time, riders learn to co-ordinate all those things and it becomes natural.
"You have a slightly more difficult problem because your combat training tells you to move and balance differently. It's going to take you a little longer to sort riding out.
"Believe me, Bredin, you are making progress. I have seen the difference in the moon since you have arrived. But it is going to be a while yet before you learn the knack of it. I think I have a plan which may speed it along."
Bredin's ears perked up at that. He desperately wanted to ride Lacaral as smoothly and effortlessly as Jan sat on Gadar, even though he dreaded more lessons like today's. "Extra lessons, Senior?" He offered diffidently.
"I could put you through more lessons." Keren sounded thoughtful. "I could pull you off your chores and out of a couple of the classes you are ahead in for extra candlemarks of instruction. I could drill you to the point of exhaustion until you learned to ride."
"If that's what it takes, Senior…" Bredin began.
Keren interrupted. "No, no. I want you to enjoy your time with Lacaral, not make a chore of it. My people have a saying: 'No one can teach riding so well as a horse.' Or, in this case, a Companion.
"I want you to spend every possible moment on Lacaral's back, just the way you are now: Relaxing and enjoying the moment. Not trying to perfect your position, but just being there. I am not saying don't correct yourself if you notice you are out of position, but I want you to spend more time getting the feel of riding. As Lacaral moves, he will teach you.
"So, I am giving you an order: Every time you go anywhere outdoors, you will go on Lacaral. When you go from the Collegium to the salle, you will ride. When you go from the salle to the stable, you will ride. When you go down to the temple you will ride. If it's more than ten steps, you will ride.
"Except in a lesson, you will ride bareback and without a bridle. You will not grab Lacaral's mane to balance yourself.
"Just walk. Don't try to trot or canter. What you will be learning is the feel of riding. Lacaral's rhythm and movement will become normal to you. Over time, you will adjust to the proper position."
Bredin did not respond immediately. He liked the idea, mainly for the fact that it would be more time with Lacaral. Still, he was sure that many people would think him ridiculous for riding everywhere bareback. Even his yearmates would think him a little silly. He had been teased at home for being odd and he did not like the prospect of the taunts he might face over this.
He glanced down at the white shape under him and gently stroked his Companion's shoulder. Being with Lacaral would make the teasing worth it, he decided. How did Lacaral feel about it? After all, his Companion had as much say in this as he did. Bredin could not ask his best friend in the world to do something only for Bredin's sake.
::Thank you for that, Chosen. That is very considerate.:: Lacaral said. Bredin got the feeling of an affectionate mental hug from his Companion. ::Personally, the more time I can have with you, the better. I want to do this.::
Bredin thanked Lacaral silently and turned towards Keren. "Lacaral says he is willing. I will do this, Senior."
Bredin soon became notorious throughout the Collegia and Palace for going everywhere on his Companion's back. Though his fellow trainees knew the reason, they were mildly jealous; Jan was particularly put out when Gadar refused to do the same for him.
One Bardic student composed a mocking ballad which ended with Lacaral tucking Bredin into bed at night.
Bredin endured the teasing and raillery with good humor. The time with Lacaral was worth it in his eyes.