The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear. - Socrates
Rank, wealth and power have their privileges. As the heir of one of the wealthiest nobles in Valdemar, Kensie could hire the full services of a healer to speed his recovery. In two days, he was on his feet; in four, he began light exercise and in a sennight, returned to his studies in the Collegium, Alberich's instruction and riding in the école.
The truth of Jadus' warning came home to Kensie after his very first law class in the Collegium. He met Kadhael Corbie face to face in the hallway. "I see you let your servants die for you now, coward." Kadhael sneered.
Kensie started to tell what had happened, but Kadhael interrupted. "I do not care how you hid behind your servants or what hogwash you say. The world knows what you are."
Outraged, Kensie retorted "If you had attacked me, I would only need the help of a peasant boy to defend me."
Kadhael drew a breath to snarl back, but Herald Teren intervened. "If you two wish to fight, do it elsewhere. For now, you are both due in classes. Get to them."
Kensie did get the chance to tell his story twice that day. The first was during lunch with Urson, Lovat and Rubin. Kensie told how Geoffrey's attempt to run and 'a merchant's' intervention had given him warning. He exaggerated his own actions only slightly.
Kensie also told the tale to Alberich that evening. Not yet fit for weapons practice, Kensie had nevertheless gone by the salle. "Know I will what you have done. See you in my quarters I will after dinner." Alberich used his gruffest voice, as though he were displeased.
Kensie was shocked at first, then, as he realized what Alberich was doing, put on a worried face.
"I gather the Weaponsmaster does not approve of those who hide behind their servants." Evan Aitken said.
Kensie looked sourly at Evan. He ostentatiously looked at the sling that held Evan's right arm. "Next time you attack a peasant, better have more than three of you."
Evan reacted predictably. "If I could, I would demand satisfaction."
"If." Kensie snorted and walked away.
That evening, Kensie returned to the salle. Alberich admitted Kensie to the sitting room where he had gone with his father four moons before.
Kensie gasped at the stained glass window that Alberich had had installed. Kensie could see that the main theme was the sun, which was logical for someone from Karse. The work was a masterpiece of glorious reds, yellow and orange amid a sky that appeared dark now it was night but Kensie thought would be a brilliant blue in daylight. Worked subtly into the image of the sun was a face, wise and benevolent. Kensie stared at the window for a long time before he remembered why he was here; Alberich allowed the young lord time to study his treasure.
Tearing himself away from the sight, Kensie turned to the Weaponsmaster realizing for the first time that there were aspects of this man that he had never known. Kensie composed himself. "Forgive my distraction, Herald Alberich, but that is glorious."
Alberich quirked a tiny smile before gesturing Kensie to a chair. Jadus had already reported his interview with Kensie to Alberich. Alberich checked and clarified some details. Alberich was more interested in Geoffrey Toews' contact at The Bird in the Hand and wanted to know about every time Spod and his street gang had followed Geoffrey there.
Satisfied that he had garnered all the information he could from Kensie, Alberich turned the discussion to Kensie's conduct during the fight.
After a thorough critique of his conduct – Kensie wondered how the Weaponsmaster had spared the attention from his own attacker to note Kensie's actions – Kensie grinned at Alberich. "You never stop teaching, do you?"
Alberich snorted. "Never stop learning. That is the way to get yourself killed."
"I will keep that in mind. My thanks, Weaponsmaster. Is there anything else?" Kensie had noticed that Alberich made no reference to 'Goodman De Smet' or to his own actions. He guessed correctly that Alberich would be embarrassed by an expression of gratitude and ventured nothing himself.
Alberich dismissed him and Kensie left the salle. Kensie thought about the interview as he walked towards the Palace. 'Goodman De Smet' was not an improvised persona, which implied that Alberich had other roles beside that of Weaponsmaster. Kensie decided that, should he ever see Alberich in anything other than his uniform, he would not recognize the Weaponsmaster with even so much as a nod. Further, Kensie would keep the knowledge to himself; not even his father would know.
Kensie no sooner reached this conclusion than he became aware of a Companion pacing beside him. It had to be Kantor. As Kensie turned to face the Companion, Kantor nodded gravely. Kensie grinned "Have I been shouting my thoughts to every mindspeaker again, Kantor?"
The Companion made a chuckling whicker.
Kensie could resist his twitching fingers no longer. He reached out and stroked Kantor's neck. The Companion's coat was finer and warmer than any horse's he'd ever touched. "I mean it, Kantor. If Herald Alberich has secret activities in Haven, they must be important. I won't let on and I won't interfere."
Kantor nodded again, accepting Kensie's promise.
"And Kantor, please let Herald Alberich know I am grateful."
Kantor nodded and whickered once more before turning to stride away.
Kensie told the story again the next night. Count Wyeth had raced back to Haven as soon as he was able, skipping the festivities following Naril's wedding. Given the seriousness of the news, no one had begrudged Wyeth's early departure.
Kensie told his father everything, including the interviews with Jadus and Alberich. Kensie's conscience twigged when Wyeth asked about 'Goodman De Smet'; Kensie lied to his father, saying he had no idea who the man was or where he might be found. Wyeth ground his teeth in frustration; Odelle Deschner, who had met Wyeth that afternoon, said she hadn't been able to discover anything about the man who had helped save Kensie. Wyeth hated unknowns: Even if the mysterious protector was benign, Wyeth wanted to know everything about him.
Wyeth shook his head in irritation, then told Kensie that he would have a bodyguard at all times.
Kensie had expected his father would demand such and was prepared. "I have been branded a coward by many. In order to save my inheritance, you brought me here to prove that I was not. If I go everywhere with a bodyguard, people will say it is because I truly am a coward. I will lose any chance to prove myself."
"Many nobles have bodyguards, why should that affect what people say and think?" Wyeth countered.
"Other nobles do not have people doubting their courage." Kensie kept a respectful tone. Now was not the time to challenge his father. He needed his father's support.
"They don't have people trying to kill them, either." Wyeth reacted angrily. "If you are killed, saving your reputation will be moot."
"Father, I know you are worried about my safety. The thought that someone is trying to kill me is frightening. I am frightened. But, if I inherit with the reputation of being a coward, I will be a target for a score of plots every year. I will be torn to pieces and the County will be torn with me." Kensie rephrased Wyeth's own argument from four moons before. Kensie did not want to sound as though he were flinging his father's words back at him, but knew that his best chance of persuading his father was to use arguments his father believed.
Wyeth looked scornfully at his son. "Aren't you afraid of dying? Are you that kind of fool?"
Years ago, before Kensie's disgrace, Hwyl Fian had put paid to the idea that bravery was the same as fearlessness. The Poldara family armsmaster had said. "You can't be brave if you aren't afraid."
A year ago, Kensie would have denied being afraid of death; now he said. "Yes, I am afraid of dying, but a bodyguard would not have made a difference a sennight ago. The assassins would have just had another crossbow ready for the bodyguard. Or they would have slipped poison in my wine. Actually, they probably would have given the poison to Geoffrey to put in my cup. The man was fool enough to think he could have gotten away with it.
"I don't want to die, father, but a bodyguard isn't going to prevent that. But a bodyguard will kill any chance I have of saving my reputation. If I cannot save my reputation, you might as well disinherit me now." Kensie fought to keep his voice steady.
Count Wyeth stared at his son. Kensie's reasons did not ring true. They were logical enough, but Wyeth sensed they were not Kensie's true reasons. They were reasons that Kensie thought Wyeth would accept. For the first time Wyeth understood how the scorn heaped upon Kensie gnawed at the boy and made his life hell; to escape that scorn, Kensie was willing to risk his life.
The two stared at each other for a sunwidth, the elder eyes measuring, the younger eyes pleading. At last, Wyeth sighed. "Very well, I will not place a bodyguard over you. But you must learn precautions like not being predictable in your habits and other matters. Read Walsingham's Spies, Assassins and Counters. Clyde Jensen will help you with it."
"Thank you, father." Kensie said, feeling a little smug that his deductions about Clyde Jensen were correct.
Two days later, Kensie had another run in with Kadhael Corbie.
Both had gone to the stable. Due to a steady cold rain, Kadhael rode in the école, which was filled with nobles cautiously trying to exercise their fractious warhorses without the beasts exploding and attacking one another.
Kensie took one look at the crowded ring and decided to brave the rain instead. Blood needed a good workout; with the mob in the école, Kensie and Blood could not go five yards without running into another rider.
Kensie had already returned to the stable and was feeding Blood a hot mash when a group of nobles stormed in. Kadhael's grey stallion had lashed out at Baron Futcher's stallion. Instead of striking the other horse, the grey's steel-shod hooves had connected with the Baron's leg, breaking it in two places.
Kadhael came in last, holding his stallion while whipping and cursing it. Seeing that the shouting and uproar was upsetting the other horses, Kensie intervened. He pointed to the other highborn watching Kadhael disapprovingly.
Kadhael saw the frowns of his peers. Still cursing and insulting Kensie, an embarrassed Kadhael regained some control. He handed the grey's reins to a groom, ordering the man to take the stallion to the knackers and demanding that he return with the brand to show that the horse had been killed.
Appalled at the idea of killing the fine animal, Kensie offered twice what the knackers would pay. For ten crowns, Kensie bought the stallion from Kadhael. As he left, Kadhael taunted Kensie, saying that the 'vicious beast' would kill a coward like Kensie. Kensie told Kadhael he could see what happened when Kensie rode the horse after luncheon the next day.
The next morning, Viscount Corbie confronted Kensie when the latter arrived at the Palace in an attempt to force Kensie to give up his claim on the stallion. Kensie refused, ignoring the insults Lord Corbie flung at him. When the Viscount claimed that Kadhael had not meant to sell the stallion, Kensie pointed to several nobles who had witnessed the bargain. With a curse, Viscount Corbie stalked away; Kadhael followed, looking daggers back at Kensie.
Count Wyeth watched proudly as his son bore up under the verbal attack. "Well done!" Wyeth clapped Kensie on the shoulder. Kensie grinned back at his father.
As soon as the other nobles watching the confrontation walked away, Wyeth said quietly "This isn't over yet, you know."
Kensie agreed with his father. "I think Kadhael will challenge me."
"What are you going to do?" Wyeth asked – Kensie had told him that Weaponsmaster Alberich was absolutely opposed to his students dueling.
"I have a plan." Kensie said. At Wyeth's inquiring look, he added. "Trust me, father."
After luncheon, Kensie took the grey stallion, who he renamed Gamin, to the round pen. In less than half a candlemark, Kensie had Gamin performing flawlessly with nothing more than a hackamore like those used by the Heralds.
After Kensie dismounted, Kadhael accused him of using animal mindspeech to control the stallion. Kensie looked wistful. "I wish I had mindspeech with horses, but I don't."
That night, Keren spoke again with the Queen's Own. "He did use animal mindspeech, grandfather. I watched the whole thing closely. So did Tobias. We both sensed him guiding that grey with his mind when he gave his aids. Dantris and Irian said it was so subtle that Lord Kensie probably wasn't aware of what he was doing."
Talamir nodded. "We'll have to see if it develops further and if any other mindgifts appear. If this goes further, we will have to intervene. We can't have rogue gifts in the Palace."
As Kensie expected, Kadhael challenged him a sennight later.
Lovat, Rubin, Urson and Kensie were walking from the salle towards the stable, intending to saddle up and ride together. It was the first warm afternoon of the spring; Kensie and his friends decided they would ride through Companion's field. The pathways were still slush and mud, so they intended nothing more than a pleasant amble in the sun.
As they entered the woods separating the training field and salle from the stables and riding rings, Kadhael and his coterie blocked their path. Kadhael had his sword drawn.
"You stole my horse, Poldara. I demand you return him." Kadhael spoke loudly.
"I bought the horse from you at an agreed upon price. I like him and will keep him." Kensie was carefully expressionless.
"Liar! You are a coward and a cheat. Give me back my horse." Kadhael snapped back.
"I am neither liar nor cheat. I know you repute me a coward, but that is your opinion. Gamin is no longer yours." Kensie spoke softly.
"You are a coward. The whole world knows it. I demand satisfaction. I will not be cheated." Kadhael pointed his sword at Kensie.
"I will not fight with you. Duels are forbidden by law." Both boys knew this was true, though the law was frequently broken.
Kadhael snarled and brought his sword closer to Kensie's chest. "Coward, you are hiding behind the law. I will kill you here and now."
Kensie did not take his eyes from Kadhael's face. Placing a finger under the tip of Kadhael's blade, he lifted it slightly, he stepped forward so that the tip touched the base of his throat.
"You have a choice." Kensie said. "You can use your sword to kill me here and now. If you do that, my brother Grayson will become Heir of Poldara and you will be hanged for murder. By law, half of your father's lands will be forfeit to my father.
"Or, you can put your sword away and save it for Valdemar's enemies as you are required to do for your Queen. The choice is yours." Kensie allowed a flicker of disdain to show on his face.
Kadhael glared at Kensie over his sword. He flicked the sword a hairsbreadth, pinking Kensie slightly.
Kensie twitched, but held his ground, still staring at Kadhael's face as a drop of blood beaded on the blade. "Do you dare?" Kensie now sneered at his opponent.
Kadhael shook with outrage and poised himself to thrust. He hesitated, breathing hard. "Coward!" He shouted at last, taking his sword away and plunging the tip into the melting snow. Wiping it dry on his sleeve, he sheathed it. "There is no honor in killing a coward anyways."
Kadhael and his friends turned and walked away, throwing taunts back over their shoulders.
Rubin Larkin broke the silence. "Kerenos! That took balls the size of temple bells! I think you need to tell your father about this now."
"I will tell my father later. For now, I would like to enjoy the afternoon with a pleasant ride." Kensie dabbed the nick on his neck with a kerchief to stanch the blood. "Urson, you have a fine gelding, but how do you feel about greys?"
Two versions of the confrontation circulated through the Palace that night. One said Kensie had grovelled on his knees, begging for mercy. The other, favored by those around Rubin Larkin and Lovat Astey, gave an accurate report. Only a few nobles changed their opinion of Kensie, though Rubin and Lovat refuted the claims of Kensie grovelling by pointing out that Kadhael had not regained the horse.
Count Wyeth was furious with his son for risking his life. "The Corbies are reckless and ruthless. He might have killed you."
"I gambled, father. Kadhael Corbie is a vain son-of-a-bitch, but he doesn't want to hang. By facing him down, I now have Rubin Larkin, Lovat Astey and Urson Felthan firmly on my side." Kensie knew Count Wyeth was cultivating their fathers; Kensie's father would not consciously put Kensie's life in danger to win their regard, but the advantage gained would influence Wyeth's reaction.
Wyeth rolled his eyes. He heaved a sigh, then smiled and clapped his son on the shoulder. For the first time, he truly believed his son was not a coward.
To the relief of both Kensie and Bredin, Kadhael Corbie left the Palace the next day.
Kadhael picked a quarrel with Herald Trainee Osberic, who was about three years older than Bredin. The two made the mistake of taking their quarrel with them to the salle. Alberich had broken up the fight before the two could come to blows.
When Alberich ordered Osberic and Kadhael to fight bare-handed outside of the salle, Kadhael refused, defying Alberich. For disobedience, Alberich expelled Kadhael from the salle.
It was the final straw for Viscount Corbie, who had brought Kadhael to the Palace for the specific purpose of training under Alberich. He sent his son back to the family estate with instructions that Kadhael was confined to the manor until further notice.