The Angry Boy Chapter 51

One of the greatest victories you can gain over someone is to beat him at politeness. Josh Billings

Bredin soon settled into a routine. In the morning, he would work in the shop, mainly doing repairs to saddles Enro's customers brought in. In the early afternoon, he would go to the Temple of the Iron God for weapons training and, later on, take Lacaral for long gallops.

It was actually Enro who insisted that Bredin keep up his weapons and riding practice. "You have to learn about Herald stuff, too." He insisted.

Bredin's evenings varied. After a few visits with Tag and Rhys, Lacaral goaded Bredin into studying, reminding him of how he'd studied during the previous summer with Jan.

By chance, Magistrate Rains came to Enro's shop one morning for work on his own saddle. The Magistrate asked Bredin about his studies and invited him to spend a few evenings going over cases before his court.

A few people voiced disapproval about a Herald Trainee spending time in a saddlery, but Bredin disarmed them with a smile and told them he was learning how to repair tack in case he had to do it in the field.

Davan Cork offered Bredin the use of an empty field by his mill for Lacaral to graze. Bredin gratefully accepted, though Lacaral initially disconcerted the miller by coming and going on his own.

Kensie learned of Bredin's presence from Chase Tanner, who had ordered a saddle for his new stallion. After that, the two encountered one another occasionally. Their exchanges were carefully measured polite greetings, neither more nor less than the occasion required. For the most part, Bredin and Kensie avoided one another. Even if both of them happened to be riding, as they did on Rest days, they would change their paths if they spotted one another.

On one occasion the two could not avoid each other. On the eighth day of Corn Moon, Kensie reached his majority. To celebrate, Count Wyeth restaged Kensie's investiture as Baron of Bransat. Bredin, as a Herald Trainee, was now a person of importance. Over Kensie's objections, Bredin was invited.

Since he could not ignore Bredin, Kensie addressed the invitation to 'the Companion Lacaral and Herald Trainee Bredin Kase.' As Official Saddler to the Count of Poldara, Enro and Zelar were also invited, though they would be seated far to the back of the temple.

The invitation amused Lacaral. ::I see he got the order of precedence right.:: He teased his Chosen.

"I'm not going." Bredin declared. "I don't want to see him and he doesn't want to see me. And I don't want to kneel to him, either."

::Yes, you are going.:: Lacaral's mindvoice took on a lecturing note. ::Like it or not, you are now an 'official person', which means you have duties to fulfill even if you don't like them. And you are not his vassal anymore, so you don't kneel. Your rank is now equivalent to a knight, or rather a squire, which means you shake his hand and 'bow to one of higher rank.'::

Bredin looked sourly at his Companion. "But I only have my working greys." He said, looking for an excuse to avoid going.

Lacaral snorted. He briefly went 'absent' in the way Bredin now knew meant Lacaral was speaking to other Companions. ::We'll do what we did when your brother got engaged. Herald Tobias is heading out this way in two days. He'll bring your formal greys and my barding.:: Lacaral puffed himself up. ::I'll look splendid.::

Bredin rolled his eyes. "Well, we can't miss a chance for you to get all dressed up, can we?"

::Of course not. Why should I deprive the highborn of the wonder that I am?::

Herald Tobias delivered the formal greys and barding on his way through Bransat. Bredin and Lacaral attended the ceremony, though many highborn raised their eyebrows at the Companion's presence in the temple. There was an even greater stir when Kensie pointedly thanked Lacaral by name for coming. Kensie and Bredin exchanged the minimum possible greeting consistent with proper manners. Both were relieved that Bredin did not have to attend the reception at Bransat Manor.

With all the activity, the summer visit flew by for Bredin. When Zelar commented that Bredin hardly had time to relax, Bredin smiled and said he just enjoyed being with his family and having the change of routine.

Near the end of Corn Moon, his yearmate Lars arrived for Bredin's birthday celebration. The next day, the two boys left for the Collegium. With both boys now fit and competent riders, the Companions set a fast pace for the return journey.

As usual, they stopped at The Blue and The White for lunch. To their surprise, it was not Tom Murray who greeted their Companions, but an older man named Bevan Argall.

The change was explained when Sonja Murray handed Lars the register with a twinkle in her eye and a mysterious smile. Lars opened the register. He looked at it, then jumped up and embraced Mistress Murray with hearty congratulations.

Bredin looked at the register. The last line, dated the day before, read 'Tom Murray, New Chosen, Bryston, Inbound for Haven.' Bredin got up and added his own congratulations to Lars'.

After lunch, the two resumed their journey. Bredin remembered Lacaral's surprised stare when his father had mentioned the possibility that Tom would be Chosen. "You knew, didn't you?" His accused his Companion.

::I could tell he was going to be Chosen. I didn't know exactly when or who his Companion would be. I'm glad it was Bryston. Bryston has always been a free spirit. He will complement Tom, who is a little on the serious side. He and Tom will be a great pair.::

Lars heard only Bredin's spoken question and asked for an explanation. After Bredin told him, Lars looked at Cealine. "I suppose you knew as well." Cealine's only answer was a chuckling whicker.

The two arrived at the Collegium in the early afternoon. Jan, Rena and Chan were already there. Ari had gone for another visit with Tanis; the two girls would arrive back tomorrow. Their remaining yearmates arrived over the next three days.

During Bredin's third year, he became uncomfortably aware of changes.

A light fuzz appeared above his upper lip and, during a session in the laundry, Gaytha took him aside and handed him a razor. Brushing her hand on the soft stubble of his cheek, she said "Heralds are expected to be clean-shaven."

Every third day at first, then every second, Bredin began shaving. Within two moons, he was shaving daily. Hair sprouted elsewhere on his body as well and his voice deepened.

Bredin gained height and weight; the uniforms that had fit last moon no longer did so. Those that had been tight a sennight before popped buttons when he wore them today. His appetite, which had been healthy, became insatiable.

As his body grew, his coordination went awry. He fumbled and dropped things. He had to relearn weapons and combat moves as blows and defenses no longer went as intended. With greater strength and weight, Bredin has to be more careful to 'pull' his blows. One time he threw Amos Songer so hard that the older trainee had the breath knocked out of him. Alberich checked Amos for broken ribs before allowing him to sit up. Bredin apologized profusely to Amos though the latter laughed it off.

There were other changes as well. Dreams became more intense and pleasurable and the response of his body embarrassed him.

His attention began wandering towards his female yearmates. When Jillian hugged him for helping with her archery one day, Bredin held the embrace so long that she pushed him away.

::Enjoying yourself?:: Lacaral teased. Bredin blushed.

Most embarrassing of all were the times in the unarmed combat classes when he sparred with the female trainees. The advanced students were still two to three years older than he and correspondingly more mature and poised.

Bredin's male yearmates had made their envy of his endowment plain through their teasing comparisons of Bredin and Lacaral; Bredin's involuntary response to the close contact with the fit and attractive fourth and fifth year female trainees was unmistakably obvious.

The amused smiles the young women gave him made it clear that they noticed his arousal. Bredin's furious blushes only amused them further.

One evening, Teren called Bredin into a classroom and explained the facts of life in great detail; Bredin left two candlemarks later with his face burning red. It wasn't that Bredin was unaware of sex, he had just never thought of it as applying to him. Teren had gone beyond the simple physical details; the senior herald had told Bredin of techniques and ways to make the experience better for both parties.

Just before summer break at the end of Bredin's third year, it was Trainee Sarin who took it on herself to give Bredin a practical education in the pleasures of the bed. Bredin had known Sarin since his first morning in the Collegium, when he had met her while helping in the kitchen.

Now Sarin was in the unarmed combat class training with Bredin. After a long rough and tumble session practicing holds and breaks, Sarin and Bredin wound up on the ground with Bredin on top. Sarin's face was inches from his. Both were sweating and panting. She grinned and flicked her eyes towards Bredin's waist where his arousal was plain.

Bredin blushed scarlet. As they untangled themselves and got to their feet, Sarin whispered "Meet me at the girls' door to the second floor common room at curfew tonight."

She turned away. Bredin stood there, gaping and blushing, until Alberich ordered him to practice with Trainee Percy. Alberich knew what was happening and so did everyone else, a fact which Percy made clear when he grinned and quietly said "If you don't want to go to her room, you can come to mine."

Bredin managed to get even redder.

As he walked back to the Collegium after the class, Bredin mindspoke Lacaral. ::Should I do it?:: He asked.

Lacaral gave a series of mental snorts, suggesting he was gasping for breath. ::Hold a moment. My eyes are rolling too fast.

::Yes. Of course you should go. She's interested in you and you like her. She's helped others like you before. She's a Herald Trainee, which means she is considerate and isn't just using you.::

::But I have never…:: Bredin began.

::All the more reason. She knows that and wants to help you the way Brion helped her two years ago. She knows the old adage about 'Two virgins in one bed'. Unless you would rather accept Percy's invitation.::

"No!" Bredin shouted his reply to Lacaral, causing his fellow trainees to look at him while they walked.

::Alright. You aren't shaych. But you might consider Percy's invitation anyways. He's funny, considerate and fun to be around. He and Sarin are both Herald Trainees, which means that neither of them would ever deliberately do anything to hurt you.::

Bredin was still unsure. ::But it's after curfew.::

Lacaral sounded exasperated. ::Tomorrow is Rest Day. Curfew is optional tonight.::

That evening, after Bredin and his yearmates had finished their studies, Bredin put his books away and returned to the second floor common room. He tried to talk casually with his yearmates, but his repeated glances at the door to the girls' side led to awkward pauses in the conversation. His yearmates said nothing about his glances, but Bredin caught them exchanging looks and smiles. To distract himself, he tried to recall Herald Teren's lecture: It was not a good idea as he felt the response to his thoughts in his groin.

Shortly before the curfew bell, Ari stood and stretched ostentatiously. "I'm tired" She said. As if that was a signal, the others announced their intentions to return to their rooms.

::I thought they were never going to leave.:: Bredin said.

::Actually, they were just being polite and letting you go first.:: Lacaral said. ::Some of them have their own rendezvous tonight.::

::Who?:: Bredin asked.

::None of your business. I'm not Granny Barnes.:: Before Bredin could retort, Lacaral added. ::Rillis says to tell you Sarin is coming now.::

Bredin got to his feet just as the door opened and Sarin looked out. She gestured to him and he followed her nervously into the girls' side. Bredin tiptoed nervously down the hall behind her.

::Relax. None of the girls is going to pounce on you and carry you off for immoral purposes.:: Lacaral paused. ::Aside from Sarin, that is.::

They reached Sarin's room and slipped inside. Sarin closed the door and latched it before wrapping her arms around Bredin and kissing him on the lips. After his initial surprise, Bredin returned her embrace enthusiastically.

"Hmmph. Not so hard. You're crushing me." Sarin said.

Bredin relaxed his embrace, but did not let go. The two held together for a sunwidth, hugging and petting each other and planting kisses on each other's face and neck.

Sarin broke the hug and pulled Bredin towards her bed. The two sat down on the bed, each with an arm around the other. Sarin smiled at Bredin and he grinned back. She kissed his nose.

Sarin reached for Bredin's belt buckle, reminding Bredin of the gift Lacaral had suggested.

"Oh, I almost forgot." He said. He reached into his belt pouch and produced a small packet wrapped in white paper and tied with a white ribbon.

Sarin took the gift and carefully unwrapped it. She pulled out a tiny crystal horse on a braided white cord. Her eyes widened as she stroked the cord. "Is that Lacaral's hair?" At Bredin's nod, she threw her arms around him and kissed him again.

She released him and carefully put the pendant on her side table behind some finger foods she had laid out. Picking up a tiny pastry, she touched it to Bredin's lips. He opened his mouth and she pushed it in. Bredin wrapped his lips around her fingers and sucked on them lightly.

Getting into the game, Bredin reciprocated. As Sarin licked his finger, she reached for his belt once again and undid it.

Bredin began unbuttoning her shirt. Sarin bared a shoulder and pointed at it. Bredin kissed the spot, then lipped it gently. "You smell nice," he said, "like you just bathed." He blushed and mentally cursed himself for his clumsy words.

Sarin laughed lightly. "Of course. I wouldn't want to smell like Rillis."

::I like the way Rillis smells.::

"Get out of my mind!" Bredin blurted aloud, startling Sarin.

"What?" She asked.

Bredin shook his head. "Sorry. Lacaral was peeking." Bredin reinforced his shields to block out his Companion, but not before catching a mental chuckle and an image of a Companion mare.

Sarin gave a wry smile. "They do like to join the fun, don't they?"

The two resumed their play, petting and fondling as they undressed together. When Bredin kicked off his small clothes, Sarin's eyes widened appreciatively. "Oooh! So your friends weren't telling stories! Even bigger than promised. And rising to the occasion as well."

Bredin didn't know what to say. To cover his embarrassment, he hugged her and kissed her lips.

Locked in their embrace, the two lay down on the bed with Sarin on top. They petted and caressed each other intimately. Bredin attempted to follow some of Teren's suggestions. Sarin obviously enjoyed some of his attentions; other times she would politely take his hand and place it elsewhere.

Bredin's excitement built as he and Sarin writhed together on the bed. Both panted with exertion as they kissed and fondled one another.

His body took over, reacting before he was prepared. He pushed her away in embarrassment, gasping until the moment passed.

Sarin giggled. "You are supposed to wait until you put it in." She said.

Bredin looked away for a moment, then looked at her face. "I'm sorry."

With better humor than he expected, she said "For what? Getting your timing wrong on the first try? Here, let's clean up a bit and try again."

Sarin fetched a cloth and dabbed away the wet spots.

"I'm not sure I can a second time." Bredin was still embarrassed.

"Nonsense." Sarin said. "You are healthy and very fit. It just takes a little longer on the second try. Which is all to the good from my point of view."

Carefully and slowly, the two resumed petting one another. Less driven this time, Bredin gave more attention to pleasing Sarin and arousing her sensually. When he massaged her back, she hummed with enjoyment and asked him for more. Her obvious pleasure excited him and he worked his hands harder over her muscles.

As Sarin had promised, Bredin's body responded to their play. As she became more excited, so did she. Her gasps and cries became more passionate. Finally, she cried out "Put it in me!"

Bredin entered her as she clasped herself to him, clenching with all her might while she cried out in excitement. Moments later, Bredin's own body responded as well.

The two embraced as they enjoyed the moment. All too soon, it passed and they lay panting in each other's arms. A pleasant lassitude came over them.

"Thank you." Bredin said. "Thank you for showing me."

Sarin grinned and tapped his nose with her finger. "That was fun. You are a good student."

Bredin smiled. He closed his eyes and nuzzled her neck. He kissed her.

The two lay still for several moments with their arms around each other.

Sarin sighed. "That was a very good beginning." She said. There was no response. "Bredin?" She said.

Only his soft snores answered her. With a smile, she pulled the sheet over them both and went to sleep beside him.

Bredin woke with the first brightening of the sky outside the window. His arms were still around Sarin, who slept quietly in his arms.

Out of habit, he reached out for Lacaral, but sensed that his Companion was fast asleep in Companions' field.

Bredin felt the need to move, but was reluctant to disturb Sarin. Trying not to move, he tensed and flexed his muscles to stretch and relax them.

The slight stirring woke Sarin, who smiled at him. He kissed her lips. Gently, they caressed each other.

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you." He whispered.

"You are a nice person to wake up to." Sarin said.

"I suppose I should go back to my room." Bredin did not move.

"Why?" She asked.

"The sun is coming up."

"So?" Sarin replied. "It's Rest Day. No need to hurry anywhere." She ran her finger down the midline of his chest.

"You're right." Bredin grinned back at her. "It's not as if Lacaral needs me right now."

"I think Lacaral would like to rest after last night." She agreed.

Bredin looked at her in puzzlement.

"Didn't you sense it? Lacaral and Rillis were enjoying each other last night as well." Sarin explained.

Bredin shook his head. "I blocked him out after he put in his two pennies."

Sarin giggled. "Rillis is more discreet. She never pokes her nose in, so I don't block her out fully. I could sense that they were having their own little fling last night."

Bredin remembered the image of a Companion mare he had caught from Lacaral. He grinned "Want to try it Companion-style?"

Sarin rolled up on her hands and knees. "Show me what a good stallion you are!"

Bredin laughed loudly. He knelt behind her. "Prepare to be mounted!"

"Could you two please be quiet?" Ari's voice drifted through the window from the room next door.

"Yeah. The show last night was great, but some of us would like to get a bit of sleep now." The voice was Jan's.

Bredin and Sarin collapsed on the bed laughing. "I guess we better be quiet." Sarin whispered.

"Probably." Bredin whispered back. "Maybe I better go back to my room after all."

"Okay." Sarin said. She kissed him on the nose. "Maybe we can ride out to the training station this afternoon."

Bredin kissed her back and winked. "I'll bring a blanket."

Quietly, he dressed himself and slipped out of her room.