Chapter 31

Herald Joyeaus finally spoke. The diminutive Herald had an astonishing 'presence' for so small a form. Kyminn was reminded of Herald Tarva, whom he had met a lifetime ago in Oakden. Clearly, life as a Herald had drawn out all the untapped potential in these women and refined it until they shone.

"Kyminn, we need you to buy us some horses." A small smile creased a face well used to such expression. "The plain fact is, the Guard – and the Army, are going to need mounts. We are going to need lots of them. Your Gifts give you a decided advantage when it comes to assessing the health and temperament of beasts."

"That is true, milady, but I have to be honest; I don't know what to look for aside from the obvious aspects of health, strength and stamina. Heavy beasts? Fast ones?" He spread his hands helplessly, gesturing the extent of his deficit.

"And for that reason, you won't be alone in this. We are assembling a team, of which you will form an important part. To that end, we will be adjusting your training quite drastically. Dean Tannel?"

The look Tannel gave Kyminn was equal parts challenging and sympathetic. "The crown currently buys horses from a number of sources. Some estates have contracts to supply a certain number of beasts each year. Those contracts will continue and will be managed through the usual channels. Your team will be traveling to smaller estates, holdings and sometimes even larger farms, buying up appropriate stock. As you gather a string of beasts, you will turn them over to the nearest army post or guard station, where they will be appropriately delivered. There may even be a pure white horse or two in your string at any given time."

Kyminn tried – and failed – to hide a small smile of understanding. "I thought that…white horses…couldn't be readily disguised?"

"Not generally, no." Herald Joyeaus' eyes had a distinctly mischievous glint. "However, they seem to have a natural talent for camouflaging themselves, when they need to."

"I see," and Kyminn did. "And would it be possible that it's not only horses that we'd be collecting on our travels?"

"Told you he was quick," Tannel murmured from his corner.

"Exactly so. It is my understanding that your Gift of Animal Mindspeech lets you share what a beast sees and hears?" Joyeaus inquired.

"It does, but I generally have to be in a light trance if I'm to get any kind of detail. General impressions and feelings are easy. Anything else needs a bit more concentration."

"Could you…say…drive a wagon and listen to what a horse is hearing?" Joyeaus cocked her head, her gaze shrewd.

Kyminn considered it. "I think so, yes. Provided we weren't driving anywhere complicated. Certainly not in a town or anything."

Joyeaus nodded, pleased. "Excellent!"

"This is all very well, but this is not, by any means, a safe thing we are asking you to do," Dethor shook his head, cautioning. "Can you use any weapons? Do you know any self-defense?"

Kyminn looked unhappy. "No sir."

"It's my understanding that you grew up in a small country village. Did you ever hunt game with a bow or sling?"

Kyminn tried to hide the wince. "No sir. With my kind of Foresight…hunting animals just wasn't a good idea for me." He looked a little green.

"Makes sense, I suppose." Dethor looked at Tannel and his tone was emphatic. "He needs to get into a beginner's class immediately. There's no time for him to learn much in the way of weapons-work, but he can learn how to break free and get to safety. We'll get him started on some basic knife and bow work, but he'll have to drill on the road." His expression said he was profoundly unhappy with sending Kyminn out so ill-prepared.

Talamir looked equally unhappy, but resigned. "That's one reason we're sending the others with him. Not only because any buyer would need additional hands to manage the string, but for instruction and protection as well."

"Excuse me sirs, milady. Am I allowed to know who I'm travelling with, and when? Or has that been decided?" Kyminn directed the question to the room at large.

Talamir took the question. "As it stands, there are four of you. You are Kyminn, a beast healer under contract to the army to help select suitable animals. You will be travelling with a medically retired 'guardsman' who will act as your drover and camp manager. I believe you know him – his name is Randen." Talamir paused to acknowledge Kyminn's grin of delight at this. "Also in your party will be an army Captain that we have detached for this duty. She is recovering from a serious injury and has been driving the Healers mad, begging to get back to work. You," Talamir pointed at Kyminn, "will oversee her rehabilitation and she, in turn, will supervise your weapons work."

"Not to put too fine a point on it, Talamir, but there must be some other reason beyond 'bothering the Healers' that you are sending this Captain away for several moons." Joyeaus tapped the table meaningfully. "You have something else up your sleeve. Give."

Talamir smiled. "Well, I will also admit that she's a cavalry captain, so she has an intimate knowledge of our needs in that regard. And as her last name is Ashkevron, well…I think it's pretty clear she knows horses."

Dean Tannel gave a choked laugh. "Yes, I imagine she does. Excellent choice, Talamir. And, like always, solving multiple problems with one toss."

"Finally," Talamir shrugged. "We decided the group needed someone with both decent Mindspeech and at least a moderate Fetching gift. Guard or army experience is also important, since that's the focus of this little plan we've hatched. We would have liked to assign another Herald, but the plain fact is that we don't expect to have any to spare. So we're doing the next best thing and sending along a Herald Trainee. The Trainee in question doesn't require much additional training and Randen will act at his mentor, doing it the old style. As Trainee Bellman is already weapons trained, and his Companion Jareth is a mature and stable individual, we think it will work."

Kyminn tried not to look excessively delighted at the notion of going on the road with Randen and Jareth once again. Instead, he simply tried to remain unobtrusive while some of the most senior members of the kingdom hammered out his future.

The team would, they decided, not be seen to be working as direct agents of the crown. Instead, they were to be brokers, gambling on the rising troubles on the border to provide a market for good beasts. Randen's injury made him a plausible figure for the taciturn, somewhat embittered former guardsman role. Captain Nikki Ashkevron would drop her distinctive patronymic and travel as Nikki Forster, another injured retiree. That she would be less and less 'injured' as time progressed was something only the team needed to know.

Allek was simply a hired hand, a young man who'd left home to join the Guard but found it not to his liking. His term up, he'd mustered out and now took what work as may. Kyminn himself also travelled under his own name and history, with a small, but significant exception. Dean Tannel explained it.

"Kyminn, while you are more than qualified to be awarded your Greens – and we will not withhold them – we would prefer it if it were not known that you have them. You have become quite well known in the short time you've been here. Talamir here has even heard talk among the 'hounds, hawks, and horses' set among the nobles about a particularly talented new Animal Healer. In fact, I'm rather surprised no one has yet approached you to treat their prize bloodstock. That would change the minute we put you into Greens, making it difficult for you to quietly disappear."

"I understand, Dean Tannel. And honestly, while I'd never let a beast suffer, I'd rather not get drawn into that kind of path. In a lot of ways, it's just easier if I don't openly wear Greens." A whimsical smile. "It was never about being publicly acknowledged as a Healer. It was always about making sure I had all the right training and skills for who I am, to use my Gifts however it is that I'm meant to."

"No fear on that score. And for what it's worth, your standing as a fully qualified Healer will be properly recorded here; as well as all the Guard, Army and Houses of Healing being notified. They will also be advised that you do not advertise the qualification and that they are not to do so either. It probably won't hold up for too long, but I suspect that it will become a non-issue in the near future." The last was bleak.

"In the meantime," Talamir took up the reins again. "You will be – at least in public – transferred out of Healers and enrolled as a Blue. If anyone asks, it's because you have been offered a position as a beast Healer with the army and have negotiated some cross training in preparation for the job. This will explain your sudden interest in weapons-work, equitation, and the military. In addition, you and your team will spend time with Dethor here, building your personas and practicing your roles. You will continue to work with Healer Delassia on your equine healing – although she says you are already at a high level. You and Captain Ashkevron will work with Herald Keren, both building your equitation skills and giving you a crash course in cavalry drills and the war-training of horses."

"When will all this be happening, sir?" Kyminn's head swam with the proposed curriculum.

"Tomorrow. It's mid-way through First moon now. You'll be leaving no later than midway through Fourth, as soon as the roads will reliably take a wagon. And no, it's isn't nearly enough time to learn everything you need. Yours and Allek's educations will continue on the road." Talamir sighed, "I hope you don't plan on sleeping much for the next little bit."