The Angry Boy Chapter 4
The next day, Kensie Poldara was waiting for Bredin as he left his classes.
Heading home, Bredin limped along. He felt every bruise and cut; his muscles ached worse than ever two days after the beating. His father had not relented on his banishment of Bredin from the workshop and his mother had little patience with Bredin's fumbling attempts to help with the housework. Lost in his own misery, Bredin stared at the ground as he hobbled towards home.
"Peasant, come here." Kensie's scarcely audible voice startled Bredin, who winced as he looked around to see where his tormentor was. Kensie stood behind a wagon parked between two buildings. He sneered contemptuously at Bredin. "I said 'come here' peasant." The young lord raised his voice slightly and waved his hand impatiently to beckon Bredin over.
Bredin looked around. There was no one nearby and Kensie was alone. He hesitated, fearing what the older boy wanted.
"Come here!" Kensie hissed once more, his face turning to an angry grimace.
"Yes, my lord." Bredin. He forced his aching muscles to walk as quickly as possible towards where Kensie stood. He stopped just out of reach of the older boy.
"Chase Tanner is bringing my new horse to your father's shop to be fitted for a saddle today." The young lord said. Chase Tanner was Count Wyeth's horsemaster. In addition to teaching the Count's children, he oversaw the training of the horses, frequently exercising the more difficult horses themselves. Master Tanner was a frequent visitor to Enro's shop. He thought highly of Enro's work and had recommended Enro to the Count for the job of crafting a saddle. Bredin liked Master Tanner, mainly because the horsemaster had praised the craftsmanship of a breastplate that Bredin had decorated and then praised Bredin when Bredin had boasted that the work was his.
"I heard so, my lord." Bredin said. He wasn't surprised that Kensie had found out. The gossip about the gift of the horse was everywhere in the village. One of Kensie's coterie would have brought him word. Bredin was surprised that none of them were with Kensie now.
"I want to see the horse." Kensie said. "This is my chance."
"But it is supposed to be a surprise for your birthday." Even as he said it, Bredin realized how foolish that sounded, considering that Kensie already knew.
Kensie sneered at the younger boy. "I know how to act surprised, boy. Don't be stupid. I want to see that horse now. I want to know what I am getting."
"Isn't he being kept at Sir Mittel's…" Kensie lunged at Bredin, grabbing his jerkin and shaking him roughly before he could finish his sentence. Bredin cried out in pain.
"I know where the beast is being kept. Do you think I can just wander into Faro Mittel's stable and look around without being noticed?" Kensie kept his voice low, but the anger and menace in his words was plain. His face was inches from Bredin's.
"No, my lord." Bredin said softly, hoping to placate the older boy.
"That's right, I can't." Kensie growled at Bredin. "And I can't just wander in to your father's yard if I am going to be 'surprised', can I?"
"But how will you see him if you can't come into my pa's shop?" Bredin was confused.
"You stupid oaf. I won't just wander in for anyone to see. Because you are going to find me a place to hide while I watch." He shook Bredin again.
"But my pa has forbidden me to go into his shop." Bredin protested.
Kensie shook Bredin once more. "Kerenos, you are an idiot! The horse will be in the yard, do you think he'd fit in the workshop?"
"No, my lord. But my father will be angry if he found out."
"I will be angry if you don't find me a place to hide." Kensie bared his teeth in an ugly grin.
Bredin considered this for a moment. There was no way out. Refuse and the lordling would beat him. Do as Kensie demanded and risk being caught and beaten by his father.
His only hope was to find a place for Kensie to spy on the horse and pray that they weren't discovered. As Bredin thought through his predicament, he could see the older boy's impatience growing. Kensie's grip tightened and he pulled Bredin towards him. As the young lord opened his mouth to speak, Bredin said "Yes, my lord. I will figure out a way."
"Alright, peasant. Let's go." Kensie let go of Bredin's jerkin. Bredin turned to go back to the street.
"Not down the street, you ass!" Kensie grabbed Bredin and spun him around. "I can't be seen with you in the street. We will go behind." He pushed Bredin towards the back.
As they went behind the building, Bredin remembered the storage shed. That would be the best place to hide Kensie. The shed was dark, but there were gaps between the boards that would allow them to watch the yard while remaining unseen.
Bredin led Kensie behind the shops and houses along the street while the older boy cursed him for being slow. They reached the back of Ilis Pedden's chicken coop. "Please wait here, my lord, while I make sure no one is watching." Bredin slipped between the coop and the storage shed to scan the yard.
Seeing no one around, Bredin waved Kensie forward. Kensie could barely fit between the two buildings, but managed to make his way to where Bredin waited. Bredin led him to the door and inside the shed. "You can watch from here my lord." Bredin said. Kensie was already peering through the gaps to find the best viewpoint. "We can hide behind those barrels if anyone comes in." Without stopping his search for the best spot to watch, Kensie waved absent acknowledgement of what Bredin said.
Once satisfied he had found the best vantage, Kensie settled down to wait. Looking at Bredin, he whispered "This will do, boy. You better keep this secret. If anyone finds out I was here, I will kick you from here to Karse. Do you understand me?"
Bredin could see the menace in the young lord's face. "Yes, my lord." He said softly.
After a quarter-candlemark, they could hear a commotion in the street. Both looked out into the yard.
Asen emerged from the shop and looked down the street. He stuck his head back into the shop. "They're coming, dad!" He said, then turned back to watch.
Enro, followed by his journeyman Fil Crocker and Raidal came out of the shop to greet those bringing the horse.
The noise in the street grew louder as the horse and its handlers neared the shop. From where they hid, the boys could see only a small part of the street between the buildings. One of the first people who came into view was Count Wyeth.
"Kerenos!" Kensie swore. "If my father finds me here, he will be furious." He looked at Bredin again and whispered. "Remember. Don't tell anyone!"
Bredin nodded and Kensie went back to watching.
The horse appeared, led by Chase Tanner. The stallion was a huge, powerful liver chestnut about 17 hands tall. The glossy coat rippled over solid, agile muscles. Its neck curved in a graceful arch, holding the shapely head high. It pranced and curvetted, fighting the horsemaster's hold, striking and kicking in all directions. It snorted and neighed, bellowing challenges to all. Bredin's eyes widened; low-born, he had never ridden a horse, but even he could see that the beast was exceptional.
"Gods! He is beautiful!" Kensie said.
His voice was loud enough that Bredin worried those outside might hear. Bredin glanced at the young lord. Kensie was staring raptly at the horse, his eyes drinking in every line and muscle. For the first time that Bredin could remember, Kensie was not sneering or looking angry. Instead, the older boy's face was almost beatific.
"What a magnificent animal!" Kensie exclaimed, lost in admiration. Fortunately, the ruckus created by the stallion covered the sound. Anxiously, Bredin touched the older boy's shoulder; when Kensie glanced at him, Bredin put a finger to his lips.
Remembering where they were, Kensie flushed slightly before looking back at the stallion, which was now being brought unwillingly into the yard.
It continued to fight Chase Tanner, who countered its every move and bent the stallion to his will. As he watched, Bredin noticed something: Instead of opposing the horse or hitting it, the horsemaster would turn its head or apply pressure on its neck or side. When the horse tried to strike or kick, Master Tanner would push it in a way that took the horse off balance and cause it to lower the offending leg. If it tried to bite, Chase Tanner would bluff with an open hand. Not once did the horsemaster actually hit the stallion.
Once the horse was in the yard, Chase Tanner turned it so Enro could measure it. By chance, the horse was lined up beside the shed where Kensie and Bredin hid. No one dared come between the stallion and the wall of the shed, so the boys had a clear view as it continued to dance restively in front of them.
Kensie began to croon softly to the horse. "You are so beautiful. You are wonderful. Easy boy, easy. You are perfect. I'm going to call you 'Blood'. Easy boy, easy Blood." The stallion twisted an ear towards the shed. Bredin glanced again at Kensie, who stared adoringly at the horse.
As though soothed by Kensie's voice, the stallion settled and stood quietly.
Taking the opportunity, Enro eased a cheesecloth over the muscular back. The horse twitched slightly, but did not move.
While Enro smoothed the cloth and flattened it, Kensie continued to whisper soft entreaties towards the horse, who kept an ear cocked in his direction.
Once satisfied that the cheesecloth was evenly over the horse's back, Enro carefully poured plaster onto the cloth to make a mold of the horse's back.
The horse stood quietly while the plaster set, only flicking its ear back towards the shed occasionally. Kensie was barely mouthing his praise at the horse, never looking away.
Count Wyeth broke the silence. "I have never seen this beast this quiet since Lord Askevron's agent brought him here."
Chase Tanner murmured agreement, though his eyes flicked towards the shed momentarily.
In a few sunwidths, the plaster had hardened enough for Enro to lift it off the stallion's back. Enro checked the inside and, once satisfied, placed it over a saddle rack padded with old rags to retain the shape. One of Count Wyeth's grooms quickly brushed the horse's back.
Once satisfied that the mold was supported and would not sag where he had left it, Enro took several measurements of the girth and barrel, checking each one twice before writing it down. He handed the notes to Fil Crocker, before repeating them one more time, this time calling them back for the journeyman to check off.
Done, he turned back to Count Wyeth. "Thank you, Milord. I have the measurements I need. I must say he was much better behaved than you warned. That took half the time I expected. I think you have bought a fine horse for your son."
"Thank you, Master Kase. I certainly hope he is worth what Lord Askevron extorted from me." The Count appeared jovial. He looked at the horsemaster. "I suppose we should take him back now."
As Chase Tanner began to lead the horse away, Kensie shifted, knocking over a bucket. It clattered noisily on the floor of the shed. The horse spooked and spun, sending Asen sprawling.
"Who is in there?" Enro demanded.
Scowling, Kensie looked at Bredin and tossed his head at the door. The older boy moved to the hiding place behind the barrel.
Bredin sighed in resignation. His choice was a beating from his father or a beating from both his father and from Kensie if he unmasked the latter. "It's me, dad." He said.
"Bredin? Come out here, you little bastard." Enro's voice was angry.
Bredin opened the door and went outside. Enro grabbed the boy, shaking him. "Why were you in there?" Enro demanded.
"I was looking at the horse?" Bredin said. Wincing as the pain in his stiff muscles as his father shook him.
"You almost got your older brother killed. Haven't you done enough?" Enro raised his hand to swat Bredin.
"I-I'm OK, dad." Asen said, getting to his feet and brushing his clothes. "It was nothing."
"Master Kase, please." Count Wyeth said. "The boy meant no harm and it's not a crime to want to see a good horse."
Enro lowered his arm and relaxed his grip.
"Besides," Chase Tanner put in, "the horse was listening to something in the shed. Something seemed to calm him down. Maybe the boy's presence reassured him somehow. " As Bredin stared at him, the horsemaster's eyes flicked meaningfully from Bredin to the shed and back before he twitched his eyebrows slightly upwards. "I notice the stud is still quiet, in fact." The stallion, recovered from its spook, was indeed still standing quietly; its ears were still pointed at the shed.
Enro released Bredin. "You can thank Count Wyeth and Master Tanner for sparing you a beating." He said.
Bredin, grateful for escaping a beating, bowed to both. "Thank you, Count Poldara. Thank you, Master Chase. I am sorry if I bothered your horse. He is very beautiful." Bredin's thanks were very sincere.
Their business done, the Count and his retinue left to return to Bransat House, leaving Chase Tanner to take the horse back to Sir Mittel's. Enro and the rest followed them back to the street. As soon as they reached the street, the stallion resumed its fight against Chase Tanner. "Maybe the boy should come with us." The horsemaster suggested.
Enro ordered his son to follow the horse back to Sir Faro Mittel's stable. Bredin's presence did nothing to calm the horse, which continued to fight the whole way back. Bredin hoped that Kensie would find his way out unobserved.
Two candlemarks later, Bredin limped back home from Sir Mittel's manor. As he passed the spot where Kensie had stopped him earlier, he glanced between the buildings. Kensie was waiting there, a broad grin on his face. To Bredin, the open, friendly look on Kensie's face made the latter almost unrecognizable. Kensie waved Bredin over.
Bredin sighed and limped over once more.
Kensie, still grinning, said. "Thank you, boy." He placed two shillings in Bredin's hand.
Bredin gaped, looking up at the older boy. He barely remembered to say "Thank you, my lord" before Kensie turned and walked away.
"I think I'm in love." Kensie said as he walked off.
Bredin stared at Kensie's retreating back until the young lord disappeared around a corner.
He looked down at his hand. Two silver coins shone back up at him. Two shillings! The most he had ever had was three groats, not even a whole penny. Here were two shillings! To Bredin, it was an unbelievable fortune, wealth beyond imagining.
Bredin looked back the way Kensie had gone. His thoughts hardened.
Bredin limped down to the river and threw the coins as far out as he could.