"True friendship can exist only between equals." - Plato
Bredin heart pounded as he stared into Lacaral's eyes. Here was love and acceptance beyond measure. Here was a friend who would never leave him. In Lacaral, Bredin would always be someone to listen to him and hear his side of things. There would be no misunderstanding.
::I won't misunderstand you. But that doesn't mean you will be right. We'll talk about that.:: Bredin sensed the stallion had a wicked sense of humor, as though he were an older brother who had made the same mistakes Bredin made. Lacaral would let Bredin know when he was out of line.
::I love you.:: Bredin thought at the Companion, whose mind seemed to wrap around his in a warm embrace.
::And I love you.:: Lacaral replied. ::Now, let's get out of here.:: Bredin got the impression the Companion felt that Bransat was a place he'd rather not stay.
::It's my home.:: Bredin felt obliged to defend his village.
::Very well. It's charming, rustic, peaceful and altogether too bucolic for my taste. We're wasting time.::
Bredin and Lacaral broke the rapport of Choosing. Bredin looked up from the blue eyes at the dozens of human eyes focused upon him and the Companion. Keeping his hands on the warm satin of Lacaral's cheeks, Bredin said "His name is Lacaral."
A cheer went up from the crowd around them. Zelar and Enro came forward and embraced their son. Asen and Raidal looked at their brother with envy. His friends Rhys and Tag pounded him on the back.
The next candlemark was a blur of confusion as Bredin prepared to leave. Zelar insisted on Bredin bathing and changing into his best clothes. Enro protested that Bredin would now have uniforms provided by the Crown and would never wear the clothes again. Zelar silenced her husband "I will not have the city folk see my son dirty or in rags." Zelar also insisted on Bredin having a hearty breakfast.
At last, Bredin was ready to leave. The street was thronged with hundreds of people who had gathered as word spread through the village. Everyone asked Bredin to remember them. Henri Virk brought some fresh meat pies and pastries for Bredin's journey and others gave him fruits, including pears and apples for Lacaral.
Bredin shook hands with his friends, including Father Luca and Father Milo, who had come down from the temple. Father Milo embraced Bredin and admonished him with the Temple proverb "Always keep learning." Bredin hugged his father and mother one last time.
He turned to Lacaral and reached up to the pommel of the saddle. He struggled to lift his foot into the stirrup. Enro grasped his son's legs and boosted him into the seat.
As Bredin fumbled with the reins, he spotted Ilis Pedden smiling wistfully at him from her doorstep. He waved at her and she waved back. Turning in the saddle, Bredin found the Reeve in the crowd.
"Reeve Dane! Find a boy to help Mistress Pedden with chores!" He called out.
"I will, lad." The reeve replied. The Reeve looked like he would be all too pleased to fulfill the request.
Bredin waved at his parents once more as Lacaral began to move. The crowd parted to clear the way as Lacaral marched briskly past. Bredin returned the smiles and waves until they were through the mob.
Lacaral moved into a smooth canter as a roar went up behind them.
In a few heartbeats, they were out of the town and across the bridge. At the main road, they turned southeast towards Haven. As they passed the gate to Bransat Manor, Bredin wished that Kensie could see him.
In a quarter candlemark, Bredin was farther from Bransat and home than he had ever been.
Bredin looked at Lacaral's ears, which were turned back towards him. "Am I really going to be a Herald?" He asked the Companion.
Lacaral was trying to say something but Bredin could not quite 'hear' the Companion's mindvoice. He pulled off a mitten to lean forward and touch the stallion's shoulder.
::That's better.:: The Companion's mindvoice was faint, as though Lacaral were shouting to Bredin over a great distance. ::Are my eyes blue? Yes, you are going to be a Herald. I didn't Choose you to work in the Palace saddlery.:: The Companion's tone carried a sardonic edge.
Bredin wondered why Lacaral's mindvoice was so faint. He had heard the Companion clearly enough when they first were in rapport. In the tales Bredin had read, the Companions and their Chosen had shared easy conversations. "Don't Companions and Heralds always speak mind to mind?" He asked the Companion aloud while keeping his hand on the shoulder.
::Not always. You will though. It's just that you aren't grounded and centered yet and your mindspeech is just starting to develop. In time, we will hear each other even though we are miles apart. For now, we must touch each other physically. The bonding is a special time when we go deep within one another and all is clear.:: The Companion's tone was now comforting, seeking to reassure Bredin.
Bredin remembered that wonderful moment of joy. "Will we be that way again?" He asked anxiously.
Again, Lacaral's tone was soothing. ::Many times, Chosen. But you will have to learn grounding and centering first.::
Bredin puzzled at the term 'grounding and centering'. "What is that?" He asked.
::It is one of the basic things you must learn for your mindspeech to become easy.:: The stallion sounded frustrated, as though unable to explain something. ::You have seen the monks at their meditations, when they seem to be in a trance but aware of everything around them at the same time?:: At Bredin's mental nod, Lacaral went on. ::That is what it is like. You will learn to do the same thing. It isn't easy, but you will learn it.:: Lacaral was no longer simply reassuring; the Companion was positive that Bredin would someday understand.
Lacaral added. ::I promise to explain it, but we would need a very long conversation, which is hard for us both right now.:: Bredin was already beginning to feel a bit of strain at trying to 'catch' Lacaral's mindspeech; he was willing to wait for a better time. Bredin took his hand from the Companion's shoulder and put his mitten back on.
It was still early morning and there were few travellers on the road. Bredin smiled and waved at those they passed, who cheered him in return. The snow on the road was only a couple of inches deep and not packed down, yet it muffled Lacaral's hoofbeats. Except for the calls of a few crows, everything was silent around them.
From time to time, Bredin would pull his mitten off just to touch Lacaral's shoulder for reassurance. From the happy feeling that Lacaral sent back to him, Bredin knew that the Companion enjoyed these moments as much as he did.
The clouds began to break up and the snow stopped falling. After about a candlemark, they passed a squad of the Road Guard clearing snow. On the bare surface, Lacaral's hoofbeats chimed as they cantered along.
The chiming reminded Bredin how silently Lacaral had approached him. He glanced at the bridle bells. Grasping one, he examined it and found it encrusted with snow. Bredin brushed the snow away and the bell began ringing with the Companion's stride. He cleared a few more bells and they began to ring as well.
Bredin laughed and pulled his mitten off to stroke Lacaral's neck. "So that's how you snuck up on me."
The Companion snorted. ::You were so intent on sweeping that doorstep that you wouldn't have noticed an army approaching with trumpets and drums. Besides, we know how to move noiselessly if required.::
Bredin laughed at Lacaral's affectionate sarcasm. Leaning forward, he embraced the Companion and kissed its neck. "Love you." He said, still feeling the wonder of the new bond.
::Love you back.:: The Companion replied before Bredin settled back into the saddle, again feeling the strain of mindspeaking Lacaral.
There were now more travellers on the road. By the time the sun broke through the clouds, they were passing people every few hundred yards. Bredin smiled and waved at them all. When they passed through villages, almost everyone in the street would stop and wave as they went by.
Once, when they passed a group of highborn, Bredin reflexively pulled his forelock in deference. Lacaral snorted and broke wind loudly. Most of the nobles acknowledged Bredin with a nod, one or two waved and some of the younger ones looked at Bredin with envy.
The two continued their journey through the morning, with only a brief stop for Bredin to relieve himself at an outhouse. (The farmer helped boost Bredin back into the saddle.) While on the ground, Bredin noticed that his muscles were starting to get a little tired.
Bredin ate some of Henri Virk's pastries and handed a pear to Lacaral, who bent his head to take it gently from Bredin's hand. As the sun warmed them, Bredin undid his jacket and eventually took it off entirely.
Bredin dropped the jacket while trying to put in the saddlebag. Unbidden, Lacaral circled back and picked it up in his teeth to hand it to Bredin. The Companion snorted in derision and stood motionless as Bredin took the jacket and stuffed it into the bag.
Bredin's stomach began rumbling as they approached Leuven around noon. The town was much larger than Bransat and Bredin felt a little overawed. When Bredin made a comment about how big Leuven was, Lacaral snorted in amusement. Bredin did not need mindspeech to know the Companion thought Bredin's comment was silly.
Lacaral took them to an inn called "The Blue and The White" on the Haven side of town. The sign on the gate bore a picture of a Companion and Herald. As Lacaral stopped in the yard, a stableboy rushed out to greet them. The boy looked first at Lacaral and put a hand on his shoulder "Welcome, sir." He said. After greeting the Companion, he glanced up at Bredin. "I will take care of your Companion. Don't worry. He'll get the best of everything."
As Bredin eased himself down from the saddle to stand on rubbery legs, he looked around, feeling lost. The stableboy paid no further attention to Bredin and walked away with Lacaral, resting his hand on the Companion's shoulder, solicitously asking whether Lacaral preferred oats or barley or both. The Companion arched his neck and seemed to strut as they walked towards a stable, which bore a sign "Companions Only." Beside the stable, there was a gate with another sign "Field for Companions' use only."
A moment later, the innkeeper and his wife hurried out to greet him. "Newly chosen, lad?" The innkeeper said. "Congratulations. Your Companion has brought you to the right place. Come in, come in. I am Jaim Murray and this is my wife Sonja. Every Herald on the road stops at The Blue and The White."
They bustled Bredin to a table near the fire. The other guests smiled and greeted Bredin as he passed. Bredin was barely seated before a maid brought him a bowl of hearty soup and a loaf of warm bread. "Would you prefer ale or mead or juice?" Sonja Murray asked, beaming at Bredin.
"Juice, thank you." Bredin said politely.
She brought Bredin a pitcher of apple juice and poured a cup for him. "If you want anything, just ask." She said, before leaving Bredin to his meal. Bredin dug in to the soup.
Before he was half done, Bredin heard the chiming of another Companion's hooves in the yard. He glanced through the window. He could see a Herald dismounting as the stableboy hurried up to the Companions' side, though the thick glass made it impossible to see the Herald's face clearly.
The innkeeper and his wife hurried out once more to greet the Herald. "Good to see you again, Mistress Sonja and Master Jaim." Bredin thought he recognized the voice.
Herald Leo followed Master Murray into the inn. He spotted Bredin and broke into a broad grin. Striding towards Bredin he held out his hand. "Welcome, brother! Jaracin thought you might be chosen. I am happy to see she was right."
Bredin rose and shook the Herald's hand. He remembered Herald Leo well but was still a little intimidated to be confronted by a 'real' Herald, Bredin was tongue-tied and could barely manage "She did, Milord?"
Leo laughed at Bredin's use of 'milord.' As the maid placed a bowl of soup, a hot loaf and a pitcher of ale on the table, Leo sat and waved Bredin back to his chair.
As Bredin sat, Leo tousled his hair. "She did, she told me. And, as I told you before, I am no "milord". We are now brothers. Call me 'Leo' or 'brother' or, if you must use a title, 'Senior'."
"Yes, mi – Senior." Bredin still felt nervous addressing so exalted a person so casually.
Leo laughed again. He was refreshed and relaxed, having just finished his first leave in three years. Not since Jaracin had recuperated from her injuries at Redruth had the two had time to rest. He was heading back to the Collegium to spend the last few days of his leave enjoying Sovran with his fellow Heralds. He loved his family dearly, but their usual Sovran feast was little more than an all-day drinking binge that generally ended in a brawl. He preferred the quieter and more conversational celebrations of the Heralds.
"Please, Bredin. Not so formal. Fifteen years ago, I stopped at this very inn for the first time. I was as nervous as you are, two days from my home and still not believing Jaracin had Chosen me. I'd never seen a Companion or a Herald before she pulled me out of the cow byre."
He eyed Bredin's clothes. "I must say you are better dressed than I was. I stank to the throne of Wodan! Newly Chosen or not, Mistress Sonja made me bathe and fetched a change of clothes before she fed me."
Bredin stared at Leo, scarcely believing that the man before him had ever been less than perfectly groomed. Only when Leo picked up a spoon and started eating did Bredin remember the soup in front of him. He gulped a mouthful, bit off a piece of bread and watched the Herald worshipfully.
Seeing Bredin's incredulous look, Leo turned to the innkeeper's wife. "Mistress Sonja, do you have your special register? It's time young Bredin here added his name."
Beaming, she went behind the bar and pulled out a large book. She handed it to Leo, who showed it to Bredin. Hammered into the leather of the cover was the profile of a Herald and Companion.
Bredin opened the book at the bookmark to see a long list of names written by many hands. Bredin looked at the last line dated a few days ago 'Ravina, Herald, Solon, Outbound Pelagirs North'.
Another line, just above that read 'Lars Stoppard, New Chosen, Cealine, Inbound for Haven'. Bredin shivered a little. Here was someone like him, bound for a new life as a Herald Trainee!
Leo took the register from Bredin. Flipping back many pages, he pointed at a line. 'Leo Sands, New Chosen, Jaracin, Inbound for Haven'. He handed the register back to Bredin. Mistress Murray handed him a quill and put an inkpot down.
Reverently, Bredin wrote the date, then 'Bredin Kase, New Chosen, Lacaral, Inbound for Haven'. Done, he looked up to see both the innkeeper and his wife beaming at him.
Leo took the book from Bredin. Once Bredin's inscription was dry, he wrote 'Leo, Herald, Jaracin, Inbound from leave.' Leo handed it back to their smiling hosts, who took it back and left them.
Pointing through the window, Leo said. "Master Murray's great uncle, Herald Klaus Murray, was Chosen in that very innyard during the reign of King Roald. The special arrangements for Companions here date from that time. Master Murray's great-grandfather renamed the inn 'The Blue and The White'. The Herald and Companion on the sign are supposedly Klaus and his Companion Borsan. Ever since that time, the family has kept the register you just signed, logging the visits of every Herald, Trainee and Newly Chosen stopping here."
He turned towards the innkeeper, who was at the bar. "How many volumes are there now?" He asked.
"That is the sixth volume." Jaim Murray said. "By the time this lad is in Whites, I guess we will be starting the seventh."
When Bredin and Leo had finished their meal, they returned to the yard. Lacaral and Jaracin emerged from the Companions' stable as their Chosen came out. Leo showed Bredin how to check his tack with Lacaral's help. The Companion pointed with his nose wherever an adjustment was needed until all was satisfactory.
"Once your mindspeech gets better, Lacaral will be able to tell you more clearly what needs to be done." Leo told Bredin. "Now, let's see you mount."
When Bredin tried to use the saddle to scramble up the Companion's side, Leo showed him how to put his left foot in the stirrup while facing backwards, then use his right leg to push off and swing over Lacaral's back. Bredin couldn't quite manage the trick, so Leo gave him a leg up on his third try.
Leo swung up easily onto Jaracin and smiled at Bredin. "Never ridden before?" He asked. When Bredin shook his head, Leo added. "Don't worry. Before next summer Karen will have you sitting like you were born there."
The two left the inn and headed towards Haven. Leo began giving Bredin pointers on riding, starting with squaring his shoulders and stretching his legs around Lacaral's barrel. Bredin found it hard to hold the position Leo described. Leo reassured Bredin he was doing fine and promised it would soon be second nature.
When Lacaral pinned his ears once or twice, Bredin put his hand to the silky coat. ::I'd prefer you pay attention, Chosen. Right now, you are a lumpy sack that keeps shifting around.:: Bredin laughed and tried harder to follow Leo's directions.
When Bredin complained that his legs were cramping, Leo cursed mildly. "I should have asked Mistress Sonja for some liniment. I apologise. Do you think you can last till we get to Haven? We will get there just before the dinner bell."
Bredin nodded. "I can do it." He'd borne worse from the beatings he'd endured. Being with Lacaral and the promise of becoming a Herald was worth any torment.
To pass the time, Leo introduced Bredin to the Riddle Game. "Unseen, unfelt, you yet must take it, for your life you can't forsake it. Strong or weak, craven or bold, there's none who can it forever hold."
Bredin pondered this for a moment. "Your breath." He said.
Leo grinned back at him. "Your turn" he said.
Bredin thought briefly. He glanced down, then said. "What climbs and rises, runs and winds, goes and is followed but never stirs?"
Leo laughed. "Very good! I think you mean a road."
Bredin laughed back. "You got that so easily!" He complained lightly.
"Well, you looked down, which gave me a clue what you might be thinking of. But you phrased it to make it sound impossible, which is one of the marks of a good riddle. You are getting the hang of it quickly." Leo did not tell Bredin he had heard variations of the same riddle many times; the boy needed encouragement.
The sun was just touching the horizon as Leo spoke. They crested a hill and Bredin got his first look at Haven. Bredin's jaw dropped and he gaped at the huge city laid out before him. He'd been told the capital was big, but the reality was far more than he had ever imagined.
Leo patted him on the shoulder. "Don't be intimidated. It is just a place with a lot of people in it."
"But it is so big!" Bredin exclaimed. "I never dreamed. How can so many people be in one place?"
Lacaral snorted and shook his head, making his bridle bells ring; the Companion was amused by Bredin's astonishment. Bredin looked at his Companion's head. "Just because you know the place doesn't mean I'm not surprised." Bredin was a little testy.
Lacaral snorted again and Bredin flushed, feeling embarrassed. Before Bredin could say anything, Leo laughed out loud.
Bredin looked at the Herald, wondering if Leo was laughing at him. "Jaracin says that Lacaral has delusions of Royalty. Ignore him."
Bredin looked at his Companion, who pinned his ears at Leo's remark. Bredin didn't know what Jaracin meant, but he could see Lacaral was chagrined. Now Bredin laughed back at his Companion, who had been so superior.
They entered the city through the Cattle Gate, named for the livestock market which surrounded it. They wound through the streets of the city for half a candlemark. It was full dark by the time they reached the Palace wall.
At the Palace gate, a guard met them. "Welcome home, Herald Leo. And welcome lad! Leo can show you to the Collegium." He waved the two of them on.
They followed a path until they arrived at a stable. Waiting for them were three Heralds; Bredin recognized Herald Ylsa and Herald Tobias. Between them was a very small man – barely as tall as Bredin – with white hair and bright eyes that Bredin sensed never missed anything. The fourth person was none other than Father Toma, who stood with his arms folded and wearing the broadest grin that Bredin had ever seen on the priest's face.
"I am Herald Elcarth. I am Dean of the Collegium. You have met Heralds Ylsa and Tobias, who both insisted on being here to welcome you. Their Companions thought you might be glad to see Father Toma, here, as well."
Bredin was glad to see all of them. Stiffly, he got down from Lacaral's saddle. He went first to Father Toma and hugged the priest. "Thank you for everything." He said to the priest. "I think you are the reason I am here today."
Toma laughed. "No. You are the reason I am here today. You have more than fulfilled everything I hoped for you. I couldn't be prouder of you than if you were my own son."
As Ylsa and Tobias welcomed Bredin, a bell rang twice.
"That is the warning bell for supper in half a candlemark." The Dean said. "I am sure you have had a tiring day and are hungry, so we will allow your friends to care for your Companion while you get cleaned up." Bredin's stomach rumbled to confirm Dean Elcarth's guess. "I will meet you in my office after you have eaten to arrange for you to get settled in."
Leo volunteered to take care of Lacaral. Ylsa, after a quick estimate of Bredin's stature, said she would fetch a couple of uniforms. After a farewell hug from Father Toma, Bredin followed Herald Tobias to the Collegium. As he went with Tobias, Bredin gaped at the Palace. Bredin felt utterly bewildered and lost; he thought the entire village of Bransat could be housed in one wing of the structure.
Tobias took Bredin to a bathing room. As Bredin stripped, Tobias drew a tub of hot water.
Bredin got in, sighing with relief as the warmth of the water eased his aching muscles. Tobias allowed him a few moments to soak, then handed him a bar of soap and a cloth. Bredin sniffed the soap; it was much milder than the harsh soap his mother had given him for his weekly bath.
A boy a few years older than Bredin came into the bathing room carrying a set of trainee grays. "Ylsa said to bring these to you for the new trainee." He handed the uniforms to Tobias.
"Thank you, Harrow." Tobias said before the boy left. He turned back to Bredin just as the latter was reluctantly emerging from the tub. Tobias stopped for a moment, staring slack-jawed at Bredin.
"Is something wrong?" Bredin asked.
Tobias shook his head. "Not at all, Bredin. You just surprised me, that's all."
"What did I do? What surprised you?" Bredin asked as he picked up a towel and began to dry himself.
"You did nothing wrong, Bredin." With a grin, Tobias added "Let's just say you are going to be very, very popular with the female trainees."
"What do you mean?" Bredin asked. Tobias merely grinned once more and refused to explain.
Bredin pulled the uniform on; the fit was a bit large except over his shoulders, where the shirt was tight. The 'boots' were canvas with leather soles and had laces to draw the canvas snug to his foot and calf. Once Bredin was dressed, he stopped for a moment to stare at himself in one of the polished metal 'mirrors' of the bathing room. He saw himself in Trainee Grays for the first time and shivered.
A bell sounded four times, interrupting his reverie.
"That's the dinner bell. Let's go." Tobias said.