I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. –Psalms 32:8
That afternoon, Bredin became a legend.
Bredin followed his yearmates to the salle. They arrived early, but Harrow was already there and brought Bredin to meet with Alberich. The tall, heavily scarred Weaponsmaster reminded Bredin of some of the monks who had come home from the war. To Bredin, the Weaponsmaster's scars meant that Alberich knew his business.
"So, what have you from the Iron Monks learned?" Alberich asked. The Weaponsmaster knew of the Order and had seen them in action, both assisting the Watch on the streets of Haven and in the final battle that spring. He respected both their courage and their skill.
"I have mostly been taught in unarmed combat," Bredin said, "but they showed me basic sword exercises as well. I am not very good with a bow or a staff."
Alberich waved Bredin's yearmate Jan over. "Go through the basic patterns with him. Watch will I."
The basic sword drills were the same throughout Valdemar. Bredin moved through them with Jan. Bredin could see that Jan was far better with a sword than he was. It hardly surprising since Jan had a personal tutor almost from the time he could walk and, being a noble, his teaching had focused almost exclusively on sword work; the sword being deemed the most appropriate weapon for his rank.
Bredin worked through the moves with his yearmate. By the second pattern, Alberich had seen enough. Bredin tended to 'follow' rather than take the initiative. He also was too tight in his movements, so they were a little slow and awkward.
"Enough." Alberich called out. The two boys stood apart. Bredin lowered his practice sword; Jan flourished a salute before lowering his.
"Now we will your unarmed fighting test." Alberich said. He disagreed with the monks' practice of teaching unarmed fighting at the start. Alberich's preference was to teach unarmed techniques later on, when the trainees were a little more mature and coordinated. Nevertheless, Bredin had been taught the style and Alberich needed to know the extent of the boy's trained.
The class was entirely made up of first year trainees from all three collegia; most had no weapons training at all. None had training in unarmed combat. By elimination, Bredin had to face the Weaponsmaster himself. Alberich motioned the boy to face him.
Alberich knew better than to underestimate an opponent, even one half his size who had yet to touch a razor to his face. Alberich noted Bredin's powerful upper body and his poised, balanced stance. Alberich should have been ready.
On his part, Bredin could see from the Weaponsmaster's stance that Alberich was experienced in hand to hand combat. Bredin saw he faced a man who was equal to the instructors at the temple and would not be tricked off balance or caught by a feint. The only way was to allow the larger man to move first.
Seeing that Bredin intended to wait for him to make the first move, Alberich did so. He feinted left, then moved towards Bredin's right.
Bredin had seen the move before in the temple. The shift brought Alberich's left leg forward and, as the weaponsmaster moved to the right, he unweighted his left. Bredin dropped and swept both legs against the weaponsmaster's left.
Unbalanced, Alberich fell to the mat before tumbling and rolling to his feet to face Bredin once more.
There was a stunned silence in the salle. The other students stood slack-jawed at what they had seen. They cringed, fearing the weaponsmaster would explode in wrath.
"Very good!" Alberich said, surprising the students even more. Alberich smiled – something they had almost never seen – and said "Taught you well, the Iron Monks have. This skill you must keep and make grow."
Alberich questioned Bredin for a few minutes, learning that the boy had been in training for over four years. "In this you will with me and with the advanced trainees practice. You will also to the Iron Temple go to make you more skilled. I will arrange with Dean Elcarth that you have time for this."
Alberich knew that he could take Bredin by weight and his experience with street fighter tactics, but weight and experience would come. Otherwise, Bredin was nearly a match for Alberich.
Alberich would use Bredin's knowledge and skill. He could not be everywhere and making use of Bredin's abilities would enhance rather than diminish his reputation.
It would do the final year students some good to know that a boy half their size could take them down.
::You just want to see their surprise when young Bredin puts them flat on their backs.:: Kantor said to his Chosen.
From Kantor's tone, it was clear that the Companion took as much pleasure in the thought as Alberich.
Alberich did not let his amusement show on his face. He still had a class to teach.
After two candlemarks, Bredin left the class in the company of his yearmates, who lionized him for tumbling the formidable weaponsmaster.
The Healer and Bardic trainees headed for their dormitories for a quick shower and change of clothes before their next classes. With them, they carried the story of Bredin's achievement, which spread through the collegia and into the palace itself, met everywhere with mixed skepticism and satisfaction that someone could have bested the fearsome weaponsmaster.
For Bredin and the Heraldic first years, it was off to the stables for equitation classes. They were already stained with the workout in the salle, there was no point in cleaning up before covering themselves in horse-scent only to have to bathe once more.
Eager to see Lacaral, Bredin broke into a run as soon as he was within sight of the stable. His yearmates ran with him. Thirty feet from the door, they were stopped by a shout from Keren "No running in the stables!"
Bredin and the others caught themselves and entered the stable at a brisk walk. Lacaral and the other Companions were waiting near the tack room. Though he could not say just how he recognized Lacaral, Bredin was drawn to his Companion as if by a thread. So too were the other newly Chosen. As he petted and hugged Lacaral, Bredin looked around. He honestly could not tell one Companion from the others; how was it that he knew Lacaral?
::A Companion and his Chosen are bonded in a way that they will always know each other.:: Lacaral said. ::There can be no confusion.:: The Companion's mindvoice was still faint and Bredin strained to 'hear' it, but Bredin was reassured.
Bredin closed his eyes and pressed his cheek to Lacaral's neck. Before now, the scent of horse had just been part of Bredin's surroundings, simply there without being either special or offensive. Now, Lacaral's 'horse' scent was a breath of comfort, safety and love.
::Right now, you smell like you could use a bath. Could you stand downwind?:: Lacaral teased. Bredin laughed.
"If you two don't mind the interruption, it is time to get on with your lesson." Harrow said.
Bredin opened his eyes and reluctantly pulled away.
Keren greeted the newly Chosen with a few rules about the stable. Her tone made it clear that breaking them would have dire consequences. After that, Keren left them with Harrow; sternly admonishing them to pay attention to her assistant. The basic matters were the most important, she said, as everything else depended on them.
Bredin enjoyed every moment of his first lesson, which was mainly about grooming and tacking up. Harrow left the others to work with their own Companions; Jill, Lars, and the others had been here for several days now and had covered grooming and saddling, though Harrow kept an eye on them.
Bredin was surprised that Jan was being tutored in the basics as well. Surely, as a highborn, Jan had been riding since he could sit up. ::There is a difference between riding and equitation.:: Lacaral commented dryly. ::Many nobles leave the care of their horses entirely to others.::
Grooming was entirely new to Bredin. He learned that a clean coat was as important for his Companion as clean skin was for himself. Harrow explained that a piece of dirt between the saddle and a Companion's skin would be like Bredin having a stone in his shoe. Bredin shivered at the thought and applied the brush firmly to Lacaral's coat; he could not bear the thought of hurting his bond-mate through neglect.
Like many of his yearmates, Bredin had not gotten his full growth yet. He had to stand on a stool to reach Lacaral's back. The way Lacaral lifted his back against the brush and sighed with content while Bredin worked the brush made the inconvenience worthwhile. His other hand rested on Lacaral; through the contact Bredin could feel and share the stallion's pleasure and contentment.
Saddling was next. Having helped his father make them before Enro banished him from the shop, Bredin knew the parts of a saddle well. However, beyond the fact that a saddle went on the Companion's (or horse's) back, he knew nothing about how to put one on. Harrow patiently showed his charges how to place the saddle and other bits of tack and how to secure them properly.
"Unlike a horse, your Companion will help you get the tack fitted properly. They won't resist you tightening the girth or lift their head to avoid the bridle." Harrow explained.
::Unless the bridle has a bit.:: Lacaral commented. ::Try to put a piece of steel in my mouth and I'll dump you in the water trough.::
Bredin laughed at Lacaral's indignant tone.
Once the Companions were fully tacked, Harrow led the group to row of barrels with saddles set on top. Bredin's yearmates had done this exercise in the days before; they went to the barrels and began practicing mounting.
Harrow explained to Bredin then demonstrated how to put his left foot in the stirrup and swing his right leg over to sit in the saddle. All of the trainees repeated the move fifteen times. Harrow explained that the barrels would gradually be raised until the trainees were "mounting" at full height for a Companion.
Once again, the training from the Temple helped Bredin. Limber and co-ordinated, he mastered the task quickly and finished his required fifteen before either Lars or Ari.
Next the youngsters actually mounted their Companions. They were allowed the use of a mounting block that put them at the same height relative to their Companions as they had been with the practice barrels. Harrow told them that they would be expected to mount from the ground within a moon.
The actual riding lasted only a half-candlemark. Keren, deeming the first lessons the most important, took over from Harrow.
The Companions walked in a circle around Keren while she corrected how each of the trainees was sitting. Once she was satisfied with their position, she put them through exercises to improve their balance including swinging their arms in circles and touching their hands to the opposite toes. Bredin nearly lost his balance in that exercise, Keren caught him and pushed him back into position.
Bredin noticed that his muscles began to relax as he worked and warmed up. Maybe he would get used to riding.
::You will, but you will pay the price in stiff muscles for a few days yet.:: Lacaral seemed positively cheerful at the prospect of Bredin's discomfort.
"I hope you enjoy the feel of a lumpy sack on your back until I get the hang of riding." Bredin retorted.
Lacaral made a noise that sounded remarkably like a human snicker.
The lesson ended and Bredin returned to the stable. Despite the short ride, his legs still felt wobbly after his second day with Lacaral, but not as sore as the day before. Bredin groomed his Companion thoroughly under the watchful eye of Harrow. He laughed when Lacaral leaned into the brush as Bredin worked on an itchy spot.
Done, he gave Lacaral a hug before joining his yearmates on their way back to the Collegium and the tubs. Bredin was looking forward to soaking all the stiffness out of his legs.
Harrow stopped him at the door.
"Sorry, Bredin, but the Weaponsmaster wants you back in the salle right now. You'll have to clean up later."
"Why?" Bredin protested. As far as he knew, he had done nothing wrong. Was the Weaponsmaster going to punish him for what happened earlier?
"I don't know." Harrow said. "But this is a direct order. Better get over there fast. Alberich does not like shirkers."
Bredin was stung by the last. He had never been a shirker. He would do his part. Wearily, he started back towards the salle.
He had not gone ten steps before Lacaral came up and bent down in front of him. The stallion tossed his head towards his bare back.
"But I am all dirty!" Bredin said, placing his hand on the Companion's neck.
::There are things more important than dirt.:: Lacaral said. ::Right now, it's important we have a few moments together.::
That invitation persuaded Bredin. Nothing would make him happier than time with Lacaral. He climbed on to the Companion's back. Lacaral rose and headed towards the salle.
As Lacaral walked briskly, he said. ::I can tell you that you are not in trouble. You worried that Alberich was angry. Actually, you pleased him a great deal.::
"How do you know that?" Bredin asked.
::Kantor told me.:: Bredin realized immediately that Kantor was Alberich's Companion, the knowledge came as part of Lacaral's telling. Bredin started to ask how Kantor had told Lacaral but stopped himself. The two Companions must have mindspoken each other.
::Exactly.:: Lacaral said. ::Companions can talk to one another even a very long way apart.::
"So why does Herald Alberich want to see me right now?" Bredin asked.
::He wants you to help him.:: Lacaral said.
That confused Bredin. He had noted Alberich's stance and balance. He knew that he had tumbled the Weaponsmaster mostly because Alberich had underestimated him. The man was an expert in combat. Why would he need Bredin's help?
::You'll see.:: Lacaral said. They had arrived at the salle. Reluctantly, Bredin slid off Lacaral's back. Lacaral nuzzled his Chosen affectionately before turning back towards the stable.
Bredin turned towards the salle and entered, still nervous despite his Companion's reassurance.
Alberich was putting a score of trainees through a warm up prior to their lesson. Bredin could see they were all several years older than himself. Most wore grey uniforms, but there were three in pale green and two in rust colored uniforms. There were also two boys in blue uniforms.
Alberich rarely taught any of the "Blues" unarmed combat. Those who were artificers almost never took any training in combat, highborn blues tended to look on unarmed combat as beneath them. Of the few who did take an interest, Alberich, like Dethor before him, accepted less than half into the classes for unarmed combat. Only once satisfied of their character would Alberich accept young nobles for such training.
Lords Lovat Astey and Urson Felthan were two such exceptions. Both were conscientious young men who were dedicated to learning as much as they could about the arts of war. Lovat, the eldest son and heir of Earl Astey, had a strong sense of duty and wanted to fulfill his ideal of a nobleman's obligation to his Queen and Country. Urson Felthan was the third son of Baron Felthan. With the prospect of only a small inheritance and little desire to marry for money, Urson was planning a career in the Army.
Spotting Bredin, Alberich called him over. He told Bredin to warm up and stretch his muscles to prepare for practice.
Once everyone was ready, Alberich called all of them before him.
"You all in unarmed combat have been practicing for some moons." Alberich began. "You have only begun. Now I want you to see what you can learn. Learn you must that size is not all and that skill most important is."
He waved at Bredin. "In these skills Bredin has been taught. You will learn from him the skills he has been taught."
Alberich knew the speed of rumor. He was sure by this time, most of the Collegia had heard how Bredin had tumbled him earlier that afternoon. He wondered what tales were being told.
::Half think it was an accident. About a third don't believe it at all. Most of the rest think that you allowed it to happen. Only a few think that young Bredin might be skilled in unarmed combat.: Kantor reported to Alberich.
Alberich thought that the doubters were about to get a surprise.
Alberich eyed the trainees. Who would be first? His eye fell on Lovat. The young lord smiled back and shook his head.
::The Astey family seat is home to one of the five Temples of the Iron God.:: Kantor explained. ::I think he has a good idea what our new young Combat Master can do.::
Without changing expression, Alberich fixed his eye on Brion. Alberich motioned the Trainee forward.
Brion hesitated, then advanced on Bredin. Brion was past the point where he assumed he was better than an opponent or that Alberich was unreasonable, but he was skeptical. Brion had heard the rumors of what Bredin had done. He thought there must have been some accident.
The simplest approach was best, Brion decided. He rushed at Bredin, planning to grab him and pin him.
Bredin watched the older boy advance. He could see that his opponent was fit, but he moved like he was carrying a sword. Bredin saw the moment Brion made his decision.
Bredin balanced himself as the bigger boy rushed forward. As Brion reached for him, Bredin crouched slightly and grabbed Brion's forearm. Turning slightly he pulled on Brion's arm and pulled him over his shoulder.
Brion somersaulted over Bredin and tumbled in a sprawl on the floor. Before he could right himself, Bredin placed a foot on his neck and twisted Brion's arm up and back.
Bredin held Brion long enough to make it clear that Brion could not escape, then released the older boy and stepped back.
"What happened?" Brion said to no one in particular. The other students were wide-eyed at what they had seen.
::I think you just got an object lesson in not underestimating an opponent.:: Nyinao said, her mindvoice laughing in Brion's head.
Alberich snorted as his Companion made a similar comment to him; Kantor was evidently as pleased as his Chosen.
One by one, Alberich summoned the other students forward. Bredin tumbled every one of them, though only a couple went down as spectacularly as Brion.
Lovat Astey was last. "Be easy on me, kid. I know your Iron Monks. They have a Temple in my father's town. I've seen what they can do." He smiled as he approached.
Bredin returned the smile. Then he swept Lovat's legs from under him, landing him on his back.
As Lovat got up, he grinned at Bredin. "Thanks, young 'un."
Alberich put his hand on Bredin's shoulder. "Seen you have," he said to the group, "that skill is more important than size. Young Bredin has with the Iron Monks four years been training. He is expert in this skill and will be my assistant in this."
Bredin thought Alberich was overstating his skill. "I am really just a beginner, Weaponsmaster." He interjected. Several of the trainees rolled their eyes at Bredin's remark.
Alberich repressed a smile and looked at Bredin solemnly. "So you say. Which is why you will continue to go to the Iron Monks. You must become a master so you can be master to the trainees here." He gestured towards the students as he said this.
"Now, with me, you will demonstrate some beginning exercises." He looked at the students. "Watch closely. These will be your exercises today."
At Alberich's direction, Bredin and the Weaponsmaster walked through several basic exercises. Each of them taking the falls in turn, including demonstrating how to roll out of the fall and up.
Next, the students practiced the exercises, taking turns with Alberich and Bredin as well as with each other. When each student had taken one turn with him or Bredin, Alberich set Bredin to watching and correcting alongside himself as the students paired off.
At first, Bredin let Alberich do the correcting. As he caught the pattern of the instruction, he began offering suggestions himself, stopping pairs in mid-move to correct a hold, a placement of a foot or a shift of a body.
With their recent object lesson still in their minds, the students listened to Bredin with respect.
By the time the class was done, Bredin was exhausted. The workout had warmed and stretched his muscles, taking out much of the stiffness from riding Lacaral yesterday and today. But Bredin really looked forward to getting a hot bath.
As he left the salle to head back to the Collegium, the students surrounded him. They escorted him back to Heraldic, eagerly questioning him about his time with the Iron Monks. Once they reached the baths, Brion demanded that Bredin be given first choice of the tubs.
With a satisfied sigh, Bredin sank into the hot water.