When someone is nasty or treats you poorly, don't take it personally. It says nothing about you, but a lot about them. - Michael Josephson
The advent of Prince Karathanelan looked like an opportunity for Kensie to advance himself. Kensie sought an introduction, but his approaches were ignored. At first, Kensie thought it was merely the fact that none of his friends were among the Prince's acquaintances. Rubin, Lovat and Urson obtained introductions, but soon stopped attending the Karathanelan's hunting parties and other events due to a distaste for his associates.
Kensie persisted. After the announcement that the Prince would marry the Queen, Kensie wrote a letter requesting an audience and offering his services as Master of Horse.
The reply came not from the Prince but from his secretary. "Sir. His Highness directs me to inform you that he does not wish to admit cowards to his acquaintance or to the acquaintance of his horses. Sir Moltenaro Blasphoran, Secretary to HRH Prince Karathanelan."
Kensie clenched his jaw as he read the note. He held it up for a moment, intending to crumple it and toss it in the fire. He paused. Pulling a folder from his bureau, he wrote on the cover "Remember" and placed the letter inside.
Kensie did attend the royal wedding. As a member of the upper nobility, his rank gave him an automatic invitation and imposed an obligation to attend. His family and relatives along with Count Wyeth's most notable vassals filled Poldara House to the rafters. Kensie shared his own suite with Grayson, who gave up his rooms to Baron Faro Mittel and his family.
Kensie and Wallis Mittel maintained a veneer of careful politeness when they encountered one another. Wallis made a comment about the convenience of having servants willing to die for their master; in reply, Kensie said it was opportune to have a choice of bedmates. The eyes of each gave the lie to their polite smiles.
Naril came with Lord Benal and his parents. To Kensie's surprise, she was already pregnant. In a quiet aside to Kensie, Naril expressed relish for donning black leather and whipping her spouse. "I find it quite exciting and his response allows me to fulfill my conjugal duty. His father will get a grandson and a spare, then Benal can go back to his blacksmith and I can find my own pleasures." She said.
"I might still find time for giving Benal a few more stripes when I'm in the mood." She added with a grin.
Whether it was the new romance between the Queen and the Rethwellan Prince or the coming of spring, courtship and marriage were suddenly in the air. Two of Kensie's friends announced wedding plans.
Rubin Larkin's father arranged a marriage to Sansa Marduk, the eldest daughter of Duke Marduk of Three Rivers. The marriage was a political and financial arrangement between their fathers, but both bride and groom were happy with the engagement. "She's a good looker and really clever, I like her a lot." Rubin told his friends. "I could have wound up with someone like Rayal Gartheser." His friends shuddered at the mention of Lord Gartheser's notoriously waspish daughter.
Rubin, being the son and heir of a wealthy and powerful Duke, was a prize catch himself and Sansa seemed happy when Rubin introduced her to his friends.
Other than the prospective royal wedding, the marriage coup of the year was Urson Felthan's engagement to Meria Tewkes. The heiress presumptive to County Tewkesbury had been given free choice of husband by her father, so long as the man was noble and free from any taint of scandal. The contract specified that Urson would take the surname Tewkes and that control of the estate would remain in Meria's hands. Urson would receive the title of Count when Meria inherited and a generous income in the meantime. He would also have the right to pursue his own career in the army.
Kensie nodded knowingly when he heard of Urson's engagement. He had noticed that the two of them paired off more and more frequently in the salle. Meria was better with a sword than Urson; it had been Urson's gracious acceptance of her superior skills that had first won her respect. To Meria, Urson's determination to make his own career was a refreshing change from the fortune hunters who had sought her hand. Urson took the ribbing from his friends about 'duels in the bridal bed' with a blush and a smile. "I've got a beautiful bride who can run a County and guard my back." Urson boasted.
Shortly after the engagement, Meria took a moment in the salle to talk to Kensie. "Milord Kensie, I am told that you have a second war stallion that you recently acquired. Urson is taken with the horse and I wonder if you might be persuaded to let me buy the horse as a wedding gift for my husband."
Kensie smiled. "I know Urson likes Gamin. He has ridden the horse a few times and handles him well. I had intended Gamin to be my own wedding gift to him. However, I do know of an excellent saddler in the village of Bransat where my own manor is located."
Kensie also gave Rubin Larkin a horse as a wedding gift. He bought Paladin from the widow of Baron Alton Sinnick. The late Baron was a timid rider greatly over-mounted. The war stallion spooked as Baron Sinnick rode along Kings Street. The Baron came off, struck his head on the cobbles and died instantly. His widow had no use for the horse and sold him to Kensie for a modest price, which was made even lower by the fact that few were interested in a horse that had caused the death of its master. Kensie did not blame the horse; Paladin was simply too much horse for his rider. A superb rider like Rubin would have no difficulty with the animal.
Rubin had grumbled enviously about Kensie buying Paladin; he coveted the stallion for himself, but hadn't known the horse was for sale until after Kensie bought it. "You already have two, for Kerenos' sake, why do you need another?" Kensie merely grinned.
Once the celebration of the royal wedding was over, Kensie's friends held their own celebrations. The weddings took place a sennight after the Queen's marriage, three days apart. Kensie presented his gifts a few days in advance, luring his friends to the stable on the pretext of a casual ride. Both bridegrooms received their gifts from Kensie with astonished pleasure, doubled when their brides appeared to present saddles for their new mounts.
The families were in Haven for the Queen's wedding and much of the finery they had worn served admirably for the other two nuptials. Lara Poldara was sister to the Duke of Marduk and an aunt of Sansa Marduk while Count Wyeth was a cousin of Count Layne Tewkes, so Kensie's family attended both of his friends' weddings.
After the weddings, Kensie returned to Bransat. Kensie would turn seventeen this summer; he would be of legal age next year. Count Wyeth decided it was time for Kensie to begin practicing the duties of the Baron of Bransat. He would sit with Magistrate Rains as understudy in his Court to learn the procedures and practicalities of actual cases. He would also work with Alfonse Dane to learn the duties of the major-domo and steward as well as the details of the management of the estate.
Before he left, Kensie went to Alberich for advice on weapons practice over the summer. Alberich had seen the progress the boy had made over the winter. Alberich suspected that Kensie had now surpassed Hwyl Fian in basic skills, so he advised Kensie to begin melee practice in addition to the regular exercises and drills.
Bredin, immersed in his studies at the Collegium, knew of the weddings only because Urson Felthan was in his unarmed combat class and his yearmate Jan was a cousin of Rubin Larkin and attended the wedding.
When Jan returned at dinner the next day, he told his yearmates about the wedding. "Lord Kensie Poldara gave my cousin a warhorse, which was the perfect thing to make him happy. Rubin's outright horse-crazy. He also gave that grey one he got from Kadhael Corbie to Lord Urson." Jan's tablemates, who had endured Jan's obsessive praise for his Companion Gadar since the highborn trainee's arrival, jeered at him.
Jan's next words drove a dagger into Bredin's heart. "Their brides gave Lord Rubin and Lord Urson saddles for the horses. Got them made by a saddler that Lord Kensie knew in his demesne. The saddler himself brought them to Haven a sennight ago to ensure they fit the horses and their new riders."
Bredin stared at his yearmate in shock. Jan looked back at his friend, puzzled by Bredin's expression. The table fell silent. One by one, Bredin's yearmates made the connection, Jan last of all. Bredin would have known of the saddles if his father had come to see him.
"Maybe it wasn't your father…." Jan said weakly.
Bredin fled the table. There was one friend he could turn to. Leaving the Collegium, he sprinted to Companions' field. Lacaral met him at the fence. Bredin threw his arms around Lacaral's neck and wept unashamedly into his Companions' mane. Eventually, Lacaral persuaded his Chosen to climb onto his back so they could move away from people nearby who were ostentatiously trying not to stare.
Instead of vaulting up as usual, Bredin clambered awkwardly from the fence onto Lacaral's back and the Companion bore him gently across the field.
::Chosen, are you sure it was your father?:: Lacaral asked softly.
::Who else could it be?:: Bredin snapped. He caught himself and apologized to Lacaral. ::I'm sorry. It's not your fault. Dad is the official saddler to Count Poldara. He is the only saddler in Bransat. Who else would Lord Kensie ask?::
Lacaral's flanks heaved in a sigh. ::Chosen, I don't know. I am afraid you are right.::
::Why wouldn't he at least come to see me?:: Bredin sobbed as he mindspoke Lacaral. Bredin knew the answer already. His father had disowned him. Once Enro made up his mind, it was almost impossible to change it. The breach between Bredin and his father was permanent.
::I do not know, Chosen. I wish I could help.:: Lacaral sighed once more.
Neither spoke for a while as they continued across the field and entered the woods to wander along the paths.
::What do I do?:: Bredin asked eventually.
::What do you feel like doing? I don't mean what should you do. I want to hear what you feel.:: Lacaral said.
Bredin's face twisted into a snarl. He spoke aloud. "I want to tell him to his face that I don't want to be his son. If he doesn't want me, I don't want him. To the nine hells with him. I want to go to Dean Elcarth and ask him to stop the crown allowance. I wish I could slam the palace gate shut in his face."
::Chosen, what would happen if you did? What would your father do then?:: Lacaral's mindvoice was very soft.
"He'd say 'That is fine with me, good riddance.'" Bredin stiffened his spine and looked up as though challenging his father.
::You mean he'd think he was right all along?:: Lacaral said.
Bredin froze momentarily. That was exactly what his father would think: That Bredin thought he was better than his father and too good to be seen with Enro or the rest of his family. Bredin fell forward, lying on Lacaral's neck as tears sprang up anew. "I just want him to be proud of me. I want him to say he loves me."
::Chosen, when did you last say you loved him?:: Lacaral asked.
Bredin thought carefully. "I – I don't remember. I thought he knew."
Lacaral's flanks heaved once more. ::Chosen, it is one of the hardest things for a son to say 'I love you' to his father. But it is the most wonderful thing a son can do.::
::Why should I?:: Bredin retorted. ::He doesn't care about me.::
::Have you looked in his mind to know that?:: Lacaral asked rhetorically, knowing Bredin's mindspeech wasn't yet strong enough to read the thoughts of others. ::Maybe he wants you to care, but is afraid you don't. People fear having their feelings hurt.::
Bredin mulled this while Lacaral carried him through Companions' field. After a candlemark, their wanderings brought them to Grey Vale. Bredin slipped down from Lacaral's back and the two lay down together in the grass. Lacaral's coat gleamed in the evening sun as Bredin stroked him quietly.
Bredin rested his head on Lacaral's barrel and stared at the setting sun. "I suppose if I told Dean Elcarth to cut off the allowance, mom and Raidal would suffer most."
::That is my Chosen.:: Lacaral's mindvoice filled with approval.
Heralds Teren and Keren found Bredin just after midnight. Bredin's yearmates had told the Orientation Instructor what had happened. When Bredin did not return to his room at curfew, Teren and his sister went to Grey Vale, guessing that would be where to find him.
Bredin and Lacaral were sleeping; Bredin's head lay on his Companion's side. Keren gently put a blanket over the sleeping boy and the two Senior Heralds returned to their own rooms.
Bredin wrote a letter to his parents the next day. Usually, Bredin wrote his parents every Rest Day, but decided this one could not wait. After he had written about his doings and the events in the Palace, Bredin finished with "I heard that you made saddles for Lord Rubin and Lord Urson, dad, and brought them to Haven yourself. I wish you had had time to see me. I would have loved to show you the Collegium. I love you, dad. I look forward to seeing you during summer break."
Bredin got Zelar's reply ten days later, less than a sennight before summer break started. "I am sorry to say that your father will not allow you to visit. I think it would be best if you accepted your friend Jan's invitation to spend the summer with him. Your loving mother." Zelar did not mention that she had to hide every letter Bredin wrote. If Enro found one, he would throw it into the fire unread. Zelar kept the letters in a secret place, hoping that Enro would eventually regret his decision and relent.
Bredin cried a few tears when he read his mother's letter before stiffening his spine. ::I am not going to let him win.:: He told Lacaral as they headed to the temple.
Alarmed at Bredin's tone, Lacaral asked what Bredin meant.
::I will keep writing letters. I won't let him drive me away. I will send a letter every sennight, just like I promised the day you Chose me. I will be better than he is.::
Lacaral's coat shivered as though he were shaking off a fly. ::Chosen, loving isn't about showing you are better than someone.::
::Someday, dad will be sorry.:: Bredin persisted.
Lacaral shuddered and kept silent.
Bredin accepted Jan's invitation to spend the summer at his father's estate near Pemberton, about four days ride southwest from Haven.
For both boys, the journey was an adventure. Neither had previously stayed at waystations. They had not begun their field training and, after a disastrous first attempt at cooking in the waystation – it had taken until well after sunset to rid the waystation of the odor of burning food – they purchased their meals from inns and ate picnic style.
Bredin greeted Baron Pik Nilsen nervously, unsure how the nobleman would react to a commoner. The Baron's greeting was hearty and welcoming; he quickly put Bredin at ease with his simple courtesy and plain speech. The rest of the family also welcomed Bredin, though Bredin noticed a slight condescension from Jan's brother Matteo, who had assumed the position of heir after Jan's Choosing.
A manservant led Bredin to the room – actually, rooms – he would have for his visit. Bredin looked nervously around, hesitant to touch anything. He entered through the 'sitting room', which connected the suite to the hallway. The sitting room was filled with chairs and couches grouped around an enormous fireplace. The walls were covered with paintings and tapestries.
To one side of the sitting room, a door led to his bedroom. The bedroom itself was half the size of the Collegium dining hall and, like the sitting room, filled with beautifully carved furniture and decorations and more paintings and tapestries on the walls. The bed alone was larger than his room in the Collegium. The bed had two curtains: a light muslin one to keep out bugs and a heavy brocade to block light. The closet was huge; Bredin could not imagine owning enough clothes to fill it.
Most astounding to Bredin was an indoor privy and bath for his sole use. There was also a private study with a desk larger than the tables in the dining hall.
The final shock was a small room with a tiny bed. The manservant, who Bredin learned was called Hugh Wain, would sleep there. Hugh would be at Bredin's beck and call during his stay. Bredin was incredulous that he would have a personal servant to tend to his needs.
::Enjoy life among the upper crust.:: Lacaral commented sardonically. ::Back to reality at the end of the summer.::
::I'll be glad to get home.:: Bredin said. ::I'm going to spend the entire summer afraid I am going to break something or offend Jan's family.::
Lacaral snickered.
Dinner, Bredin discovered, was a field of savory and sweet with hidden pitfalls everywhere. One simply did not eat too much of anything, for example. Asking for seconds was an unthinkable faux pas. One ate the portion that the servant set before you decorously. One must use the proper cutlery for each course – Bredin had no idea which of the five forks and five knives he was supposed to use – and never use a knife or fork for more than one course.
With Lacaral's help and by following Jan's example, Bredin made only a few mistakes. Lady Claire corrected him gently a couple of times and Matteo rolled his eyes at Bredin occasionally.
The food was beyond Bredin's dreams. He had thought that the Collegium meals were a feast; Baron Pik's table had spices and flavors completely new to Bredin. Even the bread rolls were finer than any Bredin had before. Mero's wholesome cooking for the Collegium was tasty and filling. What Baron Pik's cook prepared was fine art.
Bredin's only complaint – which he kept to himself – was that the portions were small and not sufficient to satisfy his appetite. He wondered if his stomach would be growling for his entire visit. It was three days later that he learned that he could enjoy a snack of whatever he desired by asking Hugh Wain to fetch it from the kitchen for him at any time. Bredin felt embarrassed about his requests until Jan explained that it was expected. "Stuff yourself when no one is watching," Jan said "so that you can dine with proper etiquette at the table."
From habit, Bredin rose early the next morning. He bathed and dressed himself despite Hugh Wain's offer of assistance. As Bredin ventured out of his suite to look around, he met Baron Pik in the hallway with Matteo and Jan at his side.
"Ah, Bredin! Good to see you are an early riser." Baron Pik said. "I am just making my morning rounds. Join us if you like."
Baron Pik took his duties seriously. He rose early each morning and made a quick round of the manor and estate to see that all was in order. He expected Matteo to join him and observe as well, encouraging his heir whenever the latter noted something. Jan, who had lived under the same regimen, joined his father and brother. Bredin, not wanting to be discourteous, went with Jan.
In some ways, Baron Pik reminded Bredin of the instructors at the Collegium. ::Baron Pik would be an excellent teacher.:: Lacaral commented. ::This is a good chance for you to learn about the real duties of the nobles. They do more than just wear fine clothes and go to parties. Not all of them are like the ones you have seen at Court.::
Hesitantly, Bredin began asking the Baron questions about the estate. Baron Pik was delighted to provide the details of what he was looking at and why. Jan added questions of his own, though Matteo looked bored.
After breakfast, Baron Pik met with his steward, Hamish Brown. The Baron told Bredin that Matteo sat in on the steward's reports once a sennight. Today was an extra session for Bredin and Jan's benefit. Matteo seemed much more interested in the steward's reports on the management of the Barony. It was Jan's turn to be bored. Bredin listened in bafflement as the Baron, Matteo and Hamish discussed the crops, plantings and harvests as well as the problems with some of the tenants.
To Bredin's dismay, the Baron sent all three boys off with Matteo's tutor after the meeting with Hamish. He hadn't expected he would have classes during the break.
::You thought the highborn just knew all about languages and accounts by instinct?:: Lacaral asked pointedly. ::All that schooling they do is their biggest advantage over the commoners.::
In the afternoon, the boys drilled with Baron Pik's sword master, Cullum Brown, who was the steward's brother. Due to their training under Alberich, Jan and Bredin were far ahead of Jan's brothers and cousins, so Cullum made them spar with the Baron's own guards.
To Bredin's amusement, the stablemen and others at the manor were as incredulous at the treatment the two trainees wanted for Lacaral and Gadar as Bredin's family had been. However, as Jan was the eldest son of the Baron, his demands met with less resistance.
It was not all work and duty, of course. Bredin and Jan had time to ride out from the manor. Sometimes they were joined by Jan's brothers, cousins and other sons of local gentry, who quickly learned the futility of racing their horses against Companions.
When Jan and Bredin went into Pemberton, the local town, or the other villages in the Baron's demesne, the children would surround them. Bredin noted they were more interested in Gadar and Lacaral than in himself and Jan.
::And why not?:: Lacaral teased. ::We are certainly better looking.::
::We don't smell like horses.:: Bredin replied. ::And our backsides don't block the road.::
::Our backsides are perfectly admirable and you smell a lot worse than any horse after a candlemark in the salle. If you come to the stable after the salle, you have that plus the smell of horse.::
Bredin gave up. Lacaral always won.