The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend. – Abraham Lincoln
The summer was awkward and uncomfortable for Kensie. Many people resented his presence in Magistrate Rains' court even as an understudy. From the looks many had given him, he dreaded his reception after his majority next year when he would have to hear cases himself and deal with any appeals from Magistrate Rains' cases.
Gustav Rains was fair and respected, there were few appeals from his decisions. The problem was that the few appeals were generally the most bitterly contested disputes. Kensie doubted his own ability to make people see reason when Magistrate Rains failed to do so. The magistrate took the time to explain his decisions to all sides, yet sometimes nothing could persuade one side or the other to accept the verdict.
The management of Bransat Manor and lands proved much less interesting than Magistrate Rains' court. Kensie's only surprise was the extent of the holdings, which went well beyond the lands and properties within the barony and town. Kensie discovered he owned a townhouse in Haven, though it was in an area where the lesser nobles and wealthy merchants lived. It was usually rented out; the present inhabitants were a cadet branch of the Marduk family.
Kensie spent most of his free time training with Hwyl Fian and Chase Tanner, though his fighting and riding skills had now surpassed his instructors'. In practice combat, Hwyl Fian now had Kensie work against multiple opponents.
Chase Tanner began teaching Kensie how to teach riding himself. It was the best way, Chase said, for Kensie to learn how to focus on problems.
Kensie's students were Spod and his friends from the streets, Taim and Mik. After the death of Geoffrey Toews, Kensie had no present need for them on the streets of Haven, so he had hired them both as stableboys. Kensie had learned the importance of loyalty down and was not going to let Taim and Mik's service go unrewarded. Both boys jumped at the opportunity to gain a permanent position in one of Valdemar's great houses. They also served as additional eyes wherever Kensie went.
Since the boys would be going with Kensie, they would have to know the rudiments of sitting on a horse as well as grooming and saddling. Having Kensie teach them while Chase Tanner watched Kensie killed two birds with one stone.
Both Hwyl Fian and Chase Tanner now treated Kensie with more respect. They had heard the true stories of the two attempts to kill Kensie. His instructors wondered who would want to murder their student and why, but they decided that somehow their student had 'learned courage' over the past year. Neither was yet ready to believe Kensie's story of the Final Battle or forgive his apparent lapse, but their attitude towards him was more professional than hostile.
Chase actually smiled at Kensie when he helped quiet Eagle while Chase treated a cut on his stallion's leg. Eagle fussed as Chase attempted to stitch the wound and the groom could not control him. Kensie saw the problem and came to help. Eagle quieted immediately. "I don't know how you do it, but you're better than any of the grooms in keeping him steady." The horsemaster said.
Though unwelcome among most of the highborn families of Bransat, Kensie was still the highest ranking noble in the town and surrounding area other than his father, who was usually elsewhere. It was impossible to exclude him from all of the social and ritual events. If it hadn't been socially necessary to attend, Kensie would rather have avoided them. The stiff formality of the conversations were nothing more than the minimum required. Though the locals were eager to learn the gossip of the court, none would ask Kensie. If he attempted to join a conversation, the group would immediately disperse.
The events where Wallis Mittel was present were the most uncomfortable. Both Kensie and Wallis made their mutual disdain obvious, but Wallis' bride seemed intent on provoking her husband by casting flirtatious looks in Kensie's direction. Even if Wallis did not notice, Kensie was sure that Wallis' friends would carry the news to him. Kensie carefully ignored Peony's glances. That was a poisoned cup he did not want to drink.
Near the end of the summer, Count Wyeth summoned Kensie back to Haven for a few days.
His father entered a partnership with Duke Larkin and Earls Astey and Peregrine. The four aristocrats invited others to join the investment. At his father's suggestion, Kensie invested funds from Bransat's treasury and joined as a junior partner.
To celebrate the partnership, Count Wyeth threw a party in the garden of Poldara house. As an investor and as his father's heir, Kensie had to attend. Afterwards, he would return to Bransat until Sovran.
Kensie dutifully walked the rounds of the party. Kensie was glad to see Rubin and Lovat once more and catch up on Palace gossip. Kensie chuckled to himself over the tale of the Prince's encounter with the Queen's Companion. He vowed to ask Kantor about it when he visited the salle.
Since the party was held in the garden of his father's house, no one could snub him overtly, but other than Lovat and Rubin most of the guests paid him only the required courtesies.
Kensie turned a corner and came face to face with Olaf Futcher. Lord Olaf leaned heavily on his cane and walked with a strong limp. Kensie fought to keep a casual expression as he greeted Baron Futcher's heir, though the many taunts and insults he had endured from Olaf made the effort difficult.
Lord Olaf's expression was strange, as though it was difficult for him to look at Kensie. "Lord Kensie, I wondered if I might have a few words with you." Olaf's voice was diffident and formal.
Puzzled why Olaf would seek him out, Kensie agreed cautiously.
"I reinjured my knee recently and it is painful for me to stand for long. Would you mind if we sat?" Olaf asked. He gestured towards a bench in a private bower.
"Of course, My Lord." Kensie agreed, allowing Olaf to precede him.
Olaf limped to the bench and sat down heavily. Kensie sat nearby facing Olaf. "How may I be of service?" He asked formally.
Olaf looked down for a few moments as though choosing his words. When he looked up, his face bore a look of resolution. "There has been bad blood between us, My Lord, with many unkind words spoken. I have to admit I was more at fault than you."
Kensie covered his astonishment at Olaf's words with a polite "I was not entirely blameless in our exchanges."
Olaf shrugged. "Be that as it may, Lord Kensie. I repeatedly said that you were a coward. I no longer believe that."
Kensie's jaw dropped. Olaf was one of the most vocal abusers of Kensie's reputation and had a reputation for stubbornness. Kensie had thought nothing would change Olaf's mind.
Olaf grinned. "I see I have surprised you, My Lord. Allow me to explain my change of mind."
Choosing his words carefully, Olaf explained how over the past year, starting with the practice bout against Evan Aitken, he had begun to have doubts about Kensie being a coward. At first, Olaf had explained away his own doubts – for example, that Kensie had faced only a wooden sword in Evan's hands – but, as one incident followed another, Olaf's doubts grew.
After Kensie's confrontation with Kadhael Corbie, Olaf was confused. It was impossible believe that Kensie was a coward when he faced a sword at his throat. Olaf dug deeper, finding out the details of the two attacks on Kensie.
Olaf sat up. Looking Kensie in the eye, he offered his hand. In a formal tone, he said. "In sum, My Lord, I learned I had been wrong. I apologise and beg your forgiveness."
Kensie had been smiling more and more broadly as Olaf spoke. He took Olaf's hand in both of his and grinned as he shook it. "I most heartily forgive, Lord Olaf, and ask you to forgive my own words. I would be pleased to number you among my friends.
"More, I will say that you had reason to doubt my courage." Kensie gave a detailed account of the Final Battle, not sparing himself. "I would like to believe that it was inexperience that caused me to break. I can only give you my word that I did return to fight that day; I have no proof to offer. I hope I have a better measure of myself now."
Olaf snorted. "Fighting off two attempts to kill you? I would say that you have proved yourself. Why have you attracted such murderous thieves, by the way? These look less like robberies than assassination attempts."
Kensie feigned dismissal; Olaf's remark was too near what Kensie and Count Wyeth thought. He wondered if Olaf was probing to see what Kensie and his father knew. It was best to seem innocent. "Bad luck, I assume. Why would anyone want to murder me?"
"Perhaps your brother wants to take your place as heir? With you in disfavor, it might seem possible." Olaf suggested. "Perhaps you visited the wrong bed?" Olaf winked.
Now it was Kensie's turn to snort. "Grayson is just thirteen. Even if he was ambitious and devious enough to plot to displace me, he has neither the experience nor the means. And the only bedding I have done has been with willing serving maids or ladies whose price is listed on their cards."
Olaf laughed at the last. The two talked for a while. Olaf told Kensie the rumors about the Prince whoring and other court affairs during the summer. After a long conversation, they returned to circulate with the other guests.
Kensie spoke to his father that evening about his conversation with Olaf. "I'm happy that I've got him to change his mind, but I'm bothered by what he knows about the two attacks on me. How would he know to look into them? Why would he? And why would he ask me about them? Is he trying to find out what I suspect?"
Count Wyeth nodded agreement. Kensie's suspicions pleased him; his son was learning to question appearances. "He could be a cat's-paw. See if he keeps probing and watch who he talks to. His father is corrupt, but not particularly vindictive. I don't think Baron Futcher would try to kill you to get even with me for not letting him out of his obligations last year. Maybe he is sincere."
Kensie spent two more days in Haven. He learned nothing from Kantor about the Prince's attempt to ride Caryo. When he asked the Companion about it, Kantor shook his head vigorously and walked away. Nor could Kensie learn anything in the Court. The answers to his inquiries were either wary and non-committal from the Prince's supporters or gleeful exaggerations from his enemies.
Kensie visited the salle both days. Alberich pointed out only a few things for attention and improvement. Alberich could see that Kensie had not neglected his training during the time at Bransat.
When Kensie visited the palace stable, he asked Tahk for a place for Mik as a stableboy.
Mik was the cleverer of Spod's two friends and had quickly proved himself in the stable in Bransat. He was also more ambitious and eager to prove himself in the service of his new master. When Kensie asked Mik if he would work in the palace stable plus earn a little extra as Kensie's spy, Mik agreed eagerly. Not only was there the chance of further advancement, Mik hated leaving Haven: The countryside beyond the city walls terrified him.
Tahk realized Kensie's double purpose, but the quarrels of the nobles did not matter to him. He respected Kensie's horsemanship and relied on him to refer only a competent hand for a place. So long as Mik did his duties properly and his spying for Kensie did not interfere with them, Tahk did not care.
Life on the street had enured Mik to nasty experiences, so the noisome part of horse care did not bother him. Steady work, regular food and a warm dry place to sleep was more than he had ever had. The addition of a few coppers every quarter was a gift. Mik did not want to lose his new life. He worked hard and devoted himself wholeheartedly to his stable duties. In addition, Mik discovered he liked being around horses. Seeing this, Tahk began teaching the boy the arts of horse care beyond the mucking of stalls and putting out feed.
With Mik settled and positioned, Kensie returned to Bransat with his father.