"So, coward, you have taken to raping your vassals' wives now?" Evan Aitken's voice rang out behind Kensie. Kensie ignored Evan and kept walking towards the salle, though Rubin and Lovat glanced back.
"I am talking to you, Poldara." Evan raised his voice.
This time, Kensie turned and faced Evan. "Did you say something, fool?"
Evan smirked as he strolled up to Kensie. Wallis Mittel walked at his side, the obvious source of Evan's slur. "I said you have been raping other men's wives, Poldara." Rubin and Lovat hissed at Evan's words.
"I have not." Kensie said. He sneered at Wallis before looking back at Evan. "It appears you have received poor information. Is this your new lover? Does he find you a better lover than Donal Rains?"
Evan looked ready to burst with rage. "I'll kill you, you son-of-a-bitch!" He screamed out.
Kensie made a show of laughing. "That's exactly what your lover-boy friend said when he tried to run me down with a warhorse and sabre two moons ago. I only needed a quarterstaff to put him down, but I suppose a chamber pot would serve to dispose of you."
Evan swung his fist at Kensie. Kensie grabbed his arm with one hand and pushed on Evan's back with the other. He blocked with his foot and sent Evan face down in the mud. Twisting Evan's arm up, he placed a foot on his back. Holding Evan, Kensie said. "I've been learning a little unarmed combat from the Iron Monks. I must say that you gave me the perfect chance to practice the third defense. Thank you, Lord Evan."
Keeping Evan pinned, Kensie went on. "Now I am going to explain something. I am not going to duel with you. Partly because I would kill you in a sunwidth and, although that would give me great satisfaction, mainly because dueling is against the law and I have no wish to swing for the privilege of ridding the world of you.
"You have slandered me with an accusation of rape. That is false. I will ignore it once because you are a fool. If you repeat it, I will file a suit for slander in the Court of Noble Pleas. You have a very fine horse that I think would suit my father's horsemaster well. His horse is getting older and will soon be retired. I think that yours would be a fine settlement of my case and an excellent gift to recognize his talents."
Kensie pressed his foot down and twisted Evan's arm, forcing his face into the mud. Evan yelped. "Do you understand me, Lord Evan?"
Evan said nothing. Kensie twisted again and repeated his question.
"Yes." Evan cried out.
"Good." Kensie said. "You are not going to repeat your little slander, are you?"
"No." Evan said.
Kensie released Evan and stood back. He looked at Wallis, who glowered back at him. "I'd suggest you stop telling that lie to cover your – ah – inadequacies. Your former wife said under the Truth Spell that she had not been unfaithful. I need not ask if you have been with other women, need I?"
Wallis clenched his fists. "I'll kill you, you son-of-a-bitch."
"You said that before. It didn't go well for you. I'm not worried." Kensie turned and walked on towards the salle. Rubin and Lovat went with him, demanding the details of Wallis' attack in Bransat.
After returning to Haven and resuming his training as one of the Blues, Kensie had gone to the Home Temple of the Iron God in Haven. Father Luca had already written to Father Toma about Kensie's training in Bransat, so Father Toma had reluctantly allowed Kensie to continue training in unarmed combat at the Haven Temple.
Both Kensie and Bredin were relieved that their training times did not coincide. Neither had any desire to train with the other. Kensie did see Bredin training with Deacon Tsareyn occasionally. He could see that Bredin was far more advanced than Kensie would ever become. Kensie remembered his father's warning of years before that Bredin would be capable of killing Kensie with his bare hands.
In the salle, Alberich pushed Kensie and the other advanced students with ever greater intensity. Although Kensie and Lovat were now the only highborn in the group, the Herald trainees had become less standoffish and included Kensie and Lovat in their conversations. Kensie was flattered when a few even introduced him to their Companions.
Kensie tried to get into the Lord Marshall's Herald's 'Advanced Strategy and Tactics' class, but was declined. Kyril told Kensie that the class was already filled by final year Herald trainees and middle level guard officers. He encouraged Kensie to try again next year and suggested some study material for the meantime.
Evan Aitken continued to be a major thorn in Kensie's side. Though he never repeated the rape slander that Kensie knew, Wallis Mittel had become his sidekick. There was no hint that Evan and Wallis shared a bed, so Kensie puzzled over their association until he learned that their mothers were cousins.
Evan mocked and insulted Kensie at every opportunity and took pains to ensure that every new young noble who came to court learned of Kensie's 'cowardice.' Kensie did gain a few more friends, though he was unsure whether it was because they believed him or disliked Evan. Evan associated more and more with the group around the Prince Consort, earning him enmity of those who disliked Karathanelan.
There was a definite split in the Court between the Prince's associates, who were mainly the Rethwellan highborn who had come with him and a few Valdemarans who had managed to ingratiate themselves, and those who detested the Prince. Though most courtiers tried to maintain neutrality, the anti-Karathanelan faction was growing due to the Rethwellans' arrogance and presumption. Kensie tried to stay out of the wrangling, but found himself pushed towards the anti-Prince faction by the Prince's associates, who sneered at him as a coward.
After the birth of Princess Elspeth, the arrogance of the Prince and his associates seemed to increase, as though they were now the rulers of Valdemar. Even Lord Rubin Larkin, the heir of a powerful Duke and one of the ranking peers of the kingdom, suffered their condescension.
"They seem to forget that, since Prince Karathanelan has fulfilled his duty at stud, he is no more needed than a gelding." Rubin growled to Lovat and Kensie one morning.
A few sennights later, Kensie walked the rounds of the garden outside of the throne room. He joined his father and mother for the presentation of his brother Grayson at Court. Grayson, along with several other sons and daughters of the higher nobility, would formally join the Court and enter its social and political intrigues. Their parents had carefully groomed the youngsters with years of training in courtly graces to ready them for presentation to the Queen and Consort. Every one of them had rehearsed the rituals to ensure a flawless performance on this important debut. A misstep or a gaffe could ruin a career before it had begun.
The day was warm enough for the guests to wait in the garden rather than crowd into the hallways. While each family waited its turn to bring their offspring before the dais, they mingled, introducing the youngsters to friends or to ranking courtiers.
Lord Orthallen greeted Count Wyeth and Countess Lora courteously. They introduced him to Grayson, who bowed precisely and shook hands with Lord Orthallen. After a few polite questions, Lord Orthallen wished Grayson well and turned to Kensie.
"Ah, the young Baron of Bransat, who has made a reputation as the finest rider in the Court." Orthallen said, offering his hand.
Kensie shook Orthallen's hand, giving the bow to one of superior rank as he did so. "Thank you, My Lord. It is a pleasure to give a hand with the magnificent mounts of my peers."
Orthallen laughed. "We all serve as we can young lord. When our skills and pleasures match, our duties are no burden." He clasped Kensie's hand once more and they parted with an exchange of bows. Kensie noticed a slight narrowing of Orthallen's eyes as he turned away, as though he had other thoughts.
Count Wyeth nodded approvingly at Kensie as Orthallen moved on to other guests, pleased that Orthallen had bestowed a gracious exchange on his eldest son devoid of condescension. Others would note Orthallen's tacit approval of Kensie and temper their scorn and insults.
For himself, Kensie puzzled briefly about Orthallen's expression. Was there some reason that Lord Orthallen disliked him? Kensie could think of nothing he had done to displease the powerful Earl. Kensie shrugged off the notion and turned his attention to the other courtiers in the garden.
Kensie amused himself by watching the other guests. Kris Peregrine, the younger son of Earl Peregrine, caught his attention. Kensie watched his second cousin closely. Tall for his age and well built, the boy was extraordinarily good looking, but seemed extremely self-conscious today. Whenever he thought no one was watching, Kris kept looking at his boots as though something was wrong. When Kris bent down for a moment and plucked at the lace of each boot, Kensie realized that the laces did not quite match.
Kensie laughed at the absurdity. As if any of the women who, despite his youth, were already casting appreciative looks at Kris cared a fig about his boot laces! Kensie wagered that Kris would be able to spend his days hopping from bed to bed by the time he was sixteen.
The moment Kensie had that thought, a huge white shape went past. Kensie turned to see a riderless Companion, saddled and bridled, making its way through the guests. The Companion headed straight for Kensie's young relative, who was studying his boot laces once more.
The garden went silent as all eyes followed the Companion, which stopped directly in front of Kris. The boy was still staring at his laces, unaware of the Companion. The sudden quiet caused the boy to look up and straight into the Companion's eyes.
Kris' face took on a look of astonishment. He raised his hand to touch the Companion, hesitating before stroking its muzzle. As Kris stroked the Companion's face, a look of beatific joy spread across his own.
The moment of Choosing passed and Kris looked at his mother. "His name is Tantris!"
Earl Peregrine and his wife hugged their son, who grinned broadly. The courtiers around them congratulated Kris and his parents. After a sunwidth, the Companion stallion gently nuzzled Kris' cheek and presented his side. Kris reached up to mount. Earl Peregrine gave his son a leg up and put his boot in the stirrup once Kris was in the saddle. Together, the family left the garden and headed in the direction of Companion's stable. A Herald met them as they left the garden and spoke to the family as they went.
As the Peregrines disappeared around the corner, Kensie exhaled heavily. He realized he had been holding his breath. His heart pounded in his chest. He envied his young relative.
"Looking to steal someone else's horse, coward?" Evan Aitken sneered from behind Kensie.
"Companions are not horses." Kensie said, turning to face Evan. "And you can't steal them. Only their Heralds can ride them."
Evan snorted derisively. "You still believe that magic horse-crap, don't you? Someday you may stop being childish and see reality. They're just fancy horses."
Kensie shrugged. "Why don't you ask your friend the Prince how easy it is to ride one?"
Evan flushed angrily. "I'd watch my tongue if I were you, coward. You might offend the wrong people and find yourself in a lot of trouble."
Kensie shrugged again. "Prince Karathanelan isn't even on the council. Even if he was, it is not a crime in Valdemar to joke about the council or even the Queen."
Evan sneered. "Don't count on that, coward. Things can change."
Kensie frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
Evan opened his mouth to say something, but Pereteasan Holofernes, one of the friends of the Prince who had come with him from Rethwellan, took Evan by the arm and pulled him away. Lord Pereteasan said nothing to Kensie, giving him only a contemptuous look as he took Evan off.
Kensie turned back to his family. Count Wyeth glowered at his eldest son. "Whether you like Lord Evan or the Prince Consort or not, you are a fool to antagonize him. You might someday seek a seat on the council only to find the Prince blocking your path."
"I am sorry, father." Kensie said. Privately, he thought he would rather not be on any council with Prince Karathanelan, though he knew circumstances might force him to collaborate with the Prince's partisans in the future.
At that moment, a page came up to Count Wyeth to inform him that Grayson's turn was imminent and that the family should proceed to the entrance to the throne room. Kensie assumed his place behind his parents and followed them into the Palace.
Bredin was still in Companions' stable when Tantris returned less than a candlemark after Bredin had tacked him up. Sitting in the Companion's saddle was Kris Peregrine, who Bredin remembered from years before when he had supported Bredin's word against Kensie. If anything, the boy had become even better looking over the past six years. A nobleman and noblewoman, who Bredin assumed were Kris' parents, walked beside the Companion along with Herald Teren.
Before Bredin could move to help, Teren enlisted Jan to untack Tantris. Kris hugged his parents once more before they turned and went back to the Palace. Instead of taking Kris to Dean Elcarth, Teren lingered for a while, allowing Kris to help untacking Tantris.
Jan had not yet finished undoing the cinch on the girth when Bredin heard another Companion entering the stable. Bredin turned to see Elcarth walking beside a boy who was as homely and untidy as Kris was handsome and elegant. The boy seemed shy and almost embarrassed to be in the stable.
Elcarth spotted Bredin. "Bredin, would you untack Ahrodie for Dirk? Teren and I need to take Kris and Dirk to get them settled."
Bredin moved to the mare and began untacking her. He glanced at the two newly Chosen who were going with the Senior Heralds. Kris was already chattering happily to Dirk, who was visibly relaxing.
[Author's note: Yes, I had to include this bit, given my username. ]