"Revenge is Always Sweet, it's the Aftertaste that's Bitter."―Joshua Caleb
Kensie approached the Great Hall with Lovat Astey and Rubin Larkin. He looked forward to seeing Evan sentenced.
Heralds Tobias and Ylsa stepped out to stop them. "Excuse us, Lord Kensie. Would you come with us?" Ylsa said.
Kensie frowned "Is something wrong?"
Ylsa shook her head. "No, nothing is wrong. But there is a matter of some importance that must be dealt with."
"Very well, Herald." Kensie shrugged to his friends. "I will see you later."
While his friends went into the Great Hall, Kensie followed the two Heralds, who led him to a small meeting room beside the Seneschal's office. To Kensie's alarm, three more Heralds waited inside. He recognized Herald Keren and Seneschal's Herald Kyril, but did not know the other, smaller man.
The smaller man introduced himself. "I am Herald Elcarth. I am Dean of Herald's Collegium. Please be seated."
Everyone sat down. Herald Kyril began. "Lord Kensie, we believe you possess mindgifts. Specifically, we think you have mindspeech and animal mindspeech."
Kensie's jaw dropped. "Are you sure?" He asked incredulously. He felt excited and happy at the news.
Herald Kyril looked at him seriously. "We think so. We would like to test you to confirm it, but we there have been several incidents which have led us to believe it."
"Incidents?" Kensie asked. He was still overwhelmed by the idea he had mindgifts.
"The first we know of was when you were attacked at Leuven." Herald Tobias said. "Do you remember when I quieted your stallion after the attack?"
Kensie nodded. Tobias went on. "You said that the stallion must have heard you shout. Except you did not shout. At least not out loud. My Companion Irian thought you mindcalled to your stallion."
"I wasn't aware of it, Herald." Kensie said.
Tobias grinned slightly. "Considering that you were fighting for your life at the time, that is hardly surprising." Kensie grinned back at him.
"Then, there was that stallion you bought from Kadhael Corbie." Tobias went on to describe what he and Keren and their Companions had noticed.
Kensie blanched slightly. "Kadhael accused me of mindspeaking Gamin. I said I didn't. Did I? I didn't mean to lie." The Corbies hated him enough already. If they thought he had used mindspeech to 'steal' Kadhael's horse….
Keren spoke up. "It was very subtle and hard to spot. You probably weren't aware of it. Since animals don't think in words, people with animal mindspeech are often unaware of what they are doing when the gift first appears."
Kensie thought about it for a moment. He remembered the first time he had seen Blood at Enro Kase's shop. He told the Heralds how he'd felt an immediate bond with the stallion and how it had settled while he whispered to it.
Keren and Tobias exchanged glances as they listened. Kensie went on to describe other incidents with Blood, including how he had felt he was seeing the attackers through Blood's eyes when the gang attacked him on Cheapside. From the looks on the others' faces, he could see he was confirming their thoughts.
Elcarth spoke next. "Kantor says that you project your thoughts. Unlike an ungifted person, he says you actually 'push' them out."
"I like Kantor." Kensie said. "He really is good to talk to." At the Heralds' curious looks, Kensie added. "He didn't talk to me in words, but he always let me know what he was thinking." Kensie blushed for a moment, wondering just how much the Companion had picked up.
"Which brings us to the attack on the Queen." Ylsa said. "You said that you heard a shout. There was no one shouting out loud, at least not out in Companions' Field. There was a general mindshout. Everyone with a touch of mindspeech, not just Heralds but also monks, priests, bards and healers as far as ten miles from Haven, heard that mindshout. Which is probably why you knew where the attack took place, since the mindshout gave the location as an aside.
"Afterwards, when I questioned you with Herald Mirilin, I could sense your mind 'pushing out' your thoughts when you really wanted to be believed."
When she finished, Kensie sat still, trying to take in what the Heralds told him. At last he said "This is amazing. What next?"
"First, we would like to confirm it directly." Ylsa said.
"How?" Kensie asked.
"Kyril and I will probe your mind." Ylsa said. "Actually, I will probe you and Kyril will follow."
Kensie recoiled at the idea of someone probing his thoughts. He licked his lips nervously. "Do you have to?" He asked.
Kyril spoke. "We won't do it without permission, but we can't help you control it if you don't allow us to probe you."
"What happens if I don't give permission? Will you do it anyways?"
Kyril shook his head. "Not unless you misuse the gift by reading others thoughts without permission or you cause problems to people without shields." Kensie looked dubious and Kyril continued. "If you start projecting your thoughts uncontrollably, others will 'hear' them if they are strong enough. It can be very irritating and distracting as well as cause you embarrassment if they realize you are the source. I am sure you have had thoughts that you don't want others to know."
Kensie blushed furiously. He wouldn't want to share his thoughts when he was on his way to Lace House. He remembered where he was and blushed even more. "Are you listening to my thoughts now?"
"No." Kyril said. "We all have mind shields to keep unwanted thoughts out and our own thoughts in. Nobody wants to listen to every thought of those around them. That can cause madness."
"How can I learn to shield my thoughts?" Kensie asked.
"That is one of the reasons we have to probe your mind." Kyril said. "We have to know what you have and get the sense of what you need."
Kensie looked down. The thought of others looking in his mind frightened him. His hands trembled. He placed them on the table and stared at them for a long time.
Kyril spoke softly. "Your gifts may fade away. That happens. But if they get stronger, which is what we think is happening, you will hear the thoughts of others constantly. You won't get a moment's peace. It has been known to drive people mad."
Kensie closed his eyes. He took three deep breaths, then looked at Kyril. "I trust Heralds. Do it."
Herald Ylsa moved closer to him. "Look into my eyes." She said, placing a hand on his cheek.
Kensie obeyed. He sensed Ylsa's probe. It was a strange sensation, as though he were watching someone in a mirror watching him in a mirror. After a few moments, he sensed Kyril's presence beside Ylsa's. Each of their minds had a distinct, different feel. Kensie would recognize them by the feel of their minds if he ever touched mind to mind again.
After less than a sunwidth, the two Heralds withdrew. Kensie's heart was racing and he felt dizzy. He put his head on his arms and rested for a moment. Eventually, he looked up to see the circle of Heralds staring at him. They cared, he realized, and really wanted to help him.
"Well?" He asked.
"You definitely have mindspeech and animal mindspeech." Kyril said. "And they are getting stronger. You need training."
"What if I don't get it?" Kensie said.
"You will hear more and more thoughts of others. You won't be able to shut them out. It could send you mad. It could also cause mental problems for those around you." Kyril looked grim.
"Will you train me?" Kensie asked.
Dean Elcarth spoke. "We will train you, but there is a price."
"What?"
"First. You must never use your gift to spy on or influence others except in emergencies or when ordered to do so."
Kensie nodded. "That sounds reasonable. How will I know when it is okay?"
"You will have to take a class in the ethics of gifts. Gifted trainees in Heraldic, Bardic and Healers' all take it at some point in their training. You don't have a Companion, so you will need to take it immediately so you have a guide to see that you don't misuse yours." Elcarth's look was determined.
"What if I misuse it?" Kensie asked.
"Then we will block your gifts so you can never use them again." Kyril spoke so forcefully that Kensie flinched slightly.
"Anything else?"
Elcarth and Kyril exchanged a look. "You must keep it a complete secret. Nobody must know." The Dean said.
"I will have to tell my father." Kensie was sure his father would notice the times he went for training, if nothing else.
Again, Elcarth and Kyril looked at each other. "Agreed." Kyril said. "I will speak to your father and tell him what we have told you. He will know that you can only use your gifts in a life-or-death emergency."
"Even with animals?" Kensie asked.
Kyril chuckled. "Oh, I think it will be alright to mindspeak your horses or other animals, so long as you don't use them to spy on people or cause trouble."
Kensie smiled back. "When do I begin?"
Except for Herald Ylsa, the other Heralds left. Kensie spent the next two candlemarks with her, working on grounding and centering and the rudiments of his gifts. To Ylsa's surprise, Kensie achieved a grounded and centered state during the first session. "When you said 'Just keep practicing, like you were riding a horse', I just thought of what it feels like when you are in the proper position in the saddle. When I approached it that way, it just happened." He said.
In the last half-candlemark, she showed him the rudiments of shielding, though Kensie could not hold a shield for long. Healer Crathach came in and gave him some herbs to dull his sensitivity until he could hold his shields at all times. "Otherwise, you will never get any sleep." He explained.
When she sensed him getting tired, Ylsa ended the session, explaining the dangers of a reaction headache. She sent Kensie to Elcarth, who set him up in the ethics class and reminded him of the need for secrecy.
"If you need another reason to keep it secret, I will point out that many people are suspicious of mindspeakers and will avoid you if they know you can read their thoughts." Elcarth said. With two years of fighting ostracism behind him, Kensie did not want to be cast out once more.
After he left Elcarth's office, Kensie went in search of Lovat and Rubin, who demanded to know where he had been. Kensie decided that the simplest approach was best and told them he wasn't allowed to talk about it. He begged them not to question him about it.
Though they were naturally curious, his friends grudgingly agreed.
Kensie changed the subject, asking about the verdicts. He laughed when he heard about Evan being dragged screaming from the dock after the Tribunal pronounced his sentence.
"It wasn't pretty" Rubin said, "one should maintain a bit of dignity even at the worst of times. I was embarrassed to watch."
"He called me coward a thousand times. Now, at the end, he proves himself a coward. I wish I had been there to see the mask come off. He gets no sympathy from me." Kensie said. "I look forward to seeing him hang. When is it?"
Lovat made a face. "I know he made life miserable for you, Kensie, but enjoying his death is a little ghoulish. The executions are in the Great Square the day after tomorrow. Go if you want, but I won't be there."
"Neither will I." Rubin agreed.
It was too late in the afternoon for a ride, so the three went their separate ways. Kensie saddled Blood and rode back to Poldara House. He looked forward to telling his father about his newfound gifts.
Kensie attended the hangings as he had vowed to do. He sat in the section reserved for highborn just behind the seats for the judges of the Tribunal and the Royal Council. The members of the Tribunal all attended; their faces were uniformly bleak and grim. Most of the Council seats were empty. Lord Orthallen attended dressed in solemn black. The highborn filled the seats around Kensie. Due to the occasion, the nobles dressed in dark colors and eschewed their usual jewels and decorations, yet Kensie noted several whose faces showed grim satisfaction at the impending executions.
Evan Aitken did not die well. The condemned were hung six at a time. Evan was in the last group to be hung.
Evan wailed as he rode in the wagon from his cell to the gallows. His fellow prisoners sneered at him and looked away. When he saw the gallows and the corpses of the previous lot, he began to fight against his bonds. It took four guardsmen to haul him up the gallows steps and to place the noose around his neck. He was still struggling when the trap sprung and did not drop cleanly. Instead, he bumped against the edge of the trapdoor, slowing his fall so that the noose did not break his neck. He thrashed for a sunwidth before he strangled and went still.
Kensie grinned while Evan went to the gallows and fought against the guards. Only the bounds of propriety stopped him from joining the jeers and taunts of the commoners who filled the Great Square. It took Kensie a moment to realize what had happened after the trap sprung. The moment suddenly lost its pleasure as Evan fought to breathe. Kensie put his hand to his own neck and looked away. He did not look up again until he those around him began standing to go. On the gallows, Evan's body still swung slightly at the end of the rope. Kensie shuddered.
At the front, his father and Baron Felthan supported Earl Conacre, who had fainted. Marchioness Sayward looked woozy herself as she fanned Earl Conacre's face.
The crowd dispersed. Lord Orthallen returned to the Palace. Count Wyeth, Duke Rubin, Baron Chris and Marchioness Tyra walked to Poldara House which was nearer the square than the others'. Kensie followed quietly behind them, scarcely aware of anyone around.
Count Wyeth and his guests entered the reception room. With a shake of his head, Wyeth forbade his son to enter. The four nobles sat around the fireplace. After the butler left a cup of wine beside each, Count Wyeth told him to leave. The four sipped a bit of wine, then put their cups down. They sat in silence, scarcely touching their drinks, until the sun went down.
Excluded from the company, Kensie went to his own suite. He sat by his own fireplace. "Spod, fetch me a flask of brandy."
"No, My Lord." Spod said.
Kensie looked at Spod in shock. "What did you say?"
Spod stiffened his spine and looked back at him. "My Lord, iffen I get you brandy, you'll drink 'till you passes out. In the morning, you'll still 'member wha' happen, but you'll 'member that the brandy made you ferget awhile. So you'll drink again to ferget again. An' you'll keep doin' it till you can't stop drinkin'. I seen it on Rotten Row and down at Exile's Gate, people killin' themselves with the likker. You took me off the street and you saved my life. Now I gotta pay you back."
Kensie flushed with anger and opened his mouth to shout an order at Spod, then paused. He stared at Spod. The boy shook slightly, but returned Kensie's look with a determined look of his own. "Thank you, Spod." Kensie said at last. "Could you please get me a light ale and a few finger foods? I don't think I can handle more than that right now."
Spod's shoulders heaved with relief as he turned to get Kensie's snack. He was nearly at the door before Kensie said. "And Spod…" Spod turned. "Your grammar and diction are definitely getting better. You are doing well." Spod smiled and left the room.
For several nights, nightmares of Evan's death plagued Kensie's sleep. His friends and instructors noted his worn appearance, but said nothing. Herald Ylsa could sense his turmoil during his lessons on gift instruction and emphasized holding his ground and center as a way of steadying himself. Only during his lessons with Alberich, who did not let up in the least, could Kensie lose himself in the pure concentration and exercise of weapons drill.
There was another outcome of the attack on the Queen for Kensie. Two sennights after the executions, the Seneschal requested Kensie come to his office.
"Lord Kensie," the Seneschal said "you have a reputation as the best rider in the Court."
When Kensie thanked him for the praise, the Seneschal went on. "Lord Ashkevron gave the Queen and her Consort a fine horse as a wedding present."
Kensie nodded. He had seen the magnificent black stallion, which was superior even to Blood in conformation and ability. Before the assassination attempt, he had longed to ride it himself.
"The Queen does not wish to see the animal again." The Seneschal said. Kensie understood how it would be a very unpleasant reminder. "Nor, considering its association with the late Prince Consort, do any of the nobles of the Court want to have it."
Kensie realized what the Seneschal was driving at. Though the horse was superb, being seen with it would be a definite liability in the Court.
"We were wondering," the Seneschal said, "if you would buy the animal and take it away from Haven so the Queen would never see it again? The price would be very reasonable."
Kensie opened his mouth to refuse, then remembered that Chase Tanner's Eagle was getting old. In normal circumstances, the late Prince's stallion would cost far more than the riding instructor could afford. With a cautious expression, Kensie said "I think I may have a solution."
For fifty crowns, Kensie bought the Ashkevron stallion. He sent it to Chase Tanner as a gift 'for your patient and good instruction.'
The night after the stallion left for Poldara, Kensie pulled out the letter he had received from the Prince's secretary a year before. Taking a pen, he wrote across the face "Debt paid in full." He smiled and put the folder away.
Kensie remained at Court until Herald Ylsa and Herald Myste, who filled in when Ylsa was away, were satisfied that his gifts were under control and he could maintain his shields at all times.
Ultimately, Kensie's silence over his gift training proved futile. Rubin and Lovat were both highly intelligent. Neither spied on Kensie, they just noticed seeing him in the company of Herald Trainees going to certain classes as well as coming and going in Heralds' Collegium.
When they confronted Kensie with their deductions, Kensie went to Dean Elcarth. The Dean spoke to Lovat and Rubin. He confirmed that Kensie did have mindgifts and explained to Rubin and Lovat that their friend was under notice never to abuse his gifts to spy on others. The Heralds would watch Kensie and, if he misused his gifts, the Heralds would block them.
By now, Count Wyeth felt that Kensie's name was sufficiently free of taint. Before Kensie left for Bransat for the summer, Count Wyeth and Duke Perin signed a betrothal contract for Kensie to marry the Duke's daughter, Mina Larkin. Mina was only eleven, so it would be five years before the wedding could take place. In the meantime, Kensie would take a commission as an ensign with the army.
Kensie returned to Bransat. He would celebrate his majority in Bransat and assume the full duties of Baron through the fall. After Midwinter, he would go to the army under the command of Joshua Peregrine.