The Angry Boy Chapter 57
"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." - Winston Churchill
Kadhael resumed his complaints as he rose in the morning. Hoping to silence him, Kensie said "You know that these walls are thin, don't you? I could hear Jai Smith and Rusty Green talking last night." The two ensigns shared the room next to Kensie and Kadhael.
Unfortunately, the only effect on Kadhael was that he now spoke in whispers. He continued to voice his disapproval of the post, the officers and the men whenever he and Kensie were alone. Today, the squads that had done road duty yesterday stayed at the post and the other half of the men went out. Kensie made an effort to find things to do that took him away from Kadhael. That evening, he had a free candlemark and accepted Jai's invitation to join him and Rusty at The Merry Gryphon, the inn in the village that had grown up beside the guard post.
When the three returned, Kadhael was lying on his bed. He sneered at Kensie "Shouldn't you associate with those of your own rank?"
"Jai and Rusty are ensigns just like you and me." Kensie said, baffled.
"I mean your social rank."
Kensie snorted. "That would be a little lonely. As a baron, I outrank everyone on the post including Captain-Baronet Peregrine and you."
"I am the son and heir of a Viscount." Kadhael frowned.
"And I am the son and heir of a Count." Kensie shrugged. He bit back the temptation to point out that Kadhael had not even been knighted yet while Kensie actually had a title.
Kadhael frowned and turned his back on Kensie. The rest of the evening passed in silence.
Kadhael resumed his complaints the next morning as they prepared to take another turn on road duty. Kensie left their quarters as soon as he could, arriving at the parade square a half-candlemark ahead of his squad.
By the fourth day of Kadhael's harangues, Kensie had had enough. As Kadhael started in again that morning, Kensie rounded on him. "I don't care what your opinions are. You've said it all a thousand times. You're wrong. Shut up and do your duty, including supporting your commander." Kensie grabbed his kit to go to the washroom.
"Trying to suck up to the Captain, Poldara? Can't handle the truth?" Kadhael raised his voice.
"You're being an ass. Shut up." Kensie pulled the door open.
"Make me, Poldara." Kadhael shouted. Kensie shook his head and went out into the hall. The door opened behind him and Kadhael shouted down the hall. "Running away again, coward?"
Kensie stiffened his spine and kept walking. As he passed the next door, Rusty Green looked out. Rusty saw Kensie, pursed his lips, flicked his eyes down the hallway and closed his door once more.
Kensie arrived at the parade square early once more. To pass the time and keep warm, he began walking the perimeter of the square. He heard footsteps come up behind him. He glanced to his right as Lieutenant Krandall fell into step beside him.
Kensie saluted. Krandall returned his salute, then gestured in the direction Kensie had been going. "Keep walking. Too bloody cold to stand around." The lieutenant said.
After two more circuits, the lieutenant said. "I hear you had a quarrel with Ensign Corbie this morning."
Cautiously, Kensie replied. "We had a difference of opinion, Sir."
"Um. I think everyone knows Ensign Corbie's opinions on certain matters, but I have yet to hear yours." Krandall's tone was dry.
"That is because I haven't said anything, Sir." Kensie was a little smug.
"No complaints?"
"Well, it isn't like living in Bransat Manor, Sir, but out here, one takes what one gets." Kensie knew it sounded a little ingratiating.
"I was referring to your comrades." The lieutenant said.
"You've given me the best sergeant and the best squad, Sir. I don't think I can complain about that." Kensie said, knowing that Krandall would read his feelings about the officers from that.
"Um. I see. I thought I'd kept the best squad for myself." Krandall looked around. "I see the men are arriving. We'd better go and talk to them. See you at dinner this evening."
The two saluted each other and went over to their men.
As they cleared more of the road, the march to and from their work had gotten longer. The sun was already up by the time they reached the point where Lieutenant McNiall's squad had finished the day before.
"How many days till we're done?" Kensie asked Urquart as they pulled off their coats.
"We should meet the crew from Goldenoak Post today or tomorrow at the latest, Sir." The sergeant replied. "We're farther along than usual, so it should be today if they're not behind."
"Them lazy buggers at Goldenoak don't work half as fast as us." Tell Essig piped up from behind.
"I'll be sure to tell Sergeant Kulkan that when we meet them." Sergeant Urquart said. The other men laughed.
As Kensie began shovelling, he asked "Who is Sergeant Kulkan?"
Urquart chuckled. "He's one of the squad leaders at Goldenoak." He put down his shovel for a moment. Raising his hand as high as he could, he said. "Kulkan's about this tall and about three men wide. He's all muscle. If one of their plow horses goes lame, they can just put the harness on him."
The men laughed at the description and kept working.
Half a candlemark before noon, they sighted the squad from Goldenoak coming in the other direction. Kensie noted a huge man towering a head and a half above the others. He pointed at him. "Is that Sergeant Kulkan?" He asked. Urquart laughed and nodded.
Kensie's squad picked up their pace, rushing to outdo the other squad. "Careful, men. Don't strain yourselves." Kensie said even while he doubled his own efforts. Between swings of his shovel, Kensie stole a glance at the Goldenoak squad, who appeared to be hurrying as well.
In a quarter-candlemark, the two teams met. Panting from their race to outdo each other, the men pounded each other on the backs and exchanged laughing boasts about how much more they'd done than the other. In contrast to his size, Sergeant Kulkan was soft-spoken. His voice was almost a whisper. Kensie noticed that his men jumped to obey him, however.
To Kensie's delight, his friend Urson Felthan, now Urson Tewkes-Felthan, was the ensign in charge of the Goldenoak squad. They were still greeting each other when the luncheon orderlies arrived from both directions. The two squads mingled while they ate.
Kensie and Urson sat together, sharing stories of what they had done lately.
"I hear you are a father." Kensie said.
Urson grinned broadly. "That's right. Young Dwight Tewkes was born just before midsummer. My father-in-law wouldn't let me leave for the guard until he was sure that I'd gotten an heir."
The two squads mingled for a while longer before packing up. Separating, the two groups headed back to their respective posts.
There were still two hours of daylight when they arrived back. Kensie obtained leave to take Blood out for a gallop. He had finished his ride and just returned from untacking his horse as the two other road crews entered the gate.
"Poldara!" The lieutenant said. "Help Ingesson and Spencer get their squads settled." He pointed at Kadhael. "Corbie, come with me."
Kadhael handed Magog's reins off to Corporal Lutz, the stablemaster, and followed Lieutenant Krandall.
Neither sergeant needed much help from Kensie to wrap up, though Sergeant Ingesson looked relieved when Kadhael left. The three men quickly had both squads' equipment and plow horses put away and the men back in the barracks.
Kensie never knew what the lieutenant said to Kadhael, though the latter emerged from the lieutenant's office tight-lipped and beet red. Whatever it was, Kadhael now only spoke to Kensie when absolutely necessary and with stiff formality. Kensie reflected that it was better than the unending litany of complaint. Kensie was glad to accept Jai and Rusty's invitation to go to The Merry Gryphon that evening.
Tomorrow was a Rest Day, so the inn was crowded with soldiers given passes for the evening. The three ensigns found a table near some of Kensie's squad. Kensie chatted with the others, learning that Ruslan "Rusty" Green was the eldest son of a grain merchant in Haven and Jai Smith was the second son of a knight in Earl Astey's county. Jai knew Lovat Astey as a childhood friend.
After a while, Tell Essig leaned over and said. "Ensign, I hear you said we're the best squad in the post."
Kensie feigned disbelief. "I did? I must have meant you were the best woman-chasers."
His men roared with approval and raised their mugs in salute.
From the other side, Sergeant Spencer spoke up. "Not even that. Everyone knows that we're the best. Whether it's women, fighting or swinging a shovel." His squad now cheered while the others jeered.
Kensie made a mournful face. "I am sure that Lieutenant Krandall saw what poor, helpless waifs you were and took you on himself for the good of the post."
There was general laughter around the room.
At the end of the evening, Kensie returned to his quarters. He'd done more talking than drinking, so was quite sober as he entered his quarters. Kadhael was already asleep. Kensie sniffed; he thought he caught a whiff of whisky. Kensie washed up, undressed and got quietly into own bed.
The next fortnight, Kensie's squad had the night watch. Kensie and his squad slept in the gate tower. Kensie alternated tours with Sergeant Urquart as the watch rotated. He fought drowsiness for the first two nights until Urquart tipped him to have only a very small dinner and no alcohol before the watch. To Kensie's mind, the only good thing about the night watch was that his squad was excused from road clearing after the three-day snowstorm that began on the second night.
Kensie settled into the routine of the post. When the road clearing was done, there were regular patrols to the villages in the area surrounding the post. Kensie enjoyed these because he could ride Blood; Lieutenant Krandall said the villagers expected officers to be mounted.
They also checked the roads and bridges for potential problems. Lieutenant McNiall was the daughter of an artificer. Jai Smith found her lectures about bridge building and preventing flooding fascinating and peppered her with questions. Kensie and Rusty paid attention, trying to follow what she said, but found much of it beyond them. Kadhael looked bored and slightly contemptuous of the female officer.
Kadhael was even more contemptuous of the Herald on the North Evendim circuit when she showed up near the end of their first moon at the post. Herald Mata Hanke sported a black eye when she arrived at the guard post just before the evening meal.
"A farmer objected when my judgement went against him." She said. "He took a swing at me and I put him on the ground. I thought he'd give up, but he caught me when I bent to help him back up. Calan put a hoof on his chest the second time I dropped him and he became much meeker."
All of the officers except Kadhael laughed at her story.
The following night, Herald Courier Lena arrived. She recognized Kensie and Kadhael and asked Kensie about his injuries. She mentioned that Captain Mason's men had cleaned out the attacker's camp, but found nothing about who hired them.
The Herald Courier left the next morning while Herald Mata stayed three days to review records and cases in the village near the guard post.
Along with the officers and men, Kensie had regular weapons practice in the training room. It soon became apparent that, with the exception of Captain Peregrine and Armsmaster Sergeant Mikhail Pavic, Kensie was better with most weapons than anyone on the post.
Sergeant Pavic was impressed when Kensie told him that he'd spent two years training with Herald Alberich. When Kadhael overheard, he announced he'd had three years with Herald Alberich. "Show me what you learned." Pavic insisted.
In short order, Sergeant Pavic disarmed Kadhael three times, then pointedly showed him the errors he had made. Kadhael accused Pavic of insubordination. Pavic pointed to Post General Order Number Twelve, which was displayed on the training room wall. The order said that the Armsmaster's orders applied to both officers and men in all training situations and the Armsmaster was immune from charges of insubordination while training.
Kensie rolled his eyes. Kadhael ought to have expected that after his expulsion from Alberich's salle two years ago. Sergeant Pavic caught Kensie's expression and launched into Kensie without warning. What followed was the most brutal duel anyone in the post had seen.
The two fought for half a candlemark. Pavic outpointed Kensie five to four and it ended with the two men standing opposite each other, exhausted and grinning. A huge cheer caught their attention. They looked around to see half the post standing against the walls. Word of the duel had spread through the post; anyone not actually on duty had come to watch. Kadhael Corbie stood alone, arms folded on his chest and a scowl on his face.
A day later, Captain Peregrine assigned Kensie additional duties as assistant armsmaster. Kensie took a different approach to training than Pavic. Never raising his voice, he would correct mistakes and go over a move repeatedly until the student learned it. If a student could not grasp his or her error, they would face Kensie, who would repeatedly disarm them or score 'kills' until the student realized what they were doing wrong. Kensie got a reputation as a 'stealthy' trainer for his quiet approach and for surprising students with unexpected moves. The men of the post began referring to Pavic and Kensie as 'the lion and the pussycat.'
Kensie thought he was making progress and getting support from his men until the middle of his second moon at the post, when he began noticing the men starting to distance themselves and the appearance of what he'd called 'the look' he'd seen at the Palace. At the same time, Kadhael Corbie began wearing a smug expression whenever Kensie saw him.
At the end of the second moon, Captain Peregrine summoned Kensie to his office. Lieutenant Krandall was already there. After Kensie saluted, the Captain waved him to a chair.
Looking straight at Kensie, Captain Peregrine said. "'Broken yet upright, bloodless upon Blood, steel puts me to flight yet I will beat you with wood. What am I?'"
The blood drained from Kensie's face and he gaped at the Captain.
"I see you have heard it." The Captain said.
"Many times, Sir. It started in the Palace about two years ago. I thought it had died out." Kensie was certain he knew how it had reappeared at the guard post.
Captain Peregrine sighed. "I try not to deal with my men's pasts when they come to my post, Ensign. It seems I must make an exception in your case. I must ask you what happened in the Final Battle against the Tedrels."
Once again, Kensie told his story. Once he had finished, Captain Peregrine stared at him across the desk for a long time. "It is unfortunate that there is no one who can confirm your story. I have made it my policy to take a man at his word until he proves his word cannot be trusted. Therefore, I will accept your version of the event."
"Thank you, Sir." Kensie fought to sound calm.
"However, I am left with a problem in my command. You have performed satisfactorily since your arrival, but the doubts that riddle represents create a weakness. Perfection is impossible, of course, but I must warn you that any serious failure on your part will mean that I have to dismiss you. This may not be fair to you, but the best interests of my command outweigh the interests of any individual."
Kensie's guts churned as Captain Peregrine spoke. "I understand, Sir."
"The problem is, what are you going to do about it?" The captain asked.
Kensie stiffened, trying to look resolved. "Carry on, Sir. I've been fighting this for years now. Telling people what I just told you doesn't have any effect. I can only do what's right and let people judge for themselves."
Captain Peregrine mulled this for a moment. "You aren't going to speak out?"
"My father told me that if people don't believe you the first time you deny a rumor, they never will. Repeating yourself only makes you sound desperate." Kensie winced inwardly at his prim tone.
Captain Peregrine sighed. "Very well. I think you can guess the source of this matter. Lieutenant Krandall and I will deal with it. I am giving you an order not to take matters into your own hands. Dismissed."
Kensie grinned slightly. "Understood, Sir. I believe the source has other problems that have nothing to do with this, Sir." He saluted and left.
Kensie wondered whether it was by chance or design, but the next Herald Courier to arrive was Herald Tobias. At dinner that evening, Tobias told the story of the attack at Leuven, emphasizing how Kensie had killed a Tedrel assassin with only a brass lamp. Tobias raised his voice slightly when he told the story. While Kensie blushed at the story, he noticed that some of the men at the nearest tables had stopped talking among themselves to listen to the Herald. The next day at weapons practice, Private Style asked if they would add brass lamp practice to their training. Kensie ordered Private Style to do fifty pushups.
Tobias contrived to meet Kensie in the stable, as though by accident. He asked Kensie if he had used his gifts in any way. Kensie told him about calling Blood and Magog to help during the attack at Oakdale. Without hesitation, Tobias assured Kensie that was acceptable. He asked if there were any other incidents. When Kensie said the only other use he had made was to check the horses, Tobias approved that as well.
Kensie thought about the encounter with Tobias as he got into bed. It was obvious that the Heralds were keeping an eye on him. He wondered if Tobias had used the Truth Spell. With no one else around, there was no way of knowing. From experience, Kensie knew he would not have seen the aura himself.
The snows of winter had now become the rains of spring and the roads turned to mud. Even the best gear did not keep officers or men dry in the downpours. Captain Peregrine had a 'hot room' kept ready at the end of each day to help the men recover. Even so, there were numerous colds in the post. Kensie inspected his squad each morning, ordering any man with the slightest sign of a sniffle to see the post Healer, Roland Leon.
Kadhael earned another rebuke from Lieutenant Krandall after he refused to let three of his men who were coughing stay in barracks and made them go out with his squad. The three developed pneumonia and were only saved by the strenuous efforts of the healer.
Shortly after Spring Day, Kensie's and Lieutenant McNiall's squads were working to a repair a bridge about four miles from the guard post. The stream under the bridge was raging, engorged with the previous day's rain and the melting snow. Four of the troopers from Lieutenant McNiall's squad were wrestling to put a cross-brace back into position when a log carried by the current slammed into them.
Two men were thrown into the water. Sergeant Urquart and Private Style, positioned downstream in case of such an emergency, managed to pull them from the stream. Private Comstock saved himself by grabbing a bridge support. Private Raske was caught between the cross-brace and a support. She screamed with pain as her leg snapped and the current pinned her between the two heavy beams.
All of the troopers rushed to free her and climbed around her.
Kensie moved forward to help. Lieutenant McNiall spotted him and ordered. "Go for the healer!"
Kensie shouted "Yes, Sir!" as he ran to Blood. He tightened the girth and vaulted into the saddle, sending the stallion into its fastest gallop. Through words and mindspeech, he urged the horse on. After three miles, he could feel the horse tiring. Kensie pitied the animal as it labored, but drove it on.
The watchmen at the gate saw him coming and opened it as he approached. As Blood slid to a stop in the yard, men were running out of the post. "Get the healer!" Kensie shouted. He spotted Corporal Lutz. He handed Blood's reins to the stablemaster. "Get two fresh horses ready. One for the healer and one for me."
Kensie ran to the post. Captain Peregrine met him at the door. Without preamble, Kensie said. "Private Raske is badly hurt, Sir. They're trying to free her now. Lieutenant McNiall sent me for the Healer." The Captain nodded and began shouting orders to organize helpers.
Healer Leon came up and Kensie told him what had happened. In moments, Corporal Lutz brought two horses to the yard. Kensie noted that a trooper was walking Blood to cool the horse as he mounted one of the new horses. He did not realize he was riding Magog until they were through the gate.
Kensie and Healer Roland reached the bridge just as the men lifted Private Raske onto the bank. The healer jumped down and ran to Private Raske's side. Kensie grabbed his horse's reins and began walking the two horses to cool them. After a few moments, Privates Essig and Sepp took the horses' reins from Kensie.
Kensie saw Urquart shivering in a borrowed overcoat. Underneath, Urquart and the others who had gone into the water were still wearing their soaking wet uniforms. Kensie organized some troopers to get a large fire going. The woods were wet from the rain and melting snow, so help from the guard post was already arriving by the time the fire was blazing. Lieutenant Krandall had anticipated the need for dry clothing. Those who were wet gratefully changed to the dry uniforms. The mess orderly brought them mugs of hot kava and soup.
Healer Leon soon pronounced Private Raske ready for travel back to the guard post. Aside from her broken leg, she had two cracked ribs and heavy bruising. The men placed Private Raske in the cart, bundled protect her from the cold and started back. The men who had gone into the water set off at a quick march to keep them warm until they could reach the hot room at the post.
Kensie stayed behind with a mixed group of from Lieutenant McNiall's squad and his own to clean up the worksite and put out the fire. They arrived back at the guard post just as the sun set.
A fuming Kadhael Corbie confronted Kensie as he dismounted in the parade square. "Trying to steal my horse, Poldara? Couldn't wait to get your hands on him?" Kadhael snarled, his face contorted with rage.
"Silence!" Captain Peregrine's roar caused every person in the parade square to look around. "Every man, woman, weapon, tool, blanket or HORSE in this post is here for the purpose of carrying out our duties. If there is need it, it can be used. This includes the personal mounts of Ensign Poldara, myself, or YOU!"
Kadhael gaped at the Captain, shocked that anyone would presume to address him thus.
"Do you understand me, Ensign Corbie?" The captain said.
"But he took my horse…." Kadhael began.
Captain Peregrine interrupted him with another roar. "Do you understand me, Ensign Corbie?"
Kadhael gaped for a moment, looking around. He was surrounded by hostile faces. "Yes, Sir." He gulped.
In a much lower tone, Captain Peregrine went on. "I happened to be here when Ensign Poldara came for the healer. He asked for fresh horses for himself and the healer. Corporal Lutz correctly brought him what he needed. Ensign Poldara did not ask for your horse; it just happened that yours was available. We are all grateful to you for the use of your horse, but there was no theft involved. I suggest that you apologize to Ensign Poldara." The captain's expression made it clear that the suggestion was an order.
Kadhael gulped and faced Kensie. Stiffly, he said "I apologize for misunderstanding."
Kensie nodded. "Apology accepted. I can understand how proud you are of such a fine animal." He offered his hand.
Kadhael touched Kensie's hand for a moment, then accepted Magog's reins and led the horse toward the stable.
"I never believed him when he said he protected you from those bandits." Kensie turned to see Private Sepp standing behind him.
"Thank you, Private." Kensie said.
Private Sepp saluted with a smile and went into the barracks.