"Intreat me not to leave thee,orto return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy peopleshall bemy people" – King James Bible, Ruth 1:16
In the early afternoon of the sixth day of their journey, Kensie and Losanir neared Bransat. They had stopped in Poldara the previous night. Kensie had learned that his father and family were at Bransat, escaping the heat of Haven and Poldara.
Losanir travelled swiftly, amazing Kensie with both the distance he could cover in one day and his ability to keep up the pace day after day. They spent each night at either waystations or guard posts. Losanir teased Kensie about Kensie's refusal to cook for himself. ::You'll have to do it when you are a circuit Herald.:: Losanir pointed out.
::For now, I'd like to put off that evil day.:: Kensie retorted.
They passed several Heralds on the road, including Herald Ylsa. Ylsa was on courier duty and going in the other direction, so she had only a few moments to greet Kensie and offer her congratulations. The other Heralds were either in the midst of their circuits or travelling to them. None of them happened to stop at the waystations or guard posts when Kensie overnighted.
Bransat came into view. ::It's a Rest Day, so the family will probably be at the Manor House. Let's go there first.:: Kensie told Losanir.
Just after they passed the bridge to the town, they heard a neigh from up ahead. To Kensie's surprise, Losanir bellowed a neigh in response. ::What…?:: Kensie asked.
::It's my brother!:: Losanir replied.
::Your brother?::
::Lacaral.:: Losanir said.
::Lacaral?:: It took Kensie a moment to connect the name. ::But he's bonded to…:: Kensie didn't finish as they rounded the bend and passed the branches to reveal Bredin Kase and Lacaral standing beside the road. "Kerenos!" Kensie exclaimed aloud. He sat bolt upright, sitting into the saddle as he would when asking an ordinary horse to halt.
Losanir halted gracefully in front of Lacaral. Kensie and Bredin stared at one another, each of them taken aback.
Kensie recovered first. He took in Bredin's white uniform. "I suppose congratulations are in order, Herald." He said. Kensie looked pointedly at Bredin's bare feet and smirked.
Bredin looked sourly back. "Congratulations to you as well, Trainee." Both Companions pinned their ears.
::You could be a little more gracious.:: Lacaral said.
::I suppose I could.:: Bredin replied, but said nothing to Kensie.
Leif wriggled in his uncle's arms until Bredin set him down. The toddler walked towards Losanir with his arms wide open. " 'panion!" He cried joyfully as he hugged Losanir's chest.
Losanir pricked his ears forward and nuzzled Leif's hair. Lacaral stepped closer and joined his brother. Kensie wasn't sure, but he thought he saw the Companions wink at one another.
Bredin sat on the log and pulled his boots on. Trying to sound casual, he said "I suppose you are off to Haven. We shouldn't keep you."
"With the Collegium on summer break and my family here in Bransat, I was planning to stop here for a few days." Kensie said. "I don't know if you are aware, but I have to renounce my title. Since Bransat was on my route to Haven, it seemed like an opportune time and place to get it out of the way."
Bredin knew perfectly well that Kensie had to renounce his barony and his claim as heir to Poldara. The subject of highborn Heralds had come up numerous times in his orientation and law classes. He was sure that Kensie was aware that Bredin had to know. "How fortunate that your father has other sons." Bredin said, only slightly gritting his teeth.
Kensie shrugged. "Grayson will be pleased. I'm on my way to the manor now. I suppose I will see you around. Good day." Losanir began moving.
"Good day." Bredin said. He lifted Leif and put him in front of Lacaral's saddle before mounting himself and heading back to the town.
Spod was crossing the forecourt as Kensie and Losanir rode up to the manor house. He turned at the sound of the Companion's chiming hooves. He looked up and grinned broadly. "Is that a Companion, Milord?"
"His name is Losanir." Kensie smiled back at his former manservant. "He's Chosen me, so I'm not going to be 'Milord' anymore."
Kensie jumped down and put his hand on Spod's shoulder. The boy had gained a foot of height since Kensie last saw him. Turning slightly, Kensie said "Losanir, this is Spod, who was my manservant and sometime spy. Spod, this is Losanir and, before you ask, he is as smart as any person and you are to treat him just like a human."
Spod bowed extravagantly to Losanir. "Honored to meet you, Sir." Kensie detected a gleam of laughter in Spod's eye.
::I like him already.:: Losanir said as he bent his neck in graceful acknowledgement.
"Spod's clever, no doubt about it." Kensie spoke aloud for Spod's benefit.
By now, others were gathering in the forecourt. Kensie spotted Alphonse Dane. "Is my father here, Master Dane?"
The old major-domo bowed formally. "I have sent for your father and mother, Milord."
"Thank you, Master Dane." Kensie shook the major-domo's hand before turning to acknowledge the others who were gathering around.
Kensie's father and mother appeared at the top of the stairs. Kensie pushed through the crowd and ran up to greet them. He hugged his mother enthusiastically, then embraced his father.
Count Wyeth spotted the lieutenant's rings on Kensie's shoulder. He pointed to them. "A promotion? Congratulations! Did they give you leave?"
Kensie laughed. "No, no! I've been Chosen! I'm going to be a Herald! I got these" – Kensie pointed to the insignia – "just before Losanir came for me."
He took his mother by the hand. "Come and meet him." He led his father and mother down the steps to Losanir. He noticed that Spod was standing beside the Companion, officiously brushing away anyone who tried to put a hand on Losanir's reins.
::He's a very clever young man.:: Losanir said appreciatively.
Count Wyeth and Lady Lora stood in front of Losanir while Kensie stood to one side. Kensie formally introduced his parents to the Companion. His father bowed and his mother curtseyed as Losanir curved his neck in a deep bow. Kensie detected a hesitation in his parents' courtesy as though they were not quite sure of what they were doing.
Though not fully convinced of the intelligence of Companions, Count Wyeth had met enough Heralds to know that they expected humans to treat their bondmates with the same courtesies as a regular person. "We are pleased to meet you, Lord Losanir. Welcome. You have shown our family great honor by Choosing our son.
Losanir snorted mentally at being called 'Lord'. ::Tell your parents that the pleasure is all mine.::
Kensie laughed again. "Losanir was a little miffed that I kept him waiting so long, but we're both glad to be together now. Also, he is just 'Losanir', not 'Lord Losanir.' Like Heralds, Companions are outside of rank."
"So when did this happen? And where is your horse?" Count Wyeth asked.
Kensie's face clouded. He told his parents of the defense of Rushton and the death of Blood. He explained how Losanir had come for him just after he had been promoted to lieutenant. While he spoke, his brothers joined the family group. Martin whooped at the sight of Losanir and threw his arms around the Companion's chest. Losanir tucked his head, 'hugging' the four year old boy back.
"Since you were in Bransat and it was on our way to Haven, we decided to stop here to see to the formalities of renouncing my title." Kensie finished.
Count Wyeth blinked. He knew that highborn Heralds had to give up their inheritances, but hadn't thought of it before Kensie mentioned it. "Ah, yes. I'd forgotten that. It will take a few days to arrange the formalities of transferring the Barony and making Grayson heir. But aren't you supposed to go directly to Haven?"
Grayson looked stunned. "You mean I'm going to be Count?" He blurted out.
Kensie rolled his eyes. "You are going to become Baron of Bransat and father's heir. No offense, brother, but I hope father is Count for many years to come." His words were lost on Grayson, whose face betrayed his thoughts.
Kensie turned back to his father. "Losanir tells me that the Collegium is on summer break and that the Court is presently closed, so a few days' delay won't make any difference."
Count Wyeth nodded. "Sounds like a good plan. You will be able to take the instruments of renunciation to Haven with you. Meanwhile, please come inside and refresh yourself."
"As soon as I've taken care of Losanir…." Kensie began.
"I can do that for you, Milord." Spod said.
Kensie smiled. "Thank you, Spod, but Companions are usually cared for by their Chosen."
::I don't mind. I'd like a chance to get to know this young man.:: Losanir said.
Kensie paused, wondering what Losanir had in mind. ::Is he going to be….::
::Not a chance.:: Losanir said. ::But he amuses me and he can be helpful to us.::
Kensie shook his head. "Losanir says he'd be happy to have you groom him, Spod. Show him the way. Just remember not to lock him in."
"Please come this way, Sir." Spod said to Losanir. The two turned and walked towards the stable. Spod did not touch the Companion's reins but stroked his shoulder as they went.
Kensie followed his parents into the manor house. After a quick bath to refresh himself, he attempted to put on some of his formal clothing. To his annoyance, the clothes were now too small, especially across the shoulders. He found his saddlebag and put on his least dirty uniform.
He joined his parents and Grayson on the balcony outside his mother's private sitting room. They discussed plans for transferring the barony and inheritance to Grayson. His father had already sent a courier to the Temple of the Twain to ask what day would be available for the ceremony. With such short notice, only a few nobles would be available to witness the formality.
When Count Wyeth mentioned that Bredin Kase was now a full Herald and could assist in the ceremony by placing Truth Spell on Kensie to show that the renunciation was voluntary, Kensie stiffened and gritted his teeth. Wyeth caught his son's expression and said "You're not still carrying that old grudge, are you?"
::Think, Chosen.:: Losanir interjected. ::Making the renunciation under the Truth Spell would show that you were doing it of your own free will, not because you were being disinherited.::
::It's not exactly my own free will when the law requires it.:: Kensie pointed out.
::There have been cases where a High-born Herald has refused to renounce a title.:: Losanir said. ::Usually, the Chosen has had very good reason for it. But let me ask you: Is that what you really want?::
::Um. No.:: Kensie said. ::It's you I want, not a title.::
::I think I am blushing.:: Losanir said.
"Kensie?" Count Wyeth was staring at his son, awaiting a reply to his question.
Kensie brought his attention back to his father. "Sorry, Losanir was just pointing out that you were right. If we can persuade him to assist, it would be helpful and might remove some doubts."
"Might?" Wyeth said. "Why wouldn't it?"
Kensie reminded his father that he had both told his version of the Final Battle and denied having seduced Peony Rains while under the Truth Spell. Many people still believed otherwise. "People will believe what they want to believe."
Having decided as much as they could about Kensie's formal renunciation, they moved on to other matters. Count Wyeth asked Grayson if he preferred to have the fealty ceremony conferring the barony on him immediately or wait until his eighteenth birthday next spring. Wyeth pointed out that holding it immediately would mean fewer high-born in attendance and that there would be more time to prepare a 'proper' ceremony if it was held next spring.
Grayson didn't hesitate, opting for the ceremony in the spring. "I want my own ceremony." He said, which Kensie took to mean that his brother did not want his investiture overshadowed by Kensie's renunciation.
When the subject of Kensie's betrothal came up, Count Wyeth agreed that he thought Duke Larkin would have no objection to amending the contract. Kensie caught a quick smile on Grayson's face. "Do you like the idea, brother?" He asked.
Grayson blushed. "I like Mina. I like her a lot."
Kensie's eyebrows shot up. "Mina spent the last two summers as my guest here in Bransat." Lady Lora put in. "I thought it would be a good idea if she got to know us a little before the wedding."
She frowned at Grayson. "However, I did not realize that you two were becoming friends. At that time, it was rather inappropriate."
Grayson blushed redder, but stood his ground. "But if she's going to marry me, then it's all to the good, right?"
Count Wyeth rolled his eyes. "More good luck than good sense, I'd say." Privately he agreed that it was better if a betrothed couple actually liked one another. Weddings among the high-born were usually political, but he'd seen unhappy couples turn an alliance to poison.
The conversation turned to Kensie's experiences over the last two and a half years. Wyeth nodded approvingly as Kensie described what he had done.
Bredin returned to Bransat with his nephew. To his consternation, the whole town was talking about Kensie Poldara being Chosen by a Companion. No sooner did he enter the town than people began asking him if it was true.
::How did they find out so soon?:: He asked. ::We only met him half a candlemark ago and he didn't go through Bransat.::
Lacaral whickered. His mindvoice was amused. ::Chosen, you should know by now that rumor is faster than a Companion.::
Lacaral's amusement was a further annoyance. Carefully, Bredin concealed his feelings about Kensie from the questioners. Yes, it was true that Kensie had been Chosen by a Companion. Bredin did not know how or when it happened. Kensie was still in his guard uniform. His Companion's name was Losanir.
Bredin answered the same questions a score of times before he reached his parents' home. Leaving Leif with Asen and Twyla, he retreated to Lacaral's stall, hoping that people would leave him alone while he groomed the stallion.
Even there, Bredin was not safe. Several people entered the yard of the saddlery to question Bredin, including Magistrate Rains and Reeve Dane. Bredin's patience was wearing thin and Lacaral had to remind him repeatedly not to snap at the questioners.
Finally, a messenger from the manor house arrived on his way to the Temple of the Twain bearing the news that Kensie Poldara would renounce his title and position as Count Wyeth's heir in a ceremony at the temple. Bredin heaved a sigh of relief as the townsfolk fastened on the messenger for a new round of gossip and speculation.
Perry Cork was jubilant at the news, feeling vindicated in his support of Kensie over the last few years. Many people now said they believed Kensie's story of the Final Battle, claiming they had actually had faith in the young nobleman all along. A few diehards maintained that the Crown had arranged for Kensie to be Chosen to protect the reputation of the county by removing him from the inheritance.
For Bredin, the day's final insult was the arrival of a messenger from Count Poldara. Bredin opened the letter with trepidation.
To Herald Bredin Kase
Dear Herald Bredin
As you are aware, my son Kensie has been Chosen by the Companion Losanir to enter Herald's Collegium for training as one of the Heralds of Valdemar.
While my house is honored that Kensie has been Chosen, it is traditional that Heralds of Noble Rank renounce their titles and claims to inheritance. To that end, Kensie will formally renounce his title as Baron of Bransat and Heir to County Poldara at the Temple of the Twain in three days at two candlemarks after noon.
To that end, we request your assistance as a witness and, by virtue of your office as a Herald, place the Truth Spell on Kensie as he makes the renunciation. This will demonstrate to all that the renunciation is true and given of his own free will.
We also request that the Companion Lacaral honor us with his presence.
I urgently await your reply.
With thanks,
Wyeth Poldara, Count of Poldara.
Bredin gazed at the letter in astonishment, outraged that Kensie would request his assistance for anything. He opened his mouth to snap an angry 'No' to the messenger.
::CHOSEN!:: Lacaral stopped him before he could speak. ::You are now a Herald. You have duties. Your feelings in this matter don't count. Kensie Poldara must renounce his title. This is the best way for it to be done. This is not merely for his benefit, but for the benefit of Bransat, the county and the kingdom.::
Bredin closed his mouth. He took a moment to compose himself before looking back at the messenger. "Please tell Count Poldara that I will assist in this matter. I will meet him and his son at the Temple of the Twain at the time he requests."
The messenger nodded and left.
::Thank you, Chosen. It would have been awkward going on my own.:: Lacaral said.
Bredin looked at his Companion in astonishment. "Why would you go if I didn't?"
::Losanir is my brother, after all.::
Bredin grinned ruefully at Lacaral. "For your brother, I will do this."
Herald Tobias delivered Bredin's formal whites the day before the ceremony. Unlike the formal greys that he had worn before, the whites were part of his official wardrobe and were tailored specifically for him. The servants in the Heralds' wing had only to take them from the closet in his room.
The guests were mainly the local highborn and Count Wyeth's vassals from Poldara County. Kensie's sister Naril and her husband arrived from Haven, where they lived all year at Naril's insistence; Bredin thought Lord Benal looked cowed by his wife. Other than family and Count Wyeth's vassals, the only notable guests were Duke Perin Larkin and his heir, who had arrived that morning after a hurried trip from the capital.
Kensie arrived wearing a head-to-toe cloak with the Baronial Crest on its left breast. As he dismounted from Losanir, Bredin saw that Kensie was wearing a grey uniform under the cloak.
The ceremony took place on the Temple portico with the highborn witnesses ranged around and behind Kensie and his father with the side facing the square open for the common folk to see. Kensie and Count Wyeth were at the edge of the portico at the top of the steps down to the square. Losanir and Lacaral, groomed, braided and wearing full formal tack, stood on either side of the platform, framing the scene. Bredin stood about half way between Count Wyeth and Lacaral.
Count Poldara made a brief speech explaining that Kensie had been Chosen and would therefore relinquish his title and inheritance. He introduced Bredin, Losanir and Lacaral.
The ceremony was brief. Once Bredin placed the Truth Spell on Kensie, the latter made his formal speech renouncing his title. When Count Wyeth accepted the renunciation, Kensie removed his cloak' revealing a well-tailored set of formal greys.
Bredin repressed a frown. ::When you're rich, you can afford all the clothes you want.:: Lacaral teased.
::He isn't going to be rich anymore.:: Bredin replied.
::Oh? Didn't you notice how Jan and Tanis were never short of pocket money? And the quality of the clothes they wore when they chose not to wear their uniforms?::
Bredin honestly hadn't noticed before. His highborn yearmates had been his fellow trainees, no different from the others. Now that Lacaral pointed it out, he could see in hindsight the truth of what his Companion said.
With his part in the ceremony over, Bredin went back and stood beside Lacaral.
Grayson Poldara came forward. With his hand on Grayson's shoulder, Count Wyeth announced that Grayson would now be his heir and would be formally invested as Baron of Bransat after his eighteenth birthday next spring. Kensie took the cloak he had worn to the ceremony and placed it over Grayson's shoulders.
Count Wyeth and Kensie stood to either side of Grayson and raised their arms with his as the witnesses and audience cheered.
Kensie went to Losanir and mounted. Bredin mounted Lacaral. Count Wyeth, Lady Lora and Grayson led the procession through the town with Bredin and Kensie riding together behind. Kensie smiled and waved to the crowd, who were cheering him for the first time in many years. Bredin rode stiff and silent beside him.
::Do I have to go to the manor?:: Bredin asked.
::Up to the bridge should be sufficient.:: Lacaral said.
When they reached the bridge, Lacaral stood to one side. Bredin waved to Count Wyeth and nodded stiffly to Kensie. They waited until the small procession passed before returning home.
In the evening, Bredin went to see Lacaral in the small field Davan Cork still permitted him to use on his visits to Bransat. Losanir had also been using the field ever since Kensie arrived, but Kensie and Bredin seldom visited their Companions at the same time. To Bredin's annoyance on this occasion, Kensie was there with Lord Rubin Larkin, introducing Lord Rubin to Losanir and explaining to his friend that Companions were not horses.
Lord Rubin greeted Bredin enthusiastically and congratulated him on receiving his whites. He greeted Lacaral courteously though it was obvious that Rubin was still not fully convinced of the intelligence of Companions. He was enthusiastic about their beauty and grace, however and petted both Companions with great pleasure.
Kensie and Bredin maintained stiff formal courtesy, to the amusement of their Companions. Lord Rubin noticed the strain between the two, but courteously said nothing.
Done visiting his Companion, Bredin went to the Boarshead to spend an evening with Rhys and Tag. Kensie and Lord Rubin arrived about half a candlemark later. Kensie spotted Bredin and guided his friend to a table at the other end of the room.
The other customers welcomed Kensie and listened eagerly to his tale of how he had been Chosen. Kensie also told of how the pirates had been trapped and wiped out. Kensie enjoyed basking in the general approval for once.
Bredin, who had been listening despite himself, noticed that Kensie only said that Blood had received a fatal wound in the fight, but did not say how that had happened or what Kensie himself had been doing. No one else seemed to pay attention to the omission, but Bredin deduced that Kensie must have been in the middle of the fight.
::He was. And he acquitted himself well. More, he showed mercy later.:: Lacaral put in. ::Even though you don't like him, I am glad you don't let your feelings override your reason. Well done, Chosen.::