The Angry Boy

by Tantris

Heralds are not perfect human beings. They are people with flaws and failings like all of us. They have their gifts but they must also have courage and determination in order that their flaws may be turned to facets of what makes them Heralds. They may not do Great Things, but they may rise to greatness by what they do. As always, the Valdemar Universe belongs to Mercedes Lackey.

64. Chapter 64

The Angry Boy Chapter 64

"Friends are the family we choose."

Dean Elcarth kept a quiet watch on Kensie over the next few days. Some highborn trainees did not adjust well to the simpler, spartan life of a Herald Trainee. Kensie had been the heir of one of the wealthiest nobles in Valdemar; Elcarth wanted to ensure he adapted smoothly to the Collegium.

However, Kensie had just spent two and a half years in the army. Life in the Collegium was little different. The food in the Collegium was actually better than the food in the remote outpost of North Evendim. Though his days were busy, Kensie knew that Haven offered more diversions than the village around the guard post.

With Elcarth's permission, Kensie did take one evening to have dinner with his sister and her husband. Naril and Lord Benal had returned to Haven two days after Kensie and invited him to dine with them.

Kensie walked to their townhouse, which was in one of the districts occupied mainly by lesser nobles and wealthy merchants.

When Naril asked her brother why he had not ridden his 'horse', Kensie told her that he did not want to be bothered with saddling and unsaddling Losanir. The truth of the matter was that he did not want to subject his Companion to the tiny, cramped and musty stable tucked under one side of the townhouse. With the manure pile immediately beside it, the stable also stank.

::And I thank you for that, Chosen. I will come and fetch you when you are ready to leave.:: Losanir put in.

"Surely a groom would do that for you." Lord Benal said.

"Heralds and Trainees care for their Companions themselves." Kensie replied. He saw the brief, incredulous look his sister and her husband exchanged and repressed a smile.

"But it is such a long way." Benal said. "In this heat, you must be exhausted."

Kensie smiled and made a dismissive gesture. "A moon ago, I was doing forty mile training marches with my men in weather just as warm as today. This is just a stroll."

They entered the house and sat down to dinner.

Naril and her husband questioned Kensie about his life in the Collegium. Naril was shocked that Kensie had only one small room and shared a bathroom. "How could they expect someone of your rank to accept such mean accommodation?"

Kensie had expected Naril's attitude. He smiled and said. "Thank you for your concern, sister, but there are no ranks among the Heralds. It is rather like a monastery that way."

::If the looks Trainee Myra was giving you are any indication, it won't be much like a monastery at all.::

It took all of Kensie's training in Courtly Graces not to laugh at Losanir's sarcasm.

Naril's next remark was almost an echo an echo of Losanir's. "From what I hear, you Heralds are anything but monastic." She gave Kensie a knowing look.

Kensie shrugged. "I have heard those stories as well, but I have not seen it myself."

::Yet.::

Kensie ignored Losanir and went on "Besides, after a whole day spent exercising and studying, the only thing you want to do in your bed is sleep."

::Want to bet?::

Naril smirked. "I am sure you could find the energy if you wanted."

Kensie tried to change the subject, asking how their trip back from Bransat had been, but Naril persisted. "I remember you were a pretty regular visitor to Lace House." She said, winking at him.

"Very convenient that your father owns it." Benal chimed in.

The conversation continued in much the same way. By the third course, Kensie realized that both Benal and Naril were flirting with him. In a way, he understood Benal, knowing that his brother-in-law preferred men and was uninterested in his wife, but Naril was his sister! What could she possibly be thinking?

::About what's between your legs.:: This time, Losanir caught Kensie by surprise and he choked on a mouthful.

As Kensie recovered his breath he mindspoke his Companion. ::That was not helpful.::

::You did ask.:: Losanir's mindvoice was filled with laughter.

::The question was rhetorical.::

::Your sister and her husband seem very interested in your rhetoricals.::

Kensie managed not to roll his eyes. In a desperate final effort to change the subject, he asked about their children.

"The twins are starting to read. Their little brother has just started climbing stairs." Naril's first pregnancy had resulted in twins: A boy and a girl. Her second in another boy. "When are you going to give father a grandson?"

"Heralds tend not to marry." Kensie repeated what Teren had told him.

"Why not? You seem a healthy, active bunch." Benal said. The two returned to their flirtations and innuendos, making Kensie more uncomfortable every sunwidth.

Kensie maintained a gracious façade until the meal finally drew to a close. After a polite kava, he took his leave.

The midsummer sun had just dipped below the horizon as Kensie and his hosts came out the front door. With impeccable timing, Losanir came to a halt at the foot of the stairs.

Benal looked at Losanir. "That is impressive. How did you train him to do that?"

::How many times have I told him you are not a horse?:: Kensie thought with irritation. He forced himself to smile. "It's not a matter of training. Losanir has natural good manners."

Losanir caught the barb in Kensie's words. ::Unlike them, you mean?:: His eye glittered with amusement.

::Exactly.::

Kensie embraced his sister (cautiously) and shook hands with his brother-in-law. "Thank you for a wonderful dinner. It has been a pleasure."

Kensie walked down the steps to Losanir and vaulted into his saddle with a flourish. Unable to resist a final gibe, he saluted them then yawned ostentatiously. "Now, I must get to my bed. As I am sure you would like to find yours."

::They would prefer their beds with you in them.:: Losanir snickered.

Losanir cantered a neat pirouette and headed back up the street in an exaggerated slow canter. Kensie sat easily on his Companion's back with the reins loosely in his left hand. With his right, he waved to the passers-by who stopped to admire Losanir's graceful appearance.

::That was very uncomfortable.:: Kensie said. ::I was starting to think one or both of them would proposition me.::

::Just say no.::

Kensie sighed. ::I can't cut my family out. I like my father and mother and would enjoy spending time with them. But I think I will find excuses to decline further invitations from Naril and her husband.::

Lacaral said nothing for a long while as they made their way along Cheapside and turned onto Pitcher Road.

Kensie sensed his reluctance to speak. ::I trust you.::

::Chosen, you knew Lord Benal's reputation before he married your sister. You also knew that your sister had skirted the edges of propriety before your father arranged her betrothal.::

Kensie nodded, conveying his acknowledgement silently.

::Once Naril produced the required 'Heir and a spare' plus a bargaining chip in the form of your niece, both of them returned to their former ways. This is more than rumor. The Seneschal has solid reports from his spies.::

Kensie winced a bit, but didn't argue. The rumors had even reached him at North Evendim.

::They have signed an agreement, witnessed and sealed, that each may follow their own interests without breaching the marriage.::

Kensie blinked. ::What?::

::Talamir has a copy.::

::That is unbelievable. I mean, incredible.:: Kensie had absolute faith in Losanir, but he was astounded at the idea.

Losanir gave a mental sigh. ::It is not entirely unprecedented. However, your sister and her husband have both taken full advantage of it. Naril's assignations have gone beyond blatant into the realm of flagrant.::

Kensie sensed that Losanir had more to add. ::Go on.::

::Naril has even made advances to your second cousin.::

Kensie was baffled for a moment. ::Joshua? But he's hundreds of miles… Wait! You mean Kris?::

::Yes.::

Kensie remembered how incredibly good-looking his relative was.

::He's gotten even handsomer.:: Lacaral said. ::Fortunately, he is amazingly discreet and polite. So far, he has managed to put her off by affecting innocence.::

Kensie was honest enough about his sister to answer. ::That would only make her more determined.::

::It would.:: Losanir agreed. ::Given the lack of restraint your sister has shown, I think she probably would have liked to take you into her bed.::

Kensie thought about Losanir's opinion as they neared the palace gate. Reluctantly, he had to agree. ::So would her husband. Although black leather is not usually a costume worn by Herald Trainees.::

::Tempted?:: Losanir whickered as they stopped at the gate for the guard to check them in.

If his Companion was willing to make naughty innuendos, Kensie was willing to go one further.

::Not in the slightest. I'd rather share a bed with you.::

Losanir snorted loudly as Kensie dismounted. ::You're not my type. Anyways, not tonight. I have a date with Garees.::

Kensie had the feeling Losanir was teasing. ::Who's Garees?::

::Myra's Companion. Care to make it a foursome?:: Losanir winked broadly.

Kensie laughed. He barely had time to slip the tack of Losanir before the Companion galloped out of the stable to meet a Companion mare waiting at the entrance. The two disappeared into the twilight.

With most of the trainees on summer break, Kensie's first few sennights in the Collegium were more a series of individual tutorials than actual classes. Teren gave Kensie his orientation over breakfast each morning during his first sennight. Kyril first confirmed that Kensie had solid control over his mindgifts, then taught him the Truth Spell whenever they both had a free moment.

Between breakfast and lunch, Kensie had classes in field investigation, law, practical geometry and surveying and drill in Rethwellan. After lunch, Kensie would head for the salle for weapons work. Under Alberich's supervision, Kensie practiced with Jeri, Kimel and other advanced students singly and in groups until Kensie was dripping with sweat and ready to collapse. Alberich's critiques were merciless as the weaponsmaster insisted on ever-greater accuracy in Kensie's attacks and defenses. What had sufficed when Kensie had gone to the army was intolerably sloppy in the new training. When Alberich saw that Kensie was too tired to fight accurately, the weaponsmaster set him to work with weights and exercises that left him wobbling on his feet.

Kensie understood that Alberich was training him to face realistic battle conditions. He drove himself to meet the weaponsmaster's demands. ::I just wish we weren't doing this in the hottest part of the day.:: Kensie said as he staggered out to meet Losanir after three candlemarks of intense training.

Losanir was unsympathetic. ::Chosen, every general in the world wants to fight in the morning when his troops are fresh and sharp. But the reality is that few battles begin according to schedule and plan. Most battles are fought in summer and in the heat at mid-day. That is what Alberich is preparing you for.::

::Are you telling me to buck up and quit whining?::

::Yes.::

::I thought so. Do you mind giving me a quick lift back to the Collegium? I need to shower and change before I go watch Mirilin for the rest of the afternoon.::

::Not today. Mirilin finished early. Instead, we are going to the riding ring. Keren's waiting with Pike.::

Keren had assigned Kensie the task of helping Pike learn to ride. The boy had been so emaciated when he arrived that it had taken him three moons just to get enough muscle and strength to be able to sit on Chanur's back for longer than a few sunwidths. Now Pike was learning the coordination to actually ride properly.

If Kensie was to be Keren's assistant, he had to learn how to teach someone to ride. He had previously taught Spod, Mik and Taim some of the basics, but Pike needed more than basic skills. With most of the trainees away, Keren could take the time to train Kensie how to be a trainer himself and watch Pike's development at the same time.

Kensie liked Pike. While some might wonder at their friendship, despite the difference in their ages and the vast difference in their birth rank, the truth was that Kensie thought of Pike as a younger brother. He admired Pike's determination and trust. If a fellow trainee or Herald asked Pike to do something, he would try, no matter how much the task frightened him. On a sweltering hot Rest Day, the trainees had decided to go for a swim at Grey Vale. Pike hesitated at the edge of the water, visibly shaking, until Coroc said "Jump in." Pike had jumped in immediately and surfaced thrashing and spluttering.

::He is terrified of the water.:: Losanir told Kensie.

Kensie swam over to Pike and wrapped his arms around him. Taller than Pike, Kensie could stand on the bottom and support Pike while he gradually learned to float and paddle around.

With a quick exchange of glances, the trainees decided they would teach Pike to swim. Together, they encouraged him, demonstrating the basics of swimming and praising each bit of progress. Chanur helped as well. She entered the water and swam beside her Chosen, reassuring him with her presence. By the end of the afternoon, Pike was grinning broadly and playing with the others in the water.

As they strolled back to the Collegium that afternoon, Kensie decided that Pike was one of the bravest people he knew.

Pike and Chanur were already walking around the riding ring when Kensie arrived. Kensie slid off Losanir's back and walked along beside them. "You are sitting better." Kensie said. "See if you can get your shoulders back a little more."

Pike straightened. He glanced down at Kensie and smiled.

Kensie grinned back. "Don't look at me. Try to look at a spot a foot and a half above Chanur's head."

Obediently, Pike looked ahead. Kensie stepped back to the middle of the ring. "Chanur is going to trot in a moment. You are going to do a rising trot, but don't force yourself to stand. Instead, I want you to let the movement of her hindquarters come through your hips and push you up."

Chanur moved into a trot. Pike tried to rise as Kensie instructed, but Kensie could see that the boy was hanging on the reins and gripping with his knees. After a few circles, Chanur slowed to a walk once more. Pike fell forward slightly before catching himself as Chanur changed gaits.

However, there was improvement. "That was better." Kensie said. "You had the correct posting diagonal. Now we are going to try it without reins or stirrups."

Pike swallowed visibly, but obediently dropped the reins and took his feet out of the stirrups. Chanur moved into a trot once more. Pike bounced hard on her back as she went around. He looked down, unbalancing himself further. As he started to slip in the saddle, Chanur slowed once more. Pike grabbed the pommel and managed to keep from falling.

"Good try." Kensie said. "Now, we are going to try something different." He handed Pike a strip of cloth. "Put this on as a blindfold."

Pike looked at Kensie incredulously. Keren, standing beside the ring, looked almost as surprised.

"I mean it." Kensie said. "You can trust Chanur. She will never allow you to get hurt."

Pike glanced at his Companion and stroked her neck. "I trust her." He said. Pike took the cloth and tied it over his eyes.

"You can hold the pommel if it helps you relax." Kensie said.

Pike gripped the pommel as Chanur began to walk forward.

"Now, link to her and tell her in mindspeech when you are ready to trot."

Kensie could see the tension in Pike's jaw as the boy nodded slightly and Chanur trotted forward. With the blindfold on, Pike could not look around. He kept his head up and faced straight ahead.

Chanur circled the ring three times at the trot. Kensie watched as Pike began to swing with her stride. Pike's knees unlocked from their grip and his legs dropped into position. After the third round, Pike began to smile. He released his grip on the pommel and stretched his arms out to the side. Chanur circled the ring three more times before slowing to a walk. Pike sat in smoothly as she made the transition to a walk and then a halt.

As Kensie walked over to the pair, Pike leaned forward and put his arms around Chanur's neck.

Kensie placed a hand on Pike's leg. "That was very good."

Still blindfolded, Pike 'faced' Kensie. "That felt a lot better." He said.

"It looked a lot better." Kensie said. "Now let's try it the other way."

Chanur reversed direction and they repeated the exercise. Now it was Pike's turn to surprise Kensie and Keren. After the third trot circle with Pike's arms outstretched, Chanur moved into canter. Pike crowed with laughter as they circled the ring twice before Chanur smoothly made the transition to trot and then walk.

Kensie and Keren clapped and cheered. Both were delighted for Pike. Chanur looked at Kensie and winked.

"That was excellent." Kensie said. "Was the canter your idea or hers?"

"It was her idea." Pike turned his head towards Kensie, though he was still blindfolded. "Can we try it again?"

"Of course, try it in the other direction."

Chanur reversed once more. This time, Pike stretched his arms out while she was still walking. The mare moved into a trot and, after one circle, into a canter. Pike whooped with delight as they circled the ring three times.

"Enough!" Kensie said. "Come over here."

Chanur slowed once more. She walked over to Kensie and stopped.

"You can take the blindfold off now." Kensie said.

Pike pulled off the blindfold. He looked down at Kensie, grinning from ear to ear. "What's next?" He asked.

"Nothing." Kensie said. "You've made a huge breakthrough, even better than I hoped. For now, you are just going to enjoy the moment. Take the tack off Chanur and the two of you are going to wander through Companions' field until the dinner bell."

"But I want to do more!" Pike protested.

"More next time." Kensie said. "You've made a big change in your riding position and you've used different muscles. You will ache later, but I don't want you to be too sore to move. Is Coroc around?" Kensie knew that Coroc kept a protective eye out for his yearmate.

The words were no sooner out of Kensie's mouth than Coroc appeared from Companions' stable with Warana at his side. Kensie spotted Coroc. "Good. Let's get the tack off Chanur."

Pike slid down from Chanur's saddle and turned towards the stable.

"Here, let me help you." Kensie said. He undid Chanur's girth before they could move.

"But I have to clean her tack and put it away!" Pike said.

"I will take care of that." Kensie said.

They quickly stripped the tack off Chanur and Kensie boosted Pike onto her bare back. Kensie summoned Coroc with a wave of his hand. Warana followed her Chosen.

"You four take a walk. Just enjoy some time together."

Coroc vaulted onto Warana's back and the Companions carried the two boys off towards Companions' field.

Kensie waved at them as they walked away, then picked up Chanur's tack.

Keren took the bridle and walked with Kensie back to the stable. "I thought you were crazy when you pulled out that blindfold." She said. "If Dantris hadn't said it was ok, I would have stopped you. What were you thinking?"

"It only worked because Pike and Chanur have a good bond. Plus Pike is so trusting and brave; he'll do anything a Herald or Trainee tells him to do, even if he is scared to death." Kensie said. "I figured Chanur would protect him if he started to lose his balance."

"Pity I can't try that with all the trainees." Keren said. "Where did you get the idea?"

"My father's horsemaster did it to me to force me to keep my head up. But that was after years of instruction and I more or less knew how to ride. Looking down was a bad habit I had to break. I was on a very steady old gelding on a lunge line. If it wasn't for Pike's bond with Chanur and his absolute trust in her, Heralds and other Trainees, I wouldn't have tried it.

"It also helps that he is so brave."

While Kensie was busy putting Chanur's saddle on its rack, Keren gave Kensie a sidelong glance. She smiled slightly, guessing at Kensie's protective feelings for the orphaned trainee.

Kensie cleaned Chanur's tack and put it away. He headed for the bathing room for a quick shower. Grimly, he put in a candlemark of studying Rethwellan until the bell rang for dinner.

As he sat down, Losanir said. ::Elcarth want to see you after dinner.::

After the meal, Kensie headed up to Elcarth's office. The Dean waved him to a seat.

"Your petition to enter the Collegium has been approved." Elcarth began.

Kensie was puzzled why the Dean had summoned him for this. "Isn't that fairly routine?" He asked.

The Dean seemed as puzzled as Kensie. "Usually, yes. The Council normally takes less than a sunwidth to consider it, only asking for assurance that there are other heirs to the title and that a formal renunciation is in the works."

He gave Kensie an inquiring look. "Have you or your father quarrelled with Lord Orthallen for some reason?"

Kensie blinked. "No. At least nothing I am aware of. My father and I talked about politics when I saw him in Bransat. He mentioned nothing about any quarrel. In fact, he talked about supporting Orthallen's notion of creating a new guard division in Redruth."

Elcarth shrugged. "I don't know why, but Orthallen and Gartheser raised all kinds of reasons why you shouldn't become a Herald. They even contradicted themselves, at one point they said that the guard couldn't afford to lose a brave officer who'd distinguished himself at Rushton and later they raised that old story of how you'd broken in the battle against the Tedrels." Kensie flushed with anger and frustration that the accusation of cowardice would not die.

"They kept it up for a full candlemark until Selenay herself put her foot down and said that Losanir's Choice had settled the matter. Once it was clear that your petition would be approved, Orthallen and Gartheser went quiet and joined the vote in favor."

"So it is all set, then?" Kensie asked.

Elcarth waived his hands. "It is. As far as I am concerned, it was all set from the moment you looked in Losanir's eyes."

::I do have pretty blue eyes.:: Losanir put in. Despite his concerns, Kensie laughed.

When Elcarth looked sharply at him, Kensie said. "Losanir put in his two pennies."

Elcarth chuckled. "They do. Well, I just thought you should be aware. How are things going for you? I am hearing good reports."

"Thank you, Senior. Aside from being run ragged, I'm enjoying it."

Elcarth chuckled again. "Being run ragged is normal for Heralds, get used to it." He dismissed Kensie.

Kensie headed to Jadus' room for his usual evening session going over old field reports, learning what they were about and what went into them. For Kensie, they were much like the reports from, Alphonse Dane, his former major-domo at Bransat.

When Jadus saw that Kensie was distracted and learned the reason from Fortunea, he dismissed him with the instruction to go spend time with Losanir.

The Companion met Kensie at the door. Kensie vaulted on Losanir's bare back and rode out to Grey Vale. Losanir lay down in the grass and Kensie leaned against him.

The two watched the sunset and then the twilight until it faded to night. Losanir carried Kensie back to the Collegium. After an affectionate hug, Kensie went up to his room.

The sensation of someone getting into his bed woke Kensie. "Who…?" He said groggily.

He felt a finger on his lips. "Hush. It's Myra."

"How did you get in?" Kensie was sure he'd locked his door.

She giggled. "I have a fetching gift. It works well on locks and latches."

"But it's after curfew." He protested. He could feel her warm body next to his.

"Silly. It's summer break. Curfew is optional. Besides, tomorrow is Rest Day."

She ran her finger from his lips to his chest and down to his groin. His body responded to her touch. "Ooh, I think you like this."

Kensie grinned and kissed her lips. "I think you do too."

Author's Note: For those who are wondering: Naril is the same person who caused so much grief for Kris and Dirk in Arrows of the Queen.