Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us. - Charles Spurgeon
Kensie walked towards the salle, his boots splashing in the puddles left by the thunderstorm. More thunderheads loomed to the west, threatening another downpour later. The air felt fresh after the rain, which had cooled Haven after days of blistering heat. Kensie pushed his raincloak back and inhaled deeply, enjoying the clean scent.
"Well, Poldara, I see your father finally disinherited you." Kensie stiffened at the familiar voice. He turned to see Wallis Mittel walking towards him, a sneering grin on his face.
Kensie looked Wallis over. He noticed that his former friend now wore a knight's belt and had a badge on his shoulder. The badge was partly covered by Wallis' cloak, so Kensie could not see the device on it. He deduced Wallis must have obtained a position as aide to some ranking nobleman. Forcing himself to be polite, Kensie said "I renounced my inheritance after I was Chosen. It is traditional for Herald Trainees to do so."
Wallis smirked. "Very convenient. Your father gets rid of an embarrassment and you get a white horse."
Kensie refused to be baited. "For Losanir, I would give all that I own."
::You say the nicest things.::
Wallis gave an exaggerated sigh. "Now you are peddling that magic horse fairy tale. I suppose you would have to, in your position."
Kensie shrugged. "Believe what you will. I served honorably in the guard for two years and earned a promotion."
"From your second cousin."
"Who put me inside a trap with a pirate band attacking it." Kensie said.
"Probably to make sure you couldn't run away again." Wallis sneered.
Kensie could see that Wallis would persist in turning his every word back. He decided to throw a barb of his own. "If that's how you want to see it. You could join the guard and try it for yourself."
Wallis looked superior. "I have more important things to do than playing soldier." He pulled back the cloak, revealing the badge. The device was a Blue Eagle.
Kensie raised his eyebrows. "Lord Orthallen took you on? I am impressed. Congratulations. Also, congratulations on your knighthood." Privately, Kensie wondered. Orthallen's aides usually came from families whose rank was much higher or were much wealthier than the Mittels.
Wallis gave a self-satisfied smile. "Yes. It is not easy to obtain a position in Lord Orthallen's service. It is a great honor."
"It is indeed." Kensie agreed. "Now, if you will forgive me, I am due in the salle for weapons practice." He turned to go.
"With a wooden sword?" Wallis said. " 'Broken yet upright, bloodless upon Blood, steel puts me to flight yet I will beat you with wood. What am I?' " He quoted.
Kensie fought to remain impassive at the old taunt. "I used steel against pirates and slavers, but wooden swords are for practice. You can come and watch, if you like."
Wallis grinned. "I think I will." He fell into step beside Kensie.
They reached the salle and went in. Two of the Queen's personal guard were drilling under Alberich's supervision. Alberich gave Kensie and Wallis a quick glance. Kensie saw Alberich get the 'listening' look that meant he was talking to Kantor. He waved Kensie in the direction of those warming up and returned his attention to the guardsmen.
Wallis took a seat on one of the benches along the wall.
Kensie began with some stretches. He picked up a practice sword and went through the primary set twice. Jeri tapped him on the shoulder and they paired off for a simple drill, doing basic patterns in a gradually increasing tempo.
"Kensie and Jeri, over here." Alberich ordered. The two ceased their drill and trotted over to the weaponsmaster.
Alberich gestured at their practice swords. "Put those away. Live steel."
Kensie felt a thrill of excitement. He had practiced with live steel only a handful of times, never before in the Collegium salle. He had small scars from three of those practices. Knowing Jeri's skill, Kensie thought he would likely gain a fourth scar.
Jeri grinned at him as they walked over to the cabinet with the real swords. "I believe this is for your friend's benefit." She whispered, tossing her head towards Wallis.
Kensie flicked a glance at Wallis, who was grinning wolfishly as he watched Kensie. "He's not my friend." He whispered back to Jeri.
"That's what I mean." She winked.
They chose their weapons and returned to the practice area. At Alberich's nod, they saluted and began.
After a few exploratory moves, Jeri attacked, throwing Kensie on the defensive. After a furious exchange of thrusts and parries, Kensie turned a counter into an attack of his own. Jeri parried Kensie's sword. The two went back and forth for a sunwidth before they bound their blades.
"Break." Alberich ordered.
The two stepped back and saluted again before resuming their bout. After another few passes, Jeri managed to drive Kensie's blade aside and lunged. Kensie dodged, but not enough to avoid getting a cut on his left thigh. Kensie slashed back, but only managed to tear the fabric of her tunic on her upper arm.
"Hold!" Alberich shouted. He quickly checked the wound on Kensie's leg. It was bleeding slightly, but Alberich could see it was not serious. The bout went on.
After another fast exchange, Jeri nicked Kensie on the jaw, producing a few drops of blood. Jeri grinned. Her look was positively ferocious as she drove in on another attack. Overconfident, she extended too far on her lunge. Kensie managed to pink her on the right shoulder.
Alberich stopped the fight again to check both wounds. Again, neither wound was dangerous, so the duel went on.
Kensie began to tire. He was holding Jeri off and doing better than he ever had against her, but he was moving too much and working too hard to avoid her attacks. He was panting and sweaty. Jeri, on the other hand looked almost as fresh as when the session began. His best chance was a strong attack while he still had energy left.
Kensie began an attack, charging towards her with a quick flurry of thrusts. Jeri anticipated him. She drove his blade down and to the left, finishing with her point at his heart.
"Kill." Alberich pronounced the end of the bout.
Grinning, Kensie and Jeri saluted each other once more as the watching guardsmen applauded.
Kimel checked Kensie's wounds while Alberich checked Jeri. They quickly stopped the slight bleeding and bandaged both of them. "For now, that should do. See the healers after you cooled out have." Alberich said.
Kensie looked around. Wallis was nowhere to be seen. "Where did he go?" He asked no one in particular.
Kimel grinned at him. "You mean your friend? He turned a little green and left when you took that cut to your leg."
"He's not my friend."
Kimel's eyes danced with amusement. "I could tell that. I've been sizing up people getting close to the Queen for a decade. He was hoping Jeri would murder you."
Kensie snorted. "He's promised to kill me himself."
Now Kimel snorted. "I've seen him practice. You have nothing to worry about unless he comes at you from behind."
Their cuts bandaged, Jeri and Kensie walked slow circuits of the salle to cool out. They dissected the bout as they walked, each complimenting each the other as well as offering gentle critiques. "I could see you were getting tired." Jeri said. "I figured you would make a strong attack while you still had energy. I just sat back and waited. When you parried, you went too wide, so I could come inside for the kill."
Kensie was not offended. He'd watched Jeri work before. She was a natural with a sword and had honed her skill with dedicated practice even before she was Chosen. Even though she was several years younger than Kensie, he could see she was better than he was.
::Alberich is training her as a prospective Armsmistress.:: Losanir put in.
Kensie nodded and kept listening to Jeri's thoughts on the match.
They reached Healers' and met the duty Healer, Jules Manet. Jules berated them for their foolishness in practicing with real swords as he checked their cuts, applied some wound powder, rebandaged them and sent the two trainees on their way with instructions to keep the cuts clean.
After a shower and a quick change of clothes – Kensie took care to rinse the blood out of his discarded uniform before it could set; Gaytha would be vexed enough about the tears – he mounted Losanir and rode down to the City Court to spend the rest of the afternoon with Mirilin. He pulled his hood over his head as the rain began again.
After Kensie left, Bredin enjoyed the remaining three sennights of his pre-assignment leave. Most mornings, he and Lacaral would go for rides before breakfast, enjoying time together in the cool of the day. After breakfast, he would work in his father's shop for a few candlemarks most mornings. He enjoyed working with his hands and it relaxed him.
His nephew Leif would often wander in a candlemark before noon and cajole his uncle to take Leif on a visit to " 'acarl" at Davan Cork's field. Bredin was amused at Leif's attachment to Lacaral. Lacaral indulged Bredin's nephew, nuzzling the boy affectionately and lowering his head for Leif to stroke his muzzle.
Lacaral had another regular visitor. Martin Poldara, the Count's youngest son, seemed equally smitten with Companions and was upset when Losanir disappeared after Kensie left. Bredin first encountered Martin two days after Kensie and Losanir left when the youngster and Lucy Valmis, his governess, arrived in a trap while Bredin and Leif were there. Bredin's dislike of Kensie did not extend to Kensie's brother. He laughed to himself as Leif and Martin stood on either side of the Companion, stroking Lacaral's head and neck. Bredin readily gave permission for Mistress Valmis to bring Martin on visits.
::I'd have been vexed if you said no. I like the boy.:: Lacaral put in.
After more three sennights of leave, Herald Bredin arrived back at the Collegium. He had enjoyed the time in Bransat with his family and friends. The only irritant had been the constant discussion over Kensie Poldara being Chosen. When the few facts had been thoroughly chewed over, the townspeople had invented their own speculations.
Bransaters had constantly asked Bredin to confirm their notions. Bredin stuck firmly to the few facts he knew: Kensie's Companion's name was Losanir. Kensie would be a Herald Trainee.
For other rumors, Bredin either quashed them or said he did not know: No, Kensie would not be a 'Captain Herald', there is no such thing.
Bredin had kept his tongue in check with a few reminders from Lacaral. When the townspeople's notions became too exasperating, Bredin could at least share a few acerbic remarks with his Companion.
Now Bredin had returned to the Collegium only to find that Kensie's live-steel bout with Jeri was on everyone's lips. Bredin admitted to a touch of jealousy as Alberich had never permitted him to spar with a real sword. The only times he and his yearmates had been permitted to practice with a real sword was against the pells. "To get you accustomed to the difference in the feel." Alberich explained.
The morning after his return, Bredin went to see Elcarth about his internship.
"Your internship counsellor unfortunately encountered a rag someone left on the staircase in the Herald's wing." Elcarth said. "Purely an accident, but she had the bad taste to break her arm. I am afraid you will have to wait a moon until Herald Mata is ready to go out. There is no one else ready to leave who does not already have one of your yearmates partnered with them."
Elcarth shrugged. "The Trevale Circuit is a fairly routine one, so a delay of a moon shouldn't cause any problems. In the meantime, you can do some courier duty. There's always an urgent message to go out."
The next day, Bredin and Lacaral left Haven at sunrise, headed for Three Rivers. Unlike the leisurely trip with Ari four years before, Lacaral was in a fast gallop the whole way. They rested a few hours at the waystation south of Kettlesmith and arrived at the Three Rivers guard post before noon the second day.
General Strang did not give Bredin long to rest. A candlemark after they arrived, Bredin and Lacaral were on their way back to Haven with General Strang's reply.
They reached the Palace in the middle of the afternoon the next day. Bredin handed General Strang's note to the Lord Marshal's Herald at the palace steps and went to Companion's stable. Despite a throbbing headache from three hard days of riding in blistering heat, Bredin waved off the stablehands who offered to help groom Lacaral and thoroughly brushed his bondmate until all the sweatmarks were gone. Lacaral ate and drank carefully as Bredin groomed him.
Done, Bredin gave Lacaral an affectionate hug before the Companion headed out to the field.
::I am going to have a nice swim.:: Lacaral said. He sniffed Bredin ostentatiously. ::And I think you should head for a tub yourself.::
Bredin smiled and slapped Lacaral's rump as they parted. He sniffed himself. He stank of stale sweat, both human and 'horse'. He left the stable, headed for the Herald's wing, wincing as he emerged into the bright sunlight that bore down on his aching head.
A hundred yards from the Herald's wing, Bredin met Lady Naril on the path. He had no idea why she would be on this side of the palace; the gardens and salons favored by the highborn were beside the New Palace and the Old Palace.
Bredin nodded politely, intending only to acknowledge her and hurry on to his room and a bath.
"Oh, Herald Bredin!" Lady Naril waved at him coquettishly.
Irritated, Bredin stopped. "Yes, Milady?" He said cautiously. Her simpering did not impress him. He remembered Naril encouraging her brother to torment Bredin before Bredin was Chosen.
"Have you seen my brother?" Naril fluttered her eyelashes. "He was supposed to meet me here."
Bredin shook his head slightly, wincing as the movement made his head throb. Remembering his courtly graces classes, Bredin said. "I regret, Milady, I have not. I have just returned from a journey not a half candlemark ago. I have seen no one since I delivered my message."
Naril gave him a fawning expression. "You look to have ridden hard. It must have been a message of great importance."
Bredin tread carefully. "I cannot judge the importance, Milady. However, our duty requires us to make all speed possible."
She simpered again and place a hand on his arm. "So modest! I admire a man devoted to his duty."
Bredin forced himself not to pull his arm away. He bowed slightly. "You are too kind, Milady. If you will forgive me, I would like to refresh myself and rest." Was she trying to seduce him? He knew of her reputation.
::Definitely.:: Lacaral put in. ::She has already approached your yearmate Jan and Trainee Kris.::
Naril would not be put off. "Ah, perhaps I could help you rest."
Fighting to remain expressionless, Bredin said "Your pardon, Lady Naril, but I stink of sweat and the road."
Naril moved closer so her body touched Bredin's. She licked her lips. "I find it exciting when a man smells of exertion and" – she sniffed ostentatiously – "horse."
::I am not a horse.:: Bredin could hear laughter in Lacaral's mindvoice.
Bredin tried to discourage her within the bounds of civility. "Please, Milady, I am tired and noisome. My clothes itch and I wish to be rid of them. Also, I have a headache."
Lacaral made a mental snort. ::You've used that one before.:: Now the Companion was definitely laughing.
"I know ways to relieve a headache." Naril pitched her voice low and soft. "I could help you out of your uniform." She touched his groin. "I hear that you are as endowed as a stallion."
Bredin snapped. He shook her arm off and stepped back. "If you seek a lover who smells like a stallion and is endowed like one, I suggest you apply to your brother. I understand he has several studs in his stable."
::Chosen!::
Naril's face became a mask of outraged anger. She tried to slap Bredin, who leaned back to avoid her swinging palm. "You lowborn piece of filth!" She screamed. "You disgusting peasant." She threw herself at Bredin, her nails extended to scratch his face.
Bredin turned and ran. Naril tried to run after him, but could not move quickly in her court dress and shoes. Bredin escaped to the Herald's wing with Naril hurling curses and threats at his receding back.
Bredin reached his room and stripped off his uniform. Grabbing another plus a towel, he put on a robe and headed for the bathroom.
As he settled into the tub, Lacaral said. ::Elcarth wants to see you right away.::
Bredin sighed. ::I suppose I am in for it.::
::We gave him the full details. I think he is more amused than angry. What were you thinking?:: Lacaral asked.
::I wasn't. I was tired and fed up with her. I should have just said no and walked away. Tell Elcarth I will be there as soon as I get dry and dressed.:: Bredin washed himself quickly and climbed out of the tub.
A quarter candlemark later, Bredin cut between the Herald's wing and the Collegium as it was shorter than going through the halls.
Halfway along, Kensie ran up to him. "You foul-mouthed, dirty peasant. How dare you speak to my sister like that?"
Bredin flared in response. "Your sister is a whore. She deserves no respect, no matter what her rank."
"She's better than a low-born turd like you." Kensie shouted.
"You highborn think you are above everyone, but your shit stinks the same."
Neither could say later who threw the first punch. The two flailed away with their fists, all art and science of fighting forgotten in their mutual hate. They didn't stop fighting until they were hauled apart, their collars grabbed firmly in the teeth of their Companions. They kept swinging at the air until Lacaral and Losanir shook them hard. The two glared at each other across the space between them.
"A fine pair of Heralds you are. True credits to the Collegium." Elcarth's voice dripped with contempt.
The two looked at the Dean, shamefaced. Beside Elcarth, Kyril glowered disapproval. Around them, trainees, Heralds, Bards, Healers, Blues and others stared at astonishment.
"Follow me." Elcarth ordered. He turned and walked away, Kyril at his side. Kensie and Bredin followed with hangdog expressions.
Elcarth led them to Kyril's office, not his own.
"What in hell were you thinking?" Kyril demanded.
"He attacked me." Bredin said.
"He insulted my sister." Kensie countered.
"Be quiet, both of you." Elcarth said.
::Chosen, your sister was propositioning him. Rather crudely, I might add.:: Losanir put in.
Kensie flushed. He knew his sister. But she was family, dammit!
Kyril pointed at Bredin. "You begin. Tell us about your encounter with Lady Naril this afternoon."
Carefully, Bredin described how he had met Naril. He told how she had made increasingly intimate advances.
Kensie clenched his jaw while he listened. If anything, he guessed that Bredin was understating what happened.
::He is.:: Losanir said, sending Kensie an image gotten through Lacaral. Kensie winced at the picture.
"I am sorry, Senior. I was tired and dirty and my head ached. When she touched me, I lost my temper. I should not have been vulgar." Bredin finished his account.
Elcarth and Kyril both snorted. "I'd call that an understatement." Kyril said. He looked at Kensie. "Now, what about you?"
Kensie squared his shoulders. He thought of his ancestor Count Miron. The truth. He reminded himself. No excuses.
Deliberately, Kensie told how Naril had run to him, catching him on the way back from the salle.
::So much for wondering where he was.:: Bredin thought.
::Hush. You knew that already.:: Lacaral chided.
Kensie told how Naril had claimed that Bredin had groped her and propositioned her in vulgar terms. Outraged, he had gone looking for Bredin, intent on avenging her.
"Why didn't you check with your Companion?" Elcarth asked.
Kensie gulped. "I didn't think of it." He admitted. "I was just so angry that I didn't think of it."
::I tried to reach you.:: Losanir said. ::But I couldn't get through your anger.::
Kensie blushed in a burst of shame. ::I'm sorry.::
"So the two of you decided to have a fight." Elcarth snorted in contempt. "With half the palace and Collegia looking on."
Both hung their heads.
Elcarth sighed. "Very well. You have both earned punishment."
He looked at Kensie. "For the next fortnight, you will rake the sand ring beside the salle."
He turned to Bredin. "You will forfeit half your stipend for the next two quarters. We also have to get you away from here. You will leave on your internship tomorrow morning."
"But Herald Mata hasn't healed yet." Bredin said.
"You will have a different mentor on your internship. You will ride to the Northeast Corner Sector and meet Herald Mani Zucca there. He is already on circuit. It should take you about a fortnight to reach him. Herald Mata will advise you on packing."
Bredin nodded.
Elcarth looked sternly at both of them. "That is all. Dismissed."
Bredin and Kensie left the office. Outside the door, they turned in opposite directions and walked away.