"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble." - Helen Keller
Bredin watched Mani and Caiseal disappear around the bend. His hand rested on Lacaral's shoulder.
"Well, my Very Noble Steed, I guess we'd better get going."
Lacaral bent his head around to look Bredin in the eye. ::I could make you walk, you know.::
"You could," Bredin said, "but then some idiot local horse breeder would try to catch you and breed you to his mares. You've proven yourself at stud, after all."
Lacaral rumbled menacingly, deep in his chest. ::Jealous, Chosen? You haven't had any company for a while, have you?::
"Now you're going to be celibate too." Bredin retorted.
::Cealine is just over in the Vineyard Hills circuit.:: Lacaral pointed out.
"And your mother is right there with her. Awkward, isn't it?" Bredin snickered.
::We aren't as prudish as you humans.::
Bredin laughed. "I should say so."
Bredin turned to Lacaral's side and tightened the girth. When Lacaral confirmed it was secure and there were no pinch points, Bredin mounted. "I believe Stargard is our next stop."
Lacaral walked out followed by the patient mule carrying Bredin's extra gear.
::Nervous about your first solo, Chosen?:: Lacaral asked.
Bredin licked his lips. "I am, a little. I'm going to miss having Mani to back me up."
::You have me.::
Bredin smiled. He leaned forward to hug Lacaral's neck. ::I do. Love you.::
::Love you back.::
Stargard proved utterly routine, as reviews went. The disputes were so similar to scores that Bredin had heard before that Bredin had to remind himself of Mani's admonition not to assume that every dispute was the same. Bredin questioned each person carefully, making sure that he fixed them in his mind as individuals and learned the subtle differences.
He took time to learn personal details of those before him, whether it was one person's skill at carving or another's pride in his knitting. It kept him interested in them as people. The villagers responded to his interest; it often helped them accept his decisions.
In the evening, he discussed the cases with Lacaral. The Companion offered few criticisms, but the discussion helped Bredin see the ideas and assumptions that had shaped his thoughts.
The next few villages were much the same, though each added their own peculiar tales. In Palmer, Bredin bit his lip, trying not to laugh as a tale of a five-sided intrigue in which three men and two women were all bedding each other unravelled before him. Each of the five thought their trysts were secret. In fact, everyone in the village knew all sides of the story and eagerly shared every new development. The complicated affair came to a spectacular end when the two women walked in on their husbands in the act. Bredin considered it a farce worthy of a Midsummer play.
Bredin was glad that the waystation at Palmer was two miles away in thick woods. Otherwise, the villagers might have heard his peals of laughter as he and Lacaral reminded each other of the best parts of the tale.
In different villages, Bredin and Lacaral spotted a girl and a boy with the Healing Gift. In each case, Bredin spoke to their parents and the village healers, telling them of the gift and advising them on what to do until the youngsters were ready to go to Healers' Collegium and how to know it was time.
In Thornberry, Bredin saw a girl with the beginnings of a powerful fetching gift. Lacaral said she would almost certainly be Chosen, but it was a few years away. Her parents thought the only proper thing for their daughter was to prepare to be a good housewife and mother. Without telling her parents Katie was likely to be Chosen – which might not happen – Bredin persuaded them to see she got special instruction from the local priest of the Twain. The priest was a former guardsman who had taken vows after the end of the Tedrel Wars. When Bredin suggested that Katie be taught basic weapons drills as well as languages and figuring, the priest gave him a knowing look.
##
"No, Tain Grier, your daughter has every right to refuse to marry Geordie Hoyt." Bredin said. "It does not matter what you and Geordie's father planned. Ester cannot be forced to marry against her will. She has the perfect right to join the guard if she chooses." Bredin cast a quick glance at the prospective groom, who was also Ester's second cousin. He did not blame Ester one bit. From his scowling, pouty expression to his bulging midriff, Geordie was the image of a lout and bully. His arrogant tone when he addressed Bredin only confirmed the impression.
"Her pa promised her to me!" Georgie stormed up to Bredin's bench. "Don't go interfering, Heraldy-boy."
Bredin looked up at the hulking young man. Geordie would throw a punch soon; he was looking for an opportunity. Bredin shifted subtly, readying for the attack when it came. "People are not property. No one's word can bind another." Bredin said. "Ester can do as she wishes. Return to your…."
Geordie swung in the middle of his sentence. Bredin grabbed Geordie's arm and pulled him off balance, sending him tumbling. He made a quick decision. A simple throw would not convince the thuggish young man. Bredin struck a precise blow on Geordie's neck as the man went over. Geordie slammed to the ground, unconscious.
Bredin stood over Geordie with his arms folded on his chest. When villagers moved to help Geordie, Bredin sternly waved them off. After a few long sunwidths, Geordie groaned and woke.
"Geordie Hoyt. For attempted assault on a Herald, I sentence you to a night in the village gaol plus a fine of five crowns." Bredin looked at the village watchmen. "Take him to the gaol."
As the watchmen took Geordie away, Bredin turned back to the wide-eyed villagers. He brushed an imaginary speck of dust off his whites and righted the table. The villagers of Stonemill would not forget this for a long time.
"Next case, please." Bredin said. Lacaral chuckled in his mind.
##
The first real problem arose in the small town of Bluewater.
Aslan Perot, a failed local merchant, had decided his failures were due to the worship of false gods. Aslan, who possessed a rudimentary knowledge of Karsite, had come into possession of a copy of the "Writ and Rule" as authorized by the current Son of the Sun in Sunhame. Styling himself "Light of the Sun", Aslan had begun preaching the worship of Vkandis, based on his understanding of the text.
Valdemar had no problem with someone choosing to worship Vkandis or any other god nor with competing sects of the same faith, however strangely they interpreted their texts.
Valdemaran law did forbid interfering with the faith of others and inciting inter-faith conflict. Any attempt to impose 'One True Way' was forbidden. Aslan Perot was determined that the Sunlord – and only the Sunlord – should be worshipped in Bluewater and, eventually, in all of Valdemar. He and his small group of followers had attacked the Temple of the Twain and the Temple of the Masran Sisters, interrupting their services on several occasions. The local magistrate had imposed sentences and penalties, but the penalties had only convinced Aslan Perot and his followers that they were martyrs of the Sunlord's faith.
Perot's activities alarmed Count Zemon of Hesse, whose demesne included Bluewater. His magistrates had been unable to restrain the cult. He had asked the Crown for help. A few Karsite refugees who lived in Bluewater had also asked for help after Perot had condemned them as 'heretics.'
Forewarned by Herald Courier Tobias, Bredin arrived at Bluewater with a Priest of the Sunlord. Father Gautam had fled Karse about a decade before. Possessed of the Healing Gift, Father Gautam had been unable to tolerate the abuses of the Black Robe priests, especially the Fires. Bredin and Father Gautam enjoyed a long conversation in Karsite as they rode towards Bluewater. To Lacaral's delight, Father Gautam included the Companion in the conversation.
"When I heard that one of you Chose Herald Alberich, I knew that I had been right to come to Valdemar." Father Gautam said.
The local magistrate and the reeve welcomed Bredin and Lacaral enthusiastically as they entered Bluewater. So did most of the town. From their Sundisks and glowering looks, Bredin spotted Aslan Perot and his followers immediately. When Bredin introduced Father Gautam, the reeve, magistrate and townspeople looked doubtful. Perot was outraged and cried "Heretic."
Bredin got down to business immediately. "Aslan Perot, you are accused of violating the Laws of Valdemar, specifically those laws regarding religious tolerance."
Perot started slightly. He had not been forewarned that he was the primary focus of Bredin's visit. "I stand for the purity of the Sunlord!" Perot spoke as though giving a sermon. "His is the One True Faith. All must bow to him."
Bredin responded in Karsite. "Porphyr, Canto six, Verse twelve: 'I do not ask you to bow. I ask you to walk by my side.'" He mentally thanked Herald Myste for the hours spent drilling in Karsite, which had included learning the Writ and Rule thoroughly. Myste had shown Bredin both the current version printed in Karse and the versions available in Valdemar. The latter included many verses that Sons of the Sun had removed as 'not canonical.'
Perot started again; he looked at Bredin uncomprehendingly. Bredin saw Father Gautam grinning.
"Perhaps your Karsite is insufficient." Bredin said. "Or maybe your knowledge of the Writ and Rule is not as good as you claim." He repeated the verse in Valdemaran.
Perot's face twisted in anger. "You are a false interpreter. There is no such verse."
Bredin pointed to the book clasped in Perot's hands. "Is that the Writ?" He asked. When Perot said it was, Bredin said. "Open it to Porphyr."
Perot did so angrily.
"Read Canto six, Verse twelve." Bredin ordered. As he did so, he placed the coercive form of the Truth Spell on the would-be preacher. The crowd murmured at the blue glow.
Perot struggled against the Truth Spell. In stumbling and badly accented Karsite, he read out the verse. He slammed the Writ shut and glared at Bredin.
"Tell me in Valdemaran what it means." Bredin said. He kept the Truth Spell on Perot.
Perot still struggled. "It says we should walk beside the Sunlord."
"It does." Bredin agreed. "Does it say we should bow to him?"
"No." Perot gasped out.
"I see." Bredin said. "How about Anselm, Canto five, Verse seven and eight?"
"I will not!" Perot cried out. "You are perverting the Writ!"
"'Come to me freely, gladly. Or come not at all. I will house you, not cage you. Those who would scourge you to my side speak falsely and are false friends.'" Bredin quoted, then repeated it in Valdemaran. He noticed that one of Perot's followers glanced at his leader doubtfully.
When Perot glanced at the closed book in his hand, Bredin asked. "Haven't you read Anselm?"
"It is not one of the important texts." Perot said. Father Gautam laughed outright. So did a couple of people in the crowd. From the way they had reacted when Bredin spoke in Karsite, he wondered if they were some of the refugees he heard of.
::They are.:: Lacaral said. ::They are overjoyed to hear a Herald speak their tongue and cite their text.::
::Let's give them a little more.:: Bredin said.
He moved on to other texts, ones that preached tolerance and acceptance.
Perot grew angrier. "You are perverting the Writ!" He said once more.
"Suppose you read from the Writ." Bredin suggested.
Perot opened the text. Pointing his finger at a page, he read a verse in Karsite. Father Gautam guffawed as Perot mangled the words. Perot translated into Valdemaran "Take up thy sword and wield it against the unfaithful."
Bredin smiled. "Ah yes! Kayhlin, Canto seven, Verse one." Perot looked surprised that Bredin knew the verse. "That is a favorite of the Sunpriests. Except 'zalim' means 'oppressor' not 'unfaithful'. That is confirmed by the next verse "'Defend the innocent, whoever they are. For a wrong done to them is done to me.'" He recited it again in Karsite. Father Gautam beamed and nodded. The Karsite refugees Bredin had noted applauded politely.
He encouraged Perot to continue. Time after time, Bredin corrected Perot's reading and translation. Perot became angrier.
Some of the followers began looking at Perot doubtfully. A few, especially women, moved closer, as though protecting him. Bredin remembered something Teren had once told him 'Religious fanatics, especially preachers, tend to be either celibate or the opposite. They are seldom moderate in their sexuality.' From the way the women looked at Perot, Bredin guessed he was not celibate. He waited for his chance.
When Perot quoted Zakoni ('Laws') "'Cast thine eye only on what is thine. If it is thy neighbor's, look away'", Bredin pounced.
"Have you been true to your Writ?" He asked. "Have you looked away?"
"Of course!" Perot said. "I am the Light of the Sun."
"Let's see if you have." Bredin grinned. "Follow me." He turned and walked into one of the streets.
Sensing something was up, the crowd followed, carrying Perot along.
Bredin walked quickly through the winding streets. His farsight had already shown him the man's home. He reached the door and beckoned Perot over. "Shall we go in?"
Perot stiffened, looking wary. "You are not welcome. I do not admit the unholy to my abode."
"Very well." Bredin said. He pointed to one of the followers. "Is she welcome?"
"Sister Raisa is one of the faithful." Perot said. "She is welcome in my abode."
Bredin turned to the woman. "Mistress Raisa, please fetch a few items from the house." Bredin described several boxes and packets, telling her exactly where to find them; his farsight had already shown him where they were.
"You can't do this!" Perot said.
Bredin dropped the mask of politeness. "I am a Herald of Valdemar. I may go wherever I like if I need to. I want those things. Either she brings them or I get them myself. Your choice." He glared at the preacher.
Perot stared back at him. 'Sister' Raisa's eyes flicked back and forth. Perot gave in, signalling her to do as Bredin said. She went into the house.
While they waited, the two men stared at each other. Perot looked outraged, Bredin tried to look impassive, but used his farsight to ensure Raisa followed his instructions.
Sister Raisa returned with the items and handed them to Bredin. He put them on the ground and offered the top one to Perot. "Open it." He said.
Perot refused. Bredin ordered Sister Raisa to open it. She refused as well.
"Very well." Bredin said. "Let's see what is in here." He opened the box carefully. Several people gasped at the lurid pornographic drawings they could see.
"It's a trick!" Perot shouted. "Those aren't mine! This is a trick to shame me."
Bredin set the coercive Truth Spell. "Is it a trick?" He asked. "Do these belong to you?"
Perot fought the spell for a minute. "They belong to me." He said.
Bredin opened the next box. He took a letter from the top. He handed it to Raisa. "Would you please read this?" He asked, never taking his eyes off Perot, who was looking panicky.
Raisa looked at the letter. Her face went white then red. "You bastard!" She said and launched herself at Perot, poised to claw his face. Bredin was ready. He grabbed her before she could reach Perot.
Still under the Truth Spell, Perot admitted that the letters were from several of his female followers, all of whom he had bedded. Several fights broke out between couples. It took half a candlemark for Bredin and the watch to restore order.
Bredin reached for the final packet. He handed it to Father Gautam, who choked as he saw the letterhead.
"Father Gautam, would you kindly tell everyone what those letters are?"
The priest gulped. "The letters are from the Son of the Sun, at least officially. I suppose they were written by one of his clerks, since Lastern doesn't speak Valdemaran."
The crowd gasped. "Please tell everyone what the letters say." Bredin said.
The priest looked through the letters quickly. "Mostly, they just thank Aslan Perot for bringing the 'True Faith' to the 'Demon-Riders' lands." Father Gautam looked up. "For those who don't know, 'Demon-Riders' is what the Sunpriests call Heralds."
He went on. "Lastern promises him he will be rewarded with rule over Valdemar." The priest pointed at a line near the bottom of one letter. "It says here that he is sending another fifty crowns 'to help spread the Faith.'"
Father Gautam quoted a few more passages. The crowd began muttering and several of Perot's followers began to back away.
"What of it?" Perot said. "The Son of the Sun is the Voice of the One True God."
"You mean, aside from treason?" Bredin said. "Taking money from the enemies of Valdemar to do their work is not considered something holy."
Several followers twitched at the word 'treason'. A few removed their Sundisks.
"I do Vkandis' work!" Perot said.
Bredin snorted contemptuously. "We've already seen how little you know of the Writ. Let's go back to the square." He turned and led the way.
He sat once more at his bench. "Aslan Perot, there is enough in these letters to charge you with treason. I am going to put that in abeyance. If…" Bredin stressed the last word and held up two fingers. "…you either cease all preaching and do not disturb those who worship other gods…"
"I will not give up the Sunlord's work. I will not be silent!" Perot interrupted.
"…or you leave Valdemar entirely."
"I will fight for the Sunlord as long as I breathe!" Perot struck a pose.
Bredin sighed and banged his gavel. "Very well. Since you will not practice your faith quietly and peacefully, I order that you be taken to the border and put across. You and any of your followers who choose to go with you."
"You can't do that!" Perot said. Bredin noticed that several of Perot's followers looked uncertain.
"I not only can, the law requires it."
Perot drew himself up. "Infidel Demon-Rider! You will pay for this. For now, you can send me away, but I shall come back when the Sunlord is triumphant!"
"We can wait!" Someone called out. Most of the crowd laughed.
"So, where do you wish to go?" Bredin asked.
"I will go to the home of the True Faith!" Perot said. "I will go to Karse." He looked at the crowd. "You will not have long to wait."
"I really recommend you choose another place." Father Gautam said. "You have said so many things that are officially heresy that the Voices will burn you within a day."
Perot looked scornfully at the former Karsite priest. "I do not believe the lies of an apostate."
"So be it." Bredin said and banged his gavel again.
The watchmen took Perot away. Bredin told the Reeve he would arrange for an escort to take Perot to the border with Karse. He moved on to the next case.
##
Two miles east of Hunberston, Austin Halmar waited by the road. When Bredin and Lacaral came into sight, the young nobleman mounted his horse and rode beside them.
"You are going to be mobbed." Austin warned him. "We've been keeping track of where you were. It's going to be like a Royal Progress."
Bredin groaned inwardly.
::What did you expect?:: Lacaral asked. ::You've seen how Heralds are treated in most places.::
::I just want to do my job.:: Bredin had grown a little weary of the enthusiastic reception that greeted him in almost every town. It was nice to be liked and admired, but Hunberston promised to be much more than the usual. He wondered if Mani's blunt speech was the Senior Herald's ploy to dampen the enthusiasm.
::You're their hero. Being the heroic-but-modest hero is part of your job.::
Bredin sighed. Lord Austin caught his expression and laughed. "I get tired of ceremony too."
"So, what brings you out here, Lord Austin? I'm guessing that there is something more."
Austin sobered. "Yes, there is. Uncle Valen has been murdered."
Bredin's mind raced. Many people hated the former Captain of the Watch for his ineptitude and failure to stop Fenir Cartmill. "Who did it?" He asked.
"We're fairly sure it was a man named Garth Klavin. He was one of the watchmen Lieutenant Coffee dismissed when you appointed her to temporary command. We think he was attempting to rob Uncle Valen and killed him accidentally."
Bredin did not remember Garth Klavin. When he put Inez Coffee in control of the Hunberston watch, she dismissed several of the watchmen appointed by Valen Halmar, mostly those whose 'qualification' for their job had been a willingness to gratify Valen's preference for young men.
"What evidence is there?" Bredin asked.
"Several people saw Gavin going to Uncle Valen's home on various occasions, including the night Valen died. A housemaid spotted him washing bloodstains from some clothes early the next morning at the public washstand." Austin said.
"Has he been arrested?"
Austin nodded. "Captain Rebane charged him with the murder."
"Who is Captain Rebane?"
"Devin Rebane is a former Guard lieutenant. He retired from the Guard last winter after thirty years. He was originally from Hunberston and came home looking for something to do. Lieutenant Coffee couldn't wait to hand the job over to him. He's well liked."
Bredin reflected that, after Valen Halmar, any competent watch captain would be popular. "How long ago did the murder happen? Has this Garth Klavin appealed to a Herald?" He asked.
"It happened a moon and a half ago." Lord Austin said. "But there hasn't been a trial yet."
At Bredin's look, Austin went on. "Klavin said he didn't do it. He said it was conspiracy by my family to cover ourselves for the blame over the killings last year. Uncle Royce announced we would leave the trial up to a Herald to prove it wasn't true."
Bredin shook his head. "And now people are saying that your father is afraid of what he will say in the trial?"
"How did you know that?" Austin asked.
Bredin sniffed. "Saw it all the time in the palace. Do something to fight a rumor, people twist that as proof the rumor is true."
"What could we do?" Austin said.
"Not much. I think you should have tried him, let him say his piece, denied it, and told him that he would have to tell it again in front of a Herald."
They were getting close to the town. Just before they emerged from the woods, Lord Austin reined in his horse. Grinning, he said "I leave you to the mob. Enjoy yourself."
A huge cheer went up as Bredin came in sight. He squared his shoulders and forced a smile as the crowd descended on him and Lacaral. The mob paraded them through the town to the square. After enduring a number of welcoming speeches in the square, he prepared to dismount, only to be interrupted by Austin Halmar.
"Follow me." The young lord said.
Bredin guessed that something was up when Austin led them towards the field where Lacaral and the other Companions had grazed the summer before. The town of Hunberston had built a new waystation at the spot with beds for four Heralds and stabling for an equal number of Companions. There was even a separate stable for the pack mules. With featherbeds and blankets (plus cedar chests for storing the bedding when the waystation was unoccupied), the new structure was nearly the equal of the one in Gillhold.
Bredin gave a 'thank you' speech on behalf of the Heralds. He was grateful when Lord Austin announced to the crowd that they should leave Bredin and Lacaral in peace.
##
The trial of Garth Klavin was straightforward. Bredin questioned him under the Truth Spell. Unable to find work, Klavin had done 'favors' for Valen Halmar for money. On the night of the murder, Klavin had gone to the former captain's house determined to get more than the pittance Valen Halmar had paid. He confronted Valen, demanding a larger payment for his 'services'. When Valen refused, Klavin attacked him. In the ensuing fight, Klavin fatally stabbed Valen Halmar.
"Goodman Garth Klavin, by my Authority as Herald to the Queen and to Valdemar, I find you guilty of the murder of Valen Halmar. There was no wrong in prostituting yourself to the late Valen Halmar, but when you attempted to violently get more than he promised, you entered into robbery with violence. That violence resulted in Valen Halmar's death. Even though you had no intention of killing him when you went to his house, the fact that you did in the course of robbery makes your crime murder. For that crime, I condemn you to death by hanging."
"No! No!" Garth shouted. "It's a plot! The Halmars have framed me!"
Bredin repressed a sigh. "You have been convicted by your own words under the Truth Spell. However, I cannot allow these allegations to go without examination." Bredin could see Viscount Halmar's worried expression. He put the Truth Spell on Klavin once again.
For four long candlemarks, Bredin questioned Garth Klavin about the supposed 'conspiracy'. He traced every rumor to its source, summoning person after person to hear what they had to say. With painstaking care, Bredin examined every claim and showed them baseless. He even called upon the whole crowd, asking anyone with any knowledge to come forward. He avoided ridicule, only making it clear that none of the allegations held up.
::If you mocked them, they would feel aggrieved and claim that you never listened to them.:: Lacaral pointed out.
Once he had heard everyone, Bredin summoned Viscount Gustav before him. He placed the Truth Spell on the nobleman and asked him about every allegation. The blue glow never wavered as denied any conspiracy and gave the true meaning of what people had seen and misinterpreted.
When Bredin finished, Viscount Gustav thanked him for helping lay the rumors to rest. Bredin didn't tell him that the rumors would persist and that people would believe what they wanted.
At the end of the day, Bredin returned to the waystation. "In a way, Gustav Halmar is responsible. If he hadn't appointed that idiot Valen in the first place, most of this could have been avoided." If Kyril and the circle hadn't warned him never to embarrass a nobleman publicly, Bredin would have said it to the Viscount.
::On that count, the Queen and Council will send him a very pointed letter of reprimand.:: Lacaral said. They both knew Gustav Halmar would be unable to dismiss such a reprimand.
The remainder of the review was as routine as any other town or village, but they were both relieved to move on once done.
Shortly after midsummer, Herald Courier Lena brought him a letter from Mani along with the latest news and laws. "Caiseal's pregnancy is progressing normally. The foal will be born about Midwinter. With regard to Aslan Perot, the Guard put him across the border into Karse. Three sennights later, the Karsite Ambassador in Menmellith contrived to meet our ambassador there. He presented our ambassador with a clay pot containing ashes and said 'Send us no more of your heretics.'"
Bredin finished the circuit near Winefold shortly before Midwinter. His only disappointment was that no gryphons or ratha appeared when he ventured once more to the Iftel border. He left his pack mule at the resupply station for the next Herald.
As he mounted for the ride south, he said. "Would it be ok to stop at Bransat on the way home?"
::Home?::
Bredin smiled. He stroked Lacaral's neck. The Collegium was now home.