"Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth." - Arthur Conan Doyle
"Ha! It looks like Martin takes after me!" Kensie said. The two were relaxing in the late afternoon sunset, reading the letters Herald Courier Tobias had left for them.
Bredin looked at Kensie curiously. He couldn't resist a tease. "You mean your brother is horse-crazy?"
Kensie tossed a peach pit at Bredin. "Next to Companions, horses are his favorite things. But more than that, he seems to have animal mindspeech. At least that's what Chase Tanner told my father."
"OK. He's horse-crazy like his brother." Bredin mocked. "What makes Sir Chase think he has animal mindspeech? Is he controlling the horses in your father's stable?"
"Just about." Kensie said. "He's got Chase Tanner's horse wrapped around his little finger. The beast follows him like a puppy. A moon ago, Martin 'borrowed' the stallion so he and your nephew could go looking for a Companion. Got on the beast bareback, no bridle or anything, got your nephew up behind him and they took off down the road."
Bredin had seen Sir Chase riding a huge black stallion. Bredin thought the horse would be a handful for an expert rider. The thought of two small boys riding it bareback surprised him. "You mean that great big black stud Sir Chase rides? I'm no expert on horses, but that beast is rather special."
"He should be." Kensie said. "He was Lord Ashkevron's gift to the Queen when she married Prince Karathanelan." Kensie told Bredin how the Seneschal had offered him the horse on the condition it be taken away from Haven so the Queen would never see or hear of it again. "Since I already had Blood and could not be seen riding the horse myself, I gave it to Chase Tanner."
"You mean the grandson of a saddler has ridden a prince's warhorse?" The thought amused Bredin, who sobered when he saw Kensie's look of alarm. "Ah, right. Nobody is supposed to know. I won't tell Asen." Bredin was no courtier, but he could understand how being seen with the horse would be awkward among the highborn.
Pleased with Bredin's perception, Kensie added. "Not even my father or Sir Chase know, at least not officially."
"Why tell me?" Bredin asked.
"I trust a Herald." Kensie said. "And I trust you."
###
Sensholding was bad, even for a Holderkin village. Healer West told them he hated visiting Sensholding due to the callousness and outright cruelty of the men. Bredin and Kensie were grateful that, unlike Healers, they could not sense the feelings of those around them. The hostile expressions of the menfolk were enough.
When Bredin Read the Law at the beginning of their visit, none of the women or children were present. Bredin protested. "That is not our way, Herald. We were promised our own ways. Read your Laws." Patriarch Sens growled.
::There is No True Way.:: Lacaral said. Bredin could hear the frustration in his Companion's mindvoice. Out of the corner of his eye, Bredin could see Kensie's tight-lipped expression.
When Bredin asked about Andean, the young man who Leo had contacted, his brother Justus said "Got a little too interested in outsiders. Too soft. Got himself killed by bandits." The gloating look on Justus' face nauseated Bredin.
Justus had a run-in with Kensie as well. While Bredin spoke to the Elders, Justus approached Lacaral and Losanir. The Companions moved away. Justus persisted and the Companions moved away again. Sensing trouble, Kensie started towards the young man as he approached the Companions a third time; once more, they moved away. With a look of rage, Justus pulled a whip from his belt. "Stand, you stupid beasts."
Kensie grabbed Justus' arm and twisted the young man around. Throwing Justus to the ground, Kensie wrenched the whip from his hand. Kensie pinned Justus with a foot. "Attempted assault on a Companion is a criminal offense. You are under arrest." In a low voice, he added. "If you bother them again, I will rip your balls off and stuff them down your throat."
Justus subsided. He was three inches taller than Kensie and outweighed him by four stone, but he could tell the Herald meant what he said. The ease with which Kensie had taken him down shocked him. From the expressions on the other men around, Bredin could tell they were also shocked.
Kensie hauled Justus too his feet and frog-marched him before Bredin, who imposed a fine of five crowns on the young Holderkin, which his father unhappily paid.
::I see those unarmed combat lessons I've been giving you have paid off.:: Bredin said in mindspeech.
Humor restored, Kensie replied the same way. ::They have, thank you very much.::
Bredin resumed his review of Sensholding. He noticed the men became much more respectful.
::To them, respect is earned with one's fists, not one's wisdom.:: Lacaral said.
Back at the waystation, the two watched the Companions graze as the sun set. With the summer nearly over, the grass drier and yellow. It would not be long before the leaves began to turn. The evenings were still warm, though the days were cooler, especially in the morning. The Companions' coats glowed red in the last rays of the sun. As he admired them, Kensie said. "You know, I think Justus was looking for an excuse to whip Losanir and Lacaral." His fingers twitched with the urge to stroke Losanir's neck.
"I think you are right. He had his hand on his whip every time I saw him." Bredin agreed. Moved by the same feelings as Kensie, Bredin walked over to Lacaral and ran his hand over the Companion's back. Kensie did the same with Losanir. Bredin sighed. "There are some people who just have to hurt anything beautiful."
::It gives them a feeling of power.:: Lacaral said. ::They convince themselves that hurting another proves they are better than what they hurt.::
"Hurting something is owning it." Kensie said softly. "That is sickening."
Bredin looked at his partner. Kensie was focused on Losanir. He chuckled. "I think you two are having the same conversation we just did."
Both Companions snorted forcefully. Kensie grinned at Bredin. "It appears so."
Lacaral moved closer to Bredin, grazing near his foot. ::There is a delicious-looking dandelion under your boot. Would you please move a little?::
Bredin laughed and stepped back. "Of course, Your Highness! Anything to please you!" Lacaral pinned his ears and looked in Bredin's eye. Bredin kissed his nose right above the yellow flower hanging from his lips.
It took two more days for Bredin to finish the review at Sensholding. He and Kensie both felt uneasy as they rode away. "I feel we missed something important there." He said.
"Me too." Kensie replied. "It was like something was being smothered or repressed."
"A Gift, you mean?" Bredin prompted.
"Exactly." Kensie looked grim.
"Tholan-damned, stupid, ignorant, ******, stubborn, bigoted, idiotic, short-sighted, idiotic, skinflint, stupid, *******, stubborn…"
###
Count Wyeth Poldara sadly watched Baron Faro Mittel ride away. The Baron's shoulders were hunched, reflecting his despair. Baron Mittel had failed to shake his son Wallis' obsession with killing Kensie Poldara. Faro Mittel had barely managed to persuade Wallis to be more discreet when he spoke.
Wyeth and Faro had been friends since boyhood. Wyeth tried to reassure his friend he did not blame him for his son's fixation, but the consequences if Wallis acted would be dire. No matter what the outcome, it would be difficult to remain friends afterwards.
Count Wyeth returned to his study. He stared at the portrait of his ancestor Dashan Poldara, who also had also dealt with an insane and murderous relative. He sighed. Wyeth's own agents told him Wallis Mittel had only slightly moderated his speech: Wallis continued to speak of killing Kensie, though a trifle less openly.
Wyeth wondered why Lord Orthallen had not dismissed Wallis. Such intemperate speech would reflect poorly on Orthallen as Wallis' superior. Surely Orthallen knew of Wallis' obsession. Why…? Wyeth froze. His thoughts led him to ideas terrible to contemplate. Dangerous ideas that also looked like answers to other questions.
After half a candlemark, Count Wyeth Poldara roused from his contemplations. He picked up a sheet of paper and opened his bottle of green ink.
####
Two nights before Sovran, Bredin and Kensie arrived at Redruth. Kensie had finished the review at Olen that afternoon. Partly enticed by the bath-house at Redruth, they had elected to travel late rather than spend the night at the waystation. Herald Courier Ylsa was due to meet with them and Amos with the latest laws and, hopefully, some mail. They would take four days to rest and resupply as well as share the Guardsmen's Sovran feast.
Ensign Halmar met them at the gate. After helping them stable the Companions and showing them their quarters, he took them to the officers' lounge. Though it was late, he offered to rouse a cook to prepare a meal for them. Bredin and Kensie declined, contenting themselves with bread, cold ham and some pickles. After a long soak in a hot tub, they went to bed.
The next morning, they met with Colonel Chase and her senior officers. Neither Ylsa nor Amos had arrived yet. They would have a 'Heralds only' meeting later.
Captain Mazur told Bredin and Kensie how the refugee Jamik Nottebart had alerted them to the bandits lurking on the Karsite side of the border and how Ragnar Einarson had found their trail less than a candlemark after they entered Valdemar.
"That ex-pirate of yours is a great scout." Major Webb put in, nodding at Kensie. "Finds refugees or smugglers two or three times a sennight."
Kensie smiled back, pleased that Ragnar was doing well, though a little concerned that the Major still referred to the boy as an 'ex-pirate.'
::It's hard to shake a label once people pin it on you.:: Losanir commented.
"I'd like to see him." Kensie said. "Is he around?"
"He volunteered to patrol over Sovran so the other scouts could enjoy the feast." Urson put in.
Kensie wondered. According to Herald Randen, the Lake Clans considered the full moon important, though they did not regard the one at Sovran as special. Still, it was odd Ragnar would choose to stay away from the Sovran feast.
Returning his attention to Captain Mazur, he listen as the captain told what Herald Amos had learned from the surviving bandits using the Truth Spell. "The Black Robe priest specifically ordered them to be as brutal and savage as possible. They said he told them 'Leave no stone upon another nor any living thing to draw a breath.'"
Bredin made a face. "He wanted them to terrorize our people, so you would be forced to commit all your resources against them."
"That's what I thought at the time." Colonel Chase said. "Initially, I thought the plan was a feint to draw us away from Redruth, allowing the Sunsguard to raid while we were chasing the bandits. Your message about another gang to the east seemed to confirm it.
"It wasn't until Captain Tewkes-Felthan got back that I realized the purpose was to leave you without Guard protection." She said. "Why would this priest want you dead?"
Bredin raised his hands to express his own bewilderment. "We know the Karsite Sunpriests hate Heralds. We are 'White Demons' who ride 'Hell-horses'. They want us exterminated. Dean Elcarth warned us before we left this circuit is particularly dangerous because it is so close to Karse and the Heralds patrolling it are regularly targeted. They love to bring home dead Heralds as trophies. Even more, they like to capture living Heralds to burn us and our Companions alive."
The assembled officers' expressions showed their horror.
Bredin looked directly at Colonel Chase. "Our question is 'How did the Karsites know where we would be?' Only the Heraldic Circle, the Royal Council and the local guard commanders are supposed to know."
Colonel Chase looked back at him. In her twenty-five years of command, war and tough decisions, she had never flinched at hard questions. "I wish I could say absolutely that there are no spies in my command. If there are, I do not know who they are. Let's ask Lieutenant Ritter." She called in her clerk and sent him for the lieutenant.
Lieutenant Ritter arrived at the Colonel's office a few sunwidths later.
Kensie looked at the lieutenant in shock. "What are you doing here?" He blurted out.
Initially taken aback, Lieutenant Ritter quickly recovered. He looked amused. "I believe you have mistaken me for my cousin. It happens regularly." Alex Ritter was a near-twin for Kadhael Corbie. "Kadhael and I do not get along. You must be Kensie Poldara. My cousin slanders you frequently." He offered his hand.
Kensie apologized and shook Alex Ritter's hand. The lieutenant explained he was a bastard son of Viscount Corbie's younger brother. The family had gotten Alex a commission as ensign and given him a good horse to send him off. His promotion had come through his own abilities.
When Colonel Chase put Bredin's question to Lieutenant Ritter, he answered. "I have no leads on any actual spies inside the command post. I know of only four Karsite spies in Redruth. I've doubled one and I am spoon-feeding the others information we want them to have through carefully managed and fully trusted contacts."
Nobody asked for names. The others had no need to know and understood secrets were best kept when few knew them.
"It is possible there are other agents." Ritter admitted. "But I haven't seen any signs of them."
Before either Herald could ask the lieutenant to elaborate, Colonel Chase spoke up. "I trust Lieutenant Ritter's effectiveness. I have no indication that any information is leaking from this post. Knowledge of your whereabouts is hardly secret. A spy wouldn't need to penetrate this post or access the records of the Collegium or the Royal Council to figure out where you were going. You ride a circuit after all, you don't jump around at random. It wouldn't be hard to deduce your route."
Bredin and Kensie nodded to acknowledge the colonel's analysis. Still, it did not feel right. Both of them had read Duran Molnar's thoughts. The Black Robe priest had told the bandit where they would be. The bandit chief thought that the priest had sources other than local informants.
###
"The bad news first." Ylsa said that night. Bredin, Kensie, Amos and Bredin's yearmate Lars, who had the circuit immediately north of theirs sat with the Herald Courier in the officers' lounge, which they had borrowed for their meeting that afternoon. All four of them gave her wary looks.
"Your circuit has been extended to two years." Ylsa said. "The Royal Council decided the situation in Karse is too unpredictable right now. They figured if Heralds were here for longer stretches, they would recognize signs of trouble sooner. Less turnover means those on duty would have more familiarity with the area."
"Whose idea was that?" Kensie asked sourly. He'd already had more than his fill of Holderkin.
Ylsa sniffed slightly. "You know that Council discussions are confidential."
"And you know that the nobles and guildsmen on Council couldn't keep a secret if you sewed their lips shut. They trade secrets like Companions." Kensie retorted.
The other three snickered. Bredin heard a mental 'Harrumph' from Lacaral.
Ylsa gave a hint of a smile. "None of the Heralds said anything, but the rumor is that Gartheser proposed it and Orthallen backed it. Apparently, only Talamir, Kyril and Elcarth opposed it. Joyeuse supported it and Selenay deferred to the lords."
Bredin and Kensie grimaced, then looked back at Ylsa. "Tell the Council 'Here we stand, obedient to their command.'"
"Don't be so grim about it." Ylsa said. "You'll be back in Haven before you know it, entertaining your fellow Heralds with lies about your adventures."
"What lies and lies not, yet longs to lie, though not lying still?" Bredin said with a grin.
The Companions snorted. Lars rolled his eyes; he'd heard Bredin's riddles since their first sennight in the Collegium.
Ylsa paused. "I don't think I want to know the answer to that."
Kensie stared at Bredin as he tried to solve the riddle. Bredin smiled and shook his head. Kensie sent a thought to Losanir.
::You will have to work it out for yourself.:: The Companion added a mental snicker.
###
The morning after Sovran, Colonel Chase summoned Bredin and Kensie to her office before they could leave to resume their circuit.
"I have some rather strange news." Colonel Chase said. "You remember Elias Thane, from Thanesholding?"
Bredin and Kensie nodded. The Patriarch was serving his sentence at Watford Prison for plotting against the two of them.
"It seems he has had a visitor in prison. One Wallis Mittel, whom I believe you know. Or, at least, he appears to know you." The Colonel looked directly at Kensie.
Kensie and Bredin exchanged looks of surprise. "I know Sir Wallis Mittel very well." Kensie said. "We were friends when we were young, but now he hates me. Bredin knew him as well, but was never in his circle."
When the Colonel asked for an explanation, Kensie gave her the history of his relationship with Wallis Mittel, including the reasons for their falling out.
"I see." Colonel Chase said. "In any case, Major Bilotta sent me a note about this Sir Wallis because one of the guard officers said he'd overheard your name mentioned."
"He eavesdropped on their conversation?" Bredin was surprised. Prisoners were supposedly entitled to private visits.
Colonel Chase shook her head. "No, Ensign Style said he overheard Herald Kensie's name as he let Sir Wallis out at the end of the meeting. He said Sir Wallis turned back to Elias Thane just as he was going out and said 'You won't have to worry about Kensie Poldara any more.' Style recognized your name and told Major Bilotta about what he'd heard."
Kensie was puzzled. "I had a Private Style under my command when I was at North Evendim. Is Ensign Style the same man? Jels Style?"
Colonel Chase smiled. "The same man. Apparently, he took command of a squad after bandits ambushed them and put the ensign, sergeant and corporal out of action. He rallied the squad, captured the bandits and got the ensign, sergeant and corporal back in time for the healer to save them. Captain McNiall gave him the opportunity to be examined for officer. He passed and came to Watford as Ensign about six moons before I left."
Kensie smiled, pleased for Jels Style, who had been one of the brightest members of his squad. Returning to the matter at hand, Kensie said "So Ensign Style recognized my name and told Major Bilotta?"
The Colonel nodded. "Who wrote to me about it. So, why would this Wallis Mittel be talking about you to a man you sent to prison? It doesn't sound good."
Kensie sighed. "No it doesn't. Wallis Mittel has been talking about killing me for years. I've had reports from my father." He gestured at Bredin. "At one time, he even tried to enlist Bredin in a scheme."
Bredin nodded. "I think he is obsessed."
Colonel Chase shrugged. "Be that as it may, the question is: Why would he visit Elias Thane? Could he be trying to enlist him in some scheme?"
Kensie thought for a moment. "Elias Thane isn't crazy, but he's a vindictive son-of-a-bitch. He gets out just after Midwinter, which means he'll be back in Thanesholding before our next visit. He could try something."
"That's what I thought." Colonel Chase said. "I'll see to it that he gets an escort when he goes home. They'll make it plain that, if there is any trouble, he will be the first suspect."
###
They rode mainly in silence that day. The wind gradually rose and increasing clouds scudded across the sky, threatening an end to the false summer. Kensie tried to make conversation, but Bredin was oddly preoccupied and barely responded. When Kensie asked what was on his mind, Bredin smiled and said "I'm trying to work that out." Kensie left him to his thoughts.
That night, they stopped at the waystation at Laikhold, which was halfway to their next review at Greenbriar, thankfully not a Holderkin village.
After their meal, the two sat over their chessboard inside the waystation as the wind outside shook the trees and rattled the branches. Kensie studied his position: Down a knight and a pawn with his king exposed, it was hopeless. He tipped his king over, resigning the game. He reached for his pieces to set them up once more.
Instead of reaching for his own pieces, Bredin looked at his partner. "Kensie, tell me about the attempts to kill you."
Kensie sat back, staring into Bredin's eyes. Bredin could see the question bothered him.
"Please." Bredin said.
Reluctantly, Kensie described the attacks, beginning with the attack in Leuven, giving every detail he could remember. Occasionally, Bredin asked for clarifications, which Kensie gave.
"That's it." Kensie finished. "Unless you count Bohrsholding. You know all about that one."
Bredin quirked his mouth in an almost-smile. "I do. And I do count Bohrsholding. I think you were the main target at Bohrsholding."
Kensie's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You have a theory?"
"I do." Bredin said. Kensie waited. "Kensie Poldara, I think the man who is trying to kill you is Earl Orthallen."
Kensie's jaw dropped. "Absolutely ridiculous!" He exclaimed.
Bredin raised a hand. "Hear me out!"
Kensie sat back, lips pressed together.
"In Leuven, Baron Nemeth refused you the hospitality of his home, forcing you to stay at an inn. Isn't it a little unusual for a noble to refuse hospitality to another noble passing through?"
"It is." Kensie acknowledged. "But you know that everyone held me a coward. I was in disgrace and unwelcome everywhere."
"Your father is and was highly esteemed, wealthy and powerful. He had not repudiated you. An insult to his heir" – Bredin pointed at Kensie – "would be an insult to him. That's not exactly what Widow Clay's book calls proper etiquette. He should have hosted you, though you might have been seated below the salt."
Kensie nodded grudgingly. "So what? It wasn't Baron Nemeth's men who attacked me. Just a Tedrel mercenary."
"Who was paid fifty crowns for murdering you. A rather high price, even for a Count's heir. How did he know where you were? The Blue and The White is the best inn at Leuven, meaning you would most likely stay there. Easy enough to watch for you and speak to Geoffrey Toews when you showed up."
Kensie shook his head. "I don't follow. What does this have to do with Lord Orthallen?"
"Baron Nemeth holds his fief from Earl Orthallen. All the Earl had to do was suggest to his vassal that he should not receive you. Then his agent could do the rest."
"What has Lord Orthallen got to do with the Tedrels?" Kensie asked.
"I'll get to that." Bredin said. "Next, we have the attempt along Ironmonger Road. Geoffrey Toews set you up for that, but died himself. Very convenient that your only lead back to your enemy gets permanently silenced, wouldn't you say?"
Kensie shrugged. "We assumed that Geoffrey's handlers would eliminate him once he'd served his purpose."
Bredin raised a finger. "But, between the twenty crowns on his body – which was probably intended for the killers – and a similar amount likely paid in advance, still a high price for a murder. Mirilin told me that there were thugs near Exile's Gate who would kill a member of the Royal Council for five crowns."
Kensie grimaced and motioned Bredin to go on.
"Nest we have the attempt on you and Kadhael Corbie at Oakdale, though I admit he would be no loss."
Kensie could not resist a smile at Bredin's dismissal of Kadhael.
"The survivors admitted you were the main target and they knew when you would be coming. Only the guard or someone with access to guard records would know where you would be." Bredin said.
"So?" Kensie said.
"As the Senior Member of the Royal Council, Lord Orthallen sits on the military council. It would be easy for him to know your orders." Bredin pointed out.
"Go on." Kensie said.
"The attempt to poison you at North Evendim. Another very expensive attempt. One that speaks of a deep penetration of your father's house by spies. You told me that your father has an excellent spy network, but has never been able to penetrate Lord Orthallen's. You also said Orthallen has probably penetrated your father's house." Bredin said.
"When did I say that?" Kensie asked.
Bredin grinned. "You told me indirectly when you said you probably lost a position as squire because Orthallen knew about the attempt to run me down with your horse."
Kensie blushed at the reminder of his attempt to bully Bredin.
"Before we get to the attempt two years ago," Bredin said, "you told me that Orthallen made a fuss on Council about approving your enrollment in the Collegium."
"I don't see the connection." Kensie said.
"Only that, as a Herald Trainee, you had stronger legal and physical protections than even a highborn heir."
"But he couldn't prevent my enrollment. Not after Losanir Chose me." Kensie protested.
::As if I could un-Choose you.:: Losanir agreed. ::As I live, nothing will separate us.:: The Companion's words warmed Kensie.
Bredin grinned again. "I seem to remember you once berated me for daring to suggest Orthallen had an incorrect opinion about the nature of Companions."
There were loud snorts from the Companions. Kensie grinned sheepishly.
"Second last, we have the attempt on High Street." Bredin continued. "Another well-planned and obviously expensive attempt, thwarted only by Healer Kyminn's foresight."
"We never got a single clue on that one." Kensie said.
"We do know four things, however." Bredin said. Kensie only cocked an eyebrow.
Bredin raised a finger. "Once again, someone spent a lot of money." He raised another. "Someone had spies watching you. A network reaching even into the Palace." He raised a third. "Someone had to arrange for the lamplighters to miss their duty that night." Last finger. "To go from the Great Square to your father's manor on High Street, you would first have to pass Lord Orthallen's manor."
"That's outrageous!" Kensie protested. "That would risk complete exposure!"
"But it would be very convenient." Bredin pointed out. "And they had obviously planned their escape routes carefully."
"And Bohrsholding?" Kensie prompted.
Now Bredin looked grim. "We both think that priest must have gotten his intelligence from someone in Valdemar. We can rule out the Heraldic Circle as the source. That leaves Orthallen at both of the other possible sources: He promoted the establishment of the new guard post at Redruth, he could have managed to insert his own agent there from the inception. He also sits on the Royal Council and could get our planned route from that."
Kensie was dubious. "That doesn't explain how the information got to that priest."
Now Bredin was exasperated. "You have told me that Orthallen has the best spy network of any noble house in Valdemar. Better than your father's. Does your father's network stop at the border?"
"No." Kensie admitted. His father had shared some reports, but even as a Herald, Kensie did not want to reveal Count Wyeth's secrets.
"So why should Orthallen's?" Bredin retorted. "Which brings us to the Tedrels. They're gone, but we know the remnants persist as gangs. Gangs we can't penetrate. Every time our agents get close, they disappear or die. Someone is betraying them. Who is in the best position to expose our agents?"
"Now I know you are crazy!" Kensie reacted angrily. "What possible connection could Lord Orthallen have with the Tedrels? He and they have nothing in common!"
"That we know of." Bredin said.
"Anything else before I tell you why you are wrong?" Kensie snarled.
"Yes. Wallis Mittel. His meeting with Elias Thane at Watford." Bredin snapped back. "Lord Orthallen's aide. Who has vowed to kill you. A vow you said Orthallen would force him to forget. Speaking to a man who hates us both. How did Wallis even know about Elias Thane? More, he's Orthallen's aide. He's not supposed to go haring off on his own. He's supposed to stay with Orthallen, unless Orthallen sends him on a mission."
::Chosen! Calm down!:: Lacaral and Losanir both interrupted.
Kensie took a deep breath. Trying to sound calm, he spoke tightly. "I do not know what Wallis Mittel is doing or how he made contact with Elias Thane. We both know he's obsessed. He's not extremely clever, but we both know that driven people find a way to their goals.
"I cannot accept that Orthallen is trying to kill me. What has he got to gain? Next to Selenay and Talamir, he is the most powerful man in Valdemar. He cannot possibly aim higher unless he is Chosen."
::Haven will float up to the moon first.:: Losanir put in.
Kensie ignored his Companion. "There is simply no reason for Orthallen to try to kill me. Your whole argument is ludicrous."
Bredin opened his mouth to argue.
::Chosen, shut up!:: Lacaral said. Bredin closed his mouth.
Bredin and Kensie turned their backs on each other. For the next candlemark, they sat in silence, not even speaking to their Companions while they listened to the rising wind outside. Finally, they both rose and prepared for bed.
While Bredin put things away in the waystation, Kensie went to the stable to give the Companions a final feed. Both had their ears back; Kensie avoided their eyes.
They climbed into their beds. Kensie reached to turn down the lantern. He hesitated.
"Bredin?"
Bredin looked at him.
"Bredin, I'm sorry. I should not have gotten angry. I don't agree with you, but you did make a reasonable case."
Bredin sat up. "I'm sorry, too. I was talking down. And your point about a motive is a good one. I can't think of one."
"Friends?" Kensie held out his hand.
Bredin shook it. "Friends."
Kensie turned down the lantern and they both went to sleep.
Just after midnight, rain began hammering down on the roof. False summer was over.