You could have waited until I got back to the kitchen to tell me that, Talon observed.
When Im told to do something, I do it at once, she snapped. She picked up her pace, hurrying on ahead. Talon watched her stiff back as she walked in front of him. Something struck him oddly for a moment, then he realized what it was; he liked the way her hips moved as she climbed the hill. He felt that same strange stirring in his stomach he often felt when he was alone with Lela and wondered about that. He didnt particularly like Meggie, but suddenly he found himself thinking of the way her nose turned up at the tip, and how on those very rare occasions she smiled at something, she got tiny lines crinkles Lela called them at the corners of her eyes.
He knew that something had passed between Meggie and Lars for a while, but that for some reason they were barely speaking to one another now, while everyone spoke with Lela. He pushed away his discomfort. He knew what passed between men and women his people were open enough about sex and he had seen many women naked at the bathing pool when he was still a child yet the actual fact of being close to a young women caused him much distress. And these people were not Orosini they were outlandish though after an instants further thought he has to concede that now he was the outlander. He did not know their rituals, but they seemed to make free with their bodies before they were pledged. Then he realized that he didnt even know if they did pledge. Perhaps they didnt have marriage like the Orosini at all.
Kendrick had no wife as far as Talon was aware. Leo was married to the heavy woman, Martha, who oversaw the baking, but they were from some distant place called Ylith. Perhaps here in Langadore men and women lived apart, only he shook his head as they reached the outer gate to the stabling yard. He didnt know what to think. He resolved to speak of this with Robert should the opportunity arise.
He noticed that Meggie was standing in the porch, waiting for him. Fill the barrels, she instructed.
Softly he said, I know what to do.
Oh, do you? she returned, her meaning obscure.
As she turned to hold the door open, he waited, then moved past her. As she closed the door behind him, he put down the large buckets of water and said, Meggie?
What? she said, turning to face him, her face set in a half-frown.
Why do you dislike me?
The openness of the question took her aback. She stood speechless for a moment, then she brushed past him, her voice soft as she said, Who said I didnt like you?
Before he could answer, she was gone from the kitchen. He picked up the buckets and carried them to the water barrels. He really didnt understand these people.
After dinner that night, Talon sought out Robert, who stayed in a room at the back of the inn, on the first floor. He knew he had a life-debt to this man. He knew that until he was released from that debt, he would serve Robert de Lyis for the rest of his life, or until such time as he saved Roberts life. But he was uncertain as to the plans Robert had for him. He had been numb with grief and overwhelmed by the changes in his life since Midsummer, but now with winter fast approaching, he had come to think about the future more and wonder what his fate would be after the spring came, and the next summer was upon him.
He hesitated before the door; he had never intruded upon Roberts privacy before, and did not even know if such an approach was permitted. He took a breath, then knocked lightly.
Come in.
He slowly opened the door and leaned in. Sir, may I speak with you?
Roberts room contained only four items of furnishings, a bed, a chest for his clothing, a small table and a stool. He sat upon the stool in front of the table, consulting a large object, which appeared to Talon to be many parchments bound together. Next to it rested a candle, the rooms only illumination. A water basin and a pitcher indicated the tables other function when Robert was not using it for his work.
Come in and close the door.
Talon did so and stood awkwardly before Robert. Is it permitted? he asked at last.
Is what permitted?
For me to ask you a question.
Robert smiled. Finally. It is not only permitted, it is encouraged. What is on your mind?
Many things, master.
Roberts eyebrows went up. Master?
I do not know what else to call you, and everyone says youre my master.
Robert waved to the bed. Sit down.
Talon sat, awkwardly.
To begin with, its appropriate for you to call me master in front of anyone well known to us, but when we are alone, or with Pasko, you may address me as Robert. Understood?
I understand that is what I am to do. I do not understand why.
Robert smiled. You have as keen a wit as you do an eye, Talon of the Silver Hawk. Now, what is it you wished to see me about?
Talon composed his thoughts, taking a few moments to weigh his words. Then he asked, What are your plans for me?
This concerns you?
Talon lowered his eyes for a moment, then remembered his fathers words, that he should always meet another mans gaze and always face a problem directly. It concerns me.
Yet you have waited for months to ask.
Talon again fell silent. Then he said, I have had to consider much. I am without a people. Everything I know is gone. I do not know who I am any more.
Robert sat back. He drummed his fingers lightly upon the table and said after a while, Do you know what this is? He touched the large bound sheaf of parchment.
It is writing, I think.
This is called a book. In it is knowledge. There are many books with many different kinds of knowledge in them, just as each man is a different kind of man.
Some men live their lives, Talon, without having to make many decisions. They are born to a place, grow up in that place, marry and father children in that place, grow old and die in that place. This is how it was to have been for you, is it not?
Talon nodded.
Other men are cast adrift by fate and must choose their own lives. That is how it is with you now.
But I am in your debt.
And you shall repay that debt. Then what?
I dont know.
Then we have a common purpose, for in discovering how you may best serve me, we shall also discover what your destiny is.
I dont understand.
Robert smiled. Thats not necessary, yet. You will in time. Now, let me tell you some things you should know.
You will spend the next year here, at Kendricks. You will do many things, serving in the kitchen as you have, and in the stable, and in other capacities as Kendrick sees best. You will also, from time to time, serve Caleb or Magnus, should they need you while they are staying here. And from time to time you will travel with me. He turned, putting his hand upon the book once more. And we shall start tomorrow by teaching you to read.
To read, Robert?
You have a bright mind, Talon of the Silver Hawk, but it is untutored. You were educated in the ways of your people to be a good and true man of the Orosini. Now you must be educated in the ways of the world.
I still dont understand, Robert.
Robert motioned for Talon to stand. When he had, Robert said, Go away and go to sleep. You will understand over time. I sense a potential for greatness in you, Talon. I may be wrong, but if you fail to develop that potential, it will not be for a lack of effort.
To read, Robert?
You have a bright mind, Talon of the Silver Hawk, but it is untutored. You were educated in the ways of your people to be a good and true man of the Orosini. Now you must be educated in the ways of the world.
I still dont understand, Robert.
Robert motioned for Talon to stand. When he had, Robert said, Go away and go to sleep. You will understand over time. I sense a potential for greatness in you, Talon. I may be wrong, but if you fail to develop that potential, it will not be for a lack of effort.
Not knowing what to say, Talon merely nodded, turned and left. He paused outside Roberts door and thought to himself, Potential for what?
Talon waited, sword ready. Magnus stood a short distance away, observing. The boy was already drenched with perspiration and was sporting several red welts on his shoulders and back from the blows he had taken.
Kendrick stood before him, a wooden training sword in his hand, motioning for the boy to attack one more time. He had allowed Talon to use a real blade, claiming that if the boy could cut him he deserved to bleed, and so far he had proven his ability to avoid being touched. But Talon was fast and learned quickly, and he was getting closer and closer to reaching Kendrick.
Magnus had said nothing during the training exercise, but he watched every move closely.
Talon attacked, this time holding his blade back as if readying for a downward strike. He suddenly spun away from Kendricks right side his sword side and slashed down and sideways with the blade, a vicious swing at Kendricks unprotected left side. Kendrick sensed the move only at the last instant, and barely got his own blade in place for a block, but suddenly Talon reversed himself and slashed in a backhand at Kendricks right side, which was now unprotected since he had over-extended himself for the block.
With a satisfying thunk the flat of Talons blade slapped into the innkeepers back, eliciting a grunt of pain and Kendrick shouted, Hold!
Talon turned, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath and watched as the innkeeper studied him. Who taught you that move, boy?
No one, sir. I just thought of it a moment ago.
The innkeeper reached back and rubbed where Talon had struck him. Fancy move, and beyond most swordsmens imagination, let alone their capacity, yet you pulled it off the first time.
Talon didnt know what to say. He wasnt sure if he was being praised or not. He was getting to be almost fluent in Roldemish, but some of the nuances and idioms were still lost on him.
Kendrick handed his practice blade to Talon and said, Were done for today. Put these away and see what Leo has for you do to in the kitchen.
Talon wiped his forehead with the sleeve of his tunic, took the weapon and hurried off towards the kitchen. When he was out of hearing, Magnus said, Well, what do you think?
Hes a cat, that one, said Kendrick. I would have wagered a bag of gold he couldnt touch me for at least two more lessons. At first I could whack him at will. Then he started anticipating my blows. Defence first, instinctually, knowing that survival comes before victory. Hes a smart one, too, as well as fast.
How good can he be?
Kendrick shrugged. If you want a battle-butcher, I can have him ready to storm a wall in a month. If you want a swordsman, hell need better masters than I.
And where would I find such?
Give him to me for the year, then hell be ready for the Masters Court in Roldem. One or two years there and hell be one of the finest swordsmen Ive ever seen.
That good?
Kendrick nodded. More. He may be the best if something doesnt ruin him along the way.
Magnus held his iron-shod staff and leaned against it, staring at where Talon had last been visible, as if maintaining the image of the fatigued youth, dripping with his own perspiration, his hair lank and plastered to his head, hurrying to the kitchen. What sort of something?
Drink. Drugs. Gambling. Women. The usual.
Kendrick looked at Magnus. Or whatever plots and intrigues your father has lying in wait for him.
Magnus nodded. Fathers left the boys fate up to Robert. Talon is not part of our plans yet, but father heard Roberts report on him and counts him a fortuitous opportunity.
Fortuitous for whom? asked Kendrick. Come, I need to bathe. That lad worked me more than I expected.
Magnus said, Had Robert and Pasko not found him, Talon would be dead with the rest of his tribe. Its Roberts judgment that every minute from that moment on is borrowed time. The boys got a second chance.
Ah, but who is going to use that chance? asked Kendrick. Thats the question, isnt it?
Magnus said, Were all used, in one fashion or another. Do you think for a moment my life could be any different?
No, you were fated by nothing more basic than who your parents were. Your brother, however, had choices.
Not that many, really, said Magnus. Caleb had no gift for magic, but he could have been something more than a soldier.
Kendrick said, Your brother is more than a soldier. Elven-trained as a hunter, master of more languages than I know of, and as skilled a student of men as lived. I wish Id had him with me back when we put down the rebellion in Bardacs Holdfast; trying to get information out of the prisoners at Traitors Cove was no spring fair, I can tell you. Caleb can tell when a man is lying just by looking at him. Kendrick shook his head, No, there is nothing about any member of your family that Id count as begging. And I think its much the same with the boy. I think he could be many things. He slapped Magnus lightly upon the shoulder. Just dont ruin him by trying to make him too many things, my friend.
Magnus said nothing. He stopped to let Kendrick move ahead of him, then turned and looked into the sky as if trying to read something in the air. He listened to the sound of the woodlands, and then cast his senses outwards. Everything was as it should be. He turned and looked back. What had briefly troubled him? Perhaps it was Kendricks warning about the boy. Still, a sword was not forged until the metal was heated, and if a flaw existed in the steel, that was when you found it, in the crucible. And every blade would be needed for the war to come if his fathers plan wasnt successful.
Talon heaved the last of the flour sacks onto the pile he had been constructing. A wagon-load of provisions had arrived from Latagore and he had spent the afternoon unloading it, hauling them down the steps into the basement below the kitchen. Besides enough flour for the winter, there were baskets of vegetables and fruits imported from other lands, preserved by some fey art that Talon didnt understand, though he had overheard enough in the kitchen to know that such magic preservation was costly beyond the means of any but the noble and wealthy.
Leo and Martha had taken command of a variety of small boxes, containing spices, herbs and condiments that the cook counted more valuable than their weight in gold. All their provisions for the winter, with what they could grow in the garden and harvest in the autumn, and what Talon and Caleb could hunt, meant a winter of good food, far beyond what the boy was used to.
Talon! came Lelas voice from above. He hurried up the broad wooden steps, and saw her standing next to the wagon, a rapt expression on her face. Look! She pointed skyward.