Richard Parker - The Black Horseman

“No, he will not leave his homeland so readily. Afton Sath will have moved south, toward Millvale, and then down deeper in country,” Navarra answered. “Send someone for horses…and dogs. We will head to Millvale immediately.”

VI

Kostek walked slowly through the night, his mind occupied by his latest training session with Gwaynn. The boy’s improved stamina was giving his new master fits. The lad had scored two hits on him tonight, and scored at least one nearly every night in the last week. His growing skill could no longer be ignored. The Tar was sure that Gwaynn could at least match the skills of Hotch, his fourth year student, which was beyond belief. Clearly, Gwaynn retained more of his training with Master Sath than he realized, but it was hard to know for sure because Gwaynn was not like any other student Kostek had ever worked with. The boy was relentlessly aggressive, recklessly so, and Kostek knew that eventually such aggressiveness would need to be tempered. But at the moment he was at a loss as to how. Gwaynn fought fearlessly, and when Kostek stressed that every hit he scored would have meant death on the battlefield, the boy had just shrugged.

“I’ve already died twice,” he’d answered and dove in once again for the attack. Kostek shook his head at such an aggressive style of fighting and as he moved up the steps to the Grand Hall he wondered how his students would handle it.

Tar Amon was waiting for him at the top of the stairs.

“Our visitor is progressing?” Amon inquired softly, with a hand outstretched in greeting.

“Faster than I would ever have thought possible,” Kostek answered, as Amon led him inside and to his private rooms.

“He has potential then?” Amon asked, not fully realizing Gwaynn’s quickly improving abilities. Kostek did not hold it against his Master. He would not have believed it was possible either. Kostek took a seat in a cushioned chair in front of a small oak desk as Amon moved behind it.

“Potential to be the Island’s best pupil,” Kostek answered. Amon’s head came up swiftly and he raised his eyebrows, but said nothing for several moments.

“Our best?”

Kostek nodded his head silently.

“This must be kept quiet,” Amon finally said, breaking the silence and surprising Kostek. “Especially now,” he added and handed an official looking letter to his most trusted comrade.

Kostek read the letter, which actually was an invitation to celebrate, for the High King of the Islands had announced his intentions to wed the Lady Audra Deutzani, daughter of King Arsinol Deutzani.

“I think we have the reason for the High King’s decision to aid the Deutzani in the attack on the Massi,” Amon stated when Kostek looked up from the paper he was holding.

“The Lady Audra?” Kostek asked trying to understand.

“The youngest. She is only just turned fourteen,” Amon explained. “She is said to be extraordinarily beautiful.”

“Fourteen?” Kostek said, thinking aloud, knowing that the High King Mastoc was nearing forty. His first wife, Queen Eleanor of the Montoray, had died in childbirth nearly ten years ago giving birth to Princess Anya. Prince Nigel, their only son was already nineteen.

Amon nodded. “Arsinol demanded a high price for his youngest.”

“If it gets out that the Temple Knights aided in the downfall of the Massi for a woman…for a girl, it will mean civil war, possibly war without end.”

“Those were my thoughts exactly when Gwaynn first came to us.”

“Yet you let me begin to train him?”

“I’ve already decided that the boy’s fate will not be decided by us,” Amon said.

“But we are helping him!” Kostek protested.

“We began helping him when we saved him from death on that beach so many months ago.” Amon answered calmly.

“I will stop training him immediately,” Kostek said realizing fully just what a danger the boy posed for the Noble Island.

“You will continue to train him, but quietly. Select one student, I think you know who, to train with him also, but all involved must know of importance of secrecy.”

Kostek shook his head. “It is far too dangerous. If this gets out…”

“When,” Amon interrupted. “When this gets out, and it will, all of it. The High King will not be able to keep this quiet indefinitely, already there are whispers moving across the land of treachery. There is danger from the High King, and there is danger from the Families. The danger from the Families is far greater.”

“How so?” Kostek asked, not truly understanding.

“The High King is not likely to attack Noble if he finds out we know of his involvement in the Massi downfall. Any action he takes against us must be explained, but when the word finally gets out to the Families of the Kings treachery toward the Massi, their wrath will be great, and directed against any they feel aided in the injustice. We must not be seen as a puppet to the High King.”

“You think he will fall then?”

Amon shrugged. “He may survive, but we will do what is right…always.

Kostek nodded, having long since realized that the current High Master of Noble Island was a much deeper thinker than he would ever be. Over the years, Kostek had come to know himself very well and had no illusions that he would out-think anyone. Kill them with many weapons, yes, out-think, no.

“I want you to tell Gwaynn about the upcoming nuptials,” Amon added and stood signifying that the meeting was nearly over.

Kostek also stood. “You think that is wise?”

Amon shrugged. “I promised him,” was all the High Master said.

Kostek bowed slightly and took his leave, suddenly feeling very uneasy about the future.

ǂ

Master Kostek worked with Gwaynn privately at night for the next three weeks, though the boy continued to run with his students in the mornings. His running continued to improve steadily and he was beginning to push William and Tam. If anything, the boy’s fighting style was becoming even more aggressive as he grew more and more familiar with his Master’s tendencies. At times it was all Kostek could do to keep from injuring Gwaynn so frantic was the pace his young opponent set. Frankly, Kostek was more than a little anxious about setting Gwaynn on one of his other students for fear that an injury would occur. Injuries were not uncommon, but they were to be avoided whenever possible. But after several weeks went by Kostek knew that he could delay no longer, so now he waited, working lightly with Vio until Gwaynn arrived home. He was later than usual having worked with Lane in the fields on the western side of the island.

Kostek had chosen Vio to work with Gwaynn even though he was sure Master Amon had meant for him to work with Krys, another Massi youth. But Kostek had noticed a calmer, more relaxed Gwaynn when the young woman was near him. She should temper his violent style. Plus he believed Gwaynn’s aggressive manner may well help Vio to improve. At times she lacked aggressiveness and appeared reluctant to put her opponents away.

“Beware,” Kostek warned as he worked through some intricate moves with his most natural pupil. He believed that Vio may one day become a Tarina herself; if that is the path she wished to follow. “Gwaynn is very, very aggressive, and fights with a certain amount of recklessness.”

Vio frowned, concentrating on working through the move correctly. “Is he good?” she asked as they finished and stepped away from one another.

“Very,” Kostek answered just as a knock came at the door. He motioned for Vio to open it, and when she did, the Tar noticed that the young man’s demeanor changed immediately. Kostek then knew his decision was the correct one.

“Vio,” Gwaynn said softly, with a fair amount of surprise.