“As the children grow older, they need freedom to roam and play normally, but Katrin must be kept safe. Some of the men who are already here shadow them and do well, but I need someone young enough to be able to think as a child thinks. This is not intended to insult you.”
“It isn’t taken that way,” Kaymar answered.
“There would be other work as well. We all have to take a hand around the place because I can’t risk hiring casual servants who might gossip. We are not raising Katrin in the traditional manner, as you will see when you meet her. That could mean a death sentence for me if this information should get back to the Queen. Her orders were that Katrin be raised traditionally.”
Kaymar arched an eyebrow and seemed about to speak, then remained reticent.
“So I have assassins here who knead bread, mop floors, chop wood, dig in the garden,” Menders continued. “Some have taken over three of the estate farms and are turning out to be good farmers. Two have married already. We have a lot of unattached young women out here, thanks to the male population being taken away every time Mordania is in a war.
“I also need a liaison with the Court and Bartan, someone who can go back and forth quickly and who knows his way around the Palace,” Menders went on. “If you wished to stay with us, you would do that as well. I’m buying a small, fast boat to allow us rapid access to the Capitol and back. I think we can vary your assignments sufficiently to keep you from becoming a sort of baby-minder, but your first duty would always be to the Princess.”
“I have the Queen’s protection and am designated a Courtier,” Kaymar volunteered. “That would guarantee me an entrée to Court. It is not common knowledge that I’m no longer in Special Services, so people assume I still work under Bartan’s direction. That would definitely work to your advantage.”
Menders nodded.
“That brings me to something else,” he said. The evening light was now quite low. He removed his glasses suddenly and looked directly at Kaymar.
The effect was startling, even for a young man who had seen a great deal in his eighteen years. Kaymar had never seen eyes like that.
“I must know now, before you so much as meet Katrin, your feelings toward children,” Menders said, fixing Kaymar with those eyes. “If you dislike them, I need to know it, because you could not do this job and should not even attempt it. If you like them too much, in an unwholesome way, you had best go your way now or I will have no choice but to kill you.”
“I have two young nephews and a niece, whom I love dearly and decently,” Kaymar replied, without any heat or taking any offense. It was entirely understandable that Menders would need to know this and Kaymar would have thought less of him if he hadn’t brought it up. “You need have no fear on that score.”
Menders nodded.
“Should you stay, the only other thing I ask is that you keep your behavior within the bounds of decency around Katrin and Hemmett,” he said. “This is what I ask of all of you. The Men have a wing of the house to themselves where the children don’t go without permission. I believe men shouldn’t have to entirely suppress their behavior. But I do ask that swearing, drinking and romance be controlled when the Princess and her friend are within hearing.”
“I’m in complete agreement with that,” Kaymar responded firmly.
“I also feel I should let you know that there are no men with your proclivities here with the exception of Ifor Trantz, who joined us some months ago,” Menders remarked.
“And your servant, the one who took my horse,” Kaymar replied, amused that Menders didn’t know what he did about the big, dark, shaggy man. Then he remembered. Menders had told him there were no servants at The Shadows.
“Servant? No - that was Ifor Trantz,” Menders answered, his own amusement showing. Kaymar realized with embarrassment that Menders had seen his automatic moment of flirtation. “He has a bullet in his back and was mustered out of the service without a pension. It was unlikely you’d have ever met him at the Academy, he’s a few years older than I.”
Kaymar was rattled. He’d heard of Trantz – all spies and assassins had. He and his partner had laid the groundwork that made it possible for Menders to end the Surelian Problem. The man was a genius. Kaymar had flirted with him like a rent-boy and almost tipped him for taking his horse! Who would have ever thought that human bear was Ifor Trantz!
“I’m bonded with Mikail Farnov in Erdahn. I would not be seeking intimate companionship here,” Kaymar said after an uncomfortable silence.
“Then we have no grounds for disagreement,” Menders replied with a smile. “We can manage sufficient time for you to get home to Erdahn often, should I decide you will have the position.”
Kaymar’s heart sank. He’d thought that he’d talked Menders around.
Menders donned his glasses, then turned his head to listen intently. He held up a hand for quiet and sniffed slightly.
“You’re going to meet the Princess,” he said, just as the handle of the door turned. Kaymar rose, intensely curious.
The door swung back and a pretty little girl with long, recently brushed golden hair peeped in with a delighted, dimpled smile on her face.
“I’m sorry, Menders, I didn’t know anyone was here,” she said.
“Come in, it’s all right,” Menders replied, rising. Kaymar knew that this child was the center of Menders’ universe, just from his voice. Judging from her response, he was the center of hers. She came to stand before Kaymar, giving him a small curtsey.
“Princess Katrin Morghenna, may I present your cousin, Kaymar Shvalz, who is considering coming to live with us.”
Kaymar bowed and then took the hand that Princess Katrin extended to him.
“I hope you do,” she said, smiling into his eyes. “I’m glad to meet another cousin. Menders is my cousin too. Would you be one of Menders’ Men? They have a great time in their part of the house. They’re always having games and playing jokes on each other.”
“I hope I will be,” Kaymar answered, feeling himself warm to her instantly. What a contrast to Princess Aidelia’s endless eyerolling and drooling! This child was looking at him with sane and innocent eyes and asking him if he was going to stay for dinner – and she was four years younger than the mad Heiress to the Throne, who could hardly string three coherent words together. Most discernible words spoken by Princess Aidelia were obscenities.
“Come sit with me while I talk with our Cousin Kaymar a bit more,” Menders smiled, re-seating himself and holding out his arms to the Princess. She climbed onto his lap and immediately began going through his pockets, smiling when she finally found a wrapped sweet which had obviously been hidden there for her. Menders outlined more of life at The Shadows and answered Kaymar’s questions. Then, saying he had to dress for dinner, he turned Kaymar over to the Princess for a short tour of the house.
Within minutes Kaymar was completely charmed by his little kinswoman. They poked their heads into the kitchen and Kaymar had the unique experience of being greeted by assassins of his acquaintance who were wearing dinner dress and aprons. They spoke cheerfully and said that once he’d eaten Cook’s meal, he would never want to leave.
By the time the Princess had shown him the other rooms on the ground floor and introduced him to her friend, Hemmett, who announced that he was the Princess’ Guard and had been since she was born, Kaymar had lost his heart to her.
She’s hope for Mordania, he thought with an unfamiliar surge of happiness. Something worth caring about.
***
In his room, Menders automatically changed into dinner attire while letting his mind reflect on his interview with Kaymar Shvalz.
The young man was unnerving. Though stunningly attractive, his movements were calculated and silent, almost reptilian. His facial expressions were so carefully guarded that he seemed soulless. It was obvious he deliberately assumed a sinister mien, despite his pretty features. His exaggerated upper-class Southern Mordanian drawl was peculiar and took some gett
ing used to.
There had been moments during their meeting where Kaymar’s carefully cultivated guard had slipped and Menders, able to watch covertly from behind his dark spectacles, had seen more than the young man probably suspected.
Kaymar Shvalz was hiding a profound sadness beneath his projected exterior of calculation and menace. At first Menders had been put off. He’d decided to dismiss the young man with the coldly blank expression and occasional worrying nervous tics, thinking perhaps he had made a mistake in agreeing to see him.
Watching Kaymar with Katrin had changed his mind. The young man obviously drew hope and perhaps inspiration from her.
Kaymar had not given up on himself. If that was the case, then neither would Menders.
***
Doctor Franz appeared agitated all through dinner. He kept glaring at Kaymar, then giving Menders exasperated looks. When Menders retired to his study after dinner, as was his custom, Franz wasn’t long in appearing.
“Menders!” Franz blustered in. “Have you lost your mind?”
“Not yet. I was expecting you, Doctor. Do sit down. Brandy?”
“What? Oh, quite nice of you. But have you gone mad? Do you know who that is? That young man who joined us for dinner?”
“I introduced him, didn’t I? Kaymar Shvalz,” Menders said, pouring brandies for them both.
“Yes, but… did you know he’s…”
“My cousin, yes.”
“What?”
“Kaymar is my first cousin.”
Franz took a big gulp of brandy, then shook his head. “That’s what I thought you said. Do you also know he’s mad as a spoon?”
“I know he’s had some difficulties.”
“Difficulties my spotted pink arse! I attended that young man in Erdhan, on…”
“On at least two occasions.”
Franz looked stunned. “But how could you know?”
Menders sat back in his chair. “I make it my business to know what goes on, not just here at The Shadows but elsewhere. When you or anyone leaves here, to go to Erdhan or Erdstrom or anywhere else, I know where you go and what you do.”
“You bloody well spy on me?” Franz’s face was beginning to go the color of fine old wine.
“Spy? No. I just know where you are in case anything happens to you. If you were taken ill or injured, I’d have you cared for. If you were suddenly arrested on some mad whim of the Queen, I’d arrange your release. If, gods forbid, you were kidnapped to be used as a bargaining chip by factions bent on attacking us or getting information from you – well, I’d want to know that too.”
Franz looked taken aback. “Oh. That’s different. I didn’t think about it like that.”
“Now, getting back to your misgivings about our young friend,” Menders prompted, seeing that Franz was sufficiently settled to speak reasonably.
“Cousin!” Franz humphed. “You might have bloody well told a fellow.”
“I appoint people to be here on merit, not because of family ties. Kaymar Shvalz being my cousin is a coincidence. Furthermore, he’s not in my employ, nor is he in the employ of the Crown. He refuses to take a pennig for his services, says that he wants to be his own man. Now, tell me what you can. Kaymar has already written to me that you treated him in Erdahn when the Queen last sent for you. He’s also admitted to me, very openly, that he has been mad in the past. I realize that he’s not entirely stable now. It’s obvious.”
“And you’re letting him be responsible for Katrin?” Franz asked incredulously.
“Tell me what I need to know,” Menders replied, his patience wearing.
“All right.” Franz rose, paced a bit and lit a cigar. “I really shouldn’t do this, but I think that Kaymar would allow it. I am absolutely certain that he is the person who killed a number of men in Erdahn, the Gutting Murders. I sat with that young man through several nights of delirium and raving. He gave a pretty good description of his actions.”
“I was fairly sure he was the one,” Menders responded.
Franz wheeled and glared at him. “Do you know he murdered a lover?” he shot back.
“Yes, he told me. It wasn’t murder, it was a mission. He was carrying out a direct order.”
“A lover! That’s how he treats people he loves?” the astonished doctor protested.
Menders sighed. Franz would never understand how assassins worked – or why.
“Franz, the man he killed was involved in a plot that included, among other things, a very workable plan to kill Katrin, the Queen and Princess Aidelia. Tragically, Kaymar fell in love with him – a terrible thing for an assassin to go through. Even if Kaymar had spared him, his lover was a dead man walking. He would have been executed by roasting spit. Kaymar eliminated him, I’m sure, in a painless manner. It’s hard for you to understand, but he had no other choice and was merciful in what he did, at enormous cost to himself.”
“Yes, I saw that cost,” the doctor said. “He’s a very damaged young man, Menders. I can’t see him being an adequate guardian for Katrin.”
“I can. He has a great capacity for self-sacrifice, as well as a capacity for ruthlessness. His record is exemplary. As for the murders – they’re regretful for the damage they have done to him, but none of those men are any loss to anyone. I know why he did it. Frankly, I agree with his actions. Unfortunately he lacked the maturity and detachment that would have saved him considerable pain over what was, essentially, a violation of his own moral code.”
Franz threw up his hands in defeat. “Nothing I say is going to change your mind,” he fumed.
“I will watch very carefully,” Menders assured him. “If I see anything I consider untoward, or if I think he is not prospering here, I will change things immediately. But I believe he’s going to be an excellent addition. He needs rest and quiet. He’ll get it here. I’m sure he’ll repay any kindness we show him a thousand fold.”
“From your mouth to the gods’ ears,” Franz sighed. Then he looked sharply at Menders.
“Just out of curiosity, what would happen if I was kidnapped by someone bent on holding me for ransom?” he asked.
Menders face became unreadable. Franz blanched.
“On second thought, don’t answer that. I expect it would go badly for me?”
“You know I could never bargain or give in to such people. Katrin’s safety always comes first,” Menders replied without inflection.
“Yes, I expected as much. Would have thought less of you had you said anything else.”
“There’s more than one reason why I want you to carry a pistol with you at all times.”
Franz looked away and chewed his lower lip. “I’ll think about it. Goodnight.”
***
From Doctor Franz’s files:
Kaymar, Baronet Shvalz
Patient found to have hidden heart defect after rescuing Katrin, who fell into a deep part of the river while playing with Hemmett. Kaymar was watching the children at the time and dove into water to a depth of some twenty to thirty feet. There was considerable ice melt in the river and both Katrin and Kaymar emerged blue with cold. Katrin was unhurt, but Kaymar was in shock by the time they reached the house.
Upon examination, there is a considerable heart murmur, indicative of a hole between the chambers of the heart. Kaymar says his father died of heart failure at a relatively early age (44). To date he denies any particular heart symptoms, though his past history of injury and severe infection could have a bearing on his heart’s condition.
This should not affect Kaymar’s ability to perform his usual duties. He is difficult for people to warm to, as his behavior can be off-putting, but the approval and warmth he has been shown since saving Katrin has brought him out of his shell and he’s shown the denizens of The Shadows his winsome and charming side.
It is my recommendation that Kaymar be carefully watched, and that he take certain precautions regarding his health. Compliance will undoubtedly be sketchy – his is a wayward nature and his usuall
y submerged madness leads him to occasional episodes of self-injury. It will be necessary to be watchful of the Baronet.
***
The White Beast of winter came, and with it the Thrun. They were fascinated by Kaymar’s stunning looks and prowess with any weapon. Tharak, unimpressed by Kaymar’s most off-putting glare, cupped the young man’s fine chin in his hand, looked into the sea-blue eyes, and told him his Thrun name was Light Behind Clouds. Menders could tell Kaymar was honored, though he shrugged it off with a display of indifference.
Winterfest followed the Thrun carnival. It was the first ‘big’ Winterfest celebration with all the new Menders’ Men and their companions seated at a huge table in the Great Hall, a roaring fire in the massive stone fireplace and decorations hung from the high ceiling beams. It was declared a great success and was set to continue as a Shadows tradition.
***
“So, have you a verdict on Kaymar joining the household?” Menders asked Franz one day while they were taking advantage of an early burst of sunny weather at the end of the winter. They stood on the steps of The Shadows, their overcoats open, hands in pockets.
“Glad to admit that my reservations were unfounded,” Franz replied frankly. He rocked on his heels. “Not to say that he’s entirely stable – he may never be. He’s much improved though, since coming here.”
“His heart?” Menders asked quietly.
Franz shrugged. “It will be a weakness for the rest of his life,” he admitted. He looked sharply at Menders. “You wouldn’t remove him from his position because of it, would you?”
“You have heard of the Mordanian Fireboats by now,” Menders said quietly, keeping his back to Franz.
Weaving Man: Book One of The Prophecy Series Page 26
