“You never know,” said Nakor. “In any event, it will make him a far more educated person than he is, and that is to everyone’s benefit.” He watched as the boys switched roles, so that Demetrius and Talon were to ride the next race, while Rondar observed.
“I’m thinking we must also see to another phase of Talon’s education. I read with interest your notes on his encounters with those two girls at Kendrick’s. I think we need to further those lessons.’’
“Alysandra?”
“Yes. I think it’s time for her to start using the skills we’ve taught her.’’
“Why?”
“Because Talon will face things far more dangerous than steel and spell.’’
Magnus turned to look back at the large buildings of his father’s estate. “How did we become such men, Nakor? How did we become capable of doing such evil things?’’
“The irony of the gods,” Nakor replied. “We do evil in the name of good, and our enemies have at times done good in the name of evil.’’
“Do you think the gods are laughing at us?’’
Nakor chuckled. “Constantly.”
“You didn’t . . .”
“What?”
“When I was your student. You didn’t . . . Helena . . . she wasn’t one of yours, was she?’’
“No,” said Nakor, his features softening. He put his hand on Magnus’s arm, and added, “That harsh lesson was of your own devising. Life is like that sometimes.” Then he turned his attention back to the three boys as the new race began, with Demetrius and Talon riding with all the skill they could muster, while Rondar shouted insults at both of them.
When Nakor looked back at Magnus, he found the magician lost in thought. Having some idea of where those thoughts led, Nakor said, “You should have found another, Magnus.’’
Magnus looked down at his former teacher. “Some wounds never heal. You just bind them up and go on with life.’’
Nakor nodded. “I know, Magnus.’’
Magnus smiled. He knew that Nakor understood, for he had once been wed to Magnus’s grandmother and had loved her up to the very moment he had been forced to kill her.
Magnus took a deep breath. “Very well. When shall we start?’’
“Might as well be tonight,” said Nakor.
Magnus started walking. “Then I had better go and tell the girl.’’
Nakor called after him: “Just tell her what to do. She’ll know exactly how to do it.’’
When he turned back, it was in time to see Talon finish slightly ahead of Demetrius, both boys exulting loudly as they reined in before Rondar. Nakor reflected that youth often understood without having to be taught about seizing the joy of the moment, about not thinking too much of tomorrow and the worries and concerns it would bring, or too much about yesterday, with all its regrets and guilt. Softly, Nakor said, “Enjoy this moment, Talon. Savor it.’’
Then with a sigh of regret, he turned his back upon the three students and started walking toward Pug’s quarters. They had a lot to discuss, and much of that would be unpleasant.
Talon dried his hair with a coarse towel. He enjoyed bathing, though it had not been a regular part of his childhood. The Orosini had to heat water in which to bathe, since all the rivers ran with snowmelt year-round and only in the hot months of summer could one swim in the lakes and rivers of the mountains. In winter they sweated in the lodges and scraped off dirt with a stick.
He had been introduced to bathing at Kendrick’s, but there he had to use a tub, often after others had used it, so it seemed that all he was doing was trading his own dirt for someone else’s. But the Villa Beata had a wonderful set of rooms in which to bathe. It had three connecting baths with cold, warm, and hot water which were enjoyed by many folk in the community on a daily basis. And smaller tubs were available in each wing of the estate buildings.
After working or riding, he was glad to get the grime off and don fresh clothing. And every day there was fresh apparel in his clothes chest. He knew that other students were assigned work in the laundry, but it still seemed like magic to him. He would leave his dirty clothing in a hamper outside the door to the room, and when he returned from his studies or exercises, clean garments awaited him.
As he wiped his face dry, he felt the stubble along his jaw. He had started shaving the year before, in the same manner as Magnus, although the method preferred by the Orosini was to pluck each hair out of the chin one by one. Talon decided he much preferred a sharp razor.
Talon stropped the razor while Rondar and Demetrius came in from their baths. “What are you doing after supper?” he asked, lathering his face.
Rondar threw himself upon his bed, a coarse towel his only garment, and grunted something noncommittal. Demetrius said, “I’ve got kitchen duty tonight, so I’ll be serving and cleaning up. You?’’
“I’m free,” said Talon as he started shaving. “I thought we might build a fire in the pit down by the lake and see who turns up.’’
“It helps if you spread the word during supper that you’re doing so.’’
Rondar said, “Girls.’’