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All four of us perched on our beds, getting to know one another I learned that Kort and Natred had known each other since they were children and had often visited one another’s ho estates froether to the Academy, and in all likelihood would wed one another’s sisters, a prospect that did not seem to dismay either of them

In contrast, Spink, whose real narown up closer to the frontier than any of us His family estate was far to the south and east, and he had traveled the first leg of his journey here bythe Red Desert He and his escort had faced down one party of bandits, killing one ht, two others before they fled what they had doubtless thought easy prey Spink had a good way of telling a story; he was not boastful, for he gave full credit to his acco off the robbers

He had just finished his tale when my father entered the rooly around the roo stare For so ly "I am pleased to see you in such company, Nevare, and to see that your quarters are as tidy as any trooper’s should be Will you introducea bit when I realized I didn’t know Kort’s surname It was Braxan, and he supplied it quickly when I hesitated My father shook hands with each of the his proper name of Spinrek At this, my father cocked his head and then asked carefully, "You would be Kellon Spinrek Kester’s son, then?"

"That I would, sir," and a faint blush of pride crept into Spink’s cheeks that my father would know his father’s naside hin I was not with his, but I heard how he died He was a hero, and you should be proud of his name Your mother, Lady Kester, does she fare well?"

I think Spink nearly gave a polite and untruthful reply He took a breath and then said, "Things have been difficult for her the last few years, sir Her health has not been good, and a dishonest overseer brought us to the edge of ruin But he hasthe full running of our holdings now I as will iravely "And your father’s regiment? They do well by her and your family?"

"Very well, sir Lieutenant Geeverman escorted me here, to be sure I would arrive safely My mother’s pride forbids that we rely on them too much She always thanks them for their many offers, but tells them that her husband would, she is sure, wish to see his sons learn to stand well on their own in paucity rather than rely on the charity of others to live in comfort"

"I am sure he would, Cadet Kester Just as I a honor to the name you bear Hold to your father’s values, and you will be a fine officer"

I perceived then thatabout theiven Spink the opportunity to share his fa it seeht our pity Only later did I learn the tale of his father’s death Going to the aid of a wounded comrade, Captain Kellon Kester had been captured by the Plainsmen The tribe that took him was the Ebonis, well known for their utter ruthlessness toward any enemy When Kester saw that he’d been drawn into a trap baited with his wounded comrade, he shouted to his fellows not to come after him, no matter what

Even the Ebonis honored him for what ca they could devise to Kester, hoping to wring froht tor a rescue He bore it silently They tortured hi, slow business of it Yet as dawn arrived, they discovered their mistake, for while they were thus occupied, the cavalla scouts had marked well their location, and the trap the Ebonis had set turned into an encirclehter of nearly every warrior there Kester’s second-in-command decreed that five of theers severed He sent the mutilated and defeated warriors back to the Ebonis so that the tale of Captain Kester’s courage ht be told around their campfires Less than a year later, what rereed to resettlement in the north Kester’s silence under torture, and the discipline of his lieutenants who heeded his order not to risk hisin after him, no matter what, is often cited as an exa exactly as it should and the solid requireood officer n takes up a major portion of chapter four of the textFit for Command by General Tersy Harwood