I?ve never really understood her, otherwise. She?s a bad person, really, but she?s raised Matti to be a good one, and she was always kind to me, even when she pushed me hard to learn and grow. She?s done great evil, but great good also, if more from policy than inclination; and I think that the good will long outlive her, while the evil will mostly vanish… start to vanish, at least… when Matti takes the throne of Portland and rules the Association. And the more I travel, the more I realize I?ve learned from her, those months every year I lived in the Regent?s Household-things I never could have learned at home. Mother has true wisdom, but it?s not all the wisdom there is. What she stands for is good, but some things can?t be seen from where she stands.

And that was something he could only realize at a distance from them both; as if the knowledge unfolded with the weight of their personalities removed for a while, letting it open like a flower from the bud.

And at home I would never have realized what I knew, he mused, looking westward to where stars shone over the treetops.

Nor learned what I have from others on this journey. Am I journeying to the east, then, or do I travel towards myself? When I meet the man I am becoming… ?Who will Rudi Mackenzie be in himself?? he mused.?Will those I know, know me still??

One thing I do know: I?ll rescue Matti for her own sweet sake.. . but even if she wasn?t dear to me, I?d be downright terrified of failing Lady Sandra Arminger!

TheSwordoftheLady

CHAPTER TWO

BARONY OF ATH, PORTLAND PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION TULATIN VALLEY,
OREGON AUGUST 15, CHANGE YEAR 24/2022 AD

The Lord High Chancellor and the Grand Constable of the PPA rode side by side through the harvested field, with their hawks on their wrists and the attendants at a discreet distance behind. A covey of pheasants exploded from the ground ahead of their horses in a cracking flutter of wings.