There was an interesting twist to his talent with a blade; Jadus fought with a light rapier rather than the commoner broadsword, but such a weapon was much more useful in a situation of close combat. Useful, too, within four walls, or any other crowded situation. Dethor had called Jadus in to work with Alberich, and both of them had immediately suggested that Talamir assign Jadus as one of the King’s six personal guards. The more Heralds they had in those positions, the better. Sendar was more likely to listen to a Herald than a Guardsman. Not that the King was “likely” to listen to anyone if their advice went against something he felt strongly about, but a Herald was more likely than anyone else to get him to stop and think before he acted.

But Jadus was not the only surprise; another of Sendar’s bodyguards was a Healer. In fact, it was the same MindHealer, Crathach, who had mediated the transfer of all of those memories from Alberich to the four spies.

Crathach was also a wicked bladesman, although he favored a two-handed style with knives instead of longer weapons, and his skill was such that he had been able to teach Alberich a trick or two. He came to Alberich himself to demonstrate his skills, and volunteer his services at something besides Healing. “You don’t want a Healer angry at you,” he’d said, when Alberich questioned him on whether he could bring himself to kill with those knives. “A Healer knows how you’re put together, and what will hurt the most. I’ve been working with the severely wounded ever since all this started—” his eyes had glinted, “—and this Healer is very, very angry at the Tedrels.”

Alberich often wondered just what had made Crathach, a Healer, into someone who could say that and look Alberich straight in the eyes while doing so. But he of all people understood a wish to keep one’s past private, and unless Crathach volunteered the information, he was not going to ask. He probably hadn’t expected to be made one of the King’s personal bodyguards, but he adapted immediately. And Alberich was not at all unhappy about having someone who was also a Healer serving as a bodyguard. Especially a MindHealer, who had ways of dealing with a King who was reluctant to rest when he needed to.

It was a convenient assignment, to have the Healer taking the latest of the two night watches, along with one of Sendar’s former squires, knighted just after Alberich had come to the Collegium. The lad had then been sent by his father on some mission or other, and hadn’t come back to Haven until a few moons ago. Alberich had anticipated a certain amount of trouble from that one, but all he’d gotten was respect. Evidently the young buck had gotten some of the arrogance knocked out of him…