Hynes Family/Alois/Goodbyes/RP28

"Lad cuts quite a figure," he said as as they rode, Elmont's massive bay struggling underneath his weight. "Wait until my Master of Arms gets ahold of that one, though. Beat some of the vinegar out."

Alois grimaced. He remembered his own lessons all too well. "I took him into battle, once. Handled himself well enough, and he's quite adept with a sword."

His father grunted. "We'll see."

Urging Traveller forward, he reigned up beside Pate and nodded. "What do you think?" he asked, jerking his head back towards his father.

Pate turned, looking over his shoulder to make sure the old man was far enough away, and whispered, "God, I can't believe he's your father!"

Alois laughed. "Oh, come, he's not that bad."

Pate ticked the reasons off on his fingers. "He's fat, annoying, self centered, the epitome of gluttony and, oh, did I mention he smells like a cheap Ale house?"

"I thought you'd like that."

"You know what I mean, Ser."

"I'll admit, aye, he takes some getting used to. Just wait until you meet my Mother. You'll like her."

"I'm just glad he won't be with us very long."

Sighing, Alois looked down at his hands, cupped over the horn of the saddle. "Actually, boy, I've been meaning to talk to you." Scratching a sudden itch underneath his beard, he stopped and took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm contemplating sending you to Foster." He stopped, waited for a reply, but none came. Pate sat his saddle, staring straight ahead, not even looking at him. He waited a moment, and jerked his head backwards. "With him."

Nothing. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Pate turned. "Why?" he asked, his voice quiet, trembling slightly. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No. No, of course not." More silence. Alois simply didn't know what to say, and Pate didn't seemed very inclined to talk. He scratched his beard some more and cursed himself, searching for words. Finally, he found them. "You remember that man in Perdan? My cousin?" Pate nodded. "Good. He wasn't a very good Knight, Pate. Not a very good person. Knighthood isn't just about swinging a sword. It's so much more, and he never understood that." He squeezed the reigns, hoping he was explaining things well enough. "I taught you the first part, the part I know the best, and in that regard you are ready, but I don't know if I can teach you the rest."

"I understand."

He sighed. "You didn't do anything wrong though. Don't ever think you did anything wrong, or I just don't want you around. You're the closest thing to a son I'm likely to ever have, and I'm going to miss you."

"How long?"

"A year. Two years. Not very long."

More silence, and this time it stretched on, until finally Alois reigned up and waited for his father, watching as Pate continued silently down the road.