As a child, Caedmon Kilgour was either invisible or a nagging presence, depending on who answers your questions about him. Although he loved to ride at an early age, and learned to handle both sword and bow, the knights at court who prepared young men for the task of serving in the king's army agreed that he was not born to be a soldier. Instead, he was interminably curious. He pestered the weapon-smiths and armorers with questions about how their trades. He loitered in the kitchens to learn what labors contributed to the royal feasts. He pleaded to travel on the great sailing ships, and talked with all hands, from the captain to the most menial sailor, until he had some understanding of the workings of ships. When there were no travels or feasts, he explored the castle, from its cellars to its highest towers to learn as much as he could. At times, this meant moving silently and cautiously, and disguising his identity. With practice, he learned the tricks of stealth. One of his favorite rooms was the royal library and the vast wealth of knowledge that could be his through reading and writing.
That insatiable curiosity, and strong recommendations from the Master at Arms and others in the military orders who wanted him to go away, prompted his parents to hire tutors. He learned reading, writing, practical mathematics, law, and other subjects that might win some place of honorable service for a young noble. He proved to be an adept pupil, and for practical experience, at the age of 16 began to serve as a secretary to the royal steward.
Caedmon served the steward dutifully for seven years, until a day when the steward was absent and an a large delivery arrived for the castle. The young noble accepted the delivery and paid the merchants who brought it. When he went to record the transaction in the steward's books. He discovered a treachery. Until now, the steward forbade anyone from examining the books. By comparing the steward's books to records from the merchants themselves, Caedmon found that the steward was siphoning money from the king's coffers by withdrawing more than was due to pay certain routine expenses. The amounts were small, but they added to a significant wealth. Caedmon took his case and the evidence to the Chancellor, who took the matter to the king. The king summoned the steward to answer these charges. Instead, the steward hanged himself. The king rewarded Caedmon by appointing him as the new steward.
Within a year, Caedmon discovered that this treachery went farther than his predecessor, to the vice-chancellor who was receiving bribes from the steward. Again, Caedmon took his case to the Chancellor. Again, the chancellor spoke to the king. The king condemned the vice-chancellor to death, and on the chancellor's recommendation, appointed Caedmon as the new vice-chancellor.
For eight more years, Caedmon served at the side of the wise old chancellor and learned all that he could, both from books and men, about the world and the king's interests in it. His duties did not confine him strictly to the castle. He journeyed to Aberdeen, Jadda, and Laniveer to conduct his king's business through negotiations with those realms. On receiving news that the chancellor is gravely ill, he has returned swiftly from his last trip.
Beside insatiable curiosity, Caedmon has several peculiarities that are both his blessings and his burdens. Beginning in adolescence, he has been prone to sudden seizures, especially in moments of anxiety. A healer to the Duke of Ruxton, while visiting the royal court, provided his parents an herb which that controls the tremors. The healer sent seedlings to Caedmon so that he would have a ready supply. This, in turn, led the young man to become an amateur gardener, growing the herb and many other plants for his own enjoyment. Because faithful servants have helped him to manage his secret ailment, he tends to be protective and charitable toward all servants as long as they remain faithful to him and to the house. For his own sake, he also has spent time with various healers to learn some of the apothecary's arts. For exercise, he enjoys long walks and horseback riding, at times to the annoyance of guards who fear for his safety. Although he privately longs for a woman who would love him in spite of his affliction, he is content to devote himself to serving the king.