Fyn opened one eye to see how close they were to the city. They were still half a candle mark out so she closed her eyes to doze again. One advantage to spending so much time as a messenger was that she had learned to sleep anywhere. It meant she could keep the night watch, allowing Tyree to sleep.
:Roarke is excited, we must be close.: Tyree commented with a sigh. She was as tired as Fyn.
:At least he had the sense to ask for an escort.: Fyn said. :Kidnapping a Karsite citizen would cause one hell of a disaster.:
:It may still be a disaster. He says he needs to go to the Temple.:
Fyn gave up her attempt to nap to observe the Companion that pranced next to them. His belled hackamore chimed with every step reminding Fyn why she had stripped those bells off Tyree's tack. "I insist on talking to the highest ranking priest first. If you 'Choose and run' there will be problems. Maybe bad enough we would be forced to sever the bond. Do you understand?"
The Companion looked obstinate for a few seconds before nodding his agreement.
"I will do everything possible to smooth the way for your Chosen, but you must be patient."
He nodded.
Fyn noticed the farmer on his wagon staring at her. She was probably the first Herald he had seen. "Fair travels?" She asked in Karsite.
"Are you a Herald?" He asked rudely.
"Yes sir." Fyn answered with a smile. "This is Tyree and the impatient fellow is Roarke. He's young and easily excitable still."
"They don't look like demons." The farmer conceded but he was still suspicious.
Fyn patted Tyree's neck. This was going to be another of the Companions-are-nice conversations.
Tyree went through her entire repertoire of tricks before the farmer's suspicions eased. In the end it was jumping in place while kicking out her back legs so she looked like she was flying that impressed him the most. He asked her to do it again and again until her back and legs were sore. Tyree was heartily glad when he turned off to head to a market.
"I hope you realize that you and your Chosen are not going to have an easy time of it. Not that I am trying to dissuade you. But, be prepared for many reactions like that. Tyree and I deal with every time we come to Karse." Fyn warned.
Roarke nodded.
:So, who are we going to ask for?: Tyree asked.
:First, I am going to groom the pair of you so you gleam and wash up. We need to make a positive impression. Then I will ask to speak to the highest ranking priest on an urgent matter. I just hope Her Holiness is here. I suspect it will take her word to smooth feathers.: Fyn tried to brush dust off her uniform and failed.
:That would smooth the way considerably. Just consider that twenty years ago you would have been burned alive long before you reached Sunhame and here you are riding without escort.:
:Only because I didn't do the sensible thing and ask for a fellow Herald to accompany me.: Fyn pointed out. Normally Heralds only entered Karse in teams of three or four because the general populace had a hard time adjusting to Heralds not being Demon Riders.
:But you feel comfortable enough to doze, so it can't be all bad.: Tyree argued.
"I kept watch all night while you two slept." Fyn pointed out as she fought off a yawn. "I need a nap and you two can keep watch for a while."
Tyree huffed and didn't continue arguing. Tyree was far more optimistic about this trip than she normally was. Normally she was far more wary, almost pessimistic, about the acceptance of Heralds among the Karsites. However, she also thought there was something more than just the normal Choosing occurring and that Someone would step in to see they are not disturbed.
Fyn preferred not to rely on the interventions of Gods. Even if Vkandis was notorious for intervening in Karse, it took hundreds of years before he stepped in to stop the war between Valdemar and Karse. Millions of lives were lost in the meantime, so the death of a single Herald and a pair of Companions would not get much a rise out of him.
Fyn had carried messages to Solaris on two prior occasions so she knew Sunhame but Roarke didn't need any guidance to reach the gate closest to the Temple. The Sunguard at the Temple Gates greeted her cordially but carefully questioned her.
"Who is your message for?" He finally asked her.
"For the highest ranking priest here. However, we need to clean up first. And all three of us need to speak with them."
"Her Holiness?" The Sunguard asked dubiously.
"That would be best, thank you." Fyn took a hold of Roarke's reins, he was vibrating with excitement. The last thing she needed was for him to run off.
"May I ask why the other Herald is not here?" The Sunguard asked.
"There is no other Herald. He has yet to Choose. That is why I had to join him." Fyn explained.
He nodded but didn't seem to understand, turned to a younger guard and sent him to get approval.
He turned back to Fyn. "How was the road, Herald?"
"Just the usual. There seems to be less hostility." Fyn said with a tired smile. "Have you traveled to Valdemar yet?"
"Not yet."
"If you do, ask for Herald Fyn at the Palace Gates." Fyn invited.
The Sunguard's eyebrows rose at her invitation. "Thank you, Herald."
The young Sunguard hurried to bring her approval. "Ma'am, we have a room in the stable you can use or one in the barracks."
"The stables will be fine, I know you have a male only rule for the barracks." Fyn led the Companions towards the stables. Roarke reluctantly followed her. She was glad he wasn't speaking to her or he would be begging for her just take him to his Chosen.
She dealt with the Companions first; removing their tack, grooming them, then re-tacking them so they looked perfect. "Get some rest, Tyree, I'll wake you when we're ready. It may take a few candle marks after all."
:Thank you, Chosen.: Tyree turned her attention to the food that had been prepared for her. Roarke shifted restlessly, ignoring the food.
"Don't work up a sweat or you won't make a good impression." Fyn scolded as she headed to the room next to the stalls. There were six stalls for Companions and three such rooms for messengers. One of the other stalls was occupied but his Chosen was Envoy so he resided in Her Holiness's palace.
She was barely decent when a knock on her door made her jump. Opening it she found an older Herald waiting for her.
"Apparently her Holiness has been expecting you." He explained sheepishly as she pulled on her tunic. "Any idea why? You don't have to tell me, of course, I'm just curious."
"Come in." Fyn suggested. "Roarke is here to Choose someone on these grounds and I don't think it will be the gardener."
"Huh. Well, that will be interesting." The older Herald muttered. "Do you want me to deal with it?"
"No." Fyn started brushing out her hair. The flame red hair reached past her waist. It was a hassle to deal with on the road but she considered it one of her finer features. Braiding the hair she surveyed herself. "Presentable?"
"Not precisely, but we don't want to keep her Holiness waiting. She's a busy woman." The Herald gestured for her to follow him. Tyree and Roarke quickly fell in behind them.
Solaris, Son of the Sun, was waiting for her in a garden rather than in one of her receiving rooms. She sat on a padded bench with another arranged for Fyn and space for the Companions. A Firecat was settled on the ground at Solaris's feet.
Solaris stood as Fyn approached.
"Your Holiness. Hansa." Fyn bowed. "I am Herald Fyn, this is my Companion, Tyree, and Companion Roarke, he is unpartnered."
"I am pleased to meet you." Solaris greeted her. "We were expecting you."
Fyn's gaze flashed to the Firecat. She didn't know if Solaris meant the we as in her and Vkandis or her and the Firecat, she really hated it when rulers used the Royal We. "I hope we aren't interrupting anything."
"Nothing that is more important than this." Solaris sat and gestured for Fyn to have a seat. "I knew you were coming, but not why. I am curious why the closest confidant of the Prince and Princess has ridden from Haven to Sunhame at such a pace her Companion is exhausted."
"I am not here as friend of Herald Lyra or Herald Kris. I am here as someone who can speak for Companion Roarke." Fyn gestured to the Companion. "Unpartnered Companions rarely leave Haven, except to Choose. In this case, his Call was taking him to Karse and, apparently, to your temple."
Solaris obviously didn't expect her explanation. She stared at Fyn like she had grown a second head.
"We are hoping to prevent any diplomatic squabbles by requesting access to your grounds for the purpose of Roarke's Choosing."
"What of their vocations?"
"That will be something that the Circle would have the final word on, but we would do everything in their power to accommodate. The Companions never Choose wrong."
"I read about one Chosen, Tylendel. He seems to have been a poor Choice." Solaris challenged.
"That was a failure of the Heralds and the Circle; we should have been more alert to the emotional consequences of his twin being assassinated."
"His twin?"
"His family was embroiled in a terrible feud that had become bloody. The Crown should have stepped in. The Heralds should have forced him to talk. It was the culmination of many mistakes, but when he was Chosen, none of those factors were in play." Fyn pointed out. She had to fight not to smile, this conversation was paralleling one she had with Tyree about four years earlier.
Solaris regarded her thoughtfully.
"About the current situation." Fyn prodded. "Since we have yet to determine if the Chosen in question has a twin or if there are any feuds other than the one that you ended between Valdemar and Karse, can Roarke have access to the grounds?"
"I will consider it." Solaris stood.
Fyn looked to Roarke. She knew Companions well enough to know he was ready to panic. "Tyree, can you take Roarke for a walk?"
Tyree hesitated then forcefully herded Roarke further into the garden.
Fyn turned to Hansa. "Perhaps you would like to talk to him?"
The Firecat glared at her.
Fyn didn't look away. "I have a young Companion about to panic because he has a geas driving him mad, I have had to deal with a dozen variations of 'Are you a demon rider?' for the last fortnight, and I have yet to have a proper sleep. Take a cat nap before I sing a lullaby and make you sleep for a week."
:My, you are testy.: A male voice scolded but he did not make a move to leave them.
Fyn knew Tyree would give her hell later but hummed and put a healthy shove of her Bardic Gift behind it. The Firecat, Solaris, and the four guards slumped in sleep.
Fyn reached over to shake Solaris's shoulder. She blinked and then looked around in alarm at everyone asleep.
Finally she turned her attention back to Fyn. "How did you do that?"
"Bardic Gift. Normally I avoid using it but I prefer no one else hears what I tell you. I am not even supposed to know."
Solaris adjusted her fine robes as she thought.
"Most Chosen are spotted by one of three special Companions at least a year before they are Chosen. Tyree is one of those three. None of them know who Roarke is Choosing, which means there is Someone else who is directing them. There is only one in twenty that are not spotted by Tyree and her fellows."
"How do you know this?"
"I saw Tyree doing it. After a squabble she finally conceded to stop making me forget in exchange for never telling another Herald what I know."
"So you think Roarke is being driven by a higher power than usual."
"Yes. Even Tyree thinks so since she assures me that we have nothing to be concerned about for this trip. Quite frankly, normally I would not set foot in Karse without at least two Heralds by my side."
"You don't think it is safe for Heralds?"
"Sometimes being called a Demon Rider is the highlight of the ride." Fyn admitted. "It will take at least a generation before even half your people don't look at us and think of all the people who died in the stupid wars. We have the same problem in Valdemar with the veterans who remember the Tedrel Wars and the border families who lost their children to raiders. There is a lot of blood to forget, Your Holiness."
Solaris nodded thoughtfully. She never looked away from Fyn. "You are a rather disturbing Herald."
"I get that a lot, Your Holiness." Fyn shrugged.
Solaris stood. "Very well, I will grant your request. However, I would appreciate it if you and your Companion remain with the new Chosen while we decide how to proceed."
Fyn thought longing of Haven. "Very well."
"And I would appreciate it if you would refrain from making anyone collapse, unless it is a necessity and I would prefer to define necessity."
"I will use my judgment." Fyn said stubbornly.
Solaris fixed her with a lofty glare.
"I am not going to lie and say I won't ignore your wishes if I feel it is necessary." Fyn warned.
Solaris reached down and stroked the Firecat, he awoke with a start and looked around, then glared at Fyn.
"I will keep your secret." Solaris said as she stood. "Even from Hansa."
The Cat looked alarmed to hear that bit of news. Fyn suspected he was asking what the secret was. Fyn decided she liked Solaris, even if she used the 'We'.
Fyn rose and bowed to her Holiness. "Thank you."
"This ought to be interesting." Solaris smiled slightly. "Will I see you at services?"
"I will be there, with Roarke and Tyree in tow. Perhaps it will ease a few of the suspicions."
Fyn waited until Solaris left, waking the guards as she passed, before turning to the Companions. They were out of earshot. Tyree looked like she was trying to keep Roarke calm.
"She's agreed to allow us access to the grounds." Fyn rested her hand on his shoulder. "However, we will have to remain here while Her Holiness and the Circle figure everything out."
Roarke sagged with relief.
"You lead the way, but no running."
Roarke looked around then headed towards the gate. Fyn mounted and followed him closely.
Roarke paused and changed direction several times. Priests stared at the trio with varying degrees of confusion. Finally he stopped outside a private garden that was barred with a gate. He turned to Fyn and gave her a pathetic look.
"I know, hands are useful." Fyn dismounted.
She approached the gate and looked around for someone to ask if they could enter. A green robed woman approached them.
"Can I help you Herald?" She asked.
"Is it possible to enter this garden?" Fyn asked.
"It is a private mortuary garden for the royal family." The priestess explained but opened the gate for them.
Roarke hurried forward. The priestess watched in confusion.
"Thank you." Fyn smiled as she hurried after him.
Roarke stopped in the middle of the garden and stared at a lone figure at the far end with her back to them. He looked back to Tyree and Fyn with an expression of pure joy.
:He's waiting for her to finish praying.: Tyree explained.
"Ah."
"What's going on?" The green robed priestess asked as she drew along side.
"We must wait and see."
The slender figure rose from the ground and straightened her skirts. She was wearing a lavish dress of crimson shot with gold. Her dark brown hair was caught in a gold net.
Roarke stepped forward and the figure froze. They remained in a perfect tableau for several seconds.
"What's happening?" The priestess whispered.
"He just Chose her."
"Chose? That was…" The priestess covered her mouth with both hands. "There are no words."
"Empath?" Fyn asked.
The priestess nodded.
The woman in the red dress buried her face in Roarke's neck.
The priestess wiped a tear away.
"Who is that?" Fyn asked.
"Princess Natira."
"Oh. Do you mind telling Her Holiness, Solaris, that Princess Natira has been Chosen? She is expecting news like this."
"What? Oh, of course." The priestess stepped back. "I think I understand why you Heralds are so devoted to your calling."
"Thank you." Fyn leaned against Tyree and waited. These first few candle marks were critical for the formation of the bond.
It wasn't long before Solaris joined her.
"Did you have any idea who it was?" Solaris asked in a whisper.
"None. I thought it would be an acolyte. I was told his Chosen was in the Temple."
"Princess Natira visits her younger brother once a week. She then stops to visit her mother's tomb."
"May I speak bluntly?" Fyn asked.
"Have you done anything but?"
"How big of a disaster is this?"
"Big enough." Solaris admitted. "Queen Selenay says to tell you Keli has yet to deliver. I assume this is important?"
"Herald Kelisiaori is my sister. She is expected to deliver in the next week." Fyn explained. "I had been hoping to be there."
"Princess Natira is the daughter of the king's younger brother. She was seduced when she was sixteen and had a child. She refused to wed to cover it up so she has been the family black sheep for the last six or seven years."
Fyn smiled slightly. "I see no issue."
Solaris studied her. "You don't?"
"We're Heralds. A child out of wedlock is not much of an issue for us. We've even had people on the throne whose parents were unwed. I assume the child is alive."
"Yes. She refused to place her child with a family so the child is at the palace." Solaris sat on a bench near the gate. "What now?"
"Now, we let them bond while we deal with all the chaos this creates." Fyn said with a grin. "You know, I think this will be a great boost for the relations between Valdemar and Karse."
"I think so too." Solaris confessed.