~ Prologue ~

Tashti removed the grey tunic she was embroidering from the blue bag containing her embroidery.  She was using only different shades of grey silk threads on the dark grey fabric of a formal Trainee tunic.  It was to be a gift for Lyra when she was Chosen.  She had plans already drawn up for one for Kris.  She had made them rather large since it was easier to shrink a shirt than to enlarge it.  Lyra's was flowers and Companions entwined together.  Kris's was going to have vines instead of flowers.

She still felt rather weak from the loss of blood but she felt could easily return to class and resented having to stay abed.  Of course the main reason the healer had said a week was to keep her from tearing her stitches by rushing back into her normal schedule.  She doubted they actually thought she would stay in bed. 

Tashti slid to the side of the bed and tried to stand.  A wave of dizziness washed over her causing her to sink back to bed. 

She took a deep breath and tried again.  This time she managed to stay on her feet.  She slowly made her way to the chair by the window.  She sank down into the chair and spread out her threads, needles, and scissors on the small table beside her. 

She had completed only part of one flower before her shoulder started to ache.

:Perhaps you should go back to bed.:  Cryni suggested.

"After the effort it took to get over here?  No."

Pulling her nightgown collar down, she examined the cut.  Using her gift she soothed the muscle and the ache ebbed.

:I bet they forgot you could do that.:  Cryni laughed.

"You know it is going to be a week before I get to even see you."  Tashti resumed her embroidery.  "This isn't even that bad of a wound."

:You are staying up there.:  Cryni ordered.

"Of course, Aeric would drag me back up here if he discovered I left the room.  Perhaps you can come up for a visit."  Tashti suggested with a smile.

:Can you imagine that?  Soon every Companion would want to visit their Heralds in their rooms.:  Cryni laughed.

"So long as they can navigate the staircases we shouldn't have to worry.  You are housebroken, aren't you?"

:Just wait till you are back in form.  I'll make you take back those words.:  Cryni threatened.

"I can hardly wait."  Tashti laughed.  "I really should move back to my room.  Aeric has plenty on his plate without adding me to it."

:You are staying there.  There at least there is someone to keep you from doing something stupid some of the time.:

"Well, at least I have someone to talk to and hopefully I can get my texts soon."

:What books did Lyra bring you?:

"Both are collections of songs.  I have been meaning to learn them."

:You can do that when you grow tired of embroidery.  I think Lyra will love her tunic.:

"Is she going to need it soon?"

:Not for a while yet.:  Cryni assured her.  :You'll have time to finish them.:

Someone knocked on her door startling Tashti causing her to stab her finger with the needle.  She used her Gift to stop the bleeding.  Tashti could sense the person on the other side of the door was not a Herald.

"Come in."  She called.

She was surprised to see her brother, unaccompanied by her mother.  "I wasn't expecting you."  She said honestly.

"Mother is worried you are at death's door."  Gervain admitted.

"Far from it.  If I had my way I would be back at class now."  Tashti gestured for him to have a seat.

"What happened?  They only told us you had been attacked."

"I don't think I can discus it."  Tashti said honestly.

"What can you say?  I have to tell Mother something."

"Tell her it was an accident.  That is close to the truth.  Tell her I'll visit in a fortnight."

"A fortnight?  She is going to have a fit."

"The Healers won't let me out before then.  They think I'll do something Heraldlike and make it worse."

"Would you?"

"Probably."  Tashti grinned.  "I hate being inactive and I can't afford to lose any edge."

"What edge?"  Gervain was honestly confused.

"Fighting edge."  Tashti explained.  "What else?"

"Well, you should move back to your own room as quickly as possible.  Sharing quarters with a man is unseemly."

Tashti felt a flash of anger.  "So is seducing a woman in her library but that hasn't stopped you."

"Who told you that?"  Gervain demanded.

"No one did.  I was posing as Lady Onray's lady's maid.  You thought I was a pretty bit."

"Oh Gods."  Gervain blanched.

Obviously he had entertained a few fantasies.  "Don't worry.  I won't tell our Mother you flirted with your own sister."

"That makes it sound even worse."  He groaned.

Tashti laughed.  "I'll never say a word to anyone, so long as you don't lecture me on morals."

"Very well.  But mother will visit in the next few days.  What are you going to say then?"

"The truth."

"That he is your lover and you have moved in with him until you are healed?"

"Why not?"

"Her heart will give out.  She has been buying frilly dresses for you.  As far as she is concerned you are her baby girl."

"I am not going to lie to her."  Tashti warned.  "I am an adult she will have to accept that."

"It has been a shock for all of us.  I didn't even know I had a sister before you appeared.  Let alone a twin."

"We are twins?"  She asked in disbelief.  "That seems hard to swallow."

Gervain nodded.

Tashti considered this for a moment.  "I can just see some Bard getting hold of this.  The Herald and the Rake.  A tale of opposites."

"I suppose we are."  He laughed.  "I live for pleasure, you for pain."

"Hardly.  I enjoy the finer things, like silks, fine food, and soft beds.  And I don't seek pain I just accept it when it happens."

"You have nearly been executed."

"If Lord Onray finds out you were dallying with his wife you'll be lucky to escape death."  Tashti pointed out.  "Was there any reason you seduced her?"

"That would be telling."  Gervain laughed.  "You have a strict code of honour.  You should understand why I don't care to share tales."

"So now it is a matter of honour?"

"Perhaps we do have some similarities."  Gervain admitted.  "Ah, I know one difference, you are complicated where as I am a study in simplicity." 

"Proud to be shallow?"  Tashti laughed.  Her Empathy told her he was far from simple but she didn't contradict him.

"I better get going before your gentleman arrives."  Gervain stood.  "I would like to apologize for everything.  You know, not believing you were my sister.  I deserved that punch."  He rubbed his chin absently.

"Don't worry about it."  Tashti waved it off.  "I didn't believe I was your sister.  I did kill your father after all."

"I barely knew him."  Gervain shrugged.  "He was always elsewhere.  You had every right to.  But please tell me if there is ever anything I can do to make it up to you."

"I will."  Tashti promised.

"Thank you."  He gave her a smile and left.

:That went well.:  Cryni commented.

"I think so."  Tashti sighed.  "He seemed more likable than last time."

:He was trying.:

"I know.  He was trying to be brotherly."

:He almost succeeded.  He even managed to act protective, even if it did come off high handed.:

Tashti resumed her embroidery.  "At least I have a warning that Mother is going to be stopping by."

:And this time it will be on your own ground.:

The door opened again.  Tashti could sense several people on the other side.

"Hey Tash, you busy?"  Sera poked her head in.

"Hardly.  Come on in."

Sera, Fio, and Tina filed in.  Each had an armful of books.

"We heard you were banished to bed and might welcome some company."  Fio explained.

"We brought your books."  Tina grinned.

"Wonderful.  I have been considering a jail break to get them." 

As Tashti stood Fio pushed her back down.  "None of that.  We talked to the healers."

"So tell all."  Sera sat on the bed.  "How bad is it?"

"Did you really fight an assassin?"  Fio asked

"Yes.  Now what books did you bring me?"  Tashti snagged a book off a pile.  "Law."  She grimaced.

"Hey, you need to keep up with your studies."  Sera flopped backwards on the bed.

"What's that you're making?"  Fio snagged the tunic.  "Wow."

The other two gathered around her. 

"I second that wow."  Sera caressed the fabric.  "If you get bored you can make one for me."

"Who is it for?"  Tina fingered the edge of the fabric.

"Lyra, for when she's Chosen.  I am making one for Kris too." 

"Have you got more embroidery?"  Sera asked eagerly.

"The blue bag there."

They eagerly withdrew the pieces of fabric.  Most were of flowers and leaves but there was two pieces with landscapes, three seascapes, some wild animal, and many with Companions.  They ranged from a small bookmark to a tapestry.  Some were obviously pillow faces or parts of clothing.

"You're good."  Sera said sincerely.

"Thank you."  Tashti accepted the fabric back. 

Fio nodded and flopped backwards onto the bed.  "Have you ever seen the sea?"

Tashti nodded.  "A few years ago."

"I envy you.  I have never even seen Evendim."  Fio grumbled.

"Maybe you'll be assigned up there for you internship."  Sera said as she examined an iris.  "I am hoping they give me Herald Ansen."

"I'll just bet."  Tashti laughed.  "He is the only one who has resisted your charms that isn't taken."

Sera pouted.  "It is hard on a girl's esteem to be rejected."

Tina sighed and shot a look at Sera.  "You can't leave a man alone, can you?  One would never believe you were Holderkin."

Sera grimaced.  "Don't remind me."

Unlike Talia, she had been forced to wed before she was Chosen and she preferred not to discus those years with anyone.  Privately, Tashti thought the herd of male idiots down there should be thinned, considerably.  Their attitude was archaic.

"You certainly have all the luck, save the queen and catch a very slippery fish in the bargain."  Tina examined Aeric's room.  "I can see why you two would be drawn to each other.  Same…interests and everything."

"He is a darling."  Tashti grinned.  "Sweet, sensitive, deadly, what else could I ask for?"

"Only you think lethal is a good characteristic."  Fio snorted. 

"All my friends are lethal."  Tashti pointed out.  She didn't add that she had just proven she was the most lethal.

"From before you mean."  Tina pointed out.

"All.  Even now."  Tashti insisted.  "Name a Herald that isn't lethal to at least some degree."

"True.  Sera is lightening with a sword."  Fio pointed out.

"Not nearly as good as Tash."  Sera pointed out.  "But who is?"

"Necessity is a harsh and unforgiving teacher.  You wouldn't want her."

"Worse than Kero?"

"Where do you think Kero got her expertise?"  Tashti pointed out reasonably.  "Same for Alberich.  Heralds generally don't rely entirely on their blades for survival.  They don't face the possibility of starving if they don't practice.  It is all in the attitude."

"Don't preach.  We hear enough about 'attitude' from the Captain."  Sera scolded.  "We are here to see that you have some company before the bells toll and we have to run to the kitchen.  We are also charged to make certain you are not on the brink of death by most of the trainees."

The knowledge that her fellow trainees were worried about her made her feel welcome and accepted.

A rich peal of a bell interrupted further conversation.

"Speaking of the bells.  We got to go."  Fio sighed.  "You take care of yourself, don't try over doing it."

"I won't.  Now go, before Mero starts to wonder where you are."  Tashti scolded.

The three young women gave their friend a hug.  Sera was the last to leave.  "You better hold on tight to Aeric.  He is a prize."

"After taking a year to catch hi, I am not about to let him go."  Tashti assured her.

Alone again she resumed stitching the pale grey flower.  Her mind wandered as it always did.

Olane didn't just wake up and decide to kill Selenay.  He was hired, he was also notoriously pricey.  It cost less to get a Cold Blade.  He also was paid before the hit.  This meant there was someone out a lot of money and out for Selenay's blood. 

Tashti paused and stared out the window.  She resolved to spread the word among her acquaintances in the business that Valdemar was not a wise place to hunt and ask that if any were approached that they tell her.  Even if the cream of the deadly crop refused the job, there was always the idiot amateur willing to lift a blade for a few coins and she wanted to know of the danger long before she was racing up stairs or scrambling up walls to save the queen.

Her eyes narrowed as she considered the possibilities.  She wanted to find whoever had hired Olane and make certain he was no longer a threat.

The more permanent the better.