Heralds are supposed to be glorified, elite creatures. Every child wants to be one, every adult envying their position. But what happens to a woman Chosen—who doesn't want to be a Herald?
And so I bring you, Companion's Choice.
Herald Jaydn was frustrated.
The meeting had not gone well. Despite the rumors of wars on many edges of Valdemar, the Heralds, much to his and their dismay, were being stuck far from the places they were needed most, except for a few holds where the Lords had insisted on their presence. And as no one but the Queen seemed to care, there was very little he could do to convince the rest of the Council to assign them to more important places. As training Queen's Own, its was infuriating to see the young Queen Shaunah overwhelmed by the startlingly persuasive arguments.
Jaydn complained to his senior Herald and friend Kuviay as they strolled across the Companion's Field after the Council, running a hand habitually through his shaggy blonde hair that fell messily before deep brown eyes. "It's not fair!" he growled, kicking at a loose stone in his path, not bothering to look up at the older ad taller Herald. "The Lords, most of them, and the rest of the Council, are insisting that our positions at the border-wars be replaced by the regular army. As if they could do half as well as us! Don't they trust us, or the Companions?"
Kuviay listened patiently, though he felt as strongly on the matter, as his serious gray eyes and the grim expression on his square-jawed face attested to.. But he wasn't surprised, if he was dismayed. He had watched the Heralds slowly lose their august position over the last few years. "Who was leading the arguments against us?" he asked, though he knew who to expect.
Jaydn took a moment to recall. "Lord Taren...Shalhan...and Darkal."
Kuviay nodded. All three were Lords of border Fort-Holds, far from the regular Herald circuit. They rarely saw anyone in Whites except in Court, and thus, none had a particular respect for the Companions or their Chosen. But one was missing from the list he had guessed.
"Oh, and Lady—er, Lord Cayri."
There was the one. Kuviay had watched Cayri—the only reigning lady, who insisted on being called "Lord" Cayri, so as to convince others that she was a ruling Holder, and no one's consort—work with a particular single-mindedness against the Heralds since she had come to power holding Sancta Fort-Hold. Sancta was also outside the Herald's circuit, far to the north of Haven and set deep within a thick forest, though it was large enough to merit a stop. Indeed, until recently by Kuviay's standards, it had been on the Herald's trail—but no more.
"She's always hated the Heralds," Kuviay commented, scratching his head beneath his cropped boy's-cut brown hair.
"Why?" Jaydn demanded. "What have we ever done to her or her kin?"
Kuviay shook his head. "Nobody knows why. She just hates us. Did you know Sancta used to be on the circuit?"
Jaydn was surprised. "Why isn't it anymore? Travel difficulties?"
Kuviay smiled thinly. "No. It was removed upon request just after her husband, Lord Courem, died, seven years ago." He fell silent, considering how to relate the tale, then began.