Thirteen Years Later

Rhonda laughed as Berim plucked the kerchief from the ground while hanging from Kensar's saddle. Her Companion's light canter was faster than the gallop of any horse, but the boy had no fear. He clung to the stallion's side like a burr. Lithely, Berim pulled himself up into the seat. He held the kerchief over his head as Kensar thundered around the ring.

Rhonda cheered her son. His play distracted Rhonda from the sadness of the moment. It allowed her not to think about Thorbyn. The King's Own Herald was dying and the dread of the inevitable moment hung like a cloud over the heart of every Herald. Watching her son play with her Companion gave her some respite.

"He looks like his father at that age." Mauro said. With his brother in exile, Lord Mauro had been a surrogate father to Berim. He and his wife cared for the boy whenever duty took Rhonda away from the Palace. Other nobles might scoff at Mauro for allowing 'the bastard' to play with Mauro's own sons, but Mauro did not care. He loved his brother, banished or not, and did not give a fig whether his brother's son had been born in wedlock. Berim was all Mauro had of Erim.

Rhonda did not take her eyes off her son. The boy sat easily as Kensar bounded over huge fences. "I look at him and remember that night his father left. Kensar said I had a piece of Erim within me. I did not know how true that was."

"I thought Companions only allowed their Chosen to ride them." Mauro said.

"There are other exceptions. Look at Charsal and Sendar with Talidos." The king's Companion regularly allowed the two young princes on his back.

"Talidos doesn't allow them anywhere near the privileges that Kensar gives Berim. They usually have to be content with ordinary horses." Mauro pointed out.

"Berim rides ordinary horses too. And thank you for seeing that he has horses to ride."

Mauro shrugged. "It's the least I can do to honor my brother. And you know that he doesn't ride ordinary horses any time Kensar is in Haven and not carrying you."

Rhonda smiled. "I think Kensar thinks of himself as Berim's father."

::More like a ne'er-do-well uncle. Who encourages his nephew's reckless behavior.:: Kensar injected himself into the conversation. As the Companion spoke, he leapt over three fences with Berim standing on the saddle.

Rhonda laughed and passed Kensar's comment to Mauro, who chuckled.

She looked at Mauro. "Do you know Kensar even mindspeaks with Berim?"

"Another exception!" Mauro said. "When will he be Chosen?"

::What makes him think I will allow any of the others to have him?:: Kensar said.

"Kensar! You are jealous!" Rhonda spoke aloud. Again, she told Berim's blood uncle what her Companion said.

Mauro opened his mouth to reply, but the Death Bell interrupted. Its booming tones rang out over the Palace and Companions' Field. Thorbyn was gone. Rhonda closed her eyes and wept. In the ring, Kensar gracefully slowed to a halt. Berim lowered himself to the saddle and then to the ground.

Though not a Herald, Mauro knew what the Death Bell meant. He knew of the death watch on Thorbyn. "I'm sorry." He said. He hugged Rhonda as if she were truly his sister-in-law. "I suppose you will want to be with the others. You go with Kensar and I'll take care of Berim." The boy and the Companion walked over to where they stood.

"Thank you." Rhonda said. She bent to hug her son.

Hoofbeats sounded on the turf behind her. Rhonda looked around. It was Rolan; the King's Own's Companion looked sad, but at peace. He looked in Rhonda's eyes. ::It is always hard, but now is your time. I Choose you.::

Rhonda gasped. For the second time in her life, a Companion bound its soul to hers.

::But what of Kensar?:: She asked.

::Oh, I'll manage.:: Kensar sounded smug.

Rhonda looked around at her former Companion. He wasn't looking at her. Instead, his eyes were locked with Berim's. The boy's mouth hung open in surprise, then he beamed with happiness.

Berim hugged Kensar's chest and looked at his mother. "Kensar Chose me!"

Author's Note: Before you ask. Yes they are.

Also: It was always implied that the Monarch's Own's Companion frequently Chose those who were already Heralds. I always wondered what the former Companions did afterwards.