A/N: The reason why I haven't been updating is that, I'm busier after the exams than before! This is especially true because I'm busy rehearsing for a dance item, in preparation for a school attachment programme to Beijing. So, this will be the last update for quite a while, considering that I'll be in China for two whole weeks, starting next week. Besides, this story doesn't seem to be popular, so it shouldn't affect too many people.

Thank you to all reviewers.

Replies:

silverbrilliance - Well, you'll get your chance to see Fellyna in action in this chapter. ANd the siblings don't really get along with each other.

Neverfall - Kerri is eighteen now. And no, sorry to disappoint, but 'Rien won't appear in this story. At least, that's what I plan, but the unexpected do crop up.

Chapter 2 Family and Friends

The scent of spring flowers filled the room as Sofina Lestatras entered the Hall. It was called thus because in addition to being the dining room, it was where Baron Senvous Lestatras received his visitors. Not that he had many of them; Baron Senvous was a minor Baron with a small holding, as such, he did not figure much in the intricacies of Court.

No one bothered much about him, although he had gained some status, first, with the marriage to Serianne D'Yevroni, second daughter to Lord D'Yevroni, Lord of an ancient family. Then, when she had passed away nine years ago, Baron Senvous had remarried within a year, this time, to the third daughter of the rich Lord Prisca, Leestara Prisca.

Sofina did not care much for her stepmother, nor the daughters she had borne for her father. The twins are still toddlers, but I hope they will not grow up to be like their sister, Ceralyce. The subject of her thoughts sat just next to her Father, on the left side, with long flaming red hair, deep brown eyes and a smirk on her face. Sofina thought that seven-year-old Ceralyce could be thought a pretty child, but there was no denying that she was a spoiled brat.

As Sofina moved to take her place by her stepmother's side, she greeted her father and stepmother in a polite manner. "Good morning, Father, Lady Leestara." Although she would obey her Father in most things, she would never call Leestara Prisca by the title of "Mother".

Her father did not reply, being engaged in a heated discussion with Fellyna. True to her words, Fellyna had started her persuasion immediately. Sofina privately thought that Fellyna's persuasion consisted more of force than persuasion. "Father, you have to let Sis come home for the Midwinter break! There is no reason for you not to at all." With that, Fellyna slammed her hands onto the table and glared at her Father. Green eyes met green eyes as their will clashed.

Baron Senvous bellowed back, "This is my house and I will say who can come here or not!" Fellyna spat, "Why then, Father, do you not let Sis come home? Is it because of the lack of space due to the two mistresses you keep in her room! Shall I tell that to Sis, and let her spread the news around Court, that Baron Senvous treats his mistresses better than his daughter?" Sofina watched as the barb scored true. Truly, Fellyna had a hot temper to match her fahter's. Where Kerrayrlia would turn icy and Sofina submissive, Fellyna blew up.

Sofina added her pleas to Fellyna's. "Father, please, Sis has not been home in three years. She is now a Herald Trainee, and you should be proud of her." Baron Senvous muttered, " Don't tell me who I should be proud of." But Sofina could see that he was relenting. Fellyna's opening attack had scored a vital hit. It just needed a little bit more…

Which came in the form of eight-year-old Jerwain. Shy and hesistating, Jerwain, with his black hair, blue eyes and features so similar to his eldest sister, said, "Father, I would like to see Sis again." That clinched it. Jerwain was Baron's Senvous only son and heir, and as such, held a special position in his heart. Grumbling and seemingly reluctant, Baron Senvous gave in as Fellyna let out a loud cheer.

Three figures were standing stock-still against the morning light; a part of the scenery like flowers would be a part of a meadow in spring. Indeed, they resembled flowers; all were ladies that many would think pretty despite the various definitions of the word.

First and foremost stood a young lady of about eighteen, slender though short, who had a shapely figure that most women would kill for. Her midnight black hair fell in a cascading waterfall to her waist, and unruly as it was, framed her face in curls. Wintry pale blue eyes took in the world at large with seemingly no emotions at all. She could be compared to a lily of the valley; those white, scented flowers, coolly beautiful and aloft, that can poison if eaten.

The tall lady standing next to her was a picture of contrast. With her auburn hair, round hazel eyes and an oval-shaped face, she seemed to be like forget me nots, sweet, lovely and innocent. Even the name of the flower applied to her; she was quite an unforgettable creature.

The third figure was yet again different. She was older than the other two, and hence had a mature figure with ample curves. Her dark brown hair was tied in two braids, both trailing down to her chest, to keep the hair out of her smoky grey eyes and away from her strong features. This then, was a woman worthy of being compared to a peony, and a red, vibrant one at that. While the first two possessed unusual beauty, she was not beautiful, but rather, a sister companion, attractive.

Demonstrating an openness that was a refreshing breeze to some, Zarielle Arian Ashkevron suddenly laughed out loud, a merry sound. "Come now, Kerri. Let's get this over and done with. You'll be back soon enough, and if we dawdle any more, Jos is going to start wailing." She gestured at the child currently riding on her hips, who had puckered up his round, chubby face in an expression that was indeed decidedly similar to the one often wore by other children in preparation for long bouts of tears.

Kerrayrlia's lips twitched slightly, and her ice blue eyes seemed to twinkle. "I would not mind, 'Rielle. I'm as anxious to be going as you are to be rid of me." This, said in a tone that would be considered joking for Kerrayrlia, constituted many layers of hidden meaning. Since Zarielle wasn't really anxious to get rid of Kerrayrlia, it stood to mean that she was not anxious to get going. A small smile blossomed on Liritia's face as she caught the implicit meaning. She too, was loath to be separated from Kerrayrlia, especially so soon after their long separation previously.

Joserlyn Ashkevron, being all of four years old, of course caught the hidden meanings not at all. As he looked about confusedly at his mother and Kerrayrlia, a thought struck his mind, that they were quarreling. And Joserlyn did not like that at all. The tears which had threatened to flow from his large grey eyes before now did so freely. Shocked, Zarielle tried to comfort her son, who only cried all the more loudly, pausing only to interject, "Don't go away…Aunt Kerri, don't go away" between his sobs.

Liritia look on in surprise as the mask on Kerrayrlia's face melted visibly. "Don't call me Aunt, Jos. I'm not your aunt." Although her tone was cold, she moved to take Joserlyn into her arms, which Zarielle allowed, since she had become fast friends with Kerrayrlia, and more than trusted her with her precious son.

"I'm only going away for a short period of time, Jos. If you want me to return earlier, listen to your mother and stop crying", said Kerrayrlia quietly, even as she planted a kiss on Joserlyn's forehead. That seemed to do the trick, and Joserlyn stopped crying immediately. "Promise, Aunt Kerri?" Joserlyn had taken to calling Kerrayrlia aunt on his own, especially when he had seen Kerrayrlia accompanying his 'Uncle 'Rien" more than a few times. To his mind, anyone who spent that much time with his uncle certainly deserved to be his aunt, never mind the fact that they were not married.

A nod from Kerrayrlia was the only reaction Joserlyn got, but he was satisfied. His Aunt Kerri had never lied to him, not like the other adults in his life. Therefore, he broke into an endearing smile, and moved to give Kerrayrlia a kiss. Her Companion, Rannael, gave a soft whicker, reminding Kerrayrlia of the time. Returning the kiss, Kerrayrlia handed Joserlyn back to his mother, then gave her two close friends a brief smile. With that, she leapt onto Rannael's back, and rode off into the morning sun.

As the other two ladies watched Kerrayrlia riding off, Liritia spoke softly, "I hope she will be able to reconcile with her family, especially with her father." Zarielle agreed silently, but just patted Liritia on the shoulders gently in reply, knowing that Liritia was thinking of her own sad experiences with her family, a father who died early and a mother who blamed Liritia irrationally for the death of her second husband. (Read Darkness at Dawn to find out more)

Four days later, Kerrayrlia was on the road riding at a canter, no more than a mile from her father's holdings. For that was how she thought of the place where she had resided for twelve years of her life; as a piece of land owned by her father. It wasn't her home; her home was in Havens, at the Herald's Collegium, where she was surrounded with a large community of other Heralds, brothers and sisters to each other.

And of course, home was the room which Zarien and her shared, in which she was currently living alone in, since Zarien had gone off on his Internship Circuit. That room had been a courtesy of the Herald Collegium, on account of their lifebond. Under normal circumstances, Zarien would not have gotten a room of his own until he returned from his Circuit and was made a full Herald, but their lifebond had speeded up the process.

The thought of Zarien made Kerrayrlia's heart tighten. Do not worry, Chosen. Zarien is interning with Arrowyd Qamra, an experienced Herald and a good fighter, should anything go wrong. Nothing much can happen to him. This reassurance came from Rannael, who, over the past three years, had had to adjust much of his sensibilities to accommodate his Chosen's romance. Although still quite serious and easily embarrassed, Rannael now did not need shielding from Kerrayrlia's mind even when she was kissing Zarien. He too, had come a long way from the rather prim Companion who had Chosen Kerrayrlia.

I know, Ran. With an effort, Kerrayrlia put Zarien away from her mind and concentrated on the journey. She urged Rannael on, who obliged by picking up pace to a swift run. Kerrayrlia let conscious thoughts gave way to the exuberance of flying over land, and, for a while, forgot about her longing for her lifebonded.

I made this chapter extra long, hoping to make it up with those few readers out there. I'll try to see if I have time to write in Beijing.

Please review.