Just Keep Moving

Author: Seiyji

Authors Notes: This story is purely fiction and is based on the world of Valdemar. I did this for Fun, so if you have a problem with it then don't read it.

Rating M: For strong language, Sexual Themes, Violence, Ect.

Summary: When life is hard and unforgiving, sometimes all you can do is keep moving forward. Even if you know what lies ahead of you might not be something you wish to deal with.

Chapter 3

Heart thumping in his throat, Calvan leaned against the back wall of the tavern just near the door for the kitchen. He had not really thought too much about what had happened until he was able to rest. Why was that man in the stables? Was it true that those creatures had a connection with their riders? If that was true then the horse must have told him all of the things he had said! His eyes widened slightly at the thought. It wasn't like he had said anything bad, but still. What if he told him about the man that was looking for him? Would he get some idea to get justice for him? And if he tried to do that and the Tavern owner found out he would surely be thrown out into the street!

His mind was so full of those ideas that he did not even notice that he was being watched from close by. It didn't really seem important to keep his guard up. After all he was right outside of the kitchen door. No one would try anything when the cooks could easily hear what was going on, and if the Tavern master lost business they all would suffer later on. That was something that growing up in the tavern had taught him. If someone was raped outside, or was giving freebies outside everyone would get in trouble for not stopping them. Even if it wasn't anyone's fault they all got punished. Usually it was no food for the day and a painful beating for the one that had broken the rules while everyone else watched.

Calvan shivered at the idea. That was the last thing he wanted to go through. Several girls had been beaten and going a day without food was horrible. He remembered that feeling like it was yesterday. He rubbed his stomach as it growled at the thought of food. How he wished he could just sneak into the kitchen and eat something. That was probably the only good thing about being a cook; you could snack on what you were cooking all day, and be able to drink as much clean water as you wanted! He wished that somehow he could have been a cook, but fate did not carry that out for him.

Brushing his hand through his messy hair calvan sighed, his eyes drifted up to the sky. It was already starting to become starry out. A small smile appeared on his lips. He loved the lights in the sky. They were so interesting. He wondered what made those balls of light. Were they bugs that just got caught up in the sky? He wasn't sure, but he did know he liked them, but he rarely got to be outside at night. The thought that he should be inside never occurred to him. He didn't feel like going inside. He didn't want to be used tonight. Was that so wrong? One day of rest?

The boy was so deep in thought that he did not notice that the one watching him was getting closer and didn't look at all happy. With no warning Calvan found himself being grabbed by the hair and pushed harshly against the wall, with his back to the assailant. "Th're you are." The man's voice was harsh and full of anger. Calvan was about to let out a cry for help when he found a dagger at his throat. "You scream boy and I will just have to kill you here." The man smirked. "Now since I paid fur you. I um goin' to get my monies worth out of you."

It dawned on the boy just who it was after only a few moments. The creature that was attacking him was the man that had been looking for him in the stable. He had not thought that the man would actually still be around after having failed in finding him in the stables. After the white horse had scared him off he thought that the man had actually left, but obviously he was wrong.

He felt an icy chill run down his back. This was not going to end good for him. He hoped that one of the cooks heard the commotion inside and would come and save him from this fate. Of course that was only if they heard the man. If he made even the slightest sound the man was sure to slit his throat, and there was no one there to save him at the moment.

The man began to remove his clothing from his lower half. He had expected him to do as much, He just hoped that the man would pass out drunk before things were taken to far. He felt tears start to roll down his cheeks. This was the very last thing that he wanted. He did not want to be forced here, in the dark, from a man that was very drunk.

He shivered as the man's hands ran over his body. They were cold, calloused, and very rough. The man didn't seem to care as he groped the young man. All the man cared about was getting what he wanted from the boy. After that he would, hopefully, leave him alone to clean up after himself.

Calvan tried his best not to make a noise. The man still had his knife very close to his neck. He did not want to make any sudden movements; he did not want the man to think he was trying to escape. That would be the very worst thing to do, but as the man's hands traveled to his middle he felt a hard squeeze. He yelped and tried to pull back before he could get himself to stop. The man growled angrily and slicked deeply into his shoulder. Calvan bit down on his lip so hard it started to bleed. If he screamed the man was going to do something far worse than cut him. "Move again you bitch, and I swear I will cut you from your neck down to your crotch!"

Calvan believed every word he said. He didn't doubt that the man could and would very well kill him if he didn't obey. The man groped the boy some more. He seemed to be getting pleasure from the way the boy's body reacted under his hands. With no warning it all stopped. Calvan was almost relieved. Maybe he would stop now. Maybe he could get away. Maybe-

His thoughts were cut short as the man spread his legs and dropped his own pants to his ankles. He felt the man's hardness against his secret place. With no preparation or care for what it would do to Calvan, the man thrust in hard. It was so painful that he had to bite down on his already battered lip to keep him from crying out in pain. The man didn't seem to care at all as he started to move moved. It was only his enjoyment that he cared about, not if he was hurting the whore that he was using. Calvan could taste blood in his mouth. He was sure that he would get a beating later for having wounds on him. He felt warm blood travel down his shoulder, and his legs from the wounds there. He was not going to be able to move when this was over. That was he sure of. Tears ran freely down his face that was contorted in pain as he clutched the wall as best as he could. He couldn't even get into that place that he would always disappear to. The pain was too much.

It felt as if a century had gone by before he felt the man fill him. The man finished deep inside of him before he pulled from the boy. A mixture of red and white trickled down his trembling legs.

"Now there's a good whore." The man laughed as the boy slowly slid down the wall, sobbing into it. His body felt like it was on fire. He felt worse than when his virginity had been stripped from him. At least that man had prepared him. This man hadn't cared if he damaged goods or not. All that the drunk cared about was getting what he wanted.

"Should get you again tomorrow." He laughed as he straightened his clothes. "Or maybe I should find a way to keep you all for myself." The man looked as if he got an idea. He could steal the boy and not have to pay for him ever again! The idea pleased him very much. Calvan turned to look at the man as he reached out for him.

An Equine shriek stopped the man in place. The man turned and found himself staring at a very angry white mare. Her eyes were full of anger and hatred. Her ears pinned flat against her head. Her body was tense and she looked as if she was ready to charge at the man. The man shrunk back away from the horse, towards the boy, but that was the wrong move. Like a mother protecting a child, She charged at the man, who cried out as he was shoved hard against the wall. The man was stunned and tried to move away from the wall, but the horse kept slamming him back against it. Again and Again the man tried, but to no avail. In an attempt to get away from the angry beast the man struck out at the horse, but that only infuriated her more. She bit the man on the shoulder harshly. She would not kill this man. He was below her, but he had harmed Calvan and that wouldn't be forgiven.

The man's face was pale as he struggled to get away from the horse. Calvan tried to get up and away from what was going on. He did not want to be killed because the mare suddenly decided it was time for him to pay for whatever had happened. The mare turned to look over at the boy as he tried to stand, but fell back down. She made towards him, but turned as the man tried to make his getaway. She was not going to let that happen. As he turned to run she kicked out hard and made contact with his back, causing him to fly forward into a muck pile. She snorted and pranced in place. That would serve him right! He was a vial filthy creature, he might as well look and smell the part.

In shock the man pulled himself from the muck. He was covered head to toe in manure and other waste. He quickly brushed himself off, but noticed the horse was still watching him. He gave a shriek and ran into the building, yelling about a rabid mare that tried to kill him in the back alley.

Calvan tensed, feeling that the horse might turn and charge him at any minute. He tried his best to make himself as small a target as possible. It was hard with all of his injuries, but it was better to be alive and hurting then trampled to death. When nothing happened he looked up to see what had happened. Had the horse left after taking care of the man? He spotted the horse and stared at her. At first he thought that she was the white rider's horse, but she was different from the other. She was tall and graceful looking with a curly mane and tail. She looked like the one from his dreams, but that couldn't be possible. Dreams were not real. He would have almost thought he was in a dream if it hadn't been for all of the pain.

Then he looked into those blue eyes. They were so deep blue and beautiful that he found himself falling into him. It was a weird sensation, like nothing he had ever felt before. Despite the pain he was in he felt the love that poured him. Was it from the horse? How could that be.? :Chosen. I am sorry I wasn't earlier. I could have saved you from being hurt, but I was not fast enough. Can you forgive me?:

"A..Ah...Of course I can.." He was stunned. He wasn't really sure how she was doing it, but she was talking to him in his head. His cheeks turned a pale pink as he remembered he was half naked. He quickly as his injuries would allow he put on his clothes. He tried to straighten himself up, but that was nearly impossible. As he stood up he stumbled forward. He expected to fall to the ground, but the mare had gotten in the way and gave him something to cling onto. He buried his head into her shoulder and cried. All of his pain, all of his worries just seemed to pour out of him. . It had been worse than anything he had ever felt before. His body felt so weak. :Oh...Chosen..Calvan..I am sorry.:

"I..It's not your fault.." He whispered into her shoulder, vaguely wondering how she had known what his name was when he hadn't told it to her..Then again...why was he talking to a horse? Was he dying? Or maybe he was just going insane and hearing things.

:If you were going insane I wouldn't have chosen you. I am a Companion, not a horse.: She seemed a little annoyed for some reason, but Calvan knew it wasn't fault of his own that annoyed her. It was a nice feeling knowing that for once he wasn't the cause of some great annoyance.

:Oh! How terribly rude of me, my name is Arietta. I promise that I will never let those bad things happen to you again. I will help you to understand, but it will take some time.: Slowly memories started to pour into his mind. Only a few things. She did not want to overwhelm the boy. After she was done he understood what happened to him. He had been chosen, and she was a companion, and he was going to be a Herald, like the white rider he had met. As if she heard his thoughts she spoke to him. :They are coming, do not be alarmed. They will not hurt you.:

"How do you know-" He was cut off as he heard hooves and boots rushing in their direction. Just as she had forewarned the Herald and his Companion came from the stable, looking alarmed. The Herald had his sword at the ready, Looking around for the culprit. He saw that man was nowhere to be seen. His eyes fell upon the mare, causing him to freeze in place for a moment. His eyes unfocused for just as long before they went back to normal. Calvan wasn't sure what had happened to him. He had almost feared he was having a brain storm or something. He had never actually seen one, but he had heard stories. The white rider nodded and then smiled. "You see. I knew there was something special about the boy." He smiled kindly. The horse next to the white rider tossed its head as if to agree.

Calvan peeked out from behind Arietta to look at the Herald and his Companion. His arms were still around her neck. He did not want to leave her but he was starting to feel light headed. That was when the Herald noticed the blood on his shoulder and the puddle on the ground. With speed, that startled the boy, the Herald was by his side looking at the wounds. "Boy, I know you're not going to like this, but you have to see a Healer. You look pale, please do not be alarmed I won't do anything to hurt you."

Calvan was not sure he should trust this man, but Arietta seemed to think he was alright. Maybe it was because he had a white horse too? :I am not a Horse. I am a companion you silly boy.: Companion than. It seemed to be the logical explanation.

Without any more warning he found himself picked up, making a small squeak leave his throat. He had not thought that the man would pick him up, but he had. The Herald began carrying him off to an unknown location. Calvan struggled at first, but then an outpouring of love filled him and he knew Arietta wanted him to go with the Herald. She promised he could not hurt him and nothing bad was going to happen to him at the Healers. His own skeptical mind was telling him otherwise, but in his heart he knew he had to trust Arietta. She wouldn't lie to him, and she loved him. She loved him. That was something that he had never expected to feel. It was so intense that he almost wanted to cry. He had never before been loved by anyone, but now this being that didn't even know him more than a candle mark loved him.

She kept telling him about how once he was healed they would all go to Haven together, and after that he wouldn't have to worry about sleeping with others day in and day out. He would be a trainee, and have a room of his own that was his own, not a room that he used for customers. He would be able to eat when he wanted, and sleep peacefully at night. He could ride her when he felt like, and would be able to learn, for the first time in his life, how to read and figure.

The thought of that made him relax. He knew it was the truth. After all she wouldn't lie to him. The thought followed him as he slipped into darkness.

Calvan woke up to birds singing outside of the window. He did not want to open his eyes. It sounded so peaceful. He was afraid that he would wake up and he would be back in his room. He was afraid that it had all just been one of his dreams. A dream that had a happy ending.

His stomach growled reminding him that he was hungry. Slowly his eyes opened. He needed to get up or the tavern master would be angry with him for wasting precious time. He was startled when he realized he was not in his room. He sat up quickly as his body would allow him. His mind was in a panic. He had no idea where he was or why he was there. Did that man take him back to his home after all? What if it was worse, what if the man had told his master he had been outside and bought him and was going to use him every night like that? His mind was sent into full panic mode. He wanted to run and get out of this place as soon as possible.

Then came a wave of love and comfort that reminded him that he was safe. The white rider...No, The Herald had taken him to the healers after he had been raped. Arietta had protected him from the evil man. He stood up on shaky legs and walked over to the window and looked out. Standing right under his window was Arietta. She tossed her head slightly and pranced about when she noticed that Calvan was watching her. A soft smile left his lips. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Her whole body seemed to glow in the early morning light.

He was about to go out to her, but the door to his room opened. Randel and a woman in green came into the room. Calvan tensed up, but Arietta was there to comfort and soothe him. It was something that he was starting to get used to. He had only to reach for her and she was there in his mind to comfort and protect him. It was a nice feeling.

"Don't be afraid, Calvan. We are not going to harm you." The Herald started, but was cut off by a rather short pudgy woman. She went over to Calvan and pushed him back to the bed. He was too startled to do more then make a little noise of protest. He was almost afraid she was going to attack him, but he relaxed a little as Arietta prompted him to do as he was told.

"You need to rest dear." Calvan found himself back in bed and tucked in place. She motioned for the Herald, who put a tray across Calvan's lap. Calvan looked down at the tray. It had a bowl of warm porridge with fruit and currents, slices of fruit off to the side and a glass of juice of some sort. Next to it all was an icky looking green potion in a mug. "Drink the mug first and then eat. It will help you heal faster so you can be on your way." She smiled kindly. Calvan could only listen to what he was told to do. It would be better to listen, he knew that he wouldn't be given anything that was meant to poison him. Arietta would warn him if the person couldn't be trusted.

He drank down the mug, that didn't taste as bad as he had first feared. It had a strong taste to it and made him feel almost dizzy, but he knew he had better eat his food before he drifted to sleep again.

It was such a filling breakfast. He had seen most of these things in the market, but had never been able to try them. He carefully took a small bite of the porridge. A soft smile appeared on his face. He had never tasted anything this good in his entire life. It was different from the muck that he was given for breakfast and lunch. It tasted sweet, without being too overwhelming. He could eat this all day and be happy, but to his dismay after he had finished all of the food on his tray he couldn't eat any more. His eyes were much bigger than his stomach it seemed. He had taken as much time as he dared, not wanting the food to be taken away from him because he wasn't eating fast enough.

"We will only be staying long enough for you to rest and heal, after that I will personally escort you to the Collegium." Randel knew it was more important to make sure the boy was able to get there with no problems. He was worried about the shoulder wound, along with his other wounds. He did not want him to have to go on a long trek back to haven in pain. He would take care of him until he was safely in the Dean's capable hands. Only then would he truly feel that the boy was safe and out of harm's way.

Calvan only nodded, starting to feel a little groggy as the medicine he had drank started to take effect. It didn't take him long to drift off to sleep into a deep sleep. He had no idea what would be coming, or where they were going, only small tidbits that were given to him by the memories that were shared with him. It was nice knowing that he would be safe until he was able to heal, but he still worried. With Arietta's constant reassurance he was able to relax and have peaceful dreams as he fell to sleep, blissfully ignorant of everything around him.

Foot notes: Poor Calvan. Will he be ready to leave soon? What about the Tavern Master and that man? You will have to come back and check out what happens to Calvan and Arietta!