Heyla, I'm back!

I'm guessing Star to be about 13 now, as it's been about a year since the Sundering. Apologies for not putting that in last time.

Since I now know how to keep the formatting, thoughts are in italics, and everything else is mostly the same.

Leaf: *big smile* Thank you to all reviewers. Have a brownie, five, ten, a thousand … well, not a thousand, we don't have that many. Help yourself, just don't blame me if you get to much sugar.

Here's a random Lackey book trivia question. First person to answer gets any kind of pie they want.

In one of the Heralds of Valdemar books, two of the trainees are teasing Talia by pretending to be her and Skif. "Skif" asks "Talia" if she would like some mushrooms, but "Talia" says no, she'd rather have a what?

So, go out into the world and find out what "Talia" would much rather have.

---

Icewing stroked her raven's silky black feathers, murmuring softly to him. They got along so well, the two of them. Through Krall she could easily find out almost anything she needed through the rest of the bondbirds, they trusted Krall. That was how she had discovered that Starwhisper 'spoke the rest of the birds.

She never felt guilty for any of this, though. Why should she? She was just gathering information that was helpful to many different people, not just her. And if it benefited her sometimes, why not?

Icewing turned her mind back to the problem of Windshadow. Not that she felt any sympathy for that Shai'dha, but Windshadow might be a little awkward about starting any new … ah, relationships after his recent break up. Not that this one was exactly new, but it wouldn't be polite. They should have never been together, she thought bitterly. If it hadn't been for Ma'ar, they never would have met. Her mind drifted to that long ago time.

She and Windshadow had frequently traded feathers, and she was on the verge of offering him one of Kirsh, her old bondbird's feathers when the call came from Urtho. And the Kaled'a'in had answered that call in people, all the Clans flooded into the plain below the tower. Icewing had decided that it probably wasn't best to propose in a war, so she had waited, planning to surprise him once it was over.

So the man ended up crashing into Shai'dha, becoming first friends, then more. And when he had offered her one of his bondbird's feathers, Icewing had nearly burst with rage. How could he have done that to her?

And in any new relationship, his daughter would remind him of her.

All I have to do is get rid of Starwhisper. Then she can't remind him of Shai'dha. But how …Lady, she's so annoying! She has no weaknesses that I can use to get rid of her, she has no magic that would react to an "accident" and all she wants to do is become a scout. Become a scout…

That's it! Send her off on a trip of some sort, to get practice. Then, even if she does come back, she won't be around at the crucial moment to discourage Windshadow. Icewing was gleeful. Now all she had to do was find Starwhisper and suggest it. Or better yet, just give her the idea and let her think she came up with it by herself.

Krall nibbled his bonded's braid, enjoying both the rubbing and the contentment radiating from Icewing. It was so much more fun when she wasn't mad.

***

'What do you want?' Starwhisper asked, a little rudely, but it wasn't completely uncalled for. Icewing didn't seem to notice, she spoke in the tone of someone who is trying to reconcile past differences.

'Sorry to bother you,' Icewing apologized. 'I was just curious to know how your scout training was going. I hear your brother Hawksong is teaching you.'

Star wasn't sure what had started this, but she relaxed her posture slightly. If the woman was lying, she would relax her guard a little if she thought she was oblivious to her machinations. 'Fine, just fine,' Star managed in a falsely cheerful voice. 'I just got back from a session, in fact.'

'Yes, I thought so. Some of the mages have gotten a few hot springs set up, you may want to stop at one afterwards. Having a hot soak does wonders for bruises.'

'I really wish I could get some real experience, though,' Star said. It was safe enough, she had decided. That simple statement couldn't be used against her.

'It used to be that a new scout would go on a sort of circuit with a more experienced one. Perhaps you could do that.' Then Icewing walked away, leaving Star completely confused. Had Icewing changed? And if not, what was she trying to get by acting like this?

I hate mysteries. And this is no exception.

But the idea was a good one. Star decided to suggest it to Hawk the next time she saw him. First, though, she was going to take advantage of Icewing's other suggestion. After all, hot springs were good for aching muscles.

***

The advantages of short hair are many, Star reflected upon leaving the hot springs. You don't have to pin it up to ensure it doesn't get wet, and if it does, it drys much faster. And it doesn't get tangled in everything. She was the only one who seemed to notice that, though. Everyone else wore their hair at least shoulder leangth, her hair barely made it halfway down her neck.

She felt a lot better now that she wasn't covered in leaves, dirt and sweat. First food, Star decided, then I go find Hawk. The thought of food reminded her of the fact that she had been practicing all day without anything more than a quick breakfast, and her stomach rumbled in complaint.

The hertasi had just set out a few trays of food, and Star gleefully helped herself to fresh rabbit, roasted vegetables, flatbread and some sort of cold juice. She sat down on one of the nearby cushions, tucked her legs under herself and proceeded to dig in, watching one of the hertasi prepare a salad. I think I'll go get some of that when he's done.

"Hungry, oh bottomless pit I call a sister?" came a voice from her right. She grinned, having already devoured her first two helpings and was working on a third.

"Maybe if you didn't work me so hard, oh noisy one," ironic grin at that,  "I wouldn't eat so much. Or mayhaps I'm growing again."

"You don't need to grow anymore," Hawk protested. "I'm barely taller than you nowadays."

"Nothing wrong with that. Besides, I'm just appreciating all the work the hertasi put into this, right Lascha?" That comment earned her a grin from Lascha, the one who had made the salad. He knew that she'd eat almost anything when she was this hungry.

Then she remebered what she had been meaning to ask him. "You know Icewing, right?"

"Yes, she and father used to be really good friends, or so mother used to say. Why?"

"I was talking to her earlier today, and mentioned that I wanted actual experience, like getting to go out on a patrol or something. She said that it used to be that a more experienced scout would take a newer one on a sort of circuit. Could we do that? Please?"

Hawk grinned. "Sure, but not right now, kechara. First we'll have to arrange it, let Windshadow know where we're going, pack and all the hundred other things that he'll make us do. So in about a week, I'm guessing."

Star jumped up and whooped with joy, and probably would have spilt her food had there been any left on her plate. "I can't wait!" She ran to her ekele to start packing.

---

Ok, a bit of more specific reviewer thankage.

Katsiebee: I think more along the lines of mean reviewers, not letting us authors know you like it. ^_^

Fireblade: Good instincts? Or maybe I'm predictable.

Bookwyrmk: glad to have caught your attention, then. Have another brownie.

Mysticmoods: sorry, was writing a geography essay at the same time. You would agree that it would be better to be more viligant in that, wouldn't you? Well, if you knew my geo teacher, you would. And now you know why Icewing isn't the feeling guilty in the least for coveting Shai'dha's ex. And mucho gracias for the tip. Appreciate it very much. Have chocolate chip cookies.

Cat: Am typing my fingers off to get it done. ^_^

So now that you know it doesn't hurt, press the purple button. And see if you can answer the question.