Chapter 9

Gabin was soaked to the bone but the children were clean.

"That was fun." Kris said as he tossed a towel to Gabin. "They are a good bunch."

"Thanks, your highness."

"Kris. Just Kris." He corrected Gabin again. "Seriously, we have been nearly drowned together; I think protocol demands we use first names."

"Thank you, Kris." Gabin said as he toweled his hair dry. "I have never been soaked this often in a just a couple days in my life."

Kris sat on the edge of the tub. "How are you holding up?"

"I still want to kill Damris. When I think of how many children we can't find… Over a hundred are missing." Gabin tossed the towel down the laundry chute. "I'm just…"

"I do understand." Kris assured him.

"How can you understand if I can't even put it into words?"

"It is my responsibility to protect everyone in my country and these bastards have been operating under my nose and the nose of the men and women charged with stopping crimes like this. Every Herald and Guard feels as you do right now. The Guard are planning extra patrols in the area and will be bringing us every child without a family that they find. It is going to make a lot of ill will towards you. Not just from the slavers but from everyone. You are never going to be able to go back."

Gabin ran his hand through his hair. "I didn't think I could."

"Are you hungry? Lyra is done with the girls and has ordered more food."

Gabin laughed a little. "The solution to everything?"

"With this many children, yes. I am also to tell you that Lord Elluen has insisted that all of the affected children be delivered to his estate and he has sent word to every mind healer in the country that he will make a donation large enough for them to start a new temple if they will come to help your children. He already has Lindi."

"She'll be scared of him."

"Fyn managed to convince her he is a good protector. Bardic Gift is scary sometimes when you realize what it can be used for."

"She sang to Lindi and she decided Lord Elluen was a trustworthy person?"

"No, she just spoke. It is easier to sing and use her Gift but she can use it without even speaking. Normally she can make people listen, even if they don't agree. When she exerts herself… let's just say I am glad she is ours."

"So if she wanted someone to do something for her she could force them to do it?"

"In theory. But most people with strong gifts are capable of doing that."

"Suddenly I feel a lot less safe." Gabin muttered.

"Those with the ability to do so are Heralds. Does that help?"

"Yes. Now that I've met some more Heralds I know what they are like."

A knock on the door interrupted them. "You have thirty seconds before I let the mob in." Fyn warned.

Kris quickly opened the door to find just Fyn there.

"Actually, they're eating." Fyn assured them and handed them dry clothing. "If you get changed, Gabin, I can take you out to see the building Lyra is having renovated for you and be back before dark."

"It's finalized then?" Gabin asked as he accepted the clothing.

"Pretty much. You don't have to stay there of course, but you are most welcome to be in charge." Fyn assured him.

Kris closed the door on her. "Lyra tends to just press ahead, no matter the obstacle. She probably took Lord Elluen's money and just charged in."

Fyn was still waiting outside the bathing room. "Kris, next time you take an Empath near Exile's Gate, don't use them as a blood hound."

"I take it Jemmy was not shielding." Kris rubbed his forehead. "I should have known. Where is he?"

"Busy." Fyn grinned.

"What? Oh." Kris grinned knowingly. "Fyn is a matchmaker, be warned."

"I am hardly that bad." Fyn protested. "Shall we get going, Gabin?"

Gabin hopped on one foot as he pulled on his stained, white boot. "Are we riding?"

"Yes." Fyn grinned when he grimaced. "Tyree is saddled and waiting. I have a big basket of food too. We should go before Jes sees us."

Soon Gabin was mounted behind Fyn with his arm around her waist and the other holding a sack of food. They didn't speak until they were out of the city.

"Wow." Gabin said in awe.

"What?"

"I've never been outside the city." Gabin admitted.

Tyree slowed down so he could savour the experience.

"How old are those trees?"

"Probably a few centuries old."

"Huh." Gabin studied the trees. "Are they oak? I've read about oaks."

"I don't think so. I am better at identifying animals than plants. Like that is a common wren."

"Have you seen a firebird?"

"Once. When I was delivering a message up north one was near the side of the road."

"So the building is outside the city?" Gabin twisted to look back at the city. "Can we see Exile's Gate from here?"

Fyn pointed to the southern edge of the city. "Right there."

"I thought the city was bigger."

"It has a population of just over two hundred thousand people."

Gabin stared as the city until it was obscured by a turn in the road. "That many people?"

He asked a dozen more questions before they reached the Home Farms.

"This is a farm?" Gabin whispered.

"A very, very large farm. There are two here, one for the Palace and one for the three Collegia."

"Is that a goat?" Gabin asked.

"Yes."

"I feel like an idiot." Gabin said as he looked around. "Is that a milk cow? It's considerably smaller than the oxen I have seen."

Tyree stopped near a large garden where some men were working.

"I beg your pardon." Fyn called to them. "Are there any vegetables ready?"

One of the men pulled up some carrots and rinsed them off in a bucket of water. "Here you go, my lady Herald."

Fyn offered Gabin one of the tiny carrots.

"I thought they grew on trees like apples." Gabin sniffed the carrot then took a bite. "These are delicious!"

"Wait until fall." Fyn pointed to a cluster of trees. "There are apples, pears, and various nuts grown here."

"Incredible." Gabin twisted around again, still munching his carrots.

"And here is the old Tedrel orphanage." Fyn stopped as they entered the gate of orphanage. It was a three story, stone building with a wooded garden and a tall stone fence. Men were repairing the roof and sawing planks.

"All this?" Gabin slid to the ground.

Fyn quickly dismounted and removed Tyree's tack so she could wander. "See you later, Beloved."

:Later, Chosen.: Tyree wandered off.

Gabin was staring up at the building.

"Ready?" Fyn waited for Gabin to move.

"Why was this placed closed down?"

"After the Tedrel wars, when they were completely routed, the Valdemaran army found thousands of children that had been kidnapped by the Tedrel Mercenaries. They had no parents to watch over them so Queen Selenay's first act as Queen was to bring the entire lot of them back here. Some found homes with farmers, soldiers, Heralds, and even at the palace. Others had formed families of up to fifty children. They were housed in places like this with two or three childless couples running the orphanage. When the children grew up we simply didn't need all of the orphanages so they were closed up or sold. This was the largest of the orphanages. Many of the Tedrel children went into the army. There are several who serve as the Queens most trusted bodyguard."

Fyn waited but Gabin continued to stare.

"Ah, Fyn, Gabin, excellent!" Lyra hurried out. "I was hoping you would get here before dark." Lyra grabbed Gabin by the arm and practically dragged him into the building.

Fyn took a book out of the sack of food and sat with her back against the wall.

Tyree wandered back towards her. :You aren't joining them?:

"No, I'm good." Fyn assured her as she started reading.

:You haven't asked about Gabin being Chosen today.:

"I heard by way of Keli the other Companions don't approve of me asking you." Fyn closed her book. "I'm sorry if I made things difficult for you."

:You didn't. It is my duty after all.:

"Not that I am supposed to know."

:I will tell you that there is a possibility but don't talk to him about it.: Tyree told her after a moment's consideration.

"Of course not."

:Do you think he will be happy out here?:

"No. This place is completely foreign to him. However, it's up to him to decide. But he'd probably be no happier at the Palace. He'd feel useless."

:He is old to be Chosen. Most adults who are Chosen are uniquely suited to some purpose, Myste as Chronicler, Kerowyn and Tashti as weapons masters. Where do you think he would fit?:

"As Dean?" Fyn suggested with a shrug. "Or as Chronicler? He'd adjust to Circuits."

Tyree eyed her Chosen thoughtfully. :I'm surprised you haven't tried to match him to someone. To yourself perhaps?:

"Tyree, this is the longest we have been in Haven since I got my Whites." Fyn pointed out. "Besides, he is far too skinny, I'd be afraid of breaking him."

:Is that why you brought more food.: Tyree teased. :Fattening him up?:

"You can count every rib." Fyn protested. "I don't know why, his children are in good shape. And Karlee ordered me to feed him."

:When would he have had time to eat the last six months? His assistants were gone and he still had more than one hundred children to watch over.:

"Oh, I didn't consider that." Fyn muttered.

Gabin re-emerged from the building looking overwhelmed.

:Lyra?:

:I think I swamped him. Can you smooth things over for me?:

:Of course.: Fyn waved Gabin over. "Gabin, are you ready to eat?"

"Did the Healers order you to fatten me up?" He asked as he approached.

Tyree snorted with amusement and wandered off.

"Yes, they did." Fyn patted the grass next to her.

"The children will love it here." Gabin said as he sat next to her and rested his head on the stone wall.

"But you feel out of your depth?"

"Something like that. There are trees to climb. They can help at the farms. Princess Lyra has promised that I will have a couple weapons teachers from the guards so that they can continue my training. She also promised to build two more buildings and, if I choose, open it to any children."

Fyn offered him a flask of water.

"They will be safe here." Gabin stared at the building. "But I have no clue how I will get by."

"You will learn. If you choose."

"You go out of your way to make certain I know I have choices." Gabin observed.

"We have a tendency to take over and leave people gaping behind us. I don't want you to feel like we've taken over your life."

"Thanks. But you lot still did."

Fyn blushed.

"At least you have the decency to be embarrassed." Gabin teased her.

"I can't apologize though. I don't regret it. We discovered the slave ring, we are rescuing the children that were being stolen from you, and now your safe house is growing into a full-fledged orphanage, which will be a safe haven for children across Valdemar. Besides, sometimes life comes along and jerks the reins from your hands, but it also gives you an opportunity to choose your path."

"Like when Keli rescued you?"

"Or when she recruited Kevyn to support your safe house. If you want to do something else, perhaps go to another city and start another safe house, or travel, or maybe start a business. You can now. Or you can help Kevyn with the abused children. Although, if you do that I wager you will want to kill him within a week."

"Why?"

"You think we Heralds run over everyone in our path? Well, he is far worse and not many people can stand up to him. You are also used to calling the shots."

"True." Gabin drank some more water. "Let's find my children before we worry too much about the future. Or better yet, leave the future in her hands, she seems to have plans already."

"She does."

Gabin dug out the meal that had been packed for them. "I think I am starting to understand you."

"Oh?"

"You are so concerned with respecting the freedom of others because you know that they could be forced to do what you want. You're surrounded by people who are politically powerful who tend to take charge and do what they think is right but you're the one who can force people to change their minds with your Gift."

"That's pretty close." Fyn admitted. "It doesn't stop them from trying to control me. Kris would prefer it if I was permanently assigned to Have where I would be little more than a court jester. Keli would like that too."

"He's the prince. How can you say no?"

"I say no because it would be a waste of my skills. I am not a teacher or a serious scholar. I'm a barely reformed thief who's been trained to deal with disasters. I am not needed in Haven, I am needed on the edges of the Pelagir where change creatures still kill at least a hundred people every year. I'm needed up north were some of those rogue tribes raid villages. I'm needed in the flooded towns where half the houses have been carried off. I'm one of the few who can walk in Exile's Gate without being noticed. I am wasted as a court jester even if it puts Kris's mind at ease."

"Have we met while you were down in Exile's Gate?"

"At least a dozen times." Fyn grinned. "Once was last month. I brought a little boy to you. His name was Garrik."

"That was a man!"

Fyn grinned at him. "It was a costume. I usually don't go was a streetwalker. People get suspicious when I turn down offers of work. I found a rough young man works best. I can use my Gift to cloud the perceptions of those I get close to."

"Did Kris know you do that?"

"He does now." Fyn's smile faded. "He's trying to convince the council it is too dangerous for me down there. The Circle might side with him. He's very good at getting people to agree."

Gabin unwrapped the hand sized pies and gave her one. "I hope they don't."

"Really?" Fyn said in surprise.

"Really. You don't strike me as being a very political person and that's what you would have to be if you stayed at his right hand."

"Finally, someone agrees with me!" Fyn grinned. "But since he doesn't agree with you, I will probably end up shuffling papers for the rest of my life. Even though we are friends, he is the prince and his will is supported by the Circle. As it is he has stopped me from taking a message to Iftel last week. It turned out for the best but it's like trying to argue with the ocean. Even the hardest stone will be worn down eventually.

"Which, I assume, is why you have been hovering; to keep them from barrelling over me? Because you know exactly how bad it can be?"

"Would you like me to stop?"

"No. I'd probably end up rolling over and doing what they want. Don't tell them, but this is all like a dream."

"A bad dream or a good dream?"

"Not sure." Gabin admitted.