The next morning, Myste ran into Lodin in the dining hall and confirmed that his daughter would be delighted to meet a Companion personally. So they decided that the hour after noon bell which was when many of the trainees had a free hour they would meet at Companion's Field.
Having slept badly the night before, Myste nevertheless threw herself into her work, if only as a way to avoid thinking about Alberich. Aleirian had gently tried to coax what was bothering her into the light, but she had evaded his gentle prodding with a silence he had come to realize was the foundation of his Chosen's stubbornness.
It wasn't that she didn't trust Aleirian, who else could she trust if not him afterall. Nevertheless, she was still annoyed at herself for caring this much over something so trivial. Yet, whispered the cruel voice in her mind, what more is between you and the weapons-master than a few trysts and some pleasant conversation? She knew they both realized that this wasn't a lifebond. Nor were 'arrangements' such as theirs uncommon among the heralds. After all they were not chaste priests and priestesses, and in the line of duty most had experienced the rush of adrenaline and the desire that had followed. Not that heralds were half as hedonistic as the court and certain rumors would have it, but the fact was that they were human. Many of her fellows having faced the reality that their duty came before any relationships were willing to expand the boundaries of friendship so long as no one was hurt.
She was a mature, worldly woman, wasn't she? She had never pushed Alberich to define the boundaries of their own partnership, but had just accepted what came naturally. She would not push him now. How could she when she did not know herself what she wanted? What more could there be between heralds that were not lifebonded? She knew that was only part of the reason, the other part was that she was truly afraid of what he might say if she confronted him, and how foolish it would make her seem.
She valiantly pushed these thoughts aside and worked throughout the morning, sighing in relief when she heard the noon bells. Not feeling very hungry, her stomach was still in knots, she thought a trip to see Aleirian before introducing him to her new friends might be in order.
"Beloved?" she mind sent. "Would you mind some company before I paraded you before a captive audience?" she teased.
"You, always" came the prompt reply. "As for captive audience. I can hardly imagine lil' old me, is going to hold anyone 'captive' for long." he said with mock humility.
"Oh, you gloriously vain creature, you know very well, that you are beautiful to look at. Lodin and his daughter should just be glad they can't hear you." she mock scolded in turn, her face breaking into a smile that relaxed the muscles set in concentration.
On her way to Companion's Stables she purloined a few apples, both for herself and Aleirian, though she doubted the stallion would share once she had revealed what she was carrying.
It turned out that she didn't need to go all the way to the stables, since Aleirian had come to meet her by the low fence separating Companion's Field from the Old Palace and he wasn't alone; beside him stood what was unmistakeably another Companion. Even from a distance, she could tell who this Companion was, standing only slightly taller than Aleirian he was built almost like a draft horse, if a Companion could ever be compared to something so mundane. Though Aleirian was a Stallion he had the sleek strength and build of most Companions, yet the Companion beside him was thicker of neck and haunch, from that she made a shrewd guess as to who it could be, which made her slow down imperceptibly as she went to greet her Companion.
Deciding it was only coincidence and her own conscience getting the better of her, she plastered a smile on her face and strode the last few steps saying,
"'Rian, I'm sure you've been talking Kantor's ear off. I suppose it is my duty as your Chosen to offer him a reward for standing in my stead?" She reached into the small pouch she always carried and pulled out two apples offering one to each Companion who ambled over to her.
She gently butted her forehead against Aleirian's cheek in greeting before giving him an apple and held out the other apple to Kantor who gently took it from her hand and brushed his soft muzzle along her palm in a gesture of thanks.
::Beloved, Kantor was just keeping me company while I waited for you. It is a lovely day to be outside:: Aleirian said a bit wistfully, neatly finishing his apple.
"I suppose that is a not so subtle order for me to come riding with you." she smiled. "Well I have been behind a desk too long. Let me get a softsaddle and we'll go for a quick ride before we have to meet Lodin and Maya."
Kantor stood and looked at them. Though he never spoke directly to her she had always gotten the impression that he had somehow approved of her. Kantor was like his Chosen in many ways, he stood apart the majority of the Companions not only because of his physical build, which rivaled that of the Grove-born Rolan, but because he had a stoic nature which made him stand out from the majority of Companions who could at times be mistaken for fishwives, she thought ruefully, with their love of gossip and social natures. Kantor held himself apart because he was as introspective as his Chosen and preferred action to idle chatter.
When she looked back at him, she got the impression that he almost knew in part what she was thinking. He bobbed his head down briefly and turned to trot further into Companion's Field, leaving Myste and Aleirian standing in his wake.
::You know he enjoys a fair amount of gossip too:: Alerian nosed her shoulder and interjected into her thoughts.
:I'm sure he does:: she harumphed. ::Fishwives, all of you:: and walked beside him to the stables.
After spending another night stalking his prey at Exile' Gate, Alberich was tired. Tired and frustrated. It did not add up. The foreigners were going about their lives in a normal fashion that made him doubt that there was anything even going on. That is until they would do something as innocuous as leaving a package or parcel at a particular store or tavern only to pick it up a few candlemarks later. He couldn't get close enough to investigate. He had even considered forcefully taking the package under one of his guises, but that would tip the conspirators that someone was watching and make them more wary.
Now he was back in the salle yard and the only indication of his late nights was a deeper crease between his eyes and a stern expression that further put the trainees on their toes.
"Garan," he barked. "Elbow in! Not dancing this be!"
To his credit the student continued without as much as a pause and corrected his stance as he went. This was his advanced class, and though he still kept a sharp eye out for any improvements that were needed, he also trusted these students to know the importance practice.
"Switch partners" he barked and watched as the fluid exchange happened before him, and one student in each pairing shifted right. He watched them complete their drills and set them to target practice, and at the end of the session he still found himself pondering the quandary of his alter ego, even as he culled out the pieces of armor and padding from the rack that needed to be replaced.
::Chosen, you must eat:: Kantor's voice noted, and Alberich could vaguely feel he was hungry, realizing that the noonbells had already rung. He made his way to the oven that kept the salle warm during the colder months, and also served as a place to keep foodstuff warm. Like now, when he had put together the ingredients for a basic pease porridge together in a pot the night before, he now found a perfectly stewed porridge for his noon meal. To be sure, it was not the same as the fare he could order from the kitchens, but at times with his erratic schedule he could not always be bothered to make the trek to the kitchens or even order something to be brought to him. He now sat and ate, thinking and sharing his thoughts with Kantor.
::Find, I must, a way to see what they are planning:: he stated.
::Chosen, perhaps it is time to bring in some reinforcements. You cannot be in all places at once.:: counseled his Companion.
Alberich sighed. Though he had used Keren and Myste before, and had trained Skif since, he did not like putting others at risk when the playing field was as yet still unknown. If it were a mission with more purpose and boundaries that he could set, such as a known opponent he would feel more comfortable.
Yet he could feel in his gut that this was important. His still erratic gift of foresight had not given him any misgivings but he relied on it far less than his skills of observation.
::I know not yet. However, benefit I would from some counsel.:: He conceded thinking of Myste. He was surprised at how much he wanted to talk this over with her. She had a sound mind and could tell him if his observations merited further action.
::If it is Herald Myste you seek. I believe she is occupied in Companion's Field:: Kantor said cryptically.
Alberich didn't bother to reply. Since if Myste was at Companion's Field she must be visiting with Aleirian, and if he could steal her away they could talk or make plans to talk. He found himself already rising and striding across the practice floor and out the door. His turbulent thoughts were somewhat mollified for the first time in a fortnight when he considered the possibilities of spending some quality time with Myste.
Perhaps they could go on a ride deeper into Companion's Field. Most of the students were finishing their noon meal and would take their study hour, so the Field was open to the older heralds. He strode quickly across the expanse of Companion's Field that was beside the salle, toward the stables, which was where he thought he would find Myste. He heard laughter from somewhere and dismissed it as a few of the students spending their free hour with their Companions rather than at their studies. However, once he cleared a line of trees and brush that had obscured his view he saw a Companion that could only be Aleirian with a small dark girl on his back and Myste standing beside Lodin laughing at her Companions's antics as he made exaggerated parade step gestures.
Just at the edge of the trees he stopped before coming into view. Before he could think of why his body stopped mid stride and pulled back before emerging from behind the brush. The girl was not doubt Lodin's daughter, the bardic student, he had yet to have her in his salle but she too would join once her teachers felt she had adjusted to the rest of her classes.
He wasn't hiding precisely, if the small party would look in his direction they could see him, but he hesitated before making his presence known. He almost felt as if his intrusion would cast a shadow upon the revelry. When was the last time he had heard Myste laugh in that way. The thought made him pause, and before he could continue he heard another voice behind him.
"Herald Alberich, I didn't expect to find you here."
***Sorry for the late update, computer issues. Thank you to those that have left reviews, I really appreciate it.***
