Chapter 11

Elf bit her lip in concentration as she delicately lowered the cog into place. She had lost count of how many times she had attempted to put it into place but she kept reminding herself she came closer each time. She was using her left hand, since her right was not yet capable of the delicate movement needed.

:I wonder what its song is going to be.: Dayna commented suddenly causing Elf to drop the cog.

Elf put down the tool she was using and rested her forehead on her palm.

:Sorry.: Dayna said sheepishly.

"It's not your fault." Elf assured her and turned as best she could to see the Companion standing in the doorway. "I just don't have steady hands."

:I came to tell you, the Healers are all busy.: Dayna explained quickly. :Are you ready?:

Elf grinned and pushed her wheelchair back as best as she could. Dayna stepped forward to help her clear of the desk. Elf moved the book she had on her lap and moved her legs so that they were touching the ground. Dayna positioned herself where Elf could use her for support.

Dayna had long ago given up all notions of convincing Elf that it was unwise to try standing so soon. It had been just over seven months since Dayna had Chosen her and Elf refused to listen to anyone telling her not to try anything yet. She couldn't manage to stand on her own yet, but she was getting closer everyday. As Elf often insisted, once she could stand everything else would come.

Elf's left hand was wound tightly in Dayna's mane, it was almost painful for the small mare, but she knew it was worse for Elf. The Healers had done their best to prevent the muscles from atrophying but they still protested the unaccustomed strain. Dayna knew her part and stood stock still, her legs locked, as Elf heaved herself upwards. Her pale face showed her complete focus on standing as her legs first buckled then held as she pulled herself upwards again.

:You're going to do it!: Dayna exclaimed happily and fed Elf a bit of energy so she wouldn't falter.

Elf tried to take normal breaths, even though pain shot up her legs. Her fingers hurt or grew numb where Dayna's mane cut off the circulation. Finally, her legs were straight and she let herself relax a little. She had finally stood!

Dayna quivered with excitement, not daring to tell anyone of Elf's accomplishment. :You did it! You're standing! I knew you would do it today; I had a good feeling about it.:

Elf tried to look back for her wheel chair but found it had rolled too far back. :Ah shoot.:

Dayna was confused until she saw the distance. :Um, can you make it back that far?:

:No.: Elf admitted.

:Hold tighter to my neck, let's see if I can get you to it without having to call for help.:

Both were too occupied with trying to maneuver the few feet that they didn't notice the door swinging open.

"Ah, Kayvia, I wondered when I would catch you trying to stand." Alberich teased in Karsite.

"You won't tell, will you?" Elf asked pleadingly.

"No. Let's get you back in your chair though." Alberich pushed her chair into place behind her so she could drop into the padded seat. He could see she was sweating from the effort but obviously well pleased with herself. "I assume today was successful."

"It was." Elf smiled. "I stood."

Alberich did not conceal his pride in her accomplishment. "You will be walking in no time."

"I will." Elf said with grim determination. "We should celebrate."

"After you rest a bit." Alberich said firmly. "Then perhaps we can take ride outside the city."

Elf smiled eagerly. "That would be wonderful. When can we go?"

"This afternoon." Alberich said firmly.

"Can we have a picnic?" Elf asked, undaunted by the delay.

"Very well." Alberich agreed.

"Maybe we can fish?" Elf continued eagerly.

"No." Alberich said firmly. "I do not fish."

Elf eyed him curiously then shrugged. "This is going to be so much fun."

"You must rest first." Alberich insisted. He knew she still needed to nap regularly because of the Healing she was still undergoing. "I will see if I can get a pie for the picnic as well."

"A nut pie?" Elf asked hopefully.

Mero, who had met Elf on a previous occasion, knew Elf loved nut pies so Alberich had no doubt there would be a nut pie or two in whatever was prepared for them. "Whatever Mero has available."

Elf grinned widely as Alberich wheeled her over to her bed. He was hard pressed to say which of the pair was happier at that moment. Dayna was prancing happily in place and Elf would have if she could. "Should I bring books or anything?"

"If you wish, for now you should sleep." Alberich said firmly as he transferred her to her bed.

Dayna nuzzled Elf before she pranced out the door.

Elf didn't protest as she slipped from waking into slumber.

Alberich watched her for a moment.

:I wonder what those two are going to get into when she can walk.: Kantor said dryly.

Alberich hoped they would find out.

~*~

Elf shifted the reins in her good hand as she looked around at the city. People stared at her and Dayna as they passed. She wondered absently what they were thinking but ultimately dismissed it as irrelevant. On the seat next to her she had a large basket filled with food, at least one nut pie, she could smell it.

"Still enjoying the victory?" Alberich asked lightly.

"Of course." Elf grinned up at him. "Next I'll walk, then I will ride and show all those Healers that they were wrong."

"That you will." Alberich agreed.

Elf looked up and found him watching everyone around them like a wolf watching for an intruder. "What's wrong?" She demanded, straining to see what he saw.

Alberich forced himself to relax. "Nothing."

Elf cocked her head to the side and studied him for a second. "You're lying. You were watching for something, you still are."

Alberich knew it was useless to protest. "We are worried that the ones who got away might come after you."

"Oh." Elf's expressive face fell. "I thought that was all over."

"I am sure it is, Kayvia." Alberich assured her.

"Liar." Elf accused lightly. "You should know better than to lie, old man."

Alberich laughed, reached down and ruffled her hair affectionately. No one else would dare call him old man. "Reading my thoughts?"

"No, your body." Elf admitted. "Your shoulders tighten up when you are lying. Do you really think they will come after me?"

"You are a danger to them. You can identify them." Alberich pointed out. 'It only makes sense they will come after you."

"Not with you around, unless they want to die." Elf teased. "You are the most feared Herald alive."

"And who told you that?" Alberich asked.

"Gede. He talks a lot when he gets nervous. And he gets nervous when he causes me any pain. He is worried I might blast him through a wall." Elf explained. "I think you like your reputation. Keeps people from looking too closely."

"But you don't believe it?"

"No, you're a big softy." Elf grinned up at him impishly. "You read to me when I was scared of the dark, you help me braid my hair, and you even sneak me treats that the Healers don't approve of. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

Alberich chuckled and resumed his careful watch.

"Are we going anywhere in particular?" Elf asked.

"A small stream I know of. It is not far outside of the city but I think Dayna will be able to pick up the speed a little." Alberich told her, he had a feeling she was looking forward to a good run. Once again, the girl had surprised him. He had expected her to deny the possibility of being in danger or to over react. Instead, she just accepted it and let it rest.

Elf looked back up at him. "Why would I worry with a guard like you?"

Alberich started.

"Sorry, I just kind of heard you think it. I wasn't trying to read your mind, really."

"Hopefully we will start your training soon." Alberich grumbled.

"I won't tell a soul what I hear, I swear."

Alberich returned his attention to the crowd around them, people automatically moved out of their way and Elf received several stares but nothing hostile.

He didn't relax until they were out of the city, and even then he did not relax completely.

Outside the city, Elf remained silent and didn't urge Dayna into a faster speed.

"We'll be there soon." Alberich said into the silence.

Elf jolted slightly and looked around. "Sorry, I was thinking. I didn't want to miss a moment of this."

"Not much to miss, just trees and fields." Alberich pointed out.

"Your town bred, aren't you?" Elf guessed, obviously amused. "No stretch of road is ever the same twice. There are different birds in different seasons and the fields are always growing and changing, except in winter. Except for the cold, winter was always my favorite. The snow hangs on the trees like veils and sometimes ice hangs off the branches looking like lace."

Alberich frowned at the wistful note in her voice. "Miss the road?"

"Do you miss Karse?" Elf countered. "It was always my home. I was born in that wagon. I nearly died in that wagon. Of course I miss it. My parents met on the road, father hired mother to protect him while he made a rather dangerous voyage. They were gone for nearly a year. When they got back to the town they where had met she was in labor and they were unwed." Elf chuckled, her eyes distant as she remembered the happy times her parents had told the tale. "They found a priest even though it was the middle of the night. Mother was hurling insults, threats, and everything that wasn't nailed down at father, threatening to castrate him or kill him depending on what body part she reached first. The priest thought she was serious. Especially when she grabbed him by the collar and told him to wed them so she could be a widow by dawn."

"She sounds like a mercenary I know." Alberich said dryly, thinking of Captain Kerowyn.

"It was their anniversary That Day." Elf confessed. She hadn't told anyone much about That Day.

Alberich shifted uneasily. "Our destination is just around the corner."

Elf strained to see their destination and saw only a small, wooden building with no windows and only one door. "That shack?"

"Actually, it is a waystation." Alberich explained.

The waystation was situated on the edge of a clearing. Thick ancient trees formed a rough circle. One edge of the clearing was bordered by a broad, slow moving river.

"Is that the same river that runs through the Palace?" Elf asked as Alberich scooped her up from the wagon and carried her into the shade under a tree.

"No, it feeds into it."

Elf leaned back against the tree Alberich set her under and surveyed her surroundings. A pair of poles hung between a pair of trees caught her attention. They ran parallel to each other and were polished so they were probably not for hitching horses to. Before she could ask what they were for Alberich sat down next to her with the basket of food. The tantalizing scent of fresh nut pies assumed her complete attention.

"How are your studies coming?" Alberich asked as she removed a pair of sandwiches from the rather large basket.

"Good I think." Elf admitted. "Dirk left me lots of books about Gifts and such, he said when classes start up again they will start teaching me. And he left me history and law books. Gede says my book shelf is going to cause the wall to cave in because it's so heavy."

"And you will probably have them all read and have enough questions to keep Dirk busy for a year when he gets back." Alberich teased. "Just don't expect me to answer any."

Elf chuckled. "I won't. You already told me you are all brawn and no brain."

"I did not put it like that." Alberich protested, knowing she was only teasing. "What do you think of your studies?"

"History is interesting, math is basic, I can do much larger figures in my head, geography is very interesting. I didn't know there were so many different cultures in Valdemar. Law is boring." Elf listed off. "The magic books are all interesting but I am not allowed to practice yet. Gede says I need all my energies for healing. When am I going to be done healing? Gede can't tell me. He just pats me on the head and tells me patience. I am so tempted to talk to him again. He told me the truth for a while after I yelled in his head."

Alberich laughed. "It has taken us this long to convince him you weren't going to be able to do that again, if you yelled in his head again he would probably want your gifts blocked."

Elf wrinkled her nose. "I won't then. Maybe if I threaten to... Heralds do threaten, don't they?"

"Rarely and only if they intend to follow through." Alberich warned.

Elf grumbled. "I just know it isn't good otherwise they would tell me."

"What do you think he would say?" Alberich asked curiously. "He has already told you the worst."

"I don't know." Elf turned to him. "They probably told you, what is it?"

"I know nothing more than you, that they think you will never walk and that you will recover only a little more use of your arm."

"I already stood. I will walk." Elf looked determined.

"Glad to hear it." Alberich smiled. "When you are done your sandwich we can get started."

"Started on what?" Elf asked curiously.

Alberich didn't answer so she quickly demolished the last of her sandwich.

"Now, started on what?" Elf pressed again.

Alberich stood and scooped her up. "You are going to stand."

"I already did." Elf pointed out.

"And that is it?" Alberich asked. "Now is not the time to rest on your laurels."

He dropped her feet but held onto her torso when he reached the strange bars. "Hold onto the bar with your good hand."

Elf obeyed quickly. Alberich slowly lowered her so her feet were flat.

"Lean against the bar." He ordered.

Elf's arm, strengthened from the extra use, held her weight. She kept her legs beneath her. "I'm going to take a step."

"No, you're not. Your muscles need to recuperate first." Alberich corrected. "Take it one step at a time."

Elf opened her mouth to protest then quickly snapped it shut. Her arm was starting to shake, as were her legs. Pain shot up her legs.

:Oh, ask him to put you down!: Dayna pleaded. :You're going to get hurt.:

Elf was about to answer when her legs gave out completely and Alberich caught her.

"That was longer than before." Elf gasped.

"Wonderful." Alberich congratulated her. "Ready to try again."

"So long as you are ready to catch me." Elf said as she adjusted her grip on the bar.