Disclaimer: I do not own these characters or this world that they are in and I am making no money out of this. I just want to write a sequel to a really good book that I wish had one.
Chapter 15
The group. Tanea, Pol, Ilea, Elenor, Satiran and Lavan, entered the town of Kettlesmith, weary from travel.
As they walked through the town, heads turned as the strange company drew attention.
Turning her head, Ilea noticed Tanea wince and shake her head Her gift must be strong, or is it gifts? I will have to get Pol to examine her tonight, then we will have a better idea of how to train her.
She sighed, shaking her head. She would have to wait till tonight. For now, they had to find an inn, organise supplies, rest the goats, horse and Companion.
As they strolled through the streets looking for an inn, they saw a sign which said 'Farlog Inn' Ilea raised her hand, the others having not noticed it.
"Here." She said. The others turned, only now realising that they had just passed what they were looking for. Pol walked in and a quarter-candelmark later came out saying that they had rooms for the night and shelter for the menagerie.
At the word menagerie, Satiran tossed his head in indignation, letting out a loud snort, after which Pol profusely apologised to him.
A little while later, after many bumps and bruises, Lavan was upstairs, locked in one of their rented rooms, hopefully that would protect him from people whilst they went to the market for supplies.
After candelmarks of searching, the sun was touching the horizon as the group entered Farlog Inn, all except Tanea were carrying large bags of supplies, going for the stairs. Tanea, in turn was carrying the lighter bags, seeing as she didn't have as much energy as the others.
Once up the stairs, they entered the room they had hired. Lan was still there, lying on his back in the same position they had left him in.
Ilea walked up to him, quickly scanning him with her gift. Once satisfied that his condition hadn't deteriorated much, she went back to the others, who were sorting out the supplies.
The foodstuffs, were going into a brown bag, whilst the tack repair supplies went into a kit that Pol had produced. The water skins went into another separate bag.
Pol and Tanea were in the middle of discussing some improvements they could make to Lavan's stretcher when Ilea walked over.
"Need I repete miself lad, me stretcher, 'twas designed for haulin' wood, not as a sling fer persons. If'n we make those alterations t'll break fer sure."
"Fine Ms. Tanea." Said Pol. "We will not add a wooden frame."
Tanea gave a small humph and turned back to work. When Ilea reached them, she paused for a second the said.
"I believe it will be time for dinner in about a quarter candelmark. In the meanwhile Pol, maybe you and Satiran could send a message to Haven. Inform them that the boy is still alive."
"It would be hard, my earlier mind shout really drained me, and we're only a few days from Haven. It would also mean big crowds and take us longer to get up the hill."
At the words 'big crowds' Ilea noticed Tanea's face pale a little. Ilea would definitely get Pol to check for gifts later.
A few minutes later, the group was seated at a table near the hearth. Enjoying a hot meal of vegetable soup, soon to be followed up with some pocket pies.
The conversation was minimal for a bit before Tanea asked a question. "No offence, but aren't ye a wee bit aged ter be teachin' young'uns?"
At this Pol chucked a little. "Yes, but I am the only Herald with a touch of everything, including Firestarting, albeit a much weaker version. On a good day, I can light an oil soaked rag. But Lan there, well you saw that firestorm he caused."
Tanea nodded her head vigorously. "Ooh aye, thought ''twas the gods 'imselves till I saw the la-Lan scare off some thugs with that curse o' 'is."
A man came up with four pocket pies, setting them down on the table and heading off to go serve some other customer.
Elenor leaned forward. "What do you mean by 'curse', they are typically called gifts."
"These things, they ain't nothin' but curses, mine; well they drove me away from me village when I was a young. Never 'ad human contact since, 'xcept ter sell me concoctions ter the occasional trader."
When she was finished, the rest of the group was a little frozen in shock.
"So you've been living by yourself for how long now?" Elenor inquired.
"Bout fifty winters, give er take a few."
"Oh" was all Elenor could say.
After that, they ate their pocket pies in silence before retiring to their room for the night. When everyone had entered the room, and the door was shut, Ilea walked up to Pol.
"Pol, I was wondering if you could test Tanea on her gifts? It would be really helpful to know, so we can strengthen her shields before we reach Haven."
"I believe she has Mindspeech and Empathy." Pol said. "But we could check."
"Excuse me, Tanea, do you think me and Pol could do a test on you, to see what your gifts are so we can strengthen your shields?" Ilea asked as they walked up to her.
"What'd be involved in yer test?"
"I would like you to temporarily drop your shields - don't worry, Satiran and I will shield you." Pol said, "and I will then do a quick scan."
Tanea didn't really look thrilled, but agreed non-the-less. After getting into a crossed legged position. Ilea could feel when Satiran raised his shield, Tanea Lowered her shields, and when she raised them again.
Pol took a shaky breath, then turned to her. "Weak, normal Empathy, and a healing gift that is off the charts.
My best guess would be that it is the kind where you can sense what is wrong with people."
"Thank you Pol, and thank you Tanea now, I have a good idea of how I can train you. But for now, we should turn in for the night."
"Agreed." Said Elenor.
A few minutes later, the candle was out, and everyone was sound asleep.
A/N: FEAR NOT, I HAVE NOT ABANDONED THIS STORY. That being said I'm sorry if this chapter wasn't any good. I know, I know, it's very late, there was a little writers block and I couldn't come up with any good ideas, but I did the best I could.
And on top of that I have NO more pre written chapters, so it will take longer for them to be posted. I think I had 9 pre written chapters when I posted chapter 1.
Also I made up Farlog Inn, so don't go crazy reading through all the Valdemar books trying to find it :)
Also I'm sorry TMI Fairy, Tanea could not be a mage in this story, after all it and it's predecessor are set during the mage free era. Only mind magic works at the moment.
