See chapter 1 for disclaimers.

Chapter 3: An Intern's Worth

Mirnen was only a few years shy of retirement, so, he was more than happy to be training a replacement for his circuit, though, he had doubts about a raw trainee. The dusky-skinned young man was a bit of a novelty around the Collegium, and he found his curiosity was piqued.

The circuit he normally rode would take him to the southernmost part of the kingdom, which was, apparently, where Jebel's family was most likely to cross into Valdemar, if they had reached the border at all. It was not normally a place for internships, but the border with Karse had been quiet for a while, and his trainee's skills had been proven solid in the usual assortment of classroom and practical exams.

His grades were not the best, Mirnen noted, but he had, all in all, the makings of a fine Herald. As the day of their departure grew closer, he made a point of getting to know Jebel, and he liked what he found.

Jebel was well-trained in the use of several weapons before he came to the Collegium. The kopis he carried proved a very effective weapon, despite being dismissed by some of the unaffiliated students as a dagger with delusions of grandeur. He could also handle a bow with a fair degree of skill and he could use a dagger quite well.

Alberich had spoken highly of Jebel's skills. At least, he had said that he didn't have as much work to do to make Jebel passable as he did with some of the hopeless cases among his classmates. From Alberich, Mirnen reflected, that was high praise, indeed.

Skilled with a blade or not, the boy had the mind of a scholar. He was curious about everything around him. The history of the kingdom and the Heralds in particular seemed of great interest to him. Elcarth must be ecstatic.

The only real concern was how suspicious his new intern could be. It had taken time for him to trust the Heralds with even a few necessary details about his family. A discreet search was now underway, when the opportunity arose. There were always other matters of importance, but several of the Heralds had taken an interest in the matter, or simply had great regard for Elcarth and agreed to assist in the endeavor.

Regardless of the reason, a search, haphazard as it might be, was underway. Jebel was looking forward to traveling to the southern edge of Valdemar and conducting his own search for his missing family.

They had discussed the route and the various tasks that would be set for him during the trip. He didn't think any of it was beyond Jebel, but he wanted to ensure that the younger man didn't split his focus too much. Being a Herald could be dangerous, especially near the border with Karse.

Finding his family was important to him, but Jebel had assured him that dying of carelessness wasn't on his list of things to do. Mirnen decided that that was good enough for now. He'd see how things went out on the circuit.

OOOOOOOOOO

Jebel leaned forward and tightened his grip with his knees. A wide smile spread across his face as Arctus picked up speed and launched himself into the air, clearing the fence easily. He could feel Arctus' joy through their link. The Companion loved to run, and Jebel, much to his surprise, loved letting him. The ride wasn't the smoothest, but it was exhilarating.

They were due to leave on their first circuit the next day and had little time left to just enjoy goofing off like this. There was no goal to the run. They didn't need to be anywhere or accomplish anything. They were just running for the sake of running, and thoroughly enjoying it. He quickly reviewed all his preparations and recalled what one of the Heralds gifted with Foresight had told them.

:Soon enough,: Arctus interrupted his train of thought, :we'll have to focus on work and all of the risks involved. For now, why worry about it? Everything is settled, isn't it?:

"Yes. We've done all we can to prepare, and there's nothing else we need to do today." Jebel shrugged. "Let's just enjoy the run."

:Wise words.: His companion chuckled and took another fence as easily as Jebel would climb a single step. Tomorrow would come soon enough. It was time to just enjoy the moment and each other's company.

OOOOOOOOOO

The journey to the starting point of Mirnen's circuit took four days. The trip could have been made faster, but Mirnen had allowed extra time in order to show Jebel the way properly and to continue his education. There were things that were difficult to teach in a classroom.

One of those things was what it felt like to ride at top speed for several hours. While the Companions could manage it if they had to, the Herald could be left unable to walk for a time afterwards. It was a feeling, Mirnen assured him, that should be avoided whenever possible.

Rushing would have prevented him from showing Jebel around a Herald Waystation, as well. The waystations had been set up all across Valdemar for the use of traveling Heralds. While fairly bare-bones, the stations were better than camping out, as they provided shelter from the weather and a safe place to make a fire, especially during the winter months.

There were protocols to be followed when using a waystation, Mirnen explained. Mostly, it came down to not leaving the place a mess for the next Herald. The stations were checked and resupplied at intervals, but it was considered polite and could, under some circumstances, save lives. Arriving at a waystation in the middle of a blizzard to find there was no firewood, was a surprise no Herald wanted. Jebel took all of this in, and promised to uphold his responsibilities in that regard.

As they settled into the closest waystation to the beginning of Mirnen's circuit, the older Herald decided it might be a good time to clarify what his trainee was capable of.

"I have read over your file, of course, but before we get down to work on the circuit, I want to clarify your abilities and talents."

"What do you want to know?" Jebel asked with a shrug as he settled at the table opposite Mirnen. A fire was going in the fireplace, and there was a simple meal before them. The hard bread and thin vegetable soup weren't terribly filling, but it was certainly better than the trail rations Mirnen had packed for them.

"How proficient are you with the Truth spell?"

"I can use it," Jebel allowed. "Not as well as some, but I can make both parts work correctly every time. Just takes a bit more effort and concentration for me than for some."

Mirnen nodded. That wasn't unusual. Records indicated that Jebel was just about average in his class when it came to the Truth spell.

"And your gifts?"

"Mindspeech and FarSight,"

Mirnen raised an eyebrow. "I was told you had TouchReading as well."

Jebel grimaced. "Sort of? It's really unreliable. Most of the time, I can't make it work when I want it to. Other times…"

"Yes?"

"Sometimes I get information I'm not trying for and don't want, from random objects."

"Ah." Mirnen nodded. "Yes, I've heard of that happening. Often, it's a matter of focus. Training and practice can help. That said, I know your gift isn't terribly strong, but there's no reason not to develop it to its fullest."

"Or, at least, ensure I'm not distracted at random moments?"

"Another plus," Mirnen agreed. He was curious as to what the younger man had learned through touchReading to make him so leery of it, but decided not to ask. "I know a few mental exercises that should help."

"I'd appreciate it."

The remainder of the evening was spent in meditation exercises and learning to focus through distractions. While tedious, and something he could already do fairly well, Mirnen assured him that it was the first step to accessing and refining his troublesome gift.

OOOOOOOOOO

The village of Relet was not large or particularly impressive, but for their first stop, it did pose an interesting challenge. They entered the village at midmorning and sought out the village's leader. There was a regular pattern to such meetings, Mirnen had told Jebel, so little time was taken setting an agenda.

Everyone that needed to be present was in the village and was called together with little notice. Mirnen read from the scrolls detailing the new laws and the alterations to existing ones to the gathered villagers while a scribe in the employ of the village leader made notes. A copy would be left for their records, of course, but there were always questions. Some of those questions were about the new laws. Most were asked less formally. Gossip, especially about doings in the capital, was always popular.

Jebel didn't feel terribly comfortable passing on rumors and the, sometimes malicious, gossip that the Blues engaged in. From what he understood from Mirnen, the nobles at court weren't much better.

Shortly after noon, as there were relatively few new laws for them to review for this visit, the two Heralds heard disputes. Some things, it seemed, could not be settled by reference to the laws alone.

Usually, Mirnen had told him, there were disputes over land and livestock. Sometimes there would be disputes over inheritances or merchant contracts. It was normally fairly routine. Every once in a while, though, something interesting turned up.

The village leader, a man named Manisk, said that he had a rather unusual problem that needed sorting out. It seemed that a wedding was in the offing between his daughter and the son of the mayor of the nearest town. It was strictly political and the two participants barely knew each other. This wasn't an unusual state of affairs, but his daughter, who knew what was expected of her and had been raised and taught to obey, was flatly refusing to marry the mayor's son.

Jebel glanced at Mirnen, and found him looking a trifle confused. "This isn't really a legal matter. Heralds do not involve themselves in such things."

Mirnen nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it isn't. You know this, Manisk. Is there more that you aren't saying?"

"Until recently, Misala was…, well, not happy about it, but prepared to honor her family obligations. I believe someone is pressuring my daughter, somehow. I'm just not sure who, how, or why."

"I'm still not sure that's a matter for us," Mirnen hedged, "but assuming you're right, who would gain by preventing the wedding?"

"I'm not entirely sure." Manisk admitted. "Others have shown an interest in my daughter's hand and I'm sure any number of people would like to marry their daughters into that mayor's family."

"That narrows things down." Jebel admitted. He glanced at Mirnen. "If someone is using threats to interfere…"

Mirnen frowned slightly. "Let me think on it. Is your daughter attending the meeting later?"

"She is."

"Perhaps we can find a pretext," the older Herald allowed. Clearly, the idea made him uncomfortable. While Jebel had made an interesting point, the odds were that there was really nothing illegal going on; just a headstrong girl that didn't want to get married. It wouldn't hurt to keep their eyes open, though, he privately conceded.

OOOOOOOOOO

Misala was a comely enough young woman of about 15, and she clearly had no interest in the proceedings. Jebel really couldn't blame her, he was fighting boredom himself, having to listen to arguments about whose bull knocked down which fence or the questionable business dealings of a traveling merchant.

They found few instances where laws had been broken, and for the most part, were able to help the people involved reach compromise. None of this, interested Misala, who was there primarily to appease her father. She showed no interest in the Heralds or their doings, but Jebel kept an eye on her covertly, and he did notice her taking an interest in someone.

Toward the back of the meeting hall, a rather intense looking man was watching them with ill-disguised impatience. He clearly wanted them to wrap up their business and be gone. Misala kept glancing his way, frowning nervously.

He was in his mid-twenties and looked reasonably well-off, based on his clothes. The clothes suggested wealth, but were generic enough not to indicate a profession, nor was there any sign of a family crest, which didn't necessarily mean anything. He wasn't tanned and Jebel saw no calluses, which suggested he wasn't a farmer or laborer. Whoever he was, he evidently did not like the timing of the Heralds' visit.

The proceeding dragged on, and Misala made an excuse to leave. The man slipped out within half-a-minute of her departure. Not very subtle, Jebel thought. He contacted Arctus.

:Misala just left. The man whose been giving her and us dark looks slipped out after her. Keep an eye out, please.:

:Of course.: Arctus was grazing in a field nearby, where he could keep an eye on the building. :I see her.: He paused a moment. :And there he is.:

Jebel gave no outward sign that anything unusual was happening. He followed both the proceedings inside and the situation outside as best he could without seeming distracted. Mirnen shot him an odd look or two, clearly aware that his attention wasn't fully on the dispute they were hearing over a diverted stream, but he said nothing.

OOOOOOOOOO

Arctus watched the drama unfold before him. The man had cornered Misala near the back of the building, out of direct view of anyone else, and he was looming over her, speaking in an intense whisper as he glared at the diminutive teenager. The man was a full head taller and much more muscular. Arctus picked out the words as he approached quietly, being careful not to be seen by either.

"You will remember our arrangement. Those Heralds can't help you."

"I won't forget." The girl seemed more angry than worried by the man's attempt at intimidation. Arctus suspected that it was mostly bravado, though. The man was not only larger, but he seemed accustomed to violence. "Have you met that lout father wants me to marry? He's all yours. I hope the two of you are happy together."

The man's face turned red at the idea, and drew back a hand to strike her, but before he could do anything to make Misala regret her flippant words, Arctus appeared behind the man and seized the collar of his tunic with his teeth. A toss of his head sent the man staggering out into the street.

People turned to stare as the Companion followed the man out, looking as angry as a horse could look.

Jebel's head whipped around, garnering the attention of Mirnen and the parties arguing before them.

"What's wrong?" Mirnen asked.

"Trouble outside. Arctus is making a scene." He rose and rushed for the door. Mirnen and several others followed, including Manisk, who had only just noticed that his daughter had snuck off.

It took a little time to sort out who the man was and precisely what he was up to. Misala was reluctant to speak against him, not out of fear so much as the idea that he could still, somehow, get her out of a marriage she didn't want.

The man, Durnam, the two Heralds learned, was the son of a wealthy merchant who had been trying for years to gain certain exclusive trade rights in the region, the kind of advantage that connections through marriage to a prominent family could bring. In addition to a rather unscrupulous son, the merchant had a daughter the same age as Misala. Durnam had believed that if Misala refused to go through with the marriage, then his family could approach the mayor and put forward his sister as the best choice.

No one, including the man's merchant father, was overly impressed with the scheme. He offered abject apologies for the actions of his 'clay-brained offspring,' and that was the end of the matter as far as the two Heralds were concerned.

They continued south to the next village where nothing nearly as interesting happened. They moved on. Overall, Mirnen was pleased with Jebel and Arctus. Both learned quickly, although, Arctus could be somewhat impulsive.

At each stop, Jebel tried using FarSight to locate his family. For a time, all his efforts got him was a reaction headache. It wasn't until he reached a waystation a half-day's ride north of the border and the small, fortified town that straddled what had, in more peaceful times, been a trade route, that he found something. He got a snatch of an image of a familiar face. A man in his 20s was sitting on a stool in a barn somewhere, mending a harness.

He opened his eyes. "Trentes."