It was in the wee hours of the morning after the Sovvan Celebration had taken place that Queen Selenay jerked awake, bolting upright in bed and awakening her husband, Daren. He sat up just as quickly as she had, instantly awake, his eyes scanning the room for danger. When there appeared to be none, he turned to his wife in puzzlement. Selenay ran a hand over her face, just as puzzled as her Consort. She could not remember what had awakened her.

                "What's the matter?" Daren asked softly, running a soothing hand over his wife's hair.

                "I don't know. I can't remember what woke me..." Selenay leaned her head on Daren's shoulder. "I need a breath of fresh air; feel like taking a walk through Companion's Field with me?"

                "It's freezing outside! Why not just stay here where it's nice and warm?" Daren nuzzled Selenay's neck invitingly. Selenay chuckled but shook her head.

                "I need a breath of fresh air," she said firmly, and flipped back the blankets as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. By the time she had her cloak and boots on, Daren already had his boots on and was looking for his own cloak. "Well, if you insist on freezing, I might as well join you so we can warm each other up after." Selenay chuckled at that, but simply walked toward the door, waiting for him so they might walk out together.

                By the time they reached the field, they noticed something odd; all the Companions in the Field were outside. And stranger still was that they were all up at the Temple ruins. All the Companions but two stood in a half- circle around the crumbling remains of the entrance, while the other two stood one on either side of the archway. Intrigued, Daren and Selenay started toward the strange sight, wondering what might be going on that the Companions would all be outside in the cold at this late hour.

                About this time, Selenay and Daren both noticed that the wind was getting increasingly stronger, forcing them to wrap their cloaks around them tight to keep them from blowing open after every step. As they got closer to the Companions, Selenay noticed something odd--her Companion was blocking her out! A quick mindcheck with Daren--it was useless to try and speak through this wind--confirmed her thoughts that his Jason might be blocking him as well.

                Selenay was just about to mindspeak Dirk to wake him and Talia up to bring outside to see this sight as well, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. As she spun around, heart pounding in her ears, she saw none other than Talia herself, Dirk scrambling up beside her. Talia's face mirrored her own confusion, but before either of them could try to shout over the wind to make themselves heard, the world rocked around them.

                Selenay fell to her knees, feeling as if she had run into a brick wall. The very ground rumbled, and the air thrummed with a power that had her ears ringing and hair standing on end. It felt as if a great Tug of War was taking place between two very powerful forces. There was a blinding flash of light that erupted from the sky to the ground; the entire ordeal lasted only an instant, but to those four, it felt like an eternity. After that flash of light, the world righted itself, but as Selenay looked up, she got another shock that made her scramble to her feet, her jaw hanging practically to her knees.

                                                                                                                                                                * * *

                Devon was in bad shape. She felt mere seconds away from spilling the contents of her stomach all over the ground in front of her. She felt her numb arms lose their grip on Arden's neck, and she slid slowly to the ground. When she hit, she fell onto her side and lay there, feeling far too ill to move at all. The world spun around her like a top, and even the light from the moon high overhead was hurting her eyes horribly. She felt, for all the world, like she had juts received a great blow to the head and just was not in pain yet.

                As Devon turned her head slightly to the side, she noticed a small group of people--at least that what she thought they were, though who could tell through her blurred eyes--standing motionless and staring at her. As she blinked to clear her eyes, one broke away from the group and ran up to her. It was a man, that much she could tell. Just as she was about to blink to clear her vision even more, the pain that had been absent before hit her like--well, the car--and sent her mind reeling. She heard herself choke as she refrained from screaming, but the pain was truly unbearable. It came in waves, and upon each wave, it grew stronger and more forceful. Devon wasn't sure if her eyes were open or closed anymore, but waves of an angry red were swimming before them. Just when she thought for sure she would either pass out or go mad from the pain, she felt someone gather her into their arms, sending the last jab of pain through her head that sent her spiraling down into darkness.

                When Devon awoke again, her vision was filled with green. It took her fuzzy mind a moment to realize that there were people in green clothing spilling out of the room as well as swarming around the inside. She seemed to be in bed, but she was too exhausted to move her head and find out. As soon as she'd blinked her eyes, they'd noticed she was awake and began babbling questions at her. Devon's befuddled mind couldn't have understood them if they'd spelled out every word for her. She gathered up her energy for a good long scream--and suddenly, she wasn't alone and confused. She was overcome by a wave of love and warmth; but it was the feeling of complete and utter understanding that broke through the fuzziness and forced tears out of her eyes.

                :Chosen, it's all right. They just don't understand. Talia is on her way to explain what little Rolan was able to convey to her. They simply do not know you cannot understand them.: Arden's voice sounded wonderfully warm and comforting. Devon was able to relax just a little, until Talia did make her appearance. And what an appearance it was, too. She showed up at the door shouting orders--Devon didn't much care what they were so long as they rid her off all those voices--and chased everyone out with an authority that her small figure should not have been able to retain.

                Devon blinked at her hazily as she walked over to the bed--the room was empty now--and said something. Devon's hazy brain simply couldn't keep up with the words.  Talia frowned and leaned closer; after peering at Devon for a moment, she straightened and called out something. The door behind her opened and a stern looking man in Healers Greens walked in. He and Talia had a short conversation before she stepped back and he took over.

                He leaned over her staring into space for a moment before gently touching her forehead. He jerked his hand back once as if he received an electric shock, then placed his hand on her head once again, this time more slowly. After a few seconds, Devon's head started clearing. She could slowly see everything around her clearly once again, and she wasn't so muddle-headed. She could think enough to realize exactly where she was now.

                Oh my God, I'm in Valdemar....

                 For a moment, all Devon did was sit there in shock. She really was in Valdemar; she really had been killed. She would never see her friends or family again....That last realization brought a wave of grief that threatened to send her into hysterics. She fought back tears, knowing that if she started crying, there would be no way for her to stop.

                Devon knew, from all the books she'd read, that Arden could not yet eavesdrop on her thoughts; their bond simply was not strong enough yet. Devon decided to use that for now. Arden had hinted before that everyone thought she could not understand them. That was true; she couldn't understand them because she couldn't concentrate on their words. As she listened now to Talia talk to the Healer, she realized that she could understand them. They were speaking English!

                I guess English is Valdemarian...either that or more was done by the Shadow Lover than I thought... She thought absently. But her attention immediately snapped to what Talia was telling the Healer at the mention of a familiar name. She listened while trying to pretend she couldn't understand a word that was being said.

                "Firesong is riding through Haven on his way toward the border. We've already had a mindspeaker ask him to stop by the palace and help us try to figure this--current change of events--out. We just don't know what to make of her, Andrel." Talia was saying. Her brow was creased with worry lines and she was frowning.

                "Why is Firesong traveling through Haven? I thought he was staying at k'Valdemar permanently," Andrel said, looking puzzled. Devon listened closely, still blinking fuzzily, this time faking it.

                "He is, but he's still Tayledras, and they're focused on reforming ley lines where they used to be. At least I think that's what they're called." Talia shot a look at her out of the corner of her eyes before walking over to her. Devon looked up at her and smiled faintly.

                "I have to get her to the council chamber so the Queen can question her. Firesong should be here by now and his dyheli can give her Valdemarian- -or so says Elspeth." Talia obviously thought she couldn't understand a word that was being said, and was still talking to Andrel. I can't believe they are being this careless, Devon thought in amazement. Then she had to stop herself and be fair. Well, it isn't every day a seventeen year old girl pops up in the middle of the Grove hanging on to a Companion for dear life...but they should still be more careful with what they say. The most interesting things fall upon the deafest ears...

                 But that thought reminded Devon that when Heralds deemed it lawful they pried into unsuspecting minds. Think, Girl! What was it those books said about grounding and centering? Close your eyes....now....find yourself. All right...so far, so good. Now I need to stick a pole in the ground outside.... The thoughts came quickly, and Devon found she could grasp the concepts quite easily. It was as if the moment she had entered Valdemar, a barrier inside her mind had evaporated. Since she could feel where that barrier had been, she could easily build it up again since she knew what needed to be done. Once she'd ground herself into the ground, she had the odd sensation of something snapping back into place. Once she was sure she had it right, she built up a wall, layering it to make it thick and unreadable.

                Well, that's as good as I can do for now...but I think I did a damn good job for someone with no experience! Satisfied for now, Devon opened her eyes to see Talia watching her with a vaguely surprised expression on her face, but she didn't say anything more, just smiled and gestured towards the door.
 
                Devon slowly slid off the bed--she was still wearing her Halloween costume, complete with crown and slippers--and after a slightly dizzying moment, followed Talia out the door. Once in the hall, the door shut behind them and Talia turned to her and pointed to herself.

                "I'm Queen's Own Herald Talia," Talia said, speaking clearly and slowly. It was all Devon could do to keep from bursting into laughter. As it was, she had to play her role as Queen again--at least until she was found out, or she gave herself away. She kept her expression carefully neutral and her step light and graceful, gliding down the hall with her head held high. She could tell by the openly shocked expressions of the few passing servants at this late hour that she was doing her self-appointed role justice.

                The rest of the walk passed in silence, and as they passed down numerous hallways that kept twisting, it occurred to Devon that Talia was leading her in a purposely confusing path. Well, Devon thought, mildly impressed, they aren't mistaking me for brain-dead after all; they simply think I'm deaf to their language. One final turn brought them down a hallway that looked somehow older than the others. As they neared the middle, Talia stopped beside large double doors with two guards standing outside. Devon eyes them with mild interest; they were, indeed, wearing blue clothing.

                Talia nodded to the guards and they opened the door, revealing a room with a long table and chairs all around it. Some of the chairs were occupied, but most were not; Talia walked in and motioned for Devon to follow. Once she did, the doors swung shut behind her.
 
                "This is Herald Trainee Devon, Chosen by Arden, the newest of the Grove Born Companions." Talia announced. Devon, with her act in mind, looked at Talia in mild interest once her name was spoken. She graced the room with a slight nod of acknowledgment before allowing herself to be led a little further into the room. Talia motioned to the attractive blonde woman at the head of the table and told Devon--though she didn't need to-- that that was Queen Selenay. Talia then turned to face Devon and gestured to a sleepy-looking man and woman, both with silver-streaked hair. The man's was dark, as was his complexion compared to everyone else in the room, but the woman's was brown. Both their eyes were an icy blue.

                "This is Princess Elspeth and Darkwind k'Sheyna." At Devon's nod, Talia moved on, indicating the others in the room and repeating their titles. Karal was sitting there, looking awake, but puzzled, as was Altra, who was in his guise as a housecat, sitting on the table to Karal's right. The two Gryphons, Treyvan and Hydona were seated against the right wall, staring at her intensely. The last one to be introduced was Sejanes, the envoy from Hardorn.

                Just as Talia was leading Devon to her seat, the doors opened behind her, and Devon whirled to see five more people walk through and stop just inside the threshold as the doors shut behind them. Two were maybe in their twenties, a man and a woman. Devon looked them up and down thoughtfully for a moment before deciding they must be Darian and Kiesha. The other two were a bit older and seemed more composed, as if they did this sort of thing often; they also had complexions like Darkwind, but the man had snow white hair. This had to be Snowfire and Nightwind. The last also had long hair as white as snow, but he wore a mask over his face. It was Firesong; it had to be.

                Devon felt a slow rage building up inside her. She turned to look from Karal to Firesong, then, before Firesong could blink, she stepped forward, pulled her arm back, and gave him a good, hard right hook. He staggered backwards into the doors as his mask flew off and landed several feet away. There was a sudden scraping of chairs as everyone in the room stood up, and two hands grabbed her roughly from behind. Someone was yelling, but Devon wasn't paying attention; her entire focus was on Firesong, whose shocked blue eyes were staring at her from a face seamed with scars left by Need when she exploded in his face.

                "I said to let her go!" Talia yelled, pulling whoever it was that had dragged her away from Firesong off of her. As she felt the arms leg her go, she shrugged her shoulders to resettle her dress, and let Firesong know she wasn't sure if she was done yet. Meanwhile, Talia was still going on. "She doesn't know our tongue, and she is wearing a crown. She is a potentially dangerous political mark, and your grabbing her is not bound to improve that!"

                Devon slowly turned to face a very angry Talia, her own expression cold. She slowly reached up and tugged the fake crown from her hair. She looked from Talia to Selenay before stepping toward the table and bringing the crown down hard on the edge. The plastic snapped into several pieces like a twig, the sound making everyone in the room jump.

                "I am not," Devon said through clenched teeth, " a queen. Nor will I ever be. I am just Herald Trainee Devon Laureate. I am not from Valdemar, or any other place that you've ever heard of. I am no danger to any of you politically or otherwise." She slowly turned around to face a dumbfounded Firesong. "Except maybe you."

                "You can speak Valdemarian?" Talia asked quietly. The rest of the room was dead silent. "Of course." Devon said just as quietly, still seething with rage. Firesong! The Firesong who'd threatened to kill Karal! Oh, she would make him pay one way or another.... The entire room was dead silent for a moment, then it erupted in chaos with everyone shouting at once.