Disclaimer: The characters and world which this fic takes place in belong to Mercedes Lackey, I state no claim except for the plot among my fellow fanfiction authors.
Chapter 2
Savil fidgeted in the saddle as the setting sun made it seem as though shadows had suddenly lurched to life. She had a feeling that not all the dark forms following her were shadows as she watched two meet, lope side by side, then split apart and disappear into the undergrowth.
There was no birdsong or the scolding of squirrels here, there hadn't been the whole time she's been riding along this trail. It was as if she was riding through a forbidden forest into the land of the dead to await judgement from the gods. She shuttered at the thought and willed herself to think of more pleasant places and things.
Finally she saw a break in the continuous line of trees where the silver glow of a full moon shone down through like a holy light. Savil urged Serenity to trot a little faster as she felt every fear she had acquired on this little 'pleasure' jaunt build up into a panic so strong that she had to grit her teeth to keep from forcing poor, tired Serenity into a gallop.
She let out the breath she hadn't even known she'd been holding the moment Serenity carried her out of the suffocating blackness of the forest, and into the moonlight blanketed town. She starred up at the moon, scarcely paying attention to the world around her; Savil gave Serenity her head and inhaled large breaths of air, trying to calm her racing heart.
When the pounding of her heart subsided, she looked around her and saw that her mare was heading straight for the local inn. As she brought Serenity to a halt at the front, she realized in dismay that in her haste to leave Forst Reach, she had forgotten about money. Cursing aloud to herself, she hunched up in the saddle and crossed her arms : I didn't bring anything for sleeping outdoors, she thought and I'd sleep in the mud before I'd beg for money, damn pride. She shifted and leaned against her packs. Something hard met her back and an idea suddenly came to her; I could sell some of that useless junk I brought with me she smiled at her brilliance and turned around to dig through her packs for some of the gold and silver plated trinkets she had stuffed in the pack along with the necessities.
Pulling out a little cloth bag that held all the jewelry her Aunt Carla had bought her, she inspected them carefully, estimating their worth. I can't get a room here, it'll cost too much, but there's bound to be someone here who's got a guest room empty they'd be willing to fill for one or two of these, maybe a little diner too. Smiling to herself, she got off her horse and began walking towards the first house that looked big enough to have an extra room.
*****
Sun shown in through the cracked barn door and landed on the hay covered floor a few feet from where Savil was laying. Opening her eyes slowly, she sat up, stretched, and began picking the straw out of her hair. The strong smell of fresh cow dung drifted to her on the gentle breeze that circulated around the small barn. Not exactly my choice of residence she thought, but atleast it's warm. Standing up, she went to go saddle Serenity; this family was having enough trouble supporting themselves, she didn't want to stretch their hospitality more than she already had by staying for breakfast.
As she rode down the road, she looked back over her shoulder at the small house and remembered how close the family had been. With a sigh of longing, she turned back and pushed Serenity into a fast trot.
*****
She hadn't known exactly what she had expected to find at Haven, She'd just packed her belongings, saddled up, and rode off, just concentrating on getting there. And now, as she passed through the gates, she wondered what she'd been thinking. She wasn't very good at anything really, she was a good rider, but not exceptional, the only horse she could ride easily was Serenity, and that was only because she'd raised the poor thing, since her father wanted nothing to do with any other horse besides his prize hunters. She wasn't good at cooking, her temper was to bad to be a waitress, and she shuttered at the thought of prostitution. She had no talent for music and a voice like a raven so becoming a minstrel was out. She wasn't that good with weapons work so she couldn't look for a position in the guard, she couldn't stand politics, and again her temper was unsuited to be a page for the rest of her life.
Well this is just great! She thought at herself angrily I've come all this way just to find that I'll have to turn around and run back home again like the lost little child that I am.
She led Serenity through the winding streets that seemed to turn into each other, just going in circles. Finally Savil brought her to a halt infront of an inn that they'd passed for the third time; and began to look around for a street that they hadn't already been down. She saw one to her left, and moved to go that way, coming away from the tunnel of buildings next to a large green field. This was obviously not the place she wanted to be, but when she turned around, there was a strange white horse standing infront of her. It was a healthy looking mare, far too valuable for some peasants horse, I wonder where she came from? but just as the thought crossed her mind, a strange voice echoed through her head.
:My name is Kellan, I choose you.:
Savil nearly fell off Serenity, did that horse just talk! She blinked and looked at that pure white face and was caught in her intense sapphire eyes.
:I'm not a horse, I'm a companion, your companion, and from this day forward, your best friend.:
:Companion? My companion, me, why? Savil seemed to be having a hard time staying in her saddle, and if not for her grip on the horn, she would be currently becoming acquainted with the cobble street. She'd heard stories of Heralds and their white, ghost like horses called companions from her mother, but her, chosen.
:Because I chose you: there was laughter in the mind voice, and Savil became instantly calm. Did it matter why she'd been chosen; of course not, and now, she wouldn't have to go back home, she could stay here. But become a Herald, what exactly did they do anyway? Do they have some kind of important job, or do they just run around and play hero?
:Of course they have important jobs!: Kellan said, sounding annoyed :The most important people in this kingdom are Heralds.:
"Sorry" Savil said aloud "I never really paid much attention to anything that wasn't directly under my nose."
:Well you better start, or you'll end up offending a lot of those important people; now come with me.: She lifted her silver tail and turned around, then looked back over her shoulder at Savil :What are you waiting for?:
"Where are we going" she asked, giving Serenity a light kick to get her moving.
:To the palace.:
*****
:Are you busy chosen?:
Vallen, who was, at the moment, training his young protégé how to build a strong mage-shield; stopped in the middle of his instructions and concentrated on forming the words. His main gifts were the mage gift and fetching, and so it made it very difficult to talk to his companion Lanamda, when they weren't in direct contact.
:I suppose, why do you ask?:
:Kellan has chosen, her name is Savil and she has the mage gift, that's your expertise dearheart.:
:So it is, alright, I'll ask Mishel if she minds putting this lesson off until tomorrow, then I'll meet them.: She sent him a wordless burst of love and then withdrew. He turned to his trainee who was waiting patiently for him to continue with the lesson, and flashed her an apologetic smile.
"Would you mind if we postponed this until tomorrow?" he asked, "It seems we have another Herald-mage trainee." She shrugged and smiled.
"Sure, I can wait 'till tomorrow, and it'll be nice to be able to talk to someone other than you and Geri for a change." She stepped forward to have his protections taken off; he extended his hand and absorbed them back into his natural flow. "Well I'll be in the suit, if you need me." And with a wave of her hand, she was out of the work room and had disappeared down the hall.
He arched his back, stretching his arms and reaching toward the ceiling with long, bony fingers. He listened to his joints pop with ironic amusement at the thought that he might actually be getting old. Reminding himself that he had work to do, he removed himself from the room and locked the door with magic before heading out to meet Kellan and her chosen.
*****
Savil smoothed the front of her tunic nervously, she didn't like this waiting, especially when she didn't know what she was waiting for. Pushing the dirt infront of her around with her foot, she stuck her hands in the pockets of her pants and stared at the doorway, waiting for someone to emerge from the dimly lit hallway.
"Who are we waiting for again and when will they be here?" she asked, although since Kellan hadn't told her yet, she didn't really expect to get a direct answer.
:So impatient, he'll get here when he gets here.: Well atleast she knew he was a he now, that information meant that the rather old looking woman coming out of the door was definitely not who she was waiting for. Finally , after what felt like an eternity of waiting, a middle aged man stepped through the door and started in their direction. Savil felt as though she was growing smaller with every step he took and when he stopped just a few feet from where she was standing, holding Serenity's reins in her hands, she fancied that he could lift his boot and squash her like a bug. He wasn't very muscular, he was about as built as her father and he hadn't made her feel like this since she was 6; it was something in the man's eyes that made her feel so inferior, and a confidence in his step that showed he had power and knew exactly how to use it.
She fought not to cringe when he turned his nearly burning blue eyes on her and nodded his head in some signal of acceptance.
"So you're Savil"