PROLOGUE

There was a blinding flash of light. The ground disappeared from beneath his feet. Immense pain followed several lightening flashes.the hope that he had succeeded, that Valdemar would be safe. A brief hope that Yfandes had not suffered, that Stefan was safe, that Laerth was dead.then nothing.

CHAPTER ONE

Talia sighed as she left another pointless council meeting. They had achieved nothing. There was obviously something coming, something that no one had the slightest clue about. It must be very bad though, if the non- Gifted could sense it. She could not understand how the Allies could have done so good to survive the Mage Storms, but could not seem to agree on any course of action for whatever was coming. All they could do was shout pointless things at each other.

She approached Companion's Field. Which was, in reality, much more than a mere field. It was several acres of lush green grass, with several groves, and trees, and also a river going through it. At the center of the Field was the Tower, which held the Death Bell. This bell, though it had no clapper, tolled each time a Herald died. And every time the Bell tolled, the Heralds knew who had been killed, and sometimes how.

The Field also housed all of the Companions in residence. The Companions, though they appeared to be white horses, were so much more. In truth, they were reborn Heralds. They were every bit as intelligent as their Heralds, most likely even more so. They were spirit beings, very magical. They were white because of their constant use of node magic. They appear to be white horses with silver hooves and silver mains and tails. They always have deep blue eyes, that when you look into them, you can see the intelligence there.

Talia was headed toward one particular Companion. He was waiting for her by the river. She smiled when she saw him. He always made her feel better no matter how great her troubles were. He gently nuzzled her when she got close enough. She hugged him. : How do you always manage to make me feel better, without even saying anything to me? : She asked him silently.

She had discovered not too long ago, that due to whatever was coming, she could now mindspeak, and not just to Rolan either. She could 'speak anyone with the ability. She had always wanted to be able to 'speak her Companion like the others could. Though their bond was very deep. She was happy to have the ability now, but she couldn't help wonder what the cause and the reason for its sudden appearance.

Rolan nuzzled her again. : I don't know. Though I'm glad I could help. How goes Council? : Talia sighed again. : Not good. We are not accomplishing anything.it's straining even my patience. They just sit and yell at each other. After the Mage Storms, you'd think they could at least work together.: Rolan sighed as well. : Some of them can't sense anything out of the ordinary, or they don't want to believe what their senses tell them.: He broke off suddenly as there was a blinding white light near the Tower. He went stone still, head craned toward the light.

"What is it?" Talia asked him worriedly, she could feel his concern. When he didn't answer, she began to worry even more. A few minutes later, a rider clad all in white, came from the light. He was riding a Companion. The light disappeared, and the Companion collapsed. The rider was nearly unconscious. Talia mounted Rolan, and they quickly approached them. Talia dismounted immediately and went to the rider's side. He was obviously a Herald; he was dressed in all white. White tunic, white breeches, white boots, even a white cloak. Though the Whites were covered with blood and soot, they were still whites. The man himself had dark hair, streaked with silver. He was incredibly handsome, but also incredibly pale. His silver eyes seemed to look through her, rather than at her. She put her hands on his shoulders, "Can you hear me?" She asked him.



* *



Vanyel looked around. The last thing he remembered had been calling Final Strike. He had wished for Valdemar to be safe, for Yfandes to have not suffered, for Laerth to be dead.and for Stefan to be safe.Oh, gods Stef.

He looked up into the face of a woman. She was a Herald by her all white uniform. She had shoulder-length copper curls, and brown eyes. She was looking at him in concern. "Can you hear me?" She asked him. He started to nod, but thought better at the pounding in his head. "Yes." He croaked. He knew he shouldn't try to talk.gods he hurt all over.the woman checked him over, like a Healer would. He let her, too exhausted to move. She introduced herself as Queen's Own Herald Talia. He started at that. Randi was King.and Shavri was King's Own. He was not sure if he could trust this Herald, she appeared to be taking good care of him.but was she lying about who she was? And if so, why?

When she asked for his name he looked at her. Should he giver her his real name? He was not sure he trusted her.though he certainly wanted to. That she was a Herald and there were no such things as evil Heralds, decided him. "I am Herald-Mage Vanyel Ashkevron. " She gave him a strange, disbelieving look. "What? What's wrong? And where am I?" He asked her.

* *

"I am Herald-Mage Vanyel Ashkevron." Talia stared at him. She was supposed to believe that this was the legendary Vanyel? The last and possibly greatest Herald-Mage to live? Vanyel had lived over five hundred years ago. Whatever happened to him had probably driven him mad, because he was not even giving her the correct information.

Suddenly Rolan nearly knocked her over by nudging her very hard. : He's not lying. He really is Herald Vanyel. : He sounded as shocked as Talia felt. She knew that it was impossible for him to lie mind to mind.but this was even more impossible. She quickly covered her shock in order to answer him. "You are in Valdemar, in Companions Field. Near the Tower." She decided to ask a question of her own. "What happened? How did you get here?"

Vanyel looked exhausted, and in much pain. Talia was worried about him, he looked like he had lost everything, like someone that had seen his own death, and not expected to survive it. Little did she know that that was exactly what had happened.

He looked at her, not really seeing her. "We had gone to face Laerth.it was just like the dream. The army of darkness was marching on Valdemar." He paused, as if lost in memories. "They were coming through a pass that had been carved by pure magic.blood magic.I knew I had to stop them.but it was just like the dream.the dream in which I had seen my death. I sent Stefan and Yfandes away.I wanted them to be safe.Yfandes left Stef with the guards.and she came back to me.I called Final Strike.'Fandes and I, we didn't expect to live, no mage ever lives after calling Final Strike.There was a blinding flash of light, like a Gate." He winced. "Then we ended up here." He suddenly looked around again. : 'Fandes? : He asked worriedly, seeing her collapsed near him.

He was relieved to see her raise her head a bit. : I'm here, love. : She told him weakly. He tried to reach out to her, but was too weak to even do that. : Tell her to call a Healer, love. She's in shock from finding out who you are. : Vanyel coughed and looked at Talia, "'Fandes says for you to call a Healer." He trailed off.

Talia started. Of course, how could she have been so stupid? She called for any Healers that were even remotely close to come as quick as they could. She then turned back to Vanyel. "If you really are Vanyel, and Rolan says you are, then you have come over five hundred years into the future. This is the year 1376, and Selenay is the Queen." She trailed off, waiting for his reaction.

Vanyel stared at her in shock. Five hundred years? It was impossible. : Is it true? : He asked Yfandes. Yfandes nodded. : It appears so love. Though how and why we're here I don't know. :