1 CHAPTER TWO
Talia watched Vanyel silently. Maybe he was here to help with.whatever was coming. She knew something was wrong. This was the real Vanyel, not the spirit that resided in the Forest of Sorrows. She was about to speak again, when several Healers came out and took Vanyel away to the House of Healing. She decided she had better go see Selenay, rather than go try to help the Healers.
She quickly traversed the halls of the Palace. She didn't even pause outside Selenay's door. The guards nodded to her and held open the door for her. Selenay was sitting at her desk. She was dressed as any other Herald; only she wore a long skirt with the thigh-length tunic instead of breeches. There was also a circlet on her golden blonde hair. That was the only thing that gave away her rank as Queen of the Kingdom of Valdemar.
Selenay looked up as Talia entered. She frowned immediately, "Is something wrong?" She asked worriedly. Talia approached the desk, "I'm not sure if it's wrong exactly." She quickly explained Vanyel's appearance, and what he had told her. "And we know that something is coming.we just don't know what it is.and maybe Vanyel is here to help with it. And if that's so, then it's worse than we thought if he had to be brought over five hundred years into the future." Selenay nodded in thought. "I must call an emergency Council session then. This is important. I'll need you to repeat what you told me to them." Talia nodded and sighed at the thought of another endless Council Session.
* *
Vanyel woke sometime later. He felt a little better, though he had the worst headache he had ever had, and he felt like death warmed over. He was alone. He sat up. : 'Fandes? : He called. He got a reply instantly. : I am here, love. How are you? :
He sighed. : Not good. : He explained how he was feeling. : How are you doing? : Yfandes sighed. : Sore, tired, worried. I have no idea what is going on here.: Vanyel sighed again worriedly. It must be something very bad if even the Companions didn't know what was going on.
Suddenly there was a quiet knock on the door. "Come in." Vanyel called, thinking that it was the Healers come to check on him. What he saw nearly put him into shock. A man with dark blonde curls, and brown eyes stepped in. He was very handsome. He was also very familiar.Vanyel stared at him. "'Lendel?" He asked in shock.
Tylendel stopped and looked at him in shock. This was definitely not the Vanyel he remembered.He was older. There was silver in his hair, and a pain in his eyes that spoke depths that no words could. But when those silver eyes looked at him, he knew it really was Vanyel. He still Felt like Vanyel too, there was no mistaking that feeling. "Is it really you Vanyel-Ashke?" He asked quietly. Vanyel nodded slowly."I can't believe it's you." He began to cry silently, and threw his arms around Tylendel.
Tylendel hugged him back tightly. It was definitely Vanyel, but something was very different.there was a Power in him that he'd never seen before. "Van? How did you get here? What's the last thing you remember?." He knew that if Vanyel answered that, he'd have to answer the same questions. He didn't want to tell him that the last thing he remembered was throwing himself off the Tower.Gods, it still hurt, the loss of Staven.the loss of Gala.
Vanyel looked at him soberly, and told him the same things he told Talia. "But you." He couldn't finish the sentence. Because Tylendel had died all those years ago.then his body had disappeared. "How did you get here? What's the last thing you remember?" He asked quietly. : 'Fandes? Is Gala here too? He feels different.more empty.and he's not wearing Whites.:
Tylendel shook his head. "I don't know how I got here.the last thing I remember before waking up here was the Tower.I'm so sorry, ashke, so sorry." He began to cry brokenly. "It just hurt so much losing Staven.and Gala.I just wanted to stop feeling the pain.but it won't go away."
Vanyel hugged him tightly again. : Oh, gods, it really did happen.the Attack on the Leshara.'Lendel's repudiation.his death.and I can't do anything about it.: Yfandes spoke quietly. : It did happen, love.and he hasn't Healed from it.he may never heal. I'm so sorry.: She stopped, for once at a loss for words.
Vanyel just held Tylendel for a while, and let him cry. It was so strange to see him. He suddenly had an alarming thought. : 'Fandes? If 'Lendel is here.how was he reborn as Stef? : He felt her shock. : I.I don't know, love.I'll try to find out what I can. :
* * *
Talia sighed again. They had done no more than argue in Council again. Though Vanyel's appearance had certainly convinced them of the situation's importance. They now wanted to talk to him personally. It had taken all of her patience and Selenay's combined to convince them that Vanyel was not in any shape to be given the third degree by them. She was headed toward Healers to check on him. He was in the best hands possible, but her training in Healing insisted she at least check. She stopped outside the door and raised her hand to knock. : I wouldn't. : Came Rolan's voice in her mind. She started, still not used to being able to 'speak him. : Why? : She asked him, as she lowered her hand, and waited for his response. : Because it is best to not disturb them right now. :
She sighed, she would have to directly ask him a question if she wanted an answer, and even then usually the answer raised more questions than answers. : Who is them? : She asked. Rolan sounded hesitant as he answered. : Them is Vanyel and Tylendel.his Lifebond. : She just stood there for a minute. : But wasn't Tylendel repudiated? And.didn't he.suicide? : She asked. Rolan gave his assent. She was very confused now, and it was likely that she wouldn't get any answers either. She sighed. : I guess I'll come see you then. : She told him. Rolan snickered. : You sound like it is a bad thing to come and see me, love. I know you were hoping to see Vanyel, but there will be plenty of time for that. :
Talia sighed and headed out to see Rolan, no matter how much he teased her, she had no doubt that he knew how much she cared for him and needed him. As she approached the fence that surrounded Companion's Field, she saw that Rolan had come to meet her. She smiled. No matter how low her mood was, just seeing him always managed to lift her spirits. She jumped the fence and hugged him. : Let's just go for a walk, love. : She suggested, and he agreed. It was nice to just walk with him and not think about anything.
* * *
Selenay took a deep breath. It seemed like things just got more difficult everyday. They survived one crisis only to be thrown into another. Only this time they had no clue what was going on. She knew that Vanyel Ashkevron had been brought to this time.as had Tylendel Frelennye; they were lifebonded, and great Herald-Mages. Vanyel was the greatest Herald- Mage there had been, if legends were to be believed.
She'd asked Caryo if she knew anything about whatever was happening or going to happen. Caryo had denied any knowledge, but that wasn't unusual. If she did know, she probably wouldn't say until Selenay had exhausted all of her own resources. That was just how Companions worked. And most Heralds would not ask their Companions for help unless they absolutely had to. Selenay was no exception.
She stepped in front of the mirror to make sure she was presentable. She was wearing almost the same thing as every other Herald except that she wore a long skirt with the thigh length tunic instead of breeches. They were, of course, white. After all the law of Valdemar stated that the monarch must also be a Herald. She also wore a thin circlet of gold on her golden blonde hair. This was the only sign of her rank that she wore. Her blue eyes, she had been told, were sometimes as startling as those of a Companion. She sighed. It looked like she was as presentable as she was going to get. She took a deep breath again and stepped out the door of her office and headed toward the House of Healing.
* * *
Tylendel finally regained control and pulled away to look at Vanyel. "I'm sorry." He started, but Vanyel interrupted, "No, don't be.you have every reason to be upset." He trailed off and looked at Tylendel. He looked so different. Older, maybe more mature, definitely like he'd been through Hell, which he most definitely had. It was so good to see 'Lendel, but Van was so confused. The last thing he remembered had been sending Stef away.then calling Final Strike on Laerth.
In Van's memories, 'Lendel had died after being repudiated by his Companion, Gala. He had suicided, throwing himself off the Bell Tower. Shortly after that, Yfandes had Chosen Van. He had also tried to kill himself in the tower where 'Lendel's body had been. He shook his head; those were not memories he wanted to stir up.
Vanyel looked at Tylendel again, "Do you know anything about what is going on here?" He asked. Tylendel shook his head. "No, from what I've heard none of the Companions here do either." Vanyel sighed. "Have you spoken to anyone here?" He asked. Tylendel shook his head again. "No.I've just been listening mostly. But the Queen will definitely want to speak with you." Vanyel looked at him. "Us." He corrected.
Tylendel nodded, "Yeah, us." He agreed, though Vanyel could tell that he wasn't sure about it. He was about to speak when there was a gentle knock on the door. He looked at Tylendel, " Were you expecting anyone?" Tylendel shook his head, and kind of shrank into himself a bit. Vanyel frowned, that was not a good reaction.
He went to answer the door. Standing there was a woman. She was extraordinary. Not her looks exactly, but the way she held herself, she had an air of confidence. She was a Herald for sure, for she wore the Whites that all Heralds wore, though she wore a long skirt in the place of the breeches that every other Herald wore. Her blonde hair was in a knot at the nape of her neck, and on her head, resting in her hair was a thin circlet of gold. Her sapphire blue eyes regarded him with a curiosity and hope that he could not describe. He stood there for a minute. This was the Queen! Finally he stepped to the side and invited her in.
She nodded and smiled at him. "I am Selenay. Current Queen of Valdemar. If you do not mind, I would like to talk to you for a bit." Vanyel nodded "Of course. I am Vanyel. Though I am sure you already know that." He motioned to Tylendel, who was trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. "And this is Tylendel." Selenay nodded to Tylendel and looked back to Vanyel.
"Well, I have quite a few questions actually." Selenay began.
Talia watched Vanyel silently. Maybe he was here to help with.whatever was coming. She knew something was wrong. This was the real Vanyel, not the spirit that resided in the Forest of Sorrows. She was about to speak again, when several Healers came out and took Vanyel away to the House of Healing. She decided she had better go see Selenay, rather than go try to help the Healers.
She quickly traversed the halls of the Palace. She didn't even pause outside Selenay's door. The guards nodded to her and held open the door for her. Selenay was sitting at her desk. She was dressed as any other Herald; only she wore a long skirt with the thigh-length tunic instead of breeches. There was also a circlet on her golden blonde hair. That was the only thing that gave away her rank as Queen of the Kingdom of Valdemar.
Selenay looked up as Talia entered. She frowned immediately, "Is something wrong?" She asked worriedly. Talia approached the desk, "I'm not sure if it's wrong exactly." She quickly explained Vanyel's appearance, and what he had told her. "And we know that something is coming.we just don't know what it is.and maybe Vanyel is here to help with it. And if that's so, then it's worse than we thought if he had to be brought over five hundred years into the future." Selenay nodded in thought. "I must call an emergency Council session then. This is important. I'll need you to repeat what you told me to them." Talia nodded and sighed at the thought of another endless Council Session.
* *
Vanyel woke sometime later. He felt a little better, though he had the worst headache he had ever had, and he felt like death warmed over. He was alone. He sat up. : 'Fandes? : He called. He got a reply instantly. : I am here, love. How are you? :
He sighed. : Not good. : He explained how he was feeling. : How are you doing? : Yfandes sighed. : Sore, tired, worried. I have no idea what is going on here.: Vanyel sighed again worriedly. It must be something very bad if even the Companions didn't know what was going on.
Suddenly there was a quiet knock on the door. "Come in." Vanyel called, thinking that it was the Healers come to check on him. What he saw nearly put him into shock. A man with dark blonde curls, and brown eyes stepped in. He was very handsome. He was also very familiar.Vanyel stared at him. "'Lendel?" He asked in shock.
Tylendel stopped and looked at him in shock. This was definitely not the Vanyel he remembered.He was older. There was silver in his hair, and a pain in his eyes that spoke depths that no words could. But when those silver eyes looked at him, he knew it really was Vanyel. He still Felt like Vanyel too, there was no mistaking that feeling. "Is it really you Vanyel-Ashke?" He asked quietly. Vanyel nodded slowly."I can't believe it's you." He began to cry silently, and threw his arms around Tylendel.
Tylendel hugged him back tightly. It was definitely Vanyel, but something was very different.there was a Power in him that he'd never seen before. "Van? How did you get here? What's the last thing you remember?." He knew that if Vanyel answered that, he'd have to answer the same questions. He didn't want to tell him that the last thing he remembered was throwing himself off the Tower.Gods, it still hurt, the loss of Staven.the loss of Gala.
Vanyel looked at him soberly, and told him the same things he told Talia. "But you." He couldn't finish the sentence. Because Tylendel had died all those years ago.then his body had disappeared. "How did you get here? What's the last thing you remember?" He asked quietly. : 'Fandes? Is Gala here too? He feels different.more empty.and he's not wearing Whites.:
Tylendel shook his head. "I don't know how I got here.the last thing I remember before waking up here was the Tower.I'm so sorry, ashke, so sorry." He began to cry brokenly. "It just hurt so much losing Staven.and Gala.I just wanted to stop feeling the pain.but it won't go away."
Vanyel hugged him tightly again. : Oh, gods, it really did happen.the Attack on the Leshara.'Lendel's repudiation.his death.and I can't do anything about it.: Yfandes spoke quietly. : It did happen, love.and he hasn't Healed from it.he may never heal. I'm so sorry.: She stopped, for once at a loss for words.
Vanyel just held Tylendel for a while, and let him cry. It was so strange to see him. He suddenly had an alarming thought. : 'Fandes? If 'Lendel is here.how was he reborn as Stef? : He felt her shock. : I.I don't know, love.I'll try to find out what I can. :
* * *
Talia sighed again. They had done no more than argue in Council again. Though Vanyel's appearance had certainly convinced them of the situation's importance. They now wanted to talk to him personally. It had taken all of her patience and Selenay's combined to convince them that Vanyel was not in any shape to be given the third degree by them. She was headed toward Healers to check on him. He was in the best hands possible, but her training in Healing insisted she at least check. She stopped outside the door and raised her hand to knock. : I wouldn't. : Came Rolan's voice in her mind. She started, still not used to being able to 'speak him. : Why? : She asked him, as she lowered her hand, and waited for his response. : Because it is best to not disturb them right now. :
She sighed, she would have to directly ask him a question if she wanted an answer, and even then usually the answer raised more questions than answers. : Who is them? : She asked. Rolan sounded hesitant as he answered. : Them is Vanyel and Tylendel.his Lifebond. : She just stood there for a minute. : But wasn't Tylendel repudiated? And.didn't he.suicide? : She asked. Rolan gave his assent. She was very confused now, and it was likely that she wouldn't get any answers either. She sighed. : I guess I'll come see you then. : She told him. Rolan snickered. : You sound like it is a bad thing to come and see me, love. I know you were hoping to see Vanyel, but there will be plenty of time for that. :
Talia sighed and headed out to see Rolan, no matter how much he teased her, she had no doubt that he knew how much she cared for him and needed him. As she approached the fence that surrounded Companion's Field, she saw that Rolan had come to meet her. She smiled. No matter how low her mood was, just seeing him always managed to lift her spirits. She jumped the fence and hugged him. : Let's just go for a walk, love. : She suggested, and he agreed. It was nice to just walk with him and not think about anything.
* * *
Selenay took a deep breath. It seemed like things just got more difficult everyday. They survived one crisis only to be thrown into another. Only this time they had no clue what was going on. She knew that Vanyel Ashkevron had been brought to this time.as had Tylendel Frelennye; they were lifebonded, and great Herald-Mages. Vanyel was the greatest Herald- Mage there had been, if legends were to be believed.
She'd asked Caryo if she knew anything about whatever was happening or going to happen. Caryo had denied any knowledge, but that wasn't unusual. If she did know, she probably wouldn't say until Selenay had exhausted all of her own resources. That was just how Companions worked. And most Heralds would not ask their Companions for help unless they absolutely had to. Selenay was no exception.
She stepped in front of the mirror to make sure she was presentable. She was wearing almost the same thing as every other Herald except that she wore a long skirt with the thigh length tunic instead of breeches. They were, of course, white. After all the law of Valdemar stated that the monarch must also be a Herald. She also wore a thin circlet of gold on her golden blonde hair. This was the only sign of her rank that she wore. Her blue eyes, she had been told, were sometimes as startling as those of a Companion. She sighed. It looked like she was as presentable as she was going to get. She took a deep breath again and stepped out the door of her office and headed toward the House of Healing.
* * *
Tylendel finally regained control and pulled away to look at Vanyel. "I'm sorry." He started, but Vanyel interrupted, "No, don't be.you have every reason to be upset." He trailed off and looked at Tylendel. He looked so different. Older, maybe more mature, definitely like he'd been through Hell, which he most definitely had. It was so good to see 'Lendel, but Van was so confused. The last thing he remembered had been sending Stef away.then calling Final Strike on Laerth.
In Van's memories, 'Lendel had died after being repudiated by his Companion, Gala. He had suicided, throwing himself off the Bell Tower. Shortly after that, Yfandes had Chosen Van. He had also tried to kill himself in the tower where 'Lendel's body had been. He shook his head; those were not memories he wanted to stir up.
Vanyel looked at Tylendel again, "Do you know anything about what is going on here?" He asked. Tylendel shook his head. "No, from what I've heard none of the Companions here do either." Vanyel sighed. "Have you spoken to anyone here?" He asked. Tylendel shook his head again. "No.I've just been listening mostly. But the Queen will definitely want to speak with you." Vanyel looked at him. "Us." He corrected.
Tylendel nodded, "Yeah, us." He agreed, though Vanyel could tell that he wasn't sure about it. He was about to speak when there was a gentle knock on the door. He looked at Tylendel, " Were you expecting anyone?" Tylendel shook his head, and kind of shrank into himself a bit. Vanyel frowned, that was not a good reaction.
He went to answer the door. Standing there was a woman. She was extraordinary. Not her looks exactly, but the way she held herself, she had an air of confidence. She was a Herald for sure, for she wore the Whites that all Heralds wore, though she wore a long skirt in the place of the breeches that every other Herald wore. Her blonde hair was in a knot at the nape of her neck, and on her head, resting in her hair was a thin circlet of gold. Her sapphire blue eyes regarded him with a curiosity and hope that he could not describe. He stood there for a minute. This was the Queen! Finally he stepped to the side and invited her in.
She nodded and smiled at him. "I am Selenay. Current Queen of Valdemar. If you do not mind, I would like to talk to you for a bit." Vanyel nodded "Of course. I am Vanyel. Though I am sure you already know that." He motioned to Tylendel, who was trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. "And this is Tylendel." Selenay nodded to Tylendel and looked back to Vanyel.
"Well, I have quite a few questions actually." Selenay began.
