~Chapter 12~

Wynne was the only person awake in the Collegium, the best time for her to focus on studying.  There was only the occasional subdued mutter and the sounds of people turning in their sleep.

The light from the half-moon outside was enough for her to read by.  The history text was thick and wordy.  She wasn't terribly interested why idiots poked each other with sharp sticks.  Then again, she didn't understand the concept of monarchs or war either.  Why did humans need someone to tell them how to act?  Wynne had come to the conclusion that Shifters were anarchists.  After all, what cats wanted to take orders?  Not even the ones in prides took orders well.

A soft footstep in the hall alerted her to someone coming towards her room.  The door prevented the scent from reaching her.

The steps stopped at her door.

"Come in."  She called as she closed the book.

The door swung open and Julian peered in.  "Are you awake?"

Wynne stood so he could see her silhouette against the window.  Her instincts screamed that he was her mate and she should claim him but she ignored them.  "Yes, I don't need much sleep."

"Your niece sent this for you."  He offered her a bit of paper.

Wynne read the scrawling script. 

"Is something wrong?"

"I don't know.  She says there is a strange man at the tavern that makes her feel weird." 

"What could it mean?"

"She may be sensing something none of the others can.  She seems to be more Shifter-like than the boys."

Wynne pulled on her boots and grabbed a cloak.  Since Daire was sleeping she decided to walk.  "I am going to investigate."

"Do you mind if I join you?"  Julian asked unexpectedly.

"If you want."  Wynne felt her heart speed up.

She led the way outside and towards the gate.  Halfway to the Purple Cat she noticed Julian was shivering.  Pulling off her cloak she offered it to him.  "Here, you look like you need this."

"Aren't to getting cold?"

"No.  I don't feel the cold much as a human."  She assured him and tossed the cloak at him so he had no choice, catch it or let it drop.  "Do you want to turn back?"

"No, it isn't that cold."

Wynne increased their pace.  A block away from the tavern she could smell the stranger.  He had come from the other direction and was still inside.

She stepped in the doorway and paused.  Ana grinned at her and carried a stack of plates away.  Liam, the mercenary, nodded and grunted a greeting.  Geeva waved absently.

Wynne couldn't tell which man had been the one Ana written about.  She lead Julian over to what was now the Herald table, it was actually used by all the people from the palace.  There were several Bards there at the moment, apparently hammering out the details of a song they were working on together.  Two full Healers were sitting close to the fire.  There were no other Heralds. 

Ana hurried over as soon as they sat.  "Aunt Wynne, I didn't know if you could come." 

"Of course I came.  Did you actually think I would be sleeping?"

"No, I thought you would be out doing your normal thing."  Ana said vaguely.

"I told him."

Ana grinned revealing a dimple in each cheek.  "Told you."

"Don't even think of saying more kitten."  Wynne mock growled.  "How have you been?"

"Good.  Cook has been teaching me how to make muffins.  They are still black as coal."

Wynne noticed a man on the far side of the room staring at her.  He looked fully human, which was to be expected since he was a Shifter.  She stared back at him.  Since she could hear every conversation in the room she knew he could hear what they were saying.

"What do you want?"

"I am looking for Archer."  He answered.

Ana and Julian stared at her.  "He is dead."

The man looked disappointed.

"You can hear him?"  Julian asked quietly. 

"Yes, and he can hear me."  Wynne explained then turned back to the stranger.  "Why are you looking for him?"

"Can we speak alone?"

Wynne nodded and stood up.  "I'll be back in a moment."

The man stood at the same time and started towards the door.

"We can use a room upstairs."  She started up the stairs. 

She was waiting at the top of the stairs when he started up them.  She was not certain of who he was or why he was looking for Archer, her father and she didn't want an unknown threat to be released in a crowded room.

 She headed to her old bedroom, still empty, and left the door open.  :Daire, I am at the Purple Cat, there is another Shifter here.:

:Huh?  Another Shifter?  Here, in Valdemar?:

:Yes sleepy head.  I am about to speak to him in private.  Will I get in trouble if I have to kill him?:

:If he is dangerous, I doubt anyone would blame you.  There is no one else who would know how to deal with him.  You could deal with him, right?:

Wynne smiled ferally and sat on a battered dresser.  :Probably.  The female is more dangerous than the male.:

The Shifter paused in the doorway.  "What happened to Archer?"

"He was caught robbing a great house.  An offence punishable by death here."  She said coolly.  "I was unaware there were any other Shifters in the area."

The man leaned against the wall and rubbed his temple.  "Damn.  How long ago did this happen?"

"Ten years ago."

"And his sons?"

"Two years ago."

"What about his Mate?"

"Adawynne died at the same time as him.  She was with him when he was caught.  She refused to leave him when they were sentenced to death."

"Damn."

"Why?"

"Why are you here?"  He countered suspiciously.

Wynne smiled slightly.  "I was Chosen by one of their Companions.  I live at the palace.  The Halflings downstairs called me when they noticed you.  Don't even consider harming them or I will shred you limb from limb and leave you scattered for the crows."

He laughed and relaxed.  "I am sorry if I have intruded on your territory.  I am Keane."

Wynne tilted her head to one side and debated what to tell him.  He didn't smell of blood or fear and she was fairly certain he could be trusted.  "Liawynne."

He looked shocked.  "You are a daughter of Adawynne then."

"Yes, how could you tell?"

"The last part of your name, Wynne, it is how we keep our lineages straight."

"I had wondered."

"Is the girl downstairs yours?"

"No.  She was Alics' daughter, she had a younger sister but she died several months ago."

"Two daughters?"

"Yes, is that so strange?"

"We rarely have one female child in a family."  Keane stood up and looked very interested.  "The ratios are about six to one."

Wynne relayed this bit of news to Daire.  "My brothers had five children between them, the surviving children are downstairs now."

Keane started to pace.  "I never expected this."

"Why are you looking for my father?"

"We have been looking for him for twenty years.  How can I find you?"

"Leave a message here or with the guards at the palace gates.  Why would you need to reach me?"

"There is a plethora of reasons."  He assured her.

"Only two people there know of what I am.  I would appreciate it if you told no one else."

"Of course I wouldn't."  Keane seemed to be deep in concentration.  "Who was that man who entered with you?"

"Herald Julian, my friend.  I better get going; I have classes in the morning and a massive amount of studying to do." 

Keane opened the door for her.  "Would it be alright if I stopped by for a visit tomorrow?"

Wynne's eyes narrowed suspiciously.  "I am very busy."

"I will anyway.  Perhaps you can make time to see me."

Wynne was starting to feel a little uncomfortable.  Suddenly the realization of what he was hoping for hit her.  He was asking to court her.

"If you will excuse me, I have to be going."  She strode down the hall.  He kept close behind her.

She slid into the seat next to Julian.  Keane hesitated but kept going.

"What did he want?"

"He wanted to know what happened to my father."  Wynne explained.  "Have you warmed up?"

"Yes, finally."  Julian had his hands wrapped around a mug of hot spiced cider.

"I am afraid we should get going.  Daire is waiting outside."

Ana and the boys all gave her a hug before they left. 

Outside she mounted before Julian.  Since there was no saddle there was very little space between them.  Wynne leaned back against him. 

"It was a little odd meeting him."  She admitted.  "Apparently Shifters have very few daughters, six boys to every one girl."

"He must be ecstatic to have discovered you."  Julian commented.

"Perhaps."

:Perhaps he is not yet aware you have already found your mate.:  Daire teased.

"Quiet horse."  She snapped.

"Is he giving you a hard time?"

"He always does."

"Tevren is the same way.  I have been wondering, can you describe the differences between humans and you, other than the ability to change into a cat?"

"Well, I rely more on my other senses than humans do.  Humans rely almost completely on vision to navigate, locate danger, or learn something about an object.  Everything is qualified visually.  If I were blinded I would probably be just fine.  I can hear a mouse on the far side of the field while I am in class or a faint draft whistling around a piece of furniture.  I can walk into a lightless room and still know where all the furniture is."

"You're right, we do.  I had never thought of it that way."

He seemed to be absorbed in his thoughts so she sank further against his broad chest.  He was startled when she started to purr. 

"I guess that is another difference between you and humans."  He said lightly.

Wynne felt herself blushing.  "It is not completely under my control."

"Fascinating."

Wynne grinned.  "Ever the scholar, eh?"

 "I guess I am.  Teren has asked that I become Dean after him.  He plans to retire in a few years and claims there have been to many changes in the past few years for him to keep up."

"I think you would be good at it."  Wynne assured him honestly.

"I told him I would think about it."

"Take it.  You are perfect as Dean of the Collegium.  You have patience for the students, Herald Dirk may be an excellent orientation teacher but he has already turned down the position and it wasn't even offered to him yet."

"He did?  How do you know?"

"I was in the room when Herald Teren mentioned he wanted to retire.  Dirk said flat out that he wasn't interested.  I think you have already decided to take it."

"I guess I have."

Daire stopped by the door and they slid to the ground.

:Good night little cat.:

:I may join you later.:

:May?:

Wynne glanced at Julian.

:Ah, you have decided to approach him.:

:Yes.  Sleep well horse.:

:Thank you.:  He ambled away. 

Wynne noted his mane was a tangled mess again.  Every other Companion looked impeccable whether they had just been groomed of if they had just spent a month in the wilderness.  Daire however seemed to get tangled just thinking.

By the Lady she loved that horse, tangles and all.

"Off to bed?"  Julian opened the door for her.

"No.  I won't go to sleep for several hours.  I need only a candlemark of sleep, more than two candlemarks gives me a headache.  Are you off to bed?"

"I am a night owl as well, which is why my classes are all scheduled later.  I am going to do some reading before hitting the pillows."

Wynne had never tried seducing someone before, her previous two lovers had not needed much encouragement.  "Your friend, Herald Sandi, was right, I was staring at you."

"When?"

"The night the Purple Cat opened.  It wasn't because you are tall or because you are a Herald.  I have found you almost irresistible since that night I showed you where Arin was."  Wynne confessed.  "I understand if you aren't interested but I just want it said-"

Julian gathered her in his arms and pulled her close, unmindful of where they were.  "I didn't think you would be interested."

Wynne pulled his lips down to hers.  "I am very interested…"

After a passionate kiss she led him through the halls to his room.