Wynne and Tandee both watched the trees that Caedy had said was the Vale.
Wynne could see a faint shimmer ahead.
A large male gryphon flew out to escort them in. Wynne thought he was making a fool of himself as he pulled several fancy flying tricks to catch Caedy's eye.
Tandee also found it all very amusing. "She is going to very popular."
"Obviously, I see four more heading this way." Wynne answered. She was wearing a slightly altered set of Greys. Tandee had sworn that as soon as she got her hands on some fabric she was going to make Wynne the envy of everyone.
"When we land you better remind her we are leaving the day after tomorrow." Tandee gestured to Caedy.
:Just over a day, should that be long enough?: Wynne asked Caedy.
:Plenty of time.: Caedy retorted with a laugh.
:Have you decided which lad to drag of into the bushes?: Wynne teased.
:You certainly have choice.: Tandee continued.
:That I do.: Caedy pretended to ignore the gryphons as she lowered the basket to the ground.
Wynne leaped out and lifted Tandee to the ground.
A Tayledras scout was there to greet them.
"You must be Liawynne, Tandee, and Caedalema." He stepped forward and offered her his hand in greeting. "I am Moonblade."
"Pleased to meet you." Wynne accepted his hand. "But please call me Wynne."
"And I prefer Caedy." The gryphon added.
The male gryphons landed around them creating massive wind.
"If you follow me we can get you settled." His Valdemaran was very stilted.
Wynne disconnected Caedy from the basket. "I'll find you later."
Caedy winked and turned her attention to the gryphons.
Tandee and Wynne collected their packs from the basket. Tandee promptly vanished with it all.
Wynne knew she had seen the last of those uniforms. Moonblade led her past the rock spires that marked the edge of the Vale.
"We have many guests right now."
"I don't mind sharing quarters."
"Would you mind an ekele?" Moonblade asked.
Wynne looked up at the massive trees. "I don't mind at all, I love heights."
"Most outsiders get ill at the thought of being so high off the ground."
Wynne had climbed higher than even the highest ekele when she was younger. "I am unlike the majority of outsiders."
Her temporary ekele was one of the highest, which was probably why it was vacant. It was three rooms and a balcony. The large balcony was obviously meant for gryphons to land on and the room that opened on to the balcony was almost completely unfurnished except for large durable cushions, obviously meant for a gryphon.
Wynne leaned over the edge of the balcony and smiled when she saw all those branches below her. "This is wonderful."
Moonblade looked surprised at her reaction. "There is bathing pools down below."
"Thank you Moonblade. I am probably keeping you from other duties." She offered him an escape route.
"I don't mean to be cold. I am not very familiar with Valdemaran." He tried to explain.
"And I don't know Tayledras."
"Would you like a dyheli to give it to you?" Moonblade asked hopefully.
"It would make it easier for both of us." Wynne agreed.
Tandee appeared at the door of the ekele with a tray of food. "This time I provide the food."
Wynne laughed and sat on a cushion. "Care to join me?"
Moonblade sat on the cushion next to her. "What do you mean this time you brought the food?"
"Several inns were hesitant to entertain a gryphon so we slept outside the town. I am good at hunting so I was responsible for providing meat for Caedy."
Tandee set the food on a low table. "Will you bath afterwards?"
Wynne nodded. "Please join us."
Tandee shook her head. "If you want a real wardrobe I have to go."
Wynne chuckled as she ran off. "She doesn't like my uniforms."
"She has decided to serve you?" Moonblade looked surprised.
"Apparently. She thinks I am destined for great things." Wynne chose a bit of fish off the tray. "This food is divine."
Moonblade laughed at her expression. "I have tried Valdemaran food, it is very bland."
"I used to own a tavern in Haven and I prided myself on serving food that was better than any other inn in Haven. It was standard Valdemaran fare but perfectly seasoned and spiced. If you are ever in Haven go to the Purple Cat and try good Valdemaran food. You won't be disappointed."
"I will." Moonblade promised.
"Do you have a bondbird? I have only seen Firesong's Aya."
"She is eating. Darli is a red-shoulder hawk."
There was a rush of wind as Caedy came in for a landing. Wynne grabbed the tray before it could be knocked over. "Done teasing already?"
Caedy sank onto some cushions next to Wynne. "I am sorry for taking you so far out of the way. There is no one here in need of a partner."
"It's not a problem." Wynne waved it off. "Tandee is glad we made the detour."
"Just a warning, she has developed a love for spots." Caedy chuckled.
"Spots?" Moonblade asked dubiously.
"Very pretty spots." Caedy assured him and winked at Wynne. "She saw a cat with a spotted coat and loved the design."
Tandee reappeared and collected the tray.
"Shall we go looking for a dyheli?" Moonblade asked.
Wynne nodded. "Just let me change."
Caedy chuckled. Wynne hauled her tunic over her head.
:You are going to shift?:
:No. I will tell the dyheli of course. I am just taking off my tunic. It is very warm here and I don't sweat.:
She loosened the collar of her shirt and returned to Moonblade on the balcony. "Ready?"
Moonblade nodded and led her down the stairs. "I have called Tyrsell. He is a King Stag."
"Thank you."
The deer-like creature waiting at the bottom of the stairs stared at her as she descended.
:Don't worry, I am a friend.: She said.
:What are you?: Tyrsell demanded.
:I am not threat to you or yours.:
"You should sit down." Moonblade warned.
Wynne sat off to the side. "Ready when you are."
:You have to drop your shields.:
She had forgotten about that natural shield. She glanced at Moonblade and back at the king stag. :I am sorry, it isn't under my control.:
:Then I can't give you Tayledras.:
Wynne growled quietly. :How do you feel about predators?:
:They have their place.:
:As a Herald?:
:I suppose, what are you getting at?:
:I am a Shifter. I can become a jaguar.:
:Odd, your shields are thinning.:
:They are tied to my trust. Those I trust can reach through them. I won't pretend to understand it.:
:They are down enough for me to give you the language.:
Wynne felt his mind touching hers. Suddenly knowledge flooded through her. She knew Tayledras like she had always spoken it.
She opened her eyes and blinked a few times. "What a rush. Is there any other languages you could share?"
Moonblade was obviously taken aback by her reaction. "Are you certain?"
Wynne nodded. "Why?"
"Most people are knocked out by that."
Wynne shrugged and turned back to Tyrsell. "If you don't mind, is there any other languages?"
:Of course.:
Wynne almost lost herself in the flood of knowledge. When it was over she took several deep breaths. "Thank you."
:You are a strange creature, part human, part cat, part spirit.:
:Took a look around?:
:Yes.:
:Don't worry, I consider it a fair trade.:
Tyrsell bobbed his head and moved off.
"I thought you would be lying prone needing a healer."
Wynne stood up and brushed herself off. She tested the new knowledge like she was probing a sore tooth. "Actually, I feel just fine." She said in Tayledras.
"Amazing. Maybe he is getting better at giving languages."
"You could always ask him to give you a new language."
Moonblade shook his head. "I am not into trials by pain."
Wynne laughed. "I am going to go take a nice hot bath."
"You could use the guest bath."
"The communal bath will be fine." Wynne assured him as she headed towards the building housing the pools.
Soon she was immersed in the hottest pool. There were seven others in lower pools but she paid no attention to them. The hot water was wonderful.
If she didn't have to leave after only one full day she would be one spoiled house cat.
"Drink?" A hertasi appeared next to her.
"Yes, please." Wynne turned to the small lizard like creature. "Is there anything fruity?"
"Yes, I'll bring you some." The hertasi nodded and ran off.
"Mind if I join you?" Moonblade asked.
"I don't mind." Wynne assured him.
He slipped into the water next to her. "Where are you going after this?"
"To that settlement to the west."
"I am not certain what they are but they are uncanny."
"Hopefully we can reach an agreement with them. Do you know who is being sent from here?"
"Me actually. I leave in the morning.
"Really? I assume you are going by dyheli."
"Yes."
"I am glad I met you before we reached the settlement."
"Do you know anything about them?"
"Some. My grandmother may be among them."
"That explains why they are sending a trainee."
"Why are they sending you?"
"I am one of the ones who discovered the town. Katu, the dyheli, was with me. She is the other one we decided to send."
Wynne nodded. "If I am right and it is my grandmother and her kin, this is going to be very interesting."
"Are they a mage clan of some sort?"
"Of a sort." Wynne hedged. The others were too close for her to discus it. "I can tell you more latter if you wish."
"I would appreciate it."
A clawed hand touched her shoulder and a hertasi offered her juice.
"Thank you. Are you going to return my uniform soon?"
"It is being cleaned." The hertasi said innocently.
Wynne didn't believe it for a heartbeat. The hertasi vanished quickly before she could ask further questions.
"You aren't going to get them back." Moonblade warned. "They are probably rags already."
"I figured as much." Wynne grumbled. "I don't mind, I just don't want to climb to heights with only a towel."
"They dislike uniforms."
"I noticed. Every time I turned around Tandee was altering them."
"If she was just altering them you were lucky. Most would have burned them." Moonblade laughed.
"I am sure they would. How do you get them to leave your scouting outfits alone?"
"They understand they are necessary. They do design more aesthetically pleasing clothes for when we are off duty."
"I better get going. Is it alright if I explore a bit, or would that be rude?"
"No, go ahead."
Wynne stood and wrapped a towel around her body. A deep red shirt, tight black pants, and a length of black cloth, obviously meant to be a belt, had been left folded under the towel. "At least I won't have to worry about losing my towel."
Outside it was dark but Wynne could see quite well. She followed a path, deftly avoiding the pockets of people. She saw hertasi moving about in the bushes and several bondbirds in the trees. It was pleasant here. Unlike Haven, where the scent of people living was rather revolting, here there were many scents but none were overwhelming. Also the sounds were more subdued, more natural than Haven. She almost wished she could remain here.
At least Teren had approved of her taking a few weeks to escape when it became too much for her.
:Hello Tyrsell.: She greeted him as she stepped onto the path behind her.
:You look pensive.:
Wynne turned to face him. :I am just wishing I was a little less sensitive to sounds and smells.:
:There are downsides to everything. Surely it isn't to bad on the palace grounds.:
:The gardens cover most of the odour from the city. But before I moved there it was horrid. Here the air is much clearer.:
Tyrsell fell into step beside her. :Do you wish these senses gone?:
:Of course not. It maybe inconvenient now and then but there are times when I wouldn't trade them for anything. Like when I am on a mountain and I can hear the wind being cut by the rocks or smell a storm, clear and pure, bearing down on me. Would you give all that makes you a dyheli to become something else?:
:No. Like you said, it may be inconvenient now and then. I love nothing better than a run through the woods where I can hear the birds and animals and smell the growing plants.:
:Neither of us are city dwellers.: Wynne pointed out.
:Very true. You should tell Moonblade more before he leaves.:
Wynne stared at the stars for a few minutes. :I will. You saw, it is hard to tell strangers, especially humans. It is like I am :
She snapped alert when she heard crunching steps of a large four footed animal coming towards them. Caedy.
"There you are Wynne." She gave her a gryphonic grin. "Enjoy your splashing?"
"Of course. Did you enjoy your dalliance?"
Caedy chuckled. "Of course. He was very attentive."
:Gryphons and Shifters, always in heat.: Tyrsell feigned a sigh of exasperation.
"Moonblade should be done bathing." Wynne commented. "If you see Tandee, could you remind her I still need clothes most of the time."
Caedy chuckled. "She is eagerly making you new Greys now. You should have some by dawn."
"Good. Meeting my kin is going to be bad enough since I am dragging humans in my wake. I at least want to be clothed."
"How do you know they will not have more problems with Tandee and I? We are even stranger than the humans."
"I am going by my own instinct. I distrust humans more than anything else. Ma'ar was more concerned with humans; he treated most nonhumans that looked more animal as animals."
"Very true." Caedy nodded.
:I will tell Katu about your kin.:
"Thank you, I will see you later." Wynne said as she went in search of Moonblade.
A large male gryphon flew out to escort them in. Wynne thought he was making a fool of himself as he pulled several fancy flying tricks to catch Caedy's eye.
Tandee also found it all very amusing. "She is going to very popular."
"Obviously, I see four more heading this way." Wynne answered. She was wearing a slightly altered set of Greys. Tandee had sworn that as soon as she got her hands on some fabric she was going to make Wynne the envy of everyone.
"When we land you better remind her we are leaving the day after tomorrow." Tandee gestured to Caedy.
:Just over a day, should that be long enough?: Wynne asked Caedy.
:Plenty of time.: Caedy retorted with a laugh.
:Have you decided which lad to drag of into the bushes?: Wynne teased.
:You certainly have choice.: Tandee continued.
:That I do.: Caedy pretended to ignore the gryphons as she lowered the basket to the ground.
Wynne leaped out and lifted Tandee to the ground.
A Tayledras scout was there to greet them.
"You must be Liawynne, Tandee, and Caedalema." He stepped forward and offered her his hand in greeting. "I am Moonblade."
"Pleased to meet you." Wynne accepted his hand. "But please call me Wynne."
"And I prefer Caedy." The gryphon added.
The male gryphons landed around them creating massive wind.
"If you follow me we can get you settled." His Valdemaran was very stilted.
Wynne disconnected Caedy from the basket. "I'll find you later."
Caedy winked and turned her attention to the gryphons.
Tandee and Wynne collected their packs from the basket. Tandee promptly vanished with it all.
Wynne knew she had seen the last of those uniforms. Moonblade led her past the rock spires that marked the edge of the Vale.
"We have many guests right now."
"I don't mind sharing quarters."
"Would you mind an ekele?" Moonblade asked.
Wynne looked up at the massive trees. "I don't mind at all, I love heights."
"Most outsiders get ill at the thought of being so high off the ground."
Wynne had climbed higher than even the highest ekele when she was younger. "I am unlike the majority of outsiders."
Her temporary ekele was one of the highest, which was probably why it was vacant. It was three rooms and a balcony. The large balcony was obviously meant for gryphons to land on and the room that opened on to the balcony was almost completely unfurnished except for large durable cushions, obviously meant for a gryphon.
Wynne leaned over the edge of the balcony and smiled when she saw all those branches below her. "This is wonderful."
Moonblade looked surprised at her reaction. "There is bathing pools down below."
"Thank you Moonblade. I am probably keeping you from other duties." She offered him an escape route.
"I don't mean to be cold. I am not very familiar with Valdemaran." He tried to explain.
"And I don't know Tayledras."
"Would you like a dyheli to give it to you?" Moonblade asked hopefully.
"It would make it easier for both of us." Wynne agreed.
Tandee appeared at the door of the ekele with a tray of food. "This time I provide the food."
Wynne laughed and sat on a cushion. "Care to join me?"
Moonblade sat on the cushion next to her. "What do you mean this time you brought the food?"
"Several inns were hesitant to entertain a gryphon so we slept outside the town. I am good at hunting so I was responsible for providing meat for Caedy."
Tandee set the food on a low table. "Will you bath afterwards?"
Wynne nodded. "Please join us."
Tandee shook her head. "If you want a real wardrobe I have to go."
Wynne chuckled as she ran off. "She doesn't like my uniforms."
"She has decided to serve you?" Moonblade looked surprised.
"Apparently. She thinks I am destined for great things." Wynne chose a bit of fish off the tray. "This food is divine."
Moonblade laughed at her expression. "I have tried Valdemaran food, it is very bland."
"I used to own a tavern in Haven and I prided myself on serving food that was better than any other inn in Haven. It was standard Valdemaran fare but perfectly seasoned and spiced. If you are ever in Haven go to the Purple Cat and try good Valdemaran food. You won't be disappointed."
"I will." Moonblade promised.
"Do you have a bondbird? I have only seen Firesong's Aya."
"She is eating. Darli is a red-shoulder hawk."
There was a rush of wind as Caedy came in for a landing. Wynne grabbed the tray before it could be knocked over. "Done teasing already?"
Caedy sank onto some cushions next to Wynne. "I am sorry for taking you so far out of the way. There is no one here in need of a partner."
"It's not a problem." Wynne waved it off. "Tandee is glad we made the detour."
"Just a warning, she has developed a love for spots." Caedy chuckled.
"Spots?" Moonblade asked dubiously.
"Very pretty spots." Caedy assured him and winked at Wynne. "She saw a cat with a spotted coat and loved the design."
Tandee reappeared and collected the tray.
"Shall we go looking for a dyheli?" Moonblade asked.
Wynne nodded. "Just let me change."
Caedy chuckled. Wynne hauled her tunic over her head.
:You are going to shift?:
:No. I will tell the dyheli of course. I am just taking off my tunic. It is very warm here and I don't sweat.:
She loosened the collar of her shirt and returned to Moonblade on the balcony. "Ready?"
Moonblade nodded and led her down the stairs. "I have called Tyrsell. He is a King Stag."
"Thank you."
The deer-like creature waiting at the bottom of the stairs stared at her as she descended.
:Don't worry, I am a friend.: She said.
:What are you?: Tyrsell demanded.
:I am not threat to you or yours.:
"You should sit down." Moonblade warned.
Wynne sat off to the side. "Ready when you are."
:You have to drop your shields.:
She had forgotten about that natural shield. She glanced at Moonblade and back at the king stag. :I am sorry, it isn't under my control.:
:Then I can't give you Tayledras.:
Wynne growled quietly. :How do you feel about predators?:
:They have their place.:
:As a Herald?:
:I suppose, what are you getting at?:
:I am a Shifter. I can become a jaguar.:
:Odd, your shields are thinning.:
:They are tied to my trust. Those I trust can reach through them. I won't pretend to understand it.:
:They are down enough for me to give you the language.:
Wynne felt his mind touching hers. Suddenly knowledge flooded through her. She knew Tayledras like she had always spoken it.
She opened her eyes and blinked a few times. "What a rush. Is there any other languages you could share?"
Moonblade was obviously taken aback by her reaction. "Are you certain?"
Wynne nodded. "Why?"
"Most people are knocked out by that."
Wynne shrugged and turned back to Tyrsell. "If you don't mind, is there any other languages?"
:Of course.:
Wynne almost lost herself in the flood of knowledge. When it was over she took several deep breaths. "Thank you."
:You are a strange creature, part human, part cat, part spirit.:
:Took a look around?:
:Yes.:
:Don't worry, I consider it a fair trade.:
Tyrsell bobbed his head and moved off.
"I thought you would be lying prone needing a healer."
Wynne stood up and brushed herself off. She tested the new knowledge like she was probing a sore tooth. "Actually, I feel just fine." She said in Tayledras.
"Amazing. Maybe he is getting better at giving languages."
"You could always ask him to give you a new language."
Moonblade shook his head. "I am not into trials by pain."
Wynne laughed. "I am going to go take a nice hot bath."
"You could use the guest bath."
"The communal bath will be fine." Wynne assured him as she headed towards the building housing the pools.
Soon she was immersed in the hottest pool. There were seven others in lower pools but she paid no attention to them. The hot water was wonderful.
If she didn't have to leave after only one full day she would be one spoiled house cat.
"Drink?" A hertasi appeared next to her.
"Yes, please." Wynne turned to the small lizard like creature. "Is there anything fruity?"
"Yes, I'll bring you some." The hertasi nodded and ran off.
"Mind if I join you?" Moonblade asked.
"I don't mind." Wynne assured him.
He slipped into the water next to her. "Where are you going after this?"
"To that settlement to the west."
"I am not certain what they are but they are uncanny."
"Hopefully we can reach an agreement with them. Do you know who is being sent from here?"
"Me actually. I leave in the morning.
"Really? I assume you are going by dyheli."
"Yes."
"I am glad I met you before we reached the settlement."
"Do you know anything about them?"
"Some. My grandmother may be among them."
"That explains why they are sending a trainee."
"Why are they sending you?"
"I am one of the ones who discovered the town. Katu, the dyheli, was with me. She is the other one we decided to send."
Wynne nodded. "If I am right and it is my grandmother and her kin, this is going to be very interesting."
"Are they a mage clan of some sort?"
"Of a sort." Wynne hedged. The others were too close for her to discus it. "I can tell you more latter if you wish."
"I would appreciate it."
A clawed hand touched her shoulder and a hertasi offered her juice.
"Thank you. Are you going to return my uniform soon?"
"It is being cleaned." The hertasi said innocently.
Wynne didn't believe it for a heartbeat. The hertasi vanished quickly before she could ask further questions.
"You aren't going to get them back." Moonblade warned. "They are probably rags already."
"I figured as much." Wynne grumbled. "I don't mind, I just don't want to climb to heights with only a towel."
"They dislike uniforms."
"I noticed. Every time I turned around Tandee was altering them."
"If she was just altering them you were lucky. Most would have burned them." Moonblade laughed.
"I am sure they would. How do you get them to leave your scouting outfits alone?"
"They understand they are necessary. They do design more aesthetically pleasing clothes for when we are off duty."
"I better get going. Is it alright if I explore a bit, or would that be rude?"
"No, go ahead."
Wynne stood and wrapped a towel around her body. A deep red shirt, tight black pants, and a length of black cloth, obviously meant to be a belt, had been left folded under the towel. "At least I won't have to worry about losing my towel."
Outside it was dark but Wynne could see quite well. She followed a path, deftly avoiding the pockets of people. She saw hertasi moving about in the bushes and several bondbirds in the trees. It was pleasant here. Unlike Haven, where the scent of people living was rather revolting, here there were many scents but none were overwhelming. Also the sounds were more subdued, more natural than Haven. She almost wished she could remain here.
At least Teren had approved of her taking a few weeks to escape when it became too much for her.
:Hello Tyrsell.: She greeted him as she stepped onto the path behind her.
:You look pensive.:
Wynne turned to face him. :I am just wishing I was a little less sensitive to sounds and smells.:
:There are downsides to everything. Surely it isn't to bad on the palace grounds.:
:The gardens cover most of the odour from the city. But before I moved there it was horrid. Here the air is much clearer.:
Tyrsell fell into step beside her. :Do you wish these senses gone?:
:Of course not. It maybe inconvenient now and then but there are times when I wouldn't trade them for anything. Like when I am on a mountain and I can hear the wind being cut by the rocks or smell a storm, clear and pure, bearing down on me. Would you give all that makes you a dyheli to become something else?:
:No. Like you said, it may be inconvenient now and then. I love nothing better than a run through the woods where I can hear the birds and animals and smell the growing plants.:
:Neither of us are city dwellers.: Wynne pointed out.
:Very true. You should tell Moonblade more before he leaves.:
Wynne stared at the stars for a few minutes. :I will. You saw, it is hard to tell strangers, especially humans. It is like I am :
She snapped alert when she heard crunching steps of a large four footed animal coming towards them. Caedy.
"There you are Wynne." She gave her a gryphonic grin. "Enjoy your splashing?"
"Of course. Did you enjoy your dalliance?"
Caedy chuckled. "Of course. He was very attentive."
:Gryphons and Shifters, always in heat.: Tyrsell feigned a sigh of exasperation.
"Moonblade should be done bathing." Wynne commented. "If you see Tandee, could you remind her I still need clothes most of the time."
Caedy chuckled. "She is eagerly making you new Greys now. You should have some by dawn."
"Good. Meeting my kin is going to be bad enough since I am dragging humans in my wake. I at least want to be clothed."
"How do you know they will not have more problems with Tandee and I? We are even stranger than the humans."
"I am going by my own instinct. I distrust humans more than anything else. Ma'ar was more concerned with humans; he treated most nonhumans that looked more animal as animals."
"Very true." Caedy nodded.
:I will tell Katu about your kin.:
"Thank you, I will see you later." Wynne said as she went in search of Moonblade.