Chapter 3
When Tellina came out of the trance, she found that she did indeed
have the strengh - though not much - to hold on a little longer. And she
realized that what had spoken in her head was a Companion. Her Companion -
an unworldly spirit that chose to be in a horses body.
Epona - was that her name? - cantered over. Ashes smearing under her hooves and staining the stone floor. The spirit positioned herself directly under her and stood as still as a statue. Tellina hesitated.
:Go ahead......you won't hurt me : said the voice.
Tellina closed her eyes and let go. She stealed herself for the fall. Tellina landed surprizingly smooth on the Companion's back. Epona turned and headed for the door.
"Oh no......what will father say?" Tellina asked thinking of a Companionin the Great Hall, but not really expecting an answer.
:Hopefully he will be glad you're alright : came the reply.
Tellina started not really understanding this way of comunicating. She new her Great - great - great - Grandfather had used it at his time, but she never thought that she might acually have Heraldic Gifts.
Epona clamored down the hallway and into the feasting area. She stoped when they had come up beside Tellina's father.
"Father....there was a strange light in my bedchamber. It looked somewhat like a portal......As you can see...I have been Chosen," said Tellina looking down at her father. "I shall be leaving and going to Havan........Goodbye Father."
With that they both turned and went out the right exit that went into the gardens. Since Tellina's father's keep was not far from Havan - only half a days hard riding by regular horse - they would get there before midnight.
It was only now that Tellina acknowleged the would on her shoulder. She tore a strip from her shirt to try and stop the blood flow.
:You really do need a Healer for that....Do you think you can ride? :Epona asked.
"Yes......I think I can," Tellina replied.
Epona flew over the ground as if she were in the air. Tellina had to grip hard with her knees and grab on to Epona's mane to keep from slipping off. If Epona kept up this grueling pace they would be at Havan in about a candlemark.
Tellina groaned at the sering pain in her shoulder. After a while the pain started ebbing away. Tellina realized this was due to her Companion.
:Thank you : Tellina thought at the form beneath her. She to prioccupied trying to keep her teeth from rattling around in her head to try and talk.
:No problem.....that's what I'm here for, Chosen : Epona said.
After what seemed like seconds they arrived at the city gate. The guard on the wall nodded them in, they were evidently used to Companions coming and going. When they entered the city, Tellina was assalted from all four sides with sound and smell. For although it was night, the streets were still very much alive. Tellina could only imagine what it was like in the day time becouse her father always prohibited her from going.
Epona - was that her name? - cantered over. Ashes smearing under her hooves and staining the stone floor. The spirit positioned herself directly under her and stood as still as a statue. Tellina hesitated.
:Go ahead......you won't hurt me : said the voice.
Tellina closed her eyes and let go. She stealed herself for the fall. Tellina landed surprizingly smooth on the Companion's back. Epona turned and headed for the door.
"Oh no......what will father say?" Tellina asked thinking of a Companionin the Great Hall, but not really expecting an answer.
:Hopefully he will be glad you're alright : came the reply.
Tellina started not really understanding this way of comunicating. She new her Great - great - great - Grandfather had used it at his time, but she never thought that she might acually have Heraldic Gifts.
Epona clamored down the hallway and into the feasting area. She stoped when they had come up beside Tellina's father.
"Father....there was a strange light in my bedchamber. It looked somewhat like a portal......As you can see...I have been Chosen," said Tellina looking down at her father. "I shall be leaving and going to Havan........Goodbye Father."
With that they both turned and went out the right exit that went into the gardens. Since Tellina's father's keep was not far from Havan - only half a days hard riding by regular horse - they would get there before midnight.
It was only now that Tellina acknowleged the would on her shoulder. She tore a strip from her shirt to try and stop the blood flow.
:You really do need a Healer for that....Do you think you can ride? :Epona asked.
"Yes......I think I can," Tellina replied.
Epona flew over the ground as if she were in the air. Tellina had to grip hard with her knees and grab on to Epona's mane to keep from slipping off. If Epona kept up this grueling pace they would be at Havan in about a candlemark.
Tellina groaned at the sering pain in her shoulder. After a while the pain started ebbing away. Tellina realized this was due to her Companion.
:Thank you : Tellina thought at the form beneath her. She to prioccupied trying to keep her teeth from rattling around in her head to try and talk.
:No problem.....that's what I'm here for, Chosen : Epona said.
After what seemed like seconds they arrived at the city gate. The guard on the wall nodded them in, they were evidently used to Companions coming and going. When they entered the city, Tellina was assalted from all four sides with sound and smell. For although it was night, the streets were still very much alive. Tellina could only imagine what it was like in the day time becouse her father always prohibited her from going.