Fallon came back unto her own person, no longer living in a world of blue
light, but found that the never-ending love still remained. Fallon embraced
the Companion, her Companion, she reminded herself. She was to become a
Herald of Valdemar, away from the family that had always tried to restrain
her.
Kyocera was adorned in the beautiful blue-and-silver tack of a Companion, complete with bells dangling from her immaculate mane. Fallon didn't have much experience with riding, but Kyocera helped her by supplying the knowledge of how to mount up. Fallon put her foot in the stirrup, and swung her leg over awkwardly. She sat down on the saddle, and clung to the pommel. Kyocera turned around in the busy market street, and headed off down the road out of Lineas.
Fallon still clung to the package her mother had sent her out to get. And that was when the first wave of misgivings struck her. How could she become a Herald, if her mother tried to stop her? Her mother would file an order against her, saying that she had stolen the expensive red silk. but she couldn't return it before she left, for then surely her mom would find a way to keep her at home.
In the back of her mind, Fallon could feel Kyocera. And her Companions presence itself was enough to sooth her misgivings. She could barely feel Kyocera in the back of her mind, but it was reassuring nonetheless. She would ride to Haven, and then send the silk back to Lineas. Once she was in Haven, her mother had no power over her. She was protected by the Crown of Valdemar; she was a Herald-Trainee.
Fallon couldn't help but smile at the thought. She was going to Haven. She couldn't be controlled by her mother any more; she wouldn't be married off. It looked like her little vial of argonel wouldn't be needed, after all. Things were finally looking up.
Kyocera proved to be as intelligent as rumor said Companions were. She followed a path without any direction from Fallon. She had stopped the first night at one of the Herald's Waystations. The tiny hut had food stores, tinder and matches, and everything Fallon and Kyocera would need for the night.
Kyocera had slept next to Fallon's bed, inside the Waystation. Fallon had kept her arm around Kyo's neck all night. Fallon woke up not long past dawn, from 'Cera nudging her into wakefulness. Fallon cleaned up the Waystation for the next Herald that stopped here, and put 'Cera's tack on. She could feel Kyocera's presence stronger in the back of her mind every minute she kept in contact with the Companion.
It was almost noon, and Fallon had already eaten all the provisions that she had brought with her from the Waystation. "How close are we from Haven?" Fallon wondered out loud.
Fallon could see images coming across her bond with Kyocera, of a hill far off in the distance, and then of being atop a hill looking down on Haven. The images seemed oddly distorted, coming from a horses' eyes. But she wasn't a horse, Fallon kept having to remind herself.
Fallon took this as "soon", and sighed with relief. She looked down on Kyo's beautiful white mane. Fallon absently found herself braiding 'Cera's main.
"You are beautiful, oh gorgeous Companion of mine," Fallon said, and 'Cera whickered happily.
Fallon and 'Cera rode on in a comfortable silence for a long time. Fallon was slightly worried, but excitement overruled the anxiety. She was excited to finally meet new people, to learn, and to become a Herald. She knew that it would take a long time to learn all that it took to become a Herald, up to six years. But it would be worth it.
She would become a protector of Valdemar's justice. She would be fighting against the people like her parents. She would be doing something useful for Valdemar; she would be a vital part of upholding the peace. The sense of Duty gave her a purpose in life. Something worth living for.
Fallon had been so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't even see that they were approaching Haven very fast. :Haven.: the single word rang across their bond. Apparently it was getting stronger. Soon Kyocera would be able to speak with Fallon in full sentences. It was disconcerting to have the Spirit-Horse's voice in her head.
From atop the hill that she rode upon, she could see the whole layout of Haven. It seemed to be built in a spiral, with the Palace and Collegia in the very center. A very good defense, Fallon noted. It would be hard to attack the palace, because you would have to walk around in circles to get there, and by that time, the Palace would be heavily armed.
Fallon just took in the view as they passed through the gate into Haven. The guards all gave her knowing looks. They knew she was newly Chosen by her clothes, and bewilderment by the city. And she certainly was bewildered; she had never been in a place that was so highly populated. Kyocera was very agile, and quickly found her way through the crowds. Sooner than Fallon expected, she was at the Palace.
Kyocera was adorned in the beautiful blue-and-silver tack of a Companion, complete with bells dangling from her immaculate mane. Fallon didn't have much experience with riding, but Kyocera helped her by supplying the knowledge of how to mount up. Fallon put her foot in the stirrup, and swung her leg over awkwardly. She sat down on the saddle, and clung to the pommel. Kyocera turned around in the busy market street, and headed off down the road out of Lineas.
Fallon still clung to the package her mother had sent her out to get. And that was when the first wave of misgivings struck her. How could she become a Herald, if her mother tried to stop her? Her mother would file an order against her, saying that she had stolen the expensive red silk. but she couldn't return it before she left, for then surely her mom would find a way to keep her at home.
In the back of her mind, Fallon could feel Kyocera. And her Companions presence itself was enough to sooth her misgivings. She could barely feel Kyocera in the back of her mind, but it was reassuring nonetheless. She would ride to Haven, and then send the silk back to Lineas. Once she was in Haven, her mother had no power over her. She was protected by the Crown of Valdemar; she was a Herald-Trainee.
Fallon couldn't help but smile at the thought. She was going to Haven. She couldn't be controlled by her mother any more; she wouldn't be married off. It looked like her little vial of argonel wouldn't be needed, after all. Things were finally looking up.
Kyocera proved to be as intelligent as rumor said Companions were. She followed a path without any direction from Fallon. She had stopped the first night at one of the Herald's Waystations. The tiny hut had food stores, tinder and matches, and everything Fallon and Kyocera would need for the night.
Kyocera had slept next to Fallon's bed, inside the Waystation. Fallon had kept her arm around Kyo's neck all night. Fallon woke up not long past dawn, from 'Cera nudging her into wakefulness. Fallon cleaned up the Waystation for the next Herald that stopped here, and put 'Cera's tack on. She could feel Kyocera's presence stronger in the back of her mind every minute she kept in contact with the Companion.
It was almost noon, and Fallon had already eaten all the provisions that she had brought with her from the Waystation. "How close are we from Haven?" Fallon wondered out loud.
Fallon could see images coming across her bond with Kyocera, of a hill far off in the distance, and then of being atop a hill looking down on Haven. The images seemed oddly distorted, coming from a horses' eyes. But she wasn't a horse, Fallon kept having to remind herself.
Fallon took this as "soon", and sighed with relief. She looked down on Kyo's beautiful white mane. Fallon absently found herself braiding 'Cera's main.
"You are beautiful, oh gorgeous Companion of mine," Fallon said, and 'Cera whickered happily.
Fallon and 'Cera rode on in a comfortable silence for a long time. Fallon was slightly worried, but excitement overruled the anxiety. She was excited to finally meet new people, to learn, and to become a Herald. She knew that it would take a long time to learn all that it took to become a Herald, up to six years. But it would be worth it.
She would become a protector of Valdemar's justice. She would be fighting against the people like her parents. She would be doing something useful for Valdemar; she would be a vital part of upholding the peace. The sense of Duty gave her a purpose in life. Something worth living for.
Fallon had been so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't even see that they were approaching Haven very fast. :Haven.: the single word rang across their bond. Apparently it was getting stronger. Soon Kyocera would be able to speak with Fallon in full sentences. It was disconcerting to have the Spirit-Horse's voice in her head.
From atop the hill that she rode upon, she could see the whole layout of Haven. It seemed to be built in a spiral, with the Palace and Collegia in the very center. A very good defense, Fallon noted. It would be hard to attack the palace, because you would have to walk around in circles to get there, and by that time, the Palace would be heavily armed.
Fallon just took in the view as they passed through the gate into Haven. The guards all gave her knowing looks. They knew she was newly Chosen by her clothes, and bewilderment by the city. And she certainly was bewildered; she had never been in a place that was so highly populated. Kyocera was very agile, and quickly found her way through the crowds. Sooner than Fallon expected, she was at the Palace.