Disclaimer – *coughs* As much as I love Valdemar, I don't own it :) That all belongs to Mercedes Lackey. However! All those oh-so-interesting characters that have never made an appearance in any of her novels (Lyrissa, Jesin, Mikel, you get the idea)… they belong to me ^_^ Of course, you're welcome to use my characters… provided you tell me ;) Since this is my first fanfic, any questions/comments can be sent to dazz1eu@yahoo.com and would be greatly appreciated ^_^ Just don't be too harsh, neh? ;)
~ Chapter 3 ~
Talia knocked gently upon the door.
"Come in!" the voice was muffled through the wood, but still conveyed a warm reception.
Carefully, she opened the door, peering inside in hopes that she was not disturbing her old mentor.
"Talia!" Healer Devan rose, smiling, a twinkle in his eyes. "To what do I owe the pleasure? You do not visit us quite as often as you used to."
Talia smiled wanly and shook her head. "I wish it was only pleasure that brought me, Devan, but I actually am looking for someone."
"Oh? Come, sit." He gestured towards a chair before again seating himself. "Although generally I would think you do not need people to help you in your search."
"No…" Talia admitted slowly as she sat down. "And that would happen to be the problem."
It took a while for Talia to explain the flares that she had been feeling and her hypothesis that it should be someone within the Healer Collegium due to the abruptness and strength of the feelings. Or lack of it feelings, as it was.
"What I can't understand is how this person can be shielding from me so thoroughly. If the pain I feel is any indication, this person should be as obvious as a glowing beacon!" Talia concluded, a hint of her frustration creeping through.
Devan thoughtfully tapped his chin before nodding. "I think… I may know who it you are looking for," he replied slowly. "She has caused… quite the stir among the Healers. Some fear her, some pity her. Many keep their distance, nobody understanding her."
Talia's eyes showed confusion. "I don't understand, what could this poor girl have possibly done?"
~~ ^ ~~
Healer Jesin was at a loss over what to do with his controversial student or even how he should treat her. Trying to give her more attention in class to draw her out of her shell was one thing, but it wasn't going to end the gossip. He had decided that the other thing to do was to try and understand what exactly it was Lyrissa had done.
However, nobody seemed to know too much about Counter-Healing besides the fact that it was technically possible. Sometime back in the history of Healers, before even Herald Vanyel's time, it was decided too dangerous to spread such knowledge. While most Healers used their Gift in the correct manner, there was always the black sheep in the flock.
It had begun as what everyone thought a normal disease.
It had ended with the loss of over a third of the Healers and with the majority of the rest weak or recovering. Some Heralds, and even a few Bards, had also fallen victim.
The Healer-Mage had been caught and brought to trial. Under the truth spell, he admitted everything – he had been a spy, sent to infiltrate and weaken Valdemar and spread his nasty concoction: a virus that leeched off the Gifts. The magic helped it to be undetectable and to the Healers, just a simple fever. Yet, once touched by the Healer Gift, it seized the potential of the Healing and reversed it into a vicious Counter-Healing spurt that poisoned the body and specifically attacked the channels that allowed a person to use their Gift.
Valdemar never found out whom the spy had reported to. Further pressure caused the Healer-Mage to suddenly be sent into convulsions.
He was pronounced dead by the time his head hit the floor.
The fear over such an event caused high tensions and for many to eye the Healers warily. To the people, it didn't matter that it was an enemy that had done the deed. It didn't matter that the only people who had been attacked by such a virus was the Gifted. It didn't even matter than only a Healer-Mage could create such a nasty creature.
What only mattered was the idea that Counter-Healing could be used against the people.
People fear what they do not understand; Counter-Healing was quickly banned from being taught to Healers, its dark legacy to be passed only as a part of history.
Or so the musty old book had claimed.
The discovery of the book had first given Jesin hope at finding potential insight into understanding what his student had done.
By the time he had finished it, Jesin was both disappointed and frustrated.
Walking along the terrace that graced the Healer gardens had seemed the best way to try and relax at that point. The clouds were ominous and promised rain was soon to come, but Jesin went outside regardless. As he studied the clouds and contemplated his next course of action, a gryphon passed by overhead. Absently, Jesin waved to the creature in the sky, although he doubted it would notice his movement.
He had heard about the creatures, though he had yet to meet them up close. Everyone had heard the tales of the former-Heir Elspeth, who had ventured far to bring their new allies and reestablish the mages. With her had come the gryphons along with other fabulous creatures.
Jesin frowned, pausing on that thought. ::The gryphons have never been exposed to the regulation to forget how to Counter-Heal. Even better, aren't the gryphons supposed to have their own type of Healers?::
Turning back indoors before the skies could bathe him, he mulled over the possibilities. Perhaps it was time for Jesin to meet these new allies. Provided, of course, that he could work up the courage to talk to a creature nearly double his size with a rather wicked-looking beak.
~~ ^ ~~
The sky had opened, the rain mingling with the tears on her face as she stumbled, pitching forward into the grass.
She wasn't exactly sure where she was or how she got there, but Lyrissa knew one thing – the elements were far kinder than the whispers or the accusing stares.
Struggling to stand, dizziness swept her and threatened to send her tumbling once more. Falling to her knees, she painfully watched the ground swim in and out of focus before closing her eyes and shaking her head in an attempt to clear her muddled mind.
::What's wrong with me? I haven't been outside that long – have I?::
Turning her face towards the sky, Lyrissa dared not open her eyes but simply felt the cool drops splatter upon her skin. She would be scolded later, but no matter, it was inevitable for what she had done.
::Jinny…I'm coming::
Then she collapsed, never hearing the approach of the unique sound of bells mixing with the fall of a hoof.
~~ ^ ~~
Talia closed the door behind her, leaning against the doorframe in reflection for a moment.
::Counter-Healing, huh? That would certainly put a cat among the pigeons::
Devan admitted that he didn't know the entire story.
"Have to realize that I wasn't there, and it's only what I heard. I also know that several Healers had the hardest time trying to help the girl after she collapsed the first time."
"What happened?"
"They put her in the patient's area, but when they tried to look at her with their Gift, she went berserk. Still unconscious but she just started thrashing. Even if they wanted to try and Heal her, they couldn't do that either."
Talia had realized that could only mean one thing. "She wasn't willing? But… she was unconscious!" People who had a very strong will to not be Healed could reject the Healing.
Devan shrugged, "It wasn't just will. They couldn't even get that far."
Talia looked blank.
"Her mental shield… was incredible."
Talia didn't know what to make of that information. A mental shield strong enough to bar Healers… it just wasn't supposed to happen that way. But if it was strong enough to bar Healers, that could be why she couldn't pinpoint where the flares of emotion were coming from.
A barrier strong enough to keep those who usually could get in, out, and the things that usually leaked out, in.
She could almost feel the headache coming.
As Talia had stood to leave, feeling unsure of how to proceed with this enigma, Devan had left her with one more bit of information.
"Ah yes, I almost forgot. There was one of your own that witnessed the entire scene. A Herald Mikel, who had been put in that room before our little puzzle came along."
Herald Mikel. She didn't know him very well, but she knew that he was Chosen of the Companion Cera. Well, she would simply have to search him out.
::But now what should I do?:: Talia didn't know whether in this case it would be better to try and find Mikel or to just go and find the girl, Lyrissa.
She bit her lip slightly. ::If her shields are good enough to stop me from finding her, my Empathy might not be as effective unless I come fully prepared::
It was odd that she was thinking of this situation so differently than any other she had tackled, but this one was different. Talia had never had someone hide from her before, even unconsciously.
Just as Talia had decided it might be best to find Herald Mikel after all, she heard footsteps heading towards her. Pushing herself away from the doorframe, she turned to see a familiar sandy brown haired man murmuring to himself as if concentrating very hard.
"Why hello Jesin."
The Healer in question raised his head, blinking slowly before recognizing the source of the voice. "Talia! Been a while since I've seen you floating around our halls. Are you here to help with one of the bedridden?"
She shook her head slightly, although a faint smile danced on her lips. "Sadly no, it's other business this time. I was just talking with Devan about a mystery that's been flittering in and out of my senses for the past three weeks."
"Ahh," Jesin glanced at Devan's door and sighed. "I suppose he's busy? I was hoping to talk to him."
"I'm sure he's not too busy," Talia said soothingly, "But what's the urgency? Perhaps I can help, if it's not something only Devan can do."
Jesin's eyes brightened, "Yes, maybe you can actually. You see ah…" and now he coughed a bit delicately. "I wish to speak with the new ambassadors. Er, the gryphon ambassadors to be exact."
An arched eyebrow in response. "Really? And what would the reason for that be? Despite many reassurances, I know most people prefer to keep their distance." The voice was light and teasing, but still held a grain of truth in it.
Talia was right on that account; Jesin would prefer to keep his distance. But it seemed like a good time to start casting away prejudices. "Ah well. I was thinking that perhaps they could provide me with some… information."
"Of what sort that you can't locate in your libraries or among your fellow knowledgeable Healers?" Talia was genuinely curious now.
"Counter-Healing."
~~ ^ ~~
::Chosen::
Mikel waved his hand idly in his sleep, as if trying to brush away the voice echoing in his mind.
::Chosen!:: the voice intruded more emphatically.
::Mmph, a healing Herald needs his rest, Cera love:: Mikel's eyes were still closed, willing the voice to take the hint as he rolled over on his side. ::Is it truly necessary to rouse me?::
The Healers had pronounced him fit to leave earlier that day, but Mikel had seen the incoming rain storm and decided that it was better to nap in the patient area then to try and hobble back and risk getting drenched. Cera teased him of being lazy, but Mikel had casually decided to ignore the comment. The warm, humid air that accompanied the approaching storm had quickly lulled him to sleep.
::Chosen, yes. Jayce has found that girl:: The emphasis on the word that made Mikel open his eyes in confusion. Did she mean…?
Before Mikel could finish the thought, Cera interrupted again. ::Jayce is frantic, and hooves cannot carry:: A pause, and then more softly. ::The girl… he thinks she may be dying::
~ Gryphons? Companions? Everything's just getting more and more complicated ;) Thumbs up? Thumbs down? Tell me what you think! ^_^ I'm at six reviews and counting at the time of this post, so I'd love to hear from you =) Thanks to those who have already left their mark! See you in Chapter 4 ~