~ Chapter 22 ~

Aeric knocked and gripped Tashti's hand tighter.

:I never thought…thank you.:  Aeric said haltingly.  :I never thought anyone else would survive.:

Tashti stepped back slightly as she heard the steps drawing closer. 

The door opened, revealing a slender, pretty woman in her thirties.  She had dark brown hair and eyes, a small scar cut through her right eyebrow but that was the only sign of past difficulties on her.  She wore a dark blue gown with pale blue and yellow embroidery.

The woman stared up at Aeric for several seconds, her face a study in shock and disbelief.  "Rio!  Oh, by the gods."  She started to sob and tossed her arms around his neck.  "I thought you were dead!  I looked every where for you."

Aeric was actually crying as he returned the embrace.  "You haven't changed a bit."

Shantil stepped back and wiped her tears away.  "You are a Herald?  You have been in Valdemar all this time?  So close…"

"I didn't now you were here either.  Tashti was the one who decided to search for you."

"You must be Tashti."  Shantil gave her a wide smile and beckoned them in.

"Aeric, I am going to see to the darlings."  Tashti stepped back rather than intrude.

"Aeric?"

"I changed my name."  Aeric admitted.  "I'll talk to you later."

"Come in, you must tell me everything."  Shantil urged Aeric.

Tashti turned to the waiting Companions.  "Shall we go find an inn or a Waystation?"

:Inn.  It isn't as far away.:  Cryni answered.  :And the stalls are more comfortable.:

Tashti had finished with the Companions and was sprawled on the bed of the room reading when Aeric came looking for her.

"How was it?"  Tashti asked as she shifted over to make room for him on the bed.

"It was hard, and wonderful."  Aeric lay down and gathered her against his side and stared up at the ceiling.  "She has barely changed at all."

"And you have changed completely."  Tashti said confidently.

"Exactly.  I have a nephew named after me now."  Aeric confessed.  "She married a merchant and has three children.  Most importantly, she is happy."

"Good.  Now I suspect she wants us to spend the night."

"She does.  I told her we would tomorrow night, that I wanted some time for it to sink in."

"Perfect.  I can't believe she is still here.  I thought we would be searching for her for ages.  And she recognized you!"

"Apparently I look just like father."  There was a touch of amazement in his voice.

"How did she take you being called Aeric now?"

"She kept forgetting to call me Aeric but she understood why."

"What about your job."

"I didn't tell her I am an assassin."

"I meant you being a Herald."

"She was delighted."

Tashti rested her chin on his chest and studied his face for a moment.  "I think this is the first time I have seen you not brooding.  I like the change."

"I do not brood."

"You do!  Constantly."  Tashti informed him.  "You are too serious for a Herald most of the time."

"Too serious for a Herald?"

"It's not a criticism, it is an observation.  I am just saying I like to see you more relaxed."

"I'll try to relax more then."  Aeric rubbed the back of her neck in small circles.  "Shantil is eager to meet you."

"I look forward to meeting her as well but shouldn't you and her spend a few days alone getting to know each other again?"

"So you can spend the days here twiddling your thumbs?  I would like for you to join us."

"I will then."  Tashti capitulated. 

~ * ~

"So when are you two marrying?"  Shantil asked as she set the tray of refreshments on the table.

Tashti raised her eyebrows and glanced at Aeric.  "We haven't planned on marrying."

"You haven't?"  Shantil glanced between the two as she poured some tea for each of them.  "I suppose that is how Heralds do things."

Tashti accepted the drink and sipped it calmly.  "We were surprised to find you living in Valdemar."

"It seemed the safest place to be.  I am not a warrior like Rio-Aeric, I used every copper I could get my hands on for trying to find the rest of my family.  I used to dream I would bring them all here.  Do you know what happened to Kerry and our parents?"

Tashti glanced at Aeric.  :Would you like me to tell?:

:If you would.:

"Your bother was taken for the army."  Tashti said softly.  "He is guaranteed to be dead.  Your parents were killed by Ancar."

Shantil sank onto a chair.  "I had hoped they would survive too.  I know he went after the nobles first and only a small handful survived but I had still hoped…"

"Have you considered going back?"  Tashti asked.

"No."  Shantil said firmly.  "I belong here now."

"You are a noble."  Tashti pointed out.  "There is no one else to claim your lands."

"Kersen was going to be the lord when he grew up."  Shantil said sadly. 

"I am sorry about your family."  Tashti's voice sounded a little hollow.  "I am sorry, but I am going to go for a walk."

As she stood and left the room silently.

"What's wrong?"  Shantil asked.

"She lost her mother recently."

"The poor little thing."  Shantil started to go after her.

"You don't understand.  Her mother was trying to kill her, Selenay sentenced her to death."

"Oh."  Shantil sat down next to her brother.  "Is she alright?"

"She's fine, she just wants to think."  Aeric assured her. 

"You love her a great deal."  Shantil commented. 

"Beyond everything."  Aeric admitted.

"I am so glad you are happy.  She seems like a really sweet girl."

Shantil stared at Aeric as he laughed.  "I am sorry, but few people would call her sweet.  When she first found her brother she downed him with one punch to the chin."

"Her brother was missing?  Wait, you said her name is Tashti."

"Tashti Hardren."

"Oh my, I have heard of her.  Wasn't she sold as a slave?  And her mother tried to kill her?  Oh gods, she has absolutely no luck in kin." 

Outside Tashti leaned against the tree in the centre of the green and closed her eyes. 

:Sulking?:  Aeric asked, interrupting her thoughts.

:Hardly.  I just felt like I was in the way.:  Tashti admitted.  :You two should just get to know each other.  I'll go wander about.:

:I'll catch up with you later.:  Aeric said then.

"Wonderful."  Tashti sighed.  :Hey, trout, care to see if we can find a pond for you to splash in?:

:I thought trout was outlawed.:   Cryni grumbled.

:Herring was.:

:That was all fish were off the table.:

:Very well.  Did you want to go find a pond, Kelpie?:

:I would like that.  You could bring a picnic.:  Cryni suggested eagerly.

:I'll be there in a little while, I want out of the shoot me suit first.:

Less than a candlemark latter Cryni and Tashti immerged onto the banks of the large pond, hidden in some trees.

"Beautiful spot."

:Definitely romantic, and no one to share it with, not a male Companion within a day's ride.:  Cryni sighed.  :And your darling is sitting with his sister.:

"So we can have a girl's only day.  Too bad Keara chose to remain behind."

:She is too quiet for my taste.  And the wrong gender.:

"You are as bad as Sera."

:Just you be quiet.:  Cryni grumbled and lowered herself under a large tree.  :What are you waiting for, the pastries are getting cold.:

Tashti laughed and started to unpack the lunch.  "Aeric is happy.  It is like he has had a weight lifted off his shoulders.  It is wonderful to see."

:Keara says he is much happier.  And she does say he is less held by the past and more yours now.:

"I am glad to hear it."  Tashti offered an apple pastry to her Companion and chose a chunk of bread and some cheese for herself.  "Do you miss being on Circuit?"

:Not particularly.  You kept putting a strain on my poor heart with your constant scrambling up and down trees, hanging upside down, and all the rest of your little stunts.:

"You enjoyed watching Carlin and Juva fret every time I decided to exercise."

:Juva is such a stick in the mud.  The poor old girl gave me so many lectures…:  Cryni tossed her head in amusement.

"If she wasn't already white you would have turned every hair on her grey."  Tashti laughed.  "And I know Carlin was grateful that it was only a year."

:Remember when you decided to take the quick route home?:

"Gods, it was good to see Aeric."

:You two are so adorable together.:

"Adorable?  Lyra keeps saying we are 'adorable' as well.  But she always adds 'for the deadliest pair in Valdemar'."  Tashti wrapped her bread and cheese up and sprawled in the shade.  "I am going to have a nap.  Enjoy your splashing."

~ * ~

Tashti woke to a warm, toe curling kiss.  :Beloved, you should be with your sister.:

Aeric broke the kiss and met her gaze.  "You looked beautiful."

"You always say that."  Tashti wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down next to her.

"I always mean it."  Aeric assured her.

"Did I miss supper?"

"No.  I decided to come join you for a picnic."

"Cryni may have eaten all the sweets."  Tashti warned.

"The only sweet I was looking for is you."  Aeric assured her.

Tashti laughed.  "That is so corny.  I love you."

"Marry me."

"What?"  Tashti couldn't believe what she had just heard.

"Marry me."  Aeric repeated.

Tashti gaped.  "You asked me to marry you?  Why?"

Aeric actually laughed at her reaction.  "I love you, why else?  I adore you beyond words.  I want to marry you."

Tashti stared at him for so long he started to get nervous.  She thought of all the doubts and worries she had that he would ask.  And now that he had she couldn't believe her ears.

"Do you need time to consider…"  Aeric let his words trail off uncertainly.

"You charming, darling idiot!  Of course I'll marry you!"  Tashti started to laugh.  "What on earth do I have to consider!"

Between kisses Aeric managed to get a slim gold band on her finger.

:I think I am going to cry.:  Cryni said to Keara as she watched the pair.

:Nonsense.:  Keara snorted.  :You wouldn't do anything to disturb them.:

Cryni actually stuck her tongue out at her fellow Companion.  A very ridiculous expression on a Companion.

:Do you think we will get some little ones out of this?:  Cryni asked seriously.

:Oh, can you imagine them with Tashti's talents!  They will be out of the crib and up the nearest wall before they can walk.:

:Oh?  What about Aeric?  Their babes will be born with a permanent mysterious expression on their face.  Their parents will always be wondering what they have been into.:  Cryni challenged.  :Can you imagine Aeric changing diapers?:

:How about Tashti trying to scale a wall with a belly the size of a cart?:

:While you are picturing that, picture Aeric trying to carry her down the wall.:

:How about Gervain getting his perfect clothing smudged with jam or baby spit up.:  Keara snorted in amusement.  :Lovely picture.:

:Lets just hope we don't end up bald from interested baby fingers.:  Cryni couldn't help but picture fat little fingers twined in her mane and tail.

:Lets way to see if we get a baby first.:  Keara said primly.  :And lets just hope they aren't as troublesome as you were.:

:Stuff it sister.:  Cryni grumbled.

Keara gave her best superior look to her much younger sibling.  :I wonder if we get to watch the wedding.:

:Maybe we can convince to have us involved.:  Cryni's ears perked up.  :We would look so good in flowers!  I bet you that would catch Kenyon's attention.:

:Tart.:  Keara responded affectionately as she turned away from the couple under the trees.  :Let's give them some privacy, you will have plenty of time to convince Tashti to wrap you up in flowers later.:

THE END

(for now)