Chapter 2 (I hadn't split the original book into chapters, but this is
where I left off last time. R&R, please!)
Disclaimer: None of Mercedes Lackey's stuff is mine (too bad). The characters are original. The only real reason I put it under ML is because I used some of her knowledge on Mind-Magic and Mage-Gift. That's it. Don't sue me, I'm broke.
And then she wasn't alone anymore. A middle-aged man had come to sit beside her. He had dark brown hair and even darker eyes. "I am the Ambassador of Tonnar. Call me Tyrel. I understand that you are apprentice to Head Mage Keren?"
"Yes, sir. Along with Damon and Avery," she said timidly. At the mention, of Avery, the man scowled.
"I happen to be a mage, too. I also think that I am more suited to your particular abilities and more suited to be your mentor than Keren. She is already Head Mage with two other apprentices. Not to mention that one of the apprentices is a corrupted demon-child. I am sure you would rather come with me?" the man asked icily, and a chill went down Alder's spine.
"Not to be rude, but no, sir. Keren has assured me that she has enough time. And I have met the other apprentices. Neither seem corrupted in any way sir," she replied just as coldly.
"I would watch out for the girl. Avery, I think. She has been known to attack the people who anger her. She- sadly, the girl is mentally unbalanced," he said mock sympathetically.
"Doubtful. She seemed quite sane enough to me. Sir," she said coldly, when Keren appeared at her side.
"Tyrel. I see that you have met my apprentice, Alder," Keren said patiently.
"I have, and what a charming girl she is! Now, Keren, you overwork yourself! I would be happy to take her off your hands."
"She is no burden on me. Thank you for your offer, but I am quite sure I can handle my duties adequately. Maybe you should do yours before you get an apprentice. Now Alder and I must go. Goodbye, Ambassador," Keren said formally, and then abruptly turned on her heel, Alder barely a step behind.
"He is- there's no other word… greasy. He seemed so fake," Alder stated.
"Right on both counts. He is a rather nasty person to get involved with. I'm sorry that I didn't notice sooner. I talked with the mages. I have to go to an emergency meeting over the Emelis-Tonnar feud, and also the invisibility magic. Looks to be a long day. Can you make it back to the suite by yourself? I'm sorry that this is so short-notice. I am sure Avery or Damon would like to show you around," Keren said regretfully.
"I can make it back on my own. Thank you, Keren," Keren patted her back affectionately, and left Alder to find her way back.
Alder had taken a wrong turn, and continued in the wrong direction until Damon's MindCall set her in the right direction. As she neared the door, she looked at the plaque on the door again. Avery of Emelis. So that's where that name was familiar.
Alder entered the room and was greeted by Avery herself. "How was your reception?" she asked.
"Uh- interesting would be the best word. I wasn't informed that Keren was a good friend of the Queen! We had to go into her private office to talk about a new magic or something-rather. Then I went and happened to make the acquaintance of a certain Ambassador Tyrel of Tonnar. Now wasn't that I lovely experience? Not quite," she said spitefully.
"Tyrel. You met Tyrel? I bet he had many charming things to say about me! What did he tell you?" Avery asked, looking eager and slightly disturbed.
"Basically that you are mean, possessed by demons, mentally unbalanced, and corrupted. He told me that you hurt people that anger you. Now, I highly doubt those things!"
"You can judge for yourself whether I am mean or not, but I am not possessed by anything other than my own strong will. I think everyone is slightly mentally unbalanced, but I am just as sane as you or Keren! As for hurting people, he got that idea because his damned nephew tried to harass me and didn't know that I could fight back and defend myself. It was purely self protection, and I did NOT enjoy it under anyone's standards!"
"You aren't at all mean. About his nephew, that is horrible! Did you tell anyone?"
"Keren, Damon, and my other mage-teacher Syris. And my riding-teacher Kat. They brought it before Council, but couldn't give any real punishment because of Tyrel. He argued that I was just out to get anyone from Tonnar just because I am from Emelis. Tyrel and his nephew are both nasty, conniving man," she stated bluntly.
"Ever since I got here I have been hearing about Tonnar and Emelis. What's the deal?" Alder asked.
"It's a long story, but to make a long story as short as possible, there were two friends who wanted to found a city a long time ago. Their views on how to settle and make a holding differed greatly. They split, and made two cities: Tonnar and Emelis, both named after their founders. Tonnar became greedy, and tried to take over Emelis's fortress, but couldn't get past its defenses. Ever since then there has been a land feud. Last year, to try to make peace, Emelis's leader's second daughter was going to be married to Tonnar's heir to the holding. The wedding was to be held at a mid-point between the two cities. Then, during the wedding, bandits came. They killed both bride and groom, and several guests who couldn't escape. I was lucky- I was there and I escaped. Sometimes I wished I hadn't," Avery whispered.
"That's horrible! I am so sorry. What happened then?"
"Tonnar took this twist of fate as a conspiracy against itself- and has been preparing to attack ever since. And last month, the attacks began. My dad made me go with Keren six months ago because he was worried for my safety and it was the safest place to get my training here in Brighton. I haven't heard from my family. And my sister was the bride in that wedding." Tears welled in Avery's eyes.
"I wish there was something that I could do for you. I am glad that you escaped, though. I would be very lonely here without you." Alder handed Avery a handkerchief, with which Avery dried her eyes.
"I'm okay. What hurts the most is that Tonnar is blaming the death of my own sister on us! It is just another excuse for them to attack us. For all I know they probably arranged the 'bandit' attack in the first place," Avery said, and sniffed. "Don't listen to Tyrel. He will hurt you," she said, her expression changing to a serious one. "Now why don't you change? I want to show you around. We could go get you that new horse that you need!" She smiled, and Alder went and got ready to go tour the Palace. And hopefully ride Magic, or the promised new horse!
Avery saved the best for last. After touring the Mage School and the "Practice Room" (for practicing magic safely in a room full of shields), the Minstrel's Guild, and the Healer's building, they had finally arrived at the stables. The stables were huge, with rows upon rows of horses of every kind imaginable. Avery led her down one aisle, and near the end Alder found Magic.
"This one is my pony. Keren told me I would be needing a new horse?" Alder asked.
"Yes. This one is on the old side. Keren wanted to teach you trick riding and archery from atop a horse. She always says that there may be a time in your life when your magic reserves are depleted and you have to defend yourself through 'normal means'," Avery said, sounding very much like Keren. "You are going to need a horse with good stamina, on the younger side, and it's going to have to be one of the highly trained horses. So, I should introduce you to the Horse Master. Her name is Cassidy, but she hates the name. I rather like it, but anyways she goes by Kat," she laughed, and turned a corner into the last aisle of horses and knocked on a door.
"C'min!" came a brusque female voice. Avery pushed the door open and entered. "Avery! Long time no see! Who is our guest?"
"Kat, this is Alder. Alder, this is Kat. Alder is Keren's newest apprentice. Keren wanted her to get special riding lessons," Avery said.
"Trick riding and archery?" Alder nodded. "Okay. Let's find a good horse for you then!" Kat stood up. "How much experience do you have in riding?"
"Not much- I had basic lessons to stay ON a horse, but I wasn't allowed to ride much because it was 'unladylike'," Alder said, and Kat emitted a very unladylike snort that would have made Lindsay gasp in horror. Alder giggled at the thought.
"The horses that I train for special purposes are usually well bred mares or geldings- in the last aisle on the left."
"Nolar- my father- always bred stallions. That is what I learned to ride on. My horse here is an old gelding, since that is the only horse they wanted to part with. Why is it only geldings and mares, instead of stallions?" Alder inquired.
"Stallions usually don't have the best tempers. They lose there heads when spooked or on a battle scene. They are also infamous for chasing after mares and geldings, which can most definitely be used against them," Keren said, and came to a halt at the last aisle. There were mares and geldings of every color. Alder walked down the line, offering her hand to the horses to sniff. One at the end of the aisle caught her eye. It was a beautiful jet-black mare, with no spots of color whatsoever. Its deep brown eyes showed real intelligence.
"Alder ran her finger along the horse's flanks and checked its hooves and teeth. She patted the horse's neck, and it snorted with pleasure. "You know more than you think! That was a good check that you gave her. What do you think?" Keren asked.
"Absolutely beautiful, for one. She seems patient (as she didn't stomp at me when I checked her hooves. You said yourself that these horses are specifically suited to what I need to learn. You said it was a she?"
"Yes, and if you want her, she is yours. She is a particularly intelligent beast. One of my favorites to train. What will it be?" She asked.
"I'll take her!" Alder exclaimed happily. "Does she have a name?"
"No, she is yet unnamed. Go ahead!"
Avery snickered. "How about… Cassidy? Cassie?" Avery and Alder both burst out laughing at the look on Kat's face.
"Could you have spared my pride? No, shoulda thought of who I was asking. Bah! Young people today!" Kat said, mock-offended, and laughed.
Alder was thinking of names for her new horse, and really looked at Kat. She looked to be in her late twenties, and was extremely tall. She was quite tan, probably from teaching equestrian in the sun every day. She had wavy dark red hair that was tied up in a ponytail, and hazel eyes. She was well-muscled and trim. She had full lips that had frequent smile lines around them. She dressed appropriately for the head Palace Horse-Mistress; She was wearing riding leathers. She was quite pretty.
"I've got it! I want to name her Kaila. Kai for short," Alder pronounced. Kat bowned and touched the shoulders and forehead of the horse.
"I hereby christen thee Kaila, with the power invested in me as Palace Horse-Mistress. Kaila, the noble steed of Alder of…" Kat's dignity vanished as she cocked an eyebrow up at Alder.
"Callista," Alder supplied.
"Kaila, The noble steed of Alder of Callista!" Kat said, resuming the grave face of dignity as she 'christened' Kaila. Avery and Alder laughed. "Avery, saddle up Casey and Nike. Alder, do you have tack?"
"Yeah, but it is getting old, along with Magic."
"Then let's get you some new tack!"
AN- I have to go study for finals. I'll type more up later.
Disclaimer: None of Mercedes Lackey's stuff is mine (too bad). The characters are original. The only real reason I put it under ML is because I used some of her knowledge on Mind-Magic and Mage-Gift. That's it. Don't sue me, I'm broke.
And then she wasn't alone anymore. A middle-aged man had come to sit beside her. He had dark brown hair and even darker eyes. "I am the Ambassador of Tonnar. Call me Tyrel. I understand that you are apprentice to Head Mage Keren?"
"Yes, sir. Along with Damon and Avery," she said timidly. At the mention, of Avery, the man scowled.
"I happen to be a mage, too. I also think that I am more suited to your particular abilities and more suited to be your mentor than Keren. She is already Head Mage with two other apprentices. Not to mention that one of the apprentices is a corrupted demon-child. I am sure you would rather come with me?" the man asked icily, and a chill went down Alder's spine.
"Not to be rude, but no, sir. Keren has assured me that she has enough time. And I have met the other apprentices. Neither seem corrupted in any way sir," she replied just as coldly.
"I would watch out for the girl. Avery, I think. She has been known to attack the people who anger her. She- sadly, the girl is mentally unbalanced," he said mock sympathetically.
"Doubtful. She seemed quite sane enough to me. Sir," she said coldly, when Keren appeared at her side.
"Tyrel. I see that you have met my apprentice, Alder," Keren said patiently.
"I have, and what a charming girl she is! Now, Keren, you overwork yourself! I would be happy to take her off your hands."
"She is no burden on me. Thank you for your offer, but I am quite sure I can handle my duties adequately. Maybe you should do yours before you get an apprentice. Now Alder and I must go. Goodbye, Ambassador," Keren said formally, and then abruptly turned on her heel, Alder barely a step behind.
"He is- there's no other word… greasy. He seemed so fake," Alder stated.
"Right on both counts. He is a rather nasty person to get involved with. I'm sorry that I didn't notice sooner. I talked with the mages. I have to go to an emergency meeting over the Emelis-Tonnar feud, and also the invisibility magic. Looks to be a long day. Can you make it back to the suite by yourself? I'm sorry that this is so short-notice. I am sure Avery or Damon would like to show you around," Keren said regretfully.
"I can make it back on my own. Thank you, Keren," Keren patted her back affectionately, and left Alder to find her way back.
Alder had taken a wrong turn, and continued in the wrong direction until Damon's MindCall set her in the right direction. As she neared the door, she looked at the plaque on the door again. Avery of Emelis. So that's where that name was familiar.
Alder entered the room and was greeted by Avery herself. "How was your reception?" she asked.
"Uh- interesting would be the best word. I wasn't informed that Keren was a good friend of the Queen! We had to go into her private office to talk about a new magic or something-rather. Then I went and happened to make the acquaintance of a certain Ambassador Tyrel of Tonnar. Now wasn't that I lovely experience? Not quite," she said spitefully.
"Tyrel. You met Tyrel? I bet he had many charming things to say about me! What did he tell you?" Avery asked, looking eager and slightly disturbed.
"Basically that you are mean, possessed by demons, mentally unbalanced, and corrupted. He told me that you hurt people that anger you. Now, I highly doubt those things!"
"You can judge for yourself whether I am mean or not, but I am not possessed by anything other than my own strong will. I think everyone is slightly mentally unbalanced, but I am just as sane as you or Keren! As for hurting people, he got that idea because his damned nephew tried to harass me and didn't know that I could fight back and defend myself. It was purely self protection, and I did NOT enjoy it under anyone's standards!"
"You aren't at all mean. About his nephew, that is horrible! Did you tell anyone?"
"Keren, Damon, and my other mage-teacher Syris. And my riding-teacher Kat. They brought it before Council, but couldn't give any real punishment because of Tyrel. He argued that I was just out to get anyone from Tonnar just because I am from Emelis. Tyrel and his nephew are both nasty, conniving man," she stated bluntly.
"Ever since I got here I have been hearing about Tonnar and Emelis. What's the deal?" Alder asked.
"It's a long story, but to make a long story as short as possible, there were two friends who wanted to found a city a long time ago. Their views on how to settle and make a holding differed greatly. They split, and made two cities: Tonnar and Emelis, both named after their founders. Tonnar became greedy, and tried to take over Emelis's fortress, but couldn't get past its defenses. Ever since then there has been a land feud. Last year, to try to make peace, Emelis's leader's second daughter was going to be married to Tonnar's heir to the holding. The wedding was to be held at a mid-point between the two cities. Then, during the wedding, bandits came. They killed both bride and groom, and several guests who couldn't escape. I was lucky- I was there and I escaped. Sometimes I wished I hadn't," Avery whispered.
"That's horrible! I am so sorry. What happened then?"
"Tonnar took this twist of fate as a conspiracy against itself- and has been preparing to attack ever since. And last month, the attacks began. My dad made me go with Keren six months ago because he was worried for my safety and it was the safest place to get my training here in Brighton. I haven't heard from my family. And my sister was the bride in that wedding." Tears welled in Avery's eyes.
"I wish there was something that I could do for you. I am glad that you escaped, though. I would be very lonely here without you." Alder handed Avery a handkerchief, with which Avery dried her eyes.
"I'm okay. What hurts the most is that Tonnar is blaming the death of my own sister on us! It is just another excuse for them to attack us. For all I know they probably arranged the 'bandit' attack in the first place," Avery said, and sniffed. "Don't listen to Tyrel. He will hurt you," she said, her expression changing to a serious one. "Now why don't you change? I want to show you around. We could go get you that new horse that you need!" She smiled, and Alder went and got ready to go tour the Palace. And hopefully ride Magic, or the promised new horse!
Avery saved the best for last. After touring the Mage School and the "Practice Room" (for practicing magic safely in a room full of shields), the Minstrel's Guild, and the Healer's building, they had finally arrived at the stables. The stables were huge, with rows upon rows of horses of every kind imaginable. Avery led her down one aisle, and near the end Alder found Magic.
"This one is my pony. Keren told me I would be needing a new horse?" Alder asked.
"Yes. This one is on the old side. Keren wanted to teach you trick riding and archery from atop a horse. She always says that there may be a time in your life when your magic reserves are depleted and you have to defend yourself through 'normal means'," Avery said, sounding very much like Keren. "You are going to need a horse with good stamina, on the younger side, and it's going to have to be one of the highly trained horses. So, I should introduce you to the Horse Master. Her name is Cassidy, but she hates the name. I rather like it, but anyways she goes by Kat," she laughed, and turned a corner into the last aisle of horses and knocked on a door.
"C'min!" came a brusque female voice. Avery pushed the door open and entered. "Avery! Long time no see! Who is our guest?"
"Kat, this is Alder. Alder, this is Kat. Alder is Keren's newest apprentice. Keren wanted her to get special riding lessons," Avery said.
"Trick riding and archery?" Alder nodded. "Okay. Let's find a good horse for you then!" Kat stood up. "How much experience do you have in riding?"
"Not much- I had basic lessons to stay ON a horse, but I wasn't allowed to ride much because it was 'unladylike'," Alder said, and Kat emitted a very unladylike snort that would have made Lindsay gasp in horror. Alder giggled at the thought.
"The horses that I train for special purposes are usually well bred mares or geldings- in the last aisle on the left."
"Nolar- my father- always bred stallions. That is what I learned to ride on. My horse here is an old gelding, since that is the only horse they wanted to part with. Why is it only geldings and mares, instead of stallions?" Alder inquired.
"Stallions usually don't have the best tempers. They lose there heads when spooked or on a battle scene. They are also infamous for chasing after mares and geldings, which can most definitely be used against them," Keren said, and came to a halt at the last aisle. There were mares and geldings of every color. Alder walked down the line, offering her hand to the horses to sniff. One at the end of the aisle caught her eye. It was a beautiful jet-black mare, with no spots of color whatsoever. Its deep brown eyes showed real intelligence.
"Alder ran her finger along the horse's flanks and checked its hooves and teeth. She patted the horse's neck, and it snorted with pleasure. "You know more than you think! That was a good check that you gave her. What do you think?" Keren asked.
"Absolutely beautiful, for one. She seems patient (as she didn't stomp at me when I checked her hooves. You said yourself that these horses are specifically suited to what I need to learn. You said it was a she?"
"Yes, and if you want her, she is yours. She is a particularly intelligent beast. One of my favorites to train. What will it be?" She asked.
"I'll take her!" Alder exclaimed happily. "Does she have a name?"
"No, she is yet unnamed. Go ahead!"
Avery snickered. "How about… Cassidy? Cassie?" Avery and Alder both burst out laughing at the look on Kat's face.
"Could you have spared my pride? No, shoulda thought of who I was asking. Bah! Young people today!" Kat said, mock-offended, and laughed.
Alder was thinking of names for her new horse, and really looked at Kat. She looked to be in her late twenties, and was extremely tall. She was quite tan, probably from teaching equestrian in the sun every day. She had wavy dark red hair that was tied up in a ponytail, and hazel eyes. She was well-muscled and trim. She had full lips that had frequent smile lines around them. She dressed appropriately for the head Palace Horse-Mistress; She was wearing riding leathers. She was quite pretty.
"I've got it! I want to name her Kaila. Kai for short," Alder pronounced. Kat bowned and touched the shoulders and forehead of the horse.
"I hereby christen thee Kaila, with the power invested in me as Palace Horse-Mistress. Kaila, the noble steed of Alder of…" Kat's dignity vanished as she cocked an eyebrow up at Alder.
"Callista," Alder supplied.
"Kaila, The noble steed of Alder of Callista!" Kat said, resuming the grave face of dignity as she 'christened' Kaila. Avery and Alder laughed. "Avery, saddle up Casey and Nike. Alder, do you have tack?"
"Yeah, but it is getting old, along with Magic."
"Then let's get you some new tack!"
AN- I have to go study for finals. I'll type more up later.