Disclaimer: ...don't own Valdemar... Heralds... Companions... anything else. I'm just writing this for fun, ne? Seraphim, Tessin and Lani are characters that I created, but since they are Companions I only have a half-claim on them. Did that make any sense?

Notes: This is all about Companions, ne? Well there isn't a whole lot about the Companions' society in the books, is there? I wrote them a lot like people- friends, family, elders, etc. Seraphim even has a 'crush' on another Companion. Their society, as far as my writing is concerned, is a lot like that of their Heralds. Just like white, horse-shaped humans! ^_~

Angel Wings

Chapter Two: Life In Itself

I stood and stared blankly out across the water, my mind wandering through not only Valdemar but several other countries as well. Standing in front of the lake next to Companion's Field, I let my eyes play out across the shining water. Finally, I looked down and tilted my head to the side.

White skin and hair, silver hooves, blue eyes. Nothing unusual at all...

If you didn't know, you'd think I was normal.

...I squinted at my reflection and strained my muscles, releasing my wings. A puff of soft feathers and they appeared, staring back at me from the water. Graceful curves arched from my shoulders and spread out from my sides...

These wings, these beautiful wings, were what kept me away from everyone else. Rolan and Gwena, when I was born, had spoken with my Mother. It was decided that the wings should be kept a secret.

A circle of four; Rolan, Gwena, Mother and myself... and no one else knew.

:Sera?:

:Hm? Oh!: I jumped slightly, surprised when my name -- or at least the shortened form of it -- was called. My wings were still out! With a quick thought I pulled them back, and they vanished into my hide. Turning, I looked back toward the Field. :Lani!:

The other Companion was just coming over the horizon, having Mindcalled to me before she was in sight. :I was looking for you!: She told me as she approached, :Taeas said he saw you come over here, so-: she paused, :what's wrong?:

:Nothing.:

Lani looked at me speculatively. :Are you sure?:

:Oh, yes.: I assured her, :I was just thinking. Lani, have Companions always been the same?:

:What do you mean?:

I looked back out at the glassy surface of the lake as she stopped to stand beside me, :have we always been this way? I mean white with silver hooves and blue eyes. Have we ever been any other way? Colors or... other things?:

:Other things?: Lani sounded confused; :not to my knowledge, why?:

:No reason. I was just wondering.:

:Oh.: She paused. :I actually came to tell you that three went out on their Choosing Journeys today. THREE!:

:Really?: I asked, interested. Neither Lani nor I were quite old enough to go out on our own Choosing Journeys, and as young Companions we both found the idea fascinating. Besides that, three Companions leaving in one day was nearly unheard of. :Who was it?:

:Sinca, Phoeley and Bristal. They all showed up at the stables this morning and left just after dawn.:

:Bristal left-? He's barely older than us!:

:Hm.: Lani agreed, :I know. Rolan is worried.:

:I'm sure he is.:

And he would have had reason to be; Choosing Journeys were normally few-and-far-between. But in the last few days there had been more and more Companions leaving to find their Chosen humans. In the past, so many Choosings in such a short time had heralded wars... Companions were replacing those who would be lost in the battles to come. Hence Rolan being worried.

Was that happening again?

:...Sera?: Suddenly Lani sounded hesitant. :...about the Choosing Journeys...:

:What about them?:

:I think...: She paused, considering, then; :I think my time is coming, too.:

:What-?: I blinked. She didn't mean... :Lani-:

:I can feel it, in my heart. It's hard to describe. I think-: Lani sighed, :I think I'm going to be leaving soon.:

I was shocked; Lani and I weren't old enough to go out Choosing yet! Bristal was barely old enough. It couldn't be happening this soon, could it? Choosing Journeys were sometimes dangerous... she could get hurt. And Lani... she was my best friend... one of my only friends. If she left then I would be on my own...

Not that I haven't been on my own for my whole life, but-

I shook my head, :Lani! You can't-:

:I know, Sera, but it's not as if I have a choice in the matter.:

No choice? Oh yes, an irony to the Choosing Journeys; it may be called Choosing, but in reality, as Lani had stated, there was no choice. I had been told about it many times by Mother -- a strange feeling in your heart, like someone calling from far away. And then you know, you just know where you have to go. Far away or near to you, either way, you go to where your heart and mind is telling you. The Calling is something you can't ignore...

Mother's story of her own Calling and Choosing Inis is something I'd often thought about. I spent a lot of time -- when not pondering my own existence -- wondering what my own Calling would be like.

...I wasn't even sure that I would be Called. My differences made me think it might not happen at all...

:Lani...:

Lani flicked an ear, :I just... thought you should know before I leave.:

:But -- if you go, then... I'll be alone...:

She nudged my side comfortingly, :Sera! No, you won't! Anyone from the Herd is perfectly willing to be your friend. You could have friends to last a lifetime... but you're so distant... we've been friends for a long time, right? Sera, tell me before I leave. What is it that you're afraid of?:

:I can't tell you, Lani.:

:You keep telling me that.:

:And I really mean it. I can't.:

:Why?:

:...Rolan won't let me.: I whispered, then shook my head at her startled blink. :I just can't. Sorry.:

I'd known Lani for my whole life, practically since I was born, but even she didn't know about me. Sometimes I wished I could tell her. I wished she could understand, but I didn't know for sure what she would say, and I couldn't take that chance... Companions are supposed to be nearly ethereal beings, understanding and loving beyond compare, but even we can be fickle sometimes...

I just couldn't take the chance.

:When do you think you'll be going?: I asked softly.

Lani shook her head, her mane ruffling; :I'm not sure. Not today, and probably not tomorrow, but....soon after that for sure. That's all I can tell right now.: She lipped my neck, :I'm sorry, Sera. I know you don't want me to go...: she paused, then added, her eyes twinkling and a distinct hint of amusement in her Voice; :besides, you'll always have HIM.:

If I could have blushed, I would have. Instead, my hide twitched.

Him.

Meriol.

The only other Companion in the Field that I was willing to get close to, emotionally. Another of my friends. And, the Companion that I yearned for. He was tall and muscular; his neck curved in a graceful, handsome way. His eyes sparkled mischievously when he spoke. He was lovely. Kind. Giving. He cared for me. He was everything I could have wanted in a perspective love interest...

I wanted him to be more than just another of my friends...

But he didn't know. Of course he didn't know. How could I tell him, when he didn't even know about the differences between us?

:Hm. Stop that, Lani.: I turned my head away, :it's none of your business, anyway.:

:Isn't it?: Lani chuckled, :I see you pining for him all the time! Just tell him how you feel and be done with it!:

:Lani!:

:What?: She shrugged, just a ripple of her silver hide, :anyhow,: a glance at the sky and then; :it's almost time for the Race. Come on or we'll be late!:

The Races. Another thing that I shouldn't participate in... the exhilaration of the race, the wind whipping past me, the fierce competition... it was too much sometimes... it made my wings ache to be released from beneath my skin...

I shouldn't participate. If I lost control...

But how I loved to run.

:Yeah.: I agreed, turning around, :let's go!: