Chapter 7

Kevyn tried for the third time to catch Sherri's attention.  She had stared at the book in her hands for several minutes no with out moving.  There was a crease between her arched brows that told him she was deep in thought.  It was a pity she refused to go south to Haven and be taught by the gathered teachers there.  Instead she was cloistering herself up in the frozen north away from human contact, where the only living people she saw thought of her only as a slightly eccentric, thoughtful, lady. 

:I would feel more comfortable if we trained her.  I have nothing against those three but their knowledge is centuries out of date.:  His Companion, Dominick, commented.

:They have centuries of experience that we don't have.:  Kevyn pointed out.  :As she said, she is happy here.:

It was two weeks since Altra had appeared.  He had Dominick send word to Haven that he would be back in three weeks.  The Circle said that was alright, so long as he explained the delay when he returned.  He was surprised to find they need that much time just to find the record.  The Sorrows library was massive, even larger than the one at the palace.  There were ancient tomes of poetry, new tales of adventure, texts about every science known, and detailed records about almost everything to do with Valdemar since founding, such as amount of rain fall, crop harvests, population, judgements, even fashion.

Sherri finally stirred and replaced the book on the shelf.

"Was it an interesting book?"

Sherri blinked like she was coming out of a long sleep.  "I don't know.  I was just thinking."

"What about?"

Sherri blushed slightly and stepped down off her later.  "My Uncles.  I haven't heard from them in weeks."

"Avren was fine when I left.  At least I think so.  I have only heard him says six words since he started under the Lord Martial."

"That's more than me.  Only Uncle Favram bothered to even make a visit back here after Ancar, Hulda, and Falcon's Bane were vanquished."  A tinge of bitterness coloured her voice.  "Ciro did send me the pony he promised.  A fat little thing no one can find any use for."

"I would say at least he thought of you, but…"

"But he didn't."  Sherri completed for him.  "Since the war I only here from them once every few months.  Before it was almost every week.  Van geased them."

"Do you write back?"

Sherri nodded and picked up another dark, leather bound book.  "Quite regularly with updates on the estate.  They don't read them."

"And of course you know when they didn't when they finally write you back."

"The notes reminding me to listen to Nurse tell me that.  I made her the Housekeeper when I was seven."

"They sound as bad as my family.  My brother wants me to put Nick out to stud."

Sherri laughed at the comical expression on his face.  "Van told me a great deal about his family.  Especially when I was feeling cheated.  Apparently his father just couldn't get it through his head that Y'fandes was not a horse."

"You miss them."

"Over course I do.  But what can I do about it.  They will return when the Storms are over."  Sherri turned away from Kevyn so he wouldn't see her doubt.  They were at the centre of these Storms.  They were Power.  The Final Storm could destroy their very being.

"Tell me about your ghosts.  I have never met anyone who could claim one as a close friend."

"Stef was ecstatic to have a new audience.  Every time I visited them he would sing or play the gittern.  He has a wonderful voice."  Sherri smiled at the memories of their impromptu concerts.  "So does Van for that matter.  Stef started teaching me how to play almost immediately.  As time passed I ordered the purchase of new instruments and music books.  I have stacks of songs we wrote together."

"Are you Bardic gifted as well?"

"Hardly."  Sherri shook her head.  "I have the Talent and the Creativity but not enough to even earn a second look from a Bard."

"I thought you were very talented."

Sherri remembered her flight after seeing her mother's ghost.  "Practice will eventually make something resembling perfect I suppose."

"Van taught you magic."

"And estate management.  He was in line to become Lord Ashkevron before he was Chosen.  The theory hasn't changed much.  He remembered a great deal from the great wars his father and his brother held over whether to raise sheep or horses on a particular plot.  His anecdotes helped more than he realises.  Magic came later, after I started to become a danger to myself and everyone else around me."

"And his Companion?"

Sherri grinned widely.  "She teases both of them mercilessly.  She still calls Van a peacock, even though it has been centuries since he has even changed his clothes.  She taught me to ride as well.  When I was younger I wanted to have a Companion just like her."

"And you don't anymore?"

"I realised it was an impossible dream."  Sherri answered.  "We better get looking again.  You have to leave tomorrow in order to make it back in time."

Kevyn was startled.  He hadn't mentioned how long he would stay to her yet.  He had been about to ask Nick to send word he was going to be longer than expected.

Sherri started climbing the ladder leading to the upper levels of the books shelf.

"Do you think we will find it today?"

"Yes, it was on the south wall."  Sherri called down and touched the spine of another book.  "Could you push me down a few feet?  I think I see it."

Kevyn obliged her and rolled the ladder a few feet further.

"No, that is 'Folktales of Valdemar'."  Sherri sighed. 

It took another candlemark of searching before they found it sandwich between a massive red leather book of poetry and a slightly smaller one on healing herbs.

Sherri carefully pulled it free and clutched it to her chest as she descended the ladder.

As she stepped down another rung the book caught on a worn spindle.  Sherri flailed her free arm for balance as she teetered backwards.  As she fell backwards Kevyn automatically reached up to catch her and both hit the floor. 

Sherri gasped for breath as she scrambled off the prone Herald.  "Are you alright?"

Kevyn nodded.  "Just fine.  You?"

Sherri relaxed and tilted her head to one side.  "I landed on you, of course I am alright.  And thank you for catching me.  But you best leave tomorrow."

Kevyn looked up with a rather stunned expression.  "How—never mind."  He remembered her hand hitting his neck when they collided.

Sherri picked up the miraculously undamaged book.  "The feud may break out again."

"You are right.  The last Storm should pass in a few days.  I will stay till then."

"No."  Sherri smiled.  "I don't need you to stay and care for me.  I also have a letter for my uncle I would like you to carry back.  Maybe he will actually read this one."

"I could remind him if you wish."

"No point.  It is just more of the same.  It is more to remind him to write me.  I am curious about what is going on down south."  Sherri flipped through the pages of the old tome.  "Here we are.  This book covers the five year span that relates to the maps."

He leaned over her shoulder and peered down at the cramped writing.

"I wish I could have met this Chronicler.  He was certainly an interesting fellow.  Anyways, here you can see the listing of the land as belonging to Lord Jiren.  It also says he has one daughter."

"Who was his daughter?"

"Herald Shyla.  She died this year in the war with Karse."  Sherri pointed out the tiny black 'x' next to her name.  She flipped two years or so along until she found the same land listed again.  "There, Lord Jiren, dead, no heirs."  The next year the land was listed as crown property.

 "We would have been searching for years for that and it would take years longer to decipher it."

Sherri stuck pieces of paper in the relevant places and handed him the massive book.  "It was my pleasure.  Would you care to join me for a private dinner?" 

"Dinner?"

Sherri smiled warmly.  "I saw your mind.  You were thinking of asking me to join you for a private dinner."

"I wouldn't have asked.  You are a Countess."

"I am well aware of that."  Sherri said with a smile. 

"And you want me as a lover?"  Kevyn asked warily.

"I want you as a friend."  Sherri insisted.  "If you wish, feel free to read my mind."

"There is no need.  I have no desire to anger your uncles."

Sherri grimaced and sighed.  "They aren't even here and they still destroy my love life."

"What is the real reason you are asking?"

Sherri blushed.  "You are the only person I have ever met where touching is not painful.  But that is not the main reason.  I mean, you are beautiful."

 "Beautiful."

"Never mind."  Sherri shook her head and turned away.  "I better get going.  They were going to finish the stairs today."

She was gone in a heart beat leaving him alone in the great library.

:I had to open my mouth.:  Kevyn commented dryly to his Companion.

:And how would you know her real motives if you didn't?:  Dominick asked logically.

:She is beautiful, intelligent, generous, and loving.  That should speak for her motives.  She lives by the same rules as Heralds.  I don't think she would ever deliberately use anyone.:

:Maybe not deliberately.  But what about unconsciously.  She is alone here.  Maybe she was trying to bind you to her in some way.:

Kevyn shook his head adamantly.  :She wouldn't do that.  She waited until the day before I left, probably so she wouldn't have to face me for weeks if I turned her down.:

Dominick still seemed reserved.

:You are right though.  She is alone up here.  Even when her keep is filled with people she was always a step away from everyone.  Her Gift is keeping her apart from everyone better than a wall could.:

:Maybe all she wanted was human contact.:

Kevyn remembered the blush that painted her cheeks as she asked him if he would join her for a private dinner.  :Maybe, but I doubt she has ever asked anyone before.  We should get ready to go.  She probably wants us out of her hair.:

:You can carry that bloody book.: 

Kevyn laughed.  The day he had been Chosen was the best day of his life.  :Ah, but you will be carrying me.:

:Nope, you are walking.: