CHAPTER 9
Kevyn woke to the feel of a heavy weight on his chest.
:Finally, you wake.: A slightly familiar voice said in his mind.
Kevyn opened his eyes and found himself nose to nose with Altra the Firecat. "You're back. Did everything go well?" He asked drowsily.
:No. We stopped the cataclysm but…:
The sorrow in the cat's voice cleared his mind of the fog of sleep. "What happened?"
:Our northern friends didn't survive.:
"Herald Vanyel, Bard Stefen, and Yfandes? But they were already dead."
:They lost the part they kept them here. They are truly dead now.:
"Oh Gods, Sherri."
The Firecat stepped off Kevyn's chest. :I know she was rather close to them. I was hoping you could be the one to tell her.:
"Close? They were her teachers, her kin, her anchors. They were much more than close."
:Perhaps you better tell her in person then.:
"I have no doubt she already knows." Kevyn rubbed his face with his hands. "I never thought they wouldn't return."
:One girl's loss of a few friends is nothing compared to the safety of all.: Altra said and walked towards the door.
Kevyn reached out and grabbed the Cat by the throat. Sharp claws scored his forearm. "You came for them. You better go tell her exactly what happened."
Altra's eyes narrowed. Kevyn's grip didn't loosen despite the deep wounds on his arm.
Kevyn released the Cat. Rage still boiled within him. He knew Sherri already was already aware her Friends were gone. She deserved to know what happened to them from someone who was there.
:I must return to Karal.:
"I know Karal. He would understand." He insisted. "Take a few minutes and just tell her what happened."
Altra vanished into the night leaving Kevyn with only the deep wounds on his arm as proof of what happened.
:You better go see a Healer.: Nick commented in the back of his mind. :Make certain you will still be able to use that hand when you heal.:
Kevyn wrapped a shirt around his arm. :Will Sherri be alright?:
:Of course. Even if you never considered what may happen, she did. Your Countess talks to her horse late at night. She understood the risks.:
:You can understand something without ever accepting it.: Kevyn pointed out.
:Enough of this. Get over to the Healers'.: Nick ordered harshly.
~*~
Sherri was standing on the square tower that gave her the best view of the forest. It had been a week now and the feelings of loss hadn't abated. She wore a stark, unrelieved black dress and let her hair fly loose about her. Dark bags under her told of many sleepless nights in the past week. She knew her servants were whispering about her but she didn't care. It felt like her heart had been torn from her chest, leaving her watching and waiting in painful limbo.
Above her the full moon silvered the broad, green meadow that lay between her and the forest. Flowers had bloomed almost over night and trees had started to bud but Sherri found no pleasure in the early arrival of her favourite season.
:Lady Sherria. I bear bad news.: A large cream and orange cat appeared in front of her.
"I know." Sherri said calmly.
:Most of our Guardians were destroyed. At least what held them to earth was.: Altra said with sorrow.
"How are the survivors? When will they be returning?" Sherri asked without looking away from the forest.
:Some. You are taking this much better than Herald Kevyn did.:
Sherri just nodded absently. "Feel free to come up for a visit some time. I have plenty of room now that everyone is returning to their lands."
Altra went from looking relieved to looking worried. :I will tell Karal of your invitation. I am certain your friends wish they could have made their farewells in person.:
Sherri finally looked down at him. "To bad they couldn't make it. Please tell the others I am sorry if they suffered. And that we all appreciate what they were willing to sacrifice."
Altra knew a dismissal when he heard one. :Thank you my lady. Herald Kevyn sends his condolences.:
Sherri returned to staring at the dark forest, ignoring the Firecat.
~*~
The massive, muscled man reread the single page of paper. The contents didn't change. Obviously he had neglected his responsibilities toward his niece. Avren refolded the paper and tucked it in his tunic.
"Avren, there you are." The Lord Martial appeared in the doorway. "Another letter from your niece?"
"No. It is about my niece. Apparently she has taken to wearing all black and wandering around in the night."
"Did someone die?" The Lord Martial asked with genuine interest.
"No. She fell in love with a Herald. She has been acting like that ever since he left.
"Which Herald?"
"A Herald Kevyn Ashkevron. Do you know him?"
The Lord Martial nodded slowly. "He made quite a stir at court when he was here a few years ago. Had all the women swooning."
Avren's gaze darkened. "I best go see what can be done. I hope the girl has done something stupid like her mother did."
The Lord Martial nodded. "Girls can be the silliest creatures."
~*~
Sherri was in the stillroom grinding herbs when the news of her uncle's arrival reached her.
"My lady, your uncle has just ridden into the courtyard."
"Which one?" Sherri asked absently.
"Your Uncle Avren, my lady." The maid explained.
Sherri sighed and set the herbs to the side. "I better go see what he wants."
The maid watched in confusion as she walked slowly and gracefully from stillroom. Her mistress looked stunning and other worldly in all black. It was a pity that the pallor in her cheeks was not cosmetic. Lady Sherria was a good employer and had done nothing to earn such sorrow.
Sherri paused on the top step leading down to the courtyard to allow her eyes time to adjust. "Uncle, you should have sent word ahead. Your room isn't prepared."
Avren studied her thin figure silently for a moment. "You are looking unwell."
Sherri knew she should be alarmed by his cool tone but found she just couldn't care. "Please come in. Orsen, see to his horse."
A groom hurried forward and accepted the reins to the war steed.
"I hear you have been entertaining a Herald."
"Herald Kevyn was here of Queen's business. He left eight weeks ago."
"Queen's business? What did he want?" Avren pressed.
"We have old records in the library. He wanted one in particular to end a feud in the south."
"And it took two weeks to find it?"
Sherri felt a flash of irritation through her apathy. "Have you been spying on me? You can't even be bothered to read my letters, which would have kept you quite well informed. I sent a letter back with Herald Kevyn asking if you knew any clerks who would be willing to come up here and act as my secretary and organize the library. If you had read the letter you would know the Library is a mess with nothing organized. We were lucky it only took two weeks to find the book."
"What on earth would you need a secretary for?" Avren asked.
"Because it would be handy to have someone to help me, especially in spring when I am flooded with calls for aid from the farmers and trappers in the area. I told you five years ago that the steward died and I couldn't find a replacement willing to stay up here through the long cold winters. Since then I have made the decisions. You and the others were too busy to even read my letters but I know you got them."
"We were at war." Avren answered heatedly. "We had no time to read about little girl desires like new dresses and flowers."
Sherri shook her head. "You don't even know me, do you? I couldn't care less what I wear. Before I promoted Nurse to Housekeeper she was always repairing my clothing. I was more worried that the next letter I received would be to tell me one of my uncles was dead than about my clothes." She felt rage build within her.
"Quit being hysterical. It isn't seemly." Avren ordered.
"Hysterical?" Sherri asked, her hands clenched in fists at her sides.
"What else would you call this unladylike caterwauling."
"I would say it is the only way you will hear me. I am sure you know the way to your old room, supper will be served one candlemark before sundown." Sherri turned on her heel. Her black skirt spun out around her as she stalked away before she did something she regret, like turn him into a toad.
~*~
Avren ordered supper held until Sherri reappeared but she had standing orders that supper was always served on time, if you were late you ate cold meat. The servants, all loyal to Sherri, obeyed her orders.
Sherri didn't reappear at all that night and a footman mentioned she often took a small meal and ate in the woods.
Avren stood and left the meal in the middle of the second course to find her.
Out in the woods Sherri had a bundle of bread and cheese open on her lap as she sat in the grotto with her harp at her side. For eight weeks she hadn't touched either of them but she needed something to take her mind off the harsh words she had spoken to her uncle.
Gone were the days of her loving them unconditionally. Now they were little better than strangers. She sighed and ripped off a piece of bread and took a bite. It may as well be sawdust for all she tasted it.
She wished she could speak to Yfandes about her uncles. She always had wise words to share and a willing ear. The keep was becoming more and more unbearable. It was like being surrounded by a crowd, all shouting for attention. Every touch was painful. When Van had been teaching her they had discovered that when she was upset her abilities were more sensitive. The grief she felt over their loss certainly qualified as upset.
"Damn it!" She cursed and threw a nearby rock into the pond below. The splash caused small spots of water to dark her brown leather boots. Eagle snorted at his mistress's sudden movement but continued grazing.
Sherri rewrapped her food and picked up her harp. The melody for Magic's Price filled the air as she began to play. The last song about Vanyel and the first about Stef, it was a beautiful song.
The snap of a twig startled her. She placed her instrument to the side and drew her sword. A muttered curse reached her. Her uncle. She wasn't really surprised. He never believed in ghosts, despite her own mother's presence in the Countess' Bedchamber. Sherri knew her grotto was hard to find if you did not know it was there and wasn't too worried about being discovered. She placed her harp back in its case and hung the strap over her shoulder. Sheathing her blade she quickly and silently left her sanctuary. She debated whether to meet him or avoid him.
No doubt someone had mentioned her tendency to come out here when she wanted to be alone. It was not a secret after all.
Sherri circled around the lost man.
"May I help you?" She asked.
Avren spun around when she spook. Whether his shock came from her dress, a loose cream shirt, a tight brown leather vest, tight brown breeches, sword, harp, and riding boots, or her sudden appearance was up in the air.
"You shouldn't be out here. There are bandits about." Avren scolded.
Sherri laughed. "I can handle myself uncle."
"I doubt it. Look at you; you are inviting someone to attack you."
Sherri looked down at her well worn attire. "This is more practical than a dress that will get ripped on branches. Besides, I think a dress would make me look more inviting and weak. After all, it is hard to run or fight in a dress."
Avren obviously did not agree with her logic. "You are out here without protection. You should be up at the Keep embroidering or something."
"Embroidery? I am miserable at it." Sherri laughed. "As for alone…" She whistled shrilly, summoning Eagle.
Eagle thundered through the trees ready to fight.
"I still have Uncle Ciro's old warhorse. If you had been about to attack me you would be dead." Sherri stroked the smooth hair on the proudly arched neck. "Isn't that right, old boy."
Avren remained silent. Sherri was tempted to read his mind but resisted. That would be a violation of the highest order.
Instead she swung onto Eagle's broad bare back. "Care for a ride back? It will be dark soon."
Avren swung unaided up behind her. Sherri was tempted to toss him off when he tried to control Eagle. She glared over her shoulder and guided Eagle to the edge of the forest.