CHAPTER 11
Kevyn pulled the ancient book off the shelf carefully but a puff of dust still filled the air. He had asked all his teachers about True Sight but none could give him a clear idea of just what it was. The last resort was his family's library. Many books here predated Vanyel and some dealt with magic. Only four looked hopeful and he already searched two of them for answers.
He set the book on the table and opened to the first page. It was written in a fine but cramped hand. Each page held a detailed description of a gift; abilities at different strength levels, and dangers associated with each gift. Unfortunately they were not in any form of order. He was three quarters of the way through the book when he finally found the page he was looking for.
True Sight:
Incredibly rare, True Sight is usually found in long lines of merchants where it often warns the bearer of deception. It is does not fit in the category of 'Sight' gifts as it has more factors than just seeing the true appearance of an object. Emotions and thoughts are often detected along with images.
In its weak forms the Gifted are able to perceive spirits, 'feel' an object's history when in a trance, discern illusions, and sense deception. It is rarely detected and usually dismissed as luck. True seers of low power require no training as their power only acts to give them 'hunches'.
In its more powerful forms the Gifted often go mad. Able to see and speak with spirits they often become more involved in the world of the dead than the world of living. There is no training that can help a powerful True Seer block their powers which is the primary reason they go mad. Every item and every person they contact shouts their history, concerns, and fear into their mind. Powerful True Sight is usually found only as potential and is generally triggered by a trauma or illness in childhood or early adolescence if it is active.
Unlike many other Gifts, when triggered True Sight does not flare up immediately. It starts like an ember and grows into a bonfire that claims the mind of the Seer. Since most powerful Seers are mad within a few years. No method of training new ones has been devised.
Some religious orders consider True Seers and their eventual madness gift's from the Gods, especially those who worships Gods of Truth.
Kevyn sat back and rubbed his temples. Obviously Sherri was unique to be both stable and powerful. Perhaps it was the early training she received from Herald Vanyel. He marked the page with a bit of ribbon and set the book to the side. He had written Sherri a few weeks earlier but had received no response. He wasn't worried. She was probably busy with the business of running a large estate.
"There you are, brother." The current Lord Ashkevron said genially from the door. Both men had the standard brown hair and eyes that ran in the family. Where the elder, Jehan, was thickly muscled and developing a bit of a paunch from his less active life style, Kevyn the youngest brother, was a more refined version. Kevyn had four older brothers and six sisters, all of them treated him as the baby in the family.
"I was just looking up something."
"Have you considered my proposal? Just imagine hw we could improve our bloodlines if we introduced you stallion."
Kevyn sighed. "Dominick is unwilling to participate."
:You can say that again.: Nick snorted. :You are the only one with sense in the entire bunch. They should really consider improving their own bloodlines with some sensitive young ladies.:
:I doubt they would take that suggestion to heart.: Kevyn responded.
"You should still think about it. How long are you going to stay this time?" Jehan glanced at the book open before him. "Meltilda has a sweet cousin visiting. Very comely and biddable. You should court her."
:How soon can you be ready to go?: Kevyn asked his amused Companion.
:Just take these flowers out of my mane and tail and I am ready. I look like a bloody virgin bride!:
Kevyn suppressed a laugh. All the females in the Ashkevron Keep adored Nick and he usually ended up with a new, embroidered horse blanket or fancy halter every time they visited. Nick didn't mind that, however the endless flower chains made him sneeze.
"We can't stay long. I was just trying to find this book."
"True sight? That a Herald Gift?"
"Yes, a very rare one. I was lucky to find this book."
"So you'll be off again, first thing in the morning? Are the Gryphons still in Haven?"
Kevyn hid a grin. His brother had been fascinated by the creatures since he met them a few years ago. He was still uncertain about how they managed to appear in the chapel but they had considered the welfare of his beloved horses which had earned them high marks in his eyes.
"Of course. The little ones take trips out into the country to practice hunting but mostly they stay in Haven."
"You know we worry about you. You should stay here like the rest of the family."
Kevyn sighed, he wondered when this would come up. "I would go insane if I stayed here. There are always a few black sheep in every generation, face it, I am one of them."
Jehan sighed. It was the same response every time. "I promised Meltilda I would introduce you to her cousin tonight at supper. Try not to hurt the poor girl's feelings."
"What's her name?"
"Keri, Harry, something like that." Jehan shrugged. He could recite the bloodlines of all the horses that passed through the stables here but he could not keep human names straight.
"I am amazed 'Tilda puts up with you." Kev laughed.
"She threatens to brain me with a board at least three times a fortnight." Jehan admitted. "We better get down to supper or 'Tilda may fulfil her threat."
Kevyn soon found himself wedged between his sister in law, Meltilda and her cousin, Kaelee.
"Did you take any interesting trips recently?" Meltilda asked, she loved to hear about other places.
"I took a trip up to Sorrows a few months ago, just before the end of the Storms."
"Was it cold? I heard the North is always cold and they never get any sun." Kaelee said breathlessly.
"There was sun and it was actually pretty warm for the middle of winter. The Countess said it was a false spring that occurs when the weather is very unsettled."
"A Countess? There is a Countess in the north?" Kaelee asked.
Kevyn wondered if she was as dim as she sounded. "Yes, the Countess of Sorrows. She is well regarded in the area for her care for the land and her warm hospitality." He wished he was sitting next to Sherri at her high table rather than here with his kin. Not a very charitable thought but true.
"Is she married? Perhaps one of your brothers could go court her."
"I doubt she would be interested."
"So she is old? It must be so hard to be old."
Kevyn glanced at his sister in law who was remaining quiet. What had he done to deserve this torture?
:You are leaving tomorrow. Just keep repeating that to yourself.:
:Did Vanyel have to go through this every time he visited home?:
:Worse. His parents tossed every available female at his head and he was often ambushed by too willing females.:
:Ah, to be an orphan.: Kevyn sighed mentally.
"Has this Countess ever come to Haven? Maybe I have seen her."
"No, she stays in the North." Kevyn answered. He knew it was rude but he was getting desperate. "What do you think of my brother's horses? He is starting a new line of hunter with Hopper as the main stud. Should be some strong foals from him."
Kaelee nodded absently and her eyes seemed to glaze over. Kevyn kept a running dialogue about Hopper, his old horse from before he was Chosen, and thankfully enjoyed his meal in relative peace.
~ * ~
Sherri leaned back against the rough bark of the tree and released a deep with sigh. The only thing that disturbed her peace was the song of birds over head. The grass beneath her was soft and smelled of spring. The few shafts of pale light that pierced the lofty canopy. The sound of water playing over rocks to the deep pool below lulled her senses.
For the first time in her memory she was truly at peace.
She didn't know how long she had been there or where she had been before but she was content to remain here.
A bird hopped onto a rock just a few feet from her and chirped. Sherri watched as it hopped closer to a puddle of water and started splashing happily. Its brown feathers seemed plain but she knew it was one of the 'jewels' of the forest, a wood lark.
"Sherri, what are you doing here?" A worried male voice asked behind her.
"Hey Van. I am not certain." Sherri turned. "I don't really remember where I was before."
Van settled cross legged across from her. "You should be back at your keep, watching over your people."
Sherri shook her head. "No. I do remember Avren is visiting. He can take care of everything until I return. Where are Stef and Yfandes?"
"They are here. What are you doing here though?" Vanyel pressed.
Sherri tilted her head to one side. "I suppose I am relaxing under a tree listening to Stef's water fall."
"Sherri, you are being an idiot. I mean you are here but the rest of you isn't. Ah damn!"
Sherri looked down at herself. She looked normal enough to her. "Van, you are being vague again."
"I mean you aren't in your body." Vanyel looked like he was about to pull his hair out.
"Sherri, you are a surprise. How the hell did you get here?" Stef said as he entered the clearing.
"I suppose I walked in." Sherri was starting to get very confused. Every time she tried to think of why or when she came here it slipped away like a fish in the stream. "Does it really matter? I prefer to be here."
~ * ~
Avren placed his motionless bundle on the chair before the window. Sherri's thin form was swathed in a multitude of blankets that dwarfed her. She looked more fragile now than she had as a babe. They could spoon soup down her throat and she would swallow but she wouldn't respond to pain, noise, or light.
"There, you can watch your forest." Avren said softly. His gentle handling of his niece at odds with his massive size.
Her vacant blue eyes stared towards the dark shadows of the trees.
The clatter of heavy riding boots on the stairs warned him of the intruder just before Sherri's bedroom door flew open.
"What the hell is going on!" Favram demanded immediately. "I got your letter."
Avren straightened. "I don't have a clue what happened. Her Nurse said she saw ghosts when she was a child and believes that Amelie drove her mad."
"Ghosts? Wait, what was she doing in Amelie's room?" Favram levelled his cool green gaze on his older brother. "What did you do?"
"I was certain some one was hurting her. She reacted like she was expecting me to hit her. I put her in there while I searched for the bastard. When I cam back she was like that."
"How long ago?" Favram knelt at Sherri's feet and took both her hands in his.
"A month and a half now. She doesn't respond to anything."
"Damn, Avren, what were you thinking?" Favram asked heatedly. "She certainly didn't deserve to be locked in a room she fears."
Avren crossed his massive arms over his chest. "How was I supposed to know she hated that room?"
"I knew, hell, the rest of us knew. Can you blame her, her mother took a knife and plunged it into her own chest just a few feet from her. Av, sometimes you are such an idiot." Favram's hands fold into massive fist capable of felling a grown man with a blow.
"When was the last time you spoke to her?" Avren challenged, his voice growing more quiet, a sign he was barely holding unto his formidable temper.
"I write her every month and I saw her just after the war. She was just fine then." Favram bent over to tuck the blankets more firmly about her.
"Are the others on their way?"
"I ran into the messenger in a tavern. I assume the rest will be hard on my heels. Shouldn't she be in bed? Have you sent for a Mindhealer?"
"There are none available. There were only three before the war and two were killed in the war. Herald Talia is the only one left alive."
"So we will take her to Haven."
"I already sent a letter to Haven asking if we could. When I hear back I will take her. I don't want to subject her to a gruelling trip that could make her worse."
Favram ran both his hands through his short blonde hair leaving it standing on end. "We are idiots, aren't we? Look at her, she is a beautiful young woman now. While we were off making war she was here, growing up, becoming the Countess of Sorrows, exploring the forest. We missed all that. You remember that night we found her? We all swore we would never abandon her but we did, when she was just five years old."
Avren gently stroked a lank of hair out of Sherri's face. "Did you read her letters?"
Favram shook his head. "I loved to get them but every time I read them I felt guilty for leaving her up here alone. I have everyone saved in a box."
Avren thought of the box containing the letters of thirteen years. When he asked himself why he was done there swinging a sword and watching his friends die he would look at that box and remember the perfect little girl he was keeping safe. When he realised his little girl was twelve he realised that was the age King Ancar like to prey upon and he fought all the harder, but after the first few letters, none were opened. The ones he read were filled with tales of invisible people, her old pony, Honey, the bird's nest she found, learning music. Everything he was missing so he stopped reading them and missed it completely.
"One of us should have stayed here with her."
"Which one?" Favram asked. "How about all of us? Or we could have taken her to Haven were we could have visited her. During the war I was home only four times and I barely saw her each time."
Silence filled the room for several moments, each man alone with his thoughts.
"Do you think she knows we are here?" Favram asked.
"I don't know." Avren admitted.