CHAPTER 17

Sherri flopped backwards on to her new bed, she was past exhaustion now.

Kevyn had helped her purge every trace of the former occupants from the room and Myra had helped her arrange the furniture.  All the fabric was in dark blue, her favourite colour.  All the wood was dark with age but in the white washed room it fit.  The chair and ottoman sat next to the fire place.  Rugs covered most of the floor.  Tapestries hung on the walls.  A midnight blue counterpane covered the freshly laundered linens and the many, fluffy pillows. 

It didn't feel like it was hers but that would come in time.  She had never, in her memory, spent anywhere but her own bed and she wasn't certain if she would sleep that night.

:Have a nap at least.  You need it.  Your body isn't what it was.:  Quinlan scolded.  He had stayed in the back of her mind most of the time they were arranging the room, he even had a few suggestions.

:In a bit.  I should deal with my uncles.:

:Let the others deal with them for now.  You need your rest heart-sister.:  Quinlan argued.

Sherri sighed and closed her eyes.  :I feel like I am being swept up in the current of a great river.  Like I am trying desperately to stay in some semblance of control but failing completely.:

:Would you prefer we were in you Forest?:

:Honestly, I don't know.  I don't think I could face the Forest now.  Or the keep for that matter.:  Sherri yawned widely.  :Maybe I will take that nap.:

:Wise idea.  Just rest for a few days.:

Sherri hauled herself upright and pulled off the boots that were giving her blisters.  Her clothing all followed the boots into a pile on the floor.  She drew back the blankets and crawled under a single sheet.  :Wake me for supper please.:

:If you are ready to wake.:  Quin compromised.

Sherri sighed and let the darkness claim her.

~ * ~

Quinlan heaved a sigh and stared up at the window of Sherri's room.  Not for the first time that afternoon he wondered if he should have let her go.  It had been selfish of him to Choose her when she could have had the peace of the Havens.

:You are looking pensive.:  Lilia, a dainty Companion mare pranced up beside him.

:Have you ever wondered if you did the right thing when you Chose Kirsty?:

:No.  You think you may have Chosen wrong?:  Lilia said with obvious concern.

:Sherri is wonderful.  I know I haven't misChosen.  She has practically been raised to be a Herald.  I am worried she will come to regret surviving.:  Quinlan explained.

Lilia watched Quin out of one large blue eye.  :Only time will tell I suppose.  At least she is here, among others who understand what a powerful gift can mean.  I have heard Nick's Kevyn is quite interested in her.  Perhaps the love of friends will make her feel more content here.  But if she does go mad, what will you do?:

Quin's ears flipped back against his neck.  :I will not leave her.  Not for anything.  I am the one who Called her back so it is my fault if she loses herself to her Gift.:

Lilia didn't seem surprised by the answer.  :You know, it will be absolutely impossible to keep any secret from her.  When are you going to tell her everything?  You won't be able to not think about it for long.  That would be like trying not to think about flying purple cows when someone mentions them.:

Quin wrinkled his nose, a rather amusing gesture in a Companion.  :Now you have me thinking about purple cows with wings.  Like I didn't have enough on my plate.

~ * ~

Kevyn knocked lightly on Sherri's door.  He had fetched her clothing from the Healers and borrowed a pair of slippers from one of the female Heralds thinking she would appreciate having it when she emerged for supper.

"Come in."  A sleep voice beckoned.

Kevyn pushed the door open and peered around the twilight shrouded room.  "Sherri?"

A hand emerged from under the white sheet on the bed.  "I think this is me over here."

Kevyn chuckled and set the woman's clothing on the chair.  "Are coming down for supper?"

Sherri rolled over and stretched.  "I think so.  I am starved again."

Kevyn stared at the sleep tousled Sherri. 

"Sorry, I had no night gown."  She explained and pulled up the sheet.  "You brought my clothes?  Wonderful."

"I should wait outside."

"Pass me one and turn your back.  I will only take me a moment to dress."  Sherri shrugged.

Kevyn grabbed the top dress and tossed it onto the bed next to her then turned his back.  "How are you settling in?"

"Good I suppose."  Sherri's voice was muffled by the fabric of her dress.  "It still feels very strange.  You can turn around now."

She was still tying the laces on the side of the dress, a pale green with full, flowing sleeves.  "I usually wear this dress for the spring festivals up north.  Have you ever attended one?"

"No."

"After being shut inside all winter we all are rather excited to see the first buds of spring.  There is always a Festival where we haul out what preserves we haven't eaten and the women make tarts, jam rolls, cakes, sweets of every description and everyone gathers in the town green, wearing at least some green, and gorges themselves."  Sherri finished tying the lacings and smoothed out the skirt.  "There are plays put on by the children and bards are guaranteed to walk away with a suitor on each arm and pockets full of coin."

"How many festivals are there in the north?"

"A good dozen between spring and fall.  It is almost 'any excuse for a party'."

"If you are trapped inside for half the year I can't blame you.  Are you ready for supper?"

Sherri found the pair of white, soft soled shoes in the pile of clothes and slipped them on her feet.  "Now I am.  Thank you for lending me your boots and bringing me all this."

"It wasn't a problem."  Kevyn offered her his arm, which she accepted.  "You are looking better."

"I should hope so.  This morning I was in a coma."

"Well, there is that."  Kevyn laughed as they started down the stairs.

"After supper would you mind showing me around a bit?  I should groom Quin and that sort of thing." 

"The Queen would like to meet you soon.  Before the word about you being Chosen spreads.  She wanted to thank you publicly for helping find the traitors."

"And just how is she going to explain how I did it?"  Sherri asked.

"Simple, she is going to couch in it vague terms.  Service to the crown and all that.  She has already knighted all your uncles so she may as well knight you too."

"Oh ye Gods."  Sherri stopped on the second floor landing and rubbed her forehead.  "I don't want this.  I want to meet my cousin and everything but not get knighted."

"You'll have to talk to the Queen then."  Kevyn shrugged.

"I will.  You didn't give her this idea did you?"  Sherri asked shrewdly.

Kevyn held his hand to her.  "I didn't.  You may see for yourself."

Sherri accepted his denial and didn't take his hand.  "This is much more than I bargained for.  What would she have done if I never came to Haven?"

"I am not the one to ask."

Sherri scowled and bit her lip.  Kevyn marvelled that unlike all the highborns at court she rarely bothered to hide her emotions.  It probably came with knowing everyone else's emotional state.  "I guess we should continue on to supper.  There is nothing I can do until I talk with Selenay."

"Do you wish you were back in your keep now?"

"No.  I used to feel safe there but now…"  Sherri shivered.  "Now I don't know where I want to be."

"Because of your uncle locking you in that room?"

"No, that room has always been there.  I saw his thoughts, to him they were the worst he could imagine happening to me.  To me they were real.  It was like an eternity of blows from someone I couldn't fight against."

Kevyn slid an arm around her shoulders.  "Don't worry.  We'll find some way to block it for you."

Sherri looked almost pathetically grateful.  "Quin said pretty much the same thing.  Only he added that if we couldn't he would join me in a hovel in the Forest."

"You and Quin seem to be getting along quite well."

"I think so."  Sherri smiled as Quin mind touched her and Sent a wave of love.  "He thinks so too."

"And you had given up on becoming a Herald."  Kevyn teased.

"So I had.  And here my Companion was just working up the courage to Choose me." 

:It had nothing to do with courage and trying to decide what is right for you.:  Quin corrected.

Sherri laughed, relaxing as her memories of her home receded into the shadows of her mind.  "No one decides for me."

Kevyn looked confused.

"Quin."  Sherri explained simply. 

They finally reached the doors to the common room.  Kevyn pushed the door open for her and allowed her to precede him.  Dozens of lamps lit the long room.  Several long tables lined with chairs ran through the room.  Only about ten people were actually in the room that could easily seat over two hundred.  All but one wore Whites and ranged from a young man her age who was tugging at the hem of his tunic uncomfortably to a Herald who had obviously retired long ago.

Kevyn guided her to the group.  A few waved at them absently.  The only one not wearing a uniform, she wore a dark grey leather riding outfit instead, eyed her, and seemed to find her wanting.

"Kevyn, who is this beauty?"  The youngest Herald asked as he stood and pulled out a chair for her.

"My name is Sherri."  She smiled and accepted the offered seat. 

"I am Ferris."  He sat next to her leaving Kevyn to find another seat.  The grey clad woman was on her other side, something about her nagged at her memory.

She had never seen her before but the recognition was coupled with a sense of respect and awe.  It was the familiar sense of knowing Sherri often got when she met some one she had previous Read in an object.

Favram's letters.  He often reported directly to the famous, or infamous, Captain Kerowyn.  The letters almost always passed through her before making their way to Sherri.

"You must be Captain Kerowyn."  Sherri ventured.

"Good guess."  Kerowyn acknowledged.

"Hardly a guess.  There are only two Heralds famed for not wearing Whites and you are most certainly not Alberich."  Sherri accepted a plate of greens from Ferris and scooped some on to a plate.

"She has you there."  The man on Kerowyn's left laughed.  He had black hair with two streaks of white at his temples.  "I am Herald Eldan.  You must be the Famous Countess."

"I suppose I must be."

"I am glad to see you are up and about.  I heard you were quite ill."  Ferris said, trying to reclaim her attention.

Sherri turned back to him.  "Quite.  Kevyn was kind enough to ask me to supper."

"Better than that water they call broth at the Healers."  The eldest Herald snorted.  "Is this your first time in Haven?"

Sherri nodded.  "Normally you can't drag me out of Sorrows with a herd of horses."

"When will you be returning?"  Ferris asked.

Sherri met Kevyn's eye.  "I imagine that depends on when I finish my training."

"Training?  You were Chosen?"  Kerowyn asked dubiously.

"Just a few hours ago."  Sherri admitted and met Kerowyn's gaze frankly.  "I believe you worked with at least one of my uncles, Favram."

"That hothead is your uncle?"  A smile tugged at Kerowyn's lips.  "I hope it doesn't run in the family."

"Your many uncles have been making quite a fuss today.  They have accused the Queen of hiding you away."

Sherri sighed.  "The only one hiding me away is me.  I have no desire to meet with them right now."

"Sherri, I am glad to see you are up and about."  Myra called from the door way.  "I am hungry enough to eat a horse."

The group remained silent until Myra assumed the chair across from Sherri and seized a plate.  "I have decided to take your recommendation."

Sherri was puzzled for a minute then remembered recommending Myra see a healer.  "Care for some company?"

"If you don't mind.  I am as nervous as a cat in a dog kennel."  Myra admitted.

Everyone else at the table looked confused at the exchange.

"In the morning?"

Myra nodded.  "Now, on to more interesting matters.  Your uncles are demanding to see you.  They think you are back in that coma."

Sherri sighed.  "Bloody idiots."

Myra nodded an agreement then grinned wickedly.  "I know you can't appreciate it, but they are bloody beautiful idiots."

"You are welcome to them.  I am still trying to convince them that I am too big for a pony."

"They didn't.  When?"  Myra asked eagerly.

"It is nearing three years ago now.  It was the fattest little pony you ever saw.  That was Ciro's bright idea.  I wish I could have seen his face when he learned I was riding Eagle."

"That's the warhorse he was talking about, right?  Apparently you are so sweet and good animals just can't bear to misbehave around you."

Sherri groaned.  "I wondered how they would explain that.  Has anyone told them I was Chosen yet?"

"You have until eight bells to tell them yourself.  The Queen has to tell them you are abdicating your title in favour of one of them."  Kevyn warned.  "Have you decided which one yet?"

"Favram.  He is the only one who is remotely salvageable as a landlord.  I have to find a new steward and make a hundred other arrangements first."  Sherri pushed away from the table and picked up her plate and glanced about for where she should take it.  "I better get started if I only have two hours."

:In the cupboard one the wall.:  Quin volunteered.

:Thanks.: