CHAPTER 22

The rhythmic stroke of the brush nearly sent Quin to sleep.  Sherri had already groomed him till he shone like a young star but she continued to run the brush over his coat.

:Is something bothering you?:  Quin asked, his head hanging low and his eye lids drooping.

:I was just thinking that both the solid you and spirit you look very silly right now.:  Sherri answered, her tone light.

Quin raised his head and looked back at her.  He wasn't even conscious of the 'spirit' Quin she saw but he imagined he looked like he was about to fall asleep on his feet.  :So nothing is bothering you?:

Sherri sighed and set the brush to the side.  :I was just thinking.  Nothing more, nothing less.:

Quin wasn't convinced.

:What's bothering you?  You keep thinking of purple flying cows.:  Sherri turned the tables.

:It is just something I would rather reveal in my own time.:  Quin said carefully.

:Does this have anything to do with Herald Talia?  I Saw you, well, the spirit you, in her memories.:

:Yes, it has to do with that.:  Quin hedged.

:I am not trying to pry, but you know I will see it eventually.  I know that you start to think of something then try to banish it from your mind.:  Sherri gathered all his brushes.  :I also know you were uncomfortable when I kissed Kevyn.:

Quin sighed.  What was he to say?

:You look rather worried.:  Sherri teased.  :You don't have to say anything.:

:Thank you.:  Quin decided to change the subject before she discovered more than he was willing to reveal.  :You have Orientation this morning, don't you?:

 Sherri sat on soft green grass.  "They decided not to wait to get me started on my classes.  I meet a Herald Dirk in a candlemark in the Stable.  He is going to show me around some more and introduce me to some of my teachers."

:Dirk is a good man.  You will like him.:  Quin assured her.

"I am sure I will, he is a Herald and I have liked all the Heralds I have met.  Especially Kevyn."  She laughed when spirit-Quin crossed his arms and looked like a lowering thunderstorm.  "Are you still convinced I am going to get hurt?"

:He is just a tad bit over protective.:  Nick commented as he joined them.

"I noticed.  Are the others like this?  Yfandes wasn't but she had been with Van for years."

:No, most of us don't worry over our Heralds sex lives but Quin here is incredibly protective of you.:

Sherri glanced at her Companion.  "It probably has something to do with those flying purple cows."

:Purple cows?  Should I ask?:

:No.:  Quin said firmly.

:Too bad.  What brings you out so early this morning, Sherri.:

"I woke early and was too awake to go back to sleep."  Sherri explained.  "I am used to getting up before dawn back home."

Both Companions noticed the distant look in her eyes and the small frown that tugged at her lips.

:Homesick?:

"I don't know."  Sherri admitted.  "I should get going and find some breakfast before I meet Herald Dirk.  I will see you both later."

Quin watched as she picked up his brushes and stride across the field to the Stable.

:Kevyn is in love with her.  Writing poetry and singing serenades kind of love.:  Nick commented.  :He would die before he would allow anyone, including himself, hurt her.:

:I know.:  Quin sighed.

:She already has a pack of uncles to worry about her, she doesn't need you doing it too.:

Quin snorted.  :You're right.  But she is only eighteen.:

:Almost nineteen and what were you doing when you were her age?  You were already a Herald.  Her mother had already given birth and committed suicide by her age.  She may not have much experience with the great big world but she is better equipped to handle it than you were.:

Quin stiffened.  Sometimes the honesty demanded by mind speech was a curse.

~ * ~

The dim interior of the stables blind Sherri for a moment allowing Dirk to watch her unnoticed for a moment.  She looked like a confidant, powerful young woman, confidant in herself and her abilities.  According to Talia it was mostly an act.  She survived her abilities and nothing more.  The confidence was also an act, she was more likely not to act unless something forced her to and disliked being out of her familiar environment.

"Herald Dirk?"  Sherri greeted him when her eyes finally adjusted.

"You must be Sherria."  Dirk smiled warmly at her.

Sherri nodded.  "I hope I am not late."

"Of course not."  Dirk assured her.

Sherri liked him immediately.  He was not a handsome specimen by any stretch of the imagination but he did have the most beautiful blue eyes.  "Why are we meeting in the stable?"

"I thought you would prefer to be outside instead of locked up in a room."  Dirk didn't mention he hoped it would be easier on her Gift. 

"I appreciate it."  Sherri said with genuine gratitude.

Dirk gestured for her to take a seat on a bench across from him.  "I assume you have a general idea what a Herald is."

Sherri nodded.  "They are guardians of Valdemar and her people.  By upholding or breaking the law as the times dictate."

"That is a good description.  I understand you have had some strange teachers already."

"The ghosts?"

Dirk nodded.  He still wasn't certain how he felt about ghosts.

"They do exist."  Sherri assured him.  "I had no tutors and nurse was a poor teacher so they taught me history, math, reading, magic, music, and pretty much everything else."

"Was it only history up to their deaths or up to now."

"Stef wanted me to learn the true history behind every ballad we came across and Van wanted me to learn the more political history of Valdemar so I think it is rather through."  Sherri smiled sadly at the memories.  "Actually, the history before their deaths was a lot vaguer than the history since their deaths.  Sometimes, when they were focused on protecting the northern border, they missed great chunks of what was happening down south so I augmented their teachings with our massive library."

"You are eligible for the fast track through the Collegium.  Are you interested?"

"What fast track?"

"Trainees who are fifteen or older with a firm grasp of the basics can choose to take the accelerated training.  Much of it is personal studying and it is your responsibility to keep on track.  We would test you periodically to see how you are handling it.  A Herald stationed here in Haven would be assigned as your mentor so that you have some one to go to when you need your questions answered or help with your studies."

Sherri didn't hesitate for a heart beat.  This would allow her to study outside and limit interactions with her fellow trainees.  "That sounds ideal.  Who would my mentor be?"

"Herald Myra.  I understand you know her and she won't be leaving for at least a year.  You would still be expected to attend weapons class, the survival courses, and the classes like Courtly Graces which are learned better in groups."  Dirk warned.

"I can do it."  Sherri assured him.

"So how are you settling in?  I understand you were placed in the Herald's wing to minimize discomfort."

"Apparently the Companions suggested it."

Dirk also knew that is was so she was close to Herald Kevyn and Herald Myra.  He was not certain about the exact nature of her gift, no one was, but the Companions had made it abundantly clear that her sanity was a paramount concern.  If they succeeded in taming her power she would become a powerful tool for the crown.  The consequences of failure were horrid to even think about.  The Circle had already sent word to the Tayledras hoping someone among them would have some idea of how to train True Sight or to deactivate it if necessary. 

Dirk wished Kris were alive so he could help.  He had patched together a viable training method for Talia so he would have been better prepared for facing this startling new Gift. 

"You and Quin are getting along I hope."

Sherri flashed a brilliant smile.  "He is wonderful, even if he does worry too much."

"I am glad to hear it.  We were worried you would find the Companion bond uncomfortable."

"No, he was worried about the same thing, but I am comfortable with him."

"Good.  I am not certain what we could have done if it was bothering you.  Are you aware of what gifts are, other than the ones you have?"

Sherri nodded.  "Van taught me.  He had a fair dosing of most of the gifts."

"That covers the first two days of orientation.  Shall we get your books for you and introduce you to some of your teachers that are here for the summer."

Sherri was the first to stand.

:See, no reason to be nervous.:  Quin commented suddenly.

Dirk paused and studied her profile.  She called Kris to mind.  It wasn't just the haughty stance she had assumed or her colouring, she just reminded him of Kris.  A pang of loss and grief shot through his chest.  Her hair was the same black and her eyes the same blue.  She looked like a female version of his deceased friend.

Sherri raised one eyebrow in question when she noticed Dirk was still sitting.  "Are you ready to go?"

"Of course."

~ * ~

Quin watched the white and grey forms walk quickly to the Herald's wing.

:You should back off a little.:  Dirk's Companion, Ahrodie, warned as she stepped up next to him.  :Which one are you staring at?  Dirk or Sherria?:

:Both.:

:Now you understand why there is usually a century or more before we return.:  Ahrodie commented.  :They miss you but you still see them everyday and you can't speak to them, it must hurt.:

Quin heaved a sigh.  :I am glad he finally hauled his head out of the ground.:

:You looked so funny trying to clamber up those stairs with that posy.:  Ahrodie tossed her mane.

Even Quin smiled at the memory.  He was just very young and his memories of before were clouded but he knew Talia should have Maiden's Hope for her wedding.  Rolan had agreed and somehow he created a small bundle of the flowers leaving it to Quin to give it to the newly wedded couple.  Just before the ceremony started he had carefully traced a root up the stairs to her room and then watched the entire ceremony from her window.  His mother had given him an earful when he finally made it back downstairs, covered in bruises and scratches.  It wasn't until years later that he remembered why he wanted to give her the flowers.

:They both found a great deal of comfort in it.:  Ahrodie assured him. 

:I know.  I am glad I remembered to give them.:  Quin shook off the memories of his previous life.  :I should tell all to Sherri soon.:

:Yes you should.:  Ahrodie agreed.  :She is a wonderful person, even if she does have this horrid Gift thrust upon her.:

:This time I think it will take more than 'Ground and Centre' to get her under control.: