~ Chapter 35 ~

Quin stepped out into the moonlight and inhaled deeply.  :Ah, the great outdoors.:

:I take it you won't be visiting me again anytime soon.:  Sherri teased.

The other Heralds and Trainees that had helped in the Companion extraction started to head back inside, most commenting that they hoped their Companions would refrain from visiting.

Sherri stood next to him with her arms crossed.  "I guess I will talk to you later.  You are starving and have other needs to tend to."

:So I do.:  Quin agreed as he trotted off into the darkness.

Sherri tilted her head back and studied the night sky.  

"What are you thinking?"  Kevyn asked as he wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"That it's big."  Sherri shrugged.  "What about you?"

"That we finally have our room to ourselves."

 Sherri laughed and turned in the circle of his arms.  "Scoundrel."

"Only for you."  He promised.

:Go back to bed you two.:  Nick urged from the darkness.  :You have to face Icestone again tomorrow.:

"He's right."  Sherri smiled.  "But I think I will go for a walk first."

"May I join you?"

"Of course, I was hoping you would."  Sherri chuckled.  "I feel more human, too."

"Pardon?"

"You were thinking I was looking more human."

"You are.  You aren't as jumpy today."

"I haven't exploded any defenceless little bunnies in the past couple of days."  Sherri pointed out as they started to walk. 

"Is it from talking to your ghosts?"

"I have a sneaking suspicion that Van was soothing me.  He is an empath.  That is probably why they wanted me to stay so long.  I am glad they did."

~ * ~

Icestone faced the Heraldic Circle and took in the mix of anxious and hopeful faces.  "It has been a month and it's the only path I can advise.  Her True sight should be shut down.  Everything we have tried has done nothing.  I know you wanted to keep it active if possible, but I don't think it is a viable option."

"Given some more time, do you think you can train her?"  Teren asked.

"No.  She is trained.  Actually, whoever trained her was very thorough.  The second factor of her True Sight, the part that allows her to interact with the spirit world, was trained very well.  It makes sense since her teacher is a spirit."

"How long can we leave it active?"  Kyril asked.

"Depends, do you want to have a crater for your capital?  If you are thinking to use her, that is a very bad plan.  She may not stop herself next time.  I would suggest that we block it immediately."

"I agree."  Talia spoke for the first time since the meeting began.  "Is there anything we should know?"

"It is going to be rough for her.  It will be the same as if she suffered severe magical shock.  Since it has been active for so long it will be much worse than what would happen if it had been shut down in the first year or two.  Her other Gifts should remain active, but they could react by becoming strong or weaker.  This will be very traumatic for her."

"Why would it have been different if it had been blocked young?"  Talia asked.

"The mind gets used to having those channels there.  It would have the same psychological effect of losing a sense, only amplified since it is solely in the mind."  Icestone tried to explain.  "It is deliberate brain damage."

"Proceed when you are ready."  Teren said.  "Will she need a Healer?"

"I believe I can handle it.  But I think having Kevyn, Quin, and Nick close would help.  It would be best to keep her at the ekele until she has recovered enough to climb those four flights of stairs."

"It is at your discretion."  Teren told her.

"I wish we weren't losing her Gift."  Kyril admitted.  "Being able to uncover an entire ring of traitors at once would be handy."

"If it could be turned off it would be wonderful."  Talia admitted.  "But since she can't, she can't help but violate every code of ethics we have."

Icestone stood.  She knew Sherri would be relieved to hear they would finally be going ahead.  By nightfall they hoped to have it blocked.

"Keep us notified about how it goes."  Teren ordered.

"I will."  She promised.

Sherri was waiting just down the hall.  She had her hands clasped behind her back and an anxious expression on her face.

"By nightfall you are going to regret this."  Icestone warned.

"By nightfall?  Really?"  Sherri asked eagerly.

"Yes.  They had some regrets that they would lose your Gift but were more worried about how you would feel.  Have you told your uncles yet?"

"Yes.  Well, I told them what we were going to do, but not what it was going to do to me.  They wouldn't take it very well."  Sherri admitted.  "Can you do it immediately?"

"That is the plan."  Icestone glanced at the lines of strain around Sherri's eyes and mouth.  In the past month she had watched Sherri battle with her Gift and had come to admire the younger woman's strength.

"Good.  Quin says he knew they would react with understanding."  Sherri relayed as they strolled down the hall.  "It means a great deal to me that you are willing to do this."

Icestone smiled and patted Sherri's shoulder.  "What are the other choices?  Suicide, I would hate to lose a friend, and live with it, I also don't want to watch a friend go insane.  Now let's go find Kevyn and Myra and tell them the news."

"Myra will be glad to have me to fuss over since no one else will let her do anything."

"She does look like she is ready to pop."  Icestone chuckled.

Myra had moved in to the ekele as well, to support her friend and to have something to do.  The Healers had also given her the dubiously good news of twins.  She did look rather silly with the large belly on her small form.

The diminutive redhead was soaking in the cool tub when they entered the ekele.  "So, when are you starting?"

"Immediately.  It will only take a few minutes to block it but it will take her a while to recover."

"You mentioned that.  Poor, honey.  At least you will have Kevyn here to pamper you until you are back on your feet."

Sherri chuckled.  "And you to supervise?"

"Of course."  Myra grinned. 

"Why don't you go lie down on your bed, then we can get started."  Icestone suggested.

"Oh, Daya was here while you were out."  Myra said suddenly.  "I adore that lady, you know?  Anyways, she left that box for you."

"What is it?"  Icestone asked.

"It's those herbs you wanted.  I asked her if she could find them for me."  Sherri opened the lid.  "They are having their opening next week.  She wants you to attend as payment.  She knows having a Hawkbrother patronise her shop will give it a certain cache."

"Has Gen decided to open her own shop yet?"  Icestone asked.  She liked the young, former thief and hoped the girl would realise her dream of becoming a seamstress.

"She has decided to wait and stay with Daya.  She did want to see more Tayledras fashions for inspiration for her patterns."  Sherri handed the box to her teacher. 

She hurried up the stairs to the room she was sharing with Kevyn.  He was out with Nick, taking a shot at the obstacle course.

:He will be back in a few minutes actually.  Nick told him you were ready to be blocked.:

:Thanks.:  Sherri pulled off her grey uniform and hung it in the wardrobe.  She chose a soft pair of breeches and a worn shirt to wear.  :I imagine you are looking forward to this as much as I am.:

:I am.:  Since he had started 'eavesdropping' regularly, he had experienced the constant bombardment she survived.

Icestone paused in the doorway.  "Ready?"

"No.  Just let me talk to Van, Stef, and Yfandes.  Just in case."

"Of course."  Icestone took a seat in one of the massive pillows scattered about the room and watched as Sherri settled on the bed.  Using her mage sight she could see Sherri's aura vanish as she Sent herself northward.  She knew Sherri could feel nothing that was happening in her body because of the distance, a fact her 'adventure' with the traitors brought home to roost. 

She hoped that she would succeed in blocking just the part that told her the history of an object and allowed her to see through illusions, and leave the ability to see ghost alone.

~ * ~

Sherri was greeted by the trio as she shimmered into existence into their little sanctuary.  "You were right, they approved shutting it down."  She said with out preamble.

Van nodded.  "I knew they would.  When are you going to block it?"

"As soon as I return.  I wanted to say good bye in case I can't see you again."

Stef pulled her into a warm hug.  "Don't worry, I am certain everything will go well."

:You said Icestone has experience with blocking fully active Gifts.:  Yfandes reminded her.

Sherri nodded.  "But if we have to block the Spirit Sight as well as the True Sight I won't see you again.  And if the True Sight is what allows me to come here I won't see you."

"Don't dwell."  Van advised.  "We will see you again eventually."

Sherri felt a tear trickle down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away.  "I just want to say that I don't know what I would have done without you three."

"You would have coped.  Your father would have Chosen you sooner, they would have searched for a teacher for you immediately."  Stef pointed out.

"It is more than just being trained.  You three were my family in ways that my family never was."

:We know.:  Yfandes assured her.  :We'll see you later.:

Sherri hugged them all, wiping tears as she did so, then returned to Haven.  Icestone was sitting next to her on the bed offering a handkerchief.  Kevyn was standing just off to the side, trying to hide his concern.

"Ready?"

Sherri wiped her eyes quickly.  "Yes."