CHAPTER 45

Sherri looked behind her again, searching the shadows of the trees for a follower.  :Do you sense anything?:  She asked Quin.

:Just your nerves.:  Quin responded.  :But that doesn't mean there is nothing there.:

"What's wrong?"  Kevyn pulled up beside her.  "If you don't want to see your uncles we can wait until tomorrow."

"I want to see them so you are out of luck."  She responded lightly.  "I just can't shake the feeling that there is something dark here following us."

"Dark, as in evil?"  Kevyn reached for his sword.

"Dark, as in tainted."  She corrected.  "Do you feel it?"

:Yes.:  Van answered with concern.  :I was hoping you didn't.:

"Is it your mother?" 

"No.  I couldn't sense her."

Kevyn listened to the dusk and the hairs on the back of his neck rose.  "I think I feel it too."

The four figures remained frozen for several moments before the silence became too much.

"I don't like this."  Sherri hissed.

:None of us do.:  Yfandes responded.

"We may as well continue on.  There is probably nothing we can do."  She urged Quin to continue.  Now starting to sense the growing presence, he obliged.

 Before long they broke cover within sight of the keep.  It was festooned with small lamps for yet another northern holiday and people bustled about eating, drinking, and talking contentedly.

Huge tables carried outside for the festivities were groaning under the weight of the food piled upon them.  Roasted birds, meat pies, bread sculpture, candied fruit, and every other possible treat adorned those tables.  Children were involved in a game that included chasing each other and plucking ribbons out of the collars of others.

"It looks like we are just in time."  Kevyn commented.

Sherri could just make out the three figures standing next to her as white shadows.

"What do you think?"  She asked the shadows.

:It looks lively.:  Yfandes answered.  :I hope you will enjoy yourselves.:

:And which Uncle is that coming towards us?:  Stef asked, rather amused.

"Uncle Ethen," She waved a greeting, "He is about one year Favram's senior."

:They all look so much alike.:  Yfandes commented.  :That one looks identical to him.:

"They're twins."  Kevyn said dryly.  He and the uncles still clashed regularly and the prospect of facing all six of them was daunting.  Especially if Sherri wasn't there to run interference.

"Relax love."  She slid to the ground and strode to meet her uncle.  "Uncle Ethen, you are looking particularly well."

He scooped her up like she was a feather.  "How has your vacation been?  Anything we should know about?"

The odd quality in his voice confused her for a moment before she realised he wasn't crushing her as he normally did when he gave her a hug.  "What do you think I have to say?"

"Anything about a little one?"  Ethen prodded hopefully.  "Or perhaps a ring?"

"No, nothing of the sort, it is just easier for us to work with the Ley lines up here." 

"No baby?  Avren was almost certain that was why you came north."  Ethen set her down and glared at the still mounted Kevyn.  "And still not wed?"

"I would have invited you if I did get wed, you know that."  She cuffed his arm.  "Now stop glaring daggers at my beloved and tell me what's new with you."

"What under the sun is keeping him?  It's been half a decade already."  Ethen grumbled.

Sherri ignored his comment but a flush crept up Kevyn's neck.

"Did you just arrive today?"  Sherri asked as she looped her arm through his and led him towards the crowd.

"Just this morning actually.  About your gentleman, he is serious, isn't he?"

"Very."  She assured him quietly so Kevyn wouldn't hear as he hung back.  She could see the pale form of Stefen on Ethen's other side.  "He does have a ring, he just hasn't asked and if you and the others keep pressuring him he will never ask."

:He does have a ring?:  Stefen asked, surprised at this tidbit.

:He has had it for ages, he has never used it though.:  Sherri explained.  "Every time you lot get on his case about it he feels he can't ask because then it would look like you were forcing him."

"And how do you know this?"

"His Companion."  Sherri grinned impishly.  "I can get anything out of Nick if he has just woken up."

Ethen glanced back at Kevyn.  "I'll tell the others not to bother him, this time.  But I am surprised you haven't asked him."

:A good idea, apparently he now thinks asking you would just be in poor taste considering your future.:  Stef added.

:I'll think on it.:  Sherri promised.  "Is everyone else here?"

"Of course.  Avren told everyone he thought you pregnant since you had been going around looking like you were ill for weeks.  We are here to force you young man to the altar."

"You aren't!"  Sherri gaped up at him. 

"We figured you would want it that way.  After all, you chose him already."

"Try it and I'll make you grow a tail.  Am I understood?"  She hissed.

:Just a tail?:

"I already said I would tell the others to lay off for now."  Ethen reminded her.  "Being bossy and over bearing is a part of being an uncle.  I think Favram arranged for some bards and there should be some dancing.  Why don't you rub down your Companions and feed your man before they start?"

"Why can't you just call him Kevyn?"  She sighed.

:Ask him if they know any new songs.:  Stefen urged.  She could hear Fandes and Van laughing at his obvious interest.

:I imagine they do.:  She sighed and released her uncle's arm as the remaining five approached.

:Careful, Ashke, I just have to correct a few misconceptions.:  She warned as she was swept up in a hug by Favram.

Quin, Stef, Van, and Yfandes all chuckled at her unintended pun.

:Enough or I will delay the music all night!:  She threatened. 

"She's not pregnant and he still hasn't asked."  Ethen said without preamble, making her blush.

"Uncle!"

"Not yet, eh?"  Ciro asked and glared at Kevyn.

"Sherri thinks if we don't hassle him for a while he may work up the courage."  Ethen continued.

"That is quite enough."  Sherri said firmly, still blushing.  "It isn't a matter of courage.  Just please do me a favour and not bother him for this visit.  Please?"

"Not even a polite suggestion?"  Degane asked hopefully.

"No.  It would mean a great deal to me."  She said pleadingly.

"We won't."  Avren said firmly.  The others understood it was an order

 "Thank you."  Sherri placed a kiss on Avren's cheek.  "So you left Myra with out a child watcher?"

"I am sure she will be fine."

"The twins got loose and now Herald Dirk's hair is stained red and blue."  Sherri corrected.

Avren actually grinned, a rarity for him.  "You don't say."

"See what you are missing."  She teased.  "I better get back to Kevyn and the Companions.  I bet they are starving."

"We each get a dance later, right?"  Favram asked.

"Of course."  She promised and hurried back to Kevyn who was already brushing the Companions. 

:You forgot to ask about the Bards.:  Stefen reminded her.

:I am sure they are well versed in all the latest ballads.:  Sherri assured him.  :I will even ask if they will play a few old songs if you wish.  Perhaps Magic's Price.:

:I would like that.  I haven't heard any new renditions of it.:

:Just not My Lady's Eyes.:  Van warned lightly.

:What, no timeless drivel?:  She chuckled.

"So, what did they have to say?"  Kevyn asked as she wound her arms around his waist from behind.

"They promised not to bother you for this visit."  She informed him.  "They misread the reason for the retreat."

"What did they think?"  Kevyn asked warily.

"They thought I was pregnant."  She said simply, the amusement obvious in her voice.  "They were here to, well, force the issue."

She felt him chuckle.  "Some how I am not surprised."

:I wonder what it would be like to be a grandfather.:  Quin ponder.

:You aren't going to find out, I can't risk passing on this Gift to a child.:  Sherri said with a touch of sadness.  :Even without all of this we couldn't risk it.:

:I know, sorry.:  Quin nuzzled her cheek.  :We are just fine, why don't you and Kevyn grab some food and wait for the dancing to begin.  For tonight just be two people desperately in love.:

"Did you hear that?"  She asked Kevyn taking the brush out of his hand.

"No.  Who said what?"  He turned to face her.

"Quin thinks we should spend the night just being two people desperately in love.  Think we could do it?"

"With ease."  Kevyn assured her.

The group of six worried uncles watched as she led Kevyn over to the tables. 

"She is hiding something."  Avren insisted.  "Even the Queen is worried about her."

"What can we do about it?"  Buren asked with his arms crossed over his chest.  "She obviously won't tell us."

"She received a letter from Amelie."  Favram said suddenly.  "And a few times I was visiting she seemed to answer unasked questions."

"Do you think that Gift of hers is bothering her again."  Avren asked.

"I don't know.  She may just be answering her Companion."  Favram pointed out.  "She once mentioned Kevyn is a powerful Mindspeaker as well.  I doubt it is bothering her but maybe they have decided to try mastering it again."

"Didn't they learn the first time?"  Ciro demanded.

"A Herald that can see through illusions and is nearly impossible to be deceived would be invaluable.  But I was under the impression that they had given up on ever mastering it." Degane said thoughtfully.

"Look how pale and thin she is, do you think she's sick?"  Ethen observed.

The brothers fell silent as they watched their beloved niece for any sign of what was wrong.

~*~

Sherri was seated close to a Bard she had asked to play some older songs.  She knew Van and Stef were close by, probably memorizing the songs they didn't know.  Kevyn had fallen asleep stretched out on the ground next to her.  Even Quin and Nick were enjoying the night and were standing just beyond the light of the fire.

 Most people had exhausted themselves dancing and were scattered in large groups talking or in smaller groups of two cuddling by fires.

Despite the idyllic scene she couldn't shake the uneasy sense of being watched.

The sense of darkness was even worse now than it was earlier.  It was starting to give her a headache.  She caught her uncles watching her again but her instinct told her it wasn't them that was causing this feeling.

:I need to go for a quick walk.:  Sherri told Quin as she stood.  :I'll be back in a little bit.:

:Do you want some company?:  Quin asked. 

:No, I just need some air.:  Sherri slipped into the darkness beyond the fires  and wandered aimlessly towards the edge of the forest.  Not even the crickets could be heard and no animal cries disturbed the silence. 

She felt the hair on the back of her neck stir and the sense of being watched grew worse.

"I thought you would never leave them."  A foreign female voice said and a shadow detached itself from the darkness.

"Who are you?"  Sherri demanded and cast a mage light.  The harsh blue light revealed a woman a few years younger than her dressed in strange, light clothing.  She had long dark brown hair bound back with metal wires and a strange circlet on her brow.  Her skin was dark, as if she was always exposed to the sun.  What was most disturbing about her were her eyes.  They were such a light blue they were almost white.  She slowly circled Sherri eyeing her speculatively.

"I am Jelana, High-Priestess of Thoric.  I doubt you have heard of it."  Jelana said offhandedly. 

Sherri searched her memory, the name was vaguely familiar.  "Why are you here?"

"My, my, so many questions.  If you hadn't blocked your Gift you would know, wouldn't you."  Jelana's silky voice made shivers crawl up her spine.  "It doesn't matter I suppose.  You know, I used to fear it too."

"You are a True Seer?"  Sherri asked in disbelief.

"I was a True Seer.  A messenger from the gods."  Jelana gestured towards the stars. 

"You're dead."  Sherri said softly.

"That I am.  Your mother was rather insistent that you need to speak to another True Seer on how to conquer it."  Jelana stopped and tilted her head to the side.  "It can't be conquered.  You are its vessel.  It controls you."

"I refuse to believe that any Gift is meant to control its bearer."  Sherri insisted. 

Jelana snorted.  "You are sent to purify the world.  You See its darkness."

A thread of a song wove through Sherri's mind.  …though the child cried, Jelana lifted her blade and so the child died…

"You are that child killer.  They one who start murdering children for fun."  Sherri accused.

"It wasn't murder!"  Jelana screamed.  The darkness seemed to come alive around them.  "They were evil!  We carry this Gift within us so we can See the evil that has found root in them!"

"You deserved your fate."  Sherri said coldly, remembering the rest of the song.  "How many children did you kill before they burned you?"

"They were Evil!"  Jelana advanced on her too quickly for Sherri to defend herself.  The phantom's hands wrapped around her throat and started to squeeze.

Sherri clawed desperately.  What was once a dull throb in her head exploded.

Jelana's madness swamped her. 

"You are one of us, don't you see?"  Jelana said through clenched teeth, her pale eyes showing no sanity.

:Look at yourself.:  Sherri challenged as Jelana's thoughts and past flooded her as Sherri's own past flood back into her through the ghost's hold, a nasty loop.  :You are the Evil you tried to destroy.:  A strange euphoria came over Sherri.

Jelana's grip didn't ease but her eyes widened. 

:The is good and evil in everyone.  I learned that long ago.  It is up to us which affects the world.  You chose to let the darkness you saw in others become your own.  Look at those children again and tell me it wasn't yourself you were killing.:

Jelana's hands gripped tighter around Sherri's neck.  "What did you do?"

:I didn't do it.:  Sherri's mindvoice sounded weak and thready as she tried to breath.  :You did.  You created a loop.  You fed yourself into me which was fed back into you.:

Jelana was shaking with fear and self revulsion.  Sherri's experiences shedding new light on her past.  The goodness of Quin and the Companions.  The joy of a simple child's mischief.  The love she had for Kevyn and the love he returned. 

Sherri's mind was still filled with Jelana's past.  The uncovering of her Gift while she was still to young to know there was a world beyond her village, the lonely training to be a priestess to a God of Truth, never having a playmate, seeing the greed and ambition in the High priest that sought to use her before she was old enough to understand what she was.  The faces of the terrified children she tied to an altar and killed in the belief she was preventing more darkness.

Her thoughts seemed to be slower and her hands fell to her sides.

Jelana released her as if she suddenly became aware of what she was doing and fell to her knees next to Sherri's body.  "Oh, Gods…"