CHAPTER 48

Sherria rested her head against her new husband's shoulder, content with the world.  For the first time it struck her that in this wedding not just the bride had worn white, everyone but Stefen, who wore scarlet, had.  Sherri chuckled softly at the observation.

"What's so funny?" 

"Not just the bride wore white."  She explained.

"Do you think they'd notice if we snuck off?"  Kevyn asked.

"Of course they would."  She toyed with her small boutique.  How Kris had managed to produce the small summertime blossoms she didn't know, but she had been pleased when he had given her the small bundle of Maiden's Hope, a flower that stood for love and happiness in the north.  She had grown up with these blossoms and had received several bouquets on Midsummer morning.

"You look wonderful."  Kris kissed her cheek and said for the hundredth time.  His pride was obvious.

"Thank you."  She responded, again, and gave him a hug.  :Today was perfect, thank you.:

"Go ahead and take off."  Kris urged.  "We don't mind."

Sherri and Kevyn needed no more urging.

:Isn't young love sweet?:  Yfandes asked. 

He turned towards the voice and was stunned to see Yfandes as solid as he was. 

:I thought you could use a ride.:  Yfandes explains.  :Then perhaps we can carry out the other part of the plan.:

"Thank you, dear lady."  Kris gave her a bow and swung easily on to her back.  :How did you know today was…:

:Dirk and Talia's anniversary?  Who doesn't know?:  She laughed. 

~ * ~

Kris dismounted just out of sight of the rambling farmhouse that contained Dirk's extensive family.  He smiled as he remembered the pure chaos contained within, and the heavenly voices.

In his hand was a second bouquet of Maiden's Hope, a gift from Vanyel.  Sherri had assured him she would tell Talia and Dirk about her parentage and tell them he was glad that his two favourite people were together.  He was hoping Talia would have some more insight now that they knew that True Sight was in truth a branch of Empathy.

A boy with impish features, his hair the same reddish brown of his mother's but with his father's blue eyes, ran out of the door and froze when he saw Kris standing at the end of the road.

Kris left the small bundle of flowers on the ground and swung back onto Yfandes's back.  With speed not even Rolan could match she carried him back to the others.

~ * ~

Talia laughed at her sister in-law's disorganized attempt to get all the children washed and to the table.

"Mom."  Jemmie, Talia's son, hurried back inside, "There was a Herald outside but he just left these."  He held out the small bouquet. 

Talia's eyes grew wide when she saw the tiny flowers.  "What did he look like?"

Everyone watched as Talia accepted the flowers.

"He was tall, as tall as dad, and he had black hair."  Jemmie shrugged.

Talia smiled and took a deep breath of the flowers' fresh scent. 

"Who left them?"  Someone finally asked.

"I have to go find Dirk."  Talia said and hurried from the house.

Dirk was in the barn with his brother in-laws helping to repair an autumn storm had caused. 

"Is lunch ready?"  One called to her.

"Almost."  Talia warned.

The group of men put down their tools and located their clothing, their eagerness to eat obvious.

Dirk trailed behind the others and offered her his arm.  "What's wrong?"

Talia held out the flowers.  "Jemmie saw Kris and said he left these."

Dirk stared at the tiny flowers for a long moment.   The last bouquet that had been left for them was still pressed between the pages of a book in their rooms in Haven.  "Why would he do that?"

Talia laughed.  "I don't particularly care why, I am just glad to know he still watches us."

Dirk pulled her closer.  "I wonder what mother and father will make of this."

~ * ~

Kris dismounted just out of sight of the house.  "Thanks for the ride."

:You are welcome.:  Yfandes assured him.  :That was a very sweet gesture.:

"I just want them to know that I am still here I guess."  Kris shrugged.  "Even if we can't talk."

:And an apology for having to play with their heads a few times?:  Yfandes guessed.

"That too."  Kris admitted.  "I am going for a walk if anyone should wonder where I've vanished to."

:I'll tell the others.  Enjoy your stroll.:  Yfandes bid him as she left.

Just a few long months ago, when they had first arrived it was the start of summer.  Now the trees were bare and leaves crackled under foot. 

Long months that had been spent watching Sherri force herself to bear the incredible strain of her gift; months of waiting and praying that the miracle of their revival would not be for not.  In that time he had spared little thought for beyond the sanctuary the forest had become.

He knew the bell had rung for both of them and he knew everyone thought them dead.  Up until now it had been a necessity, Sherri couldn't take any more people around her, she didn't even need to touch people to read them now.  What greeting would they get when they rode back in the gates very much alive?

He chuckled softly.  He could only imagine some of the expressions that would greet them.

The last few days had made the last several months worth the burden.  She was herself again.  Both she and Kevyn were oblivious to the world because of their happiness. 

If he were any judge they were even happier than they were before.

Memories of the time he spent in her room watching her sleep and praying the floor wouldn't collapse under him made him laugh.  Perhaps when his first grandchild was born he would take that trip again.

Or he could persuade them to them to take a ground floor room.

Kris shook off his distant thoughts as he realised his surroundings.  He stood in the center of the copse where Jelana had killed them.

Dark memories tugged at his thoughts.

He remembered the look in Sherri's blood shot eyes as they opened.  At first he was certain he was hallucinating.  Neither had been Healed completely by whatever brought them back, both had a lingering weakness and often they seemed otherworldly.

They hadn't told them much of what happened beyond that they were allowed back at a price which neither wanted to describe.

As soon as she could talk properly Sherri had tried to explain her new theory that her Gift had to be contained within, a shield within herself like the block had been would work.  Vanyel had been able some up with the original plans for this shield by drawing on some horrific occasion in his past.  She pictured a ball of glowing light and then pictured it being encased in an opaque globe.  At the moment they had on and off mastered, it was the remaining in between they had to work on, being able to see spirits without having to read the history of everything around her.

If her mother hadn't moved on and sent back another True Seer they would probably be dead by now.

"Thanks Amelie.  You saved her."  Kris said to the wind.

He closed his eyes for a moment, replaying the simple ceremony that had taken place just a few candlemarks before.  It had been simple, much simpler than Talia and Dirk's wedding with no feast and few witnesses, but he had stood next to his daughter, for what she swore was the happiest day of her life.

With a sigh he turned back towards the cottage.  Opening his eyes he found his vision had returned to the panoramic view he was had become accustomed to during his life as Quin returned, with the blind spot right in front of him.

~ * ~

Sherri pulled the sheet up and wiggled as far from Kevyn as the bed would allow.  "Don't you even consider it!"  She barely managed to say around the laughter.

Kevyn reached for her again, a wolfish grin on his face.

Sherri didn't need to lower her shields to know he was intent on revenge.  "Kevyn!  We are a respectable married couple!  What are they going to think?"

"That I said something delightfully witty and you can't control your laughter."  Kevyn shrugged and caught her.  In seconds his deft fingers found the ticklish spots on her ribs.

"Scoundrel!"  Sherri shrieked and tried to wriggle away from him.  "How was I to know you were so close to the edge of the bed?"

"You certainly didn't have to land on me."  Kevyn retorted and nuzzled her neck.

Sherri was unable to respond, her sides were starting to ache from laughing.

A strange tingling washed through both of them and they froze, Sherri still trying to catch her breath.  In moments a rush of power swamped them both.

"I guess you are not walking back to Haven."  Kevyn said lightly.

"I wouldn't have walked and you know it.  I am much lighter than you so I am sure Nick would have agreed that carrying the saddlebags me would be better than lugging you back.  Besides, I remember you once said something about enjoying long walks…"

Outside two Companions and three spirits chuckled at her renewed laughter as he renewed his attack.

~ * ~

Sherri double checked her saddle and scratched Quin's ears.  "Ready to be off?"

:Of course.:  Quin assured her.

:We are all eager to get home.:  Nick pointed out.  :Not that I haven't enjoyed the company, but I have missed the others.  Especially this last week with our Chosen too enraptured in each other to even notice us.:

Sherri scratched under Nick's chin.  "We never forgot you, especially since you were reminding us that you were stuck out in the elements every ten minutes."

Kevyn emerged from their cottage with his set of saddlebags.

:We will keep it tidy for you.:  Stef assured them.  :Be sure to visit regularly.:

"We'll try for a couple of weeks every year."  Kevyn assured them.  "Preferably in summer.  I still hate chopping firewood."

A ghostly laughter filled the wood.

Sherri leaned against Quin's solid shoulder and studied the small cottage that had been their home for several months.  "I am going to miss it here."

"So am I.  Except for Kris's cooking."  Kevyn winked at her with a grin and swung into his saddle.  He didn't wait for her to mount up but rode towards the keep.

:Just you wait, I will have my revenge.:  Quin assured him.

Sherri hesitated a few more minutes before she swung into the saddle and followed him.

:I will visit.:  Sherri assured them. 

:Take care.  And keep up with the latest songs.:  Stefen ordered.

Vanyel and Yfandes laughed at the request. 

:Perhaps we will visit you.:  Vanyel said as she caught up to Kevyn.

Not long later they rode out of the woods, hand in hand, and were spotted by the guard of the keep.

"I wonder if your uncle will faint."  Kevyn pondered aloud.

The guardsman obviously didn't recognize them because only the head of the guard was summoned rather than the Count.

The plainly garbed Head Guard strode out, and gaped at them before turning and running back inside with no regard for his dignity.  The guard who spotted them stared after his commander confused.

Both Heralds chuckled as they neared.

A rail thin woman with her greying brown hair twisted up in a knot, wiping her floured hands on her apron was the first to appear.

Even as they dismounted the woman ran towards them.

"Oh, my dear Lady!"  Tears filled her eyes.  She stopped just feet from Sherri, frozen in uncertainty.

"How I've missed you."  Sherri made the decision for her and embraced her former Cook in a hug.

"My Lady, you are alive."  She returned the embrace, tears pouring down her cheeks.

Sherri pulled away.  "I know.  Is my uncle here?"

"Of course, he is being told now."  Cook wiped her eyes with her apron leaving a long trail of white flour.  "That Herald, Ferris, told us how you had to sacrifice yourselves to save us from that Change beast."

:Change Beast?:  Kevyn asked, as confused as she was.

:Best play along.:  Sherri decided.  :That must be the official story.  A Herald who is a threat to Valdemar would have harmed the faith the people have in the Heralds.:

"As you can see, the battle went a little better than expected."  Kevyn said lightly.  The woman looked ready to break into full-throated sobs or faint.  "Do you have any of your pies ready?  We haven't eaten anything I would classify as edible in months."  He gave her a hangdog expression.

"Oh, of course I do."  She smiled at him and patted his arm.  "I'll have meat on your bones in no time.  Our little Sherria looks much to thin as well."

Sherri smiled ruefully.

"Oh, dear."  The cook was obviously tallying something up in her head.  "I must go.  We shall have a feast to honor your return."

Kevyn wrapped his arm around her waist and led her towards the gaping doors.  "Next should be your housekeeper."

"Doubtful, at this time she would be supervising the wash.  I guarantee no man would poke his head in there."  Sherri assured him.

She was right.  They had just started on the bottom step when her uncle appeared.  As always he was dressed as a farmer would with his sandy blond hair overly long and wild about his face, looking nothing like the most respected Lord in the region.  Sherri could see signs of age that hadn't been present just a few months before.

"Uncle Favram!  It is so good to see you."  She smiled.

Before she could take another step he ran down the stairs and swooped her up into his arms.  "Sherri, Great Gods, we heard you were dead."  He said, tears making tracks down his cheeks.

Sherri's feet were dangling far off the ground and Kevyn was stuck watching his wife being dangled by a giant.  "We are just fine."  She assured him.  "It was just necessary for us to hunker down and recover for a while.  We never meant to worry you."

Reluctantly Favram placed her on the ground and wiped his face with his sleeve.  "Even the Heralds thought you were dead."

"It was a near thing."  Sherri admitted.  "We are still recovering."

Favram studied her face for a second.  "When did you marry?"

Sherri laughed.  "Leave it to you to notice the littlest thing.  We married a few days ago."

"About time."  Favram said gruffly.

Kevyn cocked an eyebrow and hoped the large man didn't mind not being invited.

"Don't worry, we do plan on having another ceremony, but we have to explain the circumstances about this one."  Sherri led the men inside where people were quickly gathering to see if it was true that their Lady Sherria was alive and well.

She greeted each by name and asked after their families.  The men watched as she deftly gave non-answers to questions before finally making her excuses and leading them to the library.

"Now, what exactly happened?"  Favram demanded. 

"You heard of the Change Beast?"  Sherri asked, hoping to hear more of the story.

"Yes.  Ferris said they believed you final striked."  Favram said.  "Which I believe is fatal."

"It is, but it was not exactly a final strike, but it left us very drained."

"You're lying."  Favram accused. 

"Am I?"  Sherri countered.

Kevyn watched the byplay silently. 

"I assume that the change beast story is the official tale?"  Favram sighed.  "And you can't tell me what really happened?"

"Perhaps in a few years."  Sherri said comfortingly.

Favram grunted.  "Very well.  But I would like to hear the truth."

Sherri shook her head at his sullen attitude.  He was one of the most sung about men with tales of his bravery and luck spreading far beyond the borders of Valdemar but he was sulking because she wouldn't tell him the truth.  "Let me explain why we didn't wait for you and the others to be present for the wedding."

"That I would certainly like to know."  Favram admitted.

"Because I wanted some of my dearest friends present and the only place they could be visible was in the Forest."  Sherri explained. 

"Herald Vanyel's ghost?  You saw them?"  Favram said, well aware of what that meant.

"Don't worry, we also managed to find the secret to control True Sight."  Sherri assured him.  "Will you forgive me?"

Favram grumbled a bit but forgave her in a heartbeat.

"Thank you."  Sherri visibly relaxed.  "Now maybe you can stop pestering Kevyn."

"Unlikely."  Favram grinned at Kevyn with a purely predatory smile.  "Now there is the matter of children."

Sherri laughed.  "Let things happen as they may.  Cook promised to make a feast for us and my whites are about to fall apart.  I am going to scavenge up a change of clothing.  Can I trust you to let my husband be?"

Favram grunted.

Sherri eyes him suspiciously but left.

Favram eyed his nephew-by-law.  "Welcome to the family and it is about bloody time you asked her."

"She asked me."  Kevyn admitted.

Favram laughed and thumped Kevyn on the back.  "Now that deserves a toast."

Sherri wasn't too surprised to find her husband and uncle rather intoxicated when she fetched them for dinner; at least they weren't at each other's throats. 

"I wish I could see Avren's face."  Favram was saying as she entered.  "You better write and tell me how he reacts.  I'd love nothing better than to see Almighty Avren taken down a peg or two."

"Time to eat."  Sherri interrupted.  "And we thought we should send word so we don't cause a wave of failing hearts."

"No one would believe it."  Favram assured her.  "Gonna be funny to watch."

Sherri sighed.  "I have spent this entire time trying to keep things in hand and you two have been in here getting drunk discussing how funny it will be when people discover we are alive and well?"

Favram nodded slowly.  "And you asked him."

Sherri turned and left them, closing the door behind her.

Kevyn set down his glass and started to stand.

"One last thing.  Hurt her and I'll see you drawn and quartered."  Favram said seriously.

"You have used that one before."  Kevyn pointed out.

Favram scowled.  "Fine, I'll tar and feather you and declare it duck season."

Kevyn laughed.  "That is a new one."