Disclaimer!  ~evil-cat hops from paw to paw~  Basically the concepts for Valdemar and the like are aaaalll the property of the wonderful Mercedes Lackey and the only things that are ours are the characters! ~skips off shouting~ Nit! Niiiittt!!!!

~cat raises an eyebrow at the departing satanic kitty~ I do apologise, she's been after me to give her something to do so I let her disclaim now…. She's had lots of practice… The nit thing… hmmm…I won't explain that—just put it down to evil's total lack of anything remotely resembling a brain and/or common sense.  ~cat shakes her head~

And for my reviewers…

Rosethorn: you just don't know…I could be planning summat lol ~cat scribbles down plot ideas~

Kattiko: why thank you thank you!  Do I really?  And I apologise for writing slowly lol this is coming out of my head straight to disk at the moment so some time is spent staring blankly at the screen.  Ah well… I'm writing quicker now as the choice of activities I can afford at the moment are 1) write more 'Hunt' or 2) write up Animal Production lecture notes.  As fascinating as typing up stuff on pig production systems is, 'Hunt' keeps winning…… ~cat stops babbling~

Anyway, onward to Chapter 6!

Chapter 6- Hearth Fires and Heart Fires.

  The blue-green expanse seemed to go on forever.  It stretched away in every direction, glimmering occasionally in the places that it was shot with silver.  Despite the colours being ones that people usually associated with coolness and feelings of cold, Saffri had never felt so warm in her entire life.  The warmth, and something else, filled up every part of her being and overflowed all around her, cocooning her away from the world.

  Some small part of Saff was aware that this vista of colour and warmth was entirely inside her own head, but the strangest thing was, for the first time that she could remember, it was quiet.  Not silent, there was a constant murmur of—something— that followed her every thought and seemed linked to the warmth that now bathed her soul, but it was quiet.  The only sounds inside her mind were her own thoughts and the murmur, whatever it was.

  The same small part of Saffri's mind was also aware that someone had Healed her.  She no longer felt the darkening weakness that was Jaric's poison seeping through her body.

  As if thinking about the Healing triggered something, Saff could feel herself drifting closer to consciousness, not far enough to wake up, but far enough to be able to hear what was around her.  Like an air bubble under ice Saffri hung near to the surface of her mind.  She could hear voices, ones that she didn't recognise.

  "How's she doing today?"  A strange female voice, dusky and worn sounding, as if it's owner had been abusing her vocal chords recently.

  A male voice replied, this one sounding less worn than the woman's.  "Better.  I got to the poison just in time, her own body is repairing the damage to itself with only minimal help from me now."  A slight sound, as if the man was clearing his throat, then the sound of someone sipping a drink, the cup making a chink as it was replaced on the table.  "It certainly helps that she was Chosen.  Kara has been a great help."

  Saff wondered vaguely who the unknown people were talking about.  For some reason Saff couldn't fathom the warmness inside her took on a feeling of amusement.

  A slight chuckle from the woman.  "Companions can useful like that."  The tone of her voice suddenly sobered.  "It's a mess, Yarrin.  The whole village.  Someone—something's been using Bloodmagic there." 

  A sharp intake of breath from the man—Yarrin.  "A Bloodpath mage?  In Valdemar?"

  "Not as uncommon as you might think."  The woman replied.  "We are also very near to the Border, and this is the Pelagirs."

  Sound of someone pacing across the room, the creaking floorboards a counterpoint to the lazy crackle of the hearth fire.

  "There's broken shields over the village and all of the villagers are tainted with traces of Bloodmagic, most of them heavily.  Whoever the mage was, they had control over the entire village."  The pacing stopped and Saff got the impression that the woman was looking at her.  "Not this one though, at least, not significantly.  I had a chat with her Kara earlier—"

  ~My Kara?~  A bemused thought floated across Saff's mind, followed by more of the warm amusement.

  "—and she says that the mage was only successful in getting into Saffri's mind on the day that she Chose her."

  ~They know my name…How?~

  "Who was the mage?"  Yarrin sounded curious.

  "You're not going to believe this."  The woman sounded angry.  "As far as I can tell he was 'Father' Jaric, the village Priest!"

  A gasp.  "Lexa, you're not serious!  The Priest?!"  So the woman was called Lexa.

  The man was speaking again.  "What exactly had the mage done to the villagers?"

  The woman sighed.  "I admit I'm no MindHealer, but it looks like he was tampering with their minds, very subtly.  Manipulating them."

  "To what end?"

  "As far as Jass and I can tell, to turn them against Saffri."

  The man made a disgusted noise in the back of his throat and from the sound of Lexa's sigh, she agreed.  "Speaking of MindHealers," she continued, "I'm going to see Jass, he was going to contact Haven for me, Bolten needs MindHealers aplenty.  He deserves a fuss as well."

  Footsteps moving away from Saffri and the sound of a door opening and closing quickly, so that only the slightest breath of cold air could whisper into the room.

  Throughout the conversation Saff had been gaining more and more awareness of her surroundings and the 'ice' keeping the bubble of self down no longer seemed half as thick.  She was now aware that she was lying on her right side, in a bed that was piled with blankets and covers, and there was something else close to her, something large.  She could hear it breathing quietly.

  Saff felt her own breathing quicken slightly as she pushed herself all the way awake.  Her eyelids felt heavy and sticky, but she was determined to open them, and the murmur in her mind was encouraging her.

  Her eyes fluttered open, pupils contracting at the sudden warm light that flooded into them.  Wincing slightly, Saff managed to pull herself up onto one elbow, then into more of a sideways sitting position, still leaning on the pile of pillows.  The details of the room beyond were lost as Saffri suddenly noticed what was in front of her, the source of the breathing she had heard.

  It was a Companion, laying on the mat covered floor by the bed.  The Companion, the one that had saved her.  The Companion was lying so that her head was near Saff, and, as Saffri sat up the mare turned to look at her.

  Saffri found herself drowning as the field of blue-green in her mind turned pure sapphire, matching those bottomless eyes, and the warmth—love— fountained around her and the murmur in her head sharpened into words.

  :Good morning Chosen.  My name is Kara.:

  Six simple words, but with them came the unveiling and understanding of what the voice had been telling her all night.  Saff didn't even notice that tears were leaking from her eyes, all that mattered was getting her arms around her Companion's neck, and never ever letting go.

  Saff flung her arms around the mare's smooth white neck and felt her nuzzle her cheek.

  ~I'm not mad.  I'm not evil.  I'm safe.  I've been Chosen.~

  :Nor will I ever let go of you Saffri.:  The Mindvoice was rich and feminine and was laced with a whiteness that spoke of utter truth.  Kara then uttered the words that confirmed what both of them already knew.

  :I Choose you.:

  After a while, a slight cough sounded from by the hearth.  Saff unwrapped herself from around Kara's neck and sat up, finally noticing the other occupant of the room.

  A tall, very thin man in Healer's Green was watching them with a smile on his face.

  "I trust that you are feeling a bit better than when we first met?"  He inquired jovially.

  "I suppose I am…" Saff trailed off, unsure what to say.

  The Healer noticed her unease and moved across the room towards the bed.  "Going too quick for you, aren't I?"  His tone of voice was self-depreciating and apologetic.

  "My name is Yarrin, and I'm a Healer."  Yarrin pointed at his robes.  "Which does make picking out clothes easier.  At least this way I don't end up looking like an accident in a paint factory."

  The chuckle that accompanied the ridiculous statement drew a smile from Saffri and an amused whicker from Kara.

  "Y—you Healed me?"  Saffri asked quietly.

  The man's expression sobered and he nodded.  "That I did, my dear.  I did have rather a lot of help though."  Shaking his head, the Healer smiled again at her.  "So, before we become mired in reality and details, would you like a bath?"

  The utter normalcy of the question stumped Saff for a moment.

  "I, uh—yes!"  She replied.  "But how—?"

  The man laughed and indicated at the wooden frame tub sitting before the fire, steam curling invitingly from the water.  "I had the feeling that you would wake today and I've been keeping the water warm with hot stones."

  Saffri sat up and swung her legs off the side of the bed, as Kara scrambled to her feet and moved back slightly.  Much to her shock and dismay Saff felt as weak as a newborn puppy, and her legs wouldn't stop wobbling.

  "What's wrong with me?"  She asked, slightly desperately as she sat back down on the edge of the bed.

  Both Kara and Yarrin hastened to soothe her, Kara sending a rush of comfort to her mind.

  "It's ok Saffri, some weakness is to be expected.  You have been abed for just over two weeks and before that, things were rather serious."  The Healer trailed off momentarily, then resumed.  "However!  I should let you bathe.  I will be outside with the others, take as long as you want, the sun is quite warm enough for us for a while."

  With that, the Healer made shooing motions in the direction of the tub and walked over to the door, letting in a brief wisp of icy air as he left.

  Slowly, Saffri stood up, holding onto the bedpost slightly for support, and turned to look as Kara.

  "Really two weeks?"

  :Yes Chosen.:  the Companion didn't elaborate any more.

  Saffri limped over to the tub, shedding clothes as she went, her legs felt stiff from lack of use.  Looking over her shoulder at Kara she asked, "What others are here?"

  :Apart from myself and Yarrin, two Heralds and their Companions.  Herald-Mage Lexa and Jass, and Herald-Trainee Derran and Zirri.:  Kara watched her Chosen with limpid blue eyes as she lowered herself into the hot water.

  "Why are they here?"  Saff asked curiously.

  Kara shook her head slightly and blew out through her nose before replying.  :They were on Circuit in this area, at Asten, where Yarrin is based, in fact.  They heard my call for help and came.:  The Companion turned around, so that she was facing the door.  :I am going to leave you for a bath in peace.:  She said decidedly.  :There will be plenty of time for explanations later, after you have washed and feel better.:

  "I feel fine, really!"  Saff called as the Companion nudged at the door.  "Do you want some help—oh."  The last was said as Kara opened the door.

  :Companion friendly door handles.:  she said, turning her head back to share an amused look with her Chosen.  :Gods bless artificers.:  She kicked the door lightly shut as she left, leaving Saffri alone in the Waystation.

  Saffri sighed and sank lower in the water, the warmth was comforting, as was the crackle from the fire in the hearth.

  Letting herself drift away into an almost-trance Saffri idly looked over her mind.  Quickly she discovered the reason why it was so quiet in her head, there was a crystalline layering of shields about her mind and they glimmered with the unmistakeable blue-white of Kara's presence.  She examined them curiously, they looked beautiful and fragile, but somehow Saff knew that they were anything but.

  ~I wish I could do that.~ She thought to herself.  ~I'd better get out of the bath, no matter what that Healer—Yarrin said.  It's cold out there, I don't want them turning to ice sculptures!~

  :Why, thank you for your concern!:  Kara's Mindvoice was rich with laughter.

  Saffri reached tentatively outwards.  :Kara?:

  :Yes my dear twofeet?:  the Companion sent.

  :Just experimenting.:  Saffri giggled and clambered out of the bath.  Hurriedly she dried herself and dressed in the clean grey clothes that were laid out on a chair near the bed.  Despite the warmth from the fire, the air still felt chilly to her wet skin.

  Standing uncertainly next to the bed Saffri looked around, and then tried to reach for Kara again.

  :Kara?:

  :Got me again!  What's up?:  The Companion sounded amused and Saffri had the feeling that Kara was normally something of a joker.

  :Me? A joker?:  Impression of a Companion fluttering her eyes and looking innocent.  :Are you decent?:

  Saffri sent back a laugh at the image.  :Yes, I am.:

  :I'll send in the two feet then.:  The Companion faded out of contact and the door to the Waystation creaked open, quickly followed by three rather blue looking people.

  Saffri recognised the first one as the Healer, Yarrin.  The short woman with the greying blonde hair must be the Herald-Mage, and the young, serious looking boy must be her Trainee.

  "It certainly is good to see you up and about young miss."  That was the woman, smiling as she said it.  Saff turned to look at her as she continued.  "My name is Lexa, and this is Derran."  As she said this she clapped the boy on the shoulder.  "I think you'll already know Yarrin."

  "Y—yes."  Saff's voice sounded croaky, even to her own ears and she winced internally.  ~I sound like a child.~  "Thank you for, um… helping me."

  Lexa waved a hand.  "Of course we helped you, you're one of us now."  The Herald eyed Saffri speculatively.  "Speaking of which, d'you feel up to telling us what happened in that village of yours?  We know some of it from what your Kara's said and from what the villagers themselves told me.  I get the feeling, however, that your version is likely to be the most accurate and complete."

  ~I—I can't talk about it!  But…why not?  I'm safe now, he can't get me.~  The thoughts raced through Saff's head as she stared at the Herald.

  :And if he tries, I'll trample him.:  Kara's voice sounded ominous.

  :We all will sister mine.:  Saff jerked her head up at the strange male voice in her head, noticing at the same time that Lexa cocked her head to one side, as if listening to something.

  :Bloody minded today, aren't we?:  Now another voice in her head, one that sounded like Lexa.

  The Herald seemed about to continue when something made her look at Saffri.  The girl was pale and was looking at her in an odd way.

  "Who was that?"  Saff asked tentatively.

  Lexa bit back an exclamation.  "You heard Jass?"

  "Y-ess…"  The girl looked at her again.  "I think so, and you too."

  Lexa Felt Jass laugh in the back of her mind.  :I told you Kara said she had very strong Mindspeech.:  The Companion's sending was pitched at a private level, directed only at his Herald.

  Derran broke the silence.  "Is there something wrong?"  He looked from newly Chosen to Herald.

  Lexa blinked.  "No, no!  Saffri here just heard Jass, that is all, no, sweetie, there's nothing wrong with you hearing us.  It just means you have very strong Mindspeech."

  "Oh." Saff looked more comfortable, but still a little confused.  "Um, what is Mindspeech?"  She asked.

  Lexa hit her forehead with the heel of one hand.  "Sorry, Mindspeech is a Gift.  It's the one that allows you to speak with your Companion and other people.  It also allows you to sense other people's thoughts, if you have both forms of it."  Saff's face flooded with understanding.  "And from the look of it, you do.  I'd better teach you how to shield before we do anything else.

  Lexa perched on the edge of the bed and patted a spot next to her until Saffri sat gingerly next to her.  "What do I have to do?"  She asked worriedly.

  Lexa smiled at her.  "It'll all become clear in a moment, for now just close your eyes and try to reach out to me, with your mind."

  Saffri sighed, not entirely understanding, and shut her eyes.  With a bit of nudging from Kara, she found herself once again within the crystalline shields, with a golden-yellow presence on the outside.

  :Would you lower your shields please Kara?:  The golden glow asked.  Saffri belatedly realised that it was Lexa.  She Felt Kara give her assent, and the glowing shields thinned, before vanishing totally.

  Saff felt suddenly swamped, as the minds of the three Companions and three other humans filled her own.  Before she could panic, she felt-saw Lexa reach out towards her.  Saffri responded almost instinctively, realising that this reaching out was how she had always tracked game and watched for trouble.

  Once they were linked, the Herald showed her how to centre herself, so that nothing could push her out of herself unless she chose it, and how to build her own shields.  Lexa also showed her how to change the shields to adapt in case of attack, before dropping out of the meld and leaving Saffri to herself.

  Saffri looked in wonder at the shields, her shields.

  ~They're so beautiful.~

  :That they are, two-feet.:

  :Kara?:  Saffri was surprised, and could Feel the amusement from the Companion.

  :Naturally.  I'm afraid that we are stuck inside each other's heads.  You can't shield me out fully, nor can I you.  Not that I'd want to.:  The Companion added that last slightly hastily.

  :I don't mind!:  Saffri replied happily, already used to the idea of having Kara always there.  :How could I mind?!:

  :Why, thank you.:  Kara sounded even more amused.  :I'm going to be the envy of Companion's Field at this rate!:

  Saffri laughed and turned her attention outside.  With a slight popping sensation, she found herself blinking once again at the other occupants of the Waystation.

  "Oh," she said, "that is so much better!  Thank you Herald Lexa!"

  Lexa smiled.  "It's just Lexa, sweetie.  And you're welcome."

  "So, now that we have that sorted out, would you mind telling us about what happened to Bolten?"  The herald looked sideways at Saffri, who gulped and nodded, before beginning her explanation…

~***~

  "You've been back there, haven't you?"  Saff asked, almost in a whisper, once she had finished telling the three humans and the Companions what had happened.  The Companions had moved inside near the beginning of Saff's tale, commenting that it was far too cold outside.  Lexa nodded.

  "I know some things, that the supposed Father Jaric was nothing of the sort, for instance.  I really need to know why he did it.  I mean, I've heard of Bloodpath mages raiding villages, even slaying villages, for sacrifices, but never of one who moved in as a Priest for near on two years."

  Saffri took a deep breath.  "He told me it was how he got his power."  She said quietly.  "He said that he'd move into a village and gain their trust, then he'd get into their heads somehow."

  Lexa looked grim.  "Mind control, there was evidence of Bloodmagic contamination on all of the villagers to some degree.  But why?"

  "To turn them against the person in the village that he wanted.  He said that he stole peoples Gifts by turning them m—mad.  He had to turn the others against his v-victim because the act of getting the Gifts from them drove them insane, or killed them."  Saff stumbled slightly over the words and that scene in the chapel came back to her.

  "He didn't want suspicions raised."  Yarrin sounded grim as he finished for her, and Derran sat silent, an appalled look on his face.  :That's monstrous.:  he Sent quietly to Zirri, and felt her silent agreement.

  Lexa put an arm briefly around Saff's shoulders, giving her a quick hug.  "Unfortunately the piece of sketi had gotten away by the time we got there.  I know it's hard sweetie."  Lexa released Saff and looked at her.  "I know you have exceptionally strong Mindspeech, but from what you told us, this Jaric also had a fair amount of the Gift himself, given how he tried to get to you."  The Herald sounded slightly puzzled.

  Kara filled Saff's mind with warmth.  :Show them why.:  she said.

  :The fire?  That I'm a Firestarter?:  Saff sent back nervously.

  :Yes.:  The Companion sounded calm.  :You have very good control of it already, look at how you managed to flame only those weapons at the village.:

  :O-kay…:  Saff still felt nervous, and a little scared.  She realised that even in this short time, she had come to regard the Heralds and Healer as friends, people to be trusted, and she didn't want to spoil that now.

  "M—Mindspeech isn't my only Gift.  He—Jaric said I had another.  That was the one he wanted, he tried to kill me once it activated.  He said that if I used it then all the mages and heralds nearby would know."

  Derran thought back to his vision, and to the sight of the roiling cloud clawing its way skywards.  "He wasn't wrong, what exactly is this Gift?"  He smiled as he said this, not wanting to scare the girl.  In his opinion, she'd been through more than enough recently.

  Saffri shifted on the bed slightly, so that she was facing the hearth fire.  "This is my other Gift."  She said simply, before turning to stare at the fire.

  ~I Call you fire, you are mine and I am yours, you will do what I want.~  Saffri didn't know where the words came from, they just seemed to fit somehow.  This time there was no panic in her as she felt her mind twine with the flickering flames of the fire.  She was the one in control.

  Before five sets of startled eyes, the hearth fire suddenly went out, no smoking or anything.  One minute there was a crackling fire, the next, just a pile of wood and charcoal. 

  As the two Heralds exchanged surprised glances with their Companions, Yarrin walked over to the fire and hesitantly held out a hand to the coals.  Feeling no heat, he touched them.

  "They're cold!"  He exclaimed, turning back to face the others, surprise etched on all his features.

  Saff smiled weakly at him.  "Stand back."

  The Healer shuffled away from the hearth and joined the Heralds in staring first at the dead coals, and then at Saffri.

  Her face took on a look of concentration, and her eyes glazed over slightly, and sparkled in a disconcerting manner.

  There was a soft "woomph" sound from the hearth, and suddenly the fire was there again, dancing merrily around the coals as though it had never left.

  As five shocked face turned to look at the newly Chosen Firestarter, her Companion moved to stand next to her, amusement written in her every line.

  :You should see the looks on your faces!:  Kara commented mischievously before turning to nuzzle at Saffri's cheek.

  "Well," everyone turned to look at Lexa, "that was certainly a surprise."