The wind blew through her hair, whipping the long dark strands
away from Saphri's face. Lavien carried her over the length of the
Companion's Field at a full gallop. His silver hooves pounded against the
earth. Saphril clung on tightly to the reigns, smiling as brightly as the
sun that hung in the afternoon sky. The Companion slowed down to a trot
and whinnied.
: Thank you for offering to ride me while Kataya is recovering in the infirmary. Will she be back soon? : came the voice in her head. It was Lavien; he had spoken to her on the day that Kataya had asked Saphri to visit him for her. His voice was deep and warm, filling her heart with a contentment she had only felt being about the Herald Trainee.
"It was as much a pleasure for me as it was for you. Healer Herut left me a note thing morning. Most likely Kataya will be freed today or tomorrow. She is happy beyond words. It was a week of hell for her." Saphri said, dropping the reigns as Lavien took them back to the stables. "Can I ask you a question? I mean, you wouldn't mind?"
: You can ask. I do not promise to answer. :
She smiled, for the Companion sounded very much like her uncle of whom she was very fond. "Lavien... why did you choose to speak with me? Companions are known for speaking only to their Chosen and other Companions. It is rare for them to contact other Heralds. I am an Unaffiliate."
: Ah. There are many reasons for that. All the answers I can give you would make no sense, though you shall know in time. Let me say for now that I have taking a liking of you. Kataya certainly does. :
The Unaffiliate unmounted and took off the Companion's saddle and put it properly back onto the rack where she had found it earlier. It took a few minutes for her to locate the brush. She brushed his coat and mane with a gentle hand. He closed his blue eyes in content.
: You have no idea how wonderful that feels. If there was one things the Companion's wish they had, it's hands. :
Saphri nodded mutely, keeping the brush moving. The stables were relatively quiet though there were others there. It was soon shattered with a sneer.
"What's a BLUE doing here? I never thought they had the stomach for being in Herald company." It was a boy's voice, relatively young; most likely he was newly Chosen.
Her back stiffened, but she didn't look up to see the speaker. She was the common target of remarks like that among Fachin and his group of high born Unaffiliates. Unfortunately, it hurt like a dull ache. Tears burned at the corners of her eyes, but Saphri blinked them back.
: Do not mind him. There are others here who know of your kind of heart and enjoy your presence. Be troubled not by the rash comments of people you do not know. : It sounded like something Kataya would say, but in Lavien's mind voice.
"Be quiet, Olfo, and do not speak of things you no nothing of. That girl is Saphri, and she is well liked enough among Heralds. Especially Kataya. Do not speak ill of her unless you enjoy being challenged in the practice field later." said an older Trainee. His voice was familiar; it belonged to newly made Herald Ehrik, a young man who often spared a smile when he passes Saphri in the halls. His support lifted her spirits.
Silence reigned in thes stables once more. After making sure Lavien's water was full and clean, Saphri said goodbye and left to clean up before classes resumed in the afternoon. A quick shower left her refreshed and soothed the aching muscles she had acquired from being saddle sore.
She had note been late to her physics class since the episode in which she and Fachin had been given the extra oral assignment. As Saphri walked in, she set her assignment papers atop the pile students were placing on the master's desk and took an empty seat in the front row. After an hour of taking notes, the dismisal bell rang and her peers rose, gathering their books and heading out of the doors.
"Miss Fenbrooke, may I ask you to spare me a minute?" called Master Pierun as the young girl began to gather her things. "I need to speak with you."
Walking slowly, Saphri stopped infront of his desk and waited nervously as students passed her by.
Master Pierun took the spectacles off of his nose and sighed. "This is concerning the marks you've been recieving in your other classes. Particularly arithmatic."
The Unaffiliate dropped her head and watched her feet. Her troubles in arithmatic had been adding up recently, for she had many difficulties with the rules given in the subject of calculus. In a tiny, ashamed voice she said, " I've been doing my best to work on my math."
"You aren't the first to have problems with calculus, my dear. But your master has informed me that you seem to have a dislike for the subject also." he prodded gently.
"I..." Saphri's voice trailed off and she sighed, letting some of the frustration she had with arithmatic trickle into her voice. "I don't see a reason for it, Master Pierun! The reason being that I am given rules and expected to find an answer for something that has no purpose. There are no theories, no formulas, just proofs and rules! I do not do them to find the appropriate measurements to build a sturdy bridge. It does not design buildings or answer the questions of space and stars. Arithmatic seems useless, sir."
A dim smile crept into the master's face, shocking the girl, for she had never seen this stern man do something as normal as smiling. He sat down in his chair and looked up at his student. "Young Saphri, that is what makes you a future Artificer. You require for there to be reason and logic in everything that you do. Let me inform you that what I teach in this class is the same as arithmatic, but with the aspects of daily life thrown in to understand what it is used for. Do not let lack of purpose cloud your resolve. If you still have troubles, do not hesitate to ask me. I had an arguement with arithmatic when I was your age."
She grinned brightly, clutching her bag closer to her. Someone understood how she felt about her schooling, and who would have thought it would be a man that many considered a stone statue! "Thank you, Master Pierun."
"My pleasure. You have shown good work in my class. I am proud to say you have the makings of a true Blue."
Though she could not be certain, Saphri swore to herself that the Artificer Master had just winked at her. Excusing herself, she left the classroom with her heart lighter than it had been in many weeks. To think that one of the most highly esteemed Masters in the Collegia believed Saphri to have what skills were required to become an Artificer.
As she turned to corner to go back up to her room, a leg appeared out of thin air over which she tripped, sprawling head first onto the ground, her bag splitting and the books flying across the hallway.
Someone sneered unpleasently at her demise. "What's the matter, Fenbrooke? You didn't get a good enough look at marble in earth science today?"
It was Fachin and his friends. They walked out of a room and gathered around her in a circle, glee glittering in their eyes. Ignoring them Saphri dusted herself off and tried to pick up her things. As she reached for her physics journal, Fachin planted his foot on the cover, leaning down to look in her in the face.
"Move Fachin." Saphri said half-heartedly, failing to tug the book out from under his weight. "We have class, and I need this book."
"No. I don't really feel like it. It is so delightful to watch you flounder around on the ground where you belong." said the young man, kicking the book out of her reach. She moved to grab it, but Fachin grabbed her roughly under the shoulder and pulled her to her feet. "Why don't you horse-lovers go back where you came from?"
Angry and in pain from the pressure he was administering to her arm, Saphri grabbed his wrist and dung in with her nails. He cursed and grabbed her neck instead, cutting off her air tube. She choked, tried to kick him, and missed.
"Let go of her!" shouted a voice from behind Fachin's cronies, and Kataya elbowed her way to the Unaffiliate's side.
The noble Blue smiled. "As you say..." Throwing Saphri back, Fachin aimed a kick at Kataya. It left an opening spot for Saphri to grab him from behind. He fell heavily on his back, but not before another boy was able to retaliate by punching her in the eye. Kataya caught her friend as her eyesight blacked out.
Fachin picked himself up and spat at the two girls. "Watch your back, filth. Because I'll be watching it, too." The other blues left, their taste for a fight gone.
~*~
"The cook sent up a slice of cold meat and some tea." Valem said, setting a tray upon the table next to Saphri's bed. "I brought some pain dulling herbs as well."
Kataya picked up the piece of meat and laid it gently on Saphri's eye, which was a glorious coloring of blue and black. The Unaffiliate winced, but held it in place with her hand. Stirring his herbs into the tea and adding some sugar to help with the bitter taste, Valem handed the mug to his friend, who murmured thanks.
"And you told me not to get into scraps." Kataya scolded, her hands on her hips. "What put Fachin into the mood to bruise you up again? You need to stay away from him and any of the Blues he hangs around."
Valem sat down on the bed next to Saphri and slid his around about her waist. She leaned thankfully against his strong body, letting him hold her. From her good eyes, she looked at her friend. "Do you really expect me to know? As far as I can tell, his only motive is that he likes to be a bully. And I know I need to keep away from them. It's not like I can escape them all the time."
"I know. It's just... I worry about you. I'm going to get my Whites and go on curcuit for a year or more. Who is going to take care of you? Other than Valem." Kataya added as the Healer Trainee glared at here. "He is certainly not going to be able to pull you out from under a pile of Blues. The only thing he can do it heal your hurts."
"Which I'll do. But Kataya is all too right, Saphri. You need to learn to fight. Or atleast learn enough self-defense that you can get yourself out of trouble and to a safe place." He gave her a gentle squeeze and ran his fingers through her brown hair.
Taking the side of the bed that was empty, Kataya occupied her friend's other side. "I can talk to Weaponsmaster Dern..."
"That's all I need: to get more bruieses from someone else." groaned Saphri.
"Better bruises than a fatal injury in the future." The Herald Trainee got up to her feet and walked to the door with nod to Valem. "I'll talk to him now, since practice is starting in a mark. Make sure she doesn't do anything stupid."
The door shut behind her and Saphri sighed. Valem laughed and put his other arm around her, holding her close to his chest. "We're doing this because we both love you too much to see you hurt."
She pulled away and looked up into his blue eyes. "Oh, really? Do you promise that every bruise I collect from that relentless Weaponsmaster, you'll take responsibility for?"
"I'll do more than that." he said, leaning forward and bringing his face closer to hers. Valem took the meat from her eye, setting it on the tray. Their lips met with a small spark of heat. He drew away and whispered in her ear. "I will never let you hurt."
"I don't intend for that ever to happen." she said back, curling into the nitch of his arms.
They held each other, content and happy with their company until the bell rang, calling them down for the evening meal.
: Thank you for offering to ride me while Kataya is recovering in the infirmary. Will she be back soon? : came the voice in her head. It was Lavien; he had spoken to her on the day that Kataya had asked Saphri to visit him for her. His voice was deep and warm, filling her heart with a contentment she had only felt being about the Herald Trainee.
"It was as much a pleasure for me as it was for you. Healer Herut left me a note thing morning. Most likely Kataya will be freed today or tomorrow. She is happy beyond words. It was a week of hell for her." Saphri said, dropping the reigns as Lavien took them back to the stables. "Can I ask you a question? I mean, you wouldn't mind?"
: You can ask. I do not promise to answer. :
She smiled, for the Companion sounded very much like her uncle of whom she was very fond. "Lavien... why did you choose to speak with me? Companions are known for speaking only to their Chosen and other Companions. It is rare for them to contact other Heralds. I am an Unaffiliate."
: Ah. There are many reasons for that. All the answers I can give you would make no sense, though you shall know in time. Let me say for now that I have taking a liking of you. Kataya certainly does. :
The Unaffiliate unmounted and took off the Companion's saddle and put it properly back onto the rack where she had found it earlier. It took a few minutes for her to locate the brush. She brushed his coat and mane with a gentle hand. He closed his blue eyes in content.
: You have no idea how wonderful that feels. If there was one things the Companion's wish they had, it's hands. :
Saphri nodded mutely, keeping the brush moving. The stables were relatively quiet though there were others there. It was soon shattered with a sneer.
"What's a BLUE doing here? I never thought they had the stomach for being in Herald company." It was a boy's voice, relatively young; most likely he was newly Chosen.
Her back stiffened, but she didn't look up to see the speaker. She was the common target of remarks like that among Fachin and his group of high born Unaffiliates. Unfortunately, it hurt like a dull ache. Tears burned at the corners of her eyes, but Saphri blinked them back.
: Do not mind him. There are others here who know of your kind of heart and enjoy your presence. Be troubled not by the rash comments of people you do not know. : It sounded like something Kataya would say, but in Lavien's mind voice.
"Be quiet, Olfo, and do not speak of things you no nothing of. That girl is Saphri, and she is well liked enough among Heralds. Especially Kataya. Do not speak ill of her unless you enjoy being challenged in the practice field later." said an older Trainee. His voice was familiar; it belonged to newly made Herald Ehrik, a young man who often spared a smile when he passes Saphri in the halls. His support lifted her spirits.
Silence reigned in thes stables once more. After making sure Lavien's water was full and clean, Saphri said goodbye and left to clean up before classes resumed in the afternoon. A quick shower left her refreshed and soothed the aching muscles she had acquired from being saddle sore.
She had note been late to her physics class since the episode in which she and Fachin had been given the extra oral assignment. As Saphri walked in, she set her assignment papers atop the pile students were placing on the master's desk and took an empty seat in the front row. After an hour of taking notes, the dismisal bell rang and her peers rose, gathering their books and heading out of the doors.
"Miss Fenbrooke, may I ask you to spare me a minute?" called Master Pierun as the young girl began to gather her things. "I need to speak with you."
Walking slowly, Saphri stopped infront of his desk and waited nervously as students passed her by.
Master Pierun took the spectacles off of his nose and sighed. "This is concerning the marks you've been recieving in your other classes. Particularly arithmatic."
The Unaffiliate dropped her head and watched her feet. Her troubles in arithmatic had been adding up recently, for she had many difficulties with the rules given in the subject of calculus. In a tiny, ashamed voice she said, " I've been doing my best to work on my math."
"You aren't the first to have problems with calculus, my dear. But your master has informed me that you seem to have a dislike for the subject also." he prodded gently.
"I..." Saphri's voice trailed off and she sighed, letting some of the frustration she had with arithmatic trickle into her voice. "I don't see a reason for it, Master Pierun! The reason being that I am given rules and expected to find an answer for something that has no purpose. There are no theories, no formulas, just proofs and rules! I do not do them to find the appropriate measurements to build a sturdy bridge. It does not design buildings or answer the questions of space and stars. Arithmatic seems useless, sir."
A dim smile crept into the master's face, shocking the girl, for she had never seen this stern man do something as normal as smiling. He sat down in his chair and looked up at his student. "Young Saphri, that is what makes you a future Artificer. You require for there to be reason and logic in everything that you do. Let me inform you that what I teach in this class is the same as arithmatic, but with the aspects of daily life thrown in to understand what it is used for. Do not let lack of purpose cloud your resolve. If you still have troubles, do not hesitate to ask me. I had an arguement with arithmatic when I was your age."
She grinned brightly, clutching her bag closer to her. Someone understood how she felt about her schooling, and who would have thought it would be a man that many considered a stone statue! "Thank you, Master Pierun."
"My pleasure. You have shown good work in my class. I am proud to say you have the makings of a true Blue."
Though she could not be certain, Saphri swore to herself that the Artificer Master had just winked at her. Excusing herself, she left the classroom with her heart lighter than it had been in many weeks. To think that one of the most highly esteemed Masters in the Collegia believed Saphri to have what skills were required to become an Artificer.
As she turned to corner to go back up to her room, a leg appeared out of thin air over which she tripped, sprawling head first onto the ground, her bag splitting and the books flying across the hallway.
Someone sneered unpleasently at her demise. "What's the matter, Fenbrooke? You didn't get a good enough look at marble in earth science today?"
It was Fachin and his friends. They walked out of a room and gathered around her in a circle, glee glittering in their eyes. Ignoring them Saphri dusted herself off and tried to pick up her things. As she reached for her physics journal, Fachin planted his foot on the cover, leaning down to look in her in the face.
"Move Fachin." Saphri said half-heartedly, failing to tug the book out from under his weight. "We have class, and I need this book."
"No. I don't really feel like it. It is so delightful to watch you flounder around on the ground where you belong." said the young man, kicking the book out of her reach. She moved to grab it, but Fachin grabbed her roughly under the shoulder and pulled her to her feet. "Why don't you horse-lovers go back where you came from?"
Angry and in pain from the pressure he was administering to her arm, Saphri grabbed his wrist and dung in with her nails. He cursed and grabbed her neck instead, cutting off her air tube. She choked, tried to kick him, and missed.
"Let go of her!" shouted a voice from behind Fachin's cronies, and Kataya elbowed her way to the Unaffiliate's side.
The noble Blue smiled. "As you say..." Throwing Saphri back, Fachin aimed a kick at Kataya. It left an opening spot for Saphri to grab him from behind. He fell heavily on his back, but not before another boy was able to retaliate by punching her in the eye. Kataya caught her friend as her eyesight blacked out.
Fachin picked himself up and spat at the two girls. "Watch your back, filth. Because I'll be watching it, too." The other blues left, their taste for a fight gone.
~*~
"The cook sent up a slice of cold meat and some tea." Valem said, setting a tray upon the table next to Saphri's bed. "I brought some pain dulling herbs as well."
Kataya picked up the piece of meat and laid it gently on Saphri's eye, which was a glorious coloring of blue and black. The Unaffiliate winced, but held it in place with her hand. Stirring his herbs into the tea and adding some sugar to help with the bitter taste, Valem handed the mug to his friend, who murmured thanks.
"And you told me not to get into scraps." Kataya scolded, her hands on her hips. "What put Fachin into the mood to bruise you up again? You need to stay away from him and any of the Blues he hangs around."
Valem sat down on the bed next to Saphri and slid his around about her waist. She leaned thankfully against his strong body, letting him hold her. From her good eyes, she looked at her friend. "Do you really expect me to know? As far as I can tell, his only motive is that he likes to be a bully. And I know I need to keep away from them. It's not like I can escape them all the time."
"I know. It's just... I worry about you. I'm going to get my Whites and go on curcuit for a year or more. Who is going to take care of you? Other than Valem." Kataya added as the Healer Trainee glared at here. "He is certainly not going to be able to pull you out from under a pile of Blues. The only thing he can do it heal your hurts."
"Which I'll do. But Kataya is all too right, Saphri. You need to learn to fight. Or atleast learn enough self-defense that you can get yourself out of trouble and to a safe place." He gave her a gentle squeeze and ran his fingers through her brown hair.
Taking the side of the bed that was empty, Kataya occupied her friend's other side. "I can talk to Weaponsmaster Dern..."
"That's all I need: to get more bruieses from someone else." groaned Saphri.
"Better bruises than a fatal injury in the future." The Herald Trainee got up to her feet and walked to the door with nod to Valem. "I'll talk to him now, since practice is starting in a mark. Make sure she doesn't do anything stupid."
The door shut behind her and Saphri sighed. Valem laughed and put his other arm around her, holding her close to his chest. "We're doing this because we both love you too much to see you hurt."
She pulled away and looked up into his blue eyes. "Oh, really? Do you promise that every bruise I collect from that relentless Weaponsmaster, you'll take responsibility for?"
"I'll do more than that." he said, leaning forward and bringing his face closer to hers. Valem took the meat from her eye, setting it on the tray. Their lips met with a small spark of heat. He drew away and whispered in her ear. "I will never let you hurt."
"I don't intend for that ever to happen." she said back, curling into the nitch of his arms.
They held each other, content and happy with their company until the bell rang, calling them down for the evening meal.