Disclaimer: I can only wish… *sniffle* (Translation: I don't own anything.)

Original Characters: Herald-Mage Taythaleiya Shadowflame & Companion Alera (also, Alera's twin, Adira.)

Notes (for Fireblade): Actually, the vrondi were always there. ^^ Vanyel just set up the spell (or whatever) that had them watch over mages within the borders of Valdemar, which I believe was in Magic's Price. *huggles helpful Valdemar Companion book* =^.^=

Echoes Of A Memory

Echo 4: Freezing Spy

Snow.

Damnation.

She was sick and tired of the snow.

Against her will, Taytha sneezed and reached up with frozen fingers to rub at her nose in annoyance. It was times like this she wished people would have the decency to cause trouble in the warmer parts of Valdemar. Of course, it was winter elsewhere, too, so it wouldn't make much of a difference. She was just being irritable.

She Felt Alera begin to say something, but then he seemed to think the better of it and faded from her thoughts.

Probably along the lines of "what else is new?"

Alera was as unhappy as Taytha at the moment, as he was currently up to his knees in snow and striving through the banks against the driving wind of yet another storm. Tch. Leave it to the Karsites to plan something in the dead of winter. When they found them, which he was sure they would, he planned to let them know (in no uncertain terms) just how he felt about it.

Taytha sneezed again.

:We need to stop and warm up.:

There was a momentary pause before she responded. :I think my ears have fallen off.:

:Then it's a good thing Mindspeech doesn't require ears.: He snorted, his breath frosting, and sniffed, trying to rid his nose of the buildup of ice and frost that was coating his nostrils. :Okay, I'm sorry, but I need to stop.:

:For once I agree.:

:Good.:

She shivered and hunched lower in the saddle, Sending her mind out to search through the various nodes of the surrounding land. Trees. Rocks. She didn't find much of anything, not that she had been expecting to. They weren't near any cave systems. After another moment of searching, she sighed. :Nothing. I'm going to have to put up a Barrier.:

:You're sure you can hold it long enough?:

:Sure,: Taytha tried to sound cheerful, but was only half-successful. :There are lots of Nodes nearby, just nothing that we can really use for shelter. I can tap them for the energy to keep the Barrier up.:

Alera seemed reluctant. Probably because he knew the risks of long-term spells; any kind of magic that would strain the spell caster for more than a candlemark or so could be dangerous. Still, he wasn't looking forward to spending the rest of the night in the roaring wind and snow of the Pelagiris.

:Alright. Where do you want to set up camp?:

:Perhaps I can help, White One?:

The Mindvoice wasn't familiar, but it had an undertone that Taytha recognized as probably coming from either a kyree or one of the mysterious creatures known to Valdemarians as ratha. Until the Speaker chose to show itself, though, she could only guess, though from what she was getting from Alera, as he raised his nose to test the air, it had a more feline scent to it.

Not that Alera hadn't been wrong in the past…

:I heard that.:

:Good.: Turning her attention back to the whirling wind and snow that was dancing in circles around her, she Reached with her mind, attempting to touch whatever had spoken. It remained on the outskirts of her consciousness, shielding itself strongly, so she had to give up after only a moment.

She chose the diplomatic approach.

"Any help would be appreciated, Stranger!" She called, her voice barely carrying beyond her lips. She had anticipated this, though, and had Broadcast her words as well. "…as we find ourselves without shelter from the storm…" then, almost as an afterthought, she added; "though I can't guarantee Alera won't eat you out of house and home."

A moment of silence, with the exception of an annoyed snort from Alera, was followed by a mental chuckle and a shape finally wound its way out of the storm, curling from the shadows to present its self in front of them.

:Your warning is welcome,: the ratha laughed, and it was amazing how close it's whiskers could come to a smile, :and so are you and your Soul-Brother. I offer you what little hospitality I have, and if you would follow me I can get you out of the snow in two shakes of a tail.:

While she had little to no experience with ratha, Taytha was more than willing to let the mountain cat lead them, though it was true that Alera was the one doing the walking so she really had no choice in the matter. The Companion hadn't sensed anything amiss about the creature, obviously, or he would not have followed.

And it had been in both their experience that such things as evil didn't cross into the realms of the non-human world. Those of the kyree, ratha and dyheli, for example, were for the most part giving, trusting and honorable peoples. She was also sure that there were other societies which were much the same as theirs…

She could trust the cat. She was sure of it.

:What do you suppose a ratha Clan is like?: Alera wondered after a moment.

Taytha sneezed again, then sniffled. :I don't know.:

Ahead of them, the ratha's ears flicked back and its tail twitched in amusement. :There are no such thing as ratha Clans, White Brother. We are a solitary people for the most part, and most of us are wanderers, unlike the kyree you think of so fondly.:

:Oh. I didn't know that.:

:Of course not.: It agreed cheerfully, :for we are also secretive.:

:Then you do have something in common with the Clans.: Taytha noted.

:Yes, we are similar to the Folk in many ways, though we are also very different…: its Mindvoice trailed off for a moment and it seemed to be considering, then; :this way.:

Alera hastened to keep up with it, which was quite a challenge considering the lithe way that it moved through the snow. He, on the other hand, tromped through the drifts as if he were a mule. Taytha, who could do nothing but huddle in the saddle and sneeze occasionally, knew he was far more worried about getting under cover and warm than how graceless he was appearing.

He'd regret it later, for sure…

:In here.:

Alera stopped. :In where?:

The ratha rolled its eyes and gestured with its nose, pointing toward an overhang of evergreen tree boughs before vanishing beneath them and calling back; :it's not much, but it's better than you had before.:

The Companion shrugged vaguely (Taytha could feel it through the saddle) and bowed his head, "urging" his Chosen to do the same with a stinging mental swat that made her curse and slap his flank angrily, then proceeded to snicker when she wasn't fast enough and got a mouthful of pine needles for her trouble.

Once they were past the tree branches, she gave him a good kick, as if driving non-existent spurs into his sides (he winced at that) and then slid from his back to look around.

They were nestled in next to the roots of at least two and possibly three trees, with the branches bent low enough that most of the wind was filtered out. The ground was a carpet of leaves and needles, and a next had been built in a shallow hollow at the base of the largest tree trunk.

The ratha had settled itself next to the next, regarding them silently.

Though she was still shivering, Taytha was glad for the break from the wind. "Thank you again." She said, and beside her Alera snorted in agreement. "We were sure we would have to hole up somewhere unpleasant, which wasn't a very exciting prospect." A pause and the huge cat blinked at her lazily, "I'm Taytha, and this is Alera..."

:Roska.: It supplied, :and I must admit I had a bit of a selfish reason for bringing you here in the first place…:

Taytha blinked. "What?"

Before Roska could answer, a soft mewl, muffled by the leaves, sounded from somewhere in the nest, and the ratha immediately turned its attention to a tiny bundle of fur that scrambled clumsily from where it had been hidden, followed closely by two similar furballs.

Kittens?

They blinked owlishly at both Taytha and Alera, seeming surprised by the sudden intrusion in their home. Roska gave them each a lick, batted one of them onto its fuzzy butt when it attempted to pounce on her tail, and then glanced back toward the newcomers.

 :I've been having trouble keeping the wind out,: it – she! – explained, :and sadly, my paws aren't up to the task. Especially in this weather. I'd hoped that you might help to keep the den warm, at least for the night…:

Taytha almost laughed, and instead chose to grin and nod. "Anything is better than sleeping in a snowdrift," she told Roska, "and I will gladly help you to not only keep your den warm overnight, but patch it up for good."

She smiled her feline smile, and pushed one of the kittens away when it began poking at her tail again. It could have been the same one as before… truth to tell neither Taytha or Alera could tell the difference between them, save that one appeared to be a bit bigger than the other two…

:My cubs,: Roska told them with mother's pride, swatting at the troublemaking one another time. :Ara, Yorel and Strata.:

The kittens all stared up at Taytha and Alera with such unrestrained curiosity that they found themselves laughing. After a moment, Yorel bumbled over to Alera's hooves and sniffled at him. In return, Alera lowered his head and nudged at the cub, sending it head over heels into a pile of leaves.

At first, Taytha was worried that he had hurt it…

But then it came bouncing out, giggling mentally the entire time.

From that point on, Alera was officially a big white plaything, and though he complained occasionally, she knew he was enjoying the cubs as much as they were enjoying him.

They seemed young, she thought. Perhaps only a month or so old, as they had yet to learn to use their Mindspeech; they communicated with Roska in growls, mewls and hisses, and though they laughed with their Minds they didn't Speak a single word to either Taytha or their new suspiciously horse-shaped adopted uncle.

In any case, it's good that Alera's here. It gives me time to help Roska with the den and put up the Barrier without having to worry about curious kitties.

:Funny,: Alera told her sarcastically at that, :I thought I was the only reason you didn't have to walk all the way from Haven.:

:That, too. Though you do make a good babysitter.:

His eyes were trained on her for a long moment, while the babies played with the tip of his flicking tail, and then he sighed. :I was trying to think of a good thing to say, but I can't.:

:The moment's gone, anyway.:

:I hate when that happens.:

Chuckling to herself, Taytha went back to working on the den.

As she quickly learned, Roska's den had already been sealed by once, using a simple but effective spell that she didn't really recognize. When she asked, the ratha explained that a friendly traveler had helped her out once before, which, incidentally, was why she didn't have reservations about bringing straggling Heralds and Companions home to play with her cubs.

Besides that, she was fully aware of what Heralds were, and apparently Alera was recognizable from a mile away. And while Taytha wasn't really sure what Roska meant when she said that, she did know that somehow most of the people that she met, human or not, knew what Alera was immediately and without asking.

Because she had the Mage Gift, she did know that Companions broadcast an aura of light, which stemmed from their magic, and in the past when she had conversed with Savil or Lancir about it, they had both theorized that Companions tapped Nodes for power, but there was something else, it seemed, that non-humans could see and she couldn't.

She sighed. I always confuse myself when I try to figure out Companions…

:And rightly so.: Alera chuckled.

"Oh hush."

Roska, who (apparently) had been following their conversation with her own Mind, shook her head. :Partners for life and you know nothing about each other. It's a silly thought, if you ask me.:

"I agree." Taytha said dryly, then; "okay, well, with the base for the spell already set up this won't take long." She brushed her hair out of her face and made a vague gesture with one hand, "the spell that was on here to seal it up has degraded, but I can reinforce it. Then it should last for at least another year or so…" she wrinkled her nose, "I wish I knew what spell was used in the first place, though, that lasted as long as it has, especially all the way up here in the middle of Sorrows."

:Sorrows?:

"Oh," she shook her head, "the Pelagiris, I mean."

:Ah.: Roska shrugged, :in any case, I know almost nothing about the magic that was used, except that it kept us warm in the winter and dry in the rainy season.:

She had to admit, if she had been in Roska's place she probably wouldn't have questioned it, either. Also, she was pleased that the ratha hadn't asked about her using the term "Sorrows" for the forest – she had already had to attempt reasoning with Savil and Elspeth, and didn't feel like explaining herself again.

It only took her a few more moments to finish reinforcing the Sealing spell, and didn't need Roska so she went back to her cubs to let Alera have a moment's peace. The Companion happily allowed her to take them back and force-tuck them into the nest in the tree, then folded his legs under himself and lowered his bulk down into the dry leaves and needles.

:Roska, may I ask you something?:

She turned an eye toward Alera, but continued burying the kittens in their makeshift bed. :Of course.:

:It's about the forest,: a whuff and he pondered. :My Chosen and I are here to search for a group of humans… and as I have a feeling there aren't many of them around here, I was wondering if you had-:

:They passed through here a few hours before I picked up your scent and began tracking you.: She had begun grooming one of the younglings, but paused to interrupt and look at the Companion. :I lost them shortly after they appeared.: Her whiskers twitched and she seemed disturbed. :It was almost as if they vanished.:

Alera was studying the cat seriously. :Were you following them?:

:I always check up on humans when they enter my territory. Many have been up to no good, and I have to be especially careful now, with the Littles.: The kittens seemed to have figured out it was bed time, and had begun to settle down so she could turn more of her attention toward the conversation at hand. Next to Alera, Taytha was checking the spell anchors one final time, but still paying apt attention. :That is why I was following you, as well. Though normally I don't invite strangers over for the night.:

:Why us, then?:

:For the spell. I could sense the Mage energy in your Chosen.: Roska replied simply, :besides, I can tell a leshya'e when I see one… though I will admit you are a different make than those I am normally familiar with:

"Leshya'e?" Taytha wondered as she seated herself next to Alera so she could strip him of the unnecessary parts of his tack and search through their belongings for any remaining waybread. "I don't believe I know that term."

:It's Shin'a'in.: The ratha informed them, yawning. She stretched for a moment and then settled in the mulch next to her cubs. :Leshya'e are helpful spirits, normally sent by the Star Eyed to help us mere mortals.:

Ah, well that explained it. While she was borderline fluent in the tongue of the Tayledras, she knew only one word in Shin'a'in; "yai", which she had been told meant "yes". Still, she should have at least recognized the vocabulary…

:Not as smart as you thought you were, huh?:

"Quiet, horse."

:Whiner.:

Taytha snorted and rolled her eyes, then sighed. She hadn't been able to find anything in the way of food in the saddlebags, which wasn't really all that much of a surprise, though she hadn't thought they were right out of food. Of course, being snowed in and two hours from the nearest town/waystation probably didn't help any.

She didn't mind going hungry, and though he would probably complain, Alera wasn't that worried about it either. Being warm and out of the wind and snow was higher on their cumulative list, and they could worry about food later.

Across the small space that was her den, Roska had curled into a comfortable looking ball and was quickly drifting into sleep.

Apparently, ratha did share a few traits with their smaller and substantially stupider cousins.

:That looks like a good idea.:

Without a word, Taytha agreed with Alera's statement and leaned back against his flank, crossing her arms and stretching her legs out in front of her. Sleeping while sitting upright wasn't her most favorite way to do it, but it beat the hell out of sleeping in the saddle, and the forest floor didn't make all that bad of a bed, anyway…

 She forced her exhausted legs into a stumbling parody of a run, but wasn't fast enough.

Just as she reached the place where he lay, panting and moaning in pain, she saw his head snap up as if in response to a call only he could hear. He seemed to be looking up at the Tower that held the Death Bell. She heard him cry out something unintelligible, and followed his horror-stricken glance-

-and saw the other, poised against the lightning-filled sky, arms spread as if to fly-

-and saw him leap-

He seemed to hang in the air for a moment, as if he had somehow mastered flight.

But only a moment; in the next heartbeat he was falling, falling – she couldn't tell if the scream she heard was her own, or belonged to the boy at her side. It wasn't the leaper's; his eyes were closed and his mouth twisted and jaw clenched in a rictus of pure grief.

She felt the impact of his body with the unforgiving ground as if it had been her own body that had fallen-

-and the scream ended-

"No!"

Taytha sat up quickly, practically catapulting away from Alera, who had been awakened as much by his Soul-Sister's sheer terror as by Roska's insistent pawing at his shoulder, and now huffed in agitation as he clamped down on the horror-based adrenaline that was coursing through her veins.

He had only picked up on part of her Vision, so he wasn't sure exactly what she had seen. He had witnessed lightning, however, so the fact that she seemed to be expecting a torrential thunderstorm didn't surprise him.

Neither did the fact that she turned to him and asked; "is it storming still?"

Her voice wavered, and she swallowed dryly.

:Just snow, Chosen. It's slackened off a bit since you fell asleep.:

"Oh…"

Next to them, Roska was crouched just inside the entrance to the den, peering through the branches warily. :If you don't mind, I think we might have a problem... tell me, White Leshya'e...:

Both Taytha and Alera were picking up on a vague feeling of concern now, and the Companion's ears flicked nervously. :What is it?:

:Are these the men you seek?:

"What?!" Taytha didn't mean to yelp as loudly as she did, and immediately clamped a hand over her own mouth to stifle the noise. She was still shaking from the disturbing dream, but now her mind was focused on something else. "Where-?"

:See for yourself.:

The ratha moved aside, and Taytha crawled toward the entrance to look through cautiously.

"Gods…"

A few yards away, seemingly having appeared from nowhere, just as Roska had claimed them to have vanished, were the Karsite-garbed men they had seen previously. Only this time there was a marked difference.

This time, there was a Mage with them.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Me: Yeah. Uh, kind of pointless. In case any of you were unaware, ratha are seldom-seen creatures that are to mountain cats what kyree are to wolves. I just felt like using one. But since I don't know almost anything about them, don't take my version of ratha to heart. :p lol

Also, Taytha's ForeSight Dream in this chapter is from pages 206 & 207 of "Magic's Pawn", and I have no claim on them. Hm. She seems to be having Visions that deal with our favorite angst-filled future-Herald. Do I sense a pattern, here? ^^;; (Nah. It's just me. -_-;;)