Reviewer thanking-time! =D Other people review, too! That'd be cool. . . ;)
Banadar- hehe, better chapter-lengths? ;) I redid the whole story just for you! lol, kidding. But anyway, thank you for the encouragement, I hope you still like it even though I redid it! *grin*
Kerowyn- Thank you! =) *happy dance*
Afternoon
After bidding farewell to his parents and eating a quick breakfast, Teriyel and Luna began to travel, and now in the early afternoon, they were well on their way to Haven, Valdemar.
~Is Haven really as big as I've heard it is?~ he thought, knowing that she could hear him and feeling slightly worried. Would they dislike him because he couldn't actually talk?
:It's quite big,: she replied, :but you won't be out in the city much. You'll be living in the Collegium with the other Herald-Trainees, and they're all very nice,: Luna said comfortingly.
That made him feel a great deal better, and he looked out at the scenery. Basically all he could see were farms like his own, and sometimes they passed by people, all of whom waved happily at him. They rode in silence for some time.
:Now, love,: she said to him out of nowhere, :even though this Choosing thing was a big deal, I have something to teach you now. You know that all Heralds and Herald-Trainees have Gifts, right?:
~Yes,~ he thought, then laughed mentally. ~You'd have to be pretty stupid not to know that!~
:And I know that you've been hearing the thoughts of your family.: He perked up. She knew? Did this mean he _wasn't_ crazy?
:Of course you're not crazy, dear. That's your Gift that's doing that - the Gift of Mindspeech that enables you to hear the thoughts of anyone around you if they're not shielded. You can also put words in other people's minds, so you can talk to them, like I'm doing now.: She gave him a quick lesson on how to do that, and then, at the age of 16, Teriyel spoke his very first words.
:Like... this?: he asked, and then was rewarded with her enthusiastic whicker. :And... I can talk - to anyone now?:
:Yes, you can. Most Mindspeakers can only make people with the Gift hear
them, but yours is so strong that you can make anyone hear you. It might take a little of my help at first, but later on, especially if they're close by and willing to listen, it'll be pretty easy for you.:
He nodded, trying to take all this in. First a Companion comes to Choose him, and now he was learning to talk! What a day already, and it was only the afternoon! They continued their ride, and though they chatted happily, no one ever spoke a word.
~*~*~*~*~*~
A fairly good-sized bush on the edge of a luscious path in k'Valdemar Vale shook as two young Tayledras girls crouched behind it, giggling madly. They both slapped hands over their mouths to quiet themselves, but their eyes still shone and they still shook with their silent laughter. Anyone walking by would have rolled their eyes and chuckled as they recognized the laughter - Deerfoot and Daybright, causing trouble again!
The first young woman to recover was Deerfoot, a half-Hawkbrother half-Shin'a'in with tanned skin and dark hair, and was tall and lithe, with blue eyes. The second, Daybright, only now stifling her chuckles, had brown- blonde hair, green eyes, and skin a shade or two lighter than her friend's. They both grinned at each other.
"Icefire is going to kill us for this!" Deerfoot whispered in Tayledras as she peered out at the path beyond their hiding place. "There _is_ a reason that's his use-name, you know! Calm one minute and in a rage the next!"
"Aw, don't worry, Deerfoot," the other girl replied, shrugging off the "danger" of their still-lanky blacksmith-in-training friend with a good natured smile. "He'll think it's funny! Because it is!" she said with emphasis. "Starsong can always cast a spell on him or something, she'll keep us safe."
Deerfoot was a scout in training, and was a natural at blending in and moving silently through the forest, hence her use-name. That was the reason that she, and not Starsong, currently on the way to becoming a Master Mage, was chosen to take this part in The Master Plan. Starsong was leading Icefire down the path they were kneeling next to so the plan could be put into motion. Deerfoot heard their quarry approaching, and tapped her friend's shoulder urgently.
"Daybright, shh! He's coming!" she whispered, and, after a final giggle, Daybright quieted down.
Icefire walked slowly down the path, then stopped at the perfect place for the ambush. . . Deerfoot and Daybright looked at each other, nodded once, then leaped out of the bushes to tackle him.
"Boo!!" they shouted, all three falling down in a heap of laughing adolescents. Once Icefire had sufficiently recovered from his scare, he set about paying them back - by tickling both girls unmercifully.
"That's what you get!" he laughed as the two squirmed and squealed. Eventually, they all calmed down and settled down on the path, joking and having a good time.
Daybright sat facing away from the way Icefire had first come, which led to the entrance to the Vale. She heard a noise from behind her and stiffened for a moment before she realized it - Starsong! That cheat! She must be trying to sneak up on them! She waited a moment more for Starsong to get closer, then heard another noise and stood and whirled around in one fluid motion, expecting Starsong-
-but instead found herself looking at a stunning white horse that had somehow managed to sound like a human sneaking up on her. It was perfect in every way... too perfect... and she knew it for sure when she looked up in its eyes...
-and then she knew that this was no horse, but a Companion, and that his name was Carmen...
:Boo!: she heard, but not quite heard. :You think your surprise for Icefire was good, eh? Well, wait till you figure out what you're in for!: She heard a laughing sound. :I Choose you, Daybright. And we shall be together forever!:
These words were the last things she would remember, but her friends (including Starsong, who'd shown up when Daybright turned around) watched in amazement as threw her arms around the horse's neck with an expression of pure happiness and joy.
Daybright came back to herself a minute or two after the Companion had arrived and swept her off her feet. She grinned briefly at him, then turned to her friends. "Guys, I want you to meet Carmen. He just Chose me to be a Herald of Valdemar!"
Their jaws practically dropped open in shock. The resemblance to the Companions stationed in k'Valdemar was more obvious once the stallion, who was larger by far than his fellows in the Vale, moved into the light. This generation of Hawkbrothers knew very well what Heralds were - and what an honor it was to be Chosen by one of the legendary Companions.
"You- wow, Day!" Deerfoot exclaimed, rushing over to hug her best friend. "I can't believe it! This is so exciting!" She then turned to the stallion and bowed slightly. "Wind to thy wings, spirit-brother. We are honored that you have seen one of our number as worthy!" He bowed right back, then whickered and whuffed her hand gently, causing the young woman to laugh then turn to hug Daybright again.
Starsong and Icewind got in on the hug too, and the four friends grinned at each other. "C'mon," Daybright urged. "Let's go find my parents!"
They all ran headlong down the path towards the family's ekele - one that was actually fairly high up. Surprisingly, Day's Valdemaran mother had taken to living in the trees with ease, much to the delight of her husband. The four arrived and Day climbed up to find Nightsong stretched out in a hammock, listening to Kirane practicing her newest composition.
"Mum, Dad? Will you come down with me for a minute?" Day asked as she entered. "I want you to meet someone." Mystified by willing to do as their daughter requested, the couple followed her.
"Who do you want us to-" Kirane began, then stopped short when her eyes settled on the Companion.
"I want to introduce you both to Carmen, a Companion of Valdemar. He Chose me to be a Herald!"
Day had been slightly worried that her parents wouldn't be happy about this news and might insist she stay in the Vale, but all her fears evaporated when they both smiled.
"Oh Daybright, dear! This is so wonderful!" her mother said, hugging her close.
:I knew they'd be okay,: said a voice in her mind. Carmen nosed her. :After all, who could resist _me_?: She laughed inwardly at that.
"You'd better pack," her father advised with a smile and a pat on her shoulder. She looked at Carmen, who nodded.
:He's right,: he told her. :We need to get going!:
She rushed back upstairs to pack her things, including all her jewelry (mostly made from the feathers discarded by her father's barn own Aszre or from her gryphon friend Norieth), a few of her favorite outfits (some dressy and some comfortable mage-robes that she loved, as well as a simple scout uniform or two), her dagger, bow and arrows, and a few other personal items. She left the ekele, tossed her pack on the ground, and ran to the kitchens to grab some food for her journey. On the way, she crashed into the head hertasi of the Vale, Setna.
"Daybright, heyla!" Setna said cheerily. "Where are you off to in such a rush?"
She grinned. "You'll never believe it. A Companion came to the Vale and Chose me!"
The hertasi very nearly fell over. "By the Goddess! What amazing news!" She hugged the newly-Chosen until instinct took over. "You'll need food! Wait here, I'll be right back!"
And Setna was true to her word. She returned long before Day expected her, and she was carrying two bulging packs. "One's for you, and the other is for your Companion. Yours will keep for a few days, and it should be enough. You can get more for free at towns along the way, or so I hear, so don't short yourself on food! Now you'd best be off."
Setna shook her head ruefully. "It won't be the same without you, Daybright. We'll all miss you!" After a last hug, Day left and returned to her Companion, family, and friends.
Two other hertasi she didn't recognize had loaded her bag on Carmen's back, and when they saw the food bags, took those as well to load. She gave a last hug to her friends, grinning at Deerfoot, then hugged her parents and bid them farewell. Finally, she climbed into Carmen's saddle and they left the Vale.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Akilah, I thirst! Hasten your steps!" the mistress called out, sounding ill-tempered. The young servant scrambled up the stairs towards her mistress' room, trying to manage two cups of tea on a tray as she ascended the stairs as quickly as possible. Her long, dark hair, divided up into many braids, swung wildly as she moved as fast as she dared, careful not to spill. It was hard being a servant in Karse, especially a servant of an uncaring and notoriously cruel master and mistress.
She composed herself for a moment before entering, trying to look as if she hadn't been hurrying. Her mistress frowned at her as she entered. "Akilah, you look horrible. I hope you did not spill any tea on your way up the stairs. . ." she said menacingly. Akilah immediately looked down at the ground and shook her head forcefully.
The mistress and her eldest daughter Gilliana sat comfortably in the large, stuffy room. Two large (closed) windows looked out on the grounds, and the second eldest daughter, Celia, sat on the window seat, looking outside at her brothers as they cantered past on their horses. Poor Celia longed to escape this room, but her mother would never permit her daughters to go faster than a trot on a horse.
"Bring us our tea, Akilah," the mistress said, sounding more and more like she was in a truly foul mood. The young woman served Gilliana her tea, but as she was handing the mistress hers, Gilliana reached out her foot to trip her, causing the young slave to spill all over the mistress' new dress.
~No, no, no!~ she thought, panicking. ~She must know that her daughter caused me to do that! I am not so clumsy! She must know. . .~
The mistress rose from her chair, her face red and fists clenched. Obviously, she did not realize or did not care what Gilliana had done. "Akilah Goldsummer," she said, barely contained rage evident in her voice, "you are not fit to serve me, but I took pity on you after your parents died - I took you as my personal servant. I did my best to raise you to be a helpful, mannered young woman. But now," she said, her voice rising, "look what you have done! You have ruined my dress, my mood, and my day."
The mistress smiled cruelly as Akilah cowered on the floor in front of her, shaking. "For this, I will see to it that you are punished. Celia!" she barked, and her daughter looked up. "Accompany this worthless dog to Yuaen. I trust that you will tell him what has happened here and tell him to use his best judgment on what an. . ." she smiled again, "appropriate punishment would be."
Celia nodded silently and walked to the door, her face expressionless. Akilah rose slowly and followed her. Though Akilah and Celia spoke sometimes in a friendly manner, there was no doubt in the young servant's mind that the mistress' daughter would not stand up to the Head of Servants and risk being punished by her mother.
~I- I hope that Yuaen will not punish me overly much. . .~ she thought fearfully as she followed Celia. They found the Head Servant overseeing the cleaning of a small building used for storing garden tools. Akilah shuddered when she saw him. He had evil eyes, and he knew just how much punishment he could do to a servant before they were permanently scarred or injured, and precisely how much the Master and Mistress would allow before they would become angry at him.
"Servant Yuaen," Celia said with a great deal of authority as Akilah got down on the ground and kneeled to him, her face practically in the dirt to make sure he would not think she was being disrespectful in the slightest.
He looked up from his work with a glare, then realized it was a daughter of the Mistress and smiled a fake smile. "Lady Celia. I am honored that you have come to me." His eyes lighted on Akilah and he glared and his lip curled. "Has this. . . this _creature_, wronged you, Lady?"
Celia ignored his response and spoke in a monotone. "My mother has requested that I tell you of the errors of Akilah Goldsummer, a house- servant. After taking overly long to fetch tea for Mistress Ailasia and Lady Gilliana, she entered the presence of the Ladies looking disgraceful and then proceeded to spill tea all over Mistress Ailasia's new dress. She requests you punish the servant as you see fit."
Yuaen smiled and bowed to her. "I shall do so immediately." He looked down at Akilah and kicked her in the side. "Up, fool. Come with me."
She had no choice but to obey. ~Where will he take me?~ she thought worriedly as she walked silently behind him. Eventually, they arrived at a small building. It was Yuaen's private quarters.
He smiled at her again - it was a cruel smile. "Go inside, dog, and I will teach you to never," he smiled again, "_ever_ again do anything to offend the Mistress." She walked towards the door mutely, a feeling of dread quickly growing in the pit of her stomach. Opening the door, she entered and moved aside to let him pass.
He motioned towards a chair. "Sit." She did so. He stood in front of her, his arms folded over his chest, eyes menacing. He examined her. "You're filthy and disgusting," he finally said. "You are not worthy of being in the Mistress' presence, you are not worthy of even living in this house, or in Karse!" he said angrily. Yuaen smiled again and reached for the whip on the table. Akilah screamed as he began to whip her savagely, a cruel smile on his face.
She felt the energy then. She didn't know how to describe it, and she had no idea what it was, but she knew it was there, all around her, and in the earth. She _reached_ for it and brought it up through the earth and through her body, then grabbed Yuaen's hands to send it through him. . .
Yuaen screamed as the energy took him, and Akilah screamed as well, the energy hurting her as well. She could control it at first, but now, it was controlling her. . .
She didn't even hear the loud pounding on the door as Yuaen collapsed to the floor, dead, didn't even notice when the door was broken down, didn't hear the soft chime of bells on the floor. . .
:Akilah!: a voice cried, and she felt someone, something, taking the power from her and sending it back into the place it came from. She was saved. She collapsed onto the floor next to a charred body - Yuaen.
She began to sob. ~What have I done? I- they'll kill me for what I've done! I don't deserve to live, I've ruined everything. . .~
:No!: the voice cried again, and she looked up, startled. She'd almost forgotten about it. She saw it then, the being the voice had come from. He was a stallion, white as snow, with blue eyes. . .
And she fell into those eyes and was covered inside and out with the love they held. :I am Rion, my Akilah. You are my Chosen, and I love you.: Relief flooded through her as she leaned on the Companion's shoulder and sobbed with incredible joy.
~*~*~*~*~*~
For once, Cira really didn't have anything planned for the afternoon, so she decided to travel to the market to look for some new weapons to try out. She really hadn't purchased anything except food lately, and now that she had some free time, she might be able to find something worth her money.
People instinctively moved out of her way as she journeyed through Haven - she walked with such confidence and such ease with weapons at her side that no one wanted to make her mad. Though Cira knew she wouldn't ever hurt someone for something as silly as bumping into her, it was nice to be able to walk with some freedom through the crowded streets.
She arrived quickly and found a few stalls selling weapons even quicker. The man in charge of the first one she approached looked at her and realized immediately that he had someone that knew what she was doing here, not some pampered rich-girl that liked to carry a sword at her side even when she had no idea how to use it. Cira's lip curled at the very idea - people should be self-sufficient and know how to defend themselves, not just look ornamental!
"Good afternoon," the shopkeeper said politely. "Are you looking for anything in particular?"
"Not really," she replied quietly as her sharp eyes scanned the weapons, looking for something that might be worth her money. Cira shook her head. "Thanks anyway," she said, walking away.
She visited many more stalls like it, and got the same results. ~Nothing worth buying in this whole place,~ she grumbled mentally.
Her mood was quickly going sour. She'd wasted her whole afternoon and gotten nothing out of it.
~I wish there was something I could actually _do_,~ she thought with a sigh. ~I'm wasted on thieving, but there's no way I'm joining the Guard or something silly like that. . .~ Cira shook her head with another sigh and headed for home.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Aran and Nianu had been delayed nearly a candlemark by the well- wishing Ashkevrons, who were unbelievably proud to let another of their number go off with a Companion, unlike how it had been in the days of the famous Vanyel. Cayr had been surprised but very proud of his friend, and Aran was happy to let the older boy take over the horse-training since he was off to the Collegium.
~I still can't believe it,~ he thought in wonder as Nianu cantered beneath him. ~I never thought I'd ever be Chosen. . . well, I never really considered it as something that could happen to me, I suppose.~
:Are you happy that you have been Chosen, though?: Nianu asked him, sounding a bit worried.
"Of course!" he said, the wind whipping the words from his mouth. He felt her relief through this new Bond that they shared. "It's. . . amazing. I just never expected it at all!" he laughed.
Aran heard her laugh as well. ~I think it usually is that way. I am glad I found you. Most of my friends have Chosen already. My dear friend Carmen left at about the same time as I did, but he went to the west. I hope he found his Chosen. I would ask, but we cannot Mindspeak so far apart.:
They continued on in silence, and Aran, experienced with horses, was amazed that she could travel so quickly for so long! They'd already been running for several candlemarks, and she hadn't wanted to stop at all.
:We have to travel for some time if we're to get to the Collegium very quickly,: she noted. :Companions are made to run like this.:
He nodded silently, and she continued to run past the farms, fields, and woodlands of beautiful Valdemar. "Do I have any Gifts?" he asked her.
:Of course you do, dear. You have a bit of Animal Mindspeech, which you'll eventually be able to use to feel the emotions of nearby animals and try to calm them down. You also have Farsight and Fetching, both at middle- strength. Farsight lets you see things that are far away, and Fetching lets you bring far away items to you.:
"W- wow," he said, surprised at her quick answer and amazed that he had Gifts. He hadn't even suspected that, either. "I- thought I was normal until now!" Aran laughed, and Nianu joined him, both very happy with their new bond.
Banadar- hehe, better chapter-lengths? ;) I redid the whole story just for you! lol, kidding. But anyway, thank you for the encouragement, I hope you still like it even though I redid it! *grin*
Kerowyn- Thank you! =) *happy dance*
Afternoon
After bidding farewell to his parents and eating a quick breakfast, Teriyel and Luna began to travel, and now in the early afternoon, they were well on their way to Haven, Valdemar.
~Is Haven really as big as I've heard it is?~ he thought, knowing that she could hear him and feeling slightly worried. Would they dislike him because he couldn't actually talk?
:It's quite big,: she replied, :but you won't be out in the city much. You'll be living in the Collegium with the other Herald-Trainees, and they're all very nice,: Luna said comfortingly.
That made him feel a great deal better, and he looked out at the scenery. Basically all he could see were farms like his own, and sometimes they passed by people, all of whom waved happily at him. They rode in silence for some time.
:Now, love,: she said to him out of nowhere, :even though this Choosing thing was a big deal, I have something to teach you now. You know that all Heralds and Herald-Trainees have Gifts, right?:
~Yes,~ he thought, then laughed mentally. ~You'd have to be pretty stupid not to know that!~
:And I know that you've been hearing the thoughts of your family.: He perked up. She knew? Did this mean he _wasn't_ crazy?
:Of course you're not crazy, dear. That's your Gift that's doing that - the Gift of Mindspeech that enables you to hear the thoughts of anyone around you if they're not shielded. You can also put words in other people's minds, so you can talk to them, like I'm doing now.: She gave him a quick lesson on how to do that, and then, at the age of 16, Teriyel spoke his very first words.
:Like... this?: he asked, and then was rewarded with her enthusiastic whicker. :And... I can talk - to anyone now?:
:Yes, you can. Most Mindspeakers can only make people with the Gift hear
them, but yours is so strong that you can make anyone hear you. It might take a little of my help at first, but later on, especially if they're close by and willing to listen, it'll be pretty easy for you.:
He nodded, trying to take all this in. First a Companion comes to Choose him, and now he was learning to talk! What a day already, and it was only the afternoon! They continued their ride, and though they chatted happily, no one ever spoke a word.
~*~*~*~*~*~
A fairly good-sized bush on the edge of a luscious path in k'Valdemar Vale shook as two young Tayledras girls crouched behind it, giggling madly. They both slapped hands over their mouths to quiet themselves, but their eyes still shone and they still shook with their silent laughter. Anyone walking by would have rolled their eyes and chuckled as they recognized the laughter - Deerfoot and Daybright, causing trouble again!
The first young woman to recover was Deerfoot, a half-Hawkbrother half-Shin'a'in with tanned skin and dark hair, and was tall and lithe, with blue eyes. The second, Daybright, only now stifling her chuckles, had brown- blonde hair, green eyes, and skin a shade or two lighter than her friend's. They both grinned at each other.
"Icefire is going to kill us for this!" Deerfoot whispered in Tayledras as she peered out at the path beyond their hiding place. "There _is_ a reason that's his use-name, you know! Calm one minute and in a rage the next!"
"Aw, don't worry, Deerfoot," the other girl replied, shrugging off the "danger" of their still-lanky blacksmith-in-training friend with a good natured smile. "He'll think it's funny! Because it is!" she said with emphasis. "Starsong can always cast a spell on him or something, she'll keep us safe."
Deerfoot was a scout in training, and was a natural at blending in and moving silently through the forest, hence her use-name. That was the reason that she, and not Starsong, currently on the way to becoming a Master Mage, was chosen to take this part in The Master Plan. Starsong was leading Icefire down the path they were kneeling next to so the plan could be put into motion. Deerfoot heard their quarry approaching, and tapped her friend's shoulder urgently.
"Daybright, shh! He's coming!" she whispered, and, after a final giggle, Daybright quieted down.
Icefire walked slowly down the path, then stopped at the perfect place for the ambush. . . Deerfoot and Daybright looked at each other, nodded once, then leaped out of the bushes to tackle him.
"Boo!!" they shouted, all three falling down in a heap of laughing adolescents. Once Icefire had sufficiently recovered from his scare, he set about paying them back - by tickling both girls unmercifully.
"That's what you get!" he laughed as the two squirmed and squealed. Eventually, they all calmed down and settled down on the path, joking and having a good time.
Daybright sat facing away from the way Icefire had first come, which led to the entrance to the Vale. She heard a noise from behind her and stiffened for a moment before she realized it - Starsong! That cheat! She must be trying to sneak up on them! She waited a moment more for Starsong to get closer, then heard another noise and stood and whirled around in one fluid motion, expecting Starsong-
-but instead found herself looking at a stunning white horse that had somehow managed to sound like a human sneaking up on her. It was perfect in every way... too perfect... and she knew it for sure when she looked up in its eyes...
-and then she knew that this was no horse, but a Companion, and that his name was Carmen...
:Boo!: she heard, but not quite heard. :You think your surprise for Icefire was good, eh? Well, wait till you figure out what you're in for!: She heard a laughing sound. :I Choose you, Daybright. And we shall be together forever!:
These words were the last things she would remember, but her friends (including Starsong, who'd shown up when Daybright turned around) watched in amazement as threw her arms around the horse's neck with an expression of pure happiness and joy.
Daybright came back to herself a minute or two after the Companion had arrived and swept her off her feet. She grinned briefly at him, then turned to her friends. "Guys, I want you to meet Carmen. He just Chose me to be a Herald of Valdemar!"
Their jaws practically dropped open in shock. The resemblance to the Companions stationed in k'Valdemar was more obvious once the stallion, who was larger by far than his fellows in the Vale, moved into the light. This generation of Hawkbrothers knew very well what Heralds were - and what an honor it was to be Chosen by one of the legendary Companions.
"You- wow, Day!" Deerfoot exclaimed, rushing over to hug her best friend. "I can't believe it! This is so exciting!" She then turned to the stallion and bowed slightly. "Wind to thy wings, spirit-brother. We are honored that you have seen one of our number as worthy!" He bowed right back, then whickered and whuffed her hand gently, causing the young woman to laugh then turn to hug Daybright again.
Starsong and Icewind got in on the hug too, and the four friends grinned at each other. "C'mon," Daybright urged. "Let's go find my parents!"
They all ran headlong down the path towards the family's ekele - one that was actually fairly high up. Surprisingly, Day's Valdemaran mother had taken to living in the trees with ease, much to the delight of her husband. The four arrived and Day climbed up to find Nightsong stretched out in a hammock, listening to Kirane practicing her newest composition.
"Mum, Dad? Will you come down with me for a minute?" Day asked as she entered. "I want you to meet someone." Mystified by willing to do as their daughter requested, the couple followed her.
"Who do you want us to-" Kirane began, then stopped short when her eyes settled on the Companion.
"I want to introduce you both to Carmen, a Companion of Valdemar. He Chose me to be a Herald!"
Day had been slightly worried that her parents wouldn't be happy about this news and might insist she stay in the Vale, but all her fears evaporated when they both smiled.
"Oh Daybright, dear! This is so wonderful!" her mother said, hugging her close.
:I knew they'd be okay,: said a voice in her mind. Carmen nosed her. :After all, who could resist _me_?: She laughed inwardly at that.
"You'd better pack," her father advised with a smile and a pat on her shoulder. She looked at Carmen, who nodded.
:He's right,: he told her. :We need to get going!:
She rushed back upstairs to pack her things, including all her jewelry (mostly made from the feathers discarded by her father's barn own Aszre or from her gryphon friend Norieth), a few of her favorite outfits (some dressy and some comfortable mage-robes that she loved, as well as a simple scout uniform or two), her dagger, bow and arrows, and a few other personal items. She left the ekele, tossed her pack on the ground, and ran to the kitchens to grab some food for her journey. On the way, she crashed into the head hertasi of the Vale, Setna.
"Daybright, heyla!" Setna said cheerily. "Where are you off to in such a rush?"
She grinned. "You'll never believe it. A Companion came to the Vale and Chose me!"
The hertasi very nearly fell over. "By the Goddess! What amazing news!" She hugged the newly-Chosen until instinct took over. "You'll need food! Wait here, I'll be right back!"
And Setna was true to her word. She returned long before Day expected her, and she was carrying two bulging packs. "One's for you, and the other is for your Companion. Yours will keep for a few days, and it should be enough. You can get more for free at towns along the way, or so I hear, so don't short yourself on food! Now you'd best be off."
Setna shook her head ruefully. "It won't be the same without you, Daybright. We'll all miss you!" After a last hug, Day left and returned to her Companion, family, and friends.
Two other hertasi she didn't recognize had loaded her bag on Carmen's back, and when they saw the food bags, took those as well to load. She gave a last hug to her friends, grinning at Deerfoot, then hugged her parents and bid them farewell. Finally, she climbed into Carmen's saddle and they left the Vale.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Akilah, I thirst! Hasten your steps!" the mistress called out, sounding ill-tempered. The young servant scrambled up the stairs towards her mistress' room, trying to manage two cups of tea on a tray as she ascended the stairs as quickly as possible. Her long, dark hair, divided up into many braids, swung wildly as she moved as fast as she dared, careful not to spill. It was hard being a servant in Karse, especially a servant of an uncaring and notoriously cruel master and mistress.
She composed herself for a moment before entering, trying to look as if she hadn't been hurrying. Her mistress frowned at her as she entered. "Akilah, you look horrible. I hope you did not spill any tea on your way up the stairs. . ." she said menacingly. Akilah immediately looked down at the ground and shook her head forcefully.
The mistress and her eldest daughter Gilliana sat comfortably in the large, stuffy room. Two large (closed) windows looked out on the grounds, and the second eldest daughter, Celia, sat on the window seat, looking outside at her brothers as they cantered past on their horses. Poor Celia longed to escape this room, but her mother would never permit her daughters to go faster than a trot on a horse.
"Bring us our tea, Akilah," the mistress said, sounding more and more like she was in a truly foul mood. The young woman served Gilliana her tea, but as she was handing the mistress hers, Gilliana reached out her foot to trip her, causing the young slave to spill all over the mistress' new dress.
~No, no, no!~ she thought, panicking. ~She must know that her daughter caused me to do that! I am not so clumsy! She must know. . .~
The mistress rose from her chair, her face red and fists clenched. Obviously, she did not realize or did not care what Gilliana had done. "Akilah Goldsummer," she said, barely contained rage evident in her voice, "you are not fit to serve me, but I took pity on you after your parents died - I took you as my personal servant. I did my best to raise you to be a helpful, mannered young woman. But now," she said, her voice rising, "look what you have done! You have ruined my dress, my mood, and my day."
The mistress smiled cruelly as Akilah cowered on the floor in front of her, shaking. "For this, I will see to it that you are punished. Celia!" she barked, and her daughter looked up. "Accompany this worthless dog to Yuaen. I trust that you will tell him what has happened here and tell him to use his best judgment on what an. . ." she smiled again, "appropriate punishment would be."
Celia nodded silently and walked to the door, her face expressionless. Akilah rose slowly and followed her. Though Akilah and Celia spoke sometimes in a friendly manner, there was no doubt in the young servant's mind that the mistress' daughter would not stand up to the Head of Servants and risk being punished by her mother.
~I- I hope that Yuaen will not punish me overly much. . .~ she thought fearfully as she followed Celia. They found the Head Servant overseeing the cleaning of a small building used for storing garden tools. Akilah shuddered when she saw him. He had evil eyes, and he knew just how much punishment he could do to a servant before they were permanently scarred or injured, and precisely how much the Master and Mistress would allow before they would become angry at him.
"Servant Yuaen," Celia said with a great deal of authority as Akilah got down on the ground and kneeled to him, her face practically in the dirt to make sure he would not think she was being disrespectful in the slightest.
He looked up from his work with a glare, then realized it was a daughter of the Mistress and smiled a fake smile. "Lady Celia. I am honored that you have come to me." His eyes lighted on Akilah and he glared and his lip curled. "Has this. . . this _creature_, wronged you, Lady?"
Celia ignored his response and spoke in a monotone. "My mother has requested that I tell you of the errors of Akilah Goldsummer, a house- servant. After taking overly long to fetch tea for Mistress Ailasia and Lady Gilliana, she entered the presence of the Ladies looking disgraceful and then proceeded to spill tea all over Mistress Ailasia's new dress. She requests you punish the servant as you see fit."
Yuaen smiled and bowed to her. "I shall do so immediately." He looked down at Akilah and kicked her in the side. "Up, fool. Come with me."
She had no choice but to obey. ~Where will he take me?~ she thought worriedly as she walked silently behind him. Eventually, they arrived at a small building. It was Yuaen's private quarters.
He smiled at her again - it was a cruel smile. "Go inside, dog, and I will teach you to never," he smiled again, "_ever_ again do anything to offend the Mistress." She walked towards the door mutely, a feeling of dread quickly growing in the pit of her stomach. Opening the door, she entered and moved aside to let him pass.
He motioned towards a chair. "Sit." She did so. He stood in front of her, his arms folded over his chest, eyes menacing. He examined her. "You're filthy and disgusting," he finally said. "You are not worthy of being in the Mistress' presence, you are not worthy of even living in this house, or in Karse!" he said angrily. Yuaen smiled again and reached for the whip on the table. Akilah screamed as he began to whip her savagely, a cruel smile on his face.
She felt the energy then. She didn't know how to describe it, and she had no idea what it was, but she knew it was there, all around her, and in the earth. She _reached_ for it and brought it up through the earth and through her body, then grabbed Yuaen's hands to send it through him. . .
Yuaen screamed as the energy took him, and Akilah screamed as well, the energy hurting her as well. She could control it at first, but now, it was controlling her. . .
She didn't even hear the loud pounding on the door as Yuaen collapsed to the floor, dead, didn't even notice when the door was broken down, didn't hear the soft chime of bells on the floor. . .
:Akilah!: a voice cried, and she felt someone, something, taking the power from her and sending it back into the place it came from. She was saved. She collapsed onto the floor next to a charred body - Yuaen.
She began to sob. ~What have I done? I- they'll kill me for what I've done! I don't deserve to live, I've ruined everything. . .~
:No!: the voice cried again, and she looked up, startled. She'd almost forgotten about it. She saw it then, the being the voice had come from. He was a stallion, white as snow, with blue eyes. . .
And she fell into those eyes and was covered inside and out with the love they held. :I am Rion, my Akilah. You are my Chosen, and I love you.: Relief flooded through her as she leaned on the Companion's shoulder and sobbed with incredible joy.
~*~*~*~*~*~
For once, Cira really didn't have anything planned for the afternoon, so she decided to travel to the market to look for some new weapons to try out. She really hadn't purchased anything except food lately, and now that she had some free time, she might be able to find something worth her money.
People instinctively moved out of her way as she journeyed through Haven - she walked with such confidence and such ease with weapons at her side that no one wanted to make her mad. Though Cira knew she wouldn't ever hurt someone for something as silly as bumping into her, it was nice to be able to walk with some freedom through the crowded streets.
She arrived quickly and found a few stalls selling weapons even quicker. The man in charge of the first one she approached looked at her and realized immediately that he had someone that knew what she was doing here, not some pampered rich-girl that liked to carry a sword at her side even when she had no idea how to use it. Cira's lip curled at the very idea - people should be self-sufficient and know how to defend themselves, not just look ornamental!
"Good afternoon," the shopkeeper said politely. "Are you looking for anything in particular?"
"Not really," she replied quietly as her sharp eyes scanned the weapons, looking for something that might be worth her money. Cira shook her head. "Thanks anyway," she said, walking away.
She visited many more stalls like it, and got the same results. ~Nothing worth buying in this whole place,~ she grumbled mentally.
Her mood was quickly going sour. She'd wasted her whole afternoon and gotten nothing out of it.
~I wish there was something I could actually _do_,~ she thought with a sigh. ~I'm wasted on thieving, but there's no way I'm joining the Guard or something silly like that. . .~ Cira shook her head with another sigh and headed for home.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Aran and Nianu had been delayed nearly a candlemark by the well- wishing Ashkevrons, who were unbelievably proud to let another of their number go off with a Companion, unlike how it had been in the days of the famous Vanyel. Cayr had been surprised but very proud of his friend, and Aran was happy to let the older boy take over the horse-training since he was off to the Collegium.
~I still can't believe it,~ he thought in wonder as Nianu cantered beneath him. ~I never thought I'd ever be Chosen. . . well, I never really considered it as something that could happen to me, I suppose.~
:Are you happy that you have been Chosen, though?: Nianu asked him, sounding a bit worried.
"Of course!" he said, the wind whipping the words from his mouth. He felt her relief through this new Bond that they shared. "It's. . . amazing. I just never expected it at all!" he laughed.
Aran heard her laugh as well. ~I think it usually is that way. I am glad I found you. Most of my friends have Chosen already. My dear friend Carmen left at about the same time as I did, but he went to the west. I hope he found his Chosen. I would ask, but we cannot Mindspeak so far apart.:
They continued on in silence, and Aran, experienced with horses, was amazed that she could travel so quickly for so long! They'd already been running for several candlemarks, and she hadn't wanted to stop at all.
:We have to travel for some time if we're to get to the Collegium very quickly,: she noted. :Companions are made to run like this.:
He nodded silently, and she continued to run past the farms, fields, and woodlands of beautiful Valdemar. "Do I have any Gifts?" he asked her.
:Of course you do, dear. You have a bit of Animal Mindspeech, which you'll eventually be able to use to feel the emotions of nearby animals and try to calm them down. You also have Farsight and Fetching, both at middle- strength. Farsight lets you see things that are far away, and Fetching lets you bring far away items to you.:
"W- wow," he said, surprised at her quick answer and amazed that he had Gifts. He hadn't even suspected that, either. "I- thought I was normal until now!" Aran laughed, and Nianu joined him, both very happy with their new bond.