Disclaimer...again: I own nothing! Leave me alone! Please!! Hmm...No real warnings this time. It's actually an even worse chapter than the first one. So all you people looking for a good laugh and someone who can make you feel better about your writing, read on!

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For the first time in a very long time, Mycaelis woke up warm and feeling happier than he could ever remember feeling. Until the events of the previous night came back to him. His eyes snapped open and he sat up, ignoring the sharp pain in his side signaling healing bones. He had to get away; find a spot to send a message to the Guild and then die. You didn't get caught and live, those were the rules. An offended voice broke through his thoughts.

::You mean to say I went through all that trouble to save you and now you'll just throw it all away?:: The voice seemed more amused than it's harsh words suggested. ::If that's how you're going to be, then tell me why I saved your ungrateful rear in the first place?:: Mycaelis looked wildly around. The voice couldn't have come from inside his mind, could it?

::It could and it is,:: said the voice. ::And it does work both ways, so go on, and give it a try.::

::What,:: he paused, surprised at the ease this type of communication was. ::What's going on?::

::Ah," came the voice again. ::Glad you joined the conversation.:: Again, that feeling of a smile. ::My name is Egidius, but please, call me Edi. Just about everyone else does, unless I'm in trouble.:: The mind voice had a feel of embarrassment. ::Anyway, I'm your Companion now.:: It, no, he, corrected Mycaelis, sounded quite proud.

::Companions are only bonded to Heralds,:: he replied. ::I've read all about it back at the Keep.:: He shook his head, then winced when it caused the room to swim a little. ::They are good and pure beings. Don't you know what I am?:: He couldn't believe that something synonymous with good would want to associate itself with something like him.

::Yes, I do know.:: The voice didn't sound playful or amused now, but the voice was tinted with something he couldn't identify right away. ::I know everything about you, the good, and there is good there, don't deny it; and the bad. I know you inside and out and I still love you.:: Love. That's what that feeling was. Mycaelis swiped at his face for a moment, but Edi wasn't done.

::You are my Chosen and we share a bond almost nothing can sever,:: here the voice stopped. When he began again, there was a slight edge of fear. ::Unless you want to break it.::

The admission gave Mycaelis a shock. He sat back for a moment and closed his eyes. There, in the back of his mind was a feeling of completeness. This new presence in his mind gave him a feeling of being whole; of being a real person. He didn't know what to do about the Guild, but for now...

::If you'll still have me despite my past,:; he said after a long moment. ::I do not wish to break this bond between us.:: The feeling of happiness that flooded him was so strong, even he couldn't help but smile.

"Good to see you doing so much better young man." This new voice was definitely not in his head and within a second, Mycaelis was off the bed and crouched in a stance somewhere between fight and flight. An older woman stood before him, clothed in pure white and behind her stood a man who seemed the same age as the woman, only his robe was a deep green. "Calm down," she said, smiling in a bemused sort of way. "No one's going to hurt you. Sit back down." Unable to think of a way out that didn't involve further injury and perhaps death, Mycaelis did as he was told.

She nodded and sat down across from him on a chair she had pulled out. "Now, my name's Tela. Herald Tela to you. And this," she gestured toward the man who was currently rummaging around in a trunk, "Is Healer Jespar. He's been the one taking care of you during your nap." That smile never left her face and it was more than a little unnerving. He became aware of the man, Jespar moving toward him. Shifting so both people were in his sight, Mycaelis narrowed his eyes, clearly warning the man to stay away from him.

"Come off it lad," Jespar said, shaking his head. "I've seen worse glares. Now off with the shirt." Mycaelis' face had gone from wary to shock in a matter of moments and he was now looking at Jespar as though the man had lost his mind. Laughing, Jespar shook his head. "I've seen it all before son. Who do you think healed you up?" Tela nodded.

"While he's doing that I wanted to ask you about," she began, but frowned a little when she noticed that Mycaelis had made no move to remove his shirt. "Look, the sooner you take off your top, the sooner you can put it back on." She and the young man simply stared at each other for a moment before Mycaelis decided it wasn't worth the effort to fight. So, wincing slightly, he reached up and unlaced the shirt he was wearing. It wasn't his and the design wasn't familiar so it took him a moment to get the laces undone, but when he'd finally gotten the shirt off, he was rewarded by a sharp breath from the Herald.

He was used to reaction like that. He'd heard them all. From curses and gasps to prayer to a deity and beyond. The tattoos did that to people. So he turned his best bland look at the Herald and waited for her to say something, while keeping part of his attention on the Healer as well. He had always been a little wary of anyone that got that close to him.

"Impressive," was the only thing Herald Tela said for a moment as her eyes traced along the lines of the tattoo. Ivy vines ran the length of his arms and crossed delicately over his entire torso, stopping only when they curled around his collar bones. Though he was wearing breeches, had he removed those as well, the Herald would have seen the design wind its way down his legs as well. The leaves covered most of his body, stopping only at the wrist and his neck. He bowed his head slightly in response.

"As I was saying," she began once again, taking her eyes away from the tattoo and looking at his face. "I wanted to ask you about your business here the other night."

::Chosen,:: came Edi's voice suddenly. ::Don't feel as though you must tell her anything if you don't wish.::

::I didn't intend to,:: he replied.

::I just don't want you to piss her off is all,:: said Edi. ::She can be pretty nasty when she wants.:: Mycaelis simply looked at her and said nothing.

"Okay, no need to tell me everything." She shrugged. Mycaelis winced as the Healer hit a particularly sore spot. "What about your name, can you tell me that?"

He nodded. "I am called Mycaelis." Herald Tela appeared to be waiting for something.

"Don't want to tell me your last name?" Mycaelis frowned, though not out of anger; he was confused.

"My last name? Do you mean the last name I went by before Mycaelis?"

"No, I mean your family name? Do you have one?" Mycaelis shook his head.

"I've never heard of such a thing." Tela nodded and made a soft noise.

"I see," was all she would say before getting up and walking out of the room. Mycaelis watched her go then turned back to Jespar, who been prodding the spot on his leg where the third arrow had been, but was now looking at the door in confusion.

"That was a fast interview," he said before smiling at the confused look on Mycaelis' face. "No problem. She's probably gone off to consult with the other High ranking Heralds." He tilted his head and gave Mycaelis a once over. "You've caused quite a stir young man, but no worries. Aside from me, Tela, and the King himself," Jespar laughed a little at Mycaelis' raised brow. "No one knows what you truly are."

::Don't forget about me,:: piped up Edi from his mind. ::I know about you too.:: Sighing, Mycaelis shook his head and closed his eyes. Between people behaving as though they were the Goddess Herself and people (::and Companions::, he added, hearing Edi about to protest) being far too cheerful for him, the palace guards and their sharp weapons were looking quite appealing right about now.

Once again: R&R and I'll be so very, very happy. Oh yes, thanks to fergiaj for being my very first reviewer. You're the best!