Chapter Three-Queen's Council

In the Palace at Haven, an emergency meeting was called. Queen Tamara of Valdemar summoned her most trusted Heralds to her private quarters, through Mind-Speech and messenger. The Heralds hurried to their Queen's side, understanding that it must be urgent, if she was calling them so soon after a death. Once the Heralds had all arrived, she began to speak. Her voice was hoarse, and her friends and subjects knew that she too had suffered grief at the death of Herald Mira.

"Thanks you for coming," she began. "I understand that this is a hard time for many of you. . .it is for myself as well. We won't forget Mira. . .but I have urgent news for you all. Few of you know what Mira's situation was when she died. She had been serving the realm as a spy in Karse. Some of you know that we have been receiving detailed information for quite some time. . .it came from Herald Mira, who had an inside position in the Karsite Court. Well, the Sunpriest must have a very good informant in our own court . . .but I'm dealing with that. I'm going to get to the point. Mira's Companion Sephira is still alive and in Karse. I personally have never experienced a separation between myself and my Companion, but I KNOW that Sephira is in agony. She is alive, but barely. And she is unable to get safely out of Karse. I'm sending in a rescue mission. I cannot leave Sephira there."

The Heralds began talking among themselves, and glancing doubtfully at Tamara. Herald Remar spoke up, voicing the opinion of all of the gathered Heralds, excluding Tamara.

"Is this wise, Tamara? I understand that Sephira desperately needs help. . .but is it worth it? Surely the Karsites know that Mira was a Herald, and will even now be searching for her Companion. This rescue mission might be doomed from the start."

Several Heralds nodded their heads in agreement, while others simply looked indecisive. Tamara's mouth was set in a thin line. She shook her head firmly.

"I WILL NOT leave her there. If need be, I will go in myself. Yes, the Queen of Valdemar will single-handedly force her way into Karse and rescue a Companion from the torture she will face at the hands of OUR enemies."

"Did they torture Mira?" a voice cried out. Tamara nodded in the affirmative, and tears formed in her eyes.

"But Mira died a noble death nonetheless. No information was passed from her lips to that of the enemy. I have this from my Companion, who has it from Sephira. Galatea has been in constant contact with her. . .so you must understand why I am so adamant about helping her."

"Back to the question at hand," the Queen's Own Herald Brea said. "I must say, Tamara, I cannot agree with you either. And you cannot go into Karse, if we refuse."
"I most certainly CAN!" cried the furious Queen. "If I have to give up the throne to save Sephira, so be it!"

The voices of the shocked Heralds mingled in the air. Incredulous murmurs and whispers reached the ears of the Queen as she stood up and walked out of the room. Tamara's parting words chilled them.

"You cruel people. . .I'd rather be rash and save a life than be prudent and do NOTHING. That Companion will die. . .and she will die knowing that no one cared enough to help her."