D I S C L A I M E R :
I may have created a few characters but I DO NOT own anything in these stories. Valdemar, the Herald, the Companions, and most characters are the intellectual property of Mercedes Lackey. I desire no monetary return on these stories and have written them solely for the enjoyment of myself and others who love Mercedes Lackey's books. If you enjoy these review here and buy her books.
~ Chapter 1 ~
Kelisiaori was ready to fall asleep. History was not her favourite class. It didn't help that her teacher could only speak in monotone and had no passion for his subject.
"…Queen Selenay made an alliance with Queen Solaris and the King of Rethwellan, unfortunately his name does not survive in any known records. Together they repelled the Eastern Empire which fell apart shortly afterwards." The balding professor never once looked up from his book as he droned.
Finally the hands on the clock indicated it was time to leave. She tried to hide her eagerness as she packed her books into her bag.
"Miss Valdemar, may I speak with you?" The professor ordered her rather than asked.
"Of course sir." She swung her bag over her shoulder and approached the front. She kept her shoulders squared and refused let the balding, bitter teacher intimidate her.
"You don't seem to find my class very interesting even though it is focused on your ancestors. Your father insisted you be allowed to take this course, but if you can't even bother to stay awake you shouldn't be here." He looked at her over the rim of his reading glasses. A look that had made many students certain they were idiots but fell short of it's goal on this particular young woman.
"I am sorry, sir, there was a long Council session last night." She tried to explain.
"I know you have duties as Heir, but you shouldn't let them interfere with your school work. You may go." He turned away, dismissing her.
Kelisiaori hurried before he found something else to say. She knew he got off on having power over the Heir, but still tolerated him. She just kept reminding herself that it took all types to make the world function.
:How was classes?: A female voice asked.
:Long. Dull. What else was I to expect.: Kelisiaori emerged from the college into the sunlight and blinked at the bright light. No one waved or greeted her appearance even though she was sent several curious, resentful, and envious glances.
A long white limo stood waiting for her. A man, dressed in dark blue with mirrored glasses stood waiting at attention by the rear door. A small bulge under his jacket revealed he was armed.
"Princess, your father wishes you to join him for supper." The man standing beside the open door said with a bow.
"Of course. Just let me change first." Keli gestured back towards the university and the change of clothing she kept there. She hadn't expected to be needed today and had been planning on studying in the small campus park.
"There is a change of clothes in the car, your majesty." He informed her neutrally.
Kelisiaori sighed and reluctantly climbed into the backseat and saw the smart, white business suit waiting for her and wrinkled her nose in distaste. She changed quickly as they drove through the streets of Haven; the heavily tinted windows hiding her transformation from the prying eyes of passers by. After, she opened her history book History of the Empire of Valdemar. It made for dry reading.
:And most of it is incorrect.: The voice commented.
"Would you care to correct them?" Kelisiaori asked the air.
:No, they wouldn't listen even if I did.:
The voice belonged to Selene, her Companion; one of only three alive.
:Any idea what father wants?: Keli asked absently and flipped the page.
:It is bothering him, that is all I know.:
:Damn. I hope this isn't about the rebels again.: Kelisiaori closed her book, knowing she wasn't going to get any studying done.
:Do you need some help reviewing?: Selene offered.
:No, I wouldn't inflict that on you. Father and Rodry have been worried for months about those rebels in the Karse province.:
:With good reason.: Selene sounded worried.
:I know, I just agree with some of their arguments. We are facing corruption on every level of government, it is so bad it is crippling us. Did you notice that their problems have nothing to do with the royal family and everything to do with the elected officials who abuse their power, especially outside the main province? But they still want us to step aside. I think Valdemar has gotten too big and we should start establishing governments in the provinces that operate separate from Haven and eventually have them become autonomous countries.:
:You could never get the council to agree.: Selene pointed out.
:I know.: Kelisiaori sighed.
The council was elected men and women from every corner of the empire and all were power hungry and ruthless.
Suddenly the limo slammed to a halt. Keli was kept from flying forward by the seat belt but her book and backpack slid to the ground.
The Princess lowered the partition and was about to ask what was wrong when she realised her driver was dead. He was slumped forward over the wheel and dark stains were spreading across his back. A spider web of cracks surrounded a single hole in the windshield.
"Oh Gods." She saw the armed men moving in on her car, ready to kill again. She quickly raised the bulletproof partition. If it had been any other car the bullet would have never have pierced the glass. This one had ordinary glass in the front portion but the rest was bulletproof, apparently the guard wanted it that way so they could shoot if they needed to.
:Selene! What is going on?: Keli tried to peer out the dark windows but could only make out shadows moving about the car.
The sound of a bell rang through her very bones. She felt a stabbing pain in the area over her heart so severe she thought she had been shot. A vision of the expensive restaurant she often enjoyed with her father filled with masked men with guns and dead bodies filled her mind. She had never experienced it before but knew it was the legendary Death Bell. Her father was dead.
:They shot your father.: Selene said unnecessarily.
:Is Roald still alive?: Asking about her father's Companion. The pain was quickly fading.
:No.:
The muffled sound of gunfire and the strange pinging sound of her car being shot filled her ears.
:Selene, where is Rodry?: Kelisiaori sat in the middle of the seat trying to make sense of what was going on.
:He is at the palace. They haven't reached him yet but it is only a matter of time.:
:Rodry!: Kelisiaori called desperately.
:Get away from Haven!: Rodry ordered desperately.
:I can't, they have me surrounded.: Kelisiaori wished her father had consented to more armed guards. He always said the Heir should always be accessible to their people. At the moment she was feeling far too accessible.
:Damn. Escape however you can.: Rodry was starting to sound desperate.
:I can't.: Keli was almost ready to panic from hearing the fear in Rodry's voice.
:Keli, blast them.:
:No.: She was adamant, no monarch had ever turned their powers on their own people and she wasn't going to be the first.
:You are going to die.:
Keli felt a peace steal over her. :If I have to, I will. The welfare of Valdemar comes first.:
:Don't be stupid. You are the Empress now, there is no one to follow you.:
Keli could feel his desperation through the link like a wave from the ocean, it calmed her like nothing else would. :Selene, You and Kenyon get out now. If we can get out we'll meet you. If not…:
:Keli, what are you planning?: Selene demanded.
Keli didn't answer. She changed out of the business suit she had just put on, to her jeans again. Outside the shooting stopped. She wished the limo wasn't so soundproof so she could hear what the gunmen were saying.
The Death Bell started to toll again. She felt Rodry's death even worse than she had felt her father's. The sound of gunfire filled her ears and she felt stabbing pains riddle her torso. She saw Rodry's room with its mismatched comfortable furniture and six men standing between Rodry and the door, armed with guns and masks. She saw Rodry's broken bleeding body in the centre of the room. He had obviously tried to reason with them. Like her, he hadn't even considered using his supernatural powers to save himself.
She tried to calm herself sent a prayer for Rodry. His death left her feeling like half her soul was gone.
:So now you are the last Herald.: A new voice said. A beam of sunlight somehow penetrated the heavily darkened window that hid her from the outside. Slowly it materialized into a very large cat with blue eyes, cream fur and fire coloured points.
"You are a Firecat…" Keli said after a stunned moment. She had read of them in some of the ancient holy texts of the Vkandis religion.
:Yes, I am Solaris.: The Cat dipped her head in acknowledgement.
"I am pleased to meet you, but why are you here?" She felt oddly detached from the world.
:I am here to rescue you.:
The Firecat placed a paw on her lap, she felt like the bottom of her stomach dropped out, then suddenly they were in the Grove where Kenyon, Rodry's Companion and the Companion of the Monarch's Own, and Selene waited for her.
:They won't come here.: A strange masculine voice assured her. It obviously belonged to Kenyon.
"What is going to stop them?" Keli stood up. She pushed away the grief that threatened to overwhelm her.
None of the three magical creatures could answer her.
"What is going on in Haven?" Keli switched in to what she called the Ice Princess mode that wouldn't allow any emotions close.
:They are shooting everything that moves. Everyone who would support you is being rounded up and shot.: Solaris explained.
"We need to stop this." Keli started to pace. "Are the leaders willing to talk?"
:They may be, but their men have become a mob.: Kenyon said.
Keli paced for several more minutes. "If only we could go back and stop this before it all started."
:When do you mean?: Selene asked.
"The Alliance forged between Valdemar, Karse, Hardorn, and Rethwellan. With the treaty revision five years after it was established, the Governments slowly merged and eventually became the Empire."
:So what would you do if you could?: Solaris asked.
"I would convince them to add another bit to the treaty to prevent them from joining together as one country. I would do whatever it takes."
:What would you need?: Solaris asked.
"Does it matter, I can't go back." Keli sighed. "We need to find a way to stop the massacre."
:What would you need?: Solaris asked again.
"I don't know." Keli spun about. "And it doesn't matter. My people are being slaughtered out there! I know, I'll gather as much of the Guard that remains and try to establish some order."
She started to leave the Grove when Kenyon stepped in front of her.
:There will never be peace if you do that.: Kenyon said.
Solaris padded to her side. She had the red gold crown that had belonged to her father.
Keli accepted it hesitantly. "What are you planning?"
~*~
Keli couldn't believe she was doing this. Solaris had brought her a pad of paper and a pen and she was writing down everything she thought she would need to go back in time.
:There, that should be it.: She said.
She gave the list to Solaris, who promptly vanished.
Keli could smell smoke and blood in the air. She prayed the Companions and Firecat were right. They said that if she succeeded none of this would happen. She wouldn't be born, but her people would never face this slaughter.
:Am I going to survive this?: She asked the Companions.
:We don't know. You may be sheltered from the time change but you may cease to exist.:
:So long as this never happens.: Keli hesitated. :What other changes will there be? Will it be better than this one?:
:Yes, I believe so. Ideally Hegrith will be defeated earlier and the Healing ways won't be lost. Two of the three Great wars won't occur, and the one that does will cause less damage and cost fewer lives.: Kenyon assured her.
"So I will be the only casualty if we do this right." Keli felt marginally better. "Are you both coming with me?"
:I can't.: Selene said sadly.
"I am going alone?" Keli felt panic start to well up.
:I will go with you.: Kenyon assured her. :It would just be a little awkward for Selene and Selenay to meet.:
"How can I leave Selene? She is my Companion."
:She can't go. I am sorry.: Kenyon nuzzled her cheek.
"But if she stays…" Keli suddenly knew what their plan was. "What about Solaris?"
:She will come.: Kenyon assured her. :Otherwise you may have a bit of a problem convincing the Karsites of who you are.:
Solaris reappeared with a saddle and bridle of blue leather, bulging saddlebags, a full backpack, and a sword encrusted with sapphires that had belonged to the Monarch's Own for seven hundred years.
Keli strapped Wind Rider to her back. She had learned the use of the blade on a lark when she was younger, her teachers assured her she was good. She slipped the bag onto her back and quickly saddled Kenyon. Kenyon and Solaris left her and Selene alone.
:I am sorry.: Selene nuzzled her Chosen one last time, before severing the bond between them.
To Keli it was worse than losing her father and Rodry. She was completely alone in her own mind for the first time since she was Chosen ten years earlier at the age of ten.
Selene left the safety of the grove and Kenyon returned.
:Kelisiaori?: He asked hesitantly.
Keli met his gaze. The first time she had been Chosen she had felt only joy, this time she felt pain, loss, and grief mixed with the joy.
:Will she Choose again?:
:No. She can't.:
Solaris looked up at her, her eyes filled with concern.
:Lets go.: Keli swung into the saddle and Solaris hoped onto her lap.
In a flash of light they were gone.
Selene watched from the trees, her heart breaking. She prayed that Keli would succeed. She knew the treaty had been created with the best intentions, but it still had brought about a world of war and pain for everyone, not just power for Valdemar. After the Eastern Empire fell and the Alliance eventually forged into one great country other countries had gotten scared and started creating weapons of mass destruction.
If Keli succeeded, Valdemar may not survive but millions of people would.
It was hard for a Queen to know she may be about to destroy her country.