~ Chapter 8 ~
Keli grimaced at her ink-stained fingers and closed the book she had been studying.
"There you are." Kevyn appeared in the doorway. "Fyn has been looking for you."
"I have just been studying." Keli stood and replaced her books on the shelf and gathered her papers. "You have a wonderful library."
"Thank you." Kevyn smiled proudly as he surveyed his books. "I am glad you like it. I am sorry if I disturbed you."
"Hardly. I was just finishing up." Keli quickly assured him.
"Are you a scholar?" He asked as he gestured to the large stack of books she had been reading.
"Of sorts." Keli admitted.
Kevyn remained silent for several moments, long enough that Keli started to feel nervous. "May I ask you an odd question?" He asked finally.
"Certainly." Keli responded slightly confused.
"Why does Tris call you Sia?" Kevyn asked/
Keli gave it a few seconds thought. "I believe it is mostly to be different. My full name is Kelisiaori."
Kevyn nodded in understanding. "He does tend to do that. Especially when he is trying to catch a lady's attention"
Keli blushed. "We are only friends."
"Well, it is time for supper." Kevyn led the way to the dining room.
Keli followed obediently. She had spent the past candlemark or so in the library reading up on history. She had been amazed at the sheer detail recorded by the authors. She knew she would remember everything she read, a very useful talent for a monarch, but had jotted down some facts she wanted to verify. A few things seemed a little too outlandish for her to believe.
"How long ago were you Chosen?" Kevyn asked conversationally.
"Not long ago."
"It must be hard being Chosen so old. Having to leave your family and life behind and everything."
"There wasn't much left to leave." Keli admitted. "Tris has been very helpful."
"Are you just toying with him?" Kevyn stopped and turned to her, suspicion filled his eyes.
"I never toy with anyone." Keli answered coolly. "I am foremost a Herald."
"It thought you said you were newly Chosen." Kevyn challenged her suspiciously.
"And I am less trustworthy because of it?" Keli countered. "I may have known Tris for only a few days but I value his friendship and trust. Perhaps it is best if we continue on to supper." Keli strode past him towards the dining room.
Tris and Fyn were waiting for them.
"How were the books?" Tris asked when she entered.
"Very helpful. I believe I have a fairly firm handle on much of the history but I still want to study it further and look more into the regional differences." Keli sat across from Tris at one end of the long table with Fyn between her and Kevyn. "Fyn, give back the ring."
Fyn scowled and produced a silver ring of two clasped hands and gave it back to Tris. "She's doing it again."
Tris laughed as he put it back on. "Then stop lifting things. I didn't even notice it was gone."
"I just wanted to see if she'd know." Fyn explained. "I didn't take anything at the palace and it was all just lying there for the taking."
Kevyn took his seat at the head of the table looking rather confused.
"Sia scooped Fyn off the street just yesterday afternoon." Tris explained. "She had been trying to make off with her belt pouch at the time."
"I thought you were sisters." Kevyn gave Keli another suspicious glance that bordered on a glare.
Fyn shook her head. "My sister is dead. Keli is just really nice but she keeps telling me to give stuff back even when she wasn't there to see me take it."
Kevyn shot a look at her but said nothing.
Keli glanced down at Fyn and gave her a wink. "And if I hadn't called you on it, what would you have done?"
"Give it back after supper." Fyn answered promptly.
Servants filed in with the meal and placed the dishes on the table. Keli picked at her meal while Fyn made a massive dent in the food on her own.
"Is something wrong?" The too observant Fyn asked.
"No, I am just thinking." Keli assured her.
"What about?" Fyn pressed.
"Law." Keli answered.
Fyn grimaced. "That's boring."
"I find it fascinating." Keli twirled her fork absently. "It is interesting how Law evolves over centuries."
"That is really boring." Fyn rolled her eyes.
"Oh? Look at how a law passed hundred years ago that dictated that all children must be educated has evolved into a highly literate society where the people are more open minded than their less educated neighbours." Keli pointed out.
"How are they more open minded?" Fyn asked.
"For starters, an educated populace is less likely to fall prey to prejudice and bigotry, they are more likely to accept new ideas. For that matter, they are more likely to come up with new ideas." Keli blushed. "Sorry, I keep forgetting most people don't care to hear about the law."
"How come you know so much about the law?" Fyn asked around a mouthful of food.
Keli's jaw clenched. "It was taught to me when I was very young. I am very sorry, but there is something I must see to." Keli left quickly.
"What's wrong with her?" Kevyn asked after she had left the room.
"It's a little hard to explain and I don't want to betray her trust." Tristen didn't like having to hide things from his brother.
Keli hurried out the front door towards the stable. Kenyon was waiting for her. He said nothing as she broke down and sobbed into his mane.
"I've turned into a sprinkler." Keli complained as she recomposed herself. "The slightest things set me off."
:It will be that way for a while.: Kenyon nuzzled her hair.
"It is very inconvenient." Keli sat in the hay at his feet. "I shouldn't have left Haven, how will I change the future if I am not there?"
:You have time. It is important that you are heart whole. Even the Cat agrees with that.: Kenyon paused. :I remember the day Selene Chose you. Poor Rodry couldn't drag you away from her. It was one of the proudest days for both of us.:
Keli turned to the Companion. "I have been selfish, I forgot Selene was your daughter. I am so sorry."
:I have seen many of my children born, grow up, Choose, and die but each time it hurts like the first time. But I know I will survive.:
"I wish I could be so certain. At times it feels like I am going to be fine but other times it feels like to live just one more heartbeat is too painful to bear." Keli leaned against Kenyon's legs.
:I know, but you will. Eventually you will find something that makes your life worth living.: Kenyon assured her with wisdom that came from over four centuries.
"Like Duty?" Keli asked.
:You already have duty, little Empress.: Kenyon pointed out. :I hope you will find more.:
Keli reached up and scratched his chest absently. "What would you do if I did die? Would you Choose again?"
:No, you are my last Herald. Rolan is the Monarch's Own Companion, as he said, I am not needed here.: Kenyon informed her.
Keli pondered that for a few moments. "It seems a little strange to think you, a centuries old Companion, has tied your fate to mine."
:Selene did.: Kenyon pointed out. :She never had regrets about it either. Except that she had to hurt you at the end.:
"I miss her. She was always there in my mind, forcing me to ask questions, to think out my actions, or just encouraging me. I could ask her anything." Keli's tears began anew.
Kenyon tried not to let her see how deeply those words hurt him. :And you don't feel you could ask me anything?:
Keli looked away from his eyes. "Not yet."
:What about Solaris?: Kenyon asked, thinking perhaps it was just that Selene was female.
"No." Keli said firmly. "She is an avatar of a God, I don't feel right burdening her with my little concerns."
:She is here for you as much as I am.: Kenyon nuzzled her head and heaved and equine sigh, at least he wouldn't have to find way to change his gender to become her confidante.
Keli remained there for over a candlemark just thinking. "Do you think Tris is trying to get my attention by calling me Sia? Kevyn thinks he is."
:You are not leading him on. He does not expect you to tumble into bed with him.: Kenyon assured her, knowing what else Kevyn had accused her of.
Keli felt her cheeks glow. "That isn't what I asked. With Rodry it was a pet name, like kitten or sweetie. With Tristen I don't know."
:I don't know what he is thinking. Maybe it is just because he dislikes the name Keli or perhaps he thinks Sia suits you better.: Kenyon ventured.
"When he introduces me it is always as Keli." She said thoughtfully.
:True.: Kenyon conceded. :They are starting to worry, perhaps you should return.:
"I suppose." Keli stood and brushed off her clothing.
:If it is any comfort, you are not a Princess here, no one is watching every move you make.: Kenyon reminded her. :No one would care if you had straw in your hair.:
"It is a bit of a comfort." Keli gave Kenyon one last scratch before leaving.
She found Tris in the hall outside her room.
"Do you need anything?" He asked.
"No. Thank you anyway. I am just going to turn in." Keli opened her door. "Thanks for everything."
She closed her door before he responded. Keli sat in the chair rather than go to bed. No matter what Kenyon might say, Keli still felt horrid for being oblivious to Kenyon's grief. She should have seen it earlier.
She took a deep breath and easily dropped into a trance. The trance allowed her to focus on the challenges ahead of her without her emotions interfering. Obviously just warning the Queen wasn't enough, there must be more that she had to do. However, if it got out that she was from the future people may either think her mad or pestering her for answers she didn't have. Obviously it was best she keep that secret from the general populace.
What if just the treaty didn't bring about the Empire? What if there was more? She didn't know much about this time because of that fire, there may be more going on than she realised.
Keli resolved that she would become a Herald as swiftly as possible, which would put her into a position to affect more change.
There were also the many and assorted people she had very little knowledge of, such as the Shin'a'in and Tayledras. They had all been absorbed into the Empire. She needed more information about them.
There was also a new book in Kevyn's library that had described several nonhuman sentient creatures like Gryphons, Kyree, Dyheli, Trevardi, Hertasi, Rkatha and many others. She needed more information on them as well since no creatures matching those descriptions existed in her time. The only gryphon she could think of was a seaside resort far to the south.
Satisfied she had a general plan prepared she emerged from her trance to find it was dark out. She quickly striped and crawled under the light sheet.
Keli rose early the next morning and hurried to the stable intent on going for a ride before everyone else stirred.
Caewen and Kenyon were both outside when she arrived.
"Would you mind going for a ride?" She asked.
:I would like that.: Kenyon sounded very pleased she had asked.
"Good, I need to pick your brain." Keli didn't bother with a saddle and swung on to his back.
:Did you need to know something?: He asked as they moved off at a walk.
"Yes, tell me about gryphons." Keli requested.