~ Chapter 9 ~
"Where's Keli?" Fyn burst into Tris' room and scrambled on to his bed.
"She isn't sleeping?" He asked sleepily.
Fyn shook her head. "I was going to wake her up but she is gone. Can you help me find her?"
"I am certain she is fine." Tris told her and started to drift back to sleep.
:She is drilling Kenyon for all the information he is willing to surrender. She certainly has a knack for asking the hard questions.: Caewen informed him.
"Don't worry, she's out riding." Tris assured Fyn.
"How do you know?" Fyn demanded.
Tris sighed. "My Companion told me."
"But she isn't here?" Fyn said logically.
:It seems Fyn has the same knack for asking questions that are hard to explain.: Tris commented to Caewen. "It's magic."
"Can you do magic?" Fyn asked and settled comfortably on the edge of his bed.
"Yes. Now why don't we get up and find some breakfast?" Tris tried to avert more questions.
"Meet you down stairs." Fyn slid off the bed and ran back out the door.
:Will she return for breakfast?: Tris asked as he dressed.
:Doubtful. According to Kenyon she rarely stops to breathe when she gets like this.: Caewen explained.
Tris chuckled. :As far as I know Fyn has never stopped to breathe. I'd love to know how she took my ring.:
:And perhaps how Keli knew about it?: Caewen asked shrewdly.
:She obviously has some foresight. Perhaps that is what she uses.: Tris shrugged.
:Perhaps.:
"Are you ready?" Fyn hollered from out in the hallway.
:You better go before she breaks down the door.: Caewen said with obvious amusement.
"Just a minute, imp." Tris hollered back as he tugged on his boots and opened the door.
Fyn had her hands on her hips and was tapping her foot impatiently. "Finally. Let's go get your brother."
"He is probably already up." Tris warned.
"Uh huh, he is in a big room downstairs fighting with his shadow." Fyn informed him.
"The salle." Tris called. "He is a formidable fighter."
Fyn shrugged. "He still looks silly."
"Well, let's get him and find some breakfast." Tris suggested.
"The cook said she'll make me a tart." Fyn rushed down the hall.
Kevyn was placing his practice blade in a bracket on the wall when they caught up with him.
"Are you hungry now?" Fyn asked immediately.
"Shouldn't we wait for Keli?" Kevyn asked.
"She is already up, she has gone out for a ride, and we have no idea when she will return." Tris explained.
"There she is." Fyn pointed out the window.
Keli was walking next to Kenyon obvious discussing something.
"I'll get her and meet you in the dining room." Tris left them.
Keli waved when she saw him. "I lost track of time. Have I missed breakfast?"
"No, we are just about to sit down." Tris assured her.
"Excellent. I hope you don't mind if I spend much of my time in the library today, but I have some questions I need answered."
"Like what?" Tris asked.
"The prevalence of nonhuman sentient creatures in this time. Other than Companion and Firecats I know of none in my time. I believe it is rather important we discover why they vanish." Keli informed.
"Definitely." Tris agreed. "Does Kenyon have much to say?"
"No. It is one of those 'figure it out on your own' topics." Keli scowled at Kenyon.
"What theories have you come up with so far?" Tristen asked.
"Witch hunts, disease, and something that totally warps magic in such a way that they can't survive." Keli listed off.
"Like the Mage storms?" Tristen suggested.
"Maybe, I'll have to look more into exactly how powerful they are." Keli nodded. "I remember covering Portal storms in school."
"Portal Storms?"
"The improper collapsing of permanent Portals causes storms very similar to the Mage storms that were described to me only smaller."
"Can you create permanent gates in the future?" Tristen asked curiously. He, like every other mage, was still trying to understand how much magic had changed.
"Yes, but there is little need for them. The mages of my time are very jealous of their power so are unwilling to create gates for the mass populace." Keli stopped. "I should bring that up with the queen. There must be something we can do to prevent distrust between mages and the rest of the populace. I know it predates the decline of the Heralds."
Tristen was overwhelmed by all her goals, the 'nonhuman sentient creatures' the distrust of mages, and that the future mages had gates. "What would you suggest?"
"From what I have read, mages are new to Valdemar. Because they are new most Valdemarans are probably a little uncertain about them. I would try for maximum exposure, things like having them help with repairs after disasters or paving roads."
"You know how to pave roads?" Tris asked surprised. "We lost that knowledge when Herald-Mage Vanyel died."
"It is relatively easy, four journeyman can do it. We would also have to be careful to keep from relying on the abilities of mages." Keli paused and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry if I am running on at the mouth, you are too easy to talk to."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Tris assured her.
"I am sorry if I have taken you away from other duties. I know you didn't plan on a visit home. The bags in your room were filled with traveling clothes, not the kind of thing you would bring on a trip home." Keli apologized.
"It isn't a problem." Tris assured her. "I have been meaning to come home for a visit for a while now."
Keli raised an eyebrow. "They didn't want me to lose it and flatten Haven. I know, Teren is a loud thinker."
"You picked that up through his shields?" Tristen was surprised, Teren was normally careful to shield heavily since he was around Gifted children so much of the day.
"And my own. Occasionally people who get upset shoot out a thought, even through their shields. I hear them."
"If it helps any, I know you would never let your abilities turn upon any of the people of Valdemar." Tristen assured her sincerely.
Keli favoured him with a genuine smile. "Thank you, it helps a great deal."
Tristen felt his heart skip a beat. "What do you think of my brother?" He changed the subject.
"I like him, but I don't think he trusts me. He thinks I am toying with you." Keli answered honestly.
Tris' brows knit. "Why would he think that?"
"I don't know. Perhaps it is my accent." Keli shrugged.
Tristen shook his head. His brother didn't have a prejudice against people with accents, many of his friends were Rethwellan. "I doubt it."
"Well, I hope in time he will come to trust me." Keli said.
"I am sure he will." Tristen pledged her.
Kenyon separated from them, heading towards the stable.
Inside Fyn and Kevyn were already sitting at the table. Keli excused herself to freshen up but Tris took his seat.
"She must be an early riser." Kevyn commented. "The grooms said she was gone before they were even up."
"Are you two in love?" Fyn asked impishly.
Tris looked up. "Heralds rarely fall in love. For most of us our Companions and our duty consume our hearts."
Fyn was disappointed. "I was hoping you were. My sister said that when people are in love they are happy and Keli needs to be happy."
Tris reached across the table and ruffled her hair. "Don't worry imp, she is just missing her family."
Fyn looked doubtful.
"Why so glum Fyn?" Keli asked as she appeared in the doorway.
"Its nothing." Fyn said. "Did you go riding?"
"Yes, Kenyon suggested we explore some while we waited for everyone else to wake." Keli filled her plate.
After breakfast Keli headed straight to the library. She was disappointed to find very little information about the creatures she wanted to investigate.
:You are looking very frustrated.: Solaris appeared on the table.
"I am looking for more information on Gryphons, Kyree, and the like." Keli explained.
:I doubt you will find anything. When we return to Haven you can talk to a Tayledras. They are the foremost authorities of those creatures. You could even write to Firesong, he would probably have a great deal to offer.: Solaris suggested.
"Firesong?" Keli repeated.
:He will probably be a little miffed that he didn't go down in history like his ancestor, Vanyel, did. You should meet with him some time anyway, he is an incredible mage and you could each pick each other's brains.: Solaris said with amusement.
"I'll see." Keli said absently and chose a new book. "According to this gryphons are nasty beasts of the air, but this one describes them as knowledgeable, intelligent, and peaceful. Since this peaceful account concurs with what Kenyon said I assume this one is correct, but why the differences in opinions?"
:Simple actually. Before Treyvan and Hydona came to Valdemar no one knew they could speak.: Solaris explained simply.
"Fear then." Keli said in understanding. "How is the general populace reacting to them?"
:Very well actually. They have two darling little ones, which went a long way to diffusing the situation. Like you said last night, an educated populace is more open-minded.: Solaris explained.
"I know you aren't of Valdemar, but what do they have in the way of education for the people who show an aptitude?" Keli asked, closing her book.
"Who are you talking to?" Kevyn asked from the doorway.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Your Companion?"
"No. A cat."
Solaris gave her a wink.
Kevyn gave her a strange look.
"No, I haven't lost my mind." Keli sat back in the chair. "I can understand animals. Has Fyn taken something again?"
"Not that I know of, why?"
"You came looking for me, I was wondering why."
"How did you know?" Kevyn asked as he took the seat across from her.
"I learned young to read intent. It saved my life many times."
"Where are you from?"
"The Empire." Keli opened yet another book. "I would rather not discuss it."
"Is that how you know that Fyn is stealing?"
"Sometimes." Keli admitted.
"I want to talk to you about Fyn."
Kevyn's tone caught and held Keli's attention.
"What are you going to do with her?" Kevyn asked seriously.
"Well, I am very new to Valdemar so I am not certain exactly what yet but I was going to see if it was possible for her to have a position as a page at court and take some classes."
"Would you consider letting her stay with a family?" He asked.
Keli crossed her arms and levelled a cool gaze at him. "She is my responsibility. I don't need nor want anyone to take her."
"That isn't what I meant." Kevyn said neutrally.
"What did you mean then?" Keli asked coolly.
"I meant would you consider letting her stay here. With me." Kevyn asked.
"Why are you asking? Do you think I would let anything happen to her?" Keli asked calmly even though she was not feeling very calm at the moment.
"No, I just thought with your classes and everything you wouldn't have time for her." Kevyn responded defensively.
"Your concern is unnecessary." Keli stood and stalked out.
Tris was startled to see her enter the stable where he was teaching Fyn how to groom a horse.
"How was the studying going?" He asked.
"Well enough." Keli picked up a brush and started grooming Kenyon. "Fyn, put back the hoof pick."
Fyn grumbled and produced the tool. "She's doing it again."
"Then don't take anything." Tris suggested.
"That's no fun." Fyn grumbled.
Keli didn't say anything, just focused on grooming Kenyon's coat till it gleamed.
Fyn bumped against Tris and pocketed his belt pouch.
"Fyn, return the purse." Keli said, even though her back was to them.
"How did you do that?" Fyn asked as she handed over the purse, minus the coins.
"The money too." Keli reminded her.
Tris accepted the purse and money with a grin. "I can't wait till you meet Skif."
"Who is Skif?" Fyn asked as she started grooming again.
"One of the other Heralds, he was a thief too." Tris explained.
"Really? Can I be a Herald?" Fyn asked eagerly.
Tris looked to Keli for some help, he didn't want to deflate Fyn's hopes. Keli stopped grooming Kenyon and joined them grooming the horse.
"Do you want to be a Herald?" Keli asked.
"I don't know." Fyn answered honestly.
"Why don't you ask Tris what a Herald does?" Keli suggested.
Fyn looked up at him expectantly. "What do you do?"
"Plenty actually." Tris found himself describing even the smallest duties he had taken care of under the prodding questions of the two females.
When Fyn finally ran out of questions, over three horses later, she sat on a bale of hay and rested her chin on her fist. "I want to be a Herald." She declared.
"I hope you are Chosen someday." Keli said honestly.
"I will be." Fyn said seriously.
Tris and Keli laughed.
"I'll do everything you've done." Fyn elaborated. "I'll chase down bandits and make them pay."
"Perhaps we all will." Keli suggested.
Fyn jumped to her feet. "We'll chase them all the way to the border." She adopted an amateurish fighting stance. "Take that you smelly stinkers!" She made a fierce charge at invisible bandits. Keli and Tris followed her outside watching her swing and stab at her foes.
"I think you routed them quite thoroughly." Tris laughed as she did a victory dance with much shouting and insulting of her fallen foes.
:Fierce little creature.: Kenyon laughed.
:Odd, no matter what happens, the world still turns, children still dream and the fields still get ploughed.: Keli commented.
:See, you have survived.: Kenyon nuzzled her arm. :There will still be bad days ahead but things will start to get better.: