~ Chapter 13 ~
Keli surveyed the gathered faces before her. They were all watching her intently.
"Are there any questions?" Keli asked as she placed the piece of chalk on the desk.
No one brought any up.
"In that case, you know where to find me if you need me to answer questions later." Keli gather her books and left the classroom.
She could hear discussion erupting behind her. Since the night five months earlier when she had told the Queen and Talia of the mage wars she had been teaching what magic she knew to other mages, not all Heralds. Most were adepts who in turn would teach the other ranks. Her most demanding pupil was Firesong, who often ambushed her in the halls with odd questions or new theories. He had a more intuitive style than she did so they didn't always understand each other.
This time she made it to her room without incident and found Fyn waiting for her.
"There you are." Fyn said as she ran over to give Keli a hug. "Jemmie asked if I could go to supper with them. Can I go?"
"Yes, but change first, you smell like Honey." Keli said affectionately.
Fyn gave her another tight hug and ran to her room to change.
Keli set her books on a low table and sank onto the couch with a weary sigh. Her day had started long before dawn and it was suppertime now. She hadn't even had time to eat yet, a fact her body was complaining about quite loudly.
"I'm going!" Fyn said as she ran back out the door.
Keli enjoyed the silence for several minutes before she forced herself to her feet. She changed into court Whites and confined her hair in a braid before leaving again, this time for her stint at court.
She noticed several months ago that Talia rarely had time for her husband and son and offered to be the guard during the court sessions just before the court dinner. This meant she had to eat with the court at nearly eight at night.
:Dev would gladly cover for you.: Kenyon reminded her.
:I know, but I am capable of taking care of it myself.: Keli checked her watch. She had just enough time to make it to the throne room. :I'll see you after dinner.:
The court session was as long and as boring as she expected, as was the dinner that followed. It was almost eleven before she got a chance to go down and visit Kenyon.
:Hey little Empress.: He greeted her. :You look ready to drop.:
:Don't tempt me glow boy.: Keli stroked his neck. :At least it was worthwhile.:
:Court? Worthwhile?: Kenyon asked dubiously knowing Keli's feelings on the subject.
:No, not court, I mean letting Talia have some time with Dirk and Jemmie for a change. Would you care to go for a run?:
Kenyon sent her a warm agreement and she swung on to his high back.
The feeling of the wind they created as they flew over the snow went a long way towards reviving her flagging spirits.
"I needed that." Keli leaned forward to smooth Kenyon's mane as he stopped by the Collegium door a short quarter candlemark later. "Thanks."
:I enjoyed that too.: Kenyon assured her.
Keli noticed Fyn's door open and her bed empty when she entered the suite. After a brief search she was located in Keli's bed. Keli sighed and quickly changed. Fyn still had nightmares and often ended up in Keli's bed when they struck.
Keli carefully pushed Fyn to the far side of the bed, crawled under the covers, and quickly went to sleep.
~*~
Keli barely stifled a scream as she bolted out of bed. Her heart was racing and her every sense was on alert.
"Keli…" Fyn sat up and blinked blearily at her.
"Sorry Imp." Keli turned.
"Did you have a nightmare?"
Keli hurried across the cold floor to her wardrobe and quickly started pulling on warm clothes. "It wasn't a nightmare."
Fyn slipped of the bed. "What happened? What's wrong?"
Keli grabbed a warm jacket. "I'll explain later. Solaris!"
The Cat appeared in a patch of predawn light. :What's wrong?:
"She's huge!" Fyn gaped.
"Fyn, could you tell Skif I may be late?" Keli asked as she started changing.
Fyn nodded mutely.
:What is so urgent?: Solaris demanded.
"Can you transport Kenyon and me to the north border?" Keli asked.
:Not both of you that far, one human I can do.: Solaris said after a few seconds thought.
Keli led Solaris through the sitting room and out a door in one of the spare rooms.
:What happened?: Solaris tried again.
"I need to get to here." Keli sent an image of a snow blown mountain pass. "But I need some stuff from the Stables."
She collected some ropes, a medical kit kept there for emergencies and blankets. Kenyon watched, concerned.
"I am ready." Keli said finally.
Solaris transported them both to the pass in a blink. The sudden change of location and cold hit Keli like a truck causing nausea and loss of breath. Keli willed the nausea away as she hurried up the path. The weather was getting worse.
Ahead of them a Companion stood worriedly by the edge of the collapsed path. Below them was a craggy cliff.
"Don't worry Caewen." Keli said as she tied the rope to her saddle and checked the straps.
:He is hurt, I can't reach him!: Caewen answered on the edge of panic.
"I know." Keli left the blankets on the path as she tested the ropes one last time.
:Is that Tris down there?: Solaris asked.
Keli nodded and lowered herself over the edge. She refused to look down as she clung to the rope. The wind wiped at her hair and blew the sharp pieces of snow into her eyes. Keli tapped into a ley line and used the magic to keep her body temperature up.
:Am I close?: Keli asked the two above her.
:No, go to your left a few feet, he is straight down from there.: Solaris directed.
Keli bit her lip so hard she tasted blood.
:What's wrong? Are you losing your grip?: Caewen asked.
:No, I am scared of heights.: Keli nearly snapped.
Her arms were aching when her foot finally touched the ledge Tristen had landed on.
:I made it.: Keli would have knelt and kissed the ground if there had been enough room. Tris was sprawled across the ledge and wasn't moving. "Don't move Tris."
Keli used her hands and her mage senses to probe for injuries. Thankfully his spine was uninjured but it was obvious that his arm was broken as was a leg.
:I can't move him far.: Keli called up.
:Is he going to be alright?: Caewen asked worriedly.
:Yes, I think so. Toss down one blanket.:
Solaris used her paw to push the blanket over. Keli used magic to catch it.
:Got it.: Keli carefully draped the blanket over him.
:Could I transport him up?: Solaris asked.
:No, there isn't enough room for you here.: Keli gently moved his limbs until he was completely on the ledge and she had a bit more room. :Caewen, you have to go for a Healer. I'll stay with him.:
She could feel Caewen's concern put she agreed finally and the rope plunged past them, severed by Solaris' claws, as she plunged back down the path.
:What do you want me to do?: Solaris asked.
:Stay there, we may need someone to send in case this gets worse.: Keli explained.
Keli used magic to create a shield against the worsening cold, with more magic she created a magelight.
"Hey Tris, I need to take a closer look for injuries. I'll try not to hurt you." Keli said once the temperature inside the shield was warm enough to remove his clothes safely.
There was just enough room on the ledge for her to lie on her side next to him. Kneeling, she carefully rolled him so he was on his back. She untied the cloak and used his knife to cut the sides his tunic and cut the ties of his shirt. There was a massive amount of bruising on his sides and his chest and deep gashes where he hit the rocks. Keli felt for the telltale signs of internal bleeding but found none. The bruises and cuts also continued on his legs. The worst injury was a massive gash on his forehead.
Keli used the medical kit to bandage his wounds as best she could and covered him with the blanket.
"Come on Tris, I need some response." Keli coaxed. Switching to mindspeech she continued to try and reach him.
Slowly his eyes opened.
Keli wiped away a tear. "What on earth were you thinking?"
His eyes slowly focused on her. "Sia?"
"Do you know where you are?" Keli asked.
"No." He winced when he tried to look around.
"Don't move. You took a tumble." Keli told him. "Caewen has gone for help."
"It's snowing." He commented almost dreamily.
Keli looked around, beyond her shields a full winter storm was blowing. :Solaris, don't stay. There is nothing you can do. Keep an eye on Fyn for me if you can.:
She Felt Solaris hesitate. :I will.:
Keli stretched out next to Tristen careful not to touch his injured arm. "How are feeling?"
"Tired." He slurred. "Cold."
Keli pushed up the temperature of the air. The gathering clouds and snow blocked out much of the days light.
"Tristen do you know any healing spells?"
Tris seemed unable to focus. "Yes."
"Focus on that spell." Keli instructed. Touching his temples gently she probed his memories hoping that he was coherent enough to focus on that memory. Unfortunately his thoughts were very jumbled. :Tris, remember the healing spell.:
Slowly that memory pushed itself to the fore. Keli watched through Tris' eyes and memorized the spell. Satisfied she slowly withdrew, making certain she left nothing behind.
Keli ran through the spell in her mind several times before she tried casting it. It was designed for minor injuries but she hoped it would help.
It was nearly dark before he started to show improvement.
"Sia, why are you here?" He asked, his voice still slurred.
"I Saw it happen." Keli explained. "I had to come."
"Thanks." Tris used his good hand to caress her hair. "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it." Keli assured him. "That's what friends are for, right?"
"Caewen slipped." He explained.
"It doesn't matter. Can you reach Caewen? Ask her if they are coming." Keli said loudly, trying to keep his attention.
Tris was quiet for several minutes before he finally answered. "They can't make it up, the path is blocked."
Keli didn't let her concern show. "We'll be fine." She assured him with false confidence.
"They doubt they will be able to make it up for the rest of the winter. The path is bad." Tris continued to relay, eroding what little hope she had.
That was the last thing she wanted to hear. "What were you doing up here?"
"Bandits. They raided a village in the valley and took two children hostage." Tristen explained.
"I hope they are alive." Keli said softly.
"Where is Fyn?" Tris asked, his thoughts slowly getting clearer.
"Still in Haven. Poor Imp is probably scared to death." Keli said, wishing she had stopped long enough to say good bye. She knew they were both thinking the same thing; they were going to die on this little ledge.
"You should go once the snow stops." Tristen said after a few seconds silence.
"No." Keli said adamantly. "I will not leave you alone up here."
"Sia, I can't stand, I can't climb, if you stay we will both die." Tristen tried to change her mind.
"I am not leaving." Keli repeated firmly.
Tris sighed but Keli could sense he wasn't about to give up. "How far up are we?"
"Not a clue." Keli admitted. "And I am not going to look."
"Would you mind if we switched places?" Tris asked. "Otherwise you are going to bump my arm and both of us will be miserable."
With careful shuffling they succeeded. Keli admitted she was much more comfortable with her back to the rock face instead of the empty air. She rested her head on his shoulder and watched the snow.
"How long can you keep the shield?"
"As long as I need to." Keli answered honestly. "And don't even consider doing something noble and stupid."
Tris laughed reluctantly and winced when he jolted his ribs. "We should try to sleep."
Keli pulled the blanket over both of them and dimmed the light. "Sleep well."
"As if that will happen." He said as she slipped into slumber.