~ Chapter 18 ~
A week later Keli's formidable temper had cooled and Kevyn had returned to his estate. Tris had thrown himself into recouping his edge before he returned to his circuit and had avoided Keli and Fyn. He was still smarting from her harsh words about his brother and unwilling to face her and receive more.
He succeeded in avoiding them until the day before he was to return to his circuit when he received a note asking if he was willing to cover for a sick Herald who normally had guard duty alongside Keli at Court sessions.
When he arrived at the Royal suite Keli was already present reading a small book. He nodded in greeting but no more and took a seat opposite from her. Keli didn't even acknowledge him.
Selenay emerged from her private rooms dressed for court. "I guess we're ready."
Keli still didn't look up.
"Keli?" Selenay touched her shoulder. Keli jumped.
"Sorry. I was engrossed in the book." Keli slipped the small book in her belt pouch and straightened her sword.
"I noticed." Selenay smiled slightly. "If you are both ready…"
Tristen opened the door for both women. Outside Keli and Tris followed a few steps behind Selenay.
"I am sorry, I know you leave tomorrow, but we couldn't find anyone else." Keli said quietly without looking at him.
"It is my duty, Herald Keli," he answered coldly.
Keli stiffened imperceptibly but remained silent through out court. After court, when Talia returned, Keli vanished with out a word to anyone.
"Normally she joins us at the court dinner," Selenay commented after Keli's departing back.
"Something has been bothering her all week," Talia said, "She refuses to talk about it."
"I have to go, I leave in the morning," Tris excused himself.
He felt like a dog for answering her as he had. All she had done was apologize and he had snapped at her. In his room he took off the thick, formal tunic and left it across the back of a chair and sprawled in another. He was glad he had been given the go ahead to return to his circuit, being here was almost painful.
A light knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in," he called.
Fyn opened the door, padded in and closed it behind her. Her small face was a mask of anger. "What did you say to Keli?"
Tris ran a hand through his hair. "Nothing."
Fyn's fierce expression didn't change. "Yes you did. She is unhappy again and it's your fault."
"Fyn-" Tristen started.
"Why are you being mean to her?" Fyn demanded.
"I am not being 'mean.'" Tris started.
"Yes you are!" Fyn yelled, "You won't even talk to her!" She stomped on his foot and stormed back out of the room.
Tris yelped and grabbed his foot. Fyn and Keli had another characteristic in common. Both were vicious in the defence of the other.
:She has a point.: Caewen commented. :You won't even consider that your brother maybe in the wrong.:
:I know him. He wouldn't act like that.: Tristen protested.
Caewen didn't answer.
Tristen brooded several more minutes before he finally picked up one of the letters. Part of the first paragraph jumped out at him.
…A child isn't a plaything. They deserve every chance at happiness and Fyn is not going to be happy being forced to attend classes with student twice her age. Even you can see that she deserves to have a loving home. I am willing to reimburse you for the cost she has already incurred if that's what it takes…
Tris nearly crumpled the offending letter. If he didn't recognize the writing he wouldn't have believed what he read.
:She was right.: Tris admitted. :I should have read this a week ago.:
Caewen refrained from pointing out the obvious.
:Now what?: Tris asked.
:That is up to you.: Caewen answered simply.
~*~
"Fyn?" Keli asked at the girl's door. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Fyn called back and continued practicing on her harp.
"You are going to play your fingers raw again." Keli warned.
"I'll be careful." Fyn called back.
A knock on the outer door called Keli away from Fyn's door; on the other side Jemmie was standing impatiently.
"Is Fyn here?"
"Yes, just a moment." Keli returned to Fyn's door. "Jemmie is here."
The simple music stopped and the door opened and Fyn hurried over to Jemmie.
"Mom says I can have a camp out in the Stable tonight, do you want to come?"
Fyn looked hopefully at Keli.
"Wear something old and leave your harp here." Keli smiled.
Fyn whooped and ran into her room only to emerge moments later suitably dressed with a bundled blanket under one arm.
"The harp stays here." Keli repeated firmly.
Fyn scowled and handed over the instrument. Keli set it on the table. "Have fun and let the Companions get some sleep."
"We will." They called in unison as they rushed off.
Keli closed the door and headed to her room where she was working on the diary. She changed into her nightgown and old robe so as not to stain her Whites and sat down to work. Soon she was focused entirely on the words she was writing. She was to the point where she had been Chosen by Kenyon and was choosing her words carefully to get maximum impact on readers.
She still didn't know what she would do with the diary but she felt better having everything written down. Everything seemed more fantastic and unbelievable on paper and she kept pausing to think much of it still seemed impossible to her.
A touch on her shoulder made her jump and drop her quill.
"Sorry," Tris apologized, "You didn't answer the door."
"I was busy." Keli quickly cleaned up the mess her quill had created. "Do you need a portal tomorrow? I can make one to the Healing Temple."
"That's not why I am here." Tris gestured with a letter. "I finally read one of the letters. I am sorry for not listening to you."
Keli set the dirty rag to the side and looked up at him. "I shouldn't have blown up at you like that. You didn't deserve it."
"I did." Tristen corrected her. "I should have listened to you and read the letters. I don't know what prompted him to write these letters but he isn't normally like that."
"I understand. I should have ignored them but I was worried he was right." Keli admitted.
"He's not. Fyn wouldn't be happy anywhere else." Tris assured her.
Keli stood and took the letter and tossed it in the fire burning in her fireplace. "I have never been responsible for a child before. I keep thinking I'll do something wrong."
Tris placed a hand on her shoulder. "I think you are doing a wonderful job."
"She stole your saddlebags." Keli warned.
"When?" Tristen asked, he knew his saddlebags were sitting next to his bed.
"Just now." Keli sighed. "She is rather upset with you."
"How do you know?" Tristen asked, wondering if he should run off in rescue of his bags.
"I just know." Keli shrugged, unwilling to explain.
"Like you knew I was in trouble?" Tris asked.
"Mostly, that was a dream, I felt like I was right there and incapable to do anything. I scared poor Fyn when I woke up and stormed out of here." Keli brought a hand up to touch his cheek. "My heart nearly stopped when I saw you on that cliff."
"And again when we were getting off it?" He asked lightly.
Keli traced the scar on his forehead with one finger.
"Sia…" He reached up to capture her hand.
"Stay the night." Keli suggested impulsively. "Fyn is sleeping in the Stable with Jemmie."
Tris accepted without words.
~*~
Keli woke at her usual time, just before dawn, to find herself half sprawled across Tris' chest.
"Good morning." Tris smiled warmly and stroked her hair, his other hand was much lower.
Keli grinned mischievously, "A very good morning."
"When do you have to get up?" Tristen asked eying the patch of grey sky beyond the window.
"Soon. I have a bout with Skif first thing, and Fyn is about to burst in on us." Keli warned just heartbeats before Fyn knocked on the door and burst in.
"Hey Keli, are you coming to breakfast?" Fyn stopped and looked at Tris and Keli then grinned. "It's about time!"
Keli and Tris both laughed.
"Now I won't throw your bags in the river," Fyn grinned and ran back out.
"She knows too much for only eight years old," Tris commented.
"She has had an unusual education," Keli slipped from the bed, "I have to get ready for the day."
"I should get going as well," Tris emerged from the bed as well and donned his clothes.
"Would you like me to make a portal?" Keli asked.
"Do you have time to show me how you make them?" Tristen asked hopefully.
Keli considered her schedule for a moment. "Not until this evening and you should be on your way by then."
"Perhaps when I return then." Tristen said disappointedly.
Keli shook her head, "You may need it. I could show you how I learned it."
"With your memories?" Tristen asked.
Keli nodded, "A spell for a spell."
"Why not." He shrugged and sat on the edge of the bed and Keli placed her fingertips on his temples and initiated the link. Unlike the previous two occasions he had experienced this sharing, he could appreciate the incredible intimacy of the bond. If he wished he could easily see all that dwelt in her mind, and she could see within his if she wished. For a moment, with both their eyes open, they each saw through each other's eyes.
:Incredible.: Tris said in awe.
:It hasn't been like this before.: Keli said. :This is…beautiful.:
:It is.: Tris agreed.
Keli shared the portal technique with him, without images or sound, just knowledge, almost as a dhyeli would.
When Keli broke the bond both felt its loss like a pain.
"Sia, that was beyond words."
Keli nodded, still shaken, "It has never been so…intimate before."
"How many times have you used that?"
"Outside of class six times, three of which were with you."
The breakfast bell rang breaking the spell.
"We better get going," Keli reminded them both, "You should get back on the road soon, the sector has been with out a Herald for nearly two weeks."
"Do you have time for breakfast?"
"Is that a date?" Keli asked playfully.
"A date?"
"A courting ritual in the future involving young lovers spending time together in public, generally consuming food," Keli explained.
"Then yes, a date."