AN: Hey everyone! I'm just shooting chapters out lickedy-split! Did I just say that? I really am losing it aren't I! I'll just blame it on the stress... Anyway, could you review? Please? I'm halfway through the next chapter so please I need more comments before I can post chapter six. Thanks!



All I could feel was remorse. I hadn't wanted to force Healer Resha into sleep, but I had to get away from her insistent prying. I could not tell her my true secret, she would just want to use me, like any other. And now I just felt remorse.

I stopped, clutching at the common stable's corner as a wave of dizziness swept through me. I had overextended myself and had lost the little energy I had managed to get back from the drain of the rescue. I felt around for a leyline, or maybe an unobstructed node that was purified enough to use since the Mage Storms. My mind traveled into the field and I found a huge mound of energy. I quickly tapped into it and felt my physical, mental, and magical self straighten and power up as I felt more powerful than ever before.

Just as I was finishing up, and angry neigh interrupted my cleanup and I opened my eyes to see a pair of sapphire ones, in my face.

:What were you doing, tapping into the Grove node? How could you tap into the node? Tell me!: The feminine mind voice was furious, :Tell me!:

I reached for the Companion shakily, as the power began to drain out of me, like something, someone, was pulling it back. :I don't know-: I began but then I had touched the Companion.

It was a rush of power and understanding, as a blueish-white packet of energy sucked into me, then agony. I opened my eyes and screamed as I saw myself becoming a Companion. My arm was going white, and I could see distinct hooves forming in place of my hands. My scream began to turn into a neigh, and I panicked. I began thrashing around, with both my mind and my body, trying to stop it, trying to control it somehow, when a miraculous thing happened.

I felt the energy and power shoved deep into a corner of my mind, not gone, yet unaccessible. I winced as a masculine neigh split the air.

:WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?: He asked, his body glowing white and his mind voice over powering, :I demand and explanation. Who are you, and what in Haven happened here?:

The mare that had confronted me butted into his tirade. :I was coming back from a run around the Field, and I suddenly felt someone pull a great deal of power from the Grove node. I immediately went to the source of the pull and found this girl cleaning up after her stealing of our power.: I sighed at the word stealing. :As soon as I found her, I stopped her, asked her what she was doing, and began to pull the powers back into the node.: Here she paused, and the glowing Companion's disapproval grew, :I don't really know what happened after that. All I can remember is this girl reaching out to me, as if to steady herself. Then nothing, until you came charging in, Rolan.:

The Companion's, Grove born I guessed, head swung around to face me. :So! You're the culprit, and caught red-handed, too!: His mind voice had much satisfaction, :Explain yourself!:

I sighed, and asked pointedly, :Do you swear that this goes no further?:

Rolan stepped back, obviously surprised at her forwardness and lack of fear for the power of the Companions. :Well, yes. Why? What do you have to hide?: And so I told him my story, the same amount as what I had told the Healer, and they both had to steady themselves against the Stable wall before they could say anything. :I guess you do have a lot to hide.: He weakly stated, all his anger had vanished like a passing storm. :I mean, if Falconsbane, or any other blood bound adept were to have you under his will, I mean, there would be no stopping you!:

:I know, which is why only you two, Healer Resha, and my best friend Muri know.: I stated, waiting for a reaction, and was rewarded by the bob of his head, up and down.

:Good! Good!: He mind voice laden with approval. Something then occurred to me.

:What did you do with the power I got from her?: I asked puzzled trying to reach it as I poked my chin in the direction of the mare, :It's there, but I can't reach it! I just can't! Your touch is on it- did you do this?: I asked, agitated.

:Yes, I did.: His head sagged.

:Why?: Was all I could say while I spluttered.

:It was necessary. You weren't ready for that power, well actually, you were never meant to have it!: Anger began to wreath around his presence, but the mare butted his flank with her head and said one thing into his mind.

:Talia.:

He regained obvious control on his temper, pushing it back until even I couldn't see it. Then I understood. Rolan was bonded with the Queen's Own, Talia, and she was an Empath. Of course she would sense Rolan's anger!

:This is ruining all my plans!: Rolan whined into the mare's mind, :I mean, Erana, you know how hard it is to set up things like these, I mean, tomorrow is the-:

:You realize she can hear you.: He was cut off by the now named Erana.

:Oh.: Was all he said, then, :What was your name again? I don't believe we ever asked...: Then she could feel a bit of guilt, :Sorry about that.:

:Daya, and it's fine, or will be if you let me replenish myself using the node in the middle of the Field.: Rolan and Erana looked at each other, then bobbed their heads up and down simultaneously. I smiled slightly as I pulled again, and immediately I felt much better. :I guess I'll be seeing you two around?: I asked them, and at their bobbing heads, I nodded in farewell, said bye and continued my interrupted walk to the Salle, where I'd get my assignment from my Captain Kero.







AN: So. . . Like? Not like? Tell me! I'm sorry about how short this chapter, and a couple others are, but I'm not good at doing lengthy things and I'd probably drag it out to long anyway and- *realizes she's blabbering and shuts her mouth with a snap * sorry about that. My math exam is on Monday, and I really don't care about it but I'm really agitated. Oh well. Give the thumbs up or down in your review.