Chapter 7

*

Icefire stared in astonishment at the Companion for a long time before finally finding her tongue. "You," she told Asterra with conviction, "Are crazy."

:Why?: replied Asterra. The blasted creature actually sounded curious!

Icefire sputtered. "I - I'm not good Herald material!" she replied at length. "I can't stay in one place, I get bored and want to leave. I'm going to explore, everywhere. I'm never going to stop travelling - I can't. I can't be a Herald."

:You want to explore?: the Companion asked slowly.

"Yes," Icefire replied, wondering where this was going.

:So do I.: Asterra said cheerfully. :Let's explore together.:

That was a shock. One of Valdemar's famous Companions actually wanted to leave? Icefire began to laugh.

:Why are you laughing?: Asterra asked, irritated with her levity. :I was serious!:

"I think it's a great idea, dear one," said Icefire, laying a hand on Asterra's snowy shoulder. "But just imagine the looks on their faces!"

:Oh dear,: said Asterra. Icefire got the impression that, if she was human, she would have bitten her lip. :I didn't think of that!:

"I have a question, Asterra," continued Icefire in a more serious tone. "How can you Choose me, when I'm already bonded to Dellan?"

This question was considered for a while before being answered. :You have too great a heart, Chosen.: Asterra told her. :Too big to love only one person, just like it is too great to love only one place. You can have me, and have Dellan, too.: She continued. :Neither of us will be jealous of the other.:

As if to prove this, Dellan flew down and alighted on the pommel of Asterra's elaborate saddle. :Horse can carry me.: He informed Icefire cheekily. :Horse not get tired.:

:Horse?: Asterra snorted indignantly at this insult. :At least I'm not a pidgeon like yourself, birdbrain!:

Icefire laughed. If nothing else, this proved to be an interesting partnership!

*

Mounted on Asterra, the miles flew past. Although Icefire had enjoyed the exertion of walking, she had to admit that this was much more convenient.

:Where do we go, 'Sterra?: Icefire mindspoke. The wind of their passing would snatch words away.

We'll overnight at a Herald's waystation.: was the reply. :It will take three days to reach Haven.:

They galloped on through the afternoon, but soon Dellan called.

:A building near the road!: He swooped down to land on the pommel, his now accustomed perch.

:That's our Waystation, pigeon.: Asterra told him, turning off onto a little-used path. Then, in a wistful tone, she asked, :There weren't any Companions about, were there, Dell?:

"What, lonesome?" Icefire laughed.

:Just hoping that there might be a handsome stallion,: she replied. :And who knows? Perhaps a handsome Herald to ride him, too.: Then Asterra cocked her head to look at Dellan. :But for you . . . sorry, pigeon, it isn't breeding season.:

The Companion and her rider laughed at the 'pigeon's outraged squawk.

*

"Do you know any good ways to slip into Haven unnoticed?" asked Icefire hopefully. She didn't want people staring at her. She didn't like being 'different'.

:Sorry, Chosen.: Asterra replied, shaking her head. :You're on a Companion - no one's going to overlook you.:

"Great." Muttered Icefire, sitting down. No doubt the citizens would all gawk at her silver hair, and whisper that she was a freak. "Just great."

They had reached Haven, and Icefire had had enough experience from the villages they had come across to suspect how the citizens would look upon her.

:Chosen - if you don't want to be treated like a freak, don't act like you're ashamed of it.: Asterra told her. :Put on your most outrageously Tayledras clothes, and you will be treated like a freak worthy of respect.:

Dellan nodded sagely before giving his own advice. :Shiny spell.: he told her happily. :Use shiny spell on us.:

Asterra looked confused. On a horse's face, the expression was very interesting. :What's the pigeon jabbering about now, Chosen?: she asked, shaking herself to dislodge him from his perch on her mane. :What is this 'shiny spell'?:

"I'll tell you later." Icefire replied, jumping to her feet. "But now - I have some clothes to find."

She saddled Asterra first, knowing it would be difficult to work in the elaborate clothing she planned to wear. Then she emptied her packs onto the rough bed the Waystations procvided, gently removing an outfit from the very bottom.

She laid it out on the bed. It was a pale blue dress with a cloak of silver white. She had worn it only once, for the Welcoming party in K'Vala, but she had kept it her entire journey.

:Ohhh . . .: Gasped Asterra, looking in the door. :Chosen - that is beautiful.:

"Huh." Icefire replied, tickling the mare's nose with a feather. "You're just thinking how nice I shall look on your back!"

When they set off, the group were stunning. As well as wearing her full 'best' regalia, Icefire had braided both her and Asterra's silvery hair in the elaborate K'Drena pattern. It had been a lengthy process, but Icefire had to admit that they were a lovely pair.

The real trouble had been mounting. The dress, though very lovely, was impractical for such a task, and the cloak did nothing to help. In the end, Asterra had to kneel on the ground while her Chosen awkwardly clambered on and arranged her skirts.

Dellan, too, was a nuisance, for he became thoroughly over excited, and flew wildly about, landing at the most inopportune times on a shoulder, or in Asterra's case, a neck. In the end, the pair had had to shout at him until he took himself to fly high overhead.

Soon, however, he had forgotten his huff, and he flew down to perch on the saddle pommel, staring with interest at the approaching city.

*

Icefire set in motion two spells when they approached the city. The 'shiny' spell, and one Firesong had taught her during her stay in K'Valdemar - the 'echo' spell.

The echo spell simply made everyone within twenty paces of the ancor - Icefire - suddenly become quieter, so every sound made by the anchor would seem twice as loud. The two spells working in concert, Icefire predicted, along with their exotic appearance, should make them the biggest show in town.

Citizens gathered, to gawk, as Icefire had pessimistically predicted, at this freakshow. They were not dissapointed, for as well as the elaborately attired Companion and her obviously alien rider movimg by at a stately trot, Dellan gave a stunning show of aerobatics, swooping and diving through the air. Often, when dived, Icefire would hold out a bare fist, and their audience would gasp as Dellan's wicked talons clenched, without hurting her in the slightest, on her unshielded skin.

Icefire was actually enjoying playing the arrogant barbarian mage, and she knew she would stick in people's minds for a long time. She quickly smoothed the smile from her face. No arrogant barbarian mage ever smiled.

News of her arrival was speeding ahead. Judging by Dellan's reports, it had reached the palace by now - but it was always good to be sure.

:'Sterra, do the other Companions know I'm coming?:

There was a ripple of wicked laughter in Asterra's tone as she answered. :I threw them into quite a flutter, I assure you.: There was a pause. : Ah, yes - Gwena tells me that I am a shameless exhibitionist, and that you are at least as bad as Firesong.: The laughter overtone had strengthened.

:She won't tell Elspeth, will she?: Icefire asked anxiously. :That it's all an act?:

Asterra dismissed this out of hand. :None of them would spoil our fun, don't worry.:

Icefire wondered, at the back of her mind, how the Heralds were taking the news of her arrival.