Chapter 3.
Ian woke at his usual time just before dawn and quietly set about cleaning the stables. The sleet had turned to rain and if Harold caught him not working it would be another beating.
Condor was still asleep so Ian saw to the horses first. Still loath to wake the companion when he finished feeding the horses Ian hesitated.
At that moment he heard footsteps approach and ducked under the fence into Condors stall so he appeared busy when Harold walked in.
However it was Jadrek who opened the door. He saw Condor and headed over, only then noticing Ian in the stall. "I just came to check on him. How's the foreleg?" at the sound of Jadrek's voice Condor woke up.
"I was just about to check sir. If the compress has worked there shouldn't be a mark." Ian spoke confidently and never noticed the intense look the herald gave him. At the sound of Jadrek's voice condor woke up.
Ian reached down and gently untied the compress. He ran his fingers over the leg and was pleased to note the swelling was gone and it had returned to a healthier colour.
"The legs fine sir. Just go easy on it for a few days" Ian spoke with a voice of experience.
"I'll be letting condor choose the pace and he'll let me know if it starts to hurt and we can stop." Jadrek said glad they'd be able to get back on the road.
He still had the problem of the lad, which had doubled when condor informed him of the animal Mindspeach. He decided to fond out more about the lad.
"How old are you?"
Ian looked up startled. "13 sir" why would a herald want to know anything about him?
"You seem to know a lot about horses. Where did you learn?"
"My ma taught me before she died. She bred most of the horses you see in this area. Taught me all she knew about healing. I like horses and didn't mind learning. After she died Harold took me in and had me take charge of the stables. It's not so bad. I get to spend time out here without getting into trouble." Ian was appalled when he realised he had told the herald so much. It must have shown on his face because Jadrek said, "everyone opens up to a herald lad. I'm curious. Have you ever been tested for gifts?" "Me? Gifts? No sir. I'm just an orphan who works the stables. Who's going to test me? Only the merchants children are tested if the show signs of a gift. I've never shown any sign." Ian couldn't work out where this topic had come into the conversation and couldn't work out why the herald had asked. Him? A gift? Not likely. Jadrek couldn't believe his ears. Never shown sign of a gift? The boy radiated power. If he hadn't been so tired last night he would have picked up on it the moment he was through the door! "Not all gifts are moving object of seeing the future lad. Some are for everyday things like the person who can always get a fire started, the one who can tell what weathers coming, the one who can tell what the animals are saying, the one who knows when someone's ill." Jadrek spoke casually but kept an eye on the lad's reaction. Sure enough when he mentioned animals the boy started. "Some people can tell what animals are saying?" Ian asked quietly, a hint of realisation in his voice. "Aye lad, one of the rarer gifts. Called animal Mindspeach." He felt like a hunter trying to get his prey to emerge. ~Come on lad~ he thought ~take the bait, tell me about the horses talking to you. ~ At that moment both herald and boy were startled when the door swung open. "Boy! Why haven't you started your chores yet?" shouted Harold. "O, herald I was just going to bring your breakfast up. I didn't realise you were up." "I'm sorry I detained the lad sir, I was enquiring as to the health of my companion" Jadrek replied silently cursing the interruption. "If the boy saw to him he'll be fine," Harold replied dismissing the need for comment. "The boy's good with horses." "I'll get to the inn" Ian said hastily and slipped out the door running in the direction of the inn. No need for anyone else getting in the way of his punishment. If Harold had come looking one of the customers was up and the room needed cleaning. He would also have to start the fire in the main room.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
After Harold had excused himself, Jadrek leaned back against condors stall and swore quietly. ~I almost had the lad. He started to realise he had a gift and that oaf had to interrupt. ~
~Chosen the boy started to think of what he can do. That's more than he's done before. Now all he needs is time. ~
~Time we don't have. If that legs better we need to get back on the road. I'll get supplies from the innkeeper. ~
~The legs fine chosen. The boy did a good job, even if he doesn't realise it. ~
~There's no protection against mages over Valdimar now. If one finds the boy he'll make a tempting target. ~
~Not if you put a shield on the boy chosen. He'll be able to use his gifts as he has been doing and no one will see it unless they see him actively using his gifts. ~
~Good point, and an excellent idea. Thanks condor. ~
With that Jadrek headed for the inn and condor turned to his food.
Ian woke at his usual time just before dawn and quietly set about cleaning the stables. The sleet had turned to rain and if Harold caught him not working it would be another beating.
Condor was still asleep so Ian saw to the horses first. Still loath to wake the companion when he finished feeding the horses Ian hesitated.
At that moment he heard footsteps approach and ducked under the fence into Condors stall so he appeared busy when Harold walked in.
However it was Jadrek who opened the door. He saw Condor and headed over, only then noticing Ian in the stall. "I just came to check on him. How's the foreleg?" at the sound of Jadrek's voice Condor woke up.
"I was just about to check sir. If the compress has worked there shouldn't be a mark." Ian spoke confidently and never noticed the intense look the herald gave him. At the sound of Jadrek's voice condor woke up.
Ian reached down and gently untied the compress. He ran his fingers over the leg and was pleased to note the swelling was gone and it had returned to a healthier colour.
"The legs fine sir. Just go easy on it for a few days" Ian spoke with a voice of experience.
"I'll be letting condor choose the pace and he'll let me know if it starts to hurt and we can stop." Jadrek said glad they'd be able to get back on the road.
He still had the problem of the lad, which had doubled when condor informed him of the animal Mindspeach. He decided to fond out more about the lad.
"How old are you?"
Ian looked up startled. "13 sir" why would a herald want to know anything about him?
"You seem to know a lot about horses. Where did you learn?"
"My ma taught me before she died. She bred most of the horses you see in this area. Taught me all she knew about healing. I like horses and didn't mind learning. After she died Harold took me in and had me take charge of the stables. It's not so bad. I get to spend time out here without getting into trouble." Ian was appalled when he realised he had told the herald so much. It must have shown on his face because Jadrek said, "everyone opens up to a herald lad. I'm curious. Have you ever been tested for gifts?" "Me? Gifts? No sir. I'm just an orphan who works the stables. Who's going to test me? Only the merchants children are tested if the show signs of a gift. I've never shown any sign." Ian couldn't work out where this topic had come into the conversation and couldn't work out why the herald had asked. Him? A gift? Not likely. Jadrek couldn't believe his ears. Never shown sign of a gift? The boy radiated power. If he hadn't been so tired last night he would have picked up on it the moment he was through the door! "Not all gifts are moving object of seeing the future lad. Some are for everyday things like the person who can always get a fire started, the one who can tell what weathers coming, the one who can tell what the animals are saying, the one who knows when someone's ill." Jadrek spoke casually but kept an eye on the lad's reaction. Sure enough when he mentioned animals the boy started. "Some people can tell what animals are saying?" Ian asked quietly, a hint of realisation in his voice. "Aye lad, one of the rarer gifts. Called animal Mindspeach." He felt like a hunter trying to get his prey to emerge. ~Come on lad~ he thought ~take the bait, tell me about the horses talking to you. ~ At that moment both herald and boy were startled when the door swung open. "Boy! Why haven't you started your chores yet?" shouted Harold. "O, herald I was just going to bring your breakfast up. I didn't realise you were up." "I'm sorry I detained the lad sir, I was enquiring as to the health of my companion" Jadrek replied silently cursing the interruption. "If the boy saw to him he'll be fine," Harold replied dismissing the need for comment. "The boy's good with horses." "I'll get to the inn" Ian said hastily and slipped out the door running in the direction of the inn. No need for anyone else getting in the way of his punishment. If Harold had come looking one of the customers was up and the room needed cleaning. He would also have to start the fire in the main room.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
After Harold had excused himself, Jadrek leaned back against condors stall and swore quietly. ~I almost had the lad. He started to realise he had a gift and that oaf had to interrupt. ~
~Chosen the boy started to think of what he can do. That's more than he's done before. Now all he needs is time. ~
~Time we don't have. If that legs better we need to get back on the road. I'll get supplies from the innkeeper. ~
~The legs fine chosen. The boy did a good job, even if he doesn't realise it. ~
~There's no protection against mages over Valdimar now. If one finds the boy he'll make a tempting target. ~
~Not if you put a shield on the boy chosen. He'll be able to use his gifts as he has been doing and no one will see it unless they see him actively using his gifts. ~
~Good point, and an excellent idea. Thanks condor. ~
With that Jadrek headed for the inn and condor turned to his food.