Authors note: I beg you to PLEASE read the bio on my profile page. It explains all about my "missing" fics, and this one. Also, this chapter is . . . well, I don't know . . . there's something about it that makes it different from the rest . . . not in a good way. I don't think I much like this chapter . . . *sigh*
Neo stared at the Kings Own in complete disbelief, his dark eyes sharper than normal with surprise. He had met the Herald only once before, and that time was no more pleasant then this instance was.
Neo trudged down the corridor, sending brief glares to the Guards that flanked him on both sides.
Traipsing him about like some sort of criminal . . . surely they had better things to do!
'A criminal is just what they think you are. Why shouldn't they be squishing me in between them? If I were one of them, I'd do the same thing.' An annoying voice said in the back of his mind. Neo turned to vent his anger on it.
'If I were one of them I'd have asked for the truth, and not listen to that worthless know-nothing of a Weapons Master!' he spit out, full of bitterness. The voice remained silent, and Neo barely kept a grunt of relief from escaping his throat.
'Besides,' he added, just noticing how stiff he had become, and trying to relax for whatever punishment they dealt out to him, 'they have to listen to me sooner or later, and when they do I'll give them such an earful they'd wished they had been helping me teach that bastard a lesson . . .'
A very tiny grin crept into his features. He had gotten a few good hits in, before the Weapons Master had come to break them apart. The grin faded when he remembered what his opponent had done right after they'd broken apart . . .
"Oh thank the gods! Sir, he was going to kill me! I tried to get away from him, but he wouldn't have it!" the young Blue was sprawled on the floor, panting harshly. Neo glared daggers at him from where he hung by the grip the Weapons Master had on the scruff of his neck.
The Weapons Master was a huge, burley man, with hands as big as Neo's head. Neo did not want to cross him, but the little bastard lying on the ground deserved nothing but a sound beating.
"Oh I'll kill him alright!" he bit out angrily, struggling against the Weapons Master's hold. The man shook him until he was dazed, and then picked up the other Blue in a like whys manner.
"You'll both speak truth, and you'll both speak all of it. Now." His voice hadn't been raised, but it carried with it something that made the boys quiver.
"The truth is-" but before Neo could get his story out-
"The truth is he's had it in for me, sir! Ever since I got here! I never did anything to him, sir, not a thing-" but Neo had had enough.
"You lying piece of-" again he was cut off.
"Never mind, tell me why he was at your throat." The Weapons Master shook Neo in front of the other Blue, whose pale blue eyes widened at the chance to explain himself.
"Yes, sir! As I was saying, he's had it in for me, ever since I set foot in the Collegium. He's jealous, sir. I talked to the Lady he was courting, and she never wanted his attention afterwards. He blamed it all on me-"
"That's I damn lie, and you know it!" Neo yelled, making a grab for the boy again. The hand on his neck pulled him away before he could have the satisfaction of strangling him.
"I never courted anyone! And he's the one that started all this! He . . . he . . ." Neo trailed off, not wanting anyone to know how sensitive he was on the topic of his family.
The boy had been taunting him, being from a Noble family that had heard about what happened to Neo and his relatives. He used the information at first to try and blackmail Neo into doing stuff, but when Neo held his ground and did not bait, he became frustrated.
Now all he did was taunt Neo in the halls or during classes. And he had finally gone too far.
The boy could call Neo whatever he liked and Neo would not flinch. Hell, he could even call Neo's father something worse then what he really was, and Neo would probably join him.
But this time was different. The bastard had slandered his sister until Neo was aching to teach him a lesson. He had begun in the morning, when Neo had emerged from his room, and hadn't stopped since.
When Neo had been paired up with him during weapons practice he hadn't been able to hold back.
"He what, boy?" the Weapons Master's voice brought Neo back to the present. Neo scowled, stubbornly refusing to reveal a weakness. The Weapons Master scowled right back, finally lowering Neo to the ground, "You'll report to Kings Own Herald Jhaspar, Neoka. Now." Neo quickly wiped the outraged expression off his face, and stalked towards the door.
"Sir, don't you think such a dangerous youth should be watched?" the bastard's voice hit Neo's ears like a curse. He whirled around and narrowed his eyes.
Before he could even think about what he'd like to do to the boy, two hands materialized on his arm, and he was literally dragged out of the practice arena.
So here he was, being 'escorted' to the King's Own, all because a spoiled Noble had gotten on his nerves. The Guards moved as if to fence him into an open door, but Neo wouldn't allow them the satisfaction.
He stepped into the room, made a dismissing motion with his hand, and closed the door behind him. A tall man was sitting calmly behind a desk, looking as if he had been expecting him.
'No doubt that witch-power they have, communicating with each other silently.' He thought, stepping forward until he was a comfortable distance away. Not too close, and not too far. He waited for the King's Own to start the conversation.
"You must be Neoka." He said, smiling. Neo did not return it.
"Yes, sir." He responded, happy that his voice gave away nothing in tone.
"Weapons Master Troa sent you to me. Normally such cases would be handled by the Dean, but he has . . . a few more important things to take care of at the moment." He smiled once again, getting up from his seat.
Neo did not say anything, and quietly clasped his hands behind his back. The King's Own studied him a while longer.
"I take it you know why you were sent here?" such condescending questions . . . Neo did not want to reveal the truth to this man. He scowled inwardly, and sharply nodded.
The King's Own frowned a little, then came closer. Neo's shoulders stiffened defensively.
"I . . . attacked another Blue . . . sir." He said reluctantly, making eye contact with the Herald and not looking away. Herald Jhaspar continued to watch him with piercing eyes.
"Troa told me that you had not said why you did any such thing. Would you tell me?" Neo held back the sharp refusal that lingered on the tip of his tongue, and worked a polite one out instead.
"I'm afraid they were personal matters . . . sir." He finally managed, trying to smooth his shoulders so they wouldn't give anything away. The King's Own sighed, returning to his desk.
"You may go." He dismissed. Neo kept the surprised relief from his face, and turned to exit the room.
Had he been let off with no punishment? Well, he was a Noble's son. Perhaps that did have some perks . . .
Neo snapped back to the Healer's Wing, watching the King's Own with wary eyes.
"We've met before, if I recall correctly." The Herald said as he approached, stopping beside Herald Menith. Neo clenched his jaw tightly, ignoring the throbbing in his head the action caused.
He was not fully Healed from his Reaction Headache, and being around this man was not helping. However, this was all something he would much rather not give away.
"Good day, Herald." Neo greeted quietly, steeling his eyes and reinforcing Menith's Shields so nothing of what was going on in his head leaked out. Both Heralds looked at him quizzically, but, thankfully, neither said anything.
"Jhaspar," if Menith's voice was any lower, it would have been a growl, "to what do we owe this pleasure?"
Jhaspar merely smiled and approached both of them.
"It seems this little guise we're pulling around you, Neoka, has its faults." Neo would have snorted, but remained silently observing the Kings Own.
Of course pretending to be a Gray has its faults! One, no white horse. Two, no idiotic hero impulses coming from this boy. And three, I've got Blue written all over me . . . not to mention any one who knows me will see that.
"Just what kind of 'faults'?" Menith asked, feeling the brooding thoughts swirling beneath the Shields he had around Neoka. He couldn't read them, Neo's own reinforcements wouldn't allow for that, but he could feel their depressing presence.
"Healer Y'von insists upon having Neoka's Companion bond with the boy until she doesn't have to worry about him getting up and wandering around the Collegium at night." Neo could not hold back the soft snort at those words.
That's a nice way of putting it . . .
Menith frowned, "And just how do you expect to pull that little trick off?"
"Easily," Jhaspar responded, "Carogan has already found a Companion to play the part. Think you can make it to the Field, Neoka?" he asked, not unkindly.
Neo, however, found the question quite condescending.
"Yes." He replied, swinging his legs out of his bed. The loose white shirt fell to mid-thigh and the slack bleached breeches underneath it kept him from looking as thin as he really was.
Which is, he thought to himself, looking down at his wrist, thinner then usual.
Which was only to be expected, since he hadn't eaten for quite some time.
"I don't think-" Menith began, seeing the thinness in Neo's wrist as well.
"It is completely necessary, Herald Menith." Jhaspar cut him off, coming around to the Neo's side, "And once we get down there, we have more to discuss."
Neo deliberately ignored the Own's offered arm, getting to his feet and trying to keep the wobbling to a minimum. The last thing he wanted right then was to look weak.
Menith followed Jhaspar at Neo's side as they walked to the Field. He didn't look happy at all. In fact, Neo thought he heard the Herald mumbling obscenities, and glaring at the King's Own's back.
The walk wasn't as long as Neo had secretly feared, knowing that his legs wouldn't carry him any respectable distance.
Once they reached the fence bordering the Field, two Companions seemingly materialized at their side. One, larger and with a sense of etherealness about him, approached the Own.
The Herald and Companion conversed silently, before the Own turned to talk with Neo and Menith.
"This Companion," he said, gesturing with his hand at the lean, curious Companion a few feet away, "is called Amaro. He's agreed to play Companion with Neoka until we can sort out a few things."
Unexpectedly, the Own laid a hand on Neo's shoulder, and gently pushed him towards the Companion. Both beings had no idea what to do, until . . .
"Just take a seat, Neoka." Jhaspar insisted.
:Lie down, Amaro.: Carogan said at the same time. Both boy and Companion, after a moment's hesitation, went to the ground . . .
And ended up touching, with Amaro curling around Neo's back. The perfect picture of Companion and newly Chosen.
Except for the look of extreme unease around both of them.
***
Amaro followed the Grove Born towards the small cluster of people with a curious but open mind. Once they got close enough to make out details, Amaro saw the boy for the first time.
He was thin, almost dangerously so, and there was a pained look deep in his eyes, as though something was cutting him, and could not be stopped. Nothing else gave the same impression though. He stood firmly and proudly, his stature demanding recognition of the fact that he was a noble. His skin color, if a little pale, still had the shine of someone well cared for.
The King's Own was the first to see and recognize them, and Carogan explained who he had brought as they finished their approach.
Amaro watched the boy with growing interest. Something . . . was tugging at the back of his mind . . . but he couldn't make out just what it was. The heart beating in his head grew in volume, but only for a moment. Once he made eye contact with the boy, who quickly looked away, the beating went back to the normal faint throbbing.
:May I introduce Neoka, you're Chosen . . . for the time being.: Carogan said suddenly. Amaro blinked as the King's Own gently pushed Neoka forward, and the stumbling boy could only regain his balance once he was almost touching Amaro's side.
:Lie down, Amaro.: Carogan ordered unexpectedly. Amaro did as he was told, and ended up curling around Neoka, who had been ordered to sit.
The familiar throbbing lessoned, until Amaro could barely make it out amongst his own heart beat. He searched for it, tried to bring it back to the front of his mind, but it would not grow.
Just what was this child, if he could drown out a Call? Amaro shifted nervously, but did not pull away. It was only a youngling, and it was only for a short time.
***
Neo could not have been in a more uncomfortable position.
Not that the Companion wasn't comfortable. In fact, Neo was quite warm and relaxed against the Companion's stomach. It was only the odd waves of anxiety and trepidation that seeped trough the Shields, from Amaro, that made Neo want to get up and leave.
Neo felt the Companion shift into a more unperturbed pose, tucking his long legs underneath his slim belly. He took a breath, before leaning into the Companion, and looking up at the two Heralds.
"How long must we stay like this?" Neo asked coldly, trying to convey the fact that this was not a dream come true for him, though it might be for others. Jhaspar sighed.
"A couple candlemarks a day, I'm afraid. But, to keep you occupied while you do this, Menith and I will oversee your Gift lessons."
Menith whipped his head around to stare at the Own.
"I was not informed of this! Since when are you a teacher? Don't you have more important things to attend to?" he demanded. Neo was in full agreement. Jhaspar merely sighed again.
"Once I am allowed to explain myself, I'm sure you will be of the same mind that not much is 'more important', Herald Menith."
Menith looked as if he would say more, but kept his mouth closed. Neo looked back and forth between the men. Inexplicably, he felt a sort of betrayal well up inside him. He had thought Menith to be different from the other Heralds. Intelligent, not so annoyingly dauntless, surely the Herald would see that difference in himself and not bow down to one of his own rank!
But, no . . . Neo took one last searching look of Herald Menith, before realizing that that was what Menith was.
A Herald.
Neo had expected too much from him.
"I've no objection to his added presence, Herald." He said, his voice like brittle glass.
Menith glanced at him quickly, surprise evident in his eyes. Jhaspar took the silent moment as consent from the Herald himself.
"Then everything's settled." He said, smiling at both of them. Neither smiled back.
***
By the time Jhaspar explained himself, all three individuals were on the ground. Jhaspar's Companion had sauntered off the moment he wasn't needed, leaving the King's Own to fend for himself.
"So," he wound up, looking at Neo with hope, "the only chance of finding out what's going on over there, is you, Neoka."
Neo blinked at the Own.
"Let me get this straight . . ." he pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned farther into Amaro's stomach. The Companion didn't seem to mind, "you can't get over the Shields around Hardorn. You want me to do it because you think someone over there is causing a sickness . . . what makes you think I can do it?" he asked, looking up at the Own.
"The Shields are too powerful for me," Jhaspar explained, "it would take someone of equal or greater strength to overcome them. And the only one in the Collegium that fits that description is you."
Menith, who had been strangely silent throughout the entire thing, spoke up.
"He isn't ready," he said gruffly, "he needs more lessons before he can Scry safely."
"Lessons take time," Jhaspar said, looking at the Herald, "time we don't have. We can guide him as far as the border, by then he should have the feel of it."
"Didn't you hear me?" Menith asked angrily, "He's not ready! He's a boy, for pity's sake! You can't expect this from him!" his eyes flashed dangerously, but Jhaspar did not look intimidated. He glared back.
"He has the power, and therefore the responsibility!" the Own shot back, "I expect that from everyone!"
Neo felt the barely controlled hostility boil near the surface in both Heralds' minds. He didn't like it, but he agreed with the Own. If no Herald could do anything, they would turn to someone who could. Even if that person wasn't one of their own.
"I'll do it." He said, before their argument could escalate, "I'll Scry over the border."
Both Heralds looked at him. He felt the Companion swivel his head around, but couldn't bring himself to meet those blue eyes.
"Neoka . . ." Menith began.
"You just have to show me how, Herald." He continued, dropping his gaze to the ground. Was he making a mistake? Why did he feel . . . an obligation to do something?
Think about that later . . . gods, I just know this is gona hurt.
***
Menith slipped into the familiar trance state, meshing with Jhaspar none-too-gently at the same time. He wouldn't make the Border by himself, but with Jhaspar and Neoka it wouldn't be a problem . . . that didn't mean he had to be pleasant about it though.
Together, they drew the boy into the web, and Menith was surprised to find the boy's aura intermingle perfectly with both of theirs. He felt a smug grin tug at the corners of his mouth, but quickly concentrated on following Jhaspar to the Border.
That should make them think twice about all that "cruel" drivel. No one with a completely heartless bone in their body could mesh so easily with others.
Jhaspar led the way, gliding over Valdemar and leading the two of them easily. In his mind vision, Menith could make out presences, Valdemar's people. Each had their own signature, their own taste, and together they made up the wonderful feeling of his kingdom.
It was a lovely thing to be aware of, and he knew Jhaspar was feeling the same thing. Looking back, he could even See Neoka savoring the feel of so many, when he didn't have to hear every one of them.
They reached the Border much too quickly for Menith's tastes. Jhaspar stopped, and the others drew up alongside him.
:This is the Border, Neoka. Beyond here, neither I nor Menith can help you. Can you Scry on your own?: Jhaspar asked.
:I told you all you had to do was show me. I know how to do it.: Neoka unexpectedly answered. Menith had thought that the boy would at least have a little trouble forming and directing thoughts at other minds, but it seemed he was wrong.
Without another word, Neoka slipped past them, and just as easily, slipped through the barrier.
Both Herald's Felt the Blue leave, rather then saw him. His power was no longer a part of their web.
:Still having doubts, King's Herald?: Menith asked, a little scornfully. Jhaspar's Voice tinged a sad blue.
:I never doubted he could go through the Shields, Menith. Not after I met him.: Menith allowed them to stay in silence, waiting for the return of Neoka.
***
Neo didn't have any trouble passing the Border. He had Felt a light pressure, as if some frail, old fence was trying to keep him out, but he pushed through it easily.
It didn't break, surprisingly, it merely formed around him. What did break was his connection with the two Heralds.
He could no longer sense where he had left both. He didn't dwell upon it though, he had set out to uncover who was making the sickness, and, if he could, stop it.
He glided through Hardorn's minds, and something tickled the back of his mind. Pausing, he searched the feeling out.
The presence of people in Hardorn wasn't much different then in Valdemar, except for that odd tinge of blackness, aggravating his senses.
Carefully, he Searched the closest mind for some clues. Thoughts, unbarred and not his own, flooded over him.
The Shields! Menith's Shields! They broke when I left him!
Hastily, he slammed up his own walls. They were weak, but they worked. The flood slowed to a trickle. Taking a deep mental breath, Neo once again Searched the mind closest to him.
Simple, farming thoughts in Hardornian was all he could make out. Perhaps he was imagining the blackness this time?
Before he had time to dwell on it, the obscure black returned, full force. He Felt it twist around the farmer's head like a coiled snake, fangs bared and poison dripping from its forked tongue. It was painful to watch, and twice as painful to Feel, and Neo dealt with both.
He recognized this pain. It was what he had sworn to destroy, the night he had Healed the girl. Anger welled up inside him, burning away any restraints he might have placed on himself, had he time to think upon it, whilst it burned away at the darkness as well.
The sickening black power recoiled, but did not flee. Neo increased his effort, violently lashing out with everything he had left.
The sickness he had dealt with at the Collegium had been a mere shadow of what it was now. It twisted and writhed under Neo's attacks, avoiding the power by simply forming around him when he struck at it. Neo, frustrated, doubled the energy behind his assaults, until both the serpentine blackness and he himself were blinded by it.
His strikes grew desperate, and then slowly became less powerful. He withdrew what energy he had left, mentally staring at what he had caused.
The serpentine shadow was gone, leaving Neo alone.
No, not alone. Neo frowned, he should be inside a Hardorn farmer's mind . . . but he wasn't. He paused, Looking closely at his Surroundings.
Gods!
He was inside the farmers mind . . . what was left of it anyway.
Authors note: Hope no one's confused! I tried writing action . . . not sure if I did a decent job of it though . . .