I'm once more writing in study hall so I am posting this to transfer it, the chap ain't done yet but I hope to finish it soon!
Disclaimer: Since this is a new fic I am rewording the disclaimer but it's still here 'cause unfortunately I still don't own any of the below ideas that can be found in the 'real' Valdemar *sigh*.
A/N okay, t-minus four days to harvest… so I still have my study hall and can write this chap for your reading enjoyment!
I sat glumly near the gate-guard. The dreary gray sky that had encompassed the city for the past weeks had been my constant companion in my vigil. I was waiting to catch my first glimpse of my best friend in well over a month. The unformed thought that lurked behind this was the fact that with her would be a new heraldic trainee. I shoved that dismal idea forcefully to the back of my mind.
Ever since Asia had told me Savannah was coming I had come to the gate every morning before classes and rushed there the minute Tatty let me off from harp lessons. Recently the length of my lessons, and my teacher's patience, had been exponentially shortened. I sighed wistfully at the thought of ever being deemed 'competent' by my auspicious tutor. At least she had allowed me my foolishness though.
My studies offered no such lenience. Thus my work had once more slipped until I realized that the long dreary candle marks of waiting could be put to better use by doing my schoolwork while sitting at the gate.
The gate, well, more the guards who manned it had been another of my concerns recently. At first I had been afraid they would send me away, or become angry at my constant presence. This fear at least, had proved unfounded. The guards had wondered why I was there, but upon being appraised of the situation they quickly acclimated to me.
Thus I sat glumly near the gate-guard. I didn't really expect to see Savannah. I just couldn't concentrate unless I knew I wouldn't miss her arrival. I put away the last of my schoolwork and looked out down the road. The left was empty. I sighed and glanced the other way. Then I stared. I form melted out of the gray flatness of the city. Pure white and elegant as any queen it pranced to the gate. I had eyes only for this four-legged personage. For a moment I didn't see the trainee. My heart leapt to my throat, perhaps it had all been some elaborate prank; perhaps she had chosen me. I could see myself as her herald…
No, there she was, a little girl, barely as old as my sister sitting in the fine saddle as if she were a sack of potatoes. Extreme envy and jealousy shot through me so strongly I was glad the kid was far enough away that an attack would have been futile. Then it was replaced by numbness. I stared hard at the ground fighting to keep back tears of rage and bitter disappointment. This was real then.
By the time they were within earshot of the gate I had collected myself. I tried to meet the new trainee's eyes but she seemed rather dazed and was staring fixedly at Savannah's withers. She looked bedraggled, tired … not quite alive. Something about her evoked such great pity in me that my hatred of a moment before was banished utterly from my mind and I knew that she needed Savannah more than I ever could have. I would have to be content with my music. Somehow I knew that music could never be just a consolation prize to me, it was my life.
"Savannah," I called as she stopped in front of the guard.
:Cye!: that's when I realized she wasn't feeling as good as her gait implied. Her voice was bone-tired, but her joy at seeing my also shone through and was wholly unfeigned.
"What's wrong Sav?" I whispered, knowing that she was hurting.
:Azori, my chosen, she's…