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 I'm gonna try to keep up the whole plot thing … character development is nice but these ones have been developed to death so a plot is always a welcome addition…. Right well I'll postpone my random babble until the end of the chapter then. (This'll be Azi by the by)
Haven was just as busy as when we had left it. The people crowed together and against us made me incredibly nervous. The towns on our circuit had all been small enough to avoid such huge masses of people. Even with the reverent parting of the crowds before the ringing-bell hoof beats of our companions we were closer to them than I liked. Not that I disliked people, they were great, in small quantities, this was unnerving.
I didn't have too long to worry about the crowds though. Before I knew it Herald Kern was speaking to the gate guard at the palace and we were back to the collegium. I brushed Savannah and put away our things mechanically, now that we were back within the confines of the complex I could feel the nearly tangible miasma of anxiety.
Cymon wouldn't be back to pester me with lessons for at least a few days, more if he stopped to perform, which was his priority as a bard. But that also meant he would not be around to offer my advice, I was surprised by how much I missed the prospect of getting his advice.
As it turned out I wouldn't have needed the advice anyway though.
"Herald Azori!" an out of breath young page called after me as I set out for my supper. I had spent a good part of the afternoon cleaning in the companion's stable and I hadn't even been back to my rooms to change out of my travel clothes yet. Thus I turned with a heart-felt sigh to confront the youngster's message. He was running and pounded to a stop inches away, "Herald," he made a sketchy bow and delivered his message, "the Queen's Own sent me to fetch you. He didn't say why…"
"Where then?" I asked irritably.
"This way Herald," the page said eager to please. He led me off toward the palace. I shot one last longing glance at the dining hall before trotting off after the departing page.
The page brought me to a door where two well-trained burly guards stood impassive watch. Impassive until you tried to pass them… the page failed to continue down the hall so I assumed this was our destination.
"Herald Roy wanted to see me here?" I asked perplexed. I had never been to these rooms before, but the guards alone told me that the Queen was with her chief advisor within.
"Yes Herald. He sent me to get you."
"You're Herald Azori?" one of the guards asked.
"Yes."
The other guard opened the door and gestured that I should go in. I hesitated for only a moment before entering the austerely furnished room. Herald Roy was sitting with the queen inside. I stopped and gaped at them. I had never actually seen the queen before. It was profoundly awkward.
"Ah, Azori, you're here," Herald Roy said calmly. I nodded stiffly and remained where I was. The guards shut the door behind me. When I clanked closed I jumped a bit, but was otherwise unaffected.
"Come in and sit down," Roy insisted pushing a chair toward me. I walked to it woodenly and perched on the edge of the seat, "Alright, I'm going to cut right to the chase here Azori. I assume Savannah has briefed you on the situation on the border?"
I nodded.
"Herald Kern was instructed to teach you the use of your mage-gift?"
"Yes."
"You are an adept?"
I fixed my eyes on the floor and fiddled with my hem, "Umm, not quite."
"Not quite? You had a year of uninterrupted tutoring from a solid base," he left unspoken threats and questions that I knew were coming.
"Bard Cymon started to teach me," I started.
"What about Kern?"
I shook my head, but the steady silence finally made me respond verbally, "I refused to take lessons from him"
"You refused to obey your orders?"
"Yes," now it was just a matter of waiting for the ax to fall. When there was no response I glanced up. I caught the queen and her advisor in an obvious state of communication with their companions.
"They say that your training is arranged and is not an issue, I have reason to believe otherwise but we will go by their word for now. I am informed that you have inside information about the western border?"
"Yes."
"Good, you are going to take me and a detachment of Skybolts to scout out the territory and gather information. You're our best resource from the far side of the border. We leave within the week."
"Sir?"
"Pack, we're leaving, simple enough for you?"
"Yes sir," I stammered. The Herald appeared to be done with me, I wanted to leave before he took further notice of me.
"You will need to find a new teacher until your old one can meet us at our base near the border."
My head whipped up at that, how could he make me take a new teacher? Savannah had known Cymon since birth, Cymon was … not quite safe, but certainly safer than a mage. Mages were the opposite of safe. I didn't have a chance to say anything though.
"Roy, look at the girl, she's trembling, calm down," the queen said in a motherly tone, "Girl, Roy doesn't mean you any harm; he is simply stretched too thin. You'll have to excuse his gruff behavior. I'm sure that if you contact your teacher it will be fine to postpone your lessons until you are all settled in."
I didn't know how to respond to that, I had never spoken to a queen before.
"You may leave Herald, but be ready to depart for the border by week's end."
"Yes, sir," that I could respond to. I fled from the room, feeling infinitely better just at being in the hall.
I returned to my room and unpacked, not really caring about the task since I knew I would just have to repack in a few days anyway. I spent the afternoon wandering around the grounds. I eventually ended up in a garden staring at the flowers.
:What's on your mind Azi?: the familiar mind voice insinuated itself into my thoughts.
I ignored Savannah. She was too cheerful for my mood.
:Cymon will be here before we leave,: Savannah added in what I hoped was an attempt to cheer me up. It didn't have that effect on me though. The fact that she knew exactly what was happening all the time was irritating.
:Sav, leave me alone okay?: I asked in an irritated hiss.
Hurt silence greeted my remark. I didn't mind though, it accomplished my purposes. I continued to brood silently, behind shields that I hadn't used for as long as I could remember.
Cymon arriving in time to remain my teacher actually did solve one of my problems with going. I found myself not hating him. In fact I liked him to the degree that he would have made an excellent brother.
It was long past dark before I slunk back into the heraldic collegium and to my bed.
A/N there finally the second half is done, I had a bunch of schoolwork recently and then I had to help write our DI skit and college essays (my own and aiding my friends) during my study hall so this took awhile but here it is…