Disclaimer: this is the part of the show where I say I own nothing (which is basically true) if its new I will gladly take credit for it, (unless you don't like it (in which case I blame… ummmm the freshman yeah, blame everything on frosh) ) the familiar stuff probably belongs to Mercedes Lackey.
A/N alright this one is gonna be extremely weird but it is the third installment of my newly proclaimed as a trilogy, trilogy. The first two are Asia's Choice and Cymon, neither is necessary to read them before this (but as the review grubbing personage that I am it is recommended)… oh and thanks to everyone who reviewed on the last few chaps of Cymon.
The dream images moved about in a hazy setting. A face floated within a crowded room. I tried to reach the one it represented but couldn't. I woke up feeling rather dizzy. As always the dream slowly faded as the field around me became more real than the other city.
I looked across the companion's field knowing that this was finally the one I was looking for, my Chosen. I decided to head to the stable for my breakfast since the sun was on its way up anyway. While I was eating I ran across my older half-brother, he already had his chosen. A full Herald called Kern. I tried to avoid him, not wanting another of his high-minded lectures on how I would one day be able to look back on my time without a herald as a great character builder.
I thought he had me when our eyes met and I felt doomed to hear him out until my cousin Savannah intercepted him to talk his ear off about something or other.
:Thanks, Sav,: I sent her with heartfelt gratitude.
She winked at me, :No problem little cousin, I'll talk to you later?:
:Yeah,: I agreed. I left the stable in a hurry to be away. I retreated to the back area behind the groves. There was something weird about my dreams, an otherworldly quality that led me to believe that I wasn't going to be finding my herald in Valdemar. I was so impatient to be on the road that had I felt the slightest indication of a direction I would have been gone already. But that was the problem I felt pulled in all directions at once. I could see my chosen, sometimes more clearly than I had ever seen anything, but I didn't have a clue where to look.
I spent most of the morning wandering aimlessly, hoping to pick up a clue or anything. Finally Savannah approached me.
:I should have known you'd be up here Caedmon,: she said happily.
:Have I been back here that much?:
:No, but anybody who knew you would look here first with your current mood. If you were around anyone else I doubt you have the control to keep you speech private.:
:Oh, am I talking too loud?:
:Just a smidge,: Savannah admitted.
:Sorry Sav, I just can't seem to figure it all out.:
:It'll come to you…:
:It's been coming for months now, when will I know?:
:No one can tell you that, but you will know eventually.:
:I suppose,: I agreed reluctantly acknowledging the truth.
:Cheer up Caedmon, in the mean time just enjoy being free of all the worries riding circuit will bring.:
:They're worries I'd just s soon have, their benefits outweigh them.:
:Poor little colt … having to spend your carefree days frolicking in the fields!: Savannah teased. I ignored the tone.
:I do pity poor little me!:
:Well, you seem to be doing all right 'cous, I'll talk to you later okay?:
:Yeah, I'll brood without you…:
Savannah left and I continued to mope in my little corner of the field until the bell signaling a break in classes rang. Then I contemplated leaving I could generally mooch treats off of the students of all three collegiums. I was slowly trudging along when I felt a disturbance in the ley-lines in my area. Since I had nothing better to do I decided to meander over and investigate.
I saw a gray clad heraldic trainee concentrating. Ah, that would be the source of the problem. I watched from a distance drifting closer. Whatever he was trying seemed rather too intricate for a child of his apparent age, but with herald-mages who could tell. There was no attendant companion ready to know him over the head for going beyond his skill level so I assumed his experiment had been approved. Except for the fact that he was practicing way back here. No one did much of anything back behind the groves; it was too far out of the way.
As the pattern started to solidify I realized with horrifying certainty that the child was trying to create a gate. Key word trying. I could see the magic starting to curl out of his control. It reached back for him and he didn't even notice.
I called for anyone else in the area to come help and then charged for the kid fully intending to do something. I doubted anyone else could get to him in time. I heard the trainee's mind-call to his companion moments later I saw the vague white blur approaching him. The other wouldn't make it in time. If I did veered off the boy would be consumed by the magic he had poured into his creation. Probably would serve the ambitious young upstart right!
I continued to head straight for him. I could think of one way to save him. Running straight at the convulsing hole of a gate I wrested control of the apparition from the trainee. On my way past him I nudged him aside with my broad head and charged straight at the oblivion of the gate. There was nowhere near enough time to stop. I was going into the void.
I wondered briefly if that was the reason I hadn't known which way to go, because I would be dead. Dead companions don't chose. Then there was no more thought, just nothing…
A/N hehehe did/will Caedmon die? Who was that trainee? What kind of irresponsible companion let him run off? Learn that and much much more by tuning in (I watch (yes I did mean watch) way too much radio) next time!! In the meantime review, review, review!!!!!!!!