Disclaimer: Valdemar and concepts belong to Mercedes Lackey; characters belong to their creators; this fic and AU belong to their author.
Character Notes: Companion Eckran (and his Herald, Xarali) belong to etcetera-cat. :)
Notes: Guess what! I love this quirky little AU so much that I've decided to write (at least) two other stories in it! One that takes place before In Dreams (follows Jenica & Valerian and Samara & Aristides and deals with the Flame Wars) and one that takes place after In Dreams (this one follows some of the ID characters.)
Rant #1: *sigh* Okay, for those of us who weren't paying attention, this is an Alternate Universe fanfiction! I am aware of the following: the fact that no one really knows what Companions are (in this, no one knows either), the fact that Companions look for their Chosen and not the other way around, and the fact that kiddies are trained after they are Chosen, and not before. But, to reiterate, this is an AU fanfic, which means that I changed some things, and though I'm infinitely proud to have received my first official Flame, I felt the need to point this out.
IN DREAMS
Chapter Five: This Is Me
By Senashenta
The water stared back at him, placid and flat and reflecting everything as he brooded gloomily at the edge of the Terilee. His eyes were half-focused on a non-existent something in the middle of the river, but he wasn't actually aware of anything around him, including the annoying blood flies of the season and the three tiny Spirit foals that were frolicking on the bank just down from him under the watchful eyes of some of the Herd mares. Unconsciously, his mind noted that they looked about due to be taken into the Pelagiris and raised by their soon-to-be-appointed surrogate mothers.
Lyntar had been stewing angrily ever since he had been permitted to leave the stable yard, and had wandered aimlessly around the Field getting odd looks from almost all of the Companions before finding himself by the river that ran through the corner of the field. Across the water was a sparse sprinkling of trees and bushes, in which some of his kind were enjoying the shade and effectively hiding from the sun.
He was debating walking purposefully over and effectively planting himself in the farthest corner of the field that he could find. At least that way he would be away from the accusing eyes of those who were less than pleased with his actions.
Not that all of the Companions were against what he had done. Far from it, in fact: he was under the impression—though he might have been mistaken—that the numbers were basically even on both sides, for and against his cause.
Still, he wasn't feeling particularly welcome. What he was feeling was actually akin to having barged in uninvited on a party of some kind, and he wasn't enjoying being the outsider. He got the feeling he would have to get used to it, though.
To make matters worse, Bri still flatly refused to talk to him unless she had no choice. When he had Chosen her, he certainly hadn't expected her to dislike the idea and decide to hate him without question.
He was utterly alone, and doubted that any Companion in history had been quite as unwanted as he currently was.
:It's not true, Lyn, and you know that… and you're broadcasting your distress across the whole Field.:
He turned slowly, not really wanting to deal with anyone right at the moment but also knowing that he really had no choice. :I'll make sure to reinforce my Shields.: He told Rella flatly, and got a small sense of satisfaction from the dry look the mare gave him. :Leave me alone, Rella.:
Her hide twitched in annoyance and she tipped her head toward another Companion, who was standing just behind her. The stallion looked familiar, but somehow Lyntar just couldn't place where he knew him from.
:Eckran wanted to talk to you.: She told him, :he and I both want to know about what's happening in the Pelagiris.:
Lyntar's eyes moved from her to Eckran, then shifted to the Field behind them and the two other white forms that were moving steadily toward them. He knew Arlam right away, and the mare… he thought it might have been the one from the Gates, Niressa, but he could have been wrong. Luckily, he could tell that it wasn't Yauvani, for which he was grateful.
He definitely didn't want to deal with her again so soon.
Rella turned her head to look toward the other two, and her ears flicked as her nostrils flared in the breeze before her attention returned to Lyntar. He had turned back to the Terilee and was staring blankly at the water. Again. Her eyes rolled. :Lyntar…: she said with a warning tone to her voice.
:We've heard a bit about the situation in the Forest from Yauvani.: Eckran interrupted abruptly. His mindvoice was deeper and a bit rougher than any other Spirit or Companion Lyntar had encountered before. :We're assuming that she got her information from the Elders, but we can't be entirely sure.:
One of Lyntar's ears swivelled toward him as Arlam and Niressa slowed to a stop nearby to listen to whatever he said in response to the other stallion. They were even patient when he neglected to say anything immediately, probably assuming that he was thinking things through.
:Yauvani,: Rella said darkly, with a glance cast over her shoulder, :has been known to keep things from us, when it concerns the Spirits.:
:I don't doubt that.: Lyntar replied finally, then lapsed into silence once more.
He knew he was being juvenile, but he couldn't help sulking, even if he knew what he was doing was right. Just because Yauvani and the Elders were against it didn't mean that he was in the wrong, after all… right? The entire situation was insanely frustrating, but even still (and despite his childish pouting) he intended to see it through.
He did wish, though, that Avalbane had come with him—he had asked, but the other stallion had only given him a flat and un-amused look and very quickly refused. He hadn't expected him to agree, really, but at least if Avalbane was there he would have had someone who was—
:Oh, for God's sake, Lyntar.: Rella snapped, making him jerk out of the somewhat dark train of thought. :Would you get over it already? You're not alone, you're not unwanted, and you're not hated. What you are, is going to get kicked head first into the Terilee if you don't stop brooding and tell us what the hell is going on in the Pelagiris!:
Lyntar stared at her, and he wasn't the only one doing so: Arlam and Niressa were gaping hugely at the mare. If they had been human, their jaws would have hung open. Eckran was looking amused, but respectful. Rella, meanwhile, was glaring at Lyntar and effectively ignoring everyone and everything else.
:Start talking, Lyn.: She suggested, :or you and the river will have an unwanted meeting.:
His ears went back, and he sniffed. :Fine.: And a few seconds later when Rella had stopped breathing down his neck and the others were looking a bit less nervous, he sighed. :the short of it is that a few moons ago, Spirits began to disappear from the forest. They just vanished, at first, but after a while we learned it was the Shadows who were taking them.:
:Yes, we heard that term before.: Eckran commented. :What are these Shadows?:
He was at a loss to explain that, since he didn't really know, and was about to say as much when Niressa spoke up, her ears perking. :No one knows for sure,: she said, and beside her Arlam was nodding in agreement, :they just appeared one day. We sort of assumed it was them who were responsible for the disappearances at first, until one night a vanishing was witnessed and we knew for sure.:
Both Rella and Eckran were unreadable as they digested that, and Lyntar watched Niressa and Arlam silently. He was forgotten, in his fit of self-pity and wallowing, that they had only just come from the Pelagiris themselves. Unlike Rella and Eckran, who had come to Haven years before, Niressa and Arlam knew firsthand about the Shadows and the disappearances.
:We started calling them Shadows because we couldn't tell what they were.: Arlam offered, :I've never seen one, but I heard they were just Darkness and Smoke…:
:They look like people, I suppose.: Lyntar told them, :or, they looked like they were about the same shape. You're right, though—they seem to be cloaked in shadows and mist.: He almost shivered at the thought, as images of Sashara being dragged into the night flashed through his mind, and everyone looked at him in surprise.
:You've seen them?: Niressa wondered. :When?:
:Shortly before I left to find Bri.: He responded, lowering his head toward the river. Crystal eyes reflected in the water, and he blinked slowly, and then turned back toward them. :A good friend of mine was taken. That was when I decided I would do something about it.:
:Oh…: Niressa said weakly, trailing off.
:Well from what I hear, it's about time someone got down to business.: Eckran snorted, and shook his mane in annoyance. :The Elders are so busy dilly-dallying and dancing around the Customs that they won't do anything to stop the Shadows. And we're supposed to just let the damned things take us all? I think not.:
At that point, Lyntar decided he definitely liked the other stallion.
:In any case,: Rella began thoughtfully, :your decision obviously resulted in you and Brianna coming here… but what can she do to help defeat the Shadows that Aterya and the other Elders can't?:
It was hard to explain…
:Well for one thing,: Arlam reminded her for Lyntar, :she and Lyntar aren't bound by the Old Ways, right? So if they aren't worried about Tradition and Custom, they can do a lot more.:
:I told you.: Eckran stamped a hoof. :Dilly-dallying.:
Lyntar looked to Rella. :Bri has—:
A strange feeling made him pause, and it took him a moment to identify where it was coming from. Confusion, concern, embarrassment—it was coming down the Bond that had formed between himself and Bri, despite the fact that she didn't seem to want it. And the connection was so new he had to actually think about it before he realized where the emotions were flowing from.
What could be going on..?
o-o-o-o-o
"We're going to have to present her anyway." Miri shrugged, "Gifts or no Gifts, she's Chosen, so we have no choice but to—"
"She was Chosen wrongly." Lamont reminded the other Herald, "so—"
But Miri interrupted, rather coldly at that. "Lamont, you know as well as I do that there's no such thing as a wrong Choice." Her arms crossed, and for the first time since they had met, Bri saw the older woman looking seriously annoyed. "Whatever Yauvani is telling you doesn't change that fact, and I hate to question a Companion but she seems to have a preconceived opinion on both Brianna and Lyntar that is seriously impairing her judgment in the matter."
"I… don't really know what's going on," Herald Jenica commented, "but I'm sure I can get it out of Valerian later. Still," she frowned and looked toward Lamont, "I do know that Miri is right—there had never been a wrong Choosing, and I have to say there is a definite doubt that there ever could be."
Lamont was silent for a moment, and it was more than obvious he was having a private conversation with Yauvani. Bri, who had already decided she didn't like the mare, and was less than impressed with her Chosen, glanced toward Miri, who continued to stare seriously in Lamont's direction.
:In case any of you were wondering,: a Mindvoice told them all, and some of those present could immediately recognize the voice as Miri's Turaan, :I have already taken it upon myself to inform the King of the situation, and he wants Brianna presented as any other Trainee would be, so there is nothing to discuss.:
Miri looked entirely too smug as she replied with, :and that, Ran, is why I adore you.:
:Well, I wouldn't have done it if Aristides and Wray hadn't persuaded me to.: Turaan admitted, :though now I'm glad I did, since Yauvani seems to have Lamont already convinced that Bri should be next thing to kicked out of the Collegium.:
The aforementioned Herald had compressed his lips into a thin line as Turaan spoke, and it was again easy to tell that Yauvani was talking to him. And probably filling his head with self-righteous babble while she was at it, from his expression.
Bri sighed and wished she could go back to the inn.
She didn't really want to, of course, but she was beginning to think anywhere was better than standing in a room with Lamont Kiri while a Companion who outright hated (or, at least disapproved of) her ranted in his head. Since the revelation of her seeming lack of Gifts, she had been standing in exactly the same place while Miri argued with Lamont, and both Mel and Gabriel watched silently from their own appointed standing-spots.
She was a little embarrassed by the entire scene, but wouldn't have admitted that to anyone. She was also confused, since she had been under the impression that there was no way you could be Chosen if you didn't have Gifts. Not that it was really possible to be Chosen without being a Trainee and going On Hunt, either…
And she was a little concerned, as—despite her generally cheerful outlook—Herald Mirim was very quickly losing her patience with Lamont and somehow, underneath her positive personality, Bri could just imagine a temper to reckon with.
As if I would know.
Lyntar's mind brushed against hers with a questioning feeling, and she immediately reacted without thinking, sending a get lost feeling in his direction, and he gave a very obvious mental sigh before fading away again.
She almost felt bad, since he had only been asking what was wrong.
Ooooh no. Bri shook her head slightly; he gets no kindness from me. Not after wandering into my life and happily kicking it topsy-turvy without so much as a by-your-leave. Not in this lifetime, anyway.
Finally, Lamont growled something under his breath and headed for the door to the inner chambers. When he reached it, he straightened his shoulders and seemed to compose himself before jerking it open and stepping though with a gesture to Miri, who motioned for the new Heraldic Trainees to follow her.
Looking nervous despite himself, Gabriel hurried after the Heralds, followed by Mel and Bri, with Jenica ushering them through and then closing the door behind them all. Once inside, Lamont quickly took a place beside the King, who was a tall dark-haired man with wiser-than-his-age eyes.
Next to him were the Prince and Princess…
…who…
…were…
Bri gasped, making everyone look at her in surprise, and before anyone else could speak—though Miri winced—she demanded, "Hallie, you're the Princess?!"
o-o-o-o-o
They had only been on the road for a day, and he was already beginning to tire of way food. Of course, he had been eating it for a week already, while he waited and went about his Hunt, before he had been Chosen.
Dragan poked halfheartedly at his bread and then looked toward Cheyne, who was more than happily grazing nearby. The Companion amazed him in every way, he admitted, but despite her exceptional speed they weren't quite out of the forest.
I shouldn't have wandered so far in for my Hunt. She could have found me if I'd stayed near the edges, right?
:I could have.: Cheyne agreed without looking up from her meal. :But I like that you came to me instead. It's a good show of initiative.:
"Stupidity, you mean?"
Yellow laughter, :by no means, Fire Child. I just enjoyed taking my time looking for you. If you'd been near the outskirts, I'd have had to hurry.:
"You're lazy, do you know that?"
Cheyne's ears flicked. :I'm also gorgeous, but that's beside the point.:
Dragan sighed and dropped the bread back into his pack, deciding he wasn't really hungry after all, then leaned back in the grass and crossed his arms behind his head. Dark eyes watched the moon, which was just beginning to show as the sun began to set, red on the horizon.
Then a leaf crackled.
Though he was inclined to ignore it, Cheyne's head came up abruptly and her sapphire gaze shifted across the trees, probing into the shadows between them. Her ears went back, and Dragan frowned.
"Cheyne, what—?"
:We should go, Dragan.: She said, sounding strained. :I'm not tired, anyway, so let's keep going and try to get as much traveling done as possible tonight.:
Confused, he nodded vaguely and began to sit up—
And just as he did, Cheyne's eyes focused on something in the gloom, and a dark shape manifested from the darkness, flying toward her without a sound—the silence was only shattered when she reared, her eyes rolling, and shrieked loudly, her voice echoing through the forest around them.
"Cheyne!"
Dragan was on his feet in an instant, as Cheyne whirled, kicking, then stopped. The Shadow advanced on her, darkness seeping from nowhere and wrapped in a strange mist, and she danced in place, unsure of what to do—
—everything in her nature was telling her to flee—
—but Dragan—
:Chosen, run!:
"But—"
Her head snapped around as another Shadow materialized, flowing from between the trees and joining the first. She reared again, kicking, and then her hooves hit the ground loudly as Dragan hesitated, not willing to abandon her but unsure of what he could do against—whatever they were.
:Run, damn it!:
His feet wouldn't move, despite the plaintive tone in her Mindvoice as she backed away from the Shadows, her hooves skittering through the leaves and grass and her ears pinned to her head.
One of them reached out—
:RUN!:
And a wall of flame burst into existence between it and Cheyne, making the mare snort and shy away from the intense heat. Her eyes flew to her Chosen, who was holding a hand toward her, his own eyes blazing with an almost unholy light.
The Shadows paused, and before they could continue again Cheyne bunched her muscles and leapt, bounding through the fire, which singed her hair on the way past, and forcing her way past them with a combination of running, bucking, and kicking—though her hooves didn't connect with anything solid.
Throwing up tufts of grass, she skidded to a stop next to Dragan, then force-helped him onto her back with her nose and burst into a wild gallop, trailing smoke from the fire that was still blazing behind them and leaving the Shadows to fade back into the depth of the Pelagiris Forest.
o-o-o-o-o
Avalbane raised his head and cocked his ears as a scream echoed in the twilight—he didn't recognize the voice, but he could tell it was a Spirit, female, and when silence descended after the shriek he had to assume it was too late to do anything to help her.
Sadly, he closed his eyes for a moment. I hope Lyn manages what he's gone off to do… because we won't last very much longer if he doesn't.
o-o-o-o-o
Despite the fact that it was very much against Royal Protocol, Princess Hallette Montenegro was bordering on hysterical laughter, holding her side with one hand and covering her mouth with the other while tears leaked from her eyes and her father and brother watched her in amazement.
The look on Bri's face had just been too priceless…
For the first time since she had arrived, Bri herself was showing an amazing amount of embarrassment, which had followed immediately after her original outburst. Now, she seemed torn between hiding her face (which was a bright shade of cherry-red) and continuing to gape at Hallie.
"Oh," wiping at her eyes, Hallie sighed and looked down at Bri, then began to giggle again. "You… look like… like a landed fish…"
To the side, Miri was trying not to laugh and keep her dignity about her, despite the scene. The King was watching his daughter with an eyebrow cocked, trying to decide when would be a good time to jump in, and Prince Reiley was rolling his eyes at Hallie's antics. Next to Bri, Mel was looking slightly confused and Gabriel was too busy wincing at her expense to do much else.
:Perhaps you should have told her before coming in here?: Turaan suggested.
Miri's lips quirked. :It makes for an interesting court session, and those are rare to say the least.:
:Touché.:
King Darrick cleared his throat. "Hallie, if you don't mind…"
"S-sorry…" the Princess snickered, then took several deep breaths and returned to her chair, still giggling under her breath, though now she was trying to be discreet about it. Which, naturally, just made the entire laughter thing more obvious. "maybe I… should go outside for a minute…"
Her father sighed. "You're excused for the time being."
"T-thank you…"
She was on the verge of breaking into hiccups, but rose again anyway and quickly shuffled down and across the room. On the way past Bri, though, the giggling returned and her pace quickened until Herald Jenica quickly opened the door (she, too, has a strange quirk as she tried not to laugh) and then closed it after Hallie once the girl was safely beyond.
:Laughter is a good first impression.: Lyntar commented, his voice reaching the three new Heraldic Trainees, but no one else. :It could have been much worse.:
Though Bri's annoyance returned at that, Arlam quickly piped up with; :even if they decide not to make Bri a Herald, she could always stay on as the Court Jester.:
:Arlam…: Mel warned.
:Sorry.:
And then Niressa added, :you three are no fun.:
About that time, Lamont cleared his throat loudly and they all jerked their attention back toward the front of the room, where King Darrick and Prince Reiley were waiting patiently. Both of them looked amused, though, and as Hallie's laughter could still be heard faintly through the wall, it wasn't surprising.
There was a long moment of relative silence then, during which the King studied each of the perspective Heralds in turn. His gaze lingered the longest on Bri, but if what Turaan had said was true, then he was already aware of the differences between her and the other Trainees.
For the first time since she had arrived, Bri became acutely aware that she wasn't even wearing the Grays that were traditional for Heraldic Trainees, and she wished that Miri had gotten around to getting her uniforms before they had been called to the Court for the presentation.
Not that wearing the Grays will make me fit in any better…
"The first Trainee?"
She assumed the entire "ceremony" had started when the King asked that simple question, and Jenica stepped forward to respond with, "Heraldic-Trainee Gabriel Maxwell, Chosen by the mare Niressa."
"And his Gifts?"
"Mindspeech, your Majesty." Jenica replied solemnly, "strong Mindspeech. He may end up being the strongest Mindspeaker in the Circle by the time his training is through."
Gabriel gave a visible start. He obviously hadn't been expecting that.
Jenica continued with, "he also has an inkling of the Healers Gift."
King Darrick nodded. "Congratulations, Gabriel Maxwell. You will make a fine Herald someday."
Or, so everyone assumed.
Gabriel stared blankly for a second before managing to form a semblance of a bow and stammered, "t-thank you, your Majesty."
A nod. "The next Trainee, Herald-Dean Jenica?"
"Emeli Melquiades Truant, Chosen by the stallion Arlam."
:I love it when people say that.: Arlam put in semi-privately, though by Miri's surprised blink she had heard him. Other than her, no one besides the three currently-standing teenagers were aware of what he had said.
:What?: Niressa asked.
:When people say "the stallion Arlam".: He clarified, :it makes me sound important.:
:Which you aren't?: Lyntar joked.
Arlam sputtered. :That's not what I meant, and you know it—:
:Hush, all of you!: Miri reprimanded mentally, finally drawing the line in the Companions cheerful banter, and they all gave a semi-grudging agreement before fading into silence again.
"—what may her Gifts be?"
"General Mindspeech, as well as Fetching, Majesty."
"Ah." A nod, "congratulations to you as well, Emeli Truant, and welcome."
Mel was monumentally more composed than Gabriel had been, and gave a short bow of her own. "Thank you."
The King's eyes drifted to Bri. "And the third?"
Jenica hesitated, then, "Brianna Osias, my Lord, Chosen by… by the stallion Lyntar."
"Her Gifts, Herald?"
Another hesitation. "That… is still under debate, Majesty." She told him, "we have yet to conclusively decide on the nature of her Gifts, but you have my word that as soon as we do, I will inform you."
Bri found it difficult to face the King, knowing that what Jenica had told him was a half-truth. It was almost as bad as lying to him herself, and she knew that would classify under "treason" in the law. Of course, Jenica may have been telling the truth, if she had reason to suspect that Bri's Gifts were… hiding. Or something.
It's a long shot, but…
King Darrick's mouth twisted into an almost-frown and he nodded. "Be sure that you do, Herald Jenica."
And he said nothing more.
o-o-o-o-o
She was utterly, completely, totally and undeniably lost. She had been wandering around in circles (as far as she could tell) ever since Gabriel had left, and she couldn't think of a thing she could do about it. So she stopped walking to survey the corridor and think for a second. Unfortunately, that did little good, as every hallway in the Collegium looked basically the same.
Frustrated, Leshie kicked the nearest wall and then plopped down on one of the marble benches that she had found in nearly every hall of the building. Leave it to courtiers to need rest stations in their hallways.
How was she supposed to attend to whatever duties Ellyn assigned her if she couldn't even find her way around the Heraldic Collegium? Never mind the Bardic and Healers Collegia, which she had yet to even see…
Or, she thought she had yet to see them.
I could be in them for all I know…
Still sulking, she crossed her arms and glared at the opposite wall, slumping against the concrete behind her and wondering why in the hell she had agreed to—wait, never mind. She had been over this with herself before, and had come to the Needing To Eat conclusion.
It wasn't that she had a problem with working around the Collegia—she was more than happy to do scrubbing if it meant she could stay. She wasn't even really upset because she was lost, though it was a damn annoying inconvenience, she would admit.
The biggest thing that was bothering her was the idea that she had run away and left so many loose ends: she was still dwelling on her conversation with Gabriel, and she had been kicking herself ever since he had left.
I'm so stupid! What was I thinking, coming here? With Broderick and Sibley and Dolli… they're bound to see me, and then Father will find out and come here, and I'll be dragged back home and married to that old man. Growling, she heaved an aggravated sigh. I should have gone for the border instead… if I had managed to get across into Karse or…
The thought died quickly when she remembered the recent Wars—if she had chanced running for the border, she would have had more to worry about than just her family finding her. Indeed, she would have probably been killed on sight. And, if she had managed to sneak both herself and Aimee across into Karse, she would have had to live as a fugitive.
So which is better? Living as a fugitive in another country, or living here and having to scurry around hoping that no one recognizes me? Leshie wondered. Maybe I could still leave… if not for the border, then I could go toward Hevenbeck. Aimee and I could hide out in the forest for a while…
And die of starvation, probably. She was good with a sword, but she was no hunter, and not really a survivalist either. She and her horse would probably manage for about two weeks before she had to return to civilization.
We'll call going to the Pelagiris "Plan B".
"You're looking a tad lost, if you don't mind my saying so."
She looked up, surprised by the voice, and found she was no longer alone in the corridor. Standing a few feet away was a man in faded Whites, who was currently leaning against the wall and chuckling at her expense. Aside from his uniform, the most obvious thing about him was a set of four parallel scars that ran down the right side of his face. They looked old, but not: they were fully healed, but still had an almost raw appearance about them.
"Where are you trying to get to? Maybe I can help."
Leshie frowned. "I'm just… trying to get a handle on the layout of the Collegia, since I'm going to be working here starting tomorrow…" she shrugged, "I'm a bit lost, I guess, but I've got to get used to the halls sometime, right?"
He tipped his head, "you can't be the new servant girl that Ellyn was telling me about…"
A blink, "what?"
"Leshie Hamlin, right?" He raised an eyebrow ever-so-slightly, "I'm just surprised. Most of the servants are a bit more demure than you are." He laughed, "not that they couldn't use some livening up, but… ah, I digress."
Leshie wasn't exactly sure what to make of him. He seemed nice enough, and there was something about him that was familiar. But… he had such a rough exterior that it was a bit disturbing.
"Anyway," he pushed away from the wall, "Leshie, my name is Quinlan Harmon, and I am the Weaponsmaster around here."
Well, that explained why he felt semi-familiar to her—in her experience, most of the Weaponsmaster-types had a similar feel to them. This man, Quinlan, didn't really remind her of Finlay, but he had a comfortable energy anyway.
I guess I'll always gravitate toward those types of people. She sighed and stood, "you're assuming that I am Leshie Hamlin," she chastised, though she was beginning to smile, and when he looked uncertain for a moment she waved a hand. "And you're right. It's a pleasure to meet you, Herald Quinlan."
Quinlan grinned, a strange sight given his scars. "Likewise, Leshie Hamlin. And please, call me Quin."
o-o-o-o-o
"You're the one I was looking for!"
Startled, Lyntar's head swung around and he stared, uncomprehending, at the man who was currently approaching. He seemed to have materialized out of nowhere, but the stallion had to assume that he had actually started out at the other end of the Field and walked over.
Having been forced out of the majority of his depression by Rella, Lyntar had decided that conversing with Arlam and Niressa was more interesting than brooding anyway, and they had begun to discuss various things. This had lead to eventually popping in to bother those in the Court, but Herald Mirim had kicked them out (and they had been lectured by Turaan shortly after) so they had eventually settled on the topic of grass.
To be more specific, the grass of Haven compared to the grass of the Pelagiris.
Haven's was better by far.
The three of them were still standing at the edge of the Terilee, though Eckran and Rella had departed. Across the river, though, another Companion was grazing, and occasionally poked his nose into their conversation.
From what Lyntar had gathered, his name was Aristides and he was Bonded to the Herald who taught basic equestrian to the Collegium students. And now, it was Ari who gave them the warning: :oh no… it's Fradrick.:
Niressa looked across the water at him, :um, is that a problem?:
:Fradrick is from the Bardic Collegium,: Ari explained, :let's just say he has an… enthusiastic curiosity when it comes to Companions. Or, when it comes to Spirits. Whenever a new Companion arrives from the Forest he quizzes them about… well, everything.:
:Oh.:
The three of them turned to look in the Bard's direction, as Ari continued. Had they been focused on him, they would have seen him backing away discreetly to put a bit more distance between himself and the oncoming man.
:He'll probably be on the lookout for you, Lyntar, since it's already all over the Collegia that you brought in someone who wasn't On Hunt.: Ari gave a mental snort. :Prepare for a long day with Fradrick following you around and taking notes.:
Great. Lyntar eyed the man warily. He couldn't possibly be as bad as Aristides was trying to tell them he was… could he? Upon consideration, he decided that he would just have to decide for himself, and bobbed his head in greeting when Fradrick finally made it to where they were standing. :Greetings, Bard Fradrick.:
"You would be Lyntar, would you?"
:Yes, though some people call me "Lyn".: Lyntar nodded again, :this is Arlam and Niressa… we've all just arrived in Haven, having—:
"Great! " Fradrick interrupted. "So tell me—have things in the Pelagiris changed since the last Hunt season? What's this I hear about the Spirits being in danger? Is it true? Is that why you brought that girl here? The one who isn't a Trainee? How can she help? What Gifts does she have? What do you plan on doing once you—"
Lyntar gaped as the trail of questions went on and on, and across the Terilee Aristides snickered in his general direction.
o-o-o-o-o
Well…
Things could have gone worse, Bri supposed. The King hadn't really questioned Jenica's statement, and though he had seemed very willing to say something, Lamont had stayed out of it. After the final minutes of the ceremony, Miri had very politely excused herself and the trainees, and had ushered them all out of the room.
Outside, Hallie had again begun snickering, though she managed to compose herself fairly quickly, and returned to the Court to watch the rest of the proceedings with her brother.
Miri had immediately summoned someone to take them to the Heraldic-Trainee's Wing of the Collegium and their rooms, and Mel and Gabriel had gone off to transfer the last of their belongings to their new quarters.
Which left Bri, who had brought next to nothing with her, to get used to her room and arrange it the way she wanted it—which she did, and gladly. It was the first time since her family had been killed that she had been given a room to call her own, and she was determined to enjoy every second if it.
Even if they do decide to exile Lyntar and myself…
Surprisingly, the thought of the Companion didn't bring up an immediate surge of annoyance, but she shrugged it off as a fluke and continued setting her meagre possessions around the room: a single book for the shelves, a couple of shirts and a skirt for the closet and a tightly-sealed inkpot for the desk. There was already paper in the drawers, so that was taken care of.
The only other thing she had brought with her—and really the only thing that she still had from her life before the brothel—was a pendant she had salvaged from the wreckage of her family's farmhouse.
It wasn't special, it wasn't important and it wasn't expensive. It was a tacky trinket that had been hanging around the house for as long as Bri could remember, and her mother had never worn it. She didn't even know where it had originally come from. But… tacky or not, it had belonged to her mother, so she had kept it.
Now, she hung it from the corner of the bookshelves, a tiny shard of memories in a room full of nothing.
A knock on the door made her look away from the necklace, "come in."
The door creaked open, and a head poked around the corner; "Housekeeper Ellyn asked me to come and take your measurement for your new uniform, miss, so if you don't mind I'll just—uh—" she faltered, then; "Bri? Is that you?"
It was the last thing she had ever expected, but Bri couldn't help the grin that spread across her face as she flung herself at the other girl and hugged her tightly, "Jemeste! How—I mean—when—what are you doing here?"
The other former-brothel worker was floored. "I… could ask the same thing of you!"