Marpessa was waiting for them when they exited the main doors of the House
of Healing. A young Healer-Trainee was eyeing her warily from a position
well out of the range of her teeth. He was holding a broom. :Natasha!:
'Pessa looked as if she could barely contain herself. She fairly pranced
over to her Chosen. :That young scamp was chasing me with a broom! As if
I was a simple horse. Children these days...:
Natasha cut her off., speaking aloud for the young Trainee's benefit. "He probably didn't know what to think! I am fairly certain you came skittering in here as if your tail was alight, acting for all the world like an escaped horse out for a jaunt!" Had Marpessa been physically capable, she would have been staring at her feet, drawing pictures on the cobblestones. "Now, you can prance yourself over to the young man and apologize, missy." Marpessa turned away dejectedly and fairly plodded over to the young man, her hooves ringing out cheerfully despite her sullen attitude. She stuck her nose out towards the young man, who gave it a firm rub. Chuckling, Natasha could see Aithre next to her struggling to keep a straight face.
"I am sorry for chasing after you, m'am. But with all your carrying on, you were going to wake the patients, and we couldn't have that." 'Pessa gave him a bump on the shoulder with her nose, leaving a slobber mark on the shoulder of his dusty uniform, and turned back to her Chosen.
:Conscientious little chit, isn't he?: She snorted. :Satisfied? Can we please go now?:
"Hold on to your tail, horse." Natasha turned to the young Healer-Trainee. "Young man, you show remarkable dedication to the peace and quiet of your patients. Feel free to come after Marpessa with a broom anytime she causes a ruckus. It may do her some good."
The Trainee gave her a grin, his freckled face crinkling merrily. He saluted. "Yes m'am!"
"At ease, soldier." Natasha turned towards Aithre and her Companion. "Ladies?" They fell into step together on the path that led to Companion's Field., Aithre flanked by Natasha on her left and Marpessa to her right.
Aithre was having a hard time keeping a grin from her face. :So that is a Companion? Not at all what I was expecting, at least not after all the stories I've heard.:
:They aren't all so silly, I assure you. In fact, just like us, they all have their little quirks and fallibilities. I happened to get stuck with a nosey, goofy, gossip.: She stuck her tongue out at the Companion. :I suppose I should introduce you formally. Marpessa, this Aithre Varis. Aithre, Marpessa the Pest.: Marpessa lifted her upper lip in a poor imitation of a snarl.
:She is always so mean to me. Hit her for me, Aithre?:
:But...: Aithre looked startled. :I didn't think Companions spoke to anyone that wasn't their Chosen?:
:Marpessa tends to ignore the rules, much to the dismay of the powers that be.: Marpessa snorted, looking very satisfied with herself. :She thinks rules are silly.:
:Of course rules are silly! Why shouldn't I talk to whomever I chose? It's not like I am going to go babbling state secrets or...: Natasha could feel the companions surprise as she halted her speech mid-sentence. The Companion mentally withdrew from the conversation.
:She's off being nosey again. Just as well, we've almost made it to the field. It's just beyond this next wall.:
:The grounds really are lovely. I hope I get to see all of them before I go home again.:
:I am sure we can arrange that. We can probably have some fun in the city itself, if you would like. There are a few places that I am sure you would enjoy.:
:That would be wonderful! The last time I visited Haven I was quite young. I don't remember much of the city.: She smiled at Natasha. Losing much of her chilly self-possession at the excitement of seeing some of the Valdemar's largest city.
:Why haven't you come more often? I know you father and his advisors come once a year. When they are at court, I always end up sitting next to Bergin at meals. I quite like him.:
:Ever since my mother died, my father doesn't like both of us to be off the holdings at once. When I was younger, it was for safety reasons, but I guess it is just practical, now. Bergin can travel with him and I can take care of things at home.: She grinned slyly at Natasha. :I bet I know why you like Bergin. He always says rude things to my father about courtiers. And I bet you eavesdrop.:
Natasha blushed. :How did you know that? I guess I can't help myself. Most of the things he says are quite accurate.: She was a bit incredulous that Aithre had guessed something that she had told no one.
:I used to do it, too. He can be quite wicked.:
:Quite.: Natasha was overjoyed that she had so quickly gained a new friend. She really had quite a bit in common with the Varis heir. And if Aithre was capable of managing estates the size of her father's for the months each year he was in the capital, she was probably quite an extraordinary girl.
They were nearing the edge of the grounds when Tasha saw a familiar figure approaching them on the path. She groaned. :Here comes one of mother's and uncle's council members. He is a prick. I'll get rid of him.: Tasha was so absorbed in manufacturing some way to get rid of the man that she did not notice that Aithre had frozen, her wide, fearful eyes locked on the figure coming towards them.
:Natasha!: 'Pessa sounded frantic. :Something is wrong with Aithre!: Tasha lifted her shields a bit, and quickly slammed them back into place. Fear and anger were rolling off Aithre in waves so thick that Tasha was almost consumed in the short seconds she had dropped her shields.
:Natasha! Keep him away from her. That is the man that hurt her! Guards are on the way. Just keep him away! Don't let him mess with her, her mind is too fragile. I'll worry about Aithre!:
Natasha could feel the efforts the mare was making to calm Aithre. She didn't need to be calm. She dropped her shields and let Aithre's emotions wash over her. Fear, anger, hatred; all directed at this man. Natasha steeled herself against the fear, and let the anger cool inside her, becoming icy and strong.
"Podargos." It was not a greeting, it was a warning. Her voice was frosty. He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. "If so much as the slightest sound comes out of your mouth, I will burn your mind to dust." She would kill this man, even if her only evidence against him was Marpessa's interpretation of Aithre's feelings. All she had to do was remember the scar on Aithre's throat, and taste the fear that held Aithre immobilized.
The man had the nerve to smile. An unctuous smile that had all the charm of a rotting corpse. "Has my Lady Varis found a new suitor?" His voice was malicious, deliberately trying to provoke Natasha into action.
Before Natasha had a chance to gather herself and use her mind magic to turn this man into a husk, she felt a white hot surge of power at her side. Aithre was glowing! Whorls and wisps of power the color of sunlight were dancing over her skin. Natasha could feel the shields that Marpessa was attempting to throw around Aithre, who brushed them off as if they were a small, annoying insect.
Natasha looked at Aithre in shock. What kind of power was this? Aithre's clothes were burning away, her skin untouched, her hair was standing on end, and her eyes! They were black as the night sky and shot through with blazing stars!
Marpessa squealed. Aithre's back arched, and a bolt of power arced from her to the blank faced man in front of them. The smell of melting flesh was horrible as Podargos began to drip. In seconds, all that was left was a puddle.
Then the air began to hum. The sound grew louder, then everything seemed to contract in upon itself until power exploded outward from Aithre in a blinding flash. Everything went dark.
Monarch's Own Talia jumped up from her desk when she felt the explosion of raw power. She sent a questioning thought to Rolan, who responded with a frantic picture of Natasha and the Varis girl in the gardens. Waves of pain and fear and anger radiated from both girls.
She ran out of her quarters and began a mad sprint for the gardens where she knew Rolan was headed. Hasty footsteps behind her told her that other Heralds had felt the blast as she had.
The garden was a picture of destruction. At its outer edges, leaves had been burned away from the plant life. Stone benches and statuary had melted into unrecognizable figures. Water had evaporated from the fountains, grass had been charred, and gravel blasted away, leaving only bare earth to mark the paths.
As she approached the center of the blast, entire trees and bushes had disintegrated, leaving only blackened earth. There were four figures sprawled on the ground ahead of her, Rolan standing protectively over them. Using his teeth to warn off the guards that had beaten her there.
Natasha and Aithre, naked and apparently unconscious, were huddled together between Marpessa and...and what in the name of the gods was that? A gold horse?
"You, guards. Seal off the area. I want no one here but Heralds and Healers." She inserted a snap of command in her voice. She could question the ethics of the situation when this mess was cleaned up. The captain saluted her and barked some orders to his men. The moved off efficiently.
Behind her, Talia could feel a ball of worry and fear approaching quickly. The Queen shot past; Talia snagged her arm. "Wait, Lyra. According to Rolan, she is fine, just unconscious. We need to wait for a mage."
Lyra turned to face her Herald, her forehead creased with worry, normally smiling mouth a tight line. "Elspeth is coming." Lyra said tersely, as chiming hoofbeats approached from the direction the queen had come.
Elspeth and Darkwind riding double on Gwena hurtled past Lyra and Talia. Jumping off the still moving Companion as the reached the prone figures. Before either of the mages could touch the girls, the golden horse lurched to its feet and hovered over them protectively, baring her teeth menacingly.
:I am Halia. Who are you to touch my Chosen and her lifebonded?: The mare's mindvoice was deep and smooth.
Next to Talia, Lyra gasped. "The mare's name is Halia. And Tasha is lifebonded!"
The mare had mindspeech? But she certainly wasn't a companion. She sent a questioning thought to Rolan, who was merely watching the sun-bright mare warn off the mages. His feeling of calm snapped through her. If he was dealing with this patiently, then surely there was nothing for her to worry about.
Darkwind bowed to the mare, keeping a respectful distance from her teeth. "I am Darkwind k'Treva, and this is my mate, Herald-Mage Elspeth. With your leave, we would like to take these young ladies to the House of Healing." The mare turned one appraising blue eye on the mage and Herald. She stepped back.
:Very well. I believe Marpessa may also need assistance. She took the brunt of the explosion.:
Elspeth and Darkwind shed the outer layers of their mage robes and slipped them around the girls' shoulders. Darkwind gathered Aithre in his arms and turned back to the mare, who bent her knees, allowing Darkwind to climb aboard her back without disturbing his burden. Elspeth did the same with her niece. Gwena and Halia then wheeled and cantered past the crowed of onlookers, towards the House of Healing.
"Well. That was certainly interesting," Lyra said with an odd expression on her face.
"You are taking this rather well, Lyra." Talia knew that had Jemmie been in Natasha's position, she would not have been so calm.
"Neira kept telling me that Natasha hadn't been harmed, that she was only unconscious. But I am quite curious as to what is going on. That was quite a surge of power."
"As am I. Never a dull moment around this place. What with mages and artificers, it is a wonder we haven't all been blown sky high."
A group of Heralds had clustered around a strange looking puddle that lay not far from where Dirk and some others were assisting Marpessa to her feet. One of them, Jeri, called to her, "Talia, you might want to come have a look at this." The puddle was stinking and gelatinous, steaming faintly. Talia held her nose as she approached.
"What do you think it is?" She asked of those standing around it.
Jeri answered. "We think it might have been a man!"
Natasha cut her off., speaking aloud for the young Trainee's benefit. "He probably didn't know what to think! I am fairly certain you came skittering in here as if your tail was alight, acting for all the world like an escaped horse out for a jaunt!" Had Marpessa been physically capable, she would have been staring at her feet, drawing pictures on the cobblestones. "Now, you can prance yourself over to the young man and apologize, missy." Marpessa turned away dejectedly and fairly plodded over to the young man, her hooves ringing out cheerfully despite her sullen attitude. She stuck her nose out towards the young man, who gave it a firm rub. Chuckling, Natasha could see Aithre next to her struggling to keep a straight face.
"I am sorry for chasing after you, m'am. But with all your carrying on, you were going to wake the patients, and we couldn't have that." 'Pessa gave him a bump on the shoulder with her nose, leaving a slobber mark on the shoulder of his dusty uniform, and turned back to her Chosen.
:Conscientious little chit, isn't he?: She snorted. :Satisfied? Can we please go now?:
"Hold on to your tail, horse." Natasha turned to the young Healer-Trainee. "Young man, you show remarkable dedication to the peace and quiet of your patients. Feel free to come after Marpessa with a broom anytime she causes a ruckus. It may do her some good."
The Trainee gave her a grin, his freckled face crinkling merrily. He saluted. "Yes m'am!"
"At ease, soldier." Natasha turned towards Aithre and her Companion. "Ladies?" They fell into step together on the path that led to Companion's Field., Aithre flanked by Natasha on her left and Marpessa to her right.
Aithre was having a hard time keeping a grin from her face. :So that is a Companion? Not at all what I was expecting, at least not after all the stories I've heard.:
:They aren't all so silly, I assure you. In fact, just like us, they all have their little quirks and fallibilities. I happened to get stuck with a nosey, goofy, gossip.: She stuck her tongue out at the Companion. :I suppose I should introduce you formally. Marpessa, this Aithre Varis. Aithre, Marpessa the Pest.: Marpessa lifted her upper lip in a poor imitation of a snarl.
:She is always so mean to me. Hit her for me, Aithre?:
:But...: Aithre looked startled. :I didn't think Companions spoke to anyone that wasn't their Chosen?:
:Marpessa tends to ignore the rules, much to the dismay of the powers that be.: Marpessa snorted, looking very satisfied with herself. :She thinks rules are silly.:
:Of course rules are silly! Why shouldn't I talk to whomever I chose? It's not like I am going to go babbling state secrets or...: Natasha could feel the companions surprise as she halted her speech mid-sentence. The Companion mentally withdrew from the conversation.
:She's off being nosey again. Just as well, we've almost made it to the field. It's just beyond this next wall.:
:The grounds really are lovely. I hope I get to see all of them before I go home again.:
:I am sure we can arrange that. We can probably have some fun in the city itself, if you would like. There are a few places that I am sure you would enjoy.:
:That would be wonderful! The last time I visited Haven I was quite young. I don't remember much of the city.: She smiled at Natasha. Losing much of her chilly self-possession at the excitement of seeing some of the Valdemar's largest city.
:Why haven't you come more often? I know you father and his advisors come once a year. When they are at court, I always end up sitting next to Bergin at meals. I quite like him.:
:Ever since my mother died, my father doesn't like both of us to be off the holdings at once. When I was younger, it was for safety reasons, but I guess it is just practical, now. Bergin can travel with him and I can take care of things at home.: She grinned slyly at Natasha. :I bet I know why you like Bergin. He always says rude things to my father about courtiers. And I bet you eavesdrop.:
Natasha blushed. :How did you know that? I guess I can't help myself. Most of the things he says are quite accurate.: She was a bit incredulous that Aithre had guessed something that she had told no one.
:I used to do it, too. He can be quite wicked.:
:Quite.: Natasha was overjoyed that she had so quickly gained a new friend. She really had quite a bit in common with the Varis heir. And if Aithre was capable of managing estates the size of her father's for the months each year he was in the capital, she was probably quite an extraordinary girl.
They were nearing the edge of the grounds when Tasha saw a familiar figure approaching them on the path. She groaned. :Here comes one of mother's and uncle's council members. He is a prick. I'll get rid of him.: Tasha was so absorbed in manufacturing some way to get rid of the man that she did not notice that Aithre had frozen, her wide, fearful eyes locked on the figure coming towards them.
:Natasha!: 'Pessa sounded frantic. :Something is wrong with Aithre!: Tasha lifted her shields a bit, and quickly slammed them back into place. Fear and anger were rolling off Aithre in waves so thick that Tasha was almost consumed in the short seconds she had dropped her shields.
:Natasha! Keep him away from her. That is the man that hurt her! Guards are on the way. Just keep him away! Don't let him mess with her, her mind is too fragile. I'll worry about Aithre!:
Natasha could feel the efforts the mare was making to calm Aithre. She didn't need to be calm. She dropped her shields and let Aithre's emotions wash over her. Fear, anger, hatred; all directed at this man. Natasha steeled herself against the fear, and let the anger cool inside her, becoming icy and strong.
"Podargos." It was not a greeting, it was a warning. Her voice was frosty. He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. "If so much as the slightest sound comes out of your mouth, I will burn your mind to dust." She would kill this man, even if her only evidence against him was Marpessa's interpretation of Aithre's feelings. All she had to do was remember the scar on Aithre's throat, and taste the fear that held Aithre immobilized.
The man had the nerve to smile. An unctuous smile that had all the charm of a rotting corpse. "Has my Lady Varis found a new suitor?" His voice was malicious, deliberately trying to provoke Natasha into action.
Before Natasha had a chance to gather herself and use her mind magic to turn this man into a husk, she felt a white hot surge of power at her side. Aithre was glowing! Whorls and wisps of power the color of sunlight were dancing over her skin. Natasha could feel the shields that Marpessa was attempting to throw around Aithre, who brushed them off as if they were a small, annoying insect.
Natasha looked at Aithre in shock. What kind of power was this? Aithre's clothes were burning away, her skin untouched, her hair was standing on end, and her eyes! They were black as the night sky and shot through with blazing stars!
Marpessa squealed. Aithre's back arched, and a bolt of power arced from her to the blank faced man in front of them. The smell of melting flesh was horrible as Podargos began to drip. In seconds, all that was left was a puddle.
Then the air began to hum. The sound grew louder, then everything seemed to contract in upon itself until power exploded outward from Aithre in a blinding flash. Everything went dark.
Monarch's Own Talia jumped up from her desk when she felt the explosion of raw power. She sent a questioning thought to Rolan, who responded with a frantic picture of Natasha and the Varis girl in the gardens. Waves of pain and fear and anger radiated from both girls.
She ran out of her quarters and began a mad sprint for the gardens where she knew Rolan was headed. Hasty footsteps behind her told her that other Heralds had felt the blast as she had.
The garden was a picture of destruction. At its outer edges, leaves had been burned away from the plant life. Stone benches and statuary had melted into unrecognizable figures. Water had evaporated from the fountains, grass had been charred, and gravel blasted away, leaving only bare earth to mark the paths.
As she approached the center of the blast, entire trees and bushes had disintegrated, leaving only blackened earth. There were four figures sprawled on the ground ahead of her, Rolan standing protectively over them. Using his teeth to warn off the guards that had beaten her there.
Natasha and Aithre, naked and apparently unconscious, were huddled together between Marpessa and...and what in the name of the gods was that? A gold horse?
"You, guards. Seal off the area. I want no one here but Heralds and Healers." She inserted a snap of command in her voice. She could question the ethics of the situation when this mess was cleaned up. The captain saluted her and barked some orders to his men. The moved off efficiently.
Behind her, Talia could feel a ball of worry and fear approaching quickly. The Queen shot past; Talia snagged her arm. "Wait, Lyra. According to Rolan, she is fine, just unconscious. We need to wait for a mage."
Lyra turned to face her Herald, her forehead creased with worry, normally smiling mouth a tight line. "Elspeth is coming." Lyra said tersely, as chiming hoofbeats approached from the direction the queen had come.
Elspeth and Darkwind riding double on Gwena hurtled past Lyra and Talia. Jumping off the still moving Companion as the reached the prone figures. Before either of the mages could touch the girls, the golden horse lurched to its feet and hovered over them protectively, baring her teeth menacingly.
:I am Halia. Who are you to touch my Chosen and her lifebonded?: The mare's mindvoice was deep and smooth.
Next to Talia, Lyra gasped. "The mare's name is Halia. And Tasha is lifebonded!"
The mare had mindspeech? But she certainly wasn't a companion. She sent a questioning thought to Rolan, who was merely watching the sun-bright mare warn off the mages. His feeling of calm snapped through her. If he was dealing with this patiently, then surely there was nothing for her to worry about.
Darkwind bowed to the mare, keeping a respectful distance from her teeth. "I am Darkwind k'Treva, and this is my mate, Herald-Mage Elspeth. With your leave, we would like to take these young ladies to the House of Healing." The mare turned one appraising blue eye on the mage and Herald. She stepped back.
:Very well. I believe Marpessa may also need assistance. She took the brunt of the explosion.:
Elspeth and Darkwind shed the outer layers of their mage robes and slipped them around the girls' shoulders. Darkwind gathered Aithre in his arms and turned back to the mare, who bent her knees, allowing Darkwind to climb aboard her back without disturbing his burden. Elspeth did the same with her niece. Gwena and Halia then wheeled and cantered past the crowed of onlookers, towards the House of Healing.
"Well. That was certainly interesting," Lyra said with an odd expression on her face.
"You are taking this rather well, Lyra." Talia knew that had Jemmie been in Natasha's position, she would not have been so calm.
"Neira kept telling me that Natasha hadn't been harmed, that she was only unconscious. But I am quite curious as to what is going on. That was quite a surge of power."
"As am I. Never a dull moment around this place. What with mages and artificers, it is a wonder we haven't all been blown sky high."
A group of Heralds had clustered around a strange looking puddle that lay not far from where Dirk and some others were assisting Marpessa to her feet. One of them, Jeri, called to her, "Talia, you might want to come have a look at this." The puddle was stinking and gelatinous, steaming faintly. Talia held her nose as she approached.
"What do you think it is?" She asked of those standing around it.
Jeri answered. "We think it might have been a man!"
