Disclaimer : I own nothing but Yzaiu, Seda, Arwen, Trell and future characters that I haven't decided what'll be their name yet. Everything else in the fantastic world of Valdemar belongs to Mercedes Lacky.

Two

A man rushed in the Inn bringing snow with him. He breathed heavily and tried to speak. The owner came to him and helped the man to reach a chair. He shouted some orders as to bring something to drink and eat. A woman came back a while after with a mug full of wine and a plate of cheese, bread and some vegetables. The man jumped on the given food and devoured it. The owner, some men who were drunk, Shala and Trell were around him and they were anxiously waiting for an answer : why was he such in a hurry?

He swallowed the last piece of bread and pushed the plate away.

"Thanks. I needed that." He said.

"My pleasure." The owner replied.

"Tell us, Sir, why's the hurry?" Asked the Herald.

The man blinked at the woman and stood up promptly.

"I- I was told to find you, Herald Shala."

"Me? Why's that?"

"You're needed. Rebels are attacking at the Border Line of Karse."

Shala's face suddenly darkened and she took her coldest expression.

"All right. We'll go tomorrow."

"Aye!" Replied the man. Shala faced Trell.

"Lad, you understand that you can't come with me." She told him.

He nodded but he didn't know what to think of the situation.

"We have to find someone who can bring you to Haven safely."

"Hey! I know who!" He said, jumping on his feet.

Trell smiled and ran for the stables.

~~@@~~

"Yzaiu! Yzaiu!"

The woman sat in the hay as she heard her name. Seda rose her head and moved her ears forwards. Trell appeared and stopped in front of them and knelt. He panted a little and between two breaths he told them what was going on in the inn and ask Yzaiu if she could be his guardian until they reach Haven. She looked a little astonished and considered the offer for a moment.

:I don't know for you but I accept that offer. It would be entertaining having another friend with us. And it would change the monotony of just wandering around. Think of it.: Said Seda.

Yzaiu looked at her Companion and nodded. She looked back at Trell and smiled.

"All right. I'll be your guardian."

He smiled happily, took Yzaiu by the arm and pulled her. She stood up and followed the boy into the Inn. He didn't released her and came up to Herald Shala.

"Her." He said.

The woman looked at Yzaiu from head to toe, doubtful.

"Are you sure, lad?" Shala asked.

Yzaiu lifted an eyebrow and grinned softly.

"You don't have to worry, Lady Herald," Said Yzaiu, bowing slightly.

"I am trustworthy. You can ask my Companion if you feel the need."

"Did you said Companion?" Asked Shala surprised.

"Yes I have a Companion."

"H-how? I mean, I don't feel anything and my Companion hasn't told me there was any!" Said Shala, puzzled.

"...It's because we're strongly shield." She explained briefly.

Herald Shala rose an eyebrow, more skeptical than ever.

Trell was getting more impatient. It was easy to tell since he was hopping from left to right. And he couldn't take it anymore.

"Shala, I trust her!"

Both backstepped in surprise.

Trell was now between them and he was facing Shala. His fists were firmly closed and his articulations were changing white. The boy was about to say something when he felt something on his shoulders. He looked back and saw that it was Yzaiu who had put her hands.

"Calm down, lad." She told him with a soft voice and kind eyes.

He released his fists and stepped aside her.

"Look Shala, I trust her. I don't know why but I do. And I want her as my guardian. Please, Shala! I never asked to go to Haven to become a healer! The least you could do is grant that wish!"

"Stop whining, Trell." Said Shala.

She rubbed her temples as if she had a headache.

"All right, kid. She can be your guardian." And to Yzaiu she added : I'll trust you. I have no other choice. It seems he won't change his mind.

Shala looked the boy for a moment. His face was full of happiness and a big smile was the proof.

"When you arrive, ask for Herald-Mage Savil. She'll take care of everything from there."

"You can count on me, Lady Herald." Yzaiu bowed respectfully and smiled at Trell.

//What are you expecting from me, lad? I barely know you and you don't know anything about me. How can you trust me so easily?//

The boy hugged Shala lovingly. Her face softened and she embraced him.

~~@@~~

Shala put the second boot and stood up. She took her bag and walked outside the room. She descended the stairs and placed her bag on a table near the door. Trell appeared right after that.

"You're not asleep?"

"I couldn't." Said Trell.

He sat in front of Shala.

"What is it?" She asked.

It was evident that he was disturbed.

"Is it the last time we'll see each other?" He asked.

"Not at all! Look Trell," She went to sit next to him. " I will be gone for a couple of weeks and in no time, you'll see, I'll be with you again!" She said with a smile.

Trell smiled back at her but inside him, he wasn't sure about that.

~~@@~~

Yzaiu finished to install the saddle on Seda's back.

:Is it too tight?: She asked.

:No. It's ok.: Answered Seda.

"I go get the kid and we're off."

And Yzaiu went out of the stables. It has stopped snowing and everything was covered with snow. There was snow almost at her knees and she wondered if Seda will be able to walk in that. She opened the door and the warmth enveloped her. It felt good. She rapidly closed the door and walked towards Trell and Shala.

"Are you ready?" She asked.

"Yes."

"Ok. We'll eat and then we'll go."

Yzaiu called the owner and ordered something light and fast. He nodded and disappeared behind the kitchen door. Meanwhile, she looked at the Herald.

Shala was looking through her things for one last time. She was tall and slim. Her face was oval and it was surrounded with long brown and white hair. Her eyes were black, little and full of determination. But Yzaiu could also see that she was afraid. Maybe she wasn't used to war and all the cruelty it creates.

Who could be used to war, anyway?

The owner came back with three plates: one for Trell, one for Shala and one for Yzaiu. Shala looked the plate for a moment.

"Why?" She asked.

"You need to eat before leaving. You'll have a long ride from now on and you will not find as many villages as you want along the way."

"Well, thank you for your caring." Yzaiu smiled shyly and looked away.

When the three of them finished eating, it was time to go. Shala took her bag and Yzaiu and Trell walked her to the stables where her Companion was as for Yzaiu's. Yzaiu helped the Herald install her things on the Companion's back and hugged her goodbye. Trell hugged her too and his eyes were in tears.

"Calm down, boy! It's not as if it was the last time we'll see each other!" She told him.

"But! I-I'll miss you!" He sobbed.

"I'll miss you too, lad. But now I have to go."

"Yes. I understand. Be careful, Shala."

"You too, Trell."

On that, Shala mounted Dorla, her Companion, and went off her way followed by the man who came to fetch her. Trell watched her disappear while Yzaiu was attaching the bags on Seda. When she finished, it was time to go for them as well.

~~@@~~

Four days later, another storm stroke. This time, it was an icy rain. Yzaiu hoped they'll reach a village to take shelter but there wasn't any. So she searched for a bunch of trees and decided to wait there until the storm's over. She light a fire and boiled snow into water to make some tea. As for Trell, he sat near the fire and pulled over his hands to warm them.

"What a day!" He said.

"The weather is going crazy. This's rain. It never rain in winter... And it's not so cold..." She mumbled.

She observed the sky for a moment.

"Don't understand... should snow..."

"Um, Yzaiu?"

"Yes?"

"I'm hungry. Can I have something?"

"Help yourself, Trell. Don't be shy to take whatever you want."

Trell opened the bag of provisions and took two pieces of bread : one for the woman and one for himself. He gave the piece to Yzaiu who took it, lost in her thoughts, and he sat back where he first was.

"What we'll do now?"

"We'll wait until the rain's over. Or else someone'll catch a cold. Now eat and rest." She waved to him.

Yzaiu stayed awake and watched the horizon.

:It will turn colder.: The woman said to her Companion.

:Are you sure?: Asked Seda.

:Pretty sure. And that rain will change into ice. It will be dangerous to travel.:

:We have to continue, though.:

:I know.:

They slowly fell asleep as the rain calmed down. In the middle of the night, the rain finally stopped and it turned colder by dawn.

At their awakening, they were almost frozen solid. Where it was a soft and fluffy snow was now an icy road. It was hard and shiny everywhere. And very slippery. Yzaiu rapidly light up a fire and Trell crawled to the woman's side. Seda crouched behind them and they warmed each other as the fire grew stronger and stronger. Maybe a candlemark later, full of food and warmed up, they were ready to go.