Tarin peered ahead, trying to discern the entrance to the Vale that Stillwater swore was only a couple hundred paces ahead. Nothing. He sighed in frustration.
Stillwater gave him an ironic look. "Why don't you use magesight?"
Tarin blushed at his idiocy and made the internal shift that let him see the energy patterns around him then peered ahead again.
Stillwater watched in amusement as the younger man spat a stream of Shin'a'in that needed no translation then reverted to the trade tongue.
"You knew that was too bright to look at!" he accused.
Stillwater laughed out loud. Over the weeks of travel the two had become comfortable with each other, sharing the work and boredom of travel in companionable silence, speaking only occasionally. Stillwater liked it that way; he was going to regret leaving one so like him in spirit behind.
"Yes, I knew. That is one of the first things any Vale-trained mage learns. It is, however, useful for locating the vale from a distance."
Tarin glared at him, but Stillwater could see the humor dancing behind the younger man's eyes.
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As they passed through the veil Stillwater could make out a handful of people waiting for them. Stillwater had expected it, but he could tell that Tarin was a bit surprised, though he hid it well. Tarin's plains-trained eyes had missed the sentries in the trees, even though Stillwater had both seen and acknowledged the hidden scouts that would have sent word ahead to the Vale.
Stillwater grinned and waved at the company assembled, recalling a few from previous visits. He could see a few smiles of greeting for him, though most were aimed at the young Shin'a'in at his side. Speaking of which… said Shin'a'in was no longer actually at his side. Stillwater glanced back to the veil in amusement as the usually stoic Tarin gaped openly at the towering trees and rich flora. Stillwater cleared his throat, causing his companion to look at him – then at their welcoming committee and blush.
Stillwater grinned – it was nice to see Tarin showing some of what he thought for once! His smile grew even broader as two figures wound their way through the collection of Tayledras.
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Tarin gaped at the men approaching him. Like night and day, they appeared, the shorter with ice-white hair, a fluttering blue silk mask, and a many-layered confection of sky blue silks for robes and the taller with raven hair and robes of a blue so dark it almost matched his hair…
Tarin stopped that thought in its tracks. Yes these two men were prettier than any four Shin'a'in girls but still… He blinked and shook his head again, probably looking like a fool but nevermind that because the white haired one was talking to him. Or rather – talking at him. Liquid syllables fell off his tongue, but Tarin did not understand a word of it. Apparently he looked pathetic because a laughing Stillwater broke into the strange man's flow of words with a sympathetic look at Tarin.
"Firesong, he doesn't speak a work of Tayledras, take pity and use the trade tongue!"
The silver-haired man had the grace to look abashed. "I am sorry Tarin, it never even crossed my mind to think that you would not understand Tayledras."
The man – Firesong looked so crestfallen that Tarin had to laugh. "Don't worry about it, I am sure I will learn quickly enough!"
At this comment Firesong got such a mischievous look on his face that Tarin had to wonder exactly what he had gotten himself into. "Oh, I'd say you will learn very quickly!" By the Star-Eyed, the man sounded positively gleeful! What had he gotten himself into?
Tarin glanced over at Stillwater who looked confused then faintly alarmed. "Firesong! You wouldn't inflict that on him the first day would you?"
Firesong smirked. "And why not?" Without waiting for an answer he turned to Tarin. "Would you prefer to speak fluent Tayladras before the sun sets this day? I warn you the process is slightly uncomfortable."
Stillwater grimaced. "He means 'slightly uncomfortable' like a horse's hoof to the ribs is 'slightly painful'."
Tarin gave them both a dubious look. "Well, I have been kicked by a horse before, but I learned from that not to stand behind the horse. I would say this is slightly more valuable than knowing where to stand around a horse."
Firesong laughed out loud at that and turned to the others, addressing them in a stream of Tayledras. They dispersed, but not before sending a series of sympathetic glances in Tarin's direction. He glanced at Firesong but the man's face was hidden by the thin silk mask.
A voice spoke from his other side and, startled, he turned to face Firesong's as yet unintroduced companion. "I am Silverfox, Firesong's bondmate." Tarin blinked at that. Granted the Tayledras were supposed to be more open than the Shin'a'in but… his thoughts were interrupted by Silverfox's voice. "We are the ranking elders in k'Vala, not that Firesong would ever get around to telling you that." Hint of humor there. "Be welcome here, Firesong has just told the others that formal introductions can wait until you can understand and be understood by the people you are being introduced to."
Tarin nodded. That would be better for all concerned. He was just left with one burning question. How in the nine hells was he going to learn an entire language by sunset?
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Shortly after he was introduced to the means of that seemingly miraculous turn of events.
"Tarin, this is Varlen, the king-stag of the k'Vala dyheli."
The being so named lowered it's impressive horns in greeting. :Greetings, young mage: Tarin blinked in shock (really, this was beginning to feel like a habit), not so much as from being bespoken but because the creature so speaking looked like a strange breed of deer.
Tarin recovered his scattered wits and inclined his head in greeting. "And to you, hoof-brother." His words were in Shin'a'in, instinctive for addressing a four-legged creature, but Varlen appeared to understand. Tarin continued, forcing his words into Common. "I understand that you are able to help me learn Tayledras?"
:I am: There was a hint of a smile behind the dry mind-voice. :You have been warned that this will be uncomfortable, correct?:
"I have, Stillwater explained the process as we walked over."
The dyheli inclined its head again. :Then you might wish to lie down.:
Having been warned about his probable collapse should he not, Tarin followed the instructions and closed his eyes.
When next he opened them the light seemed unwontedly harsh and his head felt twice the normal size. Stillwater's concerned face abruptly placed itself between Tarin and the light, for which Tarin was immensely grateful. Another person knelt beside him and held out a cup of something strange smelling while helping him to a sitting position. Silverfox gave a rueful glace at the cup. "It tastes abysmal, but it should help the headache."
Tarin did not have to be told twice. He grasped the cup in a shaking hand and downed the dark liquid it contained. "I have been kicked by a horse before, but at least the horse missed my head." Firesong laughed at that.
"Well, it appears that you've not lost your sense of humor at least."
Tarin frowned then suddenly grinned. "I can understand you!"
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To my readers, I am so glad you are enjoying Tarin's story! To those who have not figured out the time period, it is set some years after the Owl trilogy. Yes, I do realize that at the end of those books Firesong had taken up residence in k'Valdemar vale, there is a story behind his relocation which shall be covered in the next chapter.
Etcetera-cat: I also grow weary of proverb-spouting Shin'a'in, though I love the people, which is why you will rarely if ever hear Tarin quote one.
To PrettyKittyOreo, Caoilte, and Snowfire the Kitsune it is always good to hear encouragement!
