Chapter Four- Thoughts

Notes- Thanks to everyone who's given me feedback so far! I'm very glad you're all enjoying this. And yes, I've read almost all of the Valdemar books out there, except for the new Alberich books. And I've been reading them all at least once every two years since I was about… oh, I don't know. Ten? Twelve? Whenever the heck the Owl Trilogy came out… I've also read her Elvenblood books, and her Bard series, and two books co-written by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill- "Spirits White As Lightning" and "Beyond World's End", not necessarily in that order. Kory is mine, by the way.

And yes, I can read new books at the same time. ^^;

Please enjoy the next chapter. Sorry it's so short, but I've got a lot on my plate right now.

Warning- Implied m/m, though you should expect that if Firesong and Silverfox are anywhere in any story. If you don't like that sort of pairing, then why on earth are you reading Mercedes Lackey books? Go read something else!

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Firesong eased into the pool in the center of his miniature Vale, sighing in pleasure and relief as the steaming water already began to work at his muscles as quickly as Silverfox could. His eyes closed as he squirmed slightly, settling into the right spot for leaning against the wall of the pool. Soon, he had found his favorite spot, where he could sit with only his chin above the water, and still keep an eye on Silverfox.

Speaking of his shay'creth'ashke…

The man opened an eye to see his partner following his movements, though doing so much more gracefully than Firesong could have ever hoped to copy. In a way, it was irritating to think that Silverfox could do things so… so smoothly.

Then again, it was lovely eye candy when the time called for it.

Silverfox noticed Firesong watching and gave him a warm smile. "A penny for your thoughts, ashke?" he offered.

"I was thinking about grace," Firesong said, and left it at that- at least in words. He let his eyes roam over his partner for a moment, before sighing and leaning back. "Too bad for us; I've got a session with Firedance in a candlemark."

"How are you and your new student getting along?" Silverfox asked casually, braiding his own hair back and tying it up so it wouldn't get wet.

Huh, I forgot to do that for my hair. Oh well, I can live with wet hair.. no one can tell anyway, since it's always the same shade of silver…

Firesong replied, "Well enough. No arguments as of yet, though I have a feeling that there will be some eventually."

"Oh?"

Firesong knew that tone of indifference; Silverfox was using his verbal abilities as a kestra'chern to gain more information.

Well, it's not like I mind anymore. It's Silverfox, after all. I don' t fear his opinion any more, now that we've been together for this long. The worst he could do is suggest that I get medical help.

So Firesong considered his words thoughtfully, trying to figure out what needed to be said without another thought as to what Silverfox was up to.

"For some reason that I cannot find, he is uneasy about ley-lines any thicker than one's smallest finger," he said. "And he refuses to go anywhere near the Palace's Heartstone."

"That shows sense," Silverfox pointed out.

The mage shook his head. "It's not just caution, ashke. When we met for our morning session, I told him to link with one of the direct ley-lines, one that leads right to the Heartstone. And why not? He has the skill and the strength to hold and gain energy from that ley-line. I know; he doesn't waste a drop of his energy."

"Amazing, for one so young," Silverfox mused. "Perhaps he is merely uneasy because his Vale does not hold such large ley-lines or Heartstones?"

"Or perhaps his family was affected by those backlashes from the Mage Wars," Firesong said unhappily. "It is a possibility, though not one I would like if it were true. I'd rather just have him afraid because he's a stubborn prig, not because he has a good reason."

Silverfox laughed at that, and lightly splashed at his partner. "Poor Firesong, need someone to squabble with?" he teased.

"Well, Karal is busy being a diplomat, I'm busy being a teacher, you're busy doing naughty things in the name of the kestra'chern-" Firesong yelped as Silverfox splashed him again. "Watch it! I've got to be somewhat dry when I go teach Firedance!"

Silverfox grinned at that, and splashed Firesong once more before settling down. "We have been busy, though not in the same ways," he reflected. "There's nothing particularly.. stressful lately, to keep your mind off of the more mundane things. I suppose you're bored, in a way."

"I shouldn't be. I have a good student who's just afraid of a Heartstone. I should be pleased to have one that may be Adept material in a couple of years, even with the backlashes giving mages everywhere bad headaches and the magic deciding to up and move itself wherever it pleases."

"Hmm." Silverfox shrugged, then smiled as something came to him. "Think of it this way- would you rather have this life, or the life of one who has been cursed with that certain Shin'a'in saying?"

Firesong laughed. "You're right." He looked at his wet hair ruefully. "Well, I should really go and get dried off. My session is in half a 'mark now."

"Right." Silverfox watched appreciatively as Firesong left the pool. "Oh, Firesong?"

"Yes?"

"About me being busy…"

Firesong turned while still attempting to towel his hair. "What about it?"

Silverfox's grin returned. "My schedule is cleared this evening. Perhaps we can practice together on doing… hmm, naughty things in the name of the kestra'chern profession?"

Firesong smiled. "What an idea. I'll take it under advisement."

He managed to dodge all but one splash of hot water aimed his way as he hurried off to get dressed.

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