A/N- Alright my keyboard was broken but now its back.

Kyrette- :Which means I have to work now.: *sigh* :Still I had almost 3 weeks off and Jelana has gone missing so I must work.:

Scaretta- I also gets to work, you smelly cat-dog. So don't take all the credit for yourself. Hurry up with Cat I have work to do!

Cat- *sigh* The joy of having too many muses and too many stories going at once. So Kyrette disclaimer if you will.

Kyrette: *grumbling about stupid Fairies* :Cat and I own nothing. All things about Velgarth, Heralds, etc belong to that lovely Lady Mercedes Lackey.:

Cat- Thank you, sweetheart. Now on with the chapter!

Chapter 16- A Letter of Explanation

She had to tell people quickly. 'Flame excused herself without an explanation. She walked quickly toward Companion's Field, where Darkfire stood, with his head over the fence, stealing treats from some of the littles gathered there. 'Flame stole up behind them and saw most were nobility. All the ones gathered were uncoupled Companions, who were gladly soaking up the attention.

She crouched down behind one of the older littles, winking at one of the nannies. "You see that big black one there? He'll steal all your treats if you're not careful." The little turned wide eyes on 'Flame. "You know why he's black?" The surrounding littles shook their heads. "Too many treats. He turned black instead of getting fat!" All of them giggled. Darkfire just snorted. 'Flame stood easily. "Move it tubby." She said sternly. The littles all groaned. "Sorry, he has work to do. But," she continued when they all kept protesting. Everyone got very quiet. "If your nurses and parents agree come tomorrow about midmorning and he'll give all of you a ride. Right Darkfire?" She winked at her stallion that nodded and snorted. 'Flame then turned to the nannies. "If you bring them we'll gladly give them short rides and they can meet Ayren, my bondbird." They all nodded though several looked skeptical.

'Flame smiled to herself as Darkfire shadowed her as they walked along. When they were far enough away from the children she vaulted the fence and walked beside her horse. :I need you to get to Ahrodie and have her tell Daren that I need a meeting of the usual suspects. I'll bring the Tayledras and Alberich.:

Darkfire looked at her. :Why?: He asked her. In response she just sent the image she had seen of the two men riding toward Haven. He shivered and nodded to her. He trotted off in the direction of the other Companions.

'Flame jumped the fence again and walked toward the salle. Alberich shouldn't have gone out yet. She hoped so at any rate. When she got to his private quarters she was glad to see a light on. After she knocked the door was opened and Alberich stepped aside to allow her in. She stepped quickly in and he shut the door behind her. "I have something to tell you." Quickly she did, leaving out nothing but small details that were hers alone. Alberich listened in silence, not interrupting. "You're sure you aren't over reacting?" He asked using Karsite.

'Flame slowed her breathing and controlled her fear. "No, I'm not sure. But I wanted you to know so that if you happen to see them you'd know who they were." She replied in the same language. "I just find it odd that this one survived when all the others did not."

Alberich nodded and promised her he'd keep his ears open. She accepted that as all he could promise and left. :They're coming to the ekele.: Darkfire Sent her as she jumped the fence one more time and walked back to the ekele herself. She nodded absently wondering what she was going to tell them that didn't sound insane or paranoid or both. :Will we leave?: He asked still walking easily along side her.

:No,: she said suddenly deciding. She would not run this time. Sayvil jumped in front of her and she stopped dead. Reaching up to scratch the mare's crest, she smiled slightly. Although Kero had come back, 'Flame hadn't seen much of her, not being strong enough yet to practice weapons or take the equitation course. Kero came trotting over from the other side of the field.

"Glad I caught you," She said falling into step with them, one arm draped over her Companion. "I have something for you." She held out a letter of some sort. 'Flame took it with a puzzled look. Kero just shrugged and mounted Sayvil, trotting off.

'Flame looked at the writing on the front and recognized it as Darkwind's hand. She calmly finished the walk back to the ekele.

Firesong was chatting with Darian while Starfall and Keisha played a game of hinds and hounds. Silverfox wasn't outside but she could hear him moving around in the ekele. "We're having company," Starfall said without taking his eyes off of the board. "Can you tell us why?" He moved a piece, still not looking at her.

'Flame studied the board. He would win if he was careful in three moves or less depending on Keisha. "Business. I'll tell everyone at once. Silverfox inside?" He nodded and moved again. He had just lost the game but 'Flame wasn't about to tell him.

Silverfox was puttering around getting things together for their guests. She had known he would be. So, she just stepped in his way and waited. He saw her before he ran into her at least. "Do me a favor?" She asked softly. He only nodded. She was acting oddly and he was curious to see what she had to ask. "Read this to me. I can't read it to myself."

Silverfox took the letter, recognizing Darkwind's writing easily. He sat down in one of the chairs and she moved behind him to braid his long hair. He didn't really mind and it kept her hands busy. He tore open the letter as she separated the strands into three equal parts and began untangling some of it. He barely noticed the slight tugs as she worked out the knots she found.

Silverfox read the letter quietly, knowing she was consciously keeping her eyes on her task. He read it twice before putting it down in shock. The letter told her everything: who her father was, why she had been made the ambassador, everything. He took her strong, callused hand in his own and tugged her around. He didn't know all that this would do to her but she had to be told. He began by putting her in the chair next to himself and then pouring her a large glass of wine. She was going to need it before he was done.

He let her get settled before he took up the letter again. He sat in the chair next to her and unfolded it again.

"'Shadowflame,

Elspeth and I have ridden to both k'Vala and k'Treva. We did as you asked and asked the questions that you needed answers to. Kero found us easily and told us what had happened to you. I hope this gives you the answers you seek.'" Silverfox stopped for a moment and studied 'Flame. She just nodded for him to go on.

He sighed and began reading again. "'While no one at k'Vala knew who your father was, we experienced some luck. Another scout from k'Treva was visiting and could give us some information.

"Apparently, when your uncle died, he had left instructions for you not to be brought back to the vale. They followed those instructions though many thought it cruel. Along with those instructions were some letters from your mother, asking after you and telling something of herself. I will send those later, if you wish. Elspeth took the liberty of reading the letters and found the one bit of information that I'm sure is the only thing you care about.'" Again Silverfox stopped and looked at 'Flame, seeing how tense she was.

Her hands had curled around the chairs arms and gripped so tightly that her knuckles were white. She just nodded curtly for him to continue. Finally she would know who her father was! He turned back to the letter and took a deep breath. "'Your mother, in one of her final letters, revealed the identity of your father. It never mentioned his name but after some judicious questioning we learned who he was.'" Again Silverfox stopped and looked at her before he continued. He wasn't sure that he should be reading this. When he took in her tense muscles and iron control of herself, he dismissed his fears and continued reading. Helping her to deal with this was one of the things his kestra'chern training was for.

"'Your mother's parents both died in a scouting and hunting accident, together. Starfall was unreachable and she was alone with her grief. Visiting the vale at the time was a Shin'a'in shaman. She went to him to speak about her grief. Nothing malicious was intended. Still, as they say, one thing led to another. Your mother felt very guilty about that night, as her later letters reflected. He gave her comfort in the way that she needed and could not have found elsewhere at least not in the vale. Seh'arin shena Li'ha'irden never knew of you until you went to stay with the Shin'a'in for those two years. Then he thought it was too late and kept his peace. He was sure you hated him. After the Storms and it was obvious that you did not want to stay with them, he prevailed upon friends to give you a high quality steed.

"I'm sorry I can't tell you more. Unfortunately, he died last year after taking a winter chill. I do not know if anyone in the clan could tell you more.

"As well, I found out many things that lead to the way your life has come to pass. When you were hurt, no one quite knew what to do for you. You were obviously not a dangerous Change-Child and neither was Darkfire. They did the only thing their own Healers could think of to do. They sent you to Haven, where the best MindHealers were available. Yet they knew your pride would not allow you to ask for help. So, they made you the ambassador.

"You were never meant to be denied the vales, 'Flame. Many people have missed you here. I hope that this heals the last of your pain. Your family still loves you.

"Wind to thy wings wing-sib, Darkwind and Elspeth.'"

'Flame covered her face with her hands, tears leaking between her fingers. She now knew everything. It had all been a series of misunderstandings, mostly on her part. She had denied herself the vales. It had been all her fault. All this time she had blamed Starfall and others and it had been her fault. She had caused her own misery. She had been so sure that everything was someone else's fault that she had isolated herself.

She dried her tears though. Now was not the time to wallow in her own misery. One of the mages that had harmed her was on his way into Haven with unknown intentions. First, she would handle this. Then she would sit down and have a long talk with herself.

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A/N- So now we all know who 'Flame's father is. No one expected it to be a Shin'a'in shaman did ya?? So thankees out to one person only this time:

It's etcetera-cat who gave me the name for 'Flame's father. She was very kind to do so. So I hope everyone enjoyed the news at last. Now what is 'Flame gonna do now with that pesky mage?? Hmmmmmmmmm

Kyrette- :I'll never tell: *grins*

Cat- *rolls eyes* Funny funny Kyrette. R & R folks!!! Kyrette needs the love!

Kyrette- :I need the love! No one here loves me! Send scratches!:

Cat- See? Told ya! See you with a new chapter soon I hope!