A/N~ So poor 'Flame caught by Change wolves.
Kyrette~ :We are coming closer to the end, my friends and still I must beg for reviews. No, I don't know how many more chapters we have until the end. Still, it is coming.: *gets scratches from Cat* :Lovely author I have here. Anyways I wish to say, yet again, that neither Cat nor I own anything. Misty Lackey owns it all. We love her for it too.:
Cat~ Well, as he said, the end is coming. I know things still must be wrapped up a lot, and the mage is still alive. Still…..Time stands still for no man no matter what the mage may think!
Chapter 27 Thoughts
Wanderstone did not spend as restful a night as his four-legged companion. His mind kept turning over horrible fates befalling 'Flame. Ayren's restless shifting on the branch above his head did not help. His own falcon, Jaarthe, clacked at him angrily. :Bond-mate think too loud.: He ruffled his feathers and shook off the early morning dew. :Now time to hunt.: He took to the sky, with barely a sound, searching for his breakfast.
:I agree,: Ayren said, just before taking to the sky. Wanderstone sighed and broke out his own trail rations. By his count, he still had two days before Shadowflame arrived.
:Sundown of the second day,: 'Flame's MindVoice told him.
He grabbed at his rations, swearing that she had so startled him. :How can you do that?: He asked, not bothering to hide his irritation. She was so worried about the mage catching her, yet she was blithely using her Gift of MindSpeech to contact him.
:Actually, I'm not sure,: she admitted, her Voice shading pink. :I have a theory about it. However, I was never a very powerful Mage before the Storm that caught me. Master-level had been a trial for me to attain.: He could almost see the shrug. :Now things are so simple. I wonder sometimes just what was Changed about us.: Her MindVoice was now tinged blue with thoughtfulness. :I may have to have that brother of mine work it out with me when I get back.:
Wanderstone chuckled. He had no doubt that she could get her brother around to her way of thinking. :So, going to drag that brother of yours into helping?:
The false innocence radiating from her caused him to start chuckling harder. :Would I do a thing like that?:
Wanderstone just smiled. :You were a terror as a child weren't you? Tomorrow evening then?:
:Tomorrow evening.: She confirmed and broke the link. She turned her attention back to her two traveling companions.
The bodyguard was still pale and slumped over his saddle. The mage was muttering to himself again. That was unnerving to say the least. He was usually either pouring over his maps or muttering. Both were beginning to grate on her nerves.
Still he paid no attention as she led the way, into the trap. As long as he didn't suspect anything, she was able to tolerate his idiosyncrasies.
She ducked under another branch and rode on. :You like that scout.: Darkfire said suddenly. :You like him.:
It wasn't a question. It also caught her so off guard that she barely held in her gasp. :I do not. He's a partner nothing more.: Darkfire snorted and crow hopped a bit to tell her what he thought of that. :He's only a partner, horse. Nothing more. Besides, I don't even know him.: Darkfire whickered a bit as one of the other horses came a bit closer. 'Flame was not fooled. She knew damned well he was snickering at her. :What?: She demanded.
He turned to look at her so he could see her out of one eye. :I remember you telling me you can't lie mind-to-mind. Now you aren't trying to lie to me. But you have been speaking with this scout. Surely, you've gotten a 'feel' for what he's like.:
'Flame grumbled to herself. She really regretted, now, letting Darkfire spend so much time in Companion's Field. If what several Heralds had told her was half-true, it seemed their logic had rubbed off onto Darkfire. :I was content to stay in the Royal Stables. You insisted I stay in the Field. You've only yourself to blame.:
'Flame just ignored him. He may constantly be in her mind. That didn't mean she had to pay any attention to him. She resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at the back of his head. The mage and the bodyguard were close by and she was afraid they would see. That would not do her any good.
The mage called her name softly. She reined Darkfire in gently and held back until she was even with the mage, turning her blank eyes on him. "I want to stop early tonight. Beside a stream, if possible."
Smoke nodded and moved Darkfire up beside the bodyguard. Without slowing, she dismounted, grabbed her bow and handed the bodyguard the reins. Without a backward glance she melted into the forest.
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Starfall was not a happy Adept. It had been weeks since Firesong had invoked the low level spell he'd placed on Shadowflame's blade. Starfall was worried that they'd heard nothing.
Now he was leaving Haven and going back to k'Valdemar vale. He would leave first thing in the morning. All he'd asked was for Firesong to invoke the spell again and see if he could find 'Flame. He only wanted to know she was alright before he left. At least, that's what he was telling himself.
Firesong, however, was being incredibly stubborn and refusing to do it. "I am not going to jeopardize her, Father. The first time we were incredibly lucky not to have been caught. She was right to be angry. Think what could have happened to her if that mage had detected us!"
Starfall rubbed his forehead. "What if something has already happened to her?" He asked, worriedly.
"Then I don't know. K'Varis knows she's out there and that there is a rogue mage with her. If anything Ayren will fly for there. She's not totally alone." Firesong put a hand on his father's shoulder. "Get some sleep, father. You have a long trip ahead of you."
Starfall nodded and left for his own bed. Firesong let him go, barely keeping his composure. He then sank into a chair, hanging his head into his hands. "Gods! I wished I did dare try it! Ashke, what could be happening with her out there? She could be hurt or captured or…."
"Or fine and holding her own. Do not borrow trouble, love. For all you know, she could already be on her way back." Silverfox took his mate's hands in his. "Trust your sister to know what she's doing."
Firesong snorted out a laugh. "I guess she's been caring for herself this long. Still, I had her back for so short a time. I just wish I could know she was alright."
Silverfox sighed. Firesong was fixated. He wouldn't let it go until he knew something definite. "Isn't there anyway you could ask k'Varis? Surely they'd have heard from their scout, if nothing else."
Firesong's head snapped up. Then he began cursing himself as an idiot. He could contact k'Varis. He drew in a deep breath. "You, ashke, are a genius." He kissed Silverfox quickly and then closed his eyes.
Silverfox chuckled and went to see about one young Bardic student who'd been having trouble. Since coming to Haven, he'd found more for himself to do. While not returning to full kestra'chern duties, it was nice to help where he could.
Firesong reached for the Heartstone. It answered readily to his Call. He took that extra energy and opened himself up. Reaching down and out, he pushed his mind to k'Varis. :Elder Snowblade?: Firesong could feel the older Adept's surprise but pleasure at hearing from him again. :We've heard nothing from Shadowflame. Have you heard from your scout?: He tried to keep the query light. Yet some of his concern leaked across.
:Wanderstone. Very steady. A bit footloose, but always dependable. Checks in every other day.: Firesong could feel the other man's grin. :Seems everything is going just fine. Tomorrow night he should check in. If you contact me tomorrow night, I can tell you what he says.:
Firesong sighed in relief. Everything was fine. He was sure now that 'Flame had been talking to the scout. The scout, this Wanderstone, was reporting back to k'Varis regularly. He could relax.
:Can you pass on a message for me?: Firesong asked, thinking quickly. The assent was quick and sure. Firesong sent the message and then broke the link. 'Flame was just fine. She had help. He stood and went to tell his father what he had learned.
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Starfall let his son out and then sat on his bed and absently stroked his bird. 'Flame was fine, or so k'Varis believed. Starfall trusted that, not at all. He continued thinking until the soft voice of a hertasi interrupted him. "Do you need anything?" This young male was bolder than most, often speaking to his charge. Starfall only shook his head and continued scratching his falcon. "I think you need to speak to someone." The young male said boldly and a bit breathlessly.
Starfall turned in surprise. Ayshen was the boldest hertasi he knew and even he rarely was so bold.
If a lizard could blush, the young male did so now. "I beg your pardon, Adept. I just wish to help." He didn't turn to leave as Starfall expected but, instead, stood and waited.
Starfall sighed and looked away. He had things to begin planning. He wasn't returning to k'Valdemar. He was going straight for k'Varis. He wanted to be close to where she was. Be on hand in case his help was needed. Extra Adepts were always welcomed when dealing with anything out of the ordinary.
And a rogue mage was definitely out of the ordinary. Starfall's strength lay in directing magical flows, not in battling others. Still he had to be a help somewhere. K'Valdemar really didn't need him. He was not indispensable, there or here in Haven. He was free to travel to k'Varis and help her.
He looked over at the young hertasi again and smiled. "I know you wish to help. There is nothing you can possibly do. I am only going home." He looked out his window, hating the lie. Still, it was a necessary one.
"If you are only going back to k'Valdemar, why are you taking supplies enough to last you almost a month?" He stepped farther into the room. "I think you are going to k'Varis." Starfall didn't look at him. "May I come with you?"
The question caught Starfall off guard and his mouth hung open for a moment. "What makes you think I am not going straight home?"
The hertasi snorted. "You are not going to k'Valdemar. You are carrying too many supplies. I wish to go with you."
Starfall stared at him and then sighed in conceded defeat. The younglings jaw was firmed with the eternal sign of stubbornness, that every young one got when asking to do something. He was defeated. Starfall didn't feel it though. He nodded his head in acceptance. "Thank you." The hertasi nodded and left.
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Smoke appeared at the mage's stirrup like, well, like smoke. She had in her hand a couple tree hares, a pheasant and a long stiff branch, sharpened to a point. She pointed up ahead and then went to lead the way.
She took her horse's reins from the bodyguard, never saying a word. She led them to a very small clearing next to a stream. She quickly stripped and groomed her own horse and the mage's, while the bodyguard gathered firewood after caring for his own mount.
Smoke then left them alone and went upstream a bit. Taking her improvised stake, she quickly speared three fish. Bringing them back, she cleaned them and began baking them in the red hot coals of the fire.
After dinner, they all sat back and relaxed a bit. Smoke pulled out her blade and began sharpening it again. The bodyguard redressed his wounds then did the same. The mage watched them both. While they were so preoccupied, he began weaving his subtle spell. This one would creep into them over the next few days. It would gradually take control of their minds, giving him control over them. The spell settled into place, bringing a small smile to his face. Neither would suspect anything. And if they did it was too late.
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A/N~ quick reviewer thanks and then we're gone till next chapter
mysticmoods~ Well dear they didn't want to help her in the first place. So only one was sent because that's all she asked for. and Wanderstone prefers to work alone.
Shahanna~ Oh dear is right! what am I gonna do with them?
wizard116~ Not yet my dear. not yet…….
Katsiebee~ *looks innocent* would I do that?
Gee not that many… where is everyone else?