A/N~ Well Kyrette isn't here so who shall do my disclaimer? *sigh* I guess I will. Mercedes Lackey owns I do not.
After this chapter is only an epilogue. I'm glad you have all enjoyed it.
Chapter 32~ The Final Healing
K'Varis Vale was quiet. Well, as quiet as a Vale ever got. Birds chattered in the trees. Somewhere distant a waterfall crashed into a pool. The occasional whuffling of a dyheli could be heard. Sharp teeth cropped the grass noisily.
Shadowflame k'Treva, Tayledras ambassador to Haven, sat in a shady spot, her back braced against a tree. She was smiling gently, watching the young dyheli romping around their elders. Darkfire was a black splash among them. She relaxed easily, feeling complete for the first time in a long time.
:You are lazy.: Darkfire teased, grazing contentedly. :One little hard task and you pass out as soon as its over.:
She stuck her tongue out. The energies she'd called had worn her out. Yes the energy came from outside, but the control to wield it was all the mage's own. No tapping of a leyline would replenish that energy.
The mage she'd destroyed was now in the hands of k'Varis and they had readily agreed to holding and containing him. He would never work magic again. A fitting but mild punishment. No, Shadowflame had asked that he live out the rest of his natural days, knowing exactly what had brought him to this. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back.
The little snippet of memory she'd gleaned from him, had been false, a cover for him to hide behind. Since she hadn't really been interested in his motives, it hadn't bothered her much to find out it was a lie.
Now she took her leisure, stalling her departure for Haven. She had recovered from the magical backlash easily. Indeed, she'd been well again for almost two weeks now. Only the Elders of the Vale asking her to wait had made her stay.
A deep snort brought her eyes open. :The Elders asking you to stay was only one reason. Admit it. You wanted to stay to learn more of Wanderstone.: Darkfire raised his head and stared at her intently.
Blushing, she bit her lip. :Alright.: She said at a nudge from her stallion. :I admit. I was…curious.: Darkfire snorted and stamped his foot coming closer. :So, maybe more than curious.: She agreed bashfully.
:He's the only one I've ever met who doesn't treat me differently. He sees me as an equal, a partner. The last being to do that was Ayren.: She ruminated silently for a few moments. :I guess I'm just desperate.:
:Not desperate. Lonely perhaps.: A shadow detached itself from a nearby rock, materializing into Rrussin. :It is the nature of any being to seek out one of its own kind for comfort and companionship. Even one such as I.:
He flopped down beside her, looking for all the world like an overworked farm dog. He gave her a sour look as she sent him that image, causing her to giggle. :The Elders speak today.:
She just nodded and looked up into the sky. A dark speck far above them caused her to smile. Ayren was riding the thermals easily, enjoying the freedom. :Do you know what's going on?: She asked finally, seeing the kyree wasn't going to elaborate.
He shook his head. :My decision does not affect the Vale nor even the kyree and is made. So I am not needed at council and did not go.:
She looked at him, curiosity written plainly on her face. :What decision?:
He smirked, a lupine grin. :That would be telling and ahh here he comes.: He got back to his feet and looked at Darkfire. :Come my large friend. I do not think we are needed here any longer.:
With that both of them trotted off, leaving Shadowflame's curiosity eating at her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wanderstone watched her from across the meadow. The sunlight came through the trees, casting her in light and shadow. Her hair, brightened from her time on the road, shone bright as sunbeams caught it. She watched after Rrussin and Darkfire as they left, frustration and curiosity written for all to see.
He cleared his throat and walked across the meadow, towards her. She looked up, her hand shading her eyes. Smiling, she patted a place next to her for him. A clear invitation.
He sat down with a sigh. Council had been wearying, a necessary evil for what he was about to do. They had agreed to all of it.
"Stuck in Council?" She asked in sympathy. Wanderstone nodded, stretching out on the grass, next to her.
"Many things were accomplished." He said, maddeningly. Shadowflame held her tongue, praying for patience. "Several things were decided and put to rest finally. All of them concerned you, which is why the Elders asked you to stay."
Shadowflame ground her teeth. If he didn't tell her soon, she'd throttle him.
He opened one eye, seeing her clenched jaw. He barely kept the smile off his face. "I will tell you. The first thing decided was to keep the mage under tight shields. Even with what you did to him, there may be a small chance for Healing." She nodded, seeing no harm in it. "Next decided was the raising of your status. The Council voted, unanimously I add, to grant you Adept status. Your control of the Heartstone, when fighting the mage, was enough proof of your skill for them." Her mouth dropped open. She hadn't expected that!
While he had her off balance, he'd drop the rest of the decision on her. The last decision was what had taken so long. Several had been against it but had relented in the end.
"The final decision, the one that took the longest, was the releasing of a scout to return to Haven with you. If you so wish for such company." He waited until she'd digested all of it.
"Why would I need a scout to show me back to Haven? None from k'Varis have been there." She cocked her head to the side, studying him.
He felt himself flush a bit as he cleared his throat. "It was thought you might enjoy the company."
Ayren came down to land on a log near her. She reached out and scratched him easily, appearing to think about what Wanderstone had said. Ayren was grooming himself easily. He gently put the feather she's asked for in her hand. Ruffling himself, he took to the air once more.
Shadowflame dropped the feather, next to her, carefully, to make sure the scout hadn't seen it. "Why would I need company?" She finally asked. "I have Ayren and Darkfire, plenty of company for me."
Wanderstone sat up exasperated. He ran a hand through his hair, pulling slightly on the beads. Now it was his turn to pray for patience. :She's testing you.: The stallion's deep MindVoice said. :No one has ever offered what you are. All she wants is for you to ask to accompany her back and then tell her why. 'Flame needs to know its for her and not for her rank or anything else.:
Wanderstone closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He'd had his lovers. Still, he'd never felt for any of them the odd things he felt for Shadowflame. "Ambassador Shadowflame, may I have the honor of returning to Haven with you?" She sucked in a breath, not expecting him to be so forthright. He turned to look at her earnestly. "I have been released from duty here. I want to come with you."
Her eyes went soft for a moment then narrowed. She stood, briskly brushing off her trews. "I appreciate the offer. But I have no need of escort or company." She went to move past, but he caught her arm gently.
"The Ambassador doesn't. But what of 'Flame?" He felt her stiffen and removed his hand. "I want to go with you, Shadowflame. Not because you're the ambassador but because you're beautiful, strong, intelligent. I don't give a damn who your brother is or who your father was. I want to go with the impudent woman I met in the forest. You could be going anywhere, and give up your position as Ambassador and I would still want to go with you."
'Flame braced herself and looked into his eyes. The deep sincerity there was what drew down her final wall and had her accepting his very wonderful offer of company. And more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They stood on the rise, looking down on the twisting metropolis that was Haven. Above them her eagle and his falcon rode the thermals lazily. Wanderstone was riding the former bodyguard's beast.
The trip back to Haven had been easy, taken at a leisurely pace. They'd only run past one Herald, who hadn't recognized 'Flame or Darkfire and they'd left it that way. Rrussin sat on his haunches beside Wanderstone. :That place stinks!: He said sneezing.
'Flame laughed, shifting in her saddle. "The Field and the ekele won't be so bad, my friend. And the faster we go through, the faster we'll be able to settle in and get out of our saddles."
"Let's go," Wanderstone said in undisguised relief. Riding dyheli was one thing, but he'd not gotten used to handling the horse. Today was the first day he'd ridden the beast. 'Flame had been riding it because she was the better rider.
She chuckled and kneed Darkfire down the hill. The other horse stepped out smartly. A mental tap from Ayren made her look up. Two larger figures had joined the bondbirds. Seemed they wouldn't be getting into Haven with being noticed after all. Another mental tap made Wanderstone look at her. She pointed up. He looked up and saw what she did. He smiled, slightly looking definitely uneasy. Rrussin had stuck close between the two horses when they approached the gate.
'Flame gave the gate Guard their name and told him not to pass on their arrival to the Collegium. He winked at her and agreed. They wove through the streets, Rrussin walking behind Darkfire and before Wanderstone.
They drew stares. 'Flame was used to that and didn't pay much attention to it. :Easy, love.: She told Wanderstone. :Not too long now.:
:Gods! How do so many people live this close together?: Rrussin asked in disgust.
:Easy, Rrussin. See the big wall up ahead? That surrounds the Palace compound. We'll be there soon.: 'Flame reassured both of them.
Sure enough, they made it to the wall shortly and were passed on by another Guard, this one in midnight blue. She immediately turned toward a large Field, where several of the Companions waited.
"Rolan!" Shadowflame called good-naturedly. "You mean to tell me there's no welcoming committee?" The stallion shook his head and snorted. 'Flame swung off of Darkfire. "Elspeth back yet?" Another head shake and another snort. "Everyone in Council?" This time the stallion nodded. "Well, seems I came at a good time then. Bye Rolan, thanks!" She led Darkfire off, followed closely by Wanderstone and Rrussin both uncomfortable in the odd surroundings. Shadowflame turned Darkfire loose in Companion's Field and took Wanderstone over to the Royal stables, turning the other horse over to the stablehands. She quickly led them into the Field, towards the ekele.
Sure enough they had just enough time to bathe and change before they were descended upon. Wanderstone stayed back, while several Heralds and Tayledras who could only be Firesong and his father Starfall, and the Kaled'a'in Silverfox. :Come rescue me!: She Sent desperately, while keeping the smile on her face.
:No!: He Sent back impudently. He only got a flash of a mental grin before she held up her hands for silence.
She quickly got it. "Alright! I'm fine, the mage will never harm another and is under close watch at k'Varis. Now I'm only going to tell everyone once. The Elders at k'Varis elevated me to Adept. So watch out big brother!" Everyone laughed, including the man in question. "Oh and this is Wanderstone, he and I have decided to get married. Now can I have something to eat? I am starved!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N~ Reviewer Thanks~
Wizard116~ Only 1 left now.
Shahanna~ No I couldn't make her like him.
Etcetera-cat~ Thanks love, you're one of my longest supporters. I hope you enjoy the end.
Kathleen~ Thank you
Hawk~ Not much more to get to. And HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!
Queen's Own~ I'm actually wondering if he hasn't left…
Fireblade~ dearie I got 2 other chaptered efforts in the works… by the by can I borrow Sheherazade? Jelana isn't responding to my threats.. So I need to use your scary muse!
LurksinShadows~ FINALLY! Heh…