Chapter Three: The Field
Kris led her outside to a large field. Two white horses were waiting at the fence, one of whom looked very familiar. With a start, Kalira realized that they weren't horses, but Companions. She sprinted over before leaning, chest heaving on Rolan's shoulder. The other Companion –Laya she presumed- nuzzled Kris' hair. He laughed. "I love you too sweetling," he said cheerfully. Then he turned to Kalira. "I'm going to go borrow some of my sister's clothes. You two look similar enough in size that if I get something a little small for her, it'll be a little big for you. Wait here with Rolan and Laya." Without any further ado, he sprinted off in the direction of a large building.
:The Collegium,: Rolan supplied. She smiled gratefully at him.
"I love you," she murmured. He pranced. Laya snorted. Kalira realized with a start that she was about to collapse where she stood. Hesitantly, she put one foot on the fence, grabbed Rolan's mane and pulled herself onto his back. He stood completely still, something which surprised her. Ricki had never stood still, even for a minute.
:But I am not like Ricki,: Rolan reminded her. :I am not a horse, Chosen.: Kalira looked at him.
"Why are you snooping in my head?" she accused.
:Not snooping,: Rolan corrected. :You aren't shielded, love.: She felt distinctly annoyed.
"Great," she muttered. Kris' laughter startled her. "Back so soon?" she asked, turning to him. He carried what looked like a shirt and pants in his hands. By way of answering, he pulled her off of Rolan's back and handed her his bundle.
"I'll show you where the tack shed is," he said quickly. "You can change in the loft."
"Kris," she said hesitantly. "I can't walk. Gating, I guess." He grinned sheepishly.
"Sorry. I should have known. Anyway, in that case, I'll put you back up on Rolan's back and he can take you down there. When we get to the shed, I'll carry you." Without giving her time to object, he lifted her up. She grabbed Rolan's mane and pulled herself on. Without her having to nudge him forward, he broke into a slow, easy walk. Kris walked beside her in companionable silence, his arm on Laya's neck.
She found herself hearing all about Kris' life and Valdemar itself. He confirmed much of what she had learned by reading; his parents were Queen Selenay and Prince-Consort Daren, Chosen by the Companions Caryo and Jasen respectively. Daren was Selenay's second husband. Elspeth's father had been killed trying to assassinate his wife. Daren showed up about twenty years later with the armies of Rethwellan to fight Ancar of Hardorn. He'd been Chosen and discovered that he was lifebonded to Selenay while on the battlefield. Elspeth had abdicated when Kris was only about four years old. Then, in the few years after, she played a major part in the mage wars. Laya had been Chosen first by her Companion Doni, so she was the Heir.
Kalira was saved from having to tell about her own life by the arrival of the shed. Kris pulled her off Rolan's back and –despite her protests that she could walk, she only needed someone to lean on- carried her up to the loft. "Shout when you're dressed," he said, talking quietly for some reason or another that Kalira couldn't guess. "I'll come carry you down."
"I can do it myself!" Kalira protested. Kris grinned.
"Rolan doesn't want to go out and Choose again if you fall down the stairs and break your neck," Kris pointed out. "Even if you do make it down, there's no sense taking chances." He walked down the stairs. Grumbling about stubborn princes and evil Gates, Kalira pulled on the brown breeches and blue shirt.
"Kris!" she called. "You asked for it, come carry me!" In a flash, Kris was up in the loft. He picked her up careful and walked down to the waiting Companions. Boosting her onto Rolan's back, he turned and walked inside. "Where are you going?" she asked. He turned back to look at her.
"You left your clothes upstairs," he reminded her. Turning, he sprinted with an ease Kalira envied into the shed, emerging several minutes later with her clothes over his arm. He handed them up to her and swung up onto Laya's back. She turned and trotted smoothly away, Rolan keeping pace beside her. Kalira had never had the best seat on horseback, but Rolan's gaits were so easy, she found herself sitting with a grace she never knew she possessed. All too soon, they were back at the fence and Kris was helping her off Rolan's back.
"I swear," he muttered. "If I have to do this much longer, I'll have to get someone else out here to carry you." She laughed.
"I'm not that heavy," she protested.
"What have you been eating?" he asked in mock concern.
"Oh, the usual," she answered off handedly. "Pizza, chips, soda-" she let her voice trail off. Kris looked at her, confused.
"What's that?" he asked. Kalira almost giggled. Then, she remembered with a jolt. She was not in Massachusetts anymore.
"Toto," she murmured. "I'm not in Kansas anymore." Kris just stared at her blankly. "Stuff from my world," she answered. He didn't ask for any more information, so she didn't give it. Instead, he changed the subject, telling her Collegium gossip so she'd be at least slightly prepared for what was in front of her.