A/N Sorry I haven't updated in so long! Life, ya know? So, here's your chap.

Chapter Six: Confuzzled

Kalira ran to the fence and threw her arms around Rolan's neck. :Confused, aren't you.: Rolan's sympathy was obvious.

"I'm being catapulted into this world," she murmured, frustrated. "It's not that I don't like it- I'm just confused, love." She jumped when Kris put a hand on her shoulder.

"I don't know if it would help-" He thought for a moment. "Would you like to go for a ride with Rolan?" Kalira brightened.

"I'd love that," she said. "Thanks Kris. You and Laya can come too if you want."

"No thanks," he said. "You and Rolan need time to talk." She nodded, climbing the fence boards as she did. Easily, she dropped onto Rolan's back. He began an easy walk without the slightest cue from her, a sensation that was pleasing as it drove home the point that she was no longer Kalira Jacobson. Instead, she was Herald-Trainee Kalira, Chosen of Rolan, Monarchs' Own in Training.

:You are confused,: Rolan prompted.

"I'm confused," Kalira agreed. "I don't want to be stuck here for the rest of my life! I had a good life, a boyfriend, a family that loved me-"

:A weird sixth sense that made you the one that everyone came to after a breakup or fight.: Rolan finished. She looked at him, startled.

"How did you-"

:You're my Chosen, dearheart. That was your Gift of Empathy coming into play.:

"Oh." She stopped, then continued. "I miss Kade, Tami- all my friends! And my family! And-" She realized she was whining and winced. "Sorry."

:It's alright. I understand.:

"How could you? You're a Grove-born Companion; there's no where you belong but here." Kalira realized she was yelling at her Companion and immediately felt sorry. "Rolan- I'm sorry- that was totally wrong of me."

:It's alright,: he repeated. Regret tinged his words. :You should open up to me Kalira. I can help you.:

"How?"

:First, I can explain things that might not make sense. Second- opening up helps. Kalira-if you should open up to anyone it should not be just me. Kris also wants to help in any way he can.:

"Kris? Why him? That's completely random!"

:Maybe, maybe not.:

"Companions love to not make sense, don't they."

:It's a talent of ours, Chosen.: Kalira gave an exasperated sigh.

"Companions!"

:That is what I am.:

"Stop being a smart ass Rolan. The dignified, agelessly wise, Grove-born fits you so much better."

:You know, I don't believe anyone's ever called me that before.:

"Good. It was about time." She lapsed into unhappiness again, as soon as Rolan stopped talking. Gods, it was so easy!

:Can I help?:

"No," she said curtly. She dismounted from Rolan's back and ran in a sudden burst of fury and unhappiness. All she knew was that she was running away from her Companion who served to remind her of how much she'd lost to gain him. Her friends, her family- her life!! Well not exactly, but her home and the only life she'd ever known. And all she'd gotten out of it was an overly concerned prince and a talking horse.

Immediately she felt bad for thinking that. Rolan was definitely not a horse, and Kris was just being really nice. Really, really nice. And she was still stuck here.

She came to the fence and climbed over. And kept running. When she reached the Collegium, she slowed to a walk and walked quickly to her room. She collapsed on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Why her? And why now? She was thirteen years old, had a really good life, and a boyfriend, and now it had all been taken away from her!! Just for the sake of some talking horse. Life wasn't fair.

She looked outside the window. Night was falling. It was getting darker. All of a sudden, exhaustion hit her like a sledge hammer. She fell into sleep faster than she ever had before.

She woke in the middle of the night with a growling stomach. She was hungry. Obviously, some one had checked in on her and had come to the conclusion that she would do exactly that, as was evidenced by the food sitting on a side table. She wolfed down the bread, cheese and gulped down the water. As she fell back into bed, still tired, faces swam up in front of her. As exhaustion no longer had a hold on her, she watched the faces of her family and friends swim up in front of her. The realization hit her yet again that she would never again have sleepovers with Tami and stay up all night watching movies. She would probably never see a movie again! Never do her homework with Kade talking on the telephone as she worked, never make fun of her English teacher behind her back- her life had just changed completely. As she fell asleep a second time, her pillow was wet with tears.

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"Damn it Kalira, ground!!!" Jemmie was yelling at her at the top of his lungs. It was her second day in Valdemar and already, someone –namely Rolan and Teren- had decided that she needed lessons on how to shield her Gift. "You should have gotten it long ago!" Kalira's temper snapped.

"Why do I have to?" she asked, voice deadly. "Why the hell do I have to?"

"Because if you don't, you can't shield and everyone will know what you are thinking. So ground!" Again, Kalira fumbled for something –she didn't know what it was!

"Jemmie, what in the name of god am I looking for?" she asked in exasperation. The look on Jemmie's face was one of sheer disbelief.

"You don't know what grounding is?" he asked.

"No I don't," Kalira retorted. "What the heck am I looking for?" Jemmie sighed.

"Well that solves one problem," he said.

"Which is?"

"Mesh with me and I can show you what you're looking for."

"How do I do that?" Kalira asked.

"You'll fell a sort of mental hand," Jemmie explained. "When you feel it, grab it." As he spoke, she fumbled to 'grab it', and failed miserably. In clear exasperation, Jemmie grabbed up her 'hand'. :There.: His voice echoed in her head. :Now, look at me.: She looked. He showed her –somehow- how to ground. Still confused, she turned to herself and tried. She still couldn't get it. Screaming in irritation, she released Jemmie's hand as Rolan shoved her gently, toppling her faulty ground head over heels. Jemmie sighed.

"We can try again later," he said, standing. "Or tomorrow, which ever works better. Now, I've got classes." He extended a hand to help her up.

"So do I," she groaned. "Not officially, but Kris and Rolan are going to teach me a bit about Valdemar as a place to live so I don't totally give myself away."

"Start by not saying totally," Jemmie advised, opening the door. "It's not exactly Valdemarean." Kalira sighed and followed him out, letting him close the door.

"I've got to go," she said. "I'm supposed to meet Rolan and Kris now." She turned and sprinted down the hall. Jemmie grinned after her before jogging in the opposite direction, praying that he wouldn't be late to the salle.

A/N PLEASE tell me what you think! Zhai'helleva! –Queen's Own