Disclaimer: Valdemar, Heralds, Companions etc … none of that belongs to me, it's all the property of Mercedes Lackey. I'm just borrowing the characters for a while … apart from Aline who is most definitely mine : )

A/N: Well, in response to lots of suggestions, I have re-uploaded the first two chapters and I hope they're looking better now! HUGE thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far:

- Updated: 23/5 – Darkwind and Elspeth are NOT married.

I love this: no more modern phrases (I hope!) thanks for pointing it out though!

Thryn: hope this is becoming a little less predictable

Rosethorn: I promise that you will see more Talia/Dirk in the future! I love them as much as you so I'll put them in : )

Dreamwind: My sentiments exactly. Where do you think I got the idea from?

LeopardDance: thanks for the mind-to-mind tip – have corrected that now! Hope you like the next chapter : )

Konitsu: glad you like it!

Ola: do you study English language? A weird question I know, but I've never heard the word 'syntax' used outside of the class before!

Etcetera-cat: hope you like the second chapter as much as you seemed to like the first : )

Here is chapter 2 … please read and review (and enjoy!)

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After the Storm

By: JoeyStar

Timeframe: Set a year or so after Owlknight

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(K'Valdemar Vale)

Healing Adept Firesong K'Treva listened carefully to the messenger bird, a slow smile drawing across his scarred face under the leafy mask.

'Silverfox! Come and hear this!'

The other man, leaning over a table in the lower level of the ekele put down his work and glanced up at the leafy bower overhead where his ashke was working. Wondering what Firesong had gotten excited over this time, the kestra'chern straightened up and made his way up towards Firesong's work room.

His lover appeared to be staring out of the window, smiling, and it was only when the dark haired Kaled'a'in came closer that he spotted the tiny bird the Adept was really looking at.

'What-?'

'Shssh. Listen to this.' Firesong beckoned him over as the message began to reply for the second time. The tiny messenger bird was actually magical – similar to the one that had summoned Firesong to K'Sheyna Vale all those years ago, where he had first met Elspeth and Darkwind. And speaking of Elspeth and Darkwind…

'To Healing Adept Firesong K'Treva and Kestra'chern Silverfox K'Leshya. Greetings from Haven! It seems in age since you were last here and even longer since we last spoke. How are you? Or more to the point: where are you? The last thing you told us was that you were travelling to K'Vala Vale in search of a pupil worthy of your outstanding talents. How is that venture going?

Elspeth and I are fine, if you were wondering. The only current problem is that her mother – Queen Selenay – has been cajoling us to get married recently. She seems to think that Elspeth's reputation is being mired by her living with me but us not being married – especially with our latest news. But we're happy as we are and personally, I think Elspeth revels in being disgraceful and I don't want to spoil her fun.' Firesong snickered at Darkwind's words, knowing how truthfully he spoke. Silverfox shushed him and turned back to the message.

'…everything in Haven is fine. Since the call for help from over your way – those barbarians from the north? – well since then everything's been pretty quite. It's been nice to live in peace for a while, although Elspeth and I have been busy lately. We're still training the next generation of Herald-Mages and I think I actually have some promising ones this time…' the message went on to explain about his different pupils and how each was progressing. He explained about the twins and how he hoped Firesong thought he was doing to right thing by introducing tandem magic so early on. At this Firesong laughed again, amused that the self-possessed Darkwind was actually asking for his advice in something. Silverfox elbowed him into silence and they both turned back to the message once more.

'… so I think I feel better about that now. Oh! Elspeth's just reminded me about our biggest news! I only found out yesterday myself, though I think the whole of the Herald's Collegium – Companions and Heralds – knew before I did. It's still a little of a shock to me, but Elspeth wanted our out-of-Haven friends to know as soon as possible, hence this message…'

'Oh tell us, just tell us!' Silverfox eyed his bouncing lover with amusement, especially considering that Firesong had already listened to the message once.

'…Anyway, Elspeth telling me to hurry this up so we can go and talk to her parents, so here goes: I'm going to be a father! Elspeth's pregnant!'

'Elspeth's pregnant?' Silverfox echoed the message, his tone amazed. Somehow, Elspeth had never struck him as the mothering kind of woman – but she had and Darkwind had been together for nearly ten years now, and he supposed it was the next step. No wonder Selenay wanted them to get married!

'… Elspeth wants me to ask a favour of Firesong.' The message continued. 'When the baby comes in nine months, she would really like it if you could be here and help deliver him or her – we don't know which yet. Anyway, I really have to go now… I can hear Elspeth calling me and she's getting a little impatient.' At this they both grinned, having both been on the receiving end of Elspeth's temper in the past. 'We both hope you are well, and give our love Kero and Eldan.

From Adept Darkwind K'Sheyna and Herald-Mage Elspeth.'

'Pregnant?'

'I know!' Firesong collapsed the little magic bird into his hand and dropped it onto his work table.

'It's a bit of a shock.' Silverfox admitted, wandering across the room and toying thoughtfully with a piece of parchment. 'Are you going to except their offer?'

'To travel to Haven for the birth? I don't know.' Firesong took the parchment from his lover, glanced at it, and put it back onto the table. 'It's a good idea. Darkwind's right – we haven't seen them for years.'

'It would be nice to catch up.' Silverfox admitted. 'But what about Dar'ian?'

Firesong frowned, brows creasing behind his leafy mask. 'Well… he'll have almost finished his training with me by that time.'

'Oh ke'chara… 'almost' isn't good enough. You can't interrupt Dar'ian's training for him by travelling thousands of leagues to Haven.'

'It's hardly thousands of leagues…' Firesong began.

'That doesn't matter!' Silverfox cut him off, looking a little angry. 'You have to get over this problem of picking things up and then just discarding them. And you have to learn that you can't do that with people! Especially after everything Dar'ian has been through!'

'Okay!' Firesong snapped, slamming his hand down onto the table and making Silverfox jump slightly. The mage lowered his tone. 'Okay. You're right and we both know it.'

Silverfox took pity on his lover and took his hand gently, stroking Firesong's fingers. 'If your heart is really set on going I'm sure we can work something out. You should talk to Dar'ian though.'

'And Keisha. If we do go to Valdemar he's hardly going to leave his partner behind. Cursed children in love.'

'Hey!' Silverfox thumped him on the arm in mock anger. Firesong held his haughty stance for a moment and then gathered his lover to him in a tight embrace. 'We can speak to them later.'

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Darian Firkin K'Vala K'Valdemar fidgeted, shifting his weight from one leg to the other as the council session proceeded in the normal fashion. In the normal boring fashion. Right now yet another one of the farmers from Errold's Grove was standing before the council – this time accusing the Ghost Cat tribe of stealing some of his cattle. The endless stream of villager's complaints over as many months meant that Darian could normally predict exactly when the meeting would descend into accusation and name placing. To put it completely plainly, Darian was bored.

He sighed, his mind going back to Keisha, the Healer of Errold's Grove. He had never envied her anymore than he did now. Even though her position as Healer meant that she was technically one of the Vale Elders, her duties meant that she was exempt from all but the most important council meetings. Leaving him to suffer the delights of them alone more often than not.

A sharp glance from Starfall made him blush and he tried to pay more attention to the argument in front of him. The mage was listening to the villager with an passive look on his face and Darian tried to follow his example.

'- when I went back they were gone!' The villager – a beefy looking man – exclaimed angrily. 'And one of those were the last ones near my cattle!' He pointed accusingly at the Ghost Cat representatives on the council – who glared back angrily.

Darian rolled his eyes, ignoring the raised eyebrow that his elder brother Snowfire directed at him. Nightwind, Snowfire's wife followed her husband gaze, and smiled slightly at Darian's expression. Then when Snowfire had turned back to the discussion, she rolled her eyes right back at him, making him smile this time. At least he had one ally on the council who saw these sessions in as boring a way as he did.

Now the Ghost Cat representative was standing, delivering his defence to the council. Darian closed his eyes slightly and tried to focus on the speaker.

It wasn't working. His eyes and mind kept wandering. He found himself thinking that perhaps he was a little too young to be a full Elder of K'Valdemar Vale. Back when they had first formed the Vale it had seemed a good idea to be an Elder, to have a say and have himself listened to. But now he was finding out that the politic side of his position was beginning to grate on his nerves.

'Dar'ian, will you pay attention!' A voice hissed from behind him – a voice layered with hidden humour. Darian jumped, then turned around the see a mischievous looking Firesong standing behind him on the outskirts of the council circle.

Starfall glanced up upon hearing the voice and excused himself from the conflict with a nod to Snowfire to continue.

'What's so important that you will interrupt a council session for it?' He demanded, arms folded across his chest.

Firesong inclined his head sardonically. 'Come Father, it's not like I'm interrupting anything important.'

'Don't trivialise council business.' His father snapped, normally even temper shortened by the extended council session.

Firesong sighed, noting his father's mood and deciding – wisely Darian thought – not to continue in his usual vein. 'Actually, it was Dar'ian I wanted to talk to.'

'Did it have to be in the middle of a council session?' Starfall couldn't quite manage to keep the sigh out of his voice.

'Well… it is important… otherwise I wouldn't dare intrude…' Firesong drawled, flicking his waist-length silver hair over one shoulder.

'Firesong.' Starfall, as the mage's father, was possibly the only person in the world who could out-wait and out-patience his son. Firesong held the pose for a little longer and then relaxed grinning. 'Really Father. I do have to talk to Dar'ian.'

'Well…' Starfall glanced back over his shoulder at the continuing council session and shook his head. 'I suppose Dar'ian can be excused. This time.' He smiled at the young man, having noticed his not-so-subtle shifts of attentions during the session. 'Off with you young one.'

Darian threw a grateful glance at Starfall and fell in beside Firesong. As they walked away from the council session, Darian looked up at his mentor and winked. 'Thanks,' he whispered.

'No problem.' The mage returned generously. 'But just remember that you owe me one.'

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'So what's this all about?' Darian asked, looking from Firesong to Silverfox and back again. 'I mean, I know that council sessions are boring but you've never interrupted one before. In fact, I don't think you've ever attended one – let alone interrupted one. So what's got you so … excited?'

Silverfox laughed at his expression when he said the word, ushering him into a seat in his and Firesong's shared ekele. Firesong dropped down beside his lover and took his hand casually. Darian, used to their personal shows of affection with their home didn't even notice.

'Well-' Silverfox began, the he paused glancing at his partner. Firesong waved a languid hand, a clear sign for him to continue. 'Firesong and I have had a message from our friends back in Haven, Darkwind K'Sheyna and Herald-Mage Elspeth. They've invited us to join them there for the birth of their first child – it's in nine months or so.

'Now Firesong and I have talked about this all afternoon and we've weighed up all the positive and negatives points. We've come to the conclusion that they can afford to let us go but…' he stopped and turned pointedly towards Firesong.

The mage shifted his position and looked straight at his student, removing his mask so that his silver eyes could see Darian more easily. The fact that Darian was used to seeing him unmasked was the only thing that kept him from flinching at the scarred and pitted skin. It was a constant reminder to any magic users about the price of using the ultimate magic. It had certainly been a blow for the once beautiful Firesong and Darian often wondered whether he would have survived if it hadn't been for Silverfox's constant presence.

Realising that a distinct silence had fallen, Firesong cleared his throat. 'The problem with us travelling to Haven is one, the journey is going to be long and arduous because thanks to our lovely Mage Storms gating is completely out of the question. And though Silverfox has tried to dissuade me, I want to reach Haven well in advance of the birth, in case there are any … complications. After all, the child will be a relative of mine,' he added, reminding both Darian and Silverfox of his and Elspeth's blood-ties through Herald-Mage Vanyel. 'All of which means that due to the fact that the journey will take longer than usual by road – four months or so because of the bad weather - well … we have to leave soon.'

'What's the second problem?' Darian cut in, becoming a little impatient at his mentor's rambling.

'Well… you.' Firesong admitted bluntly, earning him an elbow in the ribs from Silverfox. 'Okay, that didn't come out quite right. I meant that I am still your teacher and therefore my actions affected yours. And if I was to go to Haven…'

'…then I would have to go too?' Darian finished thoughtfully, watching and receiving Firesong's nod.

Now Silverfox took up the vein, looking earnest. 'We hate to hurry you in this decision Dar'ian – we know it effects not only you, but also Keisha – but Firesong wishes to reach Haven as soon as possible.' He leant forward towards Darian, watching him carefully. 'One other thing you should know before you make any decisions is that it is important you make them for the right reasons. Perhaps you should talk to Snowfire or Starfall – we'll be speaking to them on our behalf anyway, but I think your views should come from you.' He ran out of things to say.

Darian looked thoughtful. 'Who would be going to the capital? Just you and me?'

'We've spoken to Kero and Eldan as well – told them the good news. You know they've been wanting to return home for a while now – they've been away from years. But it's such a long way they keep putting it off. I think they'll be quite relieved to leave K'Valdemar Vale!'

'Um…' Darian tried to articulate his thoughts into words and succeeded in a half- hearted way. 'I think I need some time to think about this. And I definitely need to talk to Keisha – I think she would have more problem leaving here than I.'

Silverfox and Firesong shared a glance. 'We know about Keisha and her responsibilities and you're right – you would need to talk to her. Where is she now?' Silverfox enquired.

'She's in the village at the moment, although she'll be back this evening. I can talk to her then.'

'And we'll talk to my father and your brother.'

Sensing the dismissal, Darian jumped up and hurried out of the ekele his thoughts churning. Was it all too much of a coincidence? His growing feeling of boredom within the Vale, like he was missing out on something within his life. And now Firesong came along with a way out and not just to anyplace but Haven itself!

Memories assailed Darian and he was back in Justyn's cottage, staring up at the old mage's paintings of the heroes of the Mage Storms – all of whom had worked from Haven, even though two of them were Tayledras. Elspeth and Darkwind? Somewhere in the back of his mind he remembered being told that Firesong had been friends with those heroes for years, but to Darian they were almost out of a fairy tale. And if he went to Haven he would finally get to meet them!

Suddenly, his urge to find Keisha and talk with her about the possible opportunity that had opened up in front of them increased greatly.

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Can you see where this is going? I think I've just about introduced all the main characters now, apart from the one's back in Haven like Karal, Talia and Dirk. But they'll be along soon… please read and review : )