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: Whew … it's been a LONG week. But give a big cheer – hooray! – because it's my last ever week of school ever. Only three more days to go and then I'm free (apart from those damn A Levels) but hey – lots more time to write this fanfic so yay!

Okay, just to make sure people are too confused, the reason I've updated each chapter with the note: 'Darkwind and Elspeth are NOT married' is because I intend to write a sequel to this story in which this fact turns out to be very important. Whew, so that's the reason. I apologise if there are any 'husband' or 'wife' references that shouldn't be there – I tried to take them all out.

Also apologies to those people who think the story has become too conversation heavy. You're right, but the nature of the story is such that it can't be live action every chapter because that just wouldn't be realistic. I had to spend time establishing the characters and plot and I just couldn't rush things that Darkwind's coma otherwise it would have been pointless to put it in the first place.

But don't worry too much because I PROMISE there will be more activity in the next chapter and this damn investigation of Kero's is finally coming to an end!! So do a happy dance because you'll finally start to understand things soon : )

Okay, thanks to that extra long A/N, I'm going to stick the thankyou's at the bottom of the page so you don't have to wade through them all.

Oh and this chapter is dedicated to my Australian friend Nadia, who was 18 a week ago. Happy Birthday!!!

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After the Storm

By: JoeyStar

Timeframe: Set a year or so after Owlknight

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(Firesong and Silverfox's suite)

Firesong swept his long silver hair back over one shoulder and surveyed his guests thoughtfully.

On his immediate right sat his own student Darian, looking slightly nervous despite his usual confidence. Perhaps it was because everything that had happened since they had arrived in Haven had been so strange or perhaps it was simply that Darian was still very young and was sitting in the company of some of the most powerful mages in Valdemar. As Firesong watched, Darian's curious gaze flickered across the small room and settled on An'desha.

Darian was understandably intrigued by the half-Shin'a'in Adept. An'desha was an enigma to most of the occupants of Haven, even those who classed themselves as his friends knew little about him. Firesong wasn't sure of his exact age, but knew An'desha couldn't be more than a couple of years older than Darian. Of course, in life experience he was as old as Firesong, having spent a great deal of his short life under the possession of Falconsbane. With his short cropped white hair and the exotic colourings of his Shin'a'in cousins, An'desha was an attractive young man but there was still an alien cast to his features that was a token of the changes Falconsbane had wrought on his young descendant's body. In all the cases that Firesong had seen and treated over his years as a Healing-Adept, An'desha's had been one of the worst.

Past An'desha, who was silently contemplating his hands as they rested in his lap, was Darkwind. Though not as pale and drawn as he had been a couple of days ago, Firesong still wasn't convinced that he should be present. Unfortunately, Darkwind could be as stubborn as his lover at times and had argued that his personal experience would be invaluable. Firesong had been unable to dispute this and hadn't complained when Darkwind had joined them, knowing the younger Tayledras was right.

The only powerful Adept missing from the circle was Elspeth. While Firesong allowed Darkwind at a pinch, had Elspeth requested to attend, he would have refused. As it happened, Elspeth had expressed no desire to join them; she was too busy spending time with her family and recovering from the horrific situation that she had lived through. Although she could now speak about it without weeping, she still had a long way to go before she had healed completely.

They all had.

Firesong tapped his long fingers against the edge of his mask and the dull sound they made drew everyone's attention to him. 'You know why you are here.' He said without preamble, sounding unusually serious. 'I've spoken to Kero and Eldan and they believe that it is only a matter of time before the murderer of Prince Kris is captured. What troubles me is that there are still many unexplained magical questions that Kero at least – with her relatives – should also be investigating. Yet they are not doing so.'

'The Queen is very distraught.' An'desha spoke up softly, meeting Firesong's gaze. Years in Haven had given the young man a certain amount of confidence but he was still uncomfortable around strangers. He was darting his own edgy glances at Darian. 'Perhaps Captain Kerowyn attempts to appease her first and then look to the unanswered questions.'

'We have no way of knowing how long that could take.' Darkwind broke in, looking from Firesong to An'desha and back again. 'I do not believe we can wait that long.'

'I agree with Darkwind.' Firesong said decisively, 'which is why we are here. This situation … it worries me.'

Darkwind cocked a silvery eyebrow. 'You – worried?'

Firesong pulled a face, which rather lost its effect hidden as it was behind his mask. 'Enjoy it while you can, it's a fleeting emotion. But it does mean I believe this situation warrants more exploration.'

'But where do we start?' Darian spoke finally, asserting himself. 'There is no evidence.'

His words were true enough but Firesong was ready for them. 'Perhaps not young Dar'ian, but we do have someone with personal experience of the power of whoever is behind all of this. Darkwind?'

The Adept's eyes turned inward. 'What happened … it was as much magical as it was physical.' He shook his head, hair softly splaying around his face. 'I don't fool myself by thinking that I know everything about magic – nor that I am especially powerful for an Adept – but … the way this man – this serving man – beat me back … he was more powerful than anyone I've ever faced. Maybe even more powerful than you Firesong.'

'Surely not.' The other murmured, thinking rapidly.

'He just – just ripped my shields apart and well … you know how they found me.' He opened his mouth as if to say more but then hesitated.

'What is it?' Firesong pressed, sensing that Darkwind had something further to add.

The Tayledras looked uncomfortable.

'Darkwind?'

'When I was unconscious, I was … he trapped me somewhere. It was like a prison inside my mind but it kept getting smaller and smaller. If Elspeth hadn't drawn me out of it …' he fixed his eyes on the ground and it was clear that he wasn't willing to divulge anymore.

To Firesong it explained a great deal. The cause of Darkwind's condition had alluded him up until this point and Firesong, who took a great deal of pleasure in being good at his work, had found it very frustrating to be unable to help his friend. It had felt like a personal slight at the time and though he was glad that Elspeth had been able to help Darkwind, he couldn't help a small part of him feeling jealous. Firesong liked being the best.

An'desha looked worried. 'Where could this 'new power' have come from?' His lightly accented voice sounded tight and Firesong could understand why. The last time a Blood Adept had challenged Valdemar, he had done so in An'desha's body. It was not an experienced that the ld half-Shin'a'in would wish on anybody.

'After Falconsbane I had thought that our troubles with rogue Adepts were over.' Darkwind murmured.

'I can't say anything about this Falconsbane,' Darian said suddenly, 'but in the wilds north of the Errold's Grove there are plenty of shamans and mages, each belonging to various tribes. Perhaps one of them came south.'

'You journeyed that way, did you not? About a year ago?' Darkwind recalled.

Darian blinked in surprise and Firesong remembered that he had mentioned Darian's journey north to find his parents some months ago, in one of the frequent communications that passed between him and Darkwind.

'Yes.' The young man said slowly, nodding.

'Did you not locate any such powerful mage?'

'Well I … no.' Darian admitted. 'None stronger than a Master.'

'It doesn't really matter who is behind this until we know just what kind of power they have.' Firesong interrupted them impatiently. 'Or what power source they use.'

'But how are we supposed to discover that?' An'desha asked quietly.

Firesong looked around the circle of mages, all who – at some stage – had been students of his, if only for a brief time in the case of An'desha. Finally his gaze rested on Darkwind, who's eyebrows rose in a questioning way.

'We study everything we can about this mage. Darian and I will explore the room. Darkwind? Could you and Elspeth try to remember as much about the man's magic as possible? And if you could research possible evidence of such power in the library An'desha?' Firesong stood briskly, his robes swirling around his ankles. 'If no one has anything else to say …?'

Darkwind cleared his throat. Firesong shot him a look; the question had been rhetorical in form and Darkwind had just interrupted his sweeping exit.

'The mage … whoever he was … can block mental bonds that he should know nothing about. Such as the bond between Tayledras and his bondbird and the bond between a Herald and her Companion.' Darkwind looked up at Firesong and his expression was unerringly serious. 'I thought it was important because of something Elspeth said to me some time ago. When Talia was in the hands of Ancar –'

' – Before we taught him a few lessons in manners.' Firesong said to the others in an undertone. The half-Shin'a'in Adept smiled nervously back while Darian covered a broad smile.

'Firesong!' Darkwind's tone was sharp, sharper than anyone was used to. By nature Darkwind was fairly quiet; to hear him speaking so to Firesong was remarkable. No one spoke to Firesong like that. 'Not everything can be laughed off with a joke! This is serious!'

Even Firesong was taken aback by the anger in his tone and stared at his old friend coolly. Darkwind's mouth was set in a thin hard line. 'What I was trying to say was that even the alliance of Ancar and Hulda – both powerful Adepts – couldn't block the connection between Herald and Companion. I think that's something we all need to consider.' He got to his feet, movements lacking the classical Tayledras fluidity. 'I don't think I can talk about this anymore today.'

Without another word he pulled his dark blue robes about him and swept out of the ekele. Firesong stared after him for a moment slightly surprised by the turn of events but then turned his thoughts back to the magical problem at hand. It was obvious that Darkwind still needed time to heal and perhaps if they worked on without him then that would be what he could do.

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(Companion's Field)

It seemed an unusual place to discuss a case of such magnitude, but when Kero had been casting around for a venue for her proposed interviews, Companion's Field had seemed the logical choice. Not only did it give them the privacy they needed, it also allowed any number of interested Companions to observe the proceedings. The relaxed setting and beauty of the field also helped to relax the people they were to be questioning; most of whom were Heralds and used to the quiet tranquillity of the area.

Of their immediate Companions, Eldan's Ratha and Kero's Sayvel were standing together several feet away, grazing peacefully. Skif's Cymry had joined her partner on the ground; the Herald sprawled indolently against her snowy side as she nuzzled him. Eldan and Kero, in a strange mirror image of their Companion's poses, were sitting side by side, opposite Skif and it was they that Dirk saw first open entering the clearing.

Dirk had been the obvious choice to be questioned first. Before Kris's death, he and Dirk had been as close as brothers and if any one of the Heralds knew Kris's father well, it would be him.

Dirk settled down in front of the three and though they were his friends, he face was bleak. Kero could well understand; Kris had been closer to Dirk than anyone but Talia and even now, after years, the loss of the handsome Herald was a wound that refused to fully close. It was a delicate subject.

She sat up and took the initiative. 'Dirk, do you know why you're here?'

He looked at Skif and Eldan before turning his attention back to Kero. 'This has something to do with Kris, doesn't it? Talia mentioned ... but I don't know how much use I can be, whatever you want to know. Kris went to the Havens a long time ago.'

Kero decided that as blunt had worked for her throughout her life, she wasn't going to abandon it now. 'You're right. This is about Kris. You were his best friend right?'

Dirk closed his eyes briefly, then nodded. 'Right.'

'In fact, you were as close as brothers? I've heard it said that he often came to stay with your family.'

'Yes ... but I don't understand where this is leading.'

'Would you say that he knew his parents almost as well as you did?'

Dirk stared at her in frank bemusement, but still answered the question. 'Well of course he didn't know them as well as I do but - but yes, he knew them fairly well.'

'And you, how well did you know Kris's parents?'

Dirk's face clouded. 'Kris's parents? You mean Lord Drevin and Lady Elva? Why on earth would you want to know about them?'

Kero and Eldan shared a glance. :Perhaps we should tell him.: Eldan suggested.

Kero's negative response was swift. :No, we shouldn't.:

:But he'll be far more compliant if he knows the reason behind all of this.:

:Maybe,: Kero allowed. :But he'll also be less objective. Let me handle this Eldan.:

'Did you know them well?' She purposefully ignored the second part of Dirk's question.

Dirk frowned again, still looking bewildered. 'I don't understand why you want to know.'

Kero's patience was fraying. 'Look, we'll tell you when this is over, okay? Now please Dirk will you just answer the question?'

Still uncertain, Dirk stared at her, blue eyes wide. Then, excruciatingly slowly, he nodded.

'I only met them a handful of times and Kris didn't talk about them much. In all honesty I think he was closer to Lord Orth - to his uncle, than he was to his father.' Dirk shied away from using Lord Orthallen's full name, presumably remembering everything that had happened to Talia because of Orthallen's betrayal. 'Kris was the eldest son but when he was Chosen the right of inheritance passed to his younger brother. As did his father's attention.'

'They weren't pleased that he was Chosen?'

'Oh no, nothing like that.' Dirk said firmly.

'How did his father appear to you?'

'Lord Drevin? Distant. But not just to me - to Kris as well. Like I said, I don't think they were particularly close. In fact Kris once said,' he swallowed with difficulty. 'Kris once said that he was relieved to have been Chosen. I think he was glad to be out from under his father's feet.'

'And what about Lord Drevin's relationship with Lord Orthallen?'

Dirk flinched at the name and then shrugged. 'I'm sorry, I really can't say. I didn't know either of them well enough. About all I observed was that Lord Drevin was certainly not as charismatic as his older brother.'

Kero considered her next query carefully, knowing it was a delicate subject. 'Have you seen him at all since Kris passed on?'

Pain flashed through Dirk's eyes but was quickly suppressed. 'Once.' He answered slowly. 'I saw him to offer my condolences shortly after it - it happened. But since then I've been so busy ...'

'How was he?'

'Kris's mother was upset of course,' he bit his lip, 'and Lord Drevin? I just remember that he was very quiet. I don't think he said anything to me while I was there - he didn't even acknowledge me.'

'Did he seem angry?'

Dirk thought for a bit and then shook his head. 'I'm sorry Kero, I really couldn't say. Now are you going to tell me what all of this is about, or do I have to get Talia to read your minds?'

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'Thanks for coming Teren - I know how busy you are.'

'What's this all about Eldan?' Teren, Dean of the Collegium, asked directly as he settled onto the grass with a creak of joints. Teren wasn't as young as he used to be. Eldan smiled wryly at that thought, touching the white streak in his hair. None of us are as young as we used to be.

'We'd just like to ask you a couple of question Teren. It won't take long.'

'It had better not.' Teren grimaced. 'I've got a stack of paperwork to do. Gods, I don't know how Elcarth stood it for so long!'

'You shouldn't be so sensibly,' Skif remarked airily. 'It brings about responsibility.'

'Thank you Skif.' Eldan cut in before the conversation could wander too far afield. 'Now Teren, this is going to sound strange, but did you ever have chance to meet a man by the name of Lord Drevin?'

'Drevin ...' Teren rolled the word around in his mouth. 'It certainly sounds familiar. Who is he?'

'He is - or was - Herald Kris's father.'

'Kris's father?' Teren looked taken aback. 'Why would you be asking about him?'

'Did you know him?' Eldan enquired, neatly sidestepping the question.

Teren's eyes narrowed but he submitted to the questioning. 'A little. I've been at court for a long time; I can probably claim to have met all the nobles in the realm at some time or another.'

'What do you remember about him?'

'Nothing really. To be honest, he struck me as a little nondescript. Especially when standing next to someone like Orthallen.'

'So you met them together?'

'Selenay had called me to court one afternoon,' Teren explained. 'I can't remember what the reason was but Keren and Elcarth were there as well - it was some time ago now. When you were down in Karse, Eldan.'

Eldan could vividly remember his time on the Karsite border during the war. Not only had he been captured by a Karsite priestess but his eventual rescuer had been none other than the then-mercenary, feisty Kerowyn.

Recalling our jaded past?

Less of the jaded. As the beginning of relationships go, ours was fairly exciting. Eldan pointed out.

Just a pity about that ten year gap in the middle, hmm?

'Orthallen was a lot older than his brother. Some twenty years or so. It can't have been long before Kris was born when Orthallen brought his little brother to court to introduce him to the queen I think he'd been living with family in the country, seeing as he was the second child. All I remember about him that day was that he was very quiet.' He grimaced guiltily. 'To be honest I was more concerned with the fact that I didn't want to be there. I wasn't really paying attention.'

'And you never saw him again after that?'

'No. Never.'

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Jeri and Nerissa clattered into the clearing noisily, disturbing the quiet seclusion of the glade. They grinned at Skif but fell silent upon seeing Kero and Eldan sitting beside him.

'Please, don't stop on our account.' Kero drawled as the girls arranged themselves comfortably on the grass.

They blushed and looked expectantly at Skif, who was still sprawled against Cymry, curly hair obscuring his expression.

Nerissa, the more direct of the two Heralds, pushed her hair back and stared at Skif directly. 'Why are we here? I mean, I know this is better than riding circuit but still, Teren didn't explain when he said you wanted to see us.'

Skif sat upright. 'We want to talk to you. About Kris.'

'Kris?' Nerissa paled. 'Prince Kris?'

'No!' Skif corrected quickly. 'Sorry, no I meant Herald Kris.'

If anything, Nerissa paled even more. Jeri's eyes were wide as they flickered between the gathered Heralds.

'Kris?' Nerissa said again and then shook her head. 'Why bring all of that up again?'

Skif knew what she meant. During their time as trainees, Kris and Nerissa had shared a tempestuous romance and though they had parted long before Kris's death – a fact that Skif knew intimately – the wound caused by his passing was still fresh. Not just for Nerissa, but for all the rest of the Heralds as well.

'I promise this won't take long.'

Nerissa nodded her ascent.

'During the time that you knew Kris … did you ever meet his father?'

Jeri and Nerissa shared a thoughtful look and then Nerissa shook her head. 'I'm sorry – this isn't going to be very helpful but I never met him. Kris spoke of him a couple of times when we were – when we were involved but he said his father was living out on their country estates so … I never met him.'

'And you Jeri?' Skif asked, wondering whether Jeri, as coming from a wealthy family of similar class to Kris's, would know anymore but the second girl simply shrugged. 'In all the years I knew Kris I never met his father. Nessa's right – he lived in the country when we were trainees.'

It was not the response that they had been hoping for but Skif pursued the point. 'When Kris spoke about his father, what did he say?'

'He never really said anything to me.' Jeri admitted.

Nerissa ran one hand through her silky hair. 'He spoke more about his uncle, Lord Orthallen, than he did about is father. I got the impression that he was more of a father figure than Kris's real father. And to be honest Skif, I can't even remember what his father's name was. I'm sorry.'

------------------------------------

'Thanks for coming Alberich – I know how much you hate to be drawn away from your trainee-baiting.'

The large, heavyset man that was the Weaponsmaster of the Collegium, stared at Kero. To anyone who didn't know him, Alberich was a formidable presence and there were even those amongst the Heralds who gave him a wide birth.

'Mock me, you do. Come to the salle, you should, when there I am.' A slow smile spread across his face. 'Bait trainees you also can do.'

Alberich unusual accent was a token of his birthplace, the southern land of Karse. Like Kerowyn herself, he had come to Valdemar and been Chosen late in his life and though he had once served against the Heralds, he soon won prestige by saving the young Queen's Selenay's life. His was a quiet disposition but everyone in Haven knew that Alberich was a force to be reckoned with if the situation called for it. And there was no one's judgement that Kero trusted more in times of trouble.

'As exciting as baiting trainees sounds, do you think we could keep to the subject we are supposed to be discussing?' Eldan asked mildly.

'If knew what it was, I did, then discuss I would.'

'Right. Alberich, you've been at the Collegium for a long time, yes?'

'Since before Selenay's reign been here, I have.' Alberich agreed in his gravely voice.

'So you will have known Lord Orthallen for a considerable amount of time?'

Alberich's face darkened. 'Know him, I did. See his treachery, I did not until too late it was.'

'Orthallen fooled us all.' Skif pointed out. 'He hated me but I never thought he would have gone so far as he did.'

Kero turned back to Alberich. 'Did you ever meet his brother during that time? Lord Drevin?'

'Father of Herald Kris, he was.' Alberich replied promptly. 'Quiet, unassuming man.'

'That was your impression of him?' Kero questioned closely.

Alberich cocked his head to one side. 'Yes. I see, I speak.'

Kero considered her next question carefully. 'Do you think he begrudges the Heralds for what happened to Kris?'

Alberich's denial came swiftly. 'No.' He said firmly. 'Like his brother he is not. Herald his great-uncle was.'

'Really? Who?'

'Herald Dethor – my old Weaponsmaster.'

Kero shrugged. 'That was before my time.'

'I remember him vaguely …' Eldan smiled. 'He was a good man, though I didn't realise he was related to Kris.'

'Speak of it but a little, he did. Disliked Orthallen he did.' Alberich grinned. 'Like him, I did.'

'Did you like Lord Drevin?'

Alberich frowned. 'Know him well I do not. But conspire against the crown? This I believe he would not do.'

Kero had been right, Alberich was a remarkably perceptive man – he was always able to read between the lines. 'And you are sure of this?'

'Sure, I am.'

--------------------------------

'I hear you've been busy.' Talia remarked with a smile of greeting as she walked into the grove a bag slung over her shoulder. Rolan ghosted along behind her, his silver hooves making no sound on the short grass. 'But aren't you starting to get a little hungry?'

Skif fixed her with huge doleful eyes. 'Don't tempt me Talia.'

She laughed and let the bag slip into her hands before tossing it to Skif. It landed on his stomach and he gave an 'oof' of surprise before hurriedly pulling the neck open and rummaging about inside. When his face reappeared from behind his mass of curly hair, there was an apple firmly clamped in his mouth and a piece of cheese in either hand.

'Talia, I love you!' He tried to say around the apple, nudging the considerably lighter bag in the direction of Kero, who gave it a suspicious look. Unfortunately all he actually managed to do was dislodge the apple from his mouth so that it dropped to the floor.

Talia's eyes danced as she watched her blood-brother scramble around on the floor, retrieving the errant apple.

'Dirk told me that you were asking some probing questions about Kris.' The Queen's Own said, glancing around the group and nodding in greeting to Eldan and Kero. Without waiting for an invitation, Talia dropped down onto the ground with only the faintest grimace. Her legs had never been the same after her time spent in Ancar's dungeons and she wasn't as young as she used to be either – both facts that she often tried to push to the back of her mind.

Skif took a bite of the cheese. 'I thought you were supposed to be diplomatic.'

Talia rubbed both hands over her face but it didn't help the fact that her face was unusually pale and there were dark rings under her eyes. 'I'm tired. Jemmie was playing up last night and I wasn't feeling very well …' she trailed off and pulled a face. 'But that's hardly important. What did you want to know?'

Skif shot her a concerned look which was somewhat spoiled by the fact that his cheeks were full to bursting. 'Are you sure you can talk about this?' He, more so than any of them, knew how close Kris and Talia had been. And knew how much she had suffered when he died.

Talia smiled again and her expression was genuine. 'It's not comfortable but if it will help Selenay then it's something I should do.'

Skif marvelled at the depths of Talia's loyalty towards Queen Selenay. She was one of the most admirable and generous people he knew and he felt honoured to call her his blood-sister.

'Well, actually, we want to know about Kris's father.'

'Lord Drevin?' Talia seemed surprised but the fact that she actually knew of Lord Drevin before Skif spoke the name suggested that Talia may have some useful information for them. 'Why on earth would you want to know about Lord Drevin?'

Skif knew that if he lied, Talia would be able to tell. It was one of the unattractive features of having an Empath for a friend. But would she be able to answer honestly if she knew the reason behind their questions? Talia was intensely loyal and that knowledge might very well shame Kris's memory in her mind and Skif didn't want to hurt her.

'What did you know of him Talia?' Eldan asked gently, carefully skirting around her previous question. Talia wasn't fooled; Skif could tell by the way the corners of her eyes creased but she chose not to push the point. Instead she leant back on the soft grass and her body visibly relaxed.

'Kris didn't speak about him very much.' She said after a moment. Certainly not as much as he spoke about Lord Orthallen.'

This was much the same information that the other Heralds had given him and Skif wanted more. 'When did he mention his father?'

Talia chewed thoughtfully on her lip. 'I remember … he spoke about his choosing once. When Tantris came from him. He had been living on his family's estates, outside of Haven. I believe he said it was the year he was supposed to be sent to court – Dirk would remember better than I – but up until then he lived with his family in the country.'

'How did his parents feel about him being Chosen?' Coming from such a wealthy family it would have been likely that Kris's parents had already been looking for a suitable marriage partner for their son when he had been Chosen. Perhaps they harboured some lingering resentment that could explain all of this. And it would be interesting to see how Talia's reply differed from that of Dirk's.

Talia frowned. 'I don't remember him every speaking about it for any great length of time. I assumed they were proud of him – I think he mentioned that once – but he never really spoke about his mother and father to me.'

'But they didn't seem displeased?'

'Not all at. Though he didn't say a great deal, I certainly didn't get that impression.'

'It would have been unusual,' Eldan remarked. 'Most parents delight in the fact that their children have been selected to be Heralds.'

'Not mine.' Kero disagreed instantly. 'I was supposed to be a proper young lady. I've no doubt my parents would be horrified if they were alive to see me now.'

'Mine would have laughed themselves sick.' Skif put in.

'Mine wouldn't have cared either way.' Talia added. 'I'd already angered them so much by leaving Holderkin lands that they had struck my name from the family list by the time I reached Haven.'

Eldan sighed and looked beseechingly at the Companions. 'Can't you control your Chosen? I was trying to make a very important point.'

:Sorry Chosen.: Ratha said. :We may be all powerful but there are still some things beyond our control.:

:So you finally admit that you are not perfect?:

:Why yes, oh hairless ape. I suppose we are a good pair then, aren't we?:

'Would you like to share the joke, my love?' Kero asked archly and Eldan realised that everyone was staring at him. Ratha snickered in his mind and Eldan fought the urge to roll his eyes again.

'I'm sorry Talia. If you would continue?'

-----------------------------------

(Unknown)

The room was dark apart from a single candle flame that flickered restlessly upon the central table. A man sat at the table, his fingers drumming a nervous tattoo against the wooden surface. He was perfectly nondescript; the kind of man you would pass without thought in a crowd.

Which made him perfect for the work that he was given.

The candle flame flickered again and the man glanced at it, startled. It's colour brightened to an almost blinding white and a voice sounded inside his head. The man dug his fingers into the tabletop and blinked away the painful tears that clouded his vision.

:You have been foolish and they are too close. I am disappointed in you.:

:I-I am sorry – so sorry – my L -:

:SILENCE!: The voice shrieked in his mind and despite this, he clapped his hands over his ears in a futile attempt to ease the pain.

:You will do as I say!: The words ground into him, making him writhe where he sat, helpless in the face of the might of the voice. :You will obey me! And you will complete the task that you have been given. Do you understand?:

:Y-yes …: he whimpered desperately.

:DO YOU UNDERSTAND?: The voice thundered furiously.

The man wept, tears scalding his cheeks. 'Yes.' He whispered, the words twisting from his lips. 'I shall do as you say. My task … will be complete.'

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Well, there you have another chappie! I hope you notice it was a lot longer than normal – that's to make up for the appalling lengths of some of the middle chapters and just because I couldn't stop writing : )

Sorry about the number of typos/spelling mistakes. I don't have a Beta and I often don't have time to check my work as thoroughly as I should because I'm too eager to post. If it's a HUGE problem then just let me know but from now on I'll try to be more careful.

Anyway, on to the thankyou's, as promised:

moonwing: yup yup, those threads are rapidly unravelling now – and in the next chapter the characters actually start to DO something rather than just talk about it!

G. Zan: Joey does dance of joy over cool review whew, getting tired of doing that dance. People should stop being so nice : ) It's funny, but none of the questions you asked are answered in this chapter – but they should be in the next so you won't have to wait TOO long. It should be up in about a week or so … depending on when I get time to write the damn thing!

Alarivana: shocked expression how could you forget my wonderful story? Hehe – only kidding, I know from personal experience how easily it is done : ) glad to see your back on board though. Lyra's injuries are different to Darkwind's because they're physical rather than magical. So for Lyra, it's a waiting game. She could wake up next chapter … or the next one … or the one after that … guess you'll have to wait and see!

Lizai: Sorry about the whole lack of action … I can imagine that this chappie seemed really boring to you but I hope it doesn't drive you away. Like I said in the A/N, all this talk is necessary to the plot but I recognise what you're saying with the lack of action and that's actually why in the next chapter I PROMISE you will see some action!! Hand on heart – it will be in there if you can just stick with me for a bit longer!!!!

etcetera-cat: Intriguing is one of those really annoying words that I can never spell … I keep wanting to use it in reviews but then chicken out 'cos if I spell it wrong then people will think I'm REALLY stupid – hehe : ) Glad you think the pacing is okay, I'm getting mixed feelings on that. Do you think the story's become too conversation-heavy?

PrettyKittyOreo: Na, only 5th reviewer this time. You're slipping!

faeborn2930: I'm impressed that you made yourself late because of my story! You either got really bored and fell asleep at the keyboard or I must be doing something right : )

Queen's Own: Eldan rocks! ignores angry glance from Kero you're a fictional character – you can't hurt me!! You can probably tell I like him because I use him in this story all the time!

Hildi-chan: Heh – I'm kinda worried about how deep and involved my plot is! Because I only have a hazy idea of where it is going at the moment and I keep tying myself in knots – oh the trials of being a writer … : )

Pyrinsomanic: Oh yeah, it's worth the wait …. silence it was worth the wait, wasn't it?

Next chappie:

- Kero/Eldan/Skif discuss the results of their investigation and finally decided what action to take

- An'desha makes a discovery in the library

- Keisha/Silverfox finally talk about Lyra and get a little surprise of their own