Kate awoke just before dawn the next morning feeling a bit disoriented. There was an amused prescence in the back of her mind, and a warm body next to her in her bed. Blinking, she took a moment to go over the events of the previous day, and when she'd recounted everything that'd happened, her mood reflected that of the one that shimmered in her innermost thoughts. She was quite happy with herself.
:I trust you slept well, Chosen?: The innocent inquiry was anything but, and instead of snapping waspishly back at the Companion, Kate simply smiled inwardly.
:Oh yes, very well.: she replied easily, rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked over at Dante, who was still dreaming onward and softly snoring. :And I think Dante did, as well.: She sat up slowly, propping herself against the wall with care - it was quite chilly this early in the morning, and with no fire going - the pillows were still on the floor where they'd been abandoned, the brand new gown lay in a heap somewhere near the foot of the bed. Kate yawned and scratched an itch on her bare stomach, then belatedly realized she was still quite naked. Somehow embarrassed, she hurried to dress herself in clothes that had managed to find their way into her room - a pile of gray, woolen things that she'd seen others around the collegium wearing, including Caelan. Dante sat up and blinked owlishly at Kate. "Why're you up so early?" he asked, "I think it was well past midnight before either of us got any sleep. . . ."
"I'm used to running on a few hours of rest," Kate said, then realized that it made her sound quite promiscuous. "It isn't because I do this sort of thing frequently," she hastily explained, and busied herself by combing her hair and gazing at her reflecting on the mirror.
"I wasn't going to say that," Dante grinned and sat up, watching Kate tie her hair into a ponytail behind her head, "But I will say this: I like your hair better when it's down." He grinned at her and watched her hesitate in tying off the rest of the cord, but at that moment, his eyes grew distant. Kate could see them perfectly in the mirror. :Kalia?: she asked, and the mare replied swiftly.
:I'm already on it.: A few second passed and Kate pretended she'd never noticed that Dante had paused. :He was speaking with Deyan,: the Companion relayed, even though she knew she didn't have to share that bit of information, :And it's something very important, judging by the sudden uproar in the Field over here. . . A great many of us are heading toward the Gate - I think there must be something wrong in Haven if they're all going out at once like this.:
:And what about you?:
:I'm not going. You're in there, remember? And you're not a full Herald. . . you should check with Dante.:
"What's going on?" Kate cut to the chase straight away, not bothering with the usual broaching of the subject. As she turned, she heard Dante stand and hastily dress. He was buckling his belt when he replied with a soft, "The Queen says she's just recieved word that there's an army on the march toward our borders. She suspects that they plan on attacking."
Kate's face paled, and she hurried to him. "An army? What kind of army?"
"We don't know, Kate. We only have one Herald on Circuit out there right now, and her Gift isn't FarSight. She's only got a tiny bit of Fetching, and that doesn't do anyone any good right now. It's all they can do to stay updated. I have to go," he kissed her cheek, "Selenae will be needing me right about now, and I can't afford to be absent."
Kate sighed, murmured 'duty first,' then opened the door for him. "You'll tell me if anything comes up, won't you?" she asked hopefully, her grey eyes searching his momentarily.
:If he doesn't, I'll pester Deyan about it and then tell you myself, Chosen.:
"Don't worry, Kate," Dante was saying at the same time Kalia made her comment to Kate, "I won't leave you out of the loop, if I don't have to." And, since she knew that this was the best she was going to get out of Dante, Kate nodded and watched him leave.
:Kalia!: she cried plaintively to the mare, who seemed slightly shocked that her supposedly stone-hearted Chosen sounded so forlorn, :I know exactly who's marching on Valdemar!:
:What?:
:There's no one else it could be!: she said, throwing herself upon her bed and staring out of her window at the wide band of greenish-gray that meant the sun would be rising within a few minutes. :My father would have been furious that his plans hadn't gone according to plan, and he'd want to capture the man who rescued me and have us both killed. I've been here for more than enough time for him to have had his army marched over here. . . this is horrible!:
:Kate, you have to tell somebody this!: Sudden movement out in the Field caught Kate's eye, and she realized that Kalia had been standing near the fence for quite some time.
:I'm coming out to see you. Wait for me.:
:Of course.:
She threw on her shoes, didn't bother to add a cloak to her ensemble, and hurried out of her door and into the chill pre-dawn air. Vaulting the fence was an easy task; Kate found herself in the company of her Companion in under a minute - she'd nearly run out into the Field the moment her feet hit the gravelled pathway leading from the Collegium. "I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner!" she cried at Kalia, "I should have known he'd send someone after me! I was so STUPID to think that he'd just leave well enough alone!"
:You were injured, rendered incapable of coherant thought for several days - on behalf of that medicine the Healers poured into you at regular intervals - and still in shock! Having been saved from certain doom mere seconds before you met it can be quite terrible on a person's mind. You didn't have the time, nor the energy, to think about anything other than the present, Chosen. No one will blame you, least of all me or Dante.:
:I know, but what about the rest of them? They already think I'm some sort of monster.:
:Maybe you shouldn't have poured soup all over that page, hm?:
:Hey! You said it yourself, I was in no condition to think about anything but the present. You can't blame me for that!:
Cornered, Kalia didn't reply straight away. Instead, she fell silent for a little while. When she finally spoke again, it was after a long sigh. :I'll consult with Ryvael. Selenae's his Chosen - he can relate everything to her without needing your prescence.:
:Thank you, Kalia.: Kate leaned heavily against the fence post and watched Kalia, waiting for the mare to complete her little conversation. Meanwhile, she tapped her foot against a post, coiled her hair around one finger, and let a thousand and one thoughts, most of them relating to how Kate would be punished for forgetting to mention that her father would be seeking revenge on her rescuers, run through her mind. Moments later, a flashy stallion cantered up to both of them. :This is Ryvael,: Kalia explained, nodding her head at him and stepping aside a bit. Another voice, this one deep and robust, reverberated into Kate's head so forcefully that she felt dizzy the moment he finished speaking.
:Well met and well come, Kayatice.: the voice said, and the stallion bowed his graceful head at her before continuing. :The Queen has been informed of your information and theories, and even as we speak, she is sending for word from the Herald on Circuit. Hopefully we will have an answer soon. My Selenae has asked for more information on the appearance of the soldiers. She supposes that you will know their insignia and colours, if they were described to you. Is this correct?:
Kate nodded, slowly so as not to further rattle her head, and swallowed.
:Very good. If you like, I can wait here with you, or I can take my leave of you, and Kalia can relay the information to you herself.: His gaze bored into Kate's, and the young lady felt as though he could see into her skull and read her thoughts like words in a book.
:I think I'd like it if Kalia relayed the information, sir,: she replied a little uneasily, :No offense, but your mindvoice is a little unsettling. . . .:
:You see, Ryvael? It isn't just me that thinks so.: Kalia snorted, obviously finding this latest bit of news very funny, and the stallion flicked his ears briefly backwards. Kate got the impression that we was blushing, despite the fact that it was impossible for a Companion to do so. At least, she thought it was. Fur couldn't change it's color the way skin could, right?
:I shall leave the two of you alone, then,: the stallion replied, with a twinkle in his eye, and winked at Kate. :If I hear anything, I'll get the news to you as soon as I am able. How does that suit?:
:Suits me,: Kalia and Kate replied in unison.
:Good, good. I bid you both a good morning; we'll be in touch shortly.:
Not knowing exactly why, Kate waved at Ryvael as he sauntered off, only lowering her arm to her side again after he'd vanished behind a few trees in the distance.
:I trust you slept well, Chosen?: The innocent inquiry was anything but, and instead of snapping waspishly back at the Companion, Kate simply smiled inwardly.
:Oh yes, very well.: she replied easily, rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked over at Dante, who was still dreaming onward and softly snoring. :And I think Dante did, as well.: She sat up slowly, propping herself against the wall with care - it was quite chilly this early in the morning, and with no fire going - the pillows were still on the floor where they'd been abandoned, the brand new gown lay in a heap somewhere near the foot of the bed. Kate yawned and scratched an itch on her bare stomach, then belatedly realized she was still quite naked. Somehow embarrassed, she hurried to dress herself in clothes that had managed to find their way into her room - a pile of gray, woolen things that she'd seen others around the collegium wearing, including Caelan. Dante sat up and blinked owlishly at Kate. "Why're you up so early?" he asked, "I think it was well past midnight before either of us got any sleep. . . ."
"I'm used to running on a few hours of rest," Kate said, then realized that it made her sound quite promiscuous. "It isn't because I do this sort of thing frequently," she hastily explained, and busied herself by combing her hair and gazing at her reflecting on the mirror.
"I wasn't going to say that," Dante grinned and sat up, watching Kate tie her hair into a ponytail behind her head, "But I will say this: I like your hair better when it's down." He grinned at her and watched her hesitate in tying off the rest of the cord, but at that moment, his eyes grew distant. Kate could see them perfectly in the mirror. :Kalia?: she asked, and the mare replied swiftly.
:I'm already on it.: A few second passed and Kate pretended she'd never noticed that Dante had paused. :He was speaking with Deyan,: the Companion relayed, even though she knew she didn't have to share that bit of information, :And it's something very important, judging by the sudden uproar in the Field over here. . . A great many of us are heading toward the Gate - I think there must be something wrong in Haven if they're all going out at once like this.:
:And what about you?:
:I'm not going. You're in there, remember? And you're not a full Herald. . . you should check with Dante.:
"What's going on?" Kate cut to the chase straight away, not bothering with the usual broaching of the subject. As she turned, she heard Dante stand and hastily dress. He was buckling his belt when he replied with a soft, "The Queen says she's just recieved word that there's an army on the march toward our borders. She suspects that they plan on attacking."
Kate's face paled, and she hurried to him. "An army? What kind of army?"
"We don't know, Kate. We only have one Herald on Circuit out there right now, and her Gift isn't FarSight. She's only got a tiny bit of Fetching, and that doesn't do anyone any good right now. It's all they can do to stay updated. I have to go," he kissed her cheek, "Selenae will be needing me right about now, and I can't afford to be absent."
Kate sighed, murmured 'duty first,' then opened the door for him. "You'll tell me if anything comes up, won't you?" she asked hopefully, her grey eyes searching his momentarily.
:If he doesn't, I'll pester Deyan about it and then tell you myself, Chosen.:
"Don't worry, Kate," Dante was saying at the same time Kalia made her comment to Kate, "I won't leave you out of the loop, if I don't have to." And, since she knew that this was the best she was going to get out of Dante, Kate nodded and watched him leave.
:Kalia!: she cried plaintively to the mare, who seemed slightly shocked that her supposedly stone-hearted Chosen sounded so forlorn, :I know exactly who's marching on Valdemar!:
:What?:
:There's no one else it could be!: she said, throwing herself upon her bed and staring out of her window at the wide band of greenish-gray that meant the sun would be rising within a few minutes. :My father would have been furious that his plans hadn't gone according to plan, and he'd want to capture the man who rescued me and have us both killed. I've been here for more than enough time for him to have had his army marched over here. . . this is horrible!:
:Kate, you have to tell somebody this!: Sudden movement out in the Field caught Kate's eye, and she realized that Kalia had been standing near the fence for quite some time.
:I'm coming out to see you. Wait for me.:
:Of course.:
She threw on her shoes, didn't bother to add a cloak to her ensemble, and hurried out of her door and into the chill pre-dawn air. Vaulting the fence was an easy task; Kate found herself in the company of her Companion in under a minute - she'd nearly run out into the Field the moment her feet hit the gravelled pathway leading from the Collegium. "I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner!" she cried at Kalia, "I should have known he'd send someone after me! I was so STUPID to think that he'd just leave well enough alone!"
:You were injured, rendered incapable of coherant thought for several days - on behalf of that medicine the Healers poured into you at regular intervals - and still in shock! Having been saved from certain doom mere seconds before you met it can be quite terrible on a person's mind. You didn't have the time, nor the energy, to think about anything other than the present, Chosen. No one will blame you, least of all me or Dante.:
:I know, but what about the rest of them? They already think I'm some sort of monster.:
:Maybe you shouldn't have poured soup all over that page, hm?:
:Hey! You said it yourself, I was in no condition to think about anything but the present. You can't blame me for that!:
Cornered, Kalia didn't reply straight away. Instead, she fell silent for a little while. When she finally spoke again, it was after a long sigh. :I'll consult with Ryvael. Selenae's his Chosen - he can relate everything to her without needing your prescence.:
:Thank you, Kalia.: Kate leaned heavily against the fence post and watched Kalia, waiting for the mare to complete her little conversation. Meanwhile, she tapped her foot against a post, coiled her hair around one finger, and let a thousand and one thoughts, most of them relating to how Kate would be punished for forgetting to mention that her father would be seeking revenge on her rescuers, run through her mind. Moments later, a flashy stallion cantered up to both of them. :This is Ryvael,: Kalia explained, nodding her head at him and stepping aside a bit. Another voice, this one deep and robust, reverberated into Kate's head so forcefully that she felt dizzy the moment he finished speaking.
:Well met and well come, Kayatice.: the voice said, and the stallion bowed his graceful head at her before continuing. :The Queen has been informed of your information and theories, and even as we speak, she is sending for word from the Herald on Circuit. Hopefully we will have an answer soon. My Selenae has asked for more information on the appearance of the soldiers. She supposes that you will know their insignia and colours, if they were described to you. Is this correct?:
Kate nodded, slowly so as not to further rattle her head, and swallowed.
:Very good. If you like, I can wait here with you, or I can take my leave of you, and Kalia can relay the information to you herself.: His gaze bored into Kate's, and the young lady felt as though he could see into her skull and read her thoughts like words in a book.
:I think I'd like it if Kalia relayed the information, sir,: she replied a little uneasily, :No offense, but your mindvoice is a little unsettling. . . .:
:You see, Ryvael? It isn't just me that thinks so.: Kalia snorted, obviously finding this latest bit of news very funny, and the stallion flicked his ears briefly backwards. Kate got the impression that we was blushing, despite the fact that it was impossible for a Companion to do so. At least, she thought it was. Fur couldn't change it's color the way skin could, right?
:I shall leave the two of you alone, then,: the stallion replied, with a twinkle in his eye, and winked at Kate. :If I hear anything, I'll get the news to you as soon as I am able. How does that suit?:
:Suits me,: Kalia and Kate replied in unison.
:Good, good. I bid you both a good morning; we'll be in touch shortly.:
Not knowing exactly why, Kate waved at Ryvael as he sauntered off, only lowering her arm to her side again after he'd vanished behind a few trees in the distance.