Together We Stand

As they slowly approached the inner gates Camon quickly chewed over a problem. Should I tell the other Herald about Chesh? I mean, we might need her help . . . but then, it's not my secret to tell. I trust her, but what if the other herald doesn't, once they know what she can do?
Suddenly he felt movement behind him. He turned around to see Chesh dismount.
"Where are you going?" He asked in a surprised tone of voice. She looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"The whole idea of me bleeding energy like this was so that I could avoid being noticed by Tremaine. Going up to him and saying 'hi' defeats the idea. After all, my 'invisibility' is hardly perfect, and I doubt it would take long for him to notice that I was having an odd effect on the energy web surrounding me. I dislike being noticed. Nothing good has ever come of it." Her eyes were drifting back to cold again. Camon guessed he had brought up some unpleasant memories, but he had to persuade her to help.
"Chesh, I'll be honest, I think we need you. You have an understanding of Earth-Sense I don't think anyone else possesses. You've taught me things that were never even hinted at as possibilities. The people of Hardorn need you."
"Why should I care?" Camon gasped. "Or to put that another way, why should I take the risk of having an entire community howling for my blood, when I stand to gain nothing?" She cocked her head at him while he stared. "I have no problem helping people, but why should I risk myself to do so?"
Camon calmed. He had the feeling she wasn't half a cynical as she seemed. Besides, as a Herald, he was compensated for the risks he took in many ways, chiefly with Iearnen. A sudden pang went through him. She must be incredibly lonely, the only one of her kind. No wonder she travels so much.

:Hurmm:
Camon took a deep breath.
"Well, for starters you'd have a better place to stay than most in the city. I think I can promise you'll be paid, and paid well." Chesh was just looking at him. If there was feeling in her, he couldn't see it. He hadn't meant to sound so mercenary. "You could spend time with me and Iearnen too, and um . . ." Inspiration struck. "And you'd have access to the library! There's supposed to be a large one here. And Chesh, you have my promise that anyone who tries to hurt you will have to go through me first."
"Snort"
"Go through us first." Chesh's face softened and she offered a slight smile.
"Thank you." She quietly said as she climbed up behind him. "That's the first time in . . . a very long while that someone's said they'll stand up for me. I'm touched."

Even though Camon had to turn his back to Chesh he could still feel that smile through his Whites, which suddenly didn't seem to fit so badly.

They were quickly passed through the gates and met by Herald Talia. Camon felt incredibly relieved which earned him a smile from her. Iearnen headed to the stables to rest as they greeted each other.
"Camon, it's good to see you."
"Herald Talia! I was hoping it would be you. This is my friend Cheshire."
"Please, call me Chesh." She said with a smile and a tip of her hat. They were quickly settled into rooms. Fortunately the room cleared for Si'anne, Camon's senior partner was still vacant. Chesh decided to visit Iearnen in the stables, and Talia quickly seized the opportunity to talk to Camon alone.
"So, how was your trip?" She asked, thinning her shields slightly to enhance her sensitivity.
"It could easily have been a lot worse." Camon stated matter-of-factly as they walked in the garden. "About a day's travel into the country a monster attacked us. It came out of the ground underneath us. Fortunately the only casualty was Chesh's horse. Neither of us was injured." Talia raised an eyebrow and pointed at Camon's wrist. "Well, not badly, and even that's the result of my own inexperience." Talia nodded. Really, they had been lucky to get away in one piece. Several travelers had been killed, and the rate of attacks was increasing. If it had been like this before she would never have allowed Camon to come alone.

Talia was surprised by his poise, and the genuine lack of residual fear he felt, especially in light of Si'anne's letter about him. She had referred to him as 'lacking in self-confidence', something that could be remedied with experience and 'lacking in common sense', something that couldn't.

Talia thought back to her experiences with Camon, back in Haven. Even though as an empath, she'd been the best one to tutor him in the use of his powers, her schedule had prevented her from getting to know him well. Still, she remembered him as being unstable and nervous. She'd been uncomfortable with the decision to give him his whites and send him here, but there hadn't seemed to be any alternative. Now though, he was like a different person. He's centered. Not just his gift, he's centered mentally and emotionally. I wonder how that happened?

By this time they had reached a quiet area of the garden. Camon gently led Talia to a private bench. He seemed to be thinking something over intently, determined to choose his words with care. Talia patiently waited for him to speak. He's deciding exactly what to tell me. A chill crept through her. Has he changed so much he's considering lying to another herald?
"Talia, Chesh has earth-sense." Talia raised her eyebrows. Earth-sense was hardly a common ability, which was why she'd been the one to tutor Camon. Camon took a deep breath. "What's more, she can use her abilities offensively. She killed the monster by draining its energy." The words came out in a rush. He looked at her, obviously expecting a response.
"I wasn't aware that was possible."
"Either was I. Without her help I'd be dead. She's taught me how to do a lot of things, things I didn't even know were possible, were never even mentioned as possibilities. Do you know that I can check on my parents from here? All the way back in Haven and I know how they're fine. I haven't had any trouble sleeping either. She taught me how to connect to a place and later sever that connection so I can leave." Talia was shocked. Even Tremaine couldn't do that. Suddenly she realized something. He's trying to distract me. What is it he doesn't want me to know? She almost dropped her shields completely, trying to read him, then reconsidered. No. I won't treat him like an enemy. That's the surest way to alienate him. Treat him like an equal. He obviously is now.
"You're hiding something from me Camon." She said to him sternly.
"Yes."
"As your senior officer I could order you to tell me."
"As a fellow herald I could ask you to trust me when I say it's not something you need to know."
"Trust is a two way street Camon. If you expect me to trust you as a full Herald, you have to trust my judgment in return. What I don't know, however insignificant could result in serious problems later." Suddenly a flash of knowledge came to her. "Of course, I should have realized." Talia muttered to herself. "Don't worry, I know what it is. I'm sorry for prying, but I had to know. Don't worry, I'll leave this a private matter between you and Chesh." Talia patted him on the hand as she walked off, leaving him sitting on the bench staring openmouthed after her.
Honestly, all that fuss over him becoming a father. Still I suppose it was probably unexpected. Talia snickered in the privacy of her own mind. No wonder he was sleeping better.