I wrote this chapter while I was on a vacation, for three days, and I was sitting in bed being bored. I had my laptop (which I take everywhere) and decided to write the next chapter since it is nice to update quickly! I hope you like this one.
P.S. Please review if you hope to have me updating sooner, I like to know how I can fix things, and what I can explain to you! Thanks.
Chapter 6, Breaking the News
Raven scrambled back into the hold from his napping place when Naomi called him down. It was the day after she had Chosen, and Aoko was wandering around the hold, watching the work being done on the building.
:What is it that you would like my dear?: Raven nudged her now white nose. He could Sense that she was unhappy about something.
:Well, I told you about my Choosing, and you haven't even told your Chosen about it! What happens when we leave and he doesn't know a thing about how Aoko is or even where we are going and why! Do you expect that he won't hold us back, thinking that Aoko is not well enough?: Naomi moved her head away from his, she was mad, and she wanted him to see that.
:I guess that I had not thought about that, which is quite strange, and I do agree that he should be warned before you leave. When exactly were you planning on that movement?: Raven hoped that the time that Naomi would give him would be enough so that he could get Géven to agree with moving with them, mind you they would be leaving for Haven a while later.
:I would like to leave as soon as I possibly can. Aoko's Gift is rather odd and Midori says that it should be looked at, after she does. I told Midori that she is welcome to train Aoko what she knows so that the Gift won't go out of control. I probed her and she has her Healing Gift, a small amount of Empathy, a little Animal-Speech, and she is quite a strong Mind Speaker. She can talk with Midori already.: Naomi had probed her Chosen the night before for other Gifts than the one that had immediately shown.
:An interesting combination. I'm assuming that Midori will be teaching her to shield herself very soon. That is the most important thing, and I think that she should be able to teach her. Midori used to teach at the Collegium before moving out here with Géven:
:That is something that I did not know, and yes she is teaching her the basics, starting today, in about two Candlemarks.: Naomi snorted as a fly landed on her forehead.
Raven used his nose to swat at the fly, causing it to fly off in another direction, most likely looking for another animal to bite. :That is good, but I had better go and have a talk with Géven about you and Aoko. I know how much you want to get to Haven, the Collegium and your family.:
:I'm not so sure about the family part. It's been a long time, and I'm hoping that you will be able to approach them with me. I highly doubt that with how you will need to pack, and all that.: Naomi looked worried, the idea of family had not always made her happy.
:I doubt it as well. But, that is not something we should talk about right now, I need to talk to Géven at the current moment.: Raven nuzzled her again, then trotted off in another direction.
Since Géven was supposed to be outside supervising the building of the new part of the hold, Raven thought it best to try and find him out there first, before entering the actual building. :Géven, where are you? There is something important I need to talk to you about, and it shouldn't be put off much longer than a candlemark or so.:
"Right here, you lazy, old horse!" Géven answered from somewhere in the near distance. Raven saw a flash of white, and knew it was him, who else would be wearing white around construction?
:Good, maybe we should go somewhere more private? This place is quite out in the open, and I'm afraid that you may blurt something important.: Raven looked around as the Holderkin men who were hired for this job gazed him in confusion, most places did not have horses wandering around with no one watching them. :I also think that they find it rather confusing that you are talking out loud to a horse who does not seem to reply.:
Géven laughed out, and the man beside him looked startled by the outburst. "It's my Companion, you do know what they are, what they stand for and what they can do, right?" Géven looked at the man who quickly glanced at Raven and then turned.
"Yes, sir," Was the only reply the man had.
:I told you that I don't think that they like Companions that much. They never inform their children on what we are until they at least become twenty years of age.: Raven walked slowly beside Géven as he went around inspecting the work that was being done.
"I know, I know. You just have a grudge against anything that does not like you. You say the same thing about the people in Karse!" Géven looked sternly at him with his steel blue eyes. :Anyways, what is it that you wish to speak to me about?:
:You know Naomi, the now semi-black Companion, and her rider, Aoko?: Géven nodded at him as he looked at the stone block that had a small crack in it. :Well, Naomi Chose Aoko.:
:This is new news to me, exactly when did you find this out?: Géven looked up and paid more attention, he seemed to be greatly interested in the way Companions Find and Choose the people who eventually become Heralds for the Queen of Valdemar.
:Naomi told me last night after her conversation with Midori.: Raven waited until Géven thought about Aoko and her condition two days ago.
:Wait a minute, wasn't Aoko gravely injured, and Midori thought that she would not even live to see another day? How could she become well enough to do anything in the two days that I did not see here? Midori hasn't been telling me things, has she?: Géven looked so confused, and Raven couldn't help but whinny at the look on his face. Géven's hard face almost never looked confused.
:I guess that I haven't really been talking to you these past few days, have I, lover?: Midori's Healer green robes shone out amongst all of the grays and browns of the workers. She smiled as she approached them, and Géven kissed her lightly on the forehead when she came into reach. :You don't mind me joining in on the conversation, do you?:
:It's not bad at all, that way I won't have to explain what Aoko's Gift is and how it works!: Raven whinnied again when he noticed the weird look Géven gave him when he said gift.
:She has a Gift?:
:Four to be exact. Naomi probed her last night.: Midori put in.
:Two are rather strong, Healing and Mind-Speech. The other two are minor, Animal-Speech and Empathy.: Raven added.
:Healing, in a Herald? Most Heralds with the Healing power, have it in a minor scale, but hers is one of her main Gifts? That's quite odd, so I'm guessing that there is something special about this Healing Gift, no?: Géven looked back and fourth from Raven to Midori, and back.
:Yes, her Gift can only be used on herself, at least as far as we can tell. She has shown no signs that her Healing has done anything bad to her body, internal or external. But, she has also shown no signs of being able to Heal others around her.: Midori paused.
:That is odd, but it could be quite useful to her is ever in a tight situation and she needs Healing quickly. I'm sure that she could be use in a great amount of ways towards thus war against Ancar and his mages.: Géven looked thoughtful, it would be an interesting tactic.
:That was one thing that Naomi and I thought about when we talked the other day.: Midori had greatly recommended telling that idea to the Queen and Queen's Own.
:Yes, that would all be good, and perhaps Midori could tell you more about her strange Gift some other time, Géven, we need to talk about something else right now, and I think that it would best fit my purposes if Midori left the conversation for a little while. Sorry for making you leave so soon, but this is important, and for only me and him to discuss.: Raven looked up at Midori's soft brown eyes, and he could really tell how different the two lovers were from each other, it was quite a remarkable pair for a few years running relationship
:I do not mind, I need to see to some training in a small amount of time, so I better get read for that right now. Don't want t be setting up as my pupil enters!: Midori waved good-bye and turned to walk into the Healer's section.
:What is so important that you can't tell me in front of Midori? You know that I share almost everything that I find out with her.: Géven gazed at his Companion, after all, he out of all living creatures, should know that since he shares his mind with him.
:Well, Naomi wants to leave for Haven as soon as she possibly can, but her and I have a slight problem that we need your help with.: Géven nodded for him to continue when he paused for more than a minute. :I haven't told you this before, but Naomi and I are Lifebonded. We need to be together to be complete.:
:So that means that you would like to go to Haven as well, either when she goes, or a little after her, right?: When Raven nodded his rather large head, he added, :I don't see what's the matter with that. Midori said that there is a family with two adult Healers and a younger son who is also a Healer coming to the hold pretty soon, well, in a few days. Also, the Herald who replaced me at the Collegium would much rather have this job than the one he now holds. I think that the only problem with leaving at the same time would be that Midori needs to be with the new Healers for some time before they can run the place on their own, and also, the Herald needs to get here before I can leave, so I can show him what he needs to do. I don't think that it would take more than a moon, but no less than a fortnight. Think that you can hold it out for that long without seeing her?: Géven smiled slightly.
:I think that I would do fine, and she should do fine as well. Don't forget that all Companions are connected in a web like structure and we can contact each other from some pretty far distances.: Raven gave his smart-mouth Chosen a light shove with his head, and Géven stumbled a bit when he tripped over a small rock that Raven had moved him in front of.
:Good, then it's settled. I Shall start packing, and I'll tell Midori on what we plan to do, mind you I won't tell her all that you told me. You had better get this whole thing planned soon, I think that you might want to contact Rolan tomorrow, after you get a good night's rest, and you have a lot of time, it may take a long time to set up, you never know what is going to happen with the Collegium!: Géven patted Raven's slender neck, and waved good-bye, and he walked into the building and headed towards Midori's Healing section.
It was going to be a long day tomorrow, and he better reserve his strength for all the long distance. Mind-Speaking he was going to be doing!
P.S. Please review if you hope to have me updating sooner, I like to know how I can fix things, and what I can explain to you! Thanks.
Chapter 6, Breaking the News
Raven scrambled back into the hold from his napping place when Naomi called him down. It was the day after she had Chosen, and Aoko was wandering around the hold, watching the work being done on the building.
:What is it that you would like my dear?: Raven nudged her now white nose. He could Sense that she was unhappy about something.
:Well, I told you about my Choosing, and you haven't even told your Chosen about it! What happens when we leave and he doesn't know a thing about how Aoko is or even where we are going and why! Do you expect that he won't hold us back, thinking that Aoko is not well enough?: Naomi moved her head away from his, she was mad, and she wanted him to see that.
:I guess that I had not thought about that, which is quite strange, and I do agree that he should be warned before you leave. When exactly were you planning on that movement?: Raven hoped that the time that Naomi would give him would be enough so that he could get Géven to agree with moving with them, mind you they would be leaving for Haven a while later.
:I would like to leave as soon as I possibly can. Aoko's Gift is rather odd and Midori says that it should be looked at, after she does. I told Midori that she is welcome to train Aoko what she knows so that the Gift won't go out of control. I probed her and she has her Healing Gift, a small amount of Empathy, a little Animal-Speech, and she is quite a strong Mind Speaker. She can talk with Midori already.: Naomi had probed her Chosen the night before for other Gifts than the one that had immediately shown.
:An interesting combination. I'm assuming that Midori will be teaching her to shield herself very soon. That is the most important thing, and I think that she should be able to teach her. Midori used to teach at the Collegium before moving out here with Géven:
:That is something that I did not know, and yes she is teaching her the basics, starting today, in about two Candlemarks.: Naomi snorted as a fly landed on her forehead.
Raven used his nose to swat at the fly, causing it to fly off in another direction, most likely looking for another animal to bite. :That is good, but I had better go and have a talk with Géven about you and Aoko. I know how much you want to get to Haven, the Collegium and your family.:
:I'm not so sure about the family part. It's been a long time, and I'm hoping that you will be able to approach them with me. I highly doubt that with how you will need to pack, and all that.: Naomi looked worried, the idea of family had not always made her happy.
:I doubt it as well. But, that is not something we should talk about right now, I need to talk to Géven at the current moment.: Raven nuzzled her again, then trotted off in another direction.
Since Géven was supposed to be outside supervising the building of the new part of the hold, Raven thought it best to try and find him out there first, before entering the actual building. :Géven, where are you? There is something important I need to talk to you about, and it shouldn't be put off much longer than a candlemark or so.:
"Right here, you lazy, old horse!" Géven answered from somewhere in the near distance. Raven saw a flash of white, and knew it was him, who else would be wearing white around construction?
:Good, maybe we should go somewhere more private? This place is quite out in the open, and I'm afraid that you may blurt something important.: Raven looked around as the Holderkin men who were hired for this job gazed him in confusion, most places did not have horses wandering around with no one watching them. :I also think that they find it rather confusing that you are talking out loud to a horse who does not seem to reply.:
Géven laughed out, and the man beside him looked startled by the outburst. "It's my Companion, you do know what they are, what they stand for and what they can do, right?" Géven looked at the man who quickly glanced at Raven and then turned.
"Yes, sir," Was the only reply the man had.
:I told you that I don't think that they like Companions that much. They never inform their children on what we are until they at least become twenty years of age.: Raven walked slowly beside Géven as he went around inspecting the work that was being done.
"I know, I know. You just have a grudge against anything that does not like you. You say the same thing about the people in Karse!" Géven looked sternly at him with his steel blue eyes. :Anyways, what is it that you wish to speak to me about?:
:You know Naomi, the now semi-black Companion, and her rider, Aoko?: Géven nodded at him as he looked at the stone block that had a small crack in it. :Well, Naomi Chose Aoko.:
:This is new news to me, exactly when did you find this out?: Géven looked up and paid more attention, he seemed to be greatly interested in the way Companions Find and Choose the people who eventually become Heralds for the Queen of Valdemar.
:Naomi told me last night after her conversation with Midori.: Raven waited until Géven thought about Aoko and her condition two days ago.
:Wait a minute, wasn't Aoko gravely injured, and Midori thought that she would not even live to see another day? How could she become well enough to do anything in the two days that I did not see here? Midori hasn't been telling me things, has she?: Géven looked so confused, and Raven couldn't help but whinny at the look on his face. Géven's hard face almost never looked confused.
:I guess that I haven't really been talking to you these past few days, have I, lover?: Midori's Healer green robes shone out amongst all of the grays and browns of the workers. She smiled as she approached them, and Géven kissed her lightly on the forehead when she came into reach. :You don't mind me joining in on the conversation, do you?:
:It's not bad at all, that way I won't have to explain what Aoko's Gift is and how it works!: Raven whinnied again when he noticed the weird look Géven gave him when he said gift.
:She has a Gift?:
:Four to be exact. Naomi probed her last night.: Midori put in.
:Two are rather strong, Healing and Mind-Speech. The other two are minor, Animal-Speech and Empathy.: Raven added.
:Healing, in a Herald? Most Heralds with the Healing power, have it in a minor scale, but hers is one of her main Gifts? That's quite odd, so I'm guessing that there is something special about this Healing Gift, no?: Géven looked back and fourth from Raven to Midori, and back.
:Yes, her Gift can only be used on herself, at least as far as we can tell. She has shown no signs that her Healing has done anything bad to her body, internal or external. But, she has also shown no signs of being able to Heal others around her.: Midori paused.
:That is odd, but it could be quite useful to her is ever in a tight situation and she needs Healing quickly. I'm sure that she could be use in a great amount of ways towards thus war against Ancar and his mages.: Géven looked thoughtful, it would be an interesting tactic.
:That was one thing that Naomi and I thought about when we talked the other day.: Midori had greatly recommended telling that idea to the Queen and Queen's Own.
:Yes, that would all be good, and perhaps Midori could tell you more about her strange Gift some other time, Géven, we need to talk about something else right now, and I think that it would best fit my purposes if Midori left the conversation for a little while. Sorry for making you leave so soon, but this is important, and for only me and him to discuss.: Raven looked up at Midori's soft brown eyes, and he could really tell how different the two lovers were from each other, it was quite a remarkable pair for a few years running relationship
:I do not mind, I need to see to some training in a small amount of time, so I better get read for that right now. Don't want t be setting up as my pupil enters!: Midori waved good-bye and turned to walk into the Healer's section.
:What is so important that you can't tell me in front of Midori? You know that I share almost everything that I find out with her.: Géven gazed at his Companion, after all, he out of all living creatures, should know that since he shares his mind with him.
:Well, Naomi wants to leave for Haven as soon as she possibly can, but her and I have a slight problem that we need your help with.: Géven nodded for him to continue when he paused for more than a minute. :I haven't told you this before, but Naomi and I are Lifebonded. We need to be together to be complete.:
:So that means that you would like to go to Haven as well, either when she goes, or a little after her, right?: When Raven nodded his rather large head, he added, :I don't see what's the matter with that. Midori said that there is a family with two adult Healers and a younger son who is also a Healer coming to the hold pretty soon, well, in a few days. Also, the Herald who replaced me at the Collegium would much rather have this job than the one he now holds. I think that the only problem with leaving at the same time would be that Midori needs to be with the new Healers for some time before they can run the place on their own, and also, the Herald needs to get here before I can leave, so I can show him what he needs to do. I don't think that it would take more than a moon, but no less than a fortnight. Think that you can hold it out for that long without seeing her?: Géven smiled slightly.
:I think that I would do fine, and she should do fine as well. Don't forget that all Companions are connected in a web like structure and we can contact each other from some pretty far distances.: Raven gave his smart-mouth Chosen a light shove with his head, and Géven stumbled a bit when he tripped over a small rock that Raven had moved him in front of.
:Good, then it's settled. I Shall start packing, and I'll tell Midori on what we plan to do, mind you I won't tell her all that you told me. You had better get this whole thing planned soon, I think that you might want to contact Rolan tomorrow, after you get a good night's rest, and you have a lot of time, it may take a long time to set up, you never know what is going to happen with the Collegium!: Géven patted Raven's slender neck, and waved good-bye, and he walked into the building and headed towards Midori's Healing section.
It was going to be a long day tomorrow, and he better reserve his strength for all the long distance. Mind-Speaking he was going to be doing!