I'm sooooo sorry for not updating more often, but I had memory work from Hamlet due and still have a huge essay left to do sometime soon. Well, I hope this chapter will turn out ok, because I've been planning and planning, and it seems to me that whenever I do that, the chapter turns out badly, which it really odd. Anyway, I won't waste anymore time stalling, enjoy the read!
P.S. Just need to verify some pronunciations,
Aoko Embland -eh-oh-ko(as in go with a k) and em(as in Emily)-b(as in lamb)-land
Borka Chitward -Boar-caw(as in the sound a crow makes) and Chit(as int Chit-Chat)- ward
Roplo -Rop(as int hop but with an r)-low
Eoleo -e-ol'(like in the son Ol' Man River)-e-o
Chapter 12, More New Gifts.
Aoko's mouth dropped as she gazed upon the Collegia and the Palace. They were so big, that she couldn't even imagine how someone could have built them. The lawns were as green as if they were watered at least three times every day, trees grew tall and strong, and flowers bloomed magnificently, sending wafts of wonderful scents into the air. She could smell freshly baked pies somewhere up ahead, but couldn't pin-point it, for it seemed to come from all directions but behind, and her stomach growled, reminding her that they hadn't stopped for lunch yet.
She could see areas where they had laid out dirt instead of grass in the forestry parts of the grounds, and it seemed as if the trainees could use them for either weapons work, which was closer to the Salle, and Gift training, which took up all the other dirt spaces. Aoko quickly glanced at Adonis, and noticed that his attention had strayed to a certain area, and a certain dirt circle.
Aoko gazed in the direction he was, and noticed a trainee using a gift which was not present in any other circle. He was using the powers of ice, freezing objects flung at him from another Trainee, who looked to be doing that with her mind. First, small chopped logs would fly into the air, be frozen, then they would drop to the ground in a pile. These were followed by rocks, buckets, helmets, stirrups from saddles, pots, boots, and finally a old looking saddle rack. It looked stunning, and she figured that was why they had decided to do it in a more hidden spot.
Aoko would have paid attention to them longer, but they rounded another corner, and the Palace came into full view. The stone was aged, and very smooth from many storms and snows, and it looked as if it had been polished day and night, just for their arrival. A group of people, gryphons and Companions waited for them in front of it. In the middle of the crowd, stood Queen Selenay, or so she figured from the slim gold crown upon her brow, and Prince Darren. Beside them on the right, stood a well dressed Herald and her Companion, who she figured was the Queen's Own, and on the left, another finely dressed Herald and Companion, except these were male, and she hadn't a clue who they were.
Raphill stood behind them, along with two other fully grown gryphons, a male and female from the look them, and two more sets of a Herald and Companion, a Healer, a Bard, and an odd looking man with a bird.
Selenay smiled as they rode closer, and the man on her left fidgeted ever so slightly before retaking his well disciplined form. She saw Darren squeeze the Queen's hand before she stepped ahead lightly.
Taking the hint from Roplo, everyone dismounted, their Companions stepped back, taking charge of the ponies' reins with their teeth, and their group of one Kyrii, one herald, two trainees and two citizens seemed greatly smaller.
"Welcome new trainees to Haven, I hope you enjoy your stay, but before you get settled in to your new rooms and get classes and chores set up, we need to have a talk in the council room." Selenay spoke with a sweet voice, trying to sooth them all into not asking questions out in the open grounds, and Aoko felt obliged to help, by not saying a word, only smiling.
She thought she heard the Queen's Own whisper something to one of the other Heralds about the reason for using the council room, was because it was the only room with enough chairs to hold them all, but ignored it casually.
"I don't think that they will mind, after all, it's not every day that they get to meet the Queen of their great land in person!" Herald Roplo bowed his head slightly, and Aoko guessed that Selenay had told her Heralds that she wanted them to do this, trying to seem more equal in status then most citizens thought.
"Well, then we should head in that direction. There will be sandwiches and drinks laid out for you in there, I'm assuming that since you made such good time, you haven't eaten anything since breakfast." When Roplo nodded politely, she continued, "Talia, would you mind fetching Borka from his and Mananta's practicing. Ask him to change into his formal greys and meet us in the Council room." Talia, the woman on the right nodded her head, even though the Queen was not looking in her direction, mounted her Companion and went to find the Trainee they called Borka. "Please, follow me to the Council chambers."
Selenay turned lightly on her heel, and with Darren linked to her by arm, they walked through the large welcoming party and strode into the Palace. Next, Aoko's little group followed, the Companions promising to keep them company through mind-links, and the remaining people of the welcoming party following in behind, their Companions leaving as well.
Traveling through the palace was like entering a dream, young children scurried about carrying out errands set to them by adult highborn, the lighting was soft and elegant, the furniture, paintings, ceilings, floorings and walls were beautiful, all matching each other in colour. Rarely, Aoko would catch a glimpse of a highborn walking into one room or another. She could feel excitement bubble up inside her, and she felt as if she were going to burst, or that she was going to wake up from this dream place and find herself lying asleep in the top of the stables back at home in Edinbrook.
After about five or so minutes of walking through her wonderland, they came to a large mahogany door, finely varnished and cleaned. When Selenay opened it, she saw a large room behind it, containing a odd horseshoe shaped table with comfy, yet elegant mahogany chairs. There were also three spots where large cushions were placed, and one spot where a wooden box with another cushion had been placed. Aoko figured that these were the places where Senkousha, Raphill and the other two gryphons were to sit and join the conversation.
Selenay sat down a the head of the table, if you could call it that, with Darren on her left and an empty chair on her right, where the Queen's Own would sit. The male Herald sat with slight ease to the left of Darren.
"Please sit wherever pleases you, except to my immediate right." Selenay gestured to the spot left open for Talia, and all who were present at the moment sat. Aoko's party finding pleasure with sitting on something that wasn't moving, and wasn't going to give you saddle soars.
Soon after seating themselves, an older page entered pushing a silver trolley, which had small and neat sandwiches on it, and it was followed by one with goblets of different wines, and juices. they both went around the inside of the table, with people reaching politely over and taking first a plate, then a sandwich or two, and drink to follow. The sandwich trolley stayed in the corner of the room, while the drink one left, shutting the door softly while it did so.
Aoko ate as fast as she dared in front of the Queen, as not to look greedy, and drank with much enthusiasm. The drink trolley soon reappeared, and left jugs of juice, wine and cider on the tables, allowing the guests to take more when they wished. then, the sandwich trolley made it's rounds again, but this time, the sandwiches were on the second level of the trolley, one which she hadn't noticed before, and small delicate desserts were on the top. Aoko selected two small chocolate ones with a cream filling, and a medium sized piece of cake, which looked to have been made with carrots.
"My chefs were busy preparing fine things today when they found out that you would be arriving. They insisted that they make some of their finest desserts for you to try, and a few new recipes, to find out what they were like. I hope you enjoyed them." Selenay smiled when she saw eager nods from around the table, and as she finished her statement, Talia and an older teenager walked in the door.
Aoko figured that this was Borka, and soon realized that this was the same person she had seen outside working his ice magic on the flung items. He was better dressed now, wearing finely made grey clothing, similar in cut to the fancy whites that the heralds were wearing. She assumed that some day really soon she would be wearing the dull grey colours around the grounds here.
Talia seated herself beside the Queen, and Borka sat in the empty seat between Aoko and Adonis. He grabbed a glass and poured himself a large amount of cider, and after finding it too warm for his satisfaction, held onto the glass, and Aoko noticed that there was ice forming on the glass of the fine cup, cooling the drink inside of it. Borka looked her way, and when he saw the fascination on her face, smiled at her politely.
"Well, now that we are all here, we can begin this meeting. I called you all here today, because there have been some odd things arising lately. As most of you who are already apart of the Collegia and palace know, we had a young man come in a few days ago with a very strange Gift. Borka, would you like to explain the Gift, and tell us how you found it?" Selenay gazed towards Borka, waiting to hear his story for probably the hundredth time already.
Borka stood, his chair sliding gently across the floor. "Hello, my name is Borka Chitward, and I have the power of the Gift of freezing. This Gift is somewhat like that of Firestarter, except that it is ice, not fire that I'm using. About a week ago, my father took my for my first boar hunt, which included me, my father, my older brother, and a few of our friends. In all, I would guess about twenty-five people, which we split into two different parties. When my party got to an older part of the wood, a rotten tree, which had been leaning on another for support, suddenly fell, and we had no time to gallop out of the way. Worried sick about these around me, I imagined the tree stopping midair, for no apparent reason, giving us time to move away. This wish came, and I noticed that I had my arms reaching towards the tree, with icicles hanging from the bottoms of my fingers." He shivered as if he could still feel the ice on him, "The tree had been frozen into place, only a few feet away from crushing my party."
On the first day before I was Chosen, I would think of freezing something, hold my finger out, and it would freeze, including my finger. The next day, I discovered that if I only thought about it, it would freeze in front of me, and I started help out the chefs with the cold desserts after the meals. On the third day, I woke up to find people running around my home here in Haven, talking about how there was Companion who wanted in the door of the house. They finally let her in, and she came straight to my room, and Chose me. That was when I came here, ands tarted my more extensive training. I also have a strong gift in Mind-Speech, but that is about it." Borka took a deep breath, and sat again, glancing over at the Queen.
"Borka's story was interesting to hear when I listened to him the first time I met him. This Gift has never been seen before, but it is not the only one what is different that arisen during this time." the Queen turned away from Aoko's group, and looked mostly at the people who belong here at the Collegia, and continued, "There is a girl in this room by the name of Aoko and a boy by the name of Adonis, and they both have strange Gifts." Selenay looked back at the group, mainly on Aoko. "If you would care to tell you stories, Aoko first, Adonis, following?"
Aoko could feel Adonis shake his head yes, off to her left, and picked up the conversation with her story of adventure now passed. She stood, and cleared her throat softly, nervous because she had never talked in front of so many people before. "My name is Aoko Embland, and I come from the small town to the north called Edinbrook. A few weeks ago, as you should know, my town was attacked by a band of raiders, and as I was trying to get to the stables at my house, so I could ride away and get help, I was hit from behind and from the sides from about seventeen arrows or so, taking me down fast enough that they left me alone, not even thinking twice about it. I some how managed to gain enough strength subconsciously to get up, tack up my horse, and ride out of town."
Along the rode, the true nature of my horse was let out, and Naomi, my now Companion was what was set free. She had hidden in the form of a normal horse while she was working in Karse on a farm, and as my pleasure horse back on my farm. She traveled a long time before she could find a place that had a Herald and hadn't been touched by the raiders, and along that journey, she ran into two feuding creatures, Senkousha and Raphill, who joined my party when she saved them from killing each other over a simple matter of food. When we arrived at Herald Géven's hold, the two left us, traveling more North, to the unknown lands in search of more."
I stayed a bed for quite a few days sicker than ever after the surgery which removed the arrows. No one thought I'd live to see another day again. But, one beautiful sunny day, I awoke, to find the Healer Midori sleeping softly in a chair beside my bed. She had been keeping watch over me. I had healed my self from the inside out during the past few days, and that night had been when I healed the outside, giving me the chance to wake up and show the world what I had done." The healer sitting across from her moved to protest, but kept quiet under the watchful eye of the Queen. "Midori had thought that I would not live, and knew that if she had healed me, I would never be normal, so had left me out of serious healing, under the instruction of Naomi. But, my body wouldn't give up the fight, and that was when my strange Gift appeared. I am able to Heal myself. I cannot heal any other, only me, and, as you can see, save myself from serious injury."
"How is that possible? I have never heard of anyone healing themself other than the smallest of cuts, broken bones, etcetera." The Healer spoke up. He seemed stunned that someone could do this, and not have it show up before, not even in a Healer, let alone a Herald.
"Would you like to see the scars left over from the arrows, and would you like to see a demonstration?" Aoko looked at the Healer challengingly.
"I would, thank you very much." He glared back at her, and Aoko shrugged in compliance.
Aoko turned around where she was standing, and lifted up the back of her tunic, revealing her still nasty scars from the attack only a few weeks before. The scars were still red from the healing, left for time to do it's own work, and Aoko still even felt a few aches come from them ever once in a while. The Healer across from her gasped, gazing at the twenty-some-odd arrow scars. Aoko heard muffled gasps from around the horseshoe table, and let her tunic fall back down to her waist. She turned around and picked up the bread loaf knife, set her hand down onto the table, and slashed herself across with the sharp knife.
People around her winced as they heard metal hit bone, and the Healer's mouth gaped open in surprise. Before the Healer could react, and help Aoko heal herself, Aoko set to the quick task of doing in on her own. in about two seconds time, the cut was only a very light scar across her hand, and she could hear the Bard across the table gulp in fear. Aoko figured that she did this because, no matter how many songs were written by them about wars, they never really saw what went on, and this Bard had never seen this kind of wound inflicted, let alone self-inflicted. Aoko sat down, and glanced over at the Queen. She looked astonished, and beside her, the Queen's Own had the look of sadness in her eyes, as if she knew how painful that had been, as if she had felt te pain before, and was hoping to sharing Aoko's fears, pains, and troubles with her.
The Queen stood abruptly. "I have found that at this time, I think that the meeting shall be postponed until further notice. We shall regroup again tomorrow, smae time, same place. we will listen to the final tale, and discuss this later. For now, get some rest and please try to have a little fun now." the Queen nodded to them all, and slipped out through the mahogany door, Prince Darren following close behind, probably going to her rooms to ponder the day's events.
It had been an odd day alright, and she figured that it was time she did get some rest. Herald Roplo approached her cautiously. "Aoko, room arrangements have been made for you, Adonis, and your other friends. Please, if you'll follow me." Roplo sounded on edge, and quickly stalked away, obviously wanting her to follow just as briskly.
After walking for a while, Aoko in a dazed, thinking about the days' happenings, Roplo stopped, and opened a door to a small little room, with a desk, bookshelf, small fireplace, a chest, and a bed. Clothes were laid out on the bed, as well as in the open chest, and Roplo motioned for her to enter it. "This is your room my dear, and we shall see you tomorrow." Roplo shut the door on her, and she could hear him walking away.
Have I frightened him with my demonstration? Did I frighten everyone? Will I be able to stay here after all? Questions ran through her head nonstop, as she paced around the room back and fourth, and after tiring of that motion, she removed the clothes from the bed, and laid down to think.
:Naomi, do you tink I scared everyone today during the meeting?: Aoko was worried that she wouldn't make friends now, and that she had scared away all those she thought would be her friends with her vivid showing of violence and Healing.
:Now, now love, you only shocked them. Maybe you frightened Roplo a little, but I'm sure it was only minor and he'll come around again, you'll see. Herald Talia would be the one to talk to if you really need some reassuring, she knows that these people have seen before, and knows what to expect from them. She has also been through a lot fo troubles in her lifetime already, you should ask her about them.: Naomi paused for a second, and Aoko figured that she was yawning because of the long day. :But dearest, now is not the time to be thinking about that. It is late, even if your body tells you not. you spent a long time in the council room for that meeting without noticing, and the bell to wake up the other trainees rings early. Get some sleep.....: Naomi trailed off, shutting out Aoko so that she had nothing to do other sleep away her troubles for one night.
Just she Aoko was sternly telling herself in her mind that she was in no state to fall asleep, she felt her lids drag down, and the blackness on night overtake her mind, sending her into one of the deepest sleeps she had ever experienced, even forgetting to slip out of her dirty clothes, and changing into the light sleeping nightgown which she had left on her bed. As she slipped further off, and dreamt of lovely rides with Naomi over meadows of lush green grass, and wonderful smelling flowers, sh would certainly wake up refreshed.