Note:I don't own Valdemar.
To Lurks in shadow: Sorry about the short Chapters, but i had written this stroy w/o any so i had to kind of fudge on where to put them.
It was during my time with Tristian, about six months after I'd been Chosen that he had something important to tell me.
"Cari, I haven't told any one else yet, though it's probably all over the Collegium grounds by now, but I got my whites today. I'm going to go to the East Border to patrol, and I'm leaving next week," he said in a loving tone.
"That's great! That you got your Whites, I mean, not that you're leaving." Came my reply, trying to sound up beat, but utterly failing.
"I'll write to you every chance I get, which probably won't be many. I have to get some things taken care of before I leave, so, I guess I'd better start now, huh?" He told me as he gently brushed a few tears from my face.
The time Tris was leaving also coincided with summer break, which I was planning to spend at home, with Mum and Da. Tris left two days before I started out. We could have traveled together, but had decided that that could make Herald Lianas uncomfortable.
The day dawned bright and clear, which was at odds with my heavy heart. I wouldn't see Tris for most of a whole year.
:Cheer up, Chosen! It'll be fine. I'll bet Chava will be glad to see you.: Emyr said, sending soothing undertones
"I know. I'll be glad to see her, too. Let's see...she should have had at least...oh...I think three litters. I know Tor wanted a kitten for his sister, next time he visited her. When we get home, can you 'Send to Sonya? Maybe he'll See a kitten Tor's sis'll like." I replied, still thinking about Tris.
We rounded the last hill and Em stopped so I could get a good look at the farm. Everything looked exactly like I remembered it. "Let's go home, Emyr. I can't wait to see Da and Mum!" Em galloped the rest of the way and we were greeted by Mum.
"Cari! Oh, baby, it's so good to see you! You look so grown up in those grays, child, I can barely recognize you!" Mum said, tears forming in her eyes. "I was just getting ready to call your Da, Zigor and Arun in for dinner, why don't you take care of Emyr and tell them yourself. My baby, a Herald!"
I walked Em to the barn, having dismounted to hug mum and found Da with a strange (not surprising) horse in the cross ties. "Hey, Da! Is there an extra stall for Emyr?"
"Now, Holly, you know damned well we don't have a horse... Cari! Cari! You're home!" Da exclaimed when he looked up. "Certainly, certainly. She can have Damma's stall. We retired her this spring so her stall's still empty. Nice to see you again, Emyr. You aren't planning on stealing my gal away from me again, are you?" Emyr snorted and tossed her head. Her blue eyes were sparkling with mischief.
"I don't think you have to worry on that score, Da! Just so long as the feed's good and you feed me good—that's what she said. Mum told me to tell you that dinner's ready. Where's Arun and Zigor?" I asked.
"Ah...Let's see...Arun's out with Maria—planning on getting married this Winter's Day—and Zigor should be bringing in the dam and foals. We got a big crop this year, I'll need some of your 'magic' with a few of the foals—fiesty little tykes. Especially Abstract's foals. Never seen anything like. Anyway, we can fill you in over dinner. Take good care o' that mare now, ya hear?"
"Of course I will!
If I don't I might find myself looking at the sky at some point in the
future when I should be looking between her ears! It's happened
before—sneaky thing!" I replied, joking.
Dinner was fabulous and Da did indeed fill me in on everything that's
happened since I got Chosen. Emyr listened in, too, and I voice her
thoughts as though they were my own. Mum and Zigor are still not too
sure about talking 'horses.' My room was left the way I left it—a big
mess. Though the sheets had been cleaned because Chava had had all five
of her litters on my bed.
:Talk about love!: Em put in.
:Hush up, furry-foot. I'm trying to sleep!:
:More like thinking about a certain perspective mate. Shall we call him...oh...I don't know...Tris!:
:I said shut up! Jeez! There's has to be a way to shut a mind-voice off. Gagging won't work and I don't feel like getting out of bed to hit you over the head—not that you'd let me.: I sent lots of love with that thought.
Em didn't reply, but did send 'sleepy' feelings. :Oh, sure. When I want to sleep you keep me up half the night, but when you want to sleep I get the silent treatment!: I joked. Em was too far gone to respond, but I did get a curious 'zzz' through out bond...
Keep up the good reviewing!
littlereddragkin