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(Does any one else get kind of tired of writing these disclaimers?)

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The boy's were true to their word in taking care of Emyr and bringing me up to date all of the recent happenings that I had missed. I got the whole low-down of how Trainee Carta and her Companion convinced a baker, the worst in Haven, that Companions only ate the best biscuits made by the best bakers and took much offence at badly baked goods. Needless to say, the baker now has the best bakery in Haven. I've actually tried some of his rolls and they're almost better than Mum's rolls.

:You know, Emyr? Sometimes I swear those boys are worse than the Court Flowers!: I received a chuckle at that one about a month after classes had started again. I had just left Charly and Tor, who were on their way to classes, Tor to religions and Charly to history. I, myself, was on my way to weapons and then to riding class (my favorite), which was almost over for me since I was so advanced when I had gotten here.

Herald Kerowyn was dressed in her usual uniform, or lack of one, depending on who you're talking to, of dark brown, scared leathers. There were about twenty other trainees from all of the Collegiums, and a small handful of Heralds and guards when I opened the door to the salle.

I greeted Svane and Farley, two trainees from the Bardic Collegium, who were friends of mine. "How's you're workout?" I asked, trying to get a feel of how Kerowyn was feeling today.

"Oh, ya know. The same." Svane replied in a very flat voice, though his eyes were twinkling. "She just worked us as usual, though she did give Durand—the kid in the blues by Garnet—a great dressing down! It was awesome." Svane liked to see the Blues beaten and dressed down because of the tricks that they had done to a fellow Bardic trainee who was now on an early circuit.

"Ah, come on, Svane. He didn't really deserve it. All he did was," Farley paused, ever the dramatist, "throw his blade to the floor when he was done." His eyes, too, were twinkling. Farley wasn't as 'blood-hungry' for the Blues to be brought down a peg or two as Svane was, creating an almost perfect counterweight to Svane.

"Thanks for the warning! She's gotten after me a few times about similar things." I told them as they headed out the door. Since their eyes were twinkling, I knew I wasn't in for a really hard workout, but I'd better be on my guard.

Once I found a cleared place, I started doing my warm-up routine, keeping an eye on Kerowyn and the others in the Salle.

A candlemark later, I left the Salle with a new set of bruises liberally sprinkled on my sides and back. I still hadn't gotten the new move Kerowyn wanted me to learn down and was paying for it.

:Ready for a ride, Em?: I asked my companion.

:Whenever you are. Oh! Keren just sent word that she's running a little late, so you have time to take a quick bath and ease those bruises.: Em sent back, her voice colored slightly with concern. :She got you good today, didn't she?:

:Yeah, she did, but it's my own fault. I'm just not getting a move down perfect every time I execute it, and she thinks I should have had it by now...: I replied, trailing off as I remembered how long she had been teaching me that one move.

:You'll get it, how ever long it takes. Maybe you'll--: Emyr stopped in mid-sentence.

"I'll what, Em?" I asked curiously.

:You'll get it before...before...: Em was shooting in the dark and I knew it.

"Out straight, Companion Emyr! Or I'll—do something!" I threatened, leaving the threat hanging for her over-active imagination.

:Before Tristan gets back.: Em finished in a soft voice after a long pause.

"Before Tristan...Is he okay? He didn't have an accident, did he? I would have heard something if he had, right?" My flurry of questions was interspersed with slight puffing for breath as I ran full-out towards the Companions Field—forget about that bath! I thought.

Emyr couldn't answer fast enough for me. :No! No. Everything's all right as far as I knew. I just...thought to add some...motivation?: She didn't sound so sure now. :I—never mind. Forget I said anything. You're worried now. I should have kept quite.:

I was in the Companion's Field now, hugging Em's neck with my face buried in the soft fur. "No, you were right. Yes, I'm worried, but...Keren can answer some of my questions, if you can't."

"Answer what questions?" a voice asked behind me, causing me to jump. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." After a moment of thought, I recognized the voice as Keren's.

"If something were to happen to Tr—to a Herald—in the field, would those friends of Tr—the Herald—be notified if anything happened? Not the small, trivial stuff like scratches and the like, but if they break a bone or..." I trailed off, emotion choking out the rest of what I wanted to say.

"If...the Herald...in question suffers a major, life-threatening injury, then yes. Other than that, it is up to the Companions and letters to convey the difficulty." Keren answered, definitely catching the slip I half-made. "Do you still want a lesson today, or would you rather just hang out?"

"Can I—can I skip the lesson today? I think I need time alone..." I trailed off again, annoyed at myself for letting my emotions rule me. It must that time of month again, I thought bitterly.

"Certainly, see you in two days for your next lesson." Keren rubbed my back, then, leaning closer, "Tristan's doing just fine. They're planning to be back around the Mid-Winter Celebration—only about another five months. I'm sure Cyrek would be the first to let Emyr know if anything happens to Tristan. Keep you're chin up and think of the sunny days." With that, Keren left us with a smile, pulling herself onto Dantris' back and cantered away.

I half-smiled in response to Keren's smile and turned to Emyr. "Cyrek will tell you if Tristan hurts himself, right?" The response I got was a playful nod of the Companion's large head, followed by an invitation to hop on her back, which I did.

A candlemark later, I was able to laugh along with Em as she related a message from Cyrek about a little scrap that Tristan had gotten into.

If you liked it, please, feel free to let me know.

Same thing goes if you thought it was horrible.

Littlereddragkin