Disclaimer: Most of the characters are mine. The land, Velgarth, the country Valdemar, and anything else you recognize from one of Mercedes Lackey's books, aren't mine. And yes, the passage from the "book" in chapter 2 is from the first section of Arrows Of The Queen and there will probably be a mention of the book from Brightly Burning too, you know the one that Lan reads out loud.
Chapter 3- Zai's Lesson
Myrtha turned out to be a kind woman, and even better yet, a stylish one that listened. When Tamara showed up at Myrtha's workshop and introduced herself as a friend of Raul, the innkeeper, Myrtha immediately became kind, motherly almost. Tamara was quite taken aback, because before mentioning Raul, Myrtha was just polite. One must wonder if maybe those two are… friends? Hehehe… oh, wait… EW! At that thought Tamara was hard put to not giggle out loud.
Myrtha was a heavily set woman, but by no means fat. Every inch of her was muscle, well toned. And though her hands looked like they could belong to a blacksmith they were silky smooth and quite talented with a needle. Tamara was shown a flurry of fabrics, silks, linen, musilm, velvet, wool, wool plush, everything imaginable. And while Tamara had some say, most of it was ignored by Myrtha. Which was just as well because when Myrtha drew quick sketches of dresses she planned to make, they were utterly gorgeous. Tamara couldn't imagine anything lovlier. Myrtha nodded at Tamara's stunned gaze before shooing her out of the shop and saying that she would send a note when the dresses were ready.
Two weeks later Tamara received a message from Myrtha via a street urchin, she gave him a silver bit for his trouble. The next day she woke, relatively, early and went to Myrtha's shop. Myrtha showed her in and brightly greeted her. Tamara was there for the final fitting of the dresses, and coincidently enough, it was the only fitting. Myrtha brought out a gorgeous blue and silver dress that was deceptively simple. Tamara admired it for long moments before Myrtha, in her standard kind gruffness said "Well, are you going to put it on or not?" Tamara started and with an apology hurried to get into the dress. The dress didn't require a corset or a ladies maid to get into, and it didn't have a standard full skirt. Just the over skirt and one underskirt. The dress had a very classy neckline, oval, and didn't show anything, but hinted. The sleeves were tight against her arms until the elbow where they flared and dangled to her finger tips. The sleeves had a ribbon threaded down them so that they could be pulled up, not unlike the new blinds she bought for her room at the inn. The dress was, to put it simply, beautiful and everything Tamara had wanted in a dress and wonder of all wonders, it fit perfectly with out needing any alterations.
By the end of the scheduled 3 hour fitting session, which only took an hour, Tamara had a completely new wardrobe, and due to Myrtha's friendship with Raul, it only cost a quarter of what it should have. Tamara was overjoyed at her turn of luck and thanked Myrtha profusely before leading the boy paid to carry her packages back to her room.
On the way back to her room though Tamara stopped at a book store and spent a leisurely mark examining the books and selecting 3 to buy. The three she bought were all collections of shorter stories, because as she found out after the first night, her throat will hurt the next day if she's not careful. She also renegotiated with Raul so that she only had to read every other night, giving her voice a day of rest. Tonight would be the first time she was to read in one of her new dresses, and like a little girl, she was excited, not that she would ever admit it. Tamara loved new clothes, but only if they were on her terms and up to her specifications.
After paying the carrying boy and putting away her dresses Tamara went down to the kitchen for her dinner; on the nights she was to read Tamara ate early. Tonight was going to be a good night, Tamara just knew it, though she didn't know why it would be a good night. She had been reading for about a fortnight and was starting to gain a bit of fame. The inn was often standing room only and Raul had actually started making reservations for the tables. Tamara herself was ecstatic, though a small corner of her mind wondered why, when anyone could perform the same service. Alas, it pays, and pays well. So who am I to argue about good fortune? Why doubt the luck when doubting can make the luck disappear… at least that's what grandmamma always said.
So as the inn started filling Tamara once again entered and stood on the platform, though by now she no longer had to ask for quite, it was given immediately. She looked around and announced "Tonight I have a new book, it tells the stories behind the story, all the details that are commonly left out the songs. I'm going to start with the story behind Berden's Ride. What I'm going to do is read the song first, and then read the story with all the missing information. Is that okay with everyone?" Everyone in the inn cheered and nodded agreement, each in their own fashion. And after a few moments silences descended again, and Tamara started to read. The audience soon fell into spell of her voice.
After about a mark Tamara finished the story and once again there was an appreciative silence. It was only broken by clapping as the patrons called for more. Tamara stood gracefully and bowed. "I will read another, but I fear I need to get a drink before hand. So if you will wait patiently, I will return with in a half mark." At this she left the common room and headed up to her room where the serving maids will have left a drink and some fresh fruit.
She moved into her room and collapsed in her chair, for as much as she enjoys the reading it rather exhausts her. As is normal when she got tired, she let her mind run, and as such an argument broke out. Ugh, I'm too old for this. Oh get over it, your only 19. You aren't old until you have wrinkles and your bones creak. Really now? Then why do I feel so tired?? You're tired because… I don't know. If I knew it wouldn't be a problem now would it?!?? Tamara laughed at herself, making a mental note to never tell anyone about these arguments. For surely if anyone knew she'd be thrown in a mad house Not a place I want to visit anytime soon. Just as she was about to rise to return to the common room, there was a knock on her door. Hmm… Wonder who would knock on my door… Well lets find out… "Whose there?"
There was a noise outside her door, as if someone was deciding whether or not to respond, so she inquired again and rose. She grabbed her knife and dagger and stood to the side of the door. When there was still no answer she called a final time. She could hear the intruder outside the door, and she was not thrilled. Finally after several moments the mysterious person said something, "Please put down the knife and dagger, for as easily as I could disarm you, I really don't want to see you hurt in the process as would be likely to happen."
Starting Tamara lowered her weapons and called out "Zai? Is that really you?"
The unknown person, now identified as Zai responded "In the flesh, now can I come in?" Before she could respond to the question the door was gently pushed open. A semi-familiar head poked into her room and shouted a cheery "Ha-Llo!" which made Tamara jump again.
"Why hello there. How did you find me? More importantly I suppose would be the Why you found me?" Zai stepped fully in the room and casually looked her up and down. She returned it look for look all the while her mind babbled incoherently. Zai continued staring, long after what would be considered normal, and as her mind finally started to settle she realized that Zai wasn't dressed in his uniform. He was in simple black breeches with a white shirt, his coat being hung over one arm, the fabrics were very lush, and obviously expensive. She was confused as to where his uniform was, and once again he supplied the answer as if he could read her thoughts, which of course, he could.
"Oh, my uniforms all need to be remade because they were trashed so bad on my circuit. And I came down here because I figure if I can't be found for a while, I can't get new orders yet!" He gave a slight laugh, as if it was some sort of joke, a joke she didn't understand. He continued not noticing that she didn't share in his mirth, "Oh Tamara, by the way I heard you were going by that now, not "Celly. And I think that's all to the best. As for how I found you, your becoming famous for your reading, and I can verify that the fame isn't falsely awarded."
Tamara backed away form him and sat down on her bed, motioning for him to take the only chair. As he crossed the room she noted him taking in all the details of its sparseness: The bed in the corner under the window, the small fireplace and hearth, only suitable for brewing tea across from the bed, and the small desk with the well-worn chair. She never bothered to personalize her rooms, even when her fingers itched for some patterned paper or some paint, she never gave in. What's the point of redecorating? Last time I tried it I only enjoyed the finish for two days before I was run out. Zai also studied her again, though much more subtly. She wondered what the reason for his visit was.
Zai spoke softly into the silence. "I came because your special. And that day at the grave yard, you were there to help comfort me, and I wanted to return the favor. And I think I have some things I could teach you, they could prove helpful." Zai the looked down at the floor shyly, as if unsure of the next step. She didn't respond to him, just kept looking at him, wondering what he wanted. He started again speaking haughtenly "You see, your thoughts, they are in broadcast mode, you need to shield. Can I show you? Please? I can get 'Lenna's help. 'Lenna being my companion. Uh, Please?"
Tamara considered this, and asked "No one will be able to hear my thoughts anymore?" Zai nodded. "Not even you? Or another herald?" He nodded again, and she nodded back. "Okay then, teach me."
His eyes grew unfocused for a moment and then she felt something odd in her head. It felt like someone was poking her, trying to get her attention. She turned around to look and see if anything was behind her when she heard the most astonishing thing. :Well, heard might not be the most appropriate word, considering I'm not vocalizing. But that's getting technical. The 'poking' is me. We need to link, and for that I need you to take down your natural shields.: She started for a moment, but quickly adjusted and tentively asked "Like this?" as she imagined clear air between them. Zai nodded, :Exactly,: and he gently moved his mind closer to hers, soon she could hear his surface thoughts, and then he started 'speaking' again. :This is call mindspeaking, usually only Heralds, healers, and bards have it, usually only heralds though. Now watch closely. This is how you ground and center.: She watched as he showed her what to do inside her head and quickly duplicated that with out his prompting. :Well good! You're a quick study. Now, here's how you shield, just imagine a wall between you and the rest of the world. I personally imagine a brick wall, though some use curtains or veils. It's a matter of preference and what works best for you. Now, you can make your shields as thick or as thin as you want. The thinner they are the more that can get through. Okay?: she nodded and immediately built walls around her mind. She built them as fast as she could, made them quite thick too. In her minds eye they were several feet thick.
Zai started as he watched her shields form, and spoke out loud. "Whoa there! Slow down, you blocked me out of the link, you don't need them full strength all the time, it will take too much energy. Just know you can thicken them at will." With a small sound Tamara thinned her shields considerably, and soon felt Zai again.
Tamara wondered what would happen if she tried to mind speak him. She carefully formed the words in her mind and pointed them at him :CAN YOU HEAR ME?: Zai was comical as he practically fell out of his chair and cursed to make a sailor swear. Tamara was caught between laughter at Zai's antics and tears from fearing she messed up, wouldn't be the first time. When Zai finally recovered he sent back to her a feeling of assurance :Quite well actually, now try speaking a bit softer.:
Feeling slightly silly she tried again :uh.. Hi?: Zai laughed silently, :Yes, much better. You're a fast learner. Normally when I'm teaching the Trainees they insist on shouting for at least a day or two. Are you feeling tired yet?:
Confused and still slightly off balance Tamara spoke the trust. :Well actually, yes. Quite. It's the oddest thing… But I really need to get back down to the common room.: Glancing at the clock she exclaimed and started to rise :I'm a full mark late! Oh no! Raul will be so upset with me!: Zai slowly reached out as she started to head towards the door and pulled her back to her bed. "Sit down, its okay. I talked to Raul, and he told the common room that you took slightly ill. Its okay. Your going to get a headache soon," at her grimace of agreement about the head ache he nodded and made her lie down, "There you go, just go to sleep. Sleep off the headache. Tomorrow is another day, and another adventure. See you then."
He headed for the door, and as he was leaving he barely heard he quite "Goodbye" as she drifted into sleep. He smiled and headed for the stables, :Ready 'Lenna?:
He heard a whicker from behind the other side of the door :Always for you my chosen. Now lets go home.: As Zai returned home his thoughts kept turning towards Tamara. Towards Tamara and how he had to convince her to enroll in the Collegium for real gift training. For she had more then mindspeaking. I'll deal with it tomorrow I guess.
AN: Okay, so that one wasn't quite what I was planning (not that I'm planning any of this anyway.)
Just wanted to state that I know I've been posting fairly rapidly, but it probably wont last past the first of the year, so I'm trying to post a lot now so I don't feel guilty then, heh. So just read and review, you know the drill.