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.
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Chapter 4- King Cyran
The next day dawned. Bright and clear is how it supposed to be. But N0oo0o. With my luck its dank and dreary. Such is life. Though it has been getting a bit better… hm… So since the day didn't dawn bright and clear, but dank and dreary, she decided to stay in and not leave the inn. But despite her plans to do other wise by noon she was out and about walking towards the center of the city.
Damn Zai. Making me go out in this muck. And why does he want me at the palace? I'll fit in there as well as a wolf in a herd of sheep. This image brought a little chuckle to her mind and despite her internal grumblings she soon found herself at the gate of the palace, and was waved in. Slightly confused at this, she cautiously looked around. After a few minutes of standing there she noticed some movement from the corner of her eye. She turned to look and realized that it was a group of people, 5 to be exact that were approaching. I wonder where they are going. They don't look like they're on a pleasure jaunt…. Oh my… Turn left. Turn left!!! TURN LEFT! Gah! Time to be polite. She no longer worried about screaming inside her head, a rather odd habit of hers, due to her shields.
She stood still while the group finished approaching, and one of the five turned out to be Zai who bounded ahead of the rest. Halleluiah for small wonders. Zai gave her a brief hug and a kiss on the cheek and turned to introduce the others just as they came with in a comfortable speaking distance. He kept his arm around her shoulder the whole time though; Odd.. I can't decide if I like it or not… meh, I'll just leave it be. It wont hurt. Hell, maybe it'll make these people more kindly disposed towards me. Just as she finished that thought Zai began the introductions.
The first was a man named Ran who was the weapons master. Ran just grunted a greeting and stood with his hands clasped behind his back, he was rather tall, or at least a head taller then her, and had a craggy face with harsh plane lines. He was, to be frank, quite terrifying, or would have been to anyone but Tamara. Of course, its always the pretty, attractive ones that are scary. The next person was a woman simply called Dean. As Zai explained, this rather birdlike woman's name was Dean, and she was the Dean of the collegium, so it better to simply call her Dean instead of Dean Dean. Tamara gave a little half-laugh at that and shook Dean's hand. The 3rd stranger turned out to be the King's Own, who was leading the 4th person. The king's own was rather unremarkable, a farmer by appearance, but it was when he spoke, just one word mind you, that she realized why this man was considered 'great'. His voice was rich and very deep, and even the simplest phrase took on hundreds of connotations when he said it. The man he was leading was a very proud upright man by his appearance, and seemed very self sufficient, except for the walking stick in one hand, the empty eyes that stared at nothing, and the hand on the King's Own shoulder. "And these two find gentlemen are Taver, the King's Own, and Cyran that king." With a start at the fact that it was the king, for he had no markings of rank, she quickly dropped into a curtsy, or tried to because she forgot about Zai's arm about her shoulder, which knocked her on her head.
"Oh come on my dear, I'm blind. I ceased caring if someone curtsies or bows, its only because of Taver anyone still does them." The king gave a laugh which everyone shared and slowly reached a hand out towards Tamara, she quickly grasped it and the king gave her a firm hand shake before replacing the hand on Taver's shoulder. The king nodded then, "Okay, she can stay. Enroll her, now come on Taver, I do believe its almost time for audiences. Right?" as they moved away Taver said something indistinct to cause the king to laugh again and he could be heard complaining about the nobles quite loudly.
After the kings departure Ran once again looked over and grunted. "Salle, 2 bells after noon." Before departing himself. Rather confused Tamara looked at Zai with a wondering look in her eyes. Zai simply motioned for her to stay silent. Now it was just the three of them, Tamara, Zai, and the Dean. Tamara managed not to fidget, only by great will power, as she waited for the Dean to speak. Finally the Dean spoke. "Well come along now. We'll get you settled in. Zai, go get her things. She's staying."
Tamara started to ask what was going on when the Dead turned her gaze on Zai. She looked like she could kill him with a look. "Zai. Didn't you ask, or at least tell, Tamara what was happening?" At Zai's shameful shake of the head the dean sighed. "Of course, a male would never think of a thing like that! Now come along now dear, I'll explain everything." And with that the dean grabbed her arm and dragged her towards the palace, leaving Zai behind laughing at her expression.
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Tamara looked around her new room. It was simple, and similar to her room at the inn. Poor Raul, I hope he knows I didn't mean to leave. Well, maybe they will continue to let me go down to the inn. That could be cool.. Maybe a bard will lend me a book or two I could read. She sighed as she changed into her new uniform, a pale blue set of tunics and breeches. I know I look good in blue, but not this shade. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers… not that I begged, oh no. I was just pushed! Gah! She put the rest of her uniforms away and opened the window in her room, it's view wasn't great, but it wasn't bad, and since it was sunken in and sheltered it was unlikely she would need the shutters. All for the better, I always liked watching storms. And hey, lookie here, I could sneak out of this one, all I gotta do is be careful of the bushes… or I could sneak someone in.. hm....
A giant bell rang out reminding Tamara that she had to get to the "salle" within a quarter mark. She left her room and carefully closed the door before sprinting down the hall way and outside towards the salle. She hoped she wasn't late. She soon came to what she assumed was the Salle, a bit wooden building with windows up at the top and a big barnyard door. She pulled open the door and stepped into a large room, with only a few benches and some practice equipment. Tamara noticed that it was quite empty in the building, for she heard not a sound of anyone, nor saw anyone. Very carefully she drew her knife and dagger, now glad she bought them, and headed towards an open door on the other side of the Salle. From where she could tell that the door opened into an apartment of some sort, and she wondered if maybe Ran had gotten sick. As she got to the door she slowly eased it open using her foot until she could fit through it I really need to lose some weight…. She slowly went from room to room, keeping her guard up, until she was back in the Salle, I guess the rooms made a U. Handy. Once there she sat on a bench and proceeded to wait.
She needn't to sit for by the time she started to relax there was a blur as someone threw something, it barely passed her head, and actually cut some hair. She immediately dropped behind the bench and spotted the attacker. She was shocked when she noticed it was Ran, but by that time she was too worried about staying alive. She was fortunate to be right by a cabinet of practice knives, so she immediately grabbed one and started hurling at Ran. By the time they ran out no few were twitching in the wall where Ran's head had been before moving, always just one step ahead of her.
Once out of knives she spent a few seconds pondering her choices. All she had left were her knife and dagger and Ran was likewise armed. Well he out weights me, is in better shape, has more skill, a longer reach, I suppose my only chance is to do a full out attack. She got into a crouch position and noticed him inching nearer and nearer. She waited until he was within a leaps distance of her, and she sprung. Unfortunately, instead of hitting his back as she intended she over shot, and ended up rolling past him by several feet. As she resumed her footing she noticed she was right by the door of the salle, so she did as any sane person would do, she ran.
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"YOU DID WHAT?!?" the King roared at Ran. Oh the king was in a fine temper, not even the ever calming presence of Taver was helping. Not even the king's companion Sensar was could help. The king wailed about with his walking stick, and succeeded in smacking Ran in the knee. "YOU JUST DON'T DO THAT! WHAT IF SHE LEAVES? YOU YOURSELF SAID IT WAS IMPERIATIVE TO KEEP HER HERE. Not that you will share the vital answer to the question 'WHY'!!" The king was actually turning purple in anger, and it was just as well he still wasn't comfortable enough with his blindness to pace, because if he had, it might have turned into a charge against Ran. The king had a legendary temper, and though he rarely showed it, everyone was careful.
Ran spoke quietly, "I have to have her trained, and in top physical condition by midwinter. I don't know why either sir, otherwise I would tell you why. I just know that we have to do this. And I thought the best way to start would be to engage her in combat. She did much better then I expected. I hadn't planned on her to run away."
The king growled deep in his throat and spoke through clenched teeth "Obviously." He fumed for a few more minutes before calming down. "Bring her to me. Let me explain it." Though everyone was clearly shocked by this decision, they didn't argue, and a page was dispatched to find Tamara immediately. The king then surprised everyone further by ordering everyone out, including Taver who rarely left the king's side. Once everyone was gone, the king carefully evoked one of his weaker gifts, he rarely used it for it left him drained and was often erratic, but he believed the need sufficient. :Sensar?: The king gently called out to his companion, and at the wave of welcome that greeted him he continued :Sensar, can you give me a boost so that my othersight will work?: The companion was startled at the request but agreed anyway.
The king sat back and waited until Tamara arrived. He didn't wait long before she carefully slipped in the door and gently closed it. Cyran watched her form, depicted in white and blue colors in his other form, come stand before him and start to drop into a curtsy before remembering early. She straightened up and coughed gently "Your majesty?" Cyran nodded and drew a breath.
"My lady, I want to apologize on the behalf of Ran. You see, the companions and the foreseers have informed us that you must be fully trained in weapons by midwinter. And Ran's way of testing what you knew was rather, unexpected to all. He did not mean to scare you away, and we all would like you to stay for further training with him. You must be trained. If you can't train under Ran, we will gladly find you a new weaponsmaster. But I state once again, you have no other choice. You must be trained." The king watched as her form stiffened with shock and then took a thoughtful pose as she considered what he said. He expected this so he leaned back for a moment and waited.
"Why must I be trained?" The king didn't expect the question, I suppose I should have. So he spoke only the honest truth when answering her.
"We don't know." She appeared to be thinking again, then she did something the Cyran never expected. :Well sir, then I guess if the foreseers and companions say so, then I better. And I will work with Ran, I over reacted after the… 'session'. I just want to know, what does the blue uniform mean? I get the pale green, the rusty color, and the gray, but I don't understand the blue.:
Cyran chuckled before answering "The blue is for the unaffiliated students, those in neither of the three disciplines of Heraldic, Bardic, or Healing arts." She nodded and voiced her understanding. "Very well, I'm glad nothing came of this episode with Ran. Tamara, you are going to be vital to Valdemar soon. We don't know why, just that you will be."
Tamara must have taken that last statement as a dismissal even though that's not what Cyran meant. Cyran decided he liked this young girl's company, and didn't want her to go, but he let her go none the less, for he was feeling an awful reaction headache forming. As she left, he noticed that she turned back towards him, as if peering at him, before she fled.
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AU: I actually did some planning about what would happen in this story. So I know part of it, but the story isn't ready to reach the part I planned yet, and I'm not sure how to get it there, but I will! Lol. So, onward I will go. Hope you've enjoyed it so far. I know sometimes my writing may be a bit odd, but mainly because I haven't been proofing this real great. I've been writting this inbetween writing essays for school. shrugs so this is the lesser priority. Well, ttfn