Ch 10 A Show of Faith
The next few weeks Van fell into his new routine, classes and duties and rarely time with Deanna, though she was always in the back of his mind.
This next class Weapon's training it was a new one, he had only been able to fit it in this week. He sighed, it wasn't one he looked forward to, with his thin frame, he didn't do well directly against an adversary. But he favored his families look and they had a long time ago worked out a style of fighting that worked for them, but it wasn't something he particularly enjoyed. And it had been sometime since he had worked on it.
He pulled out his weapons and gear from the baggage he hadn't gotten around to unpacking as yet. The sword was lighter than most, but of a make mostly unknown to these Northern lands, it had come from the deep Southern lands, further even than the Dorisha plains. It was made by a process of folding metal and was extremely strong and flexible for it's weight. He also pulled out a set of armor, light and flexible. It had come from the Empire and he thought it had been made with magic, though he wasn't sure of that.
He smiled slightly, there was an advantage to living within the crossroads of most major trade routes. At some point they had access to items from everywhere in the known lands and occasionally something would show up they hadn't seen before, a mystery. The next thing he pulled out was just such an item, it was a lightweight, but strong bow and not in the Shin'a'in style either, the carving decorating it's length was of a style that no one who had ever seen it recognized. He swung it in it's bag over his shoulder and went down to the stables to meet with Deanna.
:Deanna love, it's time to go: he sent ahead.
He stopped in surprise, there was another Companion in the stable with Deanna.
:Who: he started to say.
:It's Garin, Charol's Companion: Deanna said.
A flash of glee ran through him and he felt Deanna's amusement.
:I thought that was something you would be glad to hear: she said.
He stopped as Charol stepped into view, he stared. Watching her as she approached. He wasn't sure why, but thoughts of her had come to him often lately. He had only seen her once and he couldn't get her out of his mind.
She smiled slightly at his bemused expression. She hadn't been sure he even remembered her, she had kept away after he had been made Ambassador, but there was something about him. Maybe his pretty face, she thought to herself wryly. He looked good, she had to admit it. She frowned slightly as she noticed his unconventional armor "you're not planning to go to war are you" she asked.
He shook his head "No, I've got weapons practice and since I don't have rooms at the palace anymore I have to put these on here".
She smiled "Then I'll join you, it's been awhile and I need to keep up my practice".
He gave her a skeptical glance, but didn't say anything. They both mounted and rode towards the palace gate, it was a few streets away on a direct route, but here in Haven there were no direct routes. It gave her some time to talk to him without anyone listening in. She shook her head slightly, he even looked good in greys, it brought out the color of his eyes. She sighed, she knew her limitations. She was no beauty and someone like him would have the pick of the court.
"I've been looking for you" his quiet voice, startled her from her thoughts.
She looked at him in surprise "I didn't think you would remember me".
"Why not" he asked.
"Someone like you must have plenty of attention, why would you even think about a plain woman like me" she said.
He sighed "Ah, am I so shallow then?".
She shook her head "No, I don't think you are shallow, I'm just realistic".
Before he closed his eyes and looked away, she saw a flash of pain. What would he have to be upset about she wondered.
:That was ill done, Chosen: Garil said.
:What: she asked.
:Deanna says he's been looking for you. He's been avoiding the court beauties, not that I blame him, if I were human, I'd do the same: he said.
She glanced over at Van, he was staring ahead, a controlled look on his face.
"I'm sorry" she said. "I shouldn't have assumed that".
"It's alright, I've gotten it a lot. I should be used to it by now" his voice sounded defeated.
"I've thought of you" she said softly.
Startled, he stared at her red face "What?".
"I've thought of you, ever since that day you were showing us your drawings".
He watched her carefully for a moment before a small smile grew on his face.
She smiled back, shyly. This wasn't something she usually did, she could count the times she had gone seeking a man on one hand.
After that they were silent, each thinking of the other, occasionally they would catch each other in a glance. Soon they came to the gate in the wall that led to the palace grounds. The guard waved them through and Van frowned, he should have been stopped, he thought.
:You are with me and a full Herald, why would they question you: Deanna asked.
:Oh, I wasn't thinking of that: he sent back, chagrined.
:Don't worry about that, it's a good thing to be paranoid when it comes to security: she said.
After they had stripped their Comapnions and left them in the field Van followed Charol to the Salle, he sighed. This was something he wasn't looking forward to.
He stopped in surprise at the wall of mirrors, Charol glanced back and laughed at his wide eyes and dropped jaw. He flushed and pulled himself together. He knew very well what these mirrors would cost. It amazed him that they would spend that much on the Salle.
But as he watched the people in various stages of practice, he realized that more than one group used this place. He saw other Heraldic trainees, bards, the guard and the occasional Healer as well as the occasional youngster in blue. Then the mirrors made more sense.
A woman near the back looked up at their entrance, he recognized her as Herald Kerowyn, Sayvil's Chosen. He wove his way through the Salle, careful to avoid the bouts currently being waged. He more felt than saw Charol as she followed at his back.
Kerowyn watched as he approached "So, you are the young man that Sayvil has been telling me about."
Van was a little surprised, he didn't think that she would have mentioned him, but he nodded cautiously.
"Do you have problems working with a mercenary?" she asked, watching him carefully.
"Not at all, my armsmaster at home was a mercenary. Who better to learn from than someone who made a living with the sword."
She nodded, then looked over his armor and weapons. At the sight of his sword her eyebrow rose "Where did you get that?" she asked.
He grinned "It helps to live at the crossroads of the major trade routes. Sooner or later everything comes through your hands."
She had him pull out and show her all of his equipment, she examined his bow as well, he would have been surprised if she had been able to identify it. Charol had stood by and watched as well. He had thought that she would have gone to practice now that she was here, but he was glad she didn't, it was comforting to have her here. Finally she looked up "Looks like good solid equipment, now lets see how you use it" she said.
He nodded and for the next candlemark she put him through his paces, testing him in the different disciplines he had been trained in. Eventually she let him cool down. "Tomorrow after breakfast, come here. I know who to set you up against now" she said before turning to her next class. He nodded and finished up, before walking towards the baths. He had thought ahead and brought clean clothing. He heard a step and looked up, it was Charol. He grinned tiredly "Still with me?" he asked. She nodded and smiled back.
He groaned and stretched his shoulders "I'm not sure if I'd be good for anything right now, it's been too long since I've done anything like this. I'm out of shape."
"Meet me outside the baths, I've got something for sore muscles" she said shyly.
"I'd be eternally grateful" he said, before turning into the baths.
He was so tired, he had to fight the hot water or he would have fallen asleep in the tub. I can't believe I'm so out of shape, he thought to himself. Finally he finished and gathered up his things, he walked through the door and looked up to see Charol waiting for him.
"Come" she said, taking some of his load, he would have protested if he hadn't been so tired.
He just followed her blindly, trusting her to find the way. Finally she stopped by a door and opened it, waving it through. He stopped in the room, Oh, he thought. It's her quarters. He laughed at himself, where else would she go. He set his things down and turned to look at her. She looked nervous.
He smiled and walked over to her, taking the things, she still held in her hands "You said you had something for sore muscles?"
She started and turned to go to the next room "In here" she called out.
He followed, he saw her bed across the room by the window. She was picking up a small pot of something from a table. She turned and smiled at him "Take off your shirt and shoes".
"What?" he asked, a little surprised.
"If I'm going to rub this oil in, you'll have to take your shirt off. And you are not lying on the bed in your shoes" she said sternly.
He stared at her for a moment, then smiled. He kicked off his shoes and pulled his shirt off, walking over to the bed before pulling himself up and laying down on his stomach "Like this?" he asked, looking over his shoulder.
"Just like that" she said. He felt the bed dip as she climbed in herself, then he felt her weight on his legs.
He groaned as she began to rub out the soreness, it felt so good. He closed his eyes.
At the sound of a quiet snore she sighed, she had him just where she wanted him and he fell asleep on her. She bent over and kissed the back of his neck, before climbing off and covering him with a throw. She sat at the foot of the bed and watched him while he slept.
I know it's evil to stop here, but I do plan to update again soon
