- Chapter 2 -

The next morning she found Medren in her garden again.  Again she retreated.  After a week, with weeds starting to make their appearance among her well tended flowers, she didn't retreat.  She kept herself between him and the gate and weeded what she could.

After a month she finally let him come between her and the gate.  Her only regret was that he seemed to think that he had been mistaken about her hearing and had stopped trying to talk to her. 

It was fall when she was surprised to find him absent in her garden.  The air was nippy with the promise of winter and she had very little left to do before she resumed haunting the palace.

It was a week before he returned with his lute on his back.  She was perched atop the gate, avoiding the massive dinner inside, when she saw him.

She hurried to the ground and inside before he could spot her.  Over the past week she had heard her cousin discussing her future.

If they couldn't send her to Haven, they were going to drug her and send her to a small royal estate with some keepers.  She had no desire to be chased about by people who considered her a threat to herself; that left going to Haven and trying to find someplace for herself. 

She changed out of her worn dress and into one of the ones that had been made for her then left outside her door.  It was a simple, cream gown with bronze coloured accents.  She left her hair falling in a tumble of curls down her back.

She ran back out of the room and out into the courtyard, just as his red clad form appeared under the gate.  She dodged around a guard and didn't allow herself to hesitate as she stopped at his side and looped her arm through his.

Medren stared at her for several minutes before speaking.  "I guess she missed me."

Afiona ignored the stunned guard and resisted the urge to draw out of striking distance.

Medren continued directly to the large dining hall, expecting for her to vanish at any moment.  Instead she tightened her grip on his arm, her lone anchor, as she prepared to be the focus of all the eyes she worked so diligently to avoid.

Her cousin stared at them for several minutes as they approached the high table. 

"She met me at the gate."  Medren explained as people shifted to make space for her between him and his mother.  "I think she missed me."

"Poor dear.  She is shaking like a leaf."  Melena smiled warmly at her. 

"I guess my time wasn't wasted."  Medren offered her a dinner roll.

She accepted it daintily.  She had learned her table manners mimicking the people who sat at this very table. 

"It is too bad she has the mind of a child."  The man on Medren's far side commented.

"I am surprised you succeeded."  Tashir admitted.  "I hope this is a good sign.  I have made arrangements for her to be moved to a small estate to the north.  She will be surrounded by trusted retainers who will grant her every whim.  There is even a massive garden for her to work in."

Afiona glanced up at Medren and searched his face for his reaction.  He didn't seem very pleased by the plan for her.  Afiona knew that if she were sent to this estate it would be a prison.  She had escaped one prison already, she would not go back to another, no matter the amenities it provided.

Medren smiled at her when he saw her staring at him.  "I think she was disturbed by me leaving.  It probably interrupted her routine.  I understand people who are…simple prefer that their routines not be interrupted."

Afiona would have snorted, if she dared.  She had no real routine, except working in her garden when she felt like it, spending time in the stables and kennels with her friends, and exploring the grounds at night.  Lately she had gone more often to the gardens to see Medren than to tend her plants, but she didn't want him to know.

The conversation flowed around her as she nibbled on her roll, letting her watch everyone carefully.  Only a few were still staring at her.  Most ignored her.

Still, she kept close to Medren's side, hoping he would act as her buffer between herself and everyone else.

As the last of the meal was cleared away the pressure became too much and she slipped away.  No one followed her as she retreated to the stables.  The horses whickered as she opened one door and slipped in.

:We looked for you?:  The horses chorused.  They all saw her as a member of their herd, a strange combination of protector and protected.

:I was in the walls.:  Afiona responded as she stopped at the first horse.  :They want me to go away.:

:Go?:  The many minds chorused.

Afiona sighed.  She had always enjoyed being around animals and speaking to them, but they were poor confidants.  Perhaps she could find a position gentling animals.  She knew Medren's father's family raised horses.  Surely they could use her.

The only horse she did not greet was the graceful white horse in the largest, plushest stall.  Leshya was Tashir's Companion.  He never acknowledged her presence but she didn't mind.  He was too awe inspiring to approach and she didn't want to be the focus of those massive blue eyes.  Occasionally she over heard conversations between the Companion and her cousin but she never tried to intrude. 

After scratching each of the horses she slipped out the back door to the kennel.  The dogs all started barking an eager greeting.  Queries for food, scratches, and to have the gates opened swamped her.

:Has Lily had her pups?:  Afiona asked the dogs as she started returning the greetings.

:Many pups.:  One answered her. 

:Any dead?:

:No dead.:

The largest dog in the kennel waited patiently for her to reach him.  He was solid black with coarse short fur.  He was her favourite.  He sat patiently waiting for her to open the gate.  Demon was also her night time companion.  The latch clicked metallically and he stepped regally out.  Any other human would have been shredded by his powerful teeth.  Demon was kept solely for breeding purposes and had the keenest nose in the kennel, but a cruel owner had broken his trust of other humans.

Only Afiona, with her ability to speak to animals, was trusted.

:Hunt?:  Demon asked.

:No.:  Afiona led him back to the palace, careful to avoid everyone.  :They want to send me away.:

Demon growled softly.  :You return?:

:No.:  Afiona admitted.  Demon was also the smartest dog in the kennel and seemed to have a concept of abstract thought. 

:I'll come.:  Demon offered.

:They might not let you.:  Afiona pointed out.  :We must show them we are both harmless.  Then they may let us be.:

:Harmless?:  Demon seemed doubtful.  :Defenceless.:

:No.  Harmless.  Will not harm handlers.:

Demon growled again.

:If it works, I will bring you with me.:

:Not defenceless.  Not old toothless dog.:

:No one would ever mistake you for an old toothless dog.:  Afiona assured him.  :Tonight you sleep with me.  Tomorrow, you do not bite anyone.:

:Tonight we sleep.:  Demon agreed, not understanding the concept of tomorrow.

~ * ~

The next day it was barely dawn when Afiona, dressed in one of the gowns made for her that she usually spurned, with Demon at her side descended the main stairs.  Demon's presence made her feel more secure when the servants watched her pass.  No few withdrew quickly when Demon's gaze rested on them.

:Food?:  Demon urged.

:Food.:  Afiona agreed.  She just hoped that Cook was unaware of Demon's reputation.

"Oh, dear gods!"  A woman burst into the foyer.  Behind her were half a dozen servants.

Afiona really didn't want to deal with Melena.  Medren's mother looked ready to take up a sword and attack Demon.

"Here puppy."  Melena urged instead.  She held out her hand in greeting as she tried to tempt him away from Afiona.  "Be a good dog, and come here."

Demon started to bare his teeth and growl when Afiona laid her hand on his head.  :Harmless.  Become free.:

:Free?:  Demon repeated. 

:If we don't hurt, we be set free.:  Afiona tried to infuse images and feelings of being free into the sending.  Demon lowered his lip and gazed up at her.

"The gods do protect the mad…"  A servant muttered.

"She is not mad."  Melena snapped.  "She is deaf.  Surely the dog can sense her sweet temper and that is why he has taken to her."

Afiona turned away to hide a smile.  She wasn't deaf, she just had nothing worth saying.  Demon padded at her side as she led him to the kitchen.  Normally she would just sneak in, grab some food, and flee.  If she wanted them to believe she should be left alone, she couldn't do that anymore. 

The kitchen hands stared at her for several seconds before turning back to their work.  Afiona twined her fingers in Demon's fur to keep him calm and to assure herself that she wasn't facing them alone.

"Ain't she going ta run off?"  The spit boy hissed to a nearby kitchen hand.

"Hush.  Don't ye know she is his lordship's cousin?  That makes her a milady!"

The cook seemed torn but quickly prepared a plate with the food she purloined the most often.

Afiona accepted the plate and gestured to Demon.

"The dog, too?"  The cook nodded.  Her easy nature allowed her to take anything in stride.  "We got some stew from last night that would be good for a big lad like him."

:Food?:

:She is getting you special food.:  Afiona explained.  :Good food.:

As he scented the large bowl of stew he started to lick his chops eagerly.  :Very good food.:

With her plate in one hand and his bowl in the other she followed a little used corridor to a small breakfast room that was half forgotten by the rest of the house.  It was painted a bright yellow with a mural on the ceiling of a myth of some sort.  The furniture was comfortable and sturdy.

She set the bowl on the ground and curled up on the largest chair to nibble on her own breakfast.

Demon slopped stew on to the floor but left the bowl cleaner than it had been since it was made.  :Good.:  He said with a deep feeling of pleasure.  :Free now?:

:Free soon.:  She assured him, knowing soon meant anytime that hadn't happened and wasn't now.

Demon took the time to sniff every corner of the room.  :No others!:

:Don't mark it!:  She exclaimed as he started to cock a leg.  :Not good!:

Demon's ears folded back against his head.  :Not mark.:  He grumbled. 

Afiona beckoned him over and scratched the spot behind his ear that she knew was almost always itchy.  :We can do it.:

:Do what?:  The dog asked confused.

Afiona smiled.  :Doesn't matter.: