- Chapter 4 -

Afiona shook off the horrid memories.  There was no doubt in her mind her brother was planning on using her for getting into the palace.  She was well aware people called her the Mavelan Pet because they thought she had no more mind than a dog or cat so she could be the only 'pet' he could be referring to.  She also knew that she was the only surviving sister he had.

The night the Mavelans challenged Herald Vanyel and failed every person, right down to the smallest babe with mage potential, had been linked together, giving her father an almost unlimited power base.  Her brother had no gifts, not even in potential, had been spared.  The only reason he hadn't followed in the bloody footsteps of the other ungifted Mavelans was his mother.  So long as she had her 'little precious' she left Vedric alone.

Stepping back she looked down at the still worried Demon.  :Safe.: 

Demon's tail started to wag as he started to believe her assurances that she was safe and content.  :Food?:

:No.  Later.:  Afiona quickly dressed in a pair of old breeches and an old shirt.  :Come.:

Demon trotted obediently after her.

Afiona knew she couldn't take her brother on her own but her cousin, Tashir, with his resemblance to her father, scared her.  The only other person she considered approaching with her information was Medren.

She found her way to his room near his mother's room.  She didn't even knock as she pushed the door open.  In the almost absolute darkness she relied on Demon to lead her to the bed.

"Who's there?"  Medren demanded as he swung to his feet, a sword in his hand.

Demon growled and crouched, ready to attack.

:No.  No bite.:

"It's me."  Afiona said aloud.  Her voice was hoarse and raspy from disuse and it sounded foreign to her own ears.

"Who?"  Medren fumbled about but managed to get the embers of the fire to produce a flame.  "Afiona?"

She nodded.

"You can speak?"  Medren said in disbelief.

Afiona nodded.  "My brother is coming tomorrow night."

"Your who?  I am sorry, I still trying to get over you speaking."  Medren sank onto the corner of his bed and stared at her.  "What are you doing here?"

"My brother.  He is evil.  He is coming tomorrow night to kill Tashir."  Afiona said quietly.

Medren ran his hand through his hair leaving it on end.  "Damn.  Why did you come to me?  Why didn't you just go to Tashir?"

"He…he looks like my father.  I…he…"

"He scares you?"

Afiona nodded.

"If I come with you, can you tell him everything?"  Medren asked.

Afiona hesitated then nodded.

"Stand in the hall while I change."  Medren ordered.  "Gods, you can speak."

Afiona stood in the hall for several minutes before Medren emerged.

"Have you always been able to speak?"  Medren asked immediately.

Afiona nodded.

"You just stayed silent for your entire life?"

She nodded again.

"Are you going to talk again?"

"To tell my cousin."

"But then you are going back to being silent?"

Afiona nodded.

"Why on earth would you want to not talk?"  Medren asked confused as he led her and Demon back to the family wing.

"It's safer."  Afiona said succinctly.

"Thank you for trusting me."  Medren said sincerely.  "You said Tashir looks like your father.  Who was he?"

"Vedric."  Afiona's cold response left no doubt that she had never missed her father.

"Does Tashir know that?"

She shook her head.

"Are you going to tell him?"

She shook her head again.

Medren stopped and knocked firmly on Tashir's door.

A tousled Baron opened the door almost immediately.  "What's going on?"

"Afiona has something to say."

Tashir looked stunned then turned to face her.  "Afiona?"

"My brother is coming to kill you tomorrow night."

"She spoke!"  Tashir looked to Medren for confirmation.

"We should go somewhere we can talk."  Medren suggested.

Tashir withdrew and returned wearing a robe.  "The library."

Afiona remained silent until a fire had been built in the massive fireplace in the library and everyone had taken a seat.  Demon, sensing her nervousness, settled at her feet, between her and both men.

"I saw my brother, through his eyes, with other men.  They are going to come tomorrow night to kill you.  They think I will open the door for them but I will not."

"Of course you wouldn't."  Tashir said with out a trace of doubt.  "How do you know he is coming?"

"I…"  Afiona glanced between the two men.  "I saw it.  Sometimes I see through other's eyes."

"How can that be?"  Tashir turned to Medren for answers.

"Farsight.  My uncle could see through other people's eyes.  If she wasn't trained she would probably only do it by accident but it is no less real."  Medren explained.

"So this is reliable information then.  They must be close."  Tashir stood and started to pace.  "How are they going to get in?"

"Gelird thinks I am an idiot and will open the door for him."

"Is he a mage?  Could he force you to open the gate?"

"No.  He has no magic.  I was considered more valuable because I was going to become a Healer.  It enraged him."

"You are just full of surprises."  Medren commented.  "You should go to Haven for training."

Afiona brightened.  "You will send me to Haven?  Not the little estate?"

"You are obviously emotionally scarred."  Tashir commented.  "But you are obviously still sane."

Afiona relaxed. 

"I'll ask Jervis to make certain the guard on alert tomorrow but to do it discreetly."  Tashir stopped pacing.  "How many people was he talking to?"

"Three, but I think there will be more coming."

"Anything else we should know?"  Medren asked.

"Gelird is as evil as Vedric."

"Thank you Afiona."  Tashir said as he headed towards the door.  "Why don't you go back to bed?  If Jervis had any more questions he can ask you in the morning."

 Afiona stood and hurried from the room.

As soon as the door closed Tashir resumed his seat.  "I don't know which surprises me more, that she can speak or that there is another Mavelan out there."

"One Mavelan out to kill you and the other trying to save you."  Medren pointed out.

"When are you going back to Forst Keep?"

"In two weeks.  After the festival I am going on to Haven.  I assume you want me to take Afiona with me."

"If she is willing."

"After that reaction I would say she is willing."  Medren pointed out.  "Did you notice she is scared to death of her brother?"

"We won't let him near her, not to worry."  Tashir assured Medren. 

Medren stared at the fire for several minutes.  "I wonder what will become of her."

"Are you in love with her?"  Tashir asked shrewdly.

"In love?  Hardly."  Medren protested vehemently.  "She is a dear girl, but…"

"She is only a few years younger than you."  Tashir pointed out. 

Medren shook his head again.  "She may be an adult in body, but in her mind?  What if she is still trapped mentally at whatever age it was she stopped talking?"