- Chapter 12 -

Medren left Afiona with Nico as he went in search of Herald Lance.  Unless he was misreading the intentions of the Herald, he was pursuing Afiona. 

After she had recovered enough to stand on her own she had become his dearest friend.  The last thing he wanted was for her to be hurt.  It was still all or nothing when it came to her heart.  Either she trusted someone completely or she didn't trust them at all.

Heralds were infamous for their shallow love affairs and he did not want to see Afiona fall in love with Lance and have Lance only interested in a dalliance. 

It was in the same salle that he had often sparred with his uncle that he found Lance preparing for his next bout.

"Medren, I didn't mean I wanted to spar with you immediately."  Lance smiled as he entered.

"That isn't why I am here."  Medren stopped several feet from him.  "Actually I wanted to talk to you about Afiona."

"Are you two a couple?  The way she spoke of you I thought you were just friends."  Lance asked neutrally.

"We aren't a couple.  I just don't want to see her hurt."  Medren warned.

"So you are warning me off?"  Lance crossed his arms over his chest and looked defensive.

"No.  I am warning you not to hurt her.  She isn't capable of light relationships.  It is always all or nothing.  Getting involved with her would only hurt her in the long run.  My uncle was a Herald and my half sister is a Herald.  I know that your hearts go first to your Companions.  She deserves more than that."

"She is a grown adult; she can make her own decisions."  Lance countered.

"Excuse me gentlemen."  A strong female voice interrupted them from the door.  "You look like you are about to come to blows."

"Mother."  Lance forced a strained smile.  "You're early."

"For what, a blood bath?"  The amused Herald set her padded armor on the ground by the door.  "I assume this is over a woman."

Lance looked away sheepishly. 

"I'll take that as a yes.  I assume you are both vying for the same lady's hand."  She took a seat on the bench and looked up at the younger men. 

"I don't want her hurt."  It was Medren's turn to be defensive.

"So you're her brother?  Trust me, Lance is not the type to trifle with a lady's feelings."  She started to strap on her armor, her amusement was obvious. 

"I am not her brother and there is more to it than just her being an interesting lady."  Medren tried to explain.  "She is my dearest friend and I do not want her hurt."

"Mother, just stay out of it."  Lance protested.

"This must be about that healer you have been going on and on about."  She smiled slightly.  "Boy, whoever you are, he is more likely to cut off his own hand to even think anything that would upset that girl.  He is completely infatuated with her.  At least a dozen times a day he starts talking about how wonderful, strong, resourceful, intelligent, beautiful, or perfect she is."

"Perfect?"  Medren glanced at Lance.  "She is far from perfect."

Lance blushed a bright red.  "I have never said she was perfect."

"Name one fault."  She challenged as she checked the last buckle.

Lance remained silent.

"You see?  She has turned his brain to mush.  He gets the same look as his father does."  She chuckled at Lance's blush.

Medren suppressed a chuckle.  Perhaps his fears were groundless, but all the same…

"If he hurts her his name will be on the lips of everyone in Valdemar as the Dishonourable Herald."  Medren warned as he stalked from the room.

"Angered a Bard, Lance?"  She picked up her sword and made a few practice arcs through the air.  "Not wise."

"If I hurt her it will be the least I deserve."  Lance adjusted his own armor.

"Tell me about her."  It was more of a command than suggestion, but his mother wasn't the most feared weapons master in the Circle because she was nice.

"I thought I already did a dozen times a day."  Lance sidestepped the question.

"I know she is a Healer.  I know she hasn't fallen at your feet.  I know you have fallen at hers.  However, you have not once mentioned her name."  She pointed out.

"Healer Afiona."

"I remember her.  She patched up Thian last year after that run in with the bandits.  She is brilliant with Companions, actually talks to them rather than treating them like a horse.  I wish we had another dozen Healers like her."  She recalled.  "Especially with trouble brewing down south.

"She is also the one raising Tuni's foal."  Lance admitted.

"Good thing she understands the strengths and weaknesses of Companions then."  She waited for her son to continue.  "Why don't you invite her to supper tonight?  The foal too, of course.  She could probably use the break."

"Medren just got in today.  I imagine she wants to spend dinner with him."  Lance's disappointment was obvious.

To his surprise his mother chuckled, a warm amused sound.  "My poor boy."

"We are just going to be friends."  Lance protested.  "Carmia probed her shortly after Nico's birth, it is unlikely she will ever welcome me as more than a close friend.  It's not that she's cold, far from it, but she will probably never trust a human completely."

His mother's eyes sobered.  "I am sorry to hear that."

"If all she wants is friendship, I will be content with that."  Lance said firmly as he settled a helmet into place and chose a practice weapon.  "Enough delays, unless you want to be embarrassed in front of your students."

"Somehow I don't think this is your lucky day."  She attacked.

~ * ~

"Where's Nico?"  Afiona called in a singsong voice as she staged a mock search of the garden off her room.  Since his tail end was protruding from behind a bush she knew exactly where he was.

:Mama-Afi can't find me!:  He squealed with joy.

:Silly pup.:  Demon grumbled.  :He is behind the bush.:

:Find him later.  Wait for a bit, stop running.:  Afiona explained to the dog.

:Good.:  Demon sat back and cocked his head up at her.  :Go, eat, sleep, then find him.:

:I really hope you were joking.:  She scratched his head.

:Joking?:  The confused dog still didn't understand some more elaborate concepts.

She deliberately echoed everything she said to Nico in mindspeech so Nico could learn to understand others beside her.  "I see Nico!"

Nico emitted a happy, squealing neigh as he burst out of the bush and ran off to find a new hiding place in the garden, this time under a bench.

"A new game?"  Medren asked jovially as he entered the garden.

"One that requires less running on my part."  She admitted with a grin.  "Where's Nico?  Is he…under the tree?"

:No Nico under the tree!:  He informed her happily.

"He has been going non-stop all day, he only stops to eat and nap.  And even that he does fast."  She deliberately sat on the bench sheltering Nico.  "Where could he be?"

:Under the bench!:  Nico scrambled out.  :Story-man!:

"I am afraid he wants a story."  She said with no little amusement and very little regret.  "Have you spoken to Stefen yet?"

"Yes.  He has agreed a trip north would be good and says 'thank you for listening'."  Medren relayed as he settled on the ground.  "We are leaving tomorrow morning so we can hit the Brightcreek fair.  There is always good coin there."

"Enjoy yourselves, and try to stay out of trouble."  Afiona admonished.

"Us?  Trouble?"  Medren contrived to look innocent.

"I spoke to Breda last time she had a Dazzle headache, she had plenty of stories about the two of you while you were in the Collegium."  She raised one eyebrow in challenge.

"And no doubt all true and barely scratching the surface.  Without Uncle Van to haul me out of some of those scrapes…" Medren grinned and wondered exactly what stories she heard.

"Talk to Stef about those memories.  He needs them."  She ordered.  "I imagine you want to head to bed early."

"Somewhat.  I am bunking with Stef and he wants to head out early."

"That is the wisest solution.  My bed is crowded as it is."  She leaned forward and placed a kiss on his lips.  "I am going to take advantage of your generosity again and get a few things done while you entertain him."

"Don't take too long."  He said as he leaned forward and Nico actually lay down before him, both ears pricked and ready for the story.  "Today I am going to take you back to the start of it all.  There were no Companions…"

Afiona hurried to clean up her room, which looked like a miniature tornado hit it, before she saw to the worst of the injuries and the few patients she had refused to give up.  One was a Companion whose Herald was also injured, had back leg that was broken in an awkward spot and wrenched the other badly enough to warrant being hoisted in a sling that kept the weight off his legs.  Another was a child's pet dog that had been hit by a carriage, its spine damaged.  The child who owned her wrote pleading letters to Afiona, begging her to heal his pet and she had refused to give up on the dog.  The nerves in the area were miraculously undamaged and she was slowly Healing the vertebrae that had been damaged.  In a few more weeks the dog would be able to run home.  Until then she had to be kept immobile to prevent more damage.

Of the two the dog's greeting was warmer.  It took her only moments to check the healing process and leave the still drugged dog to her barely disturbed slumber.

The Companion was fully conscious and in agony over both the injuries and being separated from his Herald.

"Good news."  She smiled at him as she adjusted the height of the sling to give his feet a little bit more purchase.  "Your Herald will be down to visit you in three days.  I am still trying to convince them to move him down here but they are as stubborn as mules."

He eyed her balefully and didn't answer.

"Nico is doing just fine.  When you are feeling better I will bring him by.  For now he is far too rambunctious and would probably try to coerce you into a game of tag."  She started rubbing hiss back with long hard strokes, massaging the inactive muscles.  "I imagine you are looking forward to a few weeks of just having your Herald to yourself, no arrows to dodge, no messages to run."  She stroked his neck affectionately.  "And I don't doubt you are feeling guilty for actually looking forward to being off duty.  Your Herald certainly is.  Just remember, the more you relax and recuperate now, the less likely you are going to be back here inside a year.  A month now versus several later."

The Companion raised his head so he was eye level with her giving her a look that was best described as irritated.

"Also, I have to teach your Herald to massage your back legs to keep the circulation good.  Cooperate and I will teach him to massage the rest of you."  She laughed when his ears perked up and his look became more pleading.  She was well aware he loved it when she had time to massage more than his back and legs.  She was one of the few non-Heralds who knew Companions were as hedonistic as their Chosen.  "I'll try to see you later but it probably won't be until tomorrow.  I'll bring you a pastry to something."

She managed a quick wash up and a meal before she returned to rescue Medren, who was just wrapping up his story of the founding.

"Enough for now.  Medren need's a break."  She said firmly.

Nico looked back over his shoulder at her.  :No more story?:

"The story is over.  It is time to eat." 

Nico scrambled to his feet and shook himself vigorously, causing him to tumble back to the ground in a tangle of legs.

"I better go find something to eat myself."  Medren and stretched.  "Oh, I spoke to Lance.  I like him."

Afiona smiled with obvious amusement.  "Still warning them off me?"

Medren ignored her question.  "I think you should ask him to help you with Nico.  You are obviously being run ragged."

"I will.  And you make certain Stefen gets a break.  I'll see you off tomorrow."  She gave him a hug and led her charge out towards the field. 

She had searched for a substitute for the mare's milk but none supplied the same nutrients or helped with his immune system like mare's milk, so for at least the first few months Nico would be fed by the Companions, after that she had found a formula that was good for foals orphaned after a few months.

The mare was waiting with her filly and a strange stallion.  The trio waited patiently as they approached.

The stallion watched the colt intently as Nico pranced to the mare and happily started nursing.

"You must be his father."  Afiona greeted the stallion.

The stallion stared at her for several seconds before nodding.

"He is coming along quite well.  He is out of the woods and I have no doubt he will be a massive fellow eventually."  She assured him.

The Companion nodded again.

"I assume you want to take over raising him."  Sadness tinged her voice. 

The Companion crossed the ground between them.  :I agree you are the best choice for his mother.  I am the first to admit I don't have any parenting experience.:

Afiona jumped at the sudden voice in her head.  "Thank you.  But I don't have any either."

:I have every faith in you.:   The stallion turned back to his son and watched him with obvious awe.

Afiona studied his profile for a moment.  He was tall, gracefully as a bird in flight but obviously powerful.  His deep blue eyes were intense, filled with intelligence and she thought she could sense sadness in their depths.

:Mama-Afi want some?:  Nico twisted his neck to see her.

:No, you enjoy.:  She smiled at him and settled under a tree.  After dinner the filly, Caeli, often played with Nico, which allowed Afiona to relax for a little while.

She pulled a slender book out of her pocket and settled back to read.  It was children's stories since she was running out of stories to tell Nico.

Something she really needed to research considering Medren was leaving in the morning, two days was not nearly enough to catch up with her friend but she knew Stefen needed him more right now.

Besides she would see him at midwinter, she had already decided to visit Tashir for the holiday.

Afiona smiled ruefully ass Nico bowled into her asking for a story.  With Nico here she wouldn't have time to feel lonely.