-Chapter 18-
Jisa could Feel some sort of reassurance in the room and the only difference between now and when she left Afiona alone was Nico. "That's odd."
"Hardly." Afiona stroked his neck. "His exuberance is just infectious. He says he knows he makes me happy, I told him that a few months ago."
"I wonder…" Jisa eyed the colt for a moment. "Could you ask him how he made you happy?"
Afiona turned to Nico. :Sweetie, how did you make me happy?:
:I think happy thoughts at you and you get happy.: Nico responded simply.
"Are you thinking he is a projective?" Afiona asked after she relayed his answer.
"It would explain your improved mood. And why he ran away from Taver saying he had to see his Mama-Afi because she was sad."
Nico looked between them, confused. :I'm a project?:
Afiona laughed and relayed his question.
"He understands us?" Jisa said in disbelief.
"Mostly, yes." Afiona said with all the pride of a mother who knows her child is special.
"Incredible. I assume that is so you can hear more stories." Jisa smiled at him.
:I like stories.: Nico agreed.
Afiona relayed it again. "He corners the Chronicler at least once a week."
"Do you know how to test for a Gift?" Jisa looked around for a place to sit and had to settle for the hearth.
:We'd rather you didn't.: Daric interrupted.
"I can, but I won't." Afiona said carefully. "They would prefer I didn't."
Jisa wasn't surprised. "Why would a Companion be a projective empath?"
Afiona drummed her fingers on her chair's arm. "Tashir's Companion is special, isn't he?"
"I think I remember hearing something about him." Jisa quickly consulted Taver. "He is a mindhealer of sorts."
"Do you think Nico is too? I am a mind healer, and rather good. I use it on the Companions and the injured animals to prevent them from being too traumatized. Maybe they are letting be his mother so I can train him."
"It makes sense. Every other orphaned Companion has been raised by another Companion." Jisa leaned forward, her sharp mind already working on the puzzle.
"It also explains why people are more comfortable in his presence. Even the injured Companions seem to be calmer with him present. I thought it was because they didn't want to alarm him."
"Nico, have you been thinking happy thoughts at other people?" Jisa caught the colt's attention.
:Yup. I don't like yelling.: Nico responded.
"He has. He doesn't like people being upset." Afiona translated. "I think I better start training him soon."
"That is probably a good idea. The only Companion who could help you would be Tashir's Companion. Would you be alright with visiting Tashir for a few months?" Jisa
"That won't be a problem. We already agreed to spend winter there." Afiona ran a hand through her hair. "I never thought he would be gifted. Should I shield him?"
"I don't know what the ethics are for Companions with powerful Gifts." Jisa rubbed her brow absently. "What does your Companion say?"
:What should we do?: Afiona asked Daric.
:Shield him if it interferes with you but he has to learn to use it.: Daric said after a moment's consultation with the others.
"Shield him when it gets in the way but leave it alone otherwise."
:Leave what alone?: Nico asked confused.
:Have we been making you confused?: She asked. :We are just talking about how you think happy thoughts and other people feel happier.:
Satisfied he wasn't missing anything interesting he went to investigate his pile of toys. The ragged doll Companions with the big blue button eyes was his favourite toy so he dragged it out to show it off to their guest.
"He must be very powerful. You were close to just shutting down completely." Jisa said as she stood. "I don't envy you."
She started for the door.
"Herald, please don't tell anyone about Daric." Afiona said before she reached the door.
"Why not?" Jisa asked, genuinely confused.
"He feels I am still needed as a Healer. Besides, if you started training me to be a Herald now I would never be ready for when the Karsites attack." Afiona said logically.
"Very well, I will not tell anyone until you are ready to start training." Jisa agreed. "And I hope we don't need you in either capacity."
~*~
Afiona was ready to hit her old friend with a board. Medren had sought her out to discover what had caused her to run off and was once again fretting over her.
"Medren, I don't need you to 'fix it'. I have to do this on my own." She said for the tenth time. "I know you want to help but you can't."
"Give up." Stefen advised him. "You are going to win with her."
"Thank you." Afiona smiled at the Bard. Stef was now a favourite story teller of Nico's. The revelations of the other day certainly explained why Stef often seemed more content after telling a story to Nico.
The little scamp had been trying to keep everyone happy by 'thinking happy thoughts'. Now she wasn't certain whether to tell him to stop or to encourage him. He was a Companion and they were rules unto themselves, but he was a baby.
At the moment Nico and Demon were off to the side, Nico waiting for someone to have time to tell a story and Demon complaining about the 'silly pup' not lying still.
"Medren, I appreciate you wanting to help but I need to face this on my own. No one else can do it for me." She hoped this time he would actually hear what she was saying. "Do matter how much you protest they will still be my demons and it will still be my responsibility."
Medren sank on to her bed with a sigh. "You practically ran screaming from one of your dearest friends because he raised his voice. How are you going to handle that one your own?"
"I will find a way." She said calmly.
Stefen cleared his throat before they could continue. "How about we get some lunch?"
Afiona nodded and stood, brushing out her skirts. "Could you two tell a story to Nico? He has been waiting patiently this entire time."
Nico scrambled forward eagerly when he heard the word story. :Please!:
"He says 'please'." She relayed.
"Not a problem." Medren assured her.
Demon padded to her side as she left the men and Nico. :Sore.:
Afiona sighed and scratched his head. The poor old dog suffered from arthritis in his back, making him slow and causing endless pain. Afiona made certain he exercised every day and tried massaging the muscles in his back but it was becoming worse. She doubted he would make it through the winter. She knew he wouldn't be able to make the long trip to see Tashir. She wanted to wait until he died before she left, reluctant to let her loyal friend die among strangers.
:Bacon?: Demon asked hopefully.
She smiled and scratched his ears. :Perhaps some jam.:
Demon's ears perked up and he hurried a bit more. The dog had developed a fondness for the cook's sweet berry jams and his thoughts were now complete centered on the impending treat.
:He is getting so stiff.: Afiona commented to Daric.
:How old is he?: Daric asked.
:He is nearing ten now. I know he can't take a trip to Lineas-Baires, not if we ride, and I can't leave him behind.: Afiona reached down to scratch Demon's ear. :But what about Nico, we need to do something about his 'happy thoughts'.:
Daric seemed to talk to the other Companions for a moment. :Stay until Demon passes on then. You can shield Nico if he starts making trouble. Most of his training will fall to you anyway.:
:And what about me being a Herald? If we stay someone may find out.:
:I know, and if they do we will deal with it.: Daric assured her. :For now we have bigger problems.:
Afiona sighed. :Me. What good can I be as Healer or Herald when the Karsites attack if I run for the hills every time someone yells at me?:
:You said you want to do this on your own, so where do we start?: Daric asked.
Afiona stopped. Demon looked up at her, confused. :I don't know.: She sighed. She was not nearly as confident as she had led Medren to believe. :It has been years since anyone even thought to hit me but still…:
:Afiona, when you dream you sometimes see your brother, do you not? How can you recover if every time you start to feel safe you are pulled into the mind of the man who harmed you in the first place?: Daric said logically.
:I don't have much control over that.: Afiona responded. :It just happens.:
Daric sent her a wave of understanding. :Go get the food before your guests run out of stories. We will think of something.:
Afiona shook off her reverie and resumed her path to the kitchen. The cook produced a chunk of bread slathered with fresh butter and jam for Demon without a word.
"How much food do you need?" She asked as she brushed the breadcrumbs off her fingers.
"There is three of us and Demon." Afiona answered. With just a few gestures the cook ordered a tray prepared with three earthenware bowls of a thick, steaming stew, a loaf of bread, apples, a jar of jam, a dish of fresh butter, an entire nut pie, and a pot of tea with three mugs.
"You can handle it, can't you?" The cook asked, looking around for a helper she could spare.
"If I can handle ornery Companions and Heralds I can handle a tray of food. Especially with Demon to catch anything I drop." She gestured to the dog, who was now licking the jam that stuck to his fur.
"Very well." The cook placed the tray in her arms and turned back to her preparations for feeding the entire Collegium.
Afiona carefully made her way back to her room, her arms ached by the time she placed the food on her raised hearth. Medren and Stefen only smiled an acknowledgement as they battled to outdo each other for what outrageous event could happen to the characters in the story they created.
:Mama-Afi, they are telling a silly story.: Nico said excitedly. :You listen too?:
:We have to stop to eat soon. I bet they are getting hungry.: Afiona answered as she cut some bread and buttered it.
Nico looked disappointed and started butting the two bards.
"What on earth?" Stef asked.
"He is telling you to eat." Afiona handed them each a bowl of stew.
"Thanks scamp." Medren scratched Nico's ear. "I wish I could hear you."
"You need some more furniture." Stef commented as he sat cross-legged on the floor.
"I know. But Nico needs a lot of room. And even more when he gets bigger. He will near his full growth in just eighteen months." Afiona pointed out.
Nico located his ragdoll and started tossing it about and then chasing it.
"He is a happy little fellow." Stefen commented. "He certainly lifts one's spirits."
:Sweetie, are you thinking happy thoughts at Stefen?: Afiona asked.
Nico dropped his toy and pranced over to her, very proud of himself. :He is happy now too.:
"He has that effect on a lot of people." Afiona scratched Nico's ears.
:I'm lucky, Mama-Afi has hands.: Nico's eyes half closed in enjoyment.
Afiona laughed. "He thinks he is the luckiest colt because I have hands to scratch his ears."
"You do have talented hands." Medren commented, then blushed and cleared his throat.
Afiona cocked an eyebrow. "Do I want to know what you were referring to?"
"Massage." Medren insisted quickly.
Afiona laughed and winked at Stefen. "Somehow I doubt that is all you are thinking about."
"You give massages?" Stefen asked.
"None better." Medren answered for her. "Trust me, you would do anything for her after one massage."
Afiona blushed. She relaxed, sensing Medren was going to leave the topic of what she was going to do about Lance and everything for the time being.