See disclaimer in chapter 1
Chapter 3 - The Lady Awakens
As soon as the Heralds Vanyel and Tantris entered the Healer's Hall, it was apparent
that there was something going on. The healers were all grouped together in the
corner of the room, muttering amongst themselves in muted tones. The Chief Healer
came forward to greet the two men quietly.
"Thank you for coming, I'm sorry we had to interrupt your dinner plans," he said to
the older Herald.
"I quite understand," he replied with some trepidation.
"What's this about needing Tantris to help with the woman he found? And a lifebond?"
Vanyel was skeptical.
The healer held up his hands.
"Let me tell you what we've found so far before you jump to conclusions. And not all
of us are of a like mind on this lifebond issue."
Tantris was focused on the pale woman lying in the bed.
"Lifebond? What lifebond?" he asked them.
The healer seemed to be at a loss for words.
"I'm not sure how to explain the bond we've found that seems to lead to you," he said.
"We've not seen anything like it really, that's why we asked you two to come here. I
thought that Vanyel might be able to see and verify it with his Mage-Sight."
Vanyel nodded thoughtfully. He sat down in the chair beside the bed, entering a light
trance. Using his Mage-Sight, he looked at the woman, able to clearly discern a bright
blue ribbon of light, coursing from herself to the other Herald. It was as strong as
any bond he'd ever seen, including the one he'd had with his lifebonded Tylendel. He
pushed away any emotions he had at the thought of his lost love, focusing on the task
at hand.
"I'd have to agree with those of you who say it's a lifebond. It's a different kind of
lifebond than we're used to seeing, but it IS a lifebond. That much I'm certain. Why,
I can't tell you. I just know that it is." he paused.
"She doesn't appear to be anything other than what she seems, there is no evil in her,
though I can't say she hasn't been used for evil purposes. She does have the taint of blood-
magic, but not of her doing. There are some spells on her that I will have to examine
further to see if I can break them, but I doubt there are any spells that can withstand
me." he spoke without contceit, knowing his strength.
The healers seemed to be a bit concerned at this, but left it for the moment.
"What's to be done about the fact that we can't wake her?" one of the other healers asked.
"We've healed what we've been able to see of her physical injuries but she still won't
wake up." he explained as Tantris glared at him.
"This is where we hoped YOU would come in, Herald Tantris. Since we know you have a lifebond
with her, you could perhaps use it to call her back? Even though you are still strangers,
she should be able to sense your intent, and if you love her enough to bring her back, this
should be enough." the Cheif Healer told them.
Tantris simply nodded and sat in the chair Vanyel had now vacated for him.
"Can I have some privacy please?" he asked and the others filed out of the room, Vanyel
giving his friend some whispered words of advice before leaving with the rest of them.
Tantris took the woman's small, pale hand in his large callused ones and tried to do as
he was asked. He emptied his mind, thinking of some centering exercises to clear his thoughts
and concentrated on calling the woman back to the physical world.
Some time later, he came out of his trance, pale and sweating. It was harder than it looked,
he realised. He fell asleep shortly after sunrise, exhausted, with her hand still in his.
Just short of the noon meal, the woman's eyes snapped open, taking in her new surroundings.
She suppressed the slight panic she felt at not knowing where she was and examined the room
closely. The walls and floor were tiled with light greenish white tiles, with a deeply recessed
window next to the door in one wall. There was also a white chest at the bottom of the bed,
which could have contained bedding or the personal possessions of the patients who used
this room for all she could tell.
Her hand was warm, and she then saw a man, fast asleep, his salt and pepper hair falling
slightly over his closed eyes, making him look younger than his years. He was clean-shaven,
with strong, handsome features. Her hand was enclosed within his, and she knew he was the
source of the call which had eventually brought her back to the physical world.
Looking closer, she saw he was wearing all-white leathers, well worn yet clean. Slipping
her hand carefully from his, she carefully sat up in the bed, noting she'd been dressed
in a white shift. She smiled slightly at this.
Testing her balance, she slowly swung her legs over the side of the bed, before attempting
to stand between the bed and the chair the man still slept in. Smiling mischievously, she
bent down to give the man a small kiss on the cheek when his eyes opened in surprise.
Startled, she overbalanced, falling into the man's arms with a small cry. He instinctively
caught her, grinning at the expression on her face, when they were interrupted by one of
the healers coming in to check on her progress.
Smiling at the guilty looks on both their faces, the healer set down the meal he'd brought
in and withdrew without saying a word.
Carefully setting the woman back on the bed, he went over to the chest where the healer had
left the meal.
"What would you like to eat?" he asked her, still grinning.
She looked at him carefully but didn't say anything. He offered her one of the plates on the
tray, taking the other and seating himself back in the chair.
"Are you all right?" he asked, beginning to be concerned.
She smiled uncertainly but still didn't speak.
:Why don't you try Mindspeech, oh handsome one. She does have the Gift after all: Delian
reminded him, startling the Herald and causing him to smile.
:Yes, oh great white one: Tantris shot back, his mind-voice full of humour.
Carefully he reached out his thoughts to the woman.
:Are you all right?: he asked her again in Mindspeech.
She jumped and looked around, a little frightened.
:What? Who's there?: she replied in an almost whispered thought.
Tantris put down his meal and sat beside her on the bed.
Taking her hand, he quietly Mindspoke her again.
:It's all right, it is only me. I am using Mindspeech since you did not respond when I asked
you earlier how you were feeling:
She looked at him in amazement.
:It is truly you?: she asked.
:Yes: he chuckled and smiled at her.
She smiled back at him.
:That is a relief. The reason I did not say anything was because I cannot hear very well: she
told him.
:This makes it a whole lot easier to communicate: she added.
He looked at her in shock. He'd never met anyone who couldn't hear, so it was such a novel
situation that he didn't know how to react.
She nodded.
:I have always been like this, since I was a child. I can speak though, because of being
able to hear for even such a short time. I can even sing. But I cannot hear much at all any
more: she shrugged.
:I have grown used to it: she explained when he looked even more surprised.
:Anyway, I am all right now, thank you. I don't know where or how you found me, or even where
I am now, or who you are. I just know that I feel...I don't know, like I know you, or like I've
known you forever. Do you know what I mean?: she asked.
Tantris just nodded, thinking of what he should tell her about the circumstances in which she
was found.
:What do you think I should do?: he asked Delian.
:Why not tell her? What harm is there in it?: his Companion asked.
Tantris was dubious.
:I guess none: he replied.
:My name is Tantris. I am a Herald of Valdemar which is where you are at the moment. I found
you in the Companions' Grove, which is a strange place I'll admit, to find strangers. You were
in a bit of a state: he said to the woman.
She looked surprised, then thoughtful as he Mindspoke.
:I didn't know I had come so far: she said, completely confusing the Herald.
Fortunately for him, Vanyel knocked on the door and entered. He wanted the Herald-Mage to be
present when he asked the woman who she was and where she'd come from.
Vanyel didn't seem surprised to see the woman up and about.
:Van: Tantris Mindspoke the other Herald.
:I need to tell you, she is deaf, or nearly so, it appears. If you want to talk to her, you
should Mindspeak her. She can speak, but cannot hear very well. That is one of the reasons why
the healers had such trouble getting through to her: he surmised to his friend.
Vanyel's eyebrows shot up at this. He too was surprised to meet someone who was deaf but who
could also speak but he took Tantris's advice and Mindspoke the woman.
:I am the Herald-Mage Vanyel Ashkevron: he said, introducing himself to her.
She nodded.
:Hello Herald-Mage Vanyel: she replied.
:I suppose you want to know who I am and where I come from: she added, in a resigned tone that
took the men by surprise.
They both nodded.
:I don't know how much of this you will believe but I will tell you my story anyway. There is
not much I can do if you don't believe me, but I am hoping you will anyway: she said sadly, as
she began her tale.
I know there's lots of questions but just wait until I've put up the next part in my story 'k? There will be a bit
more surprises coming in the next chapters so just be patient *smiles* and all will be explained in due time....
