Chapter 3
The man with the Heraldic Whites on said:I'm Herald-Mage Vanyel Ashkevron. This is my lifebonded Tylendel/ Stefen and my Companion Yfandes.: He introduced the other two, pointing at each one in turn. Then he smiled winningly at the Circle.
"How do we know that you're actually Vanyel Ashkevron and not just some imposter?" Kyril asked the man suspiciously.
Elspeth stood and cleared her throat. "Herald Kyril, I can verify Herald Vanyel's identity," she said, smiling at her ancestor.
"How?" Kyril asked just as suspicious as before.
"I can because I have talked with him before," she admitted.
"When?" The question came as rapid fire as the first ones were.
"On my way back here after I was a trained mage."
:That's true you know: Stefen said, commenting in his quiet way for the first time since he had shown up. :Vanyel interrupted Firesong's gate on its way to the k'Treva Vale.:
"Okay," Kyril began grudgingly. "I believe you."
"I admit that we," Darkwind indicated himself and the other two mages, "were asked not to betray Vanyel until the right moment."
"Forefather," Firesong put in randomly. "Have you heard of what the Foreseers have seen?" He asked.
:I know: Vanyel started. :I've seen it myself as well.:
"Do you know what we can do about it?" Firesong asked Vanyel.
Kyril's mind got back to focusing on the matter at hand, so he was a bit surprised at the word that Firesong had used to Vanyel. "Firesong, you said 'forefather'. What is that about?" He asked.
"Vanyel Ashkevron is one of my great many times great grandfather." Firesong explained with a smile.
Vanyel smiled at his descendent. :That's right: he said. :I left two offspring with the k'Treva Clan, so are you from Featherfire or Brightstar's line.:
"Brightstar's," Firesong replied.
:I didn't know which line, so that was interesting: he said with a smiled. :I also left two more children. Jisa, Co-consort to King Treven and Arven with a shay'a'chern couple from the Guard that my sister commanded.: He smiled at Selaney. :Which means you, Selaney, are one of my descendents.:
Selaney gasped. "No!" She shook her head. "Jisa was sired by King Randale, the monarch before Treven."
:Nope. She's one of mine. Randale and Shavri knew that. They picked my on purpose.:
"I…I….I" Selaney stuttered
Elspeth smiled knowingly at her mother. "I understand," she said. "I reacted the same way."
Selaney looked confused, then it dawned on her. "You knew, you knew and you didn't tell me," she accused her daughter.
Elspeth looked guilty. "I couldn't tell you without proof. You wouldn't have believed me." She smiled apologetically at her mother.
Selaney smiled back at her progeny. "Probably," she replied.
Kyril look at both women, then back at Vanyel. "Can you help us with the problem at hand?" He asked, more concerned about his country and not the lineage of Selaney.
:I think I can: Vanyel said hesitantly. :I'm not sure though.:
Kyril nodded. "I think we can work something out then." He started to think of possible solutions.
A bell chimed the noon hour in the background of the near silent room that was filled with worry and thinking. Kyril looked up a little surprised at the noise, but his stomach demanded attention. "Well, I guess," he started, grinning at the Circle, "We'll break for luncheon and then meet back up after luncheon is over." He turned to Vanyel. "If you'll excuse us Herald," he told the spirit. "But we living need to eat."
Vanyel smiled at the Herald. :Go ahead. I know that you guys need to eat sometime.: