Chapter 5

After the second half of the council meeting had taken place for the day, the mages, again, met up with Vanyel and Stefen.

"You can come over to my Vale and soak for a bit while we try to think of solutions to our problem," Firesong invited. He felt that he was due for a long soak in the hot pool that he had at the foot of his ekele.

All of them, plus Eldan and Kero, accepted Firesong's invitation and trooped over to the Vale in a grove in Companion's Field.

An'desha looked up from where he knelt next to one of the bushes in the garden at the noise five of the other humans made. His face lit up at the sight of Firesong, but paled as he saw the three silvery transparent people.

"F…F…Firesong, w..wh..who are these people?" An'desha asked a little fearfully. He wasn't used to seeing invasions of silvery people everyday. Maybe as time goes on I'll get used to it, he thought.

Firesong grinned at the Shin'a'in. "These three," he pointed to the silvery spirits, "are Herald-Mage Vanyel Ashkevron, his lifebond Stefen, and his Companion Yfandes." His smiled widened. "Vanyel is one of my forefathers."

"Oh," An'desha said, letting out a small sigh. "I know Darkwind and Elspeth, but who are the other to normal humans?" He asked Firesong in Shin'a'in.

Kerowyn had overheard An'desha's question. "I'm Kerowyn shena Tale'sedrin," she replied in the same tongue.

An'desha's eyes widened and his lips formed a big "O". "I'm An'desha shena Jor'ethan," he replied in the same tongue that Kero had replied in, after he had gotten over his shock at this woman knowing Shin'a'in.

"This is Herald Eldan," She introduced her lover to the Shin'a'in.

"Oh," An'desha said again. He couldn't really register the name that well, since the man with the ever shifting hair color caught his eye.

Stefen looked up to see the Shin'a'in's eyes on him, most likely his hair. Vanyel had told him that it shifted between the two colors it had in his two lives with Vanyel. His lips spread themselves out into a grin that caused An'desha to look away.

Awhile later, they all had themselves situated in the heated pool and were talking and relaxing. Elspeth was curled up with Darkwind's arm around her. Kero was in a similar position with Eldan. Firesong lounged in the water by An'desha who was just dangling his feet in. Both Vanyel and Stefen rested by the edge of the pool.

:Do you have any ideas on what to do about the problem: Stefen asked.

"Let us think about some more," Darkwind said lazily with his eyes closing. The arm that was around Elspeth tightened and he pulled her onto his lap. Nuzzling her neck, he wrapped both of his arms around her waist.

Elspeth giggle at Darkwind's actions. Now she snuggled back into his chest. She liked the feeling of protection that this position gave her.

"Well," Firesong started. One of his hands moved to circle around An'desha's foot and started to massage it. "I'm still thinking."

All of them relaxed even further in the heated pool, their minds trying to solve the problem at hand.

Eldan and Kero slid out of the pool, trying not to disturb the others. They dried off and got dressed. Then they made their way out of the Vale and across Companion's Field to their room in the Heraldic Colleguim.

Darkwind cracked his eyes in time to see Eldan and Kero walk out of the Vale. He just thought they had gotten sleepy and wanted to go to bed.

Elspeth finally pushed herself off of Darkwind's lap. "Honey, I can't think properly on your lap," she said. "Not that I don't enjoy being there."

Darkwind smiled at her. "Do you actually NEED to think about it NOW?" He asked her slyly. He let his mind brush hers gently.

Her lips spread in a slightly seductive smile. "I think I can put off thinking for awhile," she told him huskily.

Darkwind chuckled at her. They both got themselves out of the heated pool and Started to dry off and dress.

The five left, the three spirits, An'desha, and Firesong, nodded and said "Goodbye," to Darkwind and Elspeth as they finished getting dressed and left.

Firesong got out of the pool and gripped An'desha's shoulders. "We have to head to bed now," he told the three spirits. "We'll see you in the Council meeting tomorrow. Feel free to hang out down here." He smiled at Vanyel and Stefen.

:Okay: Vanyel said. :Sweet dreams Firesong.: He grinned back at the Tayledras and Shin'a'in. He and Stefen stayed down here while An'desha and Firesong Headed up stairs.