For those of you who ask questions in the reviews or notice something strange that just doesn't quite seem to go along with the books and I don't reply, the reason is because it will be answered down the road. I'm not ignoring you! This chapter is a bit short, and made me miss my bicycle and early morning rides very much! I might just rearrange my room so I can fit my bike back in here so I can start riding again. Sigh Sometimes I regret not living at home anymore. Then I'd have somewhere to put all of my stuff! It also made me miss my daddy's motorcycle. Also, could someone who has some free time look into this for me? In "By the Sword", Kero's Companion is Sayvel. In the Mage Winds Trilogy, it is Sayvil. I have to get the books from the library, and I already returned Kero's book and picked up one of Elspeth's, so I can't double check and try to figure out which way it is supposed to be spelled. Thanks! Also, since everything I do has a soundtrack (gotta love portable music devices) I thought I'd start including my soundtrack for this story. The beginning of this chapter was several CD's worth of techno by Paul Oakenfold and "Finlandia" by Sibelius. The battle scene was "Egmont Overture" by Beethoven, with a splash of the beginning cello section from "1812 Overture" by Tchaikovsky when Kero is doing her bit of mental prep. Dvorak's "New World" was the scene in the salle. The horsie scene is "Light Cavalry Overture" by Suppe. Standard disclaimer: whosiwhatsis. Thanks for the fantastic reviews! Enjoy!
Chapter 9
Warm morning sunlight filtered down over Companion's Field like a soothing balm, and Kero inhaled deeply, breathing in the morning scents and reveling in the fact that she could now breathe without coughing. Last night, the Healers had cleared her to begin working back up to her normal exercise regimen, and Kero could not be happier. Eldan was sound asleep in their bed, and the girls were still snoozing in their beds. Kero could not tell who was happier about that last, Eldan or the girls. It had taken several days and some intensive sessions with mindhealers, but the girls were no longer afraid to sleep by themselves. Now that the commotion was beginning to settle down and they were all once again following their routine, Kero was more than ready for some time to herself, which was exactly what her morning and evening workouts were.
Kero found that a morning workout cleared her head for the day, allowed her to organize her thoughts and fully wake herself up. On days that she missed her morning workout, she often found herself groggy and stressed, which, now that she thought about, was probably one of the reasons why the past few months had been so hard. When the girls arrived, Kero's routine had been disrupted to accommodate the girls' routine. Her morning workout time had been instead devoted to getting the girls up and ready for the day. Now that Eldan was here, he could get them up and the process started while she went through her own morning routine. Eldan, being a devout worshipper of sleep, insisted that Kero was abnormal for working out in the morning, and gladly took the task of getting the girls up if Kero took the task of putting them to bed and did not make him work out with her.
Her evening workouts did just the opposite of her morning workouts. These workouts gave her time to ponder the day's problems and work out any frustrations, easing her mind so that she could relax and sleep well that night. Kero did not know if she would have the energy come evening to do her evening workout, but she was more than happy to find out. Today's workout would be a light one, one lap around Companion's Field, then a ride with Sayvel before heading back to the cottage to clean up and head to the salle. Alberich had been covering for the last few weeks, with the help of Jeri, and he, too, was happy to see Kero back up and ready to take the classes back over.
With a hiss as tender new skin stretched, Kero bent from the waist and planted her palms on the ground. As the sting eased, she clasped her hands behind her knees, then tucked her nose against her knees in an effort to get more of a stretch. Once her skin realized it was going to stretch whether it liked it or not, it gave up the fight, and stretched with her muscles. She straightened and breathed deeply once again, settling her mind. Then she picked her right heel off the ground and tucked it high up against her left thigh, angling her right knee to the outside. In a move an acrobat had once taught her, she grabbed her right heel with her right hand and extended her leg up, stretching her calves and arm muscles, as well as her thighs. It was a move that made most men wince with the additional benefit of improving balance. Therefore, it was a move Kero heartily approved of. She did not realize she was not alone until she heard the thump of someone falling behind her. Releasing her own pose, she turned to find Acacia sitting on the ground behind her, looking somewhat frustrated and embarrassed.
"What are you doing up so early, Acacia?"
She shrugged, still flushing. "I heard you tell Eldan you were going to work out this morning. I want to be a warrior, so I figured I needed to get strong."
Kero nodded at the unflawed logic.
:Might teach her a few things, as well.: Sayvel's comment.
:Mm. Couldn't hurt. Besides, what with the threat from the mage, maybe teaching a little self defense will help. Won't have to worry about something happening to her as much.:
:My thoughts, exactly, Chosen.:
Kero nodded decisively. "All right. You can work out with me in the mornings and evenings. However, you must follow the rules."
Acacia pondered the bargain for a moment, chewing her lower lip, then looked back up at Kero. "What are the rules?"
:Smart little runt,: Kero Sent to Sayvel, almost proudly.
"No talking in the morning, at all. Only talking allowed in the evening workout is if something from the day is really bothering you."
Acacia's face turned puzzled for moment, then she shrugged. "All right."
"The important thing about the morning workout is to enjoy the morning. The rest of the day will wait until after we're finished."
Acacia nodded. Kero turned back to face the sunlight, then continued her stretches, performing lunches and arm stretches until she was warm and loose. Then she set off on a jog around Companion's Field, Acacia trotting beside her. She did not expect the little girl to make it very far around the Field, but she made it much further than Kero thought she would. At the midpoint of their jog, Acacia became winded and began to stumble. With out a word, Kero slowed to a walk, allowing Acacia to cool down. When she judged Acacia cool enough, she called Sayvel. The Healers had been adamant about her not taking up her usual routine right away, and her muscles were warm and loose but beginning to demonstrate the effects of being bedridden then confined to light activity for several weeks. When Sayvel trotted up beside them, Kero grabbed Acacia and hoisted her on top of Sayvel's bare back, then climbed up as well.
Without any prompting, Sayvel turned and began a run across Companion's Field. This, too, was part of Kero's morning routine, and it was the part she loved most. Sayvel's pace quickened as her own muscles warmed and stretched, and soon she was galloping around the Field, enjoying her own morning workout. Acacia's mouth was stretched in a grin of sheer exuberance, and Kero matched her as she urged Sayvel to run faster. The wind whipped their hair and whistled past their ears as Sayvel's muscles bunched and relaxed beneath them. The fence came into view, and Kero felt Acacia tense as Sayvel showed no signs of slowing.
"Relax," Kero murmured into her ear, then wrapped her arms around Acacia. "Hold on to me."
Acacia's fingers dug into Kero's arms as Sayvel's muscles surged, then they were airborne. Sayvel cleared the fence and landed lightly. Then she kept going.
Eventually, they ran out of time. Sayvel slowed to a walk, then halted in front of the cottage. Acacia was excited and out of breath from their ride, fairly bouncing where she sat. Kero slid down first, then held up her arms. For once, Acacia did not hesitate, allowing Kero to help her down. She could tell Acacia was dying to tell her sisters about the ride, but she knew the instant she did, the others would be begging for rides. While she knew Sayvel would be more than happy to accommodate, she wanted to keep this just between her and Acacia. Kero had found a way to bond with the other girls, but she had yet to find something that was just hers and Acacia's.
"Do me a favor."
Acacia stopped before entering the cottage. "Depends."
"Let's keep this just the two of us. Don't tell your sisters."
She pondered Kero's request for a moment, then nodded decisively. "All right. This will be our thing."
"Come on, we're going to be late!"
It was utter chaos inside the cottage, but between the two of them, Kero and Eldan had it pretty much under control. All the girls were dressed and fed. Now it was a matter of gathering up books and heading to various destinations. They were all starting back to their lessons today, although some would not be going to the lessons they had previously. Caia would begin attending Healer's today. Since she already lived on Palace grounds, and since she was so young, she was permitted to live with Kero, Eldan and the rest of the girls. When she turned 10, she would begin staying in the Healer's Collegium dormitories. Ianthe would be attending most of her regular classes, including Comportment and her regular academics, but her Equestrian class had been dropped in favor of classes to train her Gift, which she would attend with the Heraldic Trainees under Herald Griffon. Damini would, of course, spend the day with Kero, since she refused to spend the day at home with Eldan, then she would go off to visit with Elspeth and Darkwind and learn about her Gifts. How they would teach a toddler about magic was beyond Kero, but since she was not going to be teaching the mite, she figured all she had to do was keep up on Dami's progress. By now, all the girls had their blue uniforms, except for Caia, who was dressed in pale green robes. Being Caia, she had talked Jeri into embroidering little green leaves along the hem of her robes.
"Everyone, line up!"
The girls formed into their accustomed line at the front door, and Kero performed a quick inspection to ensure they were all ready. With a decisive nod, Kero gave a wave to Eldan, who was feeding and rocking the baby over by the hearth, opened the door and led them out. They made an odd sight as they trekked toward the Palace. People were still not used to the sight of a strong, no-nonsense mercenary leading a string of little girls around the palace complex. Even more, they were accustomed to that strong no-nonsense mercenary wearing her long hair in a no-nonsense braid. Now her hair, which now consisted of fuzz about an inch long, was covered with a black kerchief that gave her a vaguely raffish look. The toddler's blonde curls were also covered with a black kerchief, and she carried a carved wooden dagger tucked into a sash tied around her waist. When the group stopped, one of the girls pealed off, got a goodbye hug, and entered the room they were to spend the day in. Eventually, only Caia and Damini remained. They were walking along Companion's Field toward Healer Collegium when the hair on the back of Kero's neck rose. Without thinking, she pulled drew her sword with one hand and made sure the girls were tucked behind her with another hand. She turned, sweeping the grounds with a wary eye, trying to figure out what had triggered her reflexes. Then she heard it. The sound was low, rumbling, and the ground was beginning to shake with it.
:Sayvil.:
:We hear it. On guard?:
:You know it. Could use some help.:
:We're on our way.:
:We?:
In answer to her question, Sayvil galloped up, followed by Gwena, Rolan, Kantor and several other Companions. They formed an open ring around them, Sayvil on one side of Kero and Gwena on the other. Rolan and Kantor anchored the back, sandwiching the girls between them for extra protection. Kero centered her mind and body, anchoring herself firmly to the ground, yet balanced, ready to move in an instant. Her heart was slow and calm, and her mind ticked along in an orderly fashion; her eyes were as cool as the winter snow had been, levelly surveying the grounds for the approaching battle. Her mind was easily dividing everything that needed attention from her, falling back on the mental flexibility she had needed as the Captain of the Skybolts, monitoring different parts of the battle field at once. When the attack came, it came too fast for her to react. A force picked her up and hurled her. She was vaguely aware of clumps of dirt and sod being thrown with her, of Companions screaming, the screams of people, of two little girls in particular. Kero was thrown with enough force to clear the backs of the Companions and fly several lengths further, before coming back down. She rolled when she hit the ground, gaining nothing more than a few bruises as she spent the momentum she had gained, never even loosing her sword. Coming to a halt flat on her stomach, palms already flat to the ground to push herself back up, she spat blood to one side and hissed at the unseen force, her eyes dangerous with cold, concentrated fury. Then she pushed herself back to her feet and charged back to the front. The attack was magical and she was unsure of how to fight it, but by the Bright One, she would die trying. Before she made it to the front, she was horrified by the sight of Damini streaking through the maze of Companion hooves to the front of the group. More fists of force were hurtling down the Field, toward the group, toward Damini in particular, who stood her ground firmly, coldly watching them coming toward her. Then she crossed her arms and glared.
"No! Bad magic! Go t' room!"
And, amazingly enough, the balls of force stopped. Kero could see them hanging there in the air by the distortion around them. They bobbed indecisively for a moment, then abruptly flung themselves back the way they had come, just in time for the mages to run panting up.
"About time," Kero growled and crossed her arms, sword clasped by the pommel in one hand, dangling loosely, eyes still locked on the form of Damini standing in a similar pose on the Field.
Elspeth smiled sheepishly. "The mage locked us in the Palace. We had to get past the spells."
"Well, the two-year-old seemed to handle it just fine."
Elspeth winced.
:Easy, Chosen. She could not help it.: Sayvil's rebuke was gentle
:Help it, my butt. That damn mage almost killed two of my girls.:
The same thoughts seemed to have been flowing through Elspeth's mind, and her eyes turned toward Damini. The toddler nodded decisively- Another one picking up Kero's habits, I see, Elspeth thought with a flash of humor- uncrossed her arms and began carefully toddling over the broken ground toward Kero. When she got close enough, she simply raised her arms. Without a word, Kero sheathed her sword, bent and picked up the toddler, settling her on her hip with a practiced motion. Then she turned those frighteningly cold, level eyes on Elspeth.
"Get me a name and reason soon, Elspeth, or I'm going to leave the girls with Eldan and go on a little mage hunt on my own."
Elspeth watched as a woman who scared her far more than Herald-Captain Kerowyn ever could strode away. As she watched Caia carefully trot over the broken ground to catch up with her, Elspeth realized that Auntie Kero was far more dangerous than any woman she had ever known.
"Hai!"
Kero's foot came down and she spun on it, swords flashing around to block the swords of both of her opponents. She had them where she wanted them, and a quick flick of both swords disarmed her opponents, giving their wrists a good wrench in the process. They paused like that, all three breathing deeply, then Kero came out of her half crouch, bringing both feet back together again. With a smooth exhale, she sheathed both swords simultaneously, crossed over her back so they were both set for shoulder draws. The swords were a matched set, a gift from Eldan when she had wistfully told him she had always wanted to learn the two sword techniques while watching a demonstration at a fair. They were works of art, both light enough for her to handle both at the same time, strong enough to handle the battering they would get, and things of pure beauty besides. Intricate patterns were carved along the gutter of both blades, a kind of never-ending knot work that could fascinate Kero while cleaning and oiling them. The blades were also exquisitely balanced, so much so that she could balance the tip of the sword on the tip of a finger, should she so choose. Not wanting to loose any blood from the finely honed blades, however, she refrained from doing that particular trick. One of her opponents drew off her mask and grinned.
"Really, Kero, you don't need to take your bad temper out on us."
Kero grimaced. While Jeri had meant it in all good humor, Kero had felt the gentle rebuke sink in. She was in a bad mood from earlier this morning, and brooding over it was only making her cranky and frustrated. Sighing, Kero rubbed her hands over her face, trying to scrub away some of the frustration. Daren, her other opponent, drew off his own practice mask. They were wearing the masks because they were working with live blades, and they all wore full armor. Kero wore a regular helm in place of the mask because she still suffered from feelings of anxiety when in enclosed spaces. Even now, the outer door of the salle was cracked open.
"Something wrong, Kero?"
"An unknown mage is having target practice on my family, and you think there isn't something wrong?"
"Well, there is always that."
Kero raised an eyebrow at him.
"Look at it this way, Kero." Jeri stepped closer and threw an arm around Kero's shoulders. Armor clanked and chain mail rasped as Jeri tightened her arm in a half-hug. Under normal circumstances, Jeri would not have even contemplated hugging the Captain, but she had seemed so tired and worried at that moment, Jeri had felt compelled to offer some comfort. "At least we know that mage isn't very happy anymore. I mean, if my magic got told to go back to its room, and I knew that room was me, I'd probably be really scared if I were at all good at what I did. If I wasn't, I'd either be dead or hurting because I couldn't dodge the stuff."
"That's one way of looking at it," Daren agreed. "Here's another: if a toddler can defend herself against the mage, I think the rest of your girls are pretty much safe. They're resourceful little hellions. You'll all be fine."
"I just want to know who and why."
"'Ana cow," Damini commented from the doorway to Kero's office, rubbing sleep from her eyes. They only used live blades when a little one was not around to get caught in the battle. Now Jeri and Daren hastily sheathed their own blades.
"What did you say, Dami?"
"'Ana cow."
Kero turned an inquiring glance to Daren, hoping for a translation from toddler-ese. He shrugged, just as perplexed.
"I think she wants a cow," Jeri offered from Kero's other side.
"She has been saying that a lot lately. I thought she was just picking up bad language from Acacia, but maybe you're right." She raised her voice from the quiet murmur it had been. "Dami, you can't have a cow. We can't afford it and I don't think the Companion's would like it running around their Field."
"Horsies!" Damini squealed, stomping her feet in her excitement, blue eyes glittering happily. Jeri choked back a laugh as Kero sighed.
"No, Dami, not horses. Companions are Companions, not horses."
"Horsies!" Damini put on her stubborn face and stamped her foot.
"Companions."
"Horsies!"
"Companions."
"Horsies! Dey's horsies!"
"Dami-" Kero broke off as she realized what she was doing. "Dami," she said calmly. "Companions only look like horses. They are people."
"Horsies talk."
That gave Kero a moment of startlement.
:Sayvil?:
:She's quite a chatty little thing, actually; usually asks for bedtime stories.:
"Okay, let's try this. Dami, horses that talk are called Companions. Horsie…ahem. Horses that don't talk are called horses."
"Sayvil 'panion?"
"That's right. Sayvil is a Companion."
"'Ana cow."
Stumped by the lightening change of subject, Kero paused for a moment, then shrugged. "We'll talk about it when you're older."
Damini frowned, then shrugged, clearly dismissing the whole conversation. She pulled her wooden dagger from her sash, then gave a shriek and charged Daren. Clearly, fighting was more important than cows, horses and Companions.