Voices in my head have begun introducing themselves!! This story came straight from the mouth of Ulia, a neuter kyree. He has been lazy and would like to apologize for our sporadic updating. The updates will come more frequently, we assure you.
Reviewer Responses!!!!!
mysticmoods: A bit of insight into the mind of our fav Karsite Sunpriest coming right up!
Tsukinoko1: Tilar's giving her the words, but she's translating them into her own syntax. I dunno. That's just how it came out, I guess. Mindspeech doesn't really give syntax.
Lurks in Shadows: Here's an update!!
Hawk Sister: Oops, my bad! Thanks for that proofreading!
Desert Angel: An Empath within a hundred miles of that group would not be having much fun!
Badgerwolf: Kenin did not repudiate Jay, she's just being mad at the moment. And I know, he is cute when he's confused! Pity he's lifebonded- all the good guys are! It's so not fair!
PrettyKittyOreo and Airotciv thanks SOOOOO much for reviewing!!!!!
A/N Jay's been having all the dreams…we'll have to fix that! ^ - ^
Chapter Five: Happy Cheery
He was running, running. They were after him. And they would catch him. And then, they would burn him. A rough hand gripped his arm and he fainted.
"This man is being burned," a Voice cried. "For the lowest of heresy: consorting with a White Demon and a Demonrider of Valdemar. And worse, daring to be in love with a Demonrider of Valdemar." The crowd hissed at him and he felt alone, so alone-
And then, they were lighting a fire at his feet. Dena was nowhere to be seen. Here came Jay, trying to save him- but they caught her too and threw her on the fire. She caught fire and screamed. He watched her burn, helpless, while the flames licked at his robes. "Kenin! Help!" she screamed. The Companion stood on the outskirts of the crowd.
:I will not help you,: the Companion said coldly. :You are a traitor.: Jay sobbed in fear and pain- and then she was gone. He screamed, the flames now licking at his chest-
"Shhh. You're safe, Malkum." He came out of slumber quickly. Jay was sitting, her face close to his. Her hair was rumpled, as was her clothing. "It's alright."
"Burning, I was," he gasped, still trying to catch onto coherent thought. "And- and you- you also burned, and help you, Kenin would not-" He sat up. Jay stood and walked over to the fire. He watched as she painstakingly coaxed a flame from the dying coals. In not too long, she had a fire burning, warming the room.
Once there was a fire going, she came back over and sat down –cross legged- in front of him. "Do you- I mean-" She swallowed and tried again. "What's Karse like?" He smiled bitterly.
"Fine, it is," he said shortly. "Home, also." She thought for a second.
"That's fairly noncommittal," she said, raising an eyebrow at him. "Want to say anything else?"
:Karse is home to a bunch of corrupt priests,: Dena yowled. :And your bratty horse and I actually agree on that, so you'd better listen.:
"True, that is not!" Malkum protested. But his protest was half-hearted. With the judgment of Jay and Dena, he'd been forced to reconsider his opinion of Karse and in particular, the Priesthood. It was corrupt. He should have known that before now, if he'd even thought about it. Sighing, he turned back to Jay. "Correct, Dena is," he agreed. Dena purred, approvingly. "Interested in personal gain only, the Priests are." Dena nodded.
:Too true,: the Firecat agreed. :A bunch of hypocrites, liars and heretics –in the true sense, not their mutilated definition of the word. Karse would be better off without them.:
:This is not entirely true.: Malkum jumped at the apologetic mindvoice. :Dena, I do believe you are being a bit too harsh. There are those who are exactly as you described, and worse, but there are those who are Sunpriests in the true sense. Those who are truly devoted to The One God.: Jay gulped.
"Kenin?" she squeaked. It sounded extremely undignified. "Kenin?"
:Don't repeat yourself. And Sunpriest, you are looking like a fish with your mouth open like that.: Malkum closed his mouth with a snap. He didn't know the White Demon –Companion, he reminded himself firmly- was capable of being civil, much less a joke.
"Kenin," Jay said, sounding almost wary. "What happened?" Dena looked too innocent to be true.
:Kenin and I, had-: he hesitated. :A long heart to heart conversation last night, while the two of you were snuggling.: Malkum blushed. Surprisingly, Jay didn't.
"What kind of heart to heart?" she asked, suspiciously.
:The kind where one of the participants talks and the other one listens and makes all the appropriate motions of approval,: Dena said. :It was rather informative. Needless to say, I was the listener.:
"What did she tell you?" Jay asked.
:She told me a lot about the kinds of secrets Companions are always keeping from their Heralds.:
:Dena!: Kenin said. :You love dancing around a secret, don't you.:
:It's not my secret to tell,: the Firecat said primly. :It's yours.: Kenin sighed.
:Too true. And I can't answer it. I'm sorry Jay. It's a long story and one that we don't have time for, seeing as its stopped snowing.: She glanced out the window. :We'd better get going.: By way of answering, Jay scrambled up.
Typical Companion, she thought to herself. Always playing the mystic. With a sigh, she began digging through her saddlebags, looking for a clean set of Whites. Kenin provided a curtain for Jay to change. :Not that I really care,: she told her Companion, as she pulled on her breeches. :But he does.: Kenin snorted. :It's much nicer being on good terms with you,: Jay said. :What exactly did you and Dena talk about last night?: Kenin shifted from foot to foot.
:You'll learn soon,: the Companion said evasively. A sudden flash of inspiration hit Jay.
:It wouldn't have anything to do with those weird dreams I've been having, would it?: she asked, lacing her tunic.
:N-no,: Kenin said. It was a difficult feat to stammer in mindspeech, but somehow, Kenin managed. Her mindvoice practically screamed lie.
"Tell me." Jay was still fairly angry at her Companion for last night. Not that she wasn't forgiven, but Jay could use a little revenge. "Tell me now!"
:She can't,: Dena sighed. :As much as I'd like us to all be happy and open with each other, she really can't.:
"Why not?" Jay demanded, pulling on her boot and stepping out from behind her Companion.
:We can't tell you that either,: Dena said. :You'll find out eventually.: Jay sighed and grabbed a brush from her saddlebag, running it over Kenin's white coat. The Companion sighed and leaned against the brush. Jay shook her head and finished grooming the Companion briskly. She then threw on the saddle and bridle. She and Malkum then cleaned the Waystation, throwing everything into her white leather saddlebags. Once the Waystation was clean, she fastened the saddlebags to the cantle of the saddle. Kenin and Dena went outside while Jay extinguished the fire and pulled on her cloak. Malkum waited for her before leaving the small Waystation. Jay shut the door behind them.
She gave the Sunpriest the assistance of her own cupped hands to swing into Kenin's saddle before mounting up behind him.
Kenin set off at a brisk walk as Dena jumped up behind Jay. :We're off to Haven,: Kenin said. :And I have a feeling the road is going to be a lot more pleasant than the destination.: With a sinking feeling in her stomach, Jay agreed.
A/N Sorry about the shortness. Kenin's about face will soon be explained, as will the conversation and the 'big secret' that neither Companion nor Firecat is telling. I just want Jay to have one more dream- ^-^ it shall be interesting, I assure you. Until next chappie! ~Queen's Own