Last Time:

:Yes, Child. Get on my back, and we will go.: Harry did as he was bid, and soon, they were galloping off into the distance to the place where Tarlna had entered this world. The Gate was still standing, barely.

Tarlna quickly spoke to her charge. :Child, this may be a little… disorienting. Don't worry, I'll be with you.: Harry nodded, and together they stepped into the Gate, into a new world where neither knew exactly what was in store for them.

Chapter Three

As Tarlna stepped through the Gate onto firm soil, she noticed immediately that her charge had fallen unconscious. Gate travel often had that effect upon the inexperienced. It had much the same whirling, turning, stomach-churning feel as Floo travel.

Floo? And what in the name of the Star-Eyed is that? She looked at her bonded, her Chosen, and grinned a (pardon the pun) wolfish grin. It seemed she knew things from their bond that he was not even aware that he knew. This bond could definitely be useful.

Tarlna slowly lowered herself to the ground, and looked at the night sky, dotted with stars. Thank you, Star-Eyed, for a safe journey.

She shifted her weight, and her Chosen fell limply to the ground. She shifted back into her horse form, and attempted to stand, but she could not. Her magical core was nearly empty – she had used many magics this night.

As she rested, she watched her child sleep fitfully. He remained silent, and bruises attested to many lessons on that subject, but he still tossed a little, and turned over in his sleep. His nightmare began to worsen steadily, she noted, and when tears began to leak out of his eyes, she resolved to waken him.

Before she had made a move, he gasped and opened his eyes. He spotted her and moved to lean against her. She offered what comfort she could by her presence, and slowly, they both drifted off into sleep.

(Scene Break)

It was morning before either awoke again. Upon waking, Tarlna found that she had subconsciously tapped into a nearby ley-line and recharged her power. With that boost, she and Harry could reach the Dhorisha Plains by mid-afternoon. She set about waking him up.

Harry woke with a horsey nose in his face, and let out something which was either a very short scream or a prolonged yelp of surprise. The horse stepped back in surprise of its own, and spoke to him. :Sorry, Little One. But we need to get moving.:

"Okay." So when the horse kneeled, Harry mounted, and off they went.

Around noon, Tarlna heard a growl, like a prowling monster hunting for a large meal. She broke into a canter for a few moments, before realizing the 'monster' was really Harry's stomach!

Poor child, he hasn't eaten since last night – and not much then, she noticed, gently touching Harry's mind to find the proper memories. She stopped for a few minutes near a stream to show Harry a few edible plants.

:Cattail roots, Little One. And there, see the nuts? They fell from that tree. Look at its bark and learn it, so you'll know it again. This bush too – its berries are very good.:

"D'you want some, then?" Harry asked, looking at her with a trace of worry in his face.

:I can eat grass. You cannot. You must eat what is right for you.:

Harry relaxed and tried one of the berries. "You were right. They are good." He looked at her sidelong. "Please have some?"

:If you insist.: Tarlna gently drew the berries off the boy's palm with her lips.

Harry smiled. "I never had anybody to share with before," he said shyly. "Not when I wanted to, I mean."

Tarlna had no trouble interpreting that, not with Harry practically shouting in her mental "ear". My cousin always took everything of mine that he wanted, and some things he didn't, just because they were mine and I'd miss them.

:You will never need to worry about that again: she told him. :Stretch your legs a little, and then we will be going.:

True to Tarlna's prediction, they reached the Plains around mid-afternoon, only a candlemark or so after their rest stop. Kata'shin'a'in, the only city built by the Shin'a'in, was visible in the distance.

Kata'shin'a'in meant literally "City of the People", and was where the Shin'a'in kept their most important possessions- their History Tapestries. It was also where those sworn to the Crone dwelled; at least, those who were not Shamans, Healers, or Chieftains.

:Childing, when we get to the City, I'll take you to someone trustworthy. You tell them that you're looking for Tale'sedrin. They'll be able to direct usto the Clan's last known campsite.: Tarlna knew exactly where to take Harry. She just hoped Kitani still lived in the same place as when they last met.

Flashback

Tarma continued to walk through dimly lit passages of a supposedly abandoned Keep, following her ears to the faint sound of a child's sobs. She had left Jedrak and a pregnant Kethry with Liha'irden and gone in search of the child who haunted her dreams nightly. The visions were Goddess-sent, she was sure, and she had finally found the child.

The weeping grew louder. Tarma was close. She turned a corner, and there the child was: a little girl, crying over a necklace. The jewelry was unusual; two golden rings were strung on a fine chain, each ringwith a small stone set in them. Tarma approached, and knelt to face the girl face-to-face.

"What's wrong, child? Why do you weep?" The child jumped at the harsh voice, but upon seeing Tarma's kind, concerned face, threw herself at the Kal'enedral. Her tears soon soaked through Tarma's dark garments, but after a short while, she calmed.

"I'm Kitani. And Mama and Daddy gave this to me and told me to run. Then the bad men came, and hurted Mama and Daddy. And no one came to get me." She buried her face in her hands.

Tarma sighed, calming her anger with the ease of long practice. The girl's parents were beyond help. Her duty now was to the child. Another orphan for Tale'sedrin, I think...

"Little One, do you want to come to my home? It's different from here, but you may like it."

Kitani lifted her head, tears still in her eyes but a small smile on her face, and nodded.

End Flashback

Kitani had quickly grown accustomed to the Shin'a'in ways. After being injured in an accident, she had moved to Kata'shin'a'in to represent the Clan at the annual Horse Fair. She had always been like a daughter to Tarma. Although now she had daughters of her own, and granddaughters, she still remained very valuable to the Clan.

They soon arrived at her home, and one of her granddaughters answered their call. "Forgive me, but Grandmother is ill. I should be able to help you in her stead. What is it you need, little one?"

Harry asked for the information about Tale'sedrin, and was met with an incredulous stare. "Why would a little like you need to go to Tale'sedrin? Where are your guardians?"

Harry answered as clearly as he could, but meeting such resistance was unexpected, and the small-for-his-age five year old still stuttered despite all his uncle's attempts to beat it out of him. "I-I-I was t-t-told to ask here. T-t-t-tarlna said so."

She looked down at him, not unkindly, and asked, "Who's Tarlna, child?"

Harry quickly led her outside, and introduced her to Tarlna. The granddaughter, a true child of the Plains, was no fool. Seeing the sable coat and starry eyes indicative of the Goddess's avatars, she knew the course of action she must take.

She would do more than give the child a map. She would accompany him herself.

End Chapter

I know, I know... you all want me to work of Not One But Two... Chapter Eleven should be up in a few days. God Bless, Everyone!

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