Herald of Death: Elementary My Dear

Disclaimer: Don't own Lackey's Books .

:Colons for Thought Speech:

"What!" Triss exclaimed.

"I can't read or write." Chailyn said again simply.

"Now Triss, please don't be too terribly surprised at this, I have had many Chosen come who could not either," The Housekeeper chided. "Chailyn, it's quite alright, this has happened many times before. We'll just find you someone who will tutor you until you can read and write well enough before you enter your classes."

The worried girl breathed a silent sigh of relief; They aren't going to reject me! :Hear that Zephyr! They aren't going to turn me out:

:Of course not, why would they ever do that: Zephyr replied lightly.

Chailyn blushed and ducked her head so Triss and the Housekeeper wouldn't see:Because I can't read or write. And I--I thought it would be too troublesome to teach me.:

:Nonsense! If they didn't take Chosens that couldn't read or write there would be even less Heralds:

"Triss, would you like to teach her?"

"Me? Oh, no. No offense to you, Chailyn, but I'm a horrible teacher!" Triss said hurriedly, then added, "Megan is a great teacher though, and she even likes to teach!"

"Well, then Triss could you find Megan and ask her? We really need Chailyn in classes as soon as possible."

Triss took Chailyn to her room before supper, and before she looked for Megan.

"Here you are; your own room. Hope you like it." But Chailyn hadn't heard her; she was too caught up in the fact that she had her own room.

"Come on, Chailyn, we need to find Megan before taking a bath and supper." Triss said, tugging on Chailyn's sleeve. Chailyn came out of her awe and followed Triss to a couple doors down. The older girl opened the door and strode in with Chailyn in her wake. The nameplate on the door had said, 'Meagan and Triss.'

This must be Triss' room, Chailyn thought.

"Ah, good, I thought I might find you here. Megan this is the newly Chosen, Chailyn; Chailyn this is my roommate, Megan. Now, Megan, I have a teaching proposition for you. Can you teach Chailyn here how to read and write?"

Megan looked up from her book and replied, "OH YES! I'd love to! I've wanted to tutor someone ever since Nora let me teach our religions class about the Book of One." Chailyn smiled and whispered her thanks.

"Oh, we better get to the bathrooms so we can bathe before supper! There probably won't be any hot water left!" cried Megan as she hurriedly marked her spot in her book. Megan and Triss pulled Chailyn along so she wouldn't get lost.

That night Chailyn was scared to go to sleep; afraid she might dream the death of her new friends. When she was half way between consciousness and unconsciousness in sleep, a man visited her. He was dressed in all black and he was the most handsome man she had ever seen.

He walked over to her and sat down on her bed near the foot.

"Go to sleep Chailyn, you will not be bothered with dreams for a while. Sleep peacefully, my messenger."

Whatchamacallme: Review if'n you want to; I'd appreciate it if'n you did.