Ch3
Herald Gerwyn was not impressed. He'd just spent the better part of an hour listening to one of the outlying Holderkin settlements going on about the 'foreign fool' who had barged through their village, cloaked and armed, calling foreign curses down on their heads, and then left in a flurry of hooves. By the time the exchange was done Gery had wanted to call curses down on their heads.
Damn Holdbound bloody Holderkin!:. Now, now dearest.: his companion Floryn sent in amusement. I'm sure the big scary demon tourist was just as frightened.: Gery snorted
:. No doubt love. Though I wonder where he came from… Dorf said he was cloaked.:
:. Maybe a lone trader?.:
:. Maybe, but that doesn't quite fit, what would they be doing so far south for one thing?.:
Floryn began to amble along the track that would take the pair to the next Waystation.
:. And where were the trading packs? The Holderkin said the horse was stripped almost bare.: the Companion gave a mental shrug
:. Maybe the trader was attacked by bandits?.: she answered
:. Maybe, though why'd they leave him the horse? I wonder where he is now?.:
:. That one I can at least answer.: sent Floryn :. She would be-.:
:. Right there.: Gery answered as the due left the path and entered the Waystation's clearing.
…….
Rwen work before the first hoof fell inside the clearing. In one smooth motion - that she knew she'd pay for later - Rwen was on her feet with her weapons free. Daggers loosened, sword held at the ready. A man sat across the clearing from her on a pristine white horse. Rwen gave a mental shudder at the choice. Did it have to be white? And with blue eyes… something the shaman had said was coming back to her. Something about Kerowyn…that was it. She had a spirit horse with blue eyes. So perhaps these spirit horse riders knew each other? Could the man across from her know where this Kerowyn was? All that the shaman had said was that she was in Haven, to go to the palace and she'd find her easily enough. Rwen was not so sure, but she had agreed with him at the time.
……….
Both Herald and Companion stared at the figure across from them, startled by her reaction to their presence. The figure was of above average height for a woman, and she held her sword like one who knew how to use it well and often. But what really drew Gery's attention was the ragged , half healed scar that carved the left side of her face almost in half. With a start Gery realized he was staring.
"Um, greetings Trader. My name is Herald Gerwyn and this is my Companion Floryn. What is your business in Valdemar?" Gery called out. The figure across from then shook its, her, head.
"Speak Trade Tongue." she called back, so Gery, with a bit of effort, switched
"Greetings from Valdemar." He called
"Greetings," Rwen answered. "I have traveled a great distance in search of someone, and was told that I may find her in your capital." Gery sent a mental query to Floryn, the woman was not a natural at the Trader's speak, judging by her accent she had come a long way indeed.
:. What do you think dear heart? What do you sense?.: Floryn sent back a frustrated reply
:Nothing. Absolutely nothing. The girl has natural shields, and plenty of them. I don't think even Herald-Mage Esliabeth could break them.:
:. Can you sense any ill intent?.:
:. No… what is coming through…. No. She means us no harm.: Gery looked at the large sword she held effortlessly in her hand
:. But will she do us any harm?.: he asked
:. That, chosen, I do not know.: Floryn answered. With a mental sigh Gery made an offer he hoped he wouldn't regret.
"I'm heading to the capital myself actually, just finished Circuit. You're welcome to come along." Rwen thought the proposition over, as she was thinking it came to her who this man must be, one of the Heralds she had been told about. Supposedly they were the most honorable of beings according to the shaman. The Kerowyn was one too.
There is less chance of being found if you are paired… whispered a voice.
Ah, but what if he kills you on the road… whispered another.
Shut up all of you! She commanded. The voices were getting annoying. She had never heard voices before, not until she had put the crown on. Once again Rwen regretted her decision to come. But she had no choice, not now.
"I would be honored, noble Herald, to accompany you to your capital." Rwen replied with as much courtesy as she could muster. Gery shrugged good-naturedly
"Ah well, I'll be glad of the company." He explained as he dismounted, still keeping a cautious distance. "It'll be nice to talk to someone whose not one of those damn Holderkin." Seeing the puzzled expression on the figure's face he explained.
"Holderkin would be the people in that village you passed through, a couple of marks that way." Gery turned and pointed behind him. He laughed as the girl, well, woman, grimaced.
"And you gave 'em a right scare. Thought you were some invading foreign demon." Gery saw the woman's face go stiff. Curse it! He must have offended her. If only he know where she was from, or what rank she was, anything, then he'd know how to treat her.
Where's Keli when you need her? He grumbled to himself. Floryn snorted
:.Back at the Collegium teaching the latest batch of bratlings, you know that.: Gery continued to grumble, but only halfheartedly this time. The woman's voice broke into his thoughts.
"To scare them was not my intention, I was simply after a place to stay the night. I had coin." The last part was said with vehemence. Grey smiled
"Aye, I'm sure you did Lady, but Holderkin's difficult at the best of times." Grabbing a currycomb from the tiny shed Gery started to give Floryn a brief rub down.
"Speaking of Inns though, if you'll allow me the time to give Floryn a rub down and grab some supplies," Gery indicated the Waystation, "Then we should be sleeping in a real bed by nightfall." Rwen smiled as the Herald finished rubbing down his spirit horse, no, she corrected herself, Companion. That suggestion was the best she'd heard all day.