Part of Alberich's prediction did come to pass there was an angry parent involved, Lyrissa's mother had ridden up with Tanner to see and hopefully collect her daughter. On one hand she was amazed and delighted that one of her children was to become a herald. On the other hand it was Lyrissa, not one of the boys and she was frightened by that. Her daughter had always been smaller, more timid and far less graceful than other children her age. Someone had said it was as if she were in a fragment of a dream, not really living in this world. She lost things, she couldn't cook, she couldn't ride a horse and they wanted to make her a herald? The only gift her daughter had was with thread and cloth and she had never heard of a herald being praise for fine needlework.

Ella faced the gathered group with the fierce protectiveness of any mother with an endangered youth. Dean Elcarth, Housekeeper Gayth and Healer Devan all tried to calm and reassure the woman. A page had been sent to fetch Talia in the hope that she could calm Ella down, Dean Elcarth fervently hoped she would arrive soon. The healer was currently explaining that Lyrissa's injuries had been very serious and she would require time to be completely normal again, that she would have time to grow.

Elcarth tried yet again to reassure the mother that they would not rush the girl nor place her in a situation she was not qualified for. He couldn't tell her the child would never be in danger, to many heralds had very short lives.

Lyrissa herself was unaware of the uproar, leaning against Dedren in a sunny corner of the field half asleep, dreaming again of strange people in herald outfits, but no fear this time as she walked beside a gentle woman with a topaz pendant that glittered in the sunlight. She didn't ask where she was, didn't care because the dream was welcoming to her. She moved gracefully and pain free across the soft grass, not lurching within the grasp of one of the healer's assistants as her broken body struggled to relearn simple tasks. She wanted to stay curled in this safe dream world forever.

Dedren gently nudged one thin arm, Wake up 'Rissa my love, the healers said only a candle mark. A tiny whine followed by a yawn and the soft gray eyes fluttered open. Dedren loved those eyes now, soft clouds of morning mist, innocent and trusting. Your mother arrived a little bit ago, sweetling.

"Is she angry?" Lyrissa asked after a few seconds of nibbling at her lower lip.

No Sweetling, she is just worried and a bit surprised. A pair of the healer trainees are coming to help you inside. Dedren slowly stood up, bringing with her the small form of her chosen, she had learned very early on how to help Lyrissa to her feet. And knew that Lyrissa wanted to at least be upright when the help arrived moments later.

Slowly they walked the short distance, Dedren could have carried her their in a few heartbeats, but Lyrissa needed the practice. Every day she grew stronger now walking with less help, another few moons and no one would know how severe the injuries had been. Dedren stopped at the gate and watched the trio continue. Shh. Be calm you belong here now. The Dean and Queen's own will help your mother to accept this.

Not a reassuring thought for Lyrissa, the Queen's own was a very serious position and didn't have time to deal with a simple family problem of a newly chosen that still didn't even understand why she had been chosen. Nibbling at her lip again she walked slowly careful of each step, ignoring the small twinges and spasms of her back. Just a bit longer the healers said, the gentle exercises and stretches would restore her back to normal. 'Then I can just trip over my own two feet for no reason.' Lyrissa thought as she walked into the Collegium.

Her mother looked flustered, her Uncle Tanner looked proud and bit in awe of his surroundings. She had met Dean Elcarth and Housekeeper Gayth the day she had been chosen, she liked both. Elcarth had gently questioned her about what she knew and didn't know, Lyrissa wished yet again that she had been a better student. Gayth and tutted and fretted about at the poor little sparrow and then arrived with an armful of pale gray clothing a bit later.

She had no real classes right now just a tutor and no chores, healing took first place. The tutor offered the flexibility of schedule to her and any other injured students as well as a welcome change from the boredom of the house of healing. According to Dedren she had a room waiting for her her in the Collegium when she was a bit more sturdy on her feet. Enough stalling she mentally chided herself.

"Hello." Her voice sounded more like a mouse squeak in the room.

"Lyrissa!" Her mother was up out of her chair and running to hug her, "Look at you, your walking already."

Lyrissa smiled and hugged her mother back tightly, this was the longest she had ever been away from her family. She hadn't realize till her mother held her how very much she had missed them, "I'm really clumsy right now, but they say I'll be fine. How is daddy and everyone else?"

"They are working hard helping the neighbors rebuild. We only lost one field and a few chickens." Ella pushed a strand of light brown hair away from her daughter's eyes, "Oh honey what have talked you into?"

"Nothing mother," Lyrissa answered truthfully, " nothing at all."