A full year had come and gone, a year of war, of joy and of fear. It had taken almost the full year for her to fully return to normal and be able to walk without shooting pains in her back. This spring at least was normal, life was bursting forth as if in protest of threat of war and death. Dedren's slow pace was fine with Lyrissa, she had no where to be in a hurry today.

Her mother's fears had tripled, with Lyrissa's two oldest brothers joining the army after the unexpected attack by Hardon's new king Anacar. Jessip and Vannin were both stationed near Cebu pass in southern Valdemar and starting to wonder if farming wasn't better than weeks on end of border patrol.

At least her mother was no longer so worried about her, she had been to weak to even help with simple chores during the initial attack and even now her training was sporadic, all of their training was interrupted by skirmishes on the border. This afternoon she was to report to the salle for weapon assessment. Something she dreaded, but her body was healed enough and Herald Alberich was back in Haven long enough to test the newest students as well as herself.

Don't worry so over it love. Dedren's gentle mind voice was a soothing balm to her nerves, He knows you were hurt last year and that you have never handled a weapon. Be honest and try your best.

"Easy for you to say Dedren, I'm the one expected to figure out which end of the pointy things to grab and which to insert into some one else. And with my luck I'll manage to embarrass myself so badly I get kicked out of the Collegium." Lyrissa said gloomily.

A soft mental laugh and Dedren tossed her head into the air. They can't kick you out, you are my chosen and we don't make mistakes.

"Are you sure about that? So far I have been banned from the kitchen, forbidden to be near the stables, only allowed in the library under Herald Myste's watchful eye. The only chore I do is mending and sewing the formal whites. Speaking of which I need to repair the formal dress for Queen's own before this weekend. I know they made it with rip away sleeves so she could fight if need be. But really what is she at war with in her own quarters after the ball?"

Dedren almost tripped at that last remark. Sweetling the soup incident was not just your fault and it honestly could have happened to anyone. And you don't belong climbing about in the stables, besides you spend more time grooming the companions than any three other students. You do a very important job as far as the companions are concerned. And what happened in the library was more those careless blues than you. And I believe Myste simply keeps an eye on you because you ask questions and make her think.

A sigh and Lyrissa shifted her weight slightly, "Do you think they would let us ride to Runefork for spring festival? Mother sent a note with Uncle Tanner asking me about it."

The mercenaries will be arriving soon so you may have to wait till midsummer break. Dedren didn't mention that it might be even longer if the war came as soon as they thought it might.

"I sort of guessed that. Mother mentioned that they are having a hard time with help this spring with so many of the younger men going to join the war. All the farmers need help. I wonder about some of the refugees if they could be moved to the farming communities to help out? But I guess the council will know what is best in the end."

You should mention that to Dead Elcarth or Alberich they could in turn mention it to the council.Dedren encouraged.

"I'm sure someone else thought of it already." At that The noon bell began chiming, "I guess we should head back so I can change and get to the salle. Last thing I need to do is be late."

The ride back was silent each lost in thought, Lyrissa to her dread of the coming practice and Dedren to a mystery that had haunted her for a year now. Dedren knew why Lyrissa seemed so scatter brained and clumsy, the strange shield that encased her. It had been there so long the girl wasn't even aware that she saw a slightly distorted view of the world. It was as if she saw the world through a sheet of poor glass, unable to fully be a part of life.

She made up her mind to speak to Rolan again while Lyrissa was in the salle. Her spirit was being worn thin and she had so little confidence in herself anymore. The shield could be loosened at least a little bit before she ended up so timid that she would be near useless. She looked up and saw Gwena and Rolan standing together watching the students. A tiny thread of fear came to Dedren, but what if that was part of their plan now that the royal brat was...

Lyrissa sensed a small touch of fear from Dedren, " What is wrong?"

Dedren let her love flow through the bond into Lyrissa,Nothing is wrong, nothing at all.