Seren stared down at the area her from her spot in the trees. She had decided to climb to see where she was. If she was to judge by the pull she would say she was close to where it wanted her. It was no longer as insistent as it had been before she left. She had been on the road for three days now and was starting to run low on supplies. There was nothing but other trees around her, she had left the road sometime yesterday. Not only that but she had no idea where she was. She had no idea if she was near the border or near Haven. Seren was hoping she hadn't crossed the border and that she wouldn't have to. Realizing that being in a tree was no help she began to make her way down, time to continue on before it got dark.
At least I haven't run into anyone who might take me home Seren thought to herself. Though I might need to get directions just to find my way home.
Seren jerked to a halt. This was where she was supposed to be. Except she couldn't see any reason to be here. There was nothing but trees and bushes around. Frowning Seren started to turn in a circle to see if there was anything else around her. There was nothing. No, wait. Seren squinted at a white shape lying a few feet a way.
"What is that?" Seren murmured to herself, walking towards it. She froze a few feet a way. The lump of white was a white. A little dazed Seren stared at it. "Is that a Companion?" she moved closer.
It still just lay there. Curious and worried Seren kneeled by its side. It was in the tack that Companions were said to wear, blue with those silver bells. Tentatively She reached out a hand to touch it.
"Uh… Horse?" how was she supposed to address it? "Companion?" that sounded odd. It didn't react though. Suddenly frightened she moved to see if it was breathing. It was. She shook its shoulder. "Companion? Companion"
The Companion finally reacted. Shivering all over it lifted its head and looked in her eyes. They were so incredibly blue. :Chosen, you've come: Seren stared. :I am your Companion. Lan.: He shook his head and then winced, if that's what you could call the movement. :I am also very sore. It seems not everyone likes Companions:
Seren blinked and then made a noise something like a growl. "Someone attacked you?" the thought that someone might hurt Lan infuriated her.
:Calm yourself Seren. I am fine now.: Lan stood to prove his point.
"Now, but what about when it happened?" she demanded. She didn't know why she felt so possessive and worried but she did.
:I'm fine. Those who harmed me will be punished, but not by you. You don't know how to fight, what would you do? Give them a tongue lashing: Lan didn't bother to hide his amusement with his Chosen.
"Fine," she stood. "Wait a minute," she turned to stare at her Companion. "If I'm your Chosen why are you here? And," she continued. "Why was I pulled here? That doesn't make sense." Lan stared at her for a moment.
:I am here because I wanted to be. You came because you felt the need to find me when it turned out I could not come to find you:
Seren continued to stare at him. She knew he wasn't telling her the whole of it. Lan only reacted by staring back at her. Sighing she gave in and was the first to look away.
"How long have you been here?" she asked picking her way through some bushes in search of an area to camp for the night. Night had fallen.
:How long have you felt like you were being pulled somewhere: he asked back. :No more questions. Sleep, it's dark. We're leaving for Haven Tomorrow.:
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Seren stared at the Companion. She had just woke up and before she had opened her eyes she had managed to convince herself that it had been a dream. Seeing that it wasn't she couldn't tell if she was happy about it or not. It hadn't really occurred to her to question it last night, now she had sort of gotten over the fact that she was going to be a Herald. What she had thought of this morning was that she wouldn't be going home.
When she had set out to follow the pull she had always expected to go home. She had just thought she was supposed to see something, not get bonded to a Companion! Seren had dreamed of becoming a Herald, like most children in Vlademar, but actually facing the prospect of being one felt like to much.
:I hope you aren't mad Chosen.: Lan's voice surprised her into sitting up. :You are the only one I would and could have Chose, please don't regret my Choice. I know that I don't and never could regret Choosing you:
Feeling guilty because she could feel the pain her thoughts had caused Lan she stood and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I don't regret that you chose me. After being bonded to you now I would hate to have to give that up. I'm sorry"
:I know Chosen, but I had to make sure you did.: he nuzzled her hair. :Eat, we should be on our way. It's going to take us nearly a week to get to Haven and we don't need to put it off any longer:
"When were we putting it off in the first place?" Seren obeyed though, grabbing some dried meat out of her bag. It was all she had left. "Well? Lets go"
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Seren stared at the road wishing that they hadn't left the cover of the trees. It had started raining and all she had was a thin cloak that did nothing to keep the rain out. "I blame you," she muttered to the back of Lan's head.
:I hate the rain too Chosen. But if were blaming people I blame you.: Lan shook his head tossing more water on her.
"Great. We're going to ride into Haven smelling like wet horse," Seren muttered wringing out the bottom of her cloak for what good that would do her.
:What's wrong with that: Lan whickered.
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Seren sighed as she lay down on the wet ground to sleep. One day closer to Haven. Not wanting to talk out loud she tried mind speaking Lan for the first time. :I hope it doesn't rain any more, I already feel as though I'll never get dry:
:It's not the last time you'll feel like that. And I'm pretty sure it will rain again tomorrow:
Seren groaned. :Some how I think you're happy I'll be spending another day riding in the rain.: