Chapter 21: Leading to a Convergence.
Aine Myst could sense it already. She tossed and turned, knowing it was soon time to get up. She was receiving those vague premonitions coming at her again, something big was brewing, she felt. It wasn't so very strong yet, but she could tell something was going to be amiss today. Time to get up now though. She yawned and stretched, her thoughts returned to her reconciliation with her parents and of how that night turned out to be magical as well with Xirthan appearing and Choosing her. She thought of Fenix and Jewellyn, wondering what they were up to. She had hoped somehow that they would end up here. Well, maybe they still will, she thought, and if they do, I'll show them the ropes around here, tell them who to watch out for...
She thought Jewellyn was a nice girl and liked her, but there was something about her that slightly irritated Aine, though she didn't know quite what it was yet. As far as her feelings for Fenix went, she wasn't quite sure what to make of it yet. She was attracted to him but it seemed different than anything she had felt before. He sure is a bumbler, she thought, but there is something about him. She shook her head. There'll be time to think about that later, like next time he tries to climb a tree, she laughed at her own thought. What is it with that guy and trees anyhow?
The sun began its ascent, painting the sky a pastel orange, soon to be overtaken with clear blue skies. She dressed for some more training with Weaponsmaster Biggs. She looked forward to these lessons, he seemed genuinely interested in developing her skills. At this time, she was learning and refining her hand to hand combat...then on to the weapons, the sword in particular. She wanted to learn skills for the sword most over anything else. She knew that there was a slight increase in activity around here lately and that King Theran, Jedin, the Lord Marshal, and the rest of the Council were, of course, busy with the conduction of business here. Yet more attention these days was being turned outward as well...mostly having to do with events a little further south.
She had to admire herself; the way she looked in the Herald-Trainee Grays was even better than she thought it would be. In the silver plate mirror she thought she looked impressive, as these Grays she was wearing had an elegantly simple, yet functional design. She had her blonde hair tied back in a ponytail and she was surveying herself with those arresting cobalt-blue eyes of hers. Soon she was going to be taking a couple more classes with Weaponsmaster Biggs. She learned from some of the other recruits at the Herald Collegium when she first arrived that he indeed was kind of big and burly; yet despite his bulk, he was extremely agile, almost to a frightening degree if you considered his weight factoring in there. Well, if I am able to beat him, she thought, maybe I can become a Weaponsmaster someday as well. She smiled at her reflection once more and decided it was time to stop primping. She changed from her formals into her training greys and began her way outside to her classes and then later to meet with Xirthan.
From out in the Companion's stables, Xirthan chimed into her mind, startling her. :Don't bite off more than you can chew, Chosen.: he sniggered as best a Companion could.
Aine crossed her arms, rolled her eyes and sighed. :Compared to the bites you take out of me, mine would be considered dainty.: she stuck her tongue out at him, though he could not see it.
They both 'smiled' inwardly at this friendly exchange of banter.
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Walking along now on her way to classes she could see outside the Collegium. It appeared that in Haven too, that there was a little increase in activity from the usual day's events. More Herald Guards were riding cicuit; inside and outside the capital of Valdemar as well. Merchants could be seen with their horse drawn carts, stirring up clouds of dust onwards to their next destination.
She could see the Courtyard and the inner Gardens of the Collegium in more detail as she walked along. It's not a frantic amount though, Aine observed. Nonetheless something of importance was going on. Between the Council's quarters in the Palace and the Lord Marshal's she saw couriers and messengers going back and forth. The usual measured order of all the training details seemed interrupted. She decided to rush down to the Weaponsmaster's training ground. Breakfast could wait.
Aine reached the salle, but Biggs wasn't there. She then ran down the hall and headed towards the Companions Field because she could have sworn she saw Herald Rowland, along with a more advanced trainee, heading in this very direction on horseback. As she stepped outside in the mid-day sun she saw this indeed to be true. There was a look of some urgency on Rowland's bearded face, bearded because he wished to hide some of his battle scars. He was currently wearing his impressive Herald whites. Aine imagined herself in this same impressive attire, thinking of how great she would look..
:First things first, chosen. How does that saying go, let's see...oh yes. Don't put the applecart ahead of the horse...something like that:
:Later Xirthan...: Aine sighed.
Upon her arrival at the Companion's Field she noticed that in Biggs' attendance was Herald Trainee Ebson, who was ready to start his training. He wanted to be a master at martial arts too. Aine sized him up. Not too bad, she thought, but I could probably take him. Rowland's attendee, introduced himself as Master Gaines. He's only a trainee like me, thought Aine, but he sure is handsome, she half-fawned.
"AINE!" shouted Weaponsmaster Biggs, startling her out of her little reverie. "I want you to be in on this!" Biggs already was impressed with Aine and he wanted this to be part of her education.
"Yes sir! Weaponsmaster!" she walked closer to the group who was even now discussing things. A quite animated discussion it was indeed.
:Pay close attention Aine, note everything:
:I will: Aine began to feel the impatience coming on. :Really, Xirthan…you're worse than a mare with her first foal. I think I can determine what to take note of and what not to take note of, thank you.:
Xirthan decided to bite down on his mindspeaking 'tongue'.
"All right! Everyone settle down and be quiet," Rowland urged. When Rowland gestured people usually responded accordingly without question. "I've already spoken with the Council on this, Weaponsmaster, but I wanted you to hear this...ah! Aine! Good to see you! You have noted I'm sure how there's been a little increase of activity here today. We have received a message via mindspeak from one of our Heralds in positions near the Holderlands. It seems those ruthless Bandits are on a bit of a rampage and working their way slowly northwards, about ten leagues in distance to Valdemar, which puts them about three fourths of the way up through the Holderlands. They seem to be heading for our little farming villages just north of there. Of course it's terrible what they are doing to the neutral Holderkin there and we will do what we can to aid them as quickly as possible. Now that they are daringly moving northwards, we are forced to intervene on a greater scale. It would seem that the Bandits want to draw us in on a further confrontation with the Karsites there in the near future."
"Rowland, do you think the Karsites would be tempted to intervene right then and there, fight us back a little, regroup and then attack again?" Aine ventured.
Rowland raised his eyebrows a little at this and said, "Very good question Aine! I don't think though that the Karsites will show their hand yet. They will remain in the shadows. I really think, and this has come from various sources, that they, the Bandits, plan to enrage us so much that we will have to move in and give it all of our attention. What choice would we have? The Karsites think they will surprise us and maybe they will to some degree, who knows what plans they have hiding up their blood-spattered sleeves? In this case, however we will simply play into that hand...we will retreat, then briefly acting as if we have no idea the Karsites are there...then..." Here Rowland paused a little, knowing that many lives would be lost despite any brilliant strategies the Lord Marshal and his Heralds could come up with. "We are going to let them have it...in a big way." Rowland thought of how they were going to try and throw everything at them this time, enough was enough. Many young lives would be lost, even lives that had not yet reached Herald status...sometimes this depressed him greatly. He felt his Companion, Azura,caress the back of his mind.
:As it was and ever shall be? I think not my love, relax and we will work together. We will put all our arguments aside for now, that is if your ego can handle it:
Rowland smiled, actually he liked to be teased and Azura was happy to oblige.
:Thank you Azura, you always seem to know what to tell me just at the right moment, even if you do have major misconceptions about my ego:
"I think I know where you are going with this, Sir Rowland," offered Biggs. "I will notify some of the more advanced Heralds and trainees to help on this one, of course we shall aid in any way possible. We shall form a party immediately. Let's go!"
"We shall meet at the gate with the assembled party then. I will confer with King Theran and Jedin to see who else and how large a party we should bring." Sir Rowland replied.
"Wait," Aine yelled, "I want to go! I must!" She looked quite eager, ready to take on almost anything.
Sir Rowland sighed a little and said, "I know how badly you want to go Aine, but I can't let you. I am going to need you later, when you are ready. It would be almost suicide to send you in there now." That was that.
They all turned away to meet at the Gate, except the two other trainees and Aine. She looked at them and said defiantly, "I am going anyway!" They looked at her and shrugged their shoulders, then looked at each other knowingly, as if she was a bit daft. She turned around and said, "Jelly bellies! I am going regardless!" And with that she took off in the direction of the heavily guarded exit gate.
A few people seemed to be running around aimlessly Aine noted, yet most seemed to be on a mission of some kind. She eagerly awaited at the gate and it wasn't long before she noticed the Herald Guards and some of the more advanced Trainees were mounted on their stunningly beautiful Companions. Most of them wore the off white battle leathers, but a few, like Sir Rowland and the King's own Jedin, had on their pristine white Herald uniforms. Brandishing many types of weapons which glinted in the sunlight and mounted on their Companions or regular battle horses, they all prepared to exit through the slowly rising exit gate.
Weaponsmaster Biggs stood astride the gate on the upper pilaster and shouted words of encouragement at the exiting party, raising and swinging one of his prized swords in the air all the while. His muscles sweated and glinted in the sunlight, and his bushy sideburns and bright shiny pate, together with his shout reddened cheeks, all combined to give him that air of a Battle Rouser, which is something that he had done in his younger days as a Bard-Trainee before he switched vocations.
Xirthan emerged from the Companion stables, and seeing that Azura had left as well, was curious to see the rest of what was going on. Preparations were being made and everyone wanted to help He knew that Aine was out there amidst the mad preparations and that she was being very impatient again and wanted to jump the gun. She wanted to go to the raid sites. Xirthan chose not to intervene with his mindspeech at this time.
Aine was running up to the gate and Xirthan decided he was going to catch up to her, after all, he did have to look out for her too. She yelled up at Weaponsmaster Biggs, "I am ready to go!" she shouted defiantly, her cobalt blue eyes burning with passion. "No one can stop me!" Weaponsmaster Biggs smiled down at her full of pride, he knew Aine was a live wire as he once was. He had on occasion breeched the rules himself, only to worry about the consequences later, which he knew, Aine would have to face sooner or later as well. In the meantime there was much excitement in the air and he did something now which he couldn't quite fully explain later. He reached down and handed his second most prized battle sword, Justice, down to Aine's grasping hands. She looked surprised and her eyes grew big and she shouted, "For me, Sir Biggs?"
He nodded vigorously in the affirmative, knowing there probably would be a large coin to pay for this later. I just hope it isn't to pay for her death, he thought grimly. He had sort of an implicit faith in her though, from what little training he had offered her already, it was clear this young woman had spirit, with a capital S, which would carry her through many future challenges, he was sure of it.
Aine looked up at the sword, almost as if it were some kind of religious icon. It appeared quite lengthy with the way she gazed at it. The sun sparkled off the tip of it, causing her to squint. She felt a thrill surge through her body while hefting the sword. It had just the right balance, and it gave her more of a commanding presence and a sense of strength, so she felt. This sword would have power, and she knew without a doubt, she would be using it very soon. That thought caused her to shudder and tingle a little in nervous anticipation of the coming events.
From now on, it was all for Valdemar. All efforts would be devoted to the preservation of the land and it's heritage. People would meet who would have never met before. Some people would be tested to the limits and some would survive all the better for the experience. Some would not survive. At times it would seem like destiny and fate were clashing, not having any true purpose or goal in mind. Many will wonder if this is all a matter of sheer luck? Or is it guided destiny? Who decides who shall live and who shall die? The only thing which would guarantee a favorable twist of fate was the working together of many people. People would sacrifice so the good life could go on. People would fight and ensure that things were not left to mere chance.
Xirthan galloped in and Aine nodded, nothing needed to be said. Aine mounted and off they went, leaving behind a cloud of dust. Aine had her sword in hand and she was going to do her part to ensure victory no matter the price. She also knew though, that there was serious trouble up ahead. She could feel it, coming in on her like waves. Aine felt a little nervous. Feeling a surge of adrenaline and joining the rest of the group now, they took off with one goal in mind...
