Chapter 32 part 1: The King's Musings... I had meant to post this first! See footnote below.

From his courtyard window King Theran observed the traffic of the people, the students and the Heralds, the Companions and their Chosen; some going out on circuit and some returning from their missions. It was an unusually warm and sunny day in Haven for it being so late in Autumn.There were also final preparations for the Induction Ceremony going on. Of couse festivities and tradition were important, but the King found himself thinking more now these days about how to preserve these traditions.

The King felt the general sense of unease amongst his subjects, the people of Haven and more so at the Collegium here. There is the Karsite business going on of course. He had heard vague, little tidbits of information here and there from the King's Own Jedin and others. Rumors, some truthful and some not, were circulating amongst the populace. Soon, they would have to be told of these potentially alarming turn of events. Musing on this now, he thought about Knolls Ridge. That seems to have started it all. Now it seems the Guard and the members of the Heraldic Circle are unable to get any intelligence from their Foreseers and Farseers about Karsite battle strategies. The last everyone had heard was that they were most likely 'lying in wait,' attempting to draw Valdemar in by having the Bandits commit heinous acts near the border. The Karsites knew, and rightly so, that Valdemar's best would not tolerate these atrocities any longer. It was a strategy used by them before, but this was more random with the timing, so it seemed; and the viciousness and callousness being used really was beyond comprehension to the Valdemarans.

Still, King Theran would never have thought the Karsites would endorse something as patently amoral as killing babies. With the intense anger that built up inside when he thought of these soulless crimes, he would go into battle anytime himself and swing his sword in a vicious arc around the pudgy neck of any Bandit that dared show their always dirt-smeared faces.

He wrinkled his brow and touched his finger to his now grayed, bearded chin. There was a 'buzz' about now that the Karsites of Sunhame had disappeared altogether...King Theran thought it had to be momentarily, like only the span of a day or two for sure. For surely the surrounding populace would suspect something within a quick period of time. This seemed to be all the intelligence that could be gathered for now.Obviously they would not abandon their resources for too lengthy of a time. As far as anyone could tell though, there were none of them, civilian or military, to be seen. Well that had to be false; it had to be an illusion of some kind. They had to be somewhere in Karse. He did not think that for one moment that the Son of the Sun Nyaren and his military advisor Rath or even Vkandis would be able to pull off such a large scale feat, seeing as how they were sometimes in conflict as they had different approaches to their problems. Of course Vkandis would prevail, have the final word. King Theran knew they would resort to magic eventually and this could be a problem for Valdemar. The Karsites must also have implented some kind of psychic 'shielding' on a large scale wherever they were; hence the dearth of intelligence which Valdemar sorely needed. Scouts were sent in as well to attempt physical infiltration and to question some of the surrounding populace, but there were no reports back as of yet of the presence or lack thereof of the Karsites.

King Theran knew better though, real magic was reserved for the Sun-Priests and not allowed anywhere else in Karse; it was even taught to the people of Karse that the use of magic (by the Valdemarans as well of course) was evil. This hypocrisy, this duality of thinking the Sun-Priests had about their magic and the use of it was slightly amusing to the King; he knew that the Sun-Priests counted on the 'gullibility factor.' That is, the less the public knew and were kept isolated from, the better for the leaders of Karse to employ a little deceit with the administration of what would be their questionable policies to the otherwise fully informed. Little white lies would keep the populace of Karse quiet for awhile...Of course the King of Valdemar knew otherwise and used 'people friendly' diplomacy rather well; the public may have a short memory at times but they never forget about being treated honestly, fairly and decently. A meeting with the Circle would be very soon now about these troubling turns, and then an oration to his subjects to inform them and reassure them would soon follow.

Even with much on his mind and in deep thought now and in the past, the laugh lines around his eyes and mouth never seemed to diminish. He always found time to laugh no matter what. These thoughts prompted him to think of his oldest son, Clevis. They fortunately had shared many a laugh between them as he grew up. There were trying times of course but they had come through. Suddenly, King Theran found himself thinking about his own mortality. He felt at ease though knowing that his competent son would do just fine as an heir. Clevis had a lot of the King's qualities and also possessed an almost clinical calmness about him no matter what the situation was.

He thought a little now of the history of Valdemar. There were the Mage Wars way back in the time of 1000 BF, before the founding of Valdemar in this continent of Velgarth. Back then, real magic employed by the Mages was quite common. Then, he thought back to more recent times a couple decades ago of the tremendous episodes with Lavan Firestorm and of the momentous battle at White Foal's Pass. The aftermath of that whole fiery battle left Haven in silence and in mourning for weeks. Even now, when King Theran thought of the passing of Kalira and her Chosen Lavan Firestorm, it was impossible to hold back the tears. Thanks to the efforts of those two the Karsites were kept at bay for a lengthy period of time. He thought of the little tree they made into a memorial, the firecone which Pol and Illea had told him about. It was a symbol of survival and re-birth which they all hung on to now, and would hang on to in the uncertain times to come.

Part Two: Anxieties

The time had come, finally. For some apparently undefinable reason though, Jewellyn felt more anxiety than normal and it was coming from inside her as she had her empath skills toned down for now. They were all just moments away from going to the stables to meet with their Companions. "What could it be though?" she asked herself outloud. She raised one finger then continued on with her musings. " One: of course there is the Induction Ceremony and the meeting with the Companions in the stables; that would cause a little anxiety." As she talked she tried very hard not to think about Aine right now. She raised two fingers. "And two: there is something wrong with the feelings between Fenix and I. I think he doesn't feel the same about me as I do about him. Is he leaning towards Aine now?" She cursed a little under her breath. "Will the specter of Aine torment me forever?" She tried to turn her thoughts in a different direction. She raised a third finger. Suddenly she felt another little surge in her anxiety. Oh yes! I almost forgot! Simon Dewwart! There is a third thing to give me pause. What in the name of Valdemar is he doing here?

It was almost time to go. She had on her light green trainee clothes on for the ceremony. Of course she had done her hair up rather nicely and used a little jewelry here and there to enhance her appearance. And not for the first time, she found herself slightly amazed, even slightly incredulous that she and Aine would be attracted to Fenix. Why? What was it about him? she thought, asking herself. To Jewellyn's way of thinking men like Herald Trainee Ebson or Master Gaines were much more attractive and charming. She had seen Aine fawn over them too. Yet, there is something about Fenix...He has the great gift of enhanced mindspeech along with writing poems or telling stories. But that can't be it...there was something else, something indefinable or mysterious about him, thought Jewellyn. "Oh curse it! I'm just getting confused and irritated thinking about it." she said outloud again.

Almost semiconsciously she found herself attempting to mindspeak with Mayei. :Oh Mayei I am not so sure being human is all that glorious.:

:And you think being a horse, a Companion, is enriching to our hearts and souls? After all we have to put up with you humans, our Chosen.: Mayei tried to convey a sense of feigned mockery along with a little teasing fun to Jewellyn.

Jewellyn couldn't help it, she had to laugh at this. :Oh Mayei you are so weird.:

:Oh, you mean I am unigue, I don't 'mold' myself to conform with the masses. My superior intelligence sets me apart.:

:Yes, it keeps you apart from a sense of reality is what it does.: interrupted Xirthan.

Mayei couldn't help but snort a little at that one. It was a clever and amusing observation for which she had no retort at the time. They were awaiting the arrival of their Chosen in the stables, who seemed to do everything at a glacial pace.

:Mayei, you are something else. Yes, unique you are! What do you know about love? Can you help me there? She giggled a little at herself for even asking.

:Only with this Chosen, that you don't let emotions be your sole ruler over your decisions or actions. I don't mean to be judgemental by making this statement but think out your options too. Raw emotions can cause one to act too hastily or rashly. Try not to think of Love as simply an emotion, rather, consider it as a course of unselfish action implemented over time. Okay, enough lecturing Chosen, it is soon time for the commencement.:

Startled a little at Mayei's observations, Jewellyn found herself a little disquieted...momentarily. She looked in her mirror again. There now I am dressed for the occasion. I wonder who will be there first in the stables, or will it be all of us at the same time? She hoped that she could meet Fenix first. It was time to start something, get the ball rolling. Time for action!

Soon she would win at this game. Soon, she would get her way...and she wouldn't stop either. Even if Aine tried to get in her way.

Jewellyn finally left and went out to the stables...

Footnote: I meant to post this before 'the meeting of the minds' one. Apparently I lost it and I luckily found it. I thought something was missing. Koromiel I need you back! All of this about the ceremony and the meeting with the king takes place in about two or three days. I apologize for any confusion but if you start with this chapter and then read 33 things will make more sense. Sorry about that!