Author's Notes: Well, this term is over at last, so I have a short period of free time before school starts again. We have one week of holiday (only). Anyway, thank you to all the reviewers! Reviews are what keeps writers going!
Replies:
mugglepirate - Happy to know someone is enjoying my story! And it's nice to know that someone likes Zarien. I didn't really plan out his character actually. He just grew out of the story, responding to Kerri's own development. I actually wanted him to have dark hair! But Kerri had black hair, and I felt that it would be more memorable for Zarien to have golden hair... And no, my favourite character is not 'Ritia. I like her manners and looks, but I think she is too gentle. My favourtie character is cool, rational and analytical Kerri, who has qualities I aspire to possess. :)
Neverfall - Haha, I spent the most time on this two characters in the story, so they are actually quite memorable. I tried to make likeable, yet imperfect characters, since I didn't want to be accused of producing Mary Sues and whatever the male perfect character is called. Yep, there were many hints of them being lifebonded before the previous chapter. And, hmm, I don't know, would you consider this chapter long:)
DragonFlame27 - Well, that depends on your definition of angsty. I suppose 'Ritia and Kerri would fall into that category, but I was trying to make this story realistic, and there rarely are people with happy, idealistic backgrounds in real life. And yes, waiting for four days is quite stupid, but Jisa was actually trying to improve security in the meantime to keep everything hushed up. It was not mentioned, because I think it's not really important. As for the rest of your comments, read on to find out the answer:)
silverbrilliance - Thank you for pointing out the mistakes. I'll get around to changing them one day :P Dorilynn noticed that Zarien loved Kerri. But she did not know it was a lifebond, because generally, only a lifebonded person would recognise another lifebonded. Oh, and people with Gifts of Empathy would know too, but other than that, few people would notice. Yes, being lifebonded is very rare. And I believe I mentioned that Zarien and Kerri and the only other lifebonded pair in the three Collegiums, not in the entire country of Valdemar. Well, I like using -LS- more than dashes. It adds a personal touch...:)
-LS-LS-LS-
Chapter 14 Shadows by the Moonlight
By the morning light, Jisa studied Zarien closely after he nodded. After a long moment of silence, she smiled. Take a break from lessons today, 'Rien. I'll inform the Dean. I'm sure you are in no condition to attend classes today. You spent all night standing vigil by your lifebonded, didn't you?
A faint pink dusted across Zarien's tanned cheeks. Yes, I did. How did you know, teacher-mine? Jisa shook her head teasingly. I'm lifebonded too, 'Rien. Well, you may go. Use today to show our new Trainee around the Herald Collegium.
Dismissed, Zarien sprang to his feet, bowed sharply and left eagerly. "Youngsters nowadays… Were we ever as moonstruck as that, beloved?" Treven shook his head mock-sadly at the closed door. He glanced at Jisa teasingly. Laughing, Jisa replied, We were worse, darling.
-LS-LS-LS-
Pale, silvery moonlight lit up the palace grounds, but the moonlight cast more shadows than light in the night. Clouds partially shaded the moon, so the light provided by the full moon tonight was faded at best. As if to match the small amount of light, the amount of sound that could be heard was also little. The only sound was the high chirping of the crickets.
In the palace gardens, Zarien and Kerrayrlia strolled slowly down a winding path lit by moonlight, hand in hand. No words were spoken out loud; nothing broke the enchantment of the silent night. The privacy of Mindspeech was all that they needed.
It had been three days since the lifebond between them had been revealed to Zarien. He had shared it with Kerrayrlia as soon as he left the Queen, face to face. And he had been rewarded by the enchanted glow that came to Kerrayrlia's face when she heard the news.
How are you adapting to life at the Herald's Collegium? Zarien squeezed Kerrayrlia's hands a bit. They had not had much time to themselves in these three days since Kerrayrlia had started her training as a Herald Trainee. Drinking in the silence around her, Kerrayrlia said nothing for a long time. Actually, it's quite similar to life in the Bardic Collegium, with the exception of some lessons. For one thing, there are no more music lessons. However, now I'm taking an extra array of Equitation, Logic and Oration and Arithmetic and Religions lessons. How do you Heralds manage to have time to yourselves?
It's us Heralds, love. And we steal a bit of free time now and then by sneaking off to enjoy the moonlight with our lovers… Kerrayrlia gave Zarien a quick jab in the ribs. Now you're teasing me. Turning around swiftly, Zarien retaliated by forcefully grabbing the shoulders of Kerrayrlia, then kissing her lips fiercely.
At first, Kerrayrlia struggled a little at this unexpected assault, but she was soon returning Zarien's kiss just as fiercely. As their mind meshed together, their mutual love for one another resonated off each other's. The lovers lost themselves in each other's embrace as only life-bonded mindspeaking Heralds could do, content to just luxuriate in each other's passion in this period of dark quietness, time stolen away from the light and bustle of the day.
-LS-LS-LS-
Swiftly, a shadow detached itself from the massive wall surrounding the palace grounds. It made its way across the wide field at a full speed run as silently as a panther. Strangely enough, no one raised any alarm at this suspicious act, not even the guards on lookout.
The shadow reached the palace building itself within minutes. It did not even pause as it entered through the main doors of the palace. This door was guarded by a full company of Guards, but still, none raised an alarm as the shadow strode through confidently.
Once inside the palace, the shadow made for the palace dungeons immediately. It was on a mission, one that could not wait. Swiftly, it balled its hands into a fist before continuing down the endless passage ways of the palace. It would complete its mission.
-LS-LS-LS-
Chosen, if you're going to continue kissing, would you mind shielding me out? It's kind of embarrassing. Kerrayrlia broke off from the kiss, blushing a little. Rannael was a wonderful Companion, but his only fault was that he was too uncomfortable about displays of affection in his presence. Certainly, he was nothing like Dorilynn, whom, Zarien had informed her with no little embarrassment, wanted to listen in to their every conversation and actions.
What's wrong, my Dark Princess? Zarien asked teasingly, having caught sight of Kerrayrlia's blush in the moonlight. He did not let Kerrayrlia go, however, so they both remained locked in mutual embrace. It's Ran. You know he doesn't like public display of affections. He's asking me to shield him out.
Zarien chuckled gently. Rannael has to be the most prudish Companion of all, love. Most of the other Companions would jump at this chance to tease us mercilessly. Havens, you should hear the words I get from 'Lynn.
Kerrayrlia shrugged. Rannael could lighten up, and had before, but he was seriously uncomfortable around sexual expressions. During the three days she had known him, Kerrayrlia had come to value his solemn advices and occasional dry humor, all the more valuable because of its rarity. She was about to say something in his defense when, she felt a strange, small tingling in her mind.
Apparently, Zarien felt it too, for he let Kerrayrlia go. What is it, Zarien? Zarien just shook his head. The strong, strange sensation at the back of his mind pulsated with both urgency and danger. Then, Zarien remembered. The Web! Someone intends danger to Valdemar! We have to stop them! Following the direction the sensation was pulling him towards, Zarien pulled Kerrayrlia after him.
-LS-LS-LS-
Lying flat on his back in the cell, Moris Ertiyn gave a disgusted sigh. The cell in the dungeon smelled of a mixture of urine, faeces, sweat and blood, no doubt left over from the cell's previous occupants. Even the straw mat he laid on was not completely clean, but it was at least relatively smell-free.
How did it come to this, the bastard son of Lord Percival Shyaman Debran questioned the world at large. His father had been the younger brother of the late Duke William Shyaman. When William Shyaman had inherited the title and land of Duke, Percival Shyaman had married the eldest daughter of the Earl Debran, whose only son, Giaryn Debran, had renounced all titles and land by becoming a Herald and the Weapon Master of the Heraldic Collegium.
The Shyamans were quite well connected indeed. And they were so rich that even the bastard son of a Shyaman had lived a life of luxury. So, it came as no small shock to Moris when those blasted Guards had thrown him into this filthy dungeon. How did I get caught anyway? Wasn't that guard of his supposed to make sure that no one disturbed me? And how did the girl manage to knock me unconscious?
Moris Ertiyn glanced scornfully at the walls of his cell. With luck, he would be out of this cell by tonight. His father would certainly send someone to free him. He would have to escape to another country of course, but he expected to live out the rest of his lives comfortably on the money that his father would certainly be providing for him. After all, he was his father's only son at the moment; the two other sons born to Percival, whether legitimate or otherwise, had both died in childhood.
And if my father doesn't send someone to rescue me, I'm sure milord cousin would. After all, that Darcy Shyaman can't afford to have me leaking his secrets out. He snorted. Imagine plotting to have the Queen removed just so he can make his sister Queen.
Rolling over to face the iron door of the cell, Moris Ertiyn settled down to await his would-be-rescuer. A pity I haven't had the time to do the girl before she somehow knocked me out.
-LS-LS-LS-
Hmm, what do you readers think of the nickname Zarien gave Kerri? Dark Princess came about because of Kerri's lovely, long black hair. Oh, and Zarien thought she looked like a royal princess because of her previously cool, regal mannerisms.
Come on, reviews please!