As the nine of them settled to the ground, Tera reflected on the absurdity of the situation she found herself in. Not only was she relying on these...children to tell her something about her own son, but she was sitting with both a Hawkbrother and his bird, and a pair of beings that she would not have believed even existed when she was alive as a human. Not only that, but said beings were looking very focused and intelligent.
Sayvil's mindvoice radiated amusement when she noticed the turn Tera's thoughts had taken. "It's an odd, odd world, Treesa."
The friends seemed to be in a private conversation until the Hawkbrother noticed that Rolan was getting impatient again.
"I apologize. We are not trying to keep you here longer than necessary, we are simply attempting to decide who best to start the story. I imagine we all have very different views of what happened, and one of our party, who may have had more contact with Vanyel than we, is not even here."
What happened next startled everyone in the group and pushed the boundaries of belief. A low laugh rolled through the clearing as a beautiful, stark white bird with a very long tail flew in to land on a low branch beside the other bird.
Rolan's head shot up as Elspeth's eyes widened and Kero cursed and then laughed. It was, predictably, Sayvil who spoke. "You have GOT to be kidding me."
Kero continued to laugh as a man in a mask and flowing white hair stepped into the space, followed closely by another man with mostly black hair. "It seems the god and goddess have plans for us all today. This is just too much," she spoke while wiping her eyes.
"Indeed, Captain Kerowyn. Indeed." Bright blue eyes peered out of the mask with a curiously mischievous expression. "I was told I needed to be here some time ago, so we set off immediately." His gaze settled on Rolan and Tera. "I don't know these two, would anyone care to do the honors?"
Elspeth, finding her calm once again, gestured for the two newcomers to sit, and spoke softly. "Give me a moment to process, please, and I will explain what I can." She leaned, rather abruptly, on her Companion and took a deep breath before straightening, putting an arm around her mate, and looking out over the assembled people.
She began by addressing Tera and Rolan. "In the interest of time, I am going to forgo last names. My mate is Darkwind, that striking man over there" here she pointed to the masked one "Is Firesong. Their birds are Vree and Aya, respectively. The lovely dark-haired one with Firesong is Silverfox." She smiled encouragingly at Tera. "I know it's a lot to remember, but it's not as difficult as you think." Here she grinned and Darkwind took over.
"These majestic creatures who have been quietly standing so as not to startle you are Treyvon and Hydona, they are griffins, and our friends."
"Yess," The larger of the two spoke. "We arre frriends."
Firesong laughed and ruffled the griffin's feathers. "Ok, so now that they know who we are, would you mind telling us who they are?"
Elspeth sighed. "The Companion who is burning brightly enough to hurt my sight is Rolan, Queen's Own Companion and Grove Born. The other is Tera." She looked at Firesong and spoke the next quietly "She was Vanyel's mother."
Despite her obvious expectation of his reaction, Firesong merely raised his eyebrows and bowed to the confused Companion. "It seems I owe you my life, Lady."
Tera, not being stupid, took a closer look at the man, and saw bits of familiarity. "You're one of Van's."
"That I am" he said with a smile.
"And since he was instrumental in saving everyone during the mage storms, not to mention training Elspeth here when she was the first Herald Mage since Vanyel...it seems that everyone should be grateful that your Van did what he did." Silverfox's voice was smooth and sure, though he delivered his little speech with a warm smile.
A loud snort interrupted the little conversation. "I really must insist that we move this along. Though my Chosen and the other Heralds are currently taking care of my namesake, the boy is going to need his own Companion soon, and she has to be ready to get on with her job. Do please get on with it!"
Gwena cringed at the angry impatience in Rolan's mindvoice. "We apologize. It has been something of a shock to MY Chosen."
"Yes, yes, it has all been very shocking." Elspeth spoke up, shooting a reprimanding thought to her Companion. "We have decided that one of us should tell the tale of how we met Vanyel, and since the Powers decided that he should be among us, we have voted on Firesong. He has a different grasp on the concept of spirits and magic than the rest of us do."
Settling himself on the ground in a graceful move, Firesong smiled and nodded to Tera. "I will endeavor to make this as quick as possible without leaving out anything important. Allow me a moment to organize my thoughts since it was some time ago."
He stretched and focused on something inside himself for a short while before he focused once more on the gathered company. "In the interest of time, I will tell this as if you already know what I'm talking about. If there are concepts that need clarified, you can ask Sayvil or Rolan on your way back to your chosen. If that suits?"
"That will be fine, thank you." Tera nodded.
"Well then," he said with a dazzling smile, "it all started when he hijacked my Gate. My friends and I were headed to another Veil, but ended up in the Forest of Sorrows instead. Vanyel had diverted us in order to give us some information he felt was important. He and his young man were very kind, funny, and helpful. Without what Vanyel had done, we may not have won against Falconsbane, and since he was an ancient evil who had caused lifetimes of sorrow, I, for one, am grateful for your son's interference."
"How was he? How was Stephan? I already know about his duties, and how he felt about it all. I need to know he's ok."
"I saw him once more after that, you know, and he was fine both times, Madam. Those two were happy to be together and at peace. They had created something lovely for themselves, and seemed to be enjoying their chance at forever. But, in what I am realizing is his trademark, Van decided to help us again. He...overextended himself when he helped us the last time, and was reprimanded for it, so he is unable to manifest physically for awhile, but he was happy and healthy. For being dead, that is."
Tera let out a long breath. He's ok. He and Steph are happy. She seemed to be talking as much to herself as anyone around her.
Firesong paced over to her and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Vanyel has more love in his heart for this land and his people than anyone I have ever met; heyla, Lady, even dead he does not stop protecting! I am a healer, and I noticed no sorrow, no pain."
I had hoped that he would be united with his first love along with Steph. It seemed like he was owed that much, at least. She raised her head and looked around at all the people around her. But he got to meet some very impressive people, and he was with Steph and happy, so I guess he got more than I had any right to expect.
Sayvil coughed. He was reunited with Tylendel. Sortof.
Head swinging around, Tera peered at the other Companion. She didn't say anything, she simply waited for the elaboration.
Steph...Steph is/was Tylendel. Much like Heralds can be returned as Companions, the Gods gave Van back the one he loved so deeply. Neither of them knew, though I and Firesong's ancestors did.
"Ahh...that explains something that had been bothering me." Firesong spoke up. "When we met, the young man in question couldn't decide what he wanted to look like."
"That's right!" Elspeth spoke up. "His features kept...flickering."
Well, I imagine they both know NOW, don't you think? Rolan's voice was dry, as always, though threaded through with amusement. His head came up and he snorted a laugh. Your chosen is beginning to worry, Tera. He thinks I have...harmed you in some way. He looked at all assembled, and seemed to weigh his thoughts very carefully. I believe you all should continue this...interesting conversation. I had thought she simply needed closure, but I believe there must be an underlying reason why you are all present at this time. He nodded toward Firesong and Silverfox. Especially those two. For now, though, we really must return to our Chosens. While mine is gracious and perfectly happy to entertain the boy, she is also busy.
He's right, Tera said with a sigh. It wasn't as heavy as it had been, though. She seemed lighter. It is time to return to my duties; the reason I have been given this opportunity. She looked at the group of friends in front of her. I am glad to have met you all, and I appreciate what you've told me about my son. I know I will see him again eventually, but for now, I believe I can give my full attention to Rolan. I hope I can be what he needs me to be.
Firesong smiled enigmatically at her, his blue eyes twinkling. "He did just tell us to continue this conversation, did he not?"
Yes, yes he did.
"Well, then. Who are we to ignore a directive from someone so obviously higher up than we?"
Kero snickered again, while Sayvil snorted. "Boy," she said in her dry way, "You are simply determined to cause a riot at some point, aren't you?"
His laugh was beautiful and free. "Ah, my dear Captain Kerowyn, if it takes so little to incite a riot, then your people deserve the disturbance!"
Surprising everyone, a rumbling laugh came from Rolan, of all people. The pretty, preening one may be right. It's been a long time since Valdemar has had a disturbance quite like him. It can't hurt any of us to remember that we are not the only intelligent species, or that ours is not the only way to live.
Elspeth's initial shock turned to giggles as she realized he'd called Firesong pretty and preening, and just how apt a description it was. She wiped her eyes with her tunic sleeve and leaned into Darkwind. "Tera, it seems we've been given an order, even if it was phrased rather nicely. After your chosen has had his fill of attention and food, you come back to this clearing and you'll find all of us right where you've left us." She nodded at Rolan and smirked. "Except Sir grove born, over there. He rarely deigns to mingle with us mere mortals."
He sniffed. Yes well, I find mere mortals boring. The slow wink he dropped belying the seriousness of his tone. Now, though, it really is time to go. We must be off to our Heralds while you lot continue to play amongst the trees.
Kerowyn's smoke and gravel "Sayvil and I have babies to train, though this has been amusing. I hope you all don't mind if we return with Tera, here, because I don't think I want to miss it."
Elspeth smiled at her. "I doubt any of us mind, and I know that it wouldn't matter if we did, because you'd come anyway!"
Kero simply grinned her warrior's grin.
Tera tossed her head. Thank you. All of you. I will be back after Rolan has gone to bed and is safely slumbering.
Come, then, and we'll go back to your boy.
Tera nodded, and, giving one last look at the motley group, walked beside Rolan, back to her responsibilities.