Bane 13

:. . . mindspeech. . .:

A/N: According to M. Lackey's world, firecat is one word.

Disclaimer: See chapter1. Reviews are welcomed. Flames will be deleted.

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Chapter 13

The summer sun was low in a bright clear sky, casting a golden glow on the tops of the trees, as several gryphons and humans played in the lake below. On a sunning ledge that over looked the k'Valdemar Vale, a trio of beings were soaking off the heat after a refreshing swim.

Firefox, a seventeen-year-old adept-class mage, was leaning half-dressed against an almost fully-fledged gryphon, Kieryn, who had his wings spread out to dry. Curled up next to the young mage was a large cream and orange cat, but then, Salazar wasn't an ordinary cat. He was a firecat, an avatar for the Sunlord V'kandis.

Kieryn was able to speak and understand human tongue with ease. Gryphons can do human speech, but they have a problem with r's and s's. And they do get their points across either way. However, Keiryn was still much more comfortable using mind-speech over human speech.

Anyone that wasn't familiar with the Vale or with Heralds would think it strange that the young teen was holding a one-sided conversation with a gryphon. Those that live and work around the Vale dismissed it as an everyday occurrence and thought nothing of it.

So watching the young mage converse with the silent young gryphon, who refused to leave his side, dismissed it. Many knew that Keiryn was still distrustful of most humans, especially outsiders, and so left him be.

"I'm going to miss this," Firefox said with a deep sigh, as he looked down from his high perch.

:You knew this was coming: Salazar replied, giving a lazy flick of his tail, stretching against Firefox's leg.

"I know, Sal. But this has become home for me. Here, there aren't any unrealistic expectations of me. . ."

:Are you not called Demon bane's heir for a reason?: the firecat teased.

Firefox winced as he looked down at his teacher and friend. "You would bring THAT up! You know I hate titles. At least that title, I earned for something I did, and not what my birth parents did. Both titles are stupid, in my opinion. Why can't I just be me?"

Firefox made a face at how the villagers and some of the Ghost Cat warriors looked on the young mage in awe since the day he took on a pair of summoned demons and won.

:You are you. Quit complaining. I had hoped that by now I have trained some of your Gryffindor tendencies out of you. You are worse than Godric.:

"Yes Sal." Firefox sighed as he dropped his head back against Keiryn's side.

Behind him, the young gryphon also gave off a soft rumble of laughter. The teen was getting no respect from his friends.

Kieryn huffed and spoke, "You desserrve thosse titlesss. You sssaved me, afterrrr all."

Firefox reached up and started to scratch under the gryphon's chin. "I couldn't save your parents."

"You avenged them. That isss all that matterrrrsss." Kieryn chided and wouldn't hear any put down from his friend. Since that day over a year ago, the pair, when they were not training, were inseparable.

"Here you are," came another voice, breaking into the tranquil scene.

Firefox looked over at Darian, who came over to sit with the trio.

"Your fathers are looking for you," commented the young elder, whom Firefox had come to view as an older brother.

Darian knew what it was like to lose your parents, being put with someone that didn't want you, and being considered worthless. That is until he had been rescued by Snowfire and adopted by the Tayledras.

In his time in the Vale, Firefox knew he could count on Darian to help him when he had trouble with a lesson or at least hide him from his teachers if necessary.

"They want me to help plan my good-bye party. I have time. It's only a week away," Firefox told him as he continued to scratch under Kieryn's chin. The young gryphon was leaning into the scratching and emitting soft chirps of contentment. "I'm fine with whatever they're planning."

"Have you decided on what you want for your party?" Darian asked as he reached over and started to scratch behind the firecat's ear.

"Besides more time? No. There is nothing I want or need. The Star-eyed has been great in granting me this time with everyone. I don't want to sound ungrateful. But. . . "

"But this has become your home. You know She isn't a cruel goddess, but she is strict."

Firefox sighed and nodded. He was going back right away after his party, and that was one of the reasons why he wasn't too happy about all the celebration. It felt more like a funeral wake instead.

:She has given you three extra years of peace. You are ready Harry. She would not allow you to return if you were not. And you are not going alone.:

"I know. I know, alright!? I get it! I'm an adult now. And I need to return to Hogwarts and do my part. I know I'm whining and, yes, I'm very grateful to the Star-eyed for answering my prayers and bringing me here to everyone, and allowing me to develop a great family! I get it! But. . ."

"It iss harrrd forrr a fledgling to take up theirrrr wings and fly away frrrom the nesst," Kieryn interjected as the teen's shoulders' slump in dejection. "But it isss time for you to fly."

Darian stopped his scratching of the firecat's ear and reached up and clasped a hand on the young mage's shoulder. Neither spoke as they turned to watch the sun turn the sky into interesting shades of color as it started to set.

Neither saw the two men standing below on the Vale's flooring looking up at them.

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Firefox finally decided what he wanted. He wanted a memento from all his family and friends to take with him when he left the Vale. He wasn't sure if he would ever return to the Vale. He hoped he could return, the Star-eyed willing, and hoped by having things from his growing up here in the Vale would help with some of the home-sickness.

As Darian said, the Star-eyed wasn't a cruel goddess, but she did expect a fair amount of maturity from her worshipers. She didn't want immature children as her believers. She wanted Her followers to stand on their own two feet and face problems head on without depending on Her for handouts.

Most of the gifts were carved colorful totems from his friends in the Ghost Cat Clan. Jendey gave him a knife he had made personally for his friend.

"You're my knife brother. I would go with you into this new land, but I am needed here with my clan," the young warrior said. He had been made a full warrior a year ago by his father. Jendey stood proud and ready to defend his clan. Firefox was going to miss his best friend and pranking buddy.

Summerfrost gave Firefox a small booklet on the care and handling of gryphons. "In case you need it, plus. . ." She gave him a small crystal carved in the shape of an owl on a small chain. Firefox knew they were not in love, but they had been good for each other. She was so beautiful in his eyes, and he was going to miss her as well.

The healers of Sanctuary knew they could never repay what Firefox had given them. They pooled their resource and gave the young mage a first-class field kit.

Cera and the other hertasi gave Firefox new robes fit for his status as an healer-adept mage. Cera wanted to come with him, as she just knew that Firefox wouldn't be able to care for himself. He, however, knew she couldn't deal with the winters in Scotland, which is where Hogwarts was situated. Hertasi couldn't take the cold. It took sometime to talk her out of coming with him.

The night after his good-bye celebration, and after Firefox had said all his good-byes to everyone, he and his parents stood by the heart-stone. No words were spoken. None were needed.

This was where Salazar would open a Gate to send Firefox back. Normally, Gating was impossible because magic was still too unstable, but the firecat was an avatar of the Sunlord. He had the innate power with a small boost from the heart-stone.

Kieryn stood beside Firefox. On his back were several packs containing his and Firefox's supplies and mementos.

The tall, formidable Firesong took off his mask, a rare occurrence in public. Tears filled his blue eyes and ran down his scarred face, as he looked proudly at the boy he had raised.

"Remember everything I taught you and how to do it with style. Don't let me down." He gathered his son into his arms and hugged him tight. Any other words were not really needed between them, as they had already been said.

Silverfox, who had also tears running down his cheeks, pulled his son into his arms. "We're so proud of you. When you came to us, small and hurt, we knew we had our work ahead of us. You surpassed everything we hoped for. You may not be of our blood, but you're the son of our heart. I'm so thankful that you came into our lives."

Firefox wiped the tears from his eyes and nodded. "I love you both, Papa. You took me in and gave me a name. I don't want to leave but . . ."

:Do not worry, my friends: came Salazar's voice. :I will send reports on how he is doing. This is as much his home here as it was at Hogwarts. It would be too cruel to keep news away from you.:

"You better, mouse chaser. Or I'll have your hide as my throw," Firesong threatened as he gave the firecat a glare, before turning towards the gryphon and gave a bow. "Take care of him or the same thing will happen to you."

Kieryn gave a solemn nod.

Godric and Hedwig flew down to land on each side of Firefox's shoulder. They were also ready.

:It is time. Prepare yourself.:

"Where will we end up?"

:My magical chambers that I used to do my spell crafting. You would call it the Chambers of Secret.:

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The Great Hall at Hogwarts was filled with floating candles and animated flying bats as the teachers and students celebrated Halloween. The feast was going strong with good food and plenty of cheer.

However, in a few hearts, they were saddened that their friend wasn't with them. Harry James Potter wasn't there. He hadn't been seen since last spring, when they found a small dying fire in the Forbidden Forest.

Albus Dumbledore tried to find some cheer in the festivities, but his heart wasn't in it. With Harry gone, the war was now in full swing. He looked down at his blackened hand. Time was running out. He needed Harry to return and take up his destiny.

He looked over at the remaining part of the Golden Trio and sighed. That friendship didn't last long past Harry's disappearance. No, he refused to think that the lad was dead. The prophecy was still valid. It was still in play. He had to believe it.

'Harry, my boy, where are you?'

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A/N: Well, Harry is back home. I didn't feel it was necessary to go into the training that Salazar would give him. Things are heating up.

Until next time. – GF