Chapter 16
The next two weeks proved to be almost idyllic. The weather remained steady and the roads proved to have been recently maintained. Little by little, Randen and Derris continued to improve. Each could now take a few small steps and Randen now needed very little help in caring for Derris. Derris was still not able to walk far enough to graze, so Kyminn and Jannen spent time each evening gathering forage for him. Derris was strong enough to lie down without help, but he needed Jareth and Bryann's assistance in getting to his feet. On that point, Kyminn brooked no argument. Two things, he had pointed out, put the most strain on an equine shoulder – jumping and climbing. That included climbing to one's feet and Derris would not be rising to his own feet for quite some time yet.
As Randen slowly regained his mobility, he developed a tendency to retreat into a pensive silence. At these times, he would seek out Jannen and the two Heralds would spend an evening in quiet conversation. Kyminn didn't mind and told Derris so. "I don't know what the future holds for Randen as a Herald. That's something that I can't help him with. Jannen's exactly who he should be talking with right now." Derris gently whiffed in Kyminn's hair, a rare gesture on the part of the normally reserved Companion. Kyminn smiled and scratched Derris's chin, forbearing to mention that he was also keeping an Empathic 'eye' on Derris as means of minding Randen's mental state.
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"No, you'll want to hold the reins like this, pull a bit more in with your left hand. That's got it, feel the difference?"
Randen had never driven a four horse team before – actually, he'd never driven any team before – and Kyminn was helping him learn.
"What if they take off? I don't think my shoulder is strong enough for me to pull them in," Randen's tone was decidedly dubious.
"Two things. First, it's smart of you to think like that, to figure out where a problem might come up and if and how to manage it. But that's probably a Herald thing, right?"
Randen snorted. "Yes. Anticipating trouble is kind of a 'Herald thing.'"
"Second, Animal Mindspeech, remember? I'm actually a bit linked to them. No, I'm not controlling them, you are. But if anything happens, I can take over in an instant, and more effectively than using reins. I…" Kyminn spasmed and the team skidded to a stop.
"Kyminn? What…?" Randen cried in alarm. :Derris! Call Jannen!:
Kyminn waved an arm weakly and vomited over the side of the wagon. He half climbed, half tumbled to the ground, one arm wrapped protectively around his midriff. He dropped to his knees, swearing under his breath. "Shield dammit, shield!" His voice was a barely articulate hiss.
Niko burst out of the surrounding greenery, Jannen crouched low over his withers. A strung bow, arrow nocked, was in his hands. "What happened?!"
"You did", Kyminn ground out the words.
Jannen flicked his eyes from Kyminn and Randen and back again. "I…what…?" He was clearly bewildered.
Kyminn sucked in a deep breath. Then another. His hands slowly unclenched. He breathed again. "You. Went. Hunting." His hand unwrapped from his stomach to point to the coney hanging from Niko's saddlebow.
"I…yes…" Jannen was still confused.
Kyminn looked up at him, his eyes sick and weary, all the anger drained. "Animal Foresight. Animal Mindspeech. Animal Healing. Animal Empathy. Jannen, my shields were down, monitoring Derris and the horses when you took that rabbit."
The blood drained from both Herald's faces. Jannen looked ill. "Oh gods Kyminn I'm sorry. I…I'm so sorry. I…forgot." Jannen fell to his knees beside Kyminn. "I…you eat meat all the time and I forgot that the report mentioned your other Gifts. Dear gods, can you forgive me?"
"Yes, I eat meat. And generally, I don't Feel small game. It's just that I've been keeping my shields thin to mind Derris and the horses, as well as reaching out to the local wildlife to make sure the area is secure…." wanly, "at home I usually make myself scarce during slaughtering season. And I really avoid hunting."
Jannen looked stricken. He looked over at the rabbit and swallowed convulsively. "What….?" The question trailed off.
Kyminn climbed to his feet and silently offered Jannen a hand. "It would be beyond wrong for you to waste that rabbit." His voice was grey. "However, I hope you both will understand if I go for a walk while you two eat." Another deep breath. "It's okay Jannen. It was a mistake. But I'd really like to call it a day if that's alright?"
Both Heralds nodded. Jannen indicated the team. "Go. I'll take care of things here."
Kyminn nodded his thanks and headed up the road. In the dappled light, he suddenly looked very young.
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:This isn't the first time this has happened, is it?: Jareth's mind voice was gentle.
Kyminn didn't look up from where he sat under the tree, arms curled around his knees. "No. It's happened a few times."
Jareth lowered himself to the ground, his shoulder beside Kyminn. A hand crept out and stroked the white velvet body.
:I'm sorry.:
"For what? It's not your fault. "
An equine shrug. :Neither Heralds nor Companions are perfect, but we DO try to do the right things you know. That includes not causing people mental trauma.:
"I know." Kyminn raised his head from his knees, his chin resting on his arms. "The first time was when I was twelve. We were eating breakfast when I got this sudden attack of the screaming horrors. Blood, pain, fear, fire. It was…pretty awful." He paused. "No one knew what to do at first. It was Grandmother who realized I was reacting to something in my head, something not from outside. She dosed me until I passed out.
"It was swine slaughtering season, and by the time I woke up, it was all over so none of my Gifts triggered. So we still didn't know what was going on. A few days later, the men decided to go deer hunting. And it happened again." His eyes were seeing something from long ago. "That one was even worse. It felt like I was being gutted myself. I think it was me screaming about being skinned that made Grandmother realize I was reacting to the hunting. She shielded me and then showed me how to shield myself. After that, we just figured out the Gifts as they appeared."
Jareth bent his head around, blue eyes locked onto Kyminn's. :Kyminn, your shields are…not very strong. Certainly not what I would consider strong enough for your Gifts. You need training, badly.:
"I know. It's never, ever been this bad before. I'm not sure why a rabbit was so awful." He shuddered in memory. "I will get trained, somehow, by someone. I promise. I don't want to go through anything like that again." He glanced up at the westering sun. "I guess I should get back."
:Wait a bit yet. Niko will let me know when they're ready for you. Rest. I'm not going anywhere.:
A small smile. "Your Chosen is going to be a very lucky person when the time comes."
