A/N; Here is chapter ten like I promised. I didn't expect to have it done so soon, I was going to make you all wait a bit before putting it up but I wanted to know what you all thought. I am about to start chapter eleven, so give me a few reviews and feed my muse to keep going and I'll see if I can get the next one up in a few days.
And for those who asked Yes Leren will be coming back into it, but you'll have to see where my muse leads me. I'm hoping for the next chapter. Thanks.
Chapter Ten.
Tarsha smiled as she watched her youngest brothers and only nephews chase each other a little unsteadily around the yard. Her youngest brothers just turning two and her nephews were just getting the hang of running and walking.
She glanced into the stable at a loss for something to do, it was too quiet. They were usually crowded with customers by now packed to overflowing. But with the newest additions to the buildings they were coping well, along with the extra help they had hired on as well.
But that did leave her at a bit of a loose end. She wasn't really allowed to help much at the moment, bar going over the horses that came in to make sure that they were all in good health and didn't need anything. She knew that returning to full health would take awhile when she had been told but the reality of it was just finally starting to sink in. Tarsha had been awake, aware, and up and about for nearly two months now but she still found that she still had to take things slowly, and that annoyed her. She didn't like being still for long, but as she didn't want a relapse and set back all that hard work she had already put back into recovering there wasn't much she could do.
Another things that was worrying her was that she hadn't heard from Leren in nearly a year. Not since he had left last midwinter, before she had fallen ill. She had sent a few letters before and after, letting him know what had happened and how she was feeling but she had heard nothing back. Her last letter had been sent off just before winter had arrived, four weeks ago, before everyone had arrived.
"What is worrying you so Tarsha?" Talia's asked as she joined her out in the sun. "I can sense you through everyone else and if you aren't careful Travis will be picking you up soon." Her brown eyes studied her carefully.
"I haven't heard from Leren that's all." She sighed. "It's been a year and I haven't received one letter in return. I know he must be busy down south…at least that's where he said he was probably going to be sent next." She shook her head and then looked at Talia, dropping that mask she had put in place for her family and placed a hand over her heart. "It hurts Talia, right here, not knowing if he is alright or if he still cares…" She took a deep breath to settle her emotions that were trying to get out of her control. "It hurt enough when he left last year with out saying goodbye, which he apologised in his first and only letter." She blinked away the tears that threatened to fall. "I feel like I am missing apart of myself, that when he left he took a part of me with him."
"Well I do know that he was sent down Karse way to check up on a few things, get a few updates from Elspeth." Talia paused thinking over what she had said. "That really shouldn't have prevented him from getting or returning your letters, as last I heard everything was calm over there. It could be that your letters were held over until he either returned or until another courier was heading that way." She looked towards the four toddlers playing and noticed that they now had Jess and Jazmine watching them. "Let's take this up to your room." She suggested and followed the young woman up to her room and they both sat down on the couch, turned slightly so they were facing each other. "Tell me something honestly Tarsha, how did you feel the first time you met Leren?" She asked leaning back on the arm.
"Well I was fixing that fence and sigh at the main road at the time, he had arrived with letters letting us know that Travis and Gary had been chosen." Tarsha replied with a small smile. "He offered to help me then, and again when I had to do chores, we wore him out he nearly fell asleep in his stew." She chuckled. "He was so easy to work with and talk with." She sighed. "Then there was the time he showed up injured and it terrified me, I thought I was going to loose him before I even knew him…" She flushed a little.
"That was when he left with out saying goodbye? Once he had recovered?" Talia asked, making sure she knew which time she was talking about.
"Yes and the first I felt sure enough of what I was feeling." She nodded still a little flushed. "He was the only person I ever wanted in my bed, and the only one since."
"Ah well that explains the blush then." Talia chuckled lightly. "There is no shame in wanting a man in your bed Tarsha, or letting them know that is what you want." She nibbled on her bottom lip for a moment. "Since then, has any of the men that come and go ever caught your attention?"
"Yes, but not enough for me to take them to bed with me." She nodded with a small sigh. "All I ever think about is Leren…Ever since we met I am never happier then when he is near, or felt more safe…it's the same feeling I get when Travis is near by." She struggled to explain.
"I think I know what you are trying to explain, and I think I know what is going on." Talia gave her a warm smile. "all I can suggest is that you be patient and talk with him when he comes this way again. For now that is the only advice I can really give you, just be honest with him and give him time to figure out what he is feeling and what he wants to do." She leaned forward and gave her a strong hug. "so how are you doing other wise?"
"Bored more then anything else at the moment." Tarsha smiled tiredly. "A little tired, but that's not all that surprising. Daniel keeps an eye on me and so do Yual and Jona. Everyone has been helping out with me getting my strength back, I just wish it wasn't taking so long." She sighed. "I'm not allowed to help when customers come in or depart, bar looking over the horses and mules to make sure they are all in good health. Some times it feels like I am standing still and not doing anything."
"And that is not something you like." Talia gave her a knowing look.
"No it's not." She shook her head. "Over the years the Stable has become mine to look after and it almost feels like I have been shunted to one side." She pulled a face. "I know that isn't what has happened, and I still have a say in what happens around here and everything but…"
"I understand what you are saying Tarsha. It will get better with time." Talia assured her with a quick squeeze.
"Well at least Daniel told me I can get back to full work load in another few weeks if I keep improving the way I am so that is something at least." She smiled properly this time.
"I'm told that Yual disappeared for a few weeks just before you fell ill, did he tell you where he disappeared to?" Talia asked changing the subject.
"Yes he did." Tarsha chuckled. "He sensed others like him and went to seek out the knowledge that he has needed."
"He sensed other Kyree around here?" Talia raised an eyebrow.
"They were headed for the Dhorisha Plains, he learned quite a bit from then in a few short weeks." She nodded and looked up as Yual padded into the room.
:Lunch is being served Sharra.:
"Thank you Yual." She scratched him behind the ear. "Lunch is being served." She informed Talia as she rose. "How much longer will you all be here?"
"Another week or so, not much longer then that." Talia replied as they headed down into the stable, across the yard and into the inn.
They sat down to a quiet lunch with the family, which only Karen was missing from. She listened to the commentary that her family gave to what they had seen during the day as they worked on what ever they had been assigned to that day. Along with a few comments on the fifty or so customers they had, who was new, what old customers were doing.
Many of them were on their way home from Haven. She was a little surprised that hadn't yet seen Johan and Kurit this winter. They were usually here by now. She looking over the customers and frowned.
"Problem Tarsh?" James asked looking up from his steak pie.
"Anyone seen Johan and Kurit this month?" She inquired. "I haven't seen Cherry to point to that he already been."
"No not yet." Devid shook his head joining the conversation. "Johan mentioned that he may be late heading back from Haven this year."
"Hmm, I guess it's cause I missed most of the gossip last winter and spring that I don't know what is going on now, I guess it has me a little turned around at the moment." She shook her head ruefully. "It still feels too early for it to be winter again so soon."
"Too soon for you maybe sis." James chuckled. "Just be warned that everyone is going to be keeping a close eye on you through this winter to make sure that you don't get sick again."
"I know." She sighed. "Daniel has been following be about like a mother hen who lost her chick." She perked up a little. "But he thinks I should be back up to full strength by the time full winter hits."
"That's good news." Uncle Steph's voice joined in as he leaned in against James and she laughed as they began to mock jostle each other for more room. "So you up for a little staff sparring this afternoon?"
"Sure, Wes is rostered for stable clean out so there isn't anything for me to do." She nodded eagerly.
"Are you implying that the others don't do their job properly?" Jacob inquired having overheard her.
"No father." She shook her head. "It's just that Wes triple checks absolutely everything that there isn't even a speck of hay for me to bend over and pick up." She pulled a face. "I don't mind doing the sweeping as it keeps me moving and Daniel said that I could do that job, but Wes won't let me do anything until Daniel gives me the all clear."
"I'd say that he is feel a tad protective Tash, either that or he is trying to impress you" Travis grinned at her and waggled his eyebrows at her.
"Ha-ha." She snorted at him. "Very funny, the only thing he is doing at the moment is annoying me." She gave a frustrated sigh. "Don't get me wrong I like that the stables are clean and presentable and that he takes good care of everything…" She made a small face. "He can't take a hint that I'm not interested in anything more then friendship."
"Have you told him that?" Travis asked with a raised eyebrow. "And I do mean to his face and bluntly, sometimes us mere males are a tad slow."
"I did last month, when I got really annoyed at him that I frightened Lissa when I blew up in his face." She blushed a little. "He was following me around every where and wouldn't take a hint that I wanted to be left along and when I finally figured out that he had a crush I thought I had set him straight." She drew in a deep breath and slowly let it out as she realised that she had said most of that with one breath and was starting to be worked up again.
"Well if it keeps being a problem let me know and I'll sort it out." Jacob said firmly. "I wont have anyone harassing my girls, when they aren't interested."
"Yes father." She nodded, knowing from his tone that he was not to be argued with and would not change his mind. She also knew that now that her family had been told that they were all going to be keeping an eye on Wes to make sure that he didn't over step himself. It made her feel incredibly safe.
She paused for a second before continuing to eat. Since when I have felt unsafe in my own stables? Do my instincts really see him as that much of a threat? She thought a little startled. She chewed thoughtfully at her buttered bread, staring into space, trying to figure out when she had picked up on the danger.
She finished up her meal and followed Uncle Steph to the yard where he tossed her one of the staffs leaning up against a wall.
"What troubles you Tarsha?" He asked softly as they began circling each other. "You looked to be in deep thought through the rest of lunch."
She easily dropped out of the fighting stance she had fallen into and Steph followed suit. "I just realised that when Pa said that he would take care of it, if Wes kept it up that I felt really safe." She looked down at her shoes for a moment before looking him in the eye. "And I knew that the rest of you would be watching him and I felt relieved, it just startled me that I realised that I felt unsafe in the stables for the last few weeks and didn't even realise it."
"If you feel unsafe Tarsha, then something should be done about Wes." Steph told her firmly, looking at her in concern. "The stables and the inn are places you should feel safe all the time."
"I know, I was just hoping that he would realise that I wasn't truly interested and back off." She sighed running her hand over her face.
"How long exactly has it been since you told him you weren't interested?" Steph asked his face stern.
"Two weeks." She shook her head. "He has put more effort into his work since then, I don't know if he is trying to impress me or trying to work his feeling out with his work."
"Let Travis talk to him, maybe his empathy can work out what he is trying to do, plus they are semi friends." Steph suggested his face relaxing a little bit.
"Alright." She nodded and they both went back to their sparring.
Tarsha rode with ease as she continually mentally and physically encouraged the two year old cold into an easy trot even though it wasn't all that certain. He bore her weight with ease, but he was a little concerned about tripping in a pot hole and tossing her by accident.
"You are doing fine, Storm." She assured him before reining him in gently. "Okay time to head back to the stable and back to your mother, let's try it a little faster this time." She gave his neck a firm pat as he turned, whickered in agreement and once he felt that she was firm in saddle took off at a fast canter. Tarsha laughed and tucked herself easily down to lessen the wind resistance.
The land scape blurred as Storm sped up into a full gallop. He turned easily into the Inn turn off and she made a mental note to tell Pa that the sign had once again been blown over.
"Ease up Storm." She called out with a laugh and he slowed to a canter as they entered the yard and then to a trot. "Circle the yard Storm and get your breath back." She patted his neck with pride. "You did well for you first run with a rider." It had felt good to get away from the inn for even a little while. The ride had given her a chance to think with out any one interrupting her, though it had taken her nearly two candlemarks to get Daniel, Yual and Jona to let her go with just Storm for company.
It had been two days since she had had her talk with her family and Uncle Steph about Wes. That afternoon Travis had talked to him and asked point blank what he was up to and what he felt for his twin. She wasn't quite sure what exactly they had discussed but they had talked for candlemarks. That night Wes had asked to be sent to Lord Deren's stables instead, to give himself a chance to get himself sorted out and so he could respect Tarsha's wishes to be left alone.
Jacob had taken him to the side and talked to him for awhile before granting his request with a letter to Lord Deren and his Stable master. The next morning at dawn he had rode out with his few personal belongings and didn't look back.
While she was glad that he was gone with out a fuss but she missed the friend that they had become. They had also lost the only other animal speaker.
She a shake of her head she dismounted as Storm carried her into the stable and deftly stripped of his tack and gave him a good rub down and brushing, gave him a scratch under his chin and told to go and find his mother.
"You look better then you did at breakfast." James noted as he strolled into the stables and gave her a hug. "You have colour in your face."
"I enjoyed the ride." She chuckled and returned the hug. "You need something?" She asked as she checked over the board she had place on the wall before she had fallen ill and saw that a few names had been rubbed out, signalling that customers had left.
"Pa just got a message from Haven saying that Johan won't be joining us this winter, he is going to stay until Spring…" He looked her over for a moment. "All the Heralds have also heading back tomorrow at Dawn. Selenay needs Talia for something and Classes start in a week so they have to head back now."
"Well at least they got to stay a little longer this time." She gave a small smile. "Next year is going to be the hardest." She sighed.
"Whys' that?" James asked with a small frown.
"Travis goes on his internship. It lasts a year and half, we won't see him next winter." She reminded him with a light tap to his head. "He's eighteen just before Midwinter."
"Ah I had forgotten." He sighed. "I don't know how you doing it being away from him for such long periods of time. I know I couldn't do it."
"It helps that we can keep tabs on each other through our twin bond." She smiled at him and gave him a peck on the cheek. "We can feel each other all the time, no matter the distance."
"Must be a little nerve racking when he's hurt or sick." James pulled a small face. "I saw what he was like when he came back after you got sick, it wasn't pretty."
"I know" She sighed. She looked over the list of things that needed to be done and what had already been crossed off by Lissa and Gamina.
"I'm surprised that he hasn't spent more time around you if he isn't going to see you." He frowned a little.
"He has." She gave a small secret smile. "He comes over after dinner, spends some time with Hestia and then joins me in my rooms for hot tea and long chats. We spend a lot of time holding each other, it calms us." She looked up at her eldest brother. "Just as it calms any of us to be held by our twin."
"Every night?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Well when the weather allows him to cross the yard anyway." She chuckled. "Some times…" She frowned a little. "Sometimes it's almost like I can hear him in him head, like I do Yual and Jona."
"Could he be getting another gift?" James asked with a frown.
"No, Talia said that he had no sign of having mind speech." She shook her head. "But then again, the stress of me being sick…" She turned and made her way to where Travis was coming into the stables with a small basket.
"I thought I might restock your tea supplies." He gave her a cheeky grin.
"You do that." She laughed as she slapped his shoulder. "Considering you are the one who is depleting them. Don't go anywhere I'll be back in a minute." She called over her shoulder and left the stables and then stopped. She had no idea where Uncle Steph may be, or Talia for that matter. Instead she sent out her mind like Uncle Steph had trained her and found his mind with ease in the Inn and tapped on his shields. She couldn't really talk to him but knew that he would know that she wanted to talk to him and also send a image of Talia.
She waited a few moments before she felt him acknowledge that he had received her and went back into the stables and took a seat on the table under the large board of who's horse was where.
"You summoned my little demon child?" Steph asked with a chuckle as he, Talia and Dirk entered the stables. "I see you finally managed to get a hold of that too, very well done."
"Why thank you my Dearest Uncle." She laughed with delight. "I was hoping that I did get it right. Anyway I want you to check Travis's gifts over if he will permit it." She requested.
"Why?" Dirk asked with a small frown.
"Sis?" Travis inquired as he came down from her room with a raised eyebrow seeing all the people.
"I noticed over the last two weeks that Travis's mental presence in my own mind has become stronger, at first I thought it was just because we were so close after the scare we had with my illness." She started to explain as Travis wrapped an arm around her waist. "Now I am not complaining because he has been a great comfort to me, knowing that he is there in some small way. We have also become very tactile over the last week, when ever we are near each other we automatically end up in a hug." She chuckled as Travis blushed and kissed his cheek. "But some times at night after he has left for the night or when there is a storm and he can't get across the yard, it's almost as if I can hear him in my mind, just a very faint whisper."
"But you've always felt him?" Talia asked looking curious.
"Always." They both replied at the same time with a chuckle.
"All of us twins can feel the other when we are near by." James spoke up quietly. "We know when the other is sick or feeling under the weather. That is why it appears that we are all so close."
"It does explain a few things yes." Steph nodded in agreement. "But not Travis's symptoms."
"In a way it does." Dirk said slowly. "Most gifts are triggered by puberty or strong emotion, panic, grief, stress etc. They are also strengthened by those sorts of events too." He looked at Travis. "May I scan your gifts?" He inquired.
"Sure." He nodded and carefully lowered his barriers enough to let Dirk into his mind.
"Well, his empathy is a bit stronger then what it was and he does have a very weak Mindspeech gift opening, but it's probably only strong enough for Tarsha to hear him because she is so in tune with him to begin with." He said after a short silence. "I'll let who every is your instructor this year know to keep an eye on it. Other then that, just keep your shields up as normal, though you may get a few headaches, just increase your shielding." Dirk advised. "But if it gets too much let us know." He gave him a stern look.
"Yes sir." Travis nodded in understanding.
"Has anyone checked your own gifts?" Dirk asked looking at Tarsha.
"Uncle Steph has been keeping an eye on them." She nodded. "The only gift that increased was my healing gift, but that was slowly coming out before I got ill anyway."
"I think it's because your twin bond is strained." Talia spoke up. "The need for close contact I mean." She explained. "I think you both unconsciously reached out for each other when you were sick, Tarsha." She gave Travis a rueful smile. "We all so what happened when he kept loosing contact with Tarsha, but once he returned he would sometimes zone out for a few seconds and I could feel his gift reaching out for some one…which confused me because I couldn't sense anyone who needed our help." Travis just gave her a sheepish smile. "Keren and Teren have a really tight twin bond, you might want to talk to them when we get back to Haven, they maybe able to help." Talia suggested. "They know what it is like to have a twin bond, and have helped the rare few twins that have been chosen."
"I'll ask when we get back." Travis nodded thoughtfully. "It would be nice if we could find a way to ease the bond if I am going out into the field next year."
"You just make sure that you are careful." Tarsha slapped his shoulder playfully. "Now I have horses to see to and a friend to console as she is worrying about me." She chuckled as she slid out of Travis's arms, kissed his cheek and headed further into the stables.
Travis and Tarsha talked late into the night, talking about everything and anything until they talked themselves out and Travis tucked Tarsha into bed, when she fell asleep on his shoulder, glad that they had already said their goodbyes as he knew that she would sleep past dawn when he was to leave and knew that he wouldn't wake her, she needed her sleep.
He kissed her forehead and wrote her a small note apologising for not waking her to say good bye but that he would see her when his training was over, promising that he would write. He scratched Yual's head as he slept at Tarsha's feet before leaving quietly, heading for his own bed.
Tarsha was not impressed when she woke up two hours after dawn and realised that she had missed her twins departure. She cursed mentally and verbally at her twin and Yual for not waking her.
Her annoyance only dimmed a little when she found Travis's note. With an irritated sigh she pulled out clean clothes and had a quick wash, dressed and made her way to the kitchen where all the women were getting ready to serve up breakfast for the customers they still had.
"Why didn't anyone wake me?" She growled as she used quick, sharp movements to make her self a mug of tea.
"Travis insisted that we let you sleep." Ma replied softly. "He didn't think that he could say goodbye to you face to face knowing that he wouldn't see you next winter."
"I know that it would have been hard, Ma but it still would have been comforting to say good bye." Tarsha sighed sadly.
"I know lovling." Ma gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Are you hungry?"
"Just a small bowl of cereal for now please." Tarsha nodded as she finished making her tea and sat down at the table, holding the mug tight in her hands. Yual appeared next to her and nudged her thigh.
:Are you truly angry at me, Sharra?: He asked in a small voice.
:No, Yual not really. I just wanted to say goodbye.: She reached down and rubbed his head gently. :It seems as if people don't like saying goodbye to me to my face.:
:That is because they care for you, Sharra.: He gave her fingers a small lick.
:What do you plan to do today Yual? I'll be in the stables all day cleaning tack.: She asked as she dug into the food that her mother placed in front of her.
:I was going to ask your Uncle Stephen if he would tell me some more tales of his travels.: Yual replied with a mental smile. :He tells good stories.:
:That he does.: She smiled and gave his chin a scratch. :Go and find him and see if he has a few spare Candlemarks, you know where I'll be when you want me.: She lent down and gave his head a kiss and watched as he accepted yesterdays roast bone and trotted out of the kitchen.
She finished her food and went back to the stables, entered the room full of tack and found buckets of warm soapy water already waiting. Sitting on the table were jars of oil to help keep the leather supple and got into her work, humming softly to herself.
Tarsha groaned as she stretched out her sore limbs as she made her way across the yard, feeling the freedom once again that she no longer needed her cane to get around. She deftly worked out a few knotted muscles from all the scrubbing she had done, staring into the sky letting her weather sense drift about to see what kind of weather they were in for. It had been a rather mild winter so far, no heavy hail storms and no heavy snows. So far there was only two feet of snow on the ground that had easily been cleared away from the walkways.
She joined her family for a quick lunch her sense still out, she didn't notice the concerned looks her family sent her as she gave them a absentminded greeting.
"Problem Tarsha?" James asked in concern when she gave herself a little shake to leave the trance she had fallen into.
"No, just checking the weather." She shook her head. "There is a large storm heading this way, should be here in a few days if it doesn't blow it's self out."
"Snow?" Pa perked up frowned a little at the news.
"Yes, lots of it. It'll probably won't stop for awhile so I'll need to stock the stables and get it ready for a long storm." She nodded. "From the strength of it right now I would say it should last a week, maybe a little longer. We'll probably have to dig out when it's done."
"Let's just hope that it's not as back as the one nine years ago." Pa groaned. "It took me a week just to dig out the yard and another to reach the main road." He sighed. "Better let Lord Deren know Tarsha, tell Midnight. He'll be able to get the message out faster then we can."
Tarsha nodded and sent out the warning to Midnight to pass on to Wes or Randel so they could inform Lord Deren.
"well we had better batten down the hatches kids, Mari you better double check the stock on the kitchen and see if anything is needed at the village. Every one double check everything we may well get snowed in, I'll warn the customers." With that every one stood and left to go over the stocks in their areas.
"Gamina, Lissa" Tarsha called out as she entered the stables and opened the doors to the stock room and pulled out the tally board.
"You bellowed Tarsha?" Gamina asked wiping her hands on her apron as she entered the stock room with Lissa on her heels.
"We need to do a full stock, there is a large storm coming." She informed them as she began looking through the shelves. "I want you Gamina to check the hay in the loft, bring more hay over from the barn, I'd rather be over stocking things then under." She checked a few things off the list. "Lissa I want you to go through the medicine stocks, the tools, rags and make sure we have everything we might need in any sort of emergency. Daniel will be going through his own stocks as well." She heard both girls scamper off as she began checking oat bags and other stocks to make hot mash for the horses. She jotted down a small list of things that they were low on, adding a few things that Lissa said that they needed and handed the list to Uncle Steph and Kern who would head to the village for supplies they needed. "James, can I get a restock of wood for the stable fires?" She asked as she passed him in the yard where her Uncles were hitching up four strong horses to a wagon.
"Sure, you'll have it by tomorrow night at the latest." He nodded.
"Tarsha how is you oil stocks for the lamps?" Jazmine called out from the inn door.
Tarsha hurriedly looked down at her list in her hand and flipped through a few pages. "Down to two small jars, I'll need at least fourteen, five litre jugs, eighteen would be better," She called back as she headed towards her. "I also need soap bars, cleaning and washing both…" She handed the small list to her sister. "I have two lists left." She muttered to herself and found her mother in the kitchen and handed her the food list that she would need to weather out the storm and another to Annabell for sheets, towels and threads, needles and patches for repairing clothing.
"You know it's times like these that I really missing having all you children around." Ma grumbled as she wrote out a list of things that she needed from the nearly dormant vegetable patch and herb garden. "Griff," She barked out as she saw the man hovering nearby. "Grab this stuff from the herb garden and veggie patch." She thrust a basket and list at him and shooed him off before he could protest. "Tarsha do have things to do when your snowed in?" Ma asked as she placed large jars in a small wagon that Yual could pull on his own. Things like flour for fresh bread, yeast, milk, cheese, honey, sprouts, dried fruit with a few pieces of fresh, dry cereal, lemons, extra tea, cider, sweetener, and cocoa powder for hot chocolate.
"Tack to repair, clothes to patch, cloth and threads for embroidery, blocks of wood for carving, books to read, paper and pens to write letters, Lissa even has a weaving rack, medicines to make, wool from harvest to spin…" She rattled off easily. "I think we'll have plenty to do…oh are there any extra blankets we can have? Old ones will do, I don't want the horses or us to get cold." She added with a smile.
"I'll see what I have in stocks that can be spared." She nodded in agreement. "Right this is ready for Yual to take over."
:Yual I have a small job for you if you aren't busy.: Tarsha called out to her friend.
:I'll be there shortly, Devid, Redick and Feren asked me to help round up the sheep and cows.: He replied with a chuckle.
"He'll be by in a bit to get the wagon, he's helping getting the stock to the large barn." Tarsha informed her mother and accepted the stack of towels, sheets and clothes that she had asked Annabell for and the bag of soaps from Jazmine as they came into the kitchen. :Go to the kitchen when you are done, Ma has a wagon of food supplies for the stables.:
:Will do.:
"If you can give me a few days warning before the storm hits I'll have a large pot of stew ready for you, to keep warm on the stoves." Ma added.
"I'll keep that in mind." Tarsha nodded and hurried with her pile of goodies back to the stables and shared everything out with the other girls when they arrived back.
She looked up as one of the serving goods hurried into the stables. "Tarsha, eight of the customers are going to head out now, they can make the village before full dark or the Keep and then head off from there."
"Alright" She handed her a small piece of chalk. "Mark with a small cross who is leaving and I'll make sure their horses are saddled ready to go." She gestured to the board on the wall. "Lissa, Gamina, customers are leaving." She yelled as the girl marked the names on the board and then left.
Tarsha called the horses that were leaving in from their grazing and the three of them got to work tacking them up and then got to cleaning out the stalls. Tarsha grumbled a bit when four extra suddenly decided they were leaving and hurried to get their horses ready to go as well.
She then walked the empty stalls, making sure that they were ready for occupation at a moments notice, double checked the companion stalls. Knowing our track record for heralds coming in during storms, I better make sure that everything is ready. She thought to herself with a small shake of her head with a wirily smile on her face.
When Yual turned up with the wagon a candlemark later she placed everything in one of the small storage cupboards that they used for food on the run, and with a sudden thought checked the small coal storage that they used for emergencies in the braziers and found that they had had plenty in stock and crossed another job off her list.
"What are you up to?" She asked Yual when she saw that he was eager to take the wagon back, filling it with empty jars.
:Ma asked me to watch over the little ones while everyone was checking everything.: Yual replied with a proud voice. :I am telling them stories, toned down for little ones of ones that Steph has told me, and a few that my own kind have told me.:
:Hmm it'll keep them out of trouble that's for sure." She chuckled, and gave him a good scratch. Rolan, Trevor, Judas and Talen were always up for a good story, and would stop anything they were doing to listen. It was one of the rare times that they actually sat still for any length of time.
:Tarsha, it's Ox, Pa asks that you fix the sign again, he's just spotted it as we were leaving.: Ox's voice suddenly popped into her head sounding excited to be on the move again.
:I meant to tell him about that.: She sighed in annoyance. :I'll see to it, you sure you can trust Uncle Feren out of your sight?: She inquired with a cheeky laugh.
:He will manage: Ox replied dryly with a snort.
:Jorna, we to fix that bloody sign again: She called out for her mare as she pulled on a thick cloak and tool bag that she always kept on hand to fix the fence. It wasn't long before Jorna was at her side and she easily hauled herself onto Jorna's bareback and they cantered out to the main road.
They both glared at it. It never lasted more then one winter standing. She let out a long suffering sigh and began a long tradition of fighting with the sign to get it back into place, all the while muttering about her luck. This time she had fixed in place with heavy rocks and gave it a wipe down with a rag as it was covered in mud.
"There that had better hold you through this bloody storm or I am going to send my uncles out to deal with you." She growled at it, three candlemarks later and packed away her tools and called out for Jorna who had wondered out of sight.
Tarsha looked up in surprise when she heard companion bells, which were only used on formal occasions and when a companion was on search. She settled on to Jona's back and they waited for the companion to come into view, and saw that it had no rider.
:Who are you searching for dearling?: She inquired as the companion drew up next to her. "Which of my siblings are you here to steal off?" She turned Jona with ease and they headed to the inn. "I know you aren't here for me, or you would have already spoken to me." She told the mare when she snorted at her. "Ma!" She bellowed as they entered the yard. "Another companion is here to steal one of your children."
"And how do you know it is not you, young lady?" Ma demanded as she hurried out of the inn.
"Easy she hasn't said a word to me." Tarsha shrugged as she slid down Jona's back.
"Ma I finished with the bathing rooms." Jessica said as she stepped out of the inn. "Oh…" Her voice took on a dazed quality.
"What's her name Jess?" Tarsha asked gently as she wrapped her sister in a hug as she began to tremble.
"Sena" Jess's voice was a bare whisper. "But they said I didn't have any gifts!" Jess suddenly protested.
"You have the potential, Jess, just like the rest of us." Tarsha soothed her. "Dirk told me that some times it takes being chosen to trigger the gifts we have, and with some gifts it is better to come into the open around other Heralds."
"Sena said you are very wise and know too much." Jess chuckled wetly.
"That's what you get having a Twin Herald." She kissed her cheek.
"It's too late to head off tonight Sena." Ma said firmly. "I'll not have my daughter spend the night in a waystation tonight. You will wait for dawn tomorrow." She turned to her daughter and pulled her out of her sisters hold and hugged her tight. "Tonight you get a warm meal, bed and be on your way tomorrow. At least this time we get a chance to say goodbye and get you all packed up." She half assured the teary young woman and half scolded the companion. "For now spend some time with Sena, I do know that it is important that you do that."
"Come on Sena I'll show you how good we treat companions here." Jess gave a happy laugh and extracted herself from her mother and lead Sena to the stables, chatting away merrily.
"And another one is added to family tradition." Ma sighed looking proud and sad at the same time. She turned her sight to her third eldest daughter. "Tell me do you think you will ever get chosen, Tarsha?" She asked softly.
"Not yet." Tarsha shook her head. "It's a feeling I have, especially when I see Travis with Hestia. I just don't know how long it will be."
"But you know with surety that you will be chosen?" Her Ma asked in surprise.
"Yes I do." She nodded faintly, stroking Jona's neck as the mare nudged her gently. "I just don't know when, until then I won't dwell on it. I'll enjoy my time with my family and keep the stables in line until my time comes."
"Why did you never say anything?" Ma asked wrapping her up in a hug.
"Because I knew you would worry that another of your children would be taken away from you, living a dangerous life on the road. Because I didn't know for sure until a few months ago." She sighed and returned the hug. "It's something that Travis and I discussed before he left. My gifts are too strong not to be chosen, uncle Steph once said that I am more powerful then Travis, he thinks." She kissed her mother's cheek and disentangled herself from the hug. "I just don't know when."
"And like you said there is no point on dwelling on it until it happens." Ma nodded in understanding. "Well I know that I am proud of all my children, four heralds, a healer, and a bard." She laughed brightly. "All children must leave the nest at some point, at least I know that you will be in good company."
"True." Tarsha chuckled. "I have a few more things to do, I'll get my own supper tonight, you sure put a pack together for Jess."
"I'll do that." Ma nodded and walked back inside.
:You'll be leaving us Tarsha?: Jorna asked in a sad voice.
"Not yet Jorna, but yes I will be leaving." She nodded and lead the way back to the stables.
:Who will look after us when you are gone?:
"I am sure that Randel or Wes will return to help out, when I go." Tarsha assured her, before pulling out grooming brushes and gave her a good brushing. "Plus I am training Lissa and Gamina how to recognise when you all need healing, with those signals we made up last summer so you can all communicate with them with out me." She patted Jorna's shoulder lovingly. "Go enjoy what is left of the sun, my friend." She shooed her out into the field and headed down to the companion section and smiled as she watched Jessica remove the last of Sena's tack and began grooming her. "Do you need anything Jess?" She asked leaning against the door.
"No, I know where everything is." She shook her head. "I just can't believe that I was chosen, after Dirk and Talia didn't find a gift."
"They found a gift in all of us, Jess." Tarsha told her softly. "It's just most of us didn't have them active, or very powerful. I do know that you will be powerful once your gift opens up."
"Do you think so?" Jess looked at her a little uncertain.
"All of our active gifts are strong, it's in our blood line, but even if it is weak as a new born kitten you are and always will be part of the family." Tarsha told her firmly. "You should find Daniel when he comes back from the Healing house and let him know, if not leave a note and I'll see that he gets it."
"Thank you Tarsha." Jess sniffed, rubbing at her watering eyes.
"You always did feel a little left out didn't you." Tarsha gave her a quick hug. "Just remember that nothing can keep a Mannerly down for long and we are always good at what we do." She smiled as Sena nodded in agreement with her. "See Sena agrees. Ma is packing some saddle bags for you for tomorrow, dinner is in half a candlemark. If there is anything you want to take with you, you had better find it and make sure it's packed." Tarsha warned her before making her way to her rooms and settled down on the couch staring into the flames and pulled a blanket over her to keep off the chill that was in the air.
She closed her eyes and sighed as all her muscles relaxed as she mentally reached out for her twin for comfort. She caught a faint glimpse of him sitting in front of his own fire reading and felt wrapped up in his mental arms. She flashed him a picture of a companion and Jess and felt his surprise. She snuggled down into the couch and into his mental arms and slid into sleep easily.