A/N: I apologise for the long delay of the previous chapter. I moved house and it took awhile to sort everything out. Here is chapter thirteen and is a little longer then usual. So I hope you all enjoy. Thanks for all the reviews over the weekend. They are the main reason you are reading this chapter now and not next week end when I had planned on trying to get this chapter finished.
Oh and Anita H: I'm glad you made a family tree. If it makes you feel better I have three of them plus a very large map of the inn and grounds just so I can keep track of everything. Keeping the children, gifts, heralds, horses and companions separate is a very confusing job let me tell you and I am writing it!
Chapter Thirteen
Tarsha was in the middle of a storm.
She couldn't move, couldn't see. She cried out for Travis and Yual but they didn't answer her. She was huddled in a large tree hollow, trying to keep warm, trying to remember what had happened.
The last thing she remembered clearly was being at home, watching Annabell play with her children. She didn't know where the storm had come from, her Weather Gift couldn't sense it at all.
She shivered, it was cold, too cold, like she was slowly freezing to death in the middle of a harsh winter storm. But her gifts insisted that there was no storm and that she was safe.
"Travis!" She yelled out into the storm. "Trav, please! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" She pleased tears sliding down her cheeks. "Don't leave me alone, please, I need you." Her voice caught in her throat causing her to start sobbing.
In desperation she flung her mind out to search for him and screamed in agony as she was thrown back violently by a barrier.
Some one had sealed her into her own mind, away from her protector, away from her twin who kept her sane.
She howled in frustration, pain, confusion and desperation and threw everything she had at the barrier, screaming at the top of her lungs for her twin.
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"I'm telling you that there is something wrong, Dirk." Travis growled in frustration.
"She's catatonic Travis, that's what's wrong." Dirk soothed him and frowned when Travis just glared at him.
"When she first entered the coma, I could still sense her, I could feel her. But since the healers last visit here I can't sense anything at all." Travis ran his hands through his hair, pacing beside Tarsha's bed.
"Nothing at all?" Dirk frowned.
"No, nothing." Travis shook his head. "Nothing for three days, it's as if she's not there anymore." He looked at his twin, pain written all over his face.
"They said something about preventing her from using her gifts to stop her from knocking anyone out again." Dirk frown deepened.
"Dirk, she relies on her gifts for everything." Travis looked up at his Uncle with panic written all over his face. "It would be like suddenly not being able to sense Ahrodie any more." His face went blank, his knees buckled and his clutched his head in agony, followed shortly by Dirk.
:TRAVIS! HELP ME!:
"Tarsha…" Travis gasped out in pain and sat down beside her placing his hands on each side of her head. "Get the healers to take off what ever they did." Travis demanded looking angry. "I can't reach her, she can't reach me, it probably took everything she had to send that."
"What was that?" Talia raced into the room with another three Heralds right behind her.
"That was Tarsha." Travis growled. "The stupid healers blocked her gifts. She can't sense me anymore and I can't sense her."
"They did what?" Keren exclaimed. "You can't do that with a strong twin bond, not with out driving both parties insane."
Travis let himself be pushed to one side as the four Heralds went to work and quickly tore down the barriers that the Healers had placed around Tarsha's mind and he felt tears streaming down his cheeks and he could finally hear her begging to forgive her and to speak to her.
:Shh, don't worry now, Tash. I fixed it, I'm here.: He began sending as soon as he could think straight. :Hush now, I'm right here beside you.:
:I couldn't find you, you didn't answer!: Her voice was louder then he had ever heard it, she sounded frightened, sad and in pain. :I couldn't get past the barrier!:
:Hush, I know. I didn't realise what the healers did until now. Talia and Dirk took the Barrier down, calm down everything is going to be alright.: He picked up her hand and stroked her hair out of her face.
"I'm going to have a very long chat to those healers, they never should have put a barrier around her mind, not with out a Heralds presence and her twins consent." Keren growled and stalked out of the room with Teven right behind her.
"She really didn't need that on top of everything else." Talia sighed rubbing her temples. "Travis is slowly getting her to calm down. It may still take some time for her to return to normal."
"What about Leren?" Dirk asked quietly.
"He's recovering from a ambush he ran into months ago. He's been in the healers for the last four months. He'll be released tomorrow." Talia sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "He never got any of her letters, they are piling up in his rooms, they weren't sent to the healers when he returned from his circuit." She relaxed as Disk rubbed her shoulders. "What a mess."
"Just like we were." He snorted.
"Yes, but this is so much more serious." She raised her head and looked over at the twins. Travis was resting his forehead on Tarsha's, his hands soothing her hair. "I'm going to have to talk to her as soon as Travis has her calmed down enough to understand what is going on."
"Who is keeping her family here calm?" Dirk asked suddenly.
"Garry is keeping them up to date with everything. Koran and Vern are at the inn and Rolan is relaying what is going on." Talia assured him with a small smile.
"Aunt Talia, Tarsha is calm again." Travis spoke up softly, not moving from his position. "I've told her everything I know, including the mix up with Leren and the letters."
"How is she taking it?" Talia asked with a small frown. "I can't sense her too well at the moment."
"She is relieved that he hasn't been ignoring her but feels stupid for overreacting. She's settled into a deep proper sleep now." Travis sighed tiredly, slowly sitting up straight but not letting go of her hand. "It's going to take time for the twin bond to settle down again." He looked up at them both. "I should be able to return to my internship in a week or two."
"We'll see how things go. For not get some rest." Dirk advised with a small nod and followed Talia out into their sitting room, leaving them both to catch up on their rest.
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Tarsha stared out the window, looking into the Companions Field, watching the many white companions walking around, some even enjoying time with their chosen. She had been awake and aware for a week. Time she had spent talking to Travis, Talia and Leren. Working out where exactly things had started getting confused and misunderstood.
It had only taken two days of talking things out with Leren before they had gotten everything cleared up between them, along with Jerna adding a few words of advice and comfort for them both. The rest of the week they had been catching up with each other, and Leren reading her letters that had been misplaced by a new page that had started around the time they started arriving and had been dismayed when he had learned the trouble he had caused with out meaning to. He had apologised profoundly to both of them and had been taken aside by an older page and retaught a few things that he had been misinformed about.
Yual had filled her in that he had been learning new things from a few Kyree that were in Haven and was pleased that he was finally learning about his people.
She looked up as Travis slipped into the room and gave her a smile and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Everything alright?" He asked softly.
"Yes, better then they have been in a long time." She laid her head on his shoulder, resting her hands on his. "When to you leave?"
"Tomorrow morning." He kissed her temple. "Now that we are sure that the twin bond is stable again and you are now alright there is no reason to postpone my circuit any longer."
"I am sorry about the trouble I caused." She whispered.
"I know you are, it couldn't be helped, all that matters is that you are alright." He rested his head against hers as they stared out the window.
"I feel more stable then I have in months, I don't feel like I am drowning anymore." She admitted, stroking his hands. "It all makes much more sense now that I know that Leren and I are Lifebonded and that we have both worked things out."
"How are you going to be arranging things now?" Travis inquired, squeezing her hand.
"Talia and Selenay are working things out with Leren now. It will work out until they know for sure that I won't be chosen." She chuckled lightly. "None of the Companions are talking, so they think there is still a chance that I will be chosen, they just don't know when."
"Do you think you will be?" He asked softly.
"I do, I just don't know when." She nodded slightly. "I've known for some time, I think I am just waiting for my Companion to grow up a little…or they are waiting for me not to be needed so much at the inn."
"I hear they are really miss your talents at the stables." Travis chuckled. "They've got Wes on loan from Lord Deren to help out, they've had a few caravans go through and realised just how easy they've had it with you there."
"Is everything okay?" She asked a little concerned.
"Everything is fine, they are just a little tired, but they have finally got the hand system down to the point that all the regular horses know them now and pass it on to the new comers."
"That's good to hear." She smiled in contentment. "Dirk wants me to think about coming to Haven permanently, so he can have all my gifts trained properly. Seems this latest upset has triggered a gift they never saw, but explains our growing Twin bond."
"Oh, let me guess they found mindspeech opening?" He asked with a small chuckle.
"Yep, they thought it was only potential all the other times they had scanned for gifts, but over the years we've been reaching out for each other it has slowly been opening, boosted by the twin bond." She nodded. "It would also make things easier as you and Leren will be here most of the time."
"But?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"They don't know what to do with me to keep me occupied." She sighed. "While I would miss the family it would be easier if I was always on hand to stop these panic attacks happening between us. There just isn't anything for me to do here." She explained quietly, turning in his arms and wrapping her arms around him, soaking up the comfort and support he offered.
"What about helping out in the stables? I'm sure that you could be of some use in both the normal stables and the companion stables. Especially with you healing gift." Travis suggested, tucking her head under his chin. He hadn't realised that he had gotten that much taller then her.
"Dirk suggested it actually but they aren't sure how the Companions would take to me, so they are talking it over with Rolan as well as keep all options open." She snuggled into him and smiled slightly as he tightened his hold on her. "They can't really decide on anything until I make a choice on what I want to do…I…" She hesitated.
"What is it that you want to do Tarsha? I know how much you love working with the horses all the time." He asked her gently.
"It would be easier to make a choice if I could talk to Pa and James." She sighed.
"Not Ma?" He raised an eye at her.
"You know I've always been closer to Pa and James then Ma and the others." She pointed out. "I just want to know that they would be okay with my choice."
"You should make a choice Tarsha that even they wouldn't be okay with, something that was purely for you." Travis chided her. "You are forever thinking about family first, even when we were younger, you never put yourself first." He sighed a little. "How long have they given you to decide."
"I have to give them an answer by lunch, I've already been thinking it over for three days." She admitted and slowly pulled out of his grasp and turned back to look out the window. "I'm sure I've already made my choice but…" She shook her head firmly and pulled a face at her twin. "I know no matter what I chose they will support me, I guess I'm hesitating because I'm a little scared." She lowered her head a little.
"Of what? Tash, what are you scared of?"
"We've hardly ever been off the farm, not past the village and here I am, a good week away by a good horse." She closed her eyes as he wrapped her up in another hug.
"I know how you feel, we've all been through it when we were first chosen and came to Haven. It takes some getting used to especially being surrounded by so many buildings and people. But it does get easier." He assured her with a small squeeze.
"You be careful out there Trav, we both know what can happen." She looked up at him, her eyes welling with tears. "I don't think I could survive or want to survive if I lost you."
"Hey." He gently wiped away her tears. "You know I'll be as careful as I can, but just remember that even if something did happen to me, you have something to keep on living for." He kissed her forehead. "You have Leren now that things are all sorted out. You have one of the most rarest bonds that Heralds can have. There are only two couples here at the moment, maybe three that have the lifebond. It is something to treasure beyond all else." He gave her a lope sided smile. "Any you know it."
"I do." She gave him a watery smile. "Oh you better make sure you pack your thick rain cape and plenty of warm blankets too." She told him with a grin. "Now that the snow storm is over and all that it's going to rain where you are heading for at least three days in about…" She tilted her head slightly. "Two weeks or there abouts."
"I'll pass the warning onto my mentor." He chuckled. "I'll check in on you at least once a week, if not it'll be once a month, depending on how busy I am."
"Just a quick mind touch will do me, brother." She stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. "You better go and finish getting ready and go to see your friends before you leave."
"You'll be alright?" He asked looking at her seriously.
"I will be." She gave him a smile. "I have a meeting with Talia and Dirk for lunch I have to get to."
"Alright, keep an eye on everyone for me." He kissed her cheek and released her from the hug and then strode out of the room with only a quick wink before he disappeared out of sight.
She turned and continued her staring out on to the field, with a small smile playing on her lips before shaking her head and heading out. She hadn't exactly told Travis the truth, she wasn't meeting Talia and Dirk, but rather Uncle Steph. Why she hadn't told him the truth she wasn't quiet sure but knew that he would worry more. He and everyone else were still worried about her.
She wasn't that surprised, she was doing better but wasn't completely balanced again. She knew that to be completely balanced again would take weeks of hard work on her part and plenty of patience from who ever was around her.
She made her way over the fence of the field waving to a few of the near by companions and found the grotto that Uncle Steph had described to her.
He was already waiting for her, holding two staffs. He grinned when he spotted her and pulled her into a tight hug. This had been the first time he had actually been able to see her since her flight from the inn.
"You looked a lot better Sharra." He kissed her forehead. "I'm glad that things are getting better for you."
"You've been talking to Yual again." She chuckled. "Only he calls me Sharra."
"True I have, he's been telling me tales that he is learning from the other Kyree." He looked down at her. "Have you seen a lot of him?"
"No, I told him to learn everything that he wanted and if I needed him I would call." She shook her head. "Travis has hardly left my side, so Yual trusted him to protect me in his place."
"And where is he now?" Uncle Steph asked with a raised eyebrow releasing her and handing her the second staff.
"Gone to pack, he is leaving in the morning." She shrugged. "I pretty much had to shove him out the door to get him moving." She grinned as she began to circle her uncle, twirling the staff in her hands with ease, watching the way his entire body moved.
They started off easy, soft blows and parry's and working their way up to a full out duel, with hard blows that could break bones with one hit and hard kicks and punches.
Her sole focus was on her Uncle, ignoring the sweat that was building and beginning to run down her face. She lost track of time, of her surroundings. All that existed was the two of them, though she did catch the faint glimpse of a shield around the grotto to prevent anyone from walking in on the fight and getting hurt.
As she fought she felt her mind settle and calm completely, in a way that she hadn't been able to get while meditating, that Talia had set her to do. She felt her shields settle into all the correct places and strengthen to where they should be.
Her staff went flying out of her hands and she spun, kicking out at him and easily caught the hilt of the daggers he threw at her as he tossed his own staff and pulled his own daggers from his belt.
Her mind sharpened, and it felt like her mind had finally woken from the fog she had been in for months. Her mind was awake, aware of everything that was going on around her. There was a small group of people waiting out side the shield waiting to get in, none of them look particularly pleased at what they were doing. Though, Uncle Feren, Travis and Yual looked proud, and two people in dark grey uniforms looked intrigued and impressed.
"Enough, Tarsha." Uncle Steph panted and they both pulled back, sheathing blades and began walking in circles to cool down. "Feel better?" He asked her with a grin.
"Much better." She nodded and felt the shield go down. "Thank you, nothing better to get the mind thinking again then a duel with you."
"What were you thinking?" Dirk exclaimed as he strode in looking frightened. "You've only been out of bed four days."
"I was thinking about getting everything in my mind settled and my shields back in place." She shrugged, stopping and doing slow stretches. "Meditations only get me so far. Uncle Steph knows this, he knows my limits and his own."
"Impressive, how long have you been training?" The woman asked and Tarsha thought that she looked a little familiar.
"Two years, nearly three." Tarsha replied catching the towel that Uncle Steph tossed her and began drying her face. "I knew basics from my brothers and all the fights at the inn that we had to break up. Uncle Steph has been training me for about two years."
"You frightened us Tarsha, it looked like you were trying to kill each other." Talia spoke up looking a little strained.
"They always look like that when they really get into it." Uncle Feren grinned as he waved it off. "You've learnt well Tarsha, how is your sword work?" He asked.
"Sloppy." She sighed. "The sword just isn't for me, it's too long and too awkward for me to handle. Staff, dagger and bow are my best weapons."
"Who taught you Bow?" Travis asked looking a little surprised.
"Uncle Kern did with Uncle Redick." She grinned. "We had a really slow week, last year and wanted me to try it. Horse back or on the ground I can hit a target, but I'm not so good at hitting a moving target while I am on horse back."
"So you use weapons training as a help to focus when you are close to drifting?" Travis asked with a small nod in understanding.
"Yes, it helps, it calms my mind and sharpens it enough for me to refocus on what I have to do." She gave him a cheeky grin. "You do the same thing when you go for long rides with Hestia."
"We'll keep that in mind, for next time you seem to drift." Talia sighed with a small shake of her head. "Why didn't you tell Travis the truth?"
"I didn't want him to worry any more then he already was, and I knew that most of you would protest, that it was too much too soon." She sighed and straightened and stretched her hands above her head for a moment and then stood straight.
"Well you do look a lot more relaxed at any rate." Dirk shook his head.
"It's my way of relaxing, working off stress and having to think on one thing at a time with out anything else intruding." She explained and gave a small smile. "Or not thinking at all. Just live in that moment, nothing else matters but the next move you have to make and your opponent."
"Very wise and clever." A man with a scarred face nodded slightly. "But prefer, you do it in the Salle, I would. Accidents happen, better have some one nearly by in case."
"Especially when working with live steel." The woman added.
"We'll keep that in mind next time." Uncle Steph nodded in understanding.
"Your not coming back to the inn?" Uncle Feren asked in surprise. "We are heading back to base soon, we have a contract coming up." He looked over his brother. "What about your contract with Redick and the group?"
"It ran out three weeks ago." Uncle Steph shrugged. "Redick offered to renew it but I declined, been offered a new job if I want it." He winked at Tarsha. "Redick already knew that I was hesitating at renewing my contract, I'm tired of fighting stupid skirmishes. We've been doing this since we were seventeen, I'm nearly forty-five Feren. I need to find an apprentice or several to train before I break my mage oath." He sighed. "I need to pass on what I was taught, I can help teach the trainee mages here to fight like they need to be taught, especially with the magic fractured as it is."
"So you are going to train mages here instead?" Tarsha asked with a raised eyebrow. Does that mean I still get some of your time to duel?"
"When ever you need it." He nodded. "All the brothers have been thinking about retiring in the next few years. Trade has been good, but even Kern wants to start thinking about settling down soon." He chuckled at Feren's startled look. "Oh yes, 'you'll never tie me down' Kern is thinking about it." He pulled Tarsha in to a hug. " Most of us have been thinking about it seriously since we started visiting Home again every year, and seeing what Jacob has done and what he has accomplished."
"I'll tell him that you've made your choice then." Uncle Feren nodded slowly and sighed. "I wonder who he will leave to run the Demon Dogs when he retires."
"Don't have a clue, Feren, but just because we are doesn't mean you have to. You are his second after all." Uncle Steph said cheerfully. "Now Tarsha how are your shields? I felt them crumble just before we got started."
"Your shields fell?" Talia paled.
"At full strength." She smiled at them. "Uncle Steph taught me how to raise them and reconstruct them under all conditions. I'm best at redoing them when I am focused on a fight. It's a quirk I have." She shrugged.
"That's how I knew you weren't with Talia and Dirk." Travis sighed. "I felt you shields crumble and them anticipation that you only ever get when you are about to get into a duel with Uncle." He shook his head. "I wouldn't have bothered you but Dirk came looking for you."
"And it clicked what I was doing." She gave him a nod and sheepish smile.
"I know why you didn't tell me. I know I am a worry hen." He chuckled. "I had better get back to my packing." He gave them all a short wave and trotted off back towards his dorm.
"Is this really that normal?" Talia asked with a bemused look on her face watching as Travis headed off with out a care in the world.
"It is." Feren nodded. "They do it at least once a week, twice if the Inn has been really busy. We all have different ways of winding down up there."
"And what is yours?" Dirk raised an eyebrow.
"I whittle wood and mend clothes." He shrugged. "I tell you some times Mary is glad when I need to wind down, it gives her a chance to hand off all the mending to me." He looked at his older brother. "Steph duels and plays his harp, Redick makes arrows and makes Jewellery, Kern makes toys for the little ones, Griff fixes weapons, mends and makes armour."
"Do you just duel or do you have another way to wind down too?" The woman looked at Tarsha looking interested.
"I duel, ride, and tend horses and other animals. It's all calming to me." Tarsha shrugged. "I also weave blankets, read, mend leathers and riding gear. But the first three are what calm me down the fastest, especially when Travis isn't about." She heard Feren and Steph shuffle. "Alright I also train with the horses, doing tricks and what not." She scowled at them both.
"Tricks?" The scarred man asked.
"I stand on their backs while riding, do flips, handstands, I call it trick riding."
"And give everyone heart attacks while she is at it." Feren grumbled.
"It can be frightening to watch." Steph nodded in agreement.
"That's why I train the horses first, so they know what I'll be doing and I get their measure too." Tarsha shrugged. "It helps that I can talk to them, I don't fall that often."
"Well the duel seems to have settled you down, you feel a lot better then you did this morning." Talia nodded slowly, still taking in everything she had heard. "How are you going making your decision?"
"If I can work with animals and still get my weapons training, I'll stay." She said confidently. "I know Pa and James will understand, Ma might be a little upset. They'll have to get Wes to talk to the horses and let them know my decision, but I can always head back if I change my mind later." She nodded, slightly more to herself then the others.
"That you can." Dirk nodded in agreement. "I'll show you to the stables where you can work later, right now we are going to be late for a meeting."
"Oh damn." Talia swore and hurried off with Dirk following her, chuckling behing her.
"Your Kerowyn aren't you?" Tarsha asked the woman with a small smile.
"That I am, Eldan told me that you delivered my slap just the way I do." She grinned.
"Practice" Tarsha chuckled and looked at the scarred man. "That would make you Alberich?" He nodded sharply. "I've seen some of Travis's weapon's practices where you've both been training him." She explained as she picked up her fallen staff and handed it to Uncle Steph.
"You can see through your twin bond?" Kero asked. "It's the impression I was given."
"See, talk, pass images, some times feel what he is feeling." She nodded. "It started with just being able to feel a little what he did, then pass images to each other, then see through his eyes. Speaking to each other is a rather recent development."
"Must be pretty strong to do it at the distance you two were." Kero shook her head.
"We've always had a strong bond. The whole family does, well all us twins do anyway." She shrugged.
"How many of you are there?" Alberich asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Twelve kids all twins, plus twin nephews." She grinned. "Garry's twin is in Bardic at the moment, and Jessica's twin is in Healer training."
"Three heralds, a healer and a bard." Kero shook her head.
"Jessica is a Herald Mage Trainee." Tarsha added with a chuckle. "It's a rare gift in out family. Usually one in a generation is a Mage, some times it skips one."
"Impressive power in your family." Kero whistled impressed.
"Most of our family has some sort of gift, I'm just one that has the most, followed by Travis." She shrugged.
"That gifts does you family have?" Kero asked and took a seat on a bench.
"I'm due to meet with Elspeth, Tarsha, I'll catch up with you later." Uncle Steph waved and headed off with Feren right behind him.
"Later" She waved and took a seat, and watched out of the corner of her eye as Alberich also took a seat. "Well, I don't know what gift Ma and Pa have, but Ma always knows when some one is lying. James, he's the oldest, he's nearly twenty with Foresight." She started explaining. "He always lets us know when people are coming in and how many, or if something is happening to us younger ones. Then there is Devid, I don't know what he has. I don't think Jazmine has one, but we think Annabell is a Firestarter. Then there is me and Travis, I have Weather gift, Animal Speech, a small healing gift that I can use on myself and the animals but doesn't work on anyone else for some reason, I have a really tight twin bond with Travis and an emerging Mind speech gift. Travis has the fetching gift and the twin bond with me." She paused thinking. "Then there is Daniel, he has the Healer gift and a very, very small animal speech gift. He can hear them if he spends enough time around the animal, mainly his horse Gimpy. Then it's his twin Jessica who has the mage gift. Then Garry who has Empathy, his twin Karen who is has the Bardic gifts. The two youngest are only two nearly three so we don't know what they have, and then Annabell's children who are nearly two." Tarsha ticked them all off on her fingers.
"Very impressive family. It's not often we see so many gifts in one family." Kero blinked in surprise.
"That's not including the Uncles." She chuckled.
"How many of them is there?" Kero sighed.
"Six" She chuckled as Alberich groaned. "As far as I know only two of them that have a gift, one is Uncle Teven, he's a Herald and Uncle Steph who is a mage and Bard."
"Four Heralds, two mages, two bards and a healer." Alberich sighed.
"Your family must be very busy keeping track of all the gifts." Kero commented with a chuckle.
"Nah, they are easy enough. We have an inn that takes up all of our time." Tarsha shook her head.
"An Inn on top of all that?" Alberich blinked.
"We run and own Traveller's Rest up by Lord Deren's Keep." She nodded. "All those hands come in handy come winter. Especially with us kids getting chosen nearly every year."
"Amazing, I would never be able to keep track of everybody there, let alone customers." Kero shook her head. "Eldan said it was a lot like a mad house, he couldn't keep anything straight."
"We tend to do that to people." Tarsha chuckled, scratching Yual's ear as he approached her from where he had been sleeping in the sun. "When you are used to things like that it's easy. I spent most of my time with the horses, taking care of them as they came in, along with any stray animals and our own horses."
"You know a Kyree?" Kero asked looking surprised that the Kyree was accepting a scratch like a common dog.
"This is Yual, he's been with me for nearly two years. He's my protector or so he tells me." She chuckled as he flopped on to his back and she gave his stomach a scratch. "He's been with me since he was a pup, he didn't know what he was until last year. At the moment he is being taught by the other Kyree here in Haven. He is usually always with me unless there is some one he trusts with me, at the moment that is just James, Travis and Uncle Steph." She smiled at Kero's confused look. "He trusts my family implicitly, but those are the only ones that he trusts to protect if I need it."
"So he is a familiar?" Kero groaned a little. "My Grandmother's friend had a Kyree familiar called Wyrral."
"I guess he is, he says he is happy with me." She shrugged. "I've given up asking why he thinks I need protection, he doesn't know but knows I need watching."
"Is he Scholar?" Alberich inquired.
"Warrior." Tarsha shook her head. "Just like we have many types of jobs so do Kyree."
"I'd heard rumours about that, but I wasn't sure." Kero nodded in understanding.
"I wonder if the companions would mind if I took Sunset for a ride through the field." Tarsha mused looking out of the grotto.
"Feeling a bit restless?" Alberich chuckled.
"A bit, I haven't seen Sunset since I got here, she's actually Jessica's mare, but she was the only one with the most endurance to get me to Haven fast." Tarsha nodded.
"My Kantor says they do not mind, he also says the unpartnered wouldn't mind you looking after them either." Alberich informed her with a small smile. "Usually they have to wait until the volunteers have time to look after them."
"Well that will give me something to do." Tarsha chuckled. "That was my main job at the inn since I was old enough to handle a horse. Look after them, groom them, make sure they weren't sick or had stones." She let her eyes unfocus a little. :Sunset? Feel like a run?: She asked with a hint of anticipation.
:Run? Oh please?: Sunset returned longingly. :I've been cooped up in this stupid stall since we arrived…give me a few moments to work the latch…where shall I meet you?:
:Companions Field. They gave their permission for us to run here.: Tarsha replied with a silent chuckle. :Let me know if you need me to let you out.:
:Please, these latches even a mule could work.: Sunset snorted. :Be there in a moment:
Tarsha refocused and stood and stretched.
"So you going to get Sunset and take a ride?" Kero asked with a small smile.
"She's coming to me, she's letting herself out of the stall even as we speak." Tarsha chuckled. "She is used to being able to run free about the fields and the stables." They followed her as she left the grotto and stood in the field and looked up as they heard a loud whicker and the thundering of hooves…along with a lot of yelling. "Oh dear." Tarsha laughed as Sunset launched over the fence with ease with three stable lads chasing after her, yelling at her to stop. "Hey lovey." She greeted her and scratched her under her chin and stroked her neck.
"Good lines on her, good blood too." Kero looked over the mare with an experienced eye. "How old is she?"
"She's eight, my horse Jorna is eleven, she's faster then Sunset but can't run for more then four hours at full speed with out tiring. Sunset here can run at full speed for seven with out tiring." She patted the mares neck with pride.
:Run?: Sunset asked prancing a little.
"Yes Lovey we'll run." She chuckled and mounted with ease, with out the saddle. She got a good grip on Sunset's mane. "You two going to be watching?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, why?" Kero asked.
"I'll try not to give you a heart attack then." Tarsha laugh. "Let's go lovey." Sunset took off at a quick trot to get some distance between them and their watchers and then leapt straight into a gallop. Tarsha lowered herself to reduce wind resistance and laughed in sheer joy as Sunset went from a tense gallop to her full out speed on relaxed enjoyment.
They sped right passed two startled Heralds who were having a leisurely ride with their companion and leapt over a small group of Heralds in the middle of small picnic.
"Sorry!" Tarsha called back.
"Tarsh get back here with my mare!" Jessica's voice cried out in mock anger. "I want to say hello."
"Just a sec!" Tarsha yelled back as Sunset pivoted on her back legs and launched back towards her human, slowing down with each step until her nose was buried in Jessica's check.
"Oh how are you Sunset, I didn't know you were here." Jessica greeted her with pride and joy.
"Sunset brought me from home, we did the trip in just under four days at full gallop." Tarsha told her with a grin and slid off Sunset's back, as the mare hummed in pleasure getting a good scratch.
"That is impressive." Jessica looked at her mare with pride.
"Riding dawn to dusk at full gallop only slowing down near dusk, she's a beauty Jess." Tarsha nodded in agreement. "How is Sena?"
"Still apologising for getting me caught in that storm." Jess chuckled. "She said she'll properly next time she gets a warning."
"Well you can to no really harm, just a little wet and cold I heard." Tarsha sighed.
"More cold then wet really." Jess shrugged. "I didn't mind so much. I heard a rumour that Uncle Steph is going to be training Mages? Is it true?" She asked her eyes lighting.
"True." Tarsha nodded. "I told me nearly two hours ago. He's retiring from fighting and going into teaching, though he is still going to be dueling me." She grinned.
"I love watching you two duel, it's such a dance watching you two move." Jess sighed with envy. "I am not that good, even with the extra training I got from all the Uncles." She shook her head.
"Well at least you can fight with a sword." Tarsha laughed. "I can't."
"Really?" Jess asked in surprise. "I thought that was your best weapon."
"No, Staff and Dagger are my best." Tarsha shook her head.
"Why are Kero and Alberich looking over here?" Jess asked with a small frown.
"Oh they heard about my trick riding and I think they are waiting to see some." Tarsha shrugged.
"Oh, I've been practicing with Sena." Jess grinned. "It's comes in handy having to dodge arrows, or having to grab some one."
"That it does," Tarsha nodded in agreement. "I wish Jorna were here, it would be easier to do trick riding with Sunset and Jorna then." She sighed. "They are used to working together, like we are, and with Travis."
"What about Hestia?" Jess asked with her head tilted a little. "She dropped foal a few weeks ago and is going off tomorrow. I'm sure she would like to work off some nerves."
"Hmm…maybe…" Tarsha narrowed her eyes as she thought about it. :Trav? You busy?:
:Not really: Her brother's tone actually sounded a little bored. :Why what's up?:
:I want to do some trick riding, and the only other horse or companion I have worked with is Hestia with Jorna and Sunset.: She explained.
:Hmm, well Hestia is willing. I still have a few things I have to do, so I'll pop down when I am done if you are still at it.: He chuckled. :Have fun.:
:I will: She nodded to Jessica. "Hestia agreed, Travis said he'll come down in a bit." She turned as the companion mare approached. "Thanks Hestia." She stroked her nose as her chest was nudged. "I'll start off on you and them move to Sunset, as she has been doing this for years." She explained and grinned as Hestia nodded in agreement. "Just remember to keep a constant speed and keep steady, that's all you have to worry about." She gave Hestia a quick kiss on the nose and then mounted. "Ready Sunset?"
:Always: Sunset chuckled and they both took off, with Sunset a little in the lead until they were at steady canter.
Tarsha focused on the way Hestia moved, getting a feeling for her rhythm before, folding her legs up behind her, so she could slowly rise to her knees, caught her balance and then stood with ease in one smooth movement. She moved her feet carefully so she wouldn't hurt Hestia until one foot was in front of the other and her arms spread out for balance.
"Do the Bella spin!" Jess called out.
Tarsha took a deep breath and lifted one leg and lent forward a little and then, spun on one leg, up and over until she was standing on her other leg and ignoring the cries of horror and fright.
:You ready Sunset?:
:Yes.:
"Get ready to jump Hestia, I'll go to Sunset." She eased back on to both feet and heard cries of relief. "Three. Two…jump." Hestia leapt up, and Tarsha launched herself up into the air at the same time and tucked herself up tight, managing two spins before she landed astride Sunset's back, wincing a little at the impact. She turned on Sunset's back so she was facing backward and laid down, listening to Jess hooting in laughter and joy that Tarsha had pulled it off.
She waved as Travis appeared on the field and called Hestia over to him and pulled himself up on to her back and Hestia fell back into place behind Sunset.
"I think you just gave every Herald a heart attack dear heart." Travis chuckled "It's the first time I've seen you pull the double flip."
"I managed the tripped a few months ago but I fell and dislocated my shoulder and got a tongue lashing from Ma and Daniel so I agreed I wouldn't do the triple any more." She shrugged and turned again until she was on her knees again and did a handstand. She glanced to the side and saw that Travis was doing the same.
"Swap?" He asked with a cheeky grin.
"Sure, Sunset slow down until your level" Tarsha asked. They both waited patiently before titling to one side and swapped horses, both facing backwards. "I think that might be all I am able to do today." She sighed with a little disappointed. "I'm still a little out of shape."
"That's alright I don't think any of our watches could take any more." Travis chuckled and they swapped horses a little more normally this time. "I have a meeting to bolt to, I just had some nerves to work off." He grinned at her and Hestia took him off towards the palace.
"You have good balance." Kero noted, her face a little pale as Tarsha pulled up near them.
"I need it." Tarsha chuckled.
"I'll see you later Tarsh!" Jess called waving with a bunch of her friends before running off as bell went off. Tarsha waved back.
"Landing hurt?" Kero asked with a sly smile.
"Always does, the trick is to get your hands in place first, before the rest of you." Tarsha nodded shifting a little. "That way your hands take most of the weight not you hips." She pulled a face. "I didn't quiet manage that." She patted Sunset's neck. "I'm gonna go for a last run before heading back in. No doubt I'll see both of you when I go dueling again." She grinned at them and Sunset pivoted and bolted back across the field before Tarsha could say another word. "Sunset that was rude." She chided the mare, when she heard an amused snort coming from Kero.
:Run, need to run.: Sunset said impatiently.
"Run to your hearts content, lovey but I need to go in soon and I'll have to return you to your stall when I do." She warned the mare before settling back to enjoy the ride.
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Tarsha sighed as she sat at a desk in front of a window, finishing off her letters to her family and a letter for Wes to read to the Horses. Talia had not been impressed with the stunts she had pulled in the field and had let her know it when she had returned from court that night, and had confined her to their rooms until morning. Which meant that Dirk could show her the stables that she could work in that afternoon and had to be postponed until morning.
That morning Dirk had been called away by some trainee getting into trouble. She had been waiting for him to return every since. She was also trying to dwell on the fact that Travis had also left that morning.
She sealed up the letters, ready to be given to Uncle Feren when he returned to the Inn the next morning, with Sunset, though he said that all the Uncles would probably drop in on her before they headed back to base and would probably bring Jorna with them.
Uncle Steph was busy getting to know the Mage Trainees and the other teachers, so she couldn't spend some time with him.
She got up as some one knocked on the door and smiled when Leren grinned at her.
"Dirk sent me to show you to the stables, he's still tied up." Leren said as she pulled him in to a gentle hug. "I heard about your trick riding yesterday" He chuckled as he released her. "And Talia's temper afterwards."
"Yeah, well I think I frightened her." Tarsha flushed a little.
"I'm just glad I didn't see it, I would have been frightened myself." He shook his head as they stepped out of the rooms and headed down the hall. "Jerna told me all about it afterwards."
"I don't do it very often, just when I have too much time on my hands." She sighed. "I think after the tongue lashing I got last night I won't be doing it again. It's been a long time since I was grounded." She added a little sheepishly.
"Talia grounded you?" He asked in disbelief before bursting out laughing.
"Yes she did. Just for the rest of the day." She nodded. "She told me that she would rather me dueling with Uncle Steph with live steel then doing my trick riding."
"Heard about that too." Leren nodded. "I heard that it was rather impressive to watch."
"Lots of practice and training with wooden weapons." She shrugged. "I'm hopeless at sword work so we stick to staff and dagger." She blinked at the bright sun light as they left the colliguim. "So how long are you on sick leave?" She asked softly as they headed for a building that was on the edge of the field.
"Another few weeks, I'll be put back on Courier duty rather then circuit riding." He shrugged. "I won't be out that often that way." He glanced down at her. "I'll get a bit more time with you." He pulled her closed and wrapped an arm around her waist. "I am sorry about…"
"Don't Leren." She shook her head and rested it comfortably on his shoulder as they walked. "It was all misunderstandings. I would rather forget about it and concentrate on the now." She said softly. "What matters is that we are both here at the same time and have time to spend with each other." She sighed. "I know from what Dirk told me that the Heralds were all over the place and more often then not the pages could never track them down to the right spot. We were both hurt by it, thinking the other hadn't written. I really don't like to think of that time because I really wasn't myself."
"Think you will be able to join me for dinner?" He asked quietly as they stepped into the stable and she looked about, taking everything in.
"Leren are you asking me out on a date?" She asked with a small smile turning to face him.
"More like asking you in for a date." He admitted with a small smile of his own. "Dinner for two in my rooms."
"I'd like that." She grinned up at him. "I don't really have anything planned tonight, just dinner on my own as Talia is having dinner with the court and Dirk is catching up with some paper work."
"I'll pick you up from your rooms then at the dinner bell." He lent forward and captured her lips in a gentle kiss.
Tarsha melted into his body, enjoying being in his arms once again. A snicker broke them apart and they both turned to see a few companions walk into the stable looking at both of them in amusement.
"Oh leave off it." Tarsha chuckled at them. "This is the first time I've gotten him all by himself in over a week. Now since I know most of you wont talk to any one but your chosen when you get them, I'll give you a system that you can pass on to the others. Left hand side is for grooming and if your good a snack. Right side is for injuries, stones and what not." She told them all with her hands on her hips. "Just be warned that at some point I may have horses in here that need tending. Or even dogs. I am what I like to call an animal healer, so I'm sure you'll get used to it." She looked over the eight companions. "Questions? Complaints?" She asked with a raised eyebrow, she nodded as they all shook their heads. "Alright then, you all know which side to step into, if that's what you are here for, if not, feel free stand there and gawk." She grinned at them as Leren chuckled.
"I'll see you at dinner, love. I have a meeting with Alberich's blade." He sighed.
"I'll bring some massage oil with me then." She chuckled and kissed his cheek.
"That would be nice." He nodded, returned the kiss and left her too it.
"Just grooming today then?" She asked as she picked up a clean brush and checked it over carefully before starting on the first companion.
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Tarsha sat straddling Leren's back, rubbing the massage oil into his knotted and bruised muscles. That had already enjoyed the roast dinner that Leren had picked up directly from Mero's hands, along with a very nice apple pie for dessert.
"I would say from the pattern of these bruises that Alberich didn't think you were paying attention." Tarsha commented as he moaned in both bliss and pain as she worked out a knot.
"He had me spar against your Uncle Steph, with Staffs." Leren hissed a little.
"Sorry." She apologised as she hit a sore spot.
"Staffs are not my best point." He sighed. "I also think it was also a little friendly warning from your uncle"
"Oh?" Tarsha raised her eyebrow.
"Hurt her again and I'll pay for it, that and you are just as dangerous as he is with a staff." He looked over his shoulder at her. "So I had better not piss you off."
"Well that is a small point." She nodded in agreement. "You would be more likely to watch out for the rest of my family, especially James, he is better then me at the staff." She sighed. "Once I talk to them they'll leave you alone, for now you'll just have to be a brave man and face my family's wrath." She lent forward and kissed his shoulder. She put a little more pressure in to a few strokes on the small of his back. "How's that feel?"
"Blissful." He sighed happily.
"Good." She eased off him and sat down beside him, warming herself by his small little fire. "Hey!" She yelped as he tugged her down next to him and kissed her deeply.
Words of protest died in her throat as she melted into him, moaning in pleasure as his hands began to roam.