Disclaimer: Hmm. I liked my disclaiming haiku. See last chapter for it.
Muse responsible: Krathnae! And I believe he would like to say a few words.
Krathnae: Firrrsst of all, I would like to thank you for enjoying this ssstorry. I have enjoyed helping Firrreblade wrrrrite it, and I apologize for the delay. Thank you all forrr rrreading and rrreviewing so faithfully!
Fireblade: And thank you, Krathnae. He is now officially forgiven. And now, in a break from normalness, I will put the review-responses at the top instead of the bottom. Probably only for this chapter, though.
And see if you can spot my token St. Patrick's Day Irish word! (I am part Irish...and my sis's birthday is on St. Patrick's Day...)
Today you get French Chocolate Silk pie with whipped cream and sprinkles and toppings of your choice!
Queen's Own: Well, methinks that military genius does just run in the family...or at least, from Garethe to Kamaria. I really doubt it's more sinister. Allow me to outline her for a moment, just for everyone's information:
Kamaria is very good in Weapons, Riding, History, and strategy, as demonstrated. Since she is a noble, she is also well-educated. However, she is always forgetting to shield (and I'll expand on that more later, I guess) and she can't write an original story to save her life. (Well...unless it was about a battle, but that's different.) Kamaria's self- esteem is lower than usual, and she's very sensitive, but methinks Alain will steady her and keep her balanced. Ta-dah!
Hawk Sister: Thank you for forgiving me.
Joeystar: I know you probably haven't read this far yet, but the "moon" reference is...um...*frowns*...let me ask Krathnae. *asks*
He says it's because she looks like his vision of a moon goddess-pale skin, pale hair, silver eyes. And possibly her power waxes and wanes with the moon, but that might just be blarney spouting out of my mouth.
BrokenSkye: Haikus are collections of three lines, the first 5 syllables, the second 7 syllables, and the third 5 syllables. There are variations, but that's how I learned 'em. The timeline is after Van dies and before Lavan Firestorm. And Karse is acting up, so there probably will be a battle/war thing. Whether or not Kamaria is involved in it is another question, but her father certainly will be. And I have read By the Sword. Very good book, that one.
Songwind: Next conflict? You'll just have to wait and see!
Cookxenya: Elftown is at w w w dot elftown dot com. (And my name there, originally enough, is Fireblade K'Chona.)
Prettykittyoreo: Yup, he's taken. Ramya has his soul, and Kamaria has his heart.
...
Wait! HE'S SOULESS AND HEARTLESS! AAAAH!
Not! Heehee. And I think I'll just shut up now.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --
Kamaria was in Weapons again, and this time, Alain was coaching some of the younger Trainees in one corner of the room. As Kamaria drilled in a pattern-dance with her year-mates under the eye of the Weaponsmaster, she kept up a cheerful rapport with Alain, at the request of the Weaponsmaster.
Weaponsmaster Rhi had asked the Heraldic Trainees with active mind-Gifts to see if they could Bespeak while fighting, which was the reason for the chat. Most of the Trainees were talking to their Companions, but Kamaria had chosen Alain.
:I see your hair still isn't dry,: she teased as she whirled and spun with her pot-metal practice blade, grinning at him as she flashed past him.
:I am no longer speaking to you, O Undignifier,: replied Alain with mock- solemnity.
:You know you love me,: said Kamaria, laughing slightly in her mind, :And there are two white horses out there who would only be too happy to back me up.:
Alain considered this as he corrected a young staff-fighter's posture. :On the whole, I would rather not have to do with such teasing as only two Companions can constantly maintain. You are officially forgiven, then.:
:Thank you.:
:But no, I'm still not dry. At least, my hair isn't.:
:The look on your face when you emerged from the Terilee...good thing I'm quick,: continued Kamaria as she slashed and feinted with an invisible opponent, straining to move still faster.
:Otherwise you would be soaked, and your hair would still be dripping.:
:Now, that's not nice. Would you throw a girl into the river? A helpless, innocent noble?:
:You would be helpless once you got into the Terilee, but if you listen to the testimony of two white horses, you are by no means an "innocent,": bantered Alain back.
Kamaria almost choked. :That was NOT fair.:
:I know, I know. But we're even, now.:
:Not if those "white horses" ever find out about this...: said Kamaria.
"Halt! Break mind-contacts!" shouted Rhi. Kamaria obediently halted her pattern-dance and broke off the contact with Alain as best she could.
"Now that you're nicely warmed up..." said the Weaponsmaster, to another chorus of groans. "Time for some fun. You, and you against me."
Rhi found a sword and picked it up, weighing it in his hand. "Time for your first lesson in teamwork."
Kamaria wandered over to the benches as the two other Trainees started their bout against the Weaponsmaster. It didn't take long for the Weaponsmaster to set them both back on their rumps, even at half-speed. As they blinked up at him, Rhi said, "Fairly good at the beginning, but after that, you stopped moving as a team. Remember to stay just far enough away from each other that you don't trip, but close enough to harry me from both sides."
Turning, the Weaponsmaster called, "Alain! Come over here. I need a demonstration."
Alain obediently halted the staff-fighters and picked up a blade, coming over. "Yes, Weaponsmaster?"
"You've done double-on-one fighting before, and Kamaria's a natural, so I think she can do this," said the Weaponsmaster, beckoning Kamaria over. "If you mind-link, I believe you can show these others how to team up."
Kamaria glanced at Alain, who shrugged. "You can mind-link, I presume?" said Rhi, sharply, at the hesitation.
Alain raised an eyebrow and said, in a tone that was just a hair from being insolent, "We're lifebonded. Of course we can mind-link."
Kamaria opened her shields and met him halfway, bringing their minds lightly together, now able to hear Alain's thoughts rather superimposed over her own.
"Ready?" said the Weaponsmaster.
Both Alain and Kamaria nodded, moving a bit away from each other and moving into "attack" position.
The Weaponsmaster attacked with no warning at Kamaria. Kamaria spun out of the way and let his momentum carry him towards Alain, who was ready for him as she whirled behind him and struck at his back.
But Rhi had the reflexes of a snake on hot tin, and moved nearly as fast. He struck Alain's blade and whirled to face Kamaria, slashing towards her left, where her guard was sloppier than on the right.
Kamaria couldn't block the stroke, but Alain, Sensing exactly what she had in mind, whirled in and managed to block the attack as Kamaria struck towards Rhi at shoulder height.
The Weaponsmaster ducked and spun, knocking Alain's blade from his hand. Without even thinking, Kamaria whirled in front of Alain as he flung himself after his sword, bringing her own rapier up to clash with Rhi's.
Rhi reversed his sword with what seemed supernatural speed and struck at Kamaria's midriff, but she managed to leap ungracefully out of the way as Alain came up, sword in hand.
[I don't think our thoughts are close enough,] worried Kamaria as she whirled behind Rhi as he parried Alain's blow and struck back. Alain heard the thought and allowed her to bring their minds closer as he distracted Rhi.
Alain's thoughts now mixed with Kamaria's, still as if from two different people, but closer than they had been before.
And Kamaria still wondered if this was enough, for Rhi now spun and attacked her.
They were still moving as two separate people, she realized.
Weaponsmaster Rhi was too good to be beaten by two students moving separately, mindlink or no mindlink.
[We will have to move as one,] thought Kamaria, relaying it to Alain-not needing active Mindspeech as she dove after her own flying blade, knocked out of her hand as she had been distracted with the thought.
[We'll have to drop the last of our barriers against each other,] argued another part of her mind.
Kamaria picked up her blade and rolled onto her feet, and told that part of her mind to stuff it.
Both opened their minds still further, closer than they had ever dared link before.
And they clicked.
Alain and Kamaria stopped being two separate minds and merged into one. Their movements changed as they became two bodies operated by one mind- Alain's usual style of moving in fast and sharp motions acquired some of Kamaria's usual grace, and Kamaria's dancerlike set of movements became more directed and purposeful.
[This is incredible,] thought Kamaria-or was it Alain? Their minds were so merged, it was difficult to tell who was who-but that was the point.
The two attacked eerily in unison, the bodies controlled not by one mind, but by two-as-one.
The Weaponsmaster, caught off-guard, frantically tried to defend himself as Alain's trained weaponry skill, both in his merchant Clan and after, and Kamaria's natural ease with the rapier combined in one fluid attack.
He could not defend himself against the onslaught of one mind moving in two bodies; after a few moments of the clash of swords, Rhi went down and surrendered.
Kamaria and Alain halted, both breathing heavily, staring at each other, oblivious to the applause of the rest of the class.
After a few moments of fumbling, they separated their minds with a jerk and stumbled backwards, away from each other. Kamaria tripped and went down on her back, but rose quickly, regaining her composure.
"I am not sure how you did that," said Rhi carefully from the ground, where he had adopted a lounging position, "But that, class, was a perfect example of a two-on-one attack.
:What in hell was that?: came Sitara's voice into Kamaria's mind.
:No idea,: said Kamaria, her head turning to look at the wall, where Sitara stood on the other side.
:It felt for a moment-like I was bound to both you and Alain, like I'd Chosen both of you, but there was still only one bond,: continued Sitara, fumbling for the right words.
:It was creepy,: chimed in Ramya. :There were two of you, except-you were just one. Sort of like Sitara and I had Chosen the same person, except- not.:
:You realize this is making no sense whatsoever?: demanded Alain, adding in the side-thought of :Shields, Kamaria.:
Kamaria brought up her shields to the rest of the class, but kept them fully open to Alain, Ramya, and Sitara.
"Four laps around the salle, Alain, Kamaria," said Rhi, "You need to cool down. Outside."
This was the usual cool-down, and Kamaria and Alain obediently trotted out the door and began to jog around the salle, Alain shortening his long strides to Kamaria's speed.
The Companions were standing on the side of the salle with the window, staring at them as they rounded the corner.
:What would you say happened?: asked Ramya, finally.
Kamaria and Alain glanced at each other before returning their gazes to the ground before them as they jogged.
:Um...: said Kamaria, :I think we merged minds.:
:That was obvious,: said Sitara, :But that was not a normal merging.:
:It felt like we became one mind for a while,: Mindspoke Alain, slowly, :I didn't have much time to contemplate it, because we were preoccupied with the practice, but both of us were in control of both bodies. I started to move like Kamaria for a while, and she started to move more like me. It was...different.:
Kamaria mulled over this as they finished the first lap, wondering what was next. :What class do you have after this?: she Sent to Alain.
:Actually, no classes, but I'm going to help the Equitation-Master with a short class. Shouldn't take more than half a candlemark.:
:Hmm. I'm free until a candlemark before dinner, when I've got chores,: replied Kamaria. :So that'd give us...about...a candlemark and a half or so.:
:Companion's Field?:
:Of course.:
The two finished their laps in silence and went back into the salle. Alain continued his staff-fighting coaching as Kamaria rejoined her year-mates. The rest of Weapons continued with no more special incidents, except that, possibly in revenge for the trouncing Kamaria and Alain had given him, Rhi beat Kamaria and her unmindlinked partner with insolent ease.
"Payback," he said, simply, grinning down at Kamaria as he stood over her in the "kill" position. Kamaria sighed and yielded, not being able to help smiling back at him.
-------------------------------------
That was interesting. Next chapter: Possibly explanations, but I might just be mean and let you figure it out on your own.
Just kidding.
Reviews are loved!
~Fireblade K'Chona
Muse responsible: Krathnae! And I believe he would like to say a few words.
Krathnae: Firrrsst of all, I would like to thank you for enjoying this ssstorry. I have enjoyed helping Firrreblade wrrrrite it, and I apologize for the delay. Thank you all forrr rrreading and rrreviewing so faithfully!
Fireblade: And thank you, Krathnae. He is now officially forgiven. And now, in a break from normalness, I will put the review-responses at the top instead of the bottom. Probably only for this chapter, though.
And see if you can spot my token St. Patrick's Day Irish word! (I am part Irish...and my sis's birthday is on St. Patrick's Day...)
Today you get French Chocolate Silk pie with whipped cream and sprinkles and toppings of your choice!
Queen's Own: Well, methinks that military genius does just run in the family...or at least, from Garethe to Kamaria. I really doubt it's more sinister. Allow me to outline her for a moment, just for everyone's information:
Kamaria is very good in Weapons, Riding, History, and strategy, as demonstrated. Since she is a noble, she is also well-educated. However, she is always forgetting to shield (and I'll expand on that more later, I guess) and she can't write an original story to save her life. (Well...unless it was about a battle, but that's different.) Kamaria's self- esteem is lower than usual, and she's very sensitive, but methinks Alain will steady her and keep her balanced. Ta-dah!
Hawk Sister: Thank you for forgiving me.
Joeystar: I know you probably haven't read this far yet, but the "moon" reference is...um...*frowns*...let me ask Krathnae. *asks*
He says it's because she looks like his vision of a moon goddess-pale skin, pale hair, silver eyes. And possibly her power waxes and wanes with the moon, but that might just be blarney spouting out of my mouth.
BrokenSkye: Haikus are collections of three lines, the first 5 syllables, the second 7 syllables, and the third 5 syllables. There are variations, but that's how I learned 'em. The timeline is after Van dies and before Lavan Firestorm. And Karse is acting up, so there probably will be a battle/war thing. Whether or not Kamaria is involved in it is another question, but her father certainly will be. And I have read By the Sword. Very good book, that one.
Songwind: Next conflict? You'll just have to wait and see!
Cookxenya: Elftown is at w w w dot elftown dot com. (And my name there, originally enough, is Fireblade K'Chona.)
Prettykittyoreo: Yup, he's taken. Ramya has his soul, and Kamaria has his heart.
...
Wait! HE'S SOULESS AND HEARTLESS! AAAAH!
Not! Heehee. And I think I'll just shut up now.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --
Kamaria was in Weapons again, and this time, Alain was coaching some of the younger Trainees in one corner of the room. As Kamaria drilled in a pattern-dance with her year-mates under the eye of the Weaponsmaster, she kept up a cheerful rapport with Alain, at the request of the Weaponsmaster.
Weaponsmaster Rhi had asked the Heraldic Trainees with active mind-Gifts to see if they could Bespeak while fighting, which was the reason for the chat. Most of the Trainees were talking to their Companions, but Kamaria had chosen Alain.
:I see your hair still isn't dry,: she teased as she whirled and spun with her pot-metal practice blade, grinning at him as she flashed past him.
:I am no longer speaking to you, O Undignifier,: replied Alain with mock- solemnity.
:You know you love me,: said Kamaria, laughing slightly in her mind, :And there are two white horses out there who would only be too happy to back me up.:
Alain considered this as he corrected a young staff-fighter's posture. :On the whole, I would rather not have to do with such teasing as only two Companions can constantly maintain. You are officially forgiven, then.:
:Thank you.:
:But no, I'm still not dry. At least, my hair isn't.:
:The look on your face when you emerged from the Terilee...good thing I'm quick,: continued Kamaria as she slashed and feinted with an invisible opponent, straining to move still faster.
:Otherwise you would be soaked, and your hair would still be dripping.:
:Now, that's not nice. Would you throw a girl into the river? A helpless, innocent noble?:
:You would be helpless once you got into the Terilee, but if you listen to the testimony of two white horses, you are by no means an "innocent,": bantered Alain back.
Kamaria almost choked. :That was NOT fair.:
:I know, I know. But we're even, now.:
:Not if those "white horses" ever find out about this...: said Kamaria.
"Halt! Break mind-contacts!" shouted Rhi. Kamaria obediently halted her pattern-dance and broke off the contact with Alain as best she could.
"Now that you're nicely warmed up..." said the Weaponsmaster, to another chorus of groans. "Time for some fun. You, and you against me."
Rhi found a sword and picked it up, weighing it in his hand. "Time for your first lesson in teamwork."
Kamaria wandered over to the benches as the two other Trainees started their bout against the Weaponsmaster. It didn't take long for the Weaponsmaster to set them both back on their rumps, even at half-speed. As they blinked up at him, Rhi said, "Fairly good at the beginning, but after that, you stopped moving as a team. Remember to stay just far enough away from each other that you don't trip, but close enough to harry me from both sides."
Turning, the Weaponsmaster called, "Alain! Come over here. I need a demonstration."
Alain obediently halted the staff-fighters and picked up a blade, coming over. "Yes, Weaponsmaster?"
"You've done double-on-one fighting before, and Kamaria's a natural, so I think she can do this," said the Weaponsmaster, beckoning Kamaria over. "If you mind-link, I believe you can show these others how to team up."
Kamaria glanced at Alain, who shrugged. "You can mind-link, I presume?" said Rhi, sharply, at the hesitation.
Alain raised an eyebrow and said, in a tone that was just a hair from being insolent, "We're lifebonded. Of course we can mind-link."
Kamaria opened her shields and met him halfway, bringing their minds lightly together, now able to hear Alain's thoughts rather superimposed over her own.
"Ready?" said the Weaponsmaster.
Both Alain and Kamaria nodded, moving a bit away from each other and moving into "attack" position.
The Weaponsmaster attacked with no warning at Kamaria. Kamaria spun out of the way and let his momentum carry him towards Alain, who was ready for him as she whirled behind him and struck at his back.
But Rhi had the reflexes of a snake on hot tin, and moved nearly as fast. He struck Alain's blade and whirled to face Kamaria, slashing towards her left, where her guard was sloppier than on the right.
Kamaria couldn't block the stroke, but Alain, Sensing exactly what she had in mind, whirled in and managed to block the attack as Kamaria struck towards Rhi at shoulder height.
The Weaponsmaster ducked and spun, knocking Alain's blade from his hand. Without even thinking, Kamaria whirled in front of Alain as he flung himself after his sword, bringing her own rapier up to clash with Rhi's.
Rhi reversed his sword with what seemed supernatural speed and struck at Kamaria's midriff, but she managed to leap ungracefully out of the way as Alain came up, sword in hand.
[I don't think our thoughts are close enough,] worried Kamaria as she whirled behind Rhi as he parried Alain's blow and struck back. Alain heard the thought and allowed her to bring their minds closer as he distracted Rhi.
Alain's thoughts now mixed with Kamaria's, still as if from two different people, but closer than they had been before.
And Kamaria still wondered if this was enough, for Rhi now spun and attacked her.
They were still moving as two separate people, she realized.
Weaponsmaster Rhi was too good to be beaten by two students moving separately, mindlink or no mindlink.
[We will have to move as one,] thought Kamaria, relaying it to Alain-not needing active Mindspeech as she dove after her own flying blade, knocked out of her hand as she had been distracted with the thought.
[We'll have to drop the last of our barriers against each other,] argued another part of her mind.
Kamaria picked up her blade and rolled onto her feet, and told that part of her mind to stuff it.
Both opened their minds still further, closer than they had ever dared link before.
And they clicked.
Alain and Kamaria stopped being two separate minds and merged into one. Their movements changed as they became two bodies operated by one mind- Alain's usual style of moving in fast and sharp motions acquired some of Kamaria's usual grace, and Kamaria's dancerlike set of movements became more directed and purposeful.
[This is incredible,] thought Kamaria-or was it Alain? Their minds were so merged, it was difficult to tell who was who-but that was the point.
The two attacked eerily in unison, the bodies controlled not by one mind, but by two-as-one.
The Weaponsmaster, caught off-guard, frantically tried to defend himself as Alain's trained weaponry skill, both in his merchant Clan and after, and Kamaria's natural ease with the rapier combined in one fluid attack.
He could not defend himself against the onslaught of one mind moving in two bodies; after a few moments of the clash of swords, Rhi went down and surrendered.
Kamaria and Alain halted, both breathing heavily, staring at each other, oblivious to the applause of the rest of the class.
After a few moments of fumbling, they separated their minds with a jerk and stumbled backwards, away from each other. Kamaria tripped and went down on her back, but rose quickly, regaining her composure.
"I am not sure how you did that," said Rhi carefully from the ground, where he had adopted a lounging position, "But that, class, was a perfect example of a two-on-one attack.
:What in hell was that?: came Sitara's voice into Kamaria's mind.
:No idea,: said Kamaria, her head turning to look at the wall, where Sitara stood on the other side.
:It felt for a moment-like I was bound to both you and Alain, like I'd Chosen both of you, but there was still only one bond,: continued Sitara, fumbling for the right words.
:It was creepy,: chimed in Ramya. :There were two of you, except-you were just one. Sort of like Sitara and I had Chosen the same person, except- not.:
:You realize this is making no sense whatsoever?: demanded Alain, adding in the side-thought of :Shields, Kamaria.:
Kamaria brought up her shields to the rest of the class, but kept them fully open to Alain, Ramya, and Sitara.
"Four laps around the salle, Alain, Kamaria," said Rhi, "You need to cool down. Outside."
This was the usual cool-down, and Kamaria and Alain obediently trotted out the door and began to jog around the salle, Alain shortening his long strides to Kamaria's speed.
The Companions were standing on the side of the salle with the window, staring at them as they rounded the corner.
:What would you say happened?: asked Ramya, finally.
Kamaria and Alain glanced at each other before returning their gazes to the ground before them as they jogged.
:Um...: said Kamaria, :I think we merged minds.:
:That was obvious,: said Sitara, :But that was not a normal merging.:
:It felt like we became one mind for a while,: Mindspoke Alain, slowly, :I didn't have much time to contemplate it, because we were preoccupied with the practice, but both of us were in control of both bodies. I started to move like Kamaria for a while, and she started to move more like me. It was...different.:
Kamaria mulled over this as they finished the first lap, wondering what was next. :What class do you have after this?: she Sent to Alain.
:Actually, no classes, but I'm going to help the Equitation-Master with a short class. Shouldn't take more than half a candlemark.:
:Hmm. I'm free until a candlemark before dinner, when I've got chores,: replied Kamaria. :So that'd give us...about...a candlemark and a half or so.:
:Companion's Field?:
:Of course.:
The two finished their laps in silence and went back into the salle. Alain continued his staff-fighting coaching as Kamaria rejoined her year-mates. The rest of Weapons continued with no more special incidents, except that, possibly in revenge for the trouncing Kamaria and Alain had given him, Rhi beat Kamaria and her unmindlinked partner with insolent ease.
"Payback," he said, simply, grinning down at Kamaria as he stood over her in the "kill" position. Kamaria sighed and yielded, not being able to help smiling back at him.
-------------------------------------
That was interesting. Next chapter: Possibly explanations, but I might just be mean and let you figure it out on your own.
Just kidding.
Reviews are loved!
~Fireblade K'Chona