Disclaimer: Seriously, must I do this anymore? Very well...I don't own Velgarth, the concepts of Heralds, etc. I own Kamaria and Alain, however, and Garethe and so on. If you steal them, Ramya and Sitara shall bite you.
Muse responsible: He's not very responsible, but we all love Krathnae, don't we? –glomps muse-
I got to see Riverdance! It was AWESOME! I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!
-eyes impatient-looking, murderous readers-
Er. I'm SOOOOOO sorry this chapter took so long! It would not get written, no matter how I beseeched it! It ground to a halt on page 4, and after that high school got in the way, and then I was blocked, and-and-now it's now, and it's LATE!
Well, here we go! -changes subject- Thoughts :Mindspeech:
Welcome to the chapter that would not get written!
Kamaria and Alain were awakened rudely the next morning by someone knocking-no, pounding on the door. Kamaria leapt to her feet and yanked it open as Alain tried to remember where he was.
A young servant stood there-a boy of about thirteen, barely out of page's uniforms-hand raised to knock on the door again. "Go see your father now, miss!" he stammered, voice panicky, "Hurry!"
Kamaria didn't pause to change-something in the boy's tone told her she had no time-she just threw on a robe, grabbed the first slippers she saw, and bolted for the Palace. The few people up at this hour-before the morning bells had even sounded-jumped out of the way of the Trainee as she sprinted towards her father's quarters. Skidding around a corner, Kamaria stopped and threw the door open, and looked around. A few moments later, Mandel came in behind her, panting slightly with the sprint.
Garethe was pacing back and forth. Sivan was sitting on the edge of a chair, entire body tensed, and a courier was slumped on the couch.
"There's been an assassination attempt on Mother," said Sivan, voice tight and stretched.
Kamaria felt the world fall out from under her. Mother? Dead? But-
Someone caught her as her knees went to jelly-one of Garethe's men-at-arms, Jare, and supported her towards a chair.
"She isn't dead," said Sivan, "But she's close-it was poisoned."
"We have to go home," said Mandel, immediately. "We have to get there-we have to pack, and-"
"No," said Garethe, his voice strange. He cleared his throat and said in a somewhat steadier tone, "No. You three must remain here, continue your training-I will go. I'll take Firefox," Garethe continued, referring to his own warhorse, "He'll get me there fast-"
"No," said Kamaria, fiercely, rising to her feet. The shock was over-her mind was strangely clear. "You'll take Sitara. She's the fastest Companion in the Field-she'll get you there in half the time Fox would take."
:Won't you?: she pleaded with her Companion.
:Of course,said Sitara, as fiercely as Kamaria had, :Your mother may be a flutter-head, but she's still your mother. Get him out here now. I'll be saddled.:
"But-she's your Companion-"said Garethe, derailed. Kamaria shook her head.
"She's said she'll take you. You won't be stopped, you won't be challenged, you'll be resupplied without a bribe, since she'll Farspeak the Companions at the Guard-stations along the way," said Kamaria, relaying the information Sitara was giving her.
Garethe didn't argue. He turned to go into his rooms. "Just take your cloak and gloves, Father," said Kamaria, voice firm, "You won't need anything else-and the less you have, the faster she'll go."
Minutes later, the Chantrea family was hurrying towards Companion's Field-Garethe in the lead, Sivan, Mandel, and Kamaria close behind, and Kavin and Jare following as well.
Sitara appeared out of nowhere, seemingly, and stopped right in front of Garethe. "She'll direct herself," said Kamaria, as the small mare looked Garethe up and down, "Don't try and control her in any way."
:Tell him that if I go off the road, I'm taking a shortcut,: said Sitara, and Kamaria relayed it. :I'll speak to you, Chosen-get Ramya and Alain to boost you at sundown. We'll stop then for half a candlemark. We'll also stop at dawn for a few minutes, at noon for a few minutes-the rest of the time, he'd best be prepared to sleep in the saddle.:
"Use Firefox for your equitation lessons," said Garethe to Kamaria, "He knows you. Kavin, Jare, keep a close eye on my children-if they are harmed-"
Mandel's face went pale, as did Sivan's-they hadn't thought an assassination attempt would target them. Kamaria couldn't go paler than her skin already was, but she shuddered. "I'll stay close to Alain and the Heralds," she promised, "If I want to be alone, I'll go to Companion's Field-no one will be able to get through them."
:I hadn't thought of that-I'll speak to the Grove-born about it when we stop,: said Sitara, her mindvoice now worried.
"Go!" said Kamaria, and Garethe mounted.
As soon as he was settled, Sitara took off over the few inches of snow remaining, a smooth lope to get Garethe used to her paces. Kamaria, Mandel, and Sivan watched them go. As Sitara drew out of sight, Kamaria closed her eyes, Mandel whispered, "Gods speed your way," and Sivan put an arm around each of their shoulders.
They stood that way for quite a while, until a voice said from behind Kamaria, "You're ruining those slippers, you know."
Kamaria looked down and realized with a start that her-no, Alain's slippers had been soaked through. Moreover, Alain was the one speaking.
"I'm sorry," she said, "But Mother-"
"Sitara told Ramya, who told me," replied Alain, stepping up to the empty side of Kamaria and looping an arm around her waist, "She's still alive."
Dimly, Kamaria could sense Sitara reaching the outskirts of Haven and stretching into her fastest pace..."Thank the gods, she is," she said, somberly, and was drowned out by the morning bell.
"I have duties," said Sivan, after a moment, "I shall see you later, my sister." Releasing her, Sivan turned and walked away, leaving his younger siblings behind him.
Mandel looked Kamaria up and down, and clicked his tongue. "Kamaria, your slippers are soaked," he said, reprovingly, "Get her inside," he added, to Alain. "Both of you get in before you freeze to death. Kavin, which of us are you going to be following?" he added, looking at his father's manservant and bodyguard.
Kavin shook his head, drawing out of his reverie, and said, with a mock-bow, "You, my lord Mandel," he said, trying to lighten the situation with some humor.
The Healer-Trainee nodded approvingly and waved to Kamaria before breaking into a light run, clearly intent on getting inside.
The next few days were hazy to Kamaria, minor behind the worries about her mother. She didn't even mind being tailed by Jare whenever she went outside or to the Palace-or the close watch kept on her by the Companions and other Trainees when she went to the Field. Sitara had reached the Chantrea fortress in four days-a record, but Kamaria was too concerned about Amaya, flutter-head though she was, to really notice.
Alain and Ramya patiently boosted her to Sitara each night, but all she could tell them was that Amaya wasn't dead. Kamaria's Companion had exhausted herself, and told the other three that she wasn't going to return for about a week, or until she had recovered properly. Even worrying about her mother, Kamaria insisted that Sitara remain where she was until she recovered.
Kamaria didn't like it much, though, being this far from Sitara. It was...disconcerting, to say the least, to have her Companion this far away from her, and being mostly unable to Mindspeak her save when Alain and Ramya gave her a boost. Her father's warhorse, Firefox, looked very odd on the equitation course amidst the other Companions-and Kamaria felt odd herself, perched atop the large, powerful creature. I must look like a doll, she thought wryly to herself one equitation lesson, guiding the dun patiently to the obstacle course.
"Kamaria, bring Firefox over the medium-obstacle course," ordered the Equitation master. Kamaria gulped-she'd only brought the warhorse over the easy one, and not having the close mental link she was used to put her off-balance. Alain had Mindspoken to Firefox on Kamaria's behalf, yet Kamaria couldn't shake the impression that Firefox only barely tolerated her.
But he responded to the light touch of her heels as Kamaria brought him to the beginning of the obstacle course. She ran over it in her mind-the jumps, tight turns, and so on-and took Firefox to a lope, then a gallop.
This was a mistake. Kamaria had ridden Firefox at a lope before, but the warhorse's full-out charge felt like riding an avalanche, wild and uncontrollable. But Kamaria took the proper position in the dun's saddle, aiming him for the first jump.
Firefox soared over it as easily as Sitara would have done, but his landing jarred Kamaria. Gritting her teeth, the Heraldic Trainee clung on as she directed Firefox around a set of barrels, then over another jump.
By the end of the obstacle course, Kamaria felt as if she had been trampled by Firefox instead of riding him. She had somehow managed to set wrong for every jump after the first one, and his landings had pounded the breath out of her. His gallop wasn't nearly as smooth as a Companion's, and that had thrown Kamaria off as well. Each step, even at the walk Firefox obediently dropped to, seemed to jar Kamaria. And she could swear the Equitation master was holding back a smile.
"I don't think you like me," she accused Firefox, "I think you're only tolerating me because your master told me to. Well, and Alain talked to you."
Firefox flicked an ear at Kamaria, and she growled under her breath in exasperation, but stopped as abruptly as she had begun. It wasn't Firefox's fault she was on edge, and Kamaria knew that very well. "I'm sorry," she said, patting his neck, "I shouldn't take this out on you."
Firefox, though he was merely a horse, somehow managed to look long-suffering and patient. Kamaria muttered under her breath, but scratched along Firefox's crest anyway.
Her next class was Strategy, and Jare, when he wasn't watching Kamaria, had taken over that class until his lord returned. To Kamaria's embarrassment, he called on her often even when she didn't raise her hand.
As usual, that day spun past in the usual haze of worry about her mother, and Kamaria really only regained her conception of time when she went to Companion's Field to wait for Alain.
He was in Equitation, so Kamaria waited for her lifebonded and his Companion to finish by wandering aimlessly around the Field, waving absently at Companions she knew.
Preoccupied, Kamaria didn't notice she was being followed, until-
Someone said her name behind her. Kamaria whirled-and saw Earl Frethatsa, dressed in a dirty tunic and breeches. Plainly, he had only just finished a job, and he hadn't even put the pitchfork away. Kamaria's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here?" she spat.
Once, the Earl had frightened her-terrified her. Now, Kamaria was a Heraldic Trainee in her own right, a proud member of the Chantrea house, and on her own ground. When the Earl spoke, it was in his customary sneer.
"So you and your lifebonded have quite the cushy little life, don't you? You rebelled against your mother, and defy me-why, I am fourth cousin to the King!"
Kamaria stiffened. "I suppose I did rebel against my mother," she said, in a quiet, even tone of voice, "But I still love her. She is my mother, after all. As for being fourth cousin to the King, I really could not care less. I am a Heraldic Trainee-that is enough."
The Earl stood still for a moment, then continued to talk. "You're a pretty thing," he said, taking a step closer. "You were pretty before, but now you've grown. Grown quite a bit."
A flutter of alarm passed through Kamaria's middle, and she fervently wished for Sitara. But if a noble wanted to engage her in conversation...
She'd never hear the end of it if she ran, from her mother or from her aunts. The Chantreas would be looked upon as being rude, especially if the Earl talked-and Kamaria wouldn't hear the end of that either. The Chantrea reputation might be tarnished-ridiculous, but true. Kamaria steeled herself. "I've grown two inches," she said, politely, taking a small step backwards.
The Earl's smile grew nastily as he saw Kamaria become slightly discomfited. "It's your fault I'm mucking out stables," he said, "You and those bloody Heralds."
Kamaria saw the opening and grabbed it. Thank the gods, he half-insulted the Heralds! An opening!
"When you have done as much for Valdemar as the Heralds, you may insult them," Kamaria said, drawing herself up.
The Earl spat scornfully. "It's your fault in any case," he interrupted, grip shifting on the pitchfork. Kamaria tensed, but as she did-
A Companion meandered up a few feet away from her-not one Kamaria recognized, but the young stallion looked at the Earl and leaned down to nibble at the grass, casually. Kamaria became aware of several other Companions wandering closer to her, seemingly by chance, and never coming closer than ten feet, but even so, the Earl's face went a nasty shade of gray.
"You haven't heard the end of this," he spat, and turned.
Kamaria shivered as the Earl left, and jumped with an undignified squeak as someone tapped her on the shoulder.
"It's only me," said Alain, raising his hands slightly, "Sorry we're late. Was that the Earl?"
Kamaria nodded. Alain's eyes narrowed. "Did he threaten you?"
"Not directly," said Kamaria with another shudder. When she thought of how the Earl's grip had shifted on the pitchfork...the way his eyes had narrowed, and the undertone of anger in his voice...
To her surprise, Alain put his arms around her and drew her closer. "It's all right," he said, "As long as you stay in the Field, the Companions will look out for you. See?"
Kamaria nodded against Alain's shoulder. "I saw," she said, her voice slightly muffled. Dropping into Mindspeech, she Broadcasted, :Thank you.:
She received no response, but hadn't really expected one. "So, shall we?" said Alain, shifting so his arm looped around Kamaria's waist, "Let's see how your dear Companion is doing."
:Probably eating your father out of house and home,: said Ramya, her voice tinged with amusement. Kamaria chuckled as the three of them headed towards the trees.
In one of the clearings, Alain dropped to sit against a tree. Hesitating for a moment, Kamaria sat next to him, and Ramya lay down within arm's reach of Alain.
Physical contact always made linking easier, at least for Kamaria and Alain, so she waited as Alain laced his fingers in Ramya's mane and took her hand. Closing her eyes, Kamaria breathed steadily, opening her mind.
:Ready?: said Alain, touching his mind to hers. Kamaria Sent a feeling of assent, and he and Ramya-well, pushed was the only way she could think of it-Kamaria to Sitara.
:Sitara?: said Kamaria, hoping her Companion wasn't asleep.
:Yes?: replied the mare, the link made rather tenuous by distance.
:How's everything?:
:Well, your father's been very generous in feeding me, I've been napping a lot, and having you boosted to me saves on my energy,: Sent Sitara, :As for your mother...your father came down here to talk to me earlier. Seems he knows rather a lot about the Heralds, sensible man. Anyway, your mother opened her eyes today. The poison's gone from her system, according to the Healer-thank the gods your family's generous enough to base a Healing Temple on their estate-but she's still too weak to talk.:
Kamaria exhaled slowly in relief-as far as Sitara had been able to tell her, the poison, whatever it was, weakened the victim to the extreme. However, if the victim regained the strength to open their eyes, there was a good chance of recovery. :That's wonderful,: she said, :Anything else?:
:Well, the Healer's working on getting her strength back, but since the poison's flushed from her system it's mostly a matter of time,: said Sitara, :I think I'll be able to start the return journey in a few days.:
:Are you bringing Father?:
:No, he's going to stay with Amaya until she's feeling better, so I suppose your Strategy classes will be on hold for a week or two. He'd be much obliged if you sent Sivan home, if that's possible, but he says to hold that off until I get back so you can send Firefox to him.:
Kamaria didn't reply, instead Sending her relief down the bond. :Don't overstrain yourself, dearling,: she said to her Companion, Mindvoice warm, :I miss you, but I want you home when you're ready.:
:I'm ready to come home now, but I'm still tired,: replied Sitara, with equal warmth, :Besides, your father's stablemen are extremely generous with the grain, and I never have a shortage of younglings wanting to bring me treats!:
:Just like you, to want to stay for the food,: teased Kamaria, :I should go before poor Alain and Ramya start getting a reaction-headache.:
:Love you, Chosen,: said Sitara, and broke the connection. Kamaria rose out of her trance, blinking, and waited for Alain and Ramya to emerge.
"Good to know your mother's all right," said Alain, stretching, "And I, for one, intend to follow Sitara's example."
Kamaria quirked an eyebrow at him, wondering what he meant. Alain grinned. "I'm going to go eat the entirety of the Collegium's kitchen!"
Torn between laughter and wanting to defend her Companion from the teasing, Kamaria smacked Alain's head.
-huge sigh of relief- I am so glad I finished that chapter! It would absolutely not get written, no matter what I did! Reviews are muchly loved, my dear readers!
Speaking of which...thanks to: (first two copied from author's note)
Shahanna: Garethe was watching. He's a bit too creaky to learn acrobatics at the moment, whereas Rhi is only about 26. He's going to hang around Weapons for a while, the reason shall be revealed in later chapters.
Blade of Fire: Er...do I have a stalker? –points to name- Anyway, about your fluff-no-action-comment, action is on the way! It's just meandering through the chapters with a la-di-dah attitude. Rest assured, I've got two definite plans of action, one of which won't be for a bit, but the other could probably be mobilized next chapter. IF I felt like it. (Nah, just kidding!) And see, there's action there!
Queen's Own: Er...who came in really isn't important. Probably one of the other Trainees. –shrug- I may work it in, but maybe not.
Lurks in Shadows: -meeps- Here's your chapter! -hides behind Sitara-
Blade of Fire: Maaaaybe! The acrobat is rather pretty...but still, it's only a maybe!
Anonymous: Er, yes, it was metaphorical, as a matter of fact...
Huntressam: Garethe decided not to go on the ride with them, because Kamaria explained the Companions would leave his horse in the dust. It says it there somewhere.
Anyway, thanks for reading, and please REVIEW!
-Fireblade K'Chona