Disclaimer: Kamaria and the gang are mine. The concept of Valdemar and Heralds etc are not. Yup.

I had a weird dream the other night that I'm going to tell you about! Muahahaha! Right. So, in the dream, I was Kamaria, and it was the holidays. For some reason, my family was having dinner at the house I used to live in when I was, like, 6. So it was Kamaria plus modern world, sort of, except it was still in Haven.

I'd just gotten my Whites, and had gone to dinner, and this grandmother of mine was a real harridan. She was criticizing everyone up and down and somehow turned to me, and insulted me so my self-confidence shattered. At least, until Alain returned from his first circuit and he and Ramya and Sitara told me otherwise. It was odd.

But then I (as Kamaria still) had this really insecure moment, and I said something that I don't remember, but Alain was just like, "Shut up. I love you." And all was fluffy.

Then I woke up, and I was just like, "But I haven't written that far!"

Thoughts :Mindspeech:

Kamaria headed back to her room from the baths in the slightly drizzly mid-afternoon, absently whistling the edible-plant song Kyra had taught them as she strolled along the corridor. She was in a good mood today; the obstacle course for Equitation was being repaired, since some of the jumps had become unstable in the mud from the near-constant rain ever since Kamaria returned from the overnight, and for once, she'd finished her math in less than two hours.

Even Weapons hadn't been that bad, since the seemingly-invincible Kiril was recovering from a nasty cold and Kenan had worked on fine technique, giving tips on how to hold the sword, and subtle ways to improve stance. It had been fascinating, but above all, had left Kamaria with enough energy to face the rest of the evening-for once!

All I have left is that History paper, and that's not even due until next week, pondered Kamaria, as she meandered down the hall and opened her door, Perhaps I'll go see Sitara, or something-

Just then, Kamaria's musings were interrupted as she nearly slipped on a piece of paper someone had slid under her door. She picked it up and turned it over.

It looked like an invitation, and was addressed to: Lady Kamaria Chantrea.

All right then, thought Kamaria, raising her eyebrows, Must be from the Court. She cracked the seal and unfolded the parchment.

You are cordially invited to a welcome-home party for our Heir, Prince Jasen, who has recently returned from his journey to Hardorn, she read, her eyebrows slowly rising, Please dress formally. You may bring an escort if you choose.

Kamaria blinked as she went over the invitation again. "I don't even remember him leaving," she murmured under her breath, "Well, I don't have anything tonight anyway-wonder if Alain-"

Her thoughts were again interrupted by footsteps pounding down the hall. Kamaria whirled as they skidded to a halt in front of her door, and stared blankly at the sight of Herald Kenan, red hair slightly disheveled from his run, shirt half-open, and face panicked. "Kamaria, what are you doing tonight?" he said, so quickly the Trainee could barely make out the words.

Kamaria stared. "I got this invitation," she said, finally regaining her wits after a moment and waving the paper vaguely, "I don't have anything tonight, so I thought I'd go-"

Kenan grabbed Kamaria's hands in his, crumpling the invitation as he looked imploringly into her face. "I have to go to this-I trained Jasen in Farsight-but I really, really don't want to. The Court butterflies-" Kamaria's teacher shuddered extravagantly as Kamaria blinked in astonishment, still trying to catch up with events, "Please, please, please let me escort you, because I know you won't jump all over me."

Kamaria continued to stare blankly at her teacher. In the hallway, several of the other female Trainees were staring too-though, well, 'ogling' might be the best term for it. They saw Kamaria every day, after all, but a handsome red-haired Herald pelting down the hall was quite an unusual occurrence.

At long last, Kamaria's thoughts caught up with what was happening. "Of course I'll let you hide behind me," she said, with a smile at her teacher, "If you'll get Kiril to help me in Mathematics."

Kenan's shoulders sagged with released tension. "Anything!" he said, gratefully, "At swordpoint if I have to, just keep the butterflies away!"

Kamaria tugged at their conjoined hands, at last getting her teacher to release them. "Go get into your Formals," she said, taking on the 'teacher' role as Kenan looked up as if to thank the gods, "I'll-er, I turned in my Formal Grays-"

"My dear student, I don't care if you waltz in wearing a grain sack and a muffin smashed over your head, as long as I get to hide behind you," said Kenan, with a bow, "I'll-uh," he caught sight of the interested-looking Trainees, "Meet you at the bottom of the stairs, then!"

And, with speed Kamaria had rarely seen outside of Weapons, Kenan vanished from the hallway. Shaking her head gently and holding back a snort at the image of herself in a grain snack with a smashed muffin on her head, Kamaria turned to rifle through her clothes.

After a few minutes, Kamaria unearthed the blue creation of Yeleri's she had worn at Midwinter. "This will have to work," she muttered, holding it up to herself, "Even if it was made for winter, I'll just-what?"

The last word was directed at the small gathering of her fellow female Trainees, peering through her door. "Why do you get all the luck?" said Shalai, a dark-haired girl a year or so older than Kamaria, "You're lifebonded already, and now you get escorted by Herald Kenan?"

"I think that's the idea," said Kamaria, setting the dress down and moving to the door, "I'm irrevocably attached, therefore he can hide behind me. Good-bye."

With that, she shut the door firmly and turned to the dress on the bed.

About a quarter-candlemark later, Kamaria found Kenan at the base of the stairs up to the Trainee quarters. She had put on a necklace, but couldn't be bothered to do more, and had the invitation in hand. Her teacher was resplendent in Formal Whites, his strange sword at his side and his hair neatly pulled back. With a bow, he offered his arm to Kamaria. "May I escort milady to the party?" he said, courteously.

Kamaria snickered, spoiling the image. "If you're going to act like that, your shield is going to be laughing all night," she said, grinning, "What would Kiril say?"

"Probably something along the same lines, considering we used the same Courtly Graces book back when we were Trainees," replied Kenan, thoughtfully, as Kamaria took his arm and they turned to walk down the hall, "Then again, I see your point. Court chatter is officially off-limits, then."

"You know, with your-ah-problem with females, why don't you declare yourself shaych?" asked Kamaria, teasingly, as they walked down the maze of corridors. Kenan made a derisive noise.

"I'd have the opposite problem-all the shaych boys would then fling themselves at me, and then I'd be caught in a lie, have a huge Heraldic scandal, have the Court butterflies renew their assaults, and be forced to remain on Circuit for the rest of my days," her teacher replied, "And since I like hot baths and such, it would be rather an inconvenience." Kenan sighed extravagantly. "Not to mention my dear 'Lena quite enjoys having other Companions to talk to and would probably never speak to me again if I got myself into such a situation." Kamaria's teacher chuckled quietly.

"I can see your problem there," replied Kamaria, tapping her lips with a finger of her free hand, "And as for you, having no one to speak to would probably drive you mad in white linen."

Kenan outright laughed. "Too late, my dear Trainee," he managed through his snickers, "Unless you haven't noticed what I'm wearing, of course."

Just then, they turned the corner to the Great Hall, and the noise of the party spilled into the corridor. Kenan took a deep, steadying breath, both for calming his laughter and to ready himself for the onslaught of Court butterflies. Kamaria firmed her grip on his arm reassuringly, and the pair plunged in.

He really wasn't kidding about the Court butterflies, thought Kamaria, dazedly, after barely three minutes. It seemed every eligible-and some not!-female of the Court was attracted by the red hair and vivid blue-violet eyes. Kenan and Kamaria worked in tandem, with Kenan being polite for a moment or two, then Kamaria gently pointing them in the direction of other people who 'surely would not want to be left alone.'

"It's working," whispered Kenan, looking slightly more relaxed, "Some of them are seeing I'm 'taken,' so they're laying off. This isn't near as bad as usual."

Kamaria gaped at her teacher. "You-you mean this is a good­ day?" she squeaked, after working her jaw for several moments.

Kenan nodded glumly. "I told you they fling themselves at me, and if I even look at one by accident, they practically faint."

"…you're exaggerating," accused Kamaria, after a long moment.

A hint of Kenan's grin flickered around the edges of his mouth. "Somewhat," he admitted, "I need to say hello to Jasen. Do come with me."

Kamaria snickered. "And would I leave you to be mobbed halfway there?"

"Point," conceded her Farsight teacher, expertly turning Kamaria to block off a small group of approaching butterflies.

I wonder what you call a group of Court butterflies, mused Kamaria as they wound their way through the throngs of people, A…coquette, maybe? No, that doesn't sound quite right…

She asked Kenan as they took the back of the line welcoming the Heir home. "It's 'swarm'," sighed Kenan, "Though a coquette does indeed sound accurate."

"I didn't expect to see you here," came a voice from Kamaria's other side. She turned her head, looked up, and blinked at the sight of her father.

"Hello, Father. Oh-and Sivan, too!" Kamaria grinned at her elder brother, looking very smart in his Captain's uniform. "I'm shielding Kenan."

Garethe raised an eyebrow, and Kamaria realized he was waiting for her to introduce him-Garethe had met Kenan before, but Sivan probably had not. "Pardon me," she said, and maneuvered Kenan so her father and brother could see him, "This is Herald Kenan, my Farsight teacher. Herald, this is my father, Lord Garethe Chantrea, and my brother, Captain Sivan Chantrea."

Kenan bowed briefly, and the action was reciprocated by her brother and father. "I remember dueling you in the salle once," said Garethe, "About six years ago, if memory serves."

Kenan nodded. "I'd just returned from Rethwellan, then, and you were interested in the style I had learned," he remembered, briefly touching the hilt of his sword with his free hand. "I'm afraid I kidnapped your daughter for my own selfish reasons."

Both Garethe and Sivan raised an eyebrow, father and son mirroring uncannily. Kamaria held back a snicker. "You see, I have a slight problem with the Court butterflies," elaborated Kenan, "Trainee Kamaria is one of the few females I can trust not to fling herself at me."

Sivan sighed extravagantly, breaking the slight tension. "I wish I had that problem," he said to Kenan, "I'd love it if the girls flung themselves at my feet."

Kamaria took a quick look around, made sure no one was looking directly at her-not difficult, since the female population was thoroughly occupied with Kenan's profile-and kicked her brother in the shin. Her brother stifled a startled yelp. "And what makes you think we would throw ourselves at you?" she said, looking up at her older brother, "Especially if they knew you never put away your clothes or that you bite your nails or-"

Garethe coughed gently, reminding Kamaria that this was perhaps not the best time to bring in sibling rivalry. Kamaria blushed, looking down, but a sideways glance at Kenan showed her Farsight teacher was on her side and holding back laughter.

Sivan was looking chagrined. "It's not even like I can retaliate," he half-complained, "There's no chance Alain's ever going to leave you, and you lifebonded types are never interested in anyone else-"

"Am I interrupting something?" came a gentle male voice, and Kamaria suddenly became aware her gathering was at the head of the line to welcome the Heir.

She curtsied deeply, looking down as she fought to bring her blush under control, and stood as Kenan straightened from his bow. "It's been a long time, Herald Kenan," said Jasen with a warm smile, placing a hand on the redhead's shoulder, "May I inquire who your lady is?"

Jasen was several inches taller than Kenan, with dark hair and bright blue eyes. His face was strong, but handsome, and Kamaria suspected that he had his own devoted following of Court butterflies.

Kenan cleared his throat. "This is Trainee Kamaria Chantrea," he said, "My current student of Farsight."

"Chantrea…" said Jasen, tapping his lips with a finger in a gesture Kamaria herself often used, "The daughter of Lord Garethe Chantrea? Good evening to you as well, General." The Heir nodded his head to Kamaria's father.

"My eldest daughter," said Garethe, smoothly, "And this is my eldest son, Sivan, now a Captain in the Guard." As he spoke, Kamaria's brother bowed briefly, and stood at attention.

"It's an honor to have a Chantrea Chosen," said Jasen, lips parting slightly in a true smile, "And if she has your gift for strategy, we are doubly blessed."

"Oh, she has it," said Kenan, a smile flickering around his lips. Kamaria shot him a glare, but it completely failed to affect her teacher as he continued. "I've heard about her classes, and I remember walking in on one once, and I daresay she is as good as her father-all that is lacking is experience."

Kamaria was torn whether to be annoyed or utterly embarrassed, but blushed anyway. She knew better than to self-deprecate-Kenan was death on that, she'd tried once in Farsight classes and he'd come down on her like a ton of bricks-but had no idea how to respond.

"Who is your Companion, Kamaria?" said Jasen, ignoring the Trainee's confusion.

"Uh-Sitara," Kamaria stammered in response, and Jasen raised his eyebrows.

"Ah, yes, the little-well, not so little now, of course-racer," he replied, thoughtfully.

Kamaria regained her ground and smiled with pride in her Companion. "She's the fastest in the Field," she said, "I don't know about the Couriers, but she can beat the other Trainees' Companions in no time."

"Well, if she's that quick, we may just have to make you a Courier," said Jasen, with a smile.

"Farsight is useful for a Courier," said Kenan, helpfully. Jasen nodded in agreement.

"She'd be useful as a Guard-Herald as well," said Sivan, diffidently, and Kamaria stared at her brother in shock. "Farsight can scan the ground, and speed and agility are major pluses in scouts."

All right, who is that and what did he do with my brother? she thought, as Jasen immediately seized on the topic and began a spirited conversation about the pros and cons of various Heraldic Gifts in the field.

"You look overwhelmed," murmured Kenan in Kamaria's ear, as Garethe interjected something into the debate.

"A bit," she admitted to her teacher, glad for once that the two of them were both shorter than average-and thus, could get away with talking as others argued over their heads. "I've never met the Heir before, and he's just…"

She trailed off as Kenan smiled. "Didn't expect him to be so charismatic, mm?" he said, as Sivan and Jasen became more animated.

Kamaria shook her head, then recovered herself. "Well, with you for a teacher, how could he not be?" she said, putting a hand on her hip and drawing herself up to look her teacher nearly in the eye. Kenan laughed.

"Well, he also has King's Own Meriel for an aunt, and she's charismatic to the bone," he said, "Actually, she was my mentor on Circuit, since of course she wasn't King's Own then. And since his mother died when he was born, she-the King's Own, that is-practically raised him."

"I see," began Kamaria, but was interrupted by a light touch on her arm. Her father was smiling, and nodded towards Jasen and Sivan, who had wandered off a bit to the side, the Herald using his hands to demonstrate some point and Sivan nodding as he watched carefully.

"The two of them seem quite occupied," he said to Kenan and Kamaria, "Shall we leave them to their debate?"

The party had gone on quite late, and though it had looked to go past midnight, the Heralds had circumspectly vanished. After even the Heir had left, though the other nobles looked quite oblivious, Kenan had suggested that Kamaria retire early and escorted her back to the Trainee rooms. After a wash, Kamaria reclined on her bed, leafing idly through a book as she waited to become drowsy.

As she paused to read a chapter that had caught her eye, Kamaria yawned, and-

It wasn't a scream, as such, but it sent Kamaria straight to her feet, book tumbling to the side, then, before she knew it, pelting out her door and down the hall.

No one else seemed awake, but Kamaria didn't dwell on it as she skidded around a corner in her bare feet, flung open the common-room door, and darted across, dodging tables at full speed. It didn't occur to her to wonder where she was going until she slammed a door open, sending it rebounding hard against first the wall, then her outstretched hand as she paused briefly in the doorway, before she leapt across the room to grab Alain's shoulders and shake him.

Alain's hair was damp with sweat, she noticed dimly, as she continued shaking him, but she got no further chance to muse on such things as Alain awoke with a gasp and voiced aloud whatever had been in his nightmare-"-ia!" he shouted, swiping at the air and hitting Kamaria in the neck.

The physical contact served to orient him, and he stopped dead, staring blankly at Kamaria. "But-they had you-" he said, confused, "And-and-Ramya!"

"Shh, shh!" said Kamaria, loosening her grip on his shoulders and pulling him close, "Don't shout. Ramya's in Companion's Field. You can check on her if you like."

This was voiced in a soothing tone, since Kamaria's younger sister Aysel, when younger, had suffered nightmares and had come to burrow into her sister's bed. Sometimes even then, she would wake in the night screaming, and Kamaria would need to soothe her.

Alain's hands reached up and took hold of the back of Kamaria's nightshirt, clutching at it like a child as he shook. "She's there," he said, with audible relief, "She's sleeping. And you-they had you, how did you escape?"

"It was a nightmare, Alain," said Kamaria, still in the same low, soothing tone, "I'm all right. I've been in my room, and before that I was at the welcome-home for the Heir with Kenan, my older brother, and my father. I'm fine."

Alain was still shivering, and he buried his face in Kamaria's shoulder, clutching her as if he thought she would slip away. Kamaria rubbed his shoulders, gently. "Want to talk about it?" she said, shifting on the bed to make herself more comfortable.

"They had you," said Alain, voice muffled in the cloth of Kamaria's nightshirt, and Kamaria wondered vaguely who this nebulous 'they' were. "And Ramya. Th-they were going to k-kill you, and-and I couldn't move, I was j-just standing there, and th-they were laughing at me!"

The last was said in a choked sob, and Kamaria surmised this nightmare had been particularly vivid. She brushed the surface of his mind and, finding it open to her, linked in very lightly to start calming him down. "Sounds bad," she said, "I hate that kind of nightmare. You can't do anything, but they're hurting the ones you love."

Kamaria could sense that Alain was relaxing, slowly, and continued to talk. This time, she changed the subject. "I met Herald Jasen tonight," she said, conversationally, "He's quite friendly. Actually, he seemed to like Sivan a lot-they had quite an interesting debate, from what I saw, and both seemed to be enjoying themselves. I really hope Sivan isn't sent to the front anytime soon, you know."

Alain was calming even more by the moment, and Kamaria continued to talk on about any topic that came to mind. "Herald Kenan and I are of the opinion that a group of Court butterflies should be called a coquette. What do you think, mm?"

"Sounds-accurate," said Alain, pulling back slightly to look at Kamaria, "Gods-did I wake you up?"

Kamaria guessed that Alain had missed most of the first part of their conversation, such as it was. "No, I was awake," she said, letting her arms fall, slowly, "I was reading."

Alain nodded. "Did I link you-did you see any of the nightmare?" he continued.

Kamaria shook her head. "No, but you gave this sort of mindscream-I heard that, and next thing I knew, I was here."

Alain was staring at her. "But-Ramya didn't hear it," he said, in confusion, "She's sleeping."

Kamaria, about to say something, paused and thought about this. After a moment, she frowned. "Does she usually hear you?"

Alain nodded, slowly. "We've been together almost three years now," he said, with some confusion, "But you and I-gods, barely half a year."

"Well, I wasn't particularly shielded…" Kamaria let the sentence trail away.

Alain was silent for a moment. "I think we should talk to our Companions about this," he said, eyebrows contracted slightly in a frown. "Tomorrow…do you still have a free period after lunch?"

Kamaria thought for a moment. "I have dishwashing tomorrow, but I can probably swap Tara-I covered her when she had that History essay to finish."

Alain nodded. "Do that," he said, "And…thanks." He raised his eyes to Kamaria's, and took one of her hands. "That dream was…hellish."

Kamaria turned the hand he was holding and clasped his in both her hands. "It was nothing," she said, with a smile, "Go to sleep, and dream better dreams."

She leaned forward and kissed Alain, lightly, then stood and returned to her own room and to her own dreams.

Aw. That was cute. I enjoyed writing that chapter a lot! Even if it did get stuck halfway through and refuse to get written.

Anasazi Darkmoon: Believe me, it's embarrassing to go back and see how crappily I wrote then. Yeesh. And K'Chona is an actual Clan, yes! You'll find out about the shields, and as for the water, it is significant, but you'll have to figure it out for yourself!

Dark Hermit Kaelin: Dead in the black, my friend, dead in the black.

Lady Easalid of the Stars: It's not Foresight. Almost the opposite, actually. (HUGE HINT RIGHT THERE!) But…no, it's not in any shape or form related to Alain.

Love all of you, hope you enjoyed-see you next chapter!

Fireblade K'Chona