A/N: I am finally back and able to update again. For those who are reading this story, with mouse slips inserting chapter of my Naruto fic in by accident and irregular updates; my heart goes out to you. You have to be some of the most patient readers on this site!!! Over break, I read over all of my Valdemar books to correct the common complaint in my reviews about Alberich being out of character. While he is not acting the way that he normally does, my reading brought up several times that he does not act the way that his character is depicted as. I would like to cite some of those specific incidents as the basis for my version of Alberich in these stories

Exile's Honor: His argument with Kantor about fighting and his practices with Myste and frustration there, his fishing trip with Selenay, and when he is talking to Myste and the other soldiers to relax even on their way to battle. Mental battling with himself over what has been going on in Karse.

Exile's Valor: The joking between Alberich and the other Heralds and him at the Midwinter festival and relaxing while on the undercover work with Myste.

Arrow's Fall: The talk with Talia at the practice where she loses her temper at him after fighting with Kris and Dirk.

Take A Thief: His interaction with Skif. Also, the fight with Vatean and the mistake he made while trying to help Skif.

However, whether you agree that he in character or not, fear not. The controversy will end once the journey is over and the mission in truth begins, when Alberich will go back to being more traditionally Alberichish.

He had thought about the mission all throughout their journey, but not really thought much about the mission itself until that afternoon as he was shining blades during a rest stop that they had taken to let the packhorses, strained by the Companions normal pace, take a rest, and allow the riders to stretch their own legs. But this was the first time that he had been outside of Haven and the Collegium properly since -

Since the Tedrel Wars came the answer from a familiar voice in the back of his mind. And the distinctly female tone let him know that it was not Kantor speaking. Myste.

Come to think of it, this would have been the first time that Myste would have left Haven since then as well. A warm, rather flattering feeling began to creep into his limbs as he stretched, knowing how much they had come to trust him if they were willing to let him go on a mission on this with three rather important Heralds as far as the Queen was concerned.

And be honest you're concerned as well. Although, next time you decide to take on the Queen's Own and her Companion, remember that I will feel those bruises as well! If it were not for Rolan's warning before Talia lost control, I would have be resembling a rug rather than a horse!

He snorted at Kantor's comment, mentally cringing a bit since he knew his Companion was right. Still, this must be much like the sort of internships most of the young Heralds made when they received their Whites. Although, he knew he would never have made such a journey if there had not been such a pressing need.

And a lack of Holderkin Heralds as well. Let's not forget that. Although, to be honest, Karsite is about as close as anyone can manage to Holderkin without being one. Have you talked to Talia yet?

This last was from Myste and he looked over at where she was gathering small rocks along the edge of the stream. Why Alberich could not imagine, but fortunately, it left him out of range of her Truth Spell abilities

This morning. Some interesting information she had for me. Told you had she yet?

About the Lifebond. Yes, and I argued with her until I was blue in the face, knowing she was right, and what's more, knowing when it started. I hate to admit it, but you seem to be more sensible about it. I take it you think she's right.

Yes, but Rolan in my case helped a bit. he added, hoping that would be enough an explanation of this morning's incident.

Yes I heard about that, and the dry amusement in her voice left Alberich sure that she had heard the story straight from the horse's, or in this case Companion's mouth.

Well, maybe it was a bit unsensible he admitted with a smile, and then stretching ,warmed up a short stabbing sword, which fit his hand quite well. Being Weaponsmaster would be one thing that he would miss at the Collegium, but he had three very motivated students, who he was sure would help him keep in fighting trim with his own extra practices. Hopefully it would be enough until after the mission was over. Or until they needed to fight in truth. But for now, it was a sunny day, and he needed to stretch his legs. That was the point in this stop after all. And with a sharp humorless smile in Myste's direction, he Mindspoke to the Herald Chronicler.

Come here for a minute, m'lady. I need someone to help me stretch my legs.

It had begun as a routine evasion drill, which suited Myste's weapon of choice; escape. He pushed, forcing her to practice the basic self-defense skills he had taught her in case she was cornered, and then to find a path circumventing him, imitating a scenario where her only means of escape was blocked by a person. There were other techniques that they went over for fire and inantimate objects. It was about the fifth manuever though when Alberich blundered. He had overestimated their distance from the bank, and as he stood blocking the "doorway" between two trees, he had expected Myste to reply with her standard cover. When she stopped and grinned fiendishly though, he had become confused, and was about to reprimand her for not following the drill when her foot swept out, and catching him off balance behind the ankles, sent the Weaponsmaster head over heels into the stream behind him. Sitting in the ice cold water, Alberich gasped, and then began to chuckle at his foolishness. After all, he had ignored the maxim he taught all his students by, and as he pulled himself to his feet, slipping on the riverstones, he repeated it to himself, through teeth gritted in frustration at the cold, ignoring the three laughing Heralds who stood higher on the bank.

No plan survives the first engagement.

Well, Talia and Skif still needed to practice, and as he went to change into a fresh set of clothing, he kept repeating that to himself. With a shiver as he left the tent, he smiled grimly. Nothing like a bit of practice to warm up after a cold shower.