ML owns it all I just ramble here
chapter seven
Walking in to the sally with my smaller bundle I spied Terry working with Char on throws. I move over to sansei sorry I am late Del ambushed me in the dining hall and made me promise to talk to herald Holt.
He looks at my hands are those some of the blades your father made?
I wish to give a set to Terry and thought that I should check with you first to see if they would be a good fit with her blade work.
We move to his office and I unwarp them pulling out the sword. I hand it to my teacher hilt first.
His hand spins the blade in a blur great balance, good length for her reach it might be the best blade she will ever hold are you sure you wish to part with it?
I have three swords I wish to give one to Terry, Char, and keep the last for me they are all identical. They will also come with a set of throwing knifes and a long dagger.
He looks in my eyes. I will have some practice blades made for you three. Can you leave the set here so I can get the size and weight right?
I pull out the throwing knifes next and then the two long knifes setting all but one of the long knifes on the table. I hand Sansei the blade with two hands first touching the blade to my fore head. As his hands touch the blade words pour out of me. When your need is great may your blade drink deeply.
Looking me in the eye he touches the blade to his lips when things are most dire let my blade do my speaking.
The shock showed on my face. Where did you learn the proper response?
One of the monks spent some time in the eastern empire though I am told it loses something in the translation. You are not the only one learning new things we are all students in this life. He pats me on the back lets head out to class. He knows that you never thank someone for the gift of a sharp blade he makes a mental note to talk to Terry before his Ra gives the sword and knifes to her. When do you plan to give Terry the blades?
As soon as you wish her to use live steel Sansei.
Soon then he tells me looking out into the future with a blank face. You three will start working with the practice blades next week I will make sure they are here by then even if I have to make them myself.
My two friends look at us as we come back to the sally without the bundle puzzled looks on their faces no one knows about the knifes but Sansei and Val. Soon I am working them so hard they both forget about them till dinner that night.
As he predicted the swords were ready and a week later the long knifes were done. we had been working with the swords for five weeks now and I was picking it up very fast. I was as good as Terry and she had five years with the sword. char looked like a clumsy child at play in comparison to me. I could see the look of determination on her face at class both my friends were working much harder after seeing my meteoric rise. Sansei rubbed the class's noise in how fast I picked it up.
Sansei brought in an expert with throwing knifes telling the class he didn't want to teach me any bad habits. He was a strange man non-descript but his hands blurred and his knifes always found their marks. He never gave me his name so I just called him teacher I only had one Sansei. He worked with me for six weeks and just like that he was gone.
Things went along time passed and it was almost the 4th of July or as close as I could tell in this world the year was slightly shorter only 338 days a year. I had spent some time figuring out the proper date with Terry and Char and then told Herald Halt the corresponding day. Everyone thought I was working off a different calendar they just didn't know how different.
The door slams open and my two best friends come rushing in a candle in char's hand Happy Birthday they both yell in a soft whisper it is still a candle mark before I get up every day. False dawn is just starting as they pull the blanket off me. It just so happened that my birthday fell on a rest day this year I had my suspicions they fudged the days a bit but how was I to know I figured in my mind it will always be the 4th and that's all that mattered to me.
Come on get up Del and Kyle will be here before you know it. Terry and Char were proud of their selves somehow they talked Halt into spring me for the day.
Armed with my long knife and throwing knifes strapped on I took out my bag of gold Char's eyes almost popped out of her head as I counted out twenty pieces.
How much is in their?
Terry gives her a dirty look. That is none of our business Char.
Terry's father was a minor noble but Char's father was a hard working Cartwright what I had in that pouch was a small fortune to her. Looking at Char I told her that it was part of the moneys left to me from my family's sale of the farm.
Char looked a little distraught I'm sorry Ra I didn't mean to bring you down especially today.
I pat her arm, it's all good. Let's head out and get the four footers ready.
Del had suggested we leave the companions at the palace but I had told him that Val has as much right to a day out as me we were going for a nice long run to the farm that the crown maintained first then we would stop at the inn for lunch before hitting the shops on the way back. I had no intention of wasting one minuet of my jail brake.
We made it out of the gate just as the sun was coming up. The streets were empty all you heard was the chime of five companion's hooves hitting the cobblestones. As we cleared the gate Val broke into a cantor and the others joined in chase. There is nothing more graceful as a companion as they move threading between the few people and wagons in the street you could never do this unless it was so early in the morning. We made it to the outer gate in under a hour what took us almost five hours by wagon the first time I made the trip filled me with surprise the distance was not great it was the press of people that kept us to a crawl on the first trip.
Finally the outer gate, hold on Ra.
Val shot out of the gate like an arrow from a bow. Before I knew it we were going the fastest I have ever riding on Val my hair was steaming strait back. Faster love go faster.
We started to pull away from the rest of the group only Griff was keeping pace. Faster Val as I sent silent laughter to my sole brother.
I felt a strange pulling from the back of my eyes and Griff fell behind too.
I felt a tapping on my shield opening my door I hear Kyle's voice.
Ra slow down stop using your gift!
What are you talking about? Val always listening in the background drops out of his gallop to a trot and the others soon catch up. The feeling in my head stops.
Kyle pulls up beside me. When did you start using your fetching gift?
Looking at him like he was crazy, what?
You were helping Val to move faster pulling him along not many have a gift that strong to be able to move all that weight for that long. Are you even tiered?
No I didn't think I was doing anything it felt like a slight tug on the back of my eyes but no pain.
Terry was shaking her head and Char mumbles, sounds about right only Ra.
Kyle was all set to head back and start working to see if this new development was a freak or my channel had opened up all the way.
No Del told him as he was getting all worked up. We have enough power to keep her in check if something should happen, no reason to ruining her first day out in a year.
As we were heading back from the farm with a few hard to get herbs for cook I looked at my best friend. Are you having a good time?
Every day is a good day if I can spend it with you Ra.
Well brother mine I have gold in my pocket and all the venders in front of us you tell me what to get lovely.
Can we get sugar cubes Ra?
I stroke his neck. Of course love. Ask your friends if they would like some too.
Four heads turn my way and their heads bob. Their Heralds eyes going blank as they all talk with their partners, Kyle laughs out loud that's very nice of you I just got an ear full on how I could be more considerate like Ra. You are making me look bad Selene thinks I take her for granted the first time you go out you gets gifts for Val I was reminded that she got a carrot after my first trip to the venders.
We pull up to the vender a man in an expensive tunic. Dismounting I move to negotiate. How much a pound?
He looks down on me with a haughty smile a silver trainee. He had learned that anyone in gray could be a prince or a theft however the ones in the custom grays tended to be the noble witch means the ones with moneys.
If I buy in bulk can you do better?
Looking at me with more concentration how much are we talking about?
I looked at Val how many trainees and un-partnered companions do we have now?
Val falls out of my link with him like when he is talking to other companions. 103 have trainees 30 have not yet gone on search.
Doing some quick math in my head one gold is worth twenty silvers I look at him, six gold for 150lbs.
The price should be seven gold ten silvers at the price he quoted me.
Seven gold five silvers he counters.
Smiling inward Six gold five silvers I watch his eye twitch.
He looks at the two heralds with a grimace then back at me a nine year old, seven gold.
Done, I will take five pounds now and you can deliver the rest to the companion's barn later today. I look at Del, who should he talk to?
Rolth is in charge of the barn.
He hands me the five bundles with twenty cubes in each I give them to my friends and look at Kyle, can you talk with Rolth and make sure each trainee gets a pound with the rest held for the unpaired. I would like to keep it anonymous most trainees cannot afford this just let them know that it was a gift from one of their number maybe it will inspire some of the high born trainees to do something similar.
Kyle looks at me. Del and I will talk to Rolth when we get back I am sure he will be happy to parcel out your gift however you know they will find out you have three of the biggest gossips in the field right here. Ross, Star, and Griff dropped their heads.
Val gave me a wink it will be the worst kept secret in haven but they all will pretend they don't know. His silver laugh plays in my head.
If I ask them not to say anything do you think it would help?
Val shakes his head sorry Ra one of them will slip that why Ross won't even try he knows unless its life or death he will just slip there are others in the field who will not stop until they find out who it is they will go to every companion and ask and as you know we can't lie mind to mind all they have to do is ask any evasion will only tighten the net until it comes out.
Fine I say out loud three companions look away not meeting my eyes. I guess it's true no good deed goes unpunished.
HA HA HA Val is whinnying the other snort as he tells them what I said.
We made two more stops as Val chewed on his second treat. I bought ten lengths of died yarn and two knitting needles I had learned while in Afghanistan. Then we moved to the lining shop I was going to try my hand at needle work I had never tried it so I only got a few shades of white and grays some silvers and some very expensive gold with a yard of royal blue for a background. Two hoops 12in in diameter one fitting inside the other with clips to hold them together and a pack of needles.
The shadows were getting long and the day had flown by. Kyle is there an alums house on the way back to the gate?
The twain temple is just down the lane he points to a lovely temple with two statues one on each side of the double doors.
I pull my money purse out when we get to the steps I look at my friends. This will only take a quarter mark as I get off Val and walk up the stairs. I can feel Val in the back of my head radiating pride and love at me. The right hand door is open and I step in it is like my church back home high sweeping vaulted ceilings with columns and sweeping arches. An alter at the far end but no benches or chairs the floor was worn smooth from years of walking and kneeling. A priest stands at the step of the deist talking to an old woman. I step up and wait ten feet away giving them some privacy a few moment later the priestess lays her hands on her head and the grandmother shuffles passed giving me a smile and a head bob. I smile back and bob my head no words are needed there is a certain peace about the moment we share.
How may I be of help trainee?
Who do I see about giving a gift to the poor? I would like the moneys to go to the young children in need, young mothers things like that.
She smiles and bows her head. Of course I will make sure that it is spent properly. she looked down on me with my worn grays and thought I was giving a silver or two. I was only nine after all not many would think to help others at that age she thought it was some moneys saved.
I had spent twelve gold eight silvers for my day out I had bought lunch, the herbs, sugar, a gold to the street performer his tumbling was unbelievable, and of course my art supplies. I handed her seven gold twelve silvers.
What is your name trainee?
Raven sister.
This will help many people it will fund a soup kitchen for two months in the poor quarter.
May I ask your name sister?
Sister Gray. She reaches out and puts her hands on my head. May the twain keep you in their hands may his sword guard you and her shield protect you. As she finished she raises her head and opened her eyes she lets out a gasp a slight glow had surrounded us then fades.
May I ask a small favor sister?
Still in shock she nods her head.
Can you visit me at the collage they don't let me out very much this was the first time in a year and I don't know when I will be permitted to venture out again.
I will come the next feast day and we can pray together there is a small temple on the grounds I will talk with your dean. She puts her arm around my shoulder and walks me to the door looking out she sees my friends looking at Kyle as the eldest; you have a very special young woman here.
Kyle looks at me and smiles, she was chosen are you that surprised?
Sister Gray smiles, not really she gives me a squeeze and pushes me to Val.
That was well done sister Val sends me a warm embrace.
What else was I going to do with it put it back in the sack?
Now that you know how far that money will go we both know you will be giving sister Gray more or you would not have asked her to come see you.
We'll see maybe I just want to pray have you thought of that?
With a smile in his voice first time this year.
She is a good person I could tell.
I would hope so Ra she is the high priestess
I rub the back of my head as Kyle pulls up beside me of course she is.
How much did you give her Ra he asked in a low voice? Normally he would never ask however he was dealing with a nine year old who he assumed never handled money before.
I look at him and knock on his door in his mind. It was my money and I can do as I please. Then less forceful it will keep a soup kitchen open for two months.
As you say it is your money he felt a twinge of guilt a nine year old gave more to the needy in one day than he gave all year. Maybe I could help a little more.
I smile at him. I am going to raise moneys for blankets for midwinter Sister Gary is going to help.
Does she know that?
No but I'm sure she will help I know I can't ask the nobles but I can talk with my fellow trainees.
We pull up to the stables and dismount come on Del let's Talk with Rolth.
They walk away whispering and Terry comes over with Char.
You gave it all to the sister Char asked in a low voice.
I look at her strange.
Ross told me she gives a shrug. He really can't keep anything from me then she smiles at me a little timidly. To be fair Val was glowing with pride about it he was leaking all over. I even caught some of the words he sent you and I am the weakest mind speaker out of the five of us.
Terry nodded, I heard a lot more and left it at that looking at the now empty purse.
I shrug as we head in to groom our best friends.