what do you think hope to see some feed back
sweets
I pull the saddle off and rack his gear he leans into the brush strokes. Can I have another piece of sugar before you go?
The merchant had delivered while we had finished shopping and talking to Sister Gray.
One more but when it's gone it's gone the rest is for the others the little extra I will have Rolth keep for the injured, Herald or companion. One hurt both hurt.
Val nudged my arm we can save it for later my friends haven't had any yet.
What you say you go round up the unpaired and I will get 30 pieces from Rolth.
His head picks up ok love, it won't take long.
Terry and Char had that faraway look then they smiled. We'll help and with that.
I went over to see the stable master.
They lined up in three lines the babies prancing around for some this would be the first taste of sugar their mothers looking on with love even thought they were not getting any. I felt a little bad about it but Terry reminded me that they had heralds of their own. She was sure they were going to get an ear full come morning.
That sugar merchant is going to make a killing Char laughs as she rubs the noise of filly only a few weeks old all the companions watching as she whinnies her lips smacking her eyes bright everyone in the stables hears her ask mommy can I have more.
Her dam snorts. Char pats her neck, sweet thing it is a special treat only once in a while to much will give you a tummy ache.
She looks at her dam like to much water after running mommy?
It was just too cute we had drawn a crowd many trainees had heard rather loudly about their gift at the stable and Rolth had been busy giving out the gift a soft aw was heard from everyone with mind speech as the dam put her neck on her baby and in a rule braking moment that's right velvet now thank Ra and we'll go.
Liquid blue eyes look up at me Thankyou Ra for my sweetie.
You're quite welcome Velvet. She prances over to her mother you could hear a pin drop as their hooves chime on the path.
Looking up I see Rollin he nods his head and walks back to the field following the dam and Velvet rules are rules and even a baby has to learn I don't think dam or filly will be in much trouble some things are just to dang cute.
It was a good birth day thank you for sharing it with me Terry, Char.
Terry puts her arm around my neck. I know we can't take the place of your family but I love you your my sister my friend. Char reaches over and hugs my waist. We walk back like that to the dorms. Some kind sole had brought my packages to my room while we were giving out the treats.
We head to the track just before dawn Char her eyes half closed as we finish the first mile Terry comes up beside me. Their staring at us.
Who ? I tend to have tunnel vision when I run looking in not out.
The companions, all of them. She looks left and right their heads following us as we move through the field.
A little filly comes up on the other side of me. Hi Ra can I play to?
Velvet's voice came in the same place as Val's just not as deep privet but right on the surface. I was kinda at a loss I could feel Val's laughter in the back of my head but he was keeping his own console. Does your mommy know you are playing with me?
Yes Yes we run have fun?
Ok sweetie but we can't run as fast as you.
She matched me foot for foot keeping her speed right with me. Char told me later that Velvet's head stayed next to mine the whole way.
Rounding the last lap with my group of early runners I see Kyle waiting a small group of heralds with him.
Fun Ra, we play tomorrow?
I stoke her neck I had a very good time Velvet I would love to play tomorrow.
She took off like a shot heading back to her mommy little hoofs flying she gets there and she roles in the grass telling mommy about her friend.
I feel a slight tap on my door your classes have been canceled we will be learning gift control for the next few weeks everything but arms practice once I wear you out mentally Herald Barth will do the same physically.
I look at him in horror what em em WHAT!
You need to get a handle on that fetching most of the time we just clamp down on it and wait till we have five or six to teach that won't work with you. Your gift is to strong.
Looking at my group, I guess I will see you guys later at the sally. It seems Herald Kyle has my day planned for me.
Val snorts don't worry Ra I'll be right there with you.
I feel my fear diminishes. Thanks love.
Terry smiles at me. Suck it up, my friends tell me it's a lot of fun you could be like me and have forsight.
Char shuttered; no thanks. She had seen Terry's fits losing complete control of her body being totally at the mercy of anyone that is there at the time. You can have that burden to bear. I'm happy with farsight thank you very much.
Hey the mage gift makes up for it I am learning all kinds of cool stuff. Just wait till you need me to gate you somewhere Terry bumps Char's shoulder.
I bump the other side of her. If she says no come see me after I learn I'll do it.
Kyle looks on with a smile. Sometime today trainee I have better things to do than stand here listening to this.
Kyle led me to one of the towers to a room I had never seen. As I passed the doorway all the background noise fell away. There were no windows or other doors the walls were bare. The only thing in the room was a table with a bunch of objects on it and two chairs.
This is a work room it is shielded to contain uncontrolled uses of gifts. After you are trained in your mage gift it will be part of your training to add to the shields some of the power here has gone back hundreds of years the more powerful a mage is the longer they last Heralds have been known to get a taste for wont of a better word of many different powers. I tell you this because with your gifts you may feel like someone is looking over your shoulder. Kyle looks at me and smiles.
He motions to the chair closes to us and move around the table and sits down. On the table I see a feather, a set of dice, a 4in ball, and a book.
Ok Ra I want you to remember that slight pull you felt yesterday when you were riding Val that pulling feeling. Look at the feather and try to pull it to you.
Val always in the back of my head helps me see what he means I look at the feather and it flies to my hand.
Kyle's eyes open wide however he shows no other sine of surprise. That's what makes him such a good gift teacher he never gets the student uncomfortable. Good job Ra let's move on to the dice can you lift them off the table about a foot and hold them there?
I put the feather back on the table and looked at the dice they both lift up and stop.
Kyle waits a minute than speaks Are they getting heavy?
I look at him taking my eyes off the dice but they remain right where I held them. No not really it's like listening to Val I just put it in the back of my mind.
Can you roll the ball and keep the dice in the air? He no sooner says this as the ball moves toward him. He stops the ball and puts it back. Can you lift it up with the dice and keep them up there?
I lift the ball up and move it next to the dice it hovers there. How's that?
He has a slight tick in his eye. That good Ra. He looks at the book surly not he thinks to himself. Can you lift the book too?
The book leaves the table and I wait, he just stairs at them. Kyle do you want me to keep them up there?
Are they getting heavy he ask all most hoping I say yes.
No just thought we would be doing more.
We had only been in there for about an hour and Kyle was at a loss most first timers moved the feather making it rock a very few can rock the dice this was crazy.
Can you move the ball around the book and dice in a figure eight while keeping the others still?
I looked at the ball lifting it was no problem moving it and holding the other things were a little harder. The ball pasted under the book around and back to the dice going under around and back to the book again after a few passes I look up while it keeps moving. How's that?
Ok let's put everything down now. The book and dice lowered to the table and the ball came to rest just a few seconds later. How do you feel?
Fine what's next?
Let's stop for today I want you to take it easy for the rest of the day you can talk with Val but keep it to him rest your mind it could hit you at any time. I had some backlash tea put in your room if you need it. Remember no practicing on your own only with a Herald.
Kyle closed the door and headed to the dean's office.
Sharece looks up as someone knocks on the door. Yes.
Kyle walks in shaking his head. He plops down on one of the chairs at the window looking off into nothing.
She gets up from her desk and hobbles over easing herself into the chair. That bad?
He shakes himself looking at her. You have no idea. She was doing things that most students never do some Heralds can't do she held four things in the air and move one in a figure eight and asked me what was next.
Sharece looked thoughtful; let's see how much she can lift. Push her to a reaction headache.
Kyle looks shocked. On purpose?
She needs to know how it feels to over extend. let the healers know it could turn ugly she may pass out. She could go too far make sure Val knows what is going on. Have Halt talk to Roland to make sure Val keeps quite about what is going to happen.
Is it right to set her up like this Kyle asks looking unsure at the Dean.
We have to gage her and she needs to know the price we pay for going too far. Better she finds out now instead of out there where she is alone.
I had left Kyle and headed to my room I felt fine so I grabbed my books and headed to class I only missed my law class no great loss. I heard that Ra.
I have a hard time listing to Herald Dath he puts me to sleep I try but.
I hear him laugh he hates teaching that class but the Herald that normally teaches it broke his leg so Dath was drafted. Believe me he wishes he was anywhere else. Try to help him engage him in class it will make for a better time for both of you. Ask your class mates to help out who knows you all might come away with something worth wile.
I'll try love I have to pay attention now lessen for me so we can discuss later?
Val got side tracked as his father was laying down the law about tomorrow.
Riding was her last class for the day she brushed Val as she felt a push on her back. Hi Ra can I have a sweet?
Hi velvet I rub her neck and look over at her Dam. You have to ask your mother.
Please mommy!
She shakes her head no and velvet's head drops. It seems that she has picked me as her friend. I rub the top of her head. How about I brush you instead?
Ok Ra prancing in place likes a puppy.
After I finished I slipped her a carrot her mother rolled her eyes but let it go.
Val nudged me as they left she will never lessen to dad now at least when it comes to you we all tried to explain how we only talk to own Herald. She told us she is making an exception for you. Dad was at a loss for words his youngest telling him no. I hate to admit it but wow I wish I had her pluck.
Velvet was at the track as we got there time to play Ra!
Hello sweetie your older brother told me that your dad tried to explain that you are only supposed to talk to your herald when you choose?
I hear both tinkling and deep laughter in my head. You're not being very helpful Val.
Velvet laughs again, Valy knows your my friend I told daddy I was talking to my special friend she loves me.
I almost lost my step as we were running at the same time. She told me about her day after she left with her mom last night. I thought I got up early but velvet had a race with her friend Falcin a young colt just under a year she told me she won. She chased a bunny and had some oats for breakfast. As we rounded the last turn I spied Kyle. I looked at velvet I have to go to school now.
What's school Ra?
Why don't you ask your mommy?
Ok Ra can I come see you after you and Val play tonight?
If your mommy can bring you ok sweety?
Bye she runs back to her mother all excited her tail high her eyes bright.
Her mother is looking daggers at you Ra it will take her candle marks to get velvet to calm down.
You thought it was so funny you can field her thoughts. Feeling smug that would teach him to laugh at her.
See you guys tomorrow I look to Kyle are we going back to the workroom?
I have something else in mind today some other people will be meeting us there.
I followed him as we headed toward the stables. Val what's going on?
I can't tell you father made me promise I'm sorry.
I felt a little upset I thought we don't keep secrets from each other.
I could feel how upset he was I'm sorry Ra.
I turned the corner and a group of people and companions where standing there at the forge.
Holt, Sharece, Patty and their companions. Val looked daggers at his father and in a voice everyone there could hear I will never keep anything from my companion again I don't care what any of you say or think. Everyone just stared at Val I walked over and hugged him in a clear strong voice I told him he was forgiven and to keep his word this one time we can talk about it later. His death glare fell on the three heralds' only lighting up as he looked at Patty.
Rollin looked like he was chewing his son out Val just turned his back and then whipped back around to stare lasers at him YOU CAN NOT TELL ME WHAT I CAN AND CANNOT TELL MY CHOSEN.
Everyone winced after that Val refused to look at his father putting his neck on my shoulder he was shaking he was so mad.
Kyle looked at Holt he was in a deep talk with his chosen let's get this over with giving Val a look that told him he was sorry.
Kyle brought me over to a pile of bar stock five in by five in by five feet long ten pieces each one hundred pounds apiece.
I want you to try to lift one of these up to waste height RA.
I looked at Val he was looking at the ground. I looked at the piece of steel I knew how much it weight dad had let me try to move one before. I felt the pull behind my eyes as the bar lifted up. I saw the look of surprise on everyone's faces except Kyle's.
Can you keep it there and lift another one he asked me?
We were on the sixth one and I was starting to sweat. I was on the last one when my head was starting to throb.
I want you to keep them there as long as you can Ra.
Almost an hour had passed as I let out a grown and passed out. Holt and Kyle made to move toward my body it was weird it was like I was seeing with Val's eyes.
Val blocked there path only letting Patty by all there knowing not to push him right now even his father backed up a little.
Go get me some help don't just stand there. Patty looked daggers at them stupid fools Val should kick the three of you into next week. Val looks at her. Patty reached up and patted his neck I'll see her right you can sit with her I had your room at healers ready I knew it was going to be bad.