Chapter 5: he knows everything.
"Well, I see the dignitaries from a different world I mentioned have arrived." Murata said calmly, as he took in the chaos that had once been Conrart's neat and orderly rooms.
Gwendal it appeared had finally managed to find his voice again, "What dignitaries? The only people here are our own. And why the hell are there horses in Conrart's rooms?"
Murata simply smiled mysteriously at Gwendal, and picked his way past the debris littering the floor until he stood beside the two Companions. He bowed briefly. "Hello, honored Companions of Valdemar. Welcome to the Great Demon Kingdom. If you don't mind the inquiry, where are your Chosen?"
Jissa turned her head and inspected Murata out of one sky blue eye, even as Yozak raised his hand slightly. "She says to tell you her name is Jissa. And inquires as to how you know what a Companion and their Chosen are. I told her you simply know everything," he said lightly, his voice full of humor.
The look Gwendal gave him said quite plainly, that he thought he'd lost his mind.
Murata on the other hand simply laughed. "I see—well, that answers that question. And judging by the fact that the two of you jumped over us in the hallway a short time ago, I'm going to say this mess is not your doing, my lady, but rather your's, Companion . . ." he paused, waiting for someone to supply a name.
: I Am Vanyel. : The second, younger, Companion supplied, broadcasting his thoughts to them all.
Murata would have found the reactions of literally everyone in the room, barring Yozak, quite humorous; if he hadn't been too busy staring at the owner of that surprisingly familiar voice. A voice he hadn't heard since the time he was incarnated as a bard on Valdemar. So this is what had become of Herald Mage Vanyel!
The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them! "Vanyel? The Herald Vanyel? As in Chosen of YFandas, Demonsbane, Shadowstalker, the hero of Stony Tor, THAT Vanyel?! The same Vanyel who ordered the very trees to slay in protection of Valdemar, and haunted a forest for years as a border guard?!!! "
Both Companions puffed out their sides in what could only be a sigh. : It appears that even here your reputation precedes you. : The mare said lightly to her fellow Companion, her voice pitched to broad- send.
Murata felt his jaw drop—he could count on one hand the number of times a Companion had chosen to speak with others beside their own Chosen, and yet here were two Companions, doing just that.
The young stallion, which he rather abruptly realized was still a colt, laid his ears back before replying tartly. : So it would appear!: before turning his attention upon Murata. : I'm well aware that according to Trainee Yozak, you know everything. However, I say you know too much—tell me son of the demon tribe, how is it that you know me? And how in The Lady's name do you know about the forest?! :
Murata couldn't help the slight twitch that graced his lips as he looked at Vanyel. "I was once a bard in your world; as to your haunting a forest, I learned that from a young and heartbroken bard a few years before I met my death of old age," he replied before switching over to speak in archaic Valdemaran "I knew you as an arrogant young man, and I was there for your rather convincing mud fight with T'Lindal, I believe his name was?"
: Bards! : Vanyel replied mildly. : So nosy. :
That startled a laugh out of him. He shifted his weight and clasped his arms behind his back. He was about to inquire after Vanyel's Chosen, despite the suspicion that had been building in his chest since he'd left the temple this morning to deliver Shinou's message to King Yuri. The knowledge that two souls had been born to this world that didn't truly belong here had surprised him at first, simply because of the obvious parallel to Yuri and himself. He suspected that at least one of the two mentioned would be close to Yuri, and when Shinou told him of the coming of Companions to the Demon Kingdom, he initially thought that they would come with a Heraldic delegation. However, he'd seen the folly of that assumption immediately. He'd then drawn the appropriate conclusion—that the two aforementioned Companions were coming to their world to Choose their Heralds.
It appeared he was right.
He'd come to the palace and spoken with the king about the incoming delegates that would pave the way for the Demon Tribe to form an alliance with Valdemar, without any knowledge as to who the two Chosen would be. However, he'd had his suspicions as to whom he was preparing his dear friend and king to see leave for another world. He'd thought it rather poetic in a sad way that this was similar to how Bob and Shinou had asked Jennifer and Shoma Shibuya to raise a son who would eventually leave them for another world. He'd been so sure that one of the newly Chosen would be the princess Greta, who'd only just had her 13th birthday a few scant months ago.
But now he saw the truth.
The fact that Yozak had been Chosen would have been hard enough on Yuri, and for a short time he'd been preparing himself to point out to the young king that at least now he could safely say that Greta would have someone to look out for her in this new world. Then he'd realized that all the commotion was coming from Conrart's rooms and the sight of Yozak mounted on his Companion flying over their heads had confirmed an even worse suspicion.
The young stallion wasn't here for Greta—he was here for Conrart!
Somehow he thought Yuri was going to take that far worse then he would have taken it had Vanyel truly been there for Greta!
"What the hell?" Gwendal finally got out. "Will somebody please tell me what is going on here? Why is Yozak holding Conrart? Why is Gisela's wrist broken and why is Wolfram bruised? And by Shinou, where is Günter?!"
Murata pinched the bridge of his noise in a manner reminiscent of Conrart. "A moment if you would please, Lord Von Voltaire. Allow me to speak with Companions Vanyel and Jissa, and then I will do my best to see to all of your questions." He said simply, before turning his attention back to Vanyel.
"Judging by the mess, and whose rooms we're currently in, I'd say I have a pretty good idea as to your answer already, my lord. However, would you please honor me with the name of your Chosen so that I may see to the political ramifications of your Choice?"
Vanyel snorted, and pawed at the ground briefly with one silver hoof; it chimed musically off the stones. Murata got the impression that he was having difficulty maintaining his dignity, which really didn't surprise him. Vanyel was a colt no older then maybe five. Murata had had problems with his past lives as a small child, so he understood what Vanyel was going through now, being both very young and very old at the same time. Companions finished growing at around seven years of age, and almost never Choose before the age of ten. So he simply waited for the once proud man to collect himself.
:My Chosen is Conrart Weller. : he said after a moment.
Murata smiled slightly at the pride and love that washed over him from the young Companion at the mere mention of Conrart's name. Conrart deserved to be happy. The bond of a Companion to his Herald would do much to heal the wounds Conrart was far too good at hiding. He gave Vanyel a slight bow. "As I suspected," He replied simply.
He sighed, wondering briefly just how Yuri was going to handle this new turn of events. How was he going to explain this one to Gwendal? Lord Von Voltaire may have looked tough, but he really was quite soft hearted, especially when it came to his younger brothers. He turned, took in the room at large, and noted Günter struggling to his feet on the other side of Conrart's bed, clutching his chest in a manner that made him suspect the man had broken ribs. Given the hoof shaped markings that marred the man's usually pristine clothing, broken ribs were likely.
Vanyel stomped his hoof, scraping it along the floor, with his ears laid back in clear warning at the sight of the king's advisor. Vanyel's entire posture had changed to one of silent challenge. He now paced forward slowly and deliberately to stand guard over his Chosen, proving that broken ribs were the least of the man's worries.
Briefly Murata wondered just what the flamboyant man had done to acquire the Companion's ire. He sighed and decided to take measures to prevent Günter's untimely demise, which was likely to occur if he kept coming towards the young Companion and his currently unconscious Chosen. "Günter," he said firmly, "stay where you are."
To his credit, Günter froze, and then sat down on the edge of the bed.
"I'm not going to ask what you did to make a Companion that mad at you, Günter." He said simply, before launching into as simple an explanation as he could manage. "Companions come from Valdemar. Long ago, King Valdemar took his people and fled the reign of a tyrannical king—the land he and his people settled in became known as Valdemar. King Valdemar wanted to ensure that his people would always be well led and well protected, so he prayed to the gods for help. What he got were the first Companions—King Valdemar was Chosen, along with his son and his Herald. Ever since then, a law was passed requiring that all monarchs be Chosen, and from then on the Heralds have helped to preserve the peace in Valdemar. They serve many functions, just a few of these being: judge, jury, temporary military leaders, administrative overseers, information gatherers, and messengers of the monarchy. Their purpose is very important do to the nature of Valdemar and her inhabitance—the main law in governing their people is that 'there is no true way'. In other words, they value diversity, and the differences of their general population. Heralds answer to NO ONE but their own Companion and the Heraldic Circle. The monarchs don't even have the power to make someone a Herald, or take away their status as a Herald—only Companions have that power." He paused to take a breath, right as Yozak started to snicker.
He raised an eyebrow and glanced down at the orange haired spy… well, former spy now, "May I ask what is so funny?" he inquired in mild amusement.
Yozak took a deep breath. "Sorry," he said jovially, "Jissa just commented on the fact that you really do know everything. Apparently, it's creepy." He managed the last bit around another fit of laughter.
Murata rolled his eyes, and went back to his explanation. "Companions are extremely protective of their Chosen Herald. Hence, Günter's broken ribs. They're also at least as intelligent as their Heralds—as you've witnessed they are perfectly capable of communicating with anyone they chose to bespeak, although it is very rare for them to speak with anyone but each other and their Chosen Herald."
Again he was cut off by Yozak's failed attempt to suppress his laughter. He raised an eyebrow in the man's direction.
"Sorry—Jissa says you obviously haven't met their mother. Apparently, Companion Sayvil talks to everyone."
Murata sighed, "Well now we know what became of Herald Savil," He said dryly, remembering the sharp tongued Herald he'd once called friend.
There wasn't really much more he could say on the subject of Heralds and their Companions. The problem now lay in getting the people in the room to draw the right conclusions. He wasn't at all surprised that Gwendal was the first on the uptake. Nor was he surprised by Yuri's clueless expression and Wolfram's blatant disinterest.
"You mean to tell me that Horse-" Gwendal started, only to be cut off by two very annoyed mind-voices.
: Companions! : Vanyel and Jissa interjected in perfect unison.
"- Companion, is going to spirit my brother off to yet another world?" Gwendal continued, completely unfazed by the interruption.
Murata didn't even get a chance to answer before Yuri interjected his voice an almost panicked falsetto, which oddly managed to make his comatose Godfather stir in Yozak's arms. Murata got the impression that had Conrart not been drugged into unconsciousness, he would have been on his feet and ready to defend his king.
"He can't go!" Yuri yelled, "I need him! As his king, I deny him leave!"
Yuri really shouldn't have said that! Vanyel laid his ears back at that comment but the real threat came in the form of a blond haired windbag!
"You Wimp!" Wolfram yelled winching slightly as the action tugged at his now swollen jaw. "I'm your fiancé, what the hell do you need that worthless Half-breed for?!"
Murata got the impression that Wolfram would have continued with his normal tirade, if he hadn't been stunned into speechlessness by an outside source.
: DON'T CALL MY CHOSEN WORTHLESS!!!! : Vanyel roared, his anger coloring his mind-voice a distinct red, and giving it a sharply bitter flavor.
Wolfram took an unconscious step back from the enraged Companion that was now advancing on him. Vanyel reared and pawed at the air sharply. : Stay away from him! : Vanyel continued sharply. : You've done enough damage. Learn some manners, boy! Better yet, learn to get over your issues and stop taking them out on others! Conrart has done nothing to deserve even a fraction of the maltreatment you regularly lay at his feet! So what if his father was human? Are you really so arrogant and spoiled that you fail to notice the pain you're causing your own brother? : Vanyel stomped one hoof sharply, before turning his back on Wolfram with a sharp flick of his tail and walking calmly past a very startled Günter to stand protectively over his Chosen once more. He looked down at Conrart then, and continued, his mind-voice full of sorrow. : No matter what abuse he has to endure beyond these walls, he shouldn't have to expect it from his own family, certainly not in his own chambers. Think on that boy! :
Wolfram simply stood silently in the corner Vanyel had backed him into, gaping like a fish at the young stallion.
Murata sighed—this was not going well. Although all things considered, he really couldn't be that surprised by Vanyel's response. Hell, he'd often wondered how much longer Conrart would have been able to maintain his composure under Wolfram's near constant verbal abuse. But at least Lord Von Bielefeld had unintentionally given him a launching pad to work off of that would aid him in convincing Yuri to let Conrart go.
"Yuri," he said quietly, to get the startled boy's attention. "Look at your godfather. How much longer do you think he can keep going like this? He's up long before dawn, and asleep well after midnight. I don't spend nearly as much time with him, and even I can see that he's slowly killing himself. He needs to be somewhere where his blood isn't going to mean anything. Besides, just like we don't truly belong on earth, Conrart doesn't truly belong here." He took a breath and ran right over any protests Yuri was attempting to make. "Yuri, were you ever happy on earth? Truly happy? Think about it Yuri—after the initial shock, and the occasional bout of home sickness, weren't you happier here? It's the same for them. They don't belong here, and the Companions— I've never had one so I can't begin to tell you what it's like, but a friend of mine once told me that being Chosen was like finally coming home."
He paused, taking in Yuri's startled expression, and for the first time in many years he could see the distinct similarities between Yuri and Shori. He suppressed the urge to groan at the almost mutinous expression spreading across his friend's face. Annoyed, he turned his attention to the only other person who was likely to make an impression on Yuri. Yozak he noticed was still engrossed in caring for his friend, although from the slightly unfocused look in his eyes Murata knew he was talking to his Companion.
"Yozak," he called, getting the man's attention.
Yozak looked up at him, shifting his grip on Conrart, and readjusting his friend so that Conrart rested comfortably against his chest. "Yes, Your Eminence?" he replied after a brief moment's fussing.
Murata's lips twitched, as he began to recognize the signs of a phenomenon occurring between the two that he had previously thought impossible. "Tell me, what was it like when Jissa Chose you?"
Yozak didn't hesitate; he simply answered. "Like finding a piece of my soul I hadn't realized I was missing until that moment. Like coming home . . . I can't explain it. I – I was incomplete before Jissa. I'm no longer just Yozak, I belong to Jissa. We are a part of each other. Whatever I face from now on, we will face together. I," he shook head. "I wish I could explain it better, but I will never be alone again. There will never be loneliness because even if I am alone, I will always have Jissa." He paused again and looked up at Murata before adding. "Does that make sense, and why do you ask?"
Murata, smiled at him. "No reason," he said before turning his attention back to Yuri. "Would you deny Conrart that?" he asked simply.
The look on Yuri's face was worthy of Shori, and Murata got the impression that the boy was not yet ready to part with his beloved godfather, advisor, and friend. "He can't go! What if he gets hurt?! It's not like Earth. On Earth, nobody cares if you're half demon because nobody knows the Demon Tribe exists. Who's to say they won't mistreat him for his demon blood in this other world? He needs to be with his own kind."
Murata sighed, he really didn't want to tell Yuri he was acting like Shori, but by Shinou he would! "Yuri, I think you need to take a step back and take a look at how you're acting, because you're starting to sound like your older brother."
The look on Yuri's face remained distinctly mutinous, despite the thoughtful look in his black eyes. Murata suppressed the urge to groan, wondering just how he was going to make Yuri see that Conrart needed to go.
The answer came in the form of Vanyel; he'd forgotten the Great Herald-Mage had once been an advisor to King Randale.
Vanyel paced forward slowly, and with the utmost care went to his knees beside Yozak and his own Chosen. It was odd, watching something in the body of a horse carefully curling up to someone in the same loving and protective manner as a pet dog. And just as startling to see Conrart instinctively shift closer.
Vanyel turned his head to fix Yuri with one bright blue eye. : Look at my Chosen, young king. Can you see the pain he's in here? You worry over the reaction of our people to his demon heritage—the only ones who will truly know of it is the Heraldic Circle, and they, let me assure you, could care less about it. Blood and pedigree have no bearing as far as the Heralds are concerned. He is my Chosen, and no one would dare question my Choice. It is the right of a Companion to Choose whomever they see fit. : He paused, then briefly nuzzling his Chosen. : He is in pain here, little one. Here, there is no one to teach him. No one to let him know that what he is going through is normal. Your friend told you what you already know— your Godfather is up before dawn, and rarely seeks his bed before midnight. Now I will tell you why. For an untrained, unbound Herald, Conrart is strong and powerful. On its own that is not bad, it will simply make him a powerful Herald in his own right, just as Yozak will be. The problem, little king, is that everything has its costs.
You have the gifts of your people, a gift that my Chosen lacks. Yet when you work it, it costs you just as physical labor costs you in energy. Conrart has gifts as well, Youngling, but they are the gifts of my people, and less easily seen by those who do not know what to look for. Have you even noticed Conrart's uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time? Or how he always seems to know when someone means you harm? He needs to learn to use them. As he is now, his gifts are dangerous, and he handles them simply by ignoring them. If he continues like this he will lose his sanity, youngling. It will be a slow and painful process. As things stand I give him 1 to 3 years before he snaps under the pressure of his gifts. Would you sentence him to that, little King? He'd commit suicide before the year is out at best. The worst case scenario would see him drugged senseless and bound to his bed for the rest of his life. Are you willing to see your Godfather in such a state, Youngling? Could you hand that sentence down to a man you claim to care for? Ask yourself that little king, before you deny him leave to go. :
The look on Yuri's face was absolutely priceless. He took a step forward, and then walked quietly up to Conrart, kneeling down beside his godfather. Reaching out slowly, he set his hand on the man's uninjured shoulder, and closed his eyes. "Good bye Conrad." He murmured. Turning his gaze to look up at the Companion, he swallowed. "You'll take care of him?" he asked quietly.
: Always,: Vanyel replied somberly. : He is mine, little one—I could no more abandon him then my own Yfandas could have abandoned me all those centuries ago. :
Yuri inclined his head, and rose to his feet. Standing with all the dignity he could manage, he turned his attention to Yozak. "Stay safe, take care of each other, learn what you need to know, and make some friends while you're at it. That's an order, and you can tell Conrad that when he wakes."
He paused and took a couple of breaths before snapping orders to the room at large. "Gwendal, help Günter down to see the medics, then go and write up the appropriate paperwork for Conrad and Yozak. Gisela… Get that wrist looked at! Wolfram, do something about that bruise. Murata… go do something mysterious! Yozak, go pack anything you want to bring with you. Then could you help me pack for Conrart?"
The occupants of the room began to file out, even as Yozak gently settled Conrart down against Vanyel's furry shoulder. He rose gracefully to his feet, and turned his attention to his King. "Let me pack for Conrart, Majesty—not to be rude but I think I have a better idea about what he may or may not want to bring with him, in addition to a better idea of what he may actually need and how to fit it all into a few pairs of saddlebags."
Yuri looked over at him for one long moment, before inclining his head in acceptance of Yozak's logic. "Very well," he said simply before turning on his heel and leaving the room.