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Tears of the Phoenix	By : serialcabbit78 Category: S through Z > Valdemar Series Views: 1397 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do NOT own ANY of the rights to the Valdemar Series, those all belong to Mercedes Lackey, who has given me the inspiration. I make no profit from this or any writing.

Chapter List
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Luna woke sometime after early dawn, and parted the curtains on her bed, seeing light sunlight coming through the window. She eased from the bed, noting that Stefen’s curtains were still closed. She quickly made her bed then pulled out one of her new uniforms. She started to dress and then pulled her hair down from the braid she’d put it up in the night before. It fell in soft waves down her back and she tied it back with a rust colored ribbon. She picked up a pair of socks and her boots and slipped out into the sitting room, seeing that Thad and Trey were awake as well. She put on her socks and boots then went to help herself to some of the food set out. There was an envelope with her name on it on the table by the plates. She picked it up and took her food and drink to sit at the couch.

She set her plate on the small table and opened the envelope, pulling out the scrap of paper.

Luna, your schedule for today is:
Meeting with Bard Lynnell -Bardic
Arms Practice - Salle
Lunch
History – Bardic
Equation – Companion’s Field.

Meet with me when you can work it in and we’ll get you into the normal classes. Since you have the Bardic Gift, Lynnell wants to test you to see the extent of it and put you in music classes. –Tran.

The man’s handwriting was not overly neat, but legible.   She wondered if there would ever be enough marks in the day for her to do the things she had to do for her training. Surely the other students managed, so she figured she could as well. She’d had classes in reading, writing and figuring while she was in the village, and had more lessons with Vanyel, though the majority of those where in her dreams. She wasn’t exactly sure how she could explain why she had such a handle on some things, but maybe they would understand. She started in on the food, tucking the note into her pocket.

“You’ll want to braid your hair for Arms, that way you don’t get all tangled up in it. Though if you like, I can cut some off, it’s so long.” Thad said, running his fingers through the waves. “It’s still as beautiful as moonlight though.”

“I often wish I had asked Nana to cut it, but I never got the chance.” She pulled the ribbon from her hair and smiled to Thad. “Would you braid it up for me?”

“I would be honored to.” Thad pulled a tie from his pocket and picked up his own brush to pull her hair back. He tied it up in a tail, then braided the long hair, tying the end off with the ribbon. “I think when we do cut it, I would only go about mid back. You know you hair is nearly down to your backside?”

“Yeah, I did. I noticed the rust colored ribbons with my things this morning, is that to denote that I will be taking classes with the Bardic?” Luna pulled the neat braid over her shoulder and smiled.

“Well, some of the classes we take, like history and a few others are with the Bards, but since you are taking the ones in music, yes. If you didn’t have a Companion, you’d be there. So they decided to allow you to use the ribbons to denote your status with Bardic, though if you make full master, they may give you a set of uniforms or two in case you ever have to be incognito. Makes a hell of a good cover if you have to go into a tight situation, or get out of one.”

“Chances are she’ll have to do her Bardic lessons as sort of a hobby, but I could be wrong.” Stefen said as he entered the room.   “It all depends on how strongly she has the gift, and from what I’ve heard, she’s pretty damn good. Vanyel had a few times he was minstrel, going into a situation to get information.”

A knock at the door caught their attention as the two girls wandered in and helped themselves to the food. Thad got up and went to answer it, seeing Michael standing there, looking like someone who had not slept well the night before. Thad stepped aside and let him in, giving him a warning look as he did.
“Luna, I was a complete jerk last night and I’m sorry for the things I said about you to Thad. My Companion chewed me out all night long, and threatened several unsavory things. I also want to apologize to you, Thad. What I said was completely uncalled for and extremely un-Herald like.” He hung his head looking completely dejected. “After a very long talk with both Herald Tantras and Sander, I realize I need to make amends to the two of you.”
Luna stood and crossed the room, putting her hand on Thad’s arm before stepping closer to Michael. He looked at her and she could see a remarkable change in the boy. He wasn’t that much older than her, and the dark circles under his eyes made her feel just slightly sorry for him. She touched his arm and he flinched, but took her hand.

“Sometimes we don’t get what we want in life, but we can’t go around taking it out on others. Stefen and Thad would never force themselves on a child, and that is what I am. Even if I was to offer, they would turn me down and it’s not because they are Saych, it’s because they are good men. If you had known the things I’ve been through, you would be as protective of me as they are.” She spoke softly, but firmly. “You are just as good as they are or your Companion would have never chosen you.”

“He said you’d say something like that, Sander that is. Honestly, I was an idiot. Yeah, I’d love to know more about Vanyel, but I went about it in all the wrong ways.” His blue eyes closed, and a tear rolled down his cheek. “Thank you.”

Thad patted Michael’s shoulder and pulled him into a hug. The boy accepted it gratefully, his shoulders shaking with sobs. Luna hugged him as well, feeling as if something else had drastically changed with him. With a gasp, she realized exactly what had happened and what had shaken the boy this bad.

“You know Sander wanted you to think about what you said. That’s why he threatened what he did. I bet that had to hurt you badly.” Luna said and Michael nodded against Thad’s shoulder.

“You are only human, Michael. I ask you to please think things over when it comes to my little sister here, she may not be my sister by blood, but I love her as much as if she was.” Thad said, pulling away and looking the boy in the eye. “I’ll forgive you this time, but if I ever hear you speak the way you did last night around her, I will personally thrash you.”

“I’d probably deserve that, I would have deserved it if you’d have hit me last night. Thank you both.” Michael turned and left the room, looking as if a great weight had been lifted. They saw Herald Tantras in the hall, with a shocked look on his face.

“What happened? I know he didn’t sleep good last night, so I told him to take the morning off. I think he may sleep now though.” He said.

“He apologized. I think his Companion threatened to repudiate him, or gave him a small taste of how would feel.” Luna said softly.

“That would be why his arrogance has dropped away. Well, let’s see how long his change lasts.” Tran said. “Luna, instead of Arms this morning, Lynnell wants to have you test a few instruments to see if you can easily learn them, from what Stefen has told me, you took to his overly complicated gittern like you’d been born with one in your hands.”

Luna nodded, then turned to look at Stefen, most of the time she’d seen him was in the traveling outfits Bards wore, and today he wore finery like she’d never seen before. He looked as if he was about to go before the King to entertain.   After they’d all eaten, he lead her through a series of hallways, then outside through some rather attractive gardens. She didn’t take any time to look at her surrounds, only to note her path so she could find her way back. He led her into a building and through a few hallways, until he reached a door, which he knocked on.

A tall woman answered it, and Luna could smell the softly sweet perfume she wore. She looked down at Luna and smiled broadly.   She stood aside and invited them into the room and offered them each a seat.

“So, Luna, from what I’ve been told, you are Chosen of the Companion Surya. It’s not often that we admit Heraldic Students into the Bardic Collegium. It’s not that we don’t look for that gift in them, it’s usually that their duties are quite different than the ones of a Bard. However, there are times it would be quite a useful gift for a Herald to have. What instruments can you play?” Lynnell sat on her desk and gave Luna a measuring look.

“I can play a wooden flute and the gittern a little. Stefen showed me a few ballads to play, but I’m not sure I’m all that good.” Luna looked at the flute she held in her lap. “I don’t know if I’m good enough.”

“Child, this young man here is a master of his craft and can play any instrument you were to put in his hands. He is also quite adept at recognizing when someone has the Gift. Rest assured, he would not have put you in my sight if you did not have it. Will you play that flute for me?” Lynnell’s voice sounded slightly cold, but Luna couldn’t figure out why. She played the song she’d played with Stefen a few nights before, the song was Demonsbane.

Though the song was better suited to a stringed instrument, but she played the melody with feeling. It was soon obvious to anyone who was listening that she had indeed been touched by Vanyel’s spirit. There was sadness in his passing, but also an unmistakable pride in the man who gave of himself to those in need. The cool look on Lynnell’s face changed to one of awe. Before Luna could get to the end of the tune, Lynnell stopped her.

“That’s plenty on that instrument. Stefen you are right, she’s got as powerful a Gift as you do. She must be dual trained, there can be no other way.” Lynnell went to the door and called someone who was waiting outside. A man came in, though dressed in Heraldic whites, he had a scholarly look to him. “I insist that we dual train her. I know that you lot can fit her other classes in, depending on what she knows, but we cannot let her gift go untrained. Not a with a gift as strong as hers. She can play Demonsbane on the flute, and I know she’s only learned it within a few days.”

“We still need to test to see her other gifts, but Jisa says she’s got a good strong shield and is properly trained in ground and center, her Mindspeech is good for someone her age. I agree, we dare not let any Herald out without training them on all their gifts. Could we possibly do alternate days, with Heraldic studies and Bardic, or will you allow her to come to class in Grays?” He asked.

“Her trainee uniform she wears now will suffice. Just see to it she gets more of those ribbons for her hair and a rust armband. That way the other students will know she is indeed our student as well.” Lynnell said and the man swept out. “He’s not the Dean, but he works with him, so we’ll get your schedule sorted out.   Stefen, will you make sure to get her a few stringed instruments, nothing as complicated as the gittern yet, I’ll see to it you get a stipend for that.”

“I can give her some of mine for now, but I will shop around for some.” Stefen said, favoring Luna with a smile. “I have a couple I don’t use any more, I’ll see that they are refurbished if needed.”

“Good, I hate to ask, but do you still have that other one?” Lynnell asked, with a small smile.

“His, yeah, I do. I think I’ll have it restrung for when she’s ready. I know it will be in great hands, and I think he’d be proud.” Stefen said, with a look that shocked Luna. “He’ll be pleased that you get that gittern, Luna. You just promise me that if you are ever up there, you’ll play it.”

“Oh you should have her play it for Breda, you know she’d love to hear it played again. Vanyel was the one who got her loving that thing.” Lynnell grinned broadly. “Well, Stef, I’ll take her off your hands for now. I’ll teach her some stuff on that flute. Luna, as of today, your mentor with the Heraldic students will be Thad, but with us you get Stefen. I don’t have any students who can give you the tutoring he can.”

Soon Luna was swept up in a well orchestrated chaos of classes, chores and working with her Companion. The seasons changed from summer to fall with little notice, as she was too busy to truly notice. Stefen came and went, trying to work with other Bards on spreading songs of the Heralds being the heroes, but seemed to come home each time a bit depressed. It was early winter when he’d come back from one such trip, looking as someone had forced him through a sieve.   He was thinner than he had been when he left and looked as if he’d had no sleep in at least a week. Luna procured a plate of food and some wine as Thad lead the poor exhausted man to the bathing room.

“Stefen, I think you should take them up on teaching classes for a bit. Luna’s adept at the gittern now and I think it would do you some good to stay here for a bit.” She heard Thad saying as he pushed Stefen into a tub. “Where in the hells have you been? You look like you haven’t slept or eaten in a week!”

“It’s not where I’ve been, not really, it’s just that the hosts who had us playing didn’t exactly keep their bargains. They paid well, but the rooms we were given were crowded and the food was not as plentiful as what was offered to their guests.” Stefen sighed.

Luna entered the male side of the bathing room, noting that the monitor smiled as she did; then moved a placard to show the male side was full. She carried the food over to the tub Stefen was using and set it on a stool set beside it. Stefen ate slowly, giving Luna a smile in thanks.

“You got a message from repairs room at Bardic they said that what you had in for refurbishing is finished. They didn’t have to do much, but they replaced the strings and made a new case.” Luna said. “I don’t know why they told me instead of sending a note for you. I guess they think I’m a little bird.”

“Oh, it’s ready? How are you doing with the gittern I left you? I know it’s not nearly as good as mine, but it has about the same range.” Stefen seemed to perk up, a warm smile lighting up his features. “Well, I won’t complain, as you know I am giving you that one.”

“Stef, I’ve told you before, please I know how precious that gittern is to you, I can’t accept it.” Luna shook her head. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the thought, but…”

“And I have told you he would want you to have it. It makes me too sad to play it, but I know you’ll love it as much as he did.” Stefen pushed the plate aside and began to wash. “I feel him too much when I play it.”
Thad shooed Luna out of the room and she went back to their room, noticing that someone had left something sitting by Stefen’s packs. It was a second gittern, in a brand new case. The new case had a forest scene on it, beautifully created. She knew that this was the case Stef ordered for her. When he came back to the room, he winked at her and took both cases into their room. He hid the one intended for her, planning on giving it to her on a special day.

For the next few weeks, Luna found herself easing into a new routine, one where she learned how to control her gifts in ways she hadn’t expected. None of the teachers knew how to train her how to use her gift with plants, but she was able to prove she had good control of it. As for her gift that was in the Foresight family, that proved to be a bit harder to master. There were several times she was around the grounds she could see things that she didn’t dare to tell others. It was hard to believe that barely half a year ago, she’d been nearly on her own and now she was part of the Heralds, learning how to help others with the gifts she held.

One morning, she woke with a heavy feeling in her heart. She couldn’t exactly put her finger on what made her feel depressed, just that the feeling was there. The sky that morning was overcast and the feel of snow was heavy in the air. She was running to the salle on her way to arms practice when she felt as if something had hit her and she dropped to her knees. She had felt this way before, moons ago, just after she’d been Chosen, within heartbeats, the Death Bell knelled.

It was there that one of the older students found her, and scooped her up to carry her inside the salle. She knew she didn’t know the Herald who had passed, but it was a deep pain that they all shared for several moments. They pulled themselves together and went though the lessons. Luna had learned to be a little demon with a sword, but today she seemed to make mistakes. The Arms Master called an early halt to the session and sent them all back to their rooms.

The snow that had been threatening began to fall as Luna walked back to her rooms. She’d kept to the path, watching some of the other trainees heading indoors as well. It wasn’t just the tolling of the bell that gave the atmosphere the sadness she felt, it was something else. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but went on back to her room after getting a sketchy wash and changed into something to relax in. She lay down for a bit, not expecting to fall asleep. She fell into a dream that seemed rather odd.

*Dream*
Luna woke, hearing voices in the other room, one she recognized; the other was unknown to her, but it was a woman.   She sat up in the bed, noticing the room was definitely odd, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. She went into the sitting room, and saw a large grey chair with a woman sitting in it. Her age was showing on her face, but her voice was still strong and clear. She turned and smiled at Luna.

“I wondered when you would wake, ke’chara. I have been waiting to speak to you, but could never find you alone to do so. I know what Stefen intends to do, and I am proud he wishes you to carry that instrument.” She smiled at Luna, indicating a chair near hers. “I’m Savil and this is Jaysen. We were just talking about the Bell, as if you all needed any reminders to be sad today.”

She smiled to a man who was reclined on the couch, a man that seemed to have more color to him then he may have had in life. He smiled at Luna as she nervously took a seat.
“The feeling you have felt today, the sadness, well part is that we just lost someone in the field. We lost Vanyel eleven years ago today. Most of us go on to the Havens; some of us have a place we wait until our new paths are formed.” The man explained. “I think you have guessed that both Savil and I have passed on. We’re waiting for our new paths, but we know they will be long in forming.”

“You just recently had a birthing day, didn’t you? While Stefen was out doing what Van has asked of him, you gained a year. You weren’t that old when Vanyel passed, but I know he watched you.” Savil said. “Ke’chara, my beloved Vanyel would find it an honor for you to carry his beloved gittern. He has told me so, as I told him Stefen’s intentions. I know you feel it’s precious to Stefen, but I think he will find comfort in it being in good hands.”

“I know it’s precious to him, but I don’t want him hurting when I play it. He let me hold it before he had it reworked, and I could feel Vanyel’s presence on it.” Luna shook her head. “I can’t take that from him.”

“You are as precious as I was told you are.” Savil chuckled. “Stefen carries Van in his heart, and the lingering traces left on that instrument cause him to miss his love so very much. In your hands, he can cherish his love. Do you know what I’m saying?”

“That when he plays it himself, the pain of missing Vanyel causes him to lose the warmth he felt with his love, in my hands he can feel like he’s there in the room?” Luna asked.

“That’s exactly it, ke’chara. Think of it as a gift from both of them.” Savil’s voice lingered as the room faded from Luna’s vision and she woke up.

*End Dream*

Stefen stepped into the bedroom, trying to be quiet as the others had told him Luna was napping. It had been a rough day all around and he’d had to comfort a few other Heralds. His own heart was heavy, but it was a pain he knew would not fade until he was called. He’d spent the better part of the morning playing music meant to lighten the spirits of those around him. It had helped.

He found Luna sitting on the side of her bed, slowly rubbing her eyes. She looked as if she’d seen a ghost and was still trying to rationalize it.   She brushed away a few tears and smiled up at Stefen.
“I didn’t hear you come in. Guess I was still caught up in the odd dream I had.” She said softly, yawning. “Are you ok?”

“I’ll be alright, Luna. Thanks for asking. I was way when you had your birthing day, so I hope you will forgive me.” He walked over to his desk and pulled the gittern case she’d seen before from behind it. “I want you to have this. I don’t know how I know this, but I feel Vanyel wants you to have it.”

Luna took the case, running her fingers over the beautifully painted forest scene. She found the catch that held it shut and opened it. Nestled in soft fabric was a beautiful gittern. Tears formed again in her eyes, and she brushed them away.

“Stefen, I-I had thought to tell you that I couldn’t take this, but thank you. I will play her with all the love I can. And yes, if I am ever up in the Sorrows, I will play her for him.” She set the case on her bed then stood and hugged Stefen tight. “Savil said he wants me to have her.”
Stefen gave her a shocked look then smiled. He knew that she’d had no ordinary dream; that somehow Savil had visited with her. He didn’t care how, he was happy she had. The poor child had felt enough today, he wanted her to feel some joy. He shook off his own gloom and hugged her again.

“How about we go show Thad just how good you are with that?” He asked and she gladly followed him out into the sitting room to prove how one can find joy, even in sadness.
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Tears of the Phoenix