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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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*Author's Note*
When I started writing this chapter, I had the inspiration to listen to The Silent Nutcracker by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It set the mood for the melody that Luna plays when the others notice visitors. The feeling is meant to be one of Mid-Winter but not completely celebatory.   When Thad sings 'My Lady's Eyes' his voice could be compared to that of Elvis Presley.

It had been snowing all day and the trainees had been given a day off from their studies. They’d spent a good part of the afternoon outside with their Companions, just playing in the snow. As the sky darkened into night, they drifted indoors, reluctant to stop playing, but eager to have their warm baths.

Luna had been one of the first, and after taking a lovely hot bath, she wrapped a robe over her bed gown and sat in front of the fire, playing a new melody she was working on. It was a mix of a few seasonal tunes, and the result was a warm, rich tune.

In the sitting room, Trey and Thad were softly talking, the girls listening to the music and the conversation. Michael had joined them, as now he was rooming with Thad and Trey. Stefen sat beside Luna, also playing the same melody she was. They were engrossed in the music and didn’t notice when the soft conversation in the room quieted. It was when Leanna softly gasped that Stefen looked up.

Luna was lit from behind by the fire; soft candle light lit her face with a flickering light. Her hair glowed with the firelight, but that’s not what had everyone’s attention, and neither was it her music. A man stood just outside of the glow of the fire with a woman at his side. They both seemed to be listening intently, but it wasn’t odd for people to drift in when they played.    The man was young seeming, but his hair was as silver as the woman beside him. There was a familial resemblance between them; but she had blue eyes and his were sliver. Stefen knew who they were, as did Thad, but the others in the room had never seen the two, save for Luna. The pride on the man’s face was unmistakable.

In the end, it was an awed gasp from Michael that broke the spell. He stood and reached for the pair just as they stepped back into the shadows.

“Was that…” Michael gasped out. “How did they get in here?”

Luna’s fingers slipped and she struck a wrong note, and broke the trance the music had wrapped her in. She blinked as if she’d been completely unaware there was anyone around her. As she took in the faces, she turned to look beside her, just as Savil and Vanyel faded fully into the shadows.

“I never expected to see him here, but I knew she’s been eager to hear me play.” Luna said softly. “That was Vanyel and his aunt, Savil. I think you know how they got in Michael, though this room is not haunted.”

“He guards the Sorrows, how did he get in here? Was that some sort of trickery?” Michael sat down gazing at Luna as if she’d caused him to see things.

“Michael, these were Savil’s rooms when she lived here. Sometimes people can leave echoes of themselves in places they lived. The instrument that Luna has was Vanyel’s. He loved that instrument dearly and I’m sure he’s left an imprint on that. It could have been just echoes you saw, reacting to her.” Stefen said gently. “Luna has no magic to make you see things that are not there.”

“Given the way they were watching, I think it was something more than echoes.” Kasie said. “The pride on his face, it was so beautiful. She has only gotten better since she got that gittern, and I think he’s proud of how naturally she’s taken to it.”

“You should have seen the look on Breda’s face when she played for her.   She was shocked that I had given it to Luna, but when she started playing, Breda said that only one other person could make it sing the way she did.” Stefen chuckled.

“Breda also told me that I needed to hurry back to the Sorrows and spend some time playing there. She said that she hadn’t seen someone with a Gift as strong as mine since she met you, Stef.” Luna said shyly. “Even some of the Heraldic teachers say that my gift ties in with some of the others I have.”

“I think I am inclined to agree with her. It’s one thing for you to play it here, but to play it where his spirit is strongest; I hope I can go with you.” Stefen said wistfully. “Though I know if you have to go that way, it wouldn’t be a pleasure jaunt, you’ll be working.”

“If I survive training, that is.   I think today is the first day I’ve actually been able to just enjoy things. Having you as my mentor with my Bardic training has helped me tremendously. When I play music, I feel like I can just be free. In a way, it’s an escape.” Luna held the gittern to her chest and sighed. “I wasn’t using my gift tonight, not actively. I was simply playing for the enjoyment of it.”

“I could tell that, how you lost yourself to the melodies.” Thad said. “Though you may not have noticed it, I felt that you and I were back home in that cave.”
Luna took up the instrument again and went through a melody she had started writing. She’d been writing lyrics for it, but somehow the words she wanted didn’t seem to fit, then it came to her. For now, she just played the melody, thinking of lyrics.
“Thad, can you get me a pen and some paper? I want to write something down as I work this out.” Luna asked that, who got up and got her the asked for items. He sat by her and held them on a heavy book.
“Tell me them and I’ll write it down for you. That way you can focus on the melody while you think.” Thad smiled at her.

Stefen smiled at the trainees around him, he had to admit he never thought they would get along as well as they had, and since that first night, Michael had made the most dramatic of changes. The young man had changed, he was polite and kind now, the arrogance had left him. He still had moments of irritation, but they were only when he was stressed out. They all seemed to have accepted him as a mentor, seeing him a source of comfort and wisdom. With the exceptions of Thad and Luna, all had come from mostly stable families. He felt at times they saw him more as an older brother than a mentor and that suited him just fine.    Not one person had made any comment on Luna staying in the room with Stefen either, they accepted it that he was a father figure to her and left it at that.

He could understand it though. The girl was one of the youngest chosen and the one who had one of the more tragic upbringings. To his relief and delight, none ever sought her out to talk about Vanyel. Maybe Tran did have a chat with them, but many seemed to deem the subject as taboo. He listened to Thad and Luna working on the lyrics, the boy didn’t have a trace of any Bardic talents that he could detect, but he did have a gentle way with words that was quite poetic.

“How about this, ‘the lonely ones, adrift on a sea of tears, riding the storms that pull them under the tide, how long must they sway alone on the waves? The lonely ones, only search for a home of their own…” Thad read.
“It sounds so sad.” Luna said and sighed. “Maybe I should think on this one when I’m not feeling so down.”

“I don’t think what you are aiming for is sadness, but hope. You want to show that even though times seem hopeless, that there is sunshine.” Michael said. “I can’t even imagine how you managed growing up as you did, with just a few people showing you kindness. I mean, all you truly had was him, but he could never give you the one thing you needed the most.”

Stefen sat up, listening to the boy. Luna had not spoken much about growing up in the Sorrows with him, but obviously Thad had. He didn’t know what they had discussed, but it was something that had aided in the remarkable change in the boy.

“What do you mean, Michael?” Luna asked softly.

“Someone to hold you and tell you everything will be ok. Someone to tuck you in at night and kiss your head and tell you that they love you.” Michael said. “Most of us had parents that did that. You had Thad until he was Chosen. I’m sure that family and your Wise Woman did what they could, but you were on your own most of the time.”

“Well, there were times I could feel his touch. He did watch over me when I slept, but I never really expected him to focus solely on me. He has responsibilities and I was just one small child.” Luna sighed and Stefen pulled her close, holding her gently. “I really didn’t have anyone that did that until I met Stefen. I’m glad to have a friend like him.”

“I’m glad that you are with me, too. I love that you see me as a friend Luna, I really am.” Stefen hugged her and kissed the top of her head. “You have quickly become like a sister to me, and I treasure you dearly.”

A few days later, Luna received a summons to perform for the wife of one of the members of the Council. It wasn’t exactly worded that she was the one requested, but that they wanted Stefen’s ‘apprentice’. She’d just come back from washing up after working with Surya, and Kasie shoved a bundle of red-brown material in her arms.

“Someone dropped these off for you, seems you’ve been summoned to play for Lady Ashkevron. They said you’d need these to be admitted, though why they wouldn’t allow you to wear your normal uniform I don’t know.” Kasie shook her head, her dark curls bouncing lightly as her golden mocha skin reflected the candlelight as she pursed her lips. “You’d think she’s absolutely clueless as to who you are.”

Luna went into her room to change and Kasie followed her. Stefen was teaching a class for a few weeks, so he was out of the rooms. She began to change into the new uniform, cursing lightly at the fact she only had her boots that went with her grays.

“I am curious as to why it’s me being asked for and not one of the better trained students. I’m not at all certain I even qualify as his apprentice.” Luna said, grabbing her gittern case.

“Oh no girl, you are not going out of these rooms with your hair lookin’ like that!” Kasie pushed her down in the chair and pulled the loose braid she’d tied her hair into earlier out.
“Well if you can sort that mess into something decent to entertain the good Lady, I’ll be grateful.” Luna sighed.

Kasie took the brush though Luna’s hair, brushing it out smooth, then tied it back in a pony tail, wrapping one lock of hair around the base. She pinned that in place then tied one of the rust colored ribbons around that. Luna looked in the mirror at the simple style, and realized it made her look a bit more polished.

“There, now hurry. I’ll let Tran know you’ve been called out for something to do with your Bardic training.” Kasie pushed her out the door and Luna bolted towards a page that was coming to look for her.

The page led her through a few hallways then came to a door. He tapped on the door then opened it and stepped inside. He gave her a gesture that told her to stay there until he’d announced her. She paced lightly for several moments, feeling a bit nervous. This was her first time to perform outside of her rooms or classes. Another page came up with Thad following him and seeing that she was still waiting, he left Thad with her and disappeared.

“Tran pulled me out of class, saying I should be with you. You should be lucky I can sing, if you need me.” Thad hugged her gently. “That color looks good on you, puts more of a golden hue in your hair.”

The page waved them in and they stepped into the suite. Luna took in the sight of several Ladies sitting around, sharing tea. They smiled appreciatively at Luna but looked slightly confused at Thad’s presence. A couple of them whispered amongst themselves then one giggled.
“Well, Treesa, you can’t ask her to sing your song.” One chuckled. “That is unless the lad she has with her has any sort of voice.”
“I am curious as to who you are, young man. I asked for Stefen’s apprentice, yet I wonder who you are.” Lady Treesa said softly. “He’s told me a lot about you, Luna.”

“This is Thad. He’s my mentor with my Heraldic training. I’m being duel trained as both a Herald and a Bard, though my primary duties are that of being a Herald.” Luna explained.

Thad smiled sweetly at Lady Treesa and took her proffered hand, kissing it gently. He bowed and gave her a broad wink.
“I am Thad, and Luna is like a little sister to me, and if you wish to hear the song your friends mentioned, I would be honored to sing it for you. It’s ‘My Lady’s Eyes’, right?” Thad said brightly. “That’s what Stefen has had Luna learning, in case you ever asked for her. Herald Tantras, who is in charge of our wing sent me to accompany her.”

Lady Treesa brightened at the little flirtations Thad gave her. She listened as Luna warmed up and played a few songs, setting the room at ease. The women seemed to enjoy the young Herald and her playing. During a little break, Lady Treesa offered the girl some tea and cakes. Luna politely accepted them.

“Thank you, Lady Treesa. I hadn’t expected to play for anyone for some time yet.” Luna said as she daintily licked icing from her fingers. “Not really for anyone important, like you.”

“Well, I had wanted my son in law to play for us today, as he does every week, but they’ve told me he’ll be busy. You see, I see Stefen as my son in law, as if he had been wedded to my late son. Not many understood why I felt that way at first, but now my friends here do.” Treesa gave Luna a sad smile. “And I guess you can be my granddaughter. With my own children back home, they don’t exactly get to come up here all that often. Withen and I usually travel back during the winter months, when things can be slow, but with things down on the border being what they are, this winter has been anything but slow. At least that dreadful bell hasn’t been ringing too much.”

Luna nearly dropped her teacup in shock. She had been confused as to who Lady Ashkevron was, or how she knew Stefen. She knew that Stefen had mentioned the name months ago, when it came to talk about her training in Bardic.

“Wait, are you Vanyel’s mother?” Luna’s blue eyes were wide. “It is an honor to play for you.” She said with full truthfulness.

“I am, little one, and it is an honor to hear you play his instrument. How about we coax your friend here into singing for me?” Treesa smiled warmly.

Luna nodded and looked to Thad. She began to play the song and Thad sang, his voice putting feeling in the words. The looks of surprised delight crossed most of Lady Treesa’s guest’s faces. Though Thad no touch of any Bardic gifts, his voice was a strong and vibrant baritone. It was a worthy accompaniment to Luna’s playing. The song was absolute drivel but somehow, being sung by Thad, there was a romantic feel. They finished the song with a flourish that brought out a cheer among the ladies.

“We need to tell Stefen to get that one into some voice lessons, why he could charm the skirts off any lady with a voice like that.” Treesa chuckled. “That is if he doesn’t have a lady already.”

Thad flushed brightly and gave a soft chuckle. Luna smiled warmly and patted his arm, not willing to part with her friend’s secret. Some of the ladies smiled, and it seemed that the good Lady had unwittingly embarrassed the young man.

“Thank you for your complements, Dear Lady, but the ladies best keep their skirts on around me, as I am not much inclined in their direction.” Thad blushed. “But there have been some that have begged me to sing for them, I don’t mind it though.”

“I fear I sent many a good lady chasing after my son, but in the end, I think I prefer him the way he was meant to be. I wouldn’t have met Stefen otherwise, and that means far more to me than seeing him married and giving me a whole gaggle of grandkids.” Treesa smiled to Thad and winked. “No worries, your secret is safe here.”

Later that evening, Luna lay across one of the couches, her head in Thad’s lap. It was a bit of a joke among those in this room that she was the only lady who would ever get that honor. There were times that Luna felt safest when close to him or with Stefen, as some of the students who weren’t actually affiliated with the Healers, Bards or Heralds but took classes at the Collegium had taken to teasing her. Some of them found it highly offensive that she was allowed to take both Bardic and Heraldic training because most claimed she’d been found roaming in the woods like a heathen. The odd thing is those same students had taken to Thad as if he’d been raised in Haven his whole life. Because of this, she didn’t leave the rooms outside of class and working with Surya, and it had several of the other trainees uneasy.

“I honestly don’t care what those idiots think, Luna. Don’t let them get you down, the fact is they are jealous.” Michael said, pacing by the fire. “I think that you performing for Lady Treesa Ashkevron today may settle some of it down. Some of those brats have aunts and mothers in her circle, and maybe they’ll back off.”

“The well born bullies can just go take a scenic tour of all the hells, their money can’t get them into the classes you get.” Kasie’s dark eyes blazed in the firelight. “Hell their money can’t get them talent, that’s a proven fact. Breda has booted more than a few who thought they could buy their way into Bardic training, you have to have the gift, not the gold.”

“That’s true, my little moon. I think its a few things though. You have the gift and the talent to be in those classes and you are my dearest friend.” Thad said softly, stroking her hair gently. “The girls are jealous because I give you more attention than I do them, and it is mainly the girls causing you trouble.”

“There’s boys, too. They’re horrible to me, inferring that I do disgusting things to make you like me. They say the same things about Stefen, but not in earshot of any of the teachers. I almost want to start sleeping out here on the couch at night, but I doubt where I sleep makes a damn bit of difference.” Luna grumbled. “Hell he’s started sleeping in his rooms over there, and has distanced himself from me.”

Thad shook his head. The past couple of days had been incredibly rough on Luna, and the rumors and jokes didn’t make things easier. Because the miscreants who had been harassing her were the children of the nobles, little was done. Time would only tell if it would let up, but some had the idea that it would only get worse. Little did they know that the little visit she shared with Lady Treesa would have unforeseen consequences.

Weeks passed and winter gave way to spring. Luna visited with Lady Treesa several times a week, when her time permitted. Most of the time the Lady simply wished to talk with her about where she grew up and how she managed with things being so hostile in her village. Surya grew to approve of the woman who had taken Luna under her wing. She never coaxed anything about Vanyel from her, seeming to sense that it could upset the child. Treesa simply gave her an abundance of love and advice.

“I hear rumor that a few tried to claim you misuse your gift when performing with me. I had an interesting chat with a Bard named Breda before you visited yesterday.” Treesa sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. “Of course I asked her to stay and listen, and she did. I don’t think I’d seen anyone as mad as she was when she left. Withen told me later that the Bard who sits on the Council blasted several there for letting their children spread such outright nonsense.”

“I think it’s just some are jealous of my talents and that Thad is my friend. I don’t understand why they would try to go through so much.” Luna sighed, still thoroughly upset that Stefen seemed to be avoiding her. “I haven’t spoken to Stefen since a few days before you summoned me.”

“I have, little one. He’s not avoiding you, he’s trying to avoid those idiots. It seems those who tried to accuse you of misusing your gift insinuated that he’s been sleeping with you.” Treesa told her bluntly. “Of course that’s absolute rubbish and everyone over there knows it.”

“Yeah, those I share the suite with have said they have heard that. Right, because I’m the little innocent one who has the love and affection of two men who have no eyes for females I’m the one they sleep with.” Luna grumbled bitterly. “Never mind that I’m way too young to know what to do in a bed besides sleep, I’ve got two lovers.”

“I heard that one of the young nobles and his friends got chased out of four taverns by several Bardic students, in one night. They’ve taken an offense to their little pet being annoyed.” Withen said as he entered the room. “I just had to sit though another stern lecture of a session. I have offered to have you stay here, until this whole mess blows over, but King Treven wouldn’t hear of it.”

“I’m not important, Lord Withen, but Thank You.   I appreciate what you and others have been doing for me, but as so many have so rudely pointed out, I’m just a heathen child from the woods.” Luna said glumly. “At least with my friends in both sets of my classes, I have protection.”

“You are more than just a Trainee, Luna. You are family, my family, and I’m not going to sit by and let these brats push you around. They are the heathens, not you.” He said firmly. “Most of those who have been spreading the muck have been sent back to their familial homes, and those who had too many back home have been sent to mine.”

The dark way the man said the last bit chilled Luna. She knew they’d be treated the way she had been, as many of Withen’s grandkids held a very dim view of arrogant idiots. None of them had a fraction of common decency and would resent being sent to such a place as Forst Reach. She knew that Withen didn’t mean to frighten her, but the man was only human.   He was angry that a Heraldic Trainee was being treated worse than the droppings horses left behind.

“You are important, Luna. You are something they’ll never be, not just a Bard, but a Herald as well. None of them can do what you can, and you care more for others.” Lady Treesa moved to sit beside Luna, taking her in her arms. “Little one, please understand, we protect those like you, and my husband is right. You are family, and not just because of where you are from.”

“You know?” Luna looked confused. “Did Stefen tell you?”

“No, but the information that he gave King Treven about things going on up north around your village and the forest has been discussed many times in our sessions.” Withen said, dropping into a chair. “There will be more Heralds going up there quite frequently now and staying in the area longer. We all know the stories about bandits and brigands coming to terrible ends, and I for one have no pity for them. I just wish my son could have had the peace he deserves, but someone has to protect us.”

That evening, Luna got a pleasant but unexpected surprise. She’d laid down with a headache, having taxed herself in many ways. It wasn’t a reaction headache, just one of tension. She’d dozed off and woke to someone gently playing music. She parted the curtain on her bed to see Stefen sitting on his, playing a lute. Her pain eased the longer he played and the tension eased from her shoulders. She got up and crossed the room to carefully sit next to him on the other bed. He gave her a warm smile and finished the piece he was playing.

“How are you feeling, my little one? I heard you had a nice long talk with Lord Withen and Lady Treesa today.” He said setting aside his lute and gathering her into a tight hug.

“I did, and to be honest I was kind of surprised that Lord Withen offered a room in their suite to me. Every other time he sees me, he reminds me that they both see me as family, but I honestly never expected that.” She laid her head on his shoulder and reveled in the warmth she’d missed. “It just hurt me so badly that you had to stay away from me, I didn’t understand what I had done to upset you.”

“It wasn’t you, it was those rumors and an unholy schedule. The classes I was teaching have been reclaimed by their usual teacher, so I am able to sleep a bit later in the mornings now. I did miss you but Thad told me you were doing well. Treesa kept me filled in on how you were progressing for her and her ladies.”

“Well, rumor has it that I may actually get the apprentice title soon, but I’m still tied to you. I don’t mind to be honest and I’m glad the rumors are dying out.” Luna said. She was quite tempted to sleep right beside Stefen tonight; she’d missed him that much.

Stefen felt bad about the whole situation. He’d rejected one mildly talented student by telling the young man he absolutely no trace of the Bardic Gift. The young man had retaliated against him by spreading rumors about Luna, and they were only made worse when she’d been called to play for Lady Treesa. He knew none of the ladies had said anything about her beyond she was quite talented for someone who hadn’t been playing for very long.

He had made the decision to take a step back from Luna, to see if the rumors would die down if she didn’t seem to be around her mentor as much, maybe it would kill the uproar. It hadn’t worked, that is until Lord Withen got wind of what was going around via the Council meetings and offered to sponsor Luna himself.   His offer covered both her training with the Heralds and Bardic, and he offered to foster the miscreants.    That seemed to get the most approval, and the whole lot had been shipped off to Forst Reach, where word had it they despised Luna even more, until it was pointed out that she’d been adopted by both Lord Withen and Lady Treesa.   They were quite careful about what they spoke about, but none were allowed to be too far from any of the many Ashkevron children and grandchildren, and those little ones reported everything.

With that being settled, Luna began to sparkle again. It wasn’t that Stefen had distanced himself from her; it was the hurtful rumors that had tried to get her ousted from her training. One of the boys had tried to ambush her in the Companion’s field, and was merrily chased the length of it by more than one, and half of the ones that had chased him had belonged to full Heralds. He spent several days in the hands of the healers before his father shipped him off to a relative. He wouldn't be missed...
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Tears of the Phoenix