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Phoenix Rising	By : serialcabbit78 Category: S through Z > Valdemar Series Views: 959 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: 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 slipped quietly into her suite after meeting with the King and by extension the Council. She was glad she’d left a set of Formal Whites when she’d left. They were a bit loose, but it wasn’t all that obvious. The session had lasted past midnight and other reports were that the Karsites were indeed pulling back. It seemed almost impossible that there could be peace, as this was a favored tactic they used so often no one ever believed it.

*Flashback*

“I think what would be one of the better things to do is to make it look as if we are pulling all troops back, but we should replace those Heralds that are running covert. They know those of us who have been going undercover, so it would be better to have completely new faces go in as covert agents on the border. Those of us who swapped to that they seemed to identify us and hit us every time” Luna said as she paced gravely by her seat. “We know they are getting their own covert agents in behind our lines and targeting those they know have gone into disguise. I was pulled from the lines when the Healers discovered I was pregnant, and even though I was in my Bardic garb, they targeted me.”
“How did they know that you were in disguise?” Lord Withen grumbled. “Why were you even out in the open?”

Luna couldn’t fault him for asking, he was in a way like the grandfather she never knew. He wasn’t happy with more of their kind were being tossed into danger with what seemed like careless regard for their lives. Luna bit her lip and counted to ten. She did love the man but there were times she wanted to set her hands around his thick neck and squeeze while shaking him like a rag doll.

“Lord Withen, were we supposed to stand idly by while a wild fire raged so close to Horn? We were working on putting out flames, making fire breaks and making sure no embers hit homes and other structures. Would you stand by if there were fires threatening Forst Reach and the village there?” Luna turned her icy blue eyes on him, her entire body shaking with anger. “We had no clue they even had any agents within our borders, let alone concealed in these fires. We lost seven Heralds that night.”

“Well, no. You should not have been out there given the condition you were in.” He fired back, anger in his own eyes. “The healers should have sent you straight home.”

“Right, because everyone knew that I was pregnant, including me. I DID NOT KNOW!” She smacked the table and fired her own heated glare. “I have duties, damn you. I don’t care if I knew I was carrying a child, my duty was to protect those people. We thought we were out of the line of danger.”

King Treven banged a gavel on the table to halt the argument. This wasn’t a time for anyone to bring up personal arguments, let alone bring up an incident that had killed so many in one fell swoop. Not one person on the Council could blame Withen for his feelings when it came to Luna, but she knew her duties.

“We know that fire took seven fine Heralds from us and it would have been eight. Herald Luna almost died herself, and from the reports we were given the fact she was with child saved her life. She knows the price she may have to pay in the line of duty.” Queen Jisa said serenely. “All of us know when we are Chosen and trained what can happen. I agree with Herald Luna though, I think if we can send in fresh Heralds and fresh troops maybe we can find out how they are crossing our lines.”

Luna sat in her chair and put her head on the table. She wanted nothing more than to just be able to break down and cry. She fought the temptation for several moments as voices around her discussed the information she and several others had fought dearly to smuggle out. She had her own ways of doing so, smuggling her stuff out in books of music and tales along with sheet music. She would send the sheet music to Medren who would pass it to Stefen who would then pass it to those who needed it. Her head pounded with her pulse and she barely noticed when the meeting broke up and someone moving the chair next to her until a hand gently rubbed her back.

“Can you forgive me for being an old fool?” Withen quietly asked her. “They never told us you didn’t know. I know it’s hard on a woman to lose a child.”

“It’s ok, Grandfather. It’s just taking me a while to come to terms with it. It still could have been far worse. Half the town could have been destroyed, but after they’d killed all the Karsite agents, the fires died with them.” She sighed and sat up. “I know you are curious as to what I named the baby, but for right now I wouldn’t really care if you just listed him as ‘baby boy’.”

Withen frowned, quickly wiping it from his face when the young woman turned her blue eyes to him. He saw the name she’d given her son written in every tear that streaked down her cheeks. He could not fault her for choosing that name. He smiled softly and pulled her into a gentle hug.

“No, my little one. I’ll list his name as the one you named him for. Thank you. We both know he would be very proud of you. I know you’ve had more than this damned war stressing you out and it’s probably more of a blessing that the little thing resides with Her now. At least it will give my late sister someone to watch over.” Withen smiled and led Luna to her suite and gave her another hug before he left her.

*end flashback*

Stefen watched as Luna quietly came into the room and went over to a table where a pitcher of chilled juice sat. They kept wine and water there as well, but Luna never really would take anything stronger than the herbal teas. He didn’t blame her, though. She didn’t like the way intoxicants made her feel. Most of the time when they were together, she’d ask him to play for her when she was in pain.

He could tell from her red rimmed eyes that the meeting had probably gone on far later than it should have and had possibly brought up painful memories of her time in the war zone. Her hands trembled slightly as she turned to sit on the couch, finally noticing Stefen. He took her glass before she could spill it and pulled her close when she sat.

“I tried not to tell Grandfather my son’s name, but somehow he knew.   I didn’t want to bring up his own pain, but he was proud.” Luna sighed and took the glass, draining it. “I want to spread his ashes when I go up into the Sorrows.   It seems only right.”

“I agree, do you know where? I know they moved the location of that Waystation we stayed in when you were first chosen.” Stefen knew where she was likely to leave them, but it would have to wait until the winter was over. “Though they did plant some lovely golden oaks near where it was.”

“That’s where I plan on putting them. When I was there when I did Letha’s training, they were still saplings, but one was planted right on the spot Surya chose me.” She turned and gave Stefen a tired smile. “That was one of the happiest moments of my life, the moment I knew I had friends who would be there for me.”

She rose and set the glass back on the table by the drinks then went into her bedroom to change for bed. She took her hair out of the braid she’d pulled into before she left for her appointment. The pain in her head had receded some, but the only thing that would cure it would be rest. She pulled on some thick socks and stepped out into the sitting room. She saw the urn, still sitting on the mantle, but beside it was the focus.

“Until you leave for your training assignment, I want those to stay there. If Trey has an issue with it, he can take it up with me. After all, these are your rooms, not his. He has his own place and I will not allow him to throw you out of your own bed anymore.” Stefen patted the couch and she sat beside him. “I am glad to have you home though.”

“Stefen, I honestly can’t take the stress.” She leaned into his side and rubbed her eyes. “They pulled him from the lines after they sent me north of Horn, and he had other things that took him away. I just hope that he’s never stupid enough to allow Daryl to follow him into Rethwellen.”

“I’ve convinced him on that part. I personally understand why, as I had to watch Vanyel go off alone. The last thing we need is another war.” Stefen sighed. “He was all ready to tear off after he was told of his assignment with Daryl in tow. I told him that Daryl could not go and why.”

Luna knew how Trey would have taken that. He’d gotten rather defiant since he’d made full Herald, and to be told that he could not do as he pleased would not have gone over well. It hadn’t gone over well when she’d gone back to k’Treva to visit with Brightmoon and they refused to allow him to stay with her. That trip was more than miserable because they’d settled her into Brightmoon’s little ekele, Trey insisted he stay with her. In the end, yet again she wound up sleeping in the bedroom shared by Moondance and Starwind.   She respected their privacy, but she still felt rather guilty to intrude into their personal space.

:Beware, they are on their way home, and I’m taking my damn time getting him there. He doesn’t understand how the bond is only between him and Daryl and not between the three of you. I’ve told him half a dozen times already that he’s not to stress you out.: Corden said sourly. :I also think he’s jealous of the fact that you have gotten closer to most of the k’Treva clan than he has.:
:You can tell him to take a flying leap off a cliff then. I’m done with the petty little games he’s been playing. You can also tell him that he allowed Daryl to throw me out of the room I rented before I could tell him of our son.:   Luna narrowed her eyes as she spoke to Corden. :I know you’ve tried to keep him in line, and his attitude is not your fault.:

She sighed and shook her head. She knew part of Trey’s annoyance, it was that even after Luna made full Master, Stefen and she had remained close friends. In some ways, he was closer to her than Trey was, and it irked him. She’d completely altered everything in her life for the boy and nothing ever made him happy anymore. The one thing she would never do would be put out the one person who had been there for her. The more she thought over things that had happened to her since she’d been Chosen, Trey never seemed to understand why she had nightmares and or when flashbacks had her sitting in the corner of a room shaking like a new foal.

:Well, now that’s a shock. He knew you were pregnant when they pulled him out of that zone and pulled you out of the lines. I told him that you’ll never be able to have children, and that you need time to process the whole mess.: Corden sounded shocked, his normally cheerful sounding voice sounded sad as well. :I told him to open his heart to Daryl, there’s the inn, and I’m making them stop before they do something quite scandalous on the side of the road.:

She got up and went into her room, intending to crawl into bed and try to sleep. She and Corden both had wondered what had brought on the change in Trey’s behaviors and attitude. He’d been such a kind hearted young man, one who cared more for others than himself.   It had only been in the past five years that he’d changed so very much. She pushed the covers to her bed back and eased into the soft mattress. After a few moments, she noticed the lights in the other room went out and Stefen came in and sat on the bed beside her.

:Let him baby you a bit, little moonbeam. You haven’t had someone to give you more than a smile in ages.: Surya said. :Corden told me they won’t be in until late tomorrow.   The stupid boy finally accepted that he is lifebonded to Daryl. I think we’ll see a change.:

“You really shouldn’t sleep alone. I don’t mind, little one, and you do need a friend.” Stefen gave her a gentle look. “I know you’ve had very little time to mourn the loss of your little one too.”

“I haven’t. I’ve been so very busy from the time they let me out of bed until I headed home. I know you helped me get the information I smuggled out into the right hands.” She sat up and hugged Stefen tightly. “Stop sitting there looking like a lost puppy and get in here!”

It wasn’t long before she was completely relaxed and drifting off to sleep that a thought crossed her mind. She’d named her son the moment they placed his little body in her arms. Somehow, in the back of her mind, she knew she was pregnant. The stress she’d handled trying to get the covert information was one thing. She’d endured eating the pitiful rations, not daring to take meals from the families who were barely existing on meager supplies themselves. The good thing is field rations had changed drastically since Vanyel’s time. Anything moldy or spoiled was thrown out and replaced.   Somehow, she and the child both survived that, only to be taken down in the middle of the night. She drifted into sleep, feeling a peace she hadn’t expected to feel for a long time to come.

It was sometime before noon when she woke the next morning. The other side of the bed was empty but neatly made. A clean outfit lay across the foot of her bed along with her robe and some clean towels. A note lay on top of it telling her that Stefen had gone to help translate the last of the sheet music she’d sent out before she left.   She’d been clever enough to code most of the information into notes, and had given Stefen the key to decode it all. Being able to read and write music had actually given her a unique edge in this.

Working as a covert agent on the lines with this newest battle with Karse had taken her Bardic skills as well as that of a Herald. One of the things she could do was to sit in the inns or even in the camps and play for those stationed there and gather the information she needed then when she was able to be alone, encode it into music and send it to her contacts.

She went to the bathing room and took a long hot bath. She looked down at her body and winced as if she’d seen the scars for the very first time. She had the ones from that horrible fire, and a few others. She got out of the tub and dried off, sighing as she put on the clothes she’d brought with her.

She went to the common room as the noon bell rang, sitting among the trainees to eat lunch. A petite young woman approached her and sat at the table across from her. Luna gave her a careful glance, taking her in. She was just a little taller than Luna and had long dark black hair. She had soft brown eyes and gently triangular face. She was a great deal more feminine in her features than how she carried herself.

“Herald Luna, I’m Meghan. I’m supposed to be going out on my internship with you in a couple months.” The girl smiled at her. “They told me you would be the Herald I would be training with. I guess they feel you need a break from being a covert agent.”

“It’s not all that bad, the hardest part is dodging those who want to kill me.” Luna laughed. “It did help that I am a full Bard, but there is nothing glorious about war. I would be very glad to never see that boarder again.”

They started eating as the dishes were added to the tables. Meghan made sure that Luna’s plate was full of stew and bread along with some sweet little vegetables Luna hadn’t tasted in a very long time.   In fact it was one of the better meals she had eaten in years. She listened to the chatter around her, watching as the others in the room talked and laughed. It was a sea of white and gray, and she could see that there were fewer in the room than had been several years before.

“How many do we have out in the field, Meghan? I mean I know we’ve lost several in this chaos with Karse, but I didn’t think it would be this many.” Luna saw Kasie across the room and waved to her.

“There are so many coming and going, I’ve lost count. Herald Isabeth is retiring from field work at the end of her circuit, she’ll be taking over one of the classes. There are several out as couriers and I think Herald Michael has gone out by Forst Reach as a liaison for Baron Tashir.” Meghan appeared lost in thought. “We haven’t had very many chosen come in for a while, not since I was Chosen.”

Kasie came over and sat next to Luna, snagging a clean plate and filling it before digging into the stew. She looked like she was ready to fall asleep in her food, as if the only thing keeping her truly awake was her hunger. Luna felt something sharply lance though her and then the tolling began. The room went dead quiet, as all there felt the pain. Luna turned to look at Kasie, her dark skin taking on an ashen hue. Tears filled her dark eyes and Luna turned to hug her friend.
“I’m so sorry, Kasie.” Luna knew who it was. Kasie and Anya had been lovers for years, and many assumed that the pair were lifebonded. Luna was one of the very few who knew the truth, they were closer than lovers, but were not lifebonded. Both were bound to their duties as Heralds, and the time they spent together was precious.

“Luna, you and I are the same size, I’ve got extra uniforms. Go, I’ll get Meghan ready.” Kasie pulled herself together, taking one last bite of her food. “Meghan, you’ll have to head out as soon as possible.”

Luna dashed for her suite to grab her packs. She passed Stefen in the hall as she came out with her packs in hand. He turned and bolted in another direction, intent on getting Luna’s supplies ordered.   Luna let herself into Kasie’s suite and began to ransack her wardrobe, taking as many of the uniforms as she dared, not wanting to leave the girl with nothing to wear. She did have a few winter sets herself, but she knew there was no time to have repaired her saddle and tack after the past few years down south.

:You would be surprised, they had new tack made up for me and just finished fitting it. I’m so sorry about Anya. They’ll want you to leave for the Sorrows as soon as possible, probably tomorrow morning.: Surya said, with urgency in her sending. :We’ll have chirras, you like them because they sing.:
:You’re right, I do like them. Do you know what happened?: Luna asked :She should have been coming out of the forest area today.:

:Raiders. How they got her we don’t know.: Surya said.

Luna heard Kasie come into the room as she finished packing away the last of what she’d borrowed. Kasie looked at the packs and shook her head. She pulled out a few more changes, in both summer and winter weight and pushed them into Luna’s arms.

“I’m not doing field work, I’m teaching for a while. I can make it with the lighter stuff, as I spend most of my days indoors. She’d been out of the forest for days, and somehow was ambushed, though I don’t know how.” Kasie helped Luna tie off her pack. “It’s going to be tough without her, but I am damn glad we weren’t lifebonded. I feel bad for you though, you haven’t had time to recover.”

“Kasie, we’re Heralds. We’re used to running straight back into danger the second we get a breath back in our lungs. Besides, maybe I can use my other training to get an idea what happened.”   Luna hugged her friend tightly. “Thanks for helping me. I have new stuff being made, have Stefen give some of it to you.”

“Well, you know that area better than any of us. Most we ever knew that that forest was nothing but just that. After Vanyel, they started sending Heralds through there, and found villages.” Kasie dropped onto the edge of her bed. “The trainee that was with Anya is shaken but alive. He’s been in contact with my Companion, they’d left the guard post to go back towards the forest with escort because a traveler said there was something wrong. So it wasn’t like she was in the wrong, only doing her duty.”

Luna had the idea that Kasie first thought that Anya had tried to play hero. There were many times when Bards and Heralds alike had run head long into danger, giving all they had to protect others. Some survived, many died, but it was something they all had to do at some point or another. Those who were Bards had ways of getting themselves out of tight spots, and Luna knew herself of the sacrifices that many had made.

“Kay, we all know that at some point or another; our duties can mean our deaths. We all know the dangers we face. I can’t say that any of us can face down death without fear, but when it comes to innocent lives, I’ll take that walk any day.” Luna sat beside Kasie and pulled her close. “The things I’ve been through in my life, I should have never made it to even be Chosen, let alone the things I’ve survived after. Surya has told me many times that we all have a purpose, a reason we’ve been Chosen.”

“Just how did you survive? You were practically an orphan from the time you were two, even though your parents were alive.” Kasie returned the embrace and sighed. “I’ve been in the Sorrows, it’s an eerie place. How do people manage to live up there?”

“There are many people who would agree with you, especially with what happens to the bad people that try to cross it. Remember when you said those bandits tried to get to the Waystation you were staying in, and what happened?” Luna giggled. “I know it had to scare the living daylights out of you, but well, the legends are true.”

“Girl, that almost scared me as white as my uniform. Had I never known about him, I’d probably still be as pale as you are. I know you sometimes refer to that curse as a blessing, but until that night, I never believed you.” Kasie chuckled in spite of her grief. “So, I know you’ve seen him, hell he was here that night.”

“There was things he had to teach me, how to shield and other things. Some of my gifts began to show before I was four. Looking back at some things, I think he knew somehow I could someday be a Herald.” Luna looked at the bulging packs. “Meghan seems to be a sweet girl though, I wonder where she’s from.”

“Remember when you went out for your Training mission? Evanna did end up choosing a girl, but she made note of Meghan, and told the other Companions about her. She was chosen four years ago, while you were doing the bulk of your covert mission. That one no one really knew outside of Stefen and the King.” Kasie got up and pulled a wrapped package from a shelf in her wardrobe. “I got this for you a few weeks before you came back. I figured it would be something you would like.”

Luna took the package and opened it. It was a flute case, beautifully carved and perfect for the wooden flute she still played. Inlaid on the top was two gyrfalcons, in mother of pearl. They sat on a painted branch each holding a cord that was attached to a star and a moon. Luna had to blink back tears, as very few who knew her would even understand exactly what this meant.

“Where did you find this?” She said, her voice thick with tears. She opened the case and inside was a crescent moon with a small hook, meant to hold her flute in place. “It’s beautiful.”

“There were a few similar to this one, but only this one had the beautiful white mother of pearl. When I saw it, I thought of you. Not many know of your ‘little brother’ or your friends. The artist who made this told me that he grew up in a village under a clan, but he didn’t tell me the name. He knew of their mages and loved their birds, so when he makes things like this, he puts birds on them.” Kasie shrugged. “He has a talent with wood working and with precious stuff like mother of pearl and other things.”

“Kasie, to me, this is one of the most beautiful things anyone has ever given me.” Luna hugged her friend tight.

Luna ran a finger loving over the outside of the case. To her, the two birds represented Moondance and Starwind, along with their adopted sons. She noticed that the star had a slight slivery hue to it and the moon a very soft golden hue. It was like this was made for her, though she had no idea how anyone would make something for someone they didn’t know, without knowing what they would like.

“You know that beautiful lute of yours, I found out that the man who made that lute made this. I told him I was looking for a travel case for a flute and he asked me a few questions.” Kasie smiled. “Said he had a touch of Foresight, and when you bought that instrument, he went home and made that. Anyway, I’m going to try to sleep some. You get back and spend some time with Stefen.”

Luna shouldered her packs and hugged Kasie again. She didn’t need to worry about her friend, even though her lover was gone, Kasie was in a peaceful place. Knowing that her love hadn’t gone looking for trouble, so to speak was a relief, and Luna left her to get the sleep she needed after coming in from her own work.   She slipped quietly out of the suite and headed to her own rooms.

When she got there, she had expected to finish her packing and set the packs ready to go. What she found was her stuff was in the packs she’d left behind, along with extra blankets, a pillow and other things she would need. Stefen had even made sure the little urn was packed away. She set the bags with Kasie’s spare clothes in it with the pile and fretted a little. It looked like more than she’d taken when she left for her own Internship.

“You left during the summer then, and your other trips have only been what you could carry on Surya. I packed what you’d need, I take it Kasie lent you clothes? The stuff they have been working on for your isn’t even near ready. Surya’s new tack is ready, they were working on it before you got home.” Stefen said as he pulled her close, noticing the flute case still in her hands. “Good thing I left that out.”

Stefen fetched her flute from the table and took the case from her. He gently set it in the little hook and closed the case. He tucked it into her shoulder pack and turned back to her.   That’s when she noticed the nice little meal laid out on the little table by the fireplace. There was more food than just the two of them could eat and soon she had friends to spend the evening with.

There was a knock at the door and she went to open it. She was happy to see Thad, Trey, Daryl and a few others she’d come to love. They all crowded into the room and hugged her. Daryl seemed to have something on his mind and he pulled her into her room. Trey tried to follow and was given a look from Daryl. He moved away from the door and Daryl shut it firmly.

“I feel like I need to apologize to you. Many of the times I said things, I meant them in a teasing way and I know they did not come out the way I intended. It made things way worse when Trey tried to take my side on things. I know you love him and I knew going in that the two of you were together.” Daryl hung his head. “Damnit I knew the signs of a lifebond, and it never occurred to me that’s what happened between him and me until Corden refused to carry him. It’s made both of us act like fools, and the worst part is, you suffered as well. I think you suffered worse than us, because he completely shut you out.”

“Daryl, I’m not going to let this spoil our friendships. I do love you both, but I want you both to be happy. I know that I’m not part of that, not anymore.” Luna looked away, unable to stop her tears. It hurt knowing that she was alone, she had friends, but that was all. She leaned over and hugged Daryl.

She moved to open the door and Trey stepped through, shutting it again. His dark eyes were troubled and he pulled her into a tight hug. She felt him shaking, and realized that he was crying. She held onto him, letting him cry and felt Daryl hug them both.

:Can you forgive me, love? I thought they told you about the baby when they pulled you out of the heated area. I had no idea you didn’t know.: Trey mindspoke to her. :I’m so sorry about the way I’ve behaved. Please, please forgive me.:

:Of course, you stupid boy! I will always love you and you know that. Knowing you are happy, yes it hurts, but you deserve someone who completely understands you. Daryl and I have been friends and you will always be my friend.: Luna pulled back and forced Trey to look into her eyes. “We will always be friends, now enough with the tears, I want to relax my last night here for a while.”

They joined the rest of their friends, and spent the rest of the evening telling tales that no one could be sure if there was any truth to them. When she went off to bed that night, it was with a full but lighter heart and a smile on her lips.   She drifted off to sleep, smiling, knowing that peace had been made.
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Phoenix Rising