Adult-FanFiction.org : Books

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
- 3
- 4
- 5
Later that evening, Luna had gathered various fruits and vegetables from what was left of the village. She had wanted to explore what was still there. There were a couple homes left, the tiny inn and several women. The men who had been holding power there were all among the dead, and the women and children under their power as well. Luna had ridden up on Surya, and the appearance of her with her Companion had brought a cheer to those surviving.

“Luna, where did you find this beautiful girl? Surely she isn’t…?” An old woman who had tried to make sure Luna had food fed Surya a carrot.

“She is, Nana. In a couple of days I’m heading down to the capital to be a Herald. I will try to see to it the King will get help up here for you all.” Luna had only ever known the woman by the term Nana, shortened for Grandmother. Most of the children had been taught to refer to her as that, weather they were kin or not. “Listen, I’m here to get a few supplies for food to take back with me. A Bard was sent to make sure I can make it back, apparently there’s been an influx of newly Chosen like me, and they don’t have Heralds to spare. They knew something about me and that something was going to happen. All the stories we have been told about Vanyel’s Curse are true, they’re not rumors.”

“Aye, wee one, they surely are. Now that he’s cleaned out the scum here, he can focus back on guarding the boarder. They just had to make themselves a nice juicy target. Strangest thing about that storm earlier, it was a whirlwind and it took out only their buildings didn’t touch much else.” She pointed to a hole at the edge of the village. “Some tried to climb that tree, the fools. Where ever it is, you can be sure they are under it.”
“That will be for the guard to handle, we’ll leave report at the post on our way back. That is unless the friends coming to talk to Bard Stefen wish to deal with it.” Luna took the old woman’s arm and led her inside the small hut she lived in. “Look, can I guess that Sven and Lora are among the dead? I know Lora never let Cody out of her sight, and well, where I am staying with Stefen is way deep in the forest.”

“Oh my, yes they are. The morning after you took off into the woods, those bastards thought they were hiding you and torched their house. If Cody made it out alive, I’m sure Vanyel made sure he made it to you. You forget little one, you are not the only one with the Sight. You’re just the one who got Chosen.” Nana smiled softly, though tears sparkled in her bright eyes. “When the ones who went in to look for you wound up dead, they went after Sven with a vengeance. He may not have liked his son, but he’d defend that child and any other one to the death. Especially after what happened to your family, he always felt your parents were fools to treat you the way they did. Why, a blind man could have seen one of those beauties was in your future.”

“Nana, maybe that’s what they were afraid of, that I’d get Chosen then there would be more Heralds coming through. Why were they afraid of the Heralds though, they only wish for peace and good for us all? The fact that Vanyel often helped people outside the Boarders as well as those in them, the peace he helped bring to the tiny kingdom near his home. Yes, he was a Mage but he was a Herald first, and all he wanted was for all that carried that title to be regarded with trust.   The Bard, Stefen, he’s trying to get people to trust in us, that our powers are the ones everyone needs, not magic.” Luna sighed and dropped into a chair at Nana’s table. “I can’t let Stefen know how much I truly know, not until I get to Haven and speak with King Treven. Heralds are needed to go out and look for more nests like the one was here, because I am sure it wasn’t the only one.”

“Child, what makes you think that Vanyel hasn’t told him already? You can be sure he has, because the King may listen to a newly Chosen child, but you can be sure those on the Counsel won’t.” Nana bustled around the small hut, packing vegetables, dried meats and some cast off clothing. “Mercy, even the air itself smells cleaner now. It’s like the storm blew away all the bad, leaving the land here to heal. Now, I have the feeling Cody is with you, and the friends you will be meeting will be the fabled Hawkbrothers, am I correct?”

“From what I have been told, yes, they are. The ones coming were close friends of Vanyel, and the Kyree have informed them of Cody. Apparently, he’s Gifted like us, but with a very special gift.” Luna watched as the empty saddle packs she brought with her were expertly packed by Nana. “Oh the poor boy, I’m sure one of them critters just ran up to you, not knowing that baby never saw one. Now, I will say something to you that I’d never admit to anyone in this village. I roamed these woods long before Vanyel’s time, and I know we’re close to the Pelegirs. Before I lived here, I lived in a holding under their protection. I shuddered every time I heard those damned stories they tell you children, those people would no more carry off an unwilling child than would a Kyree. I had a touch of training by one of their Speakers, and he was a very gentle man.   Oh, he was one you would not wish to anger, and had a rather formidable personality, but once you knew him, he was very kind. He hated it when the people gave him difference, but that just showed he was very humble as well. I’m sure he has gained his wings by now, as he was quite old when I knew of him, but the one who was to take his place was just as kind.”

“How did you know if he was old? From how Stefen described the ones who knew Vanyel, they were as silver haired as you are.” Luna snagged an apple and began cutting it. “I gather it’s impossible to tell their ages.”

“That is true, child. I wasn’t much older than you are now when I trained with the Speaker but he was near ninety. He looked as young as someone in their thirties or though, but you could tell it in his eyes. You could see the age and wisdom there. The younger one with him never told me his age, but the last of the color had yet to be bleached away by the magic they use. He had this one thick streak of brown hair in nearly purely silver hair. Prettiest thing you could meet, too. Had this woman as a friend, they called her a Wingsister.   She’s the one who told him I had that Sight, but not much else. She later told me of her Companion, but I think she secretly was sad that it was clear I’d never be chosen. When I came here, because they needed an herb woman, I realized what she meant. I can do small Healing and had enough talent to be a Wise Woman, but not enough to qualify me to be a Healer or a Herald. When you were born, I Saw you were special.”

Luna and Nana both started when a scratch sounded at the door. Luna looked up at the window and saw Surya looking in. Luna had to chuckle, as if Surya was any other mount; the flowers in Nana’s window box would not have been safe. Nana got up and went to open the door where the very large Kyree sat on her doorstep. He was mostly dark brown with creamy brown accents around his head, nose and on his paws. He bowed to Nana and stepped into the room.
“Nana, this is Kawe. He came to us yesterday to tell us of a change in plans, I think.” Luna ate one last apple slice, and then went to the window to offer the rest of the slices to Surya. “I guess they wanted to make sure I was safe.”

: No worries, Surya told me you were fine. She was telling me that the Wise Mother here was provisioning you. Thank you, Friend to K’Treva. I wish to ask you to come with us, as someone wishes to see you again. : Kawe looked at Nana.   : He said you would have survived anything, and that if there was darkness here, you would be the candle that stayed lit though it. :

Luna dropped the last slice, causing Surya to give her a look as she hastily retrieved it from the flowers. She’d forgotten that Kawe and Aroon were in regular communication, and that it would have been likely Kawe would have informed him on who Luna had come to see.

“Well then, gentle brother, I guess I shall take up some bedding and follow you. Do you think that Surya would be kind enough to carry two?” Nana’s eyes sparkled with happiness. I may be an old woman, but I don’t mind a wee bit of adventure!”

Surya was more than happy to carry Nana, and Luna rode pillion, to allow the elder woman to have the saddle.   She and Kawe lightly picked their way back through the forest, and made it to the station in good time. The sun was just starting to slip into the horizon and Stefen ran out to greet them.   Kawe ran over to him, and he unfastened the packs that had been strapped to him.

“Luna, this is more than I expected you to get, and who is this enchanting lady?” He asked as he helped Nana from Surya’s back. “I take it she’s someone very important to you and your village.”

“I am, and I take it you are Bard Stefen? Thank you for taking care of our special little ones. Though I know you weren’t the only one.” She turned her attention to the woods, seeming to take the whole of their surroundings in, then said “Thank you, Herald-Mage Vanyel. If it wasn’t for you I fear everything we held dear would have been erased. Now, with your help and this sweet child here, I’m sure the King will be happy to help us.”

A soft breeze played with the loose strands of Nana’s hair, sweeping them from her face. Her face glowed with love and pride, leaving little doubt that if any words were spoken to her, they were for her mind alone.   The breeze settled, and the elder woman sighed. She seemed satisfied about something; as if she knew something they didn’t.

“I think we should think about sleeping arrangements,” Luna said as Nana began putting together a supper. “If it’s ok, I can sleep outside with Surya, and Nana inside with Stefen and Cody. The station is small, and it would be unfair for you two to be sleeping outside.”

“Luna, when I was up here with Vanyel, years ago. It was winter and we slept in a lot worse conditions than this. Our bed was pine branches with our bed rolls over them and under our cloaks. I would be more comfortable outside, though. Surya would no doubt protect you no matter where you sleep.” Stefen stepped over to Luna, hugging her gently. “I know the trip into the village wasn’t ease for you. If you need to talk, you know I’ll always listen to you little one.”

“You are a good lad, got a good head on your shoulders. I know you were his beloved, Stefen. Just make sure no one picks on my little one, I know the Heralds are a good sort. She’s seen way too much in her young life, her own family kicked her around like a mongrel dog, then those bullying bastards trying to turn her into a wife. They nailed nearly every girl under the age of sixteen, and did for years.” Nana made short work of getting a full meal together, using a touch of the supplies Stefen brought and supplemented that with the provisions she’d put together for Luna.   “Luna, I do believe that since this will be the time I tell you my true name, I know you kids have always called me Grandma, Granny or Nana, that is just the way of my position, you may call me Margaret.”

Stefen started at the woman’s name. Something about her caught his attention, but he couldn’t be for sure what.   She was truly a stranger to him, but there was something about her name that set off a vague memory. She was the kind of woman who could be anyone’s grandma, but chose to serve her village in the way of a minor healer, the wise old woman who educated the young in no few ways. He decided it really didn’t matter; the food was ready and smelled quite good.

They sat around a fire after dinner, chatting about how Luna’s life would be different. She was beginning to show just a little bit of nervousness at leaving what life she knew to travel far away from the place she called home. Stefen could sympathize with her, as everything she knew would soon change.

“I think the biggest change you’ll encounter in Haven is actual hot baths. Not having to boil your own bath water or taking ice cold ones from the stream or pump. Not that I would have any idea what that’s like for a female, but I kind of like certain parts of my anatomy where they are.” Stefen laughed. “I can understand though, shivering and cold affect you no matter your gender.”

Surya snorted and shot Stefen a very hot glare. Luna chuckled and scratched her chin, trying to calm her Companion.

“Surya, I’m sure your indignation would be well appreciated if Luna was some delicate city flower and not some backwoods bred child. From what I’ve seen in the short time I have spent here, he’s treating her as an equal, not some daft girl child who would blush at the thought of a boy.” Margaret chided. “I understand why you feel she doesn’t need to hear such things, but if you look into her memories, as I’m sure she’s offered to you, you’ll see that you are being extremely overly protective.”

: Tell her I have, and I have good reason to be, given the things you’ve seen. Child, he’s nearly old enough to be your father, and he should realize just how young you are! : Surya stated, earning a glare back from Luna.

“She has, but I think what she does not understand is Stefen and I somehow have an understanding. He’s treating me as someone who is mature beyond their years, like we have nothing to be shy about with one another. It would be painful if he tried to treat me as the child who needs to be shielded from such things that would make more protected girls faint. I mean, Nana Margaret, you saw how my hair was; the tangles and snarls were so bad I was going to ask you to cut my hair off. He helped me with a bath, and worked the tangles out. That was before Surya Chose me; then we talked while he had a bath.” She gave Surya a soft cuddle. “You can just get over being shocked, or maybe choose a delicate flower instead?”

Stefen chuckled and shook his head. Luna was certainly going to set some in Haven on their ears! She didn’t mince words, and she told it straight like it was, blithely ignoring any ideas of polite protocol. In some ways, she reminded him of Vanyel, then again he did seem to have a hand in how she grew up.

“Oh don’t mind her, Surya. She’s a tough little one and though she is sharp with her tongue, she means well. I know you simply want her to be a proper lady, but you might as well have those who make your shoes to give you boots instead. Like I said, Stefen is treating her as someone who is his equal in maturity and intelligence.   I’m sure he understands what it is like to grow up on the wrong side of genteel.” Margaret smiled at the Companion.

: I guess I’ll just have to accept you as you are, Luna. Just because I grew up with what some consider polite society, not everyone has that privilege. I do understand what you all are saying though, and I do understand that Stefen is trying to keep you at ease. I guess it would bring more attention to try to get privacy than to just do things. : Surya said into Luna’s mind. : Like earlier in the station, you figured what he was doing, but I was the one who called your attention to it. :

“Surya, maybe I should apologize to you. I haven’t exactly kept in mind that Luna is indeed a little girl. I’ve been treating her as I would someone I grew up with, someone I don’t have to worry about politeness.” Stefen said, slightly chagrined.

: No, Stefen, I’ve been the one who has been rude. I’m the one looking at her as the young child she should be, not the one she is. Luna is right, had you treated her as a delicate girl instead of the girl she is, you would had her uneasy around you. : Surya nuzzled Stefen in apology. : Seeing you be as comfortable around her as you have been sort of shocked my sensibilities, but I guess I need to just get over them because in a few years, she’ll be out in training with her year mates, and not all of them are going to be her age or even female. The fact she’s able to be comfortable with conditions like this will be an asset to her training. :
“That’s what I tried to tell you!” A voice echoed into the clearing. “Believe me, I understand you want to protect her, but those she’ll be training are going to treat her in the same way as Stefen has. Modesty and privacy are good, but when you don’t have them then you have to make do with what you have.” Vanyel was just a pale light along the darker trees.

“That’s true; you can imagine the shock I had when I first got the Bardic Collegium. I went from sleeping on the streets, maybe the corner of an inn if I was lucky. Food was scraps, and as I’ve said before, the privy was just somewhere maybe just out of someone’s line of sight.   I went from that to having my own bed, food when I was hungry, hot baths, good clothes; it was a luxury I never expected. Plus I made a very good friend in Medren, then with Vanyel. I still visit with his family and his mom sees me as any of her other son in laws.   In so many ways, Lady Treesa and Lord Withen have made his death not so painful.” Stefen sighed. “I can just guess who’s going to be the new mentor when we get back, and I’m probably going to have a couple more newly chosen to settle in. Is it as full as I think, Surya?”

Surya snorted and nodded. She had not let anyone know just how full the Collegium was, and that some of the suites formerly used by the Herald-Mages were still being used with a mentor and a handful of trainees. The only difference was that the work rooms were made into extra bedrooms, and senior Healers, Bards and Heralds usually had a handful of Heraldic Trainees. Stefen was in for a shock when he got back to Haven though, as the rooms he’d be assigned to would be the ones used long ago by Savil.   They had been recently vacated by the newest lot out on internship; they’d be assigned new rooms when they returned.

“I think it’s best if we sleep for now. I do believe our guests will be arriving in the morning, and we should be ready to receive them.” Kawe intoned to them all. “Aroon has them camping not too far from here, and they are most anxious to meet you and Cody, Luna.”

They all sought their beds; Margaret taking the bed box inside the station with Cody, Stefen and Luna curled up near Surya. He decided to sleep close to her, not because he didn’t trust Surya, but it seemed to him the Companion would have drug him back outside had he tried to sleep inside, even if the station had been empty.

: Well at least he has some sense! : Surya said to Luna as she drifted off to sleep. : Allowing a child to sleep outside when he can prevent that, I do like that. And yes, I do know that he’s Saych and has no interest. Go to sleep my Moonbeam. :

It was midmorning when Kawe turned to look intently at a path into the clearing. Luna was out in the woods collecting berries and some mushrooms that had come up after the rains. Surya was with her, Margaret was working on making a noon meal, and Stefen was sitting playing a new tune he was writing. When Kawe trotted to the path, he turned his attention when he saw the two Tayledras Adepts stride in, looking not too much worse for the night spent in nature.
“Starwind, Moondance!! It’s so good to see you.” He set aside his gittern and jumped up to greet them. They both embraced him gently, and he was slightly surprised by Starwind’s appearance.   He’d aged some, not that many would notice, but he could see the years and the loss of Vanyel had taken a toll on both men.
“Bright the day, Stefen, you certainly look well. How are you doing with your task?” Moondance asked. “We’ve heard you and the other singers are trying to right the massive wrong your people have believed for so long.”

“I think I’d rather tell the trees they must not drop their leaves all at once, or the wind not to blow. It’s not easy at all, and they keep asking me if the King is hiding mages away.” Stefen sighed. “I may die older than Starwind if this keeps up.”

“For one who does not have the benefits we do, that is not a fate that would be at all pleasant, Singer.” Starwind smiled; then hugged Stefen again. “I know it is hard to be apart from your shay’kreth’ashke, but he still watches you. He does look upon you with pride and he knows you do your best.”

“Well, he’s why I’m here now. It seems we had a potential incident forming, and someone had to make sure that two children were found and taken to safer surroundings. I got here in time to meet the girl child before she was Chosen, but then we have found a complication. Seems a toddler in her village has a gift that you two are better suited to handle, well with the help of your people,” Stefen paused a moment to step inside the station and scoop up Cody, who sitting in the door and playing with a few toys. “This is Cody.”

Starwind took the child form Stefen and placed his hand on the baby’s forehead. His eyes widened in surprise and he turned to Moondance, who copied him.

“Gods of my fathers, how did he get opened like that?” Moondance looked to Stefen. “He shouldn’t have had his powers this soon. He wasn’t blasted open like Wingbrother Vanyel, but it was something traumatic. Do you know what happened?”

“Apparently, he and his mother were outside when some very bad people were gathering up girls in the village. The girls ranged in age from ten to fourteen, Luna was one of them, and he’s very close to her. They don’t know exactly if he saw what happened, or if he has a bond with Luna that when she was taken, it hit him.” Stefen motioned to Margaret. “This is Margaret, the village’s wise woman.”

“I know this one, Friend of K’Treva Margaret.” Starwind smiled at the older woman. “What do you know of what happened with this child. We will be happy to take him, and he will be made Tayledras. Are his parents among the living?”

“Starwind, my friend, you’ve changed. You have the look of wisdom to you.” Margaret reached for his hand and was pulled into a hug. “Cody here somehow made a friendship with Luna, his mother would have Luna watch him, trying to keep her fed and away from her family and the bastards that tried to kill our village. When she was taken, that night Cody cried and screamed so much, he could not be calmed. The place they were keeping the girls, the walls fell on two sides and the cages they were in opened. Luna bolted into the forest, into Vanyel’s protection, and the next morning they killed the baby’s parents thinking they were hiding her. How Cody escaped that, I don’t know. Stefen says they found him cut up pretty badly with a few burns and his clothes had burned places on them.”

“I think we should take this one, ashke. He has the feel of Shay’a’chern as well as the mage gift. He is so young though, are you ready to be a father again?” Moondance smiled and kissed Starwind. “He needs us.”

“I never thought I would be so lucky as to gain another child, especially at my age. He will be ours until our wings carry us upwards. Brightstar will not mind having a brother.” Starwind agreed. “Yes Margaret, we will take your little hatchling. We will raise him as our son, and teach him our ways. He will find when he is older there are more like him among us, and that he will not be shunned.”

“Your people are far wiser in that aspect than ours. I had wondered about the boy, I didn’t know why, but I could see that in his future.” Margaret said. “Oh, here comes Luna.”

Starwind watched as a young girl stepped shyly up, carrying a basket in her arms. She looked up at the Tayledras, her blue eyes wide. Starwind reached over and pulled a small twig from her hair and smiled.

“Greetings, youngling.” He held out his hand, looking into her as only her Companion had. “Had you not been claimed by Valdemar, you would be welcome among our people as your young brother here will be. You have a gift that is unique to our people, a talent with plants.”
Luna blushed as she looked up at the man before her.   She saw the silver hair, the blue eyes, and could FEEL his powerful aura. She blinked a few times, feeling him weigh her in a way Surya hadn’t. She almost expected the Companion to charge this man, with the great raptor on his shoulder, but Surya merely bowed to the two men.

“I believe we have made this one, who has no guard on her tongue learn silence.” Moondance chuckled. “Unlike others of her kind, her words are not chains to bind, but are words of wisdom and understanding.”

“Luna, these are Vanyel’s friends Moondance and Starwind. I know the stories you have been told, but your little friend will be quite safe with him.” Stefen said softly. “It’s okay to be awed by them, I know I was.”

“Was that before you tried to walk over the chair or after?” Starwind laughed. “I know you were so very concerned for your Shay’kreth’ashke, but so were we.”

“What do you mean; I have a gift unique to your people? I don’t have mage powers; I just have the ones that would make me a Herald.” Luna asked, slightly confused. “Unless you mean the one that has to do with plants. I’ve always known good plants from bad, and could always coax fruits in any season.”

“That would be the one we see.” Moondance smiled. “That is one our own people use in our Vales, to make plants bloom all year around. We keep it always summer, but at times plants don’t like to produce. It will be a very useful gift, especially when you find yourself short on food.”
“It’s always served me like that. When I was little though, people would get upset with me for bringing fruits that were well outside of the normal season. I didn’t know that it was wrong, I was just hungry.” Luna admitted. “You’re Hawkbrothers, I don’t think you are taking Cody away because he’s bad, you are taking him because he’s special.”

“That is right, young one. We do not carry off unwary or bad children; that is not our way. We do know of the stories and should any child be carried off, it was not of our doing. Though we have taken children who were like Cody, who needed to be trained before they harmed themselves or others. We are quite used to handling dangerous magic.” Starwind said, kneeling down to look Luna in the eyes after handing Cody to Moondance. “I take it you have Seen things that you do not know the how or why of? Did you see your Sunlight friend coming?”

“I had the idea she was coming, but I didn’t know her name until she Chose me. When I ran into Stefen here in the forest, I saw a secret he was hiding. I know it was safe enough to say it with just him, but I know I cannot tell anyone else.” Luna then set down her basket and touched each of the Adepts. “I see that tragedy brought you together, the shadows of guilt have faded into mist. I see grief shadowing you both, for family of the heart has left you both, leaving scars that still bleed.”

Starwind’s jaw dropped as he looked at Luna, seeing that she truly had a unique twist to the Foresight gift.   She definitely had true Foresight, but she could see things, like she could see into the soul of someone she touched. He could clearly see she had other gifts like his own.

“That is true, young one, you See with your heart as well with your eyes and mind. Yes, it was very hard to know that Wingsister Savil and Wingbrother Vanyel have gone, yet only the Wingsister gained her wings. Vanyel was given another duty, which you have benefited from.” Starwind held Luna’s hand in his own. “I am truly glad to meet you.”

“As am I, Honored One, your love for others and wish that all accept one another is very obvious. It is sad that not many share your heart, even among your own people. I see the same heart in Moondance, and I see why you love him as well.” Luna smiled; then hugged Starwind. “I am happy that Cody will have a home with you.”

Luna had noticed that Cody had been very quiet since being handed to the Tayledras. When’d he had been handed to Moondance, he watched both the man and his bird. It was after several moments, she realized that he was silently communicating with them, based on their facial expressions and his quiet little smile. Then his little face clouded up and tears streaked down his cheeks.

“Why can’t Luna come with us? She’s like us, and she needs a teacher too.” Cody asked simply, but he sounded like his little heart was breaking. “I don’t want her to stay here.”

“Little one, Luna cannot come with us, as she has been claimed by a different set of duties. Her new friend, Surya will be taking her to serve the King to help the people of this land. In some ways, she will be serving them and us.” Moondance said softly. “She is like us, but she does not have the same kind of magic we do. You see, we serve our land, she’ll serve the people.”

“You mean like the ghost did, when he was alive? He was like you though, he had your feel. He had a friend like Surya.” Cody nodded to the Companion. “I’m sleepy.”

Moondance chuckled, and Stefen led him over to the little nest of blankets that held Cody’s toys. He gently set the little one down, staying by him until he fell asleep. It was clear that Moondance had fallen in love with the child. It was hard not to though, he was an adorable little boy, curly red-brown hair, big brown eyes and softly creamy skin.   Luna loved spending time with the boy, the times spent with him and his family had given her some of her happiest moments. His parents, though young, had been more supportive and loving to her than her own family.   After he’d fallen asleep, Moondance gently covered him with a blanket then gave a Starwind a look.

Margaret moved about the camp, setting up a meal and urging the two Adepts to sit and eat. She took her own dish and went closer to the station, watching over Cody, seeming to know that there was something the others needed to talk about. Moondance and Starwind took places on a fallen log they’d pulled close to the fire pit, and they seemed to want Luna to sit between them. Stefen took a place next to the log, and waited until the elders had food before serving Luna and himself.

“Thank you, Singer. There are some things we need to tell you, they will not be easy to hear. We feel, given the events that have taken your mages, your job will not be easy. This battle that you are fighting, people will always think that Magic is the answer.” Starwind held up his hand when Stefen tried to speak up. “Vanyel has complete trust in your abilities and that of your Circle, but it’s the people who need to trust. We understand that coming here is not easy for you, and feeling him all around you doesn’t help your pain. You came because you knew that someone had to be here or the infants would not survive.”

“For about a month or so, I’ve seen Luna in my dreams. I saw things that were happening, and I brought them to the attention of our King and his Herald, Vanyel’s daughter, Jisa. Jisa had been having the same dreams. They didn’t have a Herald to send here, not one that understood the situation.” Stefen sighed. “It was Jisa who felt that Vanyel was sending us a message personally, and that I was to be the one to come. It was thought, given something I stupidly though of during their coronation, that I would come up here and attempt it again. I promised Vanyel I would never try that again.”

“That was not what she was afraid of. She was afraid he was calling you, until she started having the dreams herself. It was pure luck that you never described Luna to her; that is how she knew you were having the same dreams. Did you see the infant as well; or just her?” Moondance gave Stefen a thoughtful look. “You saw him. He was the reason you rushed.”

“Yes, and I saw the two of you in my dreams as well. I saw myself holding Cody, and giving him to you.” Stefen blinked back tears. “Though in that dream, the only survivors I found in the destroyed village were them. Luckily, that future didn’t happen. To be honest, I didn’t even get to the village. Luna ran into me when I’d stopped to attend to needs of nature.” Stefen blushed slightly.

“I offered to step away, but with the men trying to get through the forest and Vanyel was not happy about that, you wanted me to stay put. I can understand that though.” Luna spoke quietly. “I didn’t see you until you kept me from falling.”

“That was a good thing, Stefen is a good person. He is more likely to understand how you lived before being chosen by your Companion than some others.” Starwind gave Stefen a warm smile. “He knew that keeping you in his sight would keep him from worrying about your safety, even if it meant sacrificing his own dignity.”

“Dignity be damned, she’s a girl and she is a child, she needs protecting.” Stefen sighed. “Wouldn’t have been the first time I’ve had to jump into a fight half naked.”

“Sometimes you have to make choices, and you put her before yourself, even though you’d just met.” Starwind nodded, taking a bite of the fruit porridge Margaret had made. “Would you take it amiss if you were asked to be Luna’s guardian when you take her back with you?”

“King Treven and I discussed this before I left, and that it would be likely I would be the mentor for her and a few other trainees. Until they get the new student rooms done, they are using the suites used by the Herald-Mages as they ran out of places. I think they’re going to give me Savil’s old rooms, the one she…” Stefen broke off, trying not to cry. “The ones she died in.”

The memories of that night came flooding back. The terror and anger warring in Vanyel’s eyes, the pained gasps he’d made as the Death Bell began to ring, the guilt he felt for not keeping his promise to her. Stefen buried his face in his hands, letting his tears flow. Starwind, who was closest, placed a hand on his shoulder, silently offering comfort. Moondance broke the silence, stating something that shocked Stefen.

“Even if the wards had been strengthened, it still would have happened, Stefen. The only thing that could have been done was to have rejected the wood being brought in. She does not blame him for what happened nor does she blame you. Had it not been for that warning, it is certain that Leareth’s forces would have made it farther into this realm, putting us all in danger.” Moondance turned to Luna. “That is where you come in, little one. You know the history of this area, told and untold. You have survived the scouts that were sent in to begin infiltrating villages and taking them over. Vanyel’s managed to keep most within this forest, but we’re not sure he’s stopped them all. The ones haunting your village are all dead, and those who tried to leave will never make it out of the forest.”

“Why am I that important? I’m just a silly little girl, one everyone called crazy. Yes, Vanyel has told me many times that I’m not what they say I am. He’s taught me about shielding, grounding and centering. He’s taught me how to use my gifts, not to let them use me.   I used to have these times I would See or Hear something that I would blurt it out. That’s when he started coming into my dreams almost every night. He would show me things to help me learn to find my center. He told me that it would be easier if he were living, but because I can dream walk, he could do more.” Luna sighed softly. “He is a part of this forest, like the trees and the ground. It seems absurd that a ghost could protect a whole boarder, but there was magic here before he died, and that magic became his. He lives in every rock, plant and tree here. He has a home, a summer forest, that… well I don’t know how to explain it.”
- 3
- 4
- 5
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Tears of the Phoenix