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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
- 5
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- 7
Luna could not believe how much she hurt. Stefen tried to give her some considerations in the fact that before she was Chosen, she’d never been near a horse, let alone sitting in a saddle for marks at a time. Surya helped, often telling her ways she could ease the cramps, but nothing but time and stretching would cure them fully.

“Stefen, I need to stop.” Luna said softly, Surya halting at the sound of her voice. “My legs feel knotted up, and well I need to…”
Stefen stopped Mel and dismounted. He tied the reins to a sturdy sapling and moved to help Luna from the saddle. She walked around stiffly for a moments trying to do a few stretches to ease her aching muscles. Stefen spotted a rock to the side of the path and led her to it.

“I think it will be easier for you to sit on this than to try to squat.” He said gently. She nodded and did as he said. “I’ll be over behind that tree if you need me, ok.”

Luna felt slightly nervous, being exposed on the side of the path, but she had little choice. Surya moved to shield her some and she could still see Stefen off to the side. Sitting was slightly easier than trying to balance with screaming muscles, but she made the best of the situation when she could.

:I’m glad you are telling Stefen when you need to stop, I know the nightmares last night have you on edge. He won’t hurt you and he won’t let anyone or anything hurt you either.: Surya said softly. :Don’t try to stand until he comes back. He’ll help you. He knows how it feels, he was new to riding himself, at one time.:

:I know, it’s not just the nightmares that have me on edge, it’s leaving everything I knew behind. My whole life changed the moment you Chose me. I wouldn’t trade it for the world though. Don’t worry, I don’t think I can stand up right now if I wanted to.: She reached up and patted Surya as the Companion nuzzled her. :If I did, I’m sure I’d scream loud enough to startle every living thing close to us.:
Luna waited for a few more moments, then saw Stefen’s head over Surya’s shoulder. She tried to stand on her own, and let out an involuntary yelp. Stefen came around Surya, patting her as he did. He held a small jar in his hand that had the lid taken off. He took a little bit of the salve and began to rub it into the insides of her thighs, lifting them a bit to get the backs. She used her hand to hold her tunic to cover herself.

“Thank you, that feels a bit better. I think I’m just going to be one big cramp by the time I get there.” Luna laughed as Stefen set the jar aside and helped her stand and fix her clothes. “What’s in that?”

“That, my lady, is a secret. It will help soothe and numb the cramps though. I’ll tell you some day, but for now all you need to know is that I know this works very well.” He winked a jewel bright green eye at her. “I should know, I tore up my hand the very first time I played for King Randale, and Vanyel used that very salve on my hand.”
Luna walked around a little, trying to ease the rest of the cramps, feeling a bit better than she had when they stopped. She went to Surya’s side and pulled some fruit out. She cut the apple into slices and fed it to both mares, then took another to feed herself.
“How long until we reach the Guard post, I’ve never been too far from my village, and we’re well outside the Sorrows. I’m glad the weather isn’t so bad.” She looked off in the distance, seeing some clouds forming on the horizon. “I hope that rain doesn’t reach us for a while.”
Stefen looked in the direction Luna was and saw what she meant. He didn’t want to have to push Mel past sunset if he could help it, nor did he want to keep Luna in the saddle longer than she absolutely needed. Surya would surely get her there faster, but was holding her pace so he could keep up.    He looked around at the land, realizing exactly where they were. He blinked back tears and had to shake his head to clear away the memory.

“I think we should be there by mid afternoon. I’m sorry if I seem quiet, we’re not too far from where we were ambushed when Van and I traveled her. It just brings back that old fear.” He helped Luna back into the saddle, then mounted himself. “I am glad to be bringing you back with me. It was tough for me to come through here alone, even when I came…”
“It’s okay, Stef. I understand. It was hard to see my home after my family was killed. I think maybe one of my brothers might have survived, but I wouldn’t think he’d try to know me.” Luna shivered. “I’m glad that is over and done with there. I think in a few years, I might be able to go back and not feel the same, but for now the only person there I’ll miss the most is Nana Margaret.”

“I think you should reconsider that. From what Margaret said, the people that were trying to control the village singled out more than just you, and if anyone openly showed kindness to those considered ‘tainted’, it wasn’t very good. How you were treated was not your fault. I can’t say the same for your family though.” He turned in his saddle to look at Luna. He caught her eye and held her gaze for a few moments. “You have a new family now. You have the other Trainees, the Heralds, me as well as Moondance and Starwind. Starwind told me you would be welcomed to their vale, and until you can come to get the gift they have for you, this will grant US passage.”

He pulled out something wrapped in green silk. He handed it to her and she carefully opened the silk to reveal a tiny mask, woven of simple grasses, laced with the crystals both Tayledras had worn in their hair. The trim to it was a lock of hair, from which one, she wasn’t sure. The feathers she had been given were attached to it. Tears clouded her eyes and slid down her face. Stefen had asked if he could see them, but hadn’t handed them back to her, but she had the feeling by the way both of the Tayledras had been acting, it had something to do with something they were making. Now she knew why.

“This is beautiful. Is this one of the masks they were talking about?” Her soft voice shook with tears. “I shall cherish this.”

“It is, and when Vanyel passed, I got both his and Savil’s masks. I had asked about that, and Starwind told me that because I was deeply connected to Vanyel and Savil, the masks would pass to me, but when I pass on, they will go with me. I’m sure they will let you keep that one, but I have the feeling they will give you one like Savil’s, with the same sort of talisman. I’m not sure though.” Stefen nudged Mel closer to Surya, and wiped away Luna’s tears. “It’s an honor not bestowed to many outlanders at all.”

“There have only been three given the honor in years beyond counting,” Luna repeated what Moondance had told her then tilted her head “I think it will be years beyond counting after me as well. I think we will long be but a memory, even to them when the time comes again to give the honor to an outlander.”

They rode on in silence for several leagues, keeping an eye to the clouds creeping closer. Stefen stood in his stirrups, looking into the south, and spotted something. He goaded Mel into a slightly faster pace as thunder rumbled behind them.

:Tell Stefen I’ve sent a call to the Herald at the Guard Post, she’ll escort us in. She wants to get a scope of the storm before it hits. It appears to be a bad one.: Surya said urgently. :We should see here in moments.:

“Surya says the storm’s getting closer and that she contacted the Herald at the post, she’s on her way to greet us. The storm’s going to be bad.” Luna held on as Surya sped up.

“I thought I saw someone coming, I just couldn’t see if it was a Companion or a horse.” He shielded his eyes from a sharp wind that blew in around them.

Soon, hoof beats sounded, and a Companion raced up to them. The Companion nuzzled Surya in greeting, and the Herald looked over her and her rider.

“Surya, well bless my soul! I thought you were going to be like Yfandis and be in your tens before you Chose. It is good to see you!” The Herald chuckled. “Quite right, Rhoda, I guess I am being rude. I’m Herald Isabeth, and this is Rhoda. She’s good friends with your Surya, Luna. It is a pleasure to meet you, Little Sister. Let’s get you two back before all hell breaks loose. Good to see you, Stefen. Glad you found her.”

Luna looked as if someone had hit her with a board, the shock on her young face was so evident Stefen had to chuckle. Luna hastily tucked the mask in her saddle bag, a move that she hoped the woman didn’t see or ask about. She held out her hand to shake the elder Herald’s. She looked to Stefen slightly confused.

“You’ll learn that there are not many secrets among the Heralds or their Companions. Most of them know the Companions who haven’t chosen, and are on the watch for them bringing back younglings like yourself.” Stefen explained. “Isabeth has been watching for a couple other Companions who were out to find their chosen, I’m guessing Surya escaped notice when she slipped out to find you.”

“She didn’t escape Rhoda’s notice. She left after you did, and she followed you, but somehow hid that from you.” Isabeth laughed. Thunder rumbled a bit louder as they neared a large grey structure. “You two go on in, we’ve got the coppers fired up so you can get a hot bath. I’ll take care of your horse and the Companions. Young Luna, I know you are probably so sore you can hardly walk. I hope this scarlet demon has taken care of you or I shall pitch him butt naked into the Sorrows myself.”

“He has, Herald Isabeth. I don’t think the spirit there would take too kindly to you abusing his lover though.” Luna said, quite before she realized the words had even formed in her head, let alone fell out of her mouth. “I’m sorry, I’m still trying to learn not to blurt what crosses my mind.”

Stefen and Isabeth laughed and Isabeth reached over and patted Luna’s shoulder. They came up to the door and Stefen dismounted. Surya lay down and he lifted Luna from the saddle. He gently set her on her feet and she winced as she took a few steps. Stefen gathered their packs and led her inside. Isabeth stopped them just before Luna crossed the threshold.

“Youngling, don’t worry about it. Most of us don’t exactly think through what we’re going to say before we say it. And that’s just a joke between us, okay?” Isabeth hugged Luna and pushed her though the door. “Go get that hot bath, little sister. You’ll feel better.”

One of the guard led them though a few rooms and to a room with one big bed. Stefen began putting their packs down and went through them to get some clean clothing. Luna stood in the door to the room, her eyes wide, taking in the room and bed. Stefen turned to look at her and realized she must have been overwhelmed by the room.

“Are you okay, Luna? I take it you’re not used to this sort of hospitality?” He laid the clothing on the bed and stepped over to her, pulling her into a hug. “It will be ok, are you nervous about the bed?” Stefen felt if she was, he would have the guard bring a bedroll in and he’d sleep on that.
“No, it’s not that. I’m afraid of being alone here, please don’t leave me alone Stefen.” Her blue eyes filled with tears, and a haunted fear shadowed her face. “This isn’t like the forest, I only know you here.”
Stefen had to swallow a lump in his throat. He knew her fear all too well. It is one thing to know your life is changing, and that change is for the better. It’s quite another to see those changes happen faster than you can process them. He sent a silent prayer of thanks for his friend, Medren, who had guided him through his own upheaval. He prayed that Isabeth would not haul him out of the bathing room by his ear if she caught him with Luna.

“I won’t leave you, if that’s what you want. I know this is terribly scary for you, in some ways, I completely understand how you are feeling right now. How about we go get those baths, they told us we’ll have use of the baths and there are two tubs. I just hope that no one strings me up for staying near you.” Stefen hugged her and laughed.

He led her down to the bathing room, and opened the door. Her eyes widened at the sight of actual tubs with copper boilers feeding them, the fires lit. He pulled her into the room and shut the door. He went over to the first of the tubs and began to run a bath, turning to do the same in the other tub. He pulled a curtain that hung between the tubs and noticed that Luna’s eyes were wide, as she tried to figure out how she would get into the tub. He smacked himself in the head as the door opened and Isabeth poked her head in.

“You both made it here, I see. Luna would you like me to help, or can you manage?” She stepped into the room, and pulled the divider to shield the tubs from the doorway. “It’s no problem if you want Stefen to help you; I know you know him a bit better than you do me.”

“No, its ok, Herald Isabeth, Surya says I can trust you. I think I need help getting into the tub, I don’t want to fall. I think Stefen must be used to them, but I’m not.” Luna smiled at the Herald as she shut off the water and tested the temperature.
“You can call me Isa, Luna. That is what most everyone else calls me.” She moved to Luna’s side and leaned against the wall as the girl undressed. “Just leave those there, I’ll gather up both or your wash and have it cleaned and ready before you leave.”

The storm finally broke, a crash of thunder shaking the great stone building. Luna’s eyes widened as the howl of wind, rain and thunder showed the intense fury the weather unleashed. She was used to storms, and many times had slept out in them in the forest, but for some reason, she always seemed protected from the worst of them. This time though, she would be indoors, warm and safe. She laid the last of her clothes aside and started to climb into the club, wincing as her sore muscles protested. Isabeth stepped over and picked Luna up and set her in the hot water. Luna sighed in bliss as she sat in the tub and leaned back.
“Oh, this is heavenly. I don’t ever want to get out. I rarely ever got a bath this warm, unless I found the one hot spring in the forest. Though I don’t think it was always hot, it didn’t have the smell of a hot spring.” Luna sighed, and began to scrub the road grit from her skin. “This is better than the spring though.”

“Glad you like your baths youngling. We’ve had a few come in from outlaying areas that either didn’t bathe all that often, or didn’t know what soap and water were.” Isa chuckled. She watched as Luna ducked under the water to wet her hair and grabbed some soap. “Here let me help you with that hair. I know what it’s like to try to scrub long hair.” She pulled her long braid over her shoulder.

She scrubbed Luna’s hair, much in the same way Stefen had, taking care to gently work out any tangles caused by riding. When she rinsed her hair, she got a jar of something that she worked into Luna’s hair that caused the rest of the tangles easier to work out. She pulled out her own brush and began to brush the child’s long hair, then braided it. Luna smiled up at her and then pulled the plug, letting the water out of the tub. Isa got a towel and helped Luna out of the tub and allowed her to dry herself off. She handed the Luna the change of clothes Stefen had brought with them. Luna chuckled as she heard Stefen pull the drain on his tub and yelp as his feet hit the cold stone of the floor.

“The only down side to hot baths is forgetting that the floor can be cold after. That will teach me not to put a towel down before I get in.” He appeared around the edge of a curtain, his bright hair dripping down his body, a towel around his waist. “You look like you feel better, little one. When we get back to the room, I’ll put some more salve on your legs. There isn’t much else we can do, you just have to get used to the saddle.”

“That’s true, but I can tell you a few things that may help. I know you mean well, Stefen, but how riding the saddle can affect us differently than it does you men. It’s not comfortable at all for either of us first learning though.” Isa chuckled as Stefen dressed. “I am glad it’s you that came out this way though. From the things Surya’s told Rhoda, any other male might not have been as welcome for this little one.”

“I think you might be right, I guess you are doing courier work? What’s going on at this end that we need messages carried from the capital here?” Stefen took a towel to his hair, drying it some before donning his shirt. “When I started up this way, Karse was still a hot zone and Rethwellen wasn’t much better. I guess the treaty fell apart after Randale’s death. Van worked so hard on that.”

“Karse will always be bad, I fear. Treven was able to send Tran and Josh down and they smooth things over. It was more they weren’t sure Treven would handle things the way Randi did, but that’s all good. You’ve been traveling so much lately and the songs are good, but I just wish something would give soon.” Isa sighed and led them to the common room where a simple meal was laid out. “I was bringing up news and to see of the other two Companions have found their chosen or if they are still searching. Rhoda has kept in constant touch with Surya, and how she managed that I’ll never know. I’m not much of a MindSpeaker though, and her range out distances me by far.”

“Could have Yfandis have given Surya a boost?” Luna asked softly, causing Isa to turn and stare at her.
“I never thought of that one, Luna. That’s entirely possible. I hadn’t been in my whites long when he was alive. I think I may have spoken to him in passing, but his duties kept him so busy. Bless him, though. We need him badly, but he’s got his own duties. Poor guy never got a rest, even after death.” Isa brushed away a tear that streaked down her cheek. “Stefen, I don’t know if anyone ever told you but that was one that each and every one of us felt. I know you felt it the worst of anyone, and damn it all…”

Luna’s head shot up like a hound on the hunt. Her eyes widened and tears welled up in them. She Felt something, though she wasn’t sure exactly what that was. It felt as if the floor dropped away from her for a moment, then a pain. Stefen moved to her and held both women close.
“Do you know who?” He asked softly, watching the tears streaming down Isa’s face. “I hope it wasn’t someone close”

“No, it’s not. But it was one of our couriers down there. Damn!” Isa shook her head and pulled herself together. “I take it you felt that too, Luna? You must have some strong gifts to feel these things so soon, or maybe you felt it through me.”

“I’m not sure; it felt like the floor dropped away, then pain. The pain was somewhat vague, sort of like an ache of an old injury” She moved to the table and began to put together a plate of sliced meats, cheese and bread. “It won’t always feel that way, will it? Depending on how close I am to the person, I’ll feel something, right?”

“It depends on how close you are to them emotionally, like if they are your best friend, lover, lifebonded, it all varies. I never want to feel what it is like for a bonded couple. Watching Shavri die was the worst thing ever, she lasted a couple of days after Randi was gone. Jisa was a complete mess, losing her uncle and her parents so quickly together. She was so close to Vanyel, I have my thoughts on that, but it’s not my place to say.” Isa said. Stefen gave her a startled look and Luna stopped him from speaking.

“I think you are right to keep those thoughts in your own head.” The child said softly, but fiercely. Stefen gaped at both of them, and shook his head, shaking from head to foot.
:Damn, how did she ever guess that? Stefen has tried to keep that secret so tightly bound that no one should think it.: Surya sounded a bit irate. :Rhoda says that Isa has the feeling that Jisa was Vanyel’s daughter. She has tried to tell her otherwise, but there is a reason behind it. Isa knew of his sister’s friends, ones he fathered a child for. Lissa has never told anyone else though.:

Luna closed her eyes, pretending to savor a bite of food and lightly touched Isa’s mind. She felt the woman start just a little, then felt a warm mental embrace. Isa showed her the thought, and Luna understood exactly what the woman and Surya meant.

:I think this a secret we best keep under wraps, Isa. If I were you, I would shield that as tightly as possible. It’s not widely known and Stefen intends to keep it that way.: Luna said to Isa, opening her eyes and catching the woman’s eye. :I feel you try to keep it tight, but you never know who can pick it.:

:I know this, and I do keep it shielded. Rhoda has tried to convince me to forget it, I have some mind healing abilities and I had to help Jisa after Vanyel died. That’s how I suspected it. We also had to keep Shavri tightly shielded towards the end because she was quite delirious and said anything that came to her mind.: Isa winked at Luna and smiled. :I trust you can put Stefen’s mind to ease once you two get far enough away from people?:

:I will, I thought you said this isn’t your stronger gift.: Luna took a sip of water, looking for all the world as if her plate of food was the most interesting thing she’d ever seen. She peeked at Stefen and he smiled at her, seeming to know what she was up to.

:Well, not over distances. If I’m in a relay, I do ok with up to a handful of leagues, but no farther. Plus you are sitting right across from me, so eye contact helps.: Isa chuckled.

“I take it you ladies must be having the most fascinating of conversations?” Stefen said as he tuned his gittern, Luna had no idea when he’d gotten it. “Would you ladies and gentlemen allow me to pay for our lodging and food?”

There was a round of cheers and Stefen launched into several tunes, even encouraging Luna to sing along on a few. He noticed right away that she did indeed have a touch of the Bardic gift. She was able to find her way though songs she’d probably never heard in her life. He could see her writing a few tunes of her own once he taught her how to play an instrument.

Later when they went up to their room he noticed that a bedroll had indeed been brought up, a note on it told him that Isa had seen to it, in the event Luna was too nervous to sleep in the same bed as Stefen.

“Why did they send that up?” Luna looked at the roll, somewhat confused. “The bed is fine for the two of us, you’ve slept next to me and Surya had no problems with that.”

“They thought you might have a moment of shyness, I guess. Isa thought to make sure we had one, meaning she’s not letting on she knows of my preferences, and this lot of guards don’t really know who I am.”
“So she just made it seem like I might object to sharing my bed with you, but didn’t wish to be alone.” Luna laughed and changed into a bed gown. “This is so much to get used to. Just a few weeks ago, I was sleeping in what I wore. I was eating whatever I could, running barefoot through a forest in all seasons.   Now, I am on my way to be a Herald. I never even imagined I’d ever sleep in a real bed.”

“Believe me, Luna, I know exactly how you feel. You’ll get used to it though. I think you’re beginning to like wearing boots and having clean clothes every day.” Stefen pulled off his boots and tunic, not missing the wide eyed look the child gave him. “We’re not sleeping outside, so I think we can be a bit more comfortable. You just changed into that bed gown, without even thinking about it.”
Luna looked down, then laughed. He was right, she was settling into the same routine she had seen others in her village doing at bedtime. It was something she hadn’t done often, only when she’d stayed with Nana, or with Cody’s parents. That was the only times she got baths and something other than rags to wear. She crawled up on the bed, pulling the cloth of her gown up around her thighs, tucking it under her.
“It’s how I got ready to sleep the few times I got to stay with Nana or with Cody’s parents. I’m not a complete little barbarian, you know. There’s something I need to tell you, she knows. She was working with the mind healers for Jisa, when things went bad. It was something she picked up on. She won’t tell.” Luna sighed. “But you are doing a good job from keeping others from knowing it.”
“I trust Isa, she’s a fine Herald. When she found out what I tried to do, she pulled me aside and had some intensely sharp words with me. She told me that I was a complete idiot to sneak off like I did and the fact that I was still alive, she knew he stopped me. Trust me, you never want to be on the wrong end of her temper.” Stefen laughed. He took out the salve and began to apply it to Luna’s legs, motioning for her to lie on her stomach so he could better get the backs. “Look, little one. I’m not perfect. I may fall on my face as much as you do during your training. I don’t know why Vanyel thought that I would make a good mentor for you, but I’ll try my best. I grew up gutter trash, begging for the slightest coin or food. I watched horrors that many could never understand, and some that would probably make you flee in terror.”

Luna turned over when he finished and looked up at him. For the first time since she met him, she really took him in. He had a lithe build, and he wasn’t all that tall.   She could feel the sadness around him, and she knew what had caused it.   She sat up and watched as Stefen capped the salve he’d used on her and put it away. She sighed and spoke.
“Stefen, I don’t want someone who’s perfect to be my friend. I want someone who is human. I want someone who can hope and dream, who can laugh and cry with me when I need it. Right now, that’s all I want. I’ve never had someone who has spent as much time on me as you have. Don’t say that he did, don’t tell me that. He did what he could for me, given the fact that he is a spirit, he can’t give me what you have. He can’t give me what Moondance and Starwind have. He gave me hope, you three have given me more love in just a few days than I’ve ever had in my life. You simply gave me love from the moment I ran into you.” Luna blinked back tears and Stefen sat on the bed by her, pulling her close. She let go of her fragile shields and sobbed into his chest. Stefen know that these tears were long overdue, it was the grief of losing her family, watching people she cared for being terrorized. He simply let her cry, stroking her hair and holding her tightly.

“Starwind had told me that you needed to cry it all out. I know you have tried to be brave and strong, oh my precious little one. You are just a child, so tender in age, you’ve had your life turned upside down so many times. I can’t even imagine the things you’ve seen. So my precious baby, cry it out. I’ll be right here to dry those tears.” Stefen held her, feeling tears sliding down his own cheeks.

*Flashback*

Starwind looked across the fire to where Luna lay, curled up against her Companion, soundly asleep. The child had been through so much, he wished he could take her back. He turned to Stefen and inclined his head towards the station. Moondance nodded and moved closer to Luna, settling Cody onto his bedroll.
Stefen walked towards the station, not understanding why Starwind wished to speak to him alone, when they entered, Starwind shut the door firmly. The graveness in his eyes made Stefen wonder exactly what had transpired when he’d taken the girl aside to talk about her gifts.

“I take it you two didn’t talk about her gifts, something else happened.” Stefen sighed and leaned against the wall. “I knew there was something simmering just under the surface, and I’ve tried to coax it out, but she seems to resist it. I think she’s afraid I will leave her.”

“It is more than that, Singer. The memories she shared, they hurt her. She plays brave and cheerful, but inside she was tearing to shreds. My Shay’kreth’ashke and myself, we have laid the foundations for her healing. She’s experienced things that no child her age should ever see, and I’ve seen the same sort of things in your memories. You may have grown up in different surroundings, but there are common things that you can help her build on.   I have learned many things in being a father, and I see that is something she needs desperately. She needs someone who can guide her without scaring her.”

“Starwind, I’m not exactly fatherly material. I make a decent teacher, maybe a mentor, but I don’t know if I can be more than that.” Stefen protested, feeling slightly overwhelmed. “I already know that I’m going to be her mentor when I get her back, even if they find a Trainee suited to help her.”

Starwind crossed the room to stand before Stefen. He raised his hand and placed his hand over Stefen’s heart. He looked into the younger man’s eyes and something passed between them. A softly brighter light glowed into the room.
“Stefen, I wanted YOU to be the one to be her mentor because she’s never had someone she can easily trust. When she first met you, she felt she could trust you, with no evidence at all. You have the makings to be a wonderful person in her life, Ashke, please believe me.” Vanyel’s voice spoke into the quiet. “There were times she didn’t trust Margaret or Cody’s parents because of the way many in the village treated her. The only time she ever got true peace and comfort was here with me.”
Starwind nodded at what Vanyel said. He took Stefen’s hand in his and he looked into the younger man’s eyes.

“Being a father isn’t something you do, it’s something you become. Its learning wisdom in the insanity around you, it’s seeing beauty in the simple things. These are things you have already in your heart. For now, just be her friend. Be someone she can turn to for advice when she’s lost and be someone she can lean on as she grows. Stop trying to pull her pain to the surface. When she is ready to lay it at your feet, she will.   It may just be something as simple as holding her when she cries, but those tears will build on the healing we have given her.” Starwind smiled, and gave Stefen a gentle hug. “We are making her a gift, and we’ll need the feathers for it. It will suffice until we can call her to us.”

“That’s something I wanted to ask about. I have Savil and Vanyel’s masks, and I’m not sure I should have them. I know that when they passed the masks were to go away or something… but I still have them.” Stefen shook his head, wishing he’d brought the things with him. “I guess when you two let us know…”

“Nay, you have ties to our cherished friends, so those ties hold the masks to you. When your time is done, they will fly to our halls of the cherished. For now, they belong to you. Look upon them not with sadness, but with love.” Starwind smiled. “Do you think you can ask her for the feathers. You can say we wish to make a gift for her.”

“I think I can, she’s put them in her saddle bag, but that’s the one she sleeps on. Otherwise I’d get them now.”

“Then let us take our rest for now.”

*End Flashback*

Stefen noticed that Luna’s sobs had eased, and she appeared to be sleeping leaning against him. He reached across the bed and pulled the covers back, then lifted her gently to pull them back more. He tucked her in and kissed her head, sweeping the few strands that came loose from her braid back. He just watched her sleep for several moments, then got up and blew out the candles. He crawled into the bed beside her and blew the last candle that was in the headboard out. The storm still howled outside, but it was far quieter than had been in the way station.   He laid there for a while, just thinking. He didn’t mind taking care of Luna, she would still need someone even after getting to Haven. The Collegium was still in a state of flux, getting teachers and rooms for training Heralds. They’d started using uniforms, sort of like the Bardic and Healers did, with Grey being what the Heraldic students wore. Somehow he fell soundly asleep, listening to the storm raging, and hearing Luna’s soft breathing beside him.

‘It feels nice to not sleep alone, Van, thank you for thinking we both needed someone to just be friends with. I do love her and I love you.’ Was the last thought before sleep fully claimed him.
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Tears of the Phoenix