Winter clutched Susan's feathers tightly in her fists. Her legs hugging the gryphons back and upper sides. She had spent the last few hours torn between staring at her beloved Companion and looking down at the scenery as it speed by below. Susan Silver was fast. She had explained that she was built more like a falcon, much as Winter had guessed. Her hands and feet were also more flexible like a humans hands and feet than like the stronger clawed version of her hawk-like gryphon cousins.
"We are nearing a town. We can stay in the inn there. The hold might try to send someone to invite us to their mansion, but I really rather keep you close if you are okay with that."
"I am," replied Winter. Her young 8 year old voice confident despite the uncertainty.
Susan mindspoke, "What is bothering you?"
Winter mindspoke back, "I grew up in a borderhold. We are far from other people. The holds and large cities probably are filled with people who are very polite and curtsy all the time. I'm not sure how to act around them."
Susan's laughter filtered through Winter's mind. "A hold probably would be filled with people acting all proper, yes. But cities are filled with people and other species from every walk of life. You will find the inn keeper I'm taking you to a very honest and good person you can identify with."
Relief flowed through her and Winter gratefully sank back against Susan's neck. "So I can Mindspeak with you? I thought I only had Empathy and Animal Mindspeak?"
She felt her companion mentally nodding yes before Susan responded, "You are correct. However we have bonded. So you and I will always be able to Mindspeak to each other. And I can Mindspeak to any other Companion."
Winter took this in. Then she asked, "Where will I live? I've never been to the capital. I only know Gryphon Heights is where the King lives."
Mental pictures brushed across her mind as Susan explained, "Beside the palace is a Heralds dormitory. There are rooms for classes and meetings on the first floor, as well as the kitchens and dining hall. The second floor has rooms for living. You will share a room with one other. Once you are a Herald, you can have your own room. We have Leurna who help assist those who need it, but you will be expected to keep your room clean as well as rotate through chores."
It seemed like a good place. Winter wondered at all the friends she might make there. It would be nice to have more her age around. Maybe they could have midnight talks while eating treats. That would be so much fun. She was startled out of her reverie by Susan angling down. Looking over her shoulder, Winter made out a small town below. Not far on a hill was a mansion with large walls. This must be the hold and it's lands that they were staying in for the night.
As they neared the town, Winter quickly noticed the large volume of feelings leaking in due to her Empathy. So many more people. It was overwhelming. Gasping, she plunged her head against the back of Susan and struggled to control the panic she felt settling in. Instantly it was all blocked. Walls flew up around her mentally. She was alone except for Susan's comforting presence.
"It looks like your first lesson will be tonight. We must teach you to shield yourself with a Gift like that. I know you felt panic, but you were forcing me to feel it as well. And if those below us were forced to feel it, they might have done any number of things."
Winter grimaced but remained quiet. Susan gently encouraged her, "I still love you. You can feel my love for you. I just want you to be aware that you have a lot of influence on others. To be mindful and respectful as well as careful." Winter nodded, still reeling from the experience and new information.
Landing outside the inn in their courtyard, Susan waited quietly. Winter looked up uncertainly. It felt like no one was here. Yet her eyes clearly showed that there was people about, including an innkeeper walking steadily towards them with a smile. "Welcome! Welcome!"
Susan bent her knees and looked up at Winter. Winter took the hint and clamored down. The inn keeper caught her before she had a chance to reach the ground and helped steady her onto her feet. He looked up at Susan and grinned, "So you Chosen huh. There is another Herald and Companion here already..."
Herald Sopheria walked out, "I am so glad to see you again Susan. Look who we have here. My name is Sophie and I'm staying here with my Companion Ethan. Come on inside with me and we will get you washed and ready for supper."
Winter turned a started look towards Susan, "But the walls..."
"I'll keep them up for you and you can come visit me in the stable after you have some food in you."
Sophie glanced at Winter, "What Gift is she helping you with?"
Winter looked down. A nudge in her back from Susan reminded her to mind her elders. "Empathy." She didn't like saying it aloud to another. Susan was her Companion so she didn't mind but to tell another human, even a Herald, felt like confessing to a crime.
"Ah okay. Well, looks like you are going to have to have your first lesson tonight then. Let's get you washed up," replied Sophie as if talking about something as simple as what to wear. Puzzled and relieved, Winter followed her into the inn.
No comments:
Post a Comment