Laughing Sophie replied, "I spent today solving mysteries. And the answers I need are elsewhere. A fellow Herald, who has the Gift of Fetching. Not the traditional sense of picking up something with your mind and moving it here and there. I mean the rare one, that can take something and send it to another place completely. Several Heralds and their Companions lended this Herald their strength so he could send me here." Glancing over, she added, "This morning I was in Gryphon's Rest watching a smithy burn. Now I am in cute little village in the lands of the Silt Hold talking to you. Completely impossible distance I assure you."
Winter stared in awe. She didn't know geography but she grasped that the distance was far away. "Will I be able to do amazing stuff with my Gifts too?"
Sophie turned serious. "Yes but first you must learn to shield. Before any other women come in here to bath, let's do that. Now."
Winter gulped but nodded her small head. Okay. Following Sophie's lead she closed her eyes. "First picture into yourself. Find that small bright center that makes up your inner you. Picture it. Look at it. Imagine it's soft radiance." A moment's pause and she continued, "now do you see anything else?"
After a moment's pause, Winter nodded, "There are two other bright lights. Off to the sides."
"Those are your two Gifts. In your mind, take one of them. Gently tug it until you have it settled into the bright light that is your core."
Winter focused on one of the two, brushing it with her mind. Upon contact, she recognized it as the Animal Mindspeech. Giving it a gentle tug, she carefully maneuvered it slowly and gently towards the middle. The closer to the middle she got, the easier it slid off to the sides. It was like trying to send a ball uphill in the exact direct you wanted it to go. Taking her time, she slowed down and nudged it until it was over the core. It settled into place and stayed solid. Grinning, she turned her attention to the other Gift. It was more passionate to the feel. More intense. Winter paused, not sure she wanted to mess with it. Then she remembered the panic she had felt when they neared the village. Determinedly she reached out with her mind and started nudging this one as well. It went faster now that she knew what to do and as it settled in, she felt everything stabilize.
Opening her eyes, she saw Sophie grinning at her, "And now your Gifts are stabilized. Excellent job. Now close your eyes again and look at the core with the two Gifts resting inside. Focus on the outside edges. Focus on wrapping that core in something. Something strong."
Winter obeyed and soon she had felt a something to pull around the core. She wrapped it carefully. When she was done, she opened her eyes and tiredly sank against the pool wall. Sophie smiled gently and picked the girl up in her arms. Wrapping them both in towels, she left the washroom and went to their room. Getting them dressed, she asked, "I know you are tired, but would you like to visit your Companion before bed?"
With a sleepy nod, Winter allowed herself to be led back into the hall and down the stairs. The main inn room was filled with laughter as travelers and day laborers ate and relaxed. By the fireplace was a Bard, wearing the Bardic Reds. Sophie nodded to him, his music physically draining away any discontent and causing them to feel peaceful and relaxed. Once they reached outside, Winter asked, "Does he have a Gift? He took away my sleepiness."
Laughing Sophie agreed, "Yes he has a Gift. When you go to train to be a Herald, there is a building for you. A building for Bards. And a building for Healers. And you interact often since your building is the one with the dininghall."
They walked around the corner and entered the stables. Passed the stalls was a large room. Entering it's open door, Winter saw her Companion and ran straight to her. Susan was settled in a large round and soft bed. Winter scrambled up and settled into her side. Susan lifted a wing and pulled her in close. Her feathers soft and her body warm, Winter grinned. Nothing compared to being with Susan.
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