Chapter Text
:Caryo, what’s going on?: Selenay asked her Companion as Ahrodie stood before the crowd looking for all the world like death warmed over. :Why is Ahrodie alone? What’s happened?: As she Mindspoke, Companions surrounded Lord Orthallen in a quite agressive manner.
:Ahrodie says Kyril and Lexa are dead. That Dirk says his own situation is that of a broken arrow and he is as good as dead. Prince Ancar has killed his father and taken the Crown. Orthallen has been helping him, we’ll need to use Truthspell on him. And Ancar has real mages, like in the old stories. It’s going to be war it looks like.: Selenay sighed and bit back tears, there was no time to cry for Dirk or Kyril or their Companions (as she doubted Ahrodie would live much longer than Dirk). She needed to take charge and prepare her people and her army.
Heralds all around Selenay sprang into action as their Companions relayed the same information to them. Across the field she saw Talia scream and start running towards her Companion. Kris stopped the Queen’s Own, catching her in his arms and pulling her toward him until she was pressed against his chest. Seleney was surprised, she hadn’t thought Talia and Dirk that close, she would have expected it to be Talia comforting Kris.
“Alberich?” Selenay turned to the Weaponsmaster next to her. “I could really use Talia right now, do you know what’s going? That’s very much not like her.”
Alberich sighed and she could hear the grief in his voice as he responded. “Talia and Dirk—a Lifebond…”
Selenay closed her eyes against this latest blow. When Dirk died would Talia, her most trusted advisor and friend, follow him? “Please assign Heralds to stay with her at all times and then join us in my tent. We may need you to step in as you did when Talamir was injured.”
~~~
Skif and Kris didn’t need Alberich’s orders to know not to leave Talia alone. That much was obvious. But they did appreciate that they were officially relieved of non-Talia watching duty; Karen and Sherril offered to share Talia duty, but Alberich was concerned that that would take too many Heralds away from war preparations, so for now it was just Kris and Skif.
The two of them sat with her on her bed in her tent—which was almost as nice as the Queen’s as befit the Queen’s Own—and held her while she sobbed, horrible gut wrenching sobs that seemed to wreck her very soul. Kris was thankful that she was still keeping her shields up. He hoped that luck stayed, but the effects of a Lifebond breaking were unpredictable; it was possible she would die suddenly from the shock, it was possible she would waste away slowly over a period of days or weeks, it was possible she would survive. And it was possible her shields would come down and she would kill the whole encampment as she death willed herself. But there was nothing Kris could do against that possibility, so he just held her as all three of them cried for their lost friend.
After a little bit there was a noise at the tent flap, Skif got up to go see what it was and found Rolan and Ahrodie there, waiting for admittance. Of course, Kris thought, if anyone would understand Talia’s pain it would be Ahrodie, and Rolan’s love would be comforting to his Chosen. Kris shifted on the bed so the two Companions could have direct contact with Talia and let the tears stream down his cheeks for his brother.
After about an hourTalia’s sobs turned to whimpers, and around Sunset she untangled herself from Kris’ and Skif’s arms and sat up. “I think,” her voice was rough and hoarse from the sobbing. “I think I know how we can rescue him. Rolan’s gotten some information from Ahrodie and—“
Kris and Skif looked at each other sadly and Kris nodded to Skif for him to take the lead on this one. “Little Sister, we can’t. Ahrodie said Dirk said it was a broken arrow situation. No rescues.” She deflated. “I know how much you love him and goodness knows Kris and I love him too, but he wouldn’t want us to die in a rescue attempt. Especially not you. He’d want you to live. He loves you too much to want you to kill yourself in a rescue attempt.” She nodded sadly. “Why don’t you sit with Kris while I go see if Devan has anything that will help you sleep? You could use some rest probably.”
One moment Kris was thinking that was a great idea and the next Devan was standing over him while he lay on the bed. In fact the whole tent was full of people. “Devan? What’s going on?”
“We were hoping you could tell us.” That was Selenay. What was the Queen doing here? Shouldn’t she be busy elsewhere? “Elspeth came to check on Talia and found her gone and you two unconscious.” He glanced next to him where a Healer was working on waking up Skif. “Rolan’s gone too. If the mages have found a way into our encampment and to take a Herald and Companion…”
“Hellfires, but no, I don’t think that’s what happened. The last thing I remember Skif was explaining to her why we couldn’t go rescue Dirk. She must not have liked his explanation and used her Gift to ensure we wouldn’t try to stop her. I’ve seen her knock people out before, it didn’t occur to me she’d use it on us.” Kris said as the other Healer managed to get Skif awake.
“Your Majesty, permission to go keep your Queen’s Own from getting herself killed?” Skif asked after he was brought up to speed.
“Permission granted. You and Kris go. Take a purse with you for bribes, and wear disguises. Remember your priority is Talia. Find her and bring her back. Don’t get yourselves killed trying to rescue Dirk.”