Vitiosi Dei (Heritage of the Blood Book 2) (32 page)

“Will you at least tell me where you are going?”

              “North,” she said, being only partially honest. “I’ll be sure to send messages through the Mages occasionally so you know I am well. I hope the next time I hear from you I will find out you’ve been given a post, or found a nice girl to marry.”

              “Alright,” he said as he grabbed her hand and quickly kissed the back of it. “But I don’t think I will ever find anyone that compares to you. I can see in your eyes that you are set in this, however, so I will not fight you. Know that wherever you go, my heart goes with you.”
              His declaration was followed by loud footsteps up the front steps of her home followed by a series of loud knocks. Freeing her hand from his embrace, she moved towards the door. A familiar form was on the other side of the door.

              “Knight Commander,” Tyrdra said with a slight bow. “I see news still travels fast.

              “You don’t expect my son to come home in the company of a ravishing woman and expect my men not to tell me about it. Speaking of which, my dear, you look wonderful. I see that little excursion was good for you.” The Knight Commander smiled. “One might even say that you are positively glowing.”

              “Yes,” Tyrdra said, motioning for the Knight Commander to enter. “I was just telling Dalton that I was planning to leave again shortly for some time.” She hoped that she had hidden her reaction to the frustratingly perceptive woman’s remarks well, but that damn smile was annoying.

              “Mother!” Dalton said, moving over to embrace the Knight Commander of the Protectorate. “Do I have some stories for you!”

              “I’ll bet,” Tyrdra heard her mutter.

              Oblivious to the hidden context flying about him, Dalton began to regale his mother with his many deeds. Tyrdra smiled at the young man’s enthusiasm, especially when his mother was unable to get in a word during his tirade. She soaked it all in knowing that she would miss such interactions in the years ahead.

              Something stalked through the darkness. Somehow, he knew it was nearby watching them from a distance. In a way, he was glad it had awoken him from his dreams, as they were becoming increasingly odd of late. Part of him still wanted to know how things had played out from there, but he had a feeling that part of the story was done.

              Troublefinder stirred a few moments later and his fur stood on end for a short while before he began to sniff the air. His eyes went wide at the scent he caught and he looked at the boy with a look that could only be called excitement. He let loose a few short noises that surely got the attention of whatever was waiting outside.

              Pershanti woke with a start, staring down at their little friend. “Perhaps you shouldn’t be making that noise,” he said, his tone much more collected than he appeared.

              “I think he knows what’s out there,” the boy said. “Though, that doesn’t really make me any more comfortable with it.”

              They waited in silence for a few moments before the light steps of some large creature could be heard crushing the snow beneath their steps. It didn’t take long for a hulking form of silver and black to materialize out of the darkness as it entered the small light provided by their dying fire. Pershanti grabbed a piece of wood and set it into their impromptu pit as he seemed to notice the dying light as well.

              Troublefinder ran into the darkness, his stubby little tail wagging uncontrollably. Not long after he ran back in followed by a much larger version of himself.

              “Don’t make any sudden movements,” Pershanti whispered.

              “Obviously,” the boy drawled.

              The mature Quaelyne eyed them both. Not only was it taking up a large portion of their shelter with only half of its bulk in the bower, but its blue eyes shone with a vast intelligence. After staring at them for a short time, it tilted its head to the side as it turned its gaze to the boy.

              “He says that you have an exceptional will, and wants to reassure you that he means no harm,” Pershanti said, his words coming slowly as he put the Quaelyne’s thoughts to words.

              After Pershanti spoke, he realized that he could feel a slight pressure on his head. Taking a deep breath and turning his thoughts inward he found that he was indeed keeping the Quaelyne out of his thoughts. He mentally probed the defense, trying to figure out exactly how it had been made, and thought that he might be able to duplicate it on his own in the future. When he attempted to remove the shield of thought, however, he experienced resistance and heard a slight warning growl in the back of his mind.

             
He means us no harm.
The boy sent the thought loudly, not knowing the exact location of the intelligence that had been created from his subconscious. In return, he felt a wave of reluctance. Clearly, a part of his mind remembered what had happened to him and didn’t want anything like that to happen again. Pershanti’s reminder that he needed to be careful when dealing with the thing shaped his next thoughts.
I appreciate you looking out for me, but Troublefinder obviously trusts whoever this is, and you have seen inside his mind. We are among friends.

              The benefits and negatives of dropping the thought shield suddenly rushed through him, and he thought for a moment that the thing might keep the shield in place no matter what. One final thought flashed, however; Troublefinder looking up at him with complete trust in his blue-gray eyes as their consciousness began to separate. With that thought it seemed a decision had been made and the thought shield dropped.

             
That was impressive to witness.
The thought came from outside himself, and he knew it must be the Quaelyne’s mind.

             
You could see what happened through the shield?
he thought back.

             
Not so much see, as feel. The will of the other is strong, but I could feel your battle even through the barrier.
A feeling of respect flowed through the connection.
Wisdom is knowing when you are overmatched and finding a way to outthink your opponent. He is you, but not. The most primal part of your mind it knows only base things, attack and defense, victory and defeat. Emotions will shape its growth. The more afraid you are, the more control it will have over you. Show it that you are able to handle whatever comes your way and you will eventually become its master.

             
As the Quaelyne finished his thoughts, the boy could feel the barely contained rage that the intimidating being in front of him was keeping in check and realized that these strange creatures knew better than anyone what he was dealing with. As the Quaelyne started to speak into his mind again he realized that the previous conversation had been between only the two of them as Pershanti looked between the two of them curiously.

             
I see that you saved the life of my son
, the Quaelyne said, sending gratitude and happiness through the link.

              “Well, he did,” Pershanti said, tilting his head towards his young friend.  "I just kind of helped out afterwards."

              Acknowledgement of the truth was sent to them, along with respect.
True, but you are fostering this cub, so his actions speak well for you.

              Pershanti nodded his understanding, clearly overwhelmed to have earned the respect of such a powerful creature.

             
We heard you walking the remembrances
, the Quaelyne said, looking towards the boy.
Rarely has one seen them so clearly.

              “The memories?” the boy said, receiving a strong feeling to the affirmative in return. “I am not sure how I do it, they come and go at random.”

             
This is common in one so young, though I have rarely heard of one of your kind having the ability. If the Elders agree I will teach you how to walk the remembrances as I teach Troublefinder.
As he finished, a small yip of excitement filled the bower and they all felt a quick wave of exaltation rush through them.

              All of them looked at Troublefinder to see him hopping in a small circle, his tongue hanging out of his mouth. They all shared a moment of merriment between them that had the little guy stop and look at them all.

              “That was him, wasn’t it?” Pershanti said.

             
Yes, through the thought share you may pick up on his strongest feelings. He is young yet, and doesn’t know how to share his thoughts, but when a connection is established it is sometimes strong enough that emotions can intrude on the signal
.

              “Amazing.” Pershanti looked like a cat that had just found a bowl of cream.

              “What are you called?” the boy asked.

             
Forgive me, that should have been one of the first things we spoke of, but I noticed that you do not have a thing you call yourself so thought it might be rude to bring it up.
A wave of thoughts went through them then. First, an image of a smaller silver and black form dropping onto the back of a spider three times his size in order to save his future mate. Next, an image of a slightly larger version of himself staring down a pack of wolves whose pelts gleamed like the night sky. Finally images of him nearly fully grown staring into the challenging eyes of a familiar female, now fully grown, who was half again his size.
Dauntless.

              “Well, Dauntless, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am known as Pershanti. I have tried to give my companion here a name, but he seems set against it.”

             
Names are important, Pershanti. He will know when he has found the name he is comfortable with, and in time that too shall be shed when he reaches maturity, as it should be.

             
This thought comforted the boy. He was beginning to think that he was simply being stubborn, but Dauntless had reinforced the idea that had been simmering in the back of his mind for some time. He would find a name that fit him until he remembered who he was or picked a name for himself.

             
Rest until morning, then I will bring you to the Quaelyne. I will stand guard, in case there is anything hungry enough to brave your flame.

First Seventhday

Town of Verge

Elandria awoke to the sounds of crunching snow as someone walked up to the front door of the building they were trapped in. She thought about getting out of bed to meet whoever it was on her feet, but as she poked her head above the blankets, she decided it was too cold out to let her pride get the best of her. After several boards were removed, the door was slowly pulled open. It took a few well-placed kicks to break through the snow that had built up at the bottom of the door in order to open it enough to let someone inside.

A Dracairei stepped into view a moment later. He stepped down into the room with a slight wince, his leg giving slightly under his weight.

“Still alive, I see,” he said, his breath billowing out before him. “Noble of you to help keep the Dwarf warm, but his chances of survival are not very good. Even if he survives the toxin, he’ll probably just end up like the other one.”
             
The other one?
She thought. Her eyes went wide as she realized he must be talking about Seargeant Mcdowell.