complex, then along the wall marking the perimeter. Lan had never gone so fast in his entire life, and Kalira's pace was so smooth he would never have believed she was galloping.
The wall curved in and out, not following any sort of straight line; trees interrupted by meadows flew by. They rode up and down gentle hills, and twice leaped a meandering stream. Lan had always understood that Companion's Field was big, but it was enormous!
Without warning, they were at the river again, downstream from where they had left it. Now Kalira slowed down to a trot; even her trot was smooth and easy to sit. They trotted along the river for a bit, then Kalira cut away from the stream and walked into the thick trees.
:How long can you run like that?: he asked her, amazed that she was not even sweating.
:Candlemarks,: she told him matter-of-factly. :A day and a night, more if I have to, but I need a good feed and a long rest after.:
He blinked. He had never owned or ridden a horse that could keep up a gallop for one candlemark, let alone for a day and a night!
:But we aren't horses,: she reminded him gently. :We only look like horses.:
:I think I'm beginning to understand that.:
They moved deeper into the trees; a thick blanket of leaves rustled and crackled under her hooves. He thought he caught a glimpse of something ahead. Was it a building?
:It used to be,: she answered his unvoiced thoughts. :I'm taking you to see the bell tower and the chapel ruins in the Grove.:
The Grove! He shivered, both in anticipation and with the kind of thrill he got when he was in a place where ghosts were said to walk. Surely if there was any place in the grounds that was haunted, it would be here!
:Heralds and Companions have better things to do than to sit around spooking youngsters when we don't need our bodies anymore,: Kalira laughed at him. :Why drift about like a bit of mist when you have a much nicer place to go?:
'Well, what about people who aren't Heralds or Companions?' he asked. 'Haven't there been enough people who've died here to make the place haunted?'
:Not, I think, while we have anything to say about it. This is our place, you know.: This was a new mind-voice, a very masculine one, and Lan saw another Companion waiting to greet them beside the ruins of an old chapel.
This was a stallion, no larger than any of the others, but somehow he gave an impression of being larger and more imposing. He was beautifully turned out, every strand of mane and tail braided, his coat brushed until it shone with the silver gleam of moonlight, hooves polished to the patina of old silver.
:This is Rolan,: Kalira told him, with a nod of respect to the stallion. :He's the King's Own's Companion. He wanted to see you for himself.:
:Yes, and with your permission, I should like to examine you as well, young Trainee,: Rolan told him gravely, with a slow swish of his braided tail. :I mean no disrespect to you or to Kalira, but I wish to be able to assure my Chosen, and thus every Herald in the Circle, that your power, though dangerous, is under control.:
He sighed, a little bitterly. 'Even if the control isn't mine.'
:That is hardly your fault,: the stallion replied instantly. :Your Gift was forced to ripeness, in order to defend itself and you. In a better world, you would have felt it slowly, slowly, stir; in four or five moons, as you began to feel that something odd was happening to you, Kalira would have come for you, and you would have had your Gift come upon you here, and after Pol had identified what it was.: Rolan sighed gustily, and Kalira echoed him, her flanks heaving under Lan's legs. :It is not a better world, and we must deal with things as they are. May I?:
Belatedly, Lan realized that Rolan was waiting for his answer. He could say no, but why should he? Actually, he felt rather better about the Companion rummaging around in his head than some strange Herald. And at least Rolan had asked permission first. 'Go ahead,' he replied.
He didn't know what to expect; what happened was the oddest sensation of having someone actually in his head with him, taking control of what he was thinking. He was whisked along at blinding speed through his own thoughts and memories; he didn't even have time to identify what they were before being flown through the next.
It happened so quickly that before he had quite grasped what was happening, it was over.
He shook his head dizzily, clutching Kalira's mane, the world trying to spin with him as the center.
:My apologies,: Rolan said, as his head steadied and the Grove stopped rotating. :Some effects are unavoidable. Thank you; you have allowed me to confirm Kalira's judgment and Choice. That can only be good for all of us.:
'I hope so,' he sighed. 'I really hope so.'
Unexpectedly, Rolan took a pace forward, and briefly touched Lan's leg with his nose. :It is hard, having to prove yourself over and over, I know,: the Companion said sympathetically. :Please remember, when this happens so often you are sick of it—you will never have to prove yourself to us. Come to the Grove or the stables, and you will be surrounded by no one but friends.:
Lan looked down into Rolan's eyes, a much deeper sapphire than Kalira's sky-blue, and was moved for a moment almost to tears by the Companion's extraordinary promise. 'Thank you,' he said softly aloud, 'I will.'
He hadn't noticed another person had entered the Grove until a severe-looking, raven-haired man actually walked up and placed his hand on Rolan's shoulder. 'Let's hope Rolan never has to make good on that promise,' the Herald said, his lips slowly curving into a smile. 'If I have my way about it, he never will.' He held out his hand to Lan, who accepted it; the Herald's grip was firm without being intimidating. 'I'm Jedin, and I'm pleased to meet you in person, Lavan.'
