Storm Rising

'Then they can look for that neat package, but it's a false one, and they're only fooling themselves.' Her eyes were shining, and her color heightened with excitement. 'There is no end to questioning, except decay. And I'm not ready to sit and rot, and neither are you.'

'You're right, I'm not.' He leaned over then, and dared a kiss; her lips were warm and soft and she didn't pull away. 'And you're right; I should go. I'll be lonely without you, but I'll go.'

Natoli squeezed his hand and whispered, 'Be brave, Karal, and be careful. Come back to me.'

Sejanes led a group of mixed Herald-Mages and White Winds mages who would be establishing the Gate under his direction and control; as Altra and Hansa had, they were using the old ruin in Companion's Field. 'They're going to be worthless when we're done,' he'd warned Selenay. 'And they're going to be weak as newborn kittens for at least a day.' Accordingly, she had sent along a contingent of servants with litters to carry them off when they collapsed. Sejanes had approved.

Now the expedition force stood in knee-deep snow beneath an overcast sky while Sejanes reiterated the plan. 'We'll hold the Portal open long enough for you all to get through,' he said, squinting into the bright snow glare. 'That's all this lot will be good for. We'll reopen it in a fortnight, and you'd better be up on that rim when we do.'

'You'll reopen it if you can,' muttered one of the k'Leshya mages. 'If they don't succeed, you'll have more than the Portal to worry about.'

Sejanes ignored that—or perhaps he simply didn't hear it. 'If you aren't there, we'll reopen it one more time a fortnight later, then send word to call up search parties down there.' He paused and favored the k'Leshya mage with a sharp glance. Perhaps he had heard the mutter. 'If, however, the force of your weapon deactivates the Gate at your end, you will have to find another way back here.'

'In other words,' Firesong said, laughing, 'we walk home.'

:Not precisely.:

Heads snapped up all over the group, as even those who did not have Mindspeech reacted to that voice in their heads.

A Companion stallion emerged from the trees to their left, leading a group of four more, all of them young, all nervously tossing their heads, and all wearing saddles and halters. Not the fancy tack of a Companion on search for his Chosen, but the everyday stuff a working Companion used.

:Rolan would like you to relay the rest, Karal,: Florian said, as he nudged Karal's shoulder with his nose. :He can Mindspeak with anyone he wishes to, but it takes a lot of effort, and this will be faster.:

'Ah—this is Rolan, he's the Queen's Own Companion' Karal said hastily.

:These are four of the fastest and strongest of the Companions who have not Chosen Heralds, and they have been picked by Rolan out of the volunteers to serve as mounts for those who need them.:

'Unpartnered Companions volunteered to carry the humans of our group,' Karal interpreted. 'These are the best.' He knew from his own experience that no horse could ever keep up with a Companion, and if somehow the others had missed that particular piece of information, they'd soon figure it out!

:Rolan has made assignments.: The stallion tossed his head, and a muscular male with a short mane and tail stepped forward and bowed to the Sworn Shaman. :This is Kayka.:

'Your mount is called Kayka, sir,' Karal told that worthy, who bowed to the stallion.

'I am honored, Kayka.' Lo'isha's tone made it clear that he meant his words, they were not just for politeness' sake.

Two mares with artistically flowing manes and tails tripped forward together, stopping in front of Firesong and Silverfox. :Twin sisters, Senta and Sartra. Senta will take Firesong, and says—:

'I can hear what she says, thank you, Florian,' Firesong interrupted dryly. 'And I assure you, I actually do know how to travel lightly. Remember? I came here with only what my dyheli friend could carry.' He turned to the Companion and bowed to her as deeply as the shaman had bowed to Kayka, though with a touch more irony. 'I am grateful for your assistance, Senta, and I appreciate your beauty.'

Silverfox already had one hand on Sartra's shoulder, and appeared to be deep in mental conversation with her. The last Companion, another female, slim, with a long forelock half hiding her eyes, stepped shyly forward, and scraped at the snow in front of An'desha with one hoof.