:Ah. I'm sorry I had to interfere with your intended destination and your Gate - but this was my only chance to intercept all of you, together. There are forces marshaling now that you need to know about, or Valdemar will be worse off than I can affect. Much worse than what King Valdemar's people fled.:
Elspeth felt a chill run up her back at his words. There were some who had held - sentimentally, she had always thought - that Vanyel somehow protected Valdemar, haunting the Forest of Sorrows. It seemed the sentimentalists were right.
Treyvan's feathers were slowly smoothing down; he clicked his beak twice, and said - with remarkable mildness, Elspeth thought, considering the circumstances - 'I did not know you could change the dessstination of a Gate,' He cocked his head to one side, and continued, making no secret of his surprise, 'I know of no one alive who can do ssso - '
Then he stopped short, as he realized that he was not precisely talking to someone who was alive.
'Urrr. Apologiesss.'
:No need to apologize, Treyvan. I've had a great deal of time to research the subject,: Vanyel replied, actually sounding a bit sheepish.
As he spoke, Elspeth noticed that he faded in and out, as if the amount of power he was using to maintain himself, or his control over it, fluctuated.
:I would imagine you have, youngster,: Need's dry mental voice replied :Although Gates are not precisely my specialty, I recall someone in my time learning how to kidnap the unwitting by interfering with their Portals.:
:Ah. So I have not discovered anything new.:Did he sound a little disappointed? :Well, that means that the rest of you can uncover this 'secret' for yourselves, later. Right now, you need to hear some things, and I am the one to tell you. That is why I diverted you.:
:Kidnapped us, you mean,: Need interrupted :There are people in k'Treva Vale who are probably tearing their elaborately braided white hair out with anxiety right now! Never thought of that, did you, boy?:
Vanyel did not exactly sigh, but Elspeth did get a sense of impatience :Then perhaps Firesong ought to send a message telling them you will be all right, shouldn't he?:
Now it was Firesong's turn to look impatient. 'You haven't exactly given me a chance to, Forefather!' he snapped. 'If you all don't mind, I shall do exactly that!'
He turned and stalked off into the forest, the white dyheli following. His firebird flapped its wings a little to keep its balance as he turned, and favored Vanyel with a contemptuous look and a chitter.
:Oh, dear. I seem to have put my foot in it - and he's as touchy as I used to be,: the spirit said, chagrined :I hope he'll accept an apology.:
'Oh, don't worry too much about it,' Darkwind said unexpectedly, giving Vanyel a half grin. 'I think he's more upset by the fact that he isn't the most powerful Adept around anymore. And it doesn't matter whether you really are what you claim you are, the fact that you played with his Gate proves you're stronger than he is. Besides - you made a better entrance than he did.'
Elspeth favored her lover with an odd look. He was certainly taking this apparition rather well - better than she was, in fact. She still wasn't entirely certain that this spirit was who and what he said he was.
No matter what Gwena said. Companions weren't infallible. Could they be fooled?
:Still, I seem to be as bad at handling people's feelings as I was back in my own time....:This time the spirit did sigh :Shall we take this from the beginning? I need to speak with all of you, but the ones I need to speak with the most are Elspeth and Darkwind - :
Some of her growing skepticism must have shown, for he stopped and looked only at her.
:You still are not certain that I am genuine, or of my motives. I think you've gotten much more cautious than you once were,: the spirit said at last.
:She's had a good teacher,: Need said gruffly :Me. I wouldn't believe the spirit of my own mother if she showed up with as little proof of who she was as you've given us. 'Trust me' doesn't fly. If you want her to believe you 're what you say you are, you 'd better give her some proof she'll recognize.:
The spirit actually laughed, then turned to Elspeth :Will it constitute proof if I answer some questions? Things no one outside of Valdemar could know the answers to except me?:
