30Author's Note (MUST READ): Hello once again! The new chapter of Love Exists is up! A special thanks to my beta tealah for helping me with this chapter. Her help has been greatly appreciated... So because of her help, I've decided to explain a few things. A lot of people including my beta have pointed out the fact that I don't have description about my characters and it's too late to add their descriptions in. So here it is, the super special Character Overview!
Analia: She is somewhat tall, about 5'7" or 8". She has brown hair that reaches to her shoulders and always puts it in a ponytail. Her hair is between curly and wavy... I've imagined her having long eyelashes and brown eyes a little too close together. She's not that beautiful but is not ugly either. She has very narrow hips and shoulders. People think she is shorter than she actually is because of her body frame.
Cole: Two words for you... Johnny Depp. The only differences between them are his grey eyes, short brown hair and clean-shaven face. I imagine him a little more manly too. He's my dream man... :)
Anastasia: She's short, has long blond hair that goes to about the middle of her back and has icy blue eyes. They almost look white. She's kind of tiny, people think she is a young child a lot. She has a big nose, but other than that has a beautiful face. She has a beauty mark right below her right eye that looks like a tear and puts her hair up in a ponytail like Analia.
Bronti: She is freaking tall. I mean 5'11" or 6' material. She's very mature and sometimes people think she is Stasia's mother. She has brown hair that's very wavy and is lazy unless forced to be working. If she does work, she does it without stopping unless forced to stop. Very reluctant I know... haha. She has short hair that goes to only her shoulders and has brown eyes that sometimes look green. She's kind of big boned as well, but not clunky. She's my favorite character other than Cole.
Dirkus: Tall, darker white than most Companions and uglier than most as well. hint hint Dirk hint hint.
Taliana: Small and skinny.
Kiddy: Medium build. She has a very short tail that never grows out.
Sherri: Tall and big... scares a lot of people and is a battle machine. Competes with Rolan in size and strength.
Anyone Else: Use your imagination!
Chapter Six: New Assignments and Confused Thinking
:She finally fell asleep,: Dirkus said to his companion. :This was a terrible blow to her confidence. To think that she is a target for an assassination attempt! Even I am at a loss of what to do next!:
The other Companion lying next to Dirkus in the stall nodded her head and snorted while looking directly into his brilliant blue eyes. Taliana, the Companion to Bronti, finally spoke after a long pause. :The best course, beloved, would be to tell the King, Dean Jahn and the King's Own, Michale. They can deal with this problem and have the authority to do what you and I cannot. However, I also advise that you recommend them to keep the facts secret and unknown to the Heralds and their Companions. We do not wish for the Dragon Keepers to suspect of our knowledge.:
:Thank you, love. Analia's distress makes it hard for me to concentrate and formulate plans. The Bond can sometimes be a curse as well as a gift.: He whickered in amusement. :You're wise beyond your years as always, Taliana. Sometimes your identity is too obvious.:
:And you, Dirkus, need to be more careful of your secrets as well. Especially since you and I are still Lifebonded.:
:I know, I know. It's so easy to forget that we are Companions. But I still think it's strange that we remember so much of our past; a lot more than a usual Companion remembers. And to still be Lifebonded!: Dirkus immediately looked worried and cast a knowing glance at his love.
:Yes, it worries me as well. It can only mean that danger will soon threaten Valdemar once again. These Dragon Keepers might pose a serious threat upon this country.: Taliana replied. :To add to my advice, I believe a Herald should be enlisted to watch over Analia at all times. That way she will always be protected should an assassin attack soon.:
Dirkus slipped out from under Analia's sleeping form, making sure that she was well cushioned upon a pile of hay. He shook himself off, yawned slightly and turned to exit the stable. He twisted his head around to look at the other Companion. :I'll go straight away to take care of this business. Please, would you stay with her? And call me if she stirs?:
:I will, my beloved Dirk.: Taliana replied, a slight smile dancing in her eyes.
:I love you, my sweet Talia. Thank you.: With that Dirkus left the stables.
Analia had awakened to the warmth of an unfamiliar Companion. She had been startled, but once she understood that it was Taliana, Bronti's Bonded, had relaxed immediately. Taliana explained to the worried Trainee that Dirkus was taking care of things and that Analia did not have to fret over the Dragon Keepers. The Companion had explained the whole plan in full to her (excluding the Herald bodyguard), and thankful for the respite, she tried to forget about her new knowledge. She had thanked Taliana for her help, then wandered back to her room in the darkness of the night. She still had to study.
The Dragon Keeper's plan still scared her, but the necessities at hand called to strongly to ignore. She had the complete protection of all the Heralds and their Bonded here at the Palace. Studying and schoolwork had to come first. Analia wanted to think about it, but forced her mind to her task. Dirkus can take care of things more effectively than I can, and ignoring my duties will only create more problems. Anything the King, the Dean and the King's Own decide on the matter will not be changed by my opinion.
Finally finishing her task, the exhausted Trainee collapsed on the bed. Calmed by the thought of her safety in the Palace, Analia swiftly drifted off into sleep.
Another Trainee went around the table, passing out the fourth round of drinks so far that night. Herald Cole, Dean Jahn, the King, the King's Own, and Prince Somali the Heir along with their Companions and Dirkus were still discussing the current situation of Analia. It was late, the morning sun was soon to rise over the horizon. Herald Cole, as usual, was extremely annoyed with his pupil.
Analia is in too much trouble all the time, and she relies on others like me to solve them for her. She can't be blamed for the Dragon Keeper's and their interests in her but the least she could do is be here!
:Cole, I think you are overreacting.: Sherri, his Companion, said privately to her Chosen. :You, and don't you deny it, have some feelings for that girl. You still love Ayley but like Analia as well and that confuses you. Thus, you are always angry at your pupil and blame her for things she should not be blamed for. As a Herald, you do not handle this girl very well.: For once Sherri was serious and did not joke about his feelings. Her words still irritated Cole even so.
:I do not! I always think things through! I am not blaming her for things that are not her fault!: He sent feelings of resentment down his Bond to Sherri's mind, too tired to explain his thoughts.
:Perhaps you should realize that she is just a Trainee and has schoolwork and other things to attend to. And would you be up and about in this hour in a meeting when the night before you learn that people want to kill you? Put yourself in her shoes!:
Before Sherri could continue, the King spoke in a loud voice, commanding the attention of the table. "We have come to an agreement. We shall not do anything different in our way of treating Analia openly. However, we will have a Herald keep a close watch on her to prevent an assassination attempt. This information will not leave the room unless you speak of it with another member of the special counsel. Please refrain from explaining to Analia the details of this meeting unless absolutely necessary.
"As for the matter of the guard, we do not wish to increase the numbers knowledgeable of this event. Therefore, one of you must be her watch."
Cole's spirit immediately sank to the deepest pits of despair. It will be me, won't it? The Dean has too many matters to attend to, the King's Own has the King to take care of, the Prince is too young and the Companions cannot for obvious reasons. This is wonderful! Why must I be the nephew of the King and why must I always be wanted at meeting's such as this? My attraction to Analia will not make this job easy and to juggle Ayley and Analia around will be a complete pain.
He took a deep breath to prepare for those most dreadful words. The King said them without a second thought. "Herald Cole, Teacher of Religions and Magic, my nephew, I herby announce that you shall be the bodyguard of the Trainee Analia. You shall keep a watchful eye upon her as much as you can. Her ignorance of your job is vital." The old King sighed and drew a hand over his face. "If there are no further questions you are all dismissed."
There was a long silence, and as no one questioned the King, he rose and the rest of the Herald's filled out of the room. The Companions all broke their connections and meandered their way back to the stables. Herald Cole stumbled tiredly back to his room and slipped into the bed next to Ayley. After a few minutes of staring at her sleeping form he turned his back and closed his eyes in sleep.
Ayley's right eye opened suddenly and unbeknown to Cole, searched his mind. For half a minute Cole's lover sifted through the events of the night, divulging from his brain the secrets only a Herald should have known. Soon after, she closed her eye and fell asleep as well.
"It's so hot," Stasia complained. After the test Analia was sure she failed on, the three friends had decided to take a ride through the Companion's Field. They were currently sitting by a stream yet the cool waters did not chill the sweltering hot air. The Palace was undergoing a heat wave due to a spell that backfired that same morning. Some of the Mage trainees from Iftel had been attempting to make a "sauna" but the spell had encompassed the whole Palace instead of the shack they were supposed to have used. What in the god's names is a sauna anyhow? A roaring flame that will slowly burn the flesh of my bones? A vast desert that dries up the very blood from my body? Analia could not keep herself from laughing bitterly at her imaginings.
"We have to deal with it, unfortunately," Analia complained back, the edge of sarcasm evident in her annoyed voice. "The top Herald Mage Trant decided to let the heating spell wear off instead of using powerful magic to get rid of it. That stupid, stupid man."
"What's so wrong about using a powerful spell to save us from this suffering?" Stasia whimpered and plopped down on her back, looking up at the sky.
:You two complain too much.: Bronti was sitting on a rock that stretched out from the bank to the middle of the river, her feet dangling in the icy water. The frigid water was the only thing reminding the girls it was still the end of winter.
"Maybe we should go back; it might be cooler in the Palace." Stasia suggested from her spot under a tree. "Besides," she added guiltily, a sheepish smile stretching across her face, "I have another test to study for."
:Alright then, let's go back Stasia. The cool stones of my room are starting to feel like a very good place to nap.: She chuckled. As Stasia's Lifebonded stood with a groan, she asked, :You coming too, Analia?:
Analia seemed lost in thought but she finally answered. "I think I'll stay here. My room is always hot what with all that new carpeting on the floor. Those damn artificers, thinking that "carpet" is such a wonderful invention. All it does is heat the place up too much when it's hot. Anyways, I'll see you two later!"
Bronti nodded while Stasia also got up and called to their Companions. Kiddy and Taliana came ambling up from their previous resting spot down river, Dirkus trailing behind. The three looked unaffected by the heat.
"You three," Stasia said warningly, "had better not tell us you can't feel the heat."
:We don't feel it; we're Companions remember?: Kiddy replied back without skipping a beat. :Now let's get you two back to the Palace alright? I want to sleep in my stall instead of here by the stream, it's too noisy.: She stamped her foot impatiently and snorted as her Chosen did not mount her fast enough.
"To think that Kiddy actually can be in a hurry!" Analia joked to her friend's Companion as Bronti finnaly settled in her saddle. She was a little surprised that Kiddy had broadcasted to the entire group but that didn't stop her from teasing the lazy Companion at this perfect chance.
:Kiddy is never lazy,: the Companion replied as she trotted daintily away
Taliana shook her head in mirth as she sauntered away, Bronti's and Stasia's laughter wafting along on the heavy air. With a small chuckle, Analia took Bronti's spot on the rock as Dirkus settled heavily beside her. He soon fell asleep.
She had all but forgotten the plan of assassination she had learned of just last night. The previous events seemed like a dream; the more current worries of her work and training, as well as her failures at attempting magic only seemed to wash it away. In fact, she was just wondering when to ask Herald Cole about perhaps tutoring her when the person in question stepped up beside her.
Analia's heart did a double-take as her teacher suddenly appeared at the stream bank. It took all her will not to jump at his sudden appearance. Telling herself not to hold her breath was a hard thing to do with him this close.
Analia watched him quizzically out of the corner of one eye, wondering for one what he was doing here. In fact didn't he have…
"Don't you have a class to teach?" she asked. Analia winced as her words broke the awkward silence between them.
Herald Cole leaned down to grasp a pebble in his hand and threw it in the water. It landed with a loud plop, the calm waters of the stream rocked back and forth due to this sudden disturbance. "I'm taking a break," he said bluntly.
A break? Can Heralds even do that? Deciding not to pry, she asked a new question. "So what are you doing down here by the stream on such a hot day? Most people should be inside the Palace on such a day as this." Analia hoped that her words sounded a little friendlier.
With a sigh, her teacher turned his head away from watching the waves slowly dissipating in the creek and focused on her. He faced his current assignment as a sad smile stretched across his handsome face. "The Palace is too confining today. Besides," he said while brushing his brown hair behind his ear, "the heat is not that bad to a Mage. Our shields block the heat easily. I should be asking why you are out in this heat. Surely your shields are not blocking this temperature?"
"As you might know," she bit back, "I lack in the magic department. Do to your teaching I'm worse at shielding than I started out as." She was always angered by his lack of kindness and respect to her. Analia started out each day with a resolution to be kinder to her teacher. She always finished out the day annoyed and spitting mad from his snide comments with a resolution to never speak to him again!
"Ouch! Alright, I get it!" He laughed nervously, as if trying to relieve the tension that had settled on the small clearing. "But that's exactly why I came here to find you.
Analia tried to keep her shock controlled and struggled against her mouth threatening to open. He actually came here to find me? Why would he want to find me?
"I believe you are in need of some help," Cole said, startling Analia out of her thoughts. "Most students have already mastered their gifts at this time while others have at least mastered the arts of shielding and minor usage. You, Analia, have not come close to this point."
"I know," she sighed, too dejected to snap back at the man for restating such an obvious and cruel fact. "I've never failed at anything before."
Herald Cole laughed at his student's acquiescence and ignoring her sharp glare only continued. "That is why I have decided to tutor you. One-on-one teaching is probably the only way for you to learn at this point and the students are so far ahead of you that the regular classes will be out of your league. Extra classes are essential for you to understand your gifts at this point."
Analia could only nod in agreement. She couldn't believe her luck; just minutes ago she was fretting how best to ask her teacher for tutoring and now he was the one offering it to her! What she still couldn't get was why he had offered. Every time she saw him he teased her relentlessly yet acted so kind when she was in need. Why? Why is he so confusing? I always say I don't like him and yet I still desperately want him to like me.
Almost too low to be heard, a chuckle echoed softly in her mind.
"Come to my apartments after your classes tomorrow. We'll start then," he ordered, then turned and disappeared into the forest, his Companion suddenly appearing at his side. Analia sighed, it seemed all she did was sigh these days, and followed him once he disappeared from her sight. Dirkus scrambled up on his legs and walked away from the stream, trotting on beside her.
Unbeknownst to the pair walking away, a woman with red hair slipped away from her hiding spot across the stream and left in the opposite direction.
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