Chapter Text

Two Companions stand under a full moon, alone in a grove. Their bodies are shaped like horses, whiter than snow, and the stallion stands two hands taller than the mare, majestic, mane rippling in the invisible breeze.

They are shaped like horses – and in the blue, there is a woman, dark hair streaked with grey, weathered brown skin, strong capable hands. She stands with her hands clasped behind her back, calm, ready – and in front of her, is a pillar of light barely in the shape of a man.

Yfandes, says the silvery shape, the core of the Monarch’s Own Companion – Groveborn, immortal, never human.

Rolan.

I trust that we understand each other now.

We do. In the blue, the being that is Yfandes straightens her spine, lifts her chin.

I will not claim to know what Taver was thinking, Rolan says. When he ordered you to keep this secret. Perhaps he saw something…yet, in any case, I do not think his orders extended so far as to keep it from me as well.

Yfandes prances in place, uncomfortable. I’m sorry. Rolan, maybe I should have told you, but you were a stranger to me, and I wasn’t brave enough. And when I Looked… I don’t know. It was unclear.

Nonetheless, the Groveborn says. It was a mistake.

Yfandes bows her head. Maybe. I’m trying to do the right thing, Rolan. So are you. All we can do is fight for Valdemar, as long as we have bodies and minds to fight with. Together. At least, I would prefer it that way.

Practiced words, that fall like stones between them.

The being that is Rolan looks at her, steadily, with eyes of pure light – and sees everything that she is, a sprawling pattern of silver against the bottomless blue. Decisions, dreams, tangled threads…

A pattern that does not and will not walk away, never ever ever.

You have changed, Rolan says.

In the moonlit grove, a white mare bows her head. In the blue, the woman that is Yfandes dabs tears from her eyes. I know. I had to. I couldn’t abandon him to this, Rolan.

And yet you left.

I came back.

It is an old conversation now, a familiar dance, but one with no comfortable ending.

You know that there must be consequences, the being that is Rolan says. You have broken the rules, Yfandes.

I know. She lifts her head, blue eyes that are not quite a horse’s eyes meeting his. I accept the consequences. As long as I am with my Chosen. That is all I ask.

I would not keep you apart, Yfandes. He needs you. More than ever, now.

A pause.

Yfandes, the being of light says. You realize, you are no longer an ordinary Companion.

I know. It wasn’t on purpose!

In the trees, a stallion neighs. In the blue, a sound that is something like laughter. I believe you, that it was not on purpose. You have torn out a pillar of your mind. It must have hurt.

It hurt so much.

The herd will know something is different, Rolan says. Perhaps not what. Perhaps we need not enlighten them.

A startled gasp. The mare paws at the grass. You wish me to keep it secret?

It is your choice. I imagine you might prefer not to speak of it.

Silence.

I am not sure that I trust you, the being that is Rolan says. Ringing steel, and no human emotion.

I’m sorry.

She is not sure that she trusts him, either, but she does not put that into words. He sees it anyway, in the pattern that is her, she is naked in the glare of his mind.

The stallion rears, and the mare cringes back into the trees.

Sorry is not the point. We need you, Yfandes. Valdemar needs you. And so you must have a second chance, though it does not entirely please me.

Silence.

Rolan, the being that is Yfandes says. What will you do? If you decide that I – or my Chosen – can no longer be trusted?

The pillar of light shines, unyielding. I will do what I must. Let us hope to avoid that eventuality.