Anya 's off to Neskaya
(Anya Lindir: Kara; Rafael Lindir: Laura Lulli; Mabry Aldaran: Mabry Slemmons; Myria Lanart: Julie Stampzinski)
"Mother, do I have to?" There was still a chance that Flora Di Asturien-Lindir might change her mind.
Anya's mother sighed. After three boys who were relatively simple to raise, of course she had to get a child that not only was the anti-social queen of Darkover, but also developed a laran no one had ever heard of, much less seen.
"Anya, you know the answer to that."
Anya threw herself off of her horse and into her mother's arms. "But I don't want to leave! I've never been farther away than Thendara, and Neskaya is ever so much farther than that."
Marius reached out and gently ruffled his little sister's hair. "Rafe will be up at Neskaya often to check on Mabry, and if you can't stand to live with the harpy--" Lady Flora gave him a dirty look "with Aldaran's heir, then I'm sure Myria Lanart could arrange for something else." He smiled at Anya. "You could sleep in the mews with Margali."
Anya made a face at Marius, but allowed herself to be pried from her mother's arm.
"You're sure that if I'm terribly unhappy that I can come home?"
Flora sighed. "Anya, you know why you need to go to the tower..."
Anya looked at the belt around her waist that she would attach to Thunderer's saddle as soon as she remounted. "Yes, Mother."
"It won't be so bad. You're a bit young for it, but you'll meet some new people--"
From the way Anya's face fell, Flora knew this was the wrong approach. Perhaps she was wrong in wishing for a daughter. At least with a fourth son, she would've known what to expect...
"Anya...Just remember that we are here for you, whatever you need."
The young girl nodded.
As the party road north to Neskaya Tower, Anya looked back, fixing the picture of Lindirsholme in her mind, and hoping that she would be back to see it soon. Hooded Margali, perched on her block on the front of Anya's saddle, crooned comfortingly.
In the meanwhile, at Neskaya:
Myria called Mabry in her study. "I got a letter from Rafael. He asks that young Anya Lindir may be trained here at Neskaya. Of course I agreed. Curiously she doesn't seem to like the idea too much…just like you. She asked to stay with her brother at Aldaran, from what I read in your Regent's letter"
Mabry seemed annoyed "If he lets her get away with it, he's going to hear major whining from me. If Anya gets to stay in MY castle and not get training for HER out of control laran, why can't I? Hmmmmm?"
"Because, milady, if you do not learn to control your laran you will never be able to rule your domain; moreover, your Rockraven gift is a danger to yourself and to others. If that doesn't bother you, you are free to leave Neskaya....I think you two will have to share a room. Do you snore?"
Mabry gave a little nervous laughter"You're kidding, right? You've finally developed a sense of humour? You
can't seriously mean to say that you would put two adolescent girls in one room? Think about it. My room has only one mirror. How would you have liked having to share a room with Congratulatia - true, Anya's much
nicer than Congratulatia, but still!"
Myria grinned "I *did* share a room with Congra, when we were at Arilinn. And I assure you, nobody you could room with could be as bad as her! Anyway, you don't need to worry. Rafael isn't going to let Anya stay at Aldaran Castle"
Mabry made a courtsey to the Keeper, and went in her room. She decided she would write a short message to her new friend-to-be.
Dear Anya,
I'm very pleased. If Tallo likes you as much as he likes your brother, then, well, it will be nice to have a friend at Neskaya, assuming you don't manage to pull off running away much better than I did.
Anya soon replied in the same way
Dear Mabry
I promised Mother that I wouldn't run away. She said that she'd take away Margali if I did, because Hecuba put a psi-leash on me, just to make sure I stay at Neskaya like I'm supposed to. But if it gets too bad, we could always try to plot to run away together, as long as you make sure I don't float away like a terranan balloon."
Mabry answered
Dear Anya,
actually, I think I could. Make sure you don't float, I mean, except I swore to Domna Myria that I wouldn't use I my Rockraven gift without permission, but I think if I used barometric pressure and wind correctly, I could keep you on the ground. As for running away with you, well, I couldn't! Jorik wouldn't like that.
Myria said that most probably we'll have to share a room…I don't know how to take this…what about you?"
Dear Mabry,
share a room? With another person? Can it be high up in the tower and kind of away from the rest of the people? And would you mind if Margali comes to visit me sometimes through the window?And I don't snore, but Cisco told me that Rafe does.
Dear Anya,
no problem with your hawk, as long as you don't mind my cat Tallo. Oh, and you brother does snore. I heard him on the way to Neskaya. It sounded like a Terran airplane only louder.
Dear Mabry,
I like cats. We had a couple back at Lindirsholme that would sleep on my feet in winter so that I wouldn't get cold. The best one was Cinnamon, one of the orange-stripy cats. He didn't like Marius though, cuz Marius used to always tease him. And if you only have one mirror in the room, it's fine, because I don't need a mirror. Sides, Mother would probably send me one from home if we really needed another one. Animals don't care how you look."
Dear Anya,
Tallo's a kind of unusual cat. He's got the coloring you would expect with his name, and he's very smart. He's never wrong about people. If he doesn't like someone, you know that they're not very nice, and if he likes someone, you can always trust them. That's how Rafe became the regent, in fact. As soon as Tallo saw him, Tallo decided Rafe was alright, so I agreed to him being my regent.
Letter from Anya Lindir, on the road, to Rafe Lindir, Aldaran Big brother--
We've left Aillard lands and have begun crossing the Alton domain. The ladies riding with us have made sure I was tied securely down when we stopped each night, and one of the men-at-arms made a comment of a new way of chaining women, like they do in the drytowns. What did he mean by that? A passing rider asked if I were for sale. Why would anyone ever do a thing like that?
We'll be at Neskaya soon. Doesn't Mabry kind of have the Aldaran gift?
Maybe she can tell me if Neskaya will be good for me. I'll try my best to learn as fast as I can so that I can go home. And I'll try not to spend all my time in the mews. Marius said I should sleep there. I will NOT miss him.
Write to me lots, big brother. I miss you, and wish you didn't have to be so far away.
love, Anya
Rafe couldn't restrain himself from a little laughter. Really he missed his little Anya!! Always asking questions, and wanting the answer immediately!
*I imagine the ladies of Anya's retinue are having a hard time with her.* he giggled. *I would have liked to be there to take her to Neskaya personally. She deserved this as much as Mabry...and she didn't even tried to flee.* he sighed. *Yet.* He added to himself.
"Bredhilla,
I'm sure that if you had listened sometimes to Hecuba lessons, you would know what that man meant about the drytowners and their chains...Anyway, don't worry, noone is going neither to chain you, nor to sell you away. I'll do this by myself the first time I come to Neskaya!"
Rafe laughed. That was an old joke of the two of them.
"...Mabry doesn't have the Aldaran gift, but she's at Neskaya because she was having troubles with her Rockraven gift. I'm sure that Margali will be delighted as soon as she discovers how many nice things Mabry can do with the winds. Please don't listen to much to her opinion about Neskaya...though she may have changed it by now.
I will come to pay a visit to both of you as soon as Uncle Regis won't need me for a while, and in the meantime I will write tons of letters to you, chiya.
All my love
Big Brother"
Letter from Anya Lindir, middle of nowhere, to Rafe Lindir, Aldaran, sent by messenger bird:
Big Brother Rafe
One of the ladies said that Hecuba said that I should send you messages by messenger bird, so you'll get this one a lot faster. I guess Hecuba said that it would be a good test for my laran to see if I could do it.
We've gone past Thendara now, and are taking the road North. The ladies decided at the last minute that they needed to go to Thendara, so we kind of had to make a detour so that they could get what they needed. They didn't let me see too much of the city, though, because I spent most of the time at the Inn, going over my reading. The ladies didn't think I was important enough to stay in our rooms in Comyn Castle. They also said that I couldn't be let out, because how would it look if I started floating, and then I would be a disgrace to my family.
The ladies also think that I'm really odd because I like to read so much. None of them learned how. I guess Mother was right when she said that there were lots of ignorant women. And I'm glad when you stuck up for me when I wanted to learn my letters six years ago.
But one of the guards bought me a sack of terranan novels, the ones that I like the most. I guess you or Marius must've told him how much I like them. Thank you, big brother. So now I have something to do when we stop at night.
We've past Hali, so I think we're almost there now. Someday I want to go swimming in Hali, so that I can talk to the bird/fish.
with lots of love,
Anya
Sooner that he was expecting, another letter from little Anya was waiting for Rafael in the hands of Caradoc. The bird who had carried it rested quietly on the man's hair, the look of whose eyes transmitted a certain sense of uncomfort. Rafe stifled a little laughter, and took the letter from the manservant's hands. At his gesture, the bird left Caradoc's head, and flied to his shoulder, while Caradoc's astonished look made Rafael laugh again.
He sat by the fire, in his room, and read. He wasn't surprised to read about the "detour" to Thendara. If he knew well the greatest part of Flora's women, any of them would have missed to pay a visit to Thendara best shops, if they could...and since there was only Anya with them...women!
He laughed.
And the excuses they had given! Not important enough for opening the rooms in Comyn castle, indeed! And Anya's floating as a disgrace for the Lindirs...he'll probably have to scold those chicks, at least a little bit.
Very good. Hjalmar had remembered Anya's favourite writers. He was glad that his sister like so much to read, but at the same time he hoped that she would stop for a while in Neskaya...she needed so badly the company of someone her age!
He wrote again:
"Chiya,
while I'm happy to read you again so soon, I'm quite worried that you could step somehow in a paper and ink shortage...are you sure that they'll have enough for you when you're at Neskaya?
I'm kidding, of course...you know how much I love your letters.
Yes it was me who told Hjalmar about your favourite books, and I'm really happy that he remembered. Try not to read all of them before you get to the tower, though. Anyway...I'm sure that Mabry could lend you some of her many books, if you lend her yours. The two of you will make a perfect couple of friends, I believe.
Here in Aldaran life is quite peaceful, but yesterday an important couple of guests knocked at the castle doors...I'll let you know what happens. Of course you want to know who they are...well you'll be surprised to learn that I have two domains heads under the same roof!! They are Lady Cristilyn Aillard and dom Marcello Ridenow. Yes, he's still black haired, in case you're asking (I know that you like him, chiya!).
I have to go now...but if I know you it won't be long until I get the chance again to write another letter to you...
Lots of kisses
Big Brother
Letter from Anya to Rafe, Aldaran
So dom Marcello Ridenow's hair is still black? Just as long as he doesn't go blue like that one Gavin fellow who wrote all the pretty music in the Hundred Kingdoms a way long time ago.
And I'll try not to use up ALL the paper at Neskaya. Just most of it. Besides, probly soon I'll be able to talk to you with a matrix, right? Do you have enough laran for that in the Overworld? Hecuba never said anything about how she trained you. Just that I should've told her a LONG time ago that I was still hearing voices, which I did, but she never listened.
Thank you thank you thank you for the books. It's nice that someone thought about me.
Sealed with lots of hugs and kisses,
Anya
The messanger bird was there again. This time he had looked directly for her mistress' big brother, instead of delivering the message to the bushy hair man. He landed on the kind boy's room balcony, and peaked the window to get his attention.
"Welcome back, little friend!" Rafe greeted him "I'm afraid that my little sister is giving you too much work! But for her sake, do continue your lovely flights, will you?"
The bird ruffled his feathers, and gave a little nod. Or so Rafe thought...and shook his head, amazed.
Rafael read Anya's letter as quickly as ever, and immediately answered to it:
Dearest,
I'm so happy to learn that you're feeling fine. Is your trip going to last many days more? You must be longing for a real bed, I think.
My laran training was very poor I'm afraid. Hecuba said that I had just a bit of empathy, and some Touch (it isn't half as strong as yours, chiya), enough to make me a better rider than Marius and Cisco, and to make friend easily with pets. She did give me a starstone, but I hardly take it out of her silk.
I admit that I don't know if I can be reached, but maybe if your laran is strong enough for this, we could make it. I strongly recommend that you ask for Myria's opinion before you do any attempt on your own, anyway. Can you promise this to me? I hate to think of the risks you may undergo.
I'm always thinking of you, bredhilla. Make me proud of you, as you've always done.
Hugging you VERY hardly, and lots of kisses too
Big Brother
Anya Lindir, road going north, to Lady Mabry Aldaran, Neskaya
Dear Mabry,
Hecuba is making me practice my laran on the road, even though she's not with me, so I thought I'd send you a letter by messenger bird too. I'm glad that you won't mind my bird, and that you have a cat, because cats are such nice creatures. They're a lot better than the dogs in the Terranan novels. Do you like terranan novels? Mother always said they were trash, but then, she wasn't all that pleased that I learned to read either. She knows how to, she just doesn't like to admit it.
Is training very hard? You said that Lady Myria takes herself very seriously. I think I do too, cuz Marius always used to say that I needed to lighten up. Well, I did kinda lighten up, but I don't think that's what he meant.
I hope we get along. I've never shared a room before. But we'll find out when I get there in a few days. I know Mother's women will be glad to get rid of me.
Anya
Mabry pulled out a sheet of parchment, and began to scribble in her terribly messy script.
Dear Anya,
I'm sorry about my handwriting, I am absolutely incapable of writing neatly, I'm afraid.
I don't like dogs much, with the exception of Uncle Diego's dog Jasper, who's very friendly. For the most part though, my experience with dogs is limited to Brutus (my lap-dog, who is very very mean) and Buster (Mikhail's dog, who is currently lost, Mikhail's very worried about him.)
I read quite a bit. Mostly I read Terran novels from the late twentieth century, but sometimes I read an Adore Eternally book.
I've never shared a room before either, but I think it will work out pretty well.
It was nearly time for the noon meal. The Lindir party had been up at the bloody sun's dawn in order to make it to Neskaya by midday. If it weren't for the brief stop in Thendara, Anya was sure they would have been at the Tower long since.
As much as she hated to admit it, she was glad to see the stone tower rise like a finger into the sky. More than a tenday of being tied to the saddle and derisive comments from her mother's women were beginning to wear on her. She had never spent so much time in the saddle in her life.
"Why didn't we take the carriage, Hjalmar?" Over the past few days, the two had become good friends, since the guardsman had given her the sack of books her brother had sent.
"Domna Flora thought you might get tired of the carriage. She knows that sometimes you get that terranan disease--claustofoebus, or whatever that is."
Hjalmar gave the young girl at gentle smile. "Domna will miss you, damisela. Most women don't think they have to give up their little girls at twelve."
Anya tried not to sniffle. She didn't want Mabry to think she was a baby, even if this was the farthest she had ever been from home. "I'm just tired of being tied up."
Hjalmar grinned. "Study hard, little mistress, and you'll be home sooner than you think."
They stopped the horses and dismounted. Hjalmar carefully prodded Anya to the front of the group. In her nervousness, she began to float about a foot off the ground. Luckily, she was still tied onto Margali's perch.
*I hope I'm ready for this...* thought Anya
Behind her, Hjalmar thought, *I hope Neskaya is ready for her...*, almost as if he could read the forlorn look on her face.
To be continued…
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