Well there goes Abras' (probably several other kinds of stupid) plan to try to ambush him. If Herald Jores doesn't have any questions to add, Abras is running out of ideas.

Herald Jores asks them some more questions about their recruitment and where all the mages and un-Gifted soldiers are from and how they obtained their non-magical weapons and supplies like food. None of the answers to these questions involve Master Dark. 

Eventually Jores too is out of ideas. "Think we're done here," he mutters to Abras. 

He's not sure how useful any of that was but it's still a relief to be done.

Jores is already tracking down the Guard platoon-commander and discussing what else needs to be done here. He seems to have that well in hand, and not require help from Abras specifically. 

The only notable event that day is that, over the course of the afternoon, Companions arrive for two more of the freed Gifted children. 

Abras is very curious what would have happened if any of those Companions had gotten their Call a week ago. Also how the kids feel about it, which is an easier question to answer despite being too awkward to ask them straight out.

Yfandes' impression, from gossip with their Companions, is that Arina is incredibly delighted, and the other two know it's 'supposed' to be a good thing and a great honour but are pretty overwhelmed. They come from poorer, more rural backgrounds with less exposure to Heralds, and haven't seen their parents in months, and now they're learning that they don't even get to go home and are instead expected to travel to Haven with their new Companions. 

:Their Companions can't bring them back to their parents first, just to visit?:

:- It's not usually done, but - I guess there's not a huge rush to get them to the Collegium? Right now I think their parents are travelling here, so at the very least we could have them wait until they've had a reunion: 

:That would be good. I mean, it only seems fair--I didn't have to start training immediately.: Not that the getting to see his parents was the comforting bit there.

:I'm glad you brought that up, Chosen. It's a good point but...I'm not sure I'd have thought to suggest it to their Companions on my own: 

:I suppose it's always less of a surprise for the Companion, because they know they'll probably Choose someone at some point.:

:Right. And - it's not like it takes us away from our family in the same sense, I guess, since we generally get to spend a bunch of time with the Companion herd in Haven: 

:Yeah. It's pretty rough on the kids whose parents and friends can't afford to visit. I never really thought about it before.: Because he didn't get along with his parents and didn't have friends before getting Chosen and didn't notice that other people weren't like that.

:It's true, we - ask a lot, of people, when we Choose them to be Heralds: Yfandes seems unsure how to feel about this. 

:I didn't mean--you give back a lot too, though.:

She nuzzles at him affectionately. :We try. I'm - very lucky to have you as my Chosen: Pause, then more matter-of-factly: :Anyway, I was discussing with Jores' Companion what makes sense to do, here, and you're not especially needed at this point. Jores had been thinking you could ride back to Haven with the children while he deals with the rest of the loose ends here, but now it's sounding like it'd be better for you to go down just with Arina, and Jores can escort the others back when he's wrapped up his work and they're ready: 

:Sounds good. Do you know when they'll be ready to go? It won't take any of us long to pack, I expect.: he adds wryly.

:Tomorrow morning, I think. Arina's itching to go but her mother wants another night with the family together: 

Nod. He has some sympathy for Arina's mother, too, but he's not sure what to do with it beyond a vague wish that it was easier to travel long distances.

He's ready to go bright and early the next morning, half because he doesn't want to be the person anyone has to wait for and half because his sleep schedule is still shifted early.

Arina is ready to go as well. In fact, she's riding her Companion up and down the main street at nearly a gallop, looking incredibly delighted about it. 

:Aww: 

:Aww indeed. I'm glad she's having fun.: He swings into Yfandes' saddle and waves hello to Arina.

"Morning!" Bounce bounce. "Are we going to stay at a Waystation tonight? I really want to see one!" 

He gives a surprised little smile. "That can probably be arranged." And then he adds "Let me check" and twists around to pull the map out of his saddlebag, because he didn't actually stop anywhere that's a reasonable single day's travel from here on the way out.

There's a Waystation about forty miles out, which would be a long way for an ordinary horse but should be a pretty easy jaunt for Companions, and not push Arina too hard when she's still getting used to riding. 

Arina is bouncy and cheerful. "So we're going to Haven! I can't believe it. My Datsi says I'll get a teacher and live with them probably, and have all sorts of lessons, she says we'll do riding and magic lessons and then other normal school - what kinds of lessons other than magic, I'm worried I'll be behind -?"