dkstories
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Thank you for the high compliments. A good story always leaves me feeling the same - and rereading it again as it was posted has helped remind me of the joys of writing. All the reviews of this story has put getting a sequel out there all the more important.
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You're welcome - and thank you for all the wonderful reviews. I'm going to be interested to see how people respond when we're able to Rider's Pride reposted (it's another fanfic based on the Dragonriders of Pern books). Lifebonding happens many different ways - so don't think this is the only way. Sometimes the bonded don't even realize they've bonded for some time - or the bonding happens after some huge emotional event for one of the pair. As for the sequel - I'll just say it takes place in the western regions of Valdemar and we have several points of view for the story - not just Dalen.
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When and how to introduce Gavin was always a consideration in the story. Most books you get to see the love interest from the beginning and it's a see-saw back and forth. I always knew that with Gavin's personlity it would only be a chapter or two before he got into Dalen's bed so introducing him too early would have almost been anti-climactic.
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Dalen asks you to respect the privacy of his bedroom - even if his Companions do not. Jadev always did wonder what the Companion fillies felt when he . . .
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There was another review where someone said Dalen and Gavin were too much alike - but here is one part of the differences between them. Yes, they've got many similarities but they also have areas where they can balance each other.
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Dalen woke from what was a blissful sleep, slowly opening his eyes to see Gavin’s nose not more than an inch from his. They were sleeping so closely that every time they breathed, their breath gently teased the other’s face. He couldn’t ever remember a more comfortable, relaxed moment. “Would you look at that?” Luann’s smug voice sounded from the doorway, and Dalen turned to look at the older Herald. She was already dressed in the closest thing to Whites they’d been able to sneak into their ba
- 30 comments
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“There has to be something more I can do.” Selenay Valdemar Ashkevron said with exasperation as she sat in the office that was traditionally the workplace of Valdemar’s ruler. It was in this room, according to legend, in which King Randale sent Herald-Mage Vanyel on his final mission. It was here that countless Kings and Queens had plotted desperate strategies to save Valdemar, and it was here that Princess Selenay sat at a nearly empty desk and asking a rhetorical question of a nearly empty roo
- 11 comments
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Dalen was tired, but not exhausted as they rode through the countryside of northwestern Valdemar. Herald Nevin rode next to him, and their two escort Heralds, Luan and Vern rode behind them, chatting softly. He had been surprised when he learned Luan and Vern were a lifebonded couple since he hadn’t known any before meeting the two Heralds in their late twenties. Over the past nine weeks, the four of them had gone from a competent team able to work together to an excellent team that had manage
- 4 comments
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Bart is quite talented at his job. Many Monarch's Own heralds have had strong Mindspeech so they can reach out to any Herald in the Kingdom. Others have had very strong Empathy to monitor and adjust the emotions of Monarch or council. Bart's gift is less magical than either of those, but he has a real talent for organization and for putting the pieces of a puzzle together. Need the right person for the job? Ask Bart. It's only natural he's got Dalen tied around his finger already and can just push him where he needs to be...
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I'll admit I've started re-reading the Foundations books and have been itching to pick up Magic's Pawn lately. Plus I've actually been motivated by all these reviews to restart the sequel. Still working on Chapter 4 of that, but who knows...
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Well, Gavin and Bart ARE brothers. Sure, adopted brothers, but they are still brothers. Either way Bart and Gavin will be Dalen's family (unless Dalen decides to not end up with either of them).
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Dalen has to have SOME choices in his life, doesn't he?
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I told you that you'd see Carl in this chapter!
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I almost wish I could say 'sorry'.
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“So that’s what the big deal is about.” Dalen said as he lay in his bed the next morning with Carl’s head resting on his chest. The Bard’s hand was idly tracing the lines of the scar on Dalen’s stomach, and both of them were fully nude, lying on top of the covers. It had been an unusually warm night inside the Vale domes. “You’ve got to be kidding.” Carl laughed in surprise. “That was your first time?” “Couldn’t you tell?” Dalen asked with an answering laugh. He hadn’t felt this relaxed in a
- 14 comments
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Dalen’s mental hands burned with the power that filled the nodes below Burnham. Physically he was standing in the middle of the Vale parklands that had been reopened to all the people of the city. The park was often filled with people gawking at the changes, and at the scores of Companions that now roamed it, the way they had once roamed Companion’s Field back in Haven. Here though, people, ordinary people of Valdemar could see, and occasionally interact with Companions. One enterprising young
- 6 comments
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You WILL see Carl in the next chapter. I promise...
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When I first wrote this, the idea of a Bart/Dalen relationship never even occurred to me. I actually went back and wrote in some misdirecting lines to give it the ghost of a chance. I wasn't sure how most people would get involved in a story that zero romantic possiblities for well over 90% of the story (and yes, it was planned that way from the beginning).
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Herald: What were you doing in those woods? Companion: Taking a dump. Want to smell it? I can take you there very quickly if you're so interested in my poop. It is remarkably similar to horse poop, only I'm smart enough to dump it somewhere besides where I eat or take a roll. Do you have any more questions for me or are you ready to get back to work?
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Miracles are not uncommon in Valdemar history - just look at the existence of Companions and their Heralds. Beings sent by the gods should count as a minor miracle. Just be careful what you ask for from the gods (especially the Shin'a'in Star-Eyed Lady). You might just get it!
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“I thought you knew better than to get stuck on the business end of a pike.” Lofar said to his son, causing Dalen to blush a bright red. “I thought you said you’d retire from old age before you got to be Lord Martial.” Dalen countered, although he had to admit to himself it was kind of weak. “You’re getting weak on the comebacks, son.” Lofar teased him and Dalen smiled, relaxing more than he could remember relaxing since the start of the war. “I wish we were still back at Forst Reach.” Dal
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I think his last look at her in the palace before heading out ot fry Diers should have been a big clue. Also look at how he handled the guardsmen that were escorting him. That's something about Heralds that made me know I'd never be one. I'm too harsh in my judgments, too willing to swipe away any good because of the bad being done. Bottom line is I'm too unforgiving. Heralds forgive, and while they do take harsh actions (like frying Diers), they look at the whole picture, the whole person, and they give second chances where they can.
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“You stupid idiot.” Blake murmured as he helped Dalen off of Jadev. Dalen winced as he reached the ground and sighed when he slipped his arm over Blake’s shoulder to support his weight. What he said. Jadev murmured as Dalen tried to see the tent ahead of him. It was chaos all around them as Healers, Trainees, and Medics did their best to triage the injured. “I will be fine until the Healers have finished with the others.” Dalen growled weakly as they stepped over the uneven ground leading to
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Valdemar has a population of a couple million total - and growing rapidly. Karse (country to the southeast) is about the same. Rethwellan is actualy bigger (to the southwest). Hardorn on the eastern border is smaller in population although about the same landwise and is the weakest member of the Alliance. Iften to the East & North (above Hardorn) is...weird. It's population is human and non-human and numbers somewhere between Hardon and Valdemar. There are more nations to the south, below Karse and Rethwellan, all are smaller. The Shin'a'in live in a huge crater that was once the home of Urtho, the mage of silence. To the west of Valdemar is wilderness and a very big lake with more wilderness past that.
