Fire and Ice (LHM AU)
So I have recently discovered Ao3 and gotten bit by the writing bug- (be afraid...)
So for your reading pleasure here is my Last Herald Mage AU.
What if Tylendel had messed up making the Gate, didn’t attack the Leshara, didn’t get Repudiated, didn’t kill himself, and has to actually Deal With the Consequences of his stupid actions.
Diverges from Chapter Eight of Magic’s Pawn, at the building of the Gate.
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Chapter 1: Darkest Night
(Outside of Valdemar’s Capital, Exile’s Road, Sovvan Night)
Vanyel pushed his way past grasping branches, cursing under his breath as they caught at his hair and cloak and scratched his face and hands. He fought his way through them and into a walled courtyard knee-deep in weeds, with vines crawling over the crumbling walls. There were the remains of a building as well, skulking in the corner of the yard, roof fallen in and a tree growing inside the vine-covered walls. Tylendel was examining the doorway with care, testing the lintel with his dagger to make sure it was solid, then nodding in satisfaction and sheathing the blade.
“This will do.” He said quietly, almost to himself more than to Vanyel. “Van, do you think you’re ready?” He asked, finally turning to face him.
“As ready as I’m ever likely to get.” Vanyel said after taking a deep breath to steady himself.
Tylendel took his frozen hands in his own which were no warmer. “Van, I’m going to have to force that link between us wide open for this to work.” He searched Vanyel’s eyes for a moment. “I may hurt you. I’ll try not to, but I can’t promise. Are... are you still willing to help me?”
Under the stark light of the red mage-light over his shoulder Tylendel's drawn face with its dark-circled eyes and hollowed cheeks looked as hellish as the demon masks revelers would be wearing to Sovvan parties this very night. His eyes were dark as the night around them and Vanyel was willing to do anything to see those eyes again shine with love and happiness.
Besides, it’s too late to back out now. Vanyel thought as he nodded his assent. I didn’t confess to Savil what was going on when she nearly caught me when I was returning the books. She asked me how was I was really holding up under all of this. And I... lied to her. For you. We can’t trust anybody else, not even Savil.
Read it here- https://archiveofourown.org/works/34926076/chapters/86974228
