Tantras, why isn't there more of you in canon?

[gildaurel]

A short fic in my "Vanyel's friends find out about his cougar-ish relationship" series. I'm still not entirely happy with it, but I don't see how it's going to get any better, and I figured I'd post it for those of you who, like me, will read any Van/Stef somewhat indiscriminately (provided it's not from fanfiction.net).

“Must we spar so early?” Vanyel called from the opposite side of the salle, straightening his armor and squinting into the first rays of daylight.

“You’re the one who set the time,” Tantras retorted. Even if he couldn’t see his eyes from the opposite end of the salle, Vanyel was sure the other Herald rolled them. “Besides, you’ve never complained about waking up early before.”

“I know, I know,” Vanyel muttered before raising his sword to signal the start of the bout. A brief flurry of blows ensued, after which Tantras succeeded in scoring a blow on Vanyel’s left arm—exactly where he was most sensitive from the break years ago.

“Kernos’ balls!” Vanyel swore, lowering—but not dropping, he noted with a slight hint of pride—his sword.

Tantras pulled his helm off and eyed him suspiciously. “I haven’t scored a hit on you in eight years, old friend. I think you might be a bit too tired after all.”

Walking over to set his sword in the rack, Vanyel didn’t respond. The loss hurt, and he certainly didn’t want to explain why he was so tired to Tantras. Although judging from the sly expression on his face, he’s already figured it out.

“No.” Tantras said, after a moment. “I don’t believe it! But it’s the only explanation for your slipping, even a bit…”

Sighing, Vanyel remained silent, unbuckling his armor as Tantras watched him disbelievingly. “Who? I haven’t heard a single rumor about you, and Gods know I would have—at least from Joshe. There isn’t an unpaired shaych Herald anywhere close to our age, and I don’t know who else you could hope to find the time for.”

I wish I could just lie to him, Vanyel thought, exasperated and—let’s face it—a bit embarrassed.

“Not the Bard,” Tantras murmured finally. “No—you wouldn’t.”

Vanyel flushed and Tantras’ mouth dropped open. “Van, he’s Jisa’s age! You swore up and down it was only friendship…”

“It was!” Vanyel protested weakly, then sat down, twice defeated, on the salle bench. “You know me too well.”

“Van—“ Tantras began warningly, all humor gone from his voice. “Are you sure you’re making the right choice? He’s been helpful to the King, certainly, but—“

“We’re lifebonded, Tran. I wasn’t planning on making a public announcement, but I found out at Forst Reach. Things haven’t exactly been calm since then… I haven’t really had an opportunity to let you know.”

“Lifebonded?” Tantras shook his head slowly. “I didn’t even know that was possible.” He looked mildly abashed. “Well, I won’t question that. It’s just… I hear and see much more than you, you know? And your personalities seem— different, from what I’ve heard of Bard Stefen. Opposite, in some ways. Combined with the age gap, it’s hard to fathom.”

“What would you have heard of him to make you think that, Tran?” Vanyel asked mildly, stretching his arms behind his back until it cracked.

It was Tantras’ turn to flush. “Rumors, generally. I know someone who knows him; he’s not exactly discreet, Van. You might live with your head under a rock, but I can’t afford to, not where our Trainees are concerned, Heraldic or otherwise. As Seneschal’s Herald, I need to keep track of them. Internal affairs are part of my job description.”

Vanyel gave him a level look. “Well, I wouldn’t want to hear anything about Stefen that he hadn’t told me directly. It’s nothing serious, is it?”

“No.” Tantras hesitated.

“Out with it, Tran. What is it you think I need to know about my lifebonded?”

“Nothing, Van, really. I just—it’s just—“

“—he’s slept around?” Vanyel finished finally. “I know. Do you really think I could not know? I’m not that dense, even if I don’t listen to Court rumors. Personally, I commend him for it; he’s far more accepting of who and what he is than I may ever be.” His expression darkened. “As far as the rumor mill goes, it seems more concerned about who shaych men or unmarried women sleep with than the married nobles who’ve slept with half the Palace girls.”

Tantras held up his hands in surrender. “Van, you know I’m on your side here.” He moved to sit next to him on the bench. “I care about you a lot, you know that. I just didn’t want you to find out some other way… I wasn’t sure how moralistic you might be about all that.”

“Far less so than you might think. Just because I’ve made the choices I have doesn’t mean I think they’re best for anyone else.” He sighed. “In fact, they’ve been more obligation than desire, as I know you’re more than familiar with.”

Tantras gave him a wry smile. “Indeed.” Clapping Vanyel on the back, he stood. “Well, any misgivings I had are gone, and I truly am happy for you.” He cocked his head to the side. “The only question I have now is when I get to meet the lucky man—“ he paused and raised an eyebrow—“or should I say boy?”

“Not funny, Tran,” Vanyel replied, rolling his eyes. “As if you’ve never—“

“I never made any claims to moral purity!” Tantras exclaimed.

“Neither did I,” Vanyel said sourly. “Everyone else seems to have decided to make them for me.”

“The great burden of being a national hero.” Racking his sword, Tantras extended a hand to Vanyel to help him up. “I’ll remember to feel sorry for you the next time I hear one of those asinine songs in a tavern.” He smiled. “That is, if I’m not too busy covering my ears.”

Vanyel laughed aloud. “Please. I appreciate the outside pity; it’s usually just me feeling sorry for myself.”

Joining him in his laughter as he walked out, Tantras shot back, “No problem. Just get some rest, would you? I am notoriously out of condition, and I need my sparring partner back.”

Shaking his head, Vanyel paused to double-check that he had properly racked his sword, then followed Tantras out. “Don’t worry. Having an old man like you beat me is more than motivation enough.”

Tantras’ response, though unspoken, was certainly unfit for the Seneschal’s Herald.