The Chosen Read online

  Unsure if she was expected to respond to the question, Kathryn kept her focus on the little bird and studying the dress she was currently wearing.

  By the time breakfast arrived Arianna had Kathryn dressed and her hair arranged in two braids coiled around her head. “There,” Arianna smiled, admiring her handiwork. “Now you look very pretty.”

  To her joy, the little girl gave the first ghost of a smile since she had arrived, it was only in her eyes, but it was there. She finished by reverently securing the chain with the flying eagle around Kathryn’s neck. Standing she crossed the room and accepted a breakfast tray from a servant who had just arrived. As she returned, Kathryn thought she saw tears in Arianna’s eyes again, but as the woman approached, she saw nothing.

  Princess Jasmine joined them as the two were just finishing breakfast, an older man accompanied her.

  “Good morning Milady,” Arianna greeted the princess with a curtsy. Kathryn also curtsied, keeping her gaze tied to the floor.

  “Good morning Arianna. Good morning Kathryn. I hope you slept well.”

  Without looking up Kathryn nodded, it was the best sleep she’d had since she could remember.

  “Good.” Jasmine smiled at her, then turned to the man standing next to her. “Kathryn this is Lord Mora, he’s a close friend of mine.”

  Lord Mora was a tall thin man with graying hair and a clean-shaven face. Smiling he knelt down and looked at Kathryn.

  The little girl still refused to raise her eyes from the floor.

  Arianna bent down and whispered softly in Kathryn’s ear. The little girl slowly raised her eyes and glanced at Mora’s face…without looking at his eyes.

  Mora smiled and held out his hand. “Hello Kathryn.”

  Kathryn looked at his hand curiously for a moment and then curtsied. Lord Mora looked at Princess Jasmine who was desperately searching for a way to get Kathryn to place her hand on Lord Mora’s. She needed to know if her suspicion about Kathryn’s gift was correct. Once again Arianna leaned over and whispered something in Kathryn’s ear.

  The little girl’s eyes widened fearfully but she tentatively reached out her small hand and placed it in Lord Mora’s large paw. Lord Mora smiled at her before turning his gaze toward Jasmine and nodding. Jasmine turned to Kathryn who had already reclaimed her hand from Mora’s. “Would you like to see my gardens?” she asked.

  Kathryn nodded.

  “Arianna, would you be willing to take Kathryn? Lord Mora and I have some unfinished business.”

  “Of course, milady.” Arianna led Kathryn out of the room, but before they left Kathryn picked up the baby bird, taking it with them.

  Jasmine turned to face Mora. “What do you think?”

  Mora nodded slowly. “She has the power you say she has. I can feel it within her. But there’s something keeping her from even touching it. It’s like she’s built this wall around it that can’t be breached.”

  Jasmine rubbed her forehead in frustration. “I have a feeling Lord and Lady Blackwood told her theoutcasts story to keep her power hidden.”

  “Still, for such a young girl to keep such a deep potential hidden for so long, and even now still be able to resist, no… ignore its call…” Lord Mora paused in his deliberations. “She is obviously an extraordinary girl.”

  “You should have seen the look on Lady Blackwood’s face when Kathryn admitted to using her power in the woods. I thought she would reach out and strangle the girl.”

  “And you’re sure that Kathryn has only used her gift twice, first when she was seven and then again yesterday?”

  “I’m almost positive,” Jasmine told him confidently. “Lady Blackwood claimed that Kathryn hadn’t used her gift since she was seven and was clearly shocked when I told her what I’d observed. With the potential Kathryn has the only way to explain the number of times it took her to master a small movement is if she’d never done it before.”

  “She obviously fears something.”

  “I think it is people in general. When she caught me watching her she bolted like a startled deer. It took all my tracking skills to find her. She’s very adept at moving unnoticed. She’s still afraid of me, although she seems to be warming to Arianna.”

  Mora chuckled. “Arianna does seem to have that gift. I remember a young princess who was afraid of many things before Arianna became her lady-in-waiting.”

  Jasmine blushed. “That was a long time ago Mora.”

  He nodded. “Yes it was. You’ve come a long way since then. You are no longer the timid girl you once were.” He paused, and then asked, “Is Kathryn mute?”

  “I’ve wondered that too,” Jasmine admitted. “She doesn’t speak... What should I do?”

  Mora thought for several moments. “She has obviously bonded with the bird—

  “I noticed that as well. She won’t let it out of her sight for a minute. It’s almost like it’s her only friend.”

  “I have a feeling that’s a pretty accurate description,” Mora said gravely. “I think an introduction to Lord Jasse may be beneficial. He is quite adept in these matters and might be able to bring her out of her shell.”

  Jasmine smiled. “What would I do without you old friend?”

  Lord Mora chuckled. “Since you had already come to the same conclusion, I have no doubts that you would manage just as well without me.” They had moved to the balcony and were watching Arianna and Kathryn work their way through the gardens. At the moment, Arianna was showing the little girl a camalie bush with bright pink and orange blossoms covering every inch of space.

  “I will speak to the Guardian Council regarding Kathryn,” Lord Mora said as he turned to leave. “They will be hesitant at first and may even demand a demonstration of Kathryn’s abilities, but I have no doubt that once they see what you and I see they will have no reservations about admitting her late.”

  “Thank you, old friend.”

  Chapter 3

  Lord Jasse arrived at Jasmine’s palace one week later. She greeted him at the doorway, a smile on her face as she welcomed her old friend. “It is good to see you, Jasse.”

  Lord Jasse threw her a grin, his green eyes twinkling. “Anything for an old schoolmate, milady.”

  Jasmine frowned. “How many times do I have to tell you—

  “That you hate being called that by me? Only about ten times a day,” Jasse finished for her. It was a familiar conversation, one they’d had since they were teenagers. He followed Jasmine through the numerous sitting rooms and toward the private apartments. “So tell me about this little girl who Lord Mora claims is so special.”

  Normally his presence could manage to tease a smile out Jasmine, no matter how depressed or miserable she was feeling, but this time she let out a heavy sigh. “I’m at a loss Jasse,” she admitted. “Kathryn is smart, quick, obedient, and terrified.” She turned to look out the broad window that allowed for an expansive view of her gardens, her despair threatening to consume her. She’d issued orders for the punishment of the Blackwoods, but while it gave her a sense of satisfaction to inflict pain on those who had mistreated a child so horribly, it did nothing to help Kathryn now.

  “Interesting choice of words,” Jasse commented thoughtfully, leaning against the stone wall.

  Jasmine turned to face him, her heart heavy with seriousness and despair. Opening up her mental walls, she let him in to feel just how affected she was by the little girl. “Kathryn is undeniably smart, I can see it in her eyes and trying to keep up with her energy is trying, even for Arianna. She obeys every command given to her like she’s never experienced any free will,” she sighed again. “But terror is the only word that comes close to accurately describing her reaction to people. Lord Mora believes her only friend is a baby bird which she won’t let out of her sight.”

  “Which is why I’m here.” Jasse hadn’t moved from his position against the wall, but he softened his facial features and voice. He knew how jaded she had become over the years, had striven to balance her cynical
outlook on life with his playful one. Over the years he had perfected the techniques taught to telepathic individuals and tried to use his gift to encourage others where they needed it most. She had gifted him with a few mental peeks into just how much of a boon that had been to her during their time in the Guardians.

  “Yes, Mora feels that in order to get close to Kathryn we have to go through the bird.” Jasmine turned to look at her old friend. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Kathryn won’t look at you unless commanded to, she hasn’t spoken a word since I laid eyes on her in the forest, and her body is covered with horrible scars and bruises.”

  Seeing the distress in his friend’s eyes, Jasse paused, and then asked, “Who were her parents?”

  The Dowager Princess spread her hands helplessly. “I think she’s an orphan. When I asked her the same question, she looked confused and then shrugged.”

  “An orphan would definitely make an excellent servant to mistreat seeing as the parents aren’t around to protest.” They’d both seen it many times during their service.

  “I reached the same conclusion.”

  “Where is Kathryn?”

  “In the gardens with Arianna and the bird.”

  Jasse grinned. “How is Kathryn taking to Arianna?”

  “Other than the bird, Arianna is the only one who’s managed to entice a smile out of her and it was only once.” Jasmine smiled at the memory. “Ever since that first night, Arianna hasn’t left the little girl’s side and seems to know exactly what Kathryn needs most when she needs it most. Arianna seems to be the only one she doesn’t constantly flinch around. It’s like they’ve connected on a level so deep neither of them knows it’s there.”

  “Interesting theory, I have noticed that more often than not it’s the servants who have stronger ties to noble children rather than the child’s parents.”

  “Something I feel should be corrected. However I believe that is beyond the familiar relationship servants have with their charges. It’s….” she struggled to find an adequate description. “It’s more like the bond between a mother and child but it isn’t.” As she finished, she couldn’t help the small huff of exasperation that escaped over her vague description.

  He chuckled. “I remember back in school when you would rant and rave, spending radians writing numerous letters to your parents, and who knows what else.” Back before you became hardened by the daily horrors people subjected others to.

  “And still nothing has come of it,” Jasmine remarked sorrowfully.

  “All it takes is one to break the mold before others begin to follow suit. It may not happen right away but it will eventually. Look at your brother’s family. His children are close to him and his wife, perhaps the rest of nobility will follow the king’s example.”

  “If they are, they’re sure taking it slow. I could crawl faster.”

  Jasse shook his head. “That was always your stumbling point, Jasmine, you weren’t patient enough. That isn’t something you can change overnight. Neither is Kathryn. Both will take time and loving care.”

  “Speaking of Kathryn you should probably go find her and begin your loving care,” she smiled and pointed towards the door at the end of the corridor.

  Laughing, Jasse moved towards the gardens. “Yes, I suppose you’re right,” he called out over his shoulder as he left her. Choosing to enter through the back gate, he wandered slowly through the foliage, taking in the beauty around him.

  Ten minutes later he spotted Kathryn and Arianna. He stopped a moment and watched the two as they explored the gardens.

  Arianna would point something out to Kathryn who stood silently by her side and Kathryn would hesitantly step forward and investigate. She would then turn back to Arianna who would say a few sentences, no doubt explaining what type of plant they were looking at, and lead Kathryn on to the next plant.

  After a few moments Jasse decided he had observed enough and moved to join them. “Good morning, ladies,” he greeted cheerfully.

  Arianna smiled and dipped a quick curtsy in greeting, but Kathryn recoiled in surprise, immediately lowering her eyes.

  Perhaps Jasmine wasn’t exaggerating after all, Jasse thought as he joined them. As much as he loved Jasmine, he knew from years of experience that she tended to overstate situations on occasion. “Hello, Arianna. How are you this beautiful morning?”

  “Very well, Lord Jasse, and yourself?”

  “It is always a good morning when I’m invited over to the princess’ home,” he replied with a quick grin. Turning he looked at the little girl standing mute beside the servant. “And this must be Kathryn.”

  Arianna smiled gently. “Yes.”

  Jasse knelt down so that he would be at eye level if the little girl ever decided to look at him. “Jasmine tells me that you have a special friend.”

  Slowly she nodded without lifting her eyes from the ground. Gently he reached out with his mind and sought her emotions, trying to use his gift to understand her terror, or at least discover a way to ease her anxiety. It didn’t do him any good. Kathryn had an astonishingly tight grip on her emotions. He could feel the fear, but nothing below. Even more astonishing, was that after a few seconds she drew her feelings in even deeper, as if withdrawing from his touch. It was definitely something he would have to investigate. Was her second gift the ability to sense emotions?

  Until then he would have to do this the old fashioned way. He nodded towards the small bulge in her skirt pocket. “May I meet your friend?”

  Jasse noticed the way Kathryn looked to Arianna who nodded and smiled. “It’s okay, Kathryn,” she encouraged. “Go ahead.”

  Slowly Kathryn reached into the pocket and pulled out a scrawny baby bird. As the sun touched the soft feathers it let out a small cry. Immediately, a worried look flashed across the little girl’s face.

  “It’s okay,” Jasse hurried to assure her. “It’s telling you good morning.”

  Her gaze flew to Jasse, looking him in the eye for the first time; her blue eyes filled with a mixture of hesitancy and curiosity. Wondering which would win, he held out his hand for the bird. “May I?”

  With Arianna’s persuasion she slowly surrendered the bird and waited.

  Jasse held the small bundle of feathers with care and made sure she could clearly see what he was doing, only to become confused. “I think this is a baby eagle, did you know that?” He held out his hand to indicate she could move closer.

  The little girl shook her head, briefly skittering backwards out of his reach, but returned to her previous position almost immediately. He wasn’t naïve enough to believe that her terror was gone. She merely didn’t want to leave her bird in his clutches.

  Terrified is a kind term to her reaction to people. If I ever meet this Lord and Lady Blackwood they’re likely never to see another sunrise, he thought darkly. Jasse continued cautiously, careful to keep his emotions concealed from her. “It looks like it’s about two weeks old, and it’s a she.” When he looked back at Kathryn he could tell he had more of her attention. “In about two months she’ll be able to fly, but it will take a lot of care before she can get to that stage. Do you know how to care for her?”

  Kathryn shook her head.

  “Would you like me to show you?”

  She hesitated for a long moment, and then nodded. Jasse smiled at her, which only appeared to close her down even more.

  “Why don’t we go to the waterfall and Lord Jasse can begin telling you how to care for your friend?” Arianna suggested gently.

  A brief light flickered in Kathryn’s eyes but she extinguished it quickly, as if she was afraid that, seeing her excitement, they would decide not to go. Jasse glanced at Arianna, whose sorrowful gaze told him she had seen it as well.

  Together the three moved towards Jasmine’s waterfall. As they reached the falls, Jasse watched some of the tension ease from Kathryn’s shoulders.

  Jasmine had been right. Kathryn definitely had the gift of water.

  Arianna sat d
own on the soft grass next to the pool and motioned for Kathryn to sit next to her. Jasse positioned himself next to Arianna so that Kathryn wouldn’t feel threatened. For the next several radians Jasse told Kathryn and Arianna everything he knew about birds, eagles in particular.

  Up on the balcony, Jasmine watched as the three moved off toward the waterfall. She had mentioned Kathryn’s attachment to water to Arianna late that first night, and was pleased to see the servant maneuver the little girl into a location where she could find some peace.

  Later that night she asked Kathryn. “Do you like Lord Jasse?”

  Kathryn didn’t say anything, but she did look down at her bird and gently stroked the top of its head.

  Every morning Jasse would take Arianna and Kathryn out in the gardens and they would spend time caring for the little eagle. The little girl was a quick learner and, despite her skittishness, always eager to learn new things.

  The next three months were the most difficult times Jasse had ever dealt with. In his years as a Guardian he had thought he had seen it all. Death. Torture. Abuse. Sickness. Hunger. Anger. Spite. Jasmine hadn’t been the only one to rely on his dry wit and always ready jokes to keep from being overwhelmed by the things they had dealt with. They had been his coping mechanism as well.

  He had thought he had seen everything people could and would do to each other. But Kathryn’s case hit him like an unexpected blow to the midriff. She flinched at everything, refused to look anyone in the eye, and acted like she expected everyone to stop playing this cruel joke and send her back to the Blackwoods.

  It took those three months for Jasse to convince Kathryn to use her gift in front of him, and when she did it was the smallest possible act she could get away with, but during those three months he noticed something else. Kathryn not only had a gift for working with water, but also a strong potential for working with plants.Unusually strong.