It couldn’t be! …Could it?
“Has she spoken yet?”
Jasmine’s question brought him back to their discussion. He shook his head. “No, but I still don’t believe she’s mute.” After the second month with Kathryn Jasse had come to the conclusion that the girl wasn’t mute, just that she had never had a need to talk. He wasn’t sure how he knew, he just knew. Jasmine and Mora didn’t completely believe him but respected his opinion.
“Has she used her gift yet for you?”
Here Jasse paused. “Yes, this morning I managed to convince her that I truly wanted to see her work with water. Still, she would only make the water ripple, nothing else. And afterwards her body tensed up, as if she was expecting me to beat her for using her gift.” He would never forget the memory of the stoic expression she’d plastered on her face as she’d turned her back to him for punishment. Her shoulders had hunched themselves, arms wrapping around her midsection, instinctively protecting her vital organs.
“Jasse if she’s still sensitive toward using her gift, what will enrolling her in school do to her?” Jasmine’s voice was pained and her gaze never left the flickering flames. “Time is fleeing before us. Surely her fears should have lessened by now.” Pausing, she went on, “what else are we to do?”
“We have another problem to worry about.”
The seriousness of his tone drew her gaze. “Problem? What problem?”
“I have reason to believe that both of Kathryn’s gifts are dominate.”
Jasmine stared at him for a long time, unable to say anything. Finally she asked, “How? Why? Isn’t that impossible?”
Jasse shook his head. “I don’t know how or why. And while it’s not impossible, the ways it is possible are almost unbelievable. All I can say is that Kathryn seems to have two dominate powers and that she can push aside the urge to use them.” He still hadn’t figured out how she had known to withdraw her emotions during that first meeting, but it wasn’t the last time she had done it. Perhaps she was just reacting to his own body language? He would have to test that theory later.
Jasmine was silent again for a long time. “What is the other gift?”
Jasse brought himself back to the conversation at hand. “She can work with plants.”
“How can she resist the urge to use them?” Jasmine exclaimed. “
I
stil
l
can’t resist my urges and Kathryn is only ten!”
“Neither can any Guardian in the kingdom,” Jasse reminded her. “I don’t know how she resists the water urge,” he shook his head in disbelief. “It takes years upon years of training and meditation to learn to begin to control the urges and yet Kathryn went for years without using them. Her self-control must be unbelievable. Why it doesn’t kill her, I can’t fathom. As to her second gift I don’t think she realizes the effect she has on plants…although she probably feel
s
somethin
g
around them.”
“How can a person not know?” Jasmine demanded.
Jasse shrugged. “I really don’t know.”
“The next potential member of the Guardian Council doesn’t know?” she teased, half serious.
He grinned at her. “As I recall we both spent a lot of time passing notes during theory class. Anyway, what I do know is that when Kathryn touches a flower or a leaf the color brightens and it seems to be given new life. I doubt she’ll realize it until she makes something grow.”
“Which will terrify her even more,” Jasmine slumped against the couch. “Oh, Jasse, what am I going to do?”
“The only thing you can do. Give her time and let her know that using her gifts is not wrong.”
Jasmine nodded, knowing already that Jasse was right. Kathryn was a conundrum—a conundrum that needed to figure itself out. The two friends talked a few minutes more before Jasse retired.
A month later the little eagle had finally taken to flight, and Jasse and Arianna spent most of their days trying to keep up with Kathryn who seemed to find great pleasure in simply running after her bird, slightly put out at having to remain stuck to the ground while her bird could soar. Radian after radian, Kathryn would spend running around Jasmine’s extensive property while the eagle soared just above the girl’s head. Sometimes the eagle would perch herself high in the treetops of an evergreen, and despite Jasse’s and Arianna’s cautionary comments, Kathryn would rapidly haul herself up to be with the bird.
Jasse had begun to help Kathryn teach her bird to hunt and obey commands, unspoken ones since Kathryn still hadn’t said a word. However he began to suspect that Kathryn was speaking to the bird when no one else was around, because the bird began to show an understanding of spoken commands as well.
One day he asked permission to hold the growing bird and after a bit of silent coaxing, Kathryn persuaded her friend to perch herself on Jasse’s well-muscled forearm. As soon as the bird had positioned herself on his arm, Jasse found himself shocked at the weight…a bird as small as her should not have weighed as much as she did. He voiced his thoughts, saying, “It’s amazing this bird can even get off the ground weighing what she does.” Peering at her curiously, he was unsettled to find the bird staring back at him with mirrored curiosity. There was a change in the bird’s eyes as though she was scowling which further unnerved Jasse. Suddenly she let out a screech and opened her wings, one of which caught him on the back of his head.
Jasse stared at the bird in complete disbelief. Had she really just delivered a slap to the back of his head? He was still staring when the bird, apparently deciding to dislike him, unexpectedly tightened her grip on his arm. Despite the thick leather gauntlet sheathing his arm, Jasse ground his teeth together to keep from making a sound against the pain. “You can have her back,” he gasped as he held the eagle out to the little girl. The bird needed no coaxing; she hopped from Jasse’s arm to Kathryn’s and settled herself with a very satisfied look in her eyes.
Grimacing, Jasse eased the vambrace off his arm and studied the damage. The eagle’s talons had punched through the leather and he could feel the bruises forming on his arm. He looked quickly to Kathryn, worried that the bird was subjecting her to similar treatment, but all he found was Kathryn looking at him curiously. He shook his head and grinned. “You have one bizarre bird,” he told the little girl.
None of the adults could deny that while the slavery had done some horrible things to Kathryn, it had kept her in great shape and she had more energy than any ten-year-old should have been allowed. Now that she was getting used to the idea of being freed from slavery, Kathryn was slowly warming to the three adults. Arianna had the strongest foundation in the girl’s feelings and on more than one occasion, Kathryn had fallen asleep in Arianna’s lap while Jasse or Jasmine told a story.
Yet, despite all of their joint efforts, Kathryn never truly bonded with any of them. As the seasons passed she learned to befriend them and accept their help but she did not fully trust them. Especially not after the demonstration for Guardian Council, a year after her rescue from the Blackwoods, in which it had taken all of Arianna’s cajoling to convince Kathryn to move the water. Jasmine and Jasse learned just how much independence the little girl had claimed when, after listening to Arianna, she bent down and raced her hand through the pool of water before her. In response the water heaped up causing giant ripples and waves to spread out to the edges of the pool spraying some of the Council members with droplets of water. Kathryn had turned back to Jasmine, her eyes saying
,
I moved the water, happy now?
Jasse had spent the next few moments trying desperately not to laugh. Even Jasmine, though a little disappointed, was heartened by this show of independence from her. Some of the Council members looked furious, but a quiet motion from Lord Mora prevented any outbursts. Arianna bent down and did some more cajoling and finally Kathryn acquiesced. Her frustration and anger at being forced to use something she obviously hated about herself was taken out on the pool of water.
Kathryn turned to leave the gathering, but after turning her back she paused. Suddenly, the grand arboretum filled with the distinctive crackling sound of water freezing drawing the attention of everyone as they watched the pool slowly freeze from top to bottom. As the water froze, the temperature increased dramatically as heat left the water and entered the air. Kathryn left the garden without looking back.
Jasmine stared at the pool in near disbelief.
“She’s been practicing,” Jasse commented as he tested the firmness of the water with his finger. It was solid all the way through.
Arianna shook her head. “Not unless she’s been doing it in her sleep. I’ve been with her every waking moment for nearly a year now and she’s never used her gifts.”
Jasse sent her a look
.
You can’t be with her all of the time; she’s too good at disappearin
g
.
Another of Kathryn’s seemingly hidden talents. The girl was like a wraith. Disappearing within heartbeats and reappearing just as quickly. He’d lost count of the number of near heart attacks those sudden appearances and departures had caused.
This seemed to impress the Council, who had found Kathryn’s unheard of display of attitude distasteful, and after only a few moments of debate, informed Jasmine that Kathryn should be sent to school in a month.
Jasmine protested that a month was not nearly enough time for Kathryn to prepare for such a move, but the Council remained adamant and Jasmine was forced to comply with their demands. When she told the little girl that she would have to leave Jasmine’s house and go to a special school, they all noticed a change immediately. Kathryn became stiff and cold again. Jasmine and Arianna repeatedly told Kathryn that they weren’t sending her away because they didn’t like her or because she had used her gift, which was partly a lie, but because it would help Kathryn as she grew up. It did no good.
Three days before she was supposed to leave, Jasse found Kathryn curled up on one of the balconies overlooking the waterfall. Her eagle sat next to her, preening.
“I know you aren’t looking forward to going to school,” he told her quietly as he took a seat opposite her. “But it won’t be all that bad.”
She refused to acknowledge him.
He tried offering the only good news he had. “I’ll be at school with you, Kathryn.” The Council’s message informing him of his appointment to the school had arrived only a few radians ago, otherwise he would have told the girl as soon as she learned she was leaving Jasmine.
She finally turned to face him, suspicion written on her features.
“It’s true,” he said earnestly. “I just found out this morning otherwise I would have told you sooner.”
Kathryn reached out and stroked the eagle’s head. The bird tolerated it for a moment before launching herself off the balcony railing and into the evening sky.
“You are going to have to name her,” Jasse said softly.
Kathryn watched her soar, and then said softly, “Her name is Destiny.”
Two weeks later Kathryn was standing at the bridgework and archway that led to the new school. The school was surrounded by a stone wall that made the entire complex look like an impenetrable fortress. Destiny perched on her shoulder, eyes alert. Jasmine and Arianna stood next to a stony Kathryn. The three said their goodbyes and Kathryn walked stiffly through the gate and into a strange new world. Lord Jasse met her inside, his ready smile waiting for her.
He led her through the compound, a maze of tall imposing stone buildings, scattered courtyards, training arenas, and gardens. They walked over a wooden bridge that spanned a small pond, finally arriving at an ancient ivy-laden one story building with several massive wood-hewn doors. Walking over well-worn cobblestones Jasse approached a set of double doors inset into the structure. The doors had ornate carvings of battle scenes against the backdrop of a large tree. Despite its immense size it opened easily as he tugged on one of the door’s handles. Standing in front of her on a green tiled floor, Kathryn noticed a girl about her own age smiling shyly back at her. “Welcome to school,” Jasse told her, and then motioned to the girl. “This is your roommate, Amy.”
Five Years Later
Kathryn waited for Destiny’s signal, her arm muscles burning and her legs on the verge of collapse. A birdcall six inches above her right shoulder sent her right hand flying up to find the break in the rock that would prevent her from falling to her death. Another call two inches above her left leg had her shifting position. Straightening, she listened again. Again the call came and this time when Kathryn moved her hand, the reaching fingers met rough grass. Digging her fingers into the firm dirt she paused and waited. Another call and she moved her left hand, another call and she moved her left leg. Finally, Kathryn pulled herself up over the edge and wearily sat down.
Pulling off her blindfold she stroked Destiny who hopped alongside her. “That’s my girl,” Kathryn praised as she looked down the cliff she and Destiny had just climbed. It had taken six years to form the friendship and partnership they shared, but every day had been worth it. With Destiny flying above her, Kathryn felt like she could accomplish anything, including free climbing a two hundred foot cliff blindfolded.
After resting a few moments Kathryn stood and began the long walk back to the school.
“It’s against the rules to free climb alone.”
Startled by the unexpected noise, Destiny screeched and took off. To anyone else it may have looked like the bird had fled the scene, but one signal from Kathryn would unleash seven kilograms of deadly feathers and talons. Kathryn turned to face the newcomer, her hand falling to rest on the hilt of the dagger attached to her belt. Lord Jasse stepped from the shadows, frowning at her. Kathryn, however, wasn’t fooled. Lord Jasse’s mouth may have been frowning but his eyes were twinkling.
“I wasn’t alone,” she said, coming to stand before him. Even at sixteen she barely reached to his chest, his head towered above her and she resisted the urge to tilt back to look at him.
Lord Jasse gestured grandiosely about with his hand. “I don’t see anybody else here.”
Kathryn also looked around. “Well considering it is sunrise, I wouldn’t expect anyone to be here.”
“Yet you claim you aren’t alone,” Jasse reminded her.
Grinning, Kathryn pointed up to where Destiny sat perched on a tree.
“I’m afraid Destiny doesn’t count,” he informed her.
“Why not? She’s as good a companion as anyone in the school,” Kathryn protested.
“But can she guide you while climbing, or run for help if needed?” he asked pointedly.
Again she grinned. “Why don’t you meet me out here tomorrow morning just before daybreak and see for yourself?”
Jasse’s face became serious. “Kathryn, you’ve been at this school for five years and you know the rules. Yo
u
canno
t
go free climbing without a companion, let alone by yourself in the dark. You aren’t even supposed to be out of your room right now.”
Kathryn faced him. “I’m not alone,” she insisted. “Destiny guides me and I know that she’s a faster flier than any runner we have here, so getting help is no problem. As to the darkness I wear a blindfold so that doesn’t matter,” he cringed at this new bit of information but she continued, “And I do have permission to come out here every morning.”
“Who gave you permission to be out here?” Jasse asked, attempting to call the younger woman’s bluff.
“Lord Mora,” she returned confidently.
He looked at her for a long while, finally he asked, “Destin
y
guides
you?” He didn’t sound convinced.
“Come tomorrow morning,” she repeated, waiting until Jasse nodded.
The next morning Jasse watched as a feat of daring and friendship was performed before his very eyes. Kathryn hadn’t been joking. She would wait for Destiny’s signal, while Destiny looked around for safe supports for her feet and hands. The eagle would then land on the spot she deemed safe and would call out. Kathryn would track her voice and put her hand or foot exactly where Destiny had told her. If Kathryn missed the support Destiny called, the eagle would peck her hand or foot until Kathryn found the correct one. They did this the entire way up the cliff.
“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I wouldn’t have believed it!” Jasse exclaimed when Kathryn reached the top.
Kathryn just smiled at him and praised Destiny. Once she had rested a moment she stood and together the three headed back along the ridge towards the school.
“You know,” Jasse said as they walked. “I never told you but you should know that Destiny is no ordinary eagle.”
Kathryn snorted. “You mean other than the fact she doesn’t look like any eagle I’ve ever seen?”
“You noticed?”
“How could I not?” she replied. “You claimed Destiny was an eagle when we first met but now that she’s full grown she doesn’t look like one.” She turned to look at her bird feeling a telltale coiling in the bird’s muscles. Compared to other eagles, Destiny was only slightly larger than a hawk plumed with gray and white feathers and a black head, not exactly standard issue for eagles. A strong breeze tickled Kathryn’s face and Destiny leapt off her arm. Catching the gust perfectly, she began to fly rapidly toward the sea.
“You doubted me?” He asked, somewhat amused.
“I didn’t know what to think.”
Jasse’s amusement increased at her attempt at neutrality. “In other words you doubted me.” He stopped and looked at her. “Did you ever discover her species?”
She sighed. “No, none of the books had a description that matched hers.”
“I doubt any in the school would,” he replied. “Destiny’s breed hasn’t been seen in several centuries.”
Kathryn looked at him, shock plainly visible on her usually impassive face. “What?”
“Destiny is a Merial eagle.”
Kathryn considered Jasse’s revelation for a time while looking off towards the valley below. “What’s so special about a Merial eagle?”
Jasse resumed walking. “Merial eagles supposedly died out when the Elves left so the information we have on them is extremely old but it was said that they were highly intelligent and were able to effectively communicate without spoken words. They were also used as assassins.”
“
Assassin
s
?”
“Yes. Have you ever noticed how heavy she is for her size? The added weight multiplies her striking force and is more than enough power to break a grown man’s neck.”
“I always thought she was heavy because she ate like a starving boar,” Kathryn mused.
Jasse turned to look at his companion to find Kathryn shaking her head smiling. “That certainly explains some things,” she laughed. They continued on toward the school, Jasse knowing that he needed to bring up a topic, but knowing it wouldn’t go over very well.
After a few moments he spoke, his words slow and deliberate. “I’m worried about you Kathryn.”
Surprised she turned to look at him. “Why?”
“When I first met you, you were a loner, caring only for Destiny and trusting no one. Now, six years later you still hold true to that.” He looked at her waiting for her response.
“That’s not true!” she protested. “I trust and care about you, Princess Jasmine, Arianna, and Amy.”
Jasse ticked off everyone on his fingers. “Princess Jasmine rescued you from the Blackwoods, Arianna took care of you, I taught you how to work with Destiny, and Amy’s been your only roommate for five years. You haven’t taken the initiative to make new friends by yourself.”
Kathryn looked away. “That’s not exactly true,” she said, her voice taking on a hard edge.
He raised his eyebrows. “Oh?”
“My third year at school I attempted to make friends with another girl my age who smiled at me during a lesson.”
“What happened?”
Kathryn shrugged. “Her friends didn’t like it and she couldn’t stand Destiny. Not to mention all she wanted to do was talk, especially about her family.”
Jasse cleared his throat. “You are sixteen now, Kathryn, not thirteen.”
“I know.”
“And you also know what must happen within the next two years.”
Kathryn nodded. Within the walls of the school children who possessed gifts were taught to use their special abilities and become Guardians. For several years the students were not only taught how to utilize their powers, but also to engage in mortal combat, attend court, and engage in diplomatic negotiations. Once the students reached fifteen years of age they were eligible to be placed in a family. The unbelievable speed, enhanced by their gifts, with which the students were able to grasp such an education made it possible for them to be placed at such a young age…that and the relatively short average life expectancy of Guardians. A Guardian’s natural life expectancy was actually several times that of normal humans. Most of their lives; however, were cut short, not from disease or the ravages of old age, but rather from arrows, swords, poisons, wild beasts, falls, or other violent means while enforcing justice as stewards of the kingdom.
These families were not made up of parents and siblings, but of fourteen Guardians, who lived, worked, and if necessary, died together. They defended the kingdom and protected the weak. Once you were placed in a family you were a Guardian of the Realm.
Kathryn had reached the age where she was eligible for placement in such a family and she was dreading it.
“Why do you fear the change, little one?” Jasse asked gently.
Kathryn sighed, mentally clamping down on the brief fond memory of Claude that came from being calle
d
little on
e
, wishing Jasse’s power wasn’t mind reading. Her control over her thoughts was too strong for him know exactly what she was thinking, but over the years he’d become close enough to her to recognize when her emotions shifted. She contemplated not telling him, but realized he should know. In case it didn’t turn out well. Turning to face him, she strove for a tone of voice that would discourage questions later. “I lived with an aunt and uncle until I was five, then I belonged to the Blackwoods until I was ten. Princess Jasmine rescued me and I’ve been here ever since. This is the longest I’ve had a home, and now I have to pull up the roots I’ve managed to put down and start over.”
Jasse didn’t say anything right away, he couldn’t. This was the most Kathryn had revealed about her past in six years. Over the years everyone seemed to have given up on getting Kathryn to talk about her past. Her cold, hard manner and vague replies were enough to discourage anyone, even Jasmine and Arianna had eventually given up. Only Jasse and her friend Amy kept doggedly asking a question or two.
They walked in silence for several more moments. “It would be the last time.” Jasse said quietly.
“What would be?”
“Being placed in a new family. Once a family is formed it isn’t broken for any reason.”
Kathryn sighed. “I know. I just don’t know if I have the energy or conviction to start again.”
Jasse was surprised at her answer. “You wouldn’t open yourself up to the family you were placed into?”
Kathryn stopped and looked at him, when she spoke her voice had once again taken on the cold, hard tone she used when people tried to pry into her past. “I never knew my parents or their love. My aunt and uncle thought of me as an extra mouth to feed. The Blackwoods regarded me as a slave. By the time Princess Jasmine found me I was ten years old and had been completely unwanted except as additional help.”
“But what about now?” Jasse pressed. “Surely Jasmine has taken care of you like a daughter?”
Kathryn nodded slowly. “Yes she has,” she agreed. “But I rarely get to see her and feel more like a project than a daughter,” then, seeing that he was about to comment, quickly added, “I know I’m not. I know she loves me like a daughter, but as much as I try, I can’t view her as my mother. I don’t know what it’s like to be part of a family.”
Jasse could hear defeat behind Kathryn’s dispassionate tone, and wondered at its origin. Kathryn never spoke of her childhood ordeals, nor had she ever expressed any interest in learning the identity of her birth parents. But somewhere, deep down inside, did Kathryn desire answers?
By now they had walked far enough to be standing on the cliff that towered over the school. Kathryn walked to the edge and stared down upon the still sleeping school. Destiny swooped down over her shoulder letting out a victorious call.
Understanding hit Jasse like a bolt of lightning. Kathryn had grown up unwanted an
d
unloved
.
She’d never been part of a family and had never experienced the kind of unconditional love it entailed
.
Tha
t
was why she was so distant and impersonal. She couldn’t relate to anyone else she’d ever met and hearing others talk about their families must have seared her heart, knowing that there wasn’t anyone like that in her own life.
He had never truly considered the absence of love to be the reason for Kathryn’s reclusiveness. Originally he had blamed it on the pressure. Kathryn had entered the school four years later than most and she had had to work extremely hard to catch up. As it was she had caught up and exceeded the expectations of the school. She excelled in nearly all her studies, diplomacy being one of the few skills she’d failed to master. There had even been talk of making her a family leader, the highest honor that could be given. Her inability to form relationships had kept her from being given that honor.