Katrina, The Beginning (11 page)

“Katrina, I heard you did
us proud. After all the whining during your training, I bet now
you’re glad we all worked you so hard,” Gregor, this pride showing,
beamed at Katrina.

“You’re absolutely right,
Gregor. Just remind me of that, the next time I
complain.”

Just then Father arrived
with Gunter, and the men all shook hands. It was good to have them
all together again.

“Since you are all here now
I want to introduce you to your new students. Lady Rosalinda
DiPalicio, Eleanor Flanery and Arletta Valdesio may I present
Cedrik, Gregor and Avery Voss. Men, their fathers have agreed, and
the girls will be traveling back with us to Mormont to continue
their training with you and Katrina.”

The men bowed, but had
startled looks on their faces.

“We look forward to the
challenge,” Thomas said, with a twinkle in his eye.

“Now,” Father he clapped
and then rubbed his hands together. “We must meet the others for
dinner. Ladies,” he gestured for us to proceed him into the
hall.

My friends’ fathers were
already inside, and the girls greeted them with big hugs, kisses,
and thanks for agreeing to let them train with me. I went to thank
each of the fathers as well. We were all so excited we could hardly
eat.

“Fredrik?”

“Yes, Philepe?”

“Any news of Luena or
Damien?”

“Nothing. The Count and
Countess Daminov are devastated by the actions of their children
and have gone into seclusion

“We are fortunate Damien
wasn’t voted High Regent, with the power of the office they could
have continued creating their fledgling army,” Philepe’s relief was
obvious.

We all nodded in agreement.
I wanted to rise in Damien’s defense, but this wasn’t the time.
Maybe that time would never come. For that matter, I wasn’t
completely sure he had told
me
the truth.

“We have had word, however,
of the Volator. After we were attacked, we sent out scouts to track
those that had escaped. What they found was quite a surprise. In
the forest, not far from the road, and about two miles from the
palace, were the bodies of not only the four we knew had escaped,
but also the body of one who we suspect was their
leader.”

“Well, that
is
fine
news Fredrik,” Philepe gestured with his fist.

As everyone at the table
expressed agreement and congratulations at the turn of events, my
heart leapt; Damien had told me the truth. Now, I knew I must tell
Father Damien had saved me at the river and all he had told me.
What else did this mean to me? That was yet to unfold.

After dinner I went to
Father and told him all about Damien.

“Why didn’t you tell me
this earlier, Katrina?”

“I wasn’t sure he was
telling me the truth, especially when I learned Luena had escaped
too. But after you confirmed what Damien had told me, I knew you
had to be told. Do you think he’s in danger? Could he come back now
he’s been cleared?”

“We still don’t know if he
created any of the fledglings and how involved he was in the
planning of the attack. Katrina you hardly know him. Are you sure
you can trust him?”.”

“Well, I know if he was
involved at all in Luena’s plan, it was only because she coerced
him. Damien said she was a truly evil woman, and my senses have
confirmed that. I didn’t think I was sure until today, but yes, now
I do trust him.

Father thought for a
moment, I could see him battling through before he finally
decided.

“This is what I will do.
I’m calling off the hunt for Damien and will send word to his
father he has been cleared. I’m sure count Daminov will be
relieved.

“Thank you Father, I know
this is right.”

“There’s something else I
want to ask you. Now the crisis has been averted, will the Council
be taking up the issue of forming a new clan to colonize the New
World?”

“We may.” Father replied.
“Don’t tell me you want to be among those wishing to be
chosen?”

“I think I’ve earned a
place, don’t you agree Father?” I was confident.

Father chuckled, “That is
surely true, daughter; you’ve more than earned it. But it will take
some time to debate this subject further. And don’t forget, you
have committed to an extended amount of time to train your new
friends.”

“All I ask is to be
seriously considered when the time comes to pick
members.”

“If that is still what you
wish, Katrina, of course.”

“Thank you, Father. Now I’m
going back to my room. I’m still rather tired. Oh, Father, is it
all right with you if I go hunt later? I promise to stay
close.”

“All right, but don’t go
alone. Take Quinn.”

My head snapped around, my
mouth gaping open.

“Well, he’s not your
Watcher anymore,” Father said with a wry smile.

I rushed out the door. Was
he saying what I thought he was saying? I flew down the steps where
Thomas was waiting.

“Whoa, Katrina, slow down.”
He put his arms out as I tried to go by him.

“Yes, Thomas?” I stopped,
irritated he was keeping me from looking for Quinn.

“My brothers and I were
wondering if you and the girls would come over to the training
compound tonight for games and fun, so we can all get to know each
other.”

My irritation melted
away.

“And Thomas, which of the
girls would you like to get to know better?”

He was blushing
now.

“Well, Lady Eleanor seems
very interesting,” he said shyly.

“Interesting?” I
prodded.

He nodded without looking
up.

“All right, the
get-together sounds like fun. If the girls agree, when would you
like us to join you?”

“About ten o’clock. Of
course, I’ll be outside your door; Luena is still on the loose.
I’ll escort you.”

I gave him a concerned
look.

“You don’t think she’s
still around here do you?”

“I wouldn’t put anything
past that one, and I’ll not take any chances by letting our guard
down.”

“Thank you, Thomas. My
family is so lucky to have your family watching out for
us.”

The girls’ Watchers were in
their places, so I knew they were in and I couldn’t wait to tell
them about our invitation.

“Katrina!” They all chimed
at once. “Where have you been?”

“I had to speak to
Father.”

Then I told them of our
discussion about Damien. Still leaving out the part about the kiss
and what he said about finding me in the New World.

“Oh, and something else.
We’ve been invited by Thomas and all his brothers, to the training
compound for games and fun, as Thomas put it, so they can get to
know you better, since they’ll be training you. Do you want to go?”
of course knowing the answer.

“Well, I suppose so,” Letta
said slowly.

Then we looked at each
other and laughed.

“Thomas will be here as
escort around ten. We should wear our training outfits, since there
will be games, and we’ll be sitting by the fire so we’ll want to be
comfortable.”

They agreed. We split up.
Rosa going to her room, Letta took a seat by the fire to
read.

“Eleanor,” I whispered,
motioning to her. When she came near, I took her arm and guided her
into my room.

“Father gave me permission
to hunt tonight—with Quinn.”

Her eyes got
big.

“He knows?”

I nodded. “I guess so,
because he acknowledged Quinn isn’t my Watcher anymore.”

“He as much said it’s all
right,” she exclaimed.

“I think so
too.”

We clasped hands joyfully.
Then I told her what Thomas had said about her and she was
thrilled. After she left my room, I laid on my bed thinking of what
the evening might bring. After a few minutes of staring at the
ceiling, I had decided I wanted to go hunting first. Changing into
the appropriate clothing, I now stood in front the mirror buttoning
up my vest. I took a last glance to make sure my hair was still
intact (Sarah had twisted it back at the sides then pulled it back
in a ribbon), I thought I saw a face reflected in the mirror. I
turned, pulling my sword at the same time, but the room was empty.
I went to the window, but didn’t see anyone.

“I’m so foolish,” I said
out loud. Re-sheathing my sword, I walked out of my room and out
the door. Thomas was, as he said he would be, outside guarding the
hall.

“Father said I could go
hunting tonight, Thomas.’ I paused before continuing. “He also said
I could take Quinn.”

Thomas look
shocked.

“Since he’s not my Watcher
anymore, it’s allowed.”

“Your father is really
something, you know that?” Thomas shook his head.

“You’re right. He’s the
best.”

Thomas called another
Watcher to take his place at the door and walked me down to the
Watchers quarters. He left me outside while he went in to inform
Quinn of my arrival, and I realized I was nervous. Why? When Quinn
finally walked out the door and stood before me, I decided I was
more excited than nervous.

“Father gave me permission
to go hunting tonight, as long as I didn’t go alone. He suggested
you go with me,” I said, peeking up at him to judge his
reaction.

“He did?”

“Since you weren’t my
Watcher any more…”

Quinn pulled me close and
gave me a big hug.

“This is wonderful Kat. No
more hiding,” he crowed, relieved. “Let’s go! We’ll bring back some
meat for the kitchen, and you’ll get your strength
back.”

Hand in hand we walked
across the compound together, spring in our step. Once outside the
gate, I used all my senses to discover where the game
was.

“There are deer about two
hundred yards on the right. Let’s start with them, shall we?” I
reopened my eyes and turned towards Quinn. He was adjusting the
quill of arrows he had strapped to his back as we’d left
Mormont.

“That sounds good to me,
Kat. You take the lead once we get close. You can use your speed
and I’ll use my arrows.”

We agreed and made for the
forest to the right. As we got to within fifty yards, I nodded to
Quinn and streaked off to the right, curling around the herd and
driving them back toward Quinn. I picked out a nice stag, and
overtook him easily, grabbing him around the throat and pulling him
down in one maneuver. I sank my teeth into the large vein on his
neck and fed until I was completely full. The hot flush of his
blood was warming my whole body, transferring all his energy to me.
When I finished, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and then
licked my hand clean with my tongue. Satisfied, I looked for Quinn.
He was about twenty yards away, retrieving his arrow from a doe. We
cleaned our game and dragged them back toward the
palace.

“Let’s rest,” Quinn dropped
the doe to the forest floor.

“All right, if you’re
tired.”

He laughed as he sat down
on a fallen moss-covered tree.

“I’m not tired; I just want
to have some time alone with you. Last time we were together there
was a lot of killing involved.”

“That’s true; there wasn’t
much time for conversation, was there?

“Did Thomas tell you about
the get-together later tonight? All my brothers are very excited
about their new training partners. Except Gunter of course; he’s
married and thinks, he took on Gunter’s deep serious voice, “the
girls will be nothing but trouble”.

“Well, I guess that trouble
will be for your five other brothers because you’re already taken
too.”

Then I sat down on his lap,
put my arms around his neck, and kissed him.

“We should go back, Quinn;
it’s almost time for the get-together.”

“You’re right and I want to
change.”

We rose, gathered up
results of our hunt and resumed our journey back. We left our
prizes with the butcher and Quinn walked me back to my room. He
pulled me to him between the hall and stairs so we could have one
last moment to ourselves.

“For as long as I live, I
will love you,” he said kissing me.

I sighed as I closed the
door. All three girls rushed out of their rooms.

“Did you go hunting with
Quinn?” El probed.

“Yes, and it was
successful. We brought back a stag and a doe.”

El looked worried and then
softly admitted, “I told Letta and Rosa all about you and Quinn and
what your father said. I didn’t think you’d mind
anymore.”

I gave her a stern look,
but then softened when I realized she was right. “It’s true, we’ve
nothing to hide anymore and I can’t tell you how glad I am. And for
your information, the hunt was
wonderful
!