The Chosen (51 page)

Daniel grimaced. “I never thought it could have been that bad.”

David motioned for Daniel to follow him and quickly returned to his own room. Closing the door he asked. “How much did you learn?”

The younger boy glanced down at the floor. “Most of it. Probably all of it.”

“Eavesdropping?”

Daniel looked up hurriedly. “Not on purpose!” he said earnestly. “I was trying to gauge the mood of the manor, you know, reach out and see if they suspected who we really are.”

Impressed with Daniel’s initiative, David asked, “Do they?”

“I don’t think so,” Daniel said slowly. “But before I could do a more thorough investigation…I kind of got hit.”

David raised an eyebrow. “Hit?”

Daniel nodded. “I don’t really know how else to describe it. One minute I was working through the threads that make up Lady Blackwood’s tangled mind and the next it felt like I’d been broadsided by a siege ram.”

“Kathryn?” David guessed.

His companion nodded. “I was so focused on getting into the intricacies of our hosts minds, looking for the smallest of suspicions, then Kathryn’s emotions overwhelmed me and it was like getting sat on by a horse.”

“It got your attention,” David said dryly.

“It didn’t just get my attention, it took over.” Daniel paused, trying to collect his thoughts. “It was weird,” he said finally. “I’ve been trying for almost a year now to get a glimpse into Kathryn’s mind, to understand her or help her. But the amount of emotion she just let loose was paralyzing. I literally couldn’t move and I couldn’t block it out.”

Curious, David asked. “Were you privy to her words or just her emotions?”

“A little of both. They melded together, sometimes the images would drown out her voice, muting it like it was coming from behind a stone wall or under water, other times the images would fade and her voice would come through clearly against a black backdrop.” Daniel shuddered. “Some of those images…I’m going to have nightmares for weeks.”

“Do I want to ask?”

Daniel shook his head. “Two words: Vespine Fever.”

Now David suppressed an involuntarily shudder. He’d seen paintings in classes of what happened to the victims who had fallen to the deadly plague and if that had been what Kathryn had survived, he would have nightmares too.

“There’s something else, David,” Daniel said slowly.

Alerted by the wariness in the other’s tone, David motioned for him to go ahead.

“Kathryn…lied. Not about her past,” he added quickly. “Well, only about a small part.”

“Go on.”

“Lord Jasse wasn’t the one who found her.”

David nodded. He’d already figured that much out by himself. “Let me guess. Dowager Princess Jasmine?”

Daniel nodded. “Yeah. I can understand why she might lie, but I figured you should probably know, the Dowager Princess being your aunt and all.”

It was said so matter-of-factly that for a brief moment, David didn’t process what Daniel had just told him. When his overwhelmed brain finally made the connection he struggled to find a way to refute it.  Finally he managed, “I think your head is still rattled from your experience.”

“Can’t lie to a mind reader,” Daniel replied simply.

If David’s interactions with Lord Jasse were any indication, Daniel was probably right. Sighing, he leaned against the stone wall. “I thought you were able to sense emotions, not thoughts.”

Daniel scratched his head. “It used to be just a sense, but lately it’s been developing into actual thoughts. I’m not entirely sure what’s happening. Maybe all mind readers start out sensing thoughts?”

“We could always ask the Council,” David suggested.

Daniel shrugged. “Why bother? They have more important things to be doing. In any case, you don’t have to worry. Your secret’s safe with me.”

“Thanks…I think.” David sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I remember an episode six years ago at school that had the Council and my family in an uproar. I pieced together some of it at dinner tonight when Lady Blackwood mentioned angering the Dowager Princess. But I didn’t even begin to imagine…”

Daniel nodded. “Well, with any luck by tomorrow we can leave this place and be done with them.”

“Hopefully. I don’t think Kathryn could handle another day here.”

Daniel chuckled softly. “At least no one would ever have to worry about the Blackwood’s again.”

“Don’t give her any ideas.”

“Oh, she already has them,” Daniel told him. “But her desire to remain out of their presence trumps her desire to kill them at the moment.”

“Pray it stays that way. I don’t want to have to explain a double murder by my second-in-command to the Council. No matter how justified it may have been.”

“Now that you mention it, I am severely tempted to go downstairs and remove the heads of the Lord and Lady myself.”

“Well said,” David responded.  “Let’s get out of here as soon as possible before things get out of hand.”

The next morning dawned clear and bright. There would be nothing to keep the Guardians from leaving Blackwood Manor. When Kathryn opened the window for Destiny the bird simply ruffled her feathers and refused to leave. You are a strange bird, Kathryn thought as she dressed and carefully packed up the rest of her possessions. It was strange, Kathryn mused, to be leaving Blackwood Manor a second time. However this time there was a difference. The first time she had left she had been facing the unknown with only Destiny to love. This time she knew exactly where she was going and felt a confidence she normally only experienced in the midst of a fight.

Perhaps Lord Jasse, Jasmine, and David had been right all along. She’d refused to talk about her past because of the intense pain that came with the memories. And yes, when she had told her story last night, the emotional pain had been severe—however now it was as if talking about it had smoothed a salve over all her wounds. A salve that had burned as it destroyed infection, but was now cool and soothing.

For the first time in her life, Kathryn felt free—as if it was only just now that she was leaving Blackwood Manor for the first time.

She was glad David had decided not to remain for the morning meal. Despite the fact that she felt free, she still couldn’t stand to stay another morning in this place. As she shouldered her pack she remembered David’s words from the night before.
“They’re going to have to learn eventually.”

That was something she didn’t look forward to. David would never react out of pity for her, but there was a strong chance the others would. Kathryn hated pity. She would rather be scorned than pitied.

Perhaps the rest of the Dragons didn’t need to hear the full story? Maybe she could just give them small glimpses into her past? David probably wouldn’t approve, but really—did the rest of the family have to know the
whole
story?

As she descended the stairs with Destiny perched on her shoulder she discovered the rest of the family gathered in the foyer. That was odd. She would have thought that David would have had them leaving at separate times. Of course, after what she’d told him last night, maybe he just wanted to make sure that they all got out of the Manor at once. He could easily have them all riding in different directions to hide their familiarity.
Blast
, she thought, spotting her hosts at the door,
of course they have to play the perfect host.
As she drew closer she overheard something that put a chill through her veins.

Natalie was promising to put in a good word for them at court, perhaps even send a letter to the king. Lady Blackwood was oozing polite gratefulness.

The thought of meeting Lord and Lady Blackwood at court after what they had done to her snapped something inside of Kathryn. As she joined the group she spoke loudly, “No, Lady Natalia, you will not.”

Everyone turned to look at her in astonishment. Lady Blackwood struggled to keep the air of gentility on her face. “Is there a problem Lady Caterina?”

Kathryn didn’t stop moving until she stood before her old mistress. Lady Blackwood was taller than her by several inches, but for once, Kathryn didn’t feel intimidated. “Under no circumstances will anyone ever speak well of you at court.” On her shoulder, Destiny let out a cat-like hiss. Kathryn wasn’t sure if the appalled look on Lady Blackwood’s face stemmed from her words or Destiny’s presence on her shoulder.

“But, Lady Caterina!” Natalie protested.

Kathryn held up a hand for silence. “No, Lady Natalia!” she snapped, her voice filled with cold anger. Natalie flinched, but relaxed slightly when she realized that Kathryn wasn’t angry at her.  “Do not promise them anything until you know the truth of their
accidental oversight.”

Lady Blackwood was struggling to keep her temper, Kathryn recognized the signs—stiff jaw, the clenching and unclenching of her hands, her bone-breaking rigidness. “And just how would you know—

The question died on her lips as she spied the golden pendant hanging around Kathryn’s neck. An expression of disbelief and horror flickered across her face. “Impossible!” she whispered hoarsely. “You can’t be her. She was mute.”

“Impossible?” Kathryn asked in a dangerously calm voice. “I was never mute, Lady Blackwood, I just never learned to speak up. But now I will and I will tell everyone the truth about this horrid place.”

Lady Blackwood laughed nervously. “You were too young to remember everything.”

Kathryn narrowed her eyes at the woman before her. “Too young to remember every day I spent wallowing in your dungeon?” she asked icily. “Too young to remember every crack of the whip before it ripped into my flesh?” She stepped closer. Intimidated, Lady Blackwood took a step back. “Too young to still feel every slap of your hand against my face and body?” Kathryn continued, keeping her voice calm and controlled. Her words were not loud with anger, but they held the entire room as captive as she had once been.

“Too young to remember your anger and hatred? Too young to remember every beating you gave me? Too young to remember torn and bleeding hands and knees when the floor wasn’t clean enough to suit your needs?” Kathryn felt resentment building and quickly quashed it. If she gave in to her urge to scream at her past tormentors they would win. She had to remain in control. “Too young to remember every story you told me about the outcasts? Too young to remember your fury when you discovered I had the gift of water?

“Too young to remember how you and your husband laughed and joked that you had the perfect slave? Too young to remember the beatings you gave me when I refused to talk or cry?” Kathryn stepped back, eyes narrowed. “How can I forget these things when I still carry the scars on my back and shoulders? How can I forget when my dreams are plagued by memories?”

The entire room had gone silent. Lord and Lady Blackwood stood, cowering before the young woman as the rest of the Dragons watched in complete shock and horror—shock and horror not directed at Kathryn, but at their hosts. Hosts who had spun silky tales of misunderstanding and prejudice against them only to have everything revealed as lies.  Kathryn could feel disgust and anger roiling off the Dragons like the whitecaps of an ocean tormented by a winter storm. Matt actually looked ready to start in on his hosts with his fists. Even gentle Jenna had taken on a fighting stance.

Finally David broke the silence, disbelief lacing his words. “You’re gifted, Lady Caterina?”

For a moment Kathryn didn’t understand, and then she realized that she’d made a grave error. She’d mentioned her gift in front of everyone in the manor—an error that could result in her expulsion from the Guardians. Thinking quickly she shot a murderous glare at the Blackwoods. “I was, but thanks to these two I was unable to be admitted to the school for the gifted…I was too old,” she bit out the last word as if it was a curse. “I was forced to learn to control my power on my own, in the end …” she paused as if remembering a difficult decision, “…in the end I gave it away.”

“Gave it away?” Lord Blackwood yelped in disbelief.

Kathryn clenched her jaw. “I was unable to become a Guardian and people avoided my presence because they feared my untrained power. So in a special ceremony I gave it away to a member of the Council. The power you feared,” she spat at her old tormentors, “is gone. However I still possess the power of being the Dowager Princess’ ward.”

She took a step forward, her hand falling to rest on the ornamental dagger that sat at her waist. “If I ever receive word that you have been spinning tales and telling lies about the truth of this whole matter, trust me when I say, you’ll live to regret it. You will regret it for every miserable day left of your lives. The judge who handled your case should be removed from office. For what you did to me you should not have just been banished from court. You deserved to have every rank and title pulled out from beneath you. This manor should have been placed into the care of others and you,” she spat the word, “should be wallowing in your own dungeon. Lie about this whole affair again and I promise you that’s what will happen.”

Lord and Lady Blackwood could only nod numbly and watch the Dragons depart from their home. In the courtyard, Kathryn stopped to say goodbye to Claude.

“Thank you for remembering, old friend,” she whispered as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Did she just kiss him?” Natalie whispered to Tyler who elbowed her in the side. “Oww,” she complained petulantly.

Claude chuckled. “I will always remember, little one.” He handed her a basket, “These are for the road.”

Kathryn took the basket smiling. “I may have to come back, just to have some.”

Claude shook his head. “Don’t come back here little one, you’re done with this place. Don’t look back.”

She looked at him a long moment before nodding.

“I do however attend markets on Lumbar in the nearby towns.” He winked as she laughed.

“Goodbye, Claude.”

“Goodbye, Caterina.”

When Blackwood Manor was no longer visible the Dragons, who had initially ridden off in different directions to keep their secret safe, reunited. David turned to Kathryn. She hadn’t spoken a word since she said goodbye to the baker and neither he nor Jenna had been keen to interrupt her thoughts. They were all in shock of what they had just learned. When the others had rejoined, he’d seen several of them glance toward Kathryn, questions in their eyes. He’d waved them off with a warning look and a quiet shake of his head.

Fortunately the others were smart enough to heed his silent advice.

But now, David decided it was probably safe to bring up the last encounter. As they rode alongside a river at a comfortable pace he said with some humor, “When I said you needed to tell the rest of the family soon, I didn’t mean it had to be the next morning.”

“I hadn’t planned on it,” she said quietly. “But I guess in the end it worked out best. Now I don’t have to repeat it again. Thanks for the save, by the way.”

“That’s what family does,” he replied easily. “I was impressed with the way you handled yourself and the Blackwood’s—I do believe they were actually afraid of you.”

“Cold, restrained anger is often more intimidating, and deadly, than a loud, violent outburst.”

He nodded slowly. “I think it depends on the type of personality you’re dealing with, but in the general sense I agree with that assessment.”

She slanted him a sideways glance. “Trust me. Calmness is more frightening than aggressiveness.”

“Why?”

“If you know how, you can manipulate someone who’s angry into making mistakes. It’s much harder to do that to someone who’s in control of their emotions.”

“But anger can fuel an attack so vicious no technique in the kingdom can save you,” he argued.

“That’s when you manipulate the anger. Get them to react to what you’re saying or doing. Make the violence predictable. Uncontrollable rage is exactly that. Uncontrollable. It’s almost entirely offensive. They can’t think on the defensive side of the spectrum because they’re only thinking about hacking you into tiny pieces. The ability to reason flies out the front gate. If you can get ahead of them, mentally, you can beat it. Once you know the secret, it’s not that difficult.”

“Oh, not difficult at all,” he said dryly. “Where did you learn this?”

“The same place you should have, school.”

He stopped talking, trying to recollect a lesson that even vaguely resembled what she had just lectured him on. Unfortunately, he came up empty. Shaking his head in disgust at himself, he vowed to go back over all of the material they’d been taught back at school. His second-in-command was making him feel extraordinarily inadequate as a leader.

They rode for another eight days before finally arriving home. After everything that had happened, Kathryn had decided she had no desire to visit Jasmine and would return to the glade with the rest of the Dragons. David was suddenly relieved that he hadn’t mentioned the possibility of Kathryn’s visit to his aunt, only to have it cancelled at the last moment. His aunt would have never forgiven him. Destiny let out a joyful call as the meadow came into view.

“Someone’s happy to be home,” Luke commented as he dismounted and then rubbed his legs. “Remind me again why we had to spend the last three days at a steady trot?”

“So that we could get home in time for Matt and Cass to cook us a marvelous dinner,” Natalie laughed as she brushed her horse.

Luke looked at the two cooks who were just beginning to unsaddle their horses. “Tell you what,” he called over to them. “We’ll finish the horses, if you run straight to the house and start cooking.”

Laughing, Matt and Cass handed their horses over to the rest of the family and returned to the house.

Kathryn remained quiet as she rubbed down Lerina, she may have felt more at peace with herself and her past but she still wasn’t in the mood to join in the gaiety. Destiny flew in and landed on the rafters overhead, a dead rat clutched in her talons.

“Kathryn if your bird drops that thing on me, you’re picking it up!” Natalie called from two stalls over.

“Come on, Nat!” Luke called. “It’s just a dead mouse.”

“It’s not a mouse it’s a rat!” Natalie argued. “And it’s huge!”