by K. J. Nessly
“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.”
“Assassins?”
“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 calledlittle one, 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 andunloved.She’d never been part of a family and had never experienced the kind of unconditional love it entailed.That 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.
Jasse felt that that was a little unscrupulous of the Council to hold her small number of personal friendships against her when it was partially their fault. Yes, Kathryn had been brought to the school and had sat through a number of classes with students. But those classes had been few and far between and swung from a level near mastery to basic control at the drop of a feather. Most of her time at the school had been spent in one-on-one sessions with instructors or Councilmembers themselves who had struggled to force the stubborn trainee to cultivate her powers. Jasse doubted that a fourth of the students who were ready to graduate would recognize her, let alone know her name and powers.
Not that he could ever reveal any of that to her. Jasse sensed now that Kathryn was becoming uncomfortable by his silence. She hated baring her soul to anyone and his silence made it worse. Quickly he changed subjects.
“You will be at the funeral tonight?”
A retired Guardian had recently died and his funeral was to be that night. Every student was invited to attend, but only after the importance of the ceremony and respect for his memory was stressed. Jasse knew Kathryn had formed a very deep reverence for the actively serving Guardians, those who had fought their whole lives and been relieved of their duties by a younger generation of Guardians, or by an adversary. It was rumored that there was once a time when the Guardians were powerful enough to serve for generations before retiring, but the strength of the gifts was significantly weaker now than it had once been, still making the Guardians more powerful than a knight, yet not nearly as powerful as many believed. Those who managed to live long enough to retire were granted places to live by the King and were provided for.
“Of course,” Kathryn replied.
Jasse smiled. “You sound very confident.”
Kathryn hesitated then said, “I have been asked to be a torch-bearer.”
“That is an honor indeed,” Jasse said, trying to hide his smile. He himself had suggested Kathryn when it became known that another torchbearer was needed.
“Yes, it is,” Kathryn agreed.
Jasse smiled inwardly. Kathryn was obviously trying to understand why she had been chosen for an honor that only serving Guardians usually claimed. He knew the reason; as of tonight Kathryn would be regarded as an active Guardian, not a trainee. He couldn’t wait until tomorrow afternoon when she would be told. To see the look on her face would be worth every trial she had put him through these last six years.
“Are you ready yet?”
David looked over at Luke who was fully dressed and had been for the last fifteen minutes. “I’m almost done. Remember, patience is a virtue.”
“So is time management,” Luke returned quickly.
David grinned. “I’ll have to remember that.” He turned towards his roommate. “Okay, I’m done.”
“Then let’s go.” Luke practically ran out of the room.
Together the two made their way down to the central courtyard where many had already gathered. Like Luke and David, those present were dressed in the black formal trainee uniform, indicating the somber mood of the event to come. Up ahead was a huge wooden pyre that the deceased Guardian would be placed on while four Guardians set fire to the wood beneath him. Once the entire structure was gone and the ground cold, a tree would be planted on the very spot where the pyre had stood, a testimony to the Guardian’s lifelong dedication to his duty.
The ceremony would begin in less than fifteen minutes and the two boys hurried to find a good seat.
Just after the sun set the body was brought out and put upon the pyre. Four torchbearers followed the body and each took up a position on each corner of the pyre.
As the torchbearers waited for the eulogy to end David noticed one in particular. She was standing close to him. Her black hair pulled back into a loose bun, her blue eyes expressionless except for one: reverence. She also looked young, very young; younger than his seventeen years. He had thought he had met every active Guardian. Obviously he had been wrong.
An eagle called from somewhere nearby and David found it strange that one should be out this late. As it was he could have sworn the torchbearer flinched when the cry was uttered.
Finally the eulogy ended and the four torch bearers stepped forward and ignited the pyre. As the body was engulfed in fire, David wondered if he would ever become a full Guardian. He was seventeen and had yet to be placed in a family. Did this mean he hadn’t been chosen? Those trained by the Guardians but not chosen for Guardian service usually ended up working as royal protectors. He didn’t want to end up as a bodyguard for royalty— he wanted to be a Guardian. With every fiber of his being he wanted to be a Guardian.
After the body was consumed there was a small reception, David’s thoughts turned back to the young torch bearer and he looked around, but she had disappeared. That night, as he lay in his bed, his thoughts turned to his destiny. David didn’t think he could go through life not being chosen as a Guardian, but it was not his decision. His tortured thoughts kept him awake much longer than usual and his dreams, restless.
Chapter 5
Early the next morning David was summoned to appear before the Guardian Council.
“You’d think they’d pick a better time,” Luke grumbled as David stumbled around in the dark getting dressed.
David had to agree with his friend on this one. Daybreak was not normal rising time—for anybody. However the Council had called and hemust answer. As he made his way to the council room, David couldn’t stop the aerial gymnastics his stomach was currently participating in. There were only four reasons a trainee was summoned to the council room, punishment, promotion, expulsion, or family emergencies.
The last time David had been summoned before the Council was when his grandfather had died. He had been released from training for one week for the funeral and to spend time with his family.
Now, as he walked down the halls, David couldn’t help but wonder if someone else in his family had died. Several couriers had arrived late in the evening the night before. Perhaps one had brought bad news. At last he reached the doors to the council room. An elderly woman asked his name, and then disappeared into the room. For several tense moments David was left alone before she came back out.
“They are expecting you,” she said as she waved him in.
The council room was a circle inscribed inside another circle. Between the outer edge of the first and second circles, fourteen stone chairs sat on a slightly raised platform. Inside the inner circle was an etching of the kingdom. Each of the six realms were subdivided into the regions patrolled by Guardians. The fourteen chairs were occupied by fourteen Guardians who had been chosen by the Council before them.
“Welcome David,” Lord Mora greeted him. Lord Jasse also issued a welcome to the now alert teenager.
“My Lords.” David gave a bow of acknowledgement to the Council, keeping his eye on Lord Mora and Lord Jasse. Of all the Council members Lord Jasse was friendliest with the trainees and the least intimidating. His face was not sorrowful or carefully controlled, which made it unlikely that David was about to receive
condolences.
“Have you any idea why you have been called here David?” Lord Lyrion asked.
David shook his head. “No, sir, I do not.”
Lyrion smiled. “Then let us tell you.”
Lady Teresë, one of the oldest councilmembers, spoke up. “David, you are being appointed to Guardian status.”
David looked at the Council in complete surprise. This was not a possibility he had entertained and the knowledge that he would not end up as a palace guard brought unspeakable joy. But just as quickly that joy was replaced with doubt. “I am honored, but I do not feel ready,” he protested quietly.
Lord Jasse looked at him. “It is for that reason you are.”
“There is another reason you have been called,” Lord Geral, the head of the Council said gravely.
David looked at the Council member, forcing himself to wait patiently for their explanation. What other reason was there for him to be here? They’d already told him he was one of the Chosen, what else could there be? Lord Geral’s tone of voice suggested that the news wasn’t good.
Lord Jasse spoke up. “You have been chosen to be a leader.”
David couldn’t believe his ears. “A leader sir?” he asked, trying to make sure he heard right.
Jasse smiled at him. “Yes, David, a family leader.”
David couldn’t think of anything to say, in the whole history of his family none had ever been awarded this placement. “I am honored,” he finally managed.
The Council members nodded at him and Lord Jasse continued. “Your family is being assembled as we speak. You are to return at midday to meet them and be assigned your region.”
“Yes, my Lord,” David replied.
“We expect,” another Council member spoke up, “that you know the responsibilities of a leader.”
“Yes Council Member,” David replied.
“And that you know if you disregard these responsibilities you will be expelled from the Guardians.”
“Yes Milady.”
