The Chosen

by K. J. Nessly

  Natalie laughed. “What did you do with that stuff anyway?”

  Kathryn hesitated before answering. “I got rid of it.”

  The older girl looked up. “I’m guessing that I’ll never get it back.”

  Thinking of the piles of ash in the woods, Kathryn nodded. “Probably not,” she agreed.

  For the rest of the day the girls stayed in Natalie’s room, sewing furiously. Kathryn had very little expertise sewing so she mainly hemmed the garments. Natalie oversaw all the work and worked on most of the detail herself. Natalie reluctantly complied with Kathryn’s request for simplicity, but in the end she realized that heavily elaborate gowns would overwhelm the small raven-haired girl.

  At one point during the afternoon, Natalie had Kathryn try on the half-finished dresses so that Natalie could fit them more accurately. While Kathryn had been slipping on one of the dresses, Natalie had caught sight of her bare back.

  “Kathryn?” She whispered hoarsely as she dragged one finger gently along the crest of one scar.

  Kathryn let out a heavy sigh. “I was abused, Natalie. I already told you that.”

  Natalie wanted to throw up.

  The scars…

  The overwhelming number of scars…

  Kathryn hadn’t been abused, she’d been tortured.

  “I am so sorry,” she whispered, tears beginning to fall down her cheeks.

  “It was years ago,” her lieutenant said briskly. “Let’s get this over with so I can get out of these dresses.”

  Natalie took the hint. Kathryn did not want to talk about it. She forced herself to go back to the job at hand.

  At sunset, Matt and Daniel graciously brought up a large platter mounded with various meats, a tray filled with fruits, two large loaves of freshly baked bread, as well as an ewer freshly filled with spring water. They took one look at the whirlwind state of Natalie’s room, handed Jenna the platter and had quickly retreated, their eyes wide in disbelief. With her mouth half full Natalie continued to bark out the plans for several more dresses. The girls quickly ate and returned to the task at hand.

  The girls sewed through the night, sewing in shifts so they might get a few radians sleep, and in the end their diligence paid off. By the next morning Kathryn had eight new gowns in almost every color and style. None were exactly alike.

  Suddenly realizing the significance of the morning light, Natalie stood up from the chair she had taken a brief respite in to ease her aching muscles. Quickly she gathered up Kathryn’s dresses and handed them to her.

  “Here,” she yawned. “A wardrobe fit for a lady of the court. Now, get out so that I can pack”

  The girls scattered to their own rooms, throwing clothing into their travel satchels.

  Since fourteen was a defining number for the Guardians, David opted to split his family into smaller traveling groups so that their identities could be preserved. The Guardian Council, through whom the invitations to the ball had been forwarded, provided several copies of the invitation and David made sure each group had one. The next morning the Dragons departed over a series of three days. Daniel, Elizabeth, Lindsey, Tyler, and Natalie left first, after the sun had risen. Luke, Rachel, Matt, and Cassandra followed the next morning a few radians after breakfast. David, Kathryn, Amy, Jenna, and Leia left on the last day around mid-afternoon.

  Finally, after a fortnight of travel, the capitol city appeared on the horizon, the palace standing like a guardian over the city.

  Upon their first glance at the city Leia and Amy became anxious with excitement and could barely contain themselves as they rode through the gates. David led the way to the palace gates and showed the guards their invitation. A radian later after their horses were stabled they were being shown to their quarters by several servants.

  Kathryn and David’s rooms were last.

  “Sir Darian you are here and Lady Kathryn you are directly across the hall.” The servant opened both doors and then departed. Darian, Kathryn quickly memorized David’s court name so that she wouldn’t be caught off guard with it later. With her warning to Natalie about preserving their anonymity as Guardians, it would be humiliating if she was the one who slipped up.

  When Kathryn entered her room she found a wonderful surprise waiting for her. “Jasmine!” she cried in surprise as she closed the door and crossed the room to stand before her mentor.

  Jasmine smiled at her and pulled the girl into a hug. “Oh, Kathryn you’ve grown up so much,” she whispered into her hair. Then holding her at arm’s length said, “let me get a good look at you.”

  “How did you know I was here?” Kathryn asked as she spun slowly for Jasmine to see.

  “Lord Jasse let me know when you arrived. Come, why don’t you change out of your riding habit and walk with me in the gardens?” Jasmine suggested eagerly.

  At that moment Arianna stepped forward and Kathryn noticed her. She greeted the servant with just as much pleasure as she had Jasmine. Arianna helped her change, selecting a blue day gown that Natalie had miraculously conjured for her.

  Half a radian later, Kathryn had been washed down, put into the new dress, had her hair arranged, and was ready to walk with Jasmine.

  “I never took you to court did I?” Jasmine asked as they exited the palace and entered the first garden.

  Kathryn shook her head remembering snippets of visits during which she had dug in her heels at the idea of having to wear a fancy gown. Despite the failed attempts at begging, cajoling, and outright bribery at times, they had never worked. Kathryn had dug in her stubborn heels every time. Jasmine had finally just given up and left without her. “You tried, but it never worked out.”

  “As I recall you were as obstinate as a mule whenever I tried to get you to come,” Jasmine replied dryly.

  “I still am,” Kathryn replied with a laugh. “It took a summons directly from the king to get me here.”

  Jasmine laughed. Kathryn had changed so much in the last six years Jasmine could hardly reconcile the small, terrified girl with the woman walking next to her.

  Kathryn spotted Amy a few yards ahead and called to her. She introduced Jasmine to her friend.

  Amy curtsied. “I’ve always wanted to meet the woman who rescued Kathryn.”

  Jasmine laughed. “And I’ve always wanted to meet the woman who befriended such a,” she turned towards Kathryn with a smile in her eyes, “obstinate, strong-willed, and most lovely girl. Come, walk with us,” she invited.

  Amy gladly agreed and the two girls told Jasmine stories from their school days that had the princess laughing.

  Suddenly David, accompanied by another man, approached them from the side. Kathryn estimated the second man’s age in the late twenties. “Hello what’s this?” David’s companion asked as he stood before the ladies. “Who has enough wit and humor to make my aunt laugh?”

  It took a few moments for the meaning of his words to sink in.Aunt?

  Kathryn and Amy glanced at each other, unsure how to respond. Finally Amy responded, “I guess we do, Lord Prince,” she curtsied.

  The prince turned to Jasmine. “Tell me, Aunt Jasmine, would you be willing to introduce your companions to me?”

  Jasmine smiled at her nephew. “Of course Derek. This is Lady Kathryn and this is Lady Amira. Girls, allow me to introduce Crown Prince Derek.”

  Kathryn was taken completely by surprise.This was the Crown Prince? As she studied him she had to admit that he definitely looked a lot like the Princess Roseanna. They shared the same black hair and tall stature but the prince’s behavior was—well, not what she would have expected from their heir to the throne.

  Derek’s ears perked up. “Lady Kathryn as in my aunt’s ward Lady Kathryn?” he asked quickly.

  Kathryn felt a blush spread across her cheeks. “Yes, Lord Prince.” She stole a glance at David who looked like someone had hit him with a satchel of rocks. Great, the last thing she needed was for him to learn that she was the ward of royalty. Now she would probably face a million ques
tions about what living in a palace was like. She just hoped that he wouldn’t tell Natalie. She’d never hear the end of it from the older girl.

  “Well I am honored to meet the young woman my aunt raised,” Derek continued. “She has told my family very little about you.”

  Kathryn found that information very relieving. She glanced back at David, curious to see how he was taking this. To her shock he winked at her. Of course he would have to find this amusing. Setting her face she turned her attention back to the Crown Prince.

  “Is this your first time at court ladies?” Derek was asking.

  Both girls nodded. “Splendid!” he cried. “Tell me, do either of you have escorts for the balls?”

  Kathryn nodded. “I have been claimed for the first and last nights, Lord Prince.”

  “Then I shall claim the second! The prince exclaimed. He turned to Amy, “And what of you, milady?”

  “I have been claimed for the third night, Lord Prince,” Amy replied.

  “Then may I have the privilege of claiming the first?” Derek asked.

  Mute in surprise, Amy nodded a yes.

  “Splendid!” Derek exclaimed exuberantly. “For two nights I shall have the two most beautiful women in the realm on my arm.”

  Both Kathryn and Amy blushed deeply but smiled and curtsied.

  However the Crown Prince was not done. “Tell me ladies,” Derek continued in a friendly fashion. “Will you be present at the tournament later today?”

  “Yes, Lord Prince,” Amy replied for both of them.

  “Wonderful!” Derek clapped his hands together, “I shall leave orders that the Lady Kathryn and the Lady Amira are to be seated in the royal box along with the royal family.”

  At his announcement even Princess Jasmine looked startled. “Is that wise my nephew?” she asked cautiously.

  “Where else should two beautiful ladies of the court reside?” Derek asked. “Besides, I plan to dedicate a couple jousts to these ladies.”

  By now both Kathryn and Amy were flushing furiously. David was fighting hard to keep from laughing. He had never seen Kathryn look so uncomfortable and, after all that he had put up with, he found it decidedly satisfying.

  “In fact,” Derek continued. “I wish for both of you to be seated in the royal box whenever you watch a tournament.”

  “If it pleases, Your Highness,” Amy murmured, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment. Kathryn remained silent, but her normally pale complexion was colored soft pink.

  “Wonderful. I shall speak to the Captain of the Guard immediately.” He paused then appeared to think of something. “Another thing ladies, I wish you to address me not as Your Highness or Lord Prince but as Derek, nothing more.”

  “Nephew that is not wise!” Jasmine protested. “Only those highly favored are given such an honor.”

  “Only those who are highly favored are allowed to sit with the royal family,” Derek reminded her calmly. “I wish to get to know these two lovely ladies, and by favoring them I give myself the opportunity to do so.”

  Startled as he was by the Crown Prince’s latest antics, David was about to burst out laughing while Kathryn and Amy looked like they were ready to die of embarrassment.

  “We’d best be going,” Jasmine announced suddenly, as if she had just taken notice of the two girls’ embarrassment. “Good day Lord Prince.” She curtsied to Derek, and Kathryn and Amy followed her example before they hurried off.

  When they were out of ear shot Derek exclaimed, “Lady Kathryn is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld.”

  David nodded slowly. Kathryn was beautiful, but in his opinion no more beautiful than the other Dragons. However because he didn’t want to get into that particular argument, again, with the Crown Prince, he simply agreed with him. “Yes she is.”

  Derek wasn’t done however. “What I want to know is who in this realm had the audacity to claim her hand for two nights before the Crown Prince?” he asked in mock disbelief.

  David grinned. “I did.”

  Derek looked completely shocked, and then he burst out laughing. Clapping David on the shoulder he exclaimed, “Well you’ve done it again little brother, stealing the most beautiful woman right out from under me.”

  “You’re too old for her,” David laughed.

  “Excuses, excuses.”

  Chapter 21

  Is the crown prince always so…” Kathryn struggled to find a word that fit... “friendly?”

  Jasmine chuckled softly. “Not always, most of the time yes, but not always.” She sighed. “Derek is much too trusting for his own good.”

  Kathryn nodded in agreement. “I was thinking something similar along those same lines.”

  “How about forward?” Amy asked suddenly. “Is he always as forward to the ladies as he was back in the garden?”

  Jasmine gave a graceful shrug. “It depends on the lady,” she said with a glimmer in her eye. “If he’s smitten then yes, he’s definitely forward with her.”

  Amy grinned. “I think he was smitten with Kathryn.”

  “In your dreams,” Kathryn muttered as she sipped her drink.

  “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. When it comes to men, Kathryn is completely and totally blind,” Amy laughed as she reached for a piece of fruit from the platter sitting on the table.

  When they had returned to Jasmine’s apartment the Dowager Princess had ordered a light meal to be sent to her quarters. Kathryn and Amy were delighted at the small spread of food that was ten times more flavorful and delectable than their ordinary fare. Now the three ladies were enjoying a small meal that would, hopefully, last them through the tournaments until the banquet that would be served in the great hall.

  Destiny flew in the nearest window and perched herself on the edge of Kathryn’s chair, eyeing the food. Kathryn picked up a piece of fruit and tossed it to the bird. It was caught in Destiny’s beak almost as soon as it left Kathryn’s fingers.

  “I’m always amazed at the bond between you and Destiny,” Jasmine observed as she took a turn tossing fruit at the hungry bird.

  “I must admit,” Kathryn said as she slowly stroked the eagle’s feathers, “that there are times I marvel at her loyalty to me. I often feel like I don’t deserve her friendship.”

  “You did save her life,” Amy pointed out as she reached for more food.

  “Yes, but how often does that inspire this kind of loyalty in a bird?” Kathryn asked as Destiny decided to go hunt meatier fare.

  The women were silent a moment, each lost in her own thoughts, and then Jasmine suddenly asked, “Kathryn what does your wardrobe look like?”

  Kathryn, who had been in the process of taking a bite of a sandwich paused, the small morsel halfway to her mouth. “What?”

  “You heard me,” Jasmine returned. “What does your wardrobe look like nowadays?”

  Frustrated Kathryn put down her sandwich. “What is with everybody asking me about my clothes all of a sudden?”

  Confused by Kathryn’s outburst, Jasmine looked to Amy for an explanation.

  “One of the girls just made Kathryn a whole new wardrobe after learning that Lady Kathryn only had one court dress,” Amy offered.

  Jasmine turned to look at her ward. “One court dress,” she repeated her tone skeptical. “Kathryn you have a whole closet full of formal wear.”

  “At your palace,” Kathryn replied while taking a bite of her sandwich.

  “You mean you didn’t take them with you?” Jasmine yelped in disbelief.

  “Well I didn’t exactly have any use for them at school and I didn’t have time to get them before we left for our new home,” Kathryn explained matter-of-factly.

  “What do you mean you didn’t have any use for them at school?” Jasmine demanded. “I happen to know that there are dances held at the school and imitation balls where you are supposed to dress formally.”

  “I took one with me for those occasions,” Kathryn reminded her. “I didn’t see any wisdom in
dragging around an extra closet’s worth of dresses that I would rarely use.”

  Jasmine raised her eyes and hands heavenward. “I tried. I really honestly and truly tried.”

  Kathryn looked at her. “Tried what?”

  “To turn you into a lady,” Jasmine explained in exasperation. Quickly she turned to Arianna. “Fetch me all of the dresses Kathryn owns,” she ordered. Arianna disappeared from the room.

  Amy and Kathryn looked at each other. “What are you doing, Jasmine?” Kathryn asked warily.

  “I’m going to take a look at your wardrobe to decide how soon I need to call my seamstress,” Jasmine announced. She paused and then changed her mind. “Actually I’m going to summon her now.” She sent another of her ladies-in-waiting to fetch Madame Nireta, the palace seamstress.

  “What in the kingdom’s name do you need a seamstress for?” Kathryn demanded as the serving lady left the room.

  “To correct your wardrobe.”

  “My wardrobe doesn’t need to be corrected,” Kathryn protested as she moved across the room and sat down gruffly on a rather ornate settee.

  “I will not have my ward running around the palace dressed like a common noble woman,” Jasmine declared.

  “I didn’t know there was such a thing,” Kathryn muttered as Arianna returned with her clothes.

  “No, no, no! This won’t do!” Jasmine cried as she looked through the dresses. “You are my ward and I intend to see you dressed as my ward.” It took Jasmine less than ten minutes to go through each of Kathryn’s dresses and while she admitted that the workmanship was normally something she would have approved of, it would not be suitable for dance attire in the capitol.

  “Milady, Madame Nireta is here.”

  “Thank you, Sira, show her in.”

  Madame Nireta, a tall graceful woman with graying hair entered the room followed by three of her subordinates. “You sent for me milady.”

  “Madame Nireta, I don’t believe you’ve met my ward, Lady Kathryn.” Jasmine nodded to her ward who looked like she would rather be anywhere than sitting on the couch at the moment.