Snippet – Thaenad/Elise

A snippet which occurs a few years after the end of Phaedra and a moon-turn after Choices. If you haven’t read Phaedra or Choices — might want to pass on reading this one. 🙂

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Araels Rest

Thaenad reverently touched Father Tree’s trunk. “She’s here, you know.”

Elise nodded. “Yes, she is, but she is also wherever we are. We don’t need to be here to be with her.”

Thaenad sighed. He sank to the ground beneath the branches of Father Tree and leaned against its trunk. “No, we don’t have to be. But here I feel as if her arms wrap around me and hold me. It takes away the pain.”

“Pain? Of her being gone?”

“That and the guilt of choosing to live instead of joining her.”

Elise gave a disgusted huff. “It shouldn’t have brought guilt. It was the only decision you could make.”

“Why?”

“Remember, Father. Remember! The Twin Goddess promised Mother that you and I would be reunited here before I was six. That couldn’t happen if your choice a moon-turn ago had been to not live. Both Mother and the Goddess knew what you would choose before it was offered.”

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Vignette-Kaserie

A reader requested a bit more about Kaserie before she was captured by the Halurdow. Here is a vignette of the family at breakfast eight years before the beginning of Kaserie’s Choice. Sergeant Samwyn has come to fetch her father because news has just reached the City of Azraelis that the trolls were gathering to attack the northern part of the Kingdom of Galdona.

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Temple Section-City of Azraelis, Kingdom of Galdona

Kaserie squirmed in her seat, anxious for the others to finish eating breakfast.

Her father leaned back in his chair wiping the last traces of breakfast from his fingers. “So, today I’m leading a patrol outside the city, and your mother is helping the Healers.” He pointed at her brother Tallyn. “What will you be doing today?”

The five-year old grinned from ear-to-ear and bounced in his chair. “I has lessons fwom the Weapons Master.” His smile faded, “Onee bow and arrows tho, not swords.”

“What’s wrong with a bow and arrows?”

Tallyn pointed at her father’s side. “Wanna sword like you.”

“Being good with a bow will save your life just as well as a sword. I also use a bow.”

Her brother scooted from his seat and walked around their father’s chair. “Don’t.”

“Just because I don’t have one now, doesn’t mean I don’t use one. Go look by the front door.”

The patter of feet echoed down the hall as Tallyn went to check.

“Kaserie, what about you?”

She crossed the fingers beneath the table. “In the afternoon I work with the Healers. In the morning, I have history and ethics lessons with Elder Jezrei. Oh, I forgot!” Twin Gods forgive me for that lie. She’d been waiting since the previous day to tell them. “He wants to talk with both of you about removing the block on my magic.”

Rheann clasped her hand. “But you’re only ten. That’s much too young.”

Back straight and teeth clenched, Kaserie answered, “Jezrei says that age doesn’t matter. I have enough control and grasp of ethics to have the block removed so that I can learn to control the magic.”

Her mother’s grip on her hand tightened. “Now, Kaserie—”

She jerked her hand free. “When will you let me grow up?”

“Rheann, it won’t hurt to talk with Jezrei.” Allyn stood and rubbed her mother’s shoulder.

Tension flowed between them as they stared at one another for heartbeats. Kaserie sighed when her mother finally nodded. Allyn leaned forward and kissed the top of Kaserie’s head. “Your mother and I’ll meet with Jezrei this evening.” Kaserie jumped from her chair and threw her arms around her father’s neck. Beaming her biggest smile she said, “Thank you!”

Her father nodded at her mother. Kaserie turned and glimpsed the glare on her mother’s face a heartbeat before it disappeared. “Thank you, also Mother.” She leaned over and kissed her mother’s cheek.

A rap at the front door preceded Tallyn’s high pitched shout, “Pawpa, Pawpa.” The rapid tap of her brother’s returning steps mixed with the measured thud of booted feet before a King’s Messenger followed the young boy into the kitchen.

The man bowed, “Prince Allyn—”

“Ranger Captain Allyn,” her father corrected.

The messenger grimaced. “I was instructed by the King to bring Prince Allyn to the Castle immediately. If you would accompany me, Highness?”

Her parents exchanged ‘the look’ which always meant she and Tallyn would be sent away. Kaserie sighed. So frustrating. Something bad had happened. That was the only thing which explained why Sergeant Samwyn acted so ‘adult’ instead of being his normal cheerful self. He hadn’t even greeted her or Tallyn, nor offered each of them a sweet—which he always kept in his pockets when he came to visit.

“The two of you need to head off to the Temple for your lessons. You don’t want to be late, do you?”

Rheann kissed Allyn’s cheek and stood.

Kaserie knew better than to protest, especially after the disagreement earlier about removing the block on her powers. She frowned and shook her head to stop Tallyn from arguing. It did no good.

Her brother stood with hands on hips. “Wanna stay and play with Samwyn.”

At Tallyn’s protest, Rheann raised her hand, palm out. “No arguments from either of you. I’ll walk with you, since I’m working at the hospice.” She held Tallyn’s shoulder. “Come on, off we go. Kaserie?”

She followed her mother and brother out the door, but cast a fearful glance over her shoulder, Samwyn’s smile had faded and now he looked worried.