The Chosen

by K. J. Nessly

  “I’ve got some meals to prepare,” Matt said as he bounded into the kitchen, leaving Luke to help Tyler. Eventually everyone regained their senses and the whole house was soon a study in controlled chaos. Fueling it all was the energized excitement that the King had chosen them, the least senior Guardian family, to accomplish a rescue mission for his family. Kathryn, however, couldn’t help but wonder if the assignment was some kind of test or evaluation of their capabilities as Guardians.

  Two radians later David was leading his team through the forest and out of their glade. The mood was serious and even Natalie seemed to sense the danger of the mission they were on for she hardly said a few sentences at a time. Eventually however, Natalie regained her voice and chatted on with Jenna who rode beside her. David and Kathryn rode in front while Daniel took up the rear. Matt seemed content to bounce between Daniel and the two girls.

  While Natalie and Jenna talked fashions and who knows what else, Matt and Daniel mulled over how they each might use their gifts during the rescue. David and Kathryn concentrated on tactics.

  “Do you have a plan?” Kathryn asked, initiating the conversation.

  Doing his best to hide his surprise, in the seven months they’d been working together he’d never known her to initiate anything, David replied, “I’ve got a very general plan. When I was seven I visited the duke’s castle but my memory of its layout is sketchy at best.”

  “What do you remember?”

  “It’s situated on the plains, however it buts up against some sheer cliffs. An attack from behind would be almost impossible.”

  “But not entirely,” Kathryn added, finishing the basic rule that had been drilled into them during their training. And considering her free climbing skills, might actually be something to contemplate. The rest of the team might not be able to enter from that direction, but if they could get Kathryn up there with her bow to pick off the sentries it might be worth investigating.

  “Exactly. The castle itself has three large towers and four walls.”

  “Four walls?” Kathryn arched an eyebrow in surprise. ”I’ve never heard of castle with such defenses.”

  “It was supposedly built three thousand years ago, when the regions were still fighting amongst themselves.” He shook his head in disbelief. “It’s hard to believe anything in this kingdom could last that long.” After a moment he returned to the original topic. “I’d guess that Sebastian would keep the princess in one of the towers, rather than in the dungeons.”

  “What makes you guess that?”

  David smiled bitterly. “Normally, one would expect a captive to be kept in the dungeon with the rest. But the princess is no ordinary captive. Sebastian will keep her locked high in a tower to make rescue difficult.”

  “You wouldn’t happen to have an idea of which one?”

  “There’s a strong possibility she’s being kept in the central tower,” David replied easily.

  Kathryn eyed him suspiciously. “I thought your memory of this place was sketchy.”

  “It is. I remember nothing about guard placements or any other tactical advantages the castle has.” The central tower was also the strongest and more well-kept tower of the whole fortress. It made sense to keep the princess in a location that central and easily defended.

  “Just as well,” she replied. “They’ve probably been changed.” She paused and then asked, “What were you doing there anyway?”

  This time he was sure he failed at hiding his surprise. Kathryn, curious about personal details? It was unheard of. David hesitated. “My family is of nobility and it’s…customary to travel to other nobles homes.”

  Kathryn wrinkled her nose. “Sounds awful,” she said dryly.

  “Oh Kathryn!” Natalie called from behind.

  Sighing, Kathryn turned to look behind her and replied in a moderately agreeable tone, “Yes, Natalie?”

  “I was just wondering if you could tell me how you and Destiny got so close?” Natalie cooed.

  David tensed then immediately relaxed, not wanting Natalie to see his reaction, waiting to see what Kathryn came up with for an answer. If she would answer.

  “I suppose it’s the same way you develop a bond with horses or dogs,” she replied calmly, although David noticed her eyes were hard. “You just have to spend time with them.”

  “But how did you get her to even let you care for her?” Natalie purred. David didn’t have to turn around to hear the victory in her voice. He guessed that this was the first time Kathryn had ever replied to any of her questions and he was willing to bet it was only because he was present.

  Kathryn’s jaw hardened, recognizing that answering at the risk of appearing too unsociable in front of him had opened the floodgates to Natalie’s inquisition. “I suppose it’s because I saved her life,” she replied, obviously forcing her tone to remain neutral.

  “How did you save her life?”

  Kathryn lost the battle with neutrality. “Destiny was abandoned,” she replied in a clipped tone.

  David couldn’t blame her. He’d known Natalie by reputation at school. In fact, he doubted that there was a single person at school who hadn’t at least known her by that reputation. When she’d been assigned to his family he’d been cautiously optimistic at the idea of having someone experienced in intelligence gathering as a part of the team. But after seven months of working with her, he’d discovered that her methods of gathering information left much to be desired. She wasn’t subtle about it and because of her approach the reports she gave him often contradicted each other. Interrogations? Yes, she was good at those, mainly because whoever she was interrogating cowered at her temper when they refused to answer her.

  But overall the single reports he got from Kathryn, Luke, and Amy were more complete and accurate than all ten of the ones he received from Natalie. Someone was going to have to explain to her the difference between quantity and quality. And since she and Kathryn were not getting along, it was going to have to be him.

  “You don’t have to get all snippy,” Natalie’s voice took on a hurt tone. “I’m only trying to get to know you.”

  Right, David thought darkly, by making yourself look good and at the same time making Kathryn look even worse in front of your latest love interest. Kathryn turned back to David. “You were saying?”

  He hurried to continue their conversation. “In any case I want to spend a night or two in the village to glean as much information as we can. The information that we have could be wrong. Sebastian may not even have Roseanna.”

  Hearing the doubt in his voice she asked, “Just how much do you doubt the information?”

  His reply was quick. “None at all.”

  “Kathryn who were your parents?” Natalie asked riding up between them before Kathryn could question the reason for David’s certainty.

  Kathryn actually looked startled. “What do you mean who were my parents?”

  Natalie looked at her funny. “I mean, like who were they? Names, titles… all that stuff.”

  David felt powerless to stop the interrogation without making things worse. Natalie was more stubborn than a mule when she wanted something. And right now she wanted to antagonize Kathryn. It was part of her method for obtaining information. She simply irritated her intended victim until they told her what she wanted to know so that she would leave them alone. He wanted to help ease Kathryn’s discomfort but he couldn’t do or say anything right now that wouldn’t draw Natalie’s attention.

  Kathryn held the older girl’s gaze. “I never knew my parents. I learned everything I know from Jasmine and Lord Jasse.”

  Natalie practically jumped out of her saddle, “How in the kingdom did you make such an intimate acquaintance with Lord Jasse? And who is Jasmine?”

  David noticed that she took no notice about Kathryn being an orphan. If Kathryn’s clenched jaw was any indication, he suspected that she had noticed as well.

  “Jasmine found me when I was ten years old and Lord Jasse was one of my in
structors.” Kathryn’s tone was forced but Natalie was taking no notice.

  The older girl snorted. “Lord Jasse probably instructed all of us,” she argued. “How come he took a shine to you?”

  Kathryn’s jaw moved from side to side before answering. “Turns out, Lord Jasse likes birds and he was interested in Destiny.”

  Natalie paused, then after doing some mental math asked. “Who took care of you between your birth and tenth birthday?”

  “I bounced from place to place.”

  “Oh, gee, that’s informative,” Natalie replied sarcastically before moving back to join Jenna.

  “Does she do this often?” David asked, trying to get a feel of the situation from Kathryn’s point of view.

  “Every day,” Kathryn answered through clenched teeth. “Although she’s behaving herself right now. So you don’t have any idea of how we want to do this?”

  This was Natalie behaving herself? He was surprised that she hadn’t killed the older girl already. Why hadn’t anyone brought this to his attention sooner? He shook his head. “Nothing that would help us during the attack. I’d like to send one of us to scope out the castle but none of us have the talent to do that without being seen.”

  Jenna, who had by now tuned out Natalie’s endless chatter, heard David’s last comment. This time it was she who nudged her horse forward, only instead of splitting the two riders she came up next to David. “Kathryn could do it,” she told him softly, hoping Natalie wasn’t listening.

  David looked at Kathryn in surprise. “You can?”

  Natalie’s abominably cheerful voice called out, “Kathryn can do what?” She rode up on the other side of Kathryn, looking at her expectantly.

  Both Kathryn and David sighed, which Natalie noticed. “What did I say?” she demanded.

  David waved his hand dismissively. “Nothing.” He turned to Kathryn, “Can you really do it?”

  “I can,” she admitted slowly.

  “Can do what?” Natalie demanded again.

  “Gather information without being seen,” David replied, realizing she wouldn’t leave them alone until they told her, as well as realizing that this was probably how Kathryn gathered all her information while on patrol. It minimized human contact and was often times more reliable.

  Natalie turned to Kathryn. “Where in the kingdom did you learn a trick like that? They don’t teach us techniques like that at Guardian School.” Then her face scrunched up into a frown. “Is it anything like those disappearing acts you do every day?”

  “No, they don’t teach hidden movement at school,” Kathryn agreed, declining to comment on Natalie’s second question.

  “You know,” David added thoughtfully. “Hidden movement would be an excellent technique for the Guardians to learn. It would certainly help on reconnaissance missions. Why don’t they teach it?”

  Daniel and Matt, who by now were tired of being left out of the conversation, rode up. “How could we possibly convince the Guardian Council to add another technique to an already packed program?” Daniel asked.

  “Why don’t we have Kathryn teach us how to master hidden movement,” Jenna suggested. “Then, before we talk to the council we use it ourselves first, making sure it really does help.”

  “Like a trial run,” David mused.

  “Exactly,” Jenna smiled glad to have been of help. She and Daniel moved back to their original positions.

  Destiny swooped in and hit Matt on the top of his head with her talons as she landed on Kathryn’s arm. “I swear that bird hates me,” Matt muttered as he dropped back to join Jenna and Daniel to get of range.

  David didn't bother pointing out that the possibility of Lacey's presence around his shoulders probably had more to do with the bird's actions than her feelings toward Matt and turned to Kathryn. “Do you think you could do it?” He asked eagerly.

  She appeared to consider the question as she gently stroked Destiny. “You mean teach the rest of you?”

  “Yes.”

  Destiny let out a screech that made David wince. Why does she always have to do that so close to my ear?

  Reaching inside her cloak, Kathryn pulled out a piece of jerky and tossed it up into the air. Destiny took off like an arrow shot from Kathryn’s bow, catching the jerky on its downward spiral, and took off in the direction of the horizon. Kathryn was silent for a moment, and then said, “I guess I could try.”

  Natalie, her lingering question about the origins of Kathryn’s talent forgotten, was eager to get started. “What’s the first thing we need to learn?”

  David thought he saw a gleam in his second-in-command’s eye.

  Kathryn turned to Natalie and, keeping a straight face, replied, “The first technique one must master is silence.”

  Natalie’s eager face fell. “Well I’ve just failed,” she announced, and then she turned a suspicious eye on Kathryn. “You aren’t just saying that to make me shut up are you?”

  Kathryn shook her head. “No. The whole key to hidden movement is silence.”

  Natalie asked a couple more questions about the method of hidden movement before regaining her original position next to Jenna. Together she and Jenna discussed all they could think of on hidden movement.

  “Just between us.” David whispered. “Where did you learn the technique?”

  Kathryn smiled grimly. “It was one of the many things I learned courtesy of Blackwood Manor.”

  David was careful not to react. It was the first time Kathryn had ever mentioned something, anything, from her past. Blackwood Manor. He had heard of the place. Apparently the Lord and Lady had broken several laws and were caught by someone who had powerful connections. Now he knew what laws they had broken. It was a serious crime not to report a child with gifts. David suspected that the person who had really found Kathryn was Lord Jasse, not this enigmatic Jasmine whom she refused to give any details about. It would explain a lot about their relationship.

  For the next fortnight, David went completely against all their training. Normally, whenever Guardians were on the move, they traveled openly from town to town in full uniform to give the wrongdoers a warning and a chance to repent before the Guardians arrived, however David wasn’t about to play by the rules—not when the princess’ life was at risk. And especially not with those mysterious swords that could repel a Guardian’s. If there were any at Sebastian’s castle, the Dragons were going to need the element of surprise in order to recover the princess.

  The group traveled in nondescript clothing and avoided every village and town they came close to. There were times the avoidance cost them time, but David considered it worth it. When both Kathryn and Daniel had asked about going against protocol, David had simply given them the rational responses he had already formulated.

  They finally arrived at Sebastian’s fief fifteen days after they left home. They left their horses and gear hidden in the woods and calmly walked into the village. Up ahead the castle loomed like a dangerous shadow. In the fading light the towers looked like extended claws, poised, waiting to strike those below.

  The group found an inn and paid for two rooms for the night.

  “You kids planning on staying long?” The ancient innkeeper asked in a wheezing tone as he handed them keys to their rooms.

  David smiled. “Just passing through.”

  Upstairs, he advised his group, “Get a good night’s sleep. We have a very long and very busy day tomorrow.”

  Chapter 18

  Clouds hung low in the sky the next morning. Those didn’t bother David so much as the ones that hugged the ground. It was so foggy he could barely see three meters in front of him.

  “Wonderful,” David muttered as he looked out the window. “This is going to make things difficult.”

  “How so?” Matt asked pulling on his boots.

  David reached for his own. “With this fog I won’t be able to tell where I am until I’m practically on top of something, which means we’ll all be making a lot of noise.” He slid
one of his feet into his boots only to encounter something alive. He jerked his foot out and peered inside. Lacey hissed back at him. David sighed and held out his boot. "Matt..."

  “True,” his friend agreed as he retrieved his pet from his leader's boot. “But we can make the best of it.”

  “We’ll have to,” David replied grimly. “Any reason you couldn’t have left Lacey at home?” he asked irritably.

  Matt shrugged. “I couldn’t find a volunteer to take care of her,” he lamented.

  “I see that it’s not only the sky that’s dark today.” Daniel commented dryly from across the room.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means your mood is as dark as those clouds. Usually that’s Kathryn’s job.” He poked his head out the window. “It looks like rain.”

  David scowled. “Just wonderful.”

  Downstairs they found the three girls already having breakfast. “I think we should go to the marketplace first,” Natalie chirped as soon they sat down.

  David seriously considered strangling her for being so cheerful on such an ugly day. He noticed Kathryn frowning slightly at him and realized she was probably picking up on his sour mood like Matt and Daniel had. Sighing he reminded himself that he was their leader and had to set a good example for his family to follow. Swallowing his irritation at the world he refocused on Natalie.

  “After all,” Natalie continued. “There’s so much to learn in a different marketplace.” The server came and brought the boys their breakfast

  “That’s a good idea,” David agreed as he eyed his breakfast.

  Breakfast was little more than lukewarm porridge and stiff bread, but it was filling and the team ate heartily.

  By the time they had finished eating the fog had lifted some, lifting David’s own spirits considerably. “Kathryn and Daniel can start at the south end of the market,” he decided as they left the inn. “The rest of us will start here.” He watched as Kathryn gave Destiny, who was perched on the roof of the inn, a subtle hand motion which sent the bird flying off toward the castle, eventually disappearing over the cliffs behind the stronghold.