KADE PART 3
Kade did go before the elders that day. Each one took an instant liking to her despite her rebellious nature. They set a strict schedule of weapons training, magic development and then the basics in learning, which she made a point of missing before realizing how interesting each topic was.
Kade seemed to excel in them all. Coming from a small village where no one learned to read or write, this was an exciting treat and she absorbed it all like a sponge. Every night, a pile of books lay scattered in her room where she fell asleep atop the huge mounds of knowledge.
During magic lessons, Kade was taught how to control the blasts and direct them where she wanted. With deep channeling and control, she was able to create protective shields no one could penetrate, not even the elders. This was an extraordinary gift for someone so young and they made every point to remind her of that.
Weapons were slower going than the rest. She didn’t have much body strength but with the weapons master’s constant pushing, she eventually became proficient in hand-to-hand combat. Swords and such were just too heavy and required way too much concentration for her taste. Kade’s deceptively small size, however, made it easy to send away most of her opponents with bloody noses or long-lasting limps.
Any extra time Kade had was spent either with her growing number of friends, with Kas in the healers’ quarters, or getting into trouble. It was the one thing from her past she just couldn’t quite change. Her curiosity caused most of it. If something piqued her interest, she would investigate it. If there was someplace she wanted to see, it was as if her feet wouldn’t stop until she got there, even if it meant sneaking out of the city. Of course, the punishment for these occurrences didn’t do much good. The elders would give her more homework or exercises to do and that was perfectly fine with her. Kade loved learning and building her body strength. They had quickly learned there was no point in confining Kade to her room because she would be out of it as soon as they shut the door.
So, months passed like this before the day finally came when Kas told Kade they found her two brothers.
“What do you think will happen? Do you think they’ll want me to go home with them?” Kade sat on a wooden chair as Kas brushed out her hair.
“I don’t know child. I feel you would be better off here. You can learn more about controlling that power of yours. Here, hold this.” She handed her the brush and started to weave Kade’s long hair into two side braids. “I got me a glimpse of that oldest brother of yours. I don’t like the feel of ‘im.”
“But they are my brothers. I have to go with them. How can I not? They’re family.”
“You have family here. We may not be blood but that doesn’t mean you’re not as me own child. There, we’re done.” Her dark brown hands patted Kade’s head affectionately. “Stand up child. Let Kas see you.”
Kade jumped up and twirled in a circle. Her green healer’s robes billowed out. Kas insisted she wear them to show her natural ability to care for others. It was a reluctant ability but a strong one. The older woman held out her hand towards Kade. “Let’s be off and see what’s to come.”
Kade placed her tiny hand in her nursemaid’s and looked up. Her large green eyes shimmered with tears. “You can go with me, Kas.”
“Kas has to stay here. This is Kas’ home.” She tugged Kade along down the hall. A flight of stairs later and they were entering the elder’s chamber. The room was filled. Three elders stood in their long flowing robes along a table piled with books, silent as gargoyles.
To her left clustered a collective of guards surrounding one man, her oldest brother. His long black hair trailed down his back in a perfect ponytail. Sharp black eyes peered at Kade in a hardened face. His blacksmith leathers still smelled of fire and oil. She went to run and hug him, but he held out his hand.
“No, Kade. That is not proper.” Even his voice was hard with a cutting edge. “Let me make this quick. If it wasn’t for the head elder, I wouldn’t even be here.”
Kade’s eyes went wide, and a sharp pain stabbed at her chest. “What do you mean, Ter? Where is Mordi?”
“He has business elsewhere and couldn’t be bothered to come. You will stay here. We don’t want to care for you. We cannot. It’s your fault mother is dead! You never listen. Maybe if you would’ve been better, those monsters wouldn’t have come and killed her.”
Gasps rose around the room. The elders made a move forward, but it was Kas who beat them to it. She stormed over to the cruel man and slapped him across the face. “How dare you speak to her that way! She is just a child! Her mother’s death wasn’t her fault. If it was anyone’s it was yours for not being there. It’s the eldest’s responsibility to take care of the family, not the youngest!” She marched back over to Kade who was crying freely with stuttering breaths.
Ter dropped his jaw but quickly regained composure. “It doesn’t matter. This discussion is over. I need to get back to the city and my own family.” He looked back at the elders, “Good luck with that one.” He turned and left the room.
Kade broke free from Kas and ran after her older brother. “Ter! Wait! Don’t leave me! I love you. I’m sorry!” But he was already down the stairs and gone.
