Child of Beauty (Prophecy Series) Read online

  She moved from her vanity and walked through the hallways to the dining room.

  Her brothers were dressed in fine jackets, shirts, and trousers, all with shiny boots and crisp vests. Jerrika sat next to Sage, wearing a mauve gown with a gold, silk head wrap. Rayna once again pitied her sister.

  “Oh you look absolutely lovely.” Ederra embraced Rayna, kissing her cheeks in greeting.

  “Thank you Mother.” Rayna wondered if Ederra ever thought about more than just the surface.

  “What happened to you?” Ederra gasped as she finally noticed Jerrika. After a moment’s pause, Ederra chuckled. “I think it suits you.”

  Rayna’s blood boiled. Why did Ederra always need to criticize Jerrika and make her feel insignificant?

  “Come on. Let us go inside and eat.” Ederra ushered her family into the ornate dining hall.

  Bright white granite floors reflected the light shining from three chandeliers, candles ablaze with wonder at the grandeur of the oak table which could seat ten.

  Ederra and Viktor took the heads of the table, with Sage sitting to his father’s right. Jerrika sat between him and Garrik. Rayna, at her mother’s right, sat alongside Fergus and Hadrien, who had arrived an hour before.

  Ederra shook her head as she looked at Fergus. “Must you always wear your archer bands? Honestly son, this is the dinner table.”

  Fergus shrugged. “I wear them all the time in Kapok. I forget about them.”

  “And you still like Kapok?” Viktor asked.

  “I love it there.” Fergus nodded. “But I do miss a lot of things from home.”

  Ederra smiled broadly. “We miss you too, son.”

  He ate some of the greens on his plate. Rayna often wondered about the secret Fergus held. She didn’t know what it was, but she’d seen him wander from the estate late at night, not returning until the early morning hours. She was a light sleeper, and their rooms were next door. He was open about most of his life, but he always kept that one secret from her.

  Rayna looked across the table toward Garrik. He was the quietest of the family, always seeming to be somewhere else. She wondered what he was thinking about. He was one of her kindest brothers, befriending Kurtis, protecting Jerrika. Rayna knew he had an honest heart.

  “And how did you enjoy Kapok?” Viktor looked to Hadrien. “Have you received your new assignment?”

  “Kapok is very different than home.” Hadrien acknowledged. “I have decided that I want to become more involved with politics and perhaps become an ambassador.”

  Rayna could picture her brother on a ship, sailing to other countries and promoting peace. She bit back a smile. If King Navion sent his current ambassadors, they wouldn’t understand how to promote peace.

  “Ambassador?” Sage asked.

  Hadrien nodded.

  “That is ambitious.” Sage stated.

  Rayna frowned as she noticed something gleaming from under the collar of her oldest brother’s shirt. Sage was the strongest, most loyal brother she had. He would never betray anyone he loved, whether they were family or not. Rayna knew he would always protect her, even if the truth ever surfaced.

  “Why would you want to be an ambassador?” Ederra gasped. “You will be far away from home, much further than Kapok.”

  “I know.” Hadrien paused. “I want to travel and see if I can help other people.”

  Ederra shook her head. “I do not like it. You should stay here and help your family and your king.”

  Hadrien looked like he was about to add more to the matter, but he wisely kept his mouth shut, pushing his gold spectacles up the bridge of his nose. “Then you will be happy to hear I have been reassigned to Derbon, to join Sage’s unit.”

  “Wonderful.” Ederra looked to her eldest son. “You accepted a high position appointed by the king himself, and you remain at home. Please convince your brothers to want the same.”

  Sage chuckled. “I loved my time in Kapok, Mother. I would have stayed there if I could.”

  Ederra gasped. “No.”

  Sage shrugged. “Sorry Mother.”

  Ederra grabbed Garrik’s hand. “Promise me you will not leave me too.”

  Garrik looked at her. “I will do my best.”

  “How is your post going?” Viktor asked his eldest son.

  Rayna finished her salad of greens and accepted the cold almond soup for the next course. She often wondered about her birth family. Did they have conversations like the ones she did here? What was their life like now, now that they sacrificed her to gain their own way in the world? Had her siblings been raised to remember her? Love her? Forget her?

  “We are searching for the rebellion in these parts.” Sage stated.

  “Rebellion?” Ederra gasped. “Must we have such talk at the dinner table?”

  “Our children should hear about this.” Viktor stated. “They are Soldats or trainees. They must know about the difficulties which face them once they get their Wopler. You are in charge of a squadron searching for rebels in Kapok, are you not Fergus?”

  Fergus nodded. “The cuscas are surprisingly loyal to their leaders.”

  “As are the ones here.” Sage added. “We believe the rebellion in Derbon is newer than the one in Kapok.”

  “Why are common folk rebelling against the king?” Rayna asked. She wondered how her birth family felt about rebellion. Would they have joined if she’d never been sold?

  Viktor looked at her. “They have faith in something ridiculous.”

  “A prophecy.” Fergus sneered. “These cuscas are hoping their precious prophecy will come to pass.”

  “What is the prophecy?” Garrik asked. “I have not heard such a thing.”

  “Something about common blood defeating the king.” Hadrien explained.

  “But common folk do not even know how to fight.” Rayna stated.

  “Hence rebellion.” Sage shrugged. “It does not matter.”

  “What is your necklace?” Rayna blurted to her oldest brother. “I can only see part of it.”

  Sage chuckled and pulled the leather material from his neck to reveal a metal sparrow charm. “It is a souvenir from my time in Kapok.”

  ~ Chapter 6 ~

  Neek 6, 538

  Rayna smiled as she rode into Krijar with her father and Jerrika. Two more years and she would be a Soldata.

  Rayna and Jerrika entered Krijar castle through the second floor, as most castles and estates were designed. The first floor always stationed kitchens and servants. No noble ventured below the second floor.

  The main foyer separated into five areas which led either to trainees’ rooms, trainers’ rooms, or dining halls.

  Rayna remembered when she first came to Krijar. The castle had been the largest home she’d lived in. It hadn’t been until she was eleven when things had changed for her.

  She glanced at her sister.

  “Who is that?” Rayna asked in a timid voice. She was terrified of her new mother, and unease made her palms sweat.

  “That is my daughter.” Ederra grimaced. “She is a disgrace.”

  “She’s going to be my friend?” Rayna looked at the cubby little girl. She pictured them laughing together, climbing trees, studying, and playing pranks on their older brothers. This sister would be a constant companion, a loyal friend.

  “Let me make something very clear.” Ederra grabbed Rayna’s arm, and her nails dug into the girl’s soft skin. “You are meant to be different than Jerrika. You two will never be friends, and I forbid you from trying.”

  Rayna’s mouth quivered, and tears formed in her eyes. “But I—”

  “If you even try to be Jerrika’s friend, I will return you to that woman.” Ederra snarled and shoved Rayna against the wall.

  Four-year-old Rayna’s heart thudded, and she couldn’t help but released the tears. She didn’t want to be returned. The woman had sold her to this family, and if Ederra returned her, Rayna didn’t know what her fate would be.

  “You will never be J
errika’s friend.” Ederra repeated slowly. “You were bought to be powerful, the future queen of Perso’s Creek. You are a lovely child, and you will grow into a beautiful young woman. The prince will fall in love with you, but he will never love you, you will never have power, if your closest companion in my daughter. Jerrika will only hold you back, and I did not purchase you for that purpose. Make no mistake, I will not hesitate to return you. You will never find a future as grand as the one we are providing you. Jerrika is not worth my wrath.”

  Rayna never felt like Ederra was truly her mother, not like it had felt with her birth mother. At least, before she’d been sold.

  Rayna’s parents had sold her to a slave-trader, who had sold her to Duke Viktor as a daughter. The idea of ending up somewhere else terrified her, so Rayna had to obey Ederra. Hating Ederra made Rayna realize the easiest way to follow her instructions: Jerrika had to hate Rayna. Jerrika would never want to be Rayna’s friend, try to be kind and honest with her, if she hated Rayna. Though it pained Rayna, she knew it was the best option for the both of them.

  The girls walked silently up to the fourth floor where they would move into their room in the bedrooms assigned to the eighteen-year-olds.

  Room partners stayed the same every year. No one got a new roommate.

  Jerrika and Rayna had been assigned together because they were sisters. Princess Viveca and Wilma shared a room, since they had been friends when they were six. Paige and Mae Hamilton had been assigned together, and Edric Nagel didn’t share with anyone.

  Rayna set her bags on the bed to the far right side of the room, as usual.

  Most high nobles hated bunking with a noble, but her brother Garrik had volunteered to bunk with Kurtis. Rayna didn’t understand how someone could view anyone as high nobles did everyone else.

  Their door burst open, and Mae Hamilton rushed it. “You are here.” She threw her arms around Rayna.

  Rayna chuckled. “Yes, Mae. I am here.”

  “How was your vacation?” Mae sat on Rayna’s bed as Rayna started to unpack her clothes and belongings.

  Rayna glanced over at Jerrika, but her sister ignored them.

  “It was great. I love being able to see my brothers. Hadrien got assigned to Sage’s unit.”

  “That is wonderful.” Mae smiled. “You are so lucky to have brothers.”

  “How are all your sisters?”

  “Well Mahala just got betrothed to Sam Reece. The king himself blessed their union.”

  “That is amazing.”

  “And Natalie is working in Lark. Olivia is in Grana. Perkin Jerginan is courting her.”

  “Your mother must be happy that two of her daughters are on a path to be married.”

  Mae nodded. “Orman Wagner visited Paige several times this summer. Mother hopes they are going to start officially courting. But I suppose your mother is hoping you will start officially courting Prince Navion one day?”

  “Naturally.” Rayna frowned.

  “He is certainly quite a catch.”

  Rayna nodded. “That he is.”

  “A prince.” Mae sighed and lay on her back.

  “He is very kind too.” Rayna stated. “Smart and honest, plus he is very loyal.”

  Mae propped herself up with her elbow. “Hmm…”

  “What?”

  “You are so sweet.”

  Rayna rolled her eyes. She was friends with the prince and would miss him, but her heart longed for only one Soldat.

  Mae glanced at Jerrika. “Looks like you are going to be alone for the rest of your life.”

  Jerrika looked up. “What?”

  Mae rolled her eyes. “As idiotic as ever Hairika.”

  Jerrika glanced at Rayna before she turned and finished unpacking.

  Rayna bit her lip. She could defend her sister, but Mae was powerful. Jerrika would never be.

  A soft knock turned their attention to the open door.

  Wilma stood there.

  “Come on in.” Rayna waved her friend over. She had truly missed Wilma. Mae, on the other hand, she wasn’t sure about.

  “Hi.” Wilma walked into the room and pulled a chair up next to Rayna’s bed.

  “Looks like we are going to be family in a few months.” Mae stated.

  Wilma nodded. “Sam is very much in love with your sister.”

  “She is a wonderful person.” Mae agreed.

  “Were you able to see your other siblings?” Rayna almost choked on the word ‘siblings.’ Her birth parents may have sold her, but she missed her birth sister and brothers terribly.

  Wilma chuckled. “Sam and Mahala spent some of their time with us, and they spent the rest with the Hamiltons. Tamara and Nate came down to visit us. Tam is pregnant. Ulric is working with your brother Fergus now in Kapok. Virgil is back from Hawth. He is fighting rebels up there.”

  “I cannot believe rebels are so far north.” Mae shook her head.

  “They seem to be almost everywhere.” Wilma stated.

  “I cannot understand why they would rebel against the king.” Mae stated. “They are alive, and we provide them with jobs.”

  “You cannot understand why common folk would rebel?” Jerrika shook her head. “They are mistreated by so many nobles, especially high nobles.”

  “Mistreated how?” Mae demanded.

  “Abused, taken advantage of, taxed, stolen from…” Jerrika paused. “I bet you have never spent any time with someone common.”

  “Why would I do that?” Mae gasped. “Have you? Are you the queen of cuscas? Just because you look common does not mean you are. Someone of your rank and nobility should not waste her time trying to defend the evil rebels.”

  Rayna thought she saw some kind of glint in Wilma’s eye, as if there was something inside which she wanted to burst free. But as quickly as it was there, it was gone.

  “Cuscas have jobs, families, food, and those who know their place will be fine.” Mae paused. “The rebels are selfish cuscas who want what we have. They would prefer to murder all of us and remove every trace of nobility from Perso’s Creek. They are bloodthirsty and rabid. That is why cuscas should not learn to fight.”

  Rayna sat alongside her friends at the annual welcome ceremony. She looked at her left arm as she waited to receive her new tattoo. Every year, Viktor greeted the new and returning trainees. He also introduced the teachers, trainers, and helpers. Then he went to each table and used his Tatuar to give each trainee their new tattoo.

  “Welcome to Krijar.” Viktor stepped up to the six-year-olds. “I promise, this will not hurt. Now hold out your left arm.”

  The little six-year-olds obeyed, and he waved his straight, gold Tatuar over their arms. A small band appeared around the middle of their forearm. “Always remember to be loyal to your people.” Viktor stated. “This band is about where your allegiance lies, and I know it is with the king, nobility, and Krijar. May you always be loyal Soldatas and Soldats.”

  Viktor stepped to the seven-year-olds. Without prompting, they held out their left arms.

  “As you begin your second year at Krijar, the seven of you must learn to be brave. You will need to muster courage as you continue your training and your journey at Krijar, your joining year, and around Perso’s Creek.” Viktor marked them with a second tattoo. “May you always be brave Soldatas and Soldats.”

  The eight-year-olds were marked with strength, followed by the other trainees who gained a new attribute for their year: honesty, intelligence, kindness, patience, joy, light, peace, understanding, and thirst.

  Viktor stepped up to the eighteen-year-olds, looking into Rayna’s eyes. He smiled as the six young women and young man held out their forearms.

  “As you begin your thirteenth year here at Krijar, you must learn to be faithful. Your allegiance should be more than a duty.” He waved his Tatuar over their arms as their thirteenth band formed on their skin. “May you always be faithful to your king, your teachers, your friends, and Krijar as Soldatas and Soldat.”

&nbs
p; Rayna looked at her arm, seeing the reflection of the words outlined in the inky magic of the tattoos.

  Viktor stepped to the final table. “As you begin your final year here at Krijar, you must learn self-control. Power is not to be taken lightly, and it is something you must master before you receive your Wopler. May you always be in control as Soldatas and Soldats.”

  ~ Chapter 7 ~

  Aileen and several dozen other rebels practiced their training routines.

  “Well look who came to join us.” Jake, Aileen’s second-in-command, sneered at someone behind her. “The all-powerful one.”

  Aileen turned. “Hey Wil.”

  “Hi.” Wilma Reece, a high noble and Soldata trainee, joined them.

  “How was your summer?” Aileen asked.

  “It was pleasant.” Wilma grinned. “My parents have expanded their training to more common folk, other than the household. My brother Virgil has instigated a rebel force up in Hawth now.”

  “Still can’t believe that a high noble family would raise their children to aid rebels.” Aileen smiled. “My father said Ulric sends his regards.”

  “Such a wonderful thing that high nobles would lower themselves to train common folk.” Jake turned. “I should check on the new recruits.”

  Aileen shook her head as he walked away. “He will always have a hard time accepting that a high noble family is loyal to common folk.”

  “Does not seem strange to me.”

  “It’s that way you were brought up.” Aileen adjusted her shapeless hat. She was dressed as a common boy, same as Wilma. “It must be strange coming to Krijar from a place like your home.”

  “Definitely.” Wilma answered. “We were always taught that nobles and common were equal. We are all human and deserve to be treated the same.”

  “You never talk about Krijar.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Do you think any other trainees will join our cause?” Aileen sighed. “I fear that even after the prophecy is fulfilled, the gap between stations is too big.”

  “I know most high nobles will never want to accept common folk as equal to them.” Wilma admitted. “But I think some high nobles will surprise you. I am pretty sure Lady Jerrika Little will easily join the cause. She got in a verbal fight with Mae Hamilton today; Jerrika defended the rebellion.”