Child of Beauty (Prophecy Series) Page 5

  “How well do you know Jerrika?”

  “Not well. Do you know her?”

  “My brother’s in love with her.” Aileen admitted. “I won’t let him join us in open training, and I won’t allow him to tell her the truth about us.”

  “That must be why she is defending the rebels. Jerrika asked Mae if she spent time with common folk. Apparently Jerrika was referring to her time with you and your brother. I am actually good friends with her sister, Rayna.”

  “Rayna…” Aileen paused. “Jerrika doesn’t talk about her family much. What is Rayna like?”

  “She was adopted by the Little family.” Wilma stated. “Ederra Little wanted a beautiful daughter who could win the heart of Prince Navion. Rayna and Jerrika were never friends, and when they began training, everyone believed Rayna was the true daughter. Jerrika was the one who finally revealed the truth. Rayna considers that a betrayal. She wants to amend things with Jerrika now, but Jerrika does not like Rayna because of their mother. Rayna is different than most people think she is. I believe she could be a great asset to the rebels one day.”

  “Hm…”

  “But there are also the Hamilton twins: Paige and Mae. Mae is friends with Rayna too. I will not say she is my friend.” Wilma paused. “Those sisters would never think common folk and nobles belong together.”

  “Have you ever heard of a warrior named Jonathan Litchel?”

  “Jonathan Litchel?” Wilma frowned. “No. Why? Who is he?”

  “Someone I wish I could be reunited with.” Aileen gestured Wilma forward. “Let’s get to the training ground.”

  Sage moved through the hills outlining Derbon with his squad of noble soldiers and Hadrien. His gold Soldat helmet covered his head and most of his face; the blue plume which came from the back marked him commanding Soldat of the unit.

  He loved the shades of green in the forest, from dark evergreens to dull oaks and bright ferns. Home. This forest was as much home as the estate was to him. He loved to hunt, animals such as deer more than rebels.

  “Sir, look.” One of his soldiers paused and pointed out a small camp through the trees.

  The camp was riddled with half burnt fires and rows of rebels in the middle of a training exercise. Sage and the soldiers stood at the ready as they watched.

  Men, women, and teens stood alert, some pale as Ederra and others were the dark tan of families from north Perso’s Creek. How were so many different people gathered together to fight against their king?

  Sage thought back to his assignment in Kapok. He had gone undercover with the rebellion, claiming to be Jonathan Litchel from Waden, as he searched for the leader of the rebels. That assignment had changed him.

  Sage gestured to his men, and they fanned out. On the three-mark, the soldiers attacked; they rushed down the hill and screamed to frighten the commoners.

  Sage ran into the fray of rebels, carefully aiming his thrusts. A middle-aged man fell at the impact of Sage’s fist. For a brief moment, Sage thought back to the first time he’d met Creedon.

  An arrow whizzed past his helmet, sending ripples of vibration against his ear. Stay in the present. Sage noticed the young man who lowered his bow, keeping a keen eye on him. Must realize I am a Soldat. Sage blocked a knife-thrust from a teenage girl, and he threw her to the ground.

  The young man with the bow abruptly sprinted away from the soldiers. Several rebels tried to block him from most of the soldiers’ view. Perhaps he was the instigator here in Derbon. Sage rushed after him, knocking several men out of his way.

  Sage rushed through the woods, trying to catch his query. To his pleasure, the rebel didn’t seem as familiar with the woods as Sage. He sprinted toward the rebel, able to cross streams and fallen branches in the general direction as the rebel to cut him off.

  Sage finally reached him and grabbed his woolen shirt. The young man punched him in the face, just under the protected jaw line of the helmet. The same move he had shared with Creedon. Sage fell back a step, and the young man raised his fists, sandaled feet in perfect form for a fight.

  Sage didn’t want to fight. He blocked the next jab, and the rebel kneed him in the gut. Sage gasped and fell back a few more steps. The rebel took off in a sprint once more. Evidently he didn’t want a fight either.

  Sage wondered if Peyton was in Derbon.

  As Sage reached the rebel once more, he grabbed his Wopler from around his waist. He threw the Wopler out, and it whipped around to wrap itself about the rebel’s waist and arms.

  He tried to free himself, but Sage shoved him against a tree. The force of his back hitting the trunk caused the rebel’s misshapen hat to fall off, and her long dark blonde hair flowed free.

  Sage gasped and stared at her face in the moonlight. Sparrow.

  ~ Chapter 8 ~

  Aileen shook as she returned home. She was still in shock. After trying to shoot him and their chase through the forest, the Soldat had kissed her, passionately, and then released her. Perhaps he thought she wasn’t a threat since she was female. She smirked. Too bad she could only see his lips. Aileen would have loved to slap him, but she knew that one day she would show that Soldat fear. She was pretty sure he was Duke Sage Little, son of the duke and duchess who ruled Derbon, older brother of Jerrika.

  His kiss… He’d grabbed her suspenders, pulled her closer to him, his lips fervent and desperate. She’d been too shocked to even struggle against his Wopler. Should she tell Jonathan about that moment? Was he even coming back for her? She hated doubting him, and it shouldn’t be Sage’s kiss that made her doubt.

  Barrett rushed to her as she entered the Smithy. “I’ve been terrified. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” How much should she tell him?

  “What happened?”

  “We were training. A group of soldiers with Soldats attacked us. I got away.” She would keep the encounter with the Soldat to herself. No need to add more worry to her brother.

  “When are you going to let me join? Peyton’s been working with Dad for years.”

  “Soon, I promise.” Aileen sighed. “What do you think Jerrika would do if she found out about us?”

  “That we’re rebels?” Barrett shrugged. “Depends on how much she loves me and her family.”

  “She’s training to be a Soldata.”

  “I know.”

  “She’s loyal to the king, our enemy.”

  “We still don’t know who our worst enemy is.”

  “No doubt the dark-haired man is loyal to the king.” Aileen smirked. “Do you think he knows his actions started the rebellion?”

  “Probably not.” Barrett frowned. “He probably never gives us a second thought.”

  Aileen and Barrett moved upstairs to the small common room of their three room upper story.

  “I miss everyone.” Barrett looked at his sister. “Do you think Mum and Dad will ever visit us here?”

  “Perhaps when Peyton is set up as more of a leader in Kapok.”

  “Delisa will be the best fighter in the family soon.”

  “She was trained at a much younger age than any of us, being born into the rebellion.”

  Barrett nodded. “Jerrika isn’t like the others. She’s kind, and I’m pretty sure her loyalty will be to us. You know not all Soldata trainees are loyal to the king.”

  “The rest of her family will want to destroy us as soon as they realize who we are. Her brothers are Soldats, and she and her sister will one day be Soldatas. Never forget that. We can never trust Jerrika with the truth.” She ignored her brother’s reference to Wil. She was definitely an exception.

  “One day we might.”

  Aileen shook her head. “Only after the prophecy is fulfilled.”

  “’A peasant shall lead the rebellion and destroy the king.’” Barrett sighed. “Do you really think Dad is the peasant the prophecy speaks about?”

  “Who else would it be?” Aileen closed her eyes. “I hope the dark-haired man finds out he is the one who inspired Dad t
o lead a rebellion against the king. It will be his fault that ‘out of common blood, blue blood will flow.’”

  “Do you think Faryn’s okay?” Barrett whispered.

  Aileen’s eyes widened, and her jaw dropped slightly. He said her name. He rarely spoke of his twin. It was too painful. “I hope so.”

  “You know I do love Jerrika. I love her because she is different. I trust her. I know we can trust her.”

  Aileen sighed. She was sick of this argument. “We’re not telling a Soldata-in-training that we’re leading a rebellion against the king. Her loyalty isn’t to us.”

  “Jonathan knew about our family.”

  “Jonathan isn’t a Soldat. He’s not even from Perso’s Creek.”

  “Do you think he’ll ever return for you?”

  Aileen bit her lip. She prayed he would. She loved Jonathan, the man who had taught her and her family stronger fighting skills, the man who had stolen her heart and left her with his. Aileen touched the metal sparrow charm on her leather necklace. Jonathan had an identical one. She had made both of them, the piece that would tie them together forever.

  “I don’t know. I hope he does, but I respect that he has family duty to uphold.”

  Barrett scoffed. “No you don’t.”

  She glared at him.

  “You hate that he chose them.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Aileen sighed. “I understand the pull of family and love.”

  “Then you understand why I love and trust Jerrika?”

  “I do, but it doesn’t mean I agree with you. As long as you live with me, Jerrika will never find out the truth about us.”

  Barrett nodded. “Fine. I’ll tell her after the prophecy has been fulfilled.”

  “Agreed.”

  Jerrika sat by herself as she picked at the pieces of her breakfast. She’d known it would be hard after Kurtis became a Soldat. She hoped he was enjoying his joining year and having worthwhile adventures in Kapok.

  She planned on using her Soldata skills to help protect the commoners and aid the rebellion. Falling in love with Barrett had opened her eyes to how the lower class was treated. She would not stand by once she had the power to do something about it.

  She was not looking forward to the day she stood with the rebellion against the king. She knew her entire family would be standing against her. Perhaps her mother wouldn’t be surprised, after how she’d treated Jerrika. If Ederra Little was an example of a good high noble mother, Jerrika knew something was truly wrong in the world.

  Sighing, Jerrika maneuvered her fork through her eggs. She missed Kurtis, despondent that she was alone without a friend.

  Jerrika took a seat in the far corner table of the west dining hall. She was used to being alone. Her brothers were only home on holidays or breaks from school, and Rayna always ignored her.

  “I hear you are the adopted daughter of Duke Viktor Little.” Princess Viveca walked up to Jerrika with Rayna by her side. “You are such an ugly rat.”

  “And so hairy.” One of her red-haired friends laughed. “I suppose you are a rat.”

  The other red-haired girl laughed with her, and Jerrika wondered if they were sisters.

  “I am not the ado—” Jerrika started.

  “She has always been a liar.” Rayna interrupted. “Come on Viveca, let us go to our table and leave my hairy sister alone.”

  “Jerrika—Hairika!” The red-haired friend laughed once more. “Rayna, I did not know Hairika was your sister.”

  Jerrika’s face burned, and she shot out of her seat, slapping the red-haired girl. “You are talking to the daughter of Duke Viktor Little. How dare you insult me so?”

  The red-haired girl brought her hand to her cheek and glared at Jerrika. “I am Mae Hamilton, daughter of Duke Kelvin Hamilton.” She smacked Jerrika back, and Jerrika grabbed her hair, trying to pull the fire out.

  The princess and the other red-haired girl grabbed Jerrika’s arms, and Mae punched her stomach. Suddenly, a hand grabbed Mae’s. “I do not think four trainees against one is a fair fight.”

  Jerrika looked up into the kindest deep-blue eyes she had ever seen.

  “Who are you?” Mae’s face twisted.

  “I am Kurtis Jarger.”

  “A noble.” Viveca rolled her eyes. “Come on girls, let us leave the nobles to their own kind.”

  Jerrika focused on breathing as the other girls left.

  “Are you alright?”

  She looked up at him. “Thank you.”

  “You are welcome.” He offered his hand, and he helped her to her feet. “You are Garrik’s little sister, are you not?”

  “I am.”

  “He is my roommate and friend.”

  “Then it is a pleasure to meet one of my brother’s friends.”

  The hall began to clear, so Jerrika went to her new classroom to sit by herself in her friendless, lonesome life.

  ~ Chapter 9 ~

  Rayna painted her face bright purple. She’d pinned her hair out of her face, planning to wear it down for the festivities of the holiday. It would be windy, and she loved the feel of it through her golden locks.

  Every year, Krijar celebrated the 33rd day of Neek, calling it “Soldatas’ and Soldats’ Day” in honor of the first day Krijar had started training the new generation of advanced warriors.

  When Viktor first opened the training of Soldatas and Soldats, he began with six-year-old children, the age of his eldest son: Sage. Along with Sage, Thea Barton, Jane Goebel, and Sam Reece were the six-year-old children of the high noble families. It had been Viktor’s idea to have seven Soldats and/or Soldatas every year, giving the noble families a lottery’s chance to have their children have the honor of becoming an elite warrior as well.

  Ben Glover, Kelly Janson, and Nate Kahler had been the first nobles in the class.

  Thus began a reason for noble families to have as many children as possible. It was common for families to have at least six kids.

  Rayna often wondered why Ederra had stopped having babies after Jerrika. Rumors claimed she was too grieved over having such an ugly baby that she couldn’t bear any more children. Rayna believed it.

  “Come on.” Mae grabbed Rayna’s hand and pulled her away from the mirror. “You look amazing.”

  Rayna chuckled as she allowed her friend to pull her free from her reminiscing.

  The 84 trainees, 14 helpers and trainers, 7 teachers, and Viktor Little gathered together in a large circle. The helpers and trainers handed long sticks to each of the trainees.

  In the middle of the circle was a large bonfire. Viktor stepped next to Jerrika and Mae. “Happy Soldata Day.”

  “Thank you Father.” Rayna embraced him. “It must have been a truly inspiring day back then.” She held her stick as she would a sword.

  “I remember this day so long ago.” Viktor pursed his lips.

  “Where is your stick?” Mae asked.

  “I never throw one into the fire.” Viktor explained. “I was there the day of the bloodshed and burning, so I have no need to remember.”

  “Will you tell us the whole story?” Mae squealed. “My father will not speak of that day. He claims he was too drunk to remember anyway.”

  Viktor chuckled. “I am not surprised. Kelvin did drink a lot after the battle. The opening of Krijar was not a celebration for the common folk. I was excited to have the responsibility given to me by the king, and I was eager to prove myself. I had never used my Wopler, and Brad had given it to me only days before.”

  “Why does Brad not live in Perso’s Creek?” Mae frowned.

  “He has lived in Najos for most of his life, and he enjoys it there.” Viktor paused. “He sends us shipments of Woplers each year, but he will never come here himself.”

  “How did Brad even meet the king?” Rayna looked at her father. “Do you have a personal relationship with him?”

  “I am afraid that is another story.” Viktor chuckled. “In fact, it could be a book in the future. My Wopler wa
s so powerful, and I had never felt anything so powerful. I killed about forty young men and women that night as the other adults protected the children. The surge of power was unlike anything I had ever felt before, and I knew the rebels were not capable of fighting me. Using the Wopler brings a different kind of meaning to fighting, and Kelvin and I slaughtered the onslaught of rebels.”

  “My father got his Wopler after that night.” Mae grinned. “He has been able to use it to make sure those with common blood are not foolish enough to think they can attack us again.”

  Rayna glanced at her father. Would he kill her if he knew the truth? He gently brushed her long blonde hair behind her shoulder.

  Mae grabbed Rayna’s arm and pulled her closer to the bonfire. “In remembrance of the bodies burned that night.” Mae tossed her stick into the blaze. “A sign that cuscas will never be able to defeat those better than them. Nobility is power, and common is weakness.”

  Rayna tossed her stick into the blaze. She wondered how Mae would react to her if she ever found out the truth.

  Rayna looked across the smoke to see Viveca, Paige, and Zenia toss their sticks into the fire. The princess and her friends walked around to Rayna and Mae.

  Viveca sneered. “Your face is painted the wrong color Adlig.”

  “Only high nobles are permitted to paint their face purple.” Zenia added.

  “My title is high noble.” Rayna replied.

  “But your birth is not.” Paige stated.

  Viveca stepped closer to Rayna. She glanced at Viktor, still close to the girls, and whispered. “Next year, do not let us catch you with a purple face. Your face should always be blue.”

  “You have told me that every year since we were twelve.” Rayna whispered back.

  Viveca smirked. “Perhaps I need to explain to you why.”

  “No need to explain.” Rayna stepped past her.