Dawn's Rising

Chapter 16; Revenge

January twenty first dawned clear and mild, causing the remaining snow to turn quickly to slush. An equally warm and cheerful Kristina came down for breakfast that morning, eager to go outside and play with her two friends. She had had more fun yesterday playing with both Merethe and Hilde than she had ever had before. And today was a new day, bright and full of the promise of even more fun.

With great difficulty Kristina sat still throughout breakfast but she became hard pressed to contain her eagerness long enough to go through her daily household chores. But even so she was able to do everything that was asked of her as thoroughly and completely as usual. Although she couldn't help but notice that Julianna did ask more of her than usual. But when her big sister asked her to help fold the dry laundry hanging up in the store room upstairs, something that she had never been asked to do before, her patience finally ran out. With her hands on her hips she turned towards her sister and asked, "What is going on Julianna? You have never asked me to help you with the laundry before."

"Nothing is going on, Kristina. I just figured you were big enough to try this too," Julianna said as she finished drying the last of the breakfast dishes. But then her conscience stabbed her with a pang of guilt at the incomplete truth. With a sigh she turned to her little sister to confess her true intent. She looked down into Kristina's sharp blue eyes which were filled with an intelligence far beyond the years of her experience. In a quiet tone she finally said, "You are right. I am stalling you, Kristina. I just have such an ill feeling about Hilde. I don't think that everything is as it appears to be with her. Please promise that you will be careful and watchful around her."

"I promise Julianna," Kristina said with sincerity, knowing that her big sister always had her best interest in mind. But then a need to defend her friend rose in her and she continued, "But I think Hilde has changed now. She was so nice and sweet yesterday and all three of us played so well together like never before!"

"I truly hope that Hilde has changed and that the three of you will become the greatest of friends now," Julianna sighed deeply before she continued, "Just be watchful and careful."

"I will, I do promise," Kristina said and then wrapped her arms around Julianna's waist.

As a surge of love flooded her heart, Julianna bent over Kristina and kissed the top of her head. She then wrapped her arms around her and whispered to her as well as to God, "May the Lord protect you always, dearest. He will be your defender in all things. Remember that, Kristina."

Looking up at Julianna, Kristina answered with a loving smile, "I know. But thank you for reminding me." Kristina then hugged her beloved sister tightly for one more brief moment before she released her finally.

"Can I please go now, Julianna," Kristina said looking into Julianna's eyes with such earnest pleading.

Kristina's big sad eyes and drooping mouth reminded Julianna of a love starved puppy dog. With a laugh Julianna answered, "Oh alright. You may go. But be back for the noon meal."

"Thank you. I will," Kristina said as she rushed out the front door in all of her unquenchable youthful energy.

Julianna sighed yet again as she watched Kristina disappear from sight. She watched the small girl's bouncing red locks turn the color of fire as it was suddenly caressed by the bright morning sunlight. With a burdened heart Julianna sent yet another prayer up to the Creator of all things as she headed up the stairs to continue her chores.

Hilde answered the door when Kristina knocked, and with a broad smile she invited her in. No one else was visible to Kristina as she entered inside. Hilde saw Kristina look around herself with a puzzled expression and guessed her thoughts. "Mother is in the cellar right now, and everyone else is either working or visiting someone else," Hilde said casting a reassuring glance over her shoulder at Kristina and then continued, "Merethe is upstairs already in my room, so why don't you go on up. I was just on my way down to get my drawing stuff so we could all draw."