Raw Power

Chapter 3

"Hook Shamrock and Serenade up to the carriage. I'm going to town," I ordered the stable hand. He nodded then turned to harness the two magnificent horses. I climbed up to the bench of the simple wooden wagon and nudged the two red-brown Mord-Sith horses forward.

I found my free hand on my agiel as I crossed the boundary. Thankfully, there was no Nikki in sight. But I couldn't be sure how long that would last. I was dimly aware of the shock of pain that ran up my arm as I held the agiel. That's the thing. An agiel brings as much pain to its wielder as it does to its victim. Mord-Sith have to be trained, or tortured, with the agiel so they know how to handle the pain it brings.

It only took about fifteen minutes to get to Chloe's house in the center of town, but that was fifteen minutes too many for me. Amelia ran up to me the second I hopped off the wagon. I picked up the tiny seven year old and swung her around in a circle, setting her in the back of the wagon. She looked me up and down, then as if just noticing the leather, began to back away from me.

"Listen to me, Mia. We're going to get your things and take you to where you'll be safe. Benjamin is already there, waiting for us. Is that okay with you?" She nodded timidly. "Alright. Come on. It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you."

"Wait," Chloe called. "I'm coming too. It's time for me to start my training.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. You're my best friend, Kat. If you're in trouble, I want to be able to help." Chloe's deep tanned face was shadowed with concern.

"Alright. Come on. I'll look to see if Cara can train you." She nodded and hopped up into the wagon behind Amelia, holding her gently around the waist.

I pushed the horses at full speed to Benjamin's house on the outskirts of town. The further from the castle and the boundary we got, the more anxious I grew. I was constantly alert for Nikki to jump out of nowhere and attack. The only reason I'd worn my leather was because I knew Nikki was less likely to attack a Mord-Sith, as we can turn her magic against her.

Within twenty minutes, Chloe and I loaded Amelia and Benjamin's things into the back of the wagon. I took a final glance at the small log cabin. The now empty structure had served as a home for Benjamin and Amelia for the past three years since their parents' death in a fire.

"Where are we going?" Amelia asked innocently.

"To the People's Palace. You're coming to live with me," I said simply.

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice quivering slightly.

I took a deep breath. "Mia, come here," I said, lightly patting the bench next to me. She settled down, trying hard to keep some space between us. I could admit, the leather scared even me. Especially the red. Although the white leather always scared me more because of it's meaning. "You're afraid I'm going to hurt you, to try to train you," I said softly. She nodded. "I'm not going to hurt you, Mia. I, the duchess of D'Hara, swear I'm not going to lay a hand on you in any aggressive manner. Okay?" She nodded again.

"You're daddy is Lord Rahl?" She asked in her sweet, tiny voice.

"Yes, dear," I said, a smile playing at my lips.

"And your mommy is the woman in white?" Fear quavered in her voice.

I took a deep breath. "Yes, she is." Only the Mother Confessor wore a white dress. Confessors were both feared and respected for their great power. Most people feared their touch. The power of Confession was carried by blood. So because my mother is a Confessor, I am also one. And Amelia just figured this out.