The Ancient One

Chapter 5

After she saved the hunters from their own stupidity, and gave them a more pointed message than she had hoped would be needed, Kristiana went home. She needed better tending of her own wound, not to mention, she was tired. She also didn't like the way the drunk man had been killed. The one good thing that had happened was they had saved, and cured, eight wild ones.

As she thought about that meeting with the hunters, she smiled a little. The main hunter had responded in a way she hadn't anticipated. What made her smile was how he had acted like the child, not her. Of course, thinking about him reminded her of a task she needed to complete with Charlotte.

"Charlotte, the boy, Sam Huff asked me to join him and some other students for studying in the library. Do you think I should attend?"

"English, Kristiana," she said, Kristiana making the barest of nods with the reply. "And yes, I think it would be beneficial, for two purposes. First, it allows you to build a relationship with the boy, but also, it will aid you with English." Kristiana smiled, having her task resolved, exactly as she'd anticipated.

"Thank you for this see at it. I will accept the want for me be to study with them." Although she was still looking at the essay she was working on, she was smiling. As an added bonus, her reply had come out so badly, which hadn't been planned, Charlotte was completely confused. That'll teach Charlotte to force her to speak English.

"Why are you smiling like that Cheshire Cat," Charlotte asked.

"I do not smile as the way the cat smile." She was on the verge of laughing.

"You are insufferable."

"I not know the word you use."

"Look it up, and learn, then."

"I not in-suf-rubble," Kristiana said, a moment later, having done just that, but mangling the word a little.

"It is almost time for school," Charlotte said, although Kristiana still had plenty of time. Knowing she did need to get ready, though, she went to the kitchen and retrieved her breakfast. She then went to her room, and drank as she got her clothes out. She sat at her little vanity table, closing her eyes as she drank her breakfast, and enjoyed the feeling of it as it infused her system.

Once done, she brushed her long, fine hair, and then prepared it. When she was done, she had a little braid running on each side of her head going to the crown of her head, and free flowing behind the comb which was holding everything in place. She was rather pleased with the end result.

As she got dressed, she wondered why they hadn't imposed uniforms in this school, but they hadn't. As a result, she had to decide on clothing everyday, which was tedious. She ended up with a flowery skirt that went to just above her knees and a light blue denim shirt that was left open with a dark grey camisole underneath.

Although she thought her clothing choice was nice, she was certain she would be teased for it. Most girls their age didn't wear floral print skirts like she had on, but this combination was common in Eastern Europe, and actually, most of Europe.

This particular morning, she was in very good spirits as she headed to school. Everything was going exactly as she wanted, even the growing relationship with the boy.

"Good morning," he said, when she sat in the desk beside him. As she walked in, she had seen the primary tormentor noticing her skirt, and she had to restrain the smile that wanted to escape.

"Good morning." She knew how her accent made such a simple statement a little difficult to understand. However, that again played into her hands.

"Oh my gosh, look at the little girl wearing that ugly skirt. Did your mommy pick out your clothes today? You know, the playground is out there," the girl said after class, as she was just entering the corridor. She ignored it, knowing that was the proper response.