Fuocarde, East Province
She was warm. Almost too warm. With a groan, Marisa slowly opened her eyes and sat up. She clutched at her head as sharp needles of pain lanced through it. She quickly shut her eyes again and lay back down. After several minutes, the pain went away and she let out a relieved sigh. She could hear the low murmur of voices and frowned. One sounded like a woman.
"We had an agreement, Ortiguez. Marisa was to come with me when she got older. No questions asked."
Those words were loud in Marisa's ears and she flung herself from the bed. She was running before she realized it, noting in passing that she was back at home. She skidded to a halt in the kitchen and stared at both adults. Her father looked angry while the woman appeared calm. That worried Marisa more.
"Father?"
"Marisa!" Her father's expression changed and he gave their visitor an irritated look. "Come here, Daughter. There is someone you must meet."
Marisa scowled and skirted around the table and over to her father's side. She glared at the woman.
"Marisa, this is Melena. She is an Elemental Seeker. Starting today, you will become her apprentice."
"What?" She whirled and gaped at her father. When he glanced away, her heart gave a painful thump. She didn't want to apprentice to a mystic. Everybody knew they were strange and evil.
"But, Father!" she protested and reached for him.
He sidestepped her and turned to Melena. "If any harm comes to her, elemental protection or not, I will hunt you down and destroy you."
Melena grinned and Marisa fought down the sudden surge of fear that welled up in her heart.
"Don't worry, Mastersmith Ortiguez. Harm is the last thing on my mind. Helping others to be safe around her is the priority."
What did Melena mean by that? Marisa wondered. Confused and angry, she crossed her arms and shot an annoyed glance in the visitor's direction. That woman and her father were crazy if they thought she would willingly go along with their plans for her. She was not leaving her home or her father. Melena's next words jolted her from her thoughts.
"You've already seen her use her power. Even untrained, Marisa is strong. Do you want to risk her losing control and killing someone?"
"What do you mean I've already used my power?" Marisa interrupted. "I think if I had magic I would know."
"No, you wouldn't. Your elemental use has been so small, that you were unaware of it. Your father, however, noticed." She tilted her head and regarded Marisa's father. "It's why you made her stop heating the forges."
Marisa stared at Melena. How had this strange woman known about Father's sudden change in the smithy schedule four months ago? Her head was reeling with the strangeness of it all.
"You hid it from your daughter and you hoped I wouldn't find out. But, you've forgotten something very important about Elemental Seekers."
"And that is?" he growled.
"We are always tied to those we find." Melena turned her gaze to Marisa. "This is very sudden, but trust me, I will show you wonders and adventures the like of which even you can't dream of. I will return tomorrow morning. Please be ready for travel. You need to pack winter clothing as well."
"Wait! You can't tell me what to do!"
"Marisa, hush!" her father ordered and placed his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently.
Angrily, she clamped her mouth closed. This wasn't over! She glared at Melena who left in a blast of hot air. She pulled free of her father's grip and whirled around. She gave him her best intimidating glower.
"Father, this is some joke, right? You cannot mean to apprentice me to that, that woman!"
"This is no joke, Marisa. The agreement was made when you were born. Both your mother and I agreed to it and signed the contract. It cannot be undone. I am sorry, my daughter."
Her shoulders slumped as the shock of his explanation sank in. She was going to leave the only home she had ever known. And there was no way to stop it. She gave him a very hurt look and ran from the kitchen with the sound of his voice calling her name, ringing in her ears.
***
Mangevind, South Province
Jazmine was furious with her brother for taking her ring and climbing the tree that kept him out of her reach. She wanted him down on the ground where she could reach him.
The wind began to pick up and she felt excitement as some instinct made her stare at the bushes below the tree. She stepped back as the wind blew harder. A sudden gust sent leaves up into the air. She yelped and stumbled as the leaves swirled violently before her. For a brief moment, she could almost make out a face in the middle of the dancing leaves.
A dull roar vibrated the air and Jazmine screamed in fear. Hurtling toward them was a tornado.
"Tommy!"
She ran toward the tree, her only thought was for her brother's safety. She didn't make it. A hard gust of wind knocked her off her feet, sending her sprawling. Her brother's terrified yells mingled with the howls of the wind creatures. She tried to see, but too much dust filled the air. She squeezed her eyes shut and cowered on the ground.
Abruptly, all sound vanished and the silence surprised her into opening her eyes. She stared at the two pairs of fancy boots in front of her face. No one in her family owned shoes like that.
"Foolish girl! Just what did you think you were doing?"
Jazmine's head snapped up and she gazed in shock at the woman and teenager before her. She hurried upright and stammered, "Who are you?"
The woman glared at her and Jazmine backed up a step.
"Who I am is not as important as your transgression just now. Why would you release a Kasam you had no way of controlling?"
"Ah…um…Tommy!" Jazmine ran around the visitors and to the bushes. Her younger brother emerged and pointed a shaking finger at the visitors.
"Jaz, they, they…," he burst into tears and flung himself into her arms.
She held Tommy and gently rocked him. "It's all right, Tommy. I'll protect you. So don't cry, okay?"
He pulled away from her arms, rubbed at his eyes and nodded. He opened his right hand.
"Here, I don't want it anymore."
"My ring!"
She took it and slid it on her left pinkie finger. She hugged him hard enough to earn a protest. She laughed at his disgusted look and stuck out her tongue.
"That's what you get for taking other people's things."
"Excuse me, but I do believe, young lady, that I asked you a question."
Jazmine grimaced and turned to face the older women. She started to reply but her mom's shrill whistle pierced the air. She grabbed Tommy's hand.
"Sorry, we have to go!"
With a tug and a glare at her brother, she hurried home, ignoring Tommy's whining about her running too fast. She didn't stop, too afraid that the strangers would be right behind them. No way was she giving that crazy woman a chance to yell at her again.
They rounded the bend in the road and waved at their mother who stood outside the house. She was a plump woman, with a warm heart and kind smile. Jazmine wanted to be like her when she got older.
"Mama!" Tommy hollered and pulled free of her hand.
She laughed as her brother ran into the open arms of their mother. Jazmine kept a smile pasted on her face, though inside, fear still lurked. No need to worry Mama about the strangers they had encountered.
"Dinner's ready. Your papa came home early and brought a special treat."
Jazmine grinned as she wondered what it was. Papa didn't bring home presents often. "Let's go in, Tommy, and see what he brought us!"
"I bet it's a dog or some pet!" he exclaimed.
"Not a pet, I promise you." Mama laughed and ruffled his hair.
A chorus of "welcome home," greeted them as they entered the family room. Jazmine grinned and watched her four youngest siblings pounce on Tommy.
"Jazmine, can you come help me with the cooking?"
"Yes, Mama." She obediently followed her mother into the cooking area. She fanned herself as the sudden rush of heat hit her.
"Hello, my favorite spinner."
She squealed in delight and ran to her father, flinging herself into his open arms. He hugged hard and she giggled.
"Papa, don't break me," she scolded and chuckled.
"Never, my dear child."
She pulled back a little to look up at his face.
"Papa, are you all right?"
He startled and let go. Shaking his head once, he smiled. "I'm fine, Jazmine. Help your mother. I have to gather more wood. We'll talk later."
She watched him leave and a tiny shred of fear filled her. Was something bad about to happen? She hoped not. The thought alone was unimaginable. Mama's tap on the head with a wooden spoon brought her focus back to her chores.
"Set the table, please. And get the little ones settled and ready to eat."
"Yes, Mama."
Jazmine hurried out to the family and got everything ready. It took her a few minutes to corral all her siblings, but finally everyone was seated at the table. Her parents emerged with the food and placed it in the center of the table. After saying thanks to the First Ones, everyone filled their plates and started eating.
The noise was comforting and Jazmine briefly forgot about her father's earlier strangeness. She must have imagined it. She smiled happily and watched as Andrew teased Tommy, resulting in a wrestling match that her father, with a firm word, stopped. Both boys muttered apologies and went back to eating.
The meal was nearly over when a harsh pounding brought all conversation to a halt. Uneasiness filled Jazmine. She tensed at the alarmed expressions on her parents' faces before they schooled their features. With a grunt, Papa got up and went to answer the door. Eight pairs of curious eyes focused on the door as it slowly opened.
Tommy's scared gasp mirrored Jazmine's as she got a good look at the person in the doorway. It was the same woman they had met earlier in the woods! She slumped in her seat, her eyes going to her plate. This was not happening!
She could hear the low murmur of her father's voice and the cold tone of the visitor. After a moment, the door closed and her father returned to his seat at the table.
"Let's all clean up and get ready for Mama's story time. Jazmine, can you please come with me a moment?"
Fear clawed at her insides as she reluctantly stood and trudged after Papa. They left the house and went out to the area behind it. Standing beside the tiny bridge that crossed the stream were the two women from before. Jazmine stopped and stared. She couldn't make her body move toward what her instincts warned her to avoid.
"Jazmine, meet Mistress Yelena and her apprentice, Celena."
"H-hello." She didn't want to speak to the older woman with the cold eyes. No, she wanted her to go away and not come near her family ever again.
"I see that she has grown into a pretty young lady. It is a pity that her manners don't match her looks."
"Mistress Yelena, isn't that a bit harsh?" Celena chimed in.
"I don't think so. Giving a person false compliments, no matter their age, will do nothing but hurt them in the end. Candor is called for when dealing with others."
"Yes, Mistress Yelena."
Jazmine felt bad for the other girl. She didn't know how she could put up with the rude older woman.
"Now, I've been patient enough. You, Girl, shall pack your bags and make sure to include winter clothing. We will be leaving at first light tomorrow."
"Leaving? What? Ha ha, very funny. You really are a strange visitor." Jazmine chuckled. "Isn't that right, Papa?"
He didn't answer and she turned to gaze at him. Her eyes widened and she took a step back. Never had she seen such a look of sorrow on his face before and her heart squeezed painfully.
"Papa?"
"This isn't a joke, Jazmine. You will be leaving us in the morn."
"No! Papa, you can't be serious!" She ran to his side then, tugging on his sleeve as tears of shock and anger ran down her face. "I'm not going anywhere with her. Why would you say such a thing? She shows up and orders you around like you are some peasant. I won't stand for it and I'm not going!"
He placed both hands on her arms and gently shook her. "Sh, sh. It's all right, Jazmine. I promise that Mistress Yelena will take care of you. You have to listen to what she says. She's only here to help you. You are growing up and the path you must take is not one that I or the rest of the family can journey with you."
"Papa, please...,"
"I know you don't understand. And that's fine, too. Soon it will all make sense. But I want you to do your best, listen with mouth closed and ears wide, so that you can find the way to your own happiness."
She began crying in earnest as he gathered her in his arms and hugged her. She yearned for comfort but cold covered her.
"Take her back and put her to bed. We'll be back at first light. She can say her good-byes then."
"Of course, Mistress Yelena. May the First Ones protect you and your apprentice."
"Thank you," Yelena replied formally, before heading across the bridge and back into the forest with Celena on her heels.
Jazmine was no longer thinking. Her body had begun to shake with tremors of pain and sadness as her Papa scooped her up into his arms and carried her back into the house. She gave in to the despair and let sleep claim her.