chapter twelve

The supplies and wounded were all loaded up into the trucks. Kiera was amazed they'd had room for everyone. She walked up to one of the trucks and climbed onto the roof; if there was a fight she'd need to be able to react.

While she started to brace herself for what would inevitably be an extremely uncomfortable ride; Dame Allistari pulled up alongside. She must have had some wealth stashed somewhere; a Dalion like hers wouldn't be cheap. That was a high-end speeder there.

"My niece says she'd like to ride with you. If that's alright with you?"
"Niece?"
"She says you two have met."

It wouldn't have taken a scryer to know who would be climbing out of the passenger seet. Tressa hopped out and started climbing onto the truck. Kiera pulled her up.

"This kid's your niece?"
"My sister's daughter."
"How did she end up with you?" It was a personal question, but Kiera's rank made that sort of thing permissable; rude, but it still would get an honest answer.
Dame Allistari stopped for a moment, it was clear this was an issue she had no interest in discussing.
"Her mother, My sister, was, is not disposed towards a maternal lifestyle. And since her, 'partner' was indisposed when Tressa was born; I've raised her."
The disgust was obvious; it sounded like this was something no member of the family had wanted. She couldn't help but wonder about the father, but Kiera had the feeling rank wouldn't get her any further than this. Courtesy would only carry her so far. Maybe Tressa could be convinced to tell her more; now that she was safe the child had perked up noticeably. Although that may have been because the witchy aura didn't bother her now that she understood where it came from.

The convoy started off towards the hills. Tressa just sat there staring at the surroundings eagerly. Kiera decided to make the first move.
"Tressa."
"Yes Ma'am?"
"Do you still want to learn how to fight?"
Her whole face glowed, if she hadn't been on the top of a truck this probably would have been one of those gleeful jumping and squealing moments. It looked like this was a dream come true for her, like being a servant girl and finding out that your father the emperor or being whisked off by a handsome prince to his castle. It was a wierd thing to watch from the other end.
"You really mean it?" Tressa said ecstaticly.
"Yes, I'll teach you whatever I can. I'm not that good myself, but I know a good teacher and if we ever manage to find her I'll make her teach you. Until then, I'll show you everything I know."
Kiera stopped and thought about her first squealing joy moment, the day she first used magic. None of her siblings could do it, everyone knew that part of the ascension to the throne was that you had to prove yourself the strongest of your siblings. Mentally, physically, socially, the council was required to take everything into account; the ability to use magic gave you an edge in every possible way. In a non-magic using family it was practically a guarantee to the throne. It meant you could win fights easily, know things even spies couldn't learn, and read crowds like it was no bodies buisness. Not to mention the convenience it brought; a good mage never lacked anything they needed. Even if by some insane chance(considering her brothers she'd have won without magic) she didn't become the next lord of Anatolia; there was always the imperial guards. Everyone knew that anyone who scored over a 3 on the magical apptitude tests had a spot for them in the guards. Magic was the best thing that could happen to a Nielda.

Kiera sighed wistfully; Tressa just sat there silently, but the mood was clearly shared.