MorningStar's Kitten

When Keira awoke, the sun was well over the horizon and she could hear the voices of several women coming from down below. She stretched and was silently thankful for the amazing speed, with which her body recovered from injuries. The Wise-Woman had told her it was unusual but she was so used to it she seldom thought about it at all. She quickly rose, brushed out her hair, pulling it back and tying it with a leather thong before dressing. She climbed down the ladder and turned to find the small cottage crowded with women who were busy with various tasks, doing their best to speak softly and not disturb her sleep. Keira looked for her mother and found her by the fire spooning something from a steaming pot over the cook fire into a bowl. She quickly crossed the room to stand by her mother, who smiled at Keira and handed it to her with a quick kiss on her cheek.

“Eat, little one,” she said, “then we’ll talk.”
“Yes, Mother.” Keira answered as she sat on her stool and looked around the room curiously.
“Your father called a town meeting early this morning to announce that you’re to be wed this evening to Lord MorningStar." her mother's sister said with a smile "Of course everyone agreed that sudden or not, the Chieftain’s daughter should have a proper wedding feast.”
“Thank you…” Keira said looking around the room surprised.

The villagers had always avoided her for the most part, few were rude or cruel, but none had ever been friendly. Even her family had done their best to act as if she didnt belong to them. Keira realized that their efforts were more likely an effort to impress her husband-to-be. If he were half the Warlord her father had implied, it would be a very bad thing for them to risk insulting him. Keira ate quickly, the overcrowded room making her very nervous. She was used to being alone and so many in such close quarters made her uneasy. Keira suddenly knew she needed to be out of the cottage and rising swiftly, she bolted outside without even bothering to shut the door behind her. She wasn't even aware of where she was headed until she reached the small hut of the Wise-Woman at the edge of the village. As Keira raised her hand to rap on the door, she heard her mother call to her from the path behind her.
Keira rapped on the door and opened it when a voice within beckoned her to enter. She waited for her mother before closing the door and sitting on a bench at the low table. She patted the seat next to her with a smile and her mother sat down nervously. The Wise-Woman was at the fire placing herbs into a bubbling pot as they entered. Keira had always felt completely at ease here, and apart from the cliffs it was her favorite place. Her mother was saddened to realize her daughter looked more relaxed and at ‘home’ here than in their own cottage.

“So, your father found a way to be rid of you.” The Wise-Woman said sadly, as she sat across from Keira at the table.
“I’m sorry...” Keira started to say.
“Don’t be, child. Your husband-to-be is handsome, rich, and powerful. He’ll give you the life you deserve.”
“I’m afraid, mah'mon" she said using her private term for the Wise-woman that meant "mother" in the language of the Old Ones. She saw her mother wince, and took her hand under the table before she continued "How will he feel when he discovers my... gifts, as you call them?”
“They ARE gifts, Keira. You were a gift from the Gods to your mother, in answer to her prayers for another daughter to take the place of the one she lost, along with all that you are.”
“What gifts?” Keira’s mother asked, puzzled. “You spoke of such when she was born but we’ve never seen anything... different aside from her coloring.”
“Keira and I thought it best to keep her gifts hidden, we didn’t wish to give your husband any other reasons to mistreat her.”
“Mama, I’m sorry.” Keira said, slipping back to her childhood name for her, so she'd know that the Wise-woman hadn't taken her place, only shared it.
“It’s alright, little one,” her mother reassured her. “You were wise to do so. But may I ask what gifts?”
Keira thought for a moment before deciding it was best to tell her mother only what she knew she could easily accept. The rest wouldn't matter with her leaving.
“I ‘know’ things, sometimes. Like when the smith’s youngest son wandered off and I ‘found’ him by the river. Or how I know when the traders will arrive.”
“You also knew when the raiders were coming. And you were the one who said the soldiers were coming to make them leave. Is that all?”
“She can also heal.” The Wise-Woman said, “Do you recall the last raid when your youngest was injured? He’d have died if not for Keira.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Keira’s mother asked
“He already hates me, mama” Keira answered, “owing me his life would have made it worse. I can also heal myself, almost any injury seems to heal overnight.”

Her mother nodded thoughtfully, then put her arms around her daughter and held her close. Keira held her back and suddenly realized her mother was afraid she had made a mistake the night before.

“Mother, don’t worry. He seems very gentle and I’ll have everything I could ever want”
“I only want you to be safe and happy”
“I know, and I will be.”

The women grew quiet and Keira enjoyed the silence and calm she felt. She knew her life was about to change drastically and while she had told her mother the truth, she also knew it was not going to stay that way. Keira rarely saw glimpses of her own future, and even then, it was often cloudy and inaccurate, so she was not even sure what she saw would come to pass. She pulled away from her mother’s embrace and stood.

“I’m going up to the cliffs for a bit. I need to be alone for awhile before tonight.”
“Very well. But don’t stay all afternoon, there’s still much to do.”

Keira nodded and left the hut, quickly traveling up the path and through the ruins to sit in her favorite spot. She looked out at the deep gray water, watching for the strange creature Keira swore she often saw surface and dive there. So intent was she, that Keira didn’t notice she was no longer alone until Cade spoke.

“You spend a lot of time here, don’t you?”
“It’s peaceful, and no one bothers me here.”
“Have you been very unhappy?”
“Some.” Keira shrugged. “Sometimes it wasn’t so bad.”

Cade pulled her to her feet and turned her towards him. He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face and looked into her eyes started to discover they were the eyes of a cat. Brilliant green with a golden inner ring, but her pupil was the vertical slit like a cat. The look on his face told Keira what he had seen and she looked down and tried to pull away, but Cade pulled her back and placed his hand under her chin forcing her to look up at him.

“My father should have told you I was… different.”
“You’re beautiful, the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, and I’ve traveled most of the known world so I’ve seen quite a few.”
“You’re trying to make me feel better, but I’ve been told my entire life I’m a freak and made to feel like I don’t belong.”
“Then they’re fools,” Cade snapped angrily, “and blind as well. The first time I saw you here I knew you had to be mine. I’ve heard many of my men say they wished to have you, but I warned them I’d kill any who came near you.”

Keira’s eyes grew wide and she shook her head slowly in disbelief. Her mother and the Wise-Woman were the only ones who had ever had a kind word or compliment for her. However, she had assumed they were trying to cheer her after her father or one of her brothers had been cruel. Keira had noticed that several of the young men from the village stared at her when they thought she wasn't paying attention, but she had assumed it was because she was different.

“Are you afraid of me, Keira?”
“No M’lord. It’s just... Everything is happening so fast. The village is preparing a wedding feast as if they haven’t spent my entire life ignoring me.”
“They’re wise to do so, anything less I’d have considered an insult to my bride. And I do not suffer insults lightly.”

Keira nodded and turned to look out over the water just as a large serpent-like form dove beneath the waves. She smiled softly and said a silent farewell to her ‘friend’. Cade turned her face back to look at him and after a moment’s hesitation brought his mouth down to meet hers. Keira had never been kissed by anyone but her mother and the sensations that washed over her made her light-headed. She reached up and put her arms around Cade’s neck without even thinking about it. He wrapped his strong arms around her and pulled her tightly against him. When he used his tongue to gently part her lips and lightly touch hers, Keira whimpered softly.
Suddenly he pulled his head back and releasing her, stepped away from her. Keira thought she had done something wrong until she saw the smile on his face. As she dropped her eyes, suddenly shy, Keira noticed the large and likely uncomfortable bulge at the front of Cade’s leather breeches and blushed furiously. He pulled her close again, laughing at her sudden embarrassment, and kissed her again, lightly at first then more deeply. Then he pushed her back gently.

“Go back to the village, Keira. Before I forget myself and strain what little self control I have left.”
“Yes, M’lord.” Keira replied sadly, hurt by his sending her away.
“We’ll have time enough once we’re married,” He said smiling, “I’ll not touch you as my wife until then.”

Keira suddenly understood his meaning and nodded, blushing again. Feeling a bit bold, she quickly leaned up and kissed him once more, before she turned and hurried down the pathway back to the village. She hesitated at the cottage door and listened to the voices inside. Keira finally took a deep breath before she opened it and stepped inside. Her mother looked up and smiled at her from where she sat by the fire sewing. There were fewer women now and Keira went to sit on her stool at her mother’s side. Her mother reached over and gently laid her hand on Keira’s head.

“You weren’t gone long, little one.”
“I said my good-bye and Cadeyrn thought it best for me to return.”
“You saw him?”
“Aye, He came up to the cliffs while I was there. He’s very pleased about the wedding feast.”
“Good, your father wants to make sure he doesn’t change his mind.”
“He won’t.” Keira said smiling at the memory of his words and kiss.

Her mother laughed and suspected her daughter was not telling her something, but Keira was happy and that was all that mattered. Keira stared at the fire only half listening to the women’s chatter. Occasionally her mother or one of the other women would need her to try on one of the garments they were working on. Keira leaned against her mother’s leg and dozed lightly. As the sun started to set, her mother woke her gently. They were alone in the cottage now and Keira stood and stretched.

“It’s about time for you to get ready.” Her mother said, handing her the gown she had worn for her wedding and had been altering for Keira. “I’ve always dreamed of the day my daughter would wear this.”
“Thank you, mama.”

Keira kissed her mother’s cheek before climbing up to the loft to change. Her mother was very skilled with a needle and the gown fit Keira perfectly. It was a pale blue with silver trim, the bodice close fitting with a full, flowing skirt that reached just barely to her ankles. Keira was a head taller than her mother was and there had been no way to lengthen the gown that they agreed would look right. Keira climbed down the ladder very carefully and her mother smiled at her, tears in her eyes. She quickly brushed them away and motioned Keira to a stool at the table.

“Come sit and let me do your hair.”
“Can you put it up so it will be simple to take down again?” Keira asked, she hated the elaborate braiding that was the norm, preferring to wear her hair loose or simply tied back.

Her mother thought about it, then nodded and started to brush Keira’s hair out. She pulled it into a high ponytail and then started to wind it around itself into a tight bun atop Keira’s head. She secured it with several ornate silver combs, which sparkled brightly against Keira’s ebony tresses. Then her mother wove a dozen small blue and white flowers into the bun, finally she picked up a flower crown of white flowers with several silver ribbons trailing down and placed it on Keira’s head. She stepped back and took Keira’s hand as she stood and smiled, tears starting to stream down her face.
Behind her, the door opened and Keira froze and gripped her mother’s hand tightly when she saw her father walking towards her. Keira flinched slightly as he raised his hand to her face, the sudden look of sadness that came over him confusing her.

“You look beautiful, Keira.” He said quietly, “I know it’s too late, I’ve been a damn fool and a horrible father to you. I want you to know I’m sorry, and I do love you.”

Keira was so stunned she couldn’t speak, which her father took to mean she wasn’t interested in his apology and turned to leave, a single tear sliding down his cheek. Keira reached out and touched his arm and caused him to turn back towards her. She stepped forward, hesitating for a moment before putting her arms around him and hugging him. He paused only a brief second and embraced her tightly, kissing the top of her head. Keira’s father pulled away and looked into her eyes.

“You don’t have to marry him, Keira.” He said, “Not if you don’t want to.”
“Thank you for that, Father.” Keira said surprised, “but I do. I know I belong with him.”
“Very well, then. If you’re sure. We should go, everyone is waiting."