Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF

cries diminished a few
minutes later, and the night grew quiet once again.
    Early
the next morning, Kate awoke in her new home. She dressed, readying for the
day. Trixie continued to slumber on the bed, she wouldn’t awake until noon.
Kate gave her a pat betwixt her ears, for which she received a look of
loathing. She giggled then went to the hall for her morning meal. Awaking
early, she liked to start her day at sunrise. The hall was surprisingly empty,
so she sat at the table and a serving girl entered with a tray of food balanced
on her hip. She wore a brown frock tied at the waist. The girl seemed pleasant.
    “Good
morn, my lady, I’m Susie.” Susie set the food down and curtseyed.
    “Did
you prepare my room?”
    “I
tried to make it welcoming, not that Lady de Morris knew. Please, don’t let on.
My lady doesn’t like if we tarry over a chore too long.”
    Kate
frowned, nodding. “The room was a welcome relief from travel. I appreciate the
food. Is there anyone about yet? Have Lady and Lord de Morris risen?”
    “Oh,
nay, my lady, the de Morris’ don’t usually rise for another few hours yet. They
be late sleepers. Lady de Morris is an indolent …” Susie’s eyes widened.
“Forgive me, my lady, I shouldn’t have said that. Pray, don’t tell Lady de Morris
I said such, she would grumble at me the rest of the day.”
    Kate’s
eyes crinkled. “I shan’t tell her.”
    Susie
lifted the hem of her frock, curtseyed, and strode away.
    Kate
ate a light breakfast then she snatched an apple from the trencher, and went
back up the stairs. She crept down the hall, stopping outside the room next to
hers. With her ear pressed against the door, she listened for sounds from
within. She turned the handle and opened the door.
    Though
it was dark inside, she could see the outline of a window on the far wall. She
walked to it and pulled the worn tapestry aside. Light filtered in, making the
room brighten. Beams of sunlight filled with dust, streamed across the chamber.
Kate waved at the dust, holding her breath. She could see now, and glanced
around the room. A pile of coverings sat in the corner. The small hearth on the
opposite side was empty, save for a few cobwebs. There was a chill in the room.
    Had
she dreamt the child’s presence last evening?
    Kate
stooped beside the coverings and stifled a gasp when a beautiful child unveiled
herself from beneath the covers. Her tiny hands rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
She couldn’t tell if the child had light or dark hair, but could see her
beautiful blue eyes. The child looked frightened. Her fear made Kate empathize
with her, and she knelt beside her.
    “I’m
Kate. Who are you?” She used a gentle voice, but the little girl didn’t answer,
and scooted back. “I’d like to be your friend. Would you like that, too?” She
hoped to soothe the child. Still, the child didn’t speak. Mayhap she couldn’t
speak? Perhaps she didn’t understand English?
    “Be
not afraid. Are ye well, unharmed?” The child nodded. “All right, sweeten, you
really must eat something. I brought ye an apple. If you eat it, I’ll bring you
a surprise.” Kate handed the apple to her and the girl put her shaky hand out,
taking it. She held it, but didn’t raise it to her mouth. “You eat your apple
and I’ll be back in a few minutes with your surprise.”
    Kate
rose slowly so she wouldn’t frighten the girl and left the chamber. A child.
Was this the child Madam Serena had spoken of in her prophecy? Kate scoffed, it
couldn’t be. She went back to her chamber to get her cat. When she returned to
the child’s room, she held Trixie in her arms and placed her next to the girl.
The child slunk away, holding the half-eaten apple.
    “Don’t
be afeared, this is my friend, Trixie. She’s my best friend. Do you want to
know why?” Kate smiled, continuing to pet her cat.
    The
little girl nodded, it was progress.
    “She
likes to purr and listen to me talk. I talk to her all the time and do you