The Chosen Read Online Free PDF Page B

Guardians have the right to take a child from her home without the consent of her custodians.”
    “They can if she’s gifted or if she’s in danger,” the fire-haired man argued.
    “Kathryn is hardly in danger here,” his host replied haughtily. “In fact, if my Lord and I hadn’t taken up her guardianship, the local townspeople would have hung her years ago.”
    Even though she tried not to, Kathryn couldn’t help but cringe at Lady Blackwood’s accurate recount of the villagers’ hatred of her.
    “She is a child,” Lady Jasmine protested in dismay. “Who would hang a child?”
    “She’s a murderer and a sorceress,” Lord Blackwood interjected oily. “Or at least that’s what the townspeople believe,” he added after a moment.
    “Maybe you have protected her from the village people,” another of the visiting men spoke up, the light haired one this time. “But you cannot deny that she is gifted. At the very least the Guardian Council will want to examine her gifts.”
    “Kathryn’s powers are weak,” Lady Blackwood said dismissively. “Hardly worth entrance into the Guardians.”
    The guests of the Manor all exchanged significant looks. Lady’s Jasmine’s eyes hardened. “You would deny the child her birthright?”
    “She has not used he r birthrigh t as you call it since she was seven. Now she is ten, years past the admittance age for the school,” Lady Blackwood returned sharply, looking pleased with her victory.
    The dark-haired lady’s jaw tightened. “Are you telling me you knew this child was gifted and deliberately didn’t report it?”
    Her words were cold and there was a fire burning in her eyes, in all of the visitors’ eyes. It should have been warning enough, but Lady Blackwood was too far gone in her anger over such mistreatment within her own walls to notice or heed it. “And have th e Guardian s take my servant from me?” Lady Blackwood let out a cold laugh. “You must be delirious.”
    “My dear,” Lord Blackwood interjected nervously, uncomfortably aware of the crime his wife had just implicated them in. “I think you’ve said enough.”
    “Yes. I do believe you have,” The black haired man said coldly. All four stood abruptly.
    “The child is coming with us and if you continue to object I will take the matter to the king.” The fire haired guest said and turned to Kathryn who had not moved since the conversation began. “Come child.”
    Lady Blackwood leapt between the man and her slave. “Take one step out of this manor with my servant, Si r Landen, and I will have the entire contingent of knights at this manor throw you and your companions into our dungeons.”
    Sir Landen’s jaw worked as he clenched and unclenched his jaw. “You will do no such thing,” he replied calmly after a couple heartbeats.
    “I most certainly will! I will not be ordered about in my own home,” she said emphatically.
    “If you make any move to detain anyone in this party, you will be guilty of treason against the crown,” the dark haired man said slowly.
    Lady Blackwood eyed him skeptically. “Who are you to make such a claim?”
    Lady Jasmine stepped forward. “You may not recognize my companions, but you will recognize me.” When Lord and Lady Blackwood looked at her in confusion and anger the woman continued, “I am Dowager Princess Jasmine. The king’ s siste r ,” she added this last bit as if emphasizing a point that Kathryn was unable to comprehend.
    For a few moments there was utter silence in the room, and then, “You expect us to believe that the Dowager Princess travels without a retinue due to her station…with only three men to guard and protect her and no ladies to attend her?” Lady Blackwood asked scornfully. “Whoever you may be, you most certainly ar e not the Princess Jasmine and I demand that you leave our residence before we detain you in our dungeon.”
    The woman reached into her sleeve and pulled out an object that glittered in the dull light