The Chosen by K. J. Nessly

eagle.”
    Kathryn considered Jasse’s revelation for a time while looking off towards the valley below. “What’s so special about a Merial eagle?”
    Jasse resumed walking. “Merial eagles supposedly died out when the Elves left so the information we have on them is extremely old but it was said that they were highly intelligent and were able to effectively communicate without spoken words. They were also used as assassins.”
    “ Assassin s ?”
    “Yes. Have you ever noticed how heavy she is for her size? The added weight multiplies her striking force and is more than enough power to break a grown man’s neck.”
    “I always thought she was heavy because she ate like a starving boar,” Kathryn mused.
    Jasse turned to look at his companion to find Kathryn shaking her head smiling. “That certainly explains some things,” she laughed. They continued on toward the school, Jasse knowing that he needed to bring up a topic, but knowing it wouldn’t go over very well.
    After a few moments he spoke, his words slow and deliberate. “I’m worried about you Kathryn.”
    Surprised she turned to look at him. “Why?”
    “When I first met you, you were a loner, caring only for Destiny and trusting no one. Now, six years later you still hold true to that.” He looked at her waiting for her response.
    “That’s not true!” she protested. “I trust and care about you, Princess Jasmine, Arianna, and Amy.”
    Jasse ticked off everyone on his fingers. “Princess Jasmine rescued you from the Blackwoods, Arianna took care of you, I taught you how to work with Destiny, and Amy’s been your only roommate for five years. You haven’t taken the initiative to make new friends by yourself.”
    Kathryn looked away. “That’s not exactly true,” she said, her voice taking on a hard edge.
    He raised his eyebrows. “Oh?”
    “My third year at school I attempted to make friends with another girl my age who smiled at me during a lesson.”
    “What happened?”
    Kathryn shrugged. “Her friends didn’t like it and she couldn’t stand Destiny. Not to mention all she wanted to do was talk, especially about her family.”
    Jasse cleared his throat. “You are sixteen now, Kathryn, not thirteen.”
    “I know.”
    “And you also know what must happen within the next two years.”
    Kathryn nodded. Within the walls of the school children who possessed gifts were taught to use their special abilities and become Guardians. For several years the students were not only taught how to utilize their powers, but also to engage in mortal combat, attend court, and engage in diplomatic negotiations. Once the students reached fifteen years of age they were eligible to be placed in a family. The unbelievable speed, enhanced by their gifts, with which the students were able to grasp such an education made it possible for them to be placed at such a young age…that and the relatively short average life expectancy of Guardians.  A Guardian’s natural life expectancy was actually several times that of normal humans. Most of their lives; however, were cut short, not from disease or the ravages of old age, but rather from arrows, swords, poisons, wild beasts, falls, or other violent means while enforcing justice as stewards of the kingdom.
    These families were not made up of parents and siblings, but of fourteen Guardians, who lived, worked, and if necessary, died together. They defended the kingdom and protected the weak. Once you were placed in a family you were a Guardian of the Realm.
    Kathryn had reached the age where she was eligible for placement in such a family and she was dreading it.
    “Why do you fear the change, little one?” Jasse asked gently.
    Kathryn sighed, mentally clamping down on the brief fond memory of Claude that came from being calle d little on e , wishing Jasse’s power wasn’t mind reading. Her control over her thoughts was too strong for him know exactly what she was thinking, but over the years he’d become close