Free Awakening Her Soul to Destiny by Deborah R Stigall

of the pitiful little bird. She had always been saddened by the harshness of nature to the creatures, especially the ones so tiny and fragile. Gently, she picked up the limp little body, cradling it to her chest. Tenderly stroking the tiny-feathered head, she murmured to the still body. Instinctively, Kaitla held the little body to her heart, closing her eyes and thinking how the perky little bird would’ve hopped about had it but lived. A slight flutter in her hand startled her. Peering down into her cupped hands, a pair of beady black eyes peered back. The animated little wren quickly hopped to her shoulder, warbling loudly, rejoicing to be alive. Another little hop off her shoulder and the tiny bird took flight and was gone. Kaitla looked up to find Etain watching her in amazement . “Ye are truly gifted my child…Even more then I imagined,” she silently observed. The lass’s powers were growing strong and they’d not even entered the realm. Etain quietly made a mental note to herself to send word to Laird Caymber of his daughter’s advanced abilities. A wise and shrewd leader of his clan, the Laird would need to know of these gifts to make a proper match for his daughter.
    They started back up the pathway, each silently absorbing the events of the day. “Tell me about Ravon,” Kaitla asked impulsively, shattering the reverie of silence that had shrouded them since the fountain.
    Setting her mouth in a grim line, Etain measured her words carefully, as she walked along the path, “Ravon is an evil man,” Etain began simply, “Quite capable of doing the most hideous deeds, then sleeping soundly without a worry the same night.” Their steps slowed as they neared an inviting patch of mossy ground beneath a giant oak. Sinking to sit on the cushiony mound, they both leaned against the great weathered trunk, as Etain continued, “Bristna, your mother, was promised to Ravon in an attempt to calm a feud between Ravon’s clan and your mother’s. Ravon’s clansmen are fierce warriors that show no mercy. They are driven by fear of what their Laird will do to them if they should fail in battle.”
    “ Ravon never loved your mother. He merely wanted her because he knew she despised him.” Etain eyed Kaitla thoughtfully, “It was verra brave of your mother to defy him. But it was also verra unwise.”
    “ I remember the shadows of the past, Etain,” Kaitla’s voice trembled as she swallowed the rising lump in her throat. Blinking back the tears, she asked Etain to continue, “Tell me about Ravon himself.”
    Etain drew a deep breath and sighed with resolution, “Ravon is verra powerful in the ways.” She paused, “Some say he was destined for the council of Auld Ones, so, great were his gifts.” Idly stroking the mossy ground by her side, Etain thoughtfully continued, “But Ravon’s heart is black, filled with tainted and twisted shadows.” Speaking as if in a trance, Etain stared across the gardens through sightless eyes, “When he was but a lad, he was verra fine to look at…what with his ebony hair and sooty black eyes.” The wind gently blew through the huge limbs, the leaves rustling overhead. Etain gazed up into the branches, “A large man, brawny and muscled. A most dangerous man to anger.” As Etain spoke, Kaitla noticed she was cradling her right arm in her left hand, gently rubbing a faint scar that ran from her elbow to the cleft between her ring finger and her little finger.
    “ Did he do that to you, Etain?” she asked, even though Kaitla already knew the answer. The scar might be faded but the mask of anger and fear was still freshly stamped upon Etain’s face. “Did he try to kill you?” she asked in amazement.
    “ Aye, he hurt me but he swore he’d never take my life,” Etain replied. “Even Ravon would nay kill his own mother.”
    Kaitla stared at Etain in shock, speechless at what she had just heard. “Yes, child,” Etain continued softly with regret. “’Twas I that