Chapter 4 – Come Winter Come Summer

"Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power." - Lao Tzu

Margie Brooks passed away a sennight after the trial. Mary Doane made her daily morning visit to her great aunt just after breakfast. Instead of the usual smells of baking and the sounds of Margie's usual talking, the cottage was silent. Nor did Margie come to the door when Mary knocked. Mary knocked again without response. A third time, still nothing. Worried, Mary opened the door.

Margie lay in her bed, motionless. Mary knelt by her great aunt. "Aunt Margie?" She said fearfully. Mary touched her aunt's cheek; the skin was cold. She clasped a hand; it was cold and stiff.

Tears in her eyes, Mary rushed to the door. Spotting Zeb Wood, she called "Zeb, fetch the healer! It's urgent!" Mary felt sure her aunt was gone, but she took no chances.

It took half a candlemark for Helen Oniel to arrive. By that time, several people gathered by the door, aware there was something wrong. Mary admitted only her mother, firmly forbidding entry to all others. Healer Oniel arrived and quickly confirmed that Margie Brooks passed naturally during the night – there was no foul play.

After the funeral, Reeve Fellows brought out Margie's will from the town records. Margie left her property to Mary Doane. Orrin Gulley protested vehemently on the grounds he'd worked the land for the last four years. "Maybe if you'd cared for her like Mary instead of demanding a lower rent to increase your profit, Margie might have left you something." The reeve sneered.

Before any of the local matchmakers could offer their sons as suitors, Mary sold the property to Kell Wood, who moved his son Zeb into the cottage. Mary had no interest in being a farm wife; she loved the apothecary work Helen Oniel was teaching her. Helen knew an elderly apothecary in Hunberston and arranged for Mary to apprentice with the old man and ultimately buy out the shop. Mary would go to Hunberston in the fall with the Baron and his family, who were going there for a wedding.

###

The remainder of the summer was uneventful for Katie, who worked hard on her studies. At Father Eron's urging, Reeve Fellows began teaching her basic law. She spent much of her free time with Violet, Mary and Pierce. The gossips decided that Katie and Pierce were courting; Katie retorted that she spoke as often to Companion Ohiro as she did to Pierce. Katie, the gossips decided, must be slightly daft.

In the town, there was a rash of petty thefts. Katie, like most people, thought Shay Gulley and his friends were responsible, but no one was ever caught. Katie remembered Herald Mani warning Shay he would examine the boy under the Truth Spell; she wondered how Shay thought he would deceive the Herald. When she told Pierce and Ohiro, the Companion snorted and gave a chuckling whicker.

Shay also fought with his father, who twice threw the boy out of the home. Each time, Orrin Gulley relented after his wife pleaded to allow the boy to return. Kell Wood and Adam Doane spoke of running Shay out of town altogether.

In the last sennight of Corn Moon, Katie and Mary waved farewell to Pierce and Violet as Ohiro carried the two trainees back to Haven.

###

Katie and Mary walked the gentle slope descending from Bellamy Manor while her brother Grant trailed behind. Mary would leave tomorrow for Hunberston with Baron Bellamy and his family and went to the manor to finalize arrangements. Her brother Grant carried the small trunk of her belongings to the manor and waited to escort his sister back. While Mary made arrangements with Lady Bellamy – or rather listened to Lady Bellamy dictate the arrangements – Grant visited the baron's sergeant. As a second son, he hoped for a position as one of Baron Bellamy's armsmen.

Pouncing from concealment on either side of the road, Kirk Weems and Bill Tennant tackled Grant and beat him to the ground. Bill hit Grant hard with a club, stunning the boy. Shay, Russ and Chas emerged from behind the trees, surrounding the girls. Remembering their lessons from Father Eron, Katie and Mary stood back to back. "What are you doing, Shay?" Mary demanded. She started to scream for help and Shay slapped her.

"We're starting our own gang and we need some lady-folk to keep us company." Shay's grin was ugly.

"Shay, maybe we shouldn't. They'll hang us…."Chas Weems said.

"They'll have to catch us." Shay sneered. "Come on ladies, time to leeaaahhh…." His words turned to a scream as Katie lifted him into the air and flung him into the brush. A moment later, Kirk, Bill and Russ screamed as they followed Shay.

Katie turned to Chas who dropped to his knees, pleading "Don't hurt me."

Katie glared at him. "Run. Just run." Chas scrambled to his feet and sprinted down the road, crying as he ran.

Katie looked at Mary who stared back at her wide-eyed. "Wow." Mary said with a smile. "You're awesome." Grant moaned where he lay on the ground. "Let's get him to the healer." Mary said.

They helped Grant to his feet, putting his arms over their shoulders. Still groggy, Grant looked at Katie "Did I see what I thought I saw?"

"We'll talk about it later." Katie said. Carefully supporting Grant, they headed for the town.

###

"I am sorry, your lordship, but I can't find them." Katie said. "The farthest I can reach is a mile. They must be farther away."

Chas Weems reached the town before Katie, Mary and Grant and babbled stories of how Katie had 'torn the others apart and scattered their bodies in the forest.' A search of the manor wood revealed neither bodies nor rendered limbs, but the clear tracks of at least three people running away fast. Zeb Woods said he'd heard an uproar from the Gulley farmstead and come out to see Shay running away towards Whitebridge. Orrin Gulley claimed Shay took their house-money and ran off.

Baron Bellamy demanded a full explanation. Katie, seeing that her secret was out, revealed her Gifts and 'looked' for the fugitives. The baron repressed his own fears. "Miss Wood, you acted with all prudence and under the force of necessity. I commend your good sense. May I ask if you were responsible for Master Gulley's previous extraordinary 'flights'?"

Nervously, Katie admitted she was.

"I see," the baron said "and was it you who rescued young Jamie Finch this spring?"

"Yes, your lordship."

"I will ask you more another time. For now, I must deal with these criminals." Baron Bellamy dismissed her. He ordered a full search for the four missing boys. If found, they would wait in the town gaol for his return in ten days. He sentenced Chas Weems to a fortnight of street cleaning, emphasizing the boy owed the light sentence to Katie and Mary testifying Chas tried to dissuade the others.

The next morning, Katie waited with Mary by her home for Lady Bellamy's coach to pick Mary up for the trip to Hunberston. As the coach rolled up, Katie hugged her friend close, knowing how desperately she'd miss Mary. The outrider dismounted and opened the door for Mary. Mary pulled a small packet from her pocket and handed it to Katie. "Katie, I think your dream will come true." She entered the coach and it set off once more.

Katie waved to Mary until the coach was out of sight. She opened the packet and held it up. A tiny Windrider pendant gleamed in the sunlight.

###

Helen Oniel, Father Eron and the Heralds warned Katie how people would react if news of her Gifts got out. Even so, the strength of the reactions surprised her.

Father Eron and Helen Oniel admitted Katie had no choice but to use her Gifts when Shay and the others attacked, but they worried how the reactions would affect their student. They took pains to tell everyone they'd known of Katie's Gifts for years and there was nothing to fear.

There was fear, though. In plenty. Katie saw it in the townspeople's faces each day. Some made warding gestures when they thought she wasn't looking. She heard the word 'witch' whispered as she passed. Even in the faces of those who smiled at her, she saw the fear behind the smile. Small children threw stones at her, their mothers might spank the children, but Katie could see the mothers' own fear – as if they thought Katie would retaliate.

Katie walked alone to her lessons, head high and back straight, pretending not to notice the fear that often shadowed over into hate. Frequently, she wept in the arms of Helen Oniel or Father Eron, who tried to comfort and reassure her. Many nights, she wept in her pillow.

"Katie, Jamie is missing! Can you find him?" A panicky Iris Finch burst through the door of Healer Oniel's home, interrupting Katie's lesson on useful wild plants.

Katie nodded and reached out with her Gift. "He's asleep in the hay in your barn. Up top, under the black tarp."

"I called in the barn. He didn't answer." Iris looked indignant.

"He's there. You should be able to see his feet once you climb the ladder to the loft." Katie bit back her exasperation.

"I'll check again." Iris turned and ran out. Katie and the healer exchanged rueful smiles and returned to the lesson. Absently, Katie checked on Jamie until his mother found him.

It was the latest request for Katie to use her Gifts to help someone. As usual, there were no thanks.

"Katie! Could you help me put my plow on the blocks?"

"Katie! My cow got loose, can you find her."

"Katie! My scythe fell in the pond, could you get it out?"

"Katie, our wagon is stuck! Can you get it out?"

There were more requests every day. In vain, Father Eron and Helen Oniel asked people not to bother Katie except for emergencies. Katie tried to be pleasant and helpful, but sometime she lost her temper.

"Tain is fishing at the creek, where he usually goes in the afternoon. Why didn't you check there, Mistress Wharton?" Katie's exasperation was clear.

Ellie Wharton's face pinched in an angry look. She turned and left without a word.

"Good for you." Father Eron approved.

Worst of all were the accusations. Iris Finch whispered that Katie has used her Gift to push Jamie into the well so Katie could play the hero. Orrin Gulley accused Katie of stealing Margie Brooks' money to pin the blame on Shay and intimated that Shay's continuing absence was due to foul play by Katie. Chas Weems suggested Katie murdered his older brother, who like Shay, was still missing.

At Sovran, Katie stood alone in the square, far from the bonfire. Any who saw her quickly looked away. With few exceptions, Katie was beginning to hate the townspeople.

Baron Bellamy always greeted Katie with a real smile and genuine concern for her welfare. When he learned – from Helen Oniel – how Katie was both used and scorned, he delivered a blistering lecture to all during his assizes. But the baron was highborn and Katie was not often in his eye; separated by his social class, he could neither comfort her nor sway the commoners.

Grant Doane was another friend. He stoutly defended Katie whenever he was near. "She saved my life from your thug of a son." He said to Orrin Gulley's face. Only the presence of Grant's fellow armsmen – he had entered Baron Bellamy's service – prevented Orrin from attacking the young man.

Felen Tate stepped in front of Katie one afternoon as she passed his inn on the way to her lesson. Katie looked up apprehensively at the huge man, who towered a foot and a half above her, his massive bulk a wall in her path. Felen raised his voice to carry down the street. "Katie Wood, I am mightily in your debt. It took me a while to figure out, but that little ******* Shay Gulley tried to burn my inn down this spring. It was you who stopped him and threw him in the **** pile like he deserved. You saved my inn and probably the lives of me and my family. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Beaming, he held out his huge hand to Katie, who took it while stammering "You're welcome."

"It is you who are welcome." The beefy innkeeper said. "Anytime you feel the need for a bespoke meal or just refreshment, you are welcome at the Crow and Gate as our guest. It is on us."

Katie thanked Felen Tate in a soft voice, but he wasn't done. He raised his head and looked at the people watching. He raised his voice once more. "Katie Wood is a friend of mine. Any of you who have a bad word for her are not welcome at my inn."

###

The Heralds arrived with the snow, a fortnight after Sovran. This time, Herald Ragnar Read the Law while Herald Mani sought out Katie. The Senior Herald tried to remain impassive as Katie told what happened since the last visit, but his anger visibly rose as Katie, Father Eron and Healer Oniel told story after story. He stood silent for a sunwidth after they finished, his jaw clenched and a frown on his face. He exhaled explosively. "Katie, you have done nothing wrong. You did an incredible job keeping your secret for so long. This is what we feared would happen if your Gifts became known. I think I know how to counter it. It will be hard on you. Are you willing?"

Katie trusted Heralds. "Yes, I'll do anything." Mani's eyes flicked to the priest and healer, who nodded their own agreement.

The four went to the courthouse, where Ragnar was finishing the Reading for the last group of townspeople. With the cold weather, the Reading had to move indoors. Due to the smaller space, Ragnar had to split the Reading into several groups.

When Ragnar was done, all of them went to the Crow and Gate. A beaming Felen Tate showed them to a table off to one side. Over their meal, the five discussed Mani's plan while two of Felen Tate's sons shooed away anyone who tried to interrupt. At the end of the meal, Felen Tate refused the Heralds' chit. "Any friend Katie brings to the Crow and Gate eats for free."

They returned to the Courthouse. With Mani at his side, Ragnar began. "We Heralds have known of Katie's Gifts for several years. At our behest, she has kept her Gifts secret until this spring, when circumstances forced her to reveal them. She has harmed no one and helped many. With stark ingratitude, you have slandered and shunned her." Everyone jumped as Ragnar shouted the last.

"Because of the stupidity so many of you have shown, we must take the time to review these matters. We will begin with Katie herself." Ragnar summoned Katie forward.

The spectators buzzed briefly when Ragnar put the Truth Spell on Katie until Ragnar silenced them with a frown. One at a time, Katie told about every time she used her Gifts – including many times nobody noticed or thought about. The glow of the Truth Spell never wavered. When she mentioned rescuing Josh Wharton's mare, Ragnar looked at Josh and said sternly "What kind of fool drives a wagon across fresh ice then leaves his poor beast to drown in icy water?" Josh Wharton hung his head.

When Katie explained how she lifted Jamie Finch out of the well, Ragnar asked. "Did you use your Gift to push Jamie into the well?" Katie denied it firmly; the Truth Spell held steady.

Herald Mani spoke up for the first time, his eyes focused on Iris Finch. Those near Iris moved away as Mani placed the Truth Spell on her. "Iris Finch, did you accuse Katie of pushing your son into the well?"

"I never said that, Herald." The blue glow vanished.

"Tell the damned truth." Mani roared, forcing the coercive version on Iris. Nervously, Iris admitted accusing Katie.

"We see you are a petty, gossiping, ungrateful fool, Mistress Finch. You owe Katie your son's life and you repay her with slander." Mani sneered his contempt.

Ragnar continued the litany of Katie's deeds, stopping only to clarify points or for Mani to put the Truth Spell on others involved. "We knew Shay Gulley attempted to burn down the Crow and Gate. As Master Tate deduced"- Mani nodded to the innkeeper –"it was Katie who saved his inn and his life. Apparently, not everyone in Thornberry is a superstitious ingrate.

"At the time, I thought it possible to turn Shay Gulley from his folly. I also wanted to preserve Miss Wood's secret. I chose not to charge him with attempted arson. It appears I made the wrong choice."

By late afternoon, Ragnar finished his questioning. "Thank you, Miss Wood. You are an ornament to Thornberry and to Valdemar. Before you leave, Senior Herald Mani and I want to speak to everyone here."

Mani stood. "As my intern said, this town owes Miss Katie Wood a huge debt. Most of you have repaid that debt with ingratitude. Instead of thanking her, you have frequently asked her to do what you ought to do yourselves. I am ordering you to leave her alone. I cannot force you to embrace her, but I order you not to bother her for things you can do for yourself. She will help in an emergency, but that is for her to decide. We will note this in our report. All who violate this order will be fined by the next circuit Herald to visit. I repeat: Leave Katie Wood alone!"

Katie slumped, exhausted by the ordeal. Helen Oniel and Father Eron escorted her out of the Courthouse with Felen Tate clearing a path. Outside, Baron Bellamy lifted her onto the back of his horse. With the Baron leading his horse, the healer, the priest and the innkeeper proudly took Katie home.

###

The Heralds finished their review three days later. While they stayed, Katie enjoyed the company of Mikizi and Caiseal, who followed her everywhere. Katie drew strength from the Companions: In their presence, she felt she could face down the devil.

The peace held for a fortnight after the Heralds left. Everyone greeted Katie with a smile, though the fear was still in their eyes. No one bothered her for help. She used her Gift once to move Larry Wharton to the healer's when Larry fell off his wagon and broke his leg. For a change, Larry thanked her profusely.

Soon, however, the stares and the requests began again. At first, the requests were important one way or another and Katie's Gift saved a great deal of trouble. Gradually, the requests became more trivial things that the requestors could do for themselves with little effort.

Katie considered running off to Haven, a prospect which seemed possible when Baron Bellamy invited her to join his family in Haven for Midwinter. Baron Bellamy and his wife were eager to see their son at the Collegium; they also wanted to arrange a marriage for their eldest son Rorke. It seemed an excellent opportunity to do both, but Kell and Anne Wood refused to let Katie go.

Katie fought down her disappointment. Not only would she not see the capital, she would miss Pierce, Violet and Ohiro this Midwinter. Without Pierce and Ohiro, Violet could not come. Katie buried herself in her studies, trying to smother her loneliness, made worse by her exclusion from the Midwinter festivities.

Just before the baron left for Haven, Grant Doane, dressed in his new livery, delivered a letter from Pierce:

'Dear Katie:

Violet and I are sorry to hear you are not coming to Haven for Midwinter. Ohiro adds his own wishes you could come. We would love to have shown you the Collegium and the Palace and shown you around Haven.'

Pierce continued with descriptions of Haven and his studies in the Collegium. 'Herald Alberich is absolutely ferocious….'

At the end of the letter Pierce finished: 'I suppose Violet and I won't see you until the spring. In the meantime, Ohiro says don't give up hope. Stay strong and don't let them use you.

Pierce, Violet and Ohiro.'

Katie smiled at the letter. 'I think they mean summer, not spring. It's nice Ohiro cares.'

Thinking of Pierce's Companion reminded Katie of her own dreams. Did Ohiro's wishes mean…? Resolutely, Katie put the thought aside.

###

"No. I won't lift your wagon out of the snow." Harald Finch's face showed his astonishment. "You should have put it in the barn when the storm started. You'll have to dig it out without my help."

"But…." Harald began.

"But nothing. That's what you'd do if I weren't here. The Heralds said you should do such things yourself." Katie braced her back. Behind her, she heard her mother gasp.

Harald Finch looked angry. "You're a poor sort won't help a friend."

Katie snorted. "You're a poor friend who sneers at my back and begs favors to my face. Good day." She closed the door.

"Katie! That was rude!" Anne Wood protested.

"T'were no more than Harald deserved." Her husband observed. "I've heard him and Iris bad-mouthing Katie. The Herald told 'em like he told everybody: Do your own work!"

"But what will people say?" Her mother worried.

"Same's they been saying the last moon. Saying she's a witch 'cept when they want a favor." Kell said.

"We have to help each other out." Anne said.

Kell Wood shrugged. "None of 'em been comin' round offerin' a hand t' us. 'Sides, there's not more'n a foot of snow. Harald could have dug out his wagon in less time than it took to walk here."

"The snow could have drifted around the wagon." Anne said.

"An' Harald could have put it inside 'is barn when the snow started, like Katie said." Before his wife could protest further, Kell added. "Remember, the Herald told them not to ask Katie t' do what they could do themselves. She's not their chore-boy."

Kell pointed at his daughter. "Good for you, Katie. I'd hoped you'd get some spine. Tell 'em t' do their own jobs."

"Sometimes we need help." Anne tried once more.

"And when there's need, Katie will help. She helped Larry Wharton, didn't she?" Kell nodded at his daughter once more. "Good girl, Katie."

###

Her father's support strengthened Katie's resolve and she refused all requests from those who could do the work themselves. After a fortnight, the begging stopped, though the hateful stares deepened.

A few people supported her – the Whartons and Doanes in particular – but most frowned and turned away. When Harald Finch badmouthed Katie in the Crow and Gate, Felen Tate threw him bodily into the street with a warning never to come back. The next day, Katie passed the inn as Felen was unloading barrels. He gaped as the barrels suddenly rose and floated into the cellar. He spotted Katie, who winked at him.

Felen grinned and waved. "Wait here." He hurried inside and brought out a hot meat pie, which he gave to her. Katie thanked him. They both laughed and she continued home.

Katie did help with the only emergency: Pat Sikes got lost in the woods as night fell. Jacob Sikes pounded frantically on the Woods' door a candlemark after sunset.

As Jacob gasped out his father was missing, Katie looked with her Gift. "I've found him." She said. "Get blankets." She grabbed her cloak and headed down the Whitebridge road with Jacob, her father and brothers and the rest following.

They followed the road, using their lanterns when the trees blocked the moonlight. Katie stopped. Everyone jumped at Pat Sikes' screams of terror as Katie lifted him over the snow and wafted him back to the road. Soon, Pat Sikes was safe and all headed to their homes. Jacob managed a cursory 'thank you' before turning back to his father.

The gratitude was short-lived and the town soon resumed shunning Katie.

###

There was a small snowfall three days after spring day. The last flakes were still drifting down as Katie made her way back from Helen Oniel's. The snow squeaked underfoot as she made her way home. She tried to ignore the stares, looking determinedly straight ahead. They seemed to be staring and pointing more than usual. 'I really dislike most people.' She thought.

::So do I.::

Katie stopped in her tracks. "Who said that?" She asked. She turned around.

::I am Jakayr. I Choose you.::

Katie burst into tears and flung her arms around the Companion's neck. Wordlessly, Jakayr shared his love with his new Chosen.

"I've waited and waited and waited and wanted." Katie cried into the silky mane.

::I know, love. I wanted to come sooner, but they wouldn't let me. I'm so sorry I made you wait.:: Katie sensed the Jakayr's deep sorrow and regret. Katie caught an image of older, bigger Companions blocking Jakayr's way.

Katie broke the embrace and looked at the Companion with her own eyes. Jakayr looked young, with the narrow chest and long legs of a young colt, maybe three years old.

::I'll be three at Midsummer Moon.:: Jakayr said.

Now, Katie looked at the people gathered around them. "His name's Jakayr. He's Chosen me." The crowd cheered.

For the next candlemark, people bustled around. Her parents and brothers came running into town at the news. They kissed Katie and wept and smiled for her. Helen Oniel produced two pairs of riding breeches, confessing she'd had them for years, altering them as Katie grew. They were grey, Katie noted, the same grey as the ones at the Collegium.

Felen Tate tied a pack of meat pies, fruits and apple juice to Jakayr's pommel, admonishing the young stallion to "Take care of my Katie." Jakayr flicked his ears and snorted.

Rosie Sikes claimed a hug, saying "I always knew you'd be a Herald."

::Toadying hypocrite.:: Jakayr snorted derisively.

At last, Katie was ready to go. Her brother Zeb bent to give her a leg up. She kissed him and mounted.

Jakayr pranced in place. ::You just want to get out of here.:: Katie said.

::You're right Chosen, I do.:: The Companion set off at a canter, the cheers of the town quickly faded behind them.

[A/N: For now, this is all of Katie's story. I may return to it later, but I had to get her a Companion – Jakayr – who shares her somewhat jaundiced view of people. Katie's next appearance will be in Chapter 25 of Ragnar's story, which I hope to have up in a short while. "Tantris" 01/14/2019]