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Paladin reached out and took Kale s small, callused hand in his.
 Kale, Wulder knows when to do what must be done. I didn t destroy Risto s army of evil because it
was not the right time. In this world, people are growing, learning about Wulder, learning about
themselves, making choices. Confronting Risto and those like him is part of Wulder s plan to help these
ordinary people develop into something wonderful. I would not cheat these good people of the
opportunity to be great in the eyes of Wulder.
 It would be easier without the struggles, said Kale, not daring to look directly into Paladin s eyes. She
stared instead at his gentle hand holding hers. His perfect skin, smooth and unblemished, looked odd next
to her dirty, work-worn hand.
He chortled, a warm chuckle, soft and friendly, coming from deep within.
 Kale, I love you. You are a child of my heart. You have been called to my service. Others have told
you to answer the call, and you did. But Kale, now I want you to make a choice. He withdrew his hand.
 Do you want to follow me? You can say yes and continue the quest with Dar and the others. You can
say no and be free to go anywhere you want.
 Back to River Away?
 If that is what you want. But you don t have to go there. You could go to Vendela if you want and look
for Farmer Brigg s friend Maye at The Goose and The Gander. She would give you a job with wages.
She is a nice woman.
Kale weighed the possibilities for a second. Only one choice truly appealed to her. She d seen Paladin
turn back evil. She d seen him hold a baby tenderly in his lap. She d felt his touch. She d seen his smile.
 I want to follow you.
They d been sitting, but now they stood. Kale couldn t recall standing up. Paladin swept her into his
arms and whirled her around. They d been in a marione house, and now they were on top of a cloud, or
at least Kale thought the billowy puffs of white beneath them looked like clouds.
Paladin twirled so fast Kale s legs flew out behind her. Cold, crisp air tingled her skin. She giggled in
response to Paladin s deep laughter.
When the spinning slowed, the wooden floor appeared again beneath their feet, and Kale found herself
sitting on the pallet across from Paladin. Her fingers were cold, her breath came fast, and she could see in
Paladin s expressive face the same exhilaration she felt. Suddenly shy, she ducked her head.
It s like being in a family, an important family. He said he loves me. If only I had something to
give him.
He took her hand again.
His question surprised her.  Would you like to give me something?
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 Cautiously, she looked up, wondering if he was mocking her. What did she have to give someone like
him? His face reassured her. She nodded.
He released her hand and sat back.
A fiddle appeared in Kale s lap.
 Ah, a beautiful instrument, said Paladin.  Will you give it to me?
Kale felt tears behind her eyes. Would she ever understand what he tried to tell her? She jerked her
head up and down and handed over the fiddle.
A ring appeared on her finger. Paladin asked for it, and she gave it. A hat on her head. A bag of coins.
A flower. A bottle of perfume. Each appeared, and she willingly gave each to the mysterious man who
sat before her. The last item, a picture in a frame, she held limply in one hand.
 What is it, Kale? Why are you distressed? he asked.  Don t you enjoy giving me gifts?
She shrugged, fighting the sadness in her heart.
 They don t mean anything to me, she answered.  They aren t mine.
 What would make this painting yours?
 If I painted it, or if I earned the money to buy it.
 But isn t it easier for me to just give it to you without the struggles?
Kale watched the painting in its frame dissolve into nothing, leaving her hand empty. As the gift
disappeared, a feeling of hope filled her soul.
She lifted expectant eyes to Paladin. He was going to answer her question.
 What is it that I can give you?
 You ve already given me all that I want, Kale. You ve pledged to be in my service. You ve given
yourself. As you continue this quest, give me every thought, every action, every deed. It s so simple,
Kale. It s what you are and who you are, what you do and what you think and feel. That is your gift to
me.
Kale s heart cringed within her breast. The disappointment tore her with a pain intense and cruel.
 It s too hard to understand. I can t do it.
Paladin took the bowl and spoon from Kale s lap and set them on the floor. He stood before her,
reached down to grasp her hands, and pulled her to her feet.
 Dearest Kale, neither Wulder nor I ask you to understand, only to do. Don t waste effort on trying to
understand the impossible. Know that the impossible is not impossible for Wulder. The unfathomable is
understood by Him. Allow Him to take care of that which is beyond your capability. And you&  He
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stroked a stray lock of hair off her cheek and tucked it behind her ear.  You concentrate on doing that
which is before you.
He grinned. Kale looked upon Paladin s face and caught his enthusiasm, his anticipation of life. She
breathed in deep as if to absorb his aura of confidence through the air around him. Her face broke into a
smile to answer his. His next words sounded like a cheer in her ears.
 Enjoy your accomplishments, and leave the incredible, the insurmountable, the daunting tasks to
Wulder.
 I will, she answered.
The mysterious mist stirred with a sudden, quick breeze and swiftly escaped the confines of the
pinewood cabin. Sunshine flowed in the window. Morning birds chorused outside.
Paladin patted her shoulder.  First, may I make a suggestion?
 Of course. She couldn t help but beam at him. Her heart felt full of love and hope.
He leaned closer and whispered confidentially.  First, let s see if we can arrange a bath. You, my dear,
are one unholy mess.
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Kale sat on a bench at the plank table under a great oak. A dozen marione children scurried back and
forth from the house, putting out plates, cups, and platters of food. Even after a week, it felt odd to sit
and be served. But every time she offered to help, she was told she was a guest.
A guest. A guest in the home of mariones. And not just any marione, but General Lee Ark.
Kale looked over to where the famous marione played ribbets with a bunch of wild children. His team of
half pints scored again against the older, less organized children. The spectators, sitting on the perimeter
of the field, cheered. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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