Dragonspell - Donita K. Paul [84]
“I know that.” She answered quietly, ashamed of her string of heated words. Yet part of her still rebelled against the injustice. She strained to understand, chafing because Paladin did not use his power to right the wrongs that evil men like Risto committed.
A light giggle floated through the cloudy air. Kale turned her head to see a small doneel toddle toward them. The baby laughed out loud and clapped her tiny furry hands when she saw Paladin. Without hesitation she clambered into his lap and cuddled in his arms, playing with a shiny gold button on his jacket.
Paladin hugged her and kissed the top of her head between two small button ears.
“By Wulder’s design, this little girl will become a renowned seamstress whose fashions are sought after in Vendela as well as other prominent cities.”
Kale watched the child stick two fingers in her mouth and rest her head against the soft fabric of Paladin’s coat.
“Should I give her a needle and thread now?” asked the strong young ruler.
“No!” answered Kale.
“Why not?”
“She’d stick herself.”
“Yes, you’re right. To give her the sharp needle now would be of the correct order of things.”
Kale’s brow knitted in puzzlement. And then her eyes popped wide as the sleeping doneel child vanished from Paladin’s lap.
Between the edge of Kale’s pallet and the man’s crossed ankles, a plant sprouted out of the wooden floor.
“An apple tree, Kale,” said Paladin. “Pick an apple for me.”
She looked at the seedling and up at the man teaching her. She shook her head. “It won’t bear fruit for years.”
He nodded. “After it has struggled to put down roots, borne the stretching of growth, enjoyed sun and rain.”
She glanced up to see the shadowy presence of an apple orchard surrounding them in the fog. Red apples burdened each branch of each tree.
Paladin surveyed the fruit with a pleased smile.
“These trees are mature and bearing a healthy crop.” He pointed to the infant plant between them. “Because the others are ready, should we place an apple on this one?”
A large apple appeared, attached to the tip of the seedling’s only limb, crushing the small plant.
Paladin shook his head slowly, a sad expression altering his kind face. The orchard faded into nothing. The mist covered the broken sapling, and when it swirled away, the plant was gone.
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.