Read Online Ancient Kings (The Young Ancients) by P.S. Power - Free Book Online Page B

either in the kitchen or the bakery, and it turned out he wasn't wrong. She was in between the two places, carrying a heavy looking platter of baked goods that started to shift on her as she stumbled on a stone that the lights had failed to show her. It was just sitting on the path. Before she could go down, or even totally lose the tray, Tiera was there, helping her with it.
    Even though she'd just been about thirty feet away a second before.
    Karen smiled.
    "She's even faster when she isn't in a dress. We haven't mentioned it to her yet, but it's special. Super human really. She's really strong too. Way more than both of us put together. I'd hate to be Sandra Morris right now." The words had just a hint of warning to them, but she stopped since the girls were walking back toward them, holding the large wooden platter that held bread rolls. Taman had it, but Tiera stayed near, just in case it started to go to the side again. It didn't, and they were able to free her from the task after that, for a few moments at least. Most of the work was being done by hired help, since it would look bad for the family to do too much at an event like this one. Like they were poor or something. Taman was just too little to really understand that yet. Clearly, she was also a very hard worker. It was a good thing, to Tor's mind.
    As soon as things were settled, the girl gave Tiera a hug and then, strangely enough, gave one to Karen as well.
    "Hello!" She stood back and curtsied to Tor, which was a bit odd. "Count Lairdgren? It is good to see you. I wasn't aware that you'd be attending. Mother will be pleased." She smiled when she said it, which got a tired grin from Tiera.
    "Silly, he almost always looks older than this. Plus he's taller. This is Tor. You remember him, don't you?"
    There was a big and slightly shocked stare, then a high pitched squeal, that if nothing else sounded happy enough.
    "S'Tor!" She didn't add anything else, so Tor gave her a light hug and stood away quickly, because she was tiny and he knew well what it was like to have people looming over you all the time.
    "S'Taman! I was told that you did the copy work on the goblets? That's good work. Without a template too?" He already knew that, but the girl looked proud about it. If he hadn't known who'd done it before, he would have guessed then. It was cute, and just a bit self-satisfied.
    "Yep. That lady said that she'd bring me some things to practice with, so I can be a builder. It took too long, so I just used what we had here. I wanted to try making a flying rig, but ma said I wasn't allowed. No shields either. Or weapons." There was a funny face then, as if trying to figure out how to let him know that it really didn't leave a lot. Not that they had just laying around Two Bends. Lights and a few other things.
    "Oh, who?" He was looking at her, but Tiera answered.
    "Sandra. She said that she'd send down some things." It was pretty clear that she felt a flash of anger then, but it was locked down faster than seemed possible, as if she were trying to hide it from him.
    "Ah. Well, that probably won't work then. I'll bring some things by for you instead. You can do some of my copying for me. It will be fun." He meant it, and the girl seemed pleased, so why not? It wouldn't hurt for her to try, and that way he could keep an eye on her.
    It was just possible that she could be stressing her personal field already, though she didn't seem to be having any problems. Letting his mind reach out to her, holding it still and fluid, he felt the tiny pattern in front of him. It was strong and healthy enough, so at least that wouldn't be a problem. She was also, very clearly, immortal. It was a bit of a shock to him, since he hadn't thought any of the other kids were at all. Then, of all of them, Taman was the one that he would have missed, wasn't she?
    That led to some potential problems, didn't it? Should he tell her, being the first one that came to mind. After a few seconds he