Hello readers. So...I have made a change in chapter order. I have had a few requests for a Karina chapter, and this was actually the next chapter in the last draft. Decided to keep it in this spot. So the new character I said you will meet might not come for 2 chapters now. Anyhoo...Karina. You haven't heard from her in awhile. Lets check in;-)

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Karina

She was late. Behind on the task list she had promised to complete before Manna returned. Karina never did quite manage to get her chores done on time. Usually her negligence was slight. A few herbs not yet collected, a passage of Manna's remedy book not yet read, Her teacher's watchful eye was enough incentive to keep Karina from falling too far behind. She knew how much she owed the sacred woman. 

Manna had done so much for her, keeping her fed and clothed, teaching and raising Karina as if she had been Manna's own child. But of course she was not Manna's daughter. The Elder Nita had taken her in out of charity. Out of respect for Karina's dead mother. Karina knew she could never truly repay that debt. The only thing she could do was to treat her teacher with respect and work to please her. But somehow, Karina knew she always fell short.

She was not as carful as she should have been, making silly mistakes in preparing herbs for Manna's patients or adding too much salt to their meal, forcing Manna to rush in and do her best to repair the damage done. And Karina was not as patient, ruining nearly complete brews by stoking the fire too high in an effort to make them cook faster, knocking over Manna's important jars and bottles as she dusted haphazardly in an effort complete her chores quickly so that she might escapee outside to find Aiden and his friends. Manna was understanding. She never scolded her too harshly though Karina knew she had every right to do so. She was so far from the perfect student. When Fiona and Mina came to visit that fact was only highlighted.

Karina saw how The Nita's charge behaved. Mina's back was always straight, her demeanor always calm. A born ruler. It was not hard to see why Fiona had chosen Mina as her successor. In any task set to the two girls, it was Mina who always seemed flawless in her execution. When they carried water from the well, Mina never spilt a drop. When they were ordered to chop herbs, Mina's movements were sharp and precise. 

Karina admired the older girl, though perhaps with a bit of jealousy, if she was being honest. She wished she could be more like her. Mina never seemed to evoke harsh rebuke from Manna or Nita Fiona. She never made a single mistake. Mina was the student that Manna deserved. Though Karina always tried to do her best, she knew her best was not enough. Her current hurried trip into town proved that.

Manna had been gone for nearly a week, called away on an emergency to aide a midwife in a neighboring town. But Karina knew she was set to return any day now. She wasn't prepared. Without Manna's presence, it had been too easy to daydream, to spend just a bit too much time in the woods exploring, or sparing with Aiden. Now Karina found herself scrambling to finish the tasks her teacher had left, hoping desperately that she might not disappoint Manna when she arrived home.

As Karina headed into Gregorn with a delivery she ought to have finished two days ago, she was filled with remorse for the time she had squandered unwisely. Watching the late day sun move ever more West Karina kept her steps jut short of a run. She had to return home before dark so that she still might gather their small flock of chickens back in their pen and haul enough water from the well to fill the now dwindling supply in the barrel by the stove. As she walked, Karina remembered that she had promised to finish reading and translating a small journal written in old Senmin script. She had barely started before one distraction or another had caused her to leave the book unfinished. Over the last few days she had completely forgotten. Manna would certainly ask her about it when she came home. The old women never seemed to forget anything. Karina's heart sank.

Realizing there was no way she might complete her tasks in time and it was hard not to speed her pace even further, but of course, so close to town, she didn't dare run. It wasn't proper. Karina was nearly thirteen now. She was meant to act like a lady. But how could she do so when there was so much left to do and not enough time?

Karina had just passed into the town square when she heard a shout.

"Oi!"

A moment later she felt a sharp sting as something hit her shoulder. Karina looked down to see the small pebble that had struck her. She put her basket on the ground, picking up the rock and scanning the street. A little ways off she could see the crowds of people wandering the town square, but she couldn't see anyone anywhere near by.

"Duck!"

Karina managed to cover her head with her arms just in time to protect it from the next volley of small rocks that rained down on her.

"Hey!" she shouted, turning quickly in the direction of the falling stones. Tossing the one she held up and down in her hand, Karina scanned her surroundings. She caught sight of a slight movement in the shadow of the building to her left. She hurled the stone at it and heard a short cry of pain.

"Ouch!" Karina watched as Aiden came out from shadows clutching his arm. "That really hurt!" he complained.

"You attacked me first," Karina answered matter-of-factly, picking up her basket again and starting off towards the clock tower.

"Some lucky shot," he said, following close behind. Karina smiled to herself. Though she tried not to let him see her satisfaction.

"Not luck," she answered. "Skill."

Aiden grinned. Karina felt a slow blush creeping into her cheeks. She looked away.

"You weren't so skilled when I beat you six times last week." Aidan teased.

Karina didn't answer, but her mouth turned down slightly. Mr. Blackwell had warned her to hide her improving martial skills from Aidan and his friends. She hated losing on purpose, but Mr. Blackwell had made it clear that if he caught wind of her beating all of the boys in town he would no longer train her. She had no intention of letting that happen. Still, Aidan's cockiness made it hard to keep her mouth shut.

"Why were you hurling rocks at me anyway?" she asked, increasing her speed and changing the topic.

"Had to do something to get your attention," Aidan answered. You looked so serious." She could see the grin still on his face as he worked to keep up with her. "Haven't seen you in a few days."

"Manna's coming home," Karina said. "I have much to do before she does." She hoped that her tone made clear how important her work was. But then again, Aiden never seemed particularly impressed with any of the tasks she performed for the Elder Nita.

"Awe come on," he said. "I'm sure there nothin' you can't save till tomorrow."

"She might be back by then," Karina said. "I wouldn't want her to be disappointed."

Karina saw the smile drop from his face. "I know I wouldn't wanna' make the Elder Nita mad," he said shaking his head and pretending to give an affected shiver. "That woman scares me. What will she do if you don't finish your work? Does she cast spells on you or something?"

Karina stopped and frowned at him. "You are such a child," she said. "The Elder Nita is a great woman and a healer. She isn't some sort of witch."

Aiden gave her a skeptical look and Karina sighed.

"I have to go Aiden," she said, starting off again. She could see the face of the clock tower now. It was already after three o'clock. She only had a few hours left before sunset.

Now in the thick of the town square, Karina had to slow her pace, weaving through the throngs of people making their way to the various shops that lined the streets near the clock. Mrs. Freelain's shop lay at the very end of market row. Karina was dismayed to see how crowded the area appeared to be. She sighed, trying to straighten her skirts and look presentable. In spite of her rush, she knew it was likely someone would recognize her. Gregorn was not a large town, and people loved to gossip. There was little doubt any ill behavior on her part would be reported to Manna.

"Let me come with you."

Karina turned to see Aiden following her still.

"Don't you have somewhere else to be?" she asked critically, though secretly she was glad he wanted to follow.

"Please?" he asked again, making a comically pleading face, a false frown on his lips that was only seconds away from a grin. "If I go home now my father will make me chop and haul wood till the sun goes down."

Karina gave a short sigh of exasperation. "Fine," she said. "You can come." 

He smiled and again she felt her cheeks flush slightly. There was something about Aiden that made Karina feel something all tingly and warm inside when he smiled at her.

"But I really do have to hurry," she added as she turned. "I have to drop this tonic at Mrs. Freelain's shop and..." Her words stopped as she bumped into the woman in front of her. Darn it. She should have been more careful. "I'm so sorry ma'am," Karina began, but then again her words were silenced as she stared at the face in front of her. Mina Krin.

'Mina," Karina said in surprise. "What are you doing here?" She was struck, as she always was, by poised and powerful Mina appeared. It seemed impossible that she was only fifteen.

"I was sent to retrieve a package for Nita Amoral," Mina answered, her clear voice sounded so proper as she spoke. Karina tried to stand a bit straighter and emulate her tone.

"I am here on official business as well," she said. "I have deliveries to make for the Elder Nita." Karina paused, suddenly aware that Mina's presence might mean that Nita Fiona was not far behind. Karina should have been to town two days ago. What if the Nita reported back to her that Karina had been in the market today? She had hope that Manna would never know she had been late in her trip to town. Mrs. Freelain was an old woman and often forgetful.

"Is Nita Amoral with you?" Karina asked, trying to mask the tinge of fear in her voice.

Mina shook her head. " Nita Amoral had other business to attend. She often sends me to other towns on my own to act as her representative."

"That's somethin'."

Karina heard Aiden's voice from behind her. She had nearly forgotten he was there.

"It's like you're almost Nita yourself."

Karina saw the look of awe in Aiden's eyes as he looked at Mina, not quite willing to meet the older girl's gaze. Karina felt her cheeks turning red, but the feeling was not the pleasant warm heat she had felt before. She was frustrated, indignant. Why was Aiden never impressed by her work for Manna? It wasn't very different after all. More than that, she could see the look Aiden gave Mina, all rosy cheeks and shy smile. He never looked at her that way.

Though they played with swords, ran through the woods, and laughed together nearly every day, Karina knew she and Aiden were friends. Mina was different. He saw Mina as a girl. Not that she blamed him. Mina was very pretty. Her complexion was clear and fair, her glossy black hair pulled back in two neat plaits that wrapped around her head. 

In the beautiful blue skirt she wore, her figure was perfectly complimented. Small waist, lithe limbs. Mina looked very grown up. But she was grown too! Karina's mind protested. More than Aidan at least. It didn't matter anyway, Karina thought to herself as she tried to suppress the tight frown she felt forming on her lips. What did she care what Aiden thought.

"Well," Mina said after a moment, oblivious to Karina's annoyance. "I must be going. I am leaving Gregorn this evening and my horse is stabled on the other side of town. I'm certain I will see you soon Karina. Nita Amoral intends to visit the Cloisters of Sithrah and I am to join her. We are to set out in a few weeks. I know she intended to visit the Elder Nita on our way there."

Karina nodded, fighting a new burning wave of jealousy. She wanted to go to Sithrah. She knew that Mina had already been there once before when Nita Fiona had brought her to receive official recognition from the Initiate as the next intended Nita. But Manna had not been in years.

"We will go together when you are a bit older," Manna had told her when Karina brought up the subject once before. "When you are ready to be presented before the Initiate and take vows as a novice, if that is what you wish. But for that," she'd chided, "You must be a more diligent student. Not all are admitted to the Order. Talent is not enough. Initiates of Sithrah must have dedication and diligence in their studies."

Karina thought of the journal she had neglected to read. Perhaps she would never be good enough to go to Sithrah.

"Yeah I gotta go too," Aiden said. Karina turned to him surprised.

"I thought you wanted to come with me?" she said.

Aiden put his head down slightly and scratched the back of his neck self-consciously. "Well, you're really busy," he said. "Thought I'd offer to escort Ms. Krin to the stables. It's on my way home anyway, and I really should get back to help my father haul in some more firewood before it gets dark."

Karina fought to suppress a scowl as Mina smiled at Aiden and nodded her head.

"That would be lovely, Mr. Green," she said. "I must admit it would be nice to have some company."

Karina saw him blush. She bit down on her inner lip to keep her mouth shut tight, keeping herself from making some snide remark about how unpleasant Aiden's company could be. About his rock throwing, lazy habits. About how he'd never worried about helping his father before and how eager he had been to follow Karina until Mina had interrupted them. But Karina managed to remain silent, merely watching as Aiden offered Mina his arm and the two turned to set off in the other direction.

"See ya later, Karina," Aiden said, as he turned back towards her with a quick wave.

Dong. Dong.

The clock tower interrupted Karina's fury. Could it be half-past three already? Karina pushed thoughts of Aiden and Mina from her mind as best she could and set off into the crowd again. She couldn't disappoint Manna. She would show Aiden that she was just as good as Mina Krin. She would show Manna that she belonged in the Initiate. She would prove herself to everyone. Delivering Mrs. Freelain's tonic was the first step. Karina faced the market lane with new resolve. No longer quite as concerned about what others might say, Karina did her best to both mind her manors and push through the crowd as quickly as possible.

As she walked through the door of Mrs. Freelain's shop, a small jingling bell announced her presence.

"Just a minute," a gravely sing-songy voice called out from the back room. "Just a minute dear."

Karina wished the woman would hurry. As she let her eyes wander along the bolts of fabric and ribbon that lined the walls of Mrs. Freelain's shop, she could almost feel the minutes ticking by, bringing her closer and closer to sunset. After what seemed like an exorbitant amount of time, Karina saw movement at the curtain that separated the main store from Mrs. Freelain's back room, and the shop owner appeared.

She was a small woman and had been made even smaller by age. Her back now firmly fixed in a permanent crouch from years bent over her spinning wheel. With her head set so low within her shoulders, Karina had always thought that the old woman resembled a wrinkled turtle. The wispy gray hair that scarcely covered her head was pinned up in the back, but it was coming loose. As she hobbled forward she kept attempting to push it back into place. Karina could see how frazzled she appeared to be.

"Please forgive the wait," she said. "I have had a very trying day and..." she squinted, trying no doubt to determine who it was that stood in front of her. Karina knew that her vision was failing, time having given her eyes a cloudy glaze. But she was still a skilled weaver. Her hands seemed to long ago have learned to operate without the aid of her eyes and continue working. 

Karina wondered what it was like to be so old and fragile. She couldn't quite imagine it. She thought of her teacher. Manna was not young, but she was nothing like this woman. Manna was so strong. Some part of Karina's mind made a mental note that she would do everything in her power to grow old like her teacher. She pulled up her back a bit straighter to cement the point.

"Karina dear," the woman said, as she seemed to recognize her. "What a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?"

"I am here to deliver your tonic, Mrs. Freelain," she answered. "Manna sent me."

"Oh my, yes," the woman said reaching out for bottle Karina held out to her. "Thank goodness you're here. I ran out just the other day and my rheumatism acting up I can scarcely get anything done."

Karina felt a ping of guilt at her words. She should not have waited so long to bring the woman her medicine.

Ding. Ding.

Karina turned around as the bells jiggled and the shop door opened wide.

"Mother, are you all right?"

Karina recognized the sandy-haired man that had entered as Mrs. Freelain's grown son.

"Oh, Arthur," Mrs. Freelain said. "Thank goodness you're here."

"Who's this?" The man asked with surprise, as he seemed to suddenly notice Karina's presence. Perhaps his vision was as poor as his mother's Karina thought to herself. But then she noticed his face. He seemed nervous, distracted. His face was set into a mask of worry, wrinkles on his forehead, deeply creased.

"Oh this is Karina," the old woman answered. "You've met her before I believe. She's Manna's charge. Came to bring me my medicine bless her little heart."

"Yes of course," he said with a quick nod, though Karina noticed that he had barely looked at her. "Thank you, young lady, and please thank your teacher for me. My mother and I are so grateful for the Elder Nita's remedies."

"I will be certain to," Karina began, but the man ignored her entirely, turning again to his mother.

"I came as soon as I could," He said. " You received my message then?"

Mrs. Freelain nodded. She looked tired, as if her head was too heavy to even make the effort to raise and lower it in response to her son's question.

"I did," she said. "How bad was it?"

Mr. Freelain shook his head. "Its' all gone," he said, his voice thick with sorrow. "I've done enough business in Braybourn before. Lord Heartland seemed eager to meet. He had sent word that he would look over my merchandize personally. I had just left my shipment of wool with a man at his storehouse. The man said that the product was good, that Heartland would agree to buy the whole bundle. He gave me a bill of sale. All that was left was an official seal from Heartland himself. That and my payment. But then." He stopped. "The Vox Populi has been targeting any reserves held by the King's allies," he continued, voice tight. "Heartland has always been close with Henry...The rebels came in the night. They burned Heartland's storehouse to the ground."

The old woman took in a sharp breath.

"Heartland is refusing to pay. He said that he has no way of accounting for the merchandize. He claimed that his men hadn't looked it over yet. He refused to see my account book, the bill of sale his man had signed. Said it didn't matter."

Karina was shocked to see the man's eyes gloss over as if he might burst into tears.

"What are we going to do?" he asked his mother. His voice sounded desperate. "That was most of our stock. How will we be able to keep the shop?"

The old woman merely nodded her head in response. "We'll think of something," she said. "I'll take in more commissions. I haven't been doing much steemstressing lately and."

"There's no business to take in Mama," he protested. "No one has the money to pay." He shook his head.

"We'll think of something," she repeated opening her arms to embrace him. "The important thing is that you weren't hurt. The fire must have been bad."

He nodded. "Luckily only the storehouse was hit. The fire brigade managed to contain the blaze before it spread through the town thank the God. In fact, I don't believe anyone was hurt at all. They say that the rebels forced Heartland's guards from the building before they burned it down."

Karina listened to the conversation with interest. She had heard of the Vox Populi. Men and women who were fighting against the Crown. She didn't fully understand why. It seemed horrible that they should have burned a storehouse of goods without giving any thought to the people that might have suffered losses from their actions.

"Perhaps we can petition the constable of Braybourn," Mrs. Freelain's son said, as he hugged her tightly. "Make him hear our case. Heartland can't get away with this. Just because we are Senmin doesn't mean he can back out on his contract. He agreed to buy the goods. I have the bill of sale. He made a promise."

"If he made a promise he has to keep it," Karina piped up. Both heads turned to her in surprise and Karina immediately regretted having spoken. But now that she had it seemed she had no choice but to continue. "Surely the constable will hear your case."

The man gave her a sad smile. "I hope you are right," he said, "but the world is not always a just place young lady. Senmin traders don't have the same rights in this Empire as their Kanjin counterparts. Besides, the law often sides with the nobility. Those with deep pockets."

"But that's unfair," Karina protested. She knew she sounded naive. She knew well enough that the world was not fair. She knew that the Senmin's place in the Empire was different that of Kanjin citizens. That they were looked upon with fear and disdain in other parts of Erestia. But in Gregorn everyone was Senmin. In Cainell too. She had never seen prejudice against her people first hand. It was hard to imagine that this man could be treated so poorly when the laws of the Empire should have been used protect all Erestian citizens.

The man nodded again, agreeing with her simplistic statement, no doubt thinking her childish to speak so. To believe that it mattered at all what was right or wrong. What mattered was power and it seemed that this poor man was powerless to do anything to right the injustice done against him.

"Thank you again for bringing my mother her medicine," he said. "I'm certain you must have other errands to run."

Karina nodded. She had nearly forgotten listening to the man's story. She was already so late. But somehow her neglected chores didn't seem so important now. Mrs. Freelain and her son had real problems to handle, with far greater consequences than that of Manna's disappointment.

"Arthur, pay the girl," Mrs. Freelain prompted.

Her son sighed and nodded before turning back to Karina. "How much do we owe you?" he asked kindly, reaching into his coat pocket.

"No charge," Karina said quickly. She could not take their money when she knew they had just lost so much. She was certain Manna would agree. Many of Manna's patients received care for free, and Karina knew that she and the Elder Nita were not wanting for money. It seemed the least she could do. The man looked at her in surprise.

"Are you certain?" he asked. Karina nodded and Mrs. Freelain's son gave her another small smile.

"Thank you, young lady," he said. "We are very grateful. And please be sure to thank your teacher for us."

Karina nodded again. "I will," she promised as she hurried out the door.

As she hurried home, Karina could not keep the Freelains' faces from her mind. She wondered if everything really would be alright as Mrs. Freelain had tried to assure her son. It was so unfair. She was glad she had been able to help them, even if it had only been a little thing. 

Perhaps Manna could do something for them to help further. Mrs. Freelain had been one of their customers for a long time, and Manna had a lot of power in Gregorn. Karina certainly hoped they wouldn't really lose their shop.

She tried to imagine why someone might have acted as the Vox Populi had done. Perhaps the fire they had set had not managed to hurt anyone, but it could have. And what about poor Mr. Freelain and his mother? Then again, if the King and his laws supported men like Heartland and left honest businessmen without aid, maybe there was a reason to rebel. She wondered what Manna would say to that. And with that thought she hurried home a bit faster, hoping that her teacher had not returned early and already beaten her home.

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So, how do you feel about the rebellion now? Clearly, Fiona has hopes that they might be viable allies, but we can see from this chapter that the Vox Populi's actions are already effecting the people of the Empire, and the Senmin might stand to suffer more than Kanjin citizens. Of course there are always repercussions to war ( which was part of Fiona's argument in the last chapter in favor of the rebels)....anyway, it's something to ponder.

What do you think of Karina as a character?She hasn't had a ton of chapters with her POV ( there will be more I promise), but I would love to hear any general impressions you have on her overall as a character at this point. We are nearing the mid section of the book btw, so there will be some major turning points coming up. This chapter is more along the lines of one that is meant to remind the reader of the broader scope of this world before getting more entrenched with Fiona, Henry, Alex, Cecil, and all the other main players to the political unrest and rebellion that is simmering. Hope you liked the chapter and if you did, I would highly appreciate you clicking the star;-)

* Side note...I am thinking of trying multiple posts a week come December. There is a fair amount of book left to go through and the story speeds up a bit as well. Hopefully this will come as good news to people who have made it this far in the book;-)