Stormchild

Kathryn stared at the ground wordlessly, as her parents' coffins were lifted into the Fer Harten vault, and the stone was sealed over again. Her mother and father were the two newest additions to be put into the final resting place of her family. Kathryn clenched her jaw. She would never end up in that marble structure, never!

She stared at the marble lid, engraved with golden and silver designs. "I'll make something out of myself," she vowed softly. "I won't end up like you, more concerned with who you were visiting, than helping others. I'll be myself, I won't be in the shadow of my name. I won't be like you were, won't be like anyone else!

"I swear it."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kathryn stared up at the tall, forbidden-looking house, with dismay. This was where she was supposed to be living until some man decided he wanted to marry her? How depressing. She looked even more doubtful as she was led up the steps and walked inside.

Her aunt and uncle were all right, she supposed, for relations she barely knew. She didn't think she'd have a very close relationship with them though. They didn't seem to like her very much.

Stephan fer Kiliker was her mother's brother. He didn't look much like her, that's for sure. While her mother had been blond and blue-eyed, he was black and green-eyed. He was tall and thin, with a rather severe expression constantly on his face. When he was looking at her, Kathryn always had the feeling she had done something wrong. She decided she didn't like him very much.

His wife was a little bit better. Emily fa Kiliker had long, curly chestnut hair and soft blue eyes, with a gentle expression in them. Kathryn had the feeling she wouldn't be seeing that gentle expression much, when they got to know her. Still, maybe this could be her new start, her chance to have a family, friends...

But the moment she clapped eyes on her cousin, Portia, all thoughts of a new start were wiped away. The girl was looking at her with an expression of pure loathing. How people weren't going to treat her like they had back home, when a girl like that was clearly out to make her life miserable? But why was she so angry? This was the first time Kathryn had ever met her.

Suddenly, she wished she was back home.

Emily was the first to speak. "Welcome Kathryn, dearest," she said, smiling, as she approached her niece by marraige. "It is an honour to have you in out home." Portia snorted. Kathryn noticed Emily ignored it on purpose.

She curtsied. "It is an honour to be here, Aunt Emily." She decided not to say she wanted to go back home, and that she didn't really like these people. It might offend them, she decided, as she smiled back. But nothing could stop her from stiffening as her uncle approached her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Portia look on with sudden interest, clearly wondering why she was so wary of her father. Kathryn wondered why as well.

"Lady Kathryn fa Harten," he said formally. Kathryn looked up at him, confused as to why he was saying her title. Emily looked at her husband, an eyebrow arched, clearly thinking along the same lines as her niece. Portia was eating this up.

"We are grateful to have you here with us, and we regret the unfortunate death of your parents." The last few words he had to struggle to say, as if it hurt to talk. Kathryn had the feeling he hadn't liked her parents at all.

"Thank you Uncle," she replied, thinking, There is no way I'm going to satisfy you by saying titles. It obviously worked, as she saw Stephan's forehead furrow with annoyance. Kathryn turned to Portia. "It is good to see you as well cousin."

Portia only pursed her lips, sniffed and turning on her heel, and walking away. Kathryn raised her eyebrows as she disappeared from the hall, into a room. Her mother looked embarrassed, as if Portia shouldn't have done that at all, and her father looked satisfied, which made Kathryn vbery suspicious. What was going on? Had they something planned for her?

Suddenly home didn't seem that bad after all. It was certainly better than here.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kathryn soon came to know what her relations had planned. To completely and utterly ignore her. She came to realize that they considered her a pest, an annoyance that had somehow made her way into their household. And she didn't like that one bit.

With the exception of Emily, her uncle and cousin ignored her and acted like she did not exist, ignoring her at mealtimes and passing her over in conversation. Emily was the only one who tried to include her, attempts which failed miserably.

Kathryn soon decided that even home had been better than this. At least at home she hadn't been ignored. Here, she didn't even exist. Now all she had to do was decide which was worse... Definitely here. She couldn't believe she was saying this, but she wished she were back at home.

But she hadn't a home to go to anymore. Since the death of her parents, the house was now in Kathryn's possession - but she also couldn't accept it until she was twenty-one, years away. All the servants had been sacked, and given references, and Kathryn had been sent to her only relation in the area - her mother's brother. They were the only ones left in Emelan - the others were in different countries nearby - Sotat, Capchen, Anderran and various others.

And Kathryn didn't like any of them. Particularly her relations in Emelan itself. Besides none of them liked her either! What was the point, why did she have to go to relatives at all? She'd heard of other noble girls being sent to one of the Living Circle Temple, Lady Sandrilene fa Toren being possibly the most well known, due to her strange powers. Maybe people would like me better if I had strange powers, Kathryn thought miserably. In the months she had come to her relations she had changed dramatically. She was no longer quiet and gentle, instead sullen, miserable and constantly angry. Often she lost her temper and her relatives were quickly tiring of her, particularly Stephan.

Emily had tried to get her to open up, but as Kathryn had continued to push her away, finally, even she gave up, leaving her alone. It soon became well known to everyone in the household, to keep far away from Kathryn and not to speak to her. It was not a good way to live for the young girl.

Sometimes, if she looked at her uncle out of the corner of her eye, she's see him looking at her with intense hatred. But she had never done anything to him, indeed she had never met him until now. She was almost entirely sure something had happened between him and her mother sometime, years ago, before she had been born. Often, she wished she could have asked her mother about him, but she had never had a close relationship with any of them. It was as if her uncle was blaming her for something her mother had done. But what?

If her uncle was bad, her cousin was worse. Portia, it appeared, had a grudge on her, from the very moment she had stepped into her home, if not even before that. But why? As with Stephan, Kathryn had never met them before now. But what she wanted to know, was why. Why was she doing this to her?

It was on a windy day, three months after she had first come to her relations, that the first event happened, that would decide her fate. She and Portia had been out riding, sidesaddle. (Stephan thought girls shouldn't ride like men did, much to Kathryn's horror.) A stable hand was a little bit behind them, to keep an eye on things, and to make sure nothing went wrong.

Portia was riding a litle bit in front of Kathryn, and had positioned her pony so that Kathryn couldn't pass her out. Kathryn gritted her teeth in anger. Portia was completely convinced that she was better than Kathryn, all because Kathryn had lost her parets and her home. And for the fact Portia resented the fact Kathryn had come to her home. Kathryn wondered how her cousin would react if she ever found out Kathryn resented being here as well.

But Kathryn's pony, an energetic grey gelding, didn't like the fact that Portia's chestnut mare was in front. Kathryn tried her best in controlling him, but eventually her pony nudged Portia's aside and trotted away ahead. Portia was furious, and whacked her gentle mare hard with her riding crop and rode up beside Kathryn, who was secretly pleased with what her pony had done, but she couldn't tell her cousin that!

"What do you think you're doing?!" Portia demanded, blue eyes snapping. "I was in front!" She looked positively furious.

Kathryn shrugged. "I'm sorry, it was my pony. He decided he wanted to be in front. You know how competitive horses are. You can be in front going home if you like."

Portia tossed her man of black hair. "I won't be in front coming back! I'll be in front now! And don't you dare call my home, your home! You don't belong here!"

"Portia!" Kathryn snapped, eyes blazing. "Shut up and stop acting like a spoilt brat!"

"How dare you!" Portia yelled. The stable hand was trotting up to them, looking worried. "You don't belong here scum! That's what Papa says, and according to him you're just as bad as your mother was! You can't even ride that pony!" Angrily, she pushed Kathryn hard.

Kathryn yelped, as she went sliding, and held on for dear life, as she slipped and slid, frantically trying to hold on. Her pony was becoming nervous, fidgeting, clearly wondering why Kathryn was going all over the saddle.

She eventually righted herself, and faced Portia, who was slightly sorry for her outburst. When she saw Kathryn's face, she paled. Kathryn looked like she was ready to commit murder!

"What on earth convinced you to just do that Portia?" Kathryn asked, in a dangerously calm voice. "I could have been killed!" Kathryn's voice was rising dangerously high with every second.

"What convinced you?!?!?" she screamed. And chaos errupted.

The wind, which had been loud all day, suddenly became a dangerous gale, tossing the trees and screaming its fury. The horses screamed, utterly terrified. Kathryn and Portia fought to keep them under control, which was a hard thing to do, considering their hair was flying into their faces and eyes, and their skirts were tangling around them. Suddenly the heavens opened, as the clouds turned grey and rain came pouring down.

Thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed across the sky. "What's happening?!" Portia cried, terrified. Kathryn didn't answer, more concerned with her pony's safety, than the safety of her cousin. Suddenly bright yellow light flashed in front of her eyes, and she hissed, clamping a hand over her eyes, as spots danced in front of them. She was sure that it hadn't been lightning, so what had it been?

And then... it just stopped. The wind died down to what it had been earlier. The rain stopped. The thunder died away. The lightning disappeared. The storm was completely gone. A few moments after it had started.

Kathryn blinked, and slowly looked around. What had just happened? She began to pat her pony on the neck, trying to came down the frightened creature, when she heard Portia gasp. She looked over at her. "What?"

Portia was looking at her as if she had suddenly grown another head, or had turned blue or something. "It was you, wasn't it? You caused the storm!"

Kathryn frowned. "Are you crazy Portia? How on earth could I have caused that storm!"

"You did!" she insisted. "You're turning out just like your mother, just as Papa said!" Tossing her hair, she turned her pony and started towards home. Kathryn, thoroughly confused, followed her.

"Besides," Portia called back. Kathryn looked up, having been lost in her thoughts. "Your mother had a golden light around her, just like you had there, while the storm was on. You can't have much more proof than that!"

Kathryn turned pale. What was going on? What was happening to her?

Chapter Three

When Stefan and Emily learned of the storm that had happened during Kathryn and Portia's riding trip, they didn't say anything, much to Portia's dismay (who had been looking forward to seeing Kathryn being punished), and to Kathryn's annoyance (who had expected the to say something at least).

But Kathryn did notice that Stephan did look sort of annoyed and angry, and that it was probably over her. Emily just looked troubled, and Portia had decided to make Kathryn's life even more miserable, to make up for the punishment she had never got. Kathryn was convinced Portia was slightly mad.

Her life did not improve over the years she spent with them. Two more times she went riding, storms came up, and immediately died again moments after they had began. Portia was becoming more and more convinced that it was Kathryn's fault the storms came, much to Kathryn's amusement.

After all, how could she cause storms to appear? That was impossible, you'd need magic to do that. But according to Portia, it was perfectly clear: the storms had come up only when Kathryn was there. So it had to have been her. It was that simple.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two years after she had first come to them, now fourteen, Kathryn and her relations had been in one of the living rooms, sitting in front of the fire. Stephan had been quietly brooding, while Emily and Portia had been doing (or in Portia's case, attempting) needlework. Kathryn had been sitting a little way apart from them, reading.

Portia had looked up from pricking her finger for the fourth time, and had decided to take out her anger, pain and frustration out on Kathryn. Her cousin had been sitting in a chair quietly, biting her bottom lip, obviously getting well into the book. Turning to her mother, she had said loudly, "I think girls really shouldn't read, do you?" Unlike Kathryn, Portia never touched a book unless their tutor made her.

Kathryn had clenched her jaw hard, her eyes narrowing slightly, but had ignored the comment, and had kept to her book.

Emily had looked at her daughter, confused, then had looked at her niece and back again, realizing who the comment had been for. She glared at her daughter, telling her sharply to return to her needlework. But the damage had been done.

Possibly the most startling reaction had been Stephan's. He had looked up at Portia, then at Kathryn and a smile had spread across his face. "Yes Portia, right you are dear," he had replied.

Kathryn had put down her book and gazed at her uncle with stricken eyes. Stephan hadn't exactly given her many compliments in the two years she had been here (he'd given her none in fact), but he hadn't insulted her either. Until now.

Portia had looked delighted with the result, and gave Kathryn a triumphant sneer, when her mother hadn't been looking. Emily, meanwhile, had looked shocked and had given her husband a look which had said plainly, Why did you say that? A tense smile twisted her lips, and she said tightly, "Girls, please leave us alone. Thank you."

Portia pouted, saying, "But Mother..."

"Leave Portia!" her mother had snarled. Portia had gaped, and had flounced out, followed by Kathryn, who walked out more slowly. But Kathryn hadn't gone to her room, instead pausing outside the door, crouched down, listening.

"Why did you say that?" Emily had asked, sounding very much bewildered.

"It was the truth. Kathryn is no ordinary girl," Stephan had replied. "She's taking straight after her mother."

"Your sister hadn't been that strange, really dear," Emily had said, her voice hesitant. Kathryn had frowned, leaning closer into the door.

"'Wasn't that strange'!" Stephan had scoffed. "Honestly! Of course she was strange, she wasn't natural! Causing gales and storms, even lightning! You've heard Portia, what she's said about her! She's doing the same thing!"

"But it isn't her fault!" Emily had protested. "She can't help having magic, and the way you and Portia are treating her isn't going to help! You've heard Portia as well, she doesn't know what's happeneing to her! Kathryn doesn't know she has magic!"

"And you believe her? Dear me, Emily, I thought you had more sense! If she knows what's good for her, she won't cause any more occurances to happen!"

Kathryn hadn't stayed around to listen to anymore. Tears streaming down her face, she had fled to her room, faling face down onto it and buried her face in the pillow. Even her aunt and uncle believed she was strange! What was the point of wanting a new life, when she was treated exactly the same as she had been in her old one? She felt wetness trickle down her cheeks, and realized she was crying. Why was she here, were the Gods determined to make her life a misery? It wasn't fair!

It wasn't fair! It wasn't fair! What was the point of this life, when all it did was make her miserable? It wasn't fair! It wasn't fair! It wasn't fair! All she wanted to be was accepted and liked. To be normal, to have friends. Not avoided, ignored and feared. She just wanted to be like everyone else. Was that too much to ask for? Obviously so.

Outside, the wind howled.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Six months later, Kathryn was facing her uncle, her face impassive and her hands clasped neatly in front of her, looking down at the ground. She had a soft cream gown on, which suited her colouring perfectly. Her wavy hair was pulled back with combs and there was make-up on her face. Today was an important occasion for her uncle. And a death day for Kathryn. She was only fifteen, and someone wanted to marry her.

She had to admit, the guy wasn't all that bad. Eighteen, with soft black hair and warm, brown eyes. He was tall, she was only head smaller than him and still growing. But there was something.. not right about him. Something she couldn't put her finger on, but which made her very nervous.

Portia, being Portia, was completely jealous. It was a blow to her pride that Kathryn had a suitor before her, and had only scorned when Kathryn had told her she wouldn't mind trading places with her. Portia had said that Kathryn was only trying to rub it in. Anyway, even if she had agreed, it wouldn't have been possible. It was Kathryn he had decided on, and Kathryn he was going to marry. She had no say in it at all.

The guy, whose name she had eventually learned was Garek fer Guijun, was standing beside Stephan, looking at her curiously. Kathryn shifted slightly, trying to hide her awkwardness. She didn't like this kind of attention, after fifteen years of being ignored. And besides, she didn't know how to deal with boys, they had kept away from her anyway, as she was a girl, and more so, she was a noble.

"Kathryn," Stephan said, beaming at her. You're only happy and talking to me because if this goes through, I'll be out of your home forever. You still don't like me, Kathryn thought spitefully. "Kathryn, this is Garek fer Guijun. He is distantly related to the royalty in Anderran." In other words, I'd be a fool to refuse him, Kathryn silently translated.

But she kept her thoughts to herself and looked up at him briefly. She felt sick at the thought of marrying him. Was that all she had been put on this earth for? To marry him? She'd rather die! But she curtsied and looked down at the floor meekly, as she was supposed to. "It is an honour to meet you."

He nodded. "As it is to meet you." He glanced at Stephan. "When is the marraige to be made offical?" he enquired.

Kathryn's mind began to spin painfully. It was already to be made offcial? What about her? Did she not have a say in these matters? After all, it was her life that was about to be altered! She frowned. That was enough! She had had it with her uncle, and the misery he daily put her through! She had had enough! She raised her head. "I am not marrying him."

These simple words had more effect than she had thought they would. Both men froze, and as one, turned to look at her. Stephan's face was wary, and worried, while Garek's was incredulous. Kessie swallowed, but met their gazes fully.

"What did you say?" Stephan asked, fighting to keep his face and voice calm and not really succeeding. He knew what the expression on Kathryn's face meant, she was in her stubborn mood, and she very rarely changed her opinions for anything. It had been the one thing he had been praying wouldn't happen. This was going to be difficult.

"I am not marrying him," Kathryn repeated calmly, a steely glint in her golden eyes.

Stepahn turned to Garek, who looked astonished. "She is just joking Garek. Of course she is going to marry you!" To his chagrin, he could clearly hear the false, bright tone in his voice, an obvious sign to his nervousness and desperation.

"I said I am not," Kathryn growled, beginning to look angry.

"Dear, enough of the joke," Stepahn said patiently. At once, he regretted his words.

"I said I am not marrying him!" Kathryn roared, and everything errupted. A wind began howling and the windows, unable to take the strain, burst open and the wind came in. Papers went swirling around them, objects not tied down, flew off into the air, and crashed against furniture, walls or in a few cases, people. Books were scattered everywhere, paes ripped out and whirling frantically around. And in the center of it all, was Kathryn.

Stephan and Garek flung themselves onto the ground and covered their heads with their arms. They were frightened, shivering, eager for this devestating act of nature to stop. It didn't occur to them it might be because of Kathryn, until it stopped.

Just stopped, all at once. Objects still in the air, immediately fell to the ground. Stepahn looked hesitantly around, then slowly got up, Garek beside him. Both men were in complete disarray, their hair messed up and their clothes ruffled. But both stared openly at Kathryn, when they saw her.

Kathryn looked like nothing had happened to her. Like no wind had just come and messed up everything. Her hair was still in place, her dress hadn't one ruffle or crease in it and she was gazing serenely at them. Surrounding her was debris of all sorts. It was a disturbing picture.

Garek turned sickly white and backed away. His eyes were rolling in her head and he looked fit to pass out. "I - I think Lady Kathryn is right, the marraige is a mistake... I - I.. Witch!" he suddenly burst out, looking at Kathryn fearfully. "Unnatural creature!" Turning, he fled, as Kathryn and Stepahn watched, both stunned.

A few moments later, when Garek's footsteps had faded, Stephan looked at Kathryn. At the sight of his niece, he choked and shaking his head, turned and walked from the room. She was left alone.

And then, very slowly, she sank to the floor and the tears began to fall.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Unlike the first time something to this sort had happened, when a storm came up when Kathryn had been twelve, this time she was punished. It wasn't for the wind (which as of yet, no one had offered a logical explanation), but rather for the fact Kathryn had refused the offer of the marraige and had let down her uncle considerably. Personally, Kathryn wasn't sorry at all, but she couldn't say that to them and get her punishment lengthened (although she wouldn't have minded that part)!

It was a week, confined to her chambers (which were a large room and a smaller room), with her meals delivered and no contact with her relations. Kathryn was delighted with this, as it meant she didn't have to face any of them, but what she didn't like was that Portia was acting so high and mighty about it. Kathryn entertained herself by thinking of the expressions on her cousin's face, if she knew Kathryn liked this punishment.

Stepahn never forgot what had happened and what she had done, and to Kathryn, it seemed his hatred of her grew, although he did it in subtle ways and remarks, but the more subtle they were, the larger they hurt. If Portia had been bad, Stepahn was worse.

She didn't know how she survived the six months after that. It was simply maddening, being in the same house as them, even in a house as big as the one her relations had. She just couldn't bear them anymore, and she was beginning to wish she had taken up Garek's marraige offer. At least then, she would have been far away from her unbearable relations!

But somehow, something kept her from going mad, something kept her from doing an action she would have regretted, no matter how much she wished to do it. But when the push came to shove, nothing could have stopped Kathryn from doing what she did...

Chapter Four

It was on a dry, sunny, humid day that it finally happened. A thing that would haunt Kathryn physically and emotionally, never mind mentally for a long time afterwards. It was after that, that the idea she might be mad and wasn't worth saving occured to her. It was after that, her life began to go downhill.

She had been out riding with Portia, who most likely, had been threatened or bribed, or possibly both, to go out with her. Ever since the first time, when they had been twelve, Portia had been wary of her, and had constantly believed there had been something wrong with her cousin. Kathryn meanwhile, had never forgotten what Stepahn had told Emily about her having magic.

It was simply ridiculous, the very idea that she had magic! Why should she, of all people possess magic? It was actually quite funny. Magic only came to really important people like Lady Sandrilene or people like that. Not to an orphan girl with no friends.

Portia had done the right thing, and had ignored her for most of the ride, trotting ahead of Kathryn, keeping her head up, and avoiding looking at her cousin, or doing anything that would draw Kathryn's attention to her. Indeed, she had acted like Kathryn didn't exist. Kathryn, on the other hand, didn't mind that she was being treated like she was invisible, and quite preferred it, rather than actually talking to Portia.

She was concentrating on her seat, and didn't notice that suddenly Portia was looking at her. She didn't know anything until Portia actually spoke. "I don't like you."

Kathryn glanced at her sharply. "Well I don't like you either," she replied pleasently. "So now that we're even on that subject, can we stop talking now?"

Portia glared at her. "You were a fool to refuse Garek's marraige proposal. You might have been something, everyone might have forgotten about your ... strangeness if you had been his wife. I might have actually been a proper cousin to you if you had married him!"

Kathryn smiled. Actually smirked and laughed. "Portia, I don't think you're getting it. I've survived nearly four years with you hating me. You being nice to me would have actually been frightening. And I am who I am, being a wife wouldn't have changed it. Those occurances would have probably still happened, even if I was married."

Portia made a sound that could have been frustration. "No, you're not getting it. You could have been someone. But I guess not. You'll always be that strange girl, that nobody likes, orphaned and haunted. Who had a mother who was insane and a father no one liked either. Do you think it was by pure chance you came to us? It wasn't you know. No one else would take you, once they relaized who you were. We were the only ones who decided to take you, even though Papa despised you. Your other relations wouldn't." Portia shrugged. "So now you know."

But Kathryn wasn't looking at her. She was looking down at the pommel of her saddle. Her head was spinning crazily inside, and her thoughts were all jumbled up. There was a bad pain inside her forehead and was spreading down her nose and to her temples. She felt like there was so much pressure inside her, waiting to get out, that so wasn't getting air, or there was no blood getting to her head. She felt like she was going to faint. And then.. it all burst out.

Something inside her snapped. Something that hated this earth, hated all these people, hated herself. Something that had no regard for rules, or for manners or for politeness. Something that wasn't normal, wasn't human. Was alien and strange. It burst out of her, spreading throughout the countryside, swamping the place with its power. Something she had no control over, didn't know how to stop. She could only hold her head in her hands and moan, as she waited for it to end.

Portia was looking at her, a worried frown on her face. "Kathryn? Are you all right? Kathryn?"

Slowly, Kathryn raised her head and looked at her cousin. And Portia gasped, recoiling, making her horse back away. There was something in Kathryn's eyes that made her scared, that made all her father had said true, everything that had been in Kathryn's mother was in Kathryn now. It was true. She had magic, even if she didn't know it. Portia's heart sank. And Kathryn had no control... and her emotions were so unstable now. Portia regretted saying what she had just said now. And Kathryn opened her mouth and -

And a storm broke over them suddenly. But it was more than a storm, Portia realized, much more. The winds weren't just crazily howling around them, they were gathering together. Into a cyclone. Oh Gods, it was a cyclone. She finally saw the amount of power Kathryn had, how much strength she had. And she saw how little control she had over it.

At that moment, Portia knew she was going to die.

"Stop!" Kathryn shrieked, clamping her hands over her ears, which were beginning to bleed. "Stop! Stop! STOP!"

But it was too late. The cyclone had overpowered her, she had no control over it, even the little she'd had was gone now. There was nothing she could do. She could only watch horrified, as the cyclone lunged towards her cousin. "NO!" she screamed. "NO! NO! NO!"

Portia faced the oncoming cyclone with peculiar clamness. She knew she was going to die. No one had ever survived cyclones, and never the type Kathryn had just made. Theree was no way in this earth, anyone, never mind her, cold survive this. She faced it with a calmness she never knew she had possessed.

She didn't flinch as her hair and clothes were whipped into disarray. She didn't scream as her horse lost it completely, and reared up, dumping her to the ground and to the mercy of this terrifying act of nature. She didn't cry out as pain seared up her body. She didn't look towards her cousin when she cried out her name, her voice high-pitched and frightened. She didn't think to wonder how Kathryn could make herself heard over the raging winds.

And she didn't scream when the cyclone lifted her into the air and spun her crazily around.

And she didn't shriek when it tossed her to the ground, and she felt a pain sear up her neck and a sharp crack. And she didn't speak, as the world turned black...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Portia! Portia!" Kathryn screamed, her hands flying up to he mouth. Letting them fall dumbly to her sides, she screamed, "Portia!" Then, to her horror, she could only watch, as she was lifted into the air and spun around, then falling heavily and awkwardly to the ground.

With no clear idea what was going on, she stood up, as the cyclone disappeared immediately, and the world turned back to normal. But it wasn't normal, not anymore. Something terrible had just happened. Something that she regretted completely and wished had never happened, but couldn't take back, and couldn't being back to normal.

With still no clear idea what she was doing, she started to run towards Portia. Her heart was thumping in her chest and blood was still rushing from her ears, although at a much slower rate by now. But Portia wasso still, motionless. She didn't seem to be breathing...

"Portia?" Kathryn cried, turning her cousin over, her hatred of her apparently forgotten - at least momentarily. What she saw didn't make the guilt any easier. Portia had a heavy cut over her left eye and blood was pooling down that side of her face, as well as over her temple and into her hair. Her face was ghastly white, her eyes closed. She seemed dead...

Suddenly Kathryn snapped out of her mindless trance and her brain began to function again. Looking frantically around, she cursed under her breath. Where was Andrew, the stable hand who had come with them? He had said he'd catch up soon enough. For a moment, panic coursed through her, as she relaized exactly what she had done. She had killed her cousin.. hadn't she? Then, to her relief, she spotted the tall figure of Andrew coming towards them. She scrambled to her feet.

"Andrew! Andrew! Come over here, there's been an accident!" She waved at him frantically.

The stable hand nudged his horse into a canter and soon came up. His face turned deathly pale when he saw what had happened...