Page 82 of The Ruler
“No, I said I would think about it.”
“And the girl, is she well?” I asked.
“She has issues,” Kya said. “I won’t lie, but she also has the potential to become a councilwoman or grow up to invent something amazing. She reminds me of you.”
“Me?” I said, a hand to my chest.
“Yes, she’s a warrior.”
I laughed. “I’m a pacifist, Kya, not a warrior.”
“You just fight with your words and you’re really good at it. It’s in your nature to move to the forefront and stand guard with nothing but your body, your bravery, and your words as a protector of your people.”
I was flattered and smiled. “You honor me.”
“But it’s true, isn’t it? You would give up your life to save another, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes.” I didn’t even hesitate.
Christina bit her lip. “I might have told Kya about what you did for Athena, but only because it was so admirable.”
“Raven is like that too,” Kya said softly. “She has greatness in her and I’m not going to leave her behind.”
“I understand, but I worry about your attachment to her. Kids can feel if you have favorites.”
“I promise not to treat her differently than my other students.”
“I know we’re asking a lot of you, so I’ll grant you this wishifyou can get permission from Raven’s mother.”
“Thank you,” Kya said. “The other two are Victoria and Pattye Jo Hosey.”
“Pattye Jo,” I tasted the name. “It’s a peculiar name.”
“Yes, according to her papers she’s called Paysey for short.”
“Is she the one who survived the hurricane?”
“No, that was Victoria. That little girl was the only survivor when her parenting unit was hit a few months ago. I’d say she’s a prime candidate.”
Christina moved in her chair. “If you’re only bringing in troubled children who are grieving and broken then how are you going to make this project succeed?”
“Sometimes it’s easiest to reshape a child from a broken place,” I said.
“But not always,” Kya added. “I too worry about this, but if this is what we have to work with then we’ll do it.”
“So that makes Willow, Raven, Victoria, and Paysey, but at least three of them are already twelve years old.”
“Four actually; Raven is turning twelve in a few months,” Kya said.
“We’ll need some younger girls as well.”
“Mila and Nicki are the youngest on the list. They both just turned ten,” Kya said, studying the list that her wristband projected.
“We’ll take them,” I said and summed it up quickly, counting on my fingers. “Willow, Raven, Victoria, Paysey, Nicki, and Mila. We need two more girls and two boys.”
“Can I study the list some more before we decide on the last four?” Kya asked.
“Of course, but I’ll give the six names to the council and ask them to prepare for the children’s departure.”
