Autumn's Traitor by Hannah Parker

Author:Hannah Parker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Counterpoise Press

Kaisa stalked through town, irritated after her meeting with the man from the Order and hearing Ishan’s comments about the New Order.

She stopped when she saw Jovanna near the town square, surrounded by a group of children.

Kaisa’s heart clenched at the sight. Jovanna had wanted to be a Sister of the Order, tasked with teaching new members of the faith. Her friend might be tough as nails, but her demeanor softened around children. She knew how to be firm yet kind, guiding them with a gentle hand. Her dream had been ripped from her, but she had been spending the majority of her time with the village children, teaching them to read and write.

Kaisa drifted closer, a smile touching her lips.

“… and then Asphalion forgave his sister and invited girls into the magical realm of the fey. And so, the tithe was born.”

The smile faded from Kaisa’s face. Heat simmered beneath her skin.

“Kaisa,” Jovanna said brightly, catching sight of her. The children turned, exclaiming in delight when they saw her.

Kaisa jerked her head at Jovanna. “I need to speak with you,” Kaisa ground out.

Jovanna stood, dusting off her pants. “Practice your letters,” she told the children, who dutifully began scratching marks in the dirt.

“What is it?” Jovanna asked, crossing her arms.

“What are you doing?” Kaisa growled. “You can’t seriously be teaching them about the Twins.”

Jovanna gave her a strange look. “It’s their religion, Kai.”

“The Order took everything from us,” Kaisa hissed, gripping Jovanna’s arm.

“I’m not teaching them about the Order,” Jovanna snapped. “I’m teaching them about the Twins, there’s a difference.”

“You just can’t give them up, can you?” Kaisa said. “You still want to be a Sister of the Order. You’re poisoning their minds!”

“They can believe in the Twins and not the Order,” Jovanna snapped, jerking out of Kaisa’s grip. “And of course I don’t want to be a Sister of the Order, are you mad? They tried to have me killed.” She took a deep breath. “These children have lost so much. I’m not taking their faith, too.”

“These are my people, and you won’t speak to them of the Order or the Twins,” Kaisa growled.

“I know you’re struggling,” Jovanna’s tone softened. “You don’t know who you are without your faith. And I know it goes against everything we were taught, but it’s all right if you don’t believe in the Twins anymore.”

Kaisa blinked.

Jovanna took a deep breath. “But it’s all right if these people do. You can’t expect everyone to think the same way as you do. I know a small part of you wants them to suffer as you have suffered. I know that because I feel the same way. But no one will understand what we went through except us.” She squeezed Kaisa’s hand.

Tears filled Kaisa’s eyes. She hadn’t realized how badly she had needed to hear those words.

Jovanna squeezed her hand once more, then returned to her place amongst the children.

Kaisa watched Jovanna teach the children for a long while. Anger crept into her heart, steeping into her veins.

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