“We have gathered here today to determine the fate of the youngling wanderer. All concerned, step forward.”
The girl stood very still and tried not to shake. In the past few days, she had been subjected to every form of examination, her body and mind both roughly handled by the examiners, and she was frightened of the villagers. They seemed to dislike her without much reason except that she was mysterious. She gathered that mysterious things were seldom tolerated in Dingad.
“She has the look of something Unsound. That hair is not natural.”
“She has the basics of the Five Learnings, someone has educated her, but she has no memory of the past.”
“She is healthy enough, and of age to work.”
“She is alien to us, perhaps she would do as a sacrifice to Hygund.”
“Hygund may reject her. Her look is a bad omen.”
“But Hygund has said to be kind to wandering strangers. We must do something for her.”
“Hygund does not protect the Unsound.”
“I will take her.”
The girl looked sharply to the right, where a man in a dark, rich cloak was standing and addressing the gathering. His face was impassive and she couldn’t tell how old he was. He seemed less anxious than the rest of the crowd.
He said, “I have need of a vassal. Give her to me and I will take full responsibility for her.”
There was a murmur among the villagers, and the elders closed together to confer. They soon broke apart and one of them said, “Venthal, we give her charge to you, you being appropriate with your special gifts to protect us should she prove dangerous. If you find she is, we will trust you to destroy her. Otherwise treat her with decency as Hygund has instructed.”
Venthal nodded soberly.
“Do you wish to give her a name?”
He thought for a moment. “Anessa, after the bitter herb used to dull the memory.”
“Anessa, here is your new master. Go with him and serve him well, or you will be killed.”
The girl looked from face to face among the villagers and saw no form of welcome or mercy there. She looked at Venthal again. His look was expectant, and he held his hand out toward her.
She cautiously walked over to him and reluctantly took his hand.
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