A Simple Darkness (The Young Ancients: Tiera) by P. S. Power Read Free Book Online Page A

was fine, otherwise she'd have to deal with Tiera.
    Timon held his arm out to Karen, who was still dressed in fighting leathers and she took it, as if a proper lady at court, her face serene and delicate in expression suddenly. She led them away, leaving the craft, but Timon stopped her and took it down with a few quick movements.
    "To prevent theft." He didn't explain who might try to steal such a thing, but Tiera didn't question it either. He was smart enough not to waste time with things that weren't needed.
    That left her standing with Petra, who stood watching them for a while as they walked away, towards the Headmasters office.
    "So, Tiera. How are you doing? Current difficulties aside?"
    It was a good question and she touched her head, short hair bristling in an unfamiliar pattern.
    "Well, I feel lighter. As for everything else? Horrible. My life is pretty much ruined already and I'm only fourteen. It's all my own fault, but, I don't think I can fix it. I should probably transfer to a different school, or go home, but I... I've destroyed it all, haven't I?"
    Instead of reassuring her, Petra nodded, which wasn't helpful at all.
    "Pretty much. Oh, you'll get past it, but it's going to be hard for a while. You need to get used to your new nickname I'd guess. Doretta, is it? Well, it could be worse. No one thinks you're a traitor just because your older brother and his bitch of a wife declared war on the kingdom." She grinned and patted the smaller girl on the back gently. "Though Maria and I have kind of made up now, so calling her a bitch is a bit mean, but for a few years there... Well, you understand, you aren't the first girl to have to deal with the fallout of things like this. At least you were supposedly trying to protect the boys you hurt? No one will believe that, even after hearing it was Truth verified, but at least you can hold on to the fact that you aren't just evil..." There was no hint of teasing to the tone, and no smile came, but the woman didn't seem like she was being mean or anything. "On the good side you can hang out with the fighters now, since you have a good teacher for it and the right haircut. They're a lot more likely to cut you slack, as far as rumors go, as long as you try hard and learn fast."
    Tiera started walking to her room, Petra following her. She noticed that far fewer people were staring at her, which was either her haircut throwing them off, or the news of her humbling apologies having gotten around. Probably the hair. Honestly, if they knew it was her the whole groveling in public thing would make her more of an object of interest, not less, if not in a good way.
     In the room Petra had her stand in the small open space near the desk and turn around a few times, examining her as if thinking of abstract and brilliant things. Then, slowly, she reached out and placed a single hand on her shoulder, There was the faintest hint of movement from her clothing, and when she looked down she was in a dress, one that nearly glowed, her shoulders bare and her bust line looking a lot larger suddenly.
    "Padding?" It wasn't horrible, but not something she would have normally bothered with herself. It made her look a lot bigger though.
    Petra nodded, but didn't speak for a while, the whole thing taking on the very slightest hint of a silvery blue glow. The shoes had turned from a sturdy brown look to light slippers that seemed to be made of silver metal. Then, a little rudely, the woman picked up her heavy and multiple layered skirt and looked at her legs, which got pale white hose to appear.
    Dropping her handful of material she smoothed the material a bit.
    "That should do it. Much more and it will look out of place, since you aren't anyone of high status. Not enough to put on airs in the Capital with a full Count and his Countess there. Plus, this isn't a party, so this is about the right level of dress I think. Can you remember the pattern? We have hours and there really isn't a good reason to