Disclaimer: Nothing in the world of Tamora Pierce belongs to me. :] Amaretta and her story, however, do.
"Niko, where are you taking me?"
"I am taking you to meet someone."
"Who?"
"All in good time, Trisana. All in good time."
Tris sighed, wondering where Niko could possibly be taking her. Who in their right minds would live at the top of a mountain when the rest of the village was at its base? Trees melted into each other as they progressed up the steep incline. Rocks littered the path and branches blocked the way every so often. The recent earthquakes had ravaged the area around the Pebbled Sea, turning strong trees and massive rocks into piles of debris.
"How much longer is this going to take?" Tris inquired of her teacher, trying to keep the whine out of her voice. He had awakened her well before dawn that morning, and had insisted that she get up and pack a bag. They were going on a little trip, he announced. In no place to argue with him, she agreed, stiff muscles still complaining from being cramped for so long when the earthquake had struck the cavern.
"Not much longer, Tris. In fact, we should be passing through the boundaries that mark her land any minute now," Niko replied. He was right. Shortly after his response, Tris felt an odd feeling slip over her skin as they passed through a stand of trees into a clearing.
She stared openly at the clearing. Where other open spaces were littered with fallen trees, rubble, and ruined buildings, this one was in pristine condition. She realized with a start that none of the trees had been impacted around this peaceful little area. Nothing was out of place.
"Niko, where are we?" Tris asked, nervousness seeping into her voice. A place like this should not have been spared of damage from the earthquake.
"We are approaching the house of a woman that I would like for you to meet," he replied quietly. They rode up to the small house in silence the rest of the way. Stopping, he dismounted.
"Stay here for a moment, Tris. I will come to get you momentarily," Niko ordered. She stayed in her place hesitantly, wondering what was going on.
Amaretta felt the wards around her clearing being passed. She stood up from her seat, laying down the heavy tome of raised dots on the table that lay before her. She navigated the room with the ease of long practice, keeping her ears alert for the sound of approaching footsteps.
There. There they were. The sound of hooves beating against the path rang in her sensitive ears as she gathered power in her hands. She was not about to be caught unawares on her own property. She tilted her head as a breeze drifted her way. An interesting scent mingled with the tang of trees. She knew that scent as well as she knew the footsteps that approached her.
"Niklaren, is that you?" She called out. He stopped a few feet away from her. She let most of the power in her hands flow back to where it came.
"How you knew it was me I will never know, nor will I know how you managed to figure out I was here in the first place," he answered.
"I'm blind, Niklaren, not decrepit. My hearing and my ability to detect scents are stronger than ever, I'll have you know." She paused, detecting a new scent on the wind. It wasn't that of a horse, trees, or anything that she was familiar with.
"Are you going to introduce me to the girl you have brought with you, or are you going to make me come greet her myself?" She asked of him, a wry smile forming on her lips. She started forward while he tried to gather an answer.
"How did you-" Niko started, but she cut him off.
"Like I said, Niklaren. I am blind, but I am not decrepit. I still have my wits about me." She reach the horse that still had its rider, stopping right next to where foot met stirrup.
"Hello there," she said, looking up in the general direction of the girl's face. Tris looked at Niko, clearly confused. "I don't bite, you know. I do not know what he has told you, but my name is Amaretta."
"Hello, Madame Amaretta," Tris replied respectfully. Amaretta clicked her tongue in distaste.
"I will have none of that Madame talk. It is Amaretta and nothing more. Come now. Dismount and you can lead your horses to the side to graze with my own," she told the girl. Turning on her heel, she walked purposefully back towards her home, leaving the astonished girl behind her. Niko shrugged at her as if to say, "Well, what else did you expect from anyone I'd introduce you to?" and came to lead his horse to the grazing area.
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