Book One of the Travelers Read Free Page A

out to the kitchen as Yorn was saying, “This council seat means that you could work to make some of those changes you have been talking about….”
    â€œDo you really think he will get a seat on the council soon?” Kasha asked once they were in the kitchen.
    Boon pulled plates from their shelves. “I think it’s a sure thing. Then you’ll be the daughter of a council leader.”
    â€œA lot of good that will do me,” Kasha joked, putting roasted meat onto a large serving platter. “He will probably make things harder on me just to prove he’s not showing favoritism.”
    â€œYou’re probably right about that,” Boon said. “But you wouldn’t have it any other way.”
    Kasha smiled. “True.” Her father’s integrity was one of the many qualities she admired. And she knew her own desire to earn her way, rather than having anything handed to her, was a quality of hers that made her father proud.
    â€œNow that smells good!” Yorn declared as Kasha and Boon re-entered the room.
    Kasha put the platter in the center of the table while Boon passed out the plates. Soon the heaping platter of meat had dwindled to just one slice.
    Kasha’s amber eyes met Boon’s dark brown ones. Both whipped out their paws to swipe it, but Kasha was quicker. The tasty morsel was already in her mouth as Boon’s paw hit the platter.
    â€œMm-mm,” Kasha said. She licked her paws and grinned.
    Boon laughed. “Those reflexes—it’s why I knew you would be great at wippen.”
    Kasha’s eyes flicked to her father. He had objected when she joined the wippen team. It was still a sorepoint between them. Yorn looked uncomfortable. It was obvious he knew what her father’s position was on the game.
    â€œThis year’s tournament is going great!” Boon continued, obviously unaware of the discomfort at the table. “Coach Jorsa is really pleased with Kasha’s performance.”
    â€œI wish you would reconsider, Kasha,” Seegen said.
    Boon looked shocked. “But she’s so good! We’re sure to win with Kasha on our team! Why would you want her to quit?”
    â€œMy father thinks wippen is wrong,” Kasha said.
    â€œHow can a game be wrong?” Boon asked.
    Seegen cleared his throat. “It is unfair to use the gars as expendable game equipment.”
    â€œKlees can get injured as well,” Kasha argued.
    â€œIt is a traditional game,” Yorn pointed out. “My father was a coach back in the old times.”
    â€œJust because something is as it always has been does not make it right,” Seegen said.
    â€œThe gar players are well fed and well cared for,” Kasha insisted. Why would her father not see that this wasn’t a problem?
    â€œBoon agrees with me on this,” Kasha said. “Right, Boon?”
    Boon stood to clear the dishes. “I…well…I…”
    â€œAnd so does everyone else,” Kasha continued. “It is the way of things.”
    â€œI thought I taught you better than that,” Seegen said.
    Kasha stared at her father, stung. “Wh-What do you mean?”
    â€œI raised you to think for yourself,” Seegen admonished her. “Not just take on the attitudes of those around you.”
    â€œOf course I think for myself!” Kasha protested. How could her own father insult her this way? “If I did not, I would simply agree with you !”
    Now Seegen smiled. “I suppose you are right. A less strong-minded person would parrot my opinion back to me. But I do wish you would think more about your positions. Question your own assumptions—and those held by others.”
    Kasha swallowed. “I promise to keep a more open mind on the subject of gars and wippen,” she said finally. She didn’t really think she’d change her opinion, but she would at least consider her father’s point of view. “But