Kahlan Chapter 1: Three Sisters of Fate

The wind whispered to me as I strolled through the Willow Woods in mid afternoon. The air smelled sweet, pure, and moist. I knew I was close to River Jordan. 1

Why they asked me to meet them there I have no idea. The Three Sisters of Fate have their intentions and asked me to not question their authority on this. 2

"Why are we here again?" my archangel (sort of) and friend, Gabriel asked me. His tall gladiator image towered over my 5 by 9ft height. His sword of legends hung by his side. 'It's for protection,' he would say. I would just smile and gently ask, 'From me?', and walk away without getting his answer. 3

I looked up at him from the everlasting trail. His silver eyes gazed into my light blue ones as I said to him again for the tenth time this afternoon, "I told you. The Sisters of Fate asked to see me at the River Jordan."4

"But why the River Jordan?" His blank face turned soft as he saw the annoyance expression I was giving him.5

"Because they asked me to see them at River Jordan. I don't know why this river." I said.6

"They could've chosen any other rivers. I just want to know why this river." Gabriel frowned.7

"Don't asked me questions you know I don't have the answers to, Gabriel," I said firmly. I gazed up at the pale gray sky and wondered if it was going to rain before, during, or after our meeting with the sisters. I hoped before. The rain always calms me.8

I looked over at Gabriel and asked him curiously, "What's wrong with Jordan? Is she not good enough for you, Mr. IneedEverythingToBeMyWayOrTheHighway?" I smirked.9

He halted us to a stop. He stared at me with a frown. "River Jordan is dangerous. Beautiful, but dangerous," his gaze shifted down my white dress that wrapped around my body like a second skin, "just like you." His silver eyes sparked to life as a grin appeared on his handsome face. 10

Suddenly, unexpected by him, I had him pinned up against a tree with my Atlantean knife pressed against his throat. I smiled when I saw the slight fear in his eyes made its color turn a shade darker. I laughed, "You are right, Gabriel, I am dangerous. Don't ever forget that and don't ever underestimate me, Gabriel. I know how to take care of myself." I released him from my threatening hold and went onto the trail. The rain never came.11

We stepped over fallen tree trunks and big stones. It kind of felt like climbing a mountain, which we were doing. The River Jordan is one of the most beautiful rivers in the Willow Woods. What's different about River Jordan from the other rivers is that it is the only longest river that runs through Mount Athena like a water fall. It is my favorite place to look upon.12

"Kahlan, how far now?" I noticed Gabriel was lagging behind a ways. His eyes franticly scanned the horizon. 13

"Not long. The water fall is just up ahead. Past the Willow tree," I pointed toward the tall tree that was surrounded by other smaller trees and rocks. The Willow tree is the tallest tree in these woods. That's why it was called Willow Woods by my father, Morpheus, in 1250 B.C. Two hundred years before my birth in Athens. 14

I heard the sound of the water fall before its beauty came before me. The three sisters stood together facing us. The only one I knew by name was Atropos, who stood in the middle of them.15

"Good afternoon, Kahlan," Atropos gaze lingered on Gabriel for a moment before she shifted her eyes toward mine. Her sisters gaze followed hers. "These are my sisters, Clotho," she moved her hand indicating the one to her left, "and Lachesis," she moved her other hand indicating the other to her right. 16

I bowed my head to acknowledge them and gave them a smile. "Good afternoon. This is my friend, Gabriel." 17

"An Atlantean Warrior!" Clotho exclaimed.18

"Don't see too many of them now a days," Lachesis said. 19

To my surprise, Gabriel had a huge grin on his face and bowed deeply to the sisters. Great, the sisters just made a new best friend. They won't know what hit them... Gabriel is kind of a burden... he can be such an annoying gladiator at times, but he is one of the most fearsome warriors in battle.20

I stepped a few paces away from Gabriel toward the three sisters. I got their attention as their eyes followed me. I stood before them and asked, "Why is it you sisters wanted to see me here, on Mount Athena?"21

Atropos stepped forward. We were both only 3 feet away from each other. As she stared into my blue eyes, her face expression changed to curiosity. She studied me like no one else ever had. 22

It was a bit strange to me. I felt as if she knew me. Knew my very thoughts, my very feelings, my very secrets... I struggled to try to understand what she was actually doing.23

She leaned toward my ear and whispered, "I know the answers to your questions. I know what you want and how you can find it. I know what lies on the road ahead for you, Kahlan," she leaned closer to me, "I know what you are. I know what your mother is and I know what happened to your father."24

Atropos wrapped her arms around me. She held me as she spoke, "I know how much pain you have been in since the death of your father. I know you want revenge, but you must understand that your revenge with cost you not just your happiness, but those that you will come to love," her arms tightened around me in an protectors hold, "I know your fate, Kahlan."25

She let me go as I stepped away from her. I frowned, "You know my fate?"26

"Yes, my child." 27

"You know who murdered my father and who my mother was?"28

"Yes, and not was, but is." Was she implying that my mother was alive?29

My frown deepened, "They are dead."30

"No. Your mother is still alive and well. She is the one who sent us to see you." Atropos gaze burned a hole deep in my soul. She knows my mother.... and she sent them.... 31

"How can this be," I whispered aloud. "Who is she?"32

"Kahlan, your mother is Athena." Atropos turned toward Gabriel when he let an outburst. 33

"Athena?! The Greek Goddesses of war and crafts who sprung fully grown and armed from the head of Zeus?!" he exclaimed.34

Atropos nodded her head, "Yes, that be the one and the only Athena I know to have done so."35

Gabriel stood there is shock with his mouth hung open and drull dripping off his chin. 36

The Sisters of Fate stared at him in wonder. I shook my head and chuckled to myself. 'Me, a daughter of a goddesses? They must be out of their minds.' I thought. 37

"Sisters, I think you are all mistaken..." I said.38

"We never mistake!" Clotho exclaimed. "Athena is your mother! She sent us to tell you to come see her on Olympus!"39

"Clotho!" Atropos glared at her.40

"Well, she did! And I certainly don't want her to be upset with us... After what Hephaistos did to her and what she had to do to protect, Kahlan, she is not in the mood to be messed with!" Clotho exclaimed at Atropos.41

"Clotho! That will be enough!" Atropos demanded. 42

Lachesis came forth and looked at me with soft, kindly eyes. "Athena has so much to tell you, my dear. She will be overjoyed if you decided to come with us to see her."43

I narrowed my eyes on them. I stared hard at the ground. My mind raced down many paths and decisions. "She will have the answers you seek," Lachesis voices was almost un-hearable, but I heard every word. 44

My decision has been made. I looked up and gazed on each of their faces before I spoke, "I will go with you to see her. Under one condition..."45

Atropos eyes studied me again...curiously she said, "Tell us."46

I looked over at Gabriel who was still frozen in place. "He can't come with us."47

Clotho said, "Awww... and I really wanted to play with him." She had a playful disappointed look on her face that let me know she didn't mean a word she just said, but then again she might have.48

"Agreed," Atropos smiled. 49

"Great, when do we leave?" I asked as I nudged Gabriel to knock him out of his shocked state.50

"At once!" Clotho excitedly said.51

Suddenly, I found myself standing in front of a huge white stoned building. A statue held up the base of the roof which happened to be a statue of the Goddess Athena. I franticly looked around my surroundings... the fates were no where to be found. But what I did also notice is that I was on Olympus, in front of Athena's temple. 52

How I just appeared here out of no where... I have only one idea... "The Fates," I cursed under my breath.