Discovery

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Hannah paused from her morning duties and allowed her mind to drift. The kitchen gossipers intensified their whispered stories; the rumors of the Old Mage, and how he had once rested for a few days during his travels through Casselberry. Almost a year later she was born to an unwed mother. Those who remembered the Old Mage’s last visit said she looked like him.

Of course, they said a lot of things. . . and that’s why they were gossips. Still, over the years Hannah had developed a mental shell hard enough to disregard the spurns, the nasty looks, the harsh whispers behind her back, and the assignment of the least desirable duties about the palace. Until her mother’s death over five years ago, her mother had managed to shield Hannah from the worst of them. Now the rumors intensified daily, especially in the last few days.

“Daydreaming, Hannah?”

The friendly question pulled her back from the idle thoughts. The owner of the voice leaned closer and winked in good humor, although the scars of the burned face still frightened Hannah, no matter how kindly the washerwoman treated her. Hannah sighed, “I’m just a little sleepy today.”

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