The Falcon's Begining by Charlene Toomey (best management books of all time .TXT) 📕

foot, while Rafe gave her a shocked look. She shook her head, though, blushing gently. “But it’s a silly notion. A person couldn’t actually change into an animal, no matter how hard they wished it.” A sigh escaped her lips before the carriage came to a stop, the three thrown around a small bit before the carriage was right again.
7
A small bell hanging above a glass door chimed as Sienna stepped through the threshold of a small shop near the carriage. Rafael stood outside, near the next shop, speaking with a man about the shipment of meat he was to gather that day. With the elder male just being near, Sienna felt a sense of calm. It was what she had felt when her father was around, before he left for the war. The stupid thing. So many people died, why did they even bother? It was a mystery that the young girl did not wish to ponder on as she made her way through the shop, gasping when she found two silver combs with bright pink jewels set in them. “Oh my! These would be perfect for mother!” Her voice came out in a tiny squeak of joy, calling attention to the shop’s owner.
“Ah, hello again, Young Miss Sienna.” The old woman was grinning brightly at the girl, her hands folded in the pocket of her apron which was covered with different colors of dust, mostly from making the trinkets, Sienna assumed. “Come to take another peek around?” The girl nodded happily, picking up the delicate combs in her hands.
“I came to find a gift for mother, she would absolutely love these!” Her face was as bright as a spring sun, which made the old woman smile, the simple action seeming to take years from her face.
“Ah, a fine choice, Miss. If you wish, I can put them on your monthly bill.” Before the words even escaped, Sienna shook her head, switching both of the combs into one hand before she reached into the deep pocket of her dress, pulling out a small silk coin purse.
“Today I have the money to pay for it. I’ve been saving for ages to get mother a fine present.” Pride laced her voice as the old woman nodded, leading the girl to the counter. Sienna stopped, though, her gaze drawn to a set of jewelry set in fine silver. “Oh my.” She said softly to herself as she brushed her fingers over the silver. The necklace was long, and had a large charm at the end; the form of a bird, its wing’s spread wide for the world to see. The earrings were almost the same, though there was a thick silver chain the charms dangled from. “I would love those as well, Madame. Larissa would adore them!” The old woman nodded and picked them up, leading the girl the rest of the way to the counter, where she set the trinkets on the wood, encasing them in velvet cloth.
“Fine choices, both, Young Miss. As for the pick for your sister, it seems to me that she has a sort of fascination with birds, does she not?” The woman had an eyebrow raised as she began folding the combs into their own velvet.
Sienna chewed on her lip momentarily before she nodded. “She finds them to be marvelous creatures, Madame. Whenever there is an injured Avian in our gardens or on any of our land, Larissa seems to find it. She nurses them back to health. I believe it is something about the way they fly. It would be wonderful to feel that free, do you agree?”
A smile had crossed the woman’s face, and she nodded. “It would be amazing, indeed, Young Miss. If I had the chance to fly as the bird’s do, I am sure I would.” After she took the young girl’s coins for the trinkets, she patted her on the head. “You be careful out there, Young Miss. Those boys have been causing trouble again this morning, and it would be a shame to see you caught up in something like that.” Sienna gave a firm nod before thanking the woman, carefully placing the items into her coin purse. With a final smile to the strange woman behind the counter, she pushed open the door, going to stand next to Rafael, a large smile on her face.
Rafe looked down at the young girl with a grin, placing a gentle arm around her shoulder. “Hullo there Small Lady. Did you find everything you wanted?” The young girl grinned up at him brightly, nodding her head. She was about to show him the pouch when she felt something hit the back of her head. She gave a small yelp and put a hand to the back of her head, gasping when she saw that there was blood on her tiny fingers. Rafe noticed this and turned around, watching a group of boys running the other way. He turned back to the girl, his face etched with concern. “Sienna, are you alright?” The girl nodded, but Rafael did not believe her. He turned her so he could look at the back of her head. There was a small cut where the rock had hit, dark red blood already coating the silver locks. “Sienna. You’re not fine. We need to get your sister and get you back to the house.” He said simply. She opened her mouth to protest, but instantly closed it, knowing that she would never win in an argument against the older man. So she simply nodded, lowering her head in slight shame as she was led back to the carriage.
8
“What were you thinking? You know better than to stand out in the streets!” Rebecca stood in the Manor’s infirmary, pacing around the room as her youngest daughter sat on the cot, hands folded in her lap, head bowed in shame. She opened her mouth to apologize, but her mother held up a hand. “No! I do not want to hear excuses, Sienna Grace!” Rebecca’s voice was louder, more harsh. “I told you, I specifically told you not to be out in the streets! This could have been a repeat of last time! I could have been staring at your dead body!” Rebecca’s voice cracked slightly before silent tears fell down her cheeks. “Never again, Sienna. You are never to go into that market again.” The tone in her voice was final, and she said no more as she left the room, a hand over her face to hide her tears.
Larissa watched her mother leave, and took her opportunity. “Sienna…” Her voice was soft, but her little sister still heard her. The younger girl turned her head, which was now bandaged to protect the cut. “This is my fault. I shouldn’t have left you, Little Falcon.” She whispered softly as she sat on the edge of the bed. “Was it the same boys as last time?” Her last words were hesitant, and her hands were shaking slightly. She noticed that her sister’s were shaking in the same way.
“Yes…” She whispered gently, her teeth chomping on her bottom lip gently. “And it is not your fault, Rissa. I should have heeded mother. I knew better. Please do not blame yourself for my stupidity.” Her head was still down, allowing Larissa to see the blood seeping through the new bandages. Larissa opened her mouth slightly, but Sienna shook her head. “Thank you, Rissa, for your concern. I’m glad you’re my sister.” A smile crossed Sienna’s face before she leaned over, giving Larissa a gentle hug.
The infirmary door slammed open, Rafael came in, panic on his face. He carried his long sword in his belt, but his pistol was in his left hand. “Get yourselves to safety. There’s been an attack on the Manor.” Larissa held a knowing look in her eyes, but Sienna simply looked frightened. “It’s Xavier. He brought thirty men with him, knowing that there’s no one here to protect you all. This is his form of revenge on you.” He was staring at Larissa, who nodded.
“Sienna, go up to your room, lock yourself in. Cover the windows and lock them. If you find any maid’s on your way up, bring them with you. Take Marisol, Nicolette and Philippe as well. Go!” Sienna was not about to argue with her sister. She jumped up from the bed and ran out the door as fast as she could, shouting all the way. Larissa turned to Rafe, then, her face set. “I will not run. This is my problem. I will fight along those who are able.” She left no room for argument as she turned towards the door, but Rafe refused to listen. He gripped her arm when she brushed past him, turning her so she would look at him.
“Larissa. You can’t go out there! You could be killed! I need you safe. It would crush me to see you hurt.” His free hand lifted to her cheek, but he froze, dropping both of his arms and stepping back. “I need you to protect your family, Rissa. Please do this.” With a respectful bow, he left again, pulling the sword from his belt. He knew that he could use it for blinding the enemy, and when his pistol failed him.
Larissa was not going to comply. She needed to protect her home. She could not just stand by while her friends were killed; she was going to do something about it. She turned and left the infirmary, moving as if she was going to lock herself in her room, and lock herself in she did. She moved to her dresser, digging into the bottom of the last drawer. A smile crossed her face when she finally found what she was looking for. She pulled a parcel from the bottom of the drawer and grinned. It had been a present from her father before he had left for the war. She moved quickly to her bed, working on her buttons and snaps. The dress fell to her feet in an instant, and she unwrapped the parcel with great speed. Before her on the bed now lay her father’s old uniform. Dark grey pants with a matching shirt. No buttons or pins were on the shirt, for those were on her father’s uniform now, but it would work. Also, there was a cap. Dark grey in color, to match her mother’s eyes. Her fingers ran over the material before she reached under the pants. A roll of bandages was there, just for this occasion. There had been more than one instance where Jarred had taken Larissa out to shoot, or just play poker with his buddies. They did not accept women, so they had to disguise Larissa as a male. She was going to do that again.
She lifted the shift off of her head and dropped it next to her dress. In almost no time, the bandage was wrapped around her chest, hiding her breasts, and the clothes were on her slender frame. She quickly fashioned her hair into a bun and pinned it, hiding it under the grey hat. Now came the hard part, trying to remember where she put her pistol. Her thoughts were interrupted, though, when she heard a tapping at her window. She turned slowly before she gasped, running to it. A small Falcon was at the window, tapping at the glass with its claws. Larissa opened, letting the bird fly in. “Sienna! What in the world? You could have been shot!” Her voice was filled with worry as her youngest sister shifted into human form. In her left hand, she was carrying a pistol and a box full of ammunition.
“I thought you would need this. I heard what you said to Rafael, about fighting. I knew you would do it anyways. “She said with