Chapter 1

1679 Words
The night lay silent and dark over the kingdoms of Derl'ion. Out on the moors and forests, creatures roamed in search of food. Safe in the dark of night, mysterious people moved in the cities. In the royal palace of the city of Adirat, A long-awaited event was about to happen. The royal doctor rushed through the corridors. His concern was shown in the deep grooves formed in his forehead. He quickly pulled his hands over his face and straightened his hair before taking a deep breath to collect his emotions. He couldn't let anyone see that he was worried about what was about to take place. The deep blue coat fluttered behind him as the doors of the royal chamber opened in front of him. Beside the large bed, the king lay on his knees and tenderly held his young wife's hand. He looked worriedly at the doctor who sat down on the edge of the bed. The queen opened her eyes as he put his hand on her damp forehead. The blue eyes were full of pain and fear. He looked at her round belly, which was clearly shown beneath the sheet and his voice was, to his surprise, unexpectedly calm as he spoke. - Do not worry my queen. Together we will ensure that the little prince or princess arrives safely to the world. She nodded and moaned in pain when she closed her eyes as a new contraction went through her body. The queen was a small and thin woman and the long-awaited pregnancy had not been easy for her. She was deeply loved by everyone in the kingdom and many of the inhabitants had prayed for her as they feared along with the doctor that the heir to the throne was too big for the little queen to give birth without danger. Far from there, on the largest of the four islands called the Paw Islands, stood a man. His light hair was illuminated by the moonlight as his gray eyes looked up at the starry sky. His gaze wandered over the sky until it caught on to the two moons. For several nights he had seen them move closer and now they were almost touching each other. Never before had the twin moons come together. He felt that the union of the two moons would happen tonight and that it would bring something different. His thoughts wandered out into the night and he enjoyed the silence. A muffled noise brought him back and he picked up a bowl from the ground before rushing into the cave behind him. Inside the dark a fire burned and on the edge of the flickering shadows lay a black panther. Her mouth was open as she gasped for breath He sat down next to her and put down the bowl in front of her. - Sorry I was away for so long. I was captivated by the moonlight. She lowered her mouth to the drink the fresh water before putting her head in his lap. He put a hand on her big head and scratched her softly behind one ear. Her green eyes gleamed in the fire and he could see a twinge of pain in them before they closed. Carefully he laid her head on the ground. He murmured soothing words as he moved on and kneeled beside her. His hands were gentle as he moved them over her round, tense belly. He could clearly feel the contractions under his skin. - It will be fine my friend. Everything will be alright. It won't be long now. Just a little while longer and then it's all over. Outside of the cave the moment that would keep people talking about for years to come took place. The meeting of the twin moons created a dazzling light that extended throughout all of Derl'ion. The light reached into the deepest parts of the cave and during the brief moment of the light, the panther gave birth to two small cubs. The first as white as the light in which it was born and the second as black as the darkness that followed. When the union of the moons was over he looked at the two little lives that lay close to their mother. - I wonder what other wonders happened this night? Or if your children are meant for something special? He looked into her eyes and a multitude of questions appeared in his mind. For a brief moment, it seemed as if all the knowledge of the world laid in the depths of her sparkling green eyes. - Is it possible that there is something more with you. He shook his head to clear his mind and ran a hand through his hair. - The moonlight must have affected my thoughts. However wise and beautiful you may be, you are after all just an animal. Time passed on the little island and the two cubs were growing fast. Two months had passed since their birth when the quiet life on the island changed. The sun was setting on the horizon and the man was gathering firewood for a warming fire during the cold hours of the night when he heard the screams of despair. Firewood fell to the ground as he released his burden and ran towards the sounds. Down by the beach he found the cubs. They were standing at the water's edge and screamed desperately towards the sea. When they noticed him they immediately ran forward and he kneeled in the sand. With soothing movements, he gently stroked his hands over their backs. - What’s the matter little ones? They grabbed his pants with their teeth and tried to pull him towards the sea. He got up and followed them to the waterline. - Did you see something? He looked out over the shiny sea, searching but not even a ripple appeared. A low-pitched sound was heard and he turned around as the cubs left his side. They rushed to their mother, who calmly stroke her head to theirs.. He followed her with his gaze as she led her daughters to the little boat that was lying on the beach. She stopped and looked back as if to make sure that he followed. One by one, she picked the cubs up by the neck and placed them in the boat. He sat down next to it and looked at him encouragingly. - You want me to take them to the mainland? The cubs calmed down as soon as she placed them in the boat and she showed no signs of lifting them out. - Okay let me pack some things first and we will leave with the tide tomorrow. Satisfied, she lifted the kids down and the three of them left the beach. When dawn came the next day he went down to the boat where the three panthers were already waiting. He put the pack in the bow of the boat and lifted the two cubs and then turned to their mother. - How about you? Should I lift you in or do you want to jump? The damp sand gave way under her weight and she left large paw prints behind her as she reached the boat and tenderly rubbed her head against her daughters. Sadly, she turned his eyes to him and sat down on the beach a short distance from the boat. - I understand. You are not coming with us. He sat down with her and put an arm around her neck. - Don't worry. I'll take good care of them. They will be back with you soon. He gave her one last soft caress over her head before going to the boat. He pushed it into the water and jumped in. The two cubs whimpered as they looked for their mother who had left the beach and walked up to the highest cliff on the island. From there, she followed the boat as it cruised out between the reefs until it was out of sight. She then lay down on the rock and a single tear fell from her green eyes as she slowly faded away and disappeared. It was dusk a week later when the small boat arrived at the port city of Tykori. He tied up the boat and they wandered into the city and to find an inn. The man behind the counter looked up as the trio walked in and he raised one of his eyebrows at the sight of the two panthers. - Ceud mile f'ailte stranger. What can I help you with? The innkeeper had pronounced a greeting phrase in the old language that is rarely used nowadays. In the past, it was a common phrase among travelers and he searched his memory for the right answer. - Ceud taing. A room for the night would be good thank you.. The innkeeper nodded and pointed at the panther cubs. - That shouldn't be a problem. They won't cause any ruckus i hope? - They just want a warm place to sleep at night. Just like me. The innkeeper nodded and pulled out a key and placed it on the bar counter.  - That will be two silver coins then. Just go up the stairs and the second door on the right. He picked up a few coins from a leather purse and placed them in the innkeeper's outstretched hand. - Thank you. He took the key and with the cubs running around his legs he went up the stairs. When he opened the door he couldn't help to smile as the cubs ran into the room and immediately jumped up on the bed where they settled in the foot end and fell asleep. - You are quite right my little ones. We need to rest. When the sun started it’s coarse small soft paws gently touched his face. Two eager green eyes greeted him as he opened his eyes. After a quick meal, they left the inn and followed the road east from Tykori. For weeks, they traveled east. The man followed the cubs who seemed confident about where they were going but still he was surprised the day they approached the mountain area Morat’x and the kids changed direction and started walking towards the mountains.
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