The falcon's daughters

Chapter 27

The sun had passed midday as the three hundred soldiers passed through Theko's gates. About sixty of Crayden's soldiers stood in front of them with drawn weapons. Lee, who was at the head of the squad, looked at them.

- Put down your weapons and nobody will be harmed.

The men looked at each other and at the large group of soldiers in front of them. Realising that they were severely outnumbered they put down their weapons and backed away.

- Tero, keep an eye on this bunch. Arrad your group’s with me.

Arrad, an elderly soldier with a scarred face, nodded and raised one hand. At his command fifty soldiers got off their horses and lined up behind him with drawn weapons. The remaining soldiers split up to let Sol and Y'zora pass who had been traveling in the middle of the group. They stopped when they reached Lee and he gently smiled at them.

- Lady Sol. Lady Y'zora. Let's make our little visit now. Arrad, lead the way.

The soldiers lined up in front of the prince and the two ladies before entering the castle. The servants frightened hurried away as the soldiers marched through the corridors. The doors to Crayden's throne room were knocked open with a loud bang as Arrad's men reached it. Crayden got up from his throne and immediately called for his guards.

- What's the meaning of this! Guards!

The soldiers parted their lines to allow Lee to enter the room.

- Your guards decided to take a much-needed rest Crayden.

- Prince Leerian. What gives me the honor of this visit?

- You keep a young woman and her father captive. I demand that you release them.

- What interest could you ever have with my prisoners Prince Leerian. You have no ties to them.

- The interest is not Prince Leerians, but mine.

Sol held her head high as she approached the men.

- And I have a tie to them.

Crayden took involuntarily a step back when he saw Sol and for a second he thought his mind was playing tricks on him.

- How could...Who are you? And how dare you address me?

- I'm Sol. The woman you hold prisoner is my sister. I want her and her father back!

Crayden snapped at the young woman. Who was she to come to his kingdom and talk to him like that.

- No little girl will come in here and tell me what to do! This is my kingdom and my word is the law. You shall be punished for your disrespect!

He drew a sword and raised it in front of Sol. Lee rushed forward with the sword drawn and blocked the blow before it could hit her. Crayden stumbled backwards when Lee gave him a powerful punch in the face and he landed clumsily in his chair. He nervously pushed back against the backrest as Lee leaned over him and pressed the tip of the sword to his throat.

- Here is what we’re going to do. I'll give you two options. Either you’ll bring the prisoners or we will tear down the castle stone by stone until we find them. The choice is yours. For my part, I would love for you to refuse to hand them over. It would give me the pleasure to liberate the world from you. No one would miss a scum like you.

- You’re forgetting the law prince.

Crayden swallowed carefully and pushed back more towards the chair when Lee smiled coldly at thim.

- No, I don't. But I think you do. Your grandfather never signed the treaty. Now I suggest you get them before I lose my patience.

Crayden looked dubiously at the guards and shrugged as Lee pressed his sword harder against his skin. A faint stream of blood ran down his throat.

- Well, how do you wanna play this?

- Get the prisoner.

After a brief nod from Lee, two of his soldiers disappeared with the guard.

- Wise choice Crayden. I hope you don't mind my men tagging along. On second thought it doesn't really matter if you mind or not. I just want to make sure that you're not trying to trick us.

With a smile, Lee met Crayden's hateful look. The guard and the two soldiers quickly returned to the room with Lace. Sol hurried to his side and grasped his hand.

- Lace! Are you okay?

He smiled at the girl’s thoughtfulness and gently patted her on her hand.

- Sol. I'm glad to see that you’re alright.

- Where's the girl Crayden?

- She's not here Prince Leerian.

- Prince Leerian?

Lace raised an eyebrow and glanced at Sol who shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

- Yzza thought we needed help to get you out of here.

- If you're trying to trick me ...

- Pardon my intrusion, your highness. But she's not here. He managed to catch me after we escaped but Kit got away.

- So we're done here?

- Yes your highness.

- Then we’ll take our leave.

Lee put away his sword and smiled as he gave Crayden a slight bow.

- Hope our little visit hasn't ruined too much of your day Crayden. Enjoy what's left of it.

The troop left the hall and as they rode out through Theko's gates they could hear Crayden's frantic roar echoing through the castle. Sol rode up beside Lace.

- Where's my sister?

- I don't know.

- But ...

- I told her to meet me in the hidden valley. But I don't know if she has managed to get there or if she’s still there.

- Where is this valley?

- In Carlan, actually, Prince Leerian. I'll show you.

- You will do no such thing Lace!

Y’zora raised her voice at his words. She wasn't pleased with the way he had been treated while being in Crayden’s care. He was dirty and it was very clear that he hadn't gotten much to eat the last months.

- You are in no condition to ride around half the world. Prince Leerian can you and Sol go to the valley and look for Kit?

- As you wish Lady Y'zora.

Lace was about to object until he looked at Y’zora’s stern face. It stood clear to him that any objections would fall on deaf ears.

- You're probably right Y'zora. The entrance is located in a shrubbery west of Ipelé.

- Arrad. Take good care of Lady Y'zora and Lace.

- You can trust me your highness. I'll make sure they reach your father safely.

- Good. Lace do you know which way Kit took?

- We passed through the domains of the swamp people but after that I have no idea.

- Then we’ll follow that route and search for her. Are you ready my lady?

She nodded and they galloped away to the east.