The falcon's daughters

Chapter 29

The cold wind pulled hard in their capes. Kit used one hand to keep her cape close around her body and the other to pack the leftover of their meal. Cade fastened the last strap on the horse's gears and walked them over to Kit.

- Where’s that valley you talked about?

She dug around in her satchel for a little while until she could pull out the scroll that Lace gave her and looked at it thoroughly once she unrolled it.

- According to the map, it should be west of a city called Ipelé. The entrance should be in a big bush or grove if I read it correctly.

- Ipelé is about two days away. But given your injuries, it will take us three or four days to get there.

- We would get there faster if we didn't stop to rest so often. How many times will I have to tell you that I'm fine?

It had been three days since they left Cade’s camp and he insisted that they rested every hour. She missed Dorcha but Cade was not a bad companion it turned out. They talked a lot and he now knew almost all of her past. That she was an orphan and raised in the remote Paw islands. Cade smiled and took a step back while he raised his hands in a submissive gesture.

- As you wish. From now on we will take fewer breaks. Shall we continue?

They sat up on the horses and resumed the journey to the hidden valley. She felt the impatience that built up in Chiro's powerful body and gave him some more rein. He set off galloping and stretched the long legs. In the blink of an eye, she could see Cade's brown stallion approaching. Smiling, she turned her face to him before she urged Chiro on. Shrubs and trees passed quickly when the two horses galloped side by side. After running for almost half an hour Kit pulled the reins to make Chiro stop. Reluctantly, the two horses stopped and looked with a disappointed gleam in the eyes of their riders. She breathed heavily and patted him on the neck.

- That was amazing, boy. I know you want to run more.

- Looks like they both want that.

Cade’s stallion was eagerly moving around.

- Do you think you can handle it?

- Of course.

- Then lets let them run.

Barely had he finished the sentence before his horse neighed in fear and reread. He stuck to the saddle and tried to calm the horse.

- Whoa boy. Calm down. What’s wrong?

The horse recoiled sharply when a rustle was heard from a pair of bushes next to them. He took a firm hold of the reins and finally got the horse under control.

- Hold still Àrdan.

He picked up his bow and placed an arrow on the string. Patiently he waited as the leaves on the bushes moved in step with the growing rustle. The arrow was firmly on the bow, which was tensioned when a large black panther left the bushes. In one second, a blank sword tip appeared and split the arrow before he could release it from the bow. The panther took a step towards them and he quickly drew a new arrow. His whole body solidified as the cold steel from the sword was pressed against his throat.

- What are you doing? It's a panther.

Kit’s voice was cold as ice and he glanced at her.

- If you put that arrow on the bow your life is over. I'm not going to let you kill her.

- It will attack us or the horses.

In a swift motion, Cade leaned back before throwing himself off the horse. Smoothly he got up on one knee as he hit the ground and laid the arrow on the bow. The panther took a few steps closer as Kit threw herself over him. With a groan, he released the arrow and fell on the ground by the force in her attack. The panther quickly jumped a step back as the arrow hit the ground in front of the paws. Kit reached for the bow and threw it away before Cade could reach it. He spun them around and grabbed her arms while holding her down to the ground.

- Have you gone insane?

- Let go of me!

With a roar the panther jumped him and they tumbled around on the ground. Kit got to her knees and looked at the panther who was standing with her front paws on Cade's chest. The sharp teeth were bare and a faint growling was heard.

- Dorcha. Let him be.

- What!

- It is okay. He's a friend.

- Hmm I'm not so sure about that but if that’s what you want.

The panther hesitated before releasing him and launched herself at Kit. Cade looked with marvel at the young woman who wrapped her arms around the big cat's neck. He had never heard her voice sound so soft as it did when she buried her face in the feline’s fur.

- I've missed you my friend.

- What in the name of all gods is going on?

She lifted her face to him and happily she wiped away the tears that ran down her face.

- Cade. This is Dorcha. She is my best friend.

- Your friend? Why did she attack us then?

- She didn't. She thought you were going to hurt me. She was just trying to protect me.

She laughed as Dorcha rubbed her big head against her neck and gave the panther another hug.

Lee turned his head when Deó let out a low growl. A light smile spread across Sol's face as she looked at the panther.

- What is it? 

- Dorcha has found Kit.

A thoughtful frown appeared on her forehead and he wondered what could have caused that when she just found out that her sister was alive after all.

- You don't look completely satisfied. Is she hurt?

- No, but she is traveling with someone. A man.

- An enemy?

- I do not know. She treats him like a friend but Dorcha is suspicious.

- Crayden may have sent someone to retrieve her. But we won't know that until we find her.

- They are near a city.

- Your sister is probably on her way to the valley.

- How can you be so sure of that?

- Lace told her to go there, right? She will be there waiting for us.

The two moonlight shades appeared between the clouds that pulled by in the dark night sky. The campfire was burning bright and the light was reflected in Dorcha's green eyes. She looked suspiciously at Cade, who was sitting on the other side of the fire.

- I'm not convinced that animal is harmless. She looks at me like I’m her next lunch.

- I'm not convinced he can be trusted!

- First of all, she has a name Cade. Her name is Dorcha and she is my friend.

She put a hand on Dorcha's head and scratched her at the favorite spot behind her ear.

- We grew up together in the Paw Islands. When Crayden caught me we were separated and I never thought I would see her again.

- Hmm. She still looks mean to me.

- Then maybe we should just go on alone.

- What are you talking about?

- I've already taken up enough of your time Cade. You probably have something else that needs your attention. And now that I am reunited with Dorcha again she will protect me.

- Your life is still my responsibility.

- My life is my responsibility and nobody else's! And I can take care of it myself.

- I will accompany you to the valley. We need more firewood.

His voice was determined as he got up and left the camp. She looked irritable after him and Dorcha looked up at her questioningly.

- What do you want to do?

As always Kit felt more secure when she heard her best friend's voice in her head. She lowered her voice to a whisper.

- We'll leave before he wakes up tomorrow.

Her hand rested on Dorcha's head as she lay down and fell asleep.