The falcon's daughters

Chapter 35

The ground sparkled in white covered with thick frost when they rode in through Laniro's gates. Kit looked stunned and Lee leaned towards her.

- What do you think?

- It's the biggest city I've ever seen.

They continued across the streets that led to the palace. The people on the streets stopped and looked after them.

- What’s with everyone? Why are they staring at me?

- They're not staring at you Kit. They’re staring at your clothes.

Surprised she turned to look at Cade who smiled calmly at her and then she looked down at her clothes and sighed. The coarse shirt was covered in dirt and the trousers wore large rust-stained spots after dried blood.

- I guess they've probably seen their best days.

They rode past the palace that towered in front of them and continued on to the stable. A couple of young boys rushed out to take care of the horses as they got off. When one of them reached for Chiro's reins, Kit stopped him with a smile.

- I'll take care of him myself. He is not fond of strangers.

- As you wish, miss. Please follow me.

He showed her the way to an empty box in the stable. She led Chiro inside and took off the saddle and bridle. 

- You're gonna be fine here boy.

Her hands slid over the thin coat on his neck and she leaned her head against his neck while she talked softly to him.

- It’s dry and warm here and you’ll see that you get good food too.

- Don't worry Miss. I'll take good care of him for you.

- You hear that Chiro. Now be a good boy and be nice to the boys here. I’ll be back tomorrow.

She gave him one last pat on the neck and whispered a thank you to the stable boy before leaving the stable. Together with the others who were waiting for her, she went to the halls of the palace. She looked around as they stepped into the light corridors. Along one wall there were a number of arches that were only divided by a white pillar between each arch. Ornaments ran from the bottom of the pillar in the form of vines that reached the roof where they continued on to the next arch. Outside the arches lay a large garden that was now in winter rest. Some green branches on the larger bushes still appeared beneath the thin ice. Worgan looked up from the document in his hand and a smile spread across his lips as they stepped into the throne room. He put away the paper and went to greet them with a hug.

- Cadenor. Leerian. Welcome home my boys. Sol, I understand this must be your sister.

- Yes, your majesty. This is Kit.

- I heard you gave Crayden and his men a real challenge. Well done.

- Thank you majesty.

- Cadenor, I want you to look at something.

They went to the table where Worgan lifted the document he was looking at earlier.

- We have received reports of attacks on some of the smaller villages near the border of Tamarin. What do you suggest we do?

- Send out some scouts to investigate the strength of the attacks and the extent of the damage. Saline has the best scouts. The gords have been on the move for a while now and if it is them we should call in assistance from Tyrall.

- Well thought my boy. Get Saline.

He turned to one of the guards who bowed and immediately left the room. Kit looked after the guard for a second before she cautiously turned to the king.

- Excuse me from your majesty, but if it’s the gords, is it wise to send soldiers after them?

- Do you have any other suggestions?

Kit blushed slightly at the king's curious question and when Cade nodded encouraging at her she continued.

- I think you should talk to Lace your majesty. He said something about the gords when we were in Derian but unfortunately I can't remember what it was.

- You seem to be a wise girl Kit.

A young boy carried a basket of firewood into the hall and Worgan put a hand on the boy's shoulder.

- Find Lace and ask him to join us.

- Yes your majesty.

He put down the basket and as he left the hall he ran into a woman who was on her way to the hall.

- Excuse me.

He muttered the words quickly and disappeared behind a corner. The woman looked after the boy before continuing into the hall. The flaming red hair lay in a thick braid on her back and her copper-brown eyes were serious as she bowed in front of Worgan.

- You called for me your majesty.

- Yes Saline I want you to take a group of scouts and investigate the attacked villages at Tamarin's border. Come back when you find out what you can.

- Immediately your majesty.

When she turned to leave Worgan called out to her.

- Saline! There is a great risk that the gords are behind the attacks.

- I understand your majesty. The assignment will be carried out with the utmost vigilance.

She bowed quickly and then left the room and Worgan turned his attention to his eldest son.

- Cadenor before I forget it, I need the medallion.

- Of course, father.

Cade took the golden fox medallion and placed it in his father's outstretched hand.

- You wanted to see me your maj...

Lace stopped just inside the doors, staring at Kit before rushing forward and locking her in his arms.

- Kit, my dear girl. I can't believe you're here.

He pushed her away at an arm's length and looked her over to make sure she was alright before he hugged her again.

- You’re safe. I’ve been worried about you.

- I’ve missed you Lace.

She buried her face against his chest and her tears wet his shirt when she cried silently. Being back with the only father she had ever known made her realise just how much she had missed him. Lace stroked her back gently and looked at Cade.

- Prince Cadenor, thank you for taking care of my girl. And Prince Leerian. I see that you have taken good care of Sol.

- Lace, Kit said you knew something about the gords.

- Yes your majesty. I have a theory that they may be under the Rik'otin's control.

- That would explain their sudden change of behavior. The cursed black bodies!

Worgan slammed his hand on the table. He took a deep breath and rubbed his fingers over his chin as he pondered.

- Saline is the best scout I have. She and her squad will find what is needed to prove that they are involved.

- I asked an innkeeper in Derian to pass the information onto Queen Genevie.

- She'll be here in a week or two. We’ll find out what she knows then. But now I'm sure we have a couple of ladies who would love to take a warm bath and get some rest. Maybe even change clothes.

He smiled lightly and looked at Kit's broken and dirty clothes. Ashamed she looked down on the shiny floor.

- I am sorry about my appearance, your majesty. But I'm afraid this is the only clothes I own at the moment. My other garments were destroyed during my stay with Crayden.

- I'll make sure you’ll get something sent to your room.

He walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders.

- And remember dear girl. You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. But I am pretty sure that after all you have been through you need some rest. Garrett, will you show the ladies to their rooms and make sure they get baths sent up and anything else that they might need. 

- Of course your majesty. I will see to it right away.

- Kit wait!

Cade walked up to her before she left the room.

- Can I borrow one of your knives?

- One of my knives?

- You'll get it back later.

- I don't have many left over so don't lose it.

She removed one of the small blades from her boot and gave it to him before she followed Garrett down the hall.

- Cadenor, what…

- Don't ask father.I have to do something.

- But Cadenor!

Worgan shouted after his son that hurried away and turned with a sigh to his youngest.

- I swear Leerian, sometimes I don't understand your brother.

- I don't think anybody does that father.

- Well Lace what do you say about taking a look at the archives now?

- That sounds good your majesty.

- And stop calling me that. There is no need to be so formal.

A slight knock was heard before the door to Sol’s chamber was opened.

- Yzza!

Sol beamed with joy and threw herself in the older woman's embrace. Y’zora smiled gently and stroked a hand over the young woman's black hair. 

- It’s good to have you back. Is everything alright?

- I don't know. 

Sol sighed and dropped down on the edge of the bed. 

- I tried to reach them, but all I found was silence.

Y'zora sat down next to her and put an arm around her shoulders.

- Maybe your concern for Kit has blocked your abilities.

- What if…

- No child. The Council would never take your powers without telling you.

She tenderly put her hand around Sol's cheek and looked into the doubting green eyes.

- Believe me.

It knocked on the door, and when Y'zora opened, two men came in carrying a big wooden tub.

- Hot water is on the way for the lady's bath.

The men left and several servants appeared outside the door with buckets that quickly filled the large tub with warm water.

The compartments and shelves that covered the walls and much of the floor of the archive were full of books and parchment rolls. Lace took a parchment roll and examined it. The parchment was rolled on a wooden rod where wooden discs covered the edges of the parchment. On one disc there was a combination of different letters and numbers. He noticed that all rolls were marked in the same way. All with different combinations. Worgan pointed to the books on the shelves.

- These books will let you know which scrolls you need. I'm sorry but I have to leave you here. I still have a lot that needs my supervision before the ball next month.

- No problem. I'll manage.

- Well then. Good luck.

On the backs of the thick books that covered the shelves stood a year printed.

- Now let's see. They were found almost eighteen years ago. And they were about three months old then. Now we have year seventy of the seventeenth age. So what would that be then. Seventy minus eighteen? That should be year fifty-two in the seventeenth age.

He ran his fingers over the books until he found the right book. He took it out and sat down at a table. The thick book was laid on the table and opened. Each page was divided into two columns and in each column there were several rows with the same type of combinations as the scrolls. Lace quickly looked through the book.

- This will take forever.

He sighed and turned back to the first page.

- Might as well start from the beginning.

He placed his finger on the side and followed the squiggly letters down.

- 1752J1 to 1752F4

Over at the parchment trays he saw a simple basket.

- Ah this will be perfect.

Smiling, he got up and went to the trays where the scrolls were. On the bottom edge of each compartment was a small metal sign.

- 1302M7 to 1302J23.

He moved along the trays and his eyes slid over the rows of signs. Finally, he found the sign he was looking for. He took the basket and put five scrolls in it. From the box below he picked up additional scrolls. He went back to the table and put down the basket. One of the scrolls was picked up as he sat down and the blue velvet band that was wrapped around it tied up. His fingers slid across the rows of letters, as squiggly as those in the books. They stopped at the line where the child's gender was written.

- Boy.

He sighed and the scroll was rolled back together and the blue velvet band was tied again before the scroll was set aside. A new scroll was placed on the table and the procedure repeated.

- A girl. Born in Arlyon and married this summer.

He sighed in disappointment and put the scroll away.

. Then we continue.

Scroll after scroll was opened, closed and set aside and the leaves of the book were turned after each round he made to the scroll compartments. As he reached for a scroll, he noticed the number of the adjacent scroll. He took it out and checked the number again.

- 943N54. But this shouldn't lie here.

He looked up the right compartment and placed the scroll on its place when his eyes fell on several misplaced scrolls.

- How can I find something when things are not where they should be?

He sighed and left the archive.