The falcon's daughters

Chapter 30

The darkness was still heavy across the sky as Kit snuck up from her blanket. Quietly she packed her blankets and walked over to Chiro. After a slight caress over the horse's neck, she began to saddle him. The sound of movements behind her made her whole body tense. Nervously, she turned her head and looked toward where Cade was sleeping. He slept deeply and a sigh of relief relaxed her. She fastened the last straps on Chiro's saddle and then squatted next to Dorcha.

- See if you can catch a rabbit or something.

The panther looked at her doubtfully and sat down on the ground.

- I don't think it's a good idea. Think about ...

- It will be alright. I promise. Nothing will happen.

After a last long look at her, Dorcha got up and disappeared into the night. She grabbed the saddle and placed one foot in the stirrup. With her arms she pulled herself up and was about to swing her leg over the saddle as a strong arm slid around her waist and tore her down on the ground. She turned around to meet an angry Cade.

- And what do you think you're doing?

- I'm leaving.

She tore herself out of his grasp and turned to face Chiro.

- No you’re not.

His hand gripped her arm and with a jerk he pulled her back and bent down quickly. Kit got the air knocked out of her when she fell over his shoulder and he walked back to the camp. It took her a moment to realise what was happening and she started to hit her fists hard on his back and yelled loudly.

- Cade, you slithering dragonspawn. Put me down!

He took a firm hold of her legs when she began to twist.

- Real charming Kit. I will put you down. Now stop wiggling around.

The air came out of her with a groan as he dropped her onto the blankets. She flew up from the ground and walked towards Chiro. He grabbed her arm again.

- You're not leaving without me.

- You can't stop me.

- Can’t I?

A dark gleam lit in his eyes and a faint smile took shape on his lips. He made a quick move and suddenly she found herself gripped by strong arms that wrapped low around her waist and pressed her arms to the sides. Her back was pressed against his chest and the strength of his body prevented her from moving.

- What are you going to do if Crayden's men find you?

- I don't need you. I have Dorcha.

He leaned close to her ear and his low voice sent a shiver down her spine.

- And where is she now? Time to face the truth Kit. Without your panther, you are an easy prey. Even for idiots like Crayden's soldiers.

- I can take care of myself.

- Really. Prove it! Fight me!

He pushed her away and she tumbled forward. Once she regained her balance she turned to face him.

- You can't be serious!

He incredulously raised an eyebrow at her.

- Come on Kit. Now’s your chance to prove that you can defend yourself. Fight me!

She threw himself at him and he stepped aside quickly. He stretched out his foot in front of her and she landed heavily on the ground as she stumbled across it. 

- Is that the best you got?

He mocked her and smoothly she got up to her feet and aimed a high kick at him. He easily grabbed her foot with one hand and laughed.

- Sorry, but it didn't work.

With her foot in a firm grip, he twisted and placed a foot in her kneecap. With a groan, she fell down on her knees as he let go of her foot. The moment she got up, his arms wrapped around her and held her close to his body. His hot breath touched her neck when he whispered the words.

- You're an easy prey Kit.

His words made her furious and she pushed her elbows back hard.

- Never! 

She smiled contentedly when they had impact on the lower part of his stomach and she heard the dull moaning, but the smile faded quickly as the grip on her tightened.

- You have to do better than that.

She lifted a foot and her fingertips ran across the inside of the boot. The thin knife slid into her hand as she put her heel hard on Cade's toes. She twisted her wrist and with a curse Cade let her go. He stared at the red streak on his thigh and then at the small knife in her hand. She raised the knife as he took a step closer to her and when he made another she took a quick step forward and scratched his shirt just above his heart. He made a move towards her and she spun around and the sharp blade cut through the sleeve of his shirt, leaving a streak on his arm. Before she could turn around, he made a sweeping motion with her arm and hit her to the ground. Supporting her hands, she threw one leg out and kicked away his feet. He landed heavily on the ground and she quickly got up and took a step forward when his hand grabbed her ankle and pulled her down onto the ground again. With the knife in her hand she hurtled herself at him. He rolled around and pressed her against the ground before he angrily grabbed the knife out of her grasp.

- Are you trying to kill me?

- If I have to!

She managed to get another knife from her boot and he tore it out of her hand and threw them away. He was able to dodge her fist and grabbed both her hands and held them above her head.

- Enough. You have proven that you can defend yourself.

He let her go and got up and picked up the two knives from the ground. His thumb slid across the thin blade and the light pit in the bracket.

- Can I get my knives back?

- Sure.

He handed her the knives and watched as she placed them in her boot.

- How many do you have?

- I had six from the beginning. But now I only have three left.

- What happened to the others?

- I suppose they are probably still in Crayden's castle.

- With such a blade, you could have killed him if you wanted to.

Remembering what he had put her trough filled her voice with hate and she talked so low that Cade could barely hear what she said

- Don't think I didn't try.

She turned and started to walk towards Chiro when Cade called her back and walked to her side.

- Kit wait. I will go with you.

- I can take care of myself Cade.

- I know.

He smiled gently at her and she sighed and shook her head. Softly he touched her arm and said sincerely.

- I promised myself that I would look after you until you reunited your father and I never go back on my word.

He quickly gathered up his blankets and saddled his horse. The dim light from the dawn appeared on the horizon and they left the camp.

Lee squatted next to the old campfire and picked up a handful of dust. The cold ash was filtered through his fingers. He got up and brushed off his hands.

- He left two or three days ago.

- Then we can't count on your brother's help.

Sol sighed disappointed and blinked a few times to prevent a tear from showing. Did this mean that it would take them even longer to find her sister.

- He probably returned to Laniro.

He breathed in the cold air and a white cloud formed in front of his mouth as he exhaled.

- Winter is coming. And the snow with it.

- You sound worried.

- The first part of the winter is usually the toughest. Many and long snowstorms will be formed. Carlan consists almost exclusively of arable land. There aren't many places to seek shelter unless we can reach Laniro before the snow.

- How long would it take for us to reach Laniro?

- If we ride straight  there without unnecessary stops, we can be there in three weeks.

- Then we need to find Kit quickly.

He nodded and looked toward the setting sun.

- The sun is going down. We’ll stay here for the night. In two days we will reach Ipelé. There we will find the valley and your sister.