The falcon's daughters

Chapter 26

Winter was approaching and in a few weeks the first snow would fall. Dark clouds hid the light from both moons as they passed by. The campfire burned strongly and gave a nice warmth. Still the man pulled his cape closer to his body. The light from the fire was reflected in the golden medallion that hung around his neck. The cold wind sent shivers all over his body. He looked up at the sky and sighed.

- Well I guess it's time to go home.

A low neigh was heard and he looked at the tree where his horse was bound. The bright stallion lifted his head and stared out into the darkness. He wailed loudly and a low response was heard. He got up and peered off into the night.

- Wild horses?

The sound of hoofs was heard and in the light of the campfire he could see something moving in the dark. The silhouette of a horse became visible and he threw himself aside as the big stallion galloped into his camp and straight towards him. He lifted his head from the ground and looked at the horse that had stopped at the edge of the fire's flaming glow. He observed the horse as he got up and brushed the dirt off his clothes. Carefully he took a few steps towards the horse, which was moving uneasily. He made a soothing sound and talked camly.

- Shh boy. I won't hurt you.

He took a few more steps and the horse took a few steps aside and that's when he saw the dark shape lying over the horse’s back. Immediately he stopped and smiled.

- I understand. You have a rider.

He looked closely at the duo and realised that the rider was lying motionless in the saddle. Nervous the horse took a few steps around the fire. The reins lay wrapped around the body and his gaze fell on the rider's legs. A red bandage sat around his thigh. In its places it seemed that the bandage had once been white. He continued to talk with a soft voice to the horse.

- You’re trying to protect your rider and that's very loyal of you. But he’s injured and needs help.

Quietly he reached out a hand and waited. The horse looked hesitantly at his hand and raised his head as he  breathed heavily.

- I'm not going to hurt him.

Slowly the horse took a few steps closer. Finally, it stopped in front of the man and looked at the outstretched hand for a long time. The nostrils fluttered as it sniffed it before letting the muzzle rest against his palm. He smiled and tenderly he caressed the muzzle.

- Good boy. Now I will have a look at your rider.

He went to the horse's side and undid the reins which tied the rider to the saddle. When the last knot came undone the rider started to slide off the saddle so he quickly stretched out his arms to catch him. The rider was lighter than he expected and he carried him to the campfire where he laid him down on a blanket. His fingers touched something wet on one hip and he held them up against the fire. The red blood shone brightly on his hand.

- What in the name of the gods have happened to you?

He pulled away the cape that was hiding his body. The pants were soaked in blood from the hip down to the knee on one side. The deep wound on his hip was bleeding profusely, and he reached up to remove the hood that hid his face. Shocked, he gasped as he saw the pale face of the young woman lying in front of him. What was she doing all the way out here and how did she get those wounds. From the belt he pulled a knife and placed the blade into the fire. Gently he stroked back a dark lock of hair from her cheek.

- I have to close the wound on your hip. 

He pulled out another knife and touched the sharp edge lightly. With the tip of the knife he cut at the hip of her pants and folded the pieces aside. He tore off a piece of his shirt and poured water on it before he began to clean the wound. Just above the wound he could see the contours of a falcon. When he had wiped away all the blood, he clearly saw the brown falcon covering her skin. With a sigh, he took the knife from the fire and looked at her face.

- It's lucky you're unconscious. This is going to hurt.

He pressed the red hot blade against the wound. A sizzling sound was heard and the foul smell of burnt flesh rose to the sky. He turned his eyes to her face when he heard a painful groan. Her eyes were still closed and he sighed relieved. When he removed the knife from her skin the red burn mark appeared strong against her pale skin. Gently he wiped it clean and he was pleased that the bleeding had stopped.

- I'm sorry about that but I had no choice.

He took off his white shirt and tore it into strips. With the strips he put a bandage around her hip. Mildly he pushed her over to her side and undid the bloody bandage around her thigh. Beneath it he found a deep wound that hasn't had time to heal. He took the last strips of the shirt and redressed the wound. From the saddlebag he took out a new shirt and put it on as the icy wind reminded him of the cold. He laid a thick blanket over the woman and then sat down next to her. The dawn slowly began to spread its light across the sky and at a distance he heard the sound of horses approaching rapidly. The light gleamed in the riders' armor. He got up and picked up a sword that was lying on the ground. The hissing sound that was made as he pulled the sword from the ski was concealed by the galloping hooves. He placed the tip of the sword against the ground and leaned nonchalantly towards it as the soldiers stopped in front of him.

- Nerill. A little far from home aren't you?

Nerill got off his horse and bowed in front of him.

- Your highness.

- What brings you to Carlan?

- The girl your highness. We’ve been sent to fetch her.

- I understand.

He looked over at the woman and some of her story became clear to him.

- Why do you want to bring her to him? You know what he is like.

- I must obey my Lord's orders, your highness.  However painful it may be at times he is still my liege. I guess you're not going to hand her over to us.

A smile was playing in his mouth as he looked from the woman to the soldiers and their captain.

- No, I don't think so.

- I didn't think so. We will return to Theko.

- But captain...

- I won't hear it soldier! The girl is under his highness’s protection. We won't touch her.

- We outnumber the prince. We can defeat him and take her ...

The soldier fell silent and collapsed as Nerill's fist made an impact on his face.

- What ...

Nerill looked down at the soldier and raised his voice.

- You know the law. You all do! And you know that the Prince is the best warrior in all of Carlan! Do you really want to know if it's just a rumor? Now get up on your horses. We’re leaving.

He turned to the prince who was having a hard time holding back a smile.

- I'm sorry for the disturbance your highness. Take good care of her.

- You're a good man Nerill. If you ever need a new place, come see me.

Nerill nodded and sat up on his horse.

- Your highness.

They left and he sat down again. He took a damp piece of cloth and wiped the dirt off her face. Beneath the dirt he could see fading bruises, a scratch in the skin on her cheek and a small cut in her lip.

- So Crayden is looking for you. It looks like he got hold of you too. You were lucky to find me. As long as you are with me that scum won’t dare to touch you.

His hand lingered on her face and he tenderly caressed her cheek.