The falcon's daughters

Chapter 66

The black storm clouds covered the sky and the strong winds tore the ship's sail. The men hurried to carry out the captain's orders as large waves swept across the deck.

- Tear down all the sails! Secure them and all loose objects!

The sea queen made a sharp dive when the wave that carried her collapsed into the stormy sea. Sol desperately held on to a rope as the ship swung to the side as it encountered a new wave.

- Princess! 

Mallak called out to her. 

- Now may be a good idea to go below deck. Prince Leerian, take the princess below and then come back here. We may need a few extra arms.

- Yes, Captain! 

He put his arm around her waist and helped her away. Their feet slipped over the slippery deck and when a strong wave hit the wide side of the ship, they fell over. Deó clung to the wooden deck with the help of the claws she drilled into the boards. Lee and Sol got to their feet and continued under deck.

- Stay here!

He shouted to make himself heard over the thunder of the storm. 

- I will be back.

- Be careful Lee.

He smiled quickly at her before going out on deck and back to the raging storm that swept over them. Deó shook herself to make most of the moisture disappear from her coat. Sol leaned with her hands against the wooden walls as they slowly returned to their cabin. Once there, she sank down on the narrow bunk and sighed lightly. Her hands gripped the edge of the bunk as the ship made another dive.

- Now we know why it's called the sea of storms.

Her voice was trembling and Deó moaned.

- I can’t wait until we reach land again. I'm a feline, not a fish. I do not belong on the sea.

- Mallak said there are six weeks left before we reach Dragon Island.

- Six weeks!

- As soon as this storm subsides, he expects us to reach calm waters for a few days at least.

Deó lay down and her tormented sigh was swallowed by the roar of the storm.

- It's better than nothing, I guess.

- I’ve sent a messenger to your father with information about the betrothal Cadenor. And with details for both the engagement ceremony and the wedding. Both events will take place six months after your brother’s. The priests will not give us much more time than that.

- They can be very stubborn and determined.

- It can...

The sudden commotion outside the doors of the throne room interrupted the old king. The doors slammed open and a guard rushed into the hall.

- What's going on?

- Forgive me, your majesty. But they need your presence in the infirmary. One of Carlan's scouts has just arrived. She is badly injured. 

- One of our scouts?

- Come on, Cadenor.

They hurried through the corridors and to the large halls of the infirmary. At a bedside, the physician stood and tried to close the large wounds that covered most of the scout's body. Bloody bandages lay in a pile on the floor and Cade faded when he saw the scout's pale face.

- Saline, he said softly.

- What happened?

- We don’t know, your majesty. The gatekeepers brought her here. They say she stumbled in through the gate and demanded to speak to your majesty. She lost consciousness right after that.

. What happened to her?

- She never had time to tell us, prince Cadenor.

- Merko, how is she?

- It's hard to say your majesty. She has lost a lot of blood. I don’t know if she will survive the night.

- Do everything you can for her and let me know as soon as there is any change.

- Yes, your majesty.

Cade and Tyrall left the room silently and Merko went to a shelf to look around among the various small bottles. He took out a bottle with a light blue liquid in it and turned it over. The viscous liquid followed along the inside of the bottle. He parted Saline's lips and just before pouring some of the blue liquid into her mouth she opened her eyes. Her voice was hoarse when she tried to speak.

- Where am I?

- Get the king.

Merko said to a guard before he turned to the woman and put a hand to her forehead.

- Don’t worry. You are safe in Adirat. You have severe injuries and have lost a lot of blood.

- King Tyrall! I have to talk to him!

- You need to rest.

Tyrall and Cade rushed back into the infirmary that they just recently left.

- Merko, what happened?

- She is awake, your majesty.

- Saline.

Cade spoke softly and stepped closer to the bed until a stern look from Merko made him stop. Her voice was strained by the effort when she forced herself to talk.

- Your highness. I found them.

- Who?

- Your Majesty, Prince Cadenor. She needs to rest.

- The gords. I found them. They're planning an attack.

The last words were whispered before she lost consciousness again.

- Merko?

- She’s still alive, your majesty. She's just fainted.

Tyrall nodded and turned to one of the guards.

- Gather ten messengers and send them to the throne room now.