The falcon's daughters

Chapter 62

Sol and Lee had made their way down to the harbor to find captain Arrad. They found him at the eastern dock awaiting them.

- Prince Leerian. Princess Solari.

The captain bowed deeply when they reached him. He stood in front of the stately ship, the Sea Queen, waiting for them. The morning was still young and the dew glistened on the new leaves of the trees in the dim dawn light. Sol looked fascinated at the ship.

- Is this the ship we are going with?

The dark brown wood shone and the arrangement was beautifully carved in winding patterns. Narrow lines of gold color followed the winding pattern that ran around the entire ship.

- Yes, your highness. She is a beauty and a very stable ship too. Her captain is somewhat unbrushed but he is the most skilled captain I know.

- Have they not come yet! 

An impatient voice bellowed out and a red-bearded face became visible. He looked down over the quay and smiled when he saw the group below the ship.

- It was about time! 

He shouted and waved for them to get on board. 

- If you had lingered any longer, we would have had to wait until tomorrow. Come now before the tide turns.

- As I said a little unbrushed, Arrad said to Sol who laughed softly.

They went up the wide gangway to the spotless deck where several crewmen were attaching the last pieces of the new sail to the mast. Some of them raised their eyebrows when Deó stepped forward by Sol's side. Mallak laughed at the sight of the feline and turned to Sol.

- I understand what you meant now Arrad. We have arranged a space for your pet under the height of the deck.

- Thank you Captain Mallak. But Deó is not my pet.

- Well, to your companion then. Let me show you to your cabins.

He let them go before him down under deck and Arrad stopped in front of him and looked intently at his face.

- What? 

Arrad shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

- Nothing, I was just wondering what it is you have on your face.

Arrad continued past him and Mallak ran his fingers over the bushy beard before calling for him.

- It was a cold winter!

- If you say so.

A suffocating murmur was heard from part of the crew and he turned around and glared at them.

- Well, some of you would just know how cold it is inland in the middle of winter!

Kit stared at the huge wall that appeared in front of them. The white wall grew taller as they approached it.

- Is that...

Tyrall smiled at the amazement in her voice and looked at the wall.

- Yes, my child. This is Adirat. The city you were born in.

Adirat's wall was made of several layers of stone. The wall was a total of almost three meters thick and twenty meters high and had so far been impenetrable. On the upper part of the wall there were several towers with two to three guards stationed at each tower. And she could see the narrow windows that were everywhere on the wall.

- Father, why are there holes in the wall?

- That's the shooting towers my child. You get to see better what it looks like from the inside.

Suddenly they were movement on the wall when the guards saw the troop approaching. Shouts were heared among the guards.

- They're here!

Adirat's wooden gates slid apart to let in the small group. Behind the gates, the people stood on either side of the main street, cheering loudly as they rode past. Kit leaned over towards her father and whispered.

- Father, what is this?

- The people are happy that you’re home again Kitana. They have gathered to show their joy.

All the way to the palace stood people cheering. On the wide stairs of the palace stood a tall man waiting for them. He smiled and bowed deeply.

- Your Majesty. It's nice to have you home again.

- Kitana. This is Lord Javelin, my closest adviser. Javelin, my daughter Princess Kitana and her companion Dorcha.

Javelin turned to Kit and smiled brightly at her.

- Your Highness. Your return is truly gratifying.

- Thank you, lord Javelin.

They entered the palace and across the black and white marble floor. The maids smiled and nodded as they passed. They continued into the throne room where the large chair stood in a raised place in the far part of the hall. Over the back of the chair hung a tabard where a blue horse clearly marked itself against the red background. Next to it stood a small chair whose back of the chair was also covered by a tabard in a deep green color and with a pale gray rose on it. Tyrall sat down on the throne and addressed Javelin.

- So what happened during my absence? 

- I am afraid that the gords have made several attacks near the eastern border. Seven of the smaller villages have been destroyed.

Tyrall sighed heavily and pulled his hand through his hair.

- And the villagers?

- The scouts found no survivors.

- There must be a way to stop them. Send a messenger to Queen Genevie and see what they've come up with.

- Immediately Your Majesty. 

Javelin bowed before leaving the room. Tyrall smiled and pointed to the smaller throne.

- Sit by my side Kitana. That chair has always belonged to Tamarin's queen. When Solari marries Leerian, it will belong to her. It once belonged to your mother. No one has been sitting there since she passed away.

- Tell me about her father. There's so much I do not know.

- Where should I start…

His voice was soft and a smile began to take shape over his lips and in his eyes a light spread when he remembered the past. 

- Your mother was the most beautiful and tender person who ever walked this earth. Her eyes were as blue as the sky and her hair as black as yours. The first time I met her was twenty years ago. She was as old as you are now. The suitors stood in line for her and I could never understand why she chose an old man like me. But I loved her so much. Your mother had a joy in life that I had never seen before. Nothing could stop her if there was something she wanted. The day I took her home to be my queen, she won Tamarin's whole heart. Her selfless nature made everyone want to make Tamarin a better kingdom. She listened to what the people wanted and always stood on the side of the weak. The day you and Solari came into our lives we were the happiest we've ever had.

The joy faded from his gaze and his voice was downcast as he continued.

- Our happiness did not last long. You were only ten weeks old when you were abducted from us. We searched for months and when we finally found your dresses they were torn and covered in blood. I almost thought that day would break your mother's heart forever. She never became the same after that.

- What happened to her?

- Ten years ago, your mother got pregnant again. The whole country was overjoyed that a new heir to the throne would be born. But things did not turn out as we had hoped. At the end of her pregnancy, she was poisoned. The royal doctor did everything he could but he couldn’t save her.

He wiped away the tears that ran down his cheeks and took Kit's hand.

- After that day, I never thought I would be able to feel joy again. Until now. You and your sister have returned home and with you I have also received back a piece of Milari. I can see her in you. You have her beauty and strength. In Solari there is much of her joy of life. But you ... you're more closed. You have been hurt in a way that Solari can never understand.

Softly he caressed her cheek with a sadness in his eyes.

- I know you spent time as Crayden's prisoner, and I'm not going to suffer you to relive those memories by asking you to tell me. You have your mother's strength and courage in you, my daughter. I just hope you can find some of her joy in life too.

He sighed lightly and then smiled as he got up.

- But now is not the time to mourn the past. This is a day of joy and tomorrow we will celebrate your’s and Solaris' return.

Kit looked out the window and at dawn that faded away to welcome the day. The maid took a loop of her hair and fastened it with a hairpin. The artistically intricate hairstyle was then adorned with small needles with sapphires on.

- Almost done, your highness.

 The maid fastened one last hairpin and then took a step back to look at her work. 

- Now you're done.

- Thank you Vrenna.

She stood up and pulled her hands over the blue velvet dress.

- Your mother's dress looks wonderful on you.

- All this still feels so unreal. Like I just dream and wake up at any moment.

- Well it is very much real, your highness. And we're all glad that you're back. You just need time to get used to it. Oh before I forget it, I arranged something for Dorcha.

When Javelin had gathered the maids to find one who could help their princess most were hesitant because of Dorcha. Vrenna however found the big feline charming and her warm personality immediately won Dorcha over. Kit knew that they all would become good friends.

Vrenna smiled and took out a bow in blue velvet which she fastened around the neck of the panther. 

- I thought maybe she also wanted to look nice today. But as I babble. Your father is waiting for you.

Kit nodded and left the room. She walked through the corridors towards the throne room where her father was waiting.

- Do I really need to wear this?

- We want to make a good impression don’t we?

Kit could hear the torment in Dorcha’s voice and repressed a smile.

- Kit I'm a panther. Not a housecat.

- As you wish. 

She removed the bow and Dorcha shook her head lightly. Tyrall smiled happily as they entered the throne room.

- Kitana you look brilliant. Just like the princess you are.

- Thank you, father.

- Are you ready my girl?

- As ready as I can ever be.

Her voice trembled and she gave her father a weak smile. He took her hand and squeezed encouragingly.

- It will be fine, you will see.

They went up to a balcony from which you could see the whole square. Below the balcony stood a huge crowd. Everyone had gathered to see the returning princess. Tyrall held up his arms and spoke loudly.

- Citizens of Tamarin. My people. This day is truly a historic day. Not just because we are starting the eighteenth age today. Today is the day my daughters celebrate their eighteenth birthday. Today is also the day when we celebrate their return to us.

Kit took his outstretched hand and walked closer to the balcony railing.

- My friends, Princess Kitana.

Cheers and applause filled the square and she waved uncertainty to the people. Dorcha looked down through the sparse cracks and Tyrall laughed lightly.

- As you have probably noticed, my daughter has an unusual companion, but I assure you that she will not hurt anyone. Unfortunately, Princess Solari has duties that make her unable to be here today. But soon she too will be home.

The cheers rose higher and the joy of the rediscovered princesses spread through the city. Far behind in the shadows stood a man who did not share the joy. Hatred flared in his eyes as he looked at the princess and the panther.