The falcon's daughters

Chapter 12

The thick animal skin that hung in front of the cave's opening was lifted aside and a woman came out. She was short and heavily built with a thick brown braid hanging over one shoulder. Her copper-brown eyes smiled at them when her eyes finally caught on to Kit and Dorcha.

- I thought I heard voices.

Her voice was full of warmth and Kit knew right away that she liked the sturdy woman.

- Dekky, my darling. We have guests.

Dortinum smiled tenderly at her and held out an arm to the group behind him.

- This is Lace and Kit. And Dorcha of course. This is my beautiful wife Dekky.

- Welcome. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. One of the men can take care of your horses.

She gestured to the men behind Dortinum and immediately two younger men came over to take care of the horses.

- Now come inside so you don't start to freeze. The mountains are cold even during the summer.

They followed Dekky into the cave and Kit looked around. A large fire burned in the middle of the large chamber. Against a wall stood a table with four chairs. In the far part of the room, she saw an opening that led to a smaller room that was probably a sleeping chamber.

- Please sit down. You arrived just in time for dinner.

They sat down at the table while Dekky walked over to the metal plate that was strapped over the fireplace. She turned to the pieces of meat lying there. Lace looked at the table which, to his surprise, was set for four people.

- How did you know we were coming?

- She told us.

Dortinum's voice was heard from the cave opening as he stepped in and the hide fell into place behind him. Kit turned to him curious to find out who this she was, if she was the same girl that she had seen in her dream.

- Who is she?

- The girl you are looking for?

She nodded and Dortinum opened his mouth to start to talk when he was cut off by a smiling Dekky.

- You can talk about it later.

She placed plates of juicy meat and boiled potatoes on the table.

- Now you are supposed to get some hot food. If he starts talking the food will grow cold.

She put a bowl of creamy golden sauce next to the platter of meat and finally put out a pot of steaming vegetables.

- And you sweetheart finish your meal in peace. Don't worry about your friend. I have something for her too.

Dorcha licked her mouth when Dekky placed a platter of thick, lightly fried pieces of meat in front of her before sitting down at the table and they were served the fragrant food. Lace sighed pleasantly after putting a piece of meat in his mouth.

- This is delicious but I have to ask. How do you manage in the mountains? I didn't think it was possible to grow anything here and I can't remember seeing any animals.

- The animals have been moved to the stables for the night. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes predators find their way up here and our animals are too valuable for us. We can't afford to lose any. It is thanks to her that we have been given the opportunity to live as we were meant to live. Alone from other people. Not because there is anything wrong with other people. But we are a mountain folk and in the mountains is where we belong.

- How long have you known about this girl Dortinum?

- Call me Dor. The first time she came to our village was about thirteen years ago. It was shortly after the snow melted and our village had been flooded. Then this little girl who was no more than four years walked into our village. She told us that we should build our village along the walls of this valley. After discussing the matter for a while, we decided to do as she suggested. When the spring flood came next year, our homes were dry and warm. That summer she came here again. We had been having problems with getting our crops to grow.. She showed me a cave that led to a huge cavern with watery pits. She said we should pour the seeds into the pits. Since she had been right earlier, we did as she said right away. When the fall came and we did the first harvest, we got so many crops that we could bring up about ten animals here. Now we have chickens, pigs and cows here. The crops are enough for the whole village and for the animals. We have everything we need. And all thanks to this girl. Every year just after the spring flood, the girl comes here. Sometimes she gives us some advice on how we can improve things. A few months ago she was here and told us that you were coming.

- But how can you be sure that we are looking for the same girl? 

- Cause every time the girl has been here, the white panther has been with her.

- Do you know where we can find her?

- No. No one knows where she lives, but she always comes through the eastern pass. If you take that way, I'm sure you will find her. But now you must be tired. Follow me and I'll show you where you can sleep tonight. We have some extra caves. You can take one of those.

- Give them her cave.

Dor turned his head in surprise to look at his wife. Her warm smile beamed at them.

- But Dekky, that's her cave.

- She won't mind.

Dor took a torch from the wall and they followed him out along the hall. Two caves further up the path he stopped in front of a red leather hide covering the cave's opening.

- She usually sleeps here.

He went in and lit a couple of torches and the fireplace in the middle of the chamber.

- I'm leaving you now. Hope you get a good sleep.

On each side of the fireplace was a bed carved from the mountain. They were bedded with soft furs and blankets. One of the beds was longer than the others and had a rise some way in, splitting it into two beds. Dorcha immediately jumped up on the shorter part of that bed. She sniffed around the furs for a while before settling. The extra piece was perfectly adapted for an adult panther and she took a deep breath before putting her chin against the fur. Kit lay down on the other part and pulled one of the blankets over her body before she lay on her stomach and looked at Dorcha. The panther looked sad, so Kit reached out a hand and gently caressed the fur in her face.

- What's the matter?

- I can feel her scent.

- Your sister?

- Yes. It has been so long since I lost her and I thought all these years that she was gone forever. But now that I feel her scent ... she's been here.

- We’ll find her. You’ll see.

Dorcha closed her eyes and Kit lay down on the side before falling asleep.