The falcon's daughters

Chapter 19

The guards brought her to the courtyard. In the center of the yard stood a thick wooden pillar. About two meters up on the pillar was a broad piece of wood that stuck out a meter on each side. Two ropes were attached from the sides of the horizontal board. The guards put her facing the pillar and pulled her arms up to tie her hands with the ropes. One of the guards took his knife and cut her shirt from the neck down. A man in a bright red mask walked up to her. He pulled away the two pieces of her shirt and placed them over her shoulders so that her back was left bare to the icy wind. He held up a thick piece of leather in front of her mouth.

- Bite down on this. It can relieve the pain a little.

He whispered the words and nodded when she opened her mouth so he could place the leather between her teeth.

- I'll be as gentle as I can. Forgive me.

He walked a few yards behind and a guard gave him a whip. The long whip was straightened and he let the three half-meter long leather straps, which finished the whip, slide over the palm of his hand before dropping it on the ground. He looked quietly at Crayden who had come out into the courtyard and with a small gesture urged him to continue.

- You can start the punishment now.

A wincing sound came as the whip flew through the air. Kit bit down tightly on the leather when the three tails hit her back, leaving three thin wounds. She stumbled when the next lash hit and grabbed the rope tied around her wrists with her hands. Another lash hit her back and her nails were drilled into her palms as she held the rope harder. Suddenly the lashes stopped and Crayden’s harsh voice echoed over the courtyard.

- Hangman! I can see you're holding back. If your son's life is dear to you, I suggest you take this seriously.

- But Sir. She's just a girl.

- You will do as you are told or do you want to see your son in her place?

The man in the red mask sighed and pulled back his arm. He let the whips' tails fly through the air and a muted scream was heard as they landed. Kit's body twitched sharply and she strained every muscle she had to withstand the pain of the lashes that continued to rain over her back. When the lashes finally came to an end, her desperate grip on the ropes was the only thing that kept her on her feet.

- Bring her to me.

A couple of guards released her hands from the ropes and she collapsed on the ground. Carefully they grabbed her arms and pulled them over their shoulders before approaching their Lord. Crayden grabbed her hair and jerked her head back. A grim smile took shape in his face as he saw the face of the young woman who was almost unconscious. Content over seeing the pain in her face he smiled coldly.

- Now you may have learned not to defy me. Take her back to the cell.

The blood that ran from the wounds on her back dripped onto the stone floor of the corridors that the guards carried her through. Lesia cried out in chock as they entered the cell and gently laid her down on the bed. She fetched water and the worn cloth and began to gently wash the many wounds. Tears fell from her eyes over the young woman’s fate.

- Dear child. What did that pig do to you?

- He ordered her to be whipped.

The man in the red mask stood in the cell and held out a small box.

- Lubricate the wounds with this. It helps against infections.

Before leaving the cell, he whispered with angst.

- Ask her to forgive me but I couldn't risk my son's life.

They left her alone in the cell and she continued with her work. When the wounds were cleaned, she opened the box and anointed the wounds with the green ointment that was there. Painful moans echoed in the small cell as Lesia's fingers stroke over the wounds.

- Why is he doing this?

- I wish i knew. He is a twisted man.

She gently stroked the black hair from Kit's face and looked into the green eyes that were full of tears. She knew that her own eyes were full of tears as well and her voice broke.

- Rest child. Rest.

Sol and Y'zora were on the outskirts of the small border town of Gildera. It was just after dawn and they were leaving the city behind them. Y’zora smiled as she looked around.

- Now we're in Carlan. We should be in Laniro in two or three weeks.

Sol's horse reared as a painful scream filled the air and Sol landed on the ground when she fell off. Y'zora quickly got off the horse and hurried to her. She put a hand on her shoulder and worriedly looked at her.

- Sol. What happened?

She buried her face at Deó's neck and sobbed.

- It's Kit. I can feel her pain. Someone is hurting her.

- Where are Lace and Dorcha? 

Deó pushed lightly on Sol's shoulder and looked into her eyes as she straightened her head. Sol stopped crying as she faced the panther.

- Dorcha is no longer with them. She hasn't been since a few days after they entered the Plainlands. She hid when she was on her way back to their camp with a rabbit. Some men brought them to a large castle. Dorcha can feel Kit's pain as well as I can. Yzza we have to do something.

Y’zora nodded and helped Sol get back up on her feet.

- Come on. Get up in the saddle child. If soldiers found them in the Plainlands, they worked for Crayden. We must reach Laniro quickly. Make sure Dorcha stays hidden. We need to know if something happens.

- Yzza she needs help NOW.

- If we go there without help, we will also be trapped. Worgan will help us free them.

They sped up the horses and the dust roared behind them as they galloped across the dry roads. Deós paws barely touched the ground when she ran in front of the horses. For days they drove the horses hard. When the horses needed rest, they walked and only took short breaks themselves for food and sleep. After twelve days before the dawn could even be seen in the sky, they rode in through one of Laniro's many gates. They continued on to the palace area and stopped outside the castle gate. A guard rushed forward to hold on to their horses as they sat down. He stuttered as Y’zora got off her horse.

- Lady Y'zora. No one told us you were coming.

- No one knew. Is the king awake?

- No, my lady. He is still sleeping.

- Then wake him up. This is important.

- But my lady...

The guards' objection was shut down by an impatient look from Y’zora.

- No buts. We will wait for the king in the throne room.

- Yes Lady Y'zora. Of Course. I’ll take you there at once.

He murmured and made a sign for one of the other guards who rushed off. 

- It's not necessary. I know where it is.

With Sol and Deó following her she went into the castle. The guards stood staring at them before they returned to their duties. The horses were led away to the royal stable where a stable boy took care of them. They walked through the dark corridors and up to a couple of heavy mahogany doors that hid the throne room. The guards outside the hall bowed deep in front of them.

- Lady Y’zora.

- Has he come yet?

The guards bowed and opened the doors for them.

- No Lady Y'zora. But his majesty will be here soon.

They continued into the hall and sat down on a softly padded bench. After only a short moment, footsteps were heard from the corridor and a man entered the hall.