The falcon's daughters

Chapter 48

- It has happened.- Then we have no choice.

- Is there really no other way? She will not understand.

- You know what the rules say. She made her choice.

- But she is not aware of it. And she has not done it willingly.

- Still the choice has been made.

- I just feel so sorry for her.

- I do too. But she can no longer follow our rules. And we knew this was not her fate.

- I guess we really have no other choice.

- You know as well as I do that her true destiny lies in her freedom.

- Yes I know.

Dawn threw its soft colors across the sky when Lee finally opened his eyes. The fog in front of his eyes slowly eased and his gaze cleared. It slid across the room before falling on the figure sitting on the floor by his bed, tilting his head against his arms.

- Sol my angel. 

He whispered quietly and reached out a hand to touch her arm. Sol jerked at the light touch and met Lee's clear gaze.

- Lee, how do you feel?

She placed a hand on his forehead and to her surprise his skin was no longer feverish. 

- The fever has subsided.

- How long have I been ill?

Tears ran down her cheeks as he sat up in bed.

- For almost seven days. When Teron could not find a cure, we feared the worst.

- Sol, please don’t cry. I can not stand to see you upset.

- You could have died Lee! I could have lost you.

He held out his arms and she fell sobbing into his arms.

- Don’t cry anymore. I feel fine.

He comfortingly leaned his cheek against her hair. There was a slight smile on his face as he thought of the words she had just uttered. His heart rejoiced over the words as he dreaded what they could cost her. The door opened with a faint creaking sound and Sol sat up and wiped away the tears when Y'zora came in.

- Lee, you're awake. I was going to see how Sol was doing but now I think I should wake your father instead. He will be happy that you are awake and seem to be feeling better.

- It has really taken him hard. For a few days we were sure we would lose you. When the cramps started yesterday …

- But I'm fine now.

- Yes, thank the gods for that.

- Lee! 

Worgan rushed into the room and gave his son a hard hug. 

- You are awake and you are sitting up. Teron said the poison on the arrow was one of the deadliest there is. He must have made a mistake. Send for Teron.

- I've already asked them to do that, Worgan.

He nodded and sat down on a chair and looked at his son and he shook slightly when he thought of the past night.

- For a while I thought that …

- I know, father. I know.

- Your majesty you…

Teron hurried into the room and stopped with a jerk inside the door and stared at the prince.

- My son is awake, Teron.

- I can see that, your majesty. But I do not understand how that can be possible. The poison …

- Maybe you want to have another check at your test tubes. It must have gone wrong somewhere.

- I guess so lady Y’zora. How is your highness feeling now?

- Good Teron. It feels like I'm taken a really long nap.

- I understand. If you excuse me. I would like to find out what has gone wrong with my samples.

- Of course.

Y'zora looked for the doctor as he left the room and quickly apologized before following him.

- Teron!

- Yes, Lady Y'zora. Can I help you?

- How sure are you that your samples showed the correct poison?

- Until now, they have never shown wrong. I do not know what may have happened.

- And as a doctor. What did the prince show for signs of illness?

- Everything pointed to him being poisoned and when the seizures came, there was no doubt that it was whiteroot.

- And there is no one who has given him an antidote.

- There is no antidote for whiteroot lady Y'zora and what I have tried to produce is not ready yet.

- You are absolutely sure that there is no antidote?

He hesitated for a short while before answering. 

- Maybe one but it's just a myth and even if it wasn’t, it's impossible to get hold of.

- I know which one you mean. Continue with your work Teron.

The doctor nodded and hurried down the corridor. Y'zora went back to the room and stayed in the doorway. Her gaze slid over the people inside. Worgan, whose joy at his son's recovery was evident in his face. Leerian who had no idea he had been at the gate of death and then turned. And Sol, in the girl's gaze, she found a glimpse of something that made her understand how it had all happened. She sighed sadly and closed her eyes for a moment before going inside to the others.

The coming spring began to show itself in the still snow-covered garden. Sol looked around where she and Deó were wandering. The snow fell from the branches of the trees and the water in the beautiful pond was no longer frozen. She sat down on a stone bench and Deó looked at her worriedly.

- How are you feeling Sol? You do not seem to be yourself.

- I feel a little lost.

- Well, you have barely gotten any sleep in a week. You probably feel better if you sleep a little.

- I'm not tired Deó. I do not know what I am. I feel ... confused.

- Confused?

- I can feel that something is different. But I do not know what.

In front of them, the air began to glow and create a shimmering light. The light grew in strength and a figure became visible in its center. The woman with the silver blonde hair came from the advice of the sieves and Sol had seen her there before. She was the first one that the seers met before standing before the council. Once before, Sol had met her in Laniro. Even then in the beautiful royal park. Like then, the warm gray eyes smiled at her but this time there was something else in the depths of her gaze. Sol lowered her head for the woman.

- Greetings.

- Greetings Sol. Do you know who I am?

- You are the guardian of the council of the seers.

- Then you know that I'm bound by magic to only tell the truth.

- Yes honored one. I know.

- The Council has sent me with a message to you.

- A message?

- It pains me to have to tell you this. But the council has decided to deprive you of your abilities.

- Take my powers! But why?

- Since your heart no longer belongs to the council, they have no choice. Your telepathic abilities are a gift you and your sister received when you were born, so you will keep them.

- But I do not understand.

- I know child. You will soon enough. But remember this. The assignment you have been given must be completed. In three lunar orbits when the moons are full, you must be with the oracle. It is of the utmost importance.

- How can they say that my heart does not belong to them. It has always belonged to the Council.

- They know that you are not yet aware of the choices your heart has made. But do not grieve, child. A fate greater than this lies before you. Listen to your heart and let it guide you. Remember my words Sol and complete your mission.

Tears ran down Sol's cheeks as the woman was enveloped by the light that slowly faded away. Sobbing, she sank down from the bench to the snow-covered ground. Deó sat down next to her and she put her arms around the panther's strong neck and hid her face in the thick fur.

- I'm so sorry my friend

- Now I know why everything felt different.