The falcon's daughters

Chapter 51

Worgan handed a tube to the young man in front of him. The tube was of the type used to ensure that a message arrives undamaged and the seal, which was placed over the rolled up joint of the message, ensured that it would arrive unread.

- I want you to leave this to King Tyrall. It is to pass from your hand to his.

- Yes, your majesty.

- It is important that it reaches him as soon as possible.

He took out a small leather purse and gave it to him.

- If you can not find an inn, this should be enough to buy new horses for.

- Yes, your majesty.

The man bowed and then hurried out of the hall. Worgan sat down on a soft chair. He produced a message that arrived earlier in the day. A smile appeared on his lips as he read the message once more.

- What is that father? You look happy.

- Yes, I received a message from your mother Leerian. She's on her way home.

His gaze fixed on his son's face. Behind the smile he could sense a worry.

- Is something wrong, my son? You look worried.

- There’s a thing I want to ask of you father.

- Well let's hear it then. What do you have on your mind?

- I would like your permission to get married,

Leerian steadily met his father's surprised look.

- Married! That was the last thing I expected.

Worgan laughed before he noticed the determination on Lee's face. 

- You’re serious about this aren’t you?

- Yes, father.

- And who is the girl you want to marry?

- Sol.

- Sol? But Leerian she is a seer! You know it's not possible.

- I know that seers are not allowed to get married, but she is a different father. I want your approval before proceeding with this.

- Why do you want to marry her?

- I know she's not noble but I love her.

- Then I suppose it's probably best that I give you my blessing.

He laughed when Lee wrapped his arms around him in a tight hug.

- Thank you father. Now I just need to get her to talk to me.

- She’s not talking to you?

- No. In fact she has avoided me for several days.

- Well my son, I wish you luck.

The king's happy laugh filled the hall long after his son had left it. But a disturbing thought gnawed at his mind. The council of the seers required that the seers belong to them with both body and soul. That a seer married was completely unthinkable. That Lee had found love in a tender and loving girl like Sol made him happy, but she was first and foremost a seer.

- You look pensive Worgan.

- Oh Y'zora. It's just something Lee said a while ago.

- What could he have said that made you look so serious?

- He wants to get married.

- Really? With whom?

- Believe it or not but with Sol.

- And this worries you.

- Wouldn't that worry you? Do not misunderstand me now. Sol is a wonderful girl and I'm glad Lee has found someone he loves. The only thing Chira and I want is for our sons to be happy. But she's a seer. I'm afraid this could break his heart.

- I understand. If this is the only thing that worries you, you do not need to worry.

- What do you mean?

- Five days ago, Sol was visited by an envoy from the Council of the seers. They took her powers from her. She's no longer a seer Worgan.

He opened and closed his mouth in shock a few times before finally speaking again.

- But how is that even possible?

- Sol broke one of the council's most important rules. She fell in love.

- Sol, just the one I was looking for.

She bumped into Lace when she turned a corner in the corridor. He looked at her with concern in his eyes.

- How are you? Y'zora told me what happened.

- I'm fine. It only takes a while to get used to.

- I can understand that. You have lived with those abilities most of your life. I was hoping you could help me with one thing.

- Has something happened?

- Not exactly. Let’s go to your chamber and I'll explain everything.

They continued away to the end of the corridor where Sol's chamber was located.

- Y'zora told me that you have telepathic abilities and that Kit has that too.

- She has. Lace something is wrong. I can see it.

- I'm afraid I may have made a big mistake my dear. When I sent Kit and Cade away, I may have sent them in serious danger.

- Danger? 

Slowly she sat down in a chair

- What danger?

- I sent them through the Bay of Mists. I thought they would be safe if they followed the old caravan route. Nobody uses it. I didn't know about the creature.

- Creature?

- There is a creature that consists of pure evil in the bay. It destroys everyone who enters the fog.

- Oh no, Kit!

- Can you contact her using your telepathy? If they haven't reached the bay, tell her they need to travel around it.

- And if they're already there?

- Then they must find out what awaits them in the mist.

She nodded and closed her eyes. Her thoughts began to wander as she searched the air for her sister's mind. She pulled on the strap around her neck and closed her hand on the star-shaped stone that hung there. A deep breath filled her lungs and she searched through the silence around her. Far away she could sense a faintly familiar tickle in her mind. She moved closer until a thick wall stopped her. The wall consisted of a gray impenetrable fog. She pressed her mind against the wall in an attempt to reach the mind inside it. With a deep sigh, she gave up trying when she realized that the fog that covered the bay was not natural but created by magic. A magic strong enough to block all other magic that tried to pass it.

- It's no use. As long as she's in the fog, I can not reach her.

- Then it's what Y'zora said. The only thing we can do is wait ... and hope.

Kit shuddered as a drop of water found its way under her wet clothes and ran along her back.

- Argh I can't take this anymore! I am wet, cold and can't even see my own hand in front of me!

- It can't be far left now.

- You said that two days ago, Cade! Is it possible that we have gone in circles?

Cade shook his head.

- No. I do not think so. We have kept as straight a course as we could.

- But if we are on our way out, shouldn't the fog be lighter then?

- I guess so.

- It feels thicker. It's like it doesn't want to let go of us.

- Kit it is …

- Just fog, she sighed. I know.

She looked around at the gray mass that surrounded them. A faint tickle was felt in the back of her head and she jerked.

- Is there something wrong? 

- I ... no Dorcha nothing is wrong.

She dismissed the feeling and pretended to not see  the doubtful look that the panther gave her but kept walking. Suddenly she stopped and stared intently into the fog.

- Kit? What is it?

- I thought it looked like something was moving.

- There's nothing here.

A low growl was heard far into the fog and a faint hissing sound came as Cade drew his sword.

- But I may be wrong. 

He mumbled and let his eyes glide over the gray haze. 

- Dorcha, keep your nose open.

- What does he think I am?. A bloodhound?

- Just tell me if you smell any foreign odors.

- That's just it! There are no scents here. I can not even feel you!

- It's not possible Cade. There is nothing here for her to smell.

- Then we have to take it very carefully.

Kit untied her bow and got it ready. She put an arrow against the smooth wood and let it rest against the string. They continued forward and the fog thickened around them. It wound around their bodies and restrained their movements. Cold chills spread through Kit's body. Dorcha's voice echoed warningly in her head.

- Something is wrong. Very wrong.

- I can feel it too. Cade.

- Stay close.

- I'm right behind you.

Every muscle in their bodies was tense as they advanced. Their eyes slid vigilantly over the fog and registered the slightest shift in it. They were relieved to see how the fog was slowly thinning out. Kit glanced back and a movement in the corner of his eye made Cade react.

- Kit, watch out!

He quickly pulled at the rope that still tied them together. The jerk caused Kit to fall to the ground and she saw how a huge shadow passed over her. The shadow landed a short distance away and when it turned towards them its yellow eyes glowed with hatred. With her eyes firmly fixed on the shining eyes, she rose to her feet and drew her sword. She backed away until she felt Cade's body against her back.

- Are you okay? 

- Yes.

The creature took a step towards them and stopped when Dorcha stood in its way. The dull growl she uttered made her whole body shake. Dorcha, who was big to be a panther, stood in front of a creature that was almost twice as big as her. It looked at her calmly for a moment before turning its attention to the two people behind her.

- Kit, be prepared to run.

The creature took a few steps forward and Dorcha threw herself over it.

- Dorcha!

The force of her attack caused it to fall and she took a jump back. The creature got to its feet and turned to face her. Her green eyes flashed when she met the hatred in the yellow eyes.

- Dorcha!

The fear in Kit's voice made her determination grow. She took a step aside and noted how the creature matched her movements.

- Kit, take Cade and be ready.

- No. You can not fight that thing alone!

- I know. But you can't fight in here. You have to go out. Do as I say!

Kit took Cade's hand in his. He met her gaze and nodded faintly.

- We are ready.

- Good. RUN!

With a roar, she threw herself at the creature and took advantage of the moment given when the creature looked at the two people leaving the fog. Her paw touched the creature's fur as it quickly turned towards her and easily avoided her blow. She threw herself to the side as it launched itself forward and its jaws slammed into the air where she had her head. The nasty sound from the jaws echoed loudly in the fog. She stumbled on the wet ground and barred her claws so she wouldn't fall. If the creature's jaws got hold of her, it would be the end. In front of her something more fluttered in the fog and when she realized what it was she took hold of the strong legs and jumped. Her limble body landed right next to it and she buried her powerful jaws around it. The creature howled in pain as her sharp teeth penetrated its tail. Furious, it made an attack on her. Dorcha stubbornly held on to the creature's tail and out of reach of the big jaws.

As soon as they left the fog, Cade cut off the rope that tied him to Kit. They stood with their swords ready and waited. A howl of pain left the fog.

- Dorcha. 

Kit shouted and took a step forward and Cade wrapped a hand around her arm to pull her back.

- No!

- I'm coming! Be ready. It's right behind me.

Seconds later, she plunged out of the fog and behind her came the creature. The strong body was covered with thick gray fur. Although the moisture in the fog had penetrated their own clothes in no time, the creature's fur appeared to be dry. The four legs were thick and strong and on the paws the sharp claws were visible. The pointed ears cut when it heard the people's gasps. The saliva ran from the yellowed teeth as it pulled up its upper lip in the elongated jaw and a rough growl came from the beast's throat.

- What in the name of all the gods is that?

The creature turned its gaze to them when it heard Kit's gasp. The panther disappeared completely from its thoughts when it saw the people standing with raised swords. It licked its mouth expectantly and enjoyed watching the horror reflected in their faces. Suddenly it rushed at them with a roar. The ground shook under their feet as the creature approached and took the leap. Cade dropped his sword and tore Kit's arm. With all his strength, he pulled her out of the way of the creature's attack. She tumbled over the ground as the beast landed on Cade causing him to collapse under the massive weight. She quickly pulled out a knife that whizzed through the air. A loud howl was heard as it penetrated the furry throat. The beast left Cade, lying motionless on the ground, and turned his fiery, hateful gaze on Kit. Her hand gripped the sword as she crawled up from the ground and looked intently into the yellow eyes. The froth dripped from the beast's jaws as it got ready.

- Come on then.

Kit raised her sword and taunted the beast. Dorcha circled around to the beast's side. It ignored her and had all its attention focused on the young woman. When it rushed towards her, Kit ran to meet it. Dorcha ran from the side and the moment the beast threw itself at Kit, she grabbed its tail with her teeth. The sudden twitch in the tail shortened the creature's hope. When it was over her, she raised her sword and the red blood slid along the blade as it penetrated the large body. She let go of her sword and threw herself on the ground. When the creature landed, its paws slipped on the damp ground and it collapsed. A crashing sound was heard as the sword went through the chest. They slowly moved closer when it was not moving. Kit's sword was drilled into the mount in the beast's body and the blood that flowed out of the wound colored the ground red. She carefully poked it with her foot and then pulled the sword out of the body. Her gaze fell on Cade, who was still lying on the ground, and she rushed over  to him. He was pale and over his chest were several deep wounds after the beast's claws. She sighed lightly when she noticed that his chest was moving.

- Thank goodness.

She smiled and looked around. Where were the horses? A loud neigh was heard and the horses became visible in the mist. They trotted up to her and Chiro put his nose against her outstretched hands.

- You made it, my boy. And you brought Àrdan with you too.

She patted the two horses on the neck and took out a bag of water and a piece of cloth from a saddlebag before turning to Cade. She moistened the damp cloth and pressed it lightly against the bleeding wounds. His body twitched and he opened his eyes. His gaze flickered before he finally managed to attach it to her.

- Kit! What has ... where is …

- It's dead.

She pointed over at the creature's body and Cade let out a short laugh.

- I will never doubt your fighting skills again.

- Make sure you don't.

She looked away at the horizon where the sun had just begun its daily walk.

- The day is new but it's best that we stay here and rest and continue tomorrow.

Cade made an attempt to sit up. She put her hands on his shoulders and gently pushed him down to the ground again.

- Lay still. You're not fit to sit up.

- Have we not done this before?

He gave her a crooked smile and she replied gently.

- But then it was I who was injured. I guess it's my turn to take care of you.

- Do not worry. I will not be as stubborn as you.