The falcon's daughters

Chapter 44

The man landed silently in the soft snow. He quickly moved away from the light that shone through the windows and was engulfed by the shadows. He was a master at hiding in the dark and slowly approached the wall that went around the garden. When he heard the guards running out into the garden, he took shelter behind some dense bushes.

- Search the entire garden. He must be here!

Some of the men drew their swords and began to make their way through the bushes. He held his breath tightly  when the tip of a sword passed in front of his face.

- Be careful you idiots!. This is Queen Chira's private garden. Harm any of the plants and I will personally have your heads!

The man slowly let out the air from his lungs as the guards pulled towards the other side of the garden. He left the shelter behind the bushes and snuck up to the wall. A sting burned on his neck and he raised a hand to the small arrow that was embedded in the skin. A guttural sound left his lips as his body contracted in painful cramps. He collapsed lifeless on the ground when the seizures ceased.

- Over there.

They rushed to the wall and found the dead man. The wide-open eyes testified to how painful his death had been, and against the ash-gray skin the red arrow was clearly visible on his neck.

- Do not touch him. He has been poisoned. Get a stretcher from Teron. He knows what to do with him.

He looked down at the man and snorted contemptuously as the others hurried away.

- Too bad you died you filth. Now we have no use for you.

- There we are, all done, your highness.

Teron fastened the bandage around Lee's shoulder. 

- You should not have taken any damage from the arrow but I recommend resting for a while. This means no combat training for at least a week.

- As you want Teron.

- I do doubt that.

The physician mumbled when the prince nodded and turned to the door as a few guards entered the chamber.

- Your Majesty.

The guards bowed quickly before one of them turnés to Teron.

- We need a stretcher.

- Over there.

He pointed to the wall behind him and Worgan addressed the guard impatiently.

- Well did you find him?

- Yes, Your Majesty.

After a quick nod two other guards went to grab a stretcher and left the room.

- And where is he?

- Dead, your Majesty.. It looks like he may have been an assassin. Probably the person who hired him did not want us to get any answers because we found a small arrow on his neck. We think he may have been poisoned.

- Poisoned!

Worgan looked anxiously at Leerian and Teron took the arrow from the bench he put it on and placed it in a glass jar. 

- I will immediately examine the arrow for poisons, your majesty.

He picked up a stand with small glass tubes and placed it on the bench. From some shelves he took out several small bottles of liquids of different colors.

- With this, I should be able to determine if any poison has been used on the arrow Your Majesty. I will let your majesty know as soon as I have a result.

- Teron, when the guards come with the body, I want you to examine him thoroughly. I want to know who he is, where he comes from and who sent him.

- Of course, your majesty.

- Your Majesty, there may be another way.

Lace interrupted the low-key conversation he'd been having with Y'zora. 

- It may even let you know what the man ate for breakfast.

- Really? Tell me more.

- I will explain.

Worgan looked intrigued and Y'zora nodded briefly to Lace and Y'zora whispered in the king's ear as Lace left the room. 

- Kit, Prince Cadenor. Follow me.

Kit and Cade looked at each other before following.

- Leerian.

Tyrall placed a hand on the prince's undamaged shoulder. 

- I'm really grateful that you saved my life, but I do not want you to put yourself in such danger again. You're the only heir I have. If I lose you…

Lee squeezed Tyrall's hand and smiled while he promised.

- I'll be more careful uncle.

- That's good, my boy. That's good.

He sighed deeply and rubbed a hand over his sore neck.

- It's time for this old man to retire. It's been way too much excitement for one night.

- Sleep well old friend. We have a lot to discuss tomorrow.

- We certainly have Worgan.

Lee waited until Tyrall left the room before turning to his father with his concern.

- Father, what's going on? First, the Gords, who have been peaceful for centuries, go on the offensive against defenseless villages. And now someone tried to kill Tyrall.

- I don't know Leerian. Hopefully your brother and Kit will be able to give us some answers.

They followed Lace through the deserted corridors and into an empty room. After making sure no one followed them Lace spoke quietly.

- Now listen carefully. You must find firinn cridhe. Search the ruins of the double rainbow.

- Firinn cridhe? But isn't that …

Kit interrupted Cade.

- Where do we find a double rainbow? 

- Ride to Teralana. There you will find all the answers you need. But you have to hurry. Do not tell anyone where you are going. Avoid the roads if you can.

- Lace what's going on?

- I will tell you later.

He gave her a quick hug and ushered them to go. 

- Now hurry up.

- I will see you soon again. Come on Cade.

Lace held out a hand to stop the prince for a moment. He spoke low so Kit wouldn't hear him.

- Prince Cadenor, there was one more thing.

- What is it?

- Take care of my girl.

- Don't worry Lace. 

Cade smiled reassuringly at him.

- Nothing will happen to her. You have my word.

- And take the road through the bay of mists,

He called after him as Cade hurried out of the room.

Cade caught up with Kit and Dorcha and they went to the stable. Chiro neighed loudly when he saw them coming in. Kit smiled and caressed his nose. 

- Hi my beautiful boy. What do you say about a night trip?

They fetched the horses' equipment and put it in order. After one last check that everything was as it should be, they galloped out through the city. Two pairs of green eyes looked for the three  disappearing figures long after they were no longer visible. Deó gently pressed her head against Sol's hand.

- They will come back to us.

- I know Deó. But I'm afraid something will happen. I have a feeling there's something bad out there. Something that is approaching our sisters and hurting them.

- Both Kit and Dorcha are strong. They will not allow anything to defeat them. And besides, they have Cadenor with them. He will protect them. Also, now that Kit has learned to use telepathy, you can talk to her.

- You are absolutely right my friend.

She smiled and gave the panther a hug. 

- What would I do without you Deó.

- I have wondered that too sometimes.

- My lady, is everything alright? 

She looked over her shoulder only to find Lee standing there with a worried look on his face. With a smile she nodded at the bandage on his shoulder.

- Shouldn't I be the one to ask you that?

- This? It's not that bad. What are you looking at?

He went to the window and looked out into the night darkness.

- Our siblings have left.

- I guess they ... I… You know I have no idea why they left in the middle of the night?

- To find firinn cridhe.

- The heart of truth?

Lee looked skeptically at Sol and sighed. 

- That is just a myth. It's not real.

She looked at him sadly for a moment before turning her gaze into the night.

- No, Lee. Firinn cridhe is real. It has been missing ever since the wizard Darkan hid it several hundred years ago. Many have searched for it but in vain. If the heart should fall into the wrong hands …

- But if it's so dangerous, why did he not just destroy it?

- It can not be destroyed. The magic in the heart is too great. Darkan had only one choice and that was to hide the heart where no one could get it. But now we need to find it.

- For what?

- Someone just tried to kill King Tyrall! The same someone was found dead in your mother's garden!

He looked at her surprised over her sudden outburst. It wasn't like the calm seer to lose her temper like that. Softly he put a hand to her cheek and looked into the flaming gaze as he turned her face towards him. She sighed and the flames died away when she regained control of her emotions.

- Forgive me Lee. But the heart has powers that can tell us who is behind the attempted murder of your uncle.

- It's okay my lady. We will solve this. I promise.

- You should rest a little.

- The lady is right, your Highness. 

Teron looked up from his vials and looked harshly at the prince.

- Even if the injury isn’t that serious, you will feel better after a good night's sleep.

- As you wish.

- And that also applies to you Miss Sol. I've seen how exhausted all this has made you.

- You're right Teron. A good night's sleep may make tomorrow look brighter.