The falcon's daughters

Chapter 57

Queen Chira entered the throne room and approached her husband, who was looking out the window. She put a hand on his shoulder and smiled as he covered her hand with his.

- Is everything okay?

- I'm just pensive dear.

- The gords?

- We must be able to do something.

- Be calm, my husband. We will get through this.

- I fear what it may cost us.

- Your majesty?

Tyrall and Chira turned to the door where a guard stood and waited.

- Yes what is it?

- An envoy has arrived from King Tyrall.

- Send him in.

- Yes, your majesty.

A young man entered the hall and bowed deeply to them. He was wearing red leather pants and a short red jacket. On the front of the jacket was a sapphire blue horse embroidered. The blue horse was Tyrall's own brand and showed that the young man worked for him. He bowed lavishly to them.

- Good day, your majesties. His majesty King Tyrall has sent me.

- Good day young man. I suppose that you have a message for me.

- Yes, your majesty.

He took out an envelope from a small bag around his waist and nodded in their direction. 

- If you allow?

Worgan nodded and the young man stepped forward and placed the envelope in the king's outstretched hand. Chira smiled gently at him and waved over a guard.

- If you follow Darien to the kitchen, the cook will make sure you get something to eat. I'm sure you're hungry after your long journey. My husband may want to send a reply to your king.

- Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you.

He bowed to the queen and left the room behind Darian. Once they were alone Worgan opened the envelope and took out the folded paper that lay there. He unfolded it and began to read.

"My friend.

Did you know that Leerian sent a messenger to me? My servants were quite amused when he arrived an hour after yours. I'm glad he's chosen a wife. After the ball I was a little worried about the boy. I worried in vain apparently for which I am grateful. I know that Sol will be a fine queen to my kingdom and a good wife to your son. If you and Chira do not mind, I would like to be involved in planning their engagement and the wedding. And now that all the formalities have been completed, I must say that your letter made me curious. What could you have found that you need my help with? I'm sure Javelin can take care of things without me for a month or so. Soon enough, I will be able to hand over the throne to your son. I'm sure he's going to be a good king for my kingdom. I should be in Laniro three weeks after my messenger.

Until we meet again

Tyrall ”

Chira looked at her husband's face as he slowly folded the letter. A muscle twitched at his temple. It was something that always happened when something worried him.

- Worgan, has anything happened during my absence?

- Hm huh. No, dear. Nothing at all.

She gently stroked his temple with a finger.

- Something worries you. You know I can see it.

He took her hand and pressed his lips against it.

- You know I would tell you then. I'm not hiding anything from you.

- So what is it then that you have found that requires you to need Tyrall's help? And can not tell what it is you need help with in the letter you sent?

- Chira ... we can talk about this later.

- Worgan my dear. You know that I support you in every decision you make.

- In every decision?

He raised his eyebrows skeptically and she let out a small giggle.

- Well almost everyone. But in order to do that, I have to know what's going on. I can see that something is truly bothering you but unless you share with me what it is I can’t help you.

- As you wish.

Her blue eyes widened as he leaned close and whispered the words in her ear.

- Are you sure?

- No, that's why I need Tyrall here.

- But Worgan if this ...

Chira and Worgan both knew that if Worgan was wrong in his suspicions things would get really bad.

- I know my dear. I know.

In the shade of some trees stood two horses grazing. Kit sat comfortably reclined against a rough tree trunk. She picked up some pieces of the dried meat and gave two of them to Dorcha. It had been two days since their escape from Teralana.

- Who were those soldiers, Cade?

- I don’t know. They wore no coats of arms and I did not recognize their armor.

- Do you think they followed us?

- Maybe. They seem to have been looking for the heart.

She looked down at the amulet that hung around her neck and took it in her hand. The yellow stone glittered in the sunlight.

- Do you think Minkos made it out of there?

- That little creature can probably handle more than he looks like.

- But ...

- Kit, Minkos chose to stay. The only thing we can do is make sure that the amulet does not fall into the wrong hands.

- I want you to promise me one thing, Cade. If something were to happen to me. Make sure the amulet reaches my sister. I can not explain it but it feels important that it reaches Sol.

- I promised Minkos that I would protect you and a prince of Carlan never betrays his word. You will be able to give the amulet to Sol yourself.

- Cade please …

- As you wish. I promise that the amulet will reach Sol. Happy now?

She nodded and gave Dorcha a few more pieces of the dried meat. The panther lifted her head when a light wind blew across her face. The wind carried with it a faint odor. Beyond the other scents that hid in the air, she could feel a mixture of leather and metal. She stood up and turned to the wind. It ruffled in her short thick fur as she inhaled. The taste of metal was there. It was weak but it was there. Her sharp eyes looked towards the horizon and far away she could sense a faint haze. As the haze came closer, she saw the cloud of dust. There she could see how it glittered when the sun fell on the metal in the men's armor.

- Kit, we have been followed.

- Where?

She stood next to Dorcha and swore when she saw the cloud of dust.

- How many are they?

- I don’t know.

- We have to leave. Cade we have problems. We were followed..

- f**k. We’ll try to lose them on the savannah.

He cursed and they threw themselves into the saddles

After several hours of hard riding, the two horses were pushed to the breaking point. Chiro staggered and Kit was thrown out of the saddle when he fell. With a thud she landed on the hard ground.

- Kit!

Cade turned to Àrdan and hurried over to her. He jumped off and squatted beside her.

- Are you ok?

- Yes, I’m fine.

With a moan she sat up and her gaze slid across the ground and landed on the black horse lying down, panting heavily.

- Oh no! Chiro!

She rushed to him and fell to her knees. Slowly she caressed his smooth neck and met the tormented look in his dark eyes. Cade pulled his hands over his strong legs and then smiled lightly.

- He's going to make it Kit. Try to get him to stand up.

She nodded and after a few tries Chiro got up.

- We can’t continue like this.

She sighed and scratched lightly under the horse's fringe. 

- If we do, we could lose one or both of them.

Cade looked at the approaching cloud of dust and said grimly.

- Then we will have to fight.

- Do you think there is a chance that they are not looking for the amulet?

She looked down at the strange piece of jewelry and stroked the shimmering stone with her fingertips.

- Not likely. They were waiting for us in Teralana. Maybe you should hide it.

- I think I have a better idea.

A smile played on her lips when she took off the amulet and knelt in front of Dorcha.

- What are you going to do now?

- You are the only one who can take the amulet to safety.

 She hung the jewel around the panther's neck. 

- Kit, you can’t ask me to leave you when a fight is about to break out. I won’t do that..

- I know. But if something happens ... the amulet must reach Sol.

She tore off a strip from her shirt and tied it around Dorcha's neck. The luster of the jewelry was effectively hidden by the fabric of the shirt and Dorcha's fur. Cade laughed and smiled at the idea.

- I would like to see someone try to take it from her.

- She will take it to Sol. If this should go wrong …

- It won’t.

The cloud of dust was now so close that they could clearly see the men who caused it.

- The soldiers from Teralana.

They drew their swords and Cade gave her a short nod.

- Are you ready? Here they come.