The falcon's daughters

Chapter 23

Beneath the starry sky Sol sat and leaned her back against a large tree. She looked up in wonder at the sky and her hand slid absently over Deó's shoulder. 

- You shouldn't be that far from the camp.

She smiled when she heard the dark voice next to her and knew without looking up who it belonged to.

- If you're worried about my safety Prince Leerian you don't need to be. Deó is protecting me.

- I have no doubt about that my lady. But what are you doing all the way out here? Admiring the stars?

- Sometimes the stars can answer the questions we have. If we only know how to listen and ask the right questions.

He sat down next to her and looked up at the stars.

- You might be right about that. But I am sensing that you're not getting any answers?

- No. Tonight I don't know what to ask.

The sorrow threatened to overtake her voice and comforting Leerian placed a hand on her shoulder.

- We will take your sister back Sol. I promise.

- Thank you Prince Leerian.

- Call me Lee. I'm going back to camp. Will you be coming with me?

- I'll stay here for a while. May I just ask one thing?

- Whatever you want.

- Why are you and your father so confident that Lord Crayden will not attack you?

- Crayden is a cruel man but he’s a coward. If anything should happen to me or any other member of Derl’ion's royal houses while being in his kingdom, he knows that the revenge will lead to his annihilation. He’s not protected by the same treaty as the other kingdoms.

- What treaty?

- I'll tell you about it later. Crayden will play tough when we get there but he will give in and return your sister to us. There is no doubt about that. 

Leerian gave her shoulder another reassuring squeeze before he got up and headed back to camp. Deó sat up next to Sol and leaned her head against her and she heard the panther's soft voice in her head.

- I know you miss your sister as much as I miss mine and in two weeks we will be with them again.

- I know we will but still I...

Once again she looked up at the shining stars and prayed silently.

- Please protect them until we find them. Without them we are …

- Lost.

Sol sighed with a heavy heart at the very thought of it and rose to her feet.

- Come Deó. Let’s go back.

Quietly they walked side by side back to the camp. Their thoughts wandered longingly across the ground to the Plainlands where their sisters were being held. For each day they came closer and for each day the yearning to be with their sisters again grew stronger.

Lesia made one last knot to fasten the bandage and made sure it was on tight.

- Ok how does that feel?

Kit got up from the bed and took some limping steps around the cell.

- It feels good. Now we have to come up with a way to get out of here.

Lace anxiously looked on as she made her way back to the bed and sank down on it. 

- Are you sure you can make it? Your leg is not strong enough yet.

- I must. It's been almost two weeks. Soon Crayden will wonder why I haven't died yet. If he suspects what we’re planning, he will probably kill us all.

- No. Lace he will surely kill and maybe he'll kill me too, but your destiny will be the same as mine. Imprisoned here and exposed to Crayden's sick and sadistic games.

Lesia’s voice was sad but Kit could detect a hint of anger in it and pleaded with her.

- Lesia. Come with us. When we're gone, his anger will hit you.

-  I’ve been his prisoner for ten years.

The previously dull look was filled with hope and the will to fight and as she continued, her voice was determined.

- I'll come with you. I have no desire to end my days here.

- Good.

She smiled as she leaned forward and pulled her thumbs over the inside of her boots.

- Where are my knives?

- Here.

Lace held out three knives and when she took them she looked up at the old man.

- Where are the other three?

- Probably still where you left them.

She placed the knives in one of the boots and got up quickly when they heard the clatter of keys outside the door.

- It seems like our chance has come.

Kit got up and hurried to the door and nodded at Lesia who quickly arranged the bed to look like someone was lying in it. She pressed herself against the wall as the door opened and a guard entered the cell with a tray of food in his hands. Lesia took it from his outstretched hands and he nodded against the bed.

- How is she?

- She's still fighting.

He took a last look at the lumpy bed before he turned to leave the cell. A small sound made him stop next to the door and turned around at the same moment that Kit threw herself with all her might at the door. The heavy door hit the guard in the face and he fell to the floor. They pulled him into the cell and then sneaked out the door. The corridor lay quiet and deserted in front of them. Carefully they made their way through the corridors and out into the courtyard. The faint moonlight shed some light in the darkness of the night. On the other side of the courtyard lay the stable. In the cover of the shadows, they crossed over to the stable and in through the open gate. In the first boxes they found Kori and Chiro. Chiro neighed in recognition and Kit quickly put a hand over his nose.

- Shh boy. You have to be quiet.

They continued into the saddle chamber where they found the saddles along with their satchels and Kit's weapons. Kit placed the knife in her belt before bringing out the rest of the stuff to Chiro. They saddled both horses quickly and quietly and a little brown mare for Lesia. When the horses were ready, they looked towards the large gate. A guard stood leaning against the wall, choking a yawn with his hand. Lesia looked at the other two worried that their escape would fail.

- We must pass him.

Kit smiled and scanned the courtyard quickly. There was only one guard between them and freedom.

- Leave it to me. Lace, take care of Chiro and be ready. We won't have much time.

- You know I can just...

Lace made a small gesture with his hand and Kit quickly stopped him before he could uther the words.

- No Lace, you promised me. No more magic. I got this one.

She snuck out of the stable and disappeared into the dark shadows that followed the wall. Her foot hit a stone and she picked it up. The stone lay heavy in her hand as she slowly approached the guard. Quietly she raised her arm and a faint thump was heard as the stone connected with the guard's head and he sank down to the ground. She dragged him into the shadows and gave a low whistle. In the stable, Lace and Lesia were ready with the horses and waited anxiously for Kit's signal. When they heard the whistling, they rode out quickly from the stable to the gate. Kit flung herself into Chiro's saddle and galloped out of the city. A few hundred meters outside the city walls, they could hear the wild riot as the alarm went off.

- We've been spotted. Let’s go.

Lace took the lead as they drove the horses on to increase their speed.

He took a deep breath before knocking on the door to Crayden's private chamber. A muttering was heard through the doors and he opened them and stepped into the room.

- What do you want!

Crayden threw on a purple silk robe and the guard could tell that the lord was very annoyed. He bowed deeply before speaking.

- I'm sorry for the disturbance my lord. But the prisoners. They've escaped.

- The girl escaped!

- Not only her my lord. The old man and the woman too.

- But don't just stand there your i***t. Get the troops out and get them back. Oh just forget it! Make sure the troops are ready in five minutes. I'll lead them myself.

- Yes, my lord.

He left the chamber and sighed relieved as he went to carry out his orders. As Crayden stormed out of the city with three dozen soldiers behind him, the dawn's first rays slowly began to dance across the sky.