The falcon's daughters

Chapter 21

- Will he ever release us from here?

Kit mumbled and leaned her back against the wall. She gasped as the wall touched her sore back and moved away from it. Lesia looked up at her and said softly.

- Does it still hurt? Come here and let me have a look.

Kit complied with her request and sat down on the edge of the bed. Lesia removed the fabric of her broken shirt and exposed her wounded back.

- It’s fine, really. It just stings when I lean my back on something. And I always forget not to do that.

Lesia mumbled something inaudible when she examined the many wounds on Kit’s back. They covered most of the back in a criss-cross pattern. Some of them had almost completely healed since the two weeks that have passed since the whipping and some were still a bit red and crusty. She took out the box with ointment and gently covered them with it. When she was finished she used the broken shirt to cover her back again.

- They heal fast. But you’re gonna have a lot of scars.  And you should be happy as long as Crayden hasn't sent for you.

- I know. I...I just can't stand this wait.

She got up off the bed and restlessly started to walk back and forth in the little cell.

- What are you gonna do when he sends for you?

- I don't know. I doubt that there is anything more he can do to hurt me.

- I wouldn't be so sure. Crayden is a master at finding new ways to torment someone.

The rattle outside the door caused them both to snap. They looked anxious at the door when it opened. One of the guards came in and threw a shirt to Kit. She caught it and held it up in front of her.

- Put it on. He wants to see you.

He turned his back on them as she took off the rags of the other shirt and put on the new one. The rough fabric scraped against the wounds as she moved. Lesia grabbed her hand and unable the fear on her face she whispered before the guard pulled Kit out of the cell.

- Be careful.

The guard took her to the throne room where she knew he would be waiting for her. As they entered the hall, the guard released her arm and she was greeted by Crayden's cold smile.

- You can leave us now.

 He waved away the four guards who were in the room. A cold shiver ran through her body when his eyes fell on her body.

- Now have you changed your decision?

She almost couldn't contain her laugh at his absurd question and the very thought of what he asked of her made her feel sick. She fiercely met his eyes and raised her head high.

- I will never share a bed with you. It doesn't matter how many times I get whipped or whatever else your sick brain comes up with! You will never touch me!

- Oh but you understand my dear. You will change your mind.

- Never! 

- Not even if it’s your chance to save your father’s life?

Her blood grew cold at the sound of his threat and she couldn't hold back the shocked gasp.

- My father! What have you done with him?

- Nothing... Yet. Do as I please and I will release him.

- I know better than to trust you. Your promises are empty and false.

- What about this, I will even let you see when he leaves the town. But if you deny me this time, I will only let you watch his execution.

Kit dropped to her knees. The anger that was boiling in her made her body shake. She knew what she had to do and trembling she put a hand on her boot and slowly pulled out one of her small blades. She concealed it against her wrist. Crayden got up from his throne and she felt sick from the confidence in his voice as he started to approach her. He took for granted that she would give in to him.

- It's your choice. Give me what I want or watch your father die.

She pressed the blade tightly against her skin and got up on her feet. The surprise in Crayden’s eyes made her glad when he saw the defiance in hers.

- I will never allow you to harm Lace. And I will never have a baby with you!

- Then your father will die.

- Not if I kill you first!

With a flick of her wrist the blade was sent flying through the air and Crayden threw himself down on the floor a second before the knife passed the spot where his head had been.

- Guards!

He scurried behind the throne as Kit lifted her boot and pulled out another knife. The guards stormed into the room and Kit’s eyes shifted from Crayden to the guards.

- Well don't just stand there you idiots. She attacked me. Grab her.

- Yes sir.

They threw themselves at her and she smoothly avoided the attack. She threw the knife at one of the guards and quickly pulled the last knife from her right boot. The guard fell to the ground with a thud as the knife slid into his throat. Another guard grabbed her arm and she quickly flung the knife over to the other hand and pulled the sharp blade over his wrist. With a painful scream he released her and held his wrist tightly.

- What are you waiting for? Grab her.

The two remaining guards looked at each other when their lord yelled at them before they drew their swords and attacked. She jumped back to avoid the sweeping chop that came towards her. The tip of the sword scratched her cheek and she stumbled on the carpet. A loud moan escaped her lips when she landed on the hard stone floor. The guard smiled menacingly at her as he approached and quickly she kicked up with a foot that hit him in the crotch. He dropped his sword and cupped his groin in pain as he got down on his knees in front of her. The other guard swung his sword just as she got back up on her feet and the broad side of it hit her wrist. The hard blow made her drop the knife and she turned to avoid his next chop. Then she was sent tumbling across the floor as a powerful blow hit her back. The guard that was on the floor just a moment ago stood up and smiled when he  picked up her knife and threw it. The sharp edge cut through her skin and drilled into the flesh on the back of her thigh and she couldn't hold back the cry of pain. She pulled out the knife and struggled to get back on her feet. The back of a hand hit the side of her face and she fell to the floor. Disoriented she managed to get up on her knees and she heard the sound of a sword being sheathed and then her arms were yanked backwards. As the second guard approached, she desperately threw her feet up towards his chest. He pushed away her legs and buried his fist in her stomach. The pain burned in her stomach and she coughed trying to breath. The hit that landed across her face made her head flinch to the side and before she could react another hit followed. The guard gave her one last hard blow  over her face causing her lip to break before he turned to Crayden.

- What do you want us to do with her, my lord?

Crayden looked at Kit, pleased to see her beaten and bleeding, and smiled coldly.

- Throw her in the dungeon again. I'll decide what to do with her later.

- Yes Sir.

The guards nodded and dragged her out of the room. 

Sol’s horse stopped when it felt the distress of it's rider. Sol opened her mouth but couldn't make a sound as the pain washed over her senses. Y’zora stopped next to her and called out.

- Prince Leerian! We need to stop.

The group came to a hold and she gently helped Sol off her horse.

- Is it Kit? 

She nodded and cried in despair.

- Someone is hurting her.. Yzza what should we do?

Leerian hurried over to them and worriedly looked at the young woman.

- Take care of the horses. We rest here for a while.

He called out orders to the soldiers before he turned to Y'zora who held Sol in her arms.

- What happened?

- It's her sister.

- Her sister?

- Sol has the ability to feel Kit's pain and now she can feel that someone is hurting her. But what worries me is that Sol only feels part of her pain. If she reacts this much then we have to hurry. Otherwise when we arrive we won't know in what condition Kit will be in. Or if she will even be alive.

He lowered his voice to not wake Sol. The strain the connection took on her mind made her fall asleep in Y’zora’s arms.

- We have more than half way left. Even if we leave the roads and speed up, it will still take three weeks before we arrive. I hope she can hold out until then.