The falcon's daughters

Chapter 39

Lee looked out over the park and the storm that were raging there. The winter has truly come now and for the next couple of months they would have the occasional blizzard. The snow blew in through the open side of the corridor and swirled around in front of his feet. An icy wind rippled through his hair and he shuddered as he pulled the warm cloak closer.

- Good morning Lee.

He looked up and smiled when he saw Sol and Deó walking towards him. During their time together he had grown quite fond of the seer and her feline companion.

- Sol. How are you and Deó doing today?

- We are fine. We are on your way to your father. Y'zora mentioned something about a ball yesterday and I got a little curious.

- The mid-winter ball.

He nodded and while they where walking to the throne room he started to tell her about the forthcoming feast.

- Carlan's royal house has organized the ball for centuries. For the next three weeks members from each country's royal house and several powerful noble families will gather here.

- Didn't your father say that Yzza belongs to one of the royal families?

- Arlyons. Lady Y'zora is Arlyon's first daughter. She was the one who would take over the throne but when the seers' advice called her she handed over the throne to Nerina. Her younger sister.

Sol sighed and looked sad.

- She has had to give up so much. First her birthright and then her life as a seer. All because of me. 

- I have no doubt she made those sacrifices without hesitation.

- Lee. Did you say that each country's royal house will be here?

From the sudden worry in her voice Lee realised what she was thinking and stopped to take  her hand in both of his. 

- Yes, but you don't have to worry. Crayden will not be present. His family forfeited their right to attend several decades ago.

- What happened?

- His grandfather Miron committed a major crime against one of Arlyon's daughters. He married Erina who was the youngest of three sisters and on their wedding night he murdered her. After that, none of the other countries wanted anything to do with the Plainlands.

Sol’s eyes grew wide in horror and she exclaimed.

- What a terrible man.

- He was crazy and he had to pay with his life. This led to the formation of an agreement that prevents a kingdom from being damaged in its own kingdom. Miron was given the chance to sign the agreement before his execution, but he refused. Thanks to that, we could safely retrieve your sister.

- I don't even want to think about what could have happened if Crayden had managed to keep her.

She shuddered at the thought and they continued their walk. Lee placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

- Then don’t. Let me tell you about everyone who will be coming instead.

They stopped outside the throne room and a bubbling laugh could be heard from inside.

- Some of them have already arrived, I hear.

He smiled and opened the door and as they entered the blond woman turned her face towards them and called out happily.  

- Leerian!

- Genevie.

He greeted her and gave her a light kiss on the cheek before he held out his hand in a gesture towards Sol. 

- Genevie, this is Sol. Sol this is my cousin …

- Queen Genevie of Derian. Yes I know. It is an honor to meet you, your majesty.

She smiled and made a small curtsy. 

- Lee, you still have your good manners, I see.

Genevie laughed and gave Cade a short look with a raised eyebrow. Cade moaned and rolled his eyes.

- Gen. You are still as bratty as you were when you were a child.

- And yet you still love me dear Cadenor. Sol you and Kit must be sisters.

- Yes, Your Majesty.

- Please call me Genevie.

Her gaze slid down in surprise when Deó stepped forward behind Sol. She looked away to Kit and for the first time she noticed Dorcha lying at Kit's feet.

- What in all the gods?

- This is Dorcha and Deó. They usually have that effect on people.

- I can understand why.

Genevie was astonished over the sisters' companions. 

- This is the first time I see tame panthers.

- They are not tame. They have lived with us since we were little and we owe them our lives.

The queen looked from the sisters to the panthers and then to her cousins and smiled.

- Well this stay will certainly be very interesting.

The winter sun shone on her as she sat in the snow-covered park. Y'zora raised her face to the sun to enjoy the faint heat. Around her, the thick snow sparkled in the sunlight. A soft voice was heard behind her.

- You know when Worgan said you were here, I did not believe him.

Y'zora turned her head and looked at the woman leaning against a pillar. Slowly the woman advanced until she stopped in front of her. The copper-colored hair looked bright red in the sun and against the green coat she wore.

- But he was right. You are here.

- Nerina. 

Y’zora got up and the two women embraced each other for a long time before Nerina took a step back.

- Where have you been all these years Yzza? We have missed you.

- I have missed you too. But I had to leave.

Y’zora smiled sadly and Nerina raised her voice slightly when she thought back at what had happened all those years ago.

- But you did not even say goodbye! You just disappeared and for eighteen years you have not even been able to tell your sisters that you were alive! We began to think that we would never see you again!

- Rina, calm down. The Council had given me an urgent task. There was no time for goodbyes.

Hearing Y’zora use her nickname all the feelings Nerina suppressed for the last eighteen years about her older sister surfaced.

- We needed you right then Yzza! Especially Milari! Her children had just been murdered and the sister she needed most of all was gone! In any case, you could have used any of your abilities to let us know.

- Rina.

- I know that you may not use them for your own sake, but you could have done it for our sake.

- No, I couldn’t. That night my life as a seer ended.

- What? But...

Nerina stared in shock at her and sank down on the stone bench. Y'zora sat down next to her and took her hands in hers. Slowly she started to talk.

- I got an assignment that night. But to be able to accomplish that, I had to sacrifice my old life.

- How could the Council ask that of you? Had you not sacrificed enough for them?

- I have never regretted my decision Rina. Not even when it stopped me from seeing my sisters.

Nerina sighed and wiped away a tear for everything her sister had gone through without any of her family knowing about it.

- You have always chosen your duty above yourself. So what was your mission?

- Mother? 

They turned their faces towards the girl standing in front of them. Her red hair was gathered in a braid over one shoulder and her hazel eyes looked with curiosity at them.

- Is that her?

- Yes my child. This is your aunt Y’zora.

Nerina smiled tenderly at the girl who stepped forward to give Y'zora a kiss on the cheek.

- It's an honor to meet you Aunt Y'zora.

She had a serious expression on her face and smiled when she received an approving nod from her mother. Y’zora figured out that the girl was her sister's youngest child and only daughter.

- It's nice to meet you too Makena. You look just like your mother.

The girl's smile widened and she sat down next to her mother. Nerina gave her daughter a kiss on the top of her head and looked at Y’zora. 

- You were about to tell me about your mission Yzza.