The falcon's daughters

Chapter 31

The sun was finishing its daily trajectory across the sky and slowly descended behind the city. Ipelé's gray stone house was colored flaming red by the last rays of sunlight. In front of them lay a dense grove full of green bushes at different heights. Kit jumped off Chiro's back.

- I think we're here.

- The entrance is in that?

- At least according to the map.

She walked up to the grove and placed her hands against the branches. With a slight push she could feel the denseness of the thicket. Well that appeared too thick to hide an entrance so she continued to another spot and tried the same thing. Getting the same result she moved on and tried again. This time the branches gave way and she was able to pass through them. Behind the branches was a path big enough for the horses to be able to follow them. She got out through the branches again and walked up to Chiro to grab his reins.

- We can go through here. 

Dorcha followed them as they entered the bushes. Cade jumped off his horse and followed them in. The darkness closed tightly around them and he couldn't see anything around him. 

- Kit?

- I'm here.

The voice came from his left side and he stretched out his hand. His fingers rubbed against a large warm body and Chiro shrugged at the light touch.

- Guess we will continue on then.

The sounds seemed to echo in the dark. The shuffling steps from the humans hard leather soles, the clattering of the horses' hooves and the faint sound of Dorcha's soft paws. Even the slightest breath seemed to loud in the dark.

- Is it just me or are we going downwards?

The low whisper came before him. He stopped and felt his feet on the sloping ground. They were indeed going downhill.

- No you’re right.

They continued on in the path that led them deeper underground. Later they could see a dim light. Suddenly, the road ended in front of their feet and they looked amazed at a large cave that extended below them. On the cavern floor grew thick white grass and large trees. The leafy, light-colored crowns of the tree extended to the ceiling well above their heads. From the cave walls the light spread and touched every corner of the large cave. A low growl from Dorcha made them turn their heads. The panther stood on a ledge that followed the cave wall all the way down. Cade stared in awe at the beautiful cave when they walked along the ledge.

- I never could have imagined that there was such a place. And that it’s been under our feet.

- It's unbelievable.

With the soft grass beneath her feet, Kit took off Chiro's saddle and bridle. He immediately rushed off over the large areas of the cave.

- Aren't you afraid of him leaving?

She smiled and watched while Chiro lay down and rolled around on the grass.

- No. He won't leave me. You can let Árdan loose as well. He won't run away from you.

After some hesitation, Cade released the stallion. The horse took some hesitant steps before setting off after Chiro. They chased each other around the cave and nibbled playfully at each other's manes. Dorcha looked at them and yawned heavily as she lay down.

- Cade. Catch.

He instinctively raised his hand and closed his fingers around the object thrown through the air. The soft red fruit in his hand looked juicy and inviting.

- What’s this?

- I don't know what it's called, but it's good. Lace brought some fruits to the islands a few years ago.

- How do I know that it isn't poisonous and you’re just giving it to me to get rid of me.

Kit rolled her eyes at his wry smile and took another fruit from the tree. She was smiling at him as she took a large bite of the red fruit.

- Very poisonous indeed.

He laughed and took a bite. The fruit was sweet and juicy and he looked around the cave. His eyes fell on the pile of wood that lay at the bottom of the ledge.

- I'll collect some firewood for a fire.

- I want to look around. It's probably going to take a while.

- Sure I’ll be here and get the fire started.

She walked among the large trees and a slight noise caught her attention. The sound became louder the further into the trees she came. On the other side of the trees she found a stream of sparkling clear water. From an opening a bit up in the wall of the cave the water flowed out. She squatted and placed her hand in the water. Instead of the cold water she had expected, the water was pleasantly warm.

- Just what I need. A nice warm bath.

She kicked off her boots and pulled off her clothes before diving in. The warm water enveloped her body and she sighed contentedly as she swam away to the waterfall. Beneath the fall, she found a flat rock. The water reached to her waist if she stood on it. The force of the waterfall massaged her body as it washed over her.

Cade laid the wood beside a circle of stones. The sooty stones testified that the site had been used for a campfire before. He went back to the pile of wood and picked up a few more logs. He placed them beside the stones and took a few and put inside the circle.

- Now I just need a few twigs.

He glanced at the trees and nodded before steering his steps there. With his eyes fixed on the ground, he strolled around amongst the trees and picked up some dry twigs along the way. He was picking up a twig when he heard something right behind the treeline. Curious he walked closer and the sound grew stronger. Between the trees he saw a flowing waterfall. Amazed by the cascading water he followed it and when he saw the bottom of it he quickly knelt in the shadows of the trees. His blue eyes were fixed on the woman in the fall. The water ran over her body and he gasped as she turned away from him. Dozens of red scars ran over her pale skin. They stretched across her back. He rose quietly and backed further into the trees. A twig slipped over his neck and he pushed it away. He accidentally stepped on a dry branch that cracked loudly. Without worrying about the branches sliding over his face, he hurried back to the camp.

Kit enjoyed the warm water and the release it gave her sore body. The sharp sound of a twig being cracked snapped her out of her relaxation. She stepped down from the stone and watched vigilantly among the shadows of the trees. Her eyes were fixed on the trees as she swam to the edge. Quickly she put on her clothes and pulled out one of the knives before walking in amongst the trees. In the dim light, her eyes searched the ground and the trees. A faint crackle was heard beneath a foot and she stopped. The green eyes fell on the object that appeared when she took a step back. Slowly she bent down and picked it up. She raised her eyes and looked out over the waterfall and the stream. Her hand clenched tightly around the small object and she left the stream behind her. When she reached the camp, Cade sat by the fire and put on another log. He got up as she got closer and brushed off his hands on his pants.

- You got the fire going I see.

He nodded and looked down at the flames.

- I found some sticks in the forest edge.

In the quiet valley, the bang sounded like a thunderbolt when Kit's hand landed on Cade's cheek. He looked confused at her and rubbed a hand over his aching cheek.

- What was that for?

- You lost something.

She threw a small object at him and it bounced against his chest before it fell on the grass. He stared down at the golden fox that covered the front of the medallion and put a hand over the empty spot around his neck. He looked up at her and his eyes were filled with regret.

- Kit I swear that I didn't mean to. I was just collecting sticks to light the fire with when I heard a sound I was just wondering where it came from. Then I saw the creek and the waterfall.

- You spied on me when I was bathing!

- I'm sorry Kit. I really am.

He fell silent when her hand met his face for the second time.

- Do you really think I'm going to fall for that Cade?

His gaze darkened as he looked at her and he took a deep breath before answering.

- It's the truth. I have apologized. What more do you want me...

Another blow hit his face and startled Kit took a step back when she saw the anger that flared up in his blue eyes. He quickly grabbed her arms and pulled her close to him before he mercilessly pressed his lips against hers. Kit could barely breathe let alone think. All she felt was Cade’s firm lips against her own. A faint roar was heard the second before Dorcha landed on him. His grip on Kit loosened as he fell to the ground beneath the sheer weight of the panther. Every muscle in Dorcha's body was tense to the limit where she stood above Cade. Her whole body was shaking due to the deep growling she emitted and Cade stared into her raging green eyes.

- Dorcha, let him go.

Kit took a few steps back and the panther raised her head in surprise and looked at her.

- You can't be serious? He...

- It is okay. Let him go.

After a final growl, she moved her paws from his chest and returned to Kit’s side

- If you ever do that again, I won't call her back.

Cade faced the icy glare from the panther’s green eyes as he got up and brushed off his clothes. After a quick glance at Kit, who was still breathing heavily he sat down by the fire and put a log on the flickering flames. 

- The scars on your back. Was it Crayden?

He kept his eyes on the fire and heard her take a deep shaky breath before she and Dorcha joined him and sat down across the fire.

- Yes.

There was a small tremble in her voice and he feared that he wouldn't like the answer but still had to ask.

- What happened?

- I hit him and he ordered that I should be whipped.

It pained him to hear what she had been through. In just a few months she had been through more hardships than most people do in a lifetime. 

- He's crazy Kit.

She looked him in the eyes and gave him a crooked smile.

- You know, I kinda figured that one out.