The falcon's daughters

Chapter 69

Kit looked up at the golden ship. Loud screams were heard from the deck and she looked at Cade and the four soldiers who were to follow them. Ronet, an honorable middle-aged soldier. His courage and skill on the battlefields had made him a major at a young age. The strong Ozan who with his strong arms and the wide sword made enemies keep their distance. Rezván, who never allowed himself to be defeated. Except once and that loss had cost him a deep scar over one cheek. Danec, Ronet's younger brother, who despite his young age was considered one of the most skilled archers in the country. With Dorcha by her side, Kit began to walk up the gangway. At the upper part of the gangway she could see the deck and where the screams came from.

- We ain’t got all day, you mangy landlubbers! Get moving. This ship won’t load itself!

A woman was standing on the ship's deck. She grabbed a rope and examined the men's movements. The wind fluttered in her wide green trousers and in the lashes of the tight green vest. The sun shone in the wide saber that hung in the red cloth belt. The wind tore at her brown hair despite the red cloth she had tied around her head. Her blue eyes sparkled as she shouted out orders to the men. The brownish skin rumored that she came from the desert land of Faldirak. She turned her head and saw the group standing on the gangway. Her eyes slid to the panther and back to the group. She put her hand on the saber bracket and jumped smoothly down from the handlebars. A smile took shape as she approached them.

- Let me guess. Princess Kitana right?

Kit smiled and placed a hand on Dorcha’s head.

- Yes. This is Dorcha, Prince Cadenor and my men. May we come on board Captain?

- Naturally, your highness. I'm Keadra. Captain of the Seagull and its unfortunately dubious crew. Just kidding, they're not so bad. We have been waiting for you. Welcome.

- Captain. The cargo is on board and secured.

- Good Bregg. Throw off and hoist the sail men. It's time to get this bird out on the high seas again. We are sailing towards Raa'tik.

The seagull slid calmly out of the harbor and out onto the open sea where the wind filled the many sails and accelerated the slender ship.

- Captain, how long will it take us to reach Raa'tik?

- If we can keep a steady speed. No more than three weeks.

Kit turned to Cade.

- That will give us a week on the island Cade. But how do we find their camp?

- Do you have a map of the island Captain?

- Down in my cabin Prince Cadenor. Follow me.

They followed the young captain down the short stairs hidden behind a pair of doors in the stern of the ship. The stairs led down to the large room which was the captain's cabin. On the wall in the far part of the room were a large number of small windows. The sunlight shone in through the windows and Keadra went to the large wooden table in the middle of the room. She quickly looked through the various maps spread across the table. A lock of brown hair fell over her shoulder and she pulled a little at it before throwing it back on her back. Next to the table stood a tall basket of braided reeds. There were a number of rollers in it. She ran her fingers over the rolls and moved them around in the basket before picking out a roll with a triumphant smile. 

- Here it is.

She spread out the map on the table and they examined the picture of the oblong island.

- Raa'tik consists mostly of swamps. But I don’t think it worries the black bodies. There are only a few places on the island that have solid land. This is one of them.

Keadra put her finger on part of the middle of the island. Next to her finger was a circular symbol with a spiky spiral inside.

- What is it?

- The tower of an old ruin, your highness. A long time ago, probably several hundred years ago, someone tried to build a temple there. The temple was never completed and no one has ever known who it was dedicated to.

- Something tells me that we will find them there.

Kit shrugged when she saw Cade’s thoughtful gaze and they turned their attention to the map again.

- It's just a feeling I have.

Keadra nodded and pointed to a place east of Raa'tik's coast. 

- We are casting anchor here. From there you can take a shipboat to the beach.

She moved her finger to a spot on Raa'tik's coastal strip. The map showed a beach instead of the high cliffs that otherwise formed the coastal strip.

- I suggest you go ashore here.

Merko laid a damp cloth against the young woman's hot forehead. During the last day, Saline had suffered from a severe fever. Unless the fever soon subsided, he feared for her life. He got up and went to a shelf. Jar after jar was lifted from the shelf and he thoughtfully examined the powder in the jar before sighing and putting it back. In one of the jars was a bit of a faint green powder. He poured hot water into a cup and took out a narrow flat spoon. Two spoons of the powder were placed in the water and he stirred in the cup. A faint moan was heard from the bed and he returned there. He lifted her head from the pillow and brought the cup to her lips. She coughed until the bitter liquid ran down her throat. A relieved sigh was heard as he laid her head against the pillow again. The door creaked low when a servant entered.

- His majesty wonders how she is?

- I’ll know more tomorrow, if she survives the night, that is.

- I will let his majesty know.

- No. I'll do it myself. I need to stretch my legs anyway. Stay with her, please.

- But what do I do if something happens? 

- I'll just be gone for a little while.

He stretched his stiff body and walked towards the throne room. As he approached, he could hear voices, muffled by the heavy wooden doors. The two guards looked at each other uneasily when the king's angry voice penetrated.

- Can I disturb him?

The guards quickly looked at each other and nodded.

- That can probably be a good idea Merko.

Tyrall just glanced up quickly, standing in front of the throne, before turning his gaze to the counselor again.

- How can you doubt that they are my daughters Javelin!

- I just mean we have not seen any real evidence that they are in fact your daughters' majesty.

The conseler tried with a soft voice to air his concerns.

- They could be imposters.

- IMPOSTERS! 

Tyrall grew more angry and waved his hand at the painting behind him.

- Have you seen my wife's portrait? Look closely and then tell me that my daughters do not look like their mother!

- But your majesty. No one has seen the other girl and as far as I know no one has seen their birthmark either.

- Excuse my intrusion, but you are wrong, Lord Javelin.

- I can not see how this is something that concerns you, physichan.

- Princess Kitana came to me for help with an injury she sustained when she was a prisoner of your cousin Crayden.

Merko said and calmly met the cold look in Javelin's eyes. 

- A stab wound to the leg that did not want to heal properly. She also wanted me to look at a burn on her hip. Her right hip to be exact. The same hip that the birthmark is on. There is no doubt that that mark is not a tattoo, Lord Javelin.

- And how can you be so sure of that?

- If you remember, it was I who delivered the princesses. And that brand is something I will never have or will forget.

- There, you hear Javelin.

The king said contently and couldn't hold back a smile.

- Now I never want to hear again that they are not my daughters.

- As you command your majesty.

Javelin said submissively and bowed. He cast a quick hateful glance at Merko before leaving the hall. Tyrall sighed wearily and sank down on his throne.

- Is everything alright, your majesty?

- Great Merko. Just great. I suspected that someone would question the identity of my daughters. But I never thought it would be Javelin.

- I'm sure he only has the kingdom's best in mind, your majesty

- Maybe so.

He muttered and drew his hand over his eyes. 

- What about Saline? Has she gotten better?

- The fever has not broken yet.

- Did she not wake up at all?

- No, your majesty. And I have to admit, I'm starting to get worried.

- Damn it.

He slammed his clenched hand into the armrest of the throne. With a deep breath, he filled his lungs with air and went to the large windows. When he spoke again, his voice was gathered.

- I have sent scouts to find the straps and find out where they will attack from, but they have not found anything or anyone. Without the information that Saline has, I'm afraid Adirat and the whole of Tamarin will be doomed. If...

The sudden commotion outside the doors interrupted Tyrall before he had time to utter the next word. The young servant rushed into the hall.

- Merko, Merko. She's awake.