The falcon's daughters

Chapter 13

High up along the ridge that surrounded the valley, a shadow slowly followed the edge. With sparkling eyes it looked at the small village. Its gaze landed on the girl and the panther who disappeared into a cave with an elderly man. The shadow lay down along the edge and waited. Several hours later, just before dawn, it lifted its head. In the village, the hens started with their cackling and the village began to wake up. The man, the girl and the panther left the cave and the shadow quickly disappeared as the panther lifted its head and looked up at the mountain edge.

- Dorcha is everything alright?

Kit stopped when she saw the panther's tense muscles and followed her gaze up to the rocky hillside.

- Did you see anything?

- No. It's probably nothing.

She pulled her eyes from the mountain ridge and calmly stroked herself against Kit's legs. They continued down to Dor's cave where Dor sat outside waiting for them. He was smoking a pipe and the air was filled with the scent of tobacco mixed with the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread. Dekky gave them another radiant smile when they stepped into the cave.

- Good morning. Did you sleep well? Sit down and eat. You have a difficult journey ahead of you.

As Dekky placed plates of fried eggs and ham in front of them alongside a basket of flat bread Lace turned to Dor.

- Is there anything we should know about the road ahead of us?

- The pass will take you to the other side of the large gorge. Unfortunately, that's all i know. We rarely travel through that pass.

- You have provided us with more than enough help. 

They finished their meal and then it was time to leave. Dekky gave them two saddlebags.

- Here are some dried meat, cheese and bread. I put some extra meat in yours sweetheart.

Their horses stood ready and saddled outside of Dor’s cave when they got out. They fastened the saddlebags behind the saddle and got ready to leave the village. Dekky handed them a couple of capes.

- Take these instead of your own. They will keep you warmer. The days are growing colder now.

Kit snuggled into hers and stroked the soft fur against her cheek. She gave them a hug and Dekky answered the young woman's hug while Dor awkwardly gave her a pat on the back and cleared his throat.

- Thank you for everything.

- There is something you should know.

- What’s that?

Dekky quickly put a hand on her husband's arm and shook her head almost imperceptibly. Dor looked confused at his wife before he started talking quickly.

- There have been a lot of rockfalls in the Eastern Pass in recent weeks. You need to be careful.

- We will. Thanks again for all your help.

Dor took a torch from the rock wall and handed it over to Lace.

- Take this. Light it when you have entered the pass. It should burn long enough for you to reach the other side.

- Thanks. Come along Kit. It's time to move on.

Dekky and Dor stood and watched as they entered the pass and disappeared into the darkness.

- Why didn't you want me to say anything?

- I think it's important for her to tell the girl herself. She has been waiting for her all these years and now she is finally on her way. It would crush her heart if she turned back because of the shock. It's best this way.

He nodded and put his arm around her shoulders.

- You're probably right, my darling. You always are.

Kit looked over her shoulder as the last light in the pass disappeared. She reached out and took a few steps aside until her fingertips touched the cold stonewalls around them.

- Lace, can you see anything?

- No. It might be time to light the torch now.

She heard a faint whisper before the torch lit and shed some light into the darkness that surrounded them.

- We should probably hurry up. Dor said that the torch would last us till the other side but I am not thrilled over the idea of being in here with no light.

The torch gave them just enough light so that they could see the path and the stones that had fallen on it. Several hours later, they were still in the pass and a couple of small stones crashed from the roof of the pass and landed in front of Kit's feet. She sighed and leaned against the cold wall.

- How much longer can it be?

Lace looked at the torch, which began to flicker and they continued to walk through the pass, which grew darker as the light from the torch slowly faded away and eventually disappeared. The darkness enveloped them and through it he could sense a faint glow of light. Kit cursed when she stumbled on a small rock and he smiled amused.

- Come my girl. I can see light up ahead. Can’t be much further now.

The light grew brighter and brighter as they got closer and soon they were at the exit. In front of them lay the purple mountains, cold and lifeless. A winding path led them up to the dark mountain peaks. At the top of one of the highest peaks, they could see a small light.

- Is that where we are going?

Lace looked at the steep and narrow path in front of them. He nodded and started to undo Kori’s gear.

- Looks like it. We have to leave the horses here.

- Leave them here! But what if…

- Kit they will never make that climb. 

Lace pointed to the path and she sighed heavily.

- I guess you're right.

She took off Chiro’s gear and laid it on the ground. She softly caressed his nose and talked softly to him.

- I will be back soon. At the first sign of danger, I want you to bring Kori with you and return to the village. Can you do that for me boy?

Chiro huffed low and leaned his head against Kit's shoulder. She stretched her hands down his neck and scratched him under the mane. When Lace put his hand on her shoulder, she looked up.

- Come on. We need to continue.

She nodded and patted Chiro on the neck one last time before beginning the journey up to the cave. Dorcha used her strong body and tail to move smoothly through the large cliffs and showed them the easiest way up. With some effort, they made their way up the last cliff and stood in front of a cave. Deep in the darkness of the cave a flickering light from a fire could be seen.  A shudder appeared over Kit's back as they entered and she reached out her gloved hand. She let out a sigh of relief as she felt the warm animal body walking beside her. From inside of the cave rose a hazy roar and they could see a shadow gleam in the fire. The roar echoed through the cave and it sent cold shivers through Kit’s body. Her heart was pounding and she placed her hand on the hilt to her knife. 

- What was that?

Lace could hear the nervousness in Kit's voice and he began to get a little nervous himself, even though he did not acknowledge it to her and kept his voice calm when he answered.

- I don't know.

- It can’t be.

Kit could feel how all the muscles in Dorcha's body tensed before the panther took a leap and disappeared into the cave's depth.

- Dorcha! No!

- Do not be afraid.

A soft voice was heard from the interior of the cave. Kit cleared her throat to hide her feelings.

- Where is Dorcha? What have you done to her?

- Don't worry about your friend. She is here and without any danger. Come and see for yourself.

They continued into the cave until they reached the light of the fire. At the fire was Dorcha and next to her was a white panther. The white panther happily closed its green eyes as it tenderly pressed its head towards Dorchas.

- DEÓ!

The white panther rose at the sound of Lace's daring voice and walked up to him. He sank down in front of it and put his hands over its head.

- Deó is it really you?

- It is.

The soft voice was heard again and they only now noticed the woman sitting by the fire. A dark cape covered her white dress and they could see long dark hair under the hood that hid her face.

- But how is that possible? I saw her fall.

- She survived.

- Does that mean that...

- That you were right. There was a second child. Just as Dorcha found Kit, Deó was meant to find me.

- How do you know my name?

- I know many things.

The smile in the woman's voice was clear and Kit looked at her suspiciously.

- Who are you really?

- I am a seer and my name is Sol.

- Kits dream?

- Yes Lace I am responsible for it.

- But why?

The woman slowly pulled away her hood and the flames of the fire lit up her face.

- I thought it was time for me to meet my sister.