The falcon's daughters

Chapter 20

His red hair was messy and the blue eyes looked annoyed at them.

- Whatever it is, couldn't it have waited until tomorrow Y'zora.

He looked at her and snarled while he tied the belt on the black robe. Y’zora held back a laugh and smiled at him.

- You've always had a lousy morning temper Worgan.

- And it always gets worse when somebody wakes me up in the middle of the night.

He grabbed her shoulders lightly and gave her a light kiss on her cheek and a gentle smile.

- But I'm glad to see you safe.

She smiled as she shook her head and kissed the king's cheek back.

- I don't understand how Chira puts up with you. We need your help.

He sat down on a bench next to them and smiled when she mentioned his wife.

- What can I say, Chira is an angel. So what happened?

Y’zora placed a hand on Sol’s shoulder and hugged it comfortingly.

- This is Sol. Crayden has captured her sister and the girl's foster-father.

He sighed and tiredly rubbed his chin.

- I should have understood that the rat was involved. He’s become even more crazy and brutal than his grandfather ever was. What do you need?

- A group of soldiers to free them.

- I can do better than Y'zora.

He smiled and waved for a guard that rushed over.

- Wake my son and tell him to come here.

- Yes, your majesty.

The guard made a quick bow and then left the room.

- I don't think Crayden wants to risk what little peace he has by attacking my son so if Lee joins you, he will probably thinks twice before he does something stupid. And while we wait for my son, you can tell me where you have been for the past seventeen years. We have all been worried about you. In the past you used to always tell us when you were leaving but nobody knew anything. Not even your sisters.

- It's a long story. Let's just say I've been busy.

- Lee has never been quick in the morning, so you have time to tell me before he comes.

- As you wish. I found Sol here abandoned in the mountains seventeen years ago. She’s a seer.

- Ah just like you.

Y’zora lowered her eyes for a moment to get control of her emotions before she looked at the king again.

- No. I am no longer a seer Worgan. I haven't been for seventeen years. The Council sent me to the mountains so that I could find Sol and raise her. And in order to do that, they had to take my powers.

Sol looked in chock at the woman who raised her.

- Yzza. You never said anything.

- I'm sorry Y'zora.

Worgan took her hand and held it compassionate.

- I know that it meant alot to you.

- It was a choice I voluntarily made. But to continue. Sol has always been aware that she has a sister and a few months ago they met. Her sister Kit was also found in the mountains but by a man called Lace. He brought her to the Paw Islands and raised her there.

- But who would leave a couple of kids in the mountains that way?

- We don't know. But we do know that they were left to die. Had we not found them, it would have been their fate. To find out who abandoned them, we must know who they are.

- So that's why you came here. To check the archive.

He smiled in understanding at Y’zora’s explanation.

- Yes, but I know that Cadenor is off on one of his small excursions. Lace and Kit went to find him and we would all meet here later. But two weeks ago, we found out that they had been captured by Crayden's soldiers and that Kit was injured.

- Father. It is in the middle of the night. Couldn't this have waited...

A young man stepped into the hall and drew a hand through his blond, curly hair. He yawned and stopped when he saw that his father was not alone. He looked at the two women and bowed for them.

- I apologize, my ladies. I was not aware that we had visitors.

Worgan smiled and gestured to the ladies.

- Lee. This is Lady Y'zora and her protege, Sol. Y'zora, Sol this is my youngest son Leerian.

- It’s an honor to meet you, my ladies. But wait a second father. Did you say this was Lady Y'zora? Not the one that...

- Is your mother's sister-in-law. Yes my son. The very same. But sit down now. The ladies need our help.

- I understand.

Leerian took a seat and made himself comfortable.

- So what can I do to help?

- Crayden has taken Sol's sister and the girl’s father captive. The girl has been hurt so I thought ...

- That if I showed up at the little pig's door with a few hundred soldiers he would let them go. 

Leerian smiled and got back up on his feet again.

- I like your idea father. I'll immediately gather the troops. We’ll be ready at dawn. I'm sorry I have to leave you again as soon my ladies.

He bowed deeply and they looked after him as he left the room and Y'zora laughed weakly when she turned to Worgan.

- He’s quite eager, your son.

- That he is. I have no idea where he gets it from. 

Worgan smiled and turned his attention back to the two women in front of him.

- But now let's make sure that you two get some rest. You must be tired after all the riding. Cause if I remember correctly, you have never liked traveling, Y'zora.

- I got used to it. 

Y’zora laughed and stood up.

- If you don't mind Worgan, we want to join Leerian when he leaves.

- Of course you will. But first some rest. It is still a few hours before dawn is here.

- Your Majesty. I just want to say thank you for helping me get my sister back.

Worgan smiled at the shyness in Sol’s voice and reassuringly he held her hand.

- No need to say thanks my dear. It will be a real pleasure for me to give Crayden a snap on the nose. That's the only thing we can do right now ... but now you have to rest.

He used a hand to wave over a servant.

- Garrett here will show you to your rooms.

As dawn rose in the sky Leerian was ready to leave. He stood in the courtyard with three hundred soldiers. Worgan looked critical of the troops.

- Are you sure that such a small squad is enough. Maybe you should bring a few more with you.

Leerian laughed off his father’s concern.

- Crayden doesn't have many soldiers father. This is enough to scare him a little.

- Alright my son.

- Okay soldiers. Then let’s get out of here. We’ve got people to save.

- Just a moment Lee.

Worgan spoke before his son could raise his hand to give the sign of departure. 

- The ladies will come along. They should be here any moment.

- You can't be serious, father.

The surprise in Leerian’s voice was vivid and made a few soldiers snicker until the prince glared back at them.

- You want me to bring two women with us? If we, against all odds, had to fight then I had to set aside men to protect them.

- We can take care of ourselves young prince. 

Y’zora spoke as she and Sol joined the group.

- Also, if we are not with you how can you be sure that Crayden hands over the right prisoners?

- She's right my son.

- I guess so.

When Sol and Y'zora rode up next to Leerian he noticed for the first time the white panther that walked next to Sol's horse.

- I won't have to worry about protecting you do I?

- No Prince Leerian. Deó will make sure I'm safe.

Leerian took another glance at the big cat and couldn't help to wonder how on earth he didn't notice the feline earlier. Worgan raised his voice and called out to Y’zora.

- Y'zora. Chira will be traveling to your sister Aliandra in Faldirak today. Her oldest son will soon become a father. Is it something you want to tell her? I know she will be glad to hear from you after all these years.

- Congratulate her to the coming grandchild from me. And tell her that I will come and see her when all this is over.

- Are you ready for the departure of my ladies?

- Be safe my son.

- Don't worry father. We'll be back in a few months.

Leerian rose his hand to command the troops forward and they rode out through the gates as the dawn's pink tones slowly faded into the light of the new day. As soon as they left the city behind, they increased their speed. Without stopping they drove on the horses until the sun stood in the middle of the sky. Then they stopped at the edge of a river where the horses could drink and graze the green grass while the humans ate and rested. Sol sat on a tree stump looking north across the horizon and toward the Plainlands where her sister was. She pulled the leather strap around her neck and found the stone resting on her skin beneath her dress. She held it tightly in her hand and took a deep breath and whispered.

- Hold on little sister. I'm on my way.

A hand was placed on her shoulder and she looked up at Y'zora.

- It's time to move on now.

Sol nodded and let the stone fall back into place under the dress again before getting up and walked with Y'zora back to the horses. The soldiers were already ready to leave when they arrived and they quickly sat up on the horses. Leerian raised his hand and they left.