The falcon's daughters

Chapter 16

Five days had passed since they passed into the Plainlands. Around them the tall brown grass swayed in the wind. At a watering hole some distance away some thick leafy trees could be seen. Lace smiled and pointed to the trees.

- We will rest there for a while.

When they reached the trees they removed the saddles from the horses and Kit let Chiro roam freely. She sat down with her back against a tree and sighed.

- We should probably try to find a rabbit or something to eat later. My body aches far too much for me to be able to even think about hunting right now.

Dorcha’s voice was full of laughter in her head.

- So what if you rest for awhile and I'll take care of the hunt.

Before Kit could even respond the panther had disappeared into the tall grass. Lace leaned against another tree and sighed contentedly as he closed his eyes. The long days in the saddle exercised took its toll on their muscles, which were now both tired and sore. None of them noticed the dust cloud formed on the horizon. A sharp neigh from Chiro caught their attention. Kit walked up to him and placed a calming hand on his neck.

- There, there. What’s wrong boy? 

Chiro trembled all over his body and his intense stare towards the north made Kit turn her head in that direction.

- Lace! What’s that?

She called out to him and he cursed loudly when he discovered the fast approaching dust cloud.

- Damn it. Saddle Chiro now. We need to move.

- But what about Dorcha? She’s not back yet.

- She can pick up your scent and follow us. That dust cloud is Crayden's soldiers.

The dust clouds were almost upon them when they got the saddles on the horses and they could clearly see the soldiers who created it. Kit threw herself onto the saddle but was held back by Lace.

- It’s no use. We won’t get away. Just be quiet and stay calm. I'll try to talk us out of this.

The soldiers reached them as soon as Lace sat in the saddle.

- Stop! Who are you and what are you doing in the Plainlands?

Lace turned to the soldier who had called out.

- My name is Lace and this is my daughter Kit. We are just passing through. May I ask who you are?

- I'm Nerill. Captain of Lord Crayden’s army. You should be a little more vigilant. Lord Crayden does not like intruders in his kingdom.

- I understand Captain. Our apologies. We shall leave your country immediately.

- I'm afraid I can't let you go. Lord Crayden has requested that all intruders be brought directly to him.

- Can't you make an exception this time?

- I'm sorry but you do best to come with us. Theko is only half a day's ride away so we should be there before dusk.

Captain Nerill's squad consisted of two dozen men and one of them rode up to Kit and took Chiro's reins from her. He tied them in his saddle and she could see how another soldier did the same with Lace. Kit observed the captain as he placed himself at the front of the squad and gave the order that set them in motion. He was a tall and strong man and his clothes were made of thick brown cloth. His arms and forearms were covered by armored plating and another chest plate covered his torso. The armor was well taken care of and glittered when the sun reflected in it. The brown hair had started to turn gray at the temples. A nasty scar ran over half his face and a black patch covered his eye. A tormented glimpse appeared in the blue eye as his gaze rested on Kit for a brief moment. He turned his eye to the gleaming silhouette of Theko. The large palace towered in the middle of the city. On the streets, the houses crowded with each other and some dilapidated market stalls stood on the worn square. When they reached the palace, their reins were handed over to some stable boys. The soldiers led them through empty corridors. Captain Nerill slowed his steps until he reached Kits' side. His voice was hoarse and low.

- How old are you, girl?

- Seventeen.

Tormented, he closed his eyes and put a hand on her shoulder.

- If the Lord sets his sight on you don't fight him. It will be easier for you. 

He pulled up the cap on her cape so that it hid her face. 

- Stay behind your father. I will try to prevent him from noticing you.

Confused, she looked after him as he took his place at the front of the group. He was trying to protect her. That much was clear to her but she couldn't figure out why. He did just take them captive and now he was trying to hide her. It didn't make any sense to her.

They reached a couple of heavy oak doors in front of them, which led to Lord Crayden's throne room. The doors opened and she quickly slid in behind Lace. In the throne room, the stone floor was hidden by a solid ruby red carpet. On the walls there were large tapestries in red and gold. In the back of the hall on a podium stood a golden throne.

- My Lord.

Nerill kneeled in front of the man sitting on the throne. 

- We found these two in the southern parts of the kingdom. Lace and his child Kit. They were passing through and according to your orders we brought them here.

The Lord got up and took a few steps forward. He was a tall and skinny man in his fifties who looked at the group in front of him with narrow gray eyes. His red velvet tunic was studded with gold embroidery and on his fingers sparkled a multitude of gold rings overdone with gemstones. His long light hair was tightly retracted and attached to a tail in the neck.

- That's good Captain. And what business do you have in passing my land?

His eyes were cold and it stood clear to Kit when his eyes landed on Lace that he was not a kind man.

- We are just passing through My lord. We are on our way to Carlan and would like to avoid Lookit Forest in these dangerous times.

- And what will you be doing in Carlan?

- Just visiting old friends my Lord.

- Really.

Crayden mumbled and his eyes narrowed to small slits as he looked at Kit. 

- Have you not told your child that it is rude to wear a hood in front of noble people.

He gestured with his hand and a guard rushed forward and pulled the hood away from her face. Crayden smiled and turned to his captain.

- I understand. Have you tried to hide something for me Nerill?

Lace moved closer to Kit and bowed quickly before the lord.

- Forgive me My Lord but we really need to continue our journey now.

- I don't think you're going to leave quite yet. Guards!

Two of the guards quickly grabbed Lace’s arms and pulled him away from Kit.

- I want to keep you here for a while.

HIs eyes turned even colder when he looked at Kit 

- Especially your daughter. Throw him in the dungeon.

The guards dragged Lace out of the room and he screamed at Crayden.

- Crayden you can't do this. 

- Lace! 

Kit called out and as she began to run toward him, two guards grabbed her and held her tight.

- But that's exactly what I can. You are in my kingdom and here my word is the law.

- My Lord.

Nerill spoke hurriedly. 

- I beg you. Let them go. The girl is just a child.

Crayden snapped at Nerill and the look in his eyes frightened Kit.

- You have a penalty at the pole waiting Captain. See it as a reward for trying to deceive me. Take him to the pole and give him two dozen lashes. Next time, you might think twice before trying to deceive me again.

- Yes my lord. 

Nerill sighed sadly as the guard led him out of the hall.

- And now it's your turn girl

He smiled when he saw the rage that lit in Kit's eyes as she tried to get away from the guards. 

- It will be a great pleasure to tame this one. Throw her in the dungeon for the time being. She probably needs a day or two to soften up.

- Let go of me you dirty pigs!

She screamed as the guards began to bring her out of the room and put her heel down hard on one of the guards' toes. He screamed and the pain made him reluctantly release the grip on her arm. She ran her elbow into his stomach and tore it loose from his grip. In a swift motion, she twisted her body and vigorously pulled her knee into the other guard's crotch and he fell wailing to the floor. She failed to notice that behind her the other guard had come close and grabbed her arms and pulled them behind her back. The pain made her gasp for air and a kick to the back of her legs got her down on her knees.

- Make sure she doesn't resist when you take her to the dungeon.

Crayden smiled before he got ready to leave the room. 

- Throw her into the woman's cell and take the woman to my room.

The guard who now got the pain under control got up from the floor and bowed as he looked back to Kit.

- With pleasure my lord.

He clenched his fist as he approached and the guard who held her janked her up to her knees. A hard hit landed on her chin and she felt the pain as the skin was torn off by the hard skin on the guard's glove before everything turned black.