The falcon's daughters

Chapter 28

The sun glistened down at her as she slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the leafy branches of the tree above her. The second thing she noticed was the warm fire. A thick blanket lay over her and she threw it away and sat up. Immediately her world began to spin and she put her hands on her head to try and make it stop.

- You shouldn't sit up yet.

She looked up and noticed the man sitting at her side. His light brown hair was short and gleamed in the sunlight. The blue eyes looked at her and even though she could see the kindness in them she got scared. He could tell the distress in her eyes and talked gently.

- It’s alright. You have nothing to fear from me.

- Who are you?

- My name is Cade. You're in my camp. Your horse brought you here.

- My horse. Chiro! Where is he?

She looked around the camp to try and find her trusty stallion.

- He's standing over there by the tree.

Cade pointed to a tree where Chiro was tied up with a brown stallion. She got up and Cade’s strong arms cought her when she fell.

- Take it easy.

She felt weak and held on tightly to his arm and looked at him pleadingly.

- My horse. I have to go to him.

- You're not strong enough yet.

He picked her up and carried her over to the horses where he held his arm around her waist as he let her feet slide down to the ground. She reached out a hand and tenderly caressed Chiro's soft nose.

- My beautiful boy. You saved my life.

She wavered a bit and Cade quickly lifted her up again.

- That’s enough for the moment. You're still weak and need rest.

He carried her back to the fire and sat her down on a blanket.

- Thank you for taking care of me.

- When a pretty girl rides into my camp it's the least I can do. Perhaps you could tell me your name and how you got hurt?

- My name is Kit. I was traveling with my father when we were captured by Lord Crayden’s men. I think we were there for three months before we managed to escape but we got seperated. I used to beg him to let me see the mainland and now I am starting to wish we never left home. There’s only pain and misery here.

- Not all people are like Crayden. There are quite a lot of good ones.

- I should leave. His men are probably looking for me. I don't want you to get in trouble because of me. If they find me here ...

- Actually they've already been here.

Cade smiled softly at her when her eyes grew big with shock.

- They came a few hours after you rode in here. You don't have to worry. They won't return.

- But why am I still here then?

- The captain of the men, Nerill, decided that you were under my protection.

- Nerill. He’s a good man. He tried to protect me from Crayden and as a reward he had him whipped. 

Her green eyes filled with sadness and Cade couldn't help but to feel sorry for her and for what she must have been through. Being Crayden’s prisoner was a fate he would wish for anyone.

- Crayden is a cruel man Kit. What did he do to you?

- Let’s just say that he gave me an offer I couldn't accept. How long have I been here?

She gave him a little smirk before quickly changing the subject. Cade didn't mind tho. He couldn't expect her to trust him right away so he didn't push the question any further.

- Fourteen days. You’ve lost a lot of blood before you came here. I had to burn the wound on your hip twice. I’m sorry but it was the only thing I could come up with to stop the bleeding.

- Fourteen days! I can't stay here.

Cade gently pushed her down to the blanket again when she tried to get up.

- Take it easy. What is so important to you that you can't wait a few more days?

- I have to find Lace. My father.

He could see that she was determined to find her father no matter what he thought of it. But why should she listen to him? He only saved her life after all but there was no way he was letting her go alone.

- There's not much left of the day. I suggest you rest well and we’ll leave tomorrow morning.

- We?

The surprise in her eyes almost made him laugh.

- I’ll go with you of course.

Kit stared at him distrusting. Why was he so persistent in coming with her. She wasn't sure if this man was someone she could trust.

- Why?

- You're under my protection now.

- But i don't need protection.

- Maybe not. But I'm still going to come with you. Now sit down and rest. Do you know where to look for your father?

- He said I would meet him in a hidden valley in Carlan. But I don't know where that is. I don't even know where I am?

- You're in the northern parts of Carlan. We’ll find it.

She looked towards the large group of trees and a cold shiver ran along her spine. Her voice was a mere whisper. It was as if the proximity to the trees made it hard for her to speak.

- Lee. What is that place? I get a bad feeling about it.

- That’s the Arlyswamp. That area belongs to the swamp people. Whoever is foolish enough to go in there is lucky if he comes out alive.

- That's where Lace said he saw Kit the last time.

Her gaze wandered toward the white clouds hovering in the blue sky. Tears welled up in her eyes and she quickly wiped them away.

- Do you think she’s alright?

- Crayden couldn't break your sister Sol. I don't think she’s going to let the swamp people do it either.

Lee’s comforting voice made her relax and she smiled brightly at him.

- You're right. Kit is stubborn and strong. But still, I can't help but worry about her. I hope she is well.

- For your sake, I hope so.

The last words he uttered inaudible. He had heard stories of the few people who had survived a stay in the Arly swamp. The horrible stench was enough to make people mad. Those who were stronger could break at the sight of what the swamp people did to their comrades. For those who became their prey there was only one hope. That death would come quickly. Whoever was lucky died immediately. The others lived in the knowledge that without being able to move or feel anything, they were eaten alive. They continued past the horrific swamp and steered the horses towards the borders of Carlan.

- In a few days we will reach my brother's campsite. He can help us look for your sister. No one is better at hunting and tracking than Cade. 

- Do you think he will want to help find her?

- There will never be a time when a prince of Carlan does not volunteer his help to those who need it.

- It is very noble of you. To want to help others.

- The people in Carlan must know that they can trust their regent. If we can't help our people, then what is the meaning of us being there.

The sun began to set and the white clouds were colored pink and purple. Lee looked up at the sky.

- It’s going to be a cold night. Let’s camp here.

They got off their horses and while Lee got the fire started Sol picked up bread, cheese and smoked meat from a saddlebag. Lee cut thick slices of it as she handed it to him. He cut up a few extra thick slices and gave them to Deó who lay down next to Sol. The panther quickly closed the powerful jaws around one of the pieces and closed her eyes as she ate.

- How long have you and Deó been together?

Sol looked lovingly at her companion and gently pulled her fingertips over the felines head.

- She found me when I was little. Since that day, she has never left my side.

- So almost eighteen years then. It is incredible that she still looks like a young animal.

- She's no ordinary panther Lee. I can't really explain it but in some way she belongs with me. In the same way that Dorcha belongs to Kit. Or if it’s us that belong to them. They have shared our lives from the beginning and will probably do so to the end.

The flames started to flicker and Lee put the last piece of wood on the fire.

- I'll go and  gather some more wood for the fire.

He got up and brushed off his pants before picking up a small ax from the side of his saddle and walked away to a couple of trees. With a sigh, Sol put away the food. She pulled the strap around her neck and picked up the star-shaped stone. For a long time she looked at it and then closed her hand hard.

- I wonder how they are doing?

She sighed deeply and looked at Deo tenderly.

- We have lived with the knowledge that they have been out there for seventeen years. And when we finally met them again. I never thought I would miss her so much.

- We'll meet them soon again.

Deó put a big paw on her leg and looked affectionately at her. Slowly Sol let her thoughts extend further and further. They soared through the ether and she prepared to face the myriad of voices. The silence that struck her was deafening. She opened her eyes and breathed heavily when she first looked at Deó and then at her clenched hand. Her hand trembled as she opened it and let go of the stone. In her palm she could see the distinct marks that the stone had left.

- Silence. All I found was silence.

- My lady, is everything okay?

Lee put a pile of firewood on the ground and hurried to her side.

- You look so shaken.

- It was quiet. I… I don't understand. Where are the voices?

He sat down on his knees in front of her and looked in her sad eyes. Gently he placed a hand on her shoulder.

- What happened?

- I tried to find them. The voices were always there, but now there was only silence. It's as if my powers are gone.

- Can you lose your powers?

- If the council thinks I have broken the rules, they can take them away from me. But they forgave me and I haven't broken any rules since.

- What rules did you break?

- I used my powers for my own sake. I used them to bring Kit to me. But the Council forgave me for that.

- Maybe it’s something else.

- Maybe.

She looked toward the sky as the last rays of light were chased away by darkness. The stars glittered in the night. She lifted the stone and let it fall into place under the dress.

- Being a Seer is the only life I know. If I were to lose my powers, I don't know what I would do.

He touched her cheek lightly before getting up.

- I'm sure everything will work out for the best Sol. For both you and your sister.