The falcon's daughters

Chapter 55

The sky was gray and overcast as they rode in among the ruins of Teralana. The green vines from the plants meandered up the half-ruined stone houses. They tied the horses to some trees that grew in the place that had once been the town square. Cade looked around skeptically

- Then we'll just find a double rainbow. Do you really think it was such a good idea to let Dorcha go hunting? We might have needed her sharp sense of smell.

- She is not far away. Come now.

They walked across the grassy roads that ran between the old buildings. Above some doors they could see worn signs where the text was almost no longer visible. On the ground by a doorway was a sign that caught Kit's attention.

- Cade, I think we're going in here.

Cade looked at where she was pointing and saw the two rainbows that were painted on the sign above the door.

- The double rainbow. It was apparently an inn.

They went into a large room and looked around. In the far side of the room was a bar counter and a door that led into what was once the kitchen. Some of the room was a little higher than the rest. It was there that the troubadour sat as he performed his songs for the guests. Their feet left clear imprints in the dust that covered the rotten wooden floor. A faint creaking sound filled the silence. Afraid to speak outloud Kit whispered.

- Cade. Please say that was your stomach.

- Unfortunately not. Be ready.

He took a step closer to her. She nodded and they stood back to back as they each drew a knife and watched the room carefully. The creaking grew in strength and a crash was heard as the floor gave way beneath them. They tumbled down a steep stone walkway and reached a wall that put a brutal stop to their progress.

- Kit, are you okay?

- Yes.

They got to their feet and looked around in the dim light. A few meters above them they could see a faint glimmer of light from the inn.

- Where are we?

- Somewhere under the inn, I think. It's too dark to see anything.

- Then we should be in the right place. Lace said it would be below the double rainbow.

She put her hand against the wall and groped over the uneven surface.

- I guess we should continue.

Cade hurried after her as she disappeared into the darkness.

Sol sat quietly and watched the fish in the park's stone pond. Since she came to Laniro, the park had quickly become a favorite place for her. It was a place where she could think about things that had happened or just clear her mind. Deó was by her side just as usual. She laughed when a fish struck with its tail fin against the surface. The cold drops of water fell on her hand. She was just about to wipe them off when a white handkerchief was handed out. In front of her stood a woman looking at her smiling. Her blue eyes were gentle and her dark brown hair, where some white hairs had begun to show, was artfully placed in a knot at the nape of her neck. The tanned skin testified that she came from the desert country and the dark blue silk dress fit her slim body perfectly.

- Thank you.

- No reason to say thanks.

The woman smiled and sat down next to her. 

- So you're the girl who's captured my son's heart.

- Yes, Your Majesty.

- It's nothing to be embarrassed about, dear child. I'm glad Lee has found someone he can love.

- I guess Your Majesty knows about my background.

- That a while ago you were a seer and that you saved his life.

- That I do not know where I come from.

Sol turned down her face and the queen gently placed a hand on her chin to turn her face towards her.

- Where you come from is not important my dear. The only thing that matters is that you love my son.

- I do Your Majesty.

- Well then that's all I need to know. Worgan told me that Y’zora raised you. You wouldn't happen to know where she is. It's been almost twenty years since I last saw her.

- Unfortunately, she is no longer here. She left before dawn.

Worgan didn’t say anything about that. Where was she going? 

- She did not say that.

- She has always been secretive. I'm sure we'll know everything in due time.

They groped their way through the dark hallway and their breath echoed in the silence. The ground was covered with gravel that crackled high under their feet. A muttering curse from Cade made her stop.

- What is it?

- Nothing. I just hit my head on the ceiling.

She raised her hand until she reached the roof of the hallway just above her head. She lowered her hand a little and took a few steps forward. The rough stone just scratched lightly against her skin.

- The passage is getting smaller. Do you think we can find another time down?

- It's not likely. I think we will continue and see what happens.

They continued in the aisle which shrank rapidly and became smaller and smaller. The gravel and the sharp pebbles seemed to cut through their leather pants as they were forced to crawl through the low passage. The aisle eventually stopped shrinking and they drew a sigh of relief. Cade's back was pulled against the roof of the hallway for every move he made. Suddenly the pressure from his back eased and he stopped. Trying, he reached up. The roof he expected to find was not there. He stretched out his arms against the walls without reaching them.

- Kit. Stop.

- Is there something wrong?

- The roof and the walls.

She did as he did and reached for the solid stone that was no longer there. Slowly she stood up. Her hand reached up into the air to reach the roof that was out of her reach. A quick stepping sound was heard and she spun around. The darkness was still heavy around them.

- Cade, where are you?

- Here.

His voice came far from the side of her and she jerked when the steps were heard again.

- Did you hear that?

- Yes.

This time his voice was heard closer and she screamed when a hand touched her arm.

- It's just me.

- Do not scare me like that.

- Sorry.

She knew he wasn’t sorry at all cause she could hear the slight laugh in his voice.

- There's something here, Cade. What do we do if it's another beast? We can not fight against something we can not see.

- We can only hope that it is not.

The steps were heard again and they both spun around towards the sound. A faint hissing occurred as they drew their swords. The pawing sound continued and moved constantly around them. They remained tense and turned constantly to the sound. Suddenly the steps set off straight at them and Kit's screams filled the air.