Chapter 56
1450 Words
- Kit! What happened?
Her voice trembled and she tried to make her heart stop racing.
- I'm okay. Something touched my leg.
Dozens of torches were lit around them at the same time. The torches sat on the stone walls of a large cave. A faint sound was heard behind them and they spun around quickly with swords ready for attack. In front of them stood a small creature that shocked opened its large eyes when it saw the swords pointed at it. The creature had white fluffy fur that covered its entire body except for its bare hands and feet. The large ears hung down along the sides of the round head. It tugged at the big cat-like nose and it raised its small hands in awe. A stream of chirping sounds came from the little creature. Kit and Cade looked at each other and then put away their swords. The creature looked at them happily before it spun around and the chirping sounds continued to flow. On the creature's otherwise white fur, they saw a black line that went from the creature's shoulders down to the tip of the little tail. Around the neck it wore an amulet with a shimmering yellow crystal in the middle.
- What is that?
The creature interrupted it’s dance and looked insulted at Cade. It snorted and then looked thoughtful. It scratched its arm before smiling big. In a bright voice it spoke and pointed at itself.
- Minkos. Minkos.
- Minkos?
They repeated it and looked at each other and the little creature laughed and clapped it’s hands. It looked at them researching before pointing at them.
- Cadenor, Kitana.
- No. Kit.
Kit placed a hand towards her chest but the little creature shook it’s head and said firmly.
- Kitana.
Cade leaned over and whispered to her before he faced the creature.
- I think it suits you. Where are we?
Minkos looked at him and thought for a moment. The little face shone before he answered.
- Teralana. Down.
- Below Teralana?
An energetic nod followed by a series of new chirps before the little creature stopped. It looked at Kit and then looked around the large cave. Minkos walked to the hallway they had crawled through and looked into it. When it went back to them, it looked around the cave again.
- Where?
It scratched it’s ear as it searched for the words.
- Where cat?
- Cat?
Kit looked in surprise at Cade before she looked back at Minkos.
- Do you mean Dorcha?
Minkos nodded happily and looked around again.
- Here?
- She's hunting.
it wrinkled it’s nose and looked dissatisfied as it approached Kit. It’s bare foot stomped on the stone floor next to her and it looked up.
- Hunt here! Here!
- I don’t think he wants you and Dorcha to be apart.
- I have understood that. How do you know it’s a male by the way?
- Just a feeling.
She shrugged her shoulders and turned to the little creature.
- She's going to be here in the future. But how did you know about Dorcha?
- Minkos know. Wait Minkos. Master said. Minkos Master obey.
- Do not look at me.
Cade said with a short laugh when she looked at him all confused.
- I do not understand half of what he's talking about.
Minkos jerked her pants lightly and smiled as she looked down at him.
- Down. Long. Down.
She knelt down in front of him and even kneeling, the little creature did not reach up to her shoulders. He took off the amulet that hung around his neck. The yellow stone in the middle of the amulet shone in the light from the torches. He showed her to bend down and hung the amulet around her neck. With a pat on the cheek he smiled brightly.
- Firinn cridhe. Safe.
- I will protect it with my life
Minkos nodded sadly and put a hand to her heart.
- Afraid, not.
He then smiled and went over to Cade who went down on one knee in front of the strange creature. Minkos stood next to him and pointed at Kit.
- Important. Protect.
- Protect the amulet?
- No.
He shook his head vividly and pointed once again at Kit. Cade understood what the little guy wanted and smiled.
- Protect.
- I understand. I'll protect her.
He nodded contentedly and pricked up his ears. His long ears were raised a little while he listened to sounds that were hidden from the others. He looked away at two openings in the far part of the cave and rushed there. For a brief moment he stood at each opening, listening intently.
- Come. Hurry. Hurry.
- What's going on?
- Man. Dark man.
He looked anxiously at one path as he put his little hands to their knees and urged them into the other.
- Go. Hurry.
- Come with us Minkos,
Kit asked and she saw the little creature hesitate in the hallway opening. He shook his head and smiled.
- Minkos stay. Protect. Go. Go.
- Kit. Come on.
Cade grabbed her hand and pulled her down the dark hallway. Behind them, darkness settled over the cave as the torches went out. From the second time, they could hear sudden cries and the leaping steps of a large group of men. As fast as they could, they made their way in the dark. They glanced back and saw a faint light fluttering from the cave. The men had torches.
- Do you think they are after the heart?
- Probably.
Light from the torch wandered into the hallway and they hurried away from it. Their eyes got used to the darkness and they could sense the walls in the hallway. They ran through the dark and heard how the footsteps behind them became faster.
- I can see light.
Far down at the ground there was a small passage. They looked into it and then quickly at each other as the sound from the men got closer. Without further ado, they crawled through the opening. Cade took a flat stone that stood next to the opening and put it in front. They held their breath as the men in the hallway rushed past the small hole. They breathed a sigh of relief and Kit sat down with her back to the stone wall. Tired, she leaned her head against the cold stone and took a few deep breaths.
- We must continue. When they can not find us, they will start looking here.
She nodded and received the outstretched hand that easily pulled her to her feet. They froze when the sound of voices reached them. Slowly they crept to the end of the wall. Cade swore softly as he peeked around the corner.
- Soldiers. Wait here.
He disappeared around the corner and Kit listened intently to the sounds around her. Through the whistling of the wind that made the leaves rustle dancing on its branches, she could hear the faint sound of footsteps approaching. She pressed herself against the wall and drew her knife. The sound got louder as the footsteps got closer. She took a deep breath and got ready for an attack when the steps stopped at the edge. A squeaking sound was heard and the sharp smell of urine reached her nose. Time seemed to stand still before the sound ceased and the steps continued away. She closed her eyes for a second and put the knife away. Suddenly the new calm was disturbed by loud shouts and galloping horses. Cade swung around the corner at Àrdan and he had a firm grip on Chiro's reins.
- Take him!
- Cade what happened?
- They guarded the horses. There are at least two dozen soldiers here.
- And they're all on their way to us now.
She threw herself into the saddle and looked around.
- Correct me if I'm wrong but isn’t that where we are going?
She pointed towards the soldiers that were rushing to them. Cade smiled lightly at her when he turned his horse
- Yes. Should we?
- Why not.
- Where's Dorcha?
- Outside the city.
- Then we leave.
They drove the horses to gallop and straight towards the soldiers who were on their way to them. The soldiers quickly threw themselves to the side so as not to be trampled by the horses. Moaning, they got up and looked for the two riders who had disappeared out of the city. Outside the city, they saw a black panther join the riders and they disappeared into the light of the setting sun.
- I'm sorry my lord. They got away.
One of the soldiers addressed the man who emerged from the shadows.
- Take it easy, Captain. I know where they're going. The talisman will be mine. I want you to take a dozen men and follow them. When given the opportunity, I want you to take that amulet back to me.
- Yes my lord.
- And Captain, make sure they do not cause me any more trouble.
- Writer
