The falcon's daughters

Chapter 50

Lace looked at Abadin, who was sitting at the table, staring intently at the scrolls in his hand. He had not said a word since Saron left the room. Worgan stepped into the room with Saron close behind him.

- Lace. Abadin. What have you found? The boy said it was important.

- It is. 

Abadin raised his eyes from the papers.

- I'm afraid I've committed a horrible crime, Your Majesty.

- You, Abadin?

- Yes, Your Majesty. Eighteen years ago a man came to my home. He wanted me to change some information in a couple of birth records. When I refused, he threatened to kill my grandson if I didn't do the changes. That boy is all I have left of my only son. I could not risk his life so I did as he said. It was several weeks after their majesty's had disappeared. Everyone thought they were already dead so I saw no harm in it.

Worgan felt how an uneasy feeling grew stronger within him. 

- Abadin, whose reports did you change?

- Theirs.

He handed the two rolls to the king, who gasped for breath as he read the names of the children's parents.

- Do you remember what information you changed?

- Only their colors. It's weird when I think about it but I can still remember who they were. I found it strange that two blue-eyed people could have children with such clear green eyes. But their hair showed that they were their mother's daughters. They had her wonderful black hair. I remember when I saw them I thought how beautiful they would be when they grew up.

- Abadin, are you absolutely sure that they were dark-haired and green-eyed?

- Yes, Your Majesty. I remember those girls as clearly as I do my son's name.

- Lace. Before we can determine with certainty that it is precisely these two girls we are looking for, no one can know what has come out. And especially not Y'zora.

- But Y'zora has taken care of Sol for eighteen years. Shouldn't she know that we may know the girls' true identities?

- No not yet. Look here.

He handed the two scrolls to Lace, who widened his eyes as he read the contents.

- I understand. But it must be them. Just look at their names. They are almost identical.

- I'm going to send for their father. As long as we are not wrong now, then I'm afraid it could crush him.

- Your Majesty. 

Abadin held out the golden medallion. 

- I'm sure you want this back until you find someone who is more worthy to take care of the archive. I'm going to return to my cabin until you decide my sentence.

Worgan looked at the old man and even though he was angry over the betrayel his heart weakened when he remembered all that happened that winter.

- Abadin. If I remember correctly, you lost your son and his wife that winter.

- Yes, Your Majesty. But that's no excuse for my crime.

- That is true but I understand your fear of losing your grandson. You did what every man in your situation would have done. Besides, I need you here. Saron has only been under your care for a few days. He is far from ready to take over the archive. If you can restore the scrolls to the way they were and make Saron ready to take over, I suggest we forget what happened. And that you stay as we said before. What are you saying?

- I would be a fool if I said no, your majesty. I will not let you down again.

Above the bay, the sun began to set on the horizon, but inside the fog it was already dark. The fog seemed to close more and more around their bodies. The moisture in the air penetrated into the smallest thread of their clothes that soon sat glued to the skin. The sound of the horses' hard hooves and their own footsteps was muffled by the thick fog. Kit angrily stroked back the wet hair that insisted on falling down her face.

- We should have ridden around instead.

- And risk being seen? Kit we have already gone through this.

- I know. But this fog …

- It's just fog. Come on, let's continue.

- I hope you are right Cade.

She looked around in the thick fog and then mumbled softly.

- Because I'm not so sure it was a good idea to go in here.

She reached out and sighed lightly when she found Dorcha's large body walking next to her.

- What is it my friend? 

Dorcha's soft voice was heard in her head.

- Is everything all right?

- I don't know if it's the fog or if I'm going crazy.

- What do you mean?

- It almost feels like the fog is watching us. Yes I know it's crazy.

- I don't think so. Something here is watching us.

- But what? The fog or something else in it?

- That remains to be seen. The only thing we can do now is wait until it makes its move.

- Whatever it may be.

Y'zora knocked on the door of one of the bedrooms. When she did not hear anything from the other side, she opened the door and peeked inside. Lace stood at the window, staring out into the darkness of the night. She spoke softly and walked over to him.

- Lace, is everything okay?

- Do you think she's fine?

She smiled and put a hand on his shoulder before answering.

- I'm sure she will be back soon. Cade and Dorcha are with her. You will see that they will keep her safe.

He turned and a stiff smile was on his lips.

- You're right. I guess I'm just overprotective.

- You are not fooling me. What worries you?

He sighed deeply and pulled his hand through his white hair before sitting down on the edge of the bed. Y'zora looked at him worriedly and sat down next to him.

- Lace. What is it that bothers you so much?

- During the months that have passed since we left the islands, I have been close to losing her twice. I'm afraid for her safety when she's not around. I am starting to think that we never should have left.

- You know that sooner or later you would have had to leave the islands. If you hadn't left, the girls would never have met and I know that Kit has had some difficult times, but to meet her sister I think has made up for a lot of them. Unfortunately, there is something that tells me that they have not suffered the worst yet and when tha…

- That's what worries me. That something is going to happen to them. Well, it's lucky we have Sol and her siar abilities.

He looked at Y'zora, who looked down and smoothed a crease on the white dress. His smile faded when she looked up.

- That's what I came to talk to you about. Sol is no longer a seer.

- Not a ... but how could that happen?

- She saved Lee's life.

- But how ... Oh I understand. It was a pity, I had counted on her abilities. How is she holding up?

- She's devastated. For her, her whole existence has come to an end.

- I guess the journey to the oracle will not happen now?

- The council said she would still make the trip. It is important that she is there at exactly the right time.

- Is there anything we can do to help her, you think?

- Right now there is only one person who can help her.

- Kit? But she will not be back for another four weeks.

- Not Kit.

- Do you really think it's a good idea? I mean, it's because of him that she's lost her abilities.

- And that is precisely why he is the only one who can help her out of grief.

Lace stared at her, scratching his hair and sighing deeply.

- I will never understand the logic of women.

- You should have learned how women work after eighteen years with Kit.

She laughed but when she realised what Lace said the smile quickly faded. 

- When did you say they would come back?

- In about four weeks.

- There is no way for them to get to Teralana and back again in just six weeks.

- If they take the old caravan route through the bay of mists, they can do it.

- You sent them through the bay of mists! 

- They have the greatest chance of avoiding discovery there.

- Lace, don't you know what is in the Bay of Mists?

- An abandoned fishing village.

- Holy gods. 

She said with a gasp and sank down on a chair.

- Y'zora!

He hurried up to her and looked at her pale face.

- You really don't know.

Her voice was so low that Lace barely understood the words.

- Know what?

- What's in the fog. It came with the fog and it's still there.

A cold hand hugged his heart as he forced himself to shape the words he did not want to utter.

- Y'zora you have to tell me. What's in the Bay of Mists?

- A creature that consists of pure evil. A creature that destroys everyone who dares to enter the fog.

- By all gods. What have I done? Y'zora what are we going to do?

- The only thing we can do. Pray that it does not notice that they are there.

Sol pulled her hand over the snow-free branches in the garden. She carefully put her feet in the soft, wet ground and sat down on the white stone wall that surrounded the pond. Deó, who was lying on the stone floor under the vault, got up. She snorted as she put her paw on the ground and the mud penetrated between her pads. Silently she continued to Sol and sat down close to her.

- How are you?

- I'm getting used to it, I guess. 

She sighed and looked down at the pond where big red and white fish were swimming around. 

- If only I could understand what it was she was talking about.

- You will understand when the time is right.

She turned her gaze to Deó and smiled faintly as she reached out and placed it on the panther's large head. She tenderly caressed the soft fur.

- You are right as always.

She raised her head when someone called her name and she saw Lee walking in the hallway. Her hands trembled as she got up from the wall and she quickly brushed off the dress.

- I can't see him right now. What should I do?

- Go. I will take care of him.

- Thanks.

She quickly left the garden and heard Lee calling for her when she disappeared. A quick look back almost made her laugh. In front of Lee stood a growling Deó who clearly showed that she did not hesitate to attack if he made an attempt to get past her.

- Deó what has gotten into you.

He observed the feline and decided that trying to pass would probably be a bad idea.

- Sol!

He sighed and sat down on the wall that Sol had just left when she disappeared out of sight. Surprised, he looked down as Deó sat down next to him and put her head on his lap.

- What now? I could have sworn you would attack me.

Slowly he raised his hand and began to scratch her behind the ears. He looked away towards the end of the garden and then met the panther's sad green eyes.

- She is avoiding me isn't she. Since I recovered, she hasnt been near me. Do you think she knows? Did I reveal myself while I was sick? Or has she ... No that can't be possible can it Deó?

He got up and walked back and forth in front of the pond. Thoughts swirled in his head but gave him no clarity or peace. Suddenly he stopped and a smile spread across his face.

- Thanks for the help Deó.

Deó looked confusedly at the prince who happily left the garden. She tilted her head and squinted slightly.

- What just happened?

She shook her head to clear her mind and then went to the bedrooms to look for Sol.