The falcon's daughters

Chapter 45

Silent steps moved quickly up a flight of stairs and in through an old door.

- Do you have any news? 

- Yes, my lord. Prince Leerian pushed King Tyrall away and was hit in the shoulder. The assassin has been ... let's say ... taken care of. Just as you ordered. Prince Cadenor and the short-haired girl are on their way to the ruined city of Teralana to find firinn cridhe.

- Firinn cridhe. That was interesting, I must say. If they find the heart, it could lead to situations I'm not ready for yet. I must take action for this. Which direction would they take?

- Through the bay of mists my lord.

- This will be easier than I thought, he smiled. Are you sure no one saw you?

- Yes, my lord. I hid well.

- Good. Make sure my army is ready to travel.

He stood up and waved a dismissive hand. The spy bowed quickly before slipping out the door again. The man looked into the dying flames in the fireplace. Slowly he picked up a firewood and set it on fire. The flames immediately flared up and threw the man's shadow high on the walls.

- If the heart is in Teralana, I must have it. Once upon a time it was mine. I'll get it back. If I have to destroy this world and everyone else like it, she's going to be mine again. But first I have to stop the two of them from reaching Teralana. They will be safe until they reach the mist and in it they will find their death.

His cold laughter filled the room as the night died away, leaving room for the rising sun.

- You wanted to see me, Your majesty?

- Yes Abadin. How are the archives?

- I am finished. The archives have been restored to the condition they were in when I left.

- Wonderful. 

Worgan smiled and gestured to the older man to have a seat.

- Tell me Abadin would you like to have your job back here. I'm afraid you're indispensable to us.

- I really do miss the old scrolls, but I'm afraid I'm too old, your majesty. I don’t have the strength nor the endurance I once had.

- Well we would need to appoint someone to take over the archives after you. You can choose whomever you want as your successor and train them.

Abadin nodded at the idea, pleased over the thought to stay around the archives again. 

- One of the stable boys showed a great interest in the archives. I think his name was Saron.

- Salines son? I know she does not want him to grow up to be a scout or a warrior. I'm going to talk to him. If he wants the job, he will be your apprentice. Well what do you say?

Abadin scratched his beard thoughtfully before smiling happily.

- I will accept your majesty.

- Good. Will you find Saron for me please?

The guard at the door bowed quickly before disappearing.

- Your majesty, if you don’t mind me asking. What was Lace looking for in the archives?

- I leave it to him to tell you. It's a pretty sensitive thing, but he will probably need your help.

- I understand.

The silence fell over the throne room as they waited for Saron to arrive. After waiting for a while, the guard returned with a young boy at the age of ten. He stopped in front of them and bowed deeply in front of his king.

- You called for me, your majesty?

- Yes, I understand you were one of the boys who helped Abadin in the Saron archives.

- Yes, your majesty. Have I done something wrong?

- Not at all. I just wanted to know if you would like to continue helping him?

- Are you serious, your majesty?

The boy smiled happily but after a few seconds he frowned and looked pensive. 

- But won’t the stablemaster get angry if I neglect my work in the stable.

- I'm afraid you would have to give up your position in the stable Saron. Abadin needs all the help he can get and he needs someone who can take over after him when that day comes. Do you want that job?

Saron nodded eagerly and his face was lit up with joy over being intrused with such an important task.

- Yes. Thank you, your majesty. Mom will be overjoyed.

- Just make sure to do a good job and make Abadin proud.

- Yes, your majesty. Master Abadin, when do you want me to start?

- The day is late so tomorrow morning will be good. If his majesty agrees?

- Tomorrow will be fine. Finish the day's work in the stable and you will start at Abadin tomorrow.

- Yes, your majesty. Master Abadin.

The boy's smile covered his freckled face and his brown eyes sparkled happily as he returned to the stable and his chores there.

Dawn rose and it's pink hues colored on the glittering white snow. Behind the two who stormed forward, the snow swirled in a large cloud. They reached a narrow stream and Cade held on to his horse.

- Is there something wrong?

- No, but the horses need to rest. And we need to eat a little.

He got off his horse and nodded to the panther that lay down in the snow, panting hard.

- Yes, please. Lets rest and some food.

- I think she agrees with me.

Kit nodded and gave Chiro a pat on the neck. 

- It's been a few hours since we left Laniro. Do you think they've noticed we're gone?

- Who?

- The ones who tried to kill Tyrall.

- I guess so.  You don’t plan an assassination attempt on someone without being told how it went.

- But why would anyone want to kill him? He seems to be a nice man.

- He is and there can be many different reasons.

- As?

- As a ruler, it can be difficult to be fair to everyone. There is always someone who feels that he has not received the right verdict.

- I guess so.

She sat down and leaned her back against a large tree. From a saddlebag she took out some cheese and some dried strips of meat for them. She handed some of them to Cade as he sat down next to her and they ate in silence.

- What do you think this firinn cridhe that we are going to find is?

Cade thought for a bit and tried to remember what the scholars once gold him about the mysterious gem.

- According to old myths, firinn cridhe is a powerful talisman that can reveal the truth behind things and events. It has been missing for centuries.

- But Lace seems to be so sure that we will find it.

- He may know something that the rest of us don't.

- What does it mean? Firinn cridhe?

- The heart of truth. I just hope Lace is right about where we'll find it.

- He must be, otherwise…

Kit began before she fell silent. A poking sensation that someone called her made herself known. The strange feeling grew stronger until she recognized her sister's voice. Slightly it echoed in her head.

- Kit?

- I can almost hear you.

- Concentrate, little sister. Can you hear me?

Kit closed her eyes and focused her thoughts on her sister's distant voice until she could hear her as clearly as if they had been next to each other.

- Now I hear you better.

- Good. I wanted to try if we could talk at a distance with each other.

- It seems like it. How is Lee?

- He's fine. The arrow did no major damage.

Sol hesitated a bit before continuing talking. 

- Kit, promise me that you will be careful.

- Has something happened that you're not telling me Sol?

- No but I have a feeling something will happen. Something bad.

- I can take care of myself you know.

She smiled and in the distance she could hear someone anxiously calling her name.

- I know. Deó is telling me that all the time. But I can not get rid of this feeling.

- Okay. I'll be careful. We'll be back in Laniro soon.

- Talk to you soon.

When Sol broke the connection, Kit opened her eyes and looked into Cade's worried blue eyes. He sighed with relief

- Blessed gods! I was worried when you did not answer me. What in the world happened?

- My sister just wanted to tell us to be careful.

- Sol? But how is that possible?

- We have a telepathic connection, me and Sol. She wanted to know if we could talk to each other from a distance. We've never done it before so I got a little absent.

- I hope you have no more surprises for me. Like you can talk to the cat.

He laughed it off but the laugh that fell silent when he saw her face. 

- You're kidding, right? You can really do that?

- I have the same telepathic connection with Dorcha as I have with Sol.

- But how is it ... forget it. I don't think I want to know. We should continue.