The falcon's daughters

Chapter 64

The people of Adirat turned around when they saw the princess and her strange companion walking along the city streets. A group of children looked wide-eyed at the black cat and whispered softly to each other. A boy of about ten years of age took courage and approached them. He stopped in front of her and bowed deeply before he greeted her with a serious face.

- Your highness.

- Well hi there. Can I help you with something?

She smiled at him and he glanced over at the other children who waved for him to go on.

- We were wondering one thing. We would also like a panther like your’s. But we don’t know where we can find one

- A panther like Dorcha?

Surprised over the question she squatted down in front of the boy and put an arm around Dorcha's neck.

- But Dorcha is no ordinary panther.

- She’s not? Why is she different?

- Without her I would not have lived today.

The boy's eyes widened and like many children he could sense that there was a story to be told so he quickly waved over the other children. They gathered in a semicircle in front of her and looked expectant. A little fair-haired girl with big brown eyes looked up at her.

- Can you tell us?

Kit looked around and saw some bales of straw standing by the wall and pointed them out to the children.

- Let’s sit down over there.

The children cheered and ran away. When Kit and Dorcha reached them, they were already waiting. One of the bales of straw was still empty and she sat down on it. Dorcha sat down by her side as usual.

- So how did you get your panther?

- I don’t really know actually but I will tell you what I know. As you probably know, my sister and I were kidn*pped when we were just babies.

- By who? said a little boy.

- I do not know, little friend. But we were taken high up among the mountain peaks of Morat'x and left there.

- Why did he do that?

- The person who kidn*pped us was a very evil man and he didn’t want us to survive.

The children all widened their eyes in horror as one of the older boys exclaimed.

- He tried to kill you?

- But he hadn’t counted on Dorcha had he?

- No, he probably hadn’t. And you understand that Dorcha also has a sister.

- She does? But where is she?

- She's with my sister. Dorcha and her sister Deó showed Lace and Lady Y'zora the way to us. Lace took me and Dorcha far across the ocean to an island where we grew up.

- What happened to Princess Solari?

- Lady Y'zora stayed in the mountains with her and Deó.

- Didn’t you meet each other at all when you were growing up.

- I didn't even know that I had a sister. It was only last year when Lace brought us back to the mainland that I found out. And just a month ago, I had no idea I was a princess.

- You didn’t?

- No. I didn’t. The only real family I knew was my sister and Dorcha.

A little girl reached out and gently patted the panther on the head.

- I think she's pretty, she said.

A voice was heard in the distance and one of the children turned his head.

- It's mother. The food is ready.

One by one, the children disappeared, leaving Kit and Dorcha alone. Dorcha looked after the children amused at all their questions and her laugh was heard in Kit’s head when she spoke.

- Well, that was something new. Shall we continue?

- Admit it Dorcha. You were happy about getting all that attention from them.

- Maybe just a little.

They laughed together and got up to continue through the city until they reached the great barracks. From inside, the sounds of training soldiers were heard and they entered. The soldiers stopped in their movements and looked at them in surprise. A young woman left a group and walked towards them. She had a welcoming but surprised smile on her face.

- Your highness. Welcome to the barracks. I'm Captain Tila. Is there something I can help you with?

- Do you mind if I accompany you in training?

- Not at all. Have you trained a lot with weapons before?

- Some.

- Okay let's see what you can do. Can someone give the princess a sword?

A young soldier hurried forward and offered his sword.

- Your Highness.

- Thank you.

She felt the leather-bound grip of the sword before raising it. Tila drew her sword with a smile and waited. They circled around each other before Kit made the first outcome. The soldiers gathered around them to watch. Despite her young age, Tila was a skilled fighter and no one had ever seen the princess fight before. They cheered at the quickly delivered strikes and whistled impressively when Kit stopped her blade just a few inches from Tila's neck.

- I’m impressed, your highness.

- Well I’m not!

They both raised their heads at the booming voice and watched the king march into the barracks.

- What do you think you're doing, Kitana?

- Training father.

He took the sword from her hand and the young soldier hurried forward to collect it.

- Don’t be ridiculous. There has never been a princess of Tamarin who has had a sword in her hand and they have definitely not dressed like that!

Kit looked down at the light leather pants and shirt she was wearing.

- What's wrong with my clothes?

- It's not fitting for a princess. I don’t want to hear that you are here again!

- So what do you suggest I do then?

- Things a princess should do. And that means dressing appropriately.

- But father …

- No buts Kitana!

- Do you really think this is a good idea Cadenor?

Cade patted Ardán on the neck when he got up in the saddle and looked down on his father.

- I have to tell her myself. If I send a messenger to tell her, she's going to be furious. This way I can make her understand that we have no choice.

- As long as you’re sure, my son.

- You can do without me for a while right? With everything that is happening right now, I mean.

- Of course I can! What about the gords? According to the reports we’ve received, it appears that they are on their way to Tamarin. Tyrall should know so he can make preparations.

- I'll tell him about it.

- Prince Cadenor!.

The old priest hurried forward and placed a scroll in the prince's hands.

- Here is the copy of the changed scroll you wanted.

- Thank you High Priest Gveldor.

He put the scroll in a saddlebag and was just about to head out when Worgan’s voice stopped him. 

- Cadenor, maybe you should make sure she isn’t armed when you talk to her.

- Thanks for the advice father. That might be the safest way. I'm sending a messenger when I'm there.

- Good luck my son.

Cade nodded at his father before turning the horse and galloping out of town.