The falcon's daughters

Chapter 3

- The time has come, hasn't it?

- We need them.

- I know.

- Are you sure about this? You know they will punish you if they find out what you intend to do.

- But we have no other choice. As you said, we need them. It's been seventeen years. We have lived our lives without them in it.

- In a few months they will be with us again.

- Yes soon we are together again. Are you ready? I will need your mind my friend. Only together are we strong enough to reach them.

- I'm ready.

The glowing sun sank beyond the sea. On the beach sat a young woman. The wind was playing in her black shoulder-length hair and she stroked some strands from her face. She took a handful of sand and let it filter between her fingers.

- Dorcha do you think we will ever see anything other than these islands?

The black panther who was sitting by her side looked at her and she heard her hoarse and slightly raspy voice inside her head.

- Don't you think we have it good here?

- Yes, but I want to see a little more of the world. Not just the islands.

She looked longingly over the sea and sighed deeply. Dorcha got up and gently rubbed her head against her shoulder.

- Don't worry about that. That day will come..

The wind rattled in the panther's fur and she turned her eyes out over the still water.

- Maybe even sooner than you expect.

The darkness quickly subsided over the islands as the sun set and the glittering stars lit one by one in the sky. A distant voice was heard and the panther pointed her ears.

- Kit! Dorcha!

- We should go back. You know how easily he worries.

- I know.

She got up and brushed the sand from her pants. Quietly, she took one last long look at the soft waves that rolled in before leaving the beach behind her. They walked over a blooming meadow and Kit pulled her hand over some flowers that had not yet closed their petals against the darkness of night. On a hill in front of them was a small cottage and the light was welcoming them home through the open door. As they approached the cottage, a feeling came over Kit. She could feel that they were not alone and her hand sought the sword in her belt.

- Dorcha?

Her voice was no more than a whisper and the panther's tense posture assured her that something was closing in. It was ringing in her ears as she listened to the surroundings.

- Kit move!

Instinctively, she threw herself to the side when the warning was heard in her head. A black sword passed over her head. She rolled around on the ground and drew her sword as she got up. In front of her stood a human being. The black shadow that surrounded the creature was diffuse and she secured her grip on the sword. It raised its sword and attacked. Immediately she raised her sword to block the strike. The power of the blow when the blades met made it shake in her arms. In a swift motion, she pushed the sword aside as she turned her body in the other direction. She kept her eyes fixed on the shadow in front of her as they both circled around each other. Behind the shadow Dorcha got ready. She sank lightly and her tail moved slowly in the grass.

- Now.

When Kit heard that one word, she attacked. The creature raised the sword in defense as the panther landed on its back and forced it down on its knees. Kit's blade slid past the sword and into his chest. Dorcha jumped off as it lifeless fell to the ground. Kit happily turned around and gave a wail when an icy cold hit her. In front of her stood another shadow creature and its sword was deep in her stomach. An amused laughter was heard from the house and she complained loudly.

- Lace it's not fair to let them sneak up on me.

The old man was still laughing as he stood in the doorway.

- Sgaoil.

The word he uttered caused the two shadow creatures to dissolve and disappear.

- You have to be prepared for everything Kit. Nobody fights fairly. Come in now. The tea is ready.

He went to the fireplace and lifted a teapot from a hook above the fire. Kit brought out a couple of steel mugs and he poured the tea before sitting down in a couple of soft chairs in front of the fire. She smiled when the fresh smell of mint hit her as she brought the jug to her lips. Lace sighed contentedly as he took a deep sip of his tea. She glanced at him and was pretty sure she could see new wrinkles on his face. Wrinkles that were not there when she left the cottage earlier in the day. Quickly, she turned her gaze to her mug as he looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

- Is there anything wrong my girl? You're unusually quiet tonight.

She pondered for a moment whether to tell him, but changed at the last moment.

- I was just sitting down at the beach thinking before.

- I understand.

He took another sip of his tea, thinking back to the seventeen years that had passed since that night when he found her. When he woke up in the morning he had discovered a teardrop on her cheek and realized that something from the dream had been real. Together with Dorcha he had brought her back to the islands and named her Kit. She grew up with the black panther, who somehow aged along with the girl and they were never far apart. After a few years he decided to start training the two in battle and with the help of the few magical skills he possessed he created the shadow warriors. They were perfectly solid creatures but still harmless. Their strikes were not harmful but cold as ice and every time they got in a hit the girl screamed loudly. Over time, they both became more skilled and he began to have trouble creating warriors strong enough to give them a challenge. The stronger warriors he created, the more the magic demanded of him. He knew that if he continued to use magic, it would not be long before it cost him his life. He looked at the young woman and was immensely proud of how strong and independent she had become. There was still much left for her to learn, but she could not do so as long as they remained in the islands and that day he feared it would come too soon when they had to leave their home and what would happen then.

- Kit I know you want to leave the islands but you are not ready yet.

- Maybe not.

She put away the cup and yawned. A dreamy smile appeared on her lips.

- But one day I will. I'm going to bed now. Good night Lace.

- Sleep well my girl.

He looked after them as the panther rose and they disappeared into Kit's bedroom. He quietly left the cottage and sat down on a tree stump just outside and looked up at the glittering sky. The white curls were ruffled by the wind and his gray eyes followed a star that released its hold and fell through the ether.