The falcon's daughters

Chapter 67

Kit went into the infirmary and continued quietly to the only occupied bed. She looked down at the pale face resting on the white pillow. Small drops of sweat appeared on the woman's forehead and she took a damp cloth and gently wiped them off.

- Your highness? What are you doing here?

- I just wanted to see how she was doing.

She looked up at the doctor who nodded.

- She's going to make it.

- But she hasn't woken up yet and it has been almost a week since she came here.

Merko smiled reassuringly and walked away to a shelf where he began to change among a few bottles.

- No she hasn't but your highness must remember that she has lost a lot of blood and sleep is a way for the body to heal injuries and replace what has been lost in the height of peace and quiet. Did you not say that you slept for almost a week when Prince Cadenor found you?

- That's true. Do you think she will wake up soon?

- Only time can tell. But I have high hopes.

- We need the information she has about the progress of the gords. If they're planning an attack, we need to know everything we can.

- Why don't you let your father and Prince Cadenor take care of that, your highness? There must be other things you can spend your time on other than the country's defense.

- I can't just sit here and do nothing when there is a possibility that I can help Merko.

- You really are your mother's daughter. You will be one of the strongest princesses this country has ever seen.

- Did you know my mother?

- Yes, your highness. When she came here, I had just started my job as the royal physician. When you and your sister were born, no one thought it would go well. Your mother was a very small and thin woman. When it turned out that there were two children, everyone drew a sigh of relief, not least your father. He...

A faint moan from the bed interrupted him and they both hurried to it. Saline slowly opened her brown eyes and blinked confused before she remembered. Her gaze fell on Kit and she smiled faintly.

- I remember you, she mumbled. Kit right? You were in King Worgan's throne room. How long have I been out?

- Almost a whole week. How are you?

- It hurts everywhere.

- With those wounds, it is not surprising.

Merko said and took out a small bottle with a clear transparent liquid. 

- Drink this. It makes some of the pain go away.

- Do you remember what happened?

- We investigated the villages that the gords attacked. They were totally destroyed and many of them were burned to the ground. We finally found the gords in a large forest grove by the big lake here in Tamarin. We decided to monitor them for a while and see what happened. King Worgan was right. They are controlled by the Rik'oti. When we were about to leave, we were discovered. I was the only one who survived.

- You said something about an attack?

- Your highness. She must be allowed to rest.

- Just a little longer Merko.

- King Tyrall? Where is he?

Saline's voice grew weary and Kit realised that she didn't have much time before the scout passed out again.

- My father is in the throne room with prince Cadenor. Do you want me to get them?

Saline struggled to keep her eyes open and shook her head.

- No, tell him that the rik'oti plans to use the gords for an attack on Adirat. They can control them from their island. In five weeks they will reach the wall. They'll destroy the city.

The last words were whispered before sleep took over and Saline's tense body relaxed.

- My father needs to know this.

She left the room and ran away into the long corridors. Her father and Cade talked softly and looked up as she ran in through the open doors of the throne room. Tyrall raised an eyebrow in surprise.

- Kitana, is something wrong?

- Saline woke up for a while. The gords are on their way here, father. They will reach our walls in five weeks.

- What!

- They're under the control of the rik'oti. Father, we must do something!

- She is right. We can't wait for the other regents to come here uncle. If we don't act now, it may be too late.

- What do you want me to do Cadenor. I can not send my men to war against those creatures. They will die every single one.

- And if we do nothing, Adirat will be destroyed! When I finally get a home, I do not intend to watch when someone destroys it.

The king wearily shook his head and sighed at his daughter's outburst.

- Kitana, you don't understand. The gords themselves are a big threat, but if the rik'oti is with them, we do not have a chance.

- According to Saline, they have returned to their island. They can control the gords from there.

- Then we attack them instead. If we destroy the one in control, the gords will be free.

- Are you insane Cadenor! You forget that your cousin has already tried that.  With the best soldiers she had and they all died.

- But Genevie sent two battalions. That's five hundred men! If we send a small force we might be able to get there unnoticed and then maybe we can succeed.

- And which ones do you suggest then? And who will lead them?

- I will. I'm taking the troops there myself.

- Not without me you're not.

Cade and Tyrall stared at her in shock before coming to protest.

- Kitana! You're a princess of Tamarin. No Princess of Tamarin has ever …

- Wielded a sword! I know, father, but what kind of princess would I be if I didn't do something to save my kingdom?

- Kitana you are not going with!

- Father, you won't be able to stop me from doing this! With or without your permission, I will be with that troop.

- Kit, this is not a good idea.

- I'm going with you Cade.

She watched the two men firmly and smiled when Dorcha raised her voice in a low-pitched sound. 

- And so is Dorcha.

Something in her told her that she had to come with them and when Cade smiled slightly she knew he changed his mind. Her father on the other hand pleaded with her.

- Kitana. Please, I can not...

- She's a skilled warrior uncle. I may need her help and Dorcha's sharp sense of smell.

- But ...

- Try not to worry father. I will return unscathed.

He sighed and gave in for her determination and closed her in his arms.

- You better do that. I can't lose you again. You make sure to take good care of her, Cadenor.

- No one will touch a hair on her head uncle.

He smiled and looked teasingly at Kit who smiled brightly.

- I promise you that.

- And what about the other men?

- Your four best soldiers. Tell their commanders that they need to be ready by dawn. It's a long journey.

- I will send a message to Erdo immediately. The seagull should be in port there right now. She's the fastest ship that can take you there.