The
memories lives with me as I replayed these memories often during the
time he was away from us in Atlantis. My brothers and sisters that
had been training so very hard failed in their attempts to snag Lord
Kestrel as was our game when others entered our compound. I was a
good ten years younger than my brother that bore the same blood as me
whom failed to even come close to stopping this stranger entering our
territory while Noble Lady Hope stood watching our lacklustre
performance. I threw myself fully in my attack against this man that
I would only later discover was Lord Kestrel himself. I saw his
weight shifting suggesting a sliding step to the right which I
twisted while airborne to match pace with him. I saw the flicker of
his arm as he prepared to launch a slam at me while his weight showed
a slide back to the right. I flipped in my aerial position to land on
his hand firmly before he could escape this last attempt I could
make.
I
squealed and meowed in merriment as I snagged all my claws and teeth
into his forearm to wrap myself fully on his hand. My words partially
forgot after twelve years but I do remember his laughter of pleasure
being caught. Lady Hope purring giggle proved this was something she
believed would occur with this stranger.
“Well
done Young Redpath.” she cheered to me. Truth came as a sudden slap
to me in the words that followed. “But it is not surprising for a
kestrel to snag a kestrel.” she purred louder. My eyes flashed from
my saluting brothers and sisters to stare numb in the amber raptor
eyes that looked deeply into mine. I fell from his hand luckily
landing on my feet before the man who's name I bore with true
devotion and respect. I sputtered his name questioningly out of
shock.
“It
is an honour to meet one that bears my given name so appropriately.”
he stated to me. As he smiled and bowed, his amber eyes were off of
me making me dart away in fear and shame from my ruthless attack upon
him. I curled into a ball behind a tree crying at my sorry state of
incompetence.
“Stupid
unobservant kitten!” I berated myself mentally.
“Showing
skills lacking from your elder siblings proves you are neither stupid
nor unobservant.” he told me. I looked up slowly at him that
suddenly knelt before me like other elder felines would do when
honouring a pack cub. “And kestrel's are renowned for attacking
much larger targets successfully.” he continued with the same merry
smile. I cautiously rubbed the tears from my eyes without losing
track of his movements as he sat in range to retaliate for my assault
on his august personage. “You bear the name rightfully, Young
Kestrel Redpath.” he added. I was on my feet bowing to him for
these words I felt I did not deserve.
“Thank
you for such kind words to a silly kitten, Sir.” I politely told
him still bowed before him. “I can lead you to our elders which you
must have urgent business with.” I continued. As I moved to lead
the way, his hand snagged my shoulder firmly stopping my chance to
escape once more from his presence.
“My
business here is to meet you who shares my name.” He informed me.
My gulp was hidden as he continued speaking. “My joining this
training exercise comes from miss Hope's whimsical cattish nature.”
he told us with a grin. “And the most appropriate fashion to meet
you.”
“You
are here for me?” I whispered. The words squealed loudly in my mind
as I stared at this god among Atlantians. Merry laughter from him and
Lady Hope did not change as he looked down at me. “Really?” I
spurted at him. I was ready to be told it was simply a farce on his
part without feeling any anger toward this falsely given hope.
“Yes,
Young Redpath!” he said with conviction. I glanced at my brothers
and sisters as they stared in amazement and disbelief at me. “Show
me your clans territories while we speak.” Lord Kestrel ordered me
calmly. “I would like to know your views on honour, Atlantis, and
the world beyond.” he added softly to me. I could not help smiling
at this man willing to hear the words of a kitten barely a dozen
years old over those of the elders of the panther pride. I signal the
path to the left still unable to speak yet to this man. He nodded
back to me smiling happily but I sense a sadness he was hiding from
all around him.
“I
cannot say much of honour that I have not learned from your actions
Sir.” I stated sheepishly. “Atlantis is a jewel of light set in
the shimmering seas of this world.” I continued easily.
“That
is not truly an answer from one that I seek honesty and true thoughts
from you, Young Redpath?” he scolded me. “I ask for the same
respect and equality I show you little Kestrel.”
“Honour
is a double edged sword that hurts the wielder as much as the enemy.”
I stated softly. “Dying honourably sounds wonderful in tales but
you can defeat an enemy without using your honour to kill yourself.”
I explained slowly. “It is too easy to write of self-destructive
ideals as being honourable instead of the true cowardice it can
show.”
“But
if one cannot take any other path than death to save others in the
name of honour and righteousness?” he countered quickly.
“This
is but my view that nothing can force someone to place himself in
death's path if he is observant enough to avoid the trap of
dishonourable savages.” I meowed back at him.”Living with honour
should be easier if you watch ahead and around you for the
dishonourable beings that are working against you.” I continued. He
chuckled at my explanation making me growl deep in my throat.
“It
is simplistic since not all forms of dishonour are visible easily or
be seen at first glance.” he stated to me.
“True
in my case, but I doubt you cannot see it at a passing glance.” I
nearly shouted back.
“I
am not easily swayed but not all dishonour is clear in my eyes.” he
admitted. I stared in silent disbelief a him. “The path of true
honour is a razor's edge to walk.” he told me. “Even I often feel
like I have failed in my vows of honour.” he continued softly. “My
present forced departure from Atlantis weighs heavy upon my shoulders
but cannot be avoided.”
“You
will return Sir.” I stated bluntly. “And I will help your people
to keep Atlantis on the honourable and righteous path.” He laughed
at my enthusiasm but I sensed he was proud of my words.
“This
is a great honour you offer but please take the time to realize how
much of you will be forsaken by following this harsh path.” he
returned still smiling. “Even as my namesake, you need not walk in
the shadowy path I have taken.”
“I
will become a being you are proud of since I bare your noble name.”
I told him.
“And
what do you truly think of Atlantis?” he countered easily. “The
Council of Atlantis and the differences that sit between the Guard
groupings and clans?”
“As
I said, Atlantis is a jewel of light set in the shimmering seas of
this world.” I repeated. “The Council is a plague upon us in one
way but ...” I explained then stopped. I stared at him as he
casually signalled with a hand for me to continue. “I find their
words are wise in many respect considering what they have lived
through.” I admitted softly. “It is difficult to talk about since
most people stand so firmly against the Council.” I remarked.
“Very
true but my ears are open to your words.” he replied easily.
“Please tell me what you truly see the Council being for Atlantis
and their position in this new connection to the outer world I have
been forging.” he continued. I felt a casualness in this discussion
that was unexpected coming from a great man like him to a kitten like
myself.
“They
try to protect us but go down a blind pathway because of their fear
and paranoia.” I finally admitted. “This is why so many see them
as evil and unholy in Atlantian society.”
“Sound
judgement.” he answered softly. “And does these views explain how
the two Guard groupings see each other?” he stated quickly. “But
what of the view within the different Clans of the Royal Guards that
separate them?”
“In
part, but it is not the only thing keeping the Feral Guards from the
Council Guards.” I returned quickly. “It is the difference in how
we see not just Atlantis, honour, and protection but also what is
needed to be a true Guard.” I clarified. “We Feral Guards not
only train the body being equal to the other Guards of our type,” I
began slowly, “but push ourselves past the limitation by becoming
fully one with the beast inside each of us.”
“Which
suggests that the Royal Guards look down upon the Council Guards
simply because of the extra skill they hold to heart.” he returned.
“Yes.”
I admitted. “But it is that they cannot see how much further they
can truly push themselves past the self deluded human frailty.” I
continued quicker. “I see many of them being able to equal or
surpass us if they truly would try harder than what their commanders
make them train.” I explained. “And the difference in the beasts
and their natural behaviour explains our separation within the Feral
Clans.”
“You
speak wisely showing how observant and thoughtful you are.” he
stated softly to me. “And what do you know of the outside world and
of their level of honour?”
“I
have hunted as a cub on the shores of the outer world but not truly
exposed to the humans and other races that live there.” I explained
softly. “From the words I have been told and heard, I see them
having the potential for great honour and great darkness.” I
stated. He waved his hand to for me to continue. “They can save
others including themselves but can also abuse others to gain their
salvation.”
“That
is a very crucial point in human society.” he replied. “They have
the potential to do great deeds both of light and darkness and in the
end, they must chose what the final outcome will be.”
“Without
always thinking of all the implications and side effects their action
can have.” I hazarded very softly. I glanced over to see him raise
an eyebrow at my comment. “Actions have consequences that are not
always known by people when they do something.” I explained in
false casualness. “I see that also from those who use their gifts
without thinking.” I added softly.
“Something
that the teachers of Atlantis explain to their students
daily.” he told me. “Most do understand this fact but some still
push themselves to break their mind and body completely.” he
informed me. I nodded as my throat tightened stopping me from
speaking. “I know that my healer, Lady Mekiliean, balances out her
use of magic with non-magical means she has discovered both upon and
outside of Atlantis.”
“I
wish I would have a better chance of meeting humans and the other
races in the outer world.” I remarked.
“Your
chance will come.” he answered. “Many of them will start visiting
Atlantis giving you a chance to observe them and learn about them
without problems.”
“It
will be a good thing for all of Atlantis to learn more of the
outsiders and what we can do to help each other.” I returned
slowly. I still want to claw my own palms when I yawned at that
moment. He chuckled and bid me a good night before walking away with
Lady Hope. I found it odd that she took the time at this moment to
escort Lord Kestrel around instead of being at Her Holiness' side. I
learned the next day that Lord Kestrel had left for the human world
alone and it appeared he would not be returning to us for a very long
time. I did not feel sad at this since the pride of receiving a visit
from him upon his last evening on Atlantis filled me and fuelled my
want to improve and become for him what Lady Hope was for Noble
Annianka.
By
the age of twenty-five I had already decided that I would be his
Honour Guard like Miss Hope was for her Holy Highness Annianka. This
happened a month before Lord Kestrel's return and I began hunting to
find him so I may serve him and learn from him. It was easy to find
his estate since all seemed to know where it was but I had to use
stealth to gain entry. Neither of the other three that served him
would allow a child to enter simply because they could not see what I
could offer my name sake. He had been away when I arrived the first
time leaving me to face off with the snake Colêsträ.
“He
is not here kitten.” he told me bluntly. “I will inform him of
your visit which will surely lead to him visiting your family upon
his return.” he added softer.
“Would
it not be simpler to allow me to wait for him so I may train myself
here to better serve him as an Honour Guard?” I rebuked in a rush.
Cole held the door half open eyeing me suspiciously before laughing
at me.
“Do
you dare insult him with this offer of a child as a guard?” he
stated pointedly. “Best you go play with the other kittens until
you prove yourself worthy of such a position.” he added. He slammed
the door shut as I stood waiting to enter. It was a childish thought
believing that this snake would ever allow me to prove myself to Lord
Kestrel himself. I remained waiting at the door for three days
receiving not even a glance for Cole as he came and went from Lord
Kestrel's home. To my surprise and merriment, Lady Mekiliean started
bringing food out to me as she would leave. Sir Sertian did not offer
to allow me to enter but asked if I wished to train with him at the
fields when he went for his daily sessions with the Feral Guards. I
did accept but soon found myself facing fully grown Feral of all the
differing clans that surpassed my limited abilities at that time.
The
idea to abandon my dreams come upon me on the fourth morning just as
the sun peaked over the horizon. As I turned to walk away defeated, I
remembered the story of Lord Kestrel's first meeting with Captain Ent
of the Lupus Guards. “And my honour would force me to accept and
fight with all of my abilities against anything even a Spirit Dragon,
if they challenged me.” he had
replied to Ent. I continued walking but not to
leave
as I verified the perimeter of Lord Kestrel's home.
“Their
must be a way I can enter other than through the door.” I told
myself in a hushed voice. I began slipping into shadows when other
would cross my path to remain invisible as I searched for a secondary
entrance I could use without being spotted by Colêsträ. I easily
leaped over the small wall that surrounded the private training field
and slid back into the early morning shadows cast by the walls of the
residence.
I
found my entry point as I prowled slowly along the wall. Lord Kestrel
boasted an open garden near the back of the building. I clawed my way
up the outside wall, scrambled across the top, and slowly clawed my
way down into the garden undetected. I smiled to myself showing my
feline teeth since I had never been able to take a fur-less form like
the other Royal Guards could. I waited until Cole had left on his
daily errands for the Council before slipping into Lord Kestrel's
house.
I
must admit that the first place I visited was his kitchen since it
had been close to a week that I had not eaten since I had slipped
into this place. This idea was in part a mistake since I became very
tired and was forced to return to the garden to sleep hidden away
most of the day. That night, as Cole slept, I prowled the hallways
and passages memorizing every inch of the house so I could navigate
from one end to the other as quickly as possible without being
noticed. Stealth seemed to be a good thought for my actions here
while learning what I could before being discovered by the other
residence of this home.
I
knew Lord Kestrel would sense my presence instantly upon his return
but would say nothing as he watched what I did and gauged what I
could do for him. As I prowled, the feeling of being home here come
upon me. This was the place I was meant to be. I would be his Honour
Guard standing next to Sertian without fear like Lord Kestrel showed
to all that entered his domain. I did not have long to wait as he
returned to Sert and Meli's joy a few weeks after I had found my way
into his service.
