Kestrel's Journals: A Show of Strength (4)

“Leaving them with nothing but their adaptability to find their own path in solitude.” I whispered to my hidden cabin guest. “You proclaimed it so my Masters, so must it be done.” I added to myself. I stated it to make sure he understood that even I answered to beings above myself. I knew it was the kitten that bore my name. Teaching him properly indirectly was more sensible until he felt ready to stand at my side with Sert, Meli, and Cole. I left my cabin to stand at the prow of the Herald as we neared the protective reefs of Atlantis. Sert and Meli soon joined me as had become a custom or ritual upon returning home. The slow cautious moves of the ship under us as it negotiated the path around the visible and invisible obstacle of Atlantis' protective reef was a calm reassurance that we made it home safely. Or so I imagined without peeking into their minds at this moment. I feigned ignoring their presence this one time as I planned my actions once my feet touched Atlantian soil once more. I didn't realize they had the same thoughts in their heads. My guard spoke his mind after we had moved to the dock.

“What are our duties sir?” Sert asked. He and Meli stood at attention while Captain Curd and Captain Ent moved in our direction.

“I must speak with Her Holy Highness.” I stated curtly at them. “Return home with our gear and await my return.” I continued before they could object. “Clear me a path to Holy Annianka's prison!” I ordered to the Captains. They snapped me a quick salute and waved me forward. I moved quickly away abandoning my companions to their own devise. The streets had been cleared as if the knew the request I was going to make from them. I did not hazard a glance in their minds over this fact but felt a set of feline paws following my step closely. A dozen mixed Royal Guards joined me as I approached Annianka's private tower cell.

I did stop to thank them as they placed themselves to secure the entrance to the bridge that led to her prison tower giving me free reigns to enter and an assurance of privacy while I was inside. My step falter as I found Annianka in her private garden. Miss Hope stood clearly in view. She turned slowly and signal me to wait before moving with unnatural silence to meet me by the doors of this garden.

“We must speak while she sleeps, my Lord.” she stated to me quickly and quietly. “Word arrived from the Royal Fairies after you left for the suspicious mound.” she added. She took my arm slowly leading me back toward the foyer of this tower.

“They want the ones that broke off turned into an example?” I asked directly. “Destroyed even?”

“They are being called rebels and having broken their Fairy Oath.” she replied tensely. “They have quoted over a dozen status from their many treaties signed with Atlantis and the Fairy Nation making it Her duty to exterminated them.” she concluded in a low growl.

“And where does the Council stand on this matter?” I returned without looking at her.

“They feel that the Fairies are over stepping their bonds and should be all crushed under Atlantian heels.” she retorted.

“And they are right since the rebel Fairies have stated a conspiracy afoot to take control of Atlantis.” I reported in a whisper to her.

“Is it even possible?” she said. “Would they be that foolish thinking they can control the might of Atlantis?” she sputtered in disbelief. I remained silent causing her to turn and face my cold eyes. “Answer me please?”

“If Annianka bows to the will of the Fairy Nation in this matter, then she is handing them the reigns of Atlantis.” I replied softly. “She can tell the Fairies to deal with their own problems without begging for Atlantis to be their executioner.” I continued “If they persist to drag Atlantis into their drama, break the treaties with them and throw the winged little asses off Atlantis en mass.” I added with a grim smirk.

“But it will cause a civil war within the Fairy Nation.” she chided. “And possibly have other non-humans turn against Atlantis.” Miss Hope added bluntly.

“A show of power and integrity might be in order then.” I mused. My smile must have shown more ferally menacing than I would previously have allowed to show. “Have their representatives meet with me at my estate in the morning.” I ordered. “I will go to the Council to inform them of a full renegotiation of all the treaties between Atlantis and the Fairy Nation.”

“What do you have in mind Kestrel?” she growled at me. “We cannot afford a diplomatic incident between us and them at this time.”

“They face the Envoy of the Ones On High who is negotiating the new treaty between them and Atlantis.” I replied scowling. I walked away ignoring her complaints and words of warning. If the Fairies want to challenge Atlantis, those flutter bugs would face the creator of this mystic isle who sits above them. It would be easy enough to have Odin appear to order them back in place while allow my higher judgement to be passed over them if they fail to heed his commands. I was a bit shocked seeing Cole waiting for me outside the Council Chamber Hall. I felt the worry ebbing from him in crashing waves suggesting my other companions had mention to him my behaviour at the rebelling Fairy Mound. I took a deep breath as I realized that my actions might already have been reported to the Council. But it did not explain Cole bravely standing alone instead of with a full cadre of Council Guards ready to pounce on me. I must believe that nothing had been revealed to them as of yet.

“Our friend on the Council wish me to convey gratitude for your actions.” Cole stated. So they knew and were not up in arms by my politically reckless actions. “We have kept the others in the dark since they are mostly secluded in an attempt to find a loop hole in the treaties to refuse the Fairy Nation's demands.” he informed me. We stood nearly nose to nose.

“Tell them if they follow to the Fairies' requests, they may as well give them full authority over Atlantis.” I snarled in his face. Cole's eyes widen at my words and attitude. “I will be renegotiating all the treaties in the morning if the Fairies still wish to remain in good favour with Atlantis.” I informed him directly. “Warn our friends that I am going to practice aggressive negotiations with them.” I continued. “Some may be injured, maimed, and even killed as I make a point to those fluttering parasites.” I concluded my full warning to him. I attempted to walk away but Cole spoke up quickly.

“Speak to our friends directly before leaving sir.” he stated loudly. “They received a notice from other non-humans in the area of that mound that might be of value in your negotiations.” he explained. I stopped and half turned to gaze at him both physically and mentally. A little smirk formed on his face that suggested this information was to benefit the rebels while forcing the other Fairies to back down from their warpath. I nodded slowly fully turning to enter the Council Chambers.

The Guards in the service of my supporters greeted me warmly without jibs about the two that failed to learn flying before hitting the ground. Nor did they mention the doors I destroyed to allow Princess Sara access to her mother. They escorted me to a small study on the edge of the massive structure reporting they would gather the Council member that I needed to speak with. I suspected that information had been provide to them regarding this special information they held for me. The short time I was left alone allowed me to study the library containing multiple volumes of the decisions of the Council for the last millennium. Nothing of great importance considering I had memories all this information as preparation for my extended visit here. A small portion set aside on the reading desk dealt with the older treaties signed between Atlantis and the non-humans early in the life of this island.

“So good t have you visit us finally.” Burdish stated as he entered. He was followed by two clerks carrying bundles of letters which they carefully placed on the desk before exiting. I eyed him suspiciously for a moment as he smiled at me. “We have received a few dozen letters, reports, and requests from the other non-humans clans around that mound stating we should resist any pressure from the Fairy Nation.” he reported. “Including their support if they want to isolate themselves as they are doing.” he added softer.

“So word has finally reached here from them about the Fairy plot to control Atlantis?” I asked bluntly. The smile turned into a confused grimace before his body suddenly snapped to attention. “That is why they broke away from the other Fairies and non-humans since they did not know whom they could trust.” I explained. “Also the reason they terminated communications with Atlantis because no proof could be given that the messages came from us without being seen by the conspirators.” I continued casually. “They have unfortunately found no proof of these dark machinations fearing not only the Fairies are involved in this dark movement.” The hints of red brightened to deep scarlet in Burdish's face. His balled fists showed white knuckles making it hard as he motion me to read the letters. In silence, I began quickly reading through the letter stack on the desk. No word of conspiracy or them suspecting the isolation as a bizarre behaviour as they offered defence support for a mound wishing to be left alone.

“Allies ready to fight without needing a reason to defend a mound they see as a true friend.” I whispered with a small chuckle. “Can these or copies of these be brought forth tomorrow to the representative of the mound?” I asked quickly. Burdish looked at me as his smile returned with a gleam of malice in his eyes.

“The validity of each of these messages have been thoroughly verified.” he admitted. “If Her Holy Highness Annianka attacks them, a good portion of the Atlantian allies would abandon us.” he continued. “Not to mention most of the Council that presently support Her.”

“They would vote Her permanently incarcerated?” I scoffed. It would be impossible to do so thanks to Her link to the Heartstone.

“They would draft paper to have Her expulsed from Atlantis seeing this action as disdainful as the Usurper ordering our death.” he clarified quickly. I looked at his eyes closely seeing he would be the one pushing this edict through the Council with or without support from others.

“It will be fixed tomorrow as I renegotiate all the contracts into one all-encompassing treaty.” I informed him. “I will force it down those little winged idiots' throat if they cannot see reason.” I continued. Burdish vicious smile was as grim as my own predatory grin. I saw in his mind the memories of my first meeting with them when I formed the black hole and warned them not to bring harm to Atlantis. “Make arrangement to keep Her Holy Highness very busy with visitors tomorrow while I deal the Fairy a very fearful hand including a visit from Odin.” I concluded. His colour drained at the mention of the creator and deity of Atlantis.

I bowed to him and left him standing stunned in the study with my mentioning Odin's name so casually. My walk home was in silent review of all the treaties I had memories before my arrival here. I slowly pieced together a base line treaty that would cover all the Fairies without given any specific mound more power or say than any other mound. I went directly to my den to draft my thoughts to paper so the representative could all read them and forcibly agree to my organized thoughts. Cole returned a few hours later proclaiming that the Council unanimously would back any new treaties or contracts I put in place with the Fairy Nation.

“Does this mean we will have guests tomorrow?” Meli asked. Her and Sert had followed the merry Cole into my den out of sheer curiosity. “We do not have enough guards or staff to hold a meeting with the whole delegation of Fairies!” she remarked fearfully.

“Both the Royal Kitchen and the Council Chefs have offered to help supply prepared food for those attending and word from the Feral Guards suggest they will be here in force to keep the peace.” Cole informed them.

“And I will have to speak to Odin since he and our rebel leader will be attending this meeting.” I stated softly. I heard Meli gulp while a pensive smirk crowned Sert's visage.

“Might give you a chance to ask if he was truly behind the supposed royal appointment of that naive Munin.” he suggested.

“That is not a subject that will be touched.” I returned bluntly. “He will only be here for a few minutes to inform the Fairies to behave and listen to the one he is allowing to represent all of Atlantis and the world.” I explained to them.

I was graced with a visit from the representative of the newest Egyptian Ambassador late that afternoon. It took me away from my notes and arranging the new treatise by a troop of Feline Guards escorting the Ambassador's wife. I had Sert and Cole join the two Feline standing guard on the door to my private garden where I meet my niece once more.

“Why must I constantly change bodies in the outer world while you remain in the same body I first meet you in Uncle?” she asked me petulantly. She had waited until the door was sealed at our back before speaking her mind.

“I am special plus this body gets regenerated even better because I live in Atlantis.” I whispered calmly back. “Why did you finally decide to leave Egypt and see this grand world with your loving eternal husband?” I continued in the same whisper. My words sounded not just in her ears but in her mind in the same soft tone.

“Third life without seeing this place finally made both of us decide that it was time for a visit.” she answered mentally. “My skills are still as sharp as ever just like the honest and humble heart of my sweet husband.”

“I will have to visit in an official capacity once things are dealt with the fairy folks.” I returned softly. “I cannot have the Atlantians believing I steer clear of the Egyptian delegates for some untold judgemental purpose.”

“Please make it soon since our time here as representative will be ending within a few weeks.” she informed me. “And that slime upon the throne seems to love having us visit him.” she commented with a mental shudder. “And the possibility of being allow to return is questionable because of our actions to gain peace with the humans and non-humans surrounding our lands.”

“Bent rules to create peace sounds like a small price to pay.” I commented gently. She smiled sadly at me. “Any comments from the non-humans regarding a possible conspiracy?” I hazarded. She shook her head slowly after a moment of silent thought. “Supposedly some of the non-humans are planning to usurper control of Atlantis but I have few details in hand presently nor any proof.” I explained to her.

“I will keep a probe out looking for more information for you Uncle Melchia.” she promised to me. “Now when can you arrange a visit with my cousin Sara?” she continued. Her face shined with mischief with this knowledge. I rolled my eyes as I sighed at her enthusiasm.

“The Royal Princess is not available for visitors yet.” I attempted to explain. She still smiled but her eyes glared at me. “But I will make arrangements to get you a royal visit once they allow her in the public eye.” I continued slowly. “But you two can still speak since she shares our family's gift of mental speech.” I suggested softly. Sara's voice squealed in both our minds as she screamed her cousin's first true Egyptian name. We sat together in the garden for nearly an hour while Sara spoke to both of us.

“Please keep your mother's mind preoccupied while I fix the problem with the Fairies.” I requested of my daughter. “We cannot allow her to lash out at the Fairy mound as those trying to control us is planning.” I explained to her.

“Of course Father.” she answered quickly. “And please have the Egyptians visit Mother during the time I am there.” she suggested to both of us.

“I will send word to the Council to make this happen but you may still not meet directly, simply see each other.” I replied softly to her. “It will not break any of the rules in place to protect you Sara while allowing you to see others from the outer world you live in.” I informed her gently.

“Thank you Father.” she returned. This ended our meeting as my niece returned to her husband and her duties while I completed the set of notes for the meeting in the morn. The household went to bed early that night to prepare for this spectacle against the Fairy Nation that I would be performing.

“Redpath's Journals: Fairies of Dissent” (3)

     I was awoken early hearing all three of them bustling like mad around the home forcing me to take to the trees overlooking the dining room. What I had caught from them and the machinations set in the foyer, Kestrel was home. I had not even attempted looking in on him last night for fear of getting caught before given a chance to prove myself. I waited impatiently looking and hearing the words that a meal was being brought from the Royal Kitchen this morning for Lord Kestrel's return. My mouth watered considering how little I had been eating of late while hiding here.

     Lord Kestrel arrived in a cloud of wanting to be at work immediately as the meal from the Royal Kitchens arrived being carried by the new head chef and two helpers. I found it hard to believe that one of the most gifted technological engineer trainees was a kitchen helper but this man genius caused him to have moments of social ineptitude. This and the fits of his mind being overloaded with ideas causing him to lose himself in the thoughts to the point of walking without realizing it into a dolphin pool. I wanted to head out hearing some of these stories before coming to Lord Kestrel's estate to be his guardian angel but the call to Lord Kestrel's side was older and much louder in my heart.

     I listen only half hearted to the conversation about Her Holy Highness being imprisoned. The words that it was the bastard Munin's fault made me ready to perform regicide for Her Holiness and all of Atlantis. I held back bursting in when the lie of the Council's family reaction was stated by chef Chichi. From what I had discovered. The supposed ousted Council Guards had been ordered to disassociate with the Council to offer their protection to the foreigners as spies for the Council members they served like faithful hounds. I would list these small lies being placed in Lord Kestrel's view as part of my duties to protect this most noble citizens to Atlantis. It was true that the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks had requested specific Guards from the Royal Feral Guards because of their own belief systems but a handful of collared Council Guards had insinuated their embassies as spies for the Council.

     The truth as how forcibly the Greek and Romans harassed the Council with requests was downplayed to Lord Kestrel. I found it simplistic how he let it slide to forced them forward to the next item. I just feared his reaction as he learned the truth that trades was failing outside of Atlantis linking to all the humans who fought to be isolated while pushing their beliefs on other lands. My respect for the head chef Chilörąn grew as I heard his analytical though simple views of how the outer world clashed over past bloodshed. The fact that the Atlantian in the room missed what the Royal Chef stated directly to them. The truth that human paranoia had them seeing every other race as enemies was hard to accept but Meli redeemed them all with her thoughts. I liked sipping the cold remains of tea as I sat watching over them. It calmed me to no end as I sat hearing them discuss a way that was so clear and simple for them to bring the humans, non-humans, and Atlantians together without any chance of fear or pride interfering with their thoughts.

     I feared my laughter would be noticed but Chichi's snicker hide my outright mirth at them getting caught in missing information. I felt pity for them wanting to keep Princess Sara a secret but word was that Lord Kestrel had meet Her after giving Her a clear path to visit Her Holy Mother. I listen to them trying to explain and their illogical conclusion about Lord Kestrel's departure. Then shock took me as he tried pushing away his duties to just eat. He had been wolfing down food as if he was a starving man finally able to feast. Even the little Royal Chef agreed that this was not normal.

“It has been too long since I have had such a truly good meal.” He nearly growled as explanation. I could smell from my spot the under cooked meat preferred by predators; the undercooked vegetables and more specifically prepared food for his feral nature than what I smelt from the other plates. I froze on the branch realizing what Lady Mekiliean missed. He had starved himself to be able to return to us as quickly as he did. His lecture of soul rebirth meant nothing to me since I knew this soul was ageless like Lord Kestrel smelt to me.

I felt as if my soul froze as I heard the Royal Chef Chilörąn's progenitors. “The Dragon-God of luck and prosperity, and a willing Priestess of his faith in Chin.” he answered. I felt Lord Kestrel's power surging in the room but not touch me in my tree perch.

“Watch your words child!” Kestrel growled. “It is too early for them to accept such stories.” he remarked quickly.

“The minor deity of the Chin Pantheons and a priestess.” he answered to them. “Nothing truly special to me but my gift at cooking which grows even stronger with each reincarnation.” he explained to them. His boyish smile hiding the fact he had spoken twice of his birth to them “But I am a good second set of ears and hands to assist all of you.” he added still smiling. I felt no distrust as whispers escaped Lord Kestrel toward this definitely inhuman cook. This chef smelt of dragon stronger than even the spirit dragons making me fear and admire this little unassuming man. Then Sertian spoke.

“We will see what a chef can do to help us.” Sert returned caustically to my ears. I nearly pounced into the room to attack him over his childish comment but Kestrel's word held my actions. I noticed Meli heard the words making me believe she heard the retort and agreed without speaking.

“Word from the Fairies will show you what I speak of.”Lord Kestrel whispered. I was off before he could say more. This was the proving chance I needed since his gift saw what was to come. The Fairies would make a move that threatened Atlantis directly. It is what I gleamed from his final words before I rushed off. How truthful his comments was left to be discovered but it did turn valid as the rumours of a Fairy tribe going rogue without purpose was being talked about in the Fairy district of the mighty city.

“They seem to want to simply be left alone and not be forced to follow the rules upon all the other mounds,” a fairy stated in a whispered. No time had passed it seemed from the moment I left the estate to when I was here listening to a grouping of higher ranked Fairies speaking. “If they persist, the rest of the Fairies will force an attack upon them.” he added so quietly that I nearly missed it.

“We face something that has never taken place in the Fairy ranks before.” the other retorted. “How can we know that Atlantis will react negatively to this isolation ideology they are pushing forth?”

“Because we will harass the Council until they cave.” a female fairy stated. “They will do exactly as we force them to do removing this problem from our back.” she continued forcibly. “And nothing will stop us from doing this wonderful act including Atlantis that will submit as our assassins in this matter.” she concluded.

“As long as word from their supporters in the area doesn't reach them.” one of the male cautioned.

“We will keep those documents hidden away from the prying eyes of Atlantis.” she remarked bluntly. As she spoke, the documents were in my hands ready to be used. I sensed the maleficence in this fairy that was not fully shared by her companions. I could feel they wanted a way out of this destructive path. It made them hold their tongues as they noticed the documents they spoke of having vanished. “I leave it in the hands of Odin to deal with.” one muttered under his breath. I smirked even if I did not feel the mirth I showed. This was a serious matter than Lord Kestrel need to know and be prepared to counter these action with my indirect help.

I attempted dropping the letters upon his desk with a copy in the hands of a lesser Fairy princess that seemed trustworthy was a failure. I hoped that his heart saw truthfully or the information would keep Lord Kestrel from making them pay for the injustice they tried to place upon Atlantis shoulders. But I was too slow. Lord Kestrel departed his estate faster than I believe was possible with his Guard and Medic. I barely had time to drop a second copy on the desk of Burdish before rushing to board the Herald secretly to accompany them. I thanked Odin's brood for the slow walk they had taken to reach the Herald that day. It seemed too easy for me to remain hidden during the voyage and follow Kestrel as he marched upon the Fairy Mound. My heart stopped as I saw first hand the immenseness of his power that surpassed the gods themselves.

I could not even fathom how Lord Kestrel had already been placed in the middle of this mess with the furor of a beast to follow his orders. He rose one hand and the Mound's protective shielding shattered against Lord Kestrel's anger and impossible strength of will. I followed unseen and unknown watching in horror as fairies shatter under Kestrel's balled fist. I smelt his anger and indifference toward what could only be seen as lesser being to someone as evolved and honourable as Lord Kestrel. Sert and Meli did what they could in a vain attempt to save the lives snuffed by Lord Kestrel's beast-god rage.

He faced off alone with the headman of the Fairy tribe with but me as witness. I felt and saw his overwhelming rage at a group of fairies thinking they mattered as he heard the words. I suddenly choked in the room seeing him not only hold back but concede to the Fairy leader while realizing that Atlantis was being played in this dark matter. I felt like I was a pawn in all this but my information was in Lord Kestrel's hands and I hopped he took heed of my words upon his return to see what backed this Mound that tried detaching themselves from the world. I felt it as well as saw it in his body motions as he sudden pulled back from the fairy. This was the other side of the coin.

“We must not allow them to turn Atlantis and the World against us while all we do is to protect ourselves from them?” the mayor screamed at Kestrel. He had not moved since entering the place.

“I will do what I can to protect you but I need that information you hold about this Fairy Conspiracy,” he returned bluntly. I felt his anger being redirected in his spirit as he looked at this man pleading for his people to survive against the hordes of fairies waiting to be ordered to exterminate a traitor in their midst.

Felt myself shuddering as I listen to the words. This was more of the rumours that a group in the Fairies, which including the bitch I had seen, wanting to remove the power in the hands of Atlantis when it came to the Fairy nation as a whole. The fact of using it as a weapon against the Fairies that decided to rebel with good reason against the Fairy Royal house. I cursed my blindness of seeing all fairies as the same while not seeing the honour in some that lacked in others. I cried tears over those that Kestrel murdered as he entered this village. It was all I could do for the fallen fairies of this clan that had tried to escape the corruption that infected the other fairies.

I gulped and retreated seeing if I could help put together those Kestrel had shattered in his anger of being sent to perform such a fruitless act. I fared no better than my companions, Sert and Meli, which made me retreat in fear-filled depression back to the Herald to hide and cry at the dark events that took place that day. He sat in silence brooding in his cabin that I stowed away in secret.

“I will do anything I must even destroying all the non-human races in my duties force me to protect.” he stated to himself. He returned to his silent brooding, snapping angrily at any that disturbed his solitude during our return trip. I remained quietly hidden away even if I sensed he knew I was present. His only other words he whispered were uttered on the last day of this sea voyage. “Leaving them with nothing but their adaptability to find their own path in solitude.” he whispered to himself. “You proclaimed it so my Masters, so must it be done.” he added. He left the cabin at that point and I did not need to follow to know he would be perched on the prow of the ship as was normal for a kestrel.