Kestrel's Journals: Dragon Blood & Jäzærha (6)

I sensed Sert's annoyance as strongly as I heard it in his grumbling words upon his return. I knew that when he left last, he had mentioned stopping at the Royal Kitchen to collect Meli on his return trip. I surmised that his fowl mood had to do with her absence.

“What has happen?” I remarked. He had stalked into my den where I created the final copy of the treaty between Atlantis and the Fairy Nation.

“Meli has locked herself in the Royal Kitchen with Chichi.” he retorted through clenched teeth. I waited to hear why he was so perturbed by this fact. “She sounded inebriated.” he revealed softly. With a quick mental scan, I realized what was actually happening in the kitchen. A string of multilingual swears escaped me as I quick marched to the Royal Kitchen with Sert rushing to keep up to me. I barely paused long enough to firmly kick at the locking mechanism that barred the kitchen's double doors opening them with more efficiency than using the key would at that moment. Twin stars danced in a mad spiral of my black orbed eyes as I glared at Chichi who shrunk away from my gaze holding his hands protectively in front of him. Meli looked stunned at us before upending the glass in her hand and dashing it into the ember filled cooking pit with a burst of bright alcohol feed flames burst forth. I snapped Sert's and Meli's mind into a stunned state so I can speak my rage without fear.

“Have you lost what little mind you have Famine?” I bellowed at him. “You were told that the ingestion of Dragon's Blood is not allowed on Atlantis, you fool!” I screeched. His eyes glowed brightly as tendrils of lightning played along my skin and newly reformed talons.

“She wanted to know the effects of Dragon's Blood so she understood why it is not permitted here.” Chichi explained in a half whine. My grip released on my companions as my fist connected cleanly with Meli's face. She spun once before collapsing in my arms limply much to Sert's shock.

“We will have words later Chilörąn.” I stated angrily. I carried Meli's unconscious body easily from the kitchen. I was forced to order Sert to be silent during the return trip because of his protests and offers to make the little chef pay personally for his actions. He grumbled his acceptance as he followed me back to our residence. I placed Meli gently in her bed barely noticing the feline presence in her room before walking out of her room.

“Guard this door but do not go into the room no matter what protests or cajoling Meli attempts on you.” I told Sert. He saluted me while still wearing the grumpy face he had worn when he first arrived back from his errands earlier. “I am going to have more direct words with Chichi.” I informed him. “Do not make a move against him, understand?” I added. He simply nodded annoyed at me before I portalled directly back to the Royal Kitchen as angry at myself as at Chichi over all of this. I should have been clearer with my orders to Brother Famine but still I raged at Chilörąn's mistake regarding the herb and the actual blood of dragon kin.

“What were you thinking, you scaly arsed idiot?” I snapped at him. He looked back sheepishly at me. With but a passing thought, I reformed the locking mechanism sealing the Kitchen's double doors to keep others out of our discussion. “She was referring to the plant and not the blood that flows in your veins you half baked godlet.” I added bluntly. A glass formed in my left hand as, with my right, I pulled out one of Chichi many secreted bottles of sacred sake he kept in this kitchen.

“She did make sure I understood that it was the blood and not the plant she spoke of.” he explained sheepishly.

“Both are illegal here!” I screeched back. I filled the glass and swallowed the content in one quick gulp. He still looked sheepishly at me as I refilled my glass. I tossed the bottle at him which he deftly caught without truly looking at it. “But she has been drinking at my level of alcohol.” I explained calmer. “Your thought she would be passing out drunk before she went into full heat was beyond stupidity!” I concluded. We both emptied our glass of special sake before he refilled his glass and tossed the bottle back to me. I watched as he pondered my words now that the alcohol cleared the fog of sobriety from his mind.

“Oh!” he interjected sheepishly. I rolled my eyes at him before screeching my disdain for his attitude. “So I should have mixed a bit of the herb version to make her drunk much faster?” he mused with a little mischievous grin.

“You are the most perverted little dragon I have ever meet Famine.” I retorted icily. “The plant would have accelerated the effects of the dragon blood in the same way it does with the alcohol.” I sighed back. I slipped down to sit on the floor which Chichi mimicked making it easier to pass the bottle between us. “Will you continue trying to explain your way out of this mess?” I remarked. He raised his glass at me before we both pounded them back and reloaded our glasses.

“Is it truly wrong making young women more inclined for a romp?” he asked softly. “It is not like any of us are mated anymore.” he added.

“Let it come naturally instead of trying so hard to get them into the sack from the moment you meet them Chichi.” I returned with a sigh. “As for myself, I abstain from that pursuit since I normally have a willing partner that knows me by the time it happens.” I added softer. We continued speaking this way all night emptying many a bottle between the two of us.

“I will try to remember your wise counsel Brother Order.” Chilörąn stated as dawn found us. His eyes glazed over at that moment before drifting to sleep on the floor. I slowly and shakily rose to my feet to stumble from the Royal Kitchen with the remains of the last bottle we had open still in my grip. While I swerved back toward home, I used my nebulous healing technique to purge the alcohol from my blood stream to become fully sober as I re-entered my residence. The thoughts of explaining to Meli the folly of her actions and quelling Sert's anger toward Chichi to avoid them coming to blows before I could arrange a sparring session for those two vanished upon entering my residence. I did not receive time to deal with either of these problems as warning arrived that Captain Jäzærha had returned to Atlantis.

Khën was waiting in our foyer with his nose twitching more violently than his normal nervous-pensive tick. He turned toward me noting the half bottle still in my hand. An eyebrow raised slightly as he looked nervously at me and I read from his active mind the twinges of fear dealing with a drunken power of my level. I chuckled waving my free hand at him while Sert and Meli moved from his side.

“Have this bottle placed in a safe place since it is a most potent mix of sake.” I told Meli. I handed the bottle to her smiling sheepishly. “I relieved it from our alcoholic little chef.” I explained to her in a whisper. She blushed violently at me nearly dropping the bottle. “And it is not the stuff he was sharing with you.”

“I bring word that Captain Jäzærha is arriving on a ship shortly.” he informed me. “You presence is requested in the greeting line immediately.” he continued. “You are to stand near the dais holding a royal place because of the position you still have even with your long absence Sir.” he stated bluntly. Jäz's short sporadic visits seemed to only occur during my moments of absence not giving us a chance to meet personally. But from the reaction of Khëndrâèl, this was not going to simply be a short visit by the Captain of the Ferret Guards. “He is accompanied by a foreign woman.” he added under his breath.

“I must presume that Lord Munin is taking this opportunity to make a Royal assembly filled with pomp and ceremony?” I returned quickly. I smiled viciously as he nodded his annoyed agreement to my words.

I followed him closely as we rushed through the streets as I heard rumors that Atlantian saw the woman as a love interest of the Ferret Captain. Many wanted to join the celebration simply to see his reaction around this lady companion and not for the reaction of the new King toward this usually missing Royal Guard Captain.

“Hurry Father since I will need your support in my machination to secure my safety.” flashed in my mind from Sara. The vision that accompanied this message showed a secondary group planning to usurper or destroy Atlantis if they failed a coup. The woman Jäz protected was the pivot point of this dark plot. As I attempted to inform her, her giggling laughter filled my mind blocking my words of warning. “A pivot can be turned anyway it chooses when given a chance and the proper information.” she responded still giggling mentally. I had to agree grudgingly to this wise thought line she presented to me. “Please do not interfere with my path Father.” she added softly. I felt the mental connection snap shut as we entered the newly built Atlantian Royal Court.

I was placed withing the top ten members of the line standing next to Prince Bryan listen to the spoken and non-spoken comments encouraging my place in this greeting line which I felt was not deserved. The nobles, Captains, and Council representative assured that this was truly the perfect place for my actions toward and for Atlantis. Thoughts of my show of wisdom and justice regarding opening Atlantis to the world as a trading partner whispered around me. The secondary thoughts of my recent action with the Fairy Nation though heavy handed was unfortunately needed to protect Atlantis nobly as any true Atlantian would. Most did not see me as the Envoy that I was anymore. I was a dutiful citizen of Atlantis showing true honor and wisdom for all to see and learn from.

The hush started like a gentle wave on the ocean growing to crash at the feet of the throne bringing silent to the room as we all turned as one to see Captain Jäzærha, leader of the Ferret Guards standing with a tall female companion bearing the marks of the sun and moon upon her bronzed face framed in dark brown curls that dropped well past her exposed shoulders.

“A gracious welcome to our returning Captain!” the Scheneshal's voice bellowed without him being visible in the room. I saw the Captain stiffen as he placed the woman's hand upon his left forearm to guide her forward cautiously. The assembled nobles, Council representatives, and assembled dignataries greeted him with hardy hand shakes but their eyes would linger on his bronze skin companion without being given introductions by the Ferret Leader. The other Captains grasped his elbow in hand as he did the same in the warriors' version of a handshake before he reached me and Bryan in the line. He stopped before me and I felt him finally relax as we performed the warriors' greeting without either of us needing to salute. His small dark eyes locked to my amber orbs.

“We can talk and meet personally once this circus is completed.” I commented calmly under my breath.

“It would be about time for us to have that opportunity Noble Kestrel.” he returned with a quick nod. He glanced to smile at the young Prince at my side when Sara pounced on this perfect moment. She barrelled from the Guard beside her to throw herself fully into the arms of the young woman at Jäzærha's side. She clung in a death grip at this woman who would become Her Royal Governess. The bronze faced woman looked shocked by this action by the child and her mind revealed total ignorance at what this action meant.

“She is to be mine!” Sara squealed into the stunned silent room.

“I believe that Young Princess Sara has chosen you to watch over Her as Royal Governess.” I comment loudly to explain the child's cryptic words. I scanned her mind at this moment of shock and saw the potential Sara had noted. She was linked directly to enemies of Atlantis but held the strength in her to turn on them if they attempted to force her hand. As Sara Governess, the young princess would be the central figure of her life causing the protective streaks that had her return to Atlantis with Jäz to activate fully. She was still her own person and the decision would be upon her own shoulders and consciousness in the end but it looked positive in my eyes.

“She is Ichtaca Cuicatl from the Sun Temple.” Jäzærha told the three of us. Bryan had remained silent at my side watching the event unfold.

“A Warrior of the Sun and Moon, Ichcui?” I asked calmly. Her eyes widened showing a disproportionate amount of white surrounding the black rimmed irises. “I see you as a perfect governess to teach young Princess Sara if the King and Queen allow it.” I added. Having had my say in this matter already swayed Annianka favorably but did not effect the empty-headed King Munin. I stepped aside allowing Bryan the chance to stand at attention to salute Jäzærha before pulling him back with me as the crowd moved forward to now greet this woman chosen by the Princess they revered while the other Captains did their best to move them forward to stand before the King and Queen.

“I understand what you see in her but I am unsure what your Mother will think of this.” I warned Sara.

“Is this one of the little things you arranged during your absence?” Annianka grumbled in my mind. I kept both conversation separate from the other to not show my advice to Sara.

“This was not of my doing Sweetness.” I reported overly casually to her. I heard the whispers of Sara fighting with her mother over her sudden decision. “I have given you my point of view verbally.” I continued back to the Queen. “She would be a good teacher and protector for her even if she has connection with potential enemies.” I concluded blunter.

“Thank you for your help Father.” Sara whispered in my brain before my attention was drawn to the dais.

“I cannot go against the will of my Daughter if it makes her happy.” Munin stated to the crowd.

“Are you truly ready to accept this event my King?” Annianka asked directly. “Once agreed, it cannot be undone?” she added. I felt her annoyance and anger that he was making this decision without truly consulting her.

“The King is truly too easy to abuse.” I muttered to Sara and Annianka.

“If you agree with Her decision, I shall not interfere.” the Queen reported to me.

“You are still up most in Mother's heart and mind as Her true King and partner.” Sara informed me.

“I agree!” I told both of them. This ended the mental debate.

“Why would I need to undo such a gracious offer to our Royal Throne.” Munin snapped back. “Our Captain has probably brought this woman for just such a position within our ranks!” he continued. “Why else would he bring her with him my Queen?”

“Love?” she let slip mentally. Munin's emotions saw his daughter stealing the focus from the crowd that he would pull back to himself with his direct words. But most had already forgotten that this was to be a greeting ceremony for Captain Jäzærha as Sara changed the focus to this tall bronzed woman she claimed as Royal Governess. Munin glanced once at Annianka before rising while the crowd engulfed Jäzærha and Ichcui to leave the room dejected followed closely by his concubine. Annianka remained stoically on her throne as the accepted face of royalty to the Atlantian populace. She stood slowly and majestically bringing a hush to the room.

“Well meet Captain Jäzærha.” she stated boldly into the room. “And well meet Governess Ichtaca Cuicatl.” she continued with a soft but sad smile. “Please feel as welcome here as in your own land and among your own people.” she added. She bowed deeply to her before walking away slowly. Miss Hope and a dozen mixed Royal Guards followed that had not moved a hair when Munin departed. I waited with the silent Bryan at my side while talk buzzed around the newly returned and newest arrival.

“It would be best to give our new Royal Governess a chance to settle into her position while Captain Jäzærha can review his troops that have missed him greatly.” I stated loudly. The reaction to my words was immediate. The crowd melted from them instantly. “Princess Sara's Guard can show you to your new lodging as Governess Ichcui.” I stated to the bronzed woman. She stared around her at the emptied space before her eyes returned to mine. “Jäz and I have much to discuss now that both of us are present together finally.” I explained softly to her. I bowed to her quickly before the other three Captains escorted us away.The young prince followed us out of the hall but no further as he moved to join the guards helping to clear a path for his sister.

“You seem to have retained your control over events in Atlantis as is due to you.” Jäz commented as we left the throne room.

“With the other three Captains accepting my words as wise helps me greatly to perform my duties to Atlantis as is my lot in life.” I replied easily. The trio that followed us chuckled deeply at my words.

“You have earned the respect they show you as I have been told by them and from word of the people of Atlantis.” he remarked casually. “Why have the Gods truly sent you here Noble Kestrel?” he continued softer.

“Gods have nothing to do with the fall of Atlantis.” I continued toxicly.

“You have seen the darkness that I have been spoken about by the possible ending moments of our island?” he asked simply. I nodded in silence. “Then you have done a good thing by allowing Ichcui to govern Princess Sara.” he volunteered. “She will die before allowing harm to come to your daughter.” he explained in a whisper.

“She is linked to our enemies.” I returned in a matching whisper.

“Not in her heart.” Jäzærha returned calmly.

“I hope you, Sara, and myself are right about her.” I replied easily back to him. He laughed at my words.

“She has turned beings that are supposed to be devilish evil into guardian angels.” he explained softly. “She has freed enslaved beings that she did not need to do.” he continued. “She shall stand by Sara's side even in death itself comes for the child.” he stated. “Royal blood or not.” he added with a wink to me.

“Explain?” I nearly growled back at him.

“She does not smell fetid like Munin does.” the Ferret Captain stated. “I am sure the other Captains will agree that she has your scent mixed with that of her Holy Highness.” he added before stopping in the middle of the empty square. The trio of Captains nodded before moving into a protective triangle around them.

“So you all share the information?” I asked calmly. I already knew this would be the case but hoped it would not be so plainly stated.

“Yes.” they answered in turn.

“And you remain silent about this fact?” I returned softly.

“You are the only being with enough honor and wisdom to be seen as a true King of Atlantis.” Jäzærha spoke for the group. “Even without meeting you, I can accept that fact from what you have done for this Island in the past and what I expect you to do in the future.” he concluded.

“I cannot always be here for her.” I replied angrily.

“We shall watch over your Princess, your Queen, and your people, even if they cannot see who is the true King of Atlantis.” they answered in unison. I shook my head in disbelief as I smiled at their respect and faith in me.

“The Council has plans for me to leave in the next few days.” I explained to them. They nodded as one man to me. “Try to keep the place safe during my absence.” I indirectly ordered them.

“As you wish it Lord Kestrel.” The Ferret Captain spoke for the group. “But do not ask us directly to keep the pretend King alive.” he commented with a smirk. The low growl of laughter escaped the other three Captains.

“I would only ask it to keep Annianka from being forced into seclusion if at all possible.” I replied more seriously to them. They nodded as one to me again. I dismissed the Captains to their duties to their troops on this note. A shadow dogged my steps back to my residence but I sense no threat from this feline mind that followed me.