“Redpath's Journals: Honourable Retribution” (5)

I barely had time to slip in thanks to them the next morning which made me even more worried. Seeing the fury of activity and the sour face on the other three retainers of the household killed my worries. I slipped into the grand hall to hide under a table when Lord Kestrel looked in my direction. I had still not received from him acceptance of my place in his group and would not force him to decide at this chaotic moment. I did fear he would tell me to leave which kept me hidden while the other three helped me from being discovered directly by the Lord of the house.

“I understand your anger at my decision of your duties.” Kestrel stated at them. I had never seen him being so direct with his words to his companions. “I need the three of you in place to help in your area of expertise.” he said calmer. I watched as they each glared in turn at him. Cole's glance slide to me under the table beside Lord Kestrel and a small mischievous glint showed in his hard eyes. “Repeat my orders to each of you!” Kestrel snapped angrily at them.

“I am to act as messenger and runner to keep the Council abreast of the events of the meeting.” Cole answered first. I spotted from my vantage point that as his eyes meet mine, he touched his right ear like a signal for my to listen closely to the words spoken. My ears perked up as I waited for the rest of the orders that angered the team.

“I am to act as the informer to the Royal Court of Atlantis.” Sert snapped back. I held back choking as I discovered that both of Kestrel's strongest guardians were turned into errand boys leaving him virtually unprotected.

“Deal with the Royal Kitchen who will be catering this event.” Meli mumbled. The sharp hiss of my intake of breath was lost in Kestrel's reply.

“Correct!” he interjected loudly. My mind skipped into a single repeating thought: I would be Lord Kestrel's lone guard from my hiding spot. “I will be perfectly safe.” he continued easier. I smelt the hard smell of mixed animal as the doors to the room slowly opened. I did not need to see them to know that the three Captains stood there with a mixed group of Royal Guards at their back. I barely noticed Cole looking towards the Captain and back at Kestrel and myself because of my disappointment.

“We are here as requested by the Council of Atlantis with the blessing of the Holy Throne of Atlantis.” Ent reported to Lord Kestrel. I could see his confusion as his hands flexed slowly at his side.

“Take your places so my team can stop worrying and do their assigned tasks with a clear heart.” Lord Kestrel replied. I watched from what was now my permanent hiding place at the back of the hall as the team walk out of the room. I shivered knowing that with this many animals in the room, I could not truly be hidden from their sharp noses. It took nearly an hour before I relaxed as none of the Guards that had spread themselves around the room spoke of me.

“It is a little odd that the Council asked for us to be here.” Curd stated. His voice sounded from one end of the room.

“They were even polite and grateful when we agreed to fill their request to secure this meeting.” Ent commented back. His voice showed him speaking at the opposing end of the room that Curd stood. I could see Rez's heavy boots moving in total silence a few steps behind Lord Kestrel's swift step. “You are too quiet Rez.” the lead wolf added.

“Nothing needs be said at this time.” he replied. His deep rumbling voice made my hair stand on end as I felt once again that he was angry. But it was also very calming that he or the other Captains or Guards had not pulled me out from under this covered table. Now Curd statements to me at the training grounds truly sunk into my brain. “Short of killing you, we could not stop you.”

“I warn you all now that I might harm these little winged idiots if they resist to these negotiations.” Kestrel stated bluntly. His voice had a hard edge I had never heard in it before. “Do not interfere in any way.” he ordered them. “Hold your positions and watch in silence.” he added. I felt these last words were not meant for the Guards or Captains but for me. It could simply be the egoistic feline nature but I was not the only one that noted it as targeted at a different person.

“Easier for some of us than for others.” Curd remarked. He was purring as he spoke the words reflecting my thoughts. I was the one being told my duties within this room. The chuckle that followed proved to me that they all knew I was there but saw it as my designated position. Like all cats, I dozed off to the sounds of Lord Kestrel's feet and the soft padding of Rez at his heels. It is not to say I was not alert enough to hear the fluttering of the first set of Fairy wings entering the room nor the actions of Curd and Rez to let me slip into Kestrel's shadow as he greeted the group from the Royal Kitchens. I could smell Meli soft perfume and the head Royal Chef's alcoholized sweat over the dozen or more other kitchen helpers carrying trait of food and drinks for the Fairies and the Guards. Rez grunted to hide the small grumbling of my stomach. I slipped back under the edge of the tables and snaked my way around the feet of the Fairies taking place at the table to reach a spot close to Lord Kestrel’s chair.

I heard them chattering amongst themselves while I snaked around the room trying to hear the voice that I had learned of the dark plans from. My nose tell me of the Guards rotating in and out of the room to have a chance to eat without offending the Fairies with the coldness of their eating habits. The smell of the food had me holding my stomach which protest. The lack of time forced my to miss my morning meal and my stomach told me that noontime was passing without it receiving flesh to satiate it's needs. I barely noticed the edge of the tablecloth lifting but smelt the bloody stench of the hunk of meat being held under the table. I snagged it quickly before moving back to Lord Kestrel's feet with my prize. I ate slowly still listening to hear the voice that would let me know who I must attack the moment the opportunity offered itself. I sat at Kestrel's feet feeling useless as the voice did not show itself in the room and he waited in silence for the guests to finish eating.

“Any treaties and contracts you presently had with Atlantis, by order of Crown and Council, are rescinded and become null from this moment!” Kestrel stated suddenly. I quivered as he raised to his feet to face the Fairies. I heard the crinkling of his fist connecting with the surface of the wooden table. “You will not be able to use them to force the Holy power of Atlantis upon your enemies.” I heard him proclaim to the silent room. I was ready to dodge out and slaughter the first Fairy that moved against him. All that happen was screams of outrage and dishonorable behavior from Atlantis towards it's oldest group of allies.

The smell in the room suddenly shifted as I saw feet and legs forming from nothingness next to Kestrel's feet, Silence slowly filled the room as even I swallowed hard at the stench of fear and awe that filled the room from the Fairies.

“You wish to abuse my people as pawns in your little internal disputes?” a voice filled with harsh disdain thundered in the silence. My nostrils filled with a smell a kin to feces from the Fairies in the room with only a faster breath showing their state of fear and shock at the being present. I could not tell at that time that I smelt the fragrance of Odin, great deity of Atlantis behind the fearful stench of the Fairies. “I back this man to solve all these problems and it would be best that you heed and accept his words and actions.” the voice of this god stated to them. His feet vanished as they had appeared when he turned to walk away.

“I believe it is best to rewrite all the treatises and contracts as one unifying treaty that leaves no room for questions or pressure upon Atlantis for minor issues.” Lord Kestrel stated to them. His words were followed by the sounds of scrolls unrolling before each group of Fairies present.

“As Royal Fairies' representatives, we can agree that this specific treaty could be used as a base for an all encompassing ideal you are considering, Lord Kestrel.” she said calmly. No whispered comments were made to her. I heard the chair scrape the floor as she stood. “Many of the separated mounds might wish to have personal clauses added for each of them.” she admitted. Her voice was soft and nearly pleading as she spoke. “We will stand behind the all encompassing parts of the treaty without question but cannot support any individual clauses.” she added. Her voice and word sounded like someone trying to push away any problems that her kit and kin would cause.

“I thank you Lady Sherena but, if it is not all encompassing, it has no place in this treaty.” Lord Kestrel replied hard. “One for all equally or no deals with Atlantis ever again.” he continued blunter. I could feel the tension tighten in the room at these words. I listen to hear the whispers from the one that would betray her own people for power. “Even your so-called rebel mound must be allowed to agree to these proceedings.” he stated.

My nose itched as a smell I could not place touched it with a new fairy scent. The new Fairy's odor was not truly new to me as I recognized it from the mound we had visited with nasty effects. In my mind flashed the memories of frozen Fairies exploding at the contact to Lord Kestrel's fist. I moved without thinking to place myself as close to this Fairy's feet with a feral urge to protect him. The sickly sweet scent of Cole entered the room as I watched him walk to the opposing side of the table I now hide under.

“By the order of Council and Crown, these letters of support are to be given to you as a sign of good faith between Atlantis and your Fairy Mound over your actions of late.” Cole proclaimed to the Fairy. I fought the urge to attack his feet as I heard an edge in his voice that sounded to my ears like derisive mirth. The sound of the mixed claws on the marble held me back as I noted four sets of furry legs taking guard positions behind this Fairy from the shattered mound.

“These fools will mess all our plans!” shrieked loud enough to hurt my sensitive ears. I knew this must be the plan of Lord Kestrel bearing fruition with the traitor's thoughts escaping them. I followed the noise with my eyes to spot the female Fairy slowly rising from her seat. She clawed at the air that glowed to my eyes in a vain attempt to be free of Lord Kestrel's mental kinetic grip. I heard chairs hitting the floor as other Fairies rose to their feet but none moved to interfere with this show of true power from Atlantis' Holy Hand. I peeked out more to see the Fairy held high above the center of the room. I glanced quickly and secretively from my hiding spot around the silent room. Pale shocked to silence faces looked blankly at this caged beast that still tried to free herself from the mental iron grip.

“Your thoughts betray you flutter bug.” Kestrel nearly purred. I could not see his face but imagined the predatory grin that turned his normally gentle face into a monstrous grimace. “Should we strip your petty mind bare to find the source of that thought?” he threatened. Two voices tripped over each other at this point.

“Your doing Lord Kestrel?” croaked out from a female and a male voice. The male voice was above my head letting me know the rebellious leader was one of those questioning the obvious. Something about the voices screamed familial ties which could not be proven without a good sniff.

“I knew that the thoughts of betrayal would come to mind once I had their hands tied.” Kestrel stated slowly, “I did not believe I would be this simplistic a trap to catch them in.” he continued with a hint of disdain and a derisive chuckle. I felt a small pull from the center of the room making me look in that direction. I saw a red rimmed orb of pure blackness forming at the feet of the Fairy. My mouth turned dry as I could see her feet and lower leg begin stretching toward this orb of blackness. Scrolls suddenly exploded from her body some how rejected by the red rimmed orb to land upon the tables and floors. One landed at my feet which bore the scribbles of human script. I snagged it deftly and shot it back toward the furry feet behind the table. I saw one feline clawed hand snagging it. I heard the subdued growl from all the Feral Guards that surrounded the outer wall of this meeting room. “Fairies, Dryads, Phoenixes, and a dozen others including some humans working together to remove control of Atlantis from the Council while our Holy Queen destroys the dissidents.” Kestrel stated. The pull at my back increased but I resisted glancing back to the now screaming Fairy.

“She has betrayed us all.” the female voice stated loudly. I hazarded but a glance to spot the white faced Fairy. She held the staff signifying she represented the Royal Fairy House. “Do you remove our right to punish her in our fashion?” she screamed at Kestrel. I could smell her fear. I could smell her anger. I could smell something I have never smelt upon Atlantis. I would later learn this as the smell of utter despair and helplessness. Royal Fairy shuddered visibly from this show of justice.

“What should I do to her before I remove her from existence permanently?” Kestrel drawled. I knew he meant it to sound angry but I knew the true emotion behind his words. He wanted them to beg for a mercy that he would hand to them but only within his means. This show of ultimate power over them would be needed to make sure none of the other would even consider trying to fight the treaty he would force upon them.

“Do not destroy her!” she screamed back. “Our treatment would leave her living in utter madness for such a crime.” she continued. I smelt all her fear replaced by rage. “Fairy law states that her wings are forfeit if she betrays her people causing permanent madness and no chance at rebirth.” she explained. Her colors had returned but hinted to the reddish skin of anger. I heard movement toward the center and spotted the armor clad legs of two burlier Fairies which were still smaller than myself in stature and girth. I could see that their hands sat on their swords ready to draw them against the suspended Fairy. But their movement stopped as the trapped Fairies body rotated to have her wings dangling into the pull of the orb.

I could not look away as the orb darkened and the red rim stretched out to meet the now outstretched wings. The smell of terror filled my nostrils including the hint of feces and urine released from the heightened level of fear caused by what seemed like a small unimportant action. I learned quickly that this action was anything from unimportant. My sensitive ears heard as my eyes spotted that Lord Kestrel controlled that orb like a vicious surgeon. The force increased only towards the wings slowly rending them in chunks. The sound of ripping flesh, membranes, and bones rang in my ears long after the wings were gone from the Fairy's back. The bloody and shredded stumps left no chance of repair even with Atlantian scientific advancements. The ripping sound was not the only thing that haunted me for the rest of this conference. Her howls of pain and insanity shattered what little strength I had left in me. I curled into a ball under the table barely realizing what came after this atrocity and the final moments of this meeting.

I regain enough composure to realize the other Fairies were allowed to walk away unharmed. Only the Royal representative and the rebel leader remained in the hall with Lord Kestrel and a small grouping of Royal Guards or so my nose told me. The rebellious mound leader's foot tapped the floor as I heard the crinkling of papers on the table above my head. I glanced around to spot the legs of the Royal representative who stood at the edge of the table not moving.

“What is it Sherena?” Kestrel stated calmly. The softness in his tone had me a little surprised after the harshness of his behavior so far.

“If you discover more, I would be open to help remove this sickness while you and your people remain a secret upon the world.” she said boldly. “Do whatever is needed to discover the truth even if it means disappearing from view.” she bluntly continued. “I shall order and hand them justice without revealing your part in this.” she stated. “I cannot allow my own people to turn to evil plans against truly noble beings.” she added angry but softer. The room still stank of feces, urine, and fear from the unwinged fairy.

“Why do you really offer this to me?” snapped back the Fairy leader. “You were as ready as the others to destroy my mound without question before this moment of revelation.”

“If I knew why you distanced yourself and why they truly called for your death, I would have fought for your survival!” she screamed back. “I cannot know what is not told to me!” she continued. The smell of anger started slowly filling the room.” “Sending me word would have made me stand with you!”

“Even without proof like you finally saw today?” Kestrel snarled at her.

“We share royal blood in our veins!” she screamed back. “I would believe you just because of that fact alone.” she retorted. I nearly left my spot as she moved to challenge Lord Kestrel. A quick glance showed that no one else had moved defensively by her actions. I held onto my patience listening. “Which mound are tainted from your understanding?” she questioned bluntly.

“Asia is behind this plot.” he whispered back to her.

“Lord Kestrel?” she uttered slowly. “If I can give you the locations of the infected mounds,” she began softly,” can you have them set in turmoil so I may have a chance to remove them from this unjust path?” Silence followed. “You will have a full listing of their location, and defenses within a week or two.” she continued louder. “May this be a sign of my belief in your words alone.” she stated blunter still. She turned at these words to march away. I spotted Captain Ent's feet follow here from the room quickly.

“She will be dead after she has done this for me.” the leader stated. This shattering of the silence pinned me in place. “And they shall run before the others can catch them.”

“Once you have a clue where they may have escaped to, send word directly to me and I will see about locking them into place for their extermination.” Kestrel replied softly. “Meanwhile, I will set some protective measures in place over Sherena.”

“I thank you but please do not let my little cousin notice your protective actions.” he returned easily.

“As you wish little Prince.” Kestrel replied. His armor creaked and groaned suggesting a stiff and formal bow to my ears. “I will make your mound appear as a scene of utter destruction once you have moved your remaining people.” he continued softly. “It is for the best that you become the Secret Fairies, known by none.” he concluded.

“If things go wrong for Sherena,” he began slowly, “she will always have a home hidden away with us.” he said calmly.

It was at that moment that I knew Lord Kestrel's portal were not the ones used in Atlantis. A smell of a thunderstorm filled my nostrils as he opened a gate for the rebel Fairy leader to return home. I half exited from under the table to see Kestrel's broad back closer to the doors of the conference room.

“Captains?” he called softly. They moved as if commanded by the gods' themselves to his side in complete silence. “Keep an eye on the Fairy groups and let me know if any suddenly depart within the next few weeks.” he ordered quietly. A duo of quick salute was returned to him as they remained waiting at attention. “Keep an eye on Sherena since she will make herself a target once she digs into the possible corrupted mounds.” he continued. Another round of salute as both Captains waited. “Dismissed.” he added without thought. The Captain followed by their separate Guard grouping vanished at this single word. I saw his shoulders slump as he breathed raggedly before leaving the room. I followed in the shadows as silently as I could.

“Redpath's Journals: Dodging Kestrel's Steps” (4)

Lord Kestrel spoke bluntly to Sert and Meli before forcing his way through the streets of Atlantis with a dozen mixed Feral Guards clearing a path for him. I followed him to the doors of our Holy Highness' prison and before any could notice, I slipped in with him keeping tightly to the shadows. I nearly crashed into his legs as he stopped suddenly in the doorway to the Holy Queen's private garden. I glanced passed him noting what had stopped his steps.

The Queen slept on the grass like a child after playing too long in the sun. Miss Hope stood too clearly visible or this to be a feigned slumber by Her Holiness. The tigress turned slowly to gaze at Lord Kestrel making me dodge deeper into the dark shadows within the hallway. I watched in silence as she moved with perfect feline grace and quietness to join him at the doors. I fell back from shadow to shadow as Miss Hope lead Lord Kestrel back to the foyer whispering words to him.

“They want the ones that broke away turned into an example?” he asked directly. “Destroyed?” he added coldly. I shivered in the shadows at the hard edge frost in Lord Kestrel's voice. I remembered watching the carnage he levelled upon them during his visit.

“They are being called rebels that have broken their Fairy Oath.” the tigress replied tensely. “They have spoken about the many treatises signed with Atlantis making this Her duty to exterminate them.” she concluded growling darkly. I felt I had betrayed them by not having the information in their hands before all this could turn rotten.

“Where does the Council stand on this matter?” he returned without even glancing at her.

“They feel like the Fairies are over stepping themselves and should be the ones crushed under Atlantian heels.” she growled back.

“Which places them in the right as the Rebel Fairies claim a conspiracy afoot to take Atlantis.” he reported in a whisper. His words had Miss Hope growling and cursing in disbelief and anger. “If Annianka bows to their will in this matter, then she is handing them the reigns of Atlantis.” he told her. “If they persist to drag Atlantis into their drama, break the treaties with them and throw the winged little arses off Atlantis en mass.”

“And cause a civil war within the Fairy Nation?” she rebuked him. “Turning other non-humans against Atlantis?” she added bluntly.

“A show of Atlantian Power and Integrity might be in order.” he suggested. His face turned into a feral mask as purely animalistic as any of the Feral Guards gone rabid. “Send me their representatives in the morning and get all this renegotiated in Atlantis' favor.” he ordered. He grinned like a hyena about to gorge itself on easy prey.

“We cannot afford a diplomatic incident between us and them at this time.” she growled at him.

“They face the Envoy of the Ones On High who is negotiating the new treaty between them and Atlantis.” he scowled at her. He did not listen to what followed as he walked away but I heard her words of warning.

“Without knowing how deep this conspiracy goes, we might be walking directly into their hands with this idea of yours.” she roared at his retreating back. I pounced behind him as Miss Hope turned to return to her charge sleeping peacefully in the garden. Once more I nearly crashed into his legs as he had stopped to face the viper Cole. I smelt the acrid staleness of perspiration wafting from Cole as he stood alone bravely facing off with Lord Kestrel. I did, for a moment, hope that this would be his day to die at Kestrel's hands but this was unfortunately not that day.

“Our friends in the Council wish me to convey gratitude for your actions.” the viper stated. They knew what Lord Kestrel had done but glorified his debauchery. “We have kept the others in the dark since they are mostly secluded in an attempt to find a loop hole in the treatises to refuse the Fairy Nation's demands.” They stood nearly nose to nose making me think Cole would lose his face to Kestrel teeth as he bit his head clean from his body. Blood pumped faster in my veins as the possibly seemed closer for Cole's early demise.

“Tell them if they acquiesce to the Fairies' requests, they may as well give them full authority over Atlantis.” he snarled in his face. Cole stepped back as his eyes showed too much white suddenly. “I will renegotiate all the treaties in the morning if the Fairies still wish to remain in favor with Atlantis.” he ordered bluntly to him. “Warn our friends that it will be aggressive negotiations so some may be injured, maimed, and even killed to make a point to those fluttering parasites.” He moved to walk away but Cole placed a brave or crazy hand upon his arm to arrest Lord Kestrel's motion.

“Speak with our friends directly before leaving sir.” he said in false braveness. “They received notices from the other non-humans in the area of that mound that might be of value in your negotiations.” he stated humbly. I truly felt pity at that moment for this man trapped between the vileness of the Council and the nobility of Lord Kestrel. The latter looked confused at Cole as a wicked smirk showed more than words that the Council had something that would benefit Lord Kestrel's efforts.

I followed as he walked into the Council Chambers to be meet warmly by the Guards on duty with pleasant jibs about not requiring flying lessons. They lead him to a small study in the back forcing me to hide in the hallway attempting to hear a passing word or two from within the room. Burdish appeared shortly to enter the room in a rush with a pair of clerks, all carrying bundles of letters.

He exited a few minutes later smiling in earnest at what had been shown to him though he carried nothing of those letters with him. He moved quickly with the surefootedness of a feline reminding me of when I first meet him. He easily dodge my brothers' and sisters' attacks in that same surefooted style. I lost track of him as he entered his residence while I scrambled over the shorter part of the wall into the training area. On padded paws I quickly moved around the home avoiding detection as best I could from the other residents. I found him in his den writing multiple copies of what appeared to be the same document for a small army to read easily. I hide half behind, half under the desk by his legs as a jubilant Cole entered with Sert and Meli following cautiously.

“The Council will back any treaty you draft with the Fairy Nation unanimously.” he nearly crowed triumphantly. Kestrel shifted to sit straighter at the desk.

“We can expect guess tomorrow?” Meli asked confused. “We truly do not have the staff to hold a meeting with the whole Fairy Nation.” she cautioned.

“Both the Royal and Council Kitchen have offered their support in these negotiations.” Cole informed them. “And the Royal Guards have already volunteered to patrol any such event upon the Council’s most politely earnest request.”

“And I will speak to Odin since he and our rebel leader will be attending this meeting.” Lord Kestrel stated. My gulp was hidden by Meli's thunderous gulp.

“Might give you a chance to ask if he was truly behind the supposed Royal Appointment of the naive Munin.” Sert suggested.

“That subject will not be touched.” Kestrel growled back. “His time is too precious for more than a few minutes to tell the flutter bugs to behave and listen to the one he is allowing to represent Atlantis and the world.” he continued bluntly.

Later that afternoon found me looking down from a tree perch at a darker skin woman in the Lord's private garden. She was the wife of the Egyptian representative but, to my shock and disbelief, she was also Lord Kestrel's niece. The smell was indisputable in the closed area of the small garden.

“Why must I constantly change bodies in the outer world while you remain in the same stoic body I first meet you in Uncle?” she asked harshly.

“I am special plus this body regenerates because I live in Atlantis.” he whispered back. “Why did you finally decide to leave Egypt and see this grand world with your loving eternal husband?” he continued softly. I felt nearly lulled on the branch by the calmness in his voice.

“My skills are as sharp as ever just like the honest and humble heart of my sweet husband.” she answered. I froze since this did not make any sense to me as answer. This odd half spoken half alluded to conversation continued lulling me to near sleep until the words “my cousin Sara” escaped the woman's mouth. I came awake nearly falling from the tree into the woman's lap.

“But you two can still speak since she shares our family gift of mental speak.” Lord Kestrel commented. I filled my nose with his sense before launching myself in silence over the lower section of wall. My heart pounded in my chest as I rushed through the street not worrying about being seen while this information that Lord Kestrel would be the true father of Princess Sara driving me to move faster. Sections of the streets blurred at the speed I forced myself to move since this would be a nearly impossible chance to smell Lord Kestrel scent upon Sara. It would be a scandal if this was true. Miss Hope and the other Captain must be informed if this was the dark truth. I hung nearly upside-down from a branch within the garden that Princess Sara would play and study during the day away from all others.

The thought hit like a hammer between my eyes before I even got a scent of Sara. The Captains, Miss Hope, and all the feral should have smelt Lord Kestrel upon Princess Sara and still they remained silent about it. Sara glanced up from playing to look directly at me.

“Little Kitty should not worry so much.” whispered in my mind followed by Princess Sara's squealing giggles. I dropped to the ground by her and slipped into a bush next to her.

“You know the truth?” I asked softly.

“Yes, I know who my father is.” she stated in my mind. “But it is something we do not talk to others about.”

“But this is improper.” I protested weakly to her.

“They all know you silly Kitty.” she rebuked me. “Munin is the pretend King while Father is the one who makes the decision with Mother while she gets to be a true Queen once more.” she explained. “Leave it be and watch to see how noble and honorable this arrangement truly is Kitty.” she added. Her mental giggle combined with her real vocal squeals of pleasure. Her private Feral Guard moved from concealment to stare hard in my direction. I moved in total silence into view to salute her before departing in the same speedy but creeping pattern I entered this place. I did not look back to see if the tigress followed me as I went to the training field to ponder the events I discovered today. I was absently watching the sparring sessions when I spotted Sert and Cole arriving together to stand in the sandy battle square.

My curiosity was peeked and I moved closer to watch these two that I never would believe practice together. I was not alone as a few younger cadets and their trainers moved over to use this as a demonstration of “differing styles of combat pitted against each other”. My position was still closest to the sparring square as both stopped to move to their own side of the field. A mewling gasped escaped me as both glanced in my direction while they removed all weapons and armor for this session.

“Oh!” Cole drawled. “It is the annoying cat that skulks around the residence.” he told Sert loudly.

“Maybe facing him would be more your speed than facing a trained soldier?” Sert suggested back.

“Or a better challenge for you facing wild fangs and claws?” Cole retorted. My ears burned with anger as I heard their comments. I was on the verge of walking out and challenging both of them to prove myself to be part of Lord Kestrel's retinue permanently. Their soft merry laughter halted my step and my anger.

“Let us just practice this unarmed combat form while we have the chance before all the running around tomorrow.” Sert stated between laughs. “If we have time, we can test the kitten to see if we should continue ignoring his presence within our household.” he continued easily. Cole shrugged at first before nodding slowly in agreement to his companions deal.

“The winner must be the panther's tester?” Cole countered after a moment of slow nodding.

“Is that agreeable to you, Young Redpath?” Sert asked. I could not find words within my mind at this comment. I am sure my jaw hung loosely ground ward as I felt the eyes of all the cadets and trainers on me at that moment. I forced myself to nod as I gulped to close my mouth nearly trembling with anticipation and wanting to disappear from the view of the others present. “Good.” Sert remarked loudly to the crowd. “The one who bares the noble name of Lord Kestrel should never feel out of place facing a challenge.” he added louder for me.

“Just be nice enough not to beat us down Young Kestrel Redpath.” Cole commented wryly.

I heard the murmur of surprise and awe whispered in the ranks of the Council cadets before noting the soft foot step at my back. My nose already warned me that Captain Curd himself moved up behind me making me stiffen. I turned my head to face him with the rest of my body unmoving while my heartbeat drowned my hearing partially. The Captain smiled cattishly at me but refrained from saluting as he took a place next to me to watch the show. The action in the sandy square was not the typical clawing attacks I learned through my young life. The attacks started with simple fists but progress to kicks, elbows, knees, and throws making it a deadly looking graceful dance like nothing I had seen before. This was all new to me that my observing Lord Kestrel training Sert did not happen before this odd moment.

“I suggest you do not disturb Princess Sara too frequently.” Curd whispered to me. My relaxation of watching the beauty of the sparring melted away to the same stiffness I first felt upon his arrival. “But it is not wrong for you to bring Her word of Lord Kestrel's journey since she cannot know of them directly.” he continued in the frozen lip whisper. “If you understand my suggestion to you.”

“I cannot speak of things I have never seen.” I commented defensively. Curd sighed softly.

“None of the Feral would even attempt stopping you leaving with Lord Kestrel.” he stated silently.

“Why would this be?” I growled back. I felt the heat of redness in my cheeks but it was not embarrassment but sheer anger making me boil.

“You would do it anyways.” he returned. A small purring chuckle escaped him making me turn to face Captain Curd. I saw his eyes looked sad and the smell of fear seemed to be coming from him. “You will do whatever you put your mind to and none of us have a chance of stopping you short of killing you.” he told me. His tone was still a whisper but sounded at a normal tone to me. “Most of the Guards have only been spotting you after the fact little kitten.” he continued. “A feat that none of us would even consider how you did it.” I stared into his eyes for but a moment before nodding silently to him. My eyes returned to the training field to see both Sert and Cole dropping to their knees, breathing hard, and showing the forfeit symbol.

“If this is your best,” I remarked loudly, “I think my training will be exciting as part of Lord Kestrel's household.”

“Well said Young Redpath.” Curd stated at my side. “Now do we show these Council Cadets, what claws and fangs can do?” he asked. His words were followed by a derisive purring laughter I could not ignore.

“When you are ready, I will face you without fear as I represent Lord Kestrel's claws and fangs.” I retorted. The gulp from the Cadets was like an earthquake hitting us but more importantly was the look of acceptance from Sert and Cole at my words. I did not fair half as well as either of the other two members of my newly accepted household's draw against each other facing off with the Tiger Captain. I lost without question but at least escaped serious injuries at the claws of vicious fighter. The Cadets still looked at me in awe as I walked off the field to face both Sert and Cole without fear.

“That was truly an awful performance.” Sert stated seriously.

“You join the training group in the morning with Sert, the afternoon with Meli, and with me in the evening.” Cole decided instantly. “We need you up to speed as quickly as possible.” he added with a little smirk.

“Need all your house guards able to face any opponent victoriously.” Curd commented. “Best you also take a fourth session every other day with the five Guard groupings.” he suggested. “I want a true challenge for our next official sparring session.” he added purring.

“As is your will Captain Curd!” I responded quickly. I gave him a quick salute that made gasps rise from the onlookers. It took me a moment to realize that I was not alone in my salute to the Captain. Both Sert and Cole joined my in my salute before we walked together back to, what was now, my home.