Kestrel's Journals: Ann’Anka Anccilar & Annabadurziagkia, Ancient One of the Five Elements (7)

 We were dropped off on a peninsula with the limited amount of gear we could carry in this sudden mission cooked up from the Council of Atlantis. Meli constant attempt to redirect us through mountain passes that I, and anyone with me, would be attacked on sight was being ignored. I was happy that Sertian realized that I had a good reason to avoid these easy passes that would reduce our travel time by many months. His blind belief and confidence in me was also a problem but I could accept a bit of dependency from him since he could easily think his way out of situations. Meli still held a more brash and reckless behavior pattern in comparison to Sert’s military trained mind. We were nearly a week into the journey before Meli started questioning Sert's and my direction ideals. These barely noticeable pathways annoyed her to no end since she could not see them or get the land to tell her about them.

“I am sure we passed by, at the very least, three passes that would easily allow us to cross the mountain and be within a day or two of the city.” she protested. We were setting up camp on the fifth evening of travel.

“It is not a secure pass for us.” I retorted calmly.

“The city is just on the other side of this mountain range?” she asked. She was pointing at the mountain chain beside our campsite.

“Yes.” I replied casually. “But those mountain are not something we should be climbing unless rushed by creatures that could actually destroy me.” I added under my breath. I doubt she heard me. I didn’t wish to mention that Young Redpath was already in the city waiting for us after following an illusion I had created. To my pleasant surprise, Sert spoke at this moment.

“But the path leads this way.” he assured her. He vaguely motioned along the general foothills of the mountains we followed. “Our path may not be on the maps, but appears much safer than attempting what appears as an easier route.” he continued casually. “The paths you are suggesting.” he clarified simply and bluntly.

“Do you agree Lord Kestrel?” she asked formally. This showed to me more clearly than reading her feelings would about her anger and petulance at being ignored during this supposed short trip that was growing longer daily.

“Yes!” I snapped back. “The easier path you suggest would have us turned away or forced to battle through.” I bluntly explained. I was only partially annoyed at her. Something else had my mind preoccupied. I felt something of my inkling watching us. “It is a path I would have selected if I was alone since this mission is forced upon my shoulders.” I clarified quickly.

“It is funny how his duties to the Council prevents Cole from accompanying us this time.” Meli replied harshly.

Having a secondary so-called woman along always makes travel more exciting and entertaining.” Sert returned quickly. I couldn’t help myself but chuckle at this comment. Meli glared at us openly.

“Flower is nothing but a pain!” she snapped at us. I continued chuckling under my breath at this. I doubt that Sert was not doing the same at Meli’s indignation. “I still think the Council assigned it to us to drive us all crazy!” she forcibly stated.

“He was assigned because Sertian's role was removed from their hands by The Holy Heart Annianka herself.” I said calmly.

“Much happier being your honor guard and student than your keeper Lord Kestrel.” Sert agreed easily. “Sorry Sir, Lord Mêkëa.” he corrected himself.

“Thank you for reminding that I have gained another name.” I retorted with a sarcastic smile.

“Why do you have so many different names in other lands?” Meli asked softly. They stared quietly at me hoping I would give them a more acceptable answer.

“If my ship would have arrived upon Atlantis in proper order instead of sinking like a rock, I would not be known as Kestrel at this time.” I admitted slowly. “I would have introduced myself and be registered with the name Melchia as I am known in most of the outside world.” I explained easily. “But this name is disliked by those that live and guard these mountains.” I conceited to them. “A bad omen having me return to these lands by the Council’s whim.” I added.

“But why was Kestrel not the choice you used?” Meli persisted. Sert cleared his throat uncomfortably at her question.

“He was not given the choice.” he stated sombrely. “Colêsträ used it while arranging these negotiation meetings.” he revealed slowly.

“So I gain a new name to use when I am away from Atlantis in the future.” I interjected with a shrug. “But we should get sleep since it will be a long walk in the morning and the next few days to reach a safe mountain pass that we can use without complications.” I added. Meli actually stuck her tongue out at my words. Sert sighed and shook his head while staying out of the verbal comments. Meli pointed one last time to the mountains as I felt her begging us to cross directly here. I stretched out and feigned closing my eyes in sleep. I truly must have eventually passed out. My companions had remained that silent. When I awoke, it was that unearthly presence and something missing in my immediate surroundings that tugged my mind awake. Meli’s presence was gone and a visual check proved she was not masking her presence from me.

“Sert!” I called angrily. “Meli is being a fool and trying to climb those mountains alone.” I informed him. I grabbed my bags and rushed to follow her. I heard Sertian’s following me close with only a few missteps unlike my surefooted steps in the moonless darkness. We were both visually scanning the surface of the mountains to find a hint of which path she had started up on.

“There!” Sert exclaimed. He pointed to a nearly imperceptible spot around a hundred cubits up from our location. She was about halfway to the false peak above us. She moved slowly toward an ice and snow covered bluff. “The striation in the snow makes me think she is heading for a hidden outcropping that turns into a deep dropping crevice.” he added as explanation. I swore under my breath before we rushed upward. We moved like spiders quickly closing the distance between Meli and us. To our boon, Meli was using her limited Earth-sense to find hand and foot holds in the mountains face making her move much slower. But even this would not allow us to reach her before she crested the crevice edge and dropped possibly to her death. I stopped climbing and let Sert fly passed me.

“I hope this trick Annianka gave me works.” I told myself. My mind touched the small stone hanging at my neck refocusing on my true winged form. Something awoke in that stone and touched my mind back at that moment. “A piece of the Heartstone!” He mentally noted and cursed myself over. I launched from the mountain’s surface and allowed my stardust wing to become visible and at their full strength. I still cursed myself for such brash an action as I flapped my wings once. I was rocketed passed Sertian and was easily closing the gap by the second upon Meli. My hands found her light as my wings still had more lift than required to reach this height. I spotted the ledge as I shot nearly to the full height of the mountain range. I easily used my wings to gently touch down upon that ledge within meters of Meli’s rescue spot. Sert was watching as he climbed and easily shifted his aim to reach the ledge I now stood upon with Meli. I half turned towards the blind drop she was climbing to. I focused my energy while pushing away the thing within the stone weighing heavier at my neck now. My hand rose easily as the energy swirled in an invisible ball between my cupped fingers.

“Why did you do that?” Meli shrieked at me. “I could have been across...” She started to protest. Her words feel silent as I released my energy at that false peak. A mix of snow and shards of ice exploded inwards revealing the jagged edge she was on the verge of crossing. Her mouth moved soundlessly as she stared at this natural death trap she nearly fell prey to. The debris luckily missed hitting Sert as he had moved much faster than she was able to climb along these stone and ice surfaces. My skilled companion reached the ledge a few second later. The sight he witnessed was a stunned to silence Meli and me trying to get the thing in the stone at my neck to sleep again. I was kneeling upon the icy ledge repeating a mantra of “Sleep little stone.” in an unending cycle.

Best we get out of this wind if we wish to survive the night.” he reminded us. I was truly proud how he took control of this situation as I fought a demon both outside and inside my own self. Ancient wounds ached and screamed at my mind while Sert physically lifted Meli by her shoulder straps to force her towards the rock face. I was unsure what his thoughts at this moment were but, with a trickle of power, I created a cave deep enough to protect us but shallow enough to escape it easily in the morning. I forced myself to my feet while still repeating this oddly simple mantra to the stone weight at my neck. My eyes had already changed without my doing into the twin swirling stars spinning in utter blackness. Sert said nothing about this change he had noted in my face. But as I dropped once more to my knees within our created shelter still murmuring that dreaded mantra, I noticed the fear in Sert’s eyes. I could not allow this event to be remember as it had actually occurred.

I ignored everything around me creating a null moment to form tightly around my companions. Hours passed as I cajoled that slice of darkness within the Heartstone at my neck to slumber once more but to my companions barely a second had elapse since I had collapsed to my knees in the cave. I stopped their minds in that instant. I slowly drew them back to the moment before I allow Sert to pass me. I began rewriting their memories of the event leading to a rescue of Meli on the edge just slight above this ledge we now camped upon and within. I took this cursed stoned from my neck and created a silk warding bag with the knowledge I had gained from the Ley'ä'Luna themselves. I stuffed and sealed that vile thing within the bag and wrapped it tightly before hiding it away inside my private gear. A very clever idea came at that moment to make sure none would suspect that I had disposed of this poisoned stone.

Nearly a year ago, I had pilfered an Atlantian amplification stone from Bryan engineering friend Deas. I used a simple glamory to have it appear like the Heartstone that was now sealed away with a part of that shadowy darkness. Using my own mimicking ability, I even had it “feel” like the same sleeping stone that had hung around my neck upon departing for this little adventure. This new stone that was benign but could give my companion a small rise in their limited abilities away from Atlantis would be indistinguishably different as it hung at my neck. The sudden chill along my skin and spine was sensed too late. That secondary equal force was here with me in the shallow cavern campsite.

“You seem to have found something brother.” the woman that now sat across from me cackled. I glared back at her feign innocent look I knew too well.

“This is not your concern Callistra!” I retorted bluntly.

“Not happy to see me?” she asked coyly. “I am your only true sister by blood big brother Genin.” she supplied softly. “And our masters are worried about your lack of reports regarding Atlantis.” she continued more seriously. “They, it, whatever, sent me to check on you just in case you needed help.” she admitted. I could see the look of boredom and treachery in her black starless eyes.

“None of their concern either.” I returned blankly. “I will report once I have undeniable proof of the source of Diluvium corruption in this section of Mother’s body.” I added blocking her typical complaints.

“If the entity sitting in the Heartstone of Atlantis is the monster Elyria and you released from the lab, then we have a problem brother.” she gently stated to me.

“Because of the sliver of a Ley'ä'Luna entrenched in Atlantis is directly linked to the Heartstone.” I concluded her thought. “Have you found the ‘Balance’ personification yet?” I mused with a derisive smirk at her. Her hissing growl of a reactions as her eyes turned into blazing red suns was a priceless way to regain some good humor after the late night rescue, reprogramming, and dark discovery. I would never admit to her or the ones both of us pretended to work for what I had finally discovered without any doubt that monster. Ann'Anka Anccilar had some how ended up withing the Atlantian Heartstone and was slowly corrupting this world. She would lead them to the darkness while setting them up to destroy each other without mercy or reason.

“Whatever you did to draw and split the last Ley'ä'Luna from the moment it tried to enter the spark in their temple has made it impossible for anyone to track her parts.” she sputtered at me. I could feel her anger was still rising and flaring in palpable waves increasing in intensity every second she remained staring at me. I still never understood why she saw a spark and not the pillar of light I witnessed there in the void. I was present when she was stolen and was the instrument that stole her at the same moment but billions upon billions of years separated these two events. It often would replay in the back of his mind as I used the Ancient Ones to summon her forth while making sure she would split and would mostly remain a lesser power in this new future world.

It took much cajoling on my part to convince my adoptive mother, Ishtar, the Ancient goddess of Passion, to summon an elemental avatar named Annabadurziagkia with the claims that she would be the hope of the world that Gaia had created. An option that was required as the Ancient Ones decided unanimously to remove themselves from this world’s dominance after they were weakened by their war with the Old Ones. I was even selected the five Ancient goddesses to represent the elements and the two Ancient gods to be the aspect of light and darkness to give the avatar balance. Ishtar stood for fire and the passion of the avatar. Gaia stood for earth and the spark of creation. Ocea stood for water and the adaptability of the flow. Mystral stood for air and movement. Brigit stood for spirit and wisdom. Medea stood for light and order. I myself, as Alal, stood for darkness and chaos. As they weaved the spell I had created for them, I reached across time through a five-pointed temporal vortex to snatch the last Ley'ä'Luna, the last “Light of Life”, from the instant of time I had seen her ripped out of existence as a child. The tricky part came as I pulled her into this reality while turning the one spell into individual shards of magic from the five goddesses.

“Joy” formed for fire a passion linked to Ishtar. “Hope” formed for earth and the spark of the Ley'ä'Luna linked to Gaia. “Wisdom” formed for spirit and law linked to Brigit. “Depression” formed for air and movement linked to Mystral. And finally, “Balance” formed for water and the flow between the other four linked to Ocea. Before Balance could fully form, I plucked her once more out of time and tossed the tip of the temporal vortex a head in the time line. I was not trying to actual place this last piece anywhere specific. I let my gift of foresight to guide Balance to the spot of greatest need for her and the last “Light of Life” reforming. But now one of my worse fears was put to rest since I first awoke on Atlantis to see Hope in front of me. Balance did no sit within the Heartstone of Atlantis disrupting the hands of her counterpart Hope that resided and ruled there.

“Go about your business sister Genia, and leave me to mine.” I stated blankly.

“As you wish.” she exclaimed angrily. “But remember what your business is here, brother Genin.” she reminded me. An evil twinkle gleamed in her fully black eyes before she blinked out of existence. Finally alone with Sert and Meli, I restarted their minds with the new memories in place. I let Sert chide Meli for her actions as I feigned sleep in the cave I had created without either of my companions remembering any of the events that had truly transpired. It was a slow climb down from this ledge in the morning as I watched from behind during our descent. Once our gear was collected and redivided between us, we returned to our route along the edge of the foothills of this mountain range.

Redpath's Journals: Jäzærha (7)

 “We should follow to watch over Lord Kestrel.” I stated bluntly. I was staring at the closed door for a few minutes before the thought had formed in my head. Sert’s hand grasped my shoulder. I looked back at him to see that, like me, he stared blankly at the closed door. He didn’t even turn as he answered me.

“The Palace will be crowded like never before to witness the return of Captain Jäzærha.” he explained slowly. “We would not be able to even enter there on our own laurels.” he continued softly. “We must believe that Lord Kestrel can handle himself properly without our assistance.” he concluded. His grip tightened on my shoulder.

“I can find a way in.” I protested. “At the very least, I can watch over Kestrel for all of us.” I concluded firmly.

“Without wings, I do not see that possibility.” he replied.

“I don’t need wings to fly since I am a cat, I can climb and leap.” I retorted.

“Then go but don’t say that I didn’t warn you that this time it is an impossibility for us regular beings to interfere directly.” he stated easier. He slowly released his grip on my shoulder and I was out the door and rushing to reach the Royal Palace of Atlantis. I was fast enough to see Lord Kestrel being escorted into the newly built Atlantian Royal Court. Sert was correct that all the entrances were overcrowded with no chance to easily slip into the building. This did not dissuade me as I moved to climb up the empty side of the new construction. It took some skill to reach the second set of windows that looked into the upper tier gallery for those fortunate enough to be allowed into the great hall. The top nobles would be upon the main floor in a greeting line for the Ferret Captain’s return. I climbed to the roof of the gallery deck, I ran along it to reach where the Royal Dais sat with the larger open area to greet noble foreign dignitaries and Atlantians petitioning the Crown.

It would be a minor amount of time scaling across the side from here to be able to perch on a window sill closest to where Lord Kestrel would be standing. I check upon reaching the halfway mark of the Court Room as it had now been commonly called in Atlantis. To my shock, Lord Kestrel stood nearly at the front of the line next to Prince Bryan which meant I needed to reach the second column of windows to be at his proverbial back. I move quickly but cautiously as below me patrolled a mix of Royal and Counsel Guards. I reached it just as the Scheneshal announced the Captains name to the gathering. My luck was good as the window closest to Kestrel was cracked open enough for me to listen as well as see the proceedings bellow. I couldn’t see the entire line that was half hidden under the second tier gallery but the murmurs spoke of a bronze skinned woman that was nearly as tall as a short Atlantian.

As Jäzærha came into view, I could agree as she walked with one hand upon his left forearm like a courting couple would normally do. With all the murmurs I discovered that her name had not been revealed to the assembly by the often absent Captain. This had me thinking "Who is she?", since his latest absent had been extremely lengthy easily longer than Kestrel’s ten year mysterious disappearing act. Hardy hand shakes or quick stiff salutes were being exchanged by Jäzærha and most of the guest while his companion glanced mostly floor ward between the quick glances at the greeters face. I can see his movements held a military stiffness very uncommon for the Ferret Guards renown for their fluid motion. Was this simply a sign of nervousness or caused by his companion? Then he came to stand before Lord Kestrel and I felt tension growing at the nape of my neck. Their hands flashed out nearly at the same moment but not to grasp together. Their hands landed in a firm grip on each others upper forearm. Even from my vantage point, I could see the stiffness melt in Captain Jäzærha as they greeted each other in the warriors hand-binding fashion of long missing brother’s-at-arms. I could barely hear the quick silent conversation between them.

“We can talk personally once this is completed.” Kestrel whispered.

“It would be about time for us to take that opportunity Lord Kestrel.” Jäzærha replied in the same whispering tone level. This was followed by a quick nod before his gaze turned to Prince Bryan. I caught the motion from the corner of my eye. A blur as the Princess’ personal guard Valeria grasped empty air where Princess Sara used to wobbly stand at her side. Before anyone could react in the hall, Sara clung in the free side of Jäzærha’s companion. She shimmied easily up to wrap her legs at her waist and hug tightly at her neck. I heard the strangle gulped that escaped this foreign woman as fear could be smelt from many in the hall.

“She is to be mine!” Sara proclaimed. I had to control the laughter wanting to escape me and make me tumble from my widow sill perch.

“I believe that Young Princess Sara has chosen you to watch over her as Royal Governess.” Kestrel stated above the gasps and murmured comments now filling the hall.

“She is Ichtaca Cuicatl from the Sun Temples.” Jäzærha told the three closest to him. Prince Bryan was silently observing not only his little sister’s behavior but also watching the crowd.

“A Warrior of the Sun and Moon, Ichcui?” Kestrel asked casually over the growing din. She was the only one who reacted to his words. Her eyes grew wide as she stared speechlessly at him. “I see you as a perfect governess to teach young Princess Sara if the King and Queen allow it.” he added. This was his way of given his opinion to the entire court without being impolite to Holy Queen Annianka’s control of this situation. I noticed Prince Bryan stare hard in his father’s direction. King Munin looked bored and annoyed at the entire event.

Kestrel quickly stepped back giving a chance for the Prince of Atlantis to salute the Ferret Captain who responded with a more fluid and easy salute in reply. Once the Prince was done, I saw Kestrel, with a gentle hand upon his shoulder, drawn the Prince out of the crowd that now formed around Jäzærha as the other three Royal Guard Captains fought hard to keep the path to the throne clear for their fellow Captain and his now famous guest. They stood proudly before the King as Captain Jäzærha saluted him in the same stiff way he had responded to most of the guests present. The bronzed woman curtsied most gracefully and fluidly while still trapped in Princess Sara’s full body embrace. Now I could believe this was a truly trained and wise foreign warrior as she moved as if unencumbered in this most taxing situation. With a quick salute without truly looking at the returning Captain, King Munin’s eyes examined this foreign woman with a small smirk upon his face.

“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?” Most Holy Annianka asked directly. “Once agreed, it cannot be undone?” she added. She was stiff in her chair as she glared at her husband. Many rumors circulated about the King’s lecherous and ignoble behavior but none would attempt proving them as real for fear of risking the fury of the throne upon them.

“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?”

I heard one word whispered in the back of my mind in my Queen’s voice: “love”. The King’s word fell short of drawing the attention back upon himself as all those in the greeting line crowded the Captain and bronze skinned lady warrior. With a single withering glance towards the Queen, Munin rose and left the room with slumped shoulders. Princess Sara, Kestrel’s daughter had stolen everything away from him with a childish action that I suspected was planned. She truly showed more of Lord Kestrel wisdom than her supposed father’s pompous folly. As the Holy Queen Annianka rose to her feet, the room turned silent and most pulled back to allow her full view of Jäzærha, Ichcui, and Princess Sara.

“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. Ichcui curtsied deeply to her before Her Holy Highness walking away slowly. Miss Hope and a dozen mixed Royal Guards followed. They had not moved a hair when Munin departed. With her departure, the many discussions began again around the honored guests of the Crown.

“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.” Kestrel reminded everyone loudly. The crowd melted from them instantly as is right for the true hidden King of Atlantis. “Princess Sara's Guard can show you to your new lodging as Governess Ichcui.” he told the bronzed woman. She stared around her at the emptied space before her eyes returned to his. “Jäz and I have much to discuss now that both of us are present together finally.” he explained softly to her. He bowed quickly to her before the other three Captains escorted them quickly towards the doors of the Royal Palace. I scrambled across the window sills to reach the gallery tier’s roof and rushed to the front of the building. I saw them already halfway down the street. I rushed and leapt from roof to roof to catch up to my master and the Royal Guard Captains. The words I heard from Lord Kestrel froze me in my steps for a moment.

“She is linked to our enemies.” he whispered to the foursome.

“Not in her heart.” Jäzærha replied calmly.

“I hope you, Sara, and myself are right about her.” Kestrel retorted back to him. He laughed at these words.

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

“Explain!” Kestrel ordered bluntly with a growl in his voice.

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

“So you all share this information?” my master asked calmly to the Captains.

“Yes.” they each answered in turn.

“And you remain silent about this fact?” he breathed out soft enough that only feral ears could hear him.

“You are the only being with enough honour and wisdom to be accepted as a true King of Atlantis.” Jäzærha replied blankly. “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.” he retorted. I could see the pain and anger in his eyes as he spoke.

“We shall watch over your Princess, your Queen, and your people, even if they cannot outwardly show who is the true King of Atlantis.” they answered in unison. He shook his head in disbelief as a soft accepting smile came to his face.

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

“As you wish it Lord Kestrel.” The Ferret Captain spoke for them. “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 Holy Annianka from being forced into seclusion if at all possible.” he stated seriously to them. They nodded as one again. “Dismissed.” he half whispered to the Captains. A quick nearly secretive salute was their only reply before leaving him. I continued to follow Lord Kestrel back our estate in silence. His footfalls seemed more lively now. I must believe that the revelations given to him by the four Royal Guard Captains had brighten his day greatly. I now could see how he preferred to be respect in secret than be openly heralded before others. This last point of his honor and wisdom had not escaped my eyes. Princess Sara words echoed in my mind as their truthfulness was so clearly evident to me.

Redpath's Journals: Big Sister Meli (6)

 As Lord Kestrel moved slowly with slumped shoulders toward the reception area, the ending event of this all too long day began. Sert entered with a dark annoyed scowl on his normally cheerful face. He was grumbling under his breath and Mekiliean wasn’t with him. I could hear Cole scribbling notes in his room upstairs which I presumed was his report about how the Fairy situation was dealt with fully. A soft imperceptible sigh to normal ears escaped Kestrel’s body.

“What happened Sert?” he stated. Kestrel had not stopped moving as he was headed for his den. I was unsure why going to his den matter at this very moment but it seemed to take precedence in his actions.

“Meli has locked herself in the Royal Kitchen with Chichi.” Sert retorted through clenched teeth. Kestrel stopped and turned to face his first guard. He said nothing as he looked squarely at Sert. I took this moment to move in a shadow closer to the door of the house as my nose could smell Sert’s true worried emotions veiled by false annoyance. “She sounded inebriated.” he added softly. Kestrel closed his eyes for but a moment before bolting through the door with a string of garbled words. Only a very few of these words I recognized which were Atlantian swears.

I helped Sert barely keep up with our master who moved like an unstoppable juggernaut in the nearly empty nighttime streets of Atlantis. I returned to the shadows once we reached the doors to the kitchen but this was after Lord Kestrel had kicked them cleanly open easily. I smelt not only anger but an unworldly scent coming from him, the hint of strong liquor mixed with another unfamiliar blood scent, and the steaming sweat on Sert’s body. What I witness within the kitchen will stay in my memories forever. A trapped look appeared on Meli face at first but was soon replaced with a mischievous grin before she tossed back the content of her glass which ended up shattered in the cooking embers. The bright flash of fire and reek of burning alcohol nearly chocked me at this moment. Both Meli and Sert suddenly froze in their actions like realistic statues. I remained silent in the shadows peering into the kitchen ready to listen to what would be said by my master.

“Have you lost what little mind you have left Famine?” Kestrel bellowed into the now silent room. I could see the blackness oozing like tendrils of smoke from my master’s body. “You were told that the ingestion of Dragon's Blood is not allowed on Atlantis, you fool!” screeched out of Kestrel. His hands now turning into chitin covered talons glowed as lightning played along them. I was frozen in place witnessing this awesome power of my chosen master which truly looked more dreadful than his actions of plucking a Fairy’s wings.

“She wanted to know the effects of Dragon’s Blood so she understood why it is not allowed here.” the foreign head chef returned in a whine. The other two came alive again as Kestrel’s talon fist struck Meli cleanly on her cheek. A squeaking mewl escaped me but none seem to notice. Meli’s body pirouetted once before being caught in Kestrel’s arms. A gurgling gasped escaped Sert at this moment.

“We will have words later Chilörąn!’ Kestrel warned him. He opted to carry Meli’s unconscious body personally back. I didn’t move as they passed by me to return home. I peeked into the kitchen to see the little chef sigh before pulling out another bottle of libation. I rushed to catch up to them now. Sert was still grumbling loudly about teaching the chef a good lesson when Kestrel stopped without turning at him. “I order you to not speak again until I give you permission to speak!” Kestrel barked. I could smell and feel the feral anger radiating from his body. It drowned out all my senses at the sheer level it was at.

With Sert finally silent, I walked nearly with them as we moved at a normal pace to return home. Neither of them seemed to notice as I followed closely up the stairs and into Meli’s room. Lord Kestrel placed Meli gently on her bed which is when I noticed the tear in his eyes. They entire events of the day had been more than he could take and tears ran freely down his cheeks. With a deep breath, he rose and turned in a single graceful motion. He left the room and firmly closed the door at his back. This was when I realized that I was now trapped in Meli’s room.

“Guard this door but do not go into the room no matter what protests or cajoling Meli attempts on you.” I heard Kestrel order. Now my fate was sealed since only I was available to help Meli if she needed assistance during her recovery from the alcohol, Dragon’s Blood, and the master’s firm hand. “I am going to have more direct words with Chichi.” he continued. “Do not make a move against him, understand?” he added bluntly. Then the master’s scent was gone from the door which suggested to me that Sert had agreed to hold his anger in check for now. Now my nose started truly reporting the smells around me. The sweet hint of flowers and bitter herbs were filling my nostrils. Meli moaned a call for Sert who refused to answer her. I crept close to her bed but held my tongue.

“Sert!” she moaned louder. No reply came from the other side of the closed door.

“Best to simply sleep Meli.” I whispered to her.

“I have a kitten to watch over me?” she asked softly. Her hand reached out towards the sound of my voice. I knew her eyes could not truly see me in this dark room while I could still see mostly clear. Her outstretched hand bore no fear for me but what her other hand did was a problem for me. It had grasped at the string holding her clothing on her body.

“You should not be doing that.” I stated under my breath. I did attempt to avoid the sight being exposed to me but my own curiosity had me glance as more of her skin was being revealed to me. Her outstretched hand finally found me in a firm unyielding grasp. My toe claws tried digging into the wooden floor resisting her pulling me onto the bed with her but it was in vain. I curled into a small ball of fur as she clutched me tightly to her exposed bosom. I was lucky enough to flip myself around so I was not facing her.

“You smell so much like this place.” she murmured at my ear. I could smell the heavy stench of alcohol on her breath in this close distance. “You could be like a little brother to me.” she continued. A slight sleepy slur was audible in her voice. “Little brother Redpath that big sister Meli can cuddle with.” she whispered. I could hear that her breathing had started falling into the slower pattern of sleep. Her heart beat was still strong but it had calmed down as she drifted into sleep. Her grip on me took longer to loosen but, as she truly fell asleep. I could have escaped her bed. I opted to stay there purring softly as I myself drifted to sleep with her.

I was awake much earlier than her and silently slipped out of her bed. I walked in slow silence on my padded feet to the door. I listen to hear the sounds of Sert snoring softly on the other side of the door. I opened the door cautiously fearing Sert had slept leaning against the door to make it easier to notice the door opening while still getting rest. My fears proved validated as I had to hold the door more firmly against the weight of Sert’s sleeping form. It took very careful moves on my part to slide out and reclose the door without disturbing the sleeping guard. Once extricated from the room, I lightly shook Sert’s shoulder.

“A guard should not sleep while on duty.” I softly reprimanded him. One of his eyes opened to stare at me.

“And little kitten shouldn’t be in a girl’s bedroom all night.” he returned just as softly. I gulped and blushed. I have always been happy that when a feral guard blushes, it usually goes unnoticed by all others. “And your tail shows me that you are blushing Kitty.” he added. A little smirk formed on his face as I realized my tail had curled up around me when I blushed.

“I did nothing wrong and it was Lord Kestrel himself that left me in the room with big sister Meli!” I retorted quickly. Sert smiled and chuckled at my words. It took a moment for me to know what I had stated and the blush returned to my cheeks, ears, and tail.

“Is it a good feeling to be a little brother?” he asked softly to me. I was thinking about this when the knock on the door came from below us. “We can discuss this later.” he added. He quickly was on his feet signalling me to follow him. He rushed down the stairs to the main door’s of the house. My nose still couldn’t find a trace of Lord Kestrel in the house as I followed. The frantic knocking came again as we landed in the foyer. My sense of smell already told me who was on the other side of our door this early in the morning: Khën, of the Ferret Guards. I had no chance to warn Sertian as he opened the main door.

“Glorious morning to you both!” the ferret announced as he entered.

“What bring you Khën to Lord Kestrel’s mansion this early in the morn?” Sert replied easily. “And in such high spirits?” another smell touched my nose that was both familiar and exotic.

“The last Captain has returned...” I stated softly.

“You are a brilliant kitten Redpath!” he chittered merrily. “He will be landing at the dock soon and rushed to the Palace to meet our new Royal family.” he continued. His nose seemed to have a life of its own as it twitched violently out of his control. “Lord Kestrel must meet him immediately.” he concluded.

“I will go awake Kestrel right away with this wonderful news.” Sert answered. As he tried to turn, I blocked his path.

“The master of the house is not here Sert!” I nearly screamed at him. “I have not sensed his return last night.” I added quickly. I was saved more explanation as the door opened and Lord Kestrel entered. The smell of alcohol still clung to him even if he appeared fully sober but it could have been the bottle in his hand that smelt. Meli was there with us before I noticed her. The only oddness in her was the lack of a mark upon her cheek where Lord Kestrel had struck her.

“What has happened?” Kestrel stated with a small mischievous grin. Khën turned to face him. It was evident that the ferret had spotted the bottle of liquor in Kestrel’s hand. I couldn’t see his face but the slow back step he took spoke volumes of his nervous state. It was not a big surprise to me since dealing with a drunk is a quick way of getting hurt without true intentions. Kestrel simply laughed waving his free hand dismissively at Khëndrâèl while Meli moved to his side.

“Have this bottle placed in a safe place since it is a most potent mix of sake.” he informed Meli. He quickly handed the bottle to her smiling sheepishly. “Relieved it from our alcoholic little chef.” he explained to her in a whisper. She blushed violently and nearly dropped the bottle. “And it is not the stuff he was sharing with you.” he added with a small chuckle. His attention turned to the much more relaxed Khën.

“I bring word that Captain Jäzærha is arriving on a ship shortly.” Khën informed him. “Your 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 merrily. Kestrel still examined the ferret’s face. “He is accompanied by a foreign woman.” he added under his breath. Meli exited the foyer instantly holding the bottle at arms length for her body.

“I must presume that Lord Munin is taking this opportunity to make a Royal assembly filled with pomp and ceremony?” Kestrel returned quickly. He smiled viciously as the ferret nodded his annoyed agreement. With this short exchange, Kestrel was off again following the Ferret Guard out of our door.