I had found a way of observing events directly in Lord Kestrel’s den from a very secretive vantage point between the rafters in the ceiling. It also allowed me to travel through most of the first floor without being seen while still seeing and hearing everything happening. This is how I discovered of this missions first but it didn’t help me much at this exact moment. It was so sudden a departure that even I, with my increased speed and stealth skills, nearly missed the ship. Thanks to the Captains’ diligence and the quick actions of mostly the Ferret troops, I was able to board as the mooring ropes were being released. The trip was not that hard on me even with the few storms we rode through. I was still a touch surprised having to swim to shore following the longboat used to drop Kestrel and company at the tip of this southern peninsula. I can’t say that I dislike swimming since it’s a favorite pastime for panthers and Panther Guards alike, but the water felt much colder than what I was used to. I really had no time to dry off as I started pursuing them the second I reached the shore. I had caught up to them within a day and reverted to following by eyes instead of my nose from this point on.
This was greatest mistake so far as what I followed through a mountain pass was nothing but an illusion. I was just across the pass unseen when the image dissipated from existence before my very eyes. My nose told me the rest as no scent of their present meet my sensitive nostrils. “A test from my master to prove my worth as part of his retinue.” I mentally told myself. I knew that even with my memory of the mission plan this would not be easy for me to find where I needed to go. “Gather information and compare it to what I remember of the pieces of briefing I over heard.” I stated in a half whisper to myself. Remaining in the shadows and the natural cover of this mountain pass, I slowly and stealthily moved deeper onto the other side of the mountain heading hopefully in the right direction.
“Leave my grand daughter alone!” was my first warning that trouble brewed. The old man waved a staff toward lightly armored guards who held a young girl in their midst. Their lustful scent lay heavily on the light breeze rising my ire. One old man with only a stick trying to defend a young girl from a half dozen aroused guards was not something I could turn away from without betraying my Master.
“Let them do what they want grand father. We’ll still be alive afterwards.” The girl screamed between sobs and shrieks. The so-called guards said nothing as two held the girl while pawing at her. I had enough seeing this evil spectacle and moved instinctively to interfere enough to stop it. Avoiding their blades, I was nothing more than a black blur striking them down starting with those holding the girl. My speed and feral fury gave me only an edge in avoiding damage but I lack strength to put them down with a single hit like Lord Kestrel and the rest of his team could have done easily.
“That witch girl summoned an animal demon!” one guard screamed before I was able to silence him. I did not use my claws as a deep part of me wished to do to these cretins. This was not Atlantis where my status as a member of the Royal Guard bloodline would protected from repercussions from them being turned into corpses. By the time half the guards had been knocked unconscious, the last few thought it best to flee.
“Who and what came to be my grand daughter’s savior?” The old man asked as he collected his charge who’s eyes remained locked on my form. I nearly bolted wordlessly but another guard more heavily armored was approaching too quickly. He was suddenly at my side looking toward where the few escapees had ran. I was frozen between making my own escape or preparing to fight for my life.
“Hoping you are of Atlantian blood and not of infernal origins.” the new guard stated. His gaze moved slowly from the path to lock with my eyes. Only his bright green human eyes were visible to me from his masked face. “And thank you for routing bandits pretending to be guards.” he added with a small nod of his head. It took a moment for my mind to register that this man was a potential ally and friend.
“I am known as Kestrel of the Redpath clan.” I told him quickly. I tentatively held out a hand in greeting as I had seen Lord Kestrel do to other foreigners. The mask was slowly lifted from his face showing it as part of his helmet. Green eyes marked with dark patches of lacking sleep was the first thing I noticed. Lines of stress made his face look older than this man actually was. A thin lipped mouth, slightly chubby bare cheeks and brows of a rusty brown color that hinted at reddish hair. His body was slightly bulkier than Lord Kestrel but that could simply be the bulky armor he wore.
“I am Hawke, a cavalier sent to assist in take down the bandits.” he replied slowly as he shook my extended hand. He finally smiled and seemed to relax after sharing names and hand shaking form of greetings. “What brings one of your stature to our lands far from home?” he added with a quick glance at the old man and girl standing nearby silently immobile. I turned and bowed to them slowly to dispel the shock that seemed to have taken these simple travellers.
“I am following my teacher and Master secretly.” I stated honestly.
“And this old man is your teacher?” Hawke returned. I could see the confusion on his face.
“No, my Master has sent me on a fools errand following a false vision of himself and his small retinue.” I admitted. “He has important meetings in one of the cities in the area.” I added as explanation. I revealed the name of the city while also letting him know that I lacked a map of this area to orient myself in finding Lord Kestrel.
“Always rushing to reach owns goal is well known to me young squire Kestrel.” the soldier stated. A hand was placed on my shoulder Which I presumed as a form of comforting action. My instincts whispered to not shrug off this touch from a stranger. “We should join forces and escort these citizens to the next checkpoint safely.” he suggested with a nod toward the motionless duo. I nodded my agreement walking with him towards the old man and his grand daughter. Her eyes had not stop staring at me blankly.
“You are safe now, you can relax.” I told her. She remained blankly staring at me in silence. Neither her scent or her face betrayed any emotions that had her gaze frozen on my hybrid human panther form. I gently shook her shoulder hoping to illicit some reaction from her in vain. I glanced at the old man who looked worried but not fearful of her empty reaction.
“I’ll get her back on the cart if you can assist me, sir.” the old man said softly. I motioned him to lead the way as I easily scooped the girl up and carried her to the cart. She grappled to my neck as her eyes remained locked on my face in silence. Even after placing her on the wagon’s seat, she twisted around to keep her eyes upon me. I made sure as the wagon started moving again that I remained slightly in front of her seat to keep her from injury by falling out of the wagon. Hawke took a position walking next to me which was a bit a surprise to me since it seemed like a bad tactical ideal.
“She seems rather smitten on you.” the cavalier whispered to me. “You should try talking to her and see what happens.” he suggested. With a gentle elbow to my side, he motions with his head towards the girl. He moved afterwards to the other side of the cart quickly after his attempt to advise me. I dropped back to be walking directly beside her hoping words might relieve her shocked state.
“My name is Kestrel.” I told her. “And you are?” I continued easily. She actually gasped at my request.
“But we know each other.” she whispered back to me. “At least I remember this event as if time is repeating itself.” she muttered. I looked at her not recognizing her or holding any memories of our meeting.
“A prophetic dream perhaps?” I suggested without disbelieving her feelings. “I have but meet you today which is why your name is a mystery to me.” I explained showing that I didn’t share her memory of knowing each other. A shy smile and blush touched her face.
“Redpath clan are a small portion of the feline royal guards of Atlantis but you, Kestrel, are the self proclaimed honor guard to a certain Lord Kestrel that wears many a name.” she told me as her eyes remained looking at me. This was not her reading my mind since I do know the feeling of another consciousness crawling around my head. It was my turn to stare blankly at her. “Sorry, I am Dia and my grand father is called Greyman.” she finally continued during my stunned silence. “Everything so far has been like reliving a memory to me that last nearly three months.” she admitted to me. “I doubted my own thoughts until you appeared like a black storm of justice my dearest friend.”
“This would be hard for most people to accept.” I finally told her. “I do not doubt in your belief but I have never heard of a seeress that could clearly see events on such a long range of time. “I admitted softly. I unconsciously purred under my breath as part of my mind slipped into a pensive state.
“You are overthinking again like when you discovered your princess’ little secret.” she rebuked me flashing me a mischievous grin. “Every time you purr like that, you are thinking too much.” she stated directly at me. My mind went blank as I truly realized how well she knew me which was impossible. “Do not worry you will learn all my secrets soon enough kitty.” she concluded with a gleeful giggle.
I could not argue or debate her knowledge at this moment. She knew who I was and some if not all of my secrets. I would have to be cautious around her. Lord Kestrel would possibly understand this event but it is beyond my understanding which warns me to be cautious with this girl’s future knowledge. The rest of the trip to the checkpoint was done in silence. The few guards that spotted us seem to rouse ready to defend the pass until they spotted cavalier Hawke walking with us. They silently studied me while keeping a cautious distance from me. A soft growling sigh escaped me as my preferred stealthy approached would prevent this observation that grated on my nerves.
“Best to go unseen than noticed when one cannot appear human.” she whispered to me. I had barely notice her disembarking from the cart to stand close to me. She took my hand in hers. “Stay close to me since one of those bandits escaped to here.” she informed in the same whispered tone. “I will explore the Way Stores here with squire Kestrel as my escort.” she told her grand father. He nodded back before she dragged me passed the overly interested guards.
“I’ll meet you at the far side of the checkpoint enclave.” Hawke screamed to my back. The attention of the guard quickly shifted from Dia and me passing between to Hawke’s casual way to speak with me. “Noble Atlantian squires do not need us glaring at them like they are aberration soldiers!” I heard him state before leaving the range of his booming voice. Pulled through the street feeling more like a pet than a guard was when I finally truly knew and accepted the fact I was out of my depths completely.
“What is a Way Store?” I asked hesitantly. Acceptance of my lot as a stranger in a strange land lead me to question and learn to understand this foreign world that is so far removed from my homelands. Her answer came in the form of a merry giggle as she increased her pace gliding around groups of pedestrians with a dexterity equal to all feline guards. This small bit of time spent with Dia had me believing her words more easily as her movements were mirrors of my own. This could only have been learned from a feline guard which her own words stated it was from me this knowledge was gained. All doubts about her knowing me were evaporating quicker than I thought possible but, something about all this still felt wrong to me. I would not discover why until much later in our combined pathway we walked.
“You can find these types of stores in most Outposts. Checkpoints. Layover Stations. Caravaneer Towns, and in every Way Stations through the respectable kingdoms.” she told me as we reached our destination. It appeared more as a mass storage area like are found at the edges of Atlantis between the harbour and city proper. The etching on the banner over the open entrance was illegible to me which was not truly a surprise to me since I could barely read Atlantian script. “You can find goods from through the kingdoms even some rare ingredients and items that are nearly impossible to find in the kingdom they originate from.” she explained smiling. A look akin to a person suffering a fever gleamed in her eyes at this moment as she dragged me into the expansive building. The nearly over powering mix of smells was the first thing that touched me. It was not an unpleasant mixture of smells but it would take hours before my nose was of any use to me after exiting this stagnant pool of aromas. “And this is why I stop at every Way Store along any path I travel with my grand father.” she revealed as we stood before a display of prepared food. She pointed in a quick repeating sequence from a section of meat, to a section of cheeses, and to a section of pastries. “It is the only place to find these meals outside of cooking it myself, which is not as good.” she added with a sigh.
“I believe your versions are just as good.” I counter quickly. I hope she realized the confidence I had in my words for her. “The genius chef on Atlantis says that a person’s cooking is always the best because the skills they use comes from their true spirit.” I continued, attempting to explain my thoughts to her. “Especially when the person they serve their cooking to is truly important to them.”
“This is a new discussion for me.” Dia replied slightly confused. “And thank you.” she added in a whisper. Her cheeks reddened at this point as she avoided looking at me directly.
“Could this mean that we’ve changed our pathway from your memories?” I asked pensively. I was purring but it was not because I was thinking. I was happy that my words had made her blush for some unknown reason. “Was it a vision or did something toss you back to our first meeting?” I continued. Her face had scrunched up from, what I presumed was, deep thoughts. I waited as she thought and slowly glanced around the area.
“Everything else is the same.” she started slowly. “And I may have only thought the last words I spoke this time because I feel so close to you.” she admitted, her blush brightened. “I wonder if I will forget that three month we had once this new three month rewrites it?” she asked in a whisper. “I am unsure if I was tossed back or by whom, only that I did.”
“You do not doubt having lived this life before even if we are already altering it with this very discussion, correct?” I returned. I thought it logical that discussing of a secondary set of event equaled a new pathway in itself for her. She smiled and started laughing softly. It was impossible not to see the sudden happiness that flooded through her at my simple declaration. She selected a large portion of the three meals and haggled down the price to nearly half, before we slowly walked around the rest of the store while slowly eating. This was the moment I corrected and reinforced many of the details she had learned about me during her first trip through this momentary timeline. The next major change she noted was the escaped bandit that did not get a chance to attack her this time. The scrapping sound of his foot as he bolted towards her with the few heavier steps was easy for me to hear. I shadow met a flurry of palm strikes to his mid section a few paces away from her. The one guard that had been dogging our step was upon him after my strike stunned the bandit.
“Commander Hawke thought one might have infiltrated this checkpoint and would target the young lass.” this guard informed me. “Thank you for making it easy for me.” he added. He gave me a quick salute before dragging the unconscious bandit away whistling casually a merry tune.
“You have and will touch many hearts by being yourself.” Dia commented. She had taken my hand in hers tightly. “I believe this is a change that should have happen during my first time through this moment.” she stated looking directly in my eyes. What occurred was a shock that I did not even considered possible. She kissed me. Not on my cheek but on my mouth. Rubbing cheeks, touching noses, and even gentle nibbles or licks were common ways the felines showed affection but never a kiss. It ways not only new but so sudden an action that my body and mind went perfectly numb unable to think or react. I believe she felt the same as she stared at me in silence immobile.
Neither of us seemed to notice the crowd moving around us commenting on our moment. A mixture of words ranging from “good couple” to “disgusting” floated around us as we stood simply staring deeply into each others eyes lost in ourselves. What was in actuality nothing but a few mere seconds felt like a lifetime to me in that moment. I did not understand this bubbling cauldron of emotions rising up in me in that frozen instance we shared. I wanted to ask her if she felt the same but I could not speak a single syllable. Was this the emotion they referred to as love?
“My grand father should be at far side of the enclave to continue our journey, my kitty.” she finally spoke. “It is not far from here and I know Hawke will want words with you before we leave.” she informed me. She snuggled into my side holding tightly on my arm as we meandered towards the our goal. It felt natural to have her clinging to my side with her head leaning on my shoulder as we walked. A shadow still lingered in the back of my mind but nothing tangible for me to grasp and hold onto. It was my instincts feeling this dread similar to the sense of an invisible predator poised to strike. I left this in the back of my mind dwelling more on the storm of emotions this young girl made stir within me.
“From your word cavalier, you truly believe he’s an Atlantian Royal Guard?” I heard Greyman asking. “He does not exactly act like someone of that nature.” he added before any replies were given.
“He is of the right form to be one of them and has acted very nobly as is rumored of Atlantians.” Hawke answered slowly. “I have found no reason to doubt my perceptive decision about the feline.”
“My grand daughter has spoken of having meet him and living many months around Kestrel.” the old man told him. “This frightens me because of how she speaks so highly of him even if she has just meet him.” he continued softly. “Every essence of my being tells me to trust him like Dia does but something feels out of sort.” he admits.
“We both sense something amiss wise Greyman.” I stated as we neared.
“Even my memories of these previously lived events are being changed grand father.” Dia said quickly after me.
“So we all have an odd feeling presently?” Hawke interjected. We all glanced at each other with quick confirming nods. “Then my plans are to accompany your group and lead Squire Kestrel to the city his Master will be heading towards.” he told us with no room to question it.
“I will happily accept your gracious offer.” I returned. Greyman also accepted as easily as I did.
“I truly have no say in this matter since the only two being I would take advice from have agreed.” Dia stated still clinging to me.
“We will be raising many an eyebrow during the trip with such an odd combinations of heraldic characters.” the cavalier stated. “Have you ever ridden a horse squire?” he asked me.
“I can walk more effectively than riding any form of beast, sir.” I admitted quickly.
“Good, we will not look like a minor band of performers.” he replied with a chuckle. He whistled for his steed which he mounted and we were off. Grayman and Dia in the driving seat of the small wagon followed Hawke’s mount while I walked on Dia’s side of the wagon.
I did not realize how much people would react to seeing a hybrid beast like myself walking around their lands and roadways. Farmers in the fields would stop working to stare at me as we passed. It was disconcerting to me and my new traveling companions seemed to notice and understand. I started to wave and give quick bows to those that watched me with fear, confusion, shock, and curiosity. Dia giggled as she took in what I was doing,
“We do truly look like a traveling troop of performers.” she noted with glee. “The strongman Hawke at the front with the wise wizardly old man driving the wagon with his young assistant.” she continued. “And the beast man acrobat at our side.”
“If it makes them look lest harshly upon us, I will accept my part of a spectacle.” I replied slowly.
“It’s not a bad thing to be seen young squire.” Hawke commented from ahead of us. “Makes it less likely to be attacked or delayed if we are so blatantly visible.”
“Yes, but constantly being under scrutiny is nerve wracking.” Greyman returned. I glanced at the old man noticing tension on his face. He was as uncomfortable with this situation as I was, or at least I thought. I was only partially correct in my thoughts about the grand father’s discomfort. “We will find a way of hiding your distinct look squire.” he concluded with a nod.
“I would be very grateful for this kindness.” I replied quickly.
“I believe it better that all see your true form Kestrel.” Dia remarked. She turned to look at me. “Cautious reaction and leery looks are more apt than you could ever perceive.” she whispered just loud enough for me to hear her words.
“Showing your true self is more honorable than hiding oneself.” Hawke agreed with her.
“But his nature is to dwell in shadows ready to act nobly while going unnoticed by all.” Greyman retorted. “It is a part of his strength and truth, cavalier.” he added quickly.
“Wise words sir Greyman and greatly appreciated.” he returned softly. “Bringing too much attention to myself will not help me find my Master stealthily as I must.” I continued slowly and hesitantly. “I was not assigned to accompany him directly.” Kestrel admitted. I heard Dia gasp at my revelation.
“You are being a bad kitty going off without permission.” she chided me. “I will make sure to punish you for this later.” she added. She glared sternly at me as she spoke causing me to feel fear. A deep rumbling chuckle escaped from her grand father. This little moment of anger, fear, and mirth made our mood shift to a more relaxed state. Only the lingering shadow at the back of mind also seemed to dissipate from this small release of tension. I did not need to be told that this event was new to her memories. If the kiss had not occurred, I would never have been willing to admit my independent action of following Lord Kestrel on this mission.
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