With screams from the gate guards of “Our Queen’s Knight returns!”, a pathway opened before us to enter the gate unhindered. A small contingent of guards wearing royal livery sashes escorted us directly to the castle as joyful cheers surrounded us. Young Redpath waved, bowed, and shook hands with the crowd that had appeared along our path to Diadem’s castle. Our momentum did not pause until we reach the castle’s gate where an old man with a staff stood stiffly barring our path. Our feline moved easily to stand facing him in a silent staring contest.
“You took your time returning.” the old man snorted still glaring at young Redpath. “And you bring us company as well?” he added still blocking our way.
“Much needed to be done in Her Highness’s name to prove she truly loves her people.” young Kestrel retorted. “And my guest is the great honorable Envoy of Atlantis, my master and lord.” he continued louder for all to hear. A murmur of amazement crawled around us as the ring of guards suddenly stiffened to a proper military attention. “I don’t have time for this Greyman, Dia’s pet cat Knight must be kneeling before her the moment I enter her city.” he meowed exasperated. The old man started laughing before hugging him.
“You are not pet in her eyes Altantian knightly hero and greatest friend.” Greyman returned patting his back.
“Very happy being meet by you grand father.” the feline returned hugging and patting him back.
“Grand father!” Meli grasped staring blankly forward at the scene.
“A term of endearment possibly.” Sert remarked with a shrug. My laughter flowed around them gaining attention from all of them, my team, Greyman, the royal guards, and even the crowd. “Sir?” my warrior added confused. I dismounted without help landing slightly hard upon my feet before my walking stick was firmly in my grasp touching the ground. I moved slowly forward towards the old man to stand beside my name sake. I bowed deeply before him still smiling and trying to hold back my laughter.
“Lord Kestrel, Envoy of Atlantis, requesting an audience with her majesty, Queen Diadem, regarding the behavior of my newest guard.” I announced unable to hold back chuckles. The old man looked at me smirking as young Redpath looked from me to Greyman, and back looking worried. A choking laughter escaped Sert while Meli started groaning in annoyance. “Best to hear directly from this old noble sage and her majesty directly than simply wait for your report, yes?” I teased the feline with a smirk of my own. He sighed and nodded in silence. The gate creaked open and a woman in armor slipped out.
“You should stop this childishness, Magus Greyman.” the woman stated towards the old man. “The Queen wishes her Knight at her side.” she continued bluntly. As she turned to face me with cold eyes, I notices the silvery scythe pendant at her throat. “Envoy, your request is accepted easily so we may all praise your guard’s most noble deeds.” she told me with a nod of her head. “The guards will get those supplies transferred to the needy within the city while you and your friends are presented to the Queen directly.” she directed towards the feline. “Please follow me.” she concluded. She took young Redpath’s arm and placed it at her elbow giving him a quick wink.
“Thank you Artea, Priestess and honor guard to Queen Diadem.” he returned. He let her lead forward while I walk beside Greyman, with Sert and Meli bringing up the rear. I could see the quiet discussion between the honor guard and our kitten. I did wonder if anyone had realized how much younger Redpath was in comparison to Sert, Meli, or even myself. I did not want to state that young Kestrel of the Redpath clan was considered a child barely past the age of a toddler in Atlantian society. Even away from Atlantis, the Royal Guards lifespan was four to five time the length of humans while the normal Atlantians youngsters could lived twice as long as the humans in the outer world. I would not and could not stop him from remaining here but I would need to warn him of this longevity fact.
“We are definitely not seen as a threat with only one guard escorting us.” Sert mused behind us.
“Three.” I corrected him quickly. “Artea, Greyman, and our feline because he is a Knight in this land.” I clarified casually. “And neither of us would raise a weapon against him.” I added softly half to myself. A soft chuckle from Greyman told me he heard my final words.
“No guard nor citizen would raise arms against that feline for what he has done for Dia.” he told me calmly. I sighed and nodded understand how easily my feline name sake had gained acceptance here. “I believe he may share more than your name.” the old man said with a shrug. “His honor and sense of duty comes from you, Envoy.” he concluded. A soft chuckle escaped me as I nodded my grudging agreement.
We arrived at the courtroom each taking our turn to introduce our selves while young Redpath stood to one side with Artea and Greyman stood upon our other side. The queen’s eyes barely looked at us during our introductions focusing more fully on the feline that was her chosen knight. I need not use any abilities to see where her heart lay and the look upon Redpath’s face showed he felt the same for her. I could not ponder if this was a simple infatuation born from their time together or truly a soul bound between them. Relatively I would have been at least hundred years younger than that feline when I found my soul bounded heart mate. I wish he never faced the pain her death caused me because his heart would be crushed beyond repair.
She rose as the last introduction was made. She took one hesitant step toward her knight. Looked around the room nervously received a quick nod from the Magus Greyman and a shaking head from Artea before she turned to look away with a shrug. With this simple reaction, we of Atlantis saw a sight none have seen before. She ran and threw herself upon Redpath who was toppled over from her actions. She buried her face in his fur clasping her body around his. The feline purred back placing his arms around her gently holding her against him. The strangled gasp from both Sert and Meli echoed through the room while the queen seemed to want to cling to her knight forever.
“The exuberance of youth.” I commented but did not move from my place. I glanced at Greyman who sighed and shook his head. “We will ignore the young Queen’s greeting towards her Knight.” I continued with a smirk. “Even if it could be seen as undignified by lesser beings.” I added as a gentle reminder. Her face came up from Redpath’s furry chest to glare at me petulantly until she notices my smirk.
“Undignified but required to punish the bad Kitty Knight.” she remarked sticking her tongue out at me. She returned to pressing her face against his fur while clamped onto his body tighter. A moment passed before her head snapped up to look at me with a mischievous gleam. “You are the one he calls master, yes?” she asked and I already knew her plan.
“His decision to stay is his own and I cannot change this fact, Queen Diadem.” I answered bowing to her. “And his young age would prevent me from simply agreeing to him remaining here by your side.” I continued trying to hint what the problem truly would be if he remained behind. “He is barely one hundred while my other companions are in their three hundred years or so of life.” I informed her and waited for her to realize what I had stated.
“What?” Artea and Greyman gasped in unison as Diadem’s eyes grew wide and her mouth worked wordlessly.
“In Atlantis, our lifespan is nearly immortal while us human looking citizen can live twice the length a human can outside of Atlantis if we leave prior to a century of life.” Meli explained to reinforce my words.
“And rumors state that the Royal Guardian bloodlines can span four to five human lifespans.” Sert chimed in quickly.
“They speak truthfully Dia.” Redpath stated in a soft sad purr. “If I stay, I will witness your death which would destroy me.” he continued slowly. “And bringing you to Atlantis, so you may live as long as myself, would remove you from your people that need you, my Queen Diadem.” he revealed hesitantly. “Another stands near you that has accepted death as a sacrifice to bring you home safely.” he added. I watched his eyes move to look at Artea. He’s lips moved silently wording “Keep her safe as He wants from you”. He nodded to her before his hands lifted her towards Artea. Greyman’s eyes went from Kestrel to Artea and back again not understand what had happened.
“Come my Queen, stand proudly for your Knight.” Artea stated as her hands where upon the queen’s shoulders. She helped her to stand as Redpath shifted to be upon one knee before her. “I give permission to tell her of my actions, kindred warrior.” she added toward the feline knight.
“The priestess of Lord Death requested him to keep you safe until you returned to the throne, Dia.” he told her. “She offered her life for yours to be spared, Dia.” he stated quickly. “She stand behind you alive and as worthy as myself to be your Knight.” he concluded before bowing his head to her. I stiffened ready to challenge Death if he tried claiming Artea. A soft musical chuckle waft around the room before Lord Death appeared behind Kestrel.
“You should not worry so much, Alal.” Death sand softly. “The cat knows I will only once her true duties are done.” he continued. No one moved frozen in place but witnessing all of it. “She must keep you safe from now own until you are both old a grey together, silly little Queen.” he concluded with a melodious chuckle. He did not fade or step away into shadows. He simply vanished with only his chuckle trailing after him.
“Young Kestrel!” I snapped having him stand, turn, and face me. “You have been making very odd friends, have you not?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. He shrugged shrinking before me embarrassed. “You will truly grow into a good member of my retinue, kitten.” I added with a smile. He stared at me as his body straighten to his full height. The smile slowly grew on his face as he gave me a crisp salute. I nodded at him still smiling proudly for his actions while away from my team.
“Maybe we should have taken a different path from Lord Kestrel.” Sert mused out loud. The smack of Meli’s hand across the back of his head was like a thunder clap in the room. “But he was able to...” he began and was cut into silence by another hard slap from Meli.
“Hush! We are in a throne room, idiot warrior!” she chided him bluntly. She glared at him stopping him from speaking more upon this subject. “You have been so visible that you could have been capture for some festival side show or killed by priestly zealots!” she snapped at Kestrel releasing all her worries directly upon him. I felt the ground start trembling under our feet.
“Enough!” I bellowed. The trembling floor slowed and stop as Meli looked annoyed and angry. “As a Royal Guard, his feral nature gives him better instincts than either of you two or Cole.” I told her with a hard edge in my voice. I turned back towards Kestrel who looked worried and fearful of Meli. “Lord Death shattered the blade with his scythe, correct Redpath?” I asked softly. He nodded to me remaining silent. “He has linked your life to hers Artea as payment for your prayers of protection for your Queen.” I told her with a nod. “Now can we return to a proper meeting with Her Royal Highness Diadem?” I added to the room. A shy chuckle escaped everyone present as we returned to the position we had taken upon entering the courtroom. Only Redpath changed his original position to stand next to Sert at my back to keep the warrior between Meli and himself. Dia held up a hand to signal Artea to move to her side as she stood before her throne.
“Be well meet within my kingdom and castle, noble travelers from Atlantis.” she announced in a strong voice. “I, Queen Diadem, offer you anything you require to continue your voyages to return home.” she continued slightly softer. Her eyes remained on young Redpath during her speech. “Be at peace and safety within my walls, noble Atlantian friends.” she concluded glancing away from Redpath to Greyman. He smiled and nodded his pride of her royal speech making her relax.
“You are a gracious and righteous ruler and we of Atlantis are humble to spend a few days, if possible, within your Royal Halls.” I returned taking a knee and bowing my head towards her. As I began to rise with difficulty, Meli and Kestrel were at my elbows while Sert placed a hand upon my back to steady me. “I am sorry but events have me mildly indisposed your Majesty.” I reported once fully standing. “My healer, Lady Mekiliean shall tend to me while my senior Honour Guard, Sertian will watch over us.” I continued formally. “I will leave young Redpath as our representative during this time.” I added giving Dia a quick wink.
“Yes sir, but ...” Meli returned looking worried. She glanced towards Redpath as Sert replaced him at the opposing elbow.
“As you command, Lord Kestrel.” Sert replied taking my arm to help support me.
“Master.” the other Kestrel interjected quickly. “I am not trained as a diplomat, sir.” he reminded me nervously. I could see his tail lashing like a metronome behind him.
“You will do as order.” Sert retorted before I could speak. “You have done as well as, if not better than, us during our first outing in the World.” he added with a smirk.
“Well said Sert and I fully agree on his competence as our representative.” I stated calmly. I turned to be lead away with Meli and Sert helping me mildly. I knew Meli felt overprotective for Redpath as much, if not a bit more, than her protectiveness over Sert. A mix of pride and envy disturbed Sert’s emotions but he would not disobey my orders while I was present. Artea moved to escort us to prepared rooms for our stay. Greyman had accompanied us offer his limited medical knowledge as assistance but it was to actually give Redpath and Dia time in private together. As Greyman had Meli pulled aside discussing healing practices both herbal and magical, Artea and Sert stood by me.
“Three days and we give the Queen as much time as possible with her Knight.” I told the two of them. “We must also keep Meli from interfering, understood?” I added looking from one to the other.
“I thank thy for doing this for our Queen.” Artea stated softly under her breath to me. Sert simply nodded his agreement silently. “She needs to accept what must be and his presence will help her.” she continued slowly.
“In this life, she may not have her chance, but she has many more lives to find him and be with him.” I interrupted her. “Or, it is mere infatuation and it will evaporate in her mind.” I added preventing more discussions. Artea nodded slowly with a sad smile on her face.
A queen, warriors, a magus, a demon madame, and harpies, I noted in my mind. I did not forget the only Old One that still walked freely upon the land, Lord Death. I feared for a moment who else he had met during his trip along this side of the mountains but put those worries aside. His future flared momentarily in my mind but few images appeared precise or clear to me. This could be a side effect of my weaken spiritual state but this cloudiness felt oddly familiar. His name was already set in every passing incarnations of his future lives: Kestrel Redpath. I could not fathom why this name was the one that would reflect mostly along his multiple lives but I knew this was a truth that could not be altered.
I did during the next three days observe him from a distance as the young Kestrel spoke and walked by Queen Diadem’s side. From his brief reports, she refused to request him staying but did ask about Atlantis often. By the last day, he handed me a missive from Queen Diadem that offered a place for the Royal Guards to vacation for nothing more than courteous behaviour towards her citizens. The zone set aside for them was large and those that live there would be strictly not allowed to attack them. I glance up at Redpath’s eyes as he shrugged back.
“Dia has told me what was written but I cannot read it myself.” he informed me. “If something written there is unacceptable, I am not knowledgeable about it.” he added. I read the words to him and he smiled.
“I will present this personally to the Throne, Guard Captains, and the Council of Atlantis.” I remarked with a smirk. “And they will know that the youngest member that has stepped away from Atlantis made this possible to them.” I told him. His eyes went wide and, I believe, he actually blushed at my words. “Meli will start teaching you to read and write so you may converse with Queen Diadem.” I added making him smile and shiver excitedly.
And with this, we prepared to leave Queen Diadem’s castle with a trio of horses, and our packs and hearts much lighter. We would make good time crossing through and out of Dia’s kingdom southern sections and make it to the pass between the mountains. After the mountain pass, we would be less than half day away from the port town where the Herald would be collecting us. The time in the saddle was, unfortunately, harder on my body than my two human like companions. Young Kestrel seemed to have no problem keeping up with our more rapid speed seemingly enjoy the chance to run and play along our pathway. I pulled our ranks closer together as the pass came into view but that was not require this time.
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