I kept my distance from my companions during the travel away from the village. I was deep in thought trying to find a way to solve this problem now clear in my eyes. To add to my darkened mood, even the gate guards seemed to overlook us as we are ushered into the city on foot. Nearly three weeks since our departure from the ship, we finally reached the targeted city for our meeting. Sert and Meli faces showed shock as rumors of a feline knight assisting to save the neighboring country from an evil usurper. I did not need to read their mind to see that they thought about our black kitten from the Royal Guards being behind these actions. A soft chuckle escaped me making them close rank at my sides.
“It’s seems our newest member is working his own way to join us.” I told them in Atlantian. Meli’s face remained showing shock while a smirk formed on Sert’s face. “We can keep listening to the rumors discovering how close he may be at this time.” I told them in the common language. “He seems to be acting honorably while tracking us down on this side of the mountains.” I added with another chuckle. Sert join in with my laughter but Meli seemed stressed by this event.
“You two knew he was following us?” she asked mostly challenging Sert more than myself.
“I did not know but he has been appearing anywhere Lord Kes ... Pardon, Lord Mêkëa shows.” he answered correcting himself.
“But why would he be on this side of the mountains?” Meli snapped back. The hint of worry and hysteria touching her voice.
“Enough!” I interjected bluntly. “I tricked him along the other path and we can discuss this in private and not publicly.” I told her directly. I gained a raised eyebrow from Sert but he did nothing more. “I am more worried what has the gate guards so preoccupied to simply let us pass without truly asking anything from us.” I added quietly. This had Meli’s mind slid away from young Redpath and return to focus upon ourselves.
“I can explore and listen to the town’s folks for any hint of their preoccupation.” Sert suggested. He looked around nothing more guards floating around but not noticing those entering or leaving the city. I handed him a bulging purse of coins to keep him out of trouble while we dealt with the meetings within the noble leader of this city. “I will be careful, Lord Mêkëa.” he stated before slowly edging away from us towards the side streets. Meli took my arm as Sert disappeared in crowd.
“Do you think it is safe leaving him on his own?” she whispered to me. She stayed at my side with a tight grip on my arm appearing like my escort within the city. "With his diversionary technique being questionable at best.” she reminded me in the same whispering tone. I glanced at her knowing the worried questioning raised eyebrow would meet my calm face.
“He will be fine until we can reconnect and leave here all four of us together.” I returned casually. I leaned harder on my walking stick to prevent Meli noticing my still present weakness and fatigue from our travel to here. “If I can get most of this done before I collapse again.” I admitted knowingly. I had already touched her mind and felt the deep worry still directed at me since the events in the plagued village.
“We should have allowed you to rest longer or dismissed this meeting for others.” she chided me softly.
“Calling upon higher powers leaves the caller damaged.” I lied. “Once I complete this, I can return to Atlantis to recover much quicker.” I confirmed still promoting the lie I needed to keep in place. She nodded slowly but her worries barely lessened. I could tell she would try to postpone these meetings if she could return me to Atlantis immediately. “I cannot and will not delay this farce of Cole any longer.” I retorted directly at her. I saw the resignation to my command.
“As you wish, Lord Mêkëa.” she replied formally. Her back straightened, her grip tightened on my arm, and I knew she’d be watching over me ready to disrupt talks at any moment of weakness in my behavior. We walked slowly towards the noble enclaves in a ponderously dignified pace. A half dozen trade treaties that should be easily signed between these nobles and the Atlantian Council.
Our reception was warm but oddly low in the number of guards present. Barely a handful of guards had been noted from entering the inner city gates to our first stop at the city leader himself. I could easily slaughter all the nobles and disappear with my group long before the guards would notice the crime. A quick glance at Meli told me she had noticed the same lack of protection upon the nobles. Something truly serious was happening but no hints were discovered so far by us.
“This is truly a bad situation.” she whispered to me.
“Yes, but it might be to our advantage if we use it properly.” I returned with a smile. I saw her mind thinking of the possibilities now open to us.
“Aggressive negotiations could easily become violent without guards raising a finger to save their nobles.” she replied as mischievous sparks shone in her eyes.
”Duress could easily be used to force a quick decision without interference.” I agreed with her.
“Not the most honorable thinking but functional in our circumstances.” she countered with a shrug.
“We will try to be nice but if it fails or they seem to delay,” I stated giving a pause to seemingly select my words, “we can have fun.” Meli nodded her agreement politely but her smile showed viciousness unbennounced to Atlantis ideals. I hide the icy shiver that ran up my spin at her reaction. We acted gracious and apologetic for being late in arriving which was strangely waved aside by the group of nobles sitting across from us. We glossed over the events in the village which should not have been upon our route if we were journeying directly to this city. I sense when Meli realized that this delay tactic was to ruin Cole’s plans and place us in a weaker position for negotiations but it had been in vain. I also sense the nervousness from the nobles present which had me more intrigued at what was happening here.
The negotiations went ahead without any true diversions to the original Council chartered and agreed by the Royals of Atlantis. Only the young daughter of of the leader of this city seemed to be an issue with her interest in myself. She arranged a tour of the gardens and healing farms for Meli, which she could not refuse, leaving me in her direct care. I barely wished to be here but this was something I could not avoid by returning to these lands. Alone in an elegant sitting room, the young woman was at my side holding tenderly upon my arm sitting too close to my side.
“You have not written since your last visit to my city, Meakita.” she gently chided me. She held my hand, playing with my fingers without looking into my eyes. A small side adventure none knew about was a repeated in my memories but she was much younger back then and constantly claimed herself as a princess.
“I did not have the chance, little princess.” I returned quietly and tonelessly. I showed no emotions knowing she had grown attached to me as the dark stranger within their household temporarily.
“To busy murdering an army and agreeing to deflower me once I was of age, sir?” she replied with a soft giggle. She finally looked up into my eyes that glowed as they had when I cleared a path for her personal guard to save her. The man had a choice of saving her or dying as a failure to his duties and I could not allow him to die just yet.
“A willing partner is not considered a deflowering, kachera.” I answered her easily. A simple word that would be used often in the future in different languages but she thought it was only for her. “Plus, those traitorous bastards deserved to die to the last man.” I added in a harsher tone. The shine did not disappear from her eyes but I knew that now I could not use her age to refuse her request to become a woman in my arms.
“What has happened?” she asked rising to stand looking down at me. “This is not your normal behavior or countenance when in private with me, kachero.” she added slowly. I tried looking away from her by a soft small hand lifted my chin until our eyes were locked again.
“A town nearly died, Sephina.” I answered pain in my voice. “And I have nearly killed myself opening a very old wound just to save one boy that needed to live.” I added in a whisper.
“Still out to save us small insignificant humans?” she returned quietly. I could see that my stories that most thought insane had found a seed in her heart and mind. “But never willing to be here with us lowly beings for more than a short time?” she added with sad giggle that turned into silent tears.
“I would stay if I knew it could make a difference having me here.” I admitted but knew it was impossible. “But I must remain in Atlantis if I wish to find a path to save everyone and everything of value here.” I continued with a soft sad chuckle. She could see the resignation in my eyes and my self hatred because of my duties.
“We will have other time and other lives in each other’s bed, Meakita.” she stated calmly. The tears rolled slowly down her cheeks as her eyes could not, would not pull away from mine. "And it will still be hours before your friend returns, if you wish to repay me for your absence and lack of words.” she added more directly. I did not even have time or the will to stop her climbing into my lap to press her body tightly with mine. She did no more as I only sat holding her without any other reactions to her body touching mine.
“I am sorry kachera, but I am still weak from my actions in that village.” I explained with a weak smile. “I am not even sure that the great healing powers of Atlantis will ever make me whole again.” I admitted to her honestly. Her eyes grew wide but she remained silently looking at me. “And you will gain no pleasure abusing me in this dysfunctional condition.” I concluded. I placed a soft kiss upon her brow before pulling her into a full embrace that felt chaste but empty as I felt at that moment.
“This is more pleasure than I ever believed possible, kachero.” she whispered back cuddling closer to me chest. The sound of a nail on stone pulled us out of this sweet moment. Sephira rose to walk around the room looking for the source of the sound but found nothing. As she returned to sit beside me, I had already targeted the noise maker hidden once more under a table. Her eyes moved from my face to follow my gaze to the covered table in the corner.
“Do you know what made that noise?” she asked while both our gaze were upon the kitten’s hiding spot. With a gentle mental tug, I pulled young Redpath from hiding to a position before us. “A cat?” she commented perplexed.
“A Royal Feline Guard from Atlantis.” I replied with a smirk. I let him stand to his full height before us. “Introduce yourself kitten.” I ordered softly unable to hide the pride and mirth on my face.
“I am Kestrel Redpath, ma’am and sir.” he answered quickly. He crisply saluted me with a furry cross of hand and paw.
“My name sake in feline form.” I told Sephina. I nodded to him. “He comes to guard me since Lady Healer Mekiliean’s and Warrior Sertian’s are absent.” I explained with a small chuckle.
“Because you are the one I am to guard and not your retinue, Lord Kestrel.” the feline stated hinting casual tones.
“But who will watch the Council, the Royals, and everything else in Atlantis during my absence?” I replied easily. “Upon my return to Atlantis, I will want a full report of your actions since joining my household without permission, understand?” I told him more sternly. I saw him tense and his tail lashing slowly behind him nervously. “Find Sert and assist him collecting information about the nervous guards in this city, now!” I ordered as he scrambled to the window and was gone. I slumped on the divan still chuckling softly. I placed an arm around Sephina’s shoulders pulling her close to my side.
“At least you did not simply use your powers to send him to Sertian, was it?” she said softly. “I am happy since I fear you will lose your powers if you continue abusing them, big brother.” she continued. She cuddled into my side taking my hand into both hers. I turned to look into her eyes that appeared like star-shaped irises. “Sorry for interfering Brother Order but you’ve made a mess of yourself.” she added in a foreign voice.
“Yes, calling on those we truly serve has a price to pay on this flesh and blood form.” I admitted slowly. The answering smile wasn’t one that fit on Sephina’s face. “Is she still present Sister Chaos?” I asked quietly and worried. She nodded slowly still smiling her predatory smile. “Does not help facing a different being that weakens me through old wounds.” I concluded.
“She questions if it was family or an enemy.” Chaos returned her smile softening just a bit.
“Sephina knows me too well I fear.” I stated with a mild blush. “Let me rest and recuperate without discussing my arrogant actions with either of you two.” I continued easily. I could feel the energy flowing from both Sephina and Chaos trying to flow into me but it felt like a bonfire instead of the power of an exploding sun which might help me. “I will call forth the Brothers and Sisters to meet with me in Atlantis soon enough little Sister Chaos, but give Sephina a chance to be alone with me this once.” I requested. The smile shifted back into the worried half-frown while the eyes returned normal human eyes. No more words were needed. Not even a thought between us as this simple touch upon my hand told me all I needed to know. A guard warned us long before Meli returned. She entered into the room found us sitting at a table playing a strategy game.
Did the gardens meet your expectations, Lady Mekiliean?” Sephina asked upon her entry. “Stop letting me win Lord Mêkëa.” she chided me. Her smile did not show any true anger in her comment but gained a raised eyebrow from Meli.
“Lady Sephina has been showing me how much she has improved but still believes I am playing below my skill level.” I remarked quickly. “How were the gardens and healing herb fields, Meli?” I added without looking away from the pieces on the board.
“They were exquisite and will eventually rival our fields in Atlantis, sir.” she answered with a prideful smile. She glanced over the board taking a place standing by my side. “She seems to be losing even giving it a valiant effort, if I read the game purpose properly.” she stated calmly. Sephina giggled softly at this comment before moving her piece that prevented an easy victory.
“He is very competitive but I am holding my own for once.” the self proclaimed princess returned. My piece was placed changing barely nothing on the board. Her color had the advantage of number but this was still not a win. Meli remained silently watching as Sephina placed her next piece turning most of the board to her color. “Yours.” she interjected with a smile thinking victory was within her grasps. I placed my last piece and the board shifted to a full sea of my color alone.
“Go Chow Row!” I said with a winner’s smirk on my face. Her face was blank as she stared at the board in disbelief. “You have improved a lot but I still remain the champion.” I added with a deep chuckle. With a sigh, her eyes returned to look at me.
“I bow to your tactical greatness that could place my teacher to shame.” she admitted still smiling at me. “When next we meet, I hope to give you a better challenge, Meakita.” she continued with a half smirk. “Or can I also call you Kestrel?” she added with a wink. I could not prevent the laugh escaping me as Meli gasped in stunned shock.
“Young Redpath made an appearance to watch over me but I sent him to join Sert in his research.” I told Meli as explanation to Sephina knowing my name upon Atlantis. “I will see when it will be possible for my return for a rematch, kachera.” I replied to the princess. “Any words about our distracted guards in this city?” I asked to Meli ignoring Sephina’s presence.
“Nothing as of yet, sir.” she replied hesitantly.
“The nobles that ran from the southern kingdom now back in the proper hands, the northern and eastern countries seemingly heading into a war that could easily over-spill into these lands, and some minor nobles from those three countries trying to convince my father to side with their side.” Sephina supplied quickly and calmly. “You entered the western or southern gate which is the only entry points viewed as possibly safe and not focused upon.” she added softly.
“It also explains the rush to secure treaties with Atlantis.” Meli retorted pensively.
“The added power of trading with Atlantis would have any country attempting diplomacy instead of making war.” I concluded with a quick nod. “But I see the southern country being ready to assist on principle, yes?” I added slowly. I had touched Redpath’s mind understanding the honorable ideals from their newly crowned queen.
“Another one of Cole’s bright ideas to assure profitable trades for the Council.” Meli agreed but seemed distracted. “How much of the new southern coronation was in Redpath’s paws I wonder.” she added in a pensive and nervous voice.
“We will survive since we can close ourselves from the north and east easily until they waste their strength against impregnable gates.” Sephina returned with a smirk. “Your kitten was the hero and beloved of their queen who has already sent word that they will assist us if needed.” she admitted with a soft bell-like giggle.
“You have already sent word to get the north and east to attack each other at the point they face your closed gates.” I suggested quietly. Meli glanced at me for but a moment at my cruel suggestion.
“Of course but we cannot let such information leaking to our guards, or worse, to our enemies.” she retorted icily. The vicious smile that I had thought was Sister Chaos twisted her mouth but this time it was truly Sephina, the next in line to lead this city.
“You two have meet before, yes?” Meli asked looking from her to myself and back. We both shook our head in negation while smirking. “You two think in a similar way during dire situations.” she remarked still observing our reactions. I sighed softly before shrugging.
“She was but a child who thought of herself as a little princess.” I admitted quickly. “No more than a passing meeting at the most.” I assured Meli. “And in dark times...” I began.
“Dark decisions must be made swiftly.” Sephina concluded my words. “My original teacher's, Balthis, favorite saying.” she informed Meli. I nodded my agreement to this motto while Meli’s mind clicked with captain Balthis of the Leviathan. “He taught me this game called ‘Go’ but would defeat me within three to five turns every time we played.” she added with a soft sigh.
“No
shame in that since even I cannot defeat captain Balthis at this
game.” I admitted with a matching sigh. “But it’s time for us
to retire in preparation to return to the path leading to Atlantis in
the morrow.” I added slowly rising to my feet. Meli already had her
hands upon my arm to help support me. Sephina rose and with a pair of
guards, we were escorted to the room we would spend our last night
here. I knew young Kestrel had already joined with Sert and a third member somehow linked to Redpath as a friend and companion.
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