The next morning found found me in a bed still groggy and fully disoriented. I heard the shuffling of clawed feet nearby drawing my attention. Rouge was setting a breakfast platter upon a side table in the room I had slept in, but it was not the lounge she had put me to sleep in. I stretched lazily in the bed alerting her that I was awake. I paused for but a moment realizing she had removed my armor and slipped on sleepwear while I slumbered. She turned to look at me with that closed mouth smile while her hair had returned to hiding her horns.
“Breakfast is ready once you feel like eating.” she announced calmly. “Hawke is getting his breakfast in bed by those infatuated sisters so you are stuck with me as dining companion.” she continued merrily. She motioned me to join her as she took a place at the table. “And your virtuous are still intact as per your true wishes.” she added followed by a deep bell like giggle.
“But you are the first to actually see me in my naked fur.” I replied rising slowly to my feet. I moved gracefully slow to sit beside her. She gave me a lewd wink but did not comment. “But are not demons evil by nature?” I asked softly while eyeing my plate. She sighed deeply drawing my focus to her face.
“Those that did not escape before the godlet tossed his broken projects into the infernal domains have been turned evil by Lucy.” she remarked without actual anger. “The free demons have either assimilated into earthly societies or hide away in deep mountains and forests.” she explained calmly. “But many of us have been hunted down by religious madmen claiming us no better than the devils that perverted our kind after the infernal gates were mostly locked up.” she added. I could see the yellowish tear that formed in her eyes but were not shed.
“That is good piece of wisdom to learn.” I returned softly. I reached out to squeeze her hand showing I understood and accepted her as a friend. “I am still worried about meeting up with Lord Kestrel in the northern lands.” I admitted to her. She tapped a finger on her lips for a moment.
“No words of the Atlantian group arriving in the northern enclave where the minor nobles of this land escaped to.” she informed me directly. “I can send words to affiliated business to keep an eye out for your Master and inform him that you are on your way.” she offered hesitantly. I sighed this time.
“He does not know I am suppose to be following him.” I told her quickly. “But I am assured that he knows which is why he used an illusionary diversion to lead me down this pathway.” I revealed hesitantly. She giggled heartily at my admission.
“You’ve already learn to do bad things for a good reason which is a good sign that you are learning quickly.” she returned still giggling at me. I could not even glare at her considering her words as an actual compliment. “If you want, I can send word to a flight of harpies to find your Master’s group and report their location to you.” she suggested with a small smirk. I glanced at her between bites before slowly shaking my head.
“I should be doing this on my own.” I returned.
“Even your Lord Kestrel depends on others, does he not?” she replied quickly. I sighed agreeing to her offer. The rest of the meal was passed with mild casual comments but it was not until I stood once more with Hawke at the door before she talked more directly to me. “Keep this pendant on and the harpies bringing you information will find you no matter where you are, understand?” she stated to me. I took the pendant from her hand and placed it around my neck instantly.
“I thank you Lady Rouge for both your hospitality and your thoughtfulness towards me.” I replied bowing deeply to her. “If I have a chance, I will visit in the future.” I added before we turned to walk away.
“It seems you had a good evening.” the cavalier teased as we were out of hearing range of the still open door.
“As good and as virtuous as your evening.” I returned with a soft chuckle. “But why not let those two sisters show you how deeply they truly love you?” I asked elbowing him. “You speak of my heart but ignore the heart of two sisters willing to share you just to be happy and make you happy.” I remarked bluntly.
“It would only be a physical and empty act.” he returned slowly and sadly.
“You love them and fear hurting them by letting them love you back, foolish man.” I stated directly. “As for Queen Diadem, she’d die long before I would or she’d have to leave and live a life far beneath her status.” I finally admitted to him. “That is why I must continue my path and not fail her.” I added looking away from him. I could feel his gaze upon me.
“Oh.” he interjected softly. “I did not know, my friend.” he stated resigned. “As for those sisters, you are correct that fear of hurting them or myself holds me back.” he continued calmly. “I will consider your words and be more truthful with those two.” he added in a half whisper. With a quick glance and smirk we laughed as we progressed along our path to the northern enclave city. The trip was filled with laughter and pleasant views of farmlands and happy citizens. It was upon the second day of our walk that a harpy came upon us. With quick words, I prevented Hawke from drawing a weapon upon this winged messenger. The harpy’s speech was hard to understand but old memories of the rare Avian Royal Guards language help me decipher her message. It was not good news since Lord Kestrel was presently helping a village besieged by a mysterious plague. He would be late arriving within the city barely a half weeks journey for myself.
“I thank you.” I replied to the harpy. “Please maintain your vigilant watch without being seen nor infected.” I told her. Out of an unknown compulsion, I reached out and scratched the harpy behind her ear-tuff. She pressed into the scratch and cooed softly making me smile and purr back to her. “Even the Avian Guards enjoy a playful scratching.” I added as an explanation to my human companion.
“You can speak the language of Harpies?” he asked mildly confused.
“No, but the similarities to the Avian tongues helps me understand them.” I returned quickly. He shock his head and shrugged as we stepped back to allow the harpy to take to the skies once more. “”We need not rush since my Master is dealing with a plague in a small village.” I informed Hawke quickly. “The Harpies will report once he has started moving once more.” I added with a shrug.
“So we do a few random jobs to assist the Queen and show off her noble Royal Knight?” he remarked back with a smirk. I laughed back while nodding my agreement. I did not know at that time how long Lord Kestrel would be delayed but I am sure Dia adored hearing about our actions in her name breaking up bandit groups and helping farmers getting the product to villages and towns to replenish the much depleted resources. Nearly two and half week had passed since I swam from the ship to the coastal landing point and word from the harpies only sounded more worrisome to me.
“Word from the harpies suggest something is wrong with my Master.” I finally confided to Hawke as we camped at the far end of the field to the city we were traveling to reach. “They report that he’s moving slowly and using his walking stick to assist his motion.” I added slowly. I probed at the fire idly trying not to let my worry drive me into meeting Lord Kestrel before he even reached this city.
“It may simply be exhaustion from dealing with the plague in that village he saved.” my companion countered slowly. “You will meet him once he enters the city and can track his movement personally.” he continued his attempt to encourage me. I shrugged back to him unable to avoid the worry growing in my mind. “We can tour the city and gain knowledge of the streets and pathways you can use to follow your Lord.” he added with a little smirk. I nodded and signaled my decision to go sleep. As I rose to my padded feet, the fire flared higher and brighter blinding both of us temporarily. Our vision returned slowly allowing us to notice a pair of teenage girl sat in the diagonal position to Hawke and myself.
“Be not afraid!” one announced loudly.
“Hush sister, we are not angelic idiots!” the second chided the first. This lead to both young ladies to giggle as I had a chance to fully examine them and their clothing. They appeared to be in the Greek and Roman countenance and style but they seemed to lightly glow as they sat laughing at their own joke.
“Do you know or recognize them, Kestrel?” Hawke asked as his hand went to the hilt of his sword. He attempted rising to his feet but looked confused as he fought to move. “What are you witches?” he added as anger filled him.
“Hold your anger.” I told him looking from one to the other. “They are deities if I am correct.” I added quickly. The cavalier slumped as his body relaxes but his eyes continued glaring from one girl to the other and back.
“Correct.” the first chimed merrily. She clapped her hands together. “I knew one of our boy’s retinue would recognize our divinity.” she added giggling maniacally. I groaned as my mind found their names and title.
“The Greek deity of Chaos, Lady Eris, and her sisterly counterpart, Discordia, goddess of Chaos for the Romans.” I stated out loud with a hint of a growl in my voice.
“We should have changed dresses and could have laughed at him for a bit.” Discordia rebuked her counterpart.
“We are not here for our own pleasure this once, but that kitten’s worries.” Eris snapped back going from merry giggles to a cold stern look. “Our adoptive son, your Lord Kestrel, will be fine.” she directly told me. Both their faces had become very serious as they ignored Hawke’s presence to stare at only me.
“This is barely the amount of damage and exhaustion he suffered being dashed against the barred gates of the Hells.” Discordia stated bluntly at me. “This is nothing for you to worry about kitten.” she added quickly. I heard the harpies before seeing them as a trio circled over head squawking angrily at the two deities. The goddesses glared at the birds angrily screaming back at them.
“You dare to try ordering us around you feathered rats?” Eris howled as their hands began glowing with magical energy. I felt the tremors of a recognizable power at my back. I need not turn to know who came to stand behind me.
“But I can, younglings.” a deep musical voice washed over all of us. The flames of our fire turned brilliant shades of greens and yellows rising tall. A pair of harpies landed by the cavalier’s back as the last one took it’s place next to Lord Death at my back. “Leave now!” Death stated in a deep powerful harmony. The goddesses of Chaos flashed out of existence at his command. “Stop worrying, Lord Kestrel is not to be claim though weakened by his actions to do the correct action.” he added in a whisper in my ear.
“Thank you since their words caused more confusion than light-heartening feelings.” I replied with a relaxed smile. The harpy had her head under my paw rubbing against my thigh cooing softly. “Thanks you my feathered friends for assisting.” I added with a soft purring chuckle. Lord Death moved to sit by our fire between my seat and Hawke’s position.
“Their words are linked to knowledge you will discover if your Master tells you.” Death stated softly. “Lord Kestrel will explain it much better than those two madwomen.” he added with a melodious chuckle. Hawke looked pale as he stared at Lord Death sweating profusely. My chuckle joined Death’s but was more dissonant than his.
“He is not here to collect either of us Hawke.” I assured him gently. “He walked with us from the moment I meet Dia until we left her castle.” I informed him in mock casualness. “I believe he has come because he sensed my deep set worry for my Master.” I continued hoping to calm the cavalier’s fears. “Now even I’d be worried if a dragon had arrived since they remain strictly in their own territories.” I added trying to get my companion’s mind off the guest in our midst.
“It’s not why he is leery of my presence young Redpath.” Death casually remarked. “I have ferried many in his life to the other side, the one most predominant in his heart.” he added in a softer sadder tone.
“I am the only one to blame for her death.” Hawke snapped back. “I should have been at her side. I should have protected her.” he added angrily. Tears poured freely from his eyes as he looked at the fire as self loathing was clear upon his twisted tear streaked face.
“She does not blame you.” Death retorted with a hint of a sour tone in his musical voice. “Crossing over would give the answer I state but then, you would never be able to complete all the labors foreseen in your life.” he continued quietly. His musical voice had turned into a sad dirge matching his emotion on this topic. “She wants you to be happy and live on for her.” he added while Hawke simply sobbed.
“Your actual fear, to allow those sisters loving you, is you failing to protect them.” I commented slowly and pensively. “Then become the guardian of their little village to always be close enough to protect them.” I told him before laughing. “Sometimes the simplest solution is the best solution, Hawke.” I added looking across the flames to him.
“That truly is a simple solution and also the best answer he could receive.” Death agreed with a slow nod of his cowled skull of a head. Hawke looked from me to Death and back again. “And my duties here are truly done now.” he added and faded into darkness. The flames returned to normal orange red in color in our fire pit upon Lord Death’s departure.
“I have truly been told for once.” the cavalier remarked with a slow chuckle. “I concede and follow this plan once you are safely back with your Master, alright?” he told me with a small smile. He used the back of his hand to wipe the tears from his eyes and cheeks as he finally looked happy.
“We can return along this path giving Lady Rouge a chance to see Lord Kestrel and for you to return to your beautiful ladies.” I returned with a smirk.
“And you can stop in to visit your Queen and love once before you return to Atlantis.” he countered with the same smirk. A moment later, the trio of harpies moved away to take flight leaving us alone and ready to truly rest for the night. I dreamed of seeing Dia once more and being truthful to her. I feared her reaction learning the true reason I cannot be at her side even if I or especially because I love her.
The next few days were passed with the two of us exploring the city and getting everything memories. The oddness of the guards’ in attention to our presence was worrisome but helpful to me. I found multiple paths into and out of the multiple chambers that Lord Kestrel would be meeting with the nobles. Unbeknownst to Hawke, I left messages to those Dia wished to have return and assist her rule over her kingdom. It was barely a handful of the nobles that had escaped from Dia’s kingdom when the internal invasion had occurred. I did not simply leave a message but watched their reactions from the multiple hiding spots I had found. Tears of joy for being remembered by their young Queen was refreshing and encouraging to see.
“A betrayer like myself could never return alive.” one whispered under his breath. As I watched, he drew out a curved dagger and aimed it at his own stomach. His willingness to die to repay Dia for the betrayal he had committed. My hand was wrapped around the wrist that held the dagger while my other hand had a firm grasp at the back of his neck preventing him to proceed with his self execution.
“The Queen sent her Knight to offer you this, foolish man.” I growled in his ear. “Do not waste your life before kneeling before your Queen and ask her for forgiveness.” I continued holding him immobilize. “Show her majesty the honor she sees within you.” I added bluntly. I was back in hiding before he could turn or move. I watched his emotions warring on his face before tears slowly ran down his cheeks. The dagger returned to his waist in it’s sheath as his body straightened and he actually smiled.
I left him creeping silently through passages overlooked by most of residents of this place. Upon a peripet of the castle like central city, I learned that Lord Kestrel had arrived but only Meli and himself headed for my location. Sert had slipped into the crowd but still being viewed by a harpy flying high in the empty sky. I scribbled a quick note for Hawke to rendezvous with Sert and assist him while I stayed by Lord Kestrel. He did eventually catch me hiding under the table as he sat with Sephina talking. With a quick order from him, I was on my way to join Sert and Hawke on whatever mission my companion had been assigned. Finding Sert and Hawke ready to start fighting had me pause for but a moment before I stepped in.
“Stop this, now!” I growled as I stepped between them. With a single glare at each had them stepping back and looking embarrassed. “Sertian this is the Cavalier Hawke, and Hawke this is the Honor Guard Sertian that serves my Master.” I told them quickly. Sert looked confused at me but remained silent.
“Sorry squire, but he was making rude remarks about the guards and asking rather questionable inquiries.” the cavalier stated with a shrug. “I questioned his right to make such negative comments and you arrived before this became complicated.” he added subdued. I sighed before turning towards Sert.
“You must have noticed that the guards are acting preoccupied, have you not?” he asked me softly in Atlantian.
“Yes.” I interjected in Atlantian. “But we should speak the local language.” I told him in the common tongue of the these lands. “Lord Kestrel wishes you to discover why the guards are distracted.” I stated calmly.
“You placing Diadem back upon her throne would be part of their worries since the nobles of Her lands escaped to here.” Hawke supplied quickly. “Nothing else is being discussed publicly by the city guards on the southern and western edge of the outer city.” he added looking pensive.
“Only a few of those nobles have been invited to return.” I returned quickly. “Invitations handed to them by Her Majesty’s chosen Knight.” I continued easily. My eyes had remained on Sert’s face while I spoke. His eyes grew wide as he soundlessly mouthed the word knight. “Yes, I stuck my nose into a mess and come out of it with a noble title upon my shoulders.” I stated to him slowly. “But I doubt that is enough for the guards allow us to move around absolutely disregarded.” I added softer.
“I am sorry warrior Sertian for jumping to the wrong conclusion about your actions.” Hawke stated to Sert before bowing deeply to him. “Shall we work together?” he asked with a little smirk on his face. I smirked at Sert myself as I nodded my agreement to the cavalier’s assistance. With a sigh, Sertian nodded his own agreement.
“We moved to the northern and eastern areas of the city?” Sert asked looking from me to the cavalier. We both nodded and started moving towards the northern pathways inside the city. We mostly listen and made mild inquires but the populous did not seem to know anything of value along our pathway northward.
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