We had barely reached the gates of the Royal city when we heard the screams and saw the sudden activities flowing far in front of us. A pathway formed before us without the guards needing to do no more than scream “Our Queen’s Knight returns!”. We drifted unhindered through the gate where a small contingent of royal guards stood waiting to escort us directly to Dia’s castle. As we moved along the oddly crowded streets, I waved, shake hands, and thanked them for their presence within Dia’s Royal Capitol. Our forward motion was not impeded by the crowd leading us directly to the inner gates. Greyman stood at the gate barring our path. He stood straight and stiff with his staff in a firm grip before him. His glare which would be intimidating to most felt like a teasing challenge directed at me. I moved fearlessly to stand before him matching his glare in perfect silence.
“You took your time returning, cat.” he snorted at me. We still remained starring directly in each other’s eyes. “And you even bring company with you?” he added bluntly. He kept his stance of guarding the inner gates from us. I held back laughing at all this but decided to play into this show.
“Much was needed to be done for Her Highness to be proven as loving her people.” I retorted with a half growl. I stiffened and stood my full height in an Atlantian military stance. “And my guest is the most honorable Envoy of Atlantis, my true lord and master.” I announced in a loud rolling voice. A thunderous murmur waved through the crowd as the royal guards stiffened to parade stance. “I do not have time for this Magus Greyman, Dia’s pet Knight must be kneeling at her knee before she...” I continued but could not say more as the old man had me in a surprisingly tight hug.
“You are no pet in her eyes, Atlantian knightly hero and great friend to us all.” he returned finally laughing softly. I could see the shine of unshed tears in his eyes.
“Very happy to be meet by you, grandfather.” I replied letting myself relax in his grip.
“Grand father?” Meli gasped at my back. I glanced back to watch her pale faced shock.
“A term of endearment possibly.” Sert remarked with only a shrug. The crowd, guards, and all were drawn to the laughter erupting from Lord Kestrel and fill the air with this merry sound. Sert said something but it was lost in the laughter while Lord Kestrel dismounted without assistance. He landed hard on his feet before bringing his walking staff to hit the ground in a dull thump. He moved slowly, flowing with regal elegance forward to stand at my side to face Greyman. He bowed deeply as he reigned in his laughter at our little show for the citizens of the city.
“Lord Kestrel, Envoy of Atlantis, requesting an audience with her majesty, Queen Diadem.” he announced promptly. “It is regarding the behaviour of my newest household guard.” he continued quickly. The slight side glance he gave me had me glancing from him to Greyman and back nervously. A barking laughter escaped Sert while Meli groaned under her breath. They had moved to stand behind us. “Best to hear it directly from this noble sage and her majesty than waiting for your report, yes?” my Master teased me. With a smirk on both our faces, I nodded with a mock sigh before the creaking of the gate caught my attention. Artea had made herself present sliding out to meet us.
“Stop this childishness Magus.” she chided him with a sour grin. “The Queen wishes her Knight at her side, immediately.” she continued bluntly at the old man. Her eyes turned towards Lord Kestrel, cold grey with barely a hint of life showing their. Her silvery scythe amulet hung in full display now at her throat. “Envoy of Atlantis, your request is accepted so we may have you hear the praise for your guard’s most noble deeds.” she stated to him with barely a hint of formality. She nodded pulling the edge of the gate open wider for us to enter. Those eyes turned on me now. “The guards will get those supplies transferred to the needy within the city while you present yourself and your friends to the Queen directly.” A quick hidden wink was all I received showing her emotions about my return. “Please follow me.” she added ushering us forward. Before I could step past the gate, she had my hand at her elbow, escorting me personally at the head of our delegation.
“Thank you Artea, Priestess of Death and Honor Guard to Queen Diadem.” I state to her, walking beside her in a natural pace matching hers. A quick glance behind me showed that Greyman walked beside Lord Kestrel while Sert and Meli walked at our tail. No other guards appeared along the pathways and corridors leading to the throne room but my nose showed we were not going unnoticed. “You must admit to her your actions in returning her to her throne.” I whispered to Artea. She looked at me shaking her head dismissively. “As I must tell Dia why I could never stay with her nor can I spirit her away from here.” I confided in her. This earn me a very direct scowl.
“You would not dare!” she hissed under her breath at me.
“Her place is here as yours is at her side, Artea.” I returned calmly. “I could never be as dishonourable as removing her from her people.” I added softly. Artea’s eyes softened as she looked once more towards me. I ignored the conversation at my back while focusing on what I needed to do while here.
“Unfortunately, I do see her willing to give all this away for you, her furry Knight.” Artea returned with a hint of sad regret in her voice. “I have no place here as my debt to Lord Death weighs upon my shoulders.” she admitted. I remembered the vision given to me at our last meeting.
“You will be at her side until you are both very old.” I told her. “You must tell her about risking everything to protect and return her to her throne unharmed.” I stated reinforcing my thoughts about both our truths. “I will inform her if you shall not, Artea.” I added firmly.
Entering the throne room, I placed myself to one side equally spaced from Dia as to Lord Kestrel showing my joint allegiance to both present. Artea stood by me slightly closer to Dia with Greyman mirroring her position on the other side of our combined troupe. They took their turn starting with Lord Kestrel introducing themselves to the Queen as I stood silently watching her face. Her eyes barely looked at my travelling companions staying mostly locked on me. As the litany of introduction ended, she rose to her feet taking a hesitant step towards me before glancing from Greyman to Artea seeking permission to be herself. A nod from the old man and the honor guards sigh, shrug, and looking away was all she needed to act according to her heart’s desire.
I did not attempt to catch her nor stay upon my feet as she pounced onto me. Her face was buried in the fur at my neck with her arms and legs tightly wrapped around my body. I ran my fingers along the back of her head purring for her while my other arm wrapped around her waist keeping her safely in my gentle grasp. I could feel her body trembling with sobs and felt her warm tear soaking into my fur to reach my skin. The strangled gasp from Sert and Meli echoed in the silent room while I heard Lord Kestrel mention something about youth and undignified to lessers. This had a growl shake Dia’s body before she glared at Lord Kestrel.
“Undignified but required to punish my bad Kitty Knight.” she half hissed and half growled back. Petulance showed as she stuck her tongue out at Lord Kestrel before burying her face in my fur. A moment passed of her silent sobbing before her head rose once more. The twisted smirk and gleam of mischief in her eyes meet my glance before slowly turning towards Lord Kestrel once more. “You are the one he calls Master, yes?” she asked in a sweet purring voice.
“Dia!” I exclaimed.
“His decision to stay is his own to make and I will not change this fact, Queen Diadem.” Kestrel stated with a hint of sadness, possibly, in his voice. He slowly bowed towards her. “His age would prevent me from simply allowing him, a child, to decide.” he continued slowly. I knew what was coming and I could not prevent this moment. “He is barely a hundred years old while my other companions are near their 300th years of life or so.” he informed her then paused. Artea’s and Greyman’s face turned to look in shock at me while Dia turned while still straddling my stomach. Everything melted away in my mind as my eyes remained locked with hers.
“They speak truthfully Dia.” I stated softly purring. “If I remain with you, I will witness your death which would destroy my heart.” I continued in that same soft purr. My hands took her face gently preventing her from turning away. Tears swelled up in both our eyes but I was not done. “Bringing you to Atlantis would be the only way you would live as long as me but they need you more than even our feelings, Queen Diadem.” I warned her gently. “Another stands by you deserving to be your Knight and Guardian, having offered her own life for yours to be protected.” I added before giving Artea a quick glance. As my hands took Dia by her waist easily lifting her to her feet, Artea mooved to assist her highness to stand beside me. I worded silently “Keeping her safe is His wishes from you”. She held Dia by her shoulders allowing me to shift into a kneeling position facing her.
“Come my Queen, stand proudly for your Knight.” Artea stated but her eyes were upon me. “I give you permissionto tell her of my actions, kindred warrior spirit.” she directed at me before dropping to her knee beside Dia. Her form matched mine with both our heads lowered.
“The priestess of Lord Death requested Him to keep you safe until you could return to your rightful throne.” I told her slowly increasing my pace of speech. “She offered her own life as payment for yours, Dia.” I rushed forward. My head rose to lock eyes with her. “She kneels beside you alive and as worthy as myself to be your Royal Knight.” I concluded with a deep growl. My head dropped as I felt His presence before the musical chuckle floated around the room.
“You should not worry so much.” Death said softly in his deep musical tones. “The cat knows I will only claim her once her assigned duties are done.” he continued easily. I felt frozen in place and knew with but shifting my eyes that we were all trapped in this frozen moment able to hear his words. “She must keep you safe from now until you are both old and grey together, silly little Queen.” he added with his melodious chuckle filled the throne room. I realized I could move as Lord Death’s chuckle faded from the room signalling his departure.
“Young Kestrel!” Lord Kestrel snapped loudly in the room. I was on my feet turning instinctively to face him in stiff formal stance. “You have been making very odd friends, have you not?” he asked of me. I shrug and shrank before his raised eyebrowed glare. “You will truly grow into a good member of my retinue, kitten.” he added softer. His proud smile towards me had me straightening to my fully height. Slowly I felt my face smiling back as my hand moved to give my Master a crisp Atlantian salute. He nodded still beaming at me with pride for my actions so far.
“Maybe we should have taken a separate path from Lord Kestrel.” Sert mused out loud to be rewarded with a solid slap at the back of his head from Meli. The second slap sounded like thunder in the quiet room as he tried to say more.
“Hush! Idiot, we are in a throne room!” she chided the warrior like a big sister even if she was younger than him. “But you have been too visible!” she directed her anger and annoyance towards me. “You could have been captured for some side show or killed by priestly zealots as a demon offspring.” she snapped at me. I felt the floor slowly starting to tremble realizing her heightened emotional state was triggering her earth bound magic. With a quick glance around, I knew they all felt this tremor growing stronger.
“Enough!” Lord Kestrel bellowed as the tremors stopped instantly. Meli still glared angrily at me but was back in full control of her emotions and magic. “As a cursed Royal Guard, his feral nature gives him better instincts than either of you two, or even Cole.” he told the two senior members of his household. He turned back to me looking tired and mildly annoyed. My eyes slowly pulled away from Meli still shivering from her anger. “Lord Death shattered the blade with his scythe, correct Redpath?” he asked in a casual and soft tone. I could not speak but nodded my acceptance to his question. “He has linked your life to hers Artea as payment for your request to safeguard your Queen.” he informed Artea with a nod and smile. “Now can we return to a proper meeting with her Royal Highness Diadem before falling into our casual behaviour?” he added before placing himself back upon the spot he stood as we entered. A shy chuckle escaped most of us as they returned to their starting post. I sighed and took my proper place beside Sert, keeping him between Meli and myself. Dia noted my change and signalled Artea and Greyman to bracket her throne completing the perfect image with her standing regally before her throne.
“Be well meet within my kingdom and Castle, noble travellers.” Dia announced in a strong voice that filled the room. “I, Queen Diadem, offer you anything required for your voyage to return home.” she continued slightly softer. Her eye lingered on me before she spoke again. “Be at peace and safety within my walls, noble Atlantian friends.” she concluded giving Greyman a quick glance. His reassuring smile had her relaxing but still standing poised before us.
“You are a gracious and righteous ruler and we of Atlantis are humbled to spend a trio of days, if possible, within your Royal Halls.” my Master returned taking a knee with a deep headed bow towards her. I saw the sparkle in her eye at this request. I and Meli moved as one to take Lord Kestrel by the elbows while Sert hand at his back and shoulder balancing his slow and difficult rise to his feet. “I am sorry but events have me mildly indisposed, your majesty.” he reported as we held him standing. “My healer Mekiliean shall tend to my needs while my Honour Guard Sertian watches over us.” he continued formally assigned each of them work. “I will leave young Redpath as our known representative during this time.” he added as I froze at his side.
“Yes sir, but...” Meli started giving me a glance I could not read. Sert stepped to block her view of me replacing my hands with his own to assist Lord Kestrel.
“As you command, Lord Kestrel.” he replied loud enough to bury Meli’s words of protest.
“I am not trained as a diplomat, Master.” I reminded him softly and nervously. I only learned later that my tail swished like a pendulum behind me showing my nervousness at this new role placed upon me.
“You will do as you are ordered.” Sert retorted before anyone else could speak. “You have done as well, if not better than us, during our first outing in the wide World.” he told me in a softer casual tone. He gave me one final smirk before assisting Lord Kestrel from the room with both Artea and Greyman escorting them. I stood alone looking at the now closed door before feeling Dia’s arm wrapping around my waist.
“They give us time to discuss and have a lifetime in but a few days.” Dia whispered in my ear. “Do not waste a moment my sweet feline.” she continued as her grip tightened on my body. “Let me spoil my beloved kitty knight, please?” she concluded. Her body was pressed against mine and I could feel her shivering and smell fear tinting her natural odour.
“Three days to simply be Kestrel and Dia once more?” I replied in a deep throated purr. I heard and felt her giggle as she attempted purring back as her answer to me. “If you keep improving speaking the cat tones, you will have every cat in your kingdom here to serve you as I will always do.” I told her softly. The chuckle rolled from my body to blend with her giggle as I turned in her arms to face her. We hugged both laughing in our own way silently accepting this quiet but potent sign of our feelings for each other.
“Let me show you the gardens, please?” she asked in a whisper.
“Anything you wish, I am but your humble Knight.” I replied finally releasing her. With her hand upon my arms we walked through the halls of her palace receiving salutes, bows, and curtsies showing the love of the people for their Queen. Our steps were light and nearly soundless making our presence only noticeable on sight alone. “You have learn to step as lightly as a cat, my Queen.” I stated as we entered the inner courtyard. I paused seeing the beautiful natural atmosphere she had turned this place into. Trees, bushes, cobblestone pathways, flowers, and natural fountains could be seen within this large inner courtyard.
“My garden as I have been able to arrange it so far.” she announced cheerily to me. “It is as beautiful as your Lord Kestrel’s garden?” she asked more quietly.
“It is different but wondrous.” I answered slowly. “I do doubt you need Melkilian’s herb garden to try making it look like home for me.” I continued softly. “It is perfect and speaks of your overflowing heart, sweet Dia.” I added seeing her shine with happiness and pride.
“I wish I could see your garden and your lands, my Knight of the Redpath clan.” she whispered to me. “You have told me that all the Royal Guards are of a feral nature but why did your Master call you cursed?” she asked softly after we had walked in silence towardds the centre of her Royal Garden. I stopped turning her to face me fully.
“All the Royal Guards live under the beastly curse which is why we are feral.” I started explaining to her. “But I am a rare case that cannot mostly appear human like.” I informed her. “And it is not because I am too young either, Dia.” I added shaking my head.
“Which bring up my other question disturbing me.” she returned softly. “How can a hundred years old be seen as an infant?” she asked looking more confused. “I am only thirteen years old but seen as an adult and a Queen but you are older and still considered a child.” she continued sounding distraught.
“Because of our longer lifespan, Atlantians are not seen as adults before they are two-hundred years old.” I reported to her before she could continue. “To my knowledge, Sert joined the guard cadets upon turning 130 years old, and was assigned to Lord Kestrel after he had reached his 200 years.” I explained casually to her. “Meli was younger than him but Her Holiness assigned her personally to my Master even if she was not an adult in Atlantian eyes.” I continued trying to keep it light while revealing these truths to her. “That was nearly 150 years ago and I have only been with Lord Kestrel for maybe twenty years now.” I told her. “I am barely 70 years old now, having been born during Lord Kestrel’s absence from Atlantis.” I added calmly. I kept my eyes locked with hers reading if she understood my explanation.
“It still makes you much older than me.” she returned before a silvery giggle escaped her. I could not tell if it was true or nervous laughter. “But it is common for young ladies to marry much older men.” she continued still half giggling. “If I was not a Queen, would you then take me as yours?” she asked blushing deeply.
“That is a complex question considering the mating ideals of the Feline Guards.” I started but she placed a finger on my lips.
“Felines have multiple mates and all I need to know that I would be one of them if I was not royalty, kitten?” she asked more directly. My answer came in the reprisal on how she convinced me to be with her. I kissed her with one hand caressing the back of her head. As I pulled back, her eyes glowed, but were also wide. “My Kestrel?” she whispered. I nodded before rubbing my cheeks against hers.
“Always.” I whispered back before pulling her along to return to our quiet walk.
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