I will not reveal much of my actions within the shadows of Atlantis, but I must admit that the Royal Archivist does keep a very well organized library. It made it easier to collect a copy of the memories from both the Royal and Council Guardsmen to supplement the documents I acquired from multiple sources around Atlantis. The most damnable documents would be the decree from a foreign kingdom bearing their royal emblem and missives from this kingdom and the Royal Advisor himself. I may have feign my inability to read but I knew what those two main documents revealed.
Orders, that had been agreed to by the traitor ship captain and royals, to kidnap younger Atlantians was a heinous act akin to declaring war upon Atlantis. The Royal Advisor Coltæn agreed to all this assuring he would make these missing youth appear as they had ran away from their duties to Atlantis. With this simple assurance, it turned all the kidnapped youth into traitors to Atlantis which would be killed upon their return to Atlantis silencing any suspicions of such a dark plot. The betrayal to Atlantis from the man who advised the Royals was repugnant to me as much as I knew it would be to the man I served.
A very odd thought entered my mind at this moment leading my silent fleet padded feet towards the member that was looked down upon within our household. It may have been my instincts but it felt more than this as I passed by the Council sector. I found Cole just outside the Council chambers by the pathway along one of the many dolphin pools. I could hear him grumbling under his breath as he held an open scroll in his hands. It soundless crept up behind him reading the report he held.
“Best they are never allowed to leave the harbor again, yes?” I remarked. He jumped and spun at me with a dagger already in his hand. My hand had his wrist in a tight grip as I purred at him. “No need to stab the House Cat.” I purred as his eyes focused on me standing there.
“And his name-sake appears again.” he replied relaxing visibly. “It is beneath you as part of the Royal Guards bloodline to get your claws dirty with this.” he continued calmer but still annoyed. The dagger had return to its hip sheath soundlessly. I tilted my head while looking into his eyes as words from Lord Kestrel floated through my mind regarding my strengths. “What is it?” he snapped at my silence.
“It is not something you should be involved in as well by being part of Lord Kestrel’s household.” I informed him. I reached out and plucked the scroll from his hand. “I will allow Lord Kestrel to direct this mission to more bloodied hands.” I told him with a smirk. “It will be dealt with without either of us reeking of blood, alright?” I added softly. My head tilted in the other direction waiting for him to allow this to happen. His eyebrow raised slowly as he inspected me noticing the blackened leather armor I wore being Sert’s old suit when Kestrel had first arrived upon Atlantis.
“Why do you think this is a job I do not relish doing?” he ask slowly.
“Because we do not need to nor is it something I see your heart accepting easily.” I returned purring calmly. I straighten my head and stood at my full height. I bowed to him and was gone into the shadows before he could react. I already suspected that this newly acquired document would be handed to Chilörąn but that would be Lord Kestrel decision and not mine. As I scrambled up and along the top of the wall that kept our training ground separated from prying eyes of Atlantis, I heard the thunderous cracking of the test dummy being destroyed. Lord Kestrel wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand as my feet touched down on the ground by a bench which held a clean towel. I snagged the towel and walked forward to stand before him with the towel held out to him.
“What do you have to report?” he asked in a soft voice. He placed a towel over his head hiding his face as he crouched by me. I revealed all that I had discovered including Cole’s undignified order from the Council. I laced my words with purrs, yowls, and softer meows allowing only Kestrel to know what I said. He smiled soundlessly as I reported. “Well done!” he exclaimed. “This will help me protect Atlantis.” he concluded as I smiled back at him.
“Will Coltæn receive his due justice?” I asked in a soft purr. I also held up the scroll acquired from Cole. “To the kitchens?” I suggested without emotions.
“Yes, and the dolphins will want words with him about these ideas.” he answered stony face and in blank tones. “His boat of cohorts will know a chef’s vengeance long before dawn finds them.” he stated with a hint of a feral grin. I allowed my feline beast to surface matching his grin, showing my fanged teeth, as I nodded back to him. I knew why I followed this man. Though violent, his actions were pure and honorable compared to the treasonous behavior of an Atlantian Royal Advisor.
“You will have a new sturdier practice dummy before next nightfall.” I returned softly. “I will inform the armory this night, sir.” I told him as I was stepping back into the shadows. He was the only being that would have heard my scurrying steps up, along, and down the wall back to the streets as I left him. It was a quick trip to the Royal Kitchen finding Chichi waving goodnight to one of the ambassador’s family at the kitchen door. My sigh drew his attention to me as I silently approached. He tilted his head to one side with a confused look on his face. I held out the scroll I had confiscated from Cole.
“A problem that Lord Kestrel cannot directly deal with.” I said in a soft purr. He took the scroll and read it quietly. His smile grew as the smell of alcohol burned off his body. I gave him one last nod before continuing my path to the Royal Armory as twilight turned into night upon Atlantis. I did not hide my presence as I followed the dim lit road to quickly order a new training dummy for Lord Kestrel.
“I see a sneaky kitten that gained foreign armor.” the head of the armory greeted me. “You are not wearing the armor you’ve earned Redpath clansmen?” he ask tsk’ing me with his tongue clicks.
“It is knightly armor from a Queen that is close to my heart.” I replied softly. “Something I will wear once Lord Kestrel allows it and during special moments upon Atlantis.” I told him. He eyed me closely with his arms crossed at his chest. “I only wear this one to show my allegiances to Lord Kestrel.” I stated under his scrutiny. “I am actually here because Lord Kestrel’s practice dummy has been destroyed and a new more sturdier version will be required.” I informed him standing slightly subdued under his gaze.
“I can have one sent tomorrow to replace the broken one.” he answered slowly.
“That is perfectly acceptable.” I returned with a quick fluid bow. “I will request to use my new armor more often if you would like to have a view of it, sir.” I added politely. I did not exactly consider it proper to wear knightly armor from a foreign land while on Atlantis but he seemed driven to have me donning my gifted armor. We parted company as I considered where to go now that my duties were done for tonight. I could visit the harbor and watch the events, shadow Lord Kestrel to watch him dealing with the traitor, or simply return home to guard the house while he is it out.
I decide to slowly drift by the harbor and return along the pathway Coltæn would be taking to reach the ship. I did discover passing by the harbor a scene that made me change my mind rather quickly. Chichi stood by the sandy shore disrobing and neatly folding his kitchen whites including his apron before wading into the water with only a pair of butcher’s cleavers in his hand. I froze in the shadow and watched as the first strangle scream floated from the ship. One sailor tried to escape but a harsh slash hooked into his back to drag him backward into the ship. The sounds of screams and strikes of the cleaver seemed dulled in the air that barely reached my ears until it all became silent once more.
Chichi suddenly reappeared from the shadows upon the deck of the ship. As he moves into the moonlight, the liquid sheen of blood coating his body was easily visible. He dove into the water of the harbor barely making ripples or a splash. As he raised in the water closer to the shore, I watched as her washed off the blood before returning to collect his still clean white clothing. He took one of the butcher’s cleavers and ran it along his apron leaving a single trail of watery blood upon the mildly blood marked surface. I was barely breathing as the little chef looked around and his eyes meet mine. He smiled and gave me a quick wink before slowly walking away whistling an off tuned melody heading back to the Royal Kitchens. I shuddered and continued along my path heading home.
My eyes fell upon another scene of oddness upon Atlantis as I waked by the dolphin pool to see the remains of Coltæn ripped apart floating in an empty pool darkened by his blood. I paused for a moment to enjoy the vengeance placed upon this traitor to his own people while a foreigner sits in a position to save all the people of Atlantis. As I turned to walk away, I notice the bottle sitting upon the marble edge of the pool. I sneaked over to sniff at the half fill bottle. The smell of blood, strong wine, and herbs touched my nose as my mind reminded the breath Meli had after her time in the kitchen with Chichi while Lord Kestrel dispatched the sanity of a single treacherous fairy. I chuckled under my breath before stepping away with a satisfied smirk. Our home was silent and dark as I arrived using the stealthy path to enter and curl up in a tree in our inner garden.
“Redpath! Full proper armor today!” Sert called from the entrance to the garden. “We appear as a fully retinue with Lord Kestrel in the Royal Court.” he added before rushing out. I spotted that he had places my knightly armor inside the edge of the private garden. I quickly slipped out of my simple leathers to quickly strap on armor that felt as perfect as my furry skin. I stood tall and straight as I joined them in the foyer to be escorted to the Royal Throne room. This was the moment I would be seen as a true part of Lord Kestrel’s retinue and household and seen by all within the Atlantis. I had but one worry if the Holy Queen noticed another Queen’s emblem upon my heart.
I walked between Sert and Meli with Cole behind me as we followed Lord Kestrel into the throne room directly to stand before the Holy Queen’s dais. Whispers about the Usurper Queen’s curse floated around the room with comments of the evil actions that happened overnight in Atlantis. Kestrel bowed in proper flowing Atlantian fashion remaining in this servile position. As a team, we mimicked his bow in unison remained bent low before the Queen of Atlantis. King Munin’s absent was ignored as we showed our reverence to Annianka, the Heart and Queen of us all.
“Rise Lord Kestrel.” she called from her throne. “A dark deed has occurred and We, the Throne, requires your advice and assistance.” she stated clearly and loudly into the room. Slowly Kestrel rose to his feet showing his full height while we four remained in place like statues behind him.
“What could have occurred for your Holy Highness to call upon a lowly Envoy, such as myself?” he asked humbly to her. The strangled gasping hiss from the crowd had us ready to rise but held our position of servile behavior. Kestrel shoulder slumped slightly as he began pacing along the space before the twin dais of the Queen and King. “Your Royal Advisor, Coltæn, being found shredded in a dolphin pool along the pathway to the harbor?” he mused out loud. He did not hide the destination the traitor was trying to reach. “Or the boat full of foreigners butchered in that same harbor?” he continued his teasing. He aligned his step with his words to end up standing before the Holy Queen. “Which of these deeds that rarely happen upon Atlantis do you speak of, your Majesty.” he concluded. He stood facing her Holy Highness waiting as the room exploded around him while we held our positions.
The court gasped and shouted accusations at Lord Kestrel directly. He stood looking at the Queen ignoring their words as we did the same but I noted those that spoke the loudest and defamed my Lord the loudest. I slight signal from his hand had us finally standing in our triangular position with me at the center behind him. I could hear both Meli and Sert grinding their teeth by the insult leveled toward Lord Kestrel. A small series of pops behind me told me that the straps holding back Cole’s daggers had been snapped off for easy access. I stood in perfect parade stance with barely the hint of a growl deep in my throat. I would have my action as Lord Kestrel had decided before we arrived here and why I stood in this protective triangle.
“Your gift of visions serves you well, Lord Kestrel.” Queen Annianka bellowed in the room. The disgruntled words choked in their throat as the complaints turned into milder grumbling in the background. “A nearly empty bottle of strong liquor laced with Dragon’s Blood found by the dolphin pool explains our Advisor’s demise at the hands, per say, of the dolphins he must have tried to violate in his stupor.” she announced to the room. This statement gained perfect silence in the Throne Room and caused a scent of fear to waft around us.
A pair of events ruptured this stunned stalemate nearly at the same moment. Ambassador Socotra’s entrance and the King’s undignified arrival. The Ambassador screamed for justice for his sailors while the King dropped into his seat wearing a perfumed reeking night robe hanging still mostly open. The miasma of the perfume and sex nearly made me choke but I held my place. The commotion of both actions had the room filling with comments that barely remained as whispered buzzing. Lord Kestrel side-steps as the Ambassador strode to the dais targeting the queen. His feet barely reached the first step when crossed spears forced him back. With a grumbled slur, he turned to repeat this actions towards King Munin. I cannot be sure if my arrow or his concubine’s bolt was targeted at Socotra first but his head was mine while the King’s toy had his heart targeted. No one else had moved to protect King Munin which was not a surprise to me knowing the Royal Guards held Lord Kestrel in higher standing than the King.
“Do your Guards believe me more of a threat to your Queen than to yourself, King Munin?” Socotra asked arrogantly. His face was red from the anger of having his countrymen slaughter in the harbor. All his weapons shivered before they jumped away from him to land by Lord Kestrel’s feet.
“No.” he told the Ambassador. “The Royal Guards do not wish you to be utterly destroyed by the Holy Queen for your childish arrogance.” he remarked in a deep toned calm shout. “As for the King being threatened by you.” he added. The derisive chuckle had the Ambassador turning more fully to look at Lord Kestrel. “You had no chance of that before dying badly.” he added. He signaled towards me and the concubine with that chuckle still rolling around the room. Socotra glanced passed Kestrel to see me targeting his head with a bow and arrow that had, to those present, appeared from nowhere. His eyes shifted toward the King’s Throne to spot his concubine holding a hand crossbow leveled at his chest from the corner. The King grinned like a fool as he stood to shove the Ambassador back never knowing how well protected he actually was with only two projectiles.
“Stay in line or We will make you leave, underling.” Munin threatened him. He plopped back upon his Throne with a sneering grin as if he was untouchable by mortal bloodlines. As my bow lowered, my eyes meet the King’s concubine’s eyes. Her hand lowered at the same speed my bow did while the corner of her mouth had risen in a half smile. Our weapons sat aiming at the ground when she nodded to me with the hint of a blush showing on her face. I turned to see the Queen on her Throne glaring towards Munin openly.
“Well said, Your Highness.” Kestrel returned calmly. “But a lost village can attest to never underestimate your Holy wife’s ability to protect herself and those faithful to her.” he warned the King openly and plainly. The Queen’s glare touched Kestrel for but a moment before turning back to her supposed King. “As for the slaughter in the harbor.” he hesitantly hazarded to the room. “These documents may clarify unknown information about the ship, crew, and its captain that would have lead to such a slaughter occurring.” he explained slowly. I stepped forward to deposit the many scrolls, correspondence, and copies of the memory crystals upon the lowest step of the Queen’s dais between both Royals. I easily stepped backward to regain my place safely within the triangle. I could feel the Ambassador’s eyes following my every moves. Sert and Meli moved to be closer to my sides while I heard the step of Cole moving to guard my back. I stood without hiding the fact I bore another Queen’s emblem at my breast while acting as the perfect servant to Lord Kestrel and the Holy Queen.
“What of the captain and crew?” Socotra asked in a calmer tone. He ignored his weapons scattered between Kestrel’s feet and the Queen’s dais. The Holy Queen leafed through the evidence while one last scroll remained in my possession. She slowly passed them to the King floating them upon air currents directly to his hands. Her face betrayed no emotions remain calm and regal as the level of this dark plot was fully exposed to her. King Munin reaction was the opposite as his face filled with rage and redness as his grip whitened on the scrolls in his hand.
“Will Ambassador Socotra explain the actions of his countrymen upon Atlantian shores!” he bellowed with the hint of a growl at the ambassador. He tossed the first of many scrolls at the man as he stood. “And will our noble and trusted Envoy explain how he discovered of these deeds!” he stated without looking away from the Ambassador. His glare was easily as vicious as the most terrifying beast at this moment as he rose to his full height. I was at the Ambassador’s elbow, gently guiding him a step back allowing Sert, Meli, and Cole to reform a triangle around him. This action had the two purpose of keeping him from running and protecting him from the King’s rage.
“Best I explain first Your Majesties as the Ambassador discovers things he is ignorant about.” Lord Kestrel stated calmly. He stepped to turn our protective triangle into a diamond with him standing before the King. “In part, my information was gleaned from my gift of seeing events without being present.” he explained softly. I heard the musical undertones that slipped into his voice vaguely reminding me of Lord Death’s voice with a slightly higher timber.
“A very useful talent indeed.” the King returned calming. The focus of the entire court had shifted from the Ambassador to all focusing upon Lord Kestrel. Munin’s color shifted slowly back to normal as he now dealt directly with Kestrel.
“From this I sent my newest retainer, and name-sake, to investigate and retrieve proof of my visions.” Lords Kestrel stated slowly at a measured pace. The thrills of notes hidden in his voice had everyone returning into a calmer state. “The rumors would easily be dismissed as hearsay by any noble Ambassadors who trusts his people.” he continued removing some of the blame from Socotra’s shoulders. “While I was able to gain assistance from both divisions of Guards to gain these documents shown to both of you.” he explained indirectly what had happened. “Between young Kestrel of the Redpath clan and the Royal Archivists, I was able to match these events with the combined reports, found upon the memory crystals, from the noble Guards of Atlantis.” he clarified to them. It was now clear how the sheer volume of information had been made possible for the Royals and their court to review. “But I can shed no light regarding the slaughter other than calling it Atlantian justice at work.” he concluded with a flourish of a bow. Everything seem to freeze in that instant as all this information was being fully understood by all present within the Throne Room.
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