Kestrel's Journals: Sister Pestilence, Truth, & Prince Bryan (22)

My return to the residence had me explaining to my household about the rushed Council meeting and later receiving the report from young Kestrel. I knew he hid something away from me but I did not pry about it. At the right time, he will inform me what he is hiding from me without me picking it out of his mind. The rest of the day was passed in quiet daily routines of sparring sessions, evening meal shared in the garden, and an early bedtime for most of us. I knew the feline would be out until late to meet with his allies and informants. I ended my day in my room mentally reviewing the reports from young Kestrel.

I was only mildly shock that Shala, Munin’s lead concubine, had arranged to prevent the King’s bloodline to spread in this world. The comments on how viciously she berated him to others had me smirking and feeling sympathy for her. I had read a small message from Khën regarding the mixed blood Guard, Siren, upon her being accepted by the Ferret Captain and their multiple clans as a fox kin member. Things moved beyond my sight which young Kestrel had discovered and help my see the growing picture about Atlantis.

Discovering how the quiet engineer, kitchen assistant, and friend of Prince Bryan did not have a problem killing the King was troublesome but understandable. The closeness that had formed between Deas and Prince Bryan was encouraging giving him a good friend and a trusted advisor. The ideas young Kestrel had put in their mind was not the best but correct if a good outcome was to happen with Munin’s death.

A hint of a familiar scent sat upon his shoulders which I knew he had met someone else during his nightly excursion. This was directly linked to what he did not wish to tell me about. He did relate a ghost story that was more funny than frightening but something about it sounded familiar in the ghost’s description. I waved away the first and only real possibility that Depression was visiting Atlantis as a ghostly visitor, but why would she do so. I put it all aside and drifted to sleep.

Word arrived that the Leviathan had arrived into port that morning. It sat waiting to dock with Captain Ent and Captain Rez standing on guard with a squad of each their troops. The Ambassador from the Amazon was arriving and the Captains had arrange a fully female only detail of troops to act as her guards while in Atlantis. We could hear Lockey screaming orders to her sailors with a hint of anger in her voice. The hull thumped hard against the dock gaining a series of multiple language swears making the sailors cringe in fear.

“She seems a little annoyed today.” I stated standing between the two Captains. I saw how the troop of soldiers glanced around trying to discover how I passed all of them unseen. I got a nearly casual glance from the two Captains and a growled agreement. I was also happy they had not spotted young Kestrel hidden where the docks and earth met. He was the only member of my retinue present today while the rest had other duties toward the Council, the Royal Court, and the Royal Kitchens keeping them occupied.

“I still would like to know how you do that.” Ent growled at me.

“Smoke and mirrors.” I whispered under my breath to him. I moved forward to check the hull that had impacted with the dock. “Not even a scratch, Captain Lockey!” I screamed up to her. She came to stand above me on the edge of the deck.

“Good!” she interjected still mildly annoyed. “I need to make haste from here to return to my normal job.” she yelled down to me. Her sailors had gotten the gangplank in place for Sister Pestilence to disembark. “Rifts are opening up all over the Asian coastline because of their mystical war.” she added. I expected this might happen as the war progressed and became more violent.

“Good hunting!” I called back. “I wish I could go with you but my duties hold me back.” I added with a wave to her. Aurora ignored the gangplank jumping down to dock landing with only a soft thump. The three members of her retinue walked down quickly carrying her belongings. It was mildly odd seeing two men and only one women forming her retinue.

“Make haste Captain, and good hunting!” Aurora screamed up to Lockey waving her to go. She turned to face the Captains with a smirking sneer on her face. Their troops stood at attention in silence behind them. “Is this the point where I challenge them or do I just bow to men that have that many women backing them?” she asked me. The mischievous gleam in her eyes told me she wanted to challenge them.

Ent tensed at these words and I saw that same gleam in his eyes. Rez let slip out a deep rumbling chuckle with a toothy smile at her. All the troops tightened ranks behind their Captains. They all bared their teeth as a low rumble of growls came from them. Aurora stared with a smirk at them. She was waiting for them to stupidly try attacking her but they remained immobile behind their Captains. The gangplank had barely been pulled in as the Leviathan jumped forward. Tracer of lights appeared in their wake as it shot through the simmer space that portalled them into the fray of battle. Less than a handful of the Guards glanced at the empty space once occupied by the hunter ship Leviathan.

“Lady Nightingale?” I stated calmly. I slowly moved to stand by the Captains. “May I introduce you to the Captains of the Lupus and Ursus Royal Guards, Ent and Rez.” I told her. “These Guards with them are to form your Honor Guard handpicked by their Captains, to keep you safe while in Atlantis.”

“I do not need guards to be safe!” she retorted angrily. “Should I simply prove myself as a true Amazon warrior to them?” she hissed back. Her hands had already moved to the hilts of her twin swords.

“No bloodshed required.” I sighed out. “Just accept one group as your guards since they might surprise even you with their qualities.” I continued casually to her. “Plus it will protect others from you.” I added with a darker tone. The two Captains glanced from her to me and to their troops trying to understand the situation and how they should act.

“Stand in revue position!” Rez ordered. He stepped to the side allowing the Amazon Queen to walk and inspect his troops. At this point, young Kestrel decided to come stand by my side. With a sigh, Ent stood back repeating the order for his troops. Aurora’s eyes had found something more interesting than the troops in my feline name sake.

“A pet?” she whispered to me. “At least one of the men here is willing to let me make my own judgment.” she stated. She slowly walked down the line scanning each of the bear-women that stood immobile in perfect military stance. A serious stony face was on all of them with only a hint of their sharp eyeteeth showing. The wolf-women stood with the same stiff precision but they held a snarling scowl on their faces while being reviewed.

“My private Guard.” I answered as she returned to where the Captains waited. With a smirk on her face, Nightingale moved to inspect my panther Guard. Young Kestrel stood with the same posture but was shorter by a head to the others. A smile was on his face beaming with pride and happiness at being reviewed as the others.

“I will take the bears since those dogs do not show a good attitude.” she announced casually. Her eyes were still on my feline companion missing Rez’s chuckle and Ent growl. “When can I get one of these?” she asked quietly.

“When all of Atlantis is willing to bow to you out of respect and not childish fear.” I remarked with a patronizing smile. She glared at me while the Captains chuckled under their breath at her. Young Kestrel glanced back at me signalling that he wished to speak. I nodded to him as he turned to look at the Amazon waiting in silence. She smiled and motioned him to speak.

“Since there are very few of my clan upon the central island, it would be nearly impossible to gain one to guard you, Lady Nightingale.” he stated politely in a mildly purring voice. “Lord Kestrel has this honor since I am named for him and for his noble deeds he has performed for Atlantis.” he continued easily. He concluded with a quick salute to her. He stepped back to be at my side. She glanced from him to myself a few times with a true smile on her face. I saw he had listened to all the times we had discussed the Amazons and their culture around males. He waited to receive her permission to speak as well as mine, showing great respect to her.

“So your name would be Kestrel?” she asked in a soft voice to him. He answered with one quick nod. “How odd to find a cat named after a bird.” she added thoughtfully.

“You may get a chance to see him in action if you visit during one of our household sparring sessions.” I suggested knowing I had peaked her interest. “You might be surprised at how well he moves.” I stated. This was bait she could not refuse for long. I placed a hand on his shoulder. “He is trying to earn my name the hardest way possible.” I added with a soft chuckle.

The vision crushed down upon me. I felt Redpath and the Guard Captains quickly grappling me to prevent me from falling hard upon the polished wooden dock. The last moments of Atlantis filled my mind, vision, nostrils, and along my skin making it truly feel real. I saw that, as the turmoil dragged the island under the ocean waves, I faced the one being I could not harm to stop her. Short of killing her would not stop her from shattering the Heartstone and releasing the darkness within. The roar that filled my mind was deafening as black blurs of claws lashed out mercilessly attacking her. The Ley'ä'Luna’s light blade, a manifestation of the pillar of light they exist within, appeared in a black clawed grip. The blade tip darted out with a speed far beyond anything in this world, including myself, to drive deep into her chest and immortal soul’s heart. Words were exchanged that I could not hear as her eyes grew wide in true fear before the power of this sword burst forth in the brightest white flames to consume her, body, mind, and soul. I had watched Genia’s death at my next set of hands.

As my mind was allowed to return to the present moment, a black furred clawed hand was clamped at my collar holding me in a sitting position. Lady Nightingale had pushed back the Captains to knell at my other side. I reached up to place my hand upon young Kestrel’s paw like hand at my armor’s collar. I stared up to glance directly in his eyes. Amber colored feline eyes met mine like a warped mirror reflection of my amber raptors eyes. The scream tearing out of my throat had him scurrying back. The litany of swears that poured out to the heavens contained languages long gone that were even older than the progenitors of the Ancient and Old Ones. Pestilence face paled as she quickly pulled Redpath aside having recognized the swears in the language of her own true original people.

“Stand back little one.” she whispered soothingly to him. “He has just received a most disturbing vision.” she explained softly to him and the two Captains. I could see young Kestrel eyes upon me, feel his worry, and smell the fear from all present, including Sister Pestilence. “You did nothing wrong little one.” she whispered in his ear. From passing glances between my hoarse screams, I noticed she was petting his head and I barely heard the cooing she soothed him with. “Just give him time to return to himself.” she added between the cooing.

She pulled young Kestrel away as she continued speaking to him in whispers. Ent and Rez were left to watch over the swearing mad-man that had taken my place at this time. I did noticed, while in my seized state of swearing, that the wolves escorted young Kestrel away while the bears took Lady Nightingale to her residence upon Atlantis. Over an hour passed before my senses returned under my control. Was this the Ley'ä'Luna’s way to show me who was the best to replace me or simply the one they chose replace me once I fell into true death. He was too young to be my replacement with so little time left to prepare him fully to bear the mantle as the protectors of the Fallen Ones, the humans. If this vision held true, he could prevent the cataclysm which I could not stop.

“Better now, Lord Kestrel?” Ent asked gruffly but kindness laced his words.

“No.” I interjected. I slowly rose to my feet brushing off the dust upon my clothing with both shaking hands.

“Best you get better soon, we do not want to miss the head to head between Lady Nightingale and our King.” Rez remarked with a rumbling chuckle.

“Thank you old bear.” I returned with a smile forming on my face. “I think that thought has made me feel much better.” I added. We moved as quickly as my slightly slower pace still shivering from the vision and my release of anger at the only proper decision I had before me. We did banter while moving towards the Royal Court especially how many ways Munin could put his foot in his mouth while facing this imposing woman. I knew I would need to face young Kestrel and try explaining to him what had truly happened but, somewhere in the dark hidden sections of my mind, whispered that he already knew in his heart.

Our arrival at the Court was impeded finding Lady Nightingale still waiting to enter the Royal Court. Her Honor Guards was spread out loosely around her to protect Atlantians and others from her than actually tightly guarding her and her trio of servants. Her dress was very subdued than that of a Queen as she played this lesser role because of my request. It did not change the menacing look in her eyes and the deadly amount of weapons that were hidden upon her personage along with the twin swords at her hips. The small smile on her face showed that this arrangement by her Guards made her happy to see.

“Something seems a foot!” she called out to me. She touched her ear and pointed forward to the Royal Court chamber. I gave her a quick nod as Ent, Rez, and myself marched forward. The mixed group of Atlantis’ both set of Guards was already clearing us a path to enter as the shouts started to be heard by us. The scene we walked nearly into involved Prince Bryan, red-faced, facing off with his father, King Munin, that appeared as angry as the boy.

“I will not excuse myself for going to visit Lord Kestrel instead of checking on your health, father!” he bellowed at Munin. Deas stood at the edge of the crowd where I now stood. One glance at his eyes showed he would kill the King if given a chance. He realized I was there and he shifted to fit in with his calm mask. I gave him a quick nod on understanding.

“You are seeing more in this innocent action than you need to do, husband.” Annianka stated with a hint of annoyance in her voice. “Plus you are delaying the greeting of the Ambassador of the Amazons.” she added vehemently. This pointless delay to argue with his son was the core of her annoyance at him. She glanced at me pleadingly as I simply pointed toward Prince Bryan.

“I wish to understand why my own son would turn to Kestrel when I was nearly killed, oh murderess wife of mine.” he crowed back angrily.

“You did not die and I needed counsel about what your death could have caused to Atlantis.” Bryan snapped back. He glanced back and a smile formed on his face noticing my presence in the room. “He is the Royal Advisor after all.” he added bluntly.

“See husband just a matter of seeking the proper counsel in this case.” Annianka continued from Bryan’s words. “Now can we move on to our prestigious visitor?” she added firmly.

“You should have been placed back in your prison for such an act that only Lord Kestrel’s presence aborted your attempt on my life.” he snapped back at her.

“Should I repeat it?” she snarled back. I had to stop this or everything would turn into a blood bath as bad as the one caused by the Usurper.

“And I wonder why the Royals bicker like school children or a very old married couple?” I remarked out loud in the room. I strode forward to stand by Prince Bryan. “Berating your son for seeking counsel from the one you have assigned as the Royal Advisor should not occur.” I chided Munin. “And my Queen should learn to keep a tighter hold on her temper.” I stated, glaring at her. She looked away unable to face me. “Why do you rage at your son seeking to understand the turmoil that would be caused by your death at your Holy wife’s hand?” I concluded. My glare meet Munin’s neither ready to stand down.

“And what did you tell him to have him not check on my situation?” Munin asked me. His glare was as direct as his anger for his son.

“That you were fine and I would put things in place to prevent it happening again.” I replied casually. I let his anger slide off me ignoring it fully.

“What else since he believe that he and Sara would be taking the throne?” he bellowed at me. A raised eyebrow and confused look was on my face.

“Which would be the only option for Atlantis to continue in a mostly peaceful state.” I replied still looking confused at him. “He is old enough to sit as reagent upon the throne until Sara is trained to be the Queen of Atlantis, as is her right.” I explained slowly while his anger wavered. “It is that or the Council would select a Reagent to run Atlantis until they are both prepared to ascend upon the throne.” I concluded easily.

“You would allow the Council to chose a reagent!” he retorted at me.

“If they could not see the reason in placing Bryan as King Reagent, Atlantis would have to suffer that action.” I replied calmly. “Then Atllantis would rebel and everything would destroy itself in this little island of bliss.” I concluded. I saw Bryan in my peripheral glance at me with a sad smile before turning to nod at his father.

The anger dribbled out of King Munin his mind started working its way through my words to him. All present could see his mind working through all the nuances of events his death would cause. His eyes suddenly grew wide as I read in his mind he review my words about the turmoil. I must say Bryan has learned to speak at the proper moment with the right words.

“I am sorry that I misjudged your actions, my son.” Munin stated mollified.

“I do understand your feelings as well, father.” the Prince replied calmly.

I could see his hands still balled into a fist while his face showed none of the deep seething anger he still held firmly against his father.

“Lady Nightingale is waiting to be introduced.” I reminded everyone softly. This got the nobles moving to form the greeting lines for her. A little smirk showed on my face while I slowly took my place nearly at the front of the line at Annianka’s side of the room.

“May I stay to meet her?” Bryan asked politely. “I am thinking it might be prudent for me to start meeting the Ambassadors and other dignitaries that come to Atlantis to be of aid to my sister, Princess-Heir Sara.” he added gaining a slow nod by Munin. Annianka simply motioned him to stand at my side being the last greeted but the closest to Annianka’s throne. I could see the pride shining on her face as she watched him take his place at my right.

Redpath's Journals: Being a Helpful Cat and Odd Meetings (22)

Over three hours had passed before Meli and Kestrel returned home. The grimace on her face made me avoid her as Kestrel had done. I did follow him to the kitchen noticing what he did for the healer of our group. I had watched Meli preparing tea before but Kestrel seemed to be more random in his selection of herbs to blend in the tea. I did not understand why their tea preparing style was different but both were skilled tea makers. I shrug and went to the door of our bathing area to gently knock.

“Occupied.” Meli called from within.

“Lord Kestrel has made tea for you, Meli.” I stated back through the closed door. “I can bring it and slide it into the room without peeking.” I informed her and waited.

“Is it set to stay warm on the hearth?” she asked.

“Yes, and will be steep to a stronger flavor.” I replied. I had to mention this showing I had been learning from her comments to herself while making tea. I heard a soft giggle from her.

“Leave it but thank you for letting me know I have tea waiting for me.” she returned sounding less annoyed already. I heard the water splash softly as she slipped into the large water basin. “I will visit you in the garden later to tell you about our trip.” she added.

“I will try to be there for your storytelling, big sister.” I remarked before walking away purring. I went to the training field to continue sparring with Sert. Kestrel entered a few moments later as if he had been moving very slowly around our home. I had barely warmed up but could keep up with Sert’s speed easily and perceive his attack lines as we continued sparring. As Kestrel watched us, I felt he was not truly watching us but thinking. He scratch as his chin and tapped his feet in a staccato rhythm which I learned was his pensive traits. He finally asked for the battle to stop informing Sert he had a sparring session with Chichi. My purring chuckle whispered out as I walked with them to the foyer. I went to the garden to climb up in my tree. The kestrel still sat silently on it’s branch possibly sleeping. It did not even turn to look in my direction as I settled onto my branch. I do feel like calling it my nest but kept stopping myself before saying it.

To my surprise, Prince Bryan, Deas, and Kestrel entered the garden. Deas stood at the side of the door inside the garden without following while Prince Bryan sat with Kestrel near the middle of the garden on the stone benches. Using the trees as a pathway, I dropped down by Deas gaining a shocked smile for the shy man. He silently nodded at me but looked away afterwards. His body stood stiffly as he looked into the garden center where Lord Bryan sat with Lord Kestrel.

“He seems angry.” I whispered to Deas. He simply nodded slowly as I listen to bits of the conversation. “He is smart but lets his emotions rule his thinking.” I commented in my purring whisper. Another wordless nod. “You are worried he will take the wrong path because of his strong emotions.” I continued my whispering conversation. A silent nod answered me again. “His passion is not misplaced but may blind him to the larger reality Lord Kestrel will show him.” I added to receive another slow nod.

I sighed and climbed the closest tree to make my way back to my perch as the discussion ended. Upon their departure from the garden, I bounced to the wall and down to the street below. I followed in the shadows escorting Prince Bryan and the silent Deas returning to the Royal Enclave. Barely a quarter way had them talking out loud to each other.

“I know he is right and that you were right, my friend.” Bryan stated. A soft chuckle came from Deas like a whispering wind.

“I knew if I could not convince you, Lord Kestrel would since he is trustworthy to all of us.” Deas replied in a soft voice.

“Thank you for no simply calling me a fool.” the young prince replied. Without looking at each other, their hands shot out in fists to tap against each other. It was something I had never seen before in the Atlantian nor human world. I simply smiled and filed this special greeting they shared in my mind. “Is it wrong that I wish my own father’s death?” he added quietly. I thought it was mostly asked to himself but the reply was not what I expected from the shy and silent Deas.

“No, he is no King, has no nobility, nor a soul within him.” Deas replied bolder. “I would find a way to have his head on a silvered platter for you, if asked.” he stated bluntly. My step faltered at his conviction and direct statement. They froze and slowly turned to gaze in my direction. “Yes, Feline, I am not always nice.” he remarked to the shadows I hid in. With a sigh, I stepped into the light.

“Being nice does not always mean being honorable.” I replied calmly. I knew I could have slipped away in the shadows but had decided revealing my presence. “Prince Bryan.” I greeted him with a fluid bow. “I am Kestrel of the Redpath clan, servant of Lord Kestrel.” I introduce myself to him.

“An escort from the Royal Advisor?” Bryan suggested doubtfully.

“I was out to patrol the city and decided to be your shadow for your own safety, Prince Bryan.” I answered truthfully. “And Deas is a friend of our household.” I added with a half shrug. Deas chuckled that windy laugh.

“I am not happy that Lord Kestrel might hear of my violent thoughts.” Deas stated softly. “But I feel he and his retinue would agree in this case.” he added calmly.

“It is which hands that dispatches him that keeps him alive for now.” Bryan remarked.

“An unfortunate accident away from Atlantis, would easily be overlooked and not questioned.” I admitted in a purr.

“Or you advising me on how to proceed?” Deas asked with a more dark whispering chuckle.

“No, he is admitting what could make his death overlooked and keep peace upon Atlantis.” Bryan returned quickly. He glanced at Deas then back at me. His grin held a hint of feral viciousness without evil. Deas’ grin matched the prince’s as they both looked at me.

“Atlantis must be absent during that time to be an effective outcome for Atlantis.” I reminded them. “With his aggressive and abrasive personality, it is only a matter of time before it happens.” I stated in a deep purring-growl. Prince Bryan laughed for a moment before Deas joined. The laugh was soft and held no more of the angry vengeful feeling their grin had held. “But you should be returning to the dormitories of the Officers’ Academy, sir.” I added as a gentle reminder to him.

“Even the Prince is not above the rules of the scholastic dormitories of Atlantis.” Deas pipped in. They turned to start walking as I followed visibly with them. The rest of their conversation was left to them and their privacy while I watched over them. Only my soft purring let them know I followed while soft growls warned them to change their chosen subject. None would hear or know the questionable subjects they might attempt discussing in public with my growling help. Once they were in their dormitory, I continued on my way knowing I would be too early to stumble upon Siren and Shal. But I did stumble upon someone I had not expected meeting.

The dark ephemeral being blinked into existence a few feet before me. As its form solidified, the face was recognizable to me as the Holy Queen Annianka, but her dress was dark and her scent held the hint of corpses and dirty. I froze in the shadow I stood in to watch her as she came into focus but was still partial diaphanous. She glanced around slowly as I heard the silken fabric of her black dress crinkle as she moved. Her eyes finally rested on me directly as pale hands moved to cover her mouth. I looked closer at her face with stunningly cold dead eyes, skin as pale as fine parchment, and, as her hands moved away from her mouth, bluish-black lips. She looked like a corpse walking Atlantis, a ghostly visitor, that matched the Queen in features and in form but drained from lively colors. She smiled sadly at me before giving me a quick wave and fading back into nothingness. I did not know what I had seen but a chill crawled along my spine and down my tail. A pair of delicate hands on my shoulder had me freeze once more. I glanced towards them seeing hands the color of the moon upon my night black fur. I finally noticed the black manicured nails upon each of her pale skinned fingers.

“You saw nothing.” the deep husky voice whispered in my ear. The touch to my mind paused then recoiled quickly. “You know Alal? Hope’s little kestrel?” it asked softer but more animated. I barely realized I was being spun to face that pale copy of Queen Annianka’s face. “I am her sister and not her who sits upon the throne here.” she admitted quickly. A soft glow of life was now shining in those cold dead eyes. “She is sister Hope, while I am sister Depression.” she added with a smile that showed bright white teeth sporting sharper canines.

“I am Kestrel...of the Redpath...clan.” I answered haltingly. “I am confused.” I admitted still frozen in place.

“You even share the name Hope gave him.” she remarked examining me closely from ear-tips to tail-tip. I shivered even if I tried to act brave before her. “And you are in my favorite color as well.” she added in a deep giggle. Her voice and giggles sounded too deep to come from such a delicate formed being. I glanced down nothing her feet, still transparent, did not touch the ground. She floated and her height match humans with a slim nearly emaciated body loosely wrapped in a black silk dress.

“That does not explained anything.” I retorted as she continue her minutia inspection of my form with her eyes. “Holy Queen Annianka is your sister Hope, correct?” I asked quietly. She nodded still focused on my furry body. “How many sisters does our Queen have that bare her likeness?” I continued quicker. “And why is this not known to us in Atlantis?” I added. Her cold dead eyes snapped back to meet mine.

“Oh!” she interjected. Her hands were back at her mouth as her eyes went wide while staring at me. “We are four and the world in general is not suppose to know we exist.” she explained still hiding her mouth. “Wisdom, Joy, Hope, and me, Depression.” she told me softly. “But those Ancients that brought us into existence say one is missed which is name Balance.” she added.

“And you reveal all this to me so candidly but I do not understand why.” I replied with a soft purr. I let my eyes note the minor differences she held with Holy Queen Annianka. “Why did you appear in Atlantis at this moment?” I asked in a purring whisper to her. She giggled before moving her hands back to her side. Outside the unearthly paleness of her skin, cold dead eyes, fanged tooth smile, and dark color of her clothing, she was a perfect smaller match to the Queen.

“You serve the Dread Bird Kestrel, Alal, which makes you part of our secret existence.” she returned with a crooked smile. “I visit here from time to time to enjoy the silence and the ghost within the old court.” she continued easily. She tilted her head and I noticed another difference. A line of crud stitches ran around her neck usually hidden by the wide collar like choker she wore. “They love the chance to talk to someone again until it is their time to be reborn.” she added. She noticed where my eyes rested and she shyly moved her choker to hide the stitches once more.

“Then why did you stop to...” I started, paused, and continued, “...discuss with me like this?”

“To erase your memory of seeing me at first until I say him in those memories.” she answered. Her deep tones had risen slowly as we talked. Her voice was still too low in tone to be confused with the Queen’s higher pitched voice. It was more pleasant than jarring now as her first words had been. I stayed not out of frozen fear but curiosity now. “You asked questions, I answered, and it became a better moment for me.” she admitted avoiding my gaze. “I should let you be on your way while I am going on mine.” she added with a sudden jolt in her body. She touched her forefinger and index finger to her lips and touched mine with them as blush gave her cheeks a more lively complexion. She rushed away floating in and out of shadows while I stood watching her disappear in the distance.

“That was an odd event.” I told myself out loud before turning to follow the path closer to the Royal Residences where I might find Siren and Shal. My mind reviewed the short meeting with this strange mirror image of the Holy Queen of Atlantis. I had slipped so deeply in my thoughts that I nearly missed Siren stepping out in front of me. I was able stop but she still had a pawed hand firmly placed on my shoulder to prevent us crashing into each other. “Sorry, I was lost in thought about...”I started explaining before looking back along the pathway, “someone I met.” I felt like I was going to spot her, Depression, but saw empty streets.

“Someone?” Siren asked in a soft whisper. “An intruder?” she added sniffing at the air.

“Not exactly an intruder but an oddness.” I told her. “It might have been just my cat mind dreaming while I am awake.” I added to dismiss this line of discussion. She looked around still tasting the air but eventually nodded to me.

“Shal is still occupied and might not be in a mood to talk tonight.” she informed me quietly. “The other concubines have discovered what she has been adding to the tea.” she reported in a soft tight voice. “They all agreed Munin deserves no other heirs since Bryan is already there and truly honorable and noble to stand by little Princess Sara.” she concluded her report on this matter.

“And none of them are Atlantian but show our wise honor regarding the King.” I remarked with a toothy smirk. She did not simply giggle but laughed at my words while nodding. “Have you ever noticed the Queen out at night but dressed in black?” I asked on an odd gut reaction.

“The phantom of the lost Princess?” she asked as her laugh soften into more of a chuckle. “Many report seeing someone that appears as Her Highness floating above the ground but seeming so small and frail.” she told me slowly. The hint of doubt in her voice was not hidden away. “Dressed in funeral garbs forever mourning the forceful passage of her parents.” she continued with a wry smirk. “I have not witness her but have heard many stories in my life.” she added.

“So I met the lost Princess or had a waking dream.” I stated to her with a quick nod. I held back the conversation I had and information I had learned from this dark mirror version of the Queen. She looked at me tilting her head. She placed both hands upon my upper arms to force my eyes to look into hers. “It is nothing and should be forgotten.” I lied to her. She sniffed at me and her snout crinkled as if it smelt something bad.

“The smell of deep dirt and the dead has touched your shoulders.” she retorted before stepping back from me. “You actually saw her and she touched you.” she said bluntly. “Is it truly a ghost or some ill omen?” she asked in a whisper. Her tail was wrapped around her leg, her ears had flattened against her skull, her eyes showed the white outer ring, her nose twitched, and she shivered. The scent of fear came from her at this moment.

“Whatever it is, it is not here to harm others.” I assured her. “Simply ignore her and look away if you see her.” I suggested from my meeting with her. “But most of all, do not fear her.” I assured with a soft purr and smile. “Anything else to report?” I asked more casually. It took a moment before she returned to standing casually but I did notice her nervous glances to the area surrounding us.

“Nothing to report but I doubt I could keep fear from me meeting this ghost.” she replied mostly calmer. A forced chuckle had me smiling and purring a truthful chuckle back at her.

“It will not be easy, but I believe she would be happier not being feared outright.” I returned softly. I bowed to her before taking a step back and returning along my pathway to go home. I was in the shadows approaching the main doors of the Royal Kitchen as I spotted Kestrel carrying Sert over his shoulder. I gave them space as I followed silently home. While Kestrel carried Sert upstairs with Meli worriedly following him, I went to collect the healing herb packs, a bucket of warm water, and a rolling mortar to carry up to Sert’s bedroom. I silently entered to place everything in neat piles where Meli could easily reach them. I left once I was done without being notices by her.

“Thank you kitten!” I heard her call behind me. I pounced down to the floor of the foyer from the second floor landing. I moved silently to enter the garden and quickly place myself in my perch to sleep. The small kestrel had not moved from its perch until I was curled up in the bowl made from trio of branches. It moved to a branch just above my sleeping spot. It looked down at me cooing before settling into a sleep posture. My purring breathing slowed as sleep took me as it had taken my kestrel companion. It was an odd thought but I felt this kestrel being mine as a companion and feathered friend and not just another creature living within our garden.

Sunlight woke me as much as the sound in the foyer. I moved to join them in the dining room for breakfast. I did put some food aside for the creatures of the garden while listening to the discussions. Kestrel and Cole both sounded annoyed while Sert jerked away from the meal bowl that had a spatula to serve it. It is only after Kestrel and Cole left that I discovered what had happened to Sert. I sat with Meli in the garden over tea as she recounted what she had learned from the warrior. I held back my laughter even if she giggled under her breath. I mentioned to her how Sert shied away from the bowl holding a spatula gaining an actual laugh from Meli.

“Little Chichi only used a wooden spatula to harry him into unconsciousness during the four hour of their sparring session.” Meli revealed still laughing. “I believe he will fear spatulas from this moment on.” she added. I looked at her suddenly understand how funny it was that a strong skilled warrior feared a normal kitchen spatula. I let my laugh escape me as I looked at her. The rest of the day was spent to help out around the house waiting for Kestrel to return and discover why the Council had called upon him so suddenly that even Cole did not know about it.

Kestrel's Journals: The Council of Atlantis (21)

Meli spent most of the night tending to Sert’s wounds that extended from physical to the mental realm. He developed an irrational fear of wooden spatulas because of the trauma caused by his defeat at the hands of the shorter portly chef with nothing but his new feared item. It would be used against him as a method to have him stand down just by mentioning the word spatula to him. I may eventually try to make him face his fear, but for now, it was a good way to keep him on a short leash.

The next morning brought me word that the Council strongly requested my presence. I muttered about dealing with underlings as we ate breakfast together. Cole dirty glares was only half truthful as he looked and sensed as annoyed as I was acting over this request. As we prepared to leave, Cole had calmed enough to act social by asking me why he had been left out of our last venture.

“Because I did not wish to have to inform the Counci how their dress wearing attache got rapes to death by hordes of Amazonian slave men.” I answered with blunt honesty.

“I would not have been in my Flower costume if dealing with Amazons.” he replied matter-of-fact. “I normally act properly unlike our friend who like being naked as a distraction.” he muttered. “And my presence might have saved Meli from harm.” he added sullen.

“She would have rather died than be saved by you.” I retorted with a chuckle. “And your presence would have changed nothing except, Meli would not resist handing you over to the Amazons as a toy.” I continued my chuckle getting darker and deeper. “Now, why am I being summon by the Council this time?” I added. My chuckle had died as I looked seriously at Cole.

“I do not know, but it is not my so-called employers summoning you.” he returned. He looked annoyed about being in the dark as much as myself. “Things have become much odder since your return regarding all the events in Atlantis.” he admitted in a whisper. I nodded as we resumed walking now in silence. From his mind, I gleaned his hope to receive the same information my other proteges held about these events.

“Time is starting to have its effect on Atlantis as the rest of the world.” I whispered to him. “Even with the mystical network above our head, we are still being affected by the growing darkness in this world stealing magic away from it.” I lied easily. Cryptic enough to have him jumping to conclusions but not enough truth to give him a real answer.

“You often sound like you know much more than what you reveal.” Cole returned casually. “It is like you know how it will all end.” he continued quieter. “Thanks to your gift of course.” he added with a dismissive nod.

“It usually explains nearly everything I seem to blunder into.” I replied with a shrug. “And it is the closest view of truth I can share with others.” I concluded.

“Alright, now let us see what these fools want.” Cole concluded. We arrived at the doors of the Council Chambers. A pair of Council Guards, from the faction I had aligned with, meet us at the entry doors to escort us to the central chamber where they all meet. Both Guards shrugged wordlessly as we quickly questioned them in a whisper. We glanced at each other before entering the large circular room. We were waved to the central podium to be watched from all eyes seated around the room.

“I am pleased that Noble Kestrel, Royal Advisor and Envoy of the Ones on High, has graced us with his presence and wisdom.” the Spokesman for the Council stated loudly. I glanced around seeing most, if not all, the seats were filled. “I thought it best if you received this news at the same moment the full Council learn of it.” he stated calmly. He avoided looking at me as a Page placed a scroll in my hand bearing the Royal Feary emblem. It was a very short direct statement that read: War is declared.

“What is the meaning of this?” I snapped back at the Spokesman.

“A note sent from the Royal Ambassador Sherena.” he replied looking sicker by the moment. “Please read the words so the whole Council may understand even if it does not deal with Atlantis itself?” he requested in a slightly softer tone. I stood to my full height holding the open scroll in my hands.

“War is declared!” I bellowed out in the room. He sighed and nodded to me.

“Every mystical race attacked the Fairy mounds in Asia turning the place into a bloody magical war zone.” he started reporting to the Council from a set of documents before him. The surrounding Fairy mounds have turned their back on them because they were informed of their actions in Atlantis and the rumors they made the Rebel Mound disappear.” he continued slowly. "Princess Sherena, herself, disappeared slightly before the war started which in a way made them all attack swifter than planned.” he concluded.

He nodded to me as the Council Chamber sank into stunned silence. I reexamine the letter closer holding in front of my face. In a very small script in ink that was a nearly perfect match to the color of paper read: I am safe. The scroll hide my quick smile before I lowered it stony faced once more. The new treatises signed with me as the representative of Atlantis left our hand free to act or hold back within this mystic war.

“Have contingencies been put in place if any of those fairies attempt escaping the war zone alive?” I asked breaking the silence. It was a clap of thunder in the room releasing them from their shock. Animated with the worse possible outcomes of escaping fairies and how prolong the mystical war could last.

“Other may try to attack them causing the war to spread out of control as they hunt the escapees.” one Council member stated.

“The magical energy released, if prolong, could cause uncontrollable effects on the humans and natural animals of those lands.” another started.

“It could spread farther still especially if too many of them escape to be hunted down.” a third member snapped back linking it all together.

“You have started all this with a single comment, Lord Kestrel!” the Spokesman screamed at me. “This insanity will not help us since we shall not interfere unless it comes to the shores of Atlantis.” he proclaimed with finality. His glare towards me was as icy as the permanently frozen plains of this world. It meet the fire of suns blazing back at him in my eyes.

“If not held in check, the enemies will escape to rebuild elsewhere!” I squawked back. “Are you so blind not to see that this will sneak back into Atlantis as it as already done before?” I asked angrily. Cole and a majority of the Council members gasped at my rebuttal.

“Do you question our methods after being the one the forged the alliance that gives us the right to watch and not be involved?” the Spokesman snapped back sneering.

“We would not be interfering by sending word to our allies surrounding that area to create a closed magical border to lock them all in the area.” I answered with a smirk at him. “We do not need to join the fight nor personally seal the area in order to protect ourselves.” I bellowed for the whole Council to hear. “But we must do something quickly before too many of them have a chance to escape and restart this plot or a worse plot in another part of the globe.” I ended as they all stared in silence at me.

The Spokesman looked dumbfounded from my words. The Council as a whole seemed trapped in this dumbfounded stupidity to the simplest answer I gave them to act in Atlantis’ favor without stepping into the fight directly. I glanced at Cole who looked along the row of faces confused and disgusted at them. He signaled the pair of Guards to escort us from the room, who moved forward instantly. The confused look upon the Guards’ face showed they were as lost in this as we were. Once outside the doors, Cole started pacing back and forth along the hallway while the Guards stood waiting in silence by me.

“This is not right.” Cole mumbled over and over again as he paced. He finally stopped in front of me. “Why are they appearing like they cannot understand such a simple and logical idea?” he asked me. The hints of fear showed in the whites of his eyes.

“Your words made perfect sense to me, sir.” one of the Guards stated softly. His eyes remained lowered while his partner nodded his agreement. Cole returned to his pacing while finding the source of this dumbfounded reactions by the Council.

“I do not understand why the Council seems absolutely empty headed in this matter.” the other Guard commented as Cole strolled past us. I sighed softly raising the letter back to my eyes. New words of my design burned into the paper which I then crumpled. A small portal opened beside me and, with a back toss of my hand, the crumpled note floated through it. The Guard on that side of me glanced at me with a raised eyebrow in silence while Cole noticed nothing in his self-absorbed state. I reached out to grapple Cole’s shoulder during his next pass arresting his movements.

“Send word to our allies in the name of the Council and Royals through their Royal Advisor with the request they close their borders to fairies escaping Asia.” he ordered calmly to him. ”They can set healing places on the border of the conflict zone but none must be allowed to leave the area without receiving a proclamation naming them innocent from the Fairy Royal Family.” he continued quickly. Cole’s eyes gleamed with the mischief I was putting in action. “Also send word to the Fairy Royals of what I have done to assist them in Princess Sherena’s name as we had agreed.” I concluded. Cole nodded repeating each command as I stated them his eye burning with joy my illicit actions I put in motion. He ran off giggling like a maniac through the halls to the communication section of the Council Enclave.

“Do you realize how happy you have just made him?” the second Guard asked with a soft chuckle. I smiled as I nodded to him. I took a deep breath moving to face the doors to the central chamber. The amplification stone that hung around my neck jumped out perfectly mimicking the shard of Heartstone that had been sealed away. I pushed back into the meeting room with the two Guards at my side and another four that had remained in the room. I moved to the podium and raised my hands as the member still looked silently dumbfounded. Tendrils of lightning sparked from my fingertips to connect with each members in the room. I signaled with a head gesture for the Guards to depart. They took a quick glance at each other before filing out slowly. I waited until they left before I started.

“Now let us all be clear that you have agreed to my idea to ask our allies to bar the escape routes to the Asian Fairies.” I told them and embedded this as a fact in their minds. “You have given them the right to set healing areas along the border of the conflict but none may leave without Royal Fairy decree.” I continued. Each word etched directly into their memories. “You will send word to the Royals that this was my idea and I will speak to them directly soon.” I stated calmly. “You did not receive any communications with Sherena other than her reporting that the Fairies of Asia have been attacked by other mystic beings.” I ended. I reviewed the orders now burned into their mind as they agreed to my suggested actions.

A ring of nods replied my actions upon them before I withdrew my connection to all of them. I felt the tremor of archaic magic shifting the ether in the room. I turned slowly unsure what I would see to be overjoyed to see one of the aspects of the last Ley'ä'Luna known as ‘Wisdom’. I smiled at her remembering the last time I saw her, we acted out a scene of me hitting her showing her false arrogance for the Ancient Ones that watched us. She was the one I would turn to if I felt conflicted or lacking wisdom when no others could calm me.

“You have such gall using such a trick to get your way.” she whispered to me. I quick glance had all the Council member looking blankly at us. “I will not do anything since it is for the best in this situation.” she returned with a quick wink. She moved to stand beside me at the central podium. Mischievousness gleamed in her eyes as a smirk flourished on her face. “From your own eyes you can all see that I am the Holy Queen and Heart of Atlantis.” she stated. Her voice floated around the room receiving nods of acceptance. “Kestrel’s words always come from me so his requests are royal decrees and must be acted upon immediately.” she added. Another round of nods answered her. She turned to me to curtsy at me with a giggle.

“Why did you do that?” I asked under my breath. My exasperation showed in my face as I looked at her attempt to help me.

“So you do not need to always force their little minds into understanding wisdom.” she returned with an innocent smile.

“Best you leave before you are spotted here and the Atlantians start thinking that Annianka can be everywhere at once.” I returned to her. “Even if they already believes she sees everything that happens on Atlantis.” I added with a shrug. With another tremor of the magical ether of the room, she was gone leaving only a hint of her natural scent of old books and ink. I did not want to explain why I had went directly into their mind since she would want to look into why they acted mentally dysfunctional. I truly did not wish to be trapped dealing with two aspects if Wisdom had learned of this mental oddness. With only one aspect corrupted, I hoped that the remaining three could realize the problem and work together to find the cure for her and help return her to Atlantis in that future darkness. I was still unable to find which feline was to replace me that my mind focused upon.

That hidden part of my mind debated if I should have warned her but, with the four free aspects able to communicate and transfer knowledge willingly, it was wiser to leave them in the dark until I knew more on how to stop this infection consuming all she and I am in this world. I opened the door to find the six Council Guards waiting at attention. I nodded to them as they saluted me in unison. The original four that stood in the large central room reentered as I waited with the two that had accompanied me earlier. Cole returned beaming with mischievous excitement of having gotten a step ahead of the Council.

“I returned to them and made them agree to the messages you have sent.” I informed him, Cole deflated slightly but still remained energized by having been ahead of them if even for a little bit. “Let us go home and decide what must be done next.” I suggested to him. He feel in step beside me while our two Guard followed us to the doors of the Council Chambers.

Redpath's Journals: My Duties and My Delight (21)

Days seem to flow together while I had midnight meetings with Shala and Siren, some days in the Council Chambers while others days on the training fields with a mix of different Guards. I even got a few more sessions with Cassis who easily was accepted into the Militia Reserves giving her rank while opening new paths for her. Toma made a suggested to her one day as we finished our training session leading to new metallurgical process mixing his fire with her wind. I got to watched them. Even if I could not sense the magic itself, the visual beauty of their synchronized gifts at work showed they were a truly bonded pair.

I heard the door hit the wall of the foyer followed by a few words from Cole before the sound of a body hitting a wall hard. I peeked to witness Cole being lofted up into his room hearing his privacy lock snapping shut. Kestrel strolled up the stairs to his private room. The door slammed shut, the lock clicking into place, followed later by the sound of his ocarina. As I returned to my treetop bower, the sorrow of the music floating around me had tears running down my cheeks. The drizzle that followed increased the sadness having me mewling as I cried uncontrollably. As the retched feeling nearly had my heart breaking, I had a vision like those Lord Death had shown me in Dia’s kingdom.

A great cavern spread out before me filled with children that I felt were truly ancient. Their form were in part nightmarish but amazing beautiful at the same time. Some had patches of skin that appeared like liquid night sky mixed with scales, fur, leaves, and bark covering their child-sized bodies. I floated above them as I notices musical instruments of all sorts hanging from their waist or slung across their backs. I was being moved along the top over them seeing all these children of antiquity as if drawn to something or someone. Near the back of the room stood a lone flame burning white with a smaller see-through humanoid entity flitting around as if patrolling the perimeter. It’s hair was tentacles of purple and blues, a more even separation of bluish-purple scales, and liquid night sky, and eyes glowing of the purest purple color I had ever seen.

“You are the first to notice me.” the young girlish voice came from this entity. “You are a very special feline indeed.” she added before turning to face me. A pair of her purplish tentacles reached out to me but did not touch me. I instinctively reached out my two hands that appeared as shadowy furred in this vision. My palm connect to the under flesh of her tentacles. My hand closed on her tentacles that folded to hold onto me.

“Who are you and why are they here?” I asked in a soft purring voice. Her head tilted as her purple eyes deeply gazed into mine. I knew she was touching my mind but it was such a gentle touch as if searching for the right words or the right thing to compare herself to. “I can feel your mental touch, it is alright if it helps you.” I told her. Minor memories floated up in my mind as she looked quietly into me.

“The one who will be a Kre, the one who is but is not at the same time is allowed to visit me the unborn daughter.” she answered slowly. The musical hints in her voice reminded me of Lord Death and indirectly of Lord Kestrel when he spoke Atlantian. Two more tentacles stretched out to slowly pet my head and scratch behind my ears. “Like you, I am a Kre; KreLey, alive but not alive.” she continued softly. She smiled and giggled as her tentacles slowly touches my shadowy fur. “For you, I will be Kryel but that will be in a much different future.” she added still giggling. Her words were both spoken for my ears and whispered into my mind as we stared at each other floating in this vision.

“And they are?” I asked.

“The Forgotten Ones, imprisoned for being of the mix blood of the Ancient and Old Ones and feared by all the ones that came before except the first true six races and those that brought them, the six, forth.” she replied slowly and softly. “You walk with the one that was not imprisoned here.” she explained with a sad smile. “Passion would never let them remove her son from her.” she continued with a giggle. “His sorrow falls upon the twin lights in this world for those trapped here he cannot save himself.” she told me. “Stay by him since he will know soon the path that must be taken, Kre.” she added.

Her tentacles pulled back and felt myself pushed back through dizzying darkness to be back in my body in the tree. I realized the music had stopped and my fur was damp from the tear-like drizzle. I looked down to see Kestrel had returned and sat discussing softly with Meli. His words repeated what Kryel KreLey had told me about what my eyes saw during my vision. The second half of the discussion had my ears perked up, listening intensely.

“We will be leaving as soon as I rest for the Amazons territories.” Kestrel warned Meli. I mostly ignored the reason for this rushed travel pondering what this will change upon Atlantis. Big sister left him as he slowly drifted to sleep. I did pick a few tasty morsels from what remained on his plates and drank the third cup of tea he had not noticed hidden under the bench he slept beside. I spread out some of the bits of left over food closer to the area birds, and the family of chipmunk could safely come to eat. A tentative squawk had me glancing to one of the trees spotting a very young kestrel. I took some of the meat pieces and placed them away from the area the other animals fed.

“We share everything with our friends.” I purred under my breath to the bird of prey. It landed and started cautiously eating while watching me moving around to collect the empty cups, plate, and tea pot upon the tray to return it to the kitchen silently. “You stay here to watch over everything.” I told the kestrel. I did not know why I spoke to the bird but felt it was polite. My trip to the kitchen was quick to simply place the tray upon the small table to make it easy to find in the morning. The kestrel had taken a spot in the tree next to the one I had selected as my sleeping perch. None of the meat or the other bits were left as I moved to climb back to my spot. I curled up purring until I slid into sleep.

Dawn had barely let light enter the walled private garden when Kestrel had awoken and already started preparing himself. I watched silently with the bird matching my silent focus. As Kestrel left the garden, I pounced down to follow him. I was near the bottom of the stairs as Meli and Sert stumbled their way down to join Kestrel in the foyer.

“What...” was all Cole was able to say as his head poked out of his room. I heard him being bounced into the back wall of his room and the door slamming shut and locked.

“Keep him busy until we are gone.” Kestrel told me. I pounced up to the second floor sinking my claws into Cole’s door leaning against it to keep it closed. I smirked and nodded to Kestrel before he rushed the others out of the door of our residence. I could feel Cole trying to push open his door by I held firm giving Kestrel a chance to board a ship and escape from Cole for a bit longer.

“Enough Redpath! Open this door.” Cole stated in a harsh voice.

“Do you promise not trying to stop them?” I replied calmly.

“Yes, I will stay here.” he called back through the door. “I promise.” he added softly. I let the door open by stepping back from it. It opened slowly as he peered out at me.

“Lord Kestrel is meeting with the Amazons and we are not invited.” I informed him before he could ask. He nodded slowly.

“Do we know why he is doing this?” he asked with silky tone. “Or is this another plan we will find out about later?” he added.

“Possibly a treatise or trade agreement but we will find out once he returns.” I answered purring. He did not need to hear the extra information Kestrel had revealed in private to Meli. He sighed as he nodded once more to me.

“Alright.” he interjected slowly. “I still need to visited the Council within the hour.” he continued slowly. “Will you be accompanying me or do you have a training session planed for today?” he asked calmly. I purred while scratching my temple thinking.

“Is it alright if I just ignore today?” I returned hesitantly.

“It is not a problem, but why?” he returned casually. “Are you feeling ill or something?” he added. The worried set of his face did not truly reach his eyes or in his body’s placement.

“Not exactly.” I replied with a shrug. “I just have something on my mind I wish to look into personally.” I lied to him. I purred under my breath scratching at my temple and at my chin alternatively. This feigned distracted seemed to have been convincing as he eyes shrunk as he nodded.

“If I should know about it, you will inform me, yes?” he asked softer.

“Of course, once I learn all the details.” I replied easily. “It is just a minor friction between two of delegations which I feel has an outside instigator.” I explained briefly. This vague bit of information would be enough for him to look into every minor conflicts between the multiple delegations visiting in rotations upon Atlantis. He would find some external goading causing some of them, which should increase their trust in Atlantis doing its best for all the foreigners and for peace. “If I cannot fix it myself, I will inform you to get the Council interfering for the interests of Atlantis.” I added. I punctuated this final statement of mine by bowing to him and heading back towards our private garden and my unofficial bedroom.

Returning to my perch, I glanced over to see the kestrel still sitting on the nearby tree. It would glance at me sometimes but only cooed softly without looking like he wanted to move. I learned much about these small vicious birds that appeared to be indirect companions to Lord Kestrel. I understood these birds of prey preferred and excelled in attacking much larger targets which had me fearing for my harpy friends delivering messages to me. This fear was quickly put to rest as a harpy landed with a squawk to collect my letters for Rena and those that lived within Dia’s kingdom. The kestrel looked at the harpy but did not move nor make a sound other than a quick short thrill and cooing. I had found a satchel like carrying bag that could be fitted on the harpy without interfering with its flight abilities. It rubbed the side of her head against me as I placed this messenger pack on her. It was already holding my many letters written with ink and the tip of my index claw as a quill. When my harpy friend left, the kestrel was still perched on a branch looking around the garden and at me, cooing softly.

This oddly pacifist behavior was noted but I felt it saw no threat from the harpy or any of the other critters within the inner garden. It could be Kestrel’s newest feathered companion but his presence here while Kestrel was away made me dismiss this idea. If this bird had simply selected this garden as his home territory, the lack of stories or rumors of attacks meant it did not hunt on Atlantis. I sighed still thinking about our newest guess while going to the kitchen to collect myself breakfast and extra snacks for the critters of the garden including our new resident guest. My return to the my garden room gave me another surprise that had me both confused and curious.

The second older and more weather worn kestrel stood on the bench trading squawks and high pitch chirps with the smaller one in the tree. The smaller one floated down to pick at the new one’s leg pulling off a capsule. I had seen and heard of these capsules that carried messages. The capsule was left on the bench as the elder kestrel took to the air. I nearly called it back to share in the small bits of meat I had for the smaller one but did not get the chance. The small one stood on the bench shrilly squawking at me to gain my attention.

“In one moment, my new feathered friend.” I told him. I moved around the garden to deposit the different delicacies I had select for those that shared the garden with me. As the night before, I placed the favorite food types closer to where each could collect them easily. I ended with placing the kestrel’s fare close to the ground by the bench before sitting with my meal. I collected the capsule but did not try opening it while watching the interactions of the small group of chipmunks, birds, and the lone kestrel. The kestrel had picked up a few pieces of the meat cubes I had given him, tossing them toward the zone of the other two groups. Beak clicks, whistles, chirps, and soft squawks was exchanged by the feathered ones while chitterlings and chirps was exchanged between the chipmunks and kestrel. Seeds, millet grains, and nuts were moved to the kestrel’s feeding zone receiving a bowed head from the bird of prey to them. I had just witness these small creatures making deals bartering food. I opened the capsule to read the message within.

 

            Young Kestrel,

We are safely away and I thank you delaying Colêsträ. We should be returning late in the afternoon to report to the King and Holy Queen. Please remained close to the residence if possible since I wish to have words with you about a possible new house guest.

Lord Kestrel.

I sighed and chuckled knowing replying was not truly possible and mostly useless with his rapid return to Atlantis. I had already gotten Cole to look into the friction between the multiple delegations and feed all our friendly creatures. I slowly ate considering if I could get a training session with the Royal Guards or Council Guards before Kestrel’s return. A mid-morning to late morning session was a possibility after leaving word with the Atlantian Court of when they could expect a report from Lord Kestrel.

Unfortunately after leaving word with the Royal Court through the Scheneshal, I found no Guard groups holding a training session, not the cadet Guards, nor even the Militia Reserves. I did not want to get caught in the Council Chambers with Cole without knowing how long his business would take. With Cole, he could easily end up having to visit with half if not all the Council members with the bait I had dropped in front of him. I let my feet lead me as I strolled the streets of Atlantis. I was wearing my plain leather armor that had originally been used by Sertian keeping away the attention Dia’s gifted armor brought upon me. This old armor had darkened with age and was nearly a match to my own natural black fur.

“Ah! Young Kestrel of the Redpath clan!” someone called out to me. I looked around realizing I had wandered into a food providers section turned into a Market Place. A foreign man by one of the stalls was waving at me. I moved slowly towards him wondering how he knew my full name. “Thank you for coming to my call.” the man stated quickly. “I received a recipe that I am testing but it is not a food type we have in our lands.” he started explain in that same rushed manner. “It is spiced meat on sticks which I need to verify how closely I have made it to the recipe.” he added slower and suddenly hesitant.

“And you believe I can help?” I asked cautiously and confused. He nodded vigorously back at me. “I am not a chef nor do I truly know anything about cooking.” I returned.

“Not cooking skills required, only tasting skills.” he replied softly. “You are known as a Knight in one of the countries in the area these meat sticks come from.” he explained nervously. “I would like your opinion on the flavor being authentic or not.” he continued his explanation. “We in Egypt do not know these things.” he added.

“I am sure they are fine, my husband.” a woman called out from the back of the stall. She walked forward from the back carrying a tray laden with meat sticks I recognized. They looked and smelt exactly like the one’s Dia and myself shared through my time with her. “He worries so much and doubts his own skills.” she told me as she placed the tray at the front of the stall.

“I can say they smell and appear exactly as those from the Way Stores.” I told them quickly. I must have licked my lips or sniffed too aggressively as they both laughed.

“Please try one.” the man offered as his wife held out a single stick to me. I took it gingerly from her and closely examined it with both my eyes and nose. I small bite filled my mouth and minds of memories of the happy moments with Dia. A tear slowly rolled down my cheek with the second larger bite of the mildly sweet and spicy meat. They paled as they looked at me.

“They are perfect and will remind anyone from those lands about home and happiness.” I told them after swallowing the second bite. I wiped away the tear before finishing the remaining meat in one bite. The smiles I received from the man made his face glow like the sun and wife giggled.

“You see how skilled you are, my love.” she told him with a giggle. She held out another six sticks to me. “Take them in gratitude, Sir Kestrel.” she added. I knew I could not refuse and took the sticks gratefully.

“I thank you for your allowing us to use your taste buds.” the man added with an odd bow. I recognized it from one of Meli’s books as a formal bow used by their priests. The man did not look like a priest but this small action was stored away in my mind. Something about a priest married to a noble girl floated up into the back of my mind. A soft mental touch on my mind with whispered words.

“Yes, he who is named after my Uncle, we have returned to visit Atlantis as normal humans.” the woman’s voice whispered in my mind. I had stiffened as it started but relaxed at the word ‘Uncle’ as I remembered the story Meli and Sert had told him about their first trip away from Atlantis. I also remember the Egyptian woman I nearly fell onto discovering about Kestrel being Sara's father. I smiled performing an Egyptian bow as fluidly as I could. The merry chuckles and giggles I received either meant I did it correctly or I was absolutely awful at it. I did not bother asking which as my feet return to meandering along the streets of Atlantis. I had just arrived home with one last meat stick in my hand, slowly taking small bites relishing on the memories when my nose warned me of Captain Ent and Sert returning home. Captain Ent was still chuckling while Sert looked worried.

“What has happened?” I asked looking from Sert to the Captain.

“Lady Mekiliean is now a beast like us.” Ent retorted chuckling. “She has grown her fangs!’ he added in a mirth-filled howl.

“Her canine teeth have been chipped into fang shaped teeth.” Sert stated more serious. “She also has blackened eyes and a broken nose.” he continued. I could see the worry on his face that Meli had been hurt. “She acted up with the Amazons and was put in her place then attacked for no reason other than lustful greed.” he concluded more fully. I bite my lips to not make a noise that could be seen as a bad reaction. Captain Ent was still chuckling.