It was mid-afternoon when Lady Nightingale arrived for our group training session. Redpath had done his session earlier with Sert and myself leaving me facing Sert as Nightingale arrived to join our playtime. I knew Sert realized I was not going at my normal speed during our session as I wanted him limbered but not over tired facing Aurora Nightshade. To be honest, my session against young Kestrel had been more taxing on me with his still increasing battle speed. His present level of speed even surpassed the Cheetahs and could soon rival myself. Once my mantle is passed to him, his speed will increase exponentially blurring reality as he moves. I sighed at this thought before calling an end to my sparring session with Sert. I realized he had not noticed his next sparring challenge.
“Why do you take it easy on me today?” Sert grumbled.
“Because I am not the sparring partner that you need to focus upon today.” I responded to him I motioned Nightingale to take my place opposite to Sert on the field. “You have had a chance to learn from a chef.” I told him with a smirk. “Now you will learn from a high ranked Amazon.” I concluded exiting the field. I turned on the outside of the designated battleground and signal the session to start.
She took a defensive stance waiting patiently while smiling at him. He bowed to her before taking an attack stance against her. Her stance shifted fluidly into an attack stance as her smile turned more vicious and challenging. Their sparring was swift as both attacked, defended and counter-attacked with perfect practice movements. They returned to their starting position before bowing once again to each other.
“What have you learned so far, Sert?” I asked casually.
“That she can fight as my equal.” he answered easily. “But I feel she is holding back making it much harder for me to learn anything more from fighting her.” he continued with a shy grin.
“Do you truly think you can handle the full attack power of an Amazon Warrior?” she retorted with a hint of malice in her voice.
“I will never truly know if I never face it like I have faced a chef’s rage.” he replied calmly. He bowed lowly to her. “To truly learn, one must face the full force even if it renders me into a giant crawling bruise.” he added with honesty. She glanced once at me to see my mind on this request. I shrugged at first, pensively scratching at my chin, but slowly and hesitantly I nodded my agreement. The smile she gave me was beyond vicious.
She bolted at him with lightning speed to knock his weapon easily from his grip. She dropped low before him and kicked upwards with both feet directly at the base of her sternum with all her strength and speed. What followed was amazing even to myself. He lost his breathe and his concentration from that hit which also had his clothing disappearing. The double kick launched him airborne into the second floor window where Meli was having one of her social tea parties. Sert splattered bare butt first in that window for Meli’s guest to have a good look.
I learned later that her tea party had been going quite well as Ambassadors’ wives and the few female Ambassadors including Nightingale’s first spear. They had been merrily chatting and laughing about the gullibility of most male when facing a woman. The loud thud on her window drew all their attention as they witnessed the most perfect full moon they had ever seen during daylight hours. Some gasped in horror while other snickered lewdly. Sert quickly did his best to remove himself from the window without falling to the ground by climbing down. Witnesses from the street could have sworn they saw Sertian climbing out of Meli’s window fully naked causing no end to the rumors that those two were having secret flings together.
“So that’s his little secret!” I remarked while young Kestrel was on the ground laughing. Nightingale looked positively aghast by having caused such an incidence. She was blushing madly as she tried avoiding looking at Sert as he climbed back down to the edge of the training field in the buff. “Do not worry Nightingale, it is not your fault that his clothing was a mental construction.” I informed her chuckling. “It is a bit of a freakish magical talent but it proves his bloodline is linked to the original nobility.” I added unable to hold back my own laughter.
“What do you mean?” she snapped back at me.
“He does not need to wash or repair his clothing or armor since he simply recreates them from his mind magically.” I answered her calming myself. “It is reported that members of the noble bloodlines of Atlantis all have unique magical abilities but it is diluted and warped as it goes down the genetic bloodline.” I explained to her. “Mostly it becomes a freakish talent that appear useless in normal life.” I continued easily. “He would probably only carry and wear clothing when he visits outside of Atlantis.” I added under my breath.
“What’s with the naked man?” Chichi asked from behind all of us. “And the laughing cat acting like a swine?” he added. He stood in the doorway looking mildly confused at the entire situation.
“I hit him so hard that he lost his clothing.” Nightingale returned as she turned towards him fully. “Want to try your luck against me, Brother Famine?” she said huskily at him. All it took was her licking her lips and I had to dodge to clear a pathway for him charging at her. It took Nightingale only a few moments to have the little chef on his back while she straddled his shoulders. She teasingly leaned forward bringing her privates riskily close to his face. “Shall we finish this in private or do you wish to give everyone a good show?” she whispered to him.
“Private now!” Chichi screamed from under her. She pulled him back to his feet and rushed him out of me residence. Sert exited the bushes now fully dressed against.
“I must believe our sparring session is over with for today, sir?” he asked sheepishly.
“Yes but we get to see young Kestrel going all out before the Guard Captain and the head of the Feline Prides.” I answered chuckling. Redpath had finally regained his feet smiling at us.
“I will be sparring with Cassis and we both want to try reaching our ultimate celerity.” he informed us. “I also requested that we are judged by those five to define our level rank within the Royal Guards.” he added. His tail was flicking rapidly showing how exited he was for this session.
“Cassis?” I asked softly. “A cougar wind mage that should not be linked to the military?” I stated directly to Redpath.
“Yes.” he interjected smiling. “Her wind is not good for building or healing so she returned to gain marshal training.” he informed me. “But her and Toma did discover a new way to heighten yield and easier blending metals using fire and wind together.” he explained slowly. “And they make a very good team and couple.” he added which actually surprised me. We started heading toward the selected training field for his first true ranking session.
“You have meet Toma and Cassis, but not Peles, Toma’s older brother?” I asked softly. He looked at me and shook his head.
“Only Toma has come to Cassis training and our sparring sessions.” he replied slowly.
“Sounds like you have been making many friends upon Atlantis.” I hazarded softly. He nodded and smiled wider purring.
At the practice field, the four Captains and Valeria stood waiting with Cassis nearby to them. I took me a moment to notice and recognize Toma and Peles standing in the shadows under trees at the edge of the training grounds. I waved at them signalling them to join Sert and myself at the edge of the battle to observe it better. Young Kestrel and Cassis marched side-by-side to the centre of the battle zone. They shook hand in the warriors way before taking their place to bow deeply at each other. Valeria strode to the halfway mark to them forming a triangle.
“Upon the request of Cassis Dēn, we gather to witness a sparring session between her of the Royal Reserves, of rank in the Zephyr division of the Academy, and of the new Metallurgical Unification Division as a founding member and Kestrel of the Redpath clan, self selected Honor Guard of Lord Kestrel, Envoy and Royal Advisor, and he is the Queen’s Knight of her majesty Queen Diadem of Helvetius Kingdom.” Valeria proclaimed as she stood in perfect military stance. “Kestrel of the Redpath clan has added a request that their skill and rank level be judge by the Captains of the Royal Guards and myself as Leader of the Prides which has been accepted by Cassis Dēn.” she continued in a booming voice that echoed around them. “As is their right, we stand in judgment and as observers to their skills, abilities, and proving their rank among the Royal Guards.” she added. A cheer rose from the Captains in the form of roars, howls, grunts, and high pitched chitterlings. She stepped backward three large steps and signaled the beginning of their battle.
They both shifted instantly into an attack stance facing each other while smiling cheerfully. I felt Cassis magic rising around her like a tightly twisted tornado of wind while Redpath breathing slowed to a barely noticeable movement of his chest. I heard a small gasp from Peles and a soft breathy chuckle from Toma. Sert only smiled at our friend as he appeared to be statue still in his focus giving away nothing of his coming attack. They both blurred launching at each other gaining a surprised yelp from Ent and Jäz while Curd purred loudly and Rez rumbling chuckle added itself to their group reactions. I did not hear nor see any reaction from Valeria. The hits, blocks, and counters became a pulsing slapping sigh ringing clear in the air. My eyes, which could at first follow their movement, failed as they blurred at the speed they now moved.
“When did she get this fast?” Peles asked in shocked whisper.
“That would be Red’s training with her.” Toma reported smiling proudly. “They have pushed each other passed their limits to become this amazing.” he added as a deep crimson blush was on his cheeks. His older brother nodded with wide eyes watching the spectacle before them. But neither combatants had given an opening or made a mistake as their speed continued increasing. After images of their form locked into strikes and blocks started forming upon the field showing their celerity had risen to unknown levels of speed. The smacking sounds started merging into a quick pulsing vibration in the air but they did not back down nor paused.
“Sir, can you still follow their movements?” Sert asked in a gasp.
“Barely.” I replied chuckling loudly. “And I worried about him finding a good equal sparring partner.” I remarked between my laughs.
“Does your cat have some kind of magic?” Curd suddenly asked. I glanced at him to see wide eyed wonder, shock, and pride on his face and in his stance.
“Nothing I have discovered nor sensed from that odd black kitten.” I yelled back to him.
“That is no kitten, Lord Kestrel.” Ent called back. “Those two are living dervishes that blur to our eyes.” he added. The sense of amazement, awe, and disbelief come from all the Captains finally seeing young Kestrel truly fight with his full abilities against an equally skilled opponent.
Half an hour had past as these two marvels of speed and combat skills had turned into blurs that at time seem to skip ahead without being visibly seen. I felt myself breathing hard as if I was in the field facing off with either of them. I finally realized that even Miss Hope would have problems trying to keep up with the speed these two battled at. Then, what I believe might lead to a quick ending, started as Cassis floated upward still battling. Young Kestrel used his strikes and angled his blocks to stay airborne without slowing down. They had risen nearly half their height above the ground without stopping their celerity based attack style.
“Break!” Valeria roared. She turned to look at the observers at the side of the battle zone. Her eyes were wide and color had drained from her face even in its animal form fur coated cheeks. I glanced towards the Captains as each nodded to show they had seen more than enough of this impossible fantasy of a battle. Her wide eyes turned towards me. With a smile covering my face, I nodded before chuckling that turned into laughter. I felt Sert slump finally relaxing from the tension of watching this match. “We have seen enough.” Valeria stated not turning towards the combatants. I looked to see both of them already back in their starting position breathing hard while giggles and chuckles were coming from them.
“I thought I could get you when I raised the battle but you actually kept up without touching the ground.” Cassis shrieked as she giggled.
“That was amazing and did not realize we could float while fighting.” Redpath returned chuckling.
“You are absolutely unbelievable” Toma and Peles screamed chuckling behind me. Even the Captains were now laughing in their own way as Valeria came to join them. I watched as young Kestrel and Cassis moved in unison to clasp forearms in a warriors greeting. I only half listened to the Captains and Valeria murmuring to each other while we all waited for the verdict.
“I would never believe Redpath could move that fast.” Sert breathed out beside me. “He is far beyond my skills with that speed.” he added softly.
“You will eventually discover a way of slowing him enough to make it an even match.” I returned to him. “And this can be consider a lesson we have both learned today.” I added unable to hide the pride I felt for my feline name sake.
“Cassis Dēn! Kestrel of the Redpath clan!” Valeria interjected loudly. “Approach and stand at attention!” she order to them. Both moved slowly to stand ramrod straight before her and the Captains. “That was absolute insanity!” she scream at them. “You have gone beyond any possible limits we have believe possible.” she reported to them calmly. “Until today.” she added with a half smile. The roar animal laughter that rose behind her from the Captain had both Cassis and Redpath relaxing a bit in their stiff posture.
“As Captain of the Feline Guards, you are both exemplary warriors.” Curd stated to them. This simple show of being impressed was out of character for Curd usually finding something to complain about when giving praise. “You are both ranked as top members of the Feline Royal Guards.” he added before saluting them followed by a deep bow.
“As Captain of the Ursus Guards, I have no words that can convey my amazement at your performance as warriors.” Rez told them in his grumbling voice. “The Ursus Royal Guards see both of you as equals to our greatest members.” he concluded. The salute was clean and crisp, but the bow was more clumsy and hard for him. Cassis was about to say something but a glare from Valeria had her remaining silent.
“As Captain of the Lupus Guards, I fear fear facing either of you on the field of battle.” Ent admitted nearly casually. “You both are ranked within the greatest and most powerful warriors of the Lupus Royal Guards.” he conceded with a hard swift salute. He followed this with a bow exposing the back of his neck to them. The one Captain known to called all others as inferiors had shown submissive acceptance to these two much younger felines.
“As Captain of the Ferrets and Outcasts Guards, you have skills beyond the natural order.” Jäz announced to them. His look was reserved and pensive as he paused for them to understand his words fully. “The Ferret Royal Guards greet you as sister and brother to any and all our families as equals and honored members.” he added softly. His salute was slow, formal, and fluid as his eyes remained on them. The bow was a slithering movement of those that kill snakes easily. It was not an insulting sign but showed he saw them equally skilled to his kin’s specialty.
“As Leader of the Prides, I have seen and accept your rank as true Felines of the highest quality.” Valeria reported to them simply. “I cannot wait to face either of you upon the next Pride Hunt, even if I may lose my title of Leader.” she concluded with a sly smile. She did not salute them but bowed deeply, fluidly, and showed all her emotions of shocked awe at their skills.
“Wait!” Cassis interjected as her tail swished and undulated like a writhing snake behind her. “We are considered fully ranked in the top tiers of all four Royal Guards groupings?” she asked stunned. Her breathing was short quick breaths as her body quivered. Toma was on her right side while Peles was at her left side as both grasped her hand and placed a hand each upon her shoulders.
“Breath in deeply and count to three, my love.” Toma reminded her softly.
“Release the breath slowly with another three count, Cassis.” Peles continued the simple exercise.
“You deserve being praised with all you have done, Cassis.” Young Kestrel assured her. I could see her breathe slowing and returning to normal as her stunned surprise was accepted to her mind.
“You made that request on purpose to force this to happen, Red!” she suddenly yowled at him. He chuckled as she glared at him.
“I was taught to help my friend see themselves and for others to see them as they truly are valued.” my feline replied smirking at her. “I knew they would see how all your effort and work had made you an asset to all of Atlantis.” he continued as he half giggled and half chuckled. He saluted her and bowed to her in a purely fluid fashion only a cat could accomplish. “And it gives you another option of teaching others to combine their magic to become even more valuable for all of Atlantis.” he added. He was prancing over to where Sert and I stood after this. Over his shoulder, I watched both young men hugging Cassis and I remember when I first met them nearly a hundred years ago.
“Sir? Sert?” young Kestrel interjected softly.
“You have proven yourself perfectly, my feline shadow.” I replied with a beaming smile at him.
“You will have to stop holding back when we spar.” Sert stated with a smirk. “I will not improve without truly being challenged.” he added with a chuckle.
“I will but I will give you a chance to adapt.” Redpath returned purring happily.
“I believe you have earn time in the market place.” I told him softly. “Take Cassis, Toma, and Peles with you and teach them about the wonderful food of the outside world.” I added chuckling. I held out a small pouch of coins to him. With a nod from me, he claimed the pouch to rush over and collect his friends to invite them to celebrate this moment in their life. He was only a child but tried to act as a grown warrior and deserved a day to be childish, this once. The fear and awe blended in my mind as I watched him, knowing how powerful he will become once my strength and magic was poured into him. I saw nothing being able to stand against him as he fought for honor, righteousness, and the Fallen Ones.
“You appear very preoccupied, sir.” Sert commented. “You may also need a day to relax without needing to perform anything you do not wish to do.” he suggested calmly. I sighed deeply pushing back all thoughts except for the victory young Kestrel and Cassis before those they wished to prove themselves.
“I wish to sit in the garden and play music today.” I answered with a grin. “I have not had a good day to simply be a song bird with many borrowed voices.” I added. In a pleasing silence, we walked slowly back to our residence.
