The explanation to Kestrel about the challenged I had agreed to and the request I had placed upon it was done earlier to our morning matches. He appeared worried as he asked why I wished to prove myself. As I explained that it was for not exactly for myself but for the one I was sparring against. He nodded and agreed while also requesting a chance to observe this session. I agreed but never mentioned who I was challenging at this time. My two morning sparring sessions had me only pushing my speed to match theirs. Easy with Kestrel but much harder with Sert. I found so hard not to strike at points on his body exposed because of my speed. I felt bad not giving my all but I wanted to keep my best for facing Cassis. It was the best way to show the Captains how much she had improved and became stronger combining her many skills together. The session between Sert and Kestrel had me wondering why Kestrel was holding back like I had been. My answer arrived at that moment as I turned to soft footsteps to see Nightingale approaching the edge of our private training field.
“Why do you take it easy on me today?” Sert protested. I bowed to Lady Nightingale and with flourished wave I mentioned her forward still bowing low. I saw the little smirk on her face as she stepped to the edge of the combat field.
“Because I am not the sparring partner that you need to focus upon today.” Kestrel responded casually. He motioned the Amazon forward as he moved to stand beside me on the outside of the sandy field. He waited until she had placed herself where he had stood facing Sert. “You have had a chance to learn from a chef.” he stated to him. The smirk on his face told me this was going to be a challenge for our warrior companion. “Now you will learn from a high ranked Amazon.” he added sweetly. He turned to fully face the center of the battle area before signalling the beginning of their sparring session.
I watched both of them closely nothing their stances and first attacks. They both moved fluidly from attacks to counter attacks. I notice how Sert watched her eyes since she would look at the opening which he could block before she struck. She was forcing forward her attacks but had his level pegged quickly and kept him fighting at this point. I could see from Sert’s facial contortions that he was finding hard but still not a challenge to him. After a few minutes of swift battling, they returned to their starting positions quickly bowing to each other.
“What have you learned so far, Sert?” Kestrel asked. He was keeping his face plain hiding his emotions.
“That she can fight as my equal.” Sert replied softly. “But I feel she is holding back making it much harder for me to learn anything more from fighting her.” he continued with a shrug and shy grin. I saw Lady Nightingale stiffening at his words.
“Do you truly think you can handle the full attack prowess of an Amazon warrior?” she retorted angrily. I could see the malicious urge to put this man in his place but said nothing to warn him.
“I will never know if I never face it like I have faced a chef’s rage.” he answered calmly. He bow low before her in the supplicant pose with arms held wide away from his body. “To truly learn, one must face the full force even if it renders me into a giant crawling bruise.” he added before rising from his bow. The Amazon glanced at Kestrel for permission. Scratching at his chin pensively, he shrugged then slowly and hesitantly nodded. The feral grin on her face was the only warning I received before she charged at Sert.
Her speed made her form blur to my eyes at first but returned quickly to normal as I clearly saw her hand snap out open palmed to force Sert’s weapon to fly away from him. She slipped to her back with both knees at her stomach and feet targeted for his sternum. The kick was like a crack of thunder before Sert was lifted to fly backwards towards the second level of our home. The fact that the hit had also rendered Sert naked paled as it had him smacking posterior first in Meli’s window. The shrieks I heard from beyond that window had me falling over laughing as I remember that Meli was having a tea event that day. I was rolling in the dirt on the ground from my uncontrollable laughter. I barely heard what was exchanged between Kestrel and Lady Nightingale during my fit of laughing. I started regaining my senses as Chichi appeared in the open doorway looking confused at the sight.
“What’s with the naked man and the laughing cat acting like a swine?” he asked as I slowed my breathing to stop laughing.
“I hit him so hard that he lost his clothing.” the Amazon replied. The smirk and raised eyebrow as she turned to face him slowly walking forward. “Want to try your luck against me, Brother Famine?” She asked in a deeper husky voice, The moment she licked her lips, Kestrel was throwing himself out of Chichi way. The little chef pounced forward directly at her with a leery grin on his face. It took less time than the original practice session with Sert to have Chichi on his back as she straddled his shoulders. I glanced over to see Sert working his way down the wall to hide behind bushes at the side of our private training field. “Shall we finish this in private or do you wish to give everyone a good show?” her husky deep whisper reached my ears.
“Private now!” the little chef screamed from under her privates that nearly resting on his face. She moved to her feet pulling him up with her to rush toward the exit. A rustle from the bushes had me watching Sert walking out full dressed again.
“I must believe our sparring session is over with for today, sir?” he asked. He had a sheepish boyish grin on his face.
“Yes, but we get to see young Kestrel going all out before the Guard Captains and the Leader of the Prides.” he answered chuckling. I was finally standing shaking and pawing off the dirt from my fur and off my leather armor. I was smiling at them suddenly excited once more over this chance to truly move at my full speed.
“I will be sparring with Cassis and we both want to try reaching our ultimate celerity.” I told them. “I also requested that we are judged by those five to define our level rank within the Royal Guards.” I continued as I started prancing towards the door. I did not bother hiding my rapidly flicking tail showing my excitement for this pleasurable session.
“Cassis?” Kestrel asked. I could feel his eyes on me. “A cougar wind mage that should not be linked to the military?” he continued sounding confused.
“Yes!” I replied smiling broader. “Wind is not good for building or healing so she returned to gain marshal training.” I explained remembering he had meet her long ago. “But her and Toma did discover a new way to heighten yield and easier blending using fire and wind together.” I continued easily. “And they make a good team and couple.” I concluded purring. We took the side path that lead us directly to the training field.
“You have meet Toma and Cassis, but not Peles, Toma’s older brother?” he asked softly. I looked at him shaking my head. I tried remembering if another face had been in the crowd during the times I would spend training with Cassis while Toma watched us.
“Only Toma has come to Cassis training and our sparring sessions.” I answered slowly.
“Sounds like you have been making many friends upon Atlantis.” he said quietly. I nodded smiling as I purred merrily.
I marched to stand with Cassis at one side of Valeria as we faced the four Captains. With but a pointed clawed finger, Valeria signaled us to the field. I spotted from the corner of my eye Toma and another young man moving to stand with Kestrel and Sert. I marched beside Cassis towards the center of the battle field.
“That is Toma’s brother Peles?” I whispered to her. She quickly glanced back to nod at me smiling. I nodded before we reached the middle point. We turned to face each other locking arms like brothers’ in arms. Three steps backward we bowed at each other and froze waiting for the command to start. Valeria strode to the form a triangle with us to stand perfectly straight. We both straightened into a military precise attention.
“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 Queen’s Knight of her majesty Queen Diadem of Helvetius Kingdom.” Valeria proclaimed as we stood in 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. “As is their right, we stand in judgment and as observers to their skills, abilities, and proving their rank among the Royal Guards.” she concluded. The cheers from the Captains in the form of roars, howls, grunts, and high pitched chitterlings filled the air. She stepped backward three large steps and signaled us to start.
We moved in unison into an attack posture unable to stop smiling at each other. This was just another moment to play with a friend for both of us no matter the pomp and ceremony that introduce us to all that could hear. I spotted the shifting light as Cassis gathered the winds around her while my breath lowered to slow shallow focused breathes. A wink from me signaled my readiness and we launched at each other. Strike, block, counter, cross-counter, dodge, and back to a strike as we pushed our speed to its limits while smiling at each other. The waves of sounds of our palms, elbows, knees, and feet hitting against the other’s block pulsed away from us while we continued pushing for more speed.
Pure focus kept us from leaving the smallest of openings or making any mistake in this dance with an ever increasing tempo. Nothing beyond the fight moved or made a noise as we smiled and enjoyed this matching of our celerity and combat styles that I knew would amaze all the spectators. For but a moment Cassis had four hands before I realized so did I. After images of our motions increased as a nod between us accepted to push our speed to even a higher level. The noise of our strike to the other’s block throbbed away from us overlapping waves of sounds. I could hear Cassis merry giggling as I knew she heard my purring chuckles. Time did not matter to us as we reveled in finally pushing beyond our celerity limits into blissful fantasy.
I saw the glint in her eyes and was ready to see what she was about to attempt we had not faced before. The sand under her feet swirled in a mad miniature tornado as she started lifting off the ground. I changed my targeting to give myself upward momentum to match her windy wings. It was a slow rise for us but I felt the spectators were watching us launching upward as we continued at the limits of our celerity. Then the shout came. We tapped palms instantly to bounce back to our starting point. Breathing hard, we looked at each other smiling, giggling, and chuckling happily.
“We have seen enough.” Valeria called without looking at us. We turned slowly and started a procession towards those who would judge us.
“I thought I could get you when I raised from the battle ground but you actually kept up without touching the ground.” Cassis shrieked and giggled beside me.
“That was amazing and I did not realize we could float while battling.” I yowled back still chuckling.
“You are absolutely unbelievable” Toma and Peles screamed while chuckling as we turned to face Valeria’s back. We clasped arms once more as we tried to calm ourselves. The rest was a blur of sounds being drown by my heartbeat and heavy breathing.
“Cassis Dēn! Kestrel of the Redpath clan!” Valeria stated loudly. “Approach and stand at attention!” she ordered having both of us straighten into a perfect military stance. She turned finding us already present and waiting while smiling at her. “That was absolutely insanity!” she snapped at us. Our smile faltered. “You have gone beyond any possible limits we have believe possible.” she reported. A side glance without turning my head had me looking into Cassis’ sparkling eye. “Until today.” Valeria added softly smiling. The smiles returned to our faces fully. The roaring mix of laughter from The Captains nearly had me chuckling once more but I held it in as well as Cassis was doing. Our stiff posture relaxed just a bit as we now waited for the ranking judgment.
“As Captain of the Feline Guards, you are both exemplary warriors.” Curd told us. It was simple and subtle but for Captain Curd to give a true compliment was impossible. I waited for the derisive back lash. “You are both ranked as top members of the Feline Royal Guards.” he stated. The salute and deep bow had me amazed to silence as we returned the salute and bow to him.
“As Captain of the Ursus Guards, I have no words that can convey my amazement at your performance as warriors.” Rez rumbled at us with a half smile. “The Ursus Royal Guards see both of you as equals to our greatest members.” he continued in the same gruff voice. The salute he gave us was clean and crisp, but his bow was not so. Cassis started lifting her hand to speak but a single look from Valeria had her hand dropping to her side. I saw how she flexed her hands nervously not used to receiving compliment from anyone but Toma.
“As Captain of the Lupus Guards, I fear facing either of you on the field of battle.” Ent admitted eyeing both of us. “You both are ranked within the greatest and most powerful warriors of the Lupus Royal Guards.” he proclaimed in a howl. His hard swift salute was followed with him exposing the back of his neck to us. Captain Ent would never show submission to anyone unless they defeated him in battle. He accepted we could defeat him with this one action.
“As Captain of the Ferret and Outcast Guards, you have skills beyond the natural order.” Jäz said to us. He was passive as he looked at us. “The Ferret Royal Guards greet you as sister and brother to any and all our families as equals and most honored members.” he concluded softly. His salute was slow, formal, and fluid never looking away from us. His snake hunters’ bow to us had me shivering. He was greeting us as his own kin and kind not just as equals, but true family.
“As Leader of the Prides, I have seen and accept your rank as true Felines of the highest quality.” Valeria told us directly. “I cannot wait to face either of you upon the next Pride Hunt, even if I may lose my title of Leader.” she added smiling slyly at us. She only bowed showing all her shock and awe at our skills. Cassis tails lashed out like a madly undulation viper.
“Wait!” she snapped out suddenly. I could see the wild emotions swirling in her eyes and the wind dying around her. “We are considered fully ranked in the top tier of all four Royal Guard groupings?” she sputtered out. Her breath was fast short breathes as her fist clenched at her chest. I moved to stand before her as Toma and Peles moved to her sides. They each grasped one of her fists forcing them open to tightly hold her hands.
“Breath in deeply and count to three, my love.” Toma told her quietly and soothingly.
“Release the breathe slowly out with another three count.” Peles returned calmly. I recognized this as a breathing exercise to calm her down. My thought was different but what she needed to hear the most presently.
“You deserve being praised with all you have done, Cassis.” I reminded her gently. Her breathing slowed until it returned to normal as the gleam of wild madness faded from her eyes. She giggled as she nodded while tears of joy filled her eyes. She looked at me suddenly glaring. She had discovered why I had made my request and why I had suggested to her having the Captains witness us sparring.
“You made that request on purpose to force this to happen, Red!” she yowled at me. I purred and chuckled while suffering her glares. I could see in both young men’s eyes they understood what had happened. A small smirk was on their face as they looked back to her in silence.
“I was taught to help my friends see themselves and for others to see them as they truly are valued.” I told her. The smirk on my face earned me more time under her dark glare. “I knew they would see how all your effort and work had made you an asset to all of Atlantis.” I moved forward as the glare lessened. I saluted her and bowed the proper feline fluid style. “And it gives you another option of teaching others to combine their magic to become even more valuable for all of Atlantis.” I concluded. Her eyes filled with tears of merry mischievousness. I gave a quick nod to Toma, Cassis, and Peles before walking away to join Kestrel and Sert.
“Sir? Sert?” I called out to them as the stared at me in silence.
“You have proven yourself perfectly, my feline shadow.” Kestrel stated. His smile was like the sunshine for me.
“You will have to stop holding back when we spar.” Sert told me smirking. “I will not improve without truly being challenged.” he added with a shrug.
“I will but I will give you a chance to adapt.” I replied purring deep in my throat.
“I believe you have earn time in the market place.” Kestrel told me. “Take Cassis, Toma, and Peles with you and teach them about the wonderful food of the outside world.” he suggested chuckling. He held out a pouch to me, nodded to me, and I claimed it from his hand. I turned to rush back to my friends finding Cassis trapped in a double hug. I held out the pouch in front of them gaining myself confused looks.
“We celebrate at the Market Place.” I told them. “Our first stop is a place that sell the most wonderful treat you have tasted.” I added smiling and purring.
“What treat?” Peles asked softly.
“Roasted meat on a stick, of course.” I returned chuckling. Cassis and Toma started laughing while Peles eyes went from one to the other still confused. “I can explain why, while we walk there.” I assured him. I lead the way with Cassis and Toma on my one side and Peles on my other side. I glanced at their faces and realized how much we were all the same. Each had found their own path while helping each other and not judging each other badly. We spent the rest of the day going from different food stalls and drink stalls laughing and talking taking one day away from stress and worry. After walking them home, I strolled back home feeling so happy and relaxed.
“I hear a congratulation is deserved.” A deep growl had me stopping by a shadow. The mildest hint of sulfur touched my nose. I started chuckling softly turning toward the shadow to see twin burning red eyes. “And he does not attack or act aggressive this time.” Steel added slowly moving out of the shadow.
“We are friends, no need to worry about fighting.” I answered smiling a him. I held out my arm for a greeting. The barking laugh escaped him as we locked arms. “Two young, unknown, and underestimated felines gained top ranks from all the Royal Guard Captains.” I told him softly. “I do not need congratulations after that much praise was placed on my shoulders.” I added.
“You have earned the praise, Now accept a friend saying that you are admirable.” the wolf-boy demon replied. “Word is spreading fast that we have a pair of flying cats on Atlantis now.” he continued laughing. “My praise is that the free demonized beast see you as one of ours.” he added. And with another lingering barking laugh, he stepped back into the shadows and blinked away.
“Thank you, Steel.” I whispered. I completed my walk home purring softly with only a soft squawk over head telling me I had my feathered friend still nearby. Once more i realized, the fact it did not attack nor give me a warning must mean it knows that I was safe.
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