My footsteps slowed then stopped as the unearthly silent surrounded us. We stood at the entrance of the mountain pass seeing statues lining the trail we would be riding upon. I turned and went from horse to horse calming them with a gentle stroking paw on their side and purring words in their ear. I noticed how Lord Kestrel slumped in his saddle and how he focused on the life-like statues that lay ahead of us. I got the horses to slowly move forward ready to calm them if their nervousness had them stopping or trying to bolt. We crawled forward discovering an increasing number of statues along our path. A perfume smell touched my nostrils as the only warning before she spoke.
“This pass is closed!” a hissing female voice shouted. The cloaked and hooded figure glided out from between the statues. She could easily be overlooked as the stony grey cloak she wore match the coloration of the statues. The sound of scales rubbing together and upon the ground told me she was not a human. She now stood blocking our path while I drew the front two horses back to stand in a tighter group. “Unless you are the one I am waiting to speak with.” she added in a husky deep hiss. The surface of her hood moved but she held the hood in place with one hand keeping her face hidden from view.
“Yes, Lacona.” Kestrel called back to her. “I am here for our second meeting.” he continued. My ears caught the hard edge in his voice which made me stiffen. A leg flipped slowly over the saddle as my Master turned to sit side-saddle upon his horse. I placed a lone hand upon the side of his mount’s head keeping it calm and still. "Stay back Sert and young Kestrel, you do not have the protective magic against the sisterhood of the Gorgons.” he warned us. With a quick glance at my fellow companions told me that we would not obey this order. He slid from his saddle but ended up sitting hard on the ground with an angry squawk escaping him.
“Meakita?” the snake woman hissed in shock. She darted forward but I was already between her and my friends. I stood with an open palm towards her and my eyes held tightly shut. I did not remember moving from Kestrel’s horse to stand between them protectively. Partial half forgotten stories kept my eyes closed while all my other senses tracked her every movement.
“If I do not look upon your countenance, I am safe correct?” I asked her directly. My ear told me, by the creak of the leather at a stirrup, that Kestrel was attempting to rise. The clamping of flesh on flesh and mild jingle of armor told me that Sert and Meli were assisting Kestrel to regain his feet under him. Following the sound of shifting scales brushing against each other had my head tilting snake-like mimicking her motion that I could not see.
“Yes.” she hissed out softly to me. I heard her pulling back coiling her snake tail under her a few steps away from me. “I will wait until given permission to approach.” she said in her sibilant tones. “Return to your friends, feline.” she added. I could hear that she had bowed her head towards me. I took a step back listening for her to move at me but heard nothing. I spun on my heel to rush back to Lord Kestrel’s side with my other companions. I barely noticed grabbing the reigns and petting the horses back into a calmed state while purring deeply and softly in my throat. My ear still tracked Lacona but I did not turn away from the horses while remaining close to me Master.
“I killed bastards like this last time I went through here.” Kestrel stated bluntly. I glanced up at him but held my tongue. He pulled himself away from Sert and Meli. Using his bow-staff to stand on his own power. “So you decided to turn them to stone this time, Lacona?” he muttered out towards her. I had never seen my Master looking this spent and powerless before which had me getting more worried by the moment. He stepped slowly forward until he stood where I had blocked the snake woman from approaching us.
“You three may as well move away since this discussion is a private matter between Meakita and myself.” Lacona hissed towards us. “You need not watch over this conversation.” she added bluntly. Her grip on her hood had tightened and I could hear soft hissing and smaller scales while she spoke. The sound of her hood shifting and undulating reached my ear while I remained looking at the horses. Meli strode forward with Sert a few paces behind her moving less confident.
“We will stand with Lord Kestrel!” she hollered back. I hazarded a glance at them noting that Sert had stayed safely behind Meli and kept his eyes cast at the ground. She was still moving forward attempting to be at Kestrel’s side protectively.
“Drop your protective act this once.” Kestrel snapped back at her. “Let me deal with this as you three continue to the port.” he told them bluntly. I understood instantly that our presence would be a hindrance to their discussion. I glance at Lord Kestrel noting that Lacona had slipped to the edge of the pathway for us to leave. I saw how the bow-staff curved under Kestrel’s weight as he forced himself to stand at his full height.
“I will let them pass if you remain to speak with me, Meakita.” Lacona hissed calmly but loudly. “I promise no harm shall come to him while in my presence.” she added toward us. She pulled the hood down firmer onto her undulating scalp. Another slithering motion had her backing away further from the path the horses must ride upon to continue our journey.
“She is honorable in her words.” Kestrel assured us. “Leave us so I may conclude what was not known to Cole about my last visit to these lands.” he told us. He waved us to move pass him while he stood stiffly with only the bow-staff holding him up. I heard Meli grumbling as she agreed receiving the reigns of her horse in her hand. I motion and whispered to them to mount while simply holding on the reigns of Kestrel’s horse immobile. I watched as they slowly rode up the road resisting to actually leave us for as long as possible. I turned my back to them once Sert and Meli were out of sight focusing fully on the last horse. At this moment, I heard Lacona moving towards Lord Kestrel. I forced myself to not look as my ears and my padded feet told me she was moving to wrap herself around my Master.
“Stop being so stubborn, you old bird.” she hissed. An arm and coils of her tail wrapped around him keeping him standing. “What have you...” I heard her ask as her voice became inaudible whispers.
“I called upon the Lights of Life to save a child.” he blurted back. The sound of him letting himself droop in her coils proved to me he was safe in this oddly terrifying situation. I heard him twisting to glance at me but kept my eyes away from this conversation. The scales and fabric rustled as I knew without seeing that my Master fully slumped into Lacona’s snake coils. I mused a bit from the information revealed to me so far. The sisterhood of the Gorgons was three cursed sisters with snake and human appearances. Medusa, Euryale, and Stheno were the names listed to the three sisters but never had I heard the name Lacona ever mentioned in Greek mythology as Meli had read out loud one day. My ears perked up as the echoes of the two horses changed into a faster gait showing I was truly the lone protector for Lord Kestrel.
An annoyed hiss of words, a murmured reply, and a coughing fit followed by the sound of phlegm hitting the stony ground came to my ears. I still resisted taking a peek knowing it was not a strangled cough. I closed my eyes and focused upon them, hearing one strong heart beat and a softer one that still held strength and life. The rasping breathe showed no choking but was not encouraging me about Lord Kestrel physical state. The hissing breathing of Lacona showed no stress or anger, only a hint of possibly worry. I knew he had checked upon me once more but I pretended to pet his heavy horse ignoring the events happening barely a dozen steps away. A giggling hiss and more inaudible whispers between them while a tremor ran under my feet towards them. The sound of gentle kisses had me on the verge of turning and opening my eyes but still I resisted giving my Master the privacy her deserved. A rush filled my ears from where the two stood and even my closed eyes saw the bright glow washing over my back from them. I did not need nor wanted to know what was happening as dusk claimed the sky.
I let my mind wonder while the night was kept brightly lit from the unnatural event taking place behind me. I debated having the horse lay down so I can curl up by him sharing our heat while keeping both of us calmer but dismissed it. I did not know how long it would be before Lord Kestrel would be ready to leave here was my excuse to stay alert and ready. I started mentally reviewing my actions since I first crossed this mountain range from a different pass. My actions felt brash and ignorant as I jumped forward into a matter I truly was not in a position to judge properly.
“Dia could have died or worse if I had not acted but was is righteous to interfere in the outer world?” I asked myself in a silent purring voice.
“Why wonder if it was righteous?” my own voice replied me. I froze and looked around me slowly. The light still kept everything clearly in my view but the source of my voice replying was not visible. “You did what you wanted since you want to be the hero just like Lord Kestrel.” the matching voice purred at me.
“What are you?” I growled as my ears flatten to my skull. My tailed lashed out in an anger and annoyed rhythm behind me as my eyes glared around me.
“I am you.” it purred in my ear. I spun around and froze seeing the truth of what I had been ignoring. It was like a bonfire but the flames were black and white only swirling around each other. I spun back to face the horse growling under my breath. The purring snicker crawled down my spine. “You watched him rip the wings off a fairy but this makes you look away?” it purred around me. “He does what he wants and it happens to be what’s needed, just like you.” it added.
“He does what needs to be done, no more, no less.” I growled back annoyed. “Stop trying to lie to me!” I added bluntly. A growling laugh returned to to me.
“Possibilities and the point of view from others are not a lie, Kitty!” it growled back. “Do you think the fake king thought you were in the right?” it continued. “Are you sure you were not played with while sleeping under Rouge’s roof?” it droned on. “Righteous ideal are a personal view and rarely shared by others!” it added with a harsh bluntness that had me flinching from my unseen visitor.
“Should it have been actually better if I had avoided everything and everyone?” I roared back. “I did what was needed, what was wanted, what was right to do.” I concluded with a blunt sneer and growl.
“Right for you. What you wanted. And what you needed to do to feel closer to your Master.” it growled back slurring the word master. “Nor can you admit that what one believes is right is not what others consider right.” it continued mercilessly. “Good and evil are as different per individual as much as right and wrong.” it added. A hint of triumphant purring slipped into it’s voice that matched mine perfectly. I chuckled back recognizing the doubt I held back during this entire solo trip.
“Yes, but more cheered that I had saved them in Dia’s return to her throne.” I purred back unable to hold back laughter.
“Without Lord Death, her head would have been lobbed off.” it returned with a growling cackle.
“I did fear that would happen and could not move to stop it.” I admitted softly. “Diadem could have died many times if not for all of us working together but that last moment was all on my shoulders.” I told my doubt. “But it was all I could do for her was to believe.” I added not truly convinced. I still hated myself for that moment of doubt when the blade arced down towards Dia’s neck.
“You froze.” it returned. “And you slept while in the clutches of demons.” it reminded me. “Innocent, gullible, and so easily tricked by others.” it added.
“If I cannot accept their word, then what do I have to believe in?” I retorted in a growl. The growling laughter rolled around me as I stood there forcing myself to be calm. “Have your say all you want, but I refuse to listen.” I concluded with a derisive chuckle. I straightened to attention and closed off all my emotions as I focused on the mantra my people used to find their inner warrior spirit.
“You will be the fodder under heel, Kitty.” it informed me before going silent once more. Dawn came and went as the sun moved through the sky in it’s daily arch. Over a day had passed before a new sound touched my ears.
“We should be able to rendezvous with the others if we hurry.” Kestrel stated to me. I turned quickly to face him noticing Lacona’s hooded cloak laying crumpled on the ground. “We will ride for as long as we can before a short camp night.” he corrected himself looking around. I stared blankly at him unable to respond to his words. “What is it?” he asked softly. He moved towards me on steady feet looking fully healthy now after what ever had happened between him and the snake woman.
“It has been over a day you have discussed with Lacona.” I informed him without emotions. “I will not ask where she has gone, sir, since it should not matter to me.” I stated quietly. “And I can lead the horse at night while you attempt resting in the saddle, Lord Kestrel.” I concluded with a perfunctory bow. I kept everything bottled up not wanting to face the doubts that had me nervously worried. He looked at me tilting his head slightly.
“You can speak to me as easily as the others do, young Kestrel.” he replied calmly. He smiled and took his place on the saddle holding out his hand for the reigns. I looked up at him before placing the reigns in his hand. “Once night takes us, you may guide the horse, but do not push the animal too harshly.” he stated in a casual tone. I smiled up at him before moving along the path. I clicked my tongue and the horse followed the sound clip-clopping behind me. I took the chance to glance at the statues knowing they were once living people but felt no pang of grief while only clicking my tongue for the horse.
As we reached the far end of this mountain pass, one of the statues caught my eye. The growl grew from deep inside me as I recognized the leader of that first group that had tried attacking Dia and Greyman. The growl filled my ears as my hand clenched into a raised fist. I stood ready to strike down this statue which was the one person that had escaped vengeance for his actions. My teeth grind together as I force myself to breath. The growl died in my throat and my fist lowered, my hand opened, while my eyes remained locked with this villain’s stone eyes.
“Time and nature will dispose of you.” I half-growled at it. I slowly turned away to continue down the path clicking for the horse to follow.
“You seem to know that former man.” Kestrel commented loud enough for me to hear. “Any and all his crimes are being paid for as he feels the ravaging damage of time to his stony form until he is dust.” he told me directly. “Do not waste energy or time shattering him, young Kestrel.” he concluded softly. Twice he had used my name which we shared. I could not hold back my tongue or thoughts anymore.
“He was one of the first bandit group that attacked Dia.” I replied slowing my pace. I turned, stopping to look up at Kestrel. “Shattering him would barely reach the amount of pain I wish to inflict upon him.” I growled not hiding my hatred for this monster of a man. I barely notices the tears pouring down my cheeks.
“Righteous rage is what lead the cursed Royal Guards striking out at the Usurper.” he reminded me softly. “Never allow self-loathing or fear make you act or make you hold back your claws, Kestrel of the Redpath clan.” he stated louder. “Let your natural honor guide you since it has made you a hero to Diadem and her people, has it not?” he concluded with a smile at me.
“I try but I lack your confidence that my actions are truly noble and selfless.” I informed him. I am sure my voice had turned into whines and yowls as everything poured out of me. “I just got lucky assisted with Dia’s visions leading us forward.” I tried explaining myself. The weight of arguing with my doubt pressed down upon me. “She could see nothing beyond her sacrifice, but Lord Death showed my a different ending giving me confidence.” I continued pouring my pain. “I doubted as the sword came down on her neck but I could not move to save her.” I meowed at him. Tears flowed unabated down my cheek while the words of my doubt echoed in my mind.
“Silly kitten.” he said so quietly and calmly. A soft smile floated in my blurry view as I looked up at him. “You did not move because you still believed in you deepest heart and mind.” he explained slowly. I wiped the tears from my eyes as I listen and digested his words. “Your most powerful skill is how you can connect with others in a deep level turning them into willing allies.” he informed me and chuckled softly. My eyes grew wide as I straightened feeling the flame his words ignited in me. “Your honor shines forth to show them a path they cannot see and this makes them ally to your noble, if not insane at times, wake.” he continued easily seeing so much I had missed in my own self. “You have always acted in the best interest of everyone, including yourself.” he concluded before laughing happily. My laughter joined in with his as I turned to continue walking. I clicked my tongue feeling my steps bouncing weightlessly ahead being matched by the prancing steps of Kestrel’s horse that followed.
