Redpath's Journals: Revelry of Mortals and Immortals (31)

The brother flew down the gangplank to tackle Kestrel to the dock. The mass of legs, arms, and heads was laughing with joy I had not seen upon Kestrel in my time within his household. It was the mirthful merriment of siblings reuniting while still very young children. I held back the urge to help or join them while watching the young Egyptian woman daintily walked down the plank towards the mess of writhing bodies.

“Meakita?” she whispered hesitantly as she curtsied to him.

“You should wait until I get these two off me before greeting me, little Sister.” he exhaled between chuckles. He finally disengaged himself from his Brothers and to his feet to give her a quick bow. “Lady Scarabea of the Sands.” he announced to us as a greeting to her. The fluid flowing second bow was of an Egyptian style. I barely had a chance to notices the sudden mischievous sparkle in her eyes before she launched herself at Kestrel. Cor and Twin were blocking his knees making it easy for him to be back on his back on the dock. Their laughter rushed around from them as they rolled and twisted on the wooden dock like playful children and not noble figures of their lands.

The shock and relief on my three companions had me relaxing while the Guards, including their Captains, looked dumbfounded at this spectacle of childish mirth. I waited until they all were laughing merrily before I offered my hand to assist Kestrel to his feet. I then held a hand to Lady Scarabea to help her as well. The Brothers had assisted each other while still laughing at the insanity they had caused within minutes of their arrival. The Egyptian woman curtsied to me once standing again followed by the odd action of pressing her cheek against my armored chest. A whispered thanks glided from her before she finally straightened.

Cor, Kestrel and Twin walked in our lead with their Guards drifting at their sides and along our sides. I followed with Lady Scarabea grasping my elbow to select me as her walking partner. She did not look at me, simply walked at my pace with a gentle touch on my furry forearm with her elbow wrapped behind mine. Sert, Meli, and Cole followed in the same silence we held allowing Kestrel and his Brothers to banter during the walk. Listening mostly to the Brothers and Kestrel had me nearly missing the soft whisper from Lady Scarabea.

“Is he always been this odd?” she whispered in a breathe. I knew not even the Captains would hear her words meant just for me. My purring hide my reply.

“Lord Kestrel has been changing lately.” I admitted under my purring. “I know what is coming but he will explain it to you, his Sister Chaos.” I added without showing I had spoken. Her grip tightened on my arm for a moment before relaxing.

“I thank you for your service, Squire of Order.” she stated before returning to silence.

I did not stiffen being named outright by one of them by a title I had only acquired lately. I remember Chichi’s words regarding me being seen as an oddity and his shocked sounding reaction to learning I was Kestrel’s Squire. All these thoughts mixed with the multitude of others in the back of my mind to simmer away until I could truly focus on them. Our greeting at the Royal Court screamed of something more festive and merrymaking than the normal solemness of the Royals.

The Queen sat on her throne with a large mug in her hand raising it at a cheered greeting slammed into us from the many nobles present. The King’s absent was easily overlooked as the small groups of nobles floated around the large room with flagons in hand while pages ran pitcher with drinks for them. The queen hailed us a second time to a taste of Valhalla upon Migard’s jewel. I could feel the odd tension in the Brothers, Kestrel, and Scarabea as we stepped cautiously forward into this.

“A slice of home away from home!” the Queen called loudly in the room. A ring of cheers answered her. “Enter and be merry!” she ordered. She stood with mug held high towards us. A shriek of laughter escaped the Brothers as they rushed at her. They had barely reached the dais when the Queen, in some childish urge, vaulted at them to toppled both to the marble floor. A short but, as laughter filled, moment as the four had shared on the docks. The nobles laughed and cheered on their Queen as she acted silly and playful. Scarabea remained by my side and Kestrel side-stepped to place himself upon her other side. She seemed so small standing between us but I purred happily and noticed the matching smile on Kestrel’s face.

“It is always good to see you smile Brother Order.” she whispered allowing my purring to conceal her words. “It has been a very long time since I have seen you smile in earnest.” she stated softly.

“Lord Kestrel smiles and laughs often since he has been on Atlantis.” I remarked. I shrugged to show my words had no importance but it earned me her turning to look up at me. “When he does not need to crush threats towards Atlantis and the world.” I concluded. I felt the corner of my lips twitching up into a smirk.

“I am sure the grin they receive is a very vicious smile when doing so.” she returned, giggling.

“Only when they truly deserve to see his full vengeance.” I replied letting my smirk show fully. I turned to look above her head towards Kestrel. “You should join in the festivities, sir.” I suggested. A tilt of my head towards the floating crowd showed what I referred to directly.

“This celebration is for my two Brothers and not for our Sister or myself.” he answered softly. I noted how he did not see the Queen and her echoes as his sisters. “It is why we two stand here removed from it while enjoying the youthful performance.” he added to me, chuckling deeply. His chuckle did not hide the soft tinkling giggle from Scarabea. “You are right about how long it has been since you last saw me smiling.” he told her.

“What has happened to you to regain this shine in your eyes?” she countered slowly.

“My answer would be the Holy Queen Annianka.” I purred out turning it into a vibrating teasing chuckle.

“She is of your age category which few can claim except...Genia.” she retorted. The hatred she placed in her voice stating that name had my hair on my spine rising as I held back a growl. “Any words on where that psychopath of a half-sister has been hiding, Great Lord Genin?” Scarabea continued with a growl in her voice that had mine sounding to hide it. A soft glance and my gentle hand upon her shoulder had her calming while the snarling set of her mouth returned to a pleasant smile. I had in part forgotten she still held onto my forearm until the tension released from her grip.

“All I know is that her little walking bomb is in place on Atlantis.” Kestrel replied. “She will show when it goes off to hide her interference by destroying the island.” he continued. I saw the snarl on Kestrel’s face and felt the anger within him that dwarfed the hatred I felt from Scarabea. It was gone the next moment as I watched his face. Our focus returned to the open floor where tales of tricks upon the deities of Asgard mostly targeted at Loki were being told to the amazement of the nobles. The shocked gasps, upon realizing how cunning their Holy Queen truly was, were mixed with laughter. She explained it as just her childish whims that she had mostly outgrew with adulthood. No business nor politics were discussed as this turned into true revelry around the trickster Brothers. The last shafts of light disappeared from the tips of the highest spires of Atlantis before this celebration was ended. We waited until all the nobles had exited and left with their small retinue of private Guards.

Using the same marching order, we escorted Cor, Twin, and Scarabea to the hall that Nightingale had prepared and Chichi had loaded with the food for their meal. Miss Hope and the Queen followed but were firmly told she could not join them. I barely noticed how Scarabea pulling me along side her into the circular great room. I missed the rest of the conversation between Kestrel and the Queen as the others took places equally separated along the inner wall. I stood where I had been left by the door waiting for Kestrel to enter and dismiss me. He entered, gazed at me with a smile, and turned towards the closed door. I saw and felt the sudden silence falling upon us as they sealed the chamber closed from outsider. I turned and started filled their glasses since I was now given permission to be here.

I did get curious glances from Nightingale, Cor, and Twin. Chichi shrugged at my presence and Scarabea smiled gently at me when our eyes met. Kestrel said nothing as they sat around the ring table. His back was towards the only door as I moved to stand behind his right shoulder. A pale version of the pillar of light formed in the middle of the ring formed by the tables. I quickly realized no servers where present meaning part of my duties would to serve them. The each spoke to the pillar of light and concluded this in a languages that I did not understand but felt that I should know. With all this done, all eyes had returned to me.

“One must serve and we cannot accept the other Squires within this hall in Brother Order’s domain.” Chichi replied before anyone could ask. Slowly, starting with Scarabea at Kestrel’s left, nods came around the table. I stood in my knightly armor that hinted to a golden alloying making it reflect golden arches from the central pillar of white light. A soft chuckle rolled from Kestrel as he looked at the faces around the table.

“This will be the last time we can gather like this.” Kestrel told them. “It is best we reveal in our own way in our own skin.” he stated with a hint of a smirk. I had seen his other form but now I was witnessing all their true form. Scenes of the night sky filled each of them as their form shifted to what they must truly be.

Cor, now War, appeared like a heavily set human of a taller height than Atlantians, covered in patches of blazing red sun like armor over liquid black skin of empty spaces with fiery star filled wings. A blazing giant sword, matching his armor, sat diagonally across his back without interfering with his 3 sets of wings.

Chichi, Famine, appearance shifted in size and formed to be a dragon-like creature filled with pulsing bluish-green stars in the black liquid background of space. His chef style had become aged and grey threadbare rough cotton looking as a set of weighing scales hung at his waist. His 6 wings were lined like scales at their attachment point while bluish-green micro burst of color filled the liquid blackness in their wing tips.

Nightingale, Pestilence, grew a pair of yellowish-green horns as she grew in size to match the others. Her normally dusky skin turned into true blackness sparsely filled with swirling yellowish-green stars in the liquid foreboding blackness. Her only covering was a cloak of the purest blackness darker than Lord Death’s own robes. Her nails were hooked sickles curving out longer than her hands and her wings appearing partial torn and filled with the same yellowish-green stars.

Twin, Death, simply grew in size while still looking human shaped. His liquid skin held dim yellow stars floating around in slow patterns in the blackness of the cosmos. The robe was a dark grey and threadbare as a long wicked scythe leaned against his chair. His hand were not skeletal but long slender and emaciated as well as his new face. The three pairs of wings, like his skin, was filled with the pale yellow stars sprinkled in the liquid blackness.

Scarabea, Chaos, face and head elongated like what has been stated of the Egyptian gods Anubis or Seth being a jackal headed being. A thick collar at her neck clashed with the softer colored smock she wore now over her liquid black skin show bursting lights of exploding stars underneath the surface. Fingerless leather gloves, heavy boot at her feet, and wide belt cinched at her waist completed her clothing. Studded sparkles on the leather sections of her collar, gloves, boots, and belt while her eyes were filled with pure darkness only. Her 6 wings looked sharply cut but only filled with the liquid blackness like her eyes.

As for Kestrel, Order, his cosmic filled body had all the myriad star colors and forms within the blackness. His unslung bow-staff had grown to match his new height while a crown sat upon his brow and he was clothed in the brightest white linen with golden highlights at the hem and around his belted waist. His wings matched his body but they blurred to white sparkles in the blackness of the skies high above at night.

“We are here to be together one last time before the great darkness engulfs the light jewel of Atlantis.” Kestrel added softer. A mild murmur ran around the room but none commented about why they were there. I moved around the room exchanging platters as they emptied and refilling glasses. I ignored the fact they did not touch the food from the platter, from their plates, nor the liquor in their glasses. Their words were foreign to me but I still had that inclination that I did know this language that I could not understand. What I saw here, was never to be spoken about outside places sealed with this cosmic protection.

“I must ask that he understands our words!” Chaos growled in Atlantian. “We know that your time is short, Brother Order, and I believe your replacement deserves to know the role he will play as our future leader.” she concluded hissing. Order sighed as he looked at me.

“I will go only at my proper time.” he told them. His voice like the others had taken an echoing quality that was causing odd resonance within this circular room. The brightness of the pillar of light flowed with their tones while only a whispering of the buzzing of its voice was a backdrop to the voices of the six. “I will agree for him to hear and understand our words my little Sister, if we all agree.” he offered. A smirking smile appeared on each of their faces as they nodded in turn their agreement. It had started with Chaos and circled the table until War nodded his acceptance. My left ear tingled as I felt a light weight upon it. “He shall hear and understand our words while within this hall with us.” he concluded. He had spoken the other language and I understood it in my left ear.

“Thank you, sir.” I whispered in his ear as I had swiftly returned to his side. The soft intake of a breath had my eyes moving to look upon the fiery form of War.

“We are founded to protect and rally the Fallen Ones, you call humans, until they face their final great darkness.” War stated calmly. I nodded and moved my eyes to Famine.

“We have existed since long before Earth was formed being from the first five races.” he explained. “We five were chosen by the Lights of Life and through their Envoy, Brother Order, for this purpose.” Famine added. With a nod from me, my eyes glided to Pestilence.

“The races did not start existing until Universe, beloved mother of Genin, sacrificed herself to let her blood flow and bring all things in existence from the first to the last race.” she announced oddly softly. Nod and move my view to the next one.

“His race bears only two beings, Genin and his half-sister Genia, the children born from Universe.” Death stated. “He is fathered by the Void, while Genia was born from an act of violence.” he added more quietly. Nod as I changed my point of view.

“We are to rally six armies to defeat the great darkness in the far future if Atlantis survives the dark knot it faces.” Chaos reported calmly. “We stand as Brothers and Sisters of the Light of the Ley’ä’Luna.” she added. I nodded and looked at Kestrel.

“All of us have sacrificed everything about our pasts to be reborn in this plane as defenders of the human race.” Order said. “Each have lost much along the way here even their own original bodies to stand together until it is done.” he concluded. They nodded as one towards him. A small whimper escaped Chaos drawing my eyes back to her.

“Some have sacrifice their true bounded pair to stand here with us.” she commented as her eyes, now swirling colors, turned towards me. “Order lost his life partner to a very evil monster that is still free.” she explained softly. Order looked at her. “The lost had removed true laughter and happiness from him for so very long.” she added. And this fact was being revealed to me fully as my heart ached for him and how I would feel seeing Dia die before me.

“His wife stood by his side in all his actions as Order or Genin.” War began.

“She was willing to sacrifice her existence for him even if she was considered evil.” Famine continued.

“She died to save him from the evil released upon all existence.” Pestilence added in.

“”Know that this enemy is the enemy of all of us.” Death continued.

“He is all of us and without him, we are nothing.” Chaos concluded this tale and their personal vow to me.

“Enough of this history lesson.” Order told them. “We have more important things to discuss than my darkest moment.” he added. The echoes of his words held more pain than I ever thought possible before this moment. I felt how closely this could have been me if I had remained at Dia’s side.

“True!” Famine interjected.

“What have you foreseen for us to do?” War returned calmly.

“You and Death shall stand against the hordes of Lemuria trying to run.” Order bluntly stated. I felt that the peace that was about to be sign was only a facade hiding a truth unknown to others. “Chaos will be igniting the crystals to cause a chain reaction destroying all of them.” he continued easily. “With luck or Lockey’s trickery, part of your essence will be trapped outside this plane until the worse of the future darkness has moved upon us, Brothers War and Death.” he concluded. My mind struggle to understand and accept this information.

“As you order and warn us, eldest one.” War replied for the three of them.

“And of us three?” Famine asked.

“You will attempt to save many who should die because of their ships will be sucked down with Atlantis.” he replied quickly. “Pestilence will be doing the same but this will all happen before the battle hidden by Atlantis sinking.” he continued calmly. “Your survival for a rebirth will only be known by the winner of that battle.” he explained slowly to them. There was no doubts in his voice as he slowly looked at each of them. “As for myself, it is unsure but I will be here in one facet or another facing she who wishes to destroy Atlantis.” he concluded. A shiver ran up my spine forcing me to speak.

“And my place?” I asked softly. All six sets of comic eyes turned towards me at my simple words. Silence was my answer.

Redpath's Journals: The Squire of Order (29)

The Council meeting was odd to me. It did not seemed like they debated his words at all, accepting what he said without a thought on what they agreed to accept. Cole did not notice this oddity but I did. I had seen and listened to many moments of the Council with and without Cole. This seemed too easy as the Council as a whole agreed to everything being said by Kestrel. Cole was rejoicing and I did not feel like changing his mood with my worries.

“What has your tail twitching?” Kestrel whispered to me. We were nearing home at this point.

“Everything if fine, sir.” I replied with a smile. A forced my tail to wrap around my leg to prevent other questions. He sighed but did not pursue the subject as we entered our home. I was busy from time to time while still having my evenings free after the meal to follow my own paths wandering around the central core of Atlantis. The brothers’ visit passed quickly and I followed Kestrel in the shadows after my kestrel friend squawked and chirped at me. He stood on the docks with his brothers sending them off with kind words. My ears were opened fully listening to what I could hear of their final parting words.

“I thank you but must believe it is the great peacefulness of Atlantis seeping into my mind, body, and spirit.” he told them before they walked up the gangplank. A few minutes later, while Kestrel waved at them, the Leviathan jumped through the swirling air disappearing as they had appeared three long days ago. The sun had set upon us as Kestrel turned to return home. I held my position until he passed me and I fell in behind him on silent padded feet. I heard the chirps from the dolphins in a pool along our pathway home. Kestrel moved to sit upon one of the bench beside the dolphin pool.

“I have discovered that my time left here is very short.” Kestrel told them softly. I crept closer but still hidden in the shadows of the copse of nearby trees. A second presence manifested but, like myself, remained back silently waiting.

“No.” he replied to their chirped question. “I will arrange for another to take my place who will be able to save it from destruction.” he reported to them. I felt a tingle at the back of my mind at those words. “Nothing will stop Atlantis from vanishing from the world for many millennium.” he added in a near whisper. My eyes glanced at the other one watching. Her golden slit eyes had gone wide and the moonlight sparkled on her dark golden scales. The word ‘dragon’ came into my mind as I watched her slowly stepping towards Kestrel’s back. No aggression nor hatred came from her as more of her body flashed in and out of the shadows. I heard the chirping of the dolphin pod retreating but my eyes remained on this dragon woman.

“They truly are wise.” she told him in a whisper. She stood at his back. Her clawed hands hung loosely at her side. Serene and majestic in her stance behind Kestrel. He did not turn nor look at her.

“You have come to speak or warn me of another problem heading my way?” he asked her. He had tensed but not the way he did when angry or readying to do battle. I remained in my shadow simply watching.

“I saw the images you showed the dolphins.” she informed him. She bent down to have her mouth by his ear. Memories of the few events my senses had given me during his meeting with Lacona had me worried but I held my position. She then moved around to kneel beside him with her golden slit eyes looking up at him. “A scion of the stars empowered by the fall of another scion to defeat the other remaining scion.” she told him quietly. Kestrel’s head pivoted to look at her meeting a gentle smile at him.

“She will not know that it is not me she faces until the true death blow claims her.” he replied. “I must still find a way to protect Atlantis after it slides under the veil of ocean waves.” he explained. Her hand moved fluidly but quickly to his face as a quick wink passed to him.

“A gift from my kind to you as a solution.” she returned. She placed something in his hands but I could not see it from my hiding spot. “Let Annianka decide if she should be saved or Atlantis be protected with this small gift.” she continued. She smiled and watched him as he discovered what she had given him. Knew the Queen would want to save Atlantis but her oddness made it a possibility for her to act selfishly. She giggled at him.

“The opal stands for the Ley’ä’Luna’s light upon everything that lives and the hematite stands for you being the shield and sword against the darkness.” she stated to him. “Give her the ring when all seems lost.” she explained with another giggle. “If she accepts it on her finger, she will be freed from Atlantis and the corrupted stone.” she continues softly. “If she refuses it, it will bind with the land of Atlantis to make it return into reality at the appointed time.” she added. I saw Kestrel head bend forward to examine this ring hidden from my eyes.

“The first two dragons of the second race.” he said suddenly. He looked up at her whispering words to her receiving a quick nod.

“They are your hands and the hands of your replacement until the true darkness tries once more to claim this world.” she replied to him. Sparkles that were not from moonlight danced around her feet as she spoke quicker. “They will only serve the Chosen One of the Ley’ä’Luna, sweet Genin.” she told him. “Words of others will mean nothing to them.” she concluded. The sparkles covered her legs and torso as her flesh shifted into transparency. She rose while moving to kiss his cheek and the sparkles covered her and flew away upon the wind.

He stood slowly to return along the pathway home but his movement seemed stiff and unsure having me move closer but not interfere. His step falter but another was by him to prevent him falling. IchCui and Steel were there along our path. Steel had helped Kestrel to his feet and their eyes finally meet. Kestrel took a step back from him.

“He is not an enemy, Lord Kestrel.” IchCui warned him. She moved to stand by the wolf-boy. “Sara suggested that you and Steel should meet.” she told him quietly. Steel eyes moved to meet mine receiving a wink from me. He did not react to me right away. Kestrel stiffened as his eyes fully looked upon Steel’s form. Fur ranging from dark brown to deep red with blacker fur on his clawed feet and hands. Blazing red eyes like fire studded his mostly wolfish face crowned with a pair of short blunt black horns on the left side only. I noticed the new gouges from his claws trying to rip away the slave brand at his exposed shoulder.

“You bear her mark and dare to stand before me?” Kestrel snapped at Steel. My feathered friend whistled high above the event. I lowered into a position to pounce forward if this become violent. I could not let Kestrel hurt Steel nor allow Steel harming Kestrel.

“My slave mark has me feeling the same before any celestial beings.” wolf-boy growled back. He was smirking instead of being angered by Kestrel’s words. He hated the one that had enslaved him in his past but never revealed his previous owner’s name.

“You face one that she allowed cast from the heavens but barred from hell by her former lover.” he retorted back. “What is this about IchCui?” he asked her aggressively. Steel moved to place himself between them as I moved closer to the possible violent reaction.

“He offered his half-breed army that have escaped captivity to protect Sara.” she replied calmly. “Many demons and devils have abandoned the hell over the mistreatment from Lucifer’s and the other fallen angels’ hands to join with Steel’s clan.” she told him. “All of them would rather be Sara’s army than return to the servitude they were previously under.” she concluded.

“An army of demons, devils, and the mixed blood of half-beast and half-infernal serving the daughter of Seraphim?” Kestrel returned with a sarcastic short laugh. “The being cast out for giving the Archangels the weapons to save heaven from Lucifer’s rebel army?” he stated as a reminder. He stood chuckling about this offer. I moved closer, ready to strike if needed.

“You may have been up there but you are not angelic.” Steel growled back. I pounced to land between Steel and Kestrel.

“True, but it is the same principle.” he returned. At the same moment he spoke, his hand caught the back of my neck to force me to stand beside him. I moved into the guard position before him. Steel and I stared at each other for a moment as we spoke the languages of animals to each other.

“We can not let this get violent.” I growled at Steel.

“They do not want violence either.” he snapped back.

“We play vicious enemies to prevent them stepping into a fight?” I suggested.

“Let’s hope we can get this done without having to play fight.” he countered quickly. Our mutual nod was imperceptible as we crouched in an aggressive stance growling at each other.

“Redpath, Steel. Steel, Redpath” Ichcui stated not knowing we knew each other.

“And I thought cats and birds had problems when meeting.” Kestrel remarked. I felt his eyes glanced for me to Steel. “Yaotl Tonatiuh! What does your temples say about this arrangement?” he asked. The title meant nothing to me as I continued pretending to growl and hiss at Steel.

“They have proven themselves as fighting for their own existence and chose to follow Sara because they believe in her cause and her vision of a future freed from darkness.” the Governess replied directly.

“Do you swear to protect her?” Kestrel asked.

“I swear, like my group, my allegiance to her directly and not to you.” he replied in a growl. His eyes remained on me in our aggressive play for those we serve willingly. “You are not long for this world to earn my allegiance.” he added. I nodded to him showing I also knew this fact as truth.

“Then swear to the one you are growling at, Steel.” Kestrel told him. His words, though blunt, held no emotions as he spoke. Steel eyes moved up to Kestrel before slowly growing much larger showing the black sclera around his flaming red iris. He moved jerkily to his feet as I matched his moves. The bow was a shock including the formal words that followed.

“I swear to you, Kestrel of the Redpath clan, in the name of all my clan and allies to protect Sara until we have all been slayed to the last.” he told me still bowing low. I could not hold back my purring chuckle at this view of Steel being so formal and stiff. I am sure we received confused looks as Steel growling chuckle joined mine before standing straight again.

“So we can stop pretending we are not friends now?” I asked casually. Our arms met in warriors shake sealing the oath he had made to me. I turned my head towards Kestrel. “The household is worried since you seemed very detached from us during the Celebratory Supper.” I told him. My kestrel friend’s soft squawking whistle floated down from one of the nearby roofs. “My little bird friend made it easy to find you, sir.” I concluded. Kestrel glanced up to spot my winged companion but said nothing about it.

“I had many thoughts that needed clarification.” he answer calmly. I nodded still purring under my breath.

“You saw your Brothers off, you visited the dolphin pool where you had a dragon guest, and now you parlay with a half demon and the Royal Governess that should be with her charge.” I enumerated briefly his actions. “Anyone else you need to meet before we return home, sir?” I added. My purring chuckle returned at the soft grunting sound from Steel.

“Protective cat he is.” Steel commented with a nod to me. “He also sees more than all others perceive.” he remarked. His growling chuckle joined mine once more.

“Even my training did not reveal the link between you and Sara.” Ichcui revealed quietly. “How many others have you set deals with to protect and serve your child?” she added in a whispering tone.

“None but the oath your Steel already gave her and now, to young Kestrel.” Kestrel answered. “My other arrangements and oaths are to protect the world and the remains of Atlantis while it is hidden from the world.” he explained calmly. “Her protection, as Steel has stated, is not mine to arrange beyond the Brothers and Sisters of Light.” he added.

“And her three aunties of Wisdom, Joy, and Depression, with Balance waiting to strike if needed.” I remarked. I felt his gaze on me but did not turn to face him. “I have meet Depression as she comes to visit the ghosts of the old and abandoned Royal Halls.” I finally admitted to him. “I have collected many odd friends both outside and within Atlantis, Kestrel.” I concluded in a whisper. I turned my face away from him suspected harsh words of my actions of hiding information from him.

“You have always been a resourceful kitten who can find the truly heroic and make them follow the right path for them.” he told me in a near whisper. “You have earn this truth.” he interjected. He placed his mouth by my ear. “You are my Squire and will soon be replacing me.” he whispered in my ear. A hint of fear came from him as he spoke those simple words. He leaned back as my head turned to look at him. I hope he did not see the single tear slipping through fur as it slid down my cheek. I nodded my acceptance even if I did not understand what it meant.

A ring of bows ended our night before we turned to walk away in our respected groups. I walked beside Kestrel feeling for once I was truly worthy to bear his name. The walk was in silence until we reached the foyer of our residence. I nodded to Kestrel heading for the garden while he explained to Sert that he was tired and going to bed. I sat in my tree perch with the small kestrel perched above me. My feathered friend had squawked at me when I tried to go out patrolling. He peck at the tree between loud shrill squawks at me. I relented and simply lounged in my bower mental musing about what I had agreed to. Sleep took me quickly just after the moon hit its zenith.

My eyes opened to be curled on a dark grey stoned floor of what appeared as an ancient temple. I stood slowly looking around and at my body. It was the same shadowy form from my last vision like dream in the cavern of the Forgotten Ones. My surrounding were very open with benches along the curved walls. The room itself was oval in shape with a pair of heavy black wood doors at both farthest ends of the room. I stood without floating here. I walked to the doors that seemed to call to me. Slivers of light came more visible the closer I got to those doors. They swung open in front of me before I could place my hand upon them. This inner room was circular with a pillar of light shining at the center. I heard buzzing like multiple insects flying around me in a cloudy swarm. I perked up my ears to realize no other sounds were present her. A sniff gave only the smell of stones and dust but nothing else. The window were simple opening showing the purest blackness I have ever seen beyond them.

The buzzing grew louder as I started catching words in multiple voices speaking to each other and maybe to me. I stepped closer to the pillar of light as the words in the buzzing became clearer and concise. It sounded like they were debating something important. Kestrel appeared in the room standing close to the pillar. His body shifted until he was made of liquid night skies filled with stars. From his back sprouted 6 wing made from sand grain sized stars. His stature was larger than Atlantians and his feet no longer touched the stone floor. He floated before the pillar speaking words I did not understand. He bowed low his face nearly touching the stone floor as he was done speaking and receiving his reply. He returned to his normal human shape as he turned to start stepping forward disappearing before reaching the wall. The buzzing returned to me in waves of mixed words and screeching noise.

“Squire approach.” the buzzing called me forth. I stepped forward quickly. Bathed by the light my true body manifest around me including the armor Dia had gifted me with my knightly title. “Kneel young Squire of Order.” whispered around me, I instinctively dropped to one knee as I had be fore Dia. My head lowered to them that I knew came before everything existed, before even the universe came into being. Scorching heat touched my right shoulder but I remained kneeling before them. My left shoulder burned with the same heated touch. Finally I felt that hot touch upon my head between my ears. “You are prepared for what you are destined to become, Kestrel of the Redpath clan from the Royal Guards’ bloodline of most enlightened Atlantis.” it shrieked around me. I slowly rose to my feet to stair in the pillar of light where I saw a great brilliant sword spinning.

“That will end her.” I whispered softly. I felt a tear roll down my cheek.

“Yes, since it is the only way to stop her.” the buzzing of the pillar replied.

“Her progenitor was not allowed to join us because of his actions that brought her into existence.” another voice buzzed by my ear.

“She was not meant to be and has always ignored our words to advise her.” another whispering chirp touched my ears.

“I do feel bad for destroying her but I accept it must be done by my hands.” I told them. “You need not convince me to act.” I added. The pressure at my chests started pulling me back as gratitude and congratulations vibrated at my ears. Everything faded to black before I found myself curled up in my tree. A soft cooing from above greeted me back into this world. I did not know where I had been but I knew it was reality and not just a dream. It was as truthful as my meeting with Kryel KreLey and learning of something I would need to solve eventually. I looked passed my bird’s perch toward the full moon before slowly drifting back to sleep.

Kestrel's Journals: The Other Troops (24)

The idle chatter continued until Aurora, young Kestrel, and myself were making our way back into the foyer. Meli had just refilled the tea pots with freshly made tea for our household after meal discussion. Deas was standing in the foyer waiting for us. He smiled as he reported that young Lord Bryan and young Lady Sara were arriving soon to visit ‘Uncle Kestrel’. Meli giggled as she feigned rolling her eyes. Sert simply smiled from the doorway to the garden with a quick nod before returning to collect the empty trays, platters, plates, and cutlery to pass to Deas. Young Kestrel stayed by the door while we moved to return to the garden and take our places for this impromptu visit that bent many rules.

“Deas will return once he has returned the dishes to the Royal Kitchens, and can stay in the foyer with you two.” he stated to Sert and Meli who simply nodded. The three pots of tea had been places on the heating braziers with many clean cups waiting. Young Kestrel escorted Bryan, Sara, and her Governess Ichcui into the garden. Meli and Sert acted as door guard while the foyer still held a squad of a dozen She-bear Guards and the trio of Aurora’s retinue.

“If Lord Kestrel is in agreement with this, I will be nice and not mention anything about this.” Ichcui stated. She held one arm keeping Sara by her while waiting in the door of the garden. I smiled knowing she was doing this to respect me and not fearing this infraction of Royal rules.

“Of course I agree that Princess Sara should meet the Ambassador.” I stated back. She looked at me with sharp eyes. “She should have knowledge of them that visit Atlantis to make her future accession to the throne when the Royals fall.” I added as explanation. She nodded slowly her agreement to my words.

“True.” she interjected. A soft smile came to her face as she stepped forward allowing Sara to rush ahead. “I am very pleased to be allowed in your home, Lord Kestrel.” she announced giving me a quick fluid curtsy.

“You shall never feel unwelcome under my roof.” I replied smiling. I bowed to her using it to scoop up Sara to have her sitting on my lap. The child’s mind babble to me was a steam of all the events she has had during my many times away from Atlantis. I warn her to be careful with her mental speech to prevent being overheard by others. She instantly replied that her cousin had taught her about direct hidden mental message and whispers. The next information had me intrigued as she had been training Deas using his gifts in the same way.

“That is the one thing about her that disturbs me.” Ichcui commented while watching our exchange. I had verbally been answering to all the mental whispers Sara spoke to me.

“She only speaks to you and listen for your answers without truly reading your mind.” I returned calmly. I had not added the word ‘now’ at the end of my statement. The others stared from me to Sara and back to me.

“She seems to prefer mind talking to me instead of using her words.” the Governess replied with a hint of annoyance.

“It would be best to ignore her until she speaks.” I advised her.

“I am already doing that, sir.” she informed us. Her eyes were locked on mine as she spoke the next line. “But why does she call you ‘father’ when mentally speaking to me?” she asked. “She does say the word ‘Uncle’ when she talks out loud about you.” she added quietly.

“The Captains have already explained it to me.” Bryan replied from where he and young Kestrel spoke silently. “Ichcui is very perceptive.” he added casually.

“I must believe it is our mutual ability to mind speak like her mother.” I tried explaining away. The look of disbelief showed this answer was not an acceptable one to her.

“Told you she was perceptive.” Bryan snickered at me. I did not look away from Ichcui’s eyes as she reason what she was willing to admit of her thoughts.

“A mind cannot truly lie, meaning she sees you as her true father figure and not King Munin.” she stated slowly and calmly. I nodded to her receiving a soft smile. “If their is more to this, leave me in the dark, please?” she concluded. Sara turned in my grip to look at her as well.

“You can let it slip to wolf-boy.” Sara said plainly. “He will understand the truth like the Royal Guardians already do.” she added. Her voice was still childish but her words showed how quickly her mind evolved towards maturity.

“That is Royal Guards.” I corrected her gently.

“They are and will always be the Royal Guardians keeping the secrets of what has truly transpired upon Atlantis.” Sara responded. She spoke slowly but clearly to everyone in the room with a sweet smile on her face. “I have seen it like you have, noble father.” she continued no longer hiding anything. Everyone in the room already knew that Princess Sara was my daughter except for maybe Aurora. My glance went from Bryan to Ichcui as they spoke.

“My sister is very gifted.” he responded calmly.

“And she seems to control her gifts very well.” Ichcui commented with only a mild shrug.

“It seems that everyone of importance knows your little secret, Brother Order.” Aurora announced with a deep toned chuckle. “Only the ones that should never know are being kept in the dark so far.” she added. This brought forth a glowing bright smile from Sara at these words.

“Will Auntie Pesty come play with me sometimes?” the Princess asked.

“If I am not forced to play ‘Nightingale’, I am at your service, my niece.” she answered with a bow to her. “Hard to believe you would be the first of us six to have children.” she commented with a small smirk. “You have been more prudish since Elyria's death so long ago.” she continued softly. It was a bit of teasing but friendly as they all realized my true past. “I hope this does not bode ill for our special Sibling Family.” she added closer to whisper.

“I think that is quite enough on that subject, Sister Pestilence.” I remarked bluntly. This gained me a look from all those within the garden. My sudden reluctance would easily be mistaken for anger by the bluntness of my words.

“It is best if they knew enough to be able to face the little events that might arise.” Aurora remarked to me. The slow ring of nods ended with Sara nodding more vigorously in my lap.

“Even if she is not of my blood, she is my sister in my heart and I will protect her even facing death.” Bryan stated.

“She has chosen me to stand with her, I shall not falter in my duties to teach her and keep her safe.” Ichcui added her oath.

“Where she leads, I go and fight for her and for Sara.” the mental whisper in my mind from Steel, the wolf-boy demon.

“I bear your name and shall be at your side as I have repeated to you often, sir.” young Kestrel stated. “No matter what, I will stand with you and Atlantis.”

“You all speak words of true oath binding.” I muttered. I looked to the top of Sara head, avoiding their gaze filled with acceptance and hope. “Should I tell them what their fate is by following this harsh path?” I asked in a half whisper to Sara.

“I am not the Queen yet to command you, father.” she answered quietly. “My words mean nothing at this point.” she added.

“Not true sister, you are the Princess and true heir of the Throne of Atlantis.” Bryan told her.

“And as Royal Advisor, my ears are always open to the members of the Royal Family at Atlantis.” I whispered to her. I could not help smiling at this playfulness she was showing all of us. “Truth of what I have seen for them or do they remain in the dark to perform their duties naturally?” I asked again. I left her to decide this point since Aurora and myself could not agree that they should know the truth.

“Tell Bryan and Ichcui, please.” she stated calmly. She twisted in my lap to look toward them. “They will not take it the wrong way.” she added in a whisper to me. With a sigh, I nodded accepting her request.

“You Lord Bryan will earn your way into Valhalla with your sister because you die with her as you protected her.” I told him. My voice was unemotional, flat, and passive. “As for our Warrior of the Sun and Moon, she will be battling her conspirators with Steel at her side while Bryan stands against the other enemy during the last moments of Atlantis.” I explained to her. “Lady Nightingale and Lord Chilörąn shall be spearheading the evacuation with Sert and Meli assisting them.” I continued. I place what I could together from my vision to give them the most clear picture, if still vague. “During all of this, Annianka shall face a star child bound to destroy Atlantis while she has gone mad with delusions.” I concluded. I avoided looking at young Kestrel knowing too much about his fate.

“And where will you and I be?” Redpath asked in the quiet room. I looked at him with a sad smile.

“You will be with Miss Hope, trying to assist Annianka.” I said plainly. “My place is of no importance once it gets to that point.” I added in a dismissal tone. I shrugged hiding the shudder that wracked my body.

“If we allow everything to fall upon this path...he will have been removed from us permanently.” Sara supplied. Her face had scrunched up as her eyes filled with tears. “But another shall stand as our protector and father.” she whispered sadly in my mind. She made no sounds as the tears rolled freely down her cheek grieving my assured death before it happened.

“And our two Brothers and our Sister?” Pestilence asked. Her shock at my not mentioning them in my vision statement had her for once feeling fear. “Will they not come to our rescue in our time of desperate need?” she continued animated. She used anger to hide the growing fear creeping into her mind from my words. “Speak you old sooth-saying bird of ill omens.” she screamed at me. I did not look up at her focusing on the top of Sara’s golden head.

“Lost with Lockey’s Leviathan before the end is upon us here.” I whispered out to her. She stared wide eyed at me realizing the full implications of my words.

“We all die in one way or another for the greater good.” Sara returned quietly. She sniffed and wiped away her tears before turning a smiling face toward Aurora. “We will all meet again in the future if Atlantis survives the battle between the two children of the stars.” she explained cheerfully. “Father cannot see beyond this event since all the pathways of time lead to this knot that will judge us and everyone to move forward for light or darkness.” she informed them.

It was not just their shock that held their tongue as Meli entered to change the tea pots and place platters of snack food for all of us. Each in turned thanked her while Sara babbled childishly on my lap before jumping down and walking around the garden. She spoke to the flora and fauna in merry manner like any other child her age did to everything around her. Nightingale, Ichcui, and myself talked quietly and laughed at Sara antics. Bryan and young Kestrel exchange battle strategies and practice a few battle moves to one side of our gathering. Meli placed the platter on a pedestal she grew from the ground at the centre of the garden where we had grouped ourselves. An origami dragon sat upon the middle of the platter facing me. I retrieved it and waited until Meli left before unfolding this report from Famine.

“I think this will explain my reason to call upon you, Lady Nightingale.” I stated in a grumbling sigh. I was handing the note to her while giving my orders. “Redpath, get word to the Royal Guards to have the security around the Greek, Roman, and Egyptian Ambassador tightened for the next week since it appears they are being goaded into retaliatory events thanks to our little chef.” I told him. Young Kestrel was over the wall faster than any Royal Guard has ever moved. He was a blur of black fur that had Bryan looking shocked over this feline’s celerity. Sara moved to sit between me and Aurora.

“Is he mad?” Nightingale asked while reading his report to me. “Having each one believing that the other two will sign peace treaties with Atlantis and each other based on rumored combined attacks upon each other.” she explained quickly. She looked at me for permission to show it to Bryan with a tilt of her head.

‘Yes, Prince Bryan may read that report but you, Bryan, cannot interfere or speak of this issue to others.” I stated while eyeing Bryan. He nodded before taking the message from Aurora’s hand. He read it once looking both annoyed and confuse. The second time he read it his look became pensive. He was muddling through the many political ramifications of this rumor driven event.

“This could be used in our favor if Atlantis offers a treaty of mutual protection and alliance to the three without informing the others two about this rumor trap.” he finally stated. He looked up at me waiting for me to agree or dismiss on his assessment. I motioned him to continue his thought pattern. “Once they all sign, we informed them that neither can attack the other since they are all now allied to Atlantis making them forced allies.” he added smiling at me. I nodded slowly to him.

“You might make a good ruler out of this one.” Nightingale commented out loud. This gained a blush from Bryan but I received the rest of her statement in a mental whisper:“If he lives through this mess.” I did not vocalize or mentally respond to her heavy doubts of any of us surviving this event. This was in part the infection upon this world that made everything appear in the most dismal possibilities. This was just another knot that could not be circumvented if the paths of the past could ever become the time paths of the future. If we failed her, all the future knots would come together as one ending any chances at a future existing. Failure would have the world with only three or four of the Brothers and Sisters of Light able to assist them through the darkness. It is a minor difference since failure means Atlantis is destroyed releasing the darkness or Atlantis disappears beneath the waves while the darkness grows in a slow crawl towards the next knot in the pathways of time.

“I believe it is time to call this evening to an end.” I stated softly. Sara had moved to curl up in Ichcui’s lap yawning. Bryan nodded first as he looked at his sister. Ichcui agreed with her own slight nod as she rose holding Sara tightly to her. We moved slowly into the foyer where Deas now waited for Bryan.

“I will escort my sister and Ichcui home before returning to my dormitory.” he informed us. They drifted off with the Royal Governess walking between Bryan and Deas as she carried Sara. I turned to Sister Pestilence, bowed deeply as she curtsied back to me. Her trio followed suit each taking a turn to bow or curtsy to me to receive a bow from me in return. Her Ursus Guards fell quickly in rank around them as they walked down the dim lit marble street.

“Was the evening productive?” Meli asked in a whisper.

“Very productive.” I half lied back to her. “Lady Nightingale will be here for our morning sparring session to test Sert.” I remarked getting a fearful gulp from the warrior. “If your little tea gathering is completed by then, I am sure she would love a chance for you sparring against her.” I added getting the same fearful gulp from Meli.

“I believe my tea social will run very late, unfortunately.” Meli responded. The false casualness was easy to note in her tones. “And did the message from Chichi helped place everyone upon the same path regarding our potential allies?” she added with a little smirk. I nodded back with a stony faced grin.

“Everyone will start running alliances offers to Atlantis making all them allies under the belief they are protecting themselves from rumored plotting against them.” I informed her. “Once they are all linked to Atlantis, peace is forced upon all of them since they are now all allies.” I concluded softly.

“Aggressive diplomatic methods but not without honor assuring a peaceful world while Atlantis stands strong as the peacemaker of the world.” Sert returned calmly. Meli nodded as they both smiled at this underhanded maneuver for a good cause.

“If it is the only way to save the world as a whole, Atlantis bows willingly to the will of the Ones on High.” Meli continued softly.

“I believe it is bedtime for all of us since we still have much work to do in the morn.” I told them. “Cole and young Kestrel will sleep once they return home.” I added indirectly letting them know that Redpath was out.

Redpath's Journals: Half-lies And Big Sister’s Problem (16)

As dusk overtook us, I was prancing ahead of the horse without realizing that Lord Kestrel had fallen asleep in the saddle. As he slept, I mused about what else I could learn and see while being in his service. A hint of citrus perfume and brimstone tickled my nose as I realized the second set of footfalls matching mine. A slim human body, raven hair, sparkling red eyes, and white teeth within a pair of black lips meet my eyes walking beside me. She giggled like silvery bells as she noticed me looking at her.

“No worries, messenger of Deidra.” she stated in a soft musical voice. “I am happy she found such a pretty messenger to send word to her cousin.” she continued still giggling. I stared at her dumbfounded gaining me a brilliant smile. “She placed the message here so I am the only one that could read it.” she explained pointing at my heart. “No ill will, no negative effects, no worries, sweet feline.” she informed me with a quick wink. “I am Reina and mostly human, young Kestrel.” she added with another light merry giggle.

“She did not tell me she had done this.” I remarked as a hint of fear returned from last night negative self-contemplation.

“Deidra worries too much to ask for favors but she trusted you with this message to me.” she returned happily. “And I promise she did nothing else to you.” she added. She reached out and glided her fingers along my cheek giggling softly.

“But all I have is your word.” I replied with a shrug.

“Yes, since your heart tells you we are not lying to you.” she returned casually. “And placing a message in you could not harm you or effect you, Kestrel.” she continued easily. “I thank you and bid you a good voyage.” she added before fading from beside me. It was at this moment that Kestrel stirred in his saddle. I chuckled and purred hearing him awaken while not getting embroiled in my unknown messenger service.

“I took a bit of a shorter path along lesser noticeable pathways, sir.” I reported quickly. “We should be entering the town at the same moment or slightly after Sert and Meli.” I informed him nearly dancing forward upon the path. I could not resist giggling as a thought entered my mind. “For them, your discussion was truly a short one.” I stated glancing back at him. I was smirking and happy feeling free within the land.

“You heard and saw what happened?” he asked quietly.

“Nothing happened that I need to report.” I replied casually. “My duties are for you alone and will not speak reports to others without your permission, Lord Kestrel.” I continued easily before turning away. “Therefore, I have nothing to report since you listened and saw everything that happened, yourself.” I added in a singsong voice trying to imitate Lord Death. My purring chuckle drifted back to him as the horsed pranced and neighed it’s own pleasure.

Once in the line trying to gain entry into the town, I left Kestrel side to ask if our companions had already passed through the gates. The guards did at first look shocked as I walked up but quickly calmed as I started speaking to them. One guard stepped aside with me to answer my questions while mentioning the rumors of a heroic feline had came from across the mountains to the town. I did attempt to fluff it off as it could be any cat person but I doubt he did not associate the tales directly with myself as the knighted hero. I did ask about Sert and Meli with a quick description including the heavy mounts they would be riding. This gained me a quick answered that I had just missed them with an offer to cut ahead since I’m a hero of their great lands. I waved this off mentioning I was not traveling alone and it would be impolite allow two of us the privilege of fast entry. He accepted this with a nod as I bowed to him before returning to Kestrel’s side.

“We missed them?” Kestrel asked me. I shrugged and nodded to him.

“They passed through as we were arriving to join the line.” I told him. “And rumors have reached here about a friendly and heroic feline being passing through the area.” I admitted shyly to him.

“And so the legend of the Feline Knight of the Redpath clan is born.” he replied chuckling. My tail swished behind me showing my nervous embarrassment as my eyes raised to meet his. I could not stop myself from laughing at this insane suggestion. “We will be back all together by the time we reach the harbor area of the town.” he stated nearly casually to me. “And we will possibly have a day or two in town before leaving.” he concluded. The hint of annoyance in his tones had me trying to find something to keep his mind occupied while we had to wait in this harbor town.

“If it is the Herald collecting us, they would have waited to resupply until we arrived, correct?” I remarked slowly.

“Yes, it is the Herald we are sailing upon.” he affirmed nodding. “Delaying to have the freshest possible provisions on board for the return trip.” he informed me. I nodded waiting for anything else he wished to reveal to me. “A longboat would collect the daily needs while the Herald safely sits waiting in the harbour for us.” he sated.

The ponderous movement of the entry line was mostly due to the mass of visitors and nothing about the guards being inefficient. Lord Kestrel looked around slowly at the sheer volume of people before us and lining up behind us. I listen to the crowd but was confused by the mixed comments I heard. As he looked down at me, I shrugged and shook my head in confusion. I paced slowly along the length of the line to the front and back to the rear before returning to Kestrel without an answer to give him. My tail was reflexively coiling and uncoiling around my leg as we faced the friendly guards. I noticed they quickly had us moving through the gate’s of the town once they heard we were boarding a ship, unlike the masses that had stood and followed us in the line. They were mostly all sending supplies and other things while not boarding the ship themselves. Once within the town proper, Kestrel dismounted to walk beside me giving us a chance to speak in whispered words.

“It is nothing clearly defined for this heavy flow of outgoing supplies to the other harbor towns and cities along the coastline.” I informed him. “And multiple rumored reasons alluded to but nothing as a common ideal or reason.” I reported slowly and quietly under my purrs.

“Odd but not truly uncommon when multiple rumors fuel their actions.” he remarked too casually. He waited watching me as my tail coiled and uncoiled around my leg and my whiskers twitched while I purred pensively. “What are your thoughts, young Kestrel?” he asked in that same overly casual tone. I was not sure if this was a mystery he found uninteresting or if he was testing to see if I could figure out something he had already solved. We ended up upon the wide way taking us directly to the docks of the town.

“The sheer amount of goods seems very high for these lands, sir.” I hazarded slowly. I was still placing the information in order in my mind as we walked. “You do not dispose of all your goods and supplies unless something very bad is going to happen soon.” I remarked in the same purring slow speech. “The reasons I have overheard do not suggest such a dark event coming upon them.” I added before looking at him once more.

“Yes, it is an odd event.” he returned with a quick nod of the head. “But not truly something we should worry about at this time.” he told me. Though his words were soft, I saw it as an order to ignored it. I could not reply nor question his words as Sert voice reached our ears. With a quick glance, I spotted him yelling and waving to get our attention as he stood at the land’s edge of the dock. “Seems we found them.” Lord Kestrel remarked. We moved together to reach our friend.

“It will take three days or more to resupply the Herald with how overworked the port-men have been lately.” Sert told us as we reached him. Meli’s voice had me turning to see her sitting on the dock’s edge looking towards the water while speaking Atlantian. A tap on my arm had me rushing to her, crouching by her side looking at the longboat from the Herald holding a pair of sailors.

“The kitten found you?” one sailor remarked but received no answer.

“It is not war or colonization since the items are being spread out mostly evenly along the coastline.” the other was telling Meli.

“And multiple different reasons being claimed without a single dominant reason stated to the sailors?” she remarked softly. Both sailors nodded to her. “Intriguing but mostly only a delay in our case.” she concluded.

“A delay is acceptable since Lord Kestrel’s last meeting seems to have invigorated him.” I whispered to Meli. She glanced at me to receive a quick nod. She told the sailor to hurry the resupplying and send word to the closest inn once they were ready to depart. They saluted us and the longboat drifted away while we rose and turned to returned to Sert and Kestrel.

“Captain Destine’s sailors could add nothing from what they have overheard while visiting the town during the wait for our arrival.” she reported to Kestrel. “It’s an exodus of supplies, goods, and minor treasures, but no one is traveling to those towns or cities by water.” she added to them.

“Something about this has my whiskers twitching.” I told them. I know my tone came out in a whining growl getting all their attention. Kestrel nodded to me while scratching idly at his chin. “Could it be some sort of magical enchantment?” I asked Meli. My question lead to a long moment of silence.

“It could be possible but too powerful an ability in lands lacking strong magical energies.” she replied slowly and softly. “I know a magical ether area exist nearby because of the harpies, Lacona, and what feels like a Fairy Mound within an hour or two from this town.” she announced to us. “But nothing strong enough to enchant this many people into action.” she assured us before turning towards Kestrel. “Or am I missing something, Lord Kestrel?” she added to him.

“No magic on those in the entry line nor upon anything or anyone within the town.” he informed us. “We are the only exceptions present and your assessment is correct Lady Mekiliean.” he assured her. “It is simply something we cannot perceive at work here.” he summarized for us.

“More importantly, should we get involved in this oddity?” Sert asked boldly. This had me focusing on the crux of our decision. “As foreigners, they might not wish this mystery solved or find a way to blame us to prevent us solving it.” he gently reminded all of us. A warning as we thought and decided our path. Meli nodded and I followed suit. Kestrel nodded slowly his agreement with Sert acceptance in a quick nod. “And are we acting as representatives of Atlantis, Diadem’s Knight, or simply for justice and honor?” he asked with a half smirk.

“We should not simply interfere in this because it seems not to be causing any direct problems to this land’s people.” Lord Kestrel reminded us softly. “Delays and extra work for the dock-hands is not a hardship which needs changing, correct?” he asked us. With a sigh and a nod we each agreed but still must have looked unconvinced. “And my main goal at this time is returning to Atlantis to recover fully.” he added in a whisper. I stiffened matching Kestrel’s veteran traveling companions while we turned to face him directly. Ser honestly excused himself but I felt Meli and myself feigned our concern. In my case, it was because I knew from the look in his eyes that he had regained much of his strength during the nightlong event with Lacona. He lead us to the nearby inn to claim rooms for the next few days until the Herald was ready to sail us home.

Meli had shot pass me the next morning mumbling about visiting the Fairy Mound that sat near to the harbor town. I had nearly offered to accompany her when my instincts screamed to mention this to Lord Kestrel. His annoyed reaction was not what I expected but his comment did have Sert turning pale. A mound that trained blood lust faeries did ring a warning bell in my mind but it did not feel bad to myself with my constant control over my feral predatory half. While Kestrel kept Sert with him to ride out to the mound, he ordered me to rush ahead to find her and keep her from causing problems.

Her scent was easy to follow but what I discovered upon my arrival was truly sickening to me. The reek of blood warned me what I was about to find, the first of her victims. Skin torn from within as Meli had used his blood to rip him apart from within. I paused trembling as a soft growl had started forming in my throat from the blood heightening my feral instincts. Second body was not in any better a shape as I slowly followed the path of destruction more worried about Meli with every step. The growl became a roar as I found Meli. The scent of her blood lust hit me as she stood cackling maniacally over her latest victim. I could hear his breath and his weakened heartbeat while big sister Meli reveled in bubbles of blood floating around him.

I barely noticed Kestrel’s prompt arrival with Sert at his heels. The hit like a thunderclap upon Meli’s face sent her spiraling as her eyes went dark and closed into unconsciousness. I moved freed from the rage of my feral beastly form to scoop Meli up before she could hit the ground easily tossing her over my shoulder dodging pass Kestrel towards Sert. The warrior spun on his heel clearing a pathway for me as I rushed her towards the exit. I did not hear if Kestrel spoke but heard his footfalls behind mine matching our speed. Sert at point encountered less resistance as the fairies of this mound cleared a path for us to leave quickly. The world ahead of us blurred as my claws forced a stop as we were suddenly upon the deck of the Herald.

“Captain Destine, re-provision and head home at your own pace, since we are taking a faster path.” Kestrel snapped at the Herald’s captain before a second blurring disc appeared which he motion us to rush through it. Kestrel’s anger was palpable in the air as we skidded to a momentary stop in our own foyer back in Atlantis. The first thing a saw was Cole shocked Face as we nearly ran him over redirecting our path directly to Meli’s room. Once she was safely in her bed, I left Sert to watch over her while I returned to Kestrel’s side. I was jumping from the inner upper balcony listening to Cole Speaking to Lord Kestrel.

“Sir Kestrel, we have a problem.” he stated as I launched from the upper floor. “Seems you had an issue with Lady Mekiliean?” he remarked as my padded feet touch the floor stepping to Kestrel’s elbow. “And when did we inherit a house cat?” he concluded with the hint of a smirk of his face. My growl was ignored as Cole’s eyes meet Kestrel’s. He stepped back trembling while I heard Kestrel taking a deep breath. I expected a shout from the man who’s name I bore, but…

“What is the problem?” he stated bluntly but at a regular level.

“The royal Advisor Coltæn is possibly involved in something nefarious but we lack proof to act.” Cole reported hesitantly.

“Redpath! To work!” he ordered and I moved. For once I used the main door but was quickly and quietly slipping between shadows before gaining roof top passageways increasing my speed in my natural element. Everything I would and could find would be placed in Lord Kestrel’s hand quickly since I was his unseen eyes, ears, and claws upon the land’s of Atlantis.