Evening with the Council of Atlantis (7)

One week after recovering from my arrival upon the shores of Atlantis, I was finally going to have my first meeting with the Council of Atlantis. They ruled this island where a great monarchy had once stood but corruption had finally destroyed it a little over a millennium ago. The resulting problems had Atlantis closing itself off from the rest of the world and become in part nothing but a legend to most of the human empires that had flourished during that time.

“I would not trust that snake Colêsträ.” Sert repeated for the seventh or eight time during the late afternoon meal. Cole was lithe of body and effeminate in looks but still masculine in dress and behaviour I had seen so far. “He is abnormal in every sense of the word and lack honour serving the Council like a lackey.” he continued angrily.

“Have no fear.” I returned easily. “I will make it very clear to him that he must behave while in my service.” I concluded with a predatory smile.

“Let Lord Kestrel deal with it Sert.” Meli rebuked calmly. She had not said much other than the fear she felt with having Cole around them. She had stated her point quickly and clearly at the beginning of this discussion before being silent unlike Sert that returned to his misgiving of this man every few minutes we sat at the table waiting for Cole's return.

“I do accept your views about this man.” I stated directly to Sert. “But I will deal with him in my own way if he crosses the line.” I assured him.

“He will cross it.” Sert replied in earnest. A loud knock on the door informed us of Colêsträ's arrival. I had magicked the doors locked to make sure we had a warning of his return. Sert smiled realizing what I had done. Meli laughed as I waved my hand making the door open seemingly by itself.

“I am here to guide you to the meeting Lord Kestrel.” we heard Cole calling out from the foyer. I chuckled under my breath as I rose to head for the foyer. Sert and Meli followed smiling merrily at the fact that Cole could not sneak into the place.

“What type of soiree will it be?” I asked softly. I had entered from the far end of the foyer slowly. The look and sense of fear I felt coming from Cole showed I had already started putting him in his place without even resorting to any truthful use of my abilities.

“Informal to make it more relaxed an atmosphere for everyone.” Cole replied. He straightened when he spotted me being followed by Sert and Meli. “We best hurry since the ones that have assigned me wish a moment alone with you before the others have a chance to meet you.” he continued. He eyed Sert's and Meli's smiling face as a hint of apprehension formed in his heart. “If it is agreeable with you Sir.” he added quickly.

I nodded and motioned with my hand that he should lead the way. I had to stop Sert from following with a simple glare but nodded his acceptance before I walked out to follow Colêsträ. I followed without words until I noticed that he lead us toward an estate on the other side of the central edge of the Atlantis. I stopped dead at the entrance path to this estate that rival mine in size from what I could see of it. It took a moment for Cole to realize I stopped. He walked back to me standing before me annoyed.

“Yes?” he interjected. His annoyance at this delay was palpable even without using my mental gifts.

“Tell me the true situation within the Council Cole!” I ordered bluntly. I crossed my arms defiantly as he looked at me in silence. I touched his mind fully to gauge the truth in his words to me if he would speak. He sighed once calming himself before speaking.

“The Council is separated into multiple factions vying for control to implement their own agenda upon Atlantis.” he told me in a whisper. I nodded for him to continue. “The one that I mainly work for hold the power even if they are only six of them supporting the Heart Annianka fully.” he continued. His words were truthful but so much more lay hidden away in this man's mind.

“The Council considers the other few Royals that remain alive as a burden if they do not get involved with the Council directly, correct?” I returned. I stood with my arms still crossed, scrutinizing his mind, and watching his eyes.

“Yes.” he interjected quickly. “But only those that will have nothing to do with helping running this land.” he corrected in a forced whisper. It was all truthful but parts of Colêsträ's mind were blocked away or covered in shadows making it impossible for me to read unless I forced them open to the light I served. I held back forcing his mind open more to my examination because it mirrored what I had done to my own mind to protect myself from those who would pry into my thoughts. Unlike Cole, I had sections hidden away even from myself to make it impossible for other to see my true nature and origin.

“Friendly warning Cole.” I whispered to him. My eyes shifted from amber predatory bird to twin spinning stars. “Cross me or anyone I hold dear and I will rip open your mind for all to see the darkness you hide from the world including yourself.” I concluded coldly. I bowed my head to him as I smiled smugly at this man. He stood frozen while I walked away toward the doors of the estate he had lead me to.

The guards moved quickly to clear a path into the house where a servant rushed me into a den that sat off the left of the foyer. A trio of burly guards took position at the door before it closed behind my back. The six men sat waiting for me nervously. I felt their wishes that I simple leave Atlantis quickly to keep the rest of the world away from this mystic place. I heard Cole screaming that he should be allowed entry to the room while the trio of guards stood in silence barring his path without mercy. The men rose rose to meet me at the door with outstretched hands.

“I am Stoillish.” the first man introduced himself to me. “Coltrish, Emerian, Avidal, Burdish, and Peregrine.” Stoillish rimed off quickly. I examined each of them both physically and mentally as we shock hands seeing the fist five as nothing special but sitting soundly in Annianka's corner to the point of being ready to back her taking the throne if she wished it. The sixth man was younger than the others, his eyes shone with idealism that the other lacked, but his mind was totally different than any Atlantian I had meet so far.

I search deeper within his mind seeing the mental mine field someone else had put in place. He had sections completely closed and wired to destroy this man's mind if tampered with. I could see that these closed places hide actions and motives that Peregrine himself knew nothing about. This was Genia's, my true sister's, handy work and nothing but herself could disarm this without turning this man's mind into unreadable mush. I said nothing but kept a watch on him before checking again the other Council members' minds.

They supported Annianka fully but did not wish the rest of the world to interfere in their closed Atlantis. They doubted Annianka's claims that I was from a higher celestial court, a god if you would, walking among the mortals. I would make it very clear to all of them just how high above them I truly sat just like their Holy Heart Annianka.

“We do not believe in or understand why Her Holiness Annianka has given you such privileges upon Atlantis.” Stoillish commented. At his words he signalled to the others to take their places around the table as if he lead the group. “It may be best that you plan to return to wherever you come from quickly.” he added bluntly.

“No.” I stated calmly. With but a thought, the table crushed inward into a a ball of blackness as I smiled politely at them. “My duties here give me the right that Annianka has accepted including removing any threat I see to Atlantis.” I continued louder. “If the Council interferes too much in my mission, I may decide that it has out lived its purpose to Atlantis.” I warned darkly. They continued staring at the empty spot that the table had occupied now holding a small black orb that had a glowing white corona around it. “Questions?” I asked bluntly. I waited for them to turn to face me and agree with my demands.

“This is not natural!” Emerian interjected. He turned to face me. His face contorted as a strangled gasp escaped him drawing the attention of the others. They all stared at my liquid black eyes where twin stars spun in an endless dance with each other. I gave them a moment to realize what they were seeing before removing the black orb and allowing my eyes to return to their normal amber raptor state.

“No, it is not natural.” I assured them directly. “But it is my sphere and place high above this world children.” I continued with a cold sneer. “If you question again why I was given by your true ruler rights above all others, remember this moment as an answer more clearly define than any explanation Annianka would ever give you.” I added with forced finality. I watched them as the stood silently staring at me, the man that had cowed them in their own place of power.

“Then should we be asking what you wish us to do?” Stoillish retorted.

“Or is our purpose to simply be puppets while you run everything from the shadows?” Burdish commented calmer. I could sense he was ready to give up without fighting a losing battle again. He was the true leader of the group allowing Stoillish to pretend in front of outsiders. The others turned to stare at him in horror and livid anger for being offered as puppets to this foreigner. I raised a hand forestalling the non-verbalized protests from the others.

“Neither.” I stated calmly to them. “You continue doing your best for Atlantis and Annianka while knowing you have the assistance from on high available who is not bound by the constraining rules of Atlantis or its true leader.” he explained slowly. “Now what is the purpose of that oily attache in this mess?” I asked smiling nicely at them. They stared at me for a moment as my words sunk deep within their understanding.

“He is to report what he sees of you and the outside world back to the Council.” Burdish answered. “It is needed for us to decide if we can gain from the outsiders or remain removed from them for our own protection.” he explain slowly. “Unfortunately he reports to the Council as a whole and not simply to us.” he added. I felt the hint of anger and lack of faith this man had for their chosen attache.

“Your group felt safer with the cadet Sertian than the snake Colêsträ who is better suited for these kind of actions.” I admitted for them. A round of nods confirmed my thought that I stolen from their own minds.

“He would have reported to us and the Holy Heart only.” Avidal agreed verbally. I shook my head in disagreement.

“He is too easily swayed to stop reporting to you if Her Holiness asked it of him.” I informed them softly. “Sertian's allegiance to her is more important to him than you have estimated.” I added with a smile.

“Understandable with his childhood friend within the same residence reporting to Her Holiness directly.” Peregrine muttered. This brought dark glares from the five other members. “Why should we lie to our new ally?” he asked challengingly. They sighed nearly in unison before looking downcast. “And I did warn you that it would happen once we discovered Mekiliean had also been placed in Lord Kestrel's retinue.” he added with a shrug.

I once again scanned this young man's mind. My sister's playing had altered his thought pattern in way that made him notice things others seemed to miss. This man might be very useful in discovering what is happening behind the scenes without using my abilities keeping myself hidden from prying minds including Annianka's. Callistra, as she called herself in this lifetime, never realized what half her tampering caused within others minds. This reminded me what I had done to her and her unborn daughter which I forced back into the shadowy areas of my mind.

“Well.” I stated calmly. “I believe it would be time to meet the rest of the Council with one of you being my guide during this evening.” I suggested. I moved to stand by young Peregrine in silence. He jumped at the chance offering his services to me before the others could even speak. I spent the evening with this man and Cole at my sides as I mingled with the Council members examining their thoughts and motives to find a way to sway them to serve Annianka without question or doubts.

By the end of the evening, I had discern at the very least twenty-three solid factions with only a half dozen that would support Annianka if her position as Heart was put in question. Other than my sister's time bomb, no other traitor could be found among the Council Members. Another surprise from those above my supposed family here that believed they had sent me to Atlantis. My true purpose was my own with the backing of the only ones I would ever serve, a pillar of light in the temple deep within the void I called my true home.

I returned home alone pleased that Cole was trapped staying later at the Council's soiree than I needed to be. It would give me a chance to sit with Sert and Meli discovering what they knew about the Council and what they thought it was planning to do. I still debated how much of this information I should reveal to Annianka hoping that what I discovered from my two trusted companions would help me decide. Barely a quarter of the Council stood with her if the people or the world turned against her. A flash vision of her leaving a place I saw as the Atlantian “beach head” with two young girls and an enemy acting as her ally. I shock my head to make the image evaporate from my mind.

It returned stronger to me with the feelings that those two girls were my daughters. I forcibly pushed the image into the shadows to be forgotten and ignored since I knew it was in a far future that was still unsure until after the knot Atlantis faced. I felt a sickness of possible failure grapple me but no image came to back this physical malaise.

“Only time will tell if I can or cannot save Atlantis from being removed from the world.” I whispered to myself. “I will not have a change to freeze that moment and discover a way around like so many mundane events I had faced so far.” I continued. I walked in silence after this moment of doubt. I could do nothing about this anyways until the moment got closer and I could see what had me feeling so worried. I regretted in part having shunted that part of my mind away but I could not rely simply on knowing all the answers. The humans, or “Fallen Ones” as I knew them, needed a saviour that was as fallible as they were. I spotted Sert and Meli returning from having reported to Annianka what had happened so far like they had other nights when I pretended to sleep or was entrenched in my room for a night of lone contemplation.

Our New Home & Colêsträ (6)

“Will you kindly accompany us to our new home Captain Hope?” I asked quickly. The other three stepped back in bewildered shock as I held my arm out to to the tigress. She nodded slowly before taking my arm to walk at my side more like an escort than her military status dictated. The other three fell in step behind us forming a triangle with Sert and Curd marching side by side. I walked without fear of getting lost by reading the route from Sert's mind.

I noticed through Meli's eyes as she walked behind the group the glances Curd gave Sert as the marched at our back. Sert shrugged his equal confusion to the outcome of his Captain meeting me. Meli sigh at them when both glanced back for her comments. She shrugged as lost in this sudden behaviour change as the other two were. They followed in silence wondering what other changes I, a stranger, would cause while upon Atlantis.

As we arrived, Sert and Meli spotted my new attache first causing them to release strangled gasps of shock and anger. They stopped us from coming into view of Colêsträ. Both feline with us growled at them in annoyance until my companions pointed out the lone man waiting before the doors. Curd's growl deepened as I felt the tension rise in both felines as the glared toward this man. They moved forward ignoring us while Sert and Meli trying in vain to restrain my action to follow them.

Colêsträ stood staring coldly toward the Royal Guards that advanced increasing their pace on him. With but a mind touch, I knew he had some plan for such an event but could not see what it was. He stood without fear or weapons visible upon him glaring challengingly back at the big cats moving on him. I sensed and saw the two dozen Council Guards round both sides of the house moving quickly to intercept the Royal Guard Captain and her replacement. My gift saw nothing but a blood bath as the ending of this little trick from Colêsträ and could not allow them all to die like this.

“That is more than enough from either of you.” I stated harshly. I step quickly between them halting further violence. The Council Guards had slowed but still moved forward. “Stand down Captain since he has arranged a greeting party for any who interfere with his introductions.” I continued to explain.

“Childish waste of good men.” Curd grumbled. He turned to face the group moving in from their right. Captain Hope said nothing as she turned ready to dispatch those attackers coming from the left. I used my great powers to solidify the air around the incoming guards freezing them in mid step. “Tell them to leave now or I will make them leave this world permanently.” I ordered. I had barely needed to think as the ball of blackness formed in my outstretched hand. I waited in silence holding the great cosmic destroyer, a black hole itself, in my hand fully under my control. Colêsträ did not even look down at my hand as he surveyed the scene with a sad smile and disappointment flowing freely from him.

“Leave.” he said dismissively. “I am Colêsträ, or Cole if you wish it Lord Kestrel.” he announced refocusing on me. “The Council of Atlantis has sent me to be your attache toward them during your visit here.” he concluded. He held out his hand at me while I stood still holding a black hole in my lead hand before him.

“I am sure we will meet again Captain Hope, soon to be Captain Curd.” I stated softly. I half turned to bow toward them as the ball of blackness sunk back harmlessly into my palm. I waved at the trapped Council Guards who bolted the second they were free knowing what had transpired while stuck defencelessly waiting. Hope turned to face me directly and curtsied in perfect Atlantian fashion before signalling Curd to follow her.

What I had read from her thought before parting laughed at how underestimated Cole saw me. A mistake she knew without doubt that I would fix if he behaved like a spoiled child again. Sert and Meli were at my back as I turned to face Cole. He stood holding out his hand that I ignored as I looked passed him toward the closed doors to my new residence. I continued slowly touching at his mind but found no other hidden traps waiting for us now.

“I will show you around your new residence Lord Kestrel.” he stated after a moment. A look of regret and sadness mingling in his eyes. “I believe it will give you all the amenities you asked for and more.” he continued before turning. He open the door to walk them through the foyer that had chairs and divans placed for waiting guests along the walls. He continued into a fair size reception hall with a long table and ornate chairs to seat a good twenty people easily. “A small reception hall for discussion with a private study for you upon the left side and the door to the dining hall.” he explained casually. He lead us into the grandiose dining hall that could seat a small army and down a back hallway toward the kitchen. “If required, we can have a kitchen staff requested covered by Council.” he added easily.

“Would rather cook for ourselves.” I replied smiling politely.

“Better than risking being poisoned by the Council.” Meli whispered to Sert at my back. I allowed the corner of my mouth to twitch upward at the comment but no other sign showed that I heard her. Cole looked as if he had not hear the slight but I could read that he stored it away in his mind.

“As you wish.” he replied simply with a bow of his head. He continued down the back hallway to the door of the training field and dolphin pool that sat at the back of the two story house. He open the door in the inner wall to reveal a spacious open garden that sat within the tall walls of the house. “The door has an internal lock for privacy and any plant you wish to add can be provided by the arboretums and green houses of Atlantis.” he explained quickly. I looked around this open space with a few well place trees, stone benches, and partially cobbled walkway. “And now to show you the second floor which contain the sleeping chambers.” he said with another flourished bow toward me.

The bed chambers were spacious and already had large beds with goose down mattresses and pillows, dressers, wardrobes, and a private writing desk. Shelves lined the walls from chest level upward and left much room for gear, trinkets, and other personal items. I had to smile unable to control myself as I saw in my mind's eye most of the useable surfaces covered with a mix of musical instruments, statuettes, and crystals. Cole looked at my smiling face unable to hold back smiling with pride at having set at least one thing that made me happy. He slowly lead us back to the foyer while Sert and Meli walked in stunned silence behind me. I could feel the awe that they felt over this palace they had been given to live within.

“What type of security does our bedchamber have?” I asked pensively. I could sense the lack of trust that my two companion had for this man. From what I had seen of Cole's mind, I tended to agree even if it did mirror in a way how my mind had been reconstructed by myself before coming to Atlantis.

“All the bed chambers have the same type of internal lock as the garden.” he stated with a tone of servility.

“Best we keep them locked when he's around.” Sert commented under his breath.

“Keys?” I interjected bluntly.

“No, since they are internal locking mechanism made for privacy.” Cole answered. “That and it would be dishonourable to enter someone's room when they are not present.” Cole concluded calmly. I noticed he would not look at Sert or Meli as he spoke. His eyes barely made contact with mine during his speech.

“I do not see that stopping that snake.” Sert added in a whisper.

“Then we should retrieve our belongings from the old residence immediately.” I stated over Sert's comment.

“And the Council has arranged a evening tonight to give you a chance to meet with them.” Cole returned smiling politely. They ask forgiveness for the delay it took to get this meeting arranged but they wished it to be enjoyable and easier upon you Sir.” he continued. I watched as he rung his hands together while he spoke. They had put a fear in him of displeasing me since I sat in good graces with Annianka. “I will return at dusk to escort you directly to their little celebration for your arrival.” he added forcibly.

It took us one trip to carry the meagre belongings of my two companions but another two trips were needed with their help to carry everything I had acquired so far in the past week. It was odd see the amount of trinkets and toys I had collected but each had a purpose upon or away from Atlantis that my gift of seeing the future lines had shown me. Even with the extra trips we were able to have ever transferred to the our new home before midday reached us. We sat in the garden resting a bit and eating the normal noonday fair of fruits and nuts before storing our items in our rooms properly. It would take me most of the day to place everything within my bed chamber but such is the curse of my gift at work.

We gather in the kitchens late that afternoon after Sert informed me that Her Holiness sent a light meal from the Royal Kitchen for us. I thanked her mentally receive another soft giggle as welcome. It was the first time I had meat with my meal. It was from my knowledge that meat was a rare staple in Atlantian meals unless you were a member of the animalistic Royal Guards. The Atlantian easily substituted other sources rich in protein to cover the physical requirements for this in their daily nutritional needs. I ate slowly pondering and receiving flash visions of how the evening would turn out but nothing manifested with certainty in my mind.

Facing Captain Hope (5)

I spent the next few days collecting items I saw as needed for my daily life while upon and away from Atlantis. My white tigress and her tiger replacement shadowed me during this whole time. Sert and Meli found some of my collection as odd especially the multitude of musical instruments I acquired. A small symphony could easily use what I collected to preform a nightly concert. Each evening I would play the instruments I had gained that day showing a bardic ability that equally the lowest levelled bards of Atlantis. The ocarina I had found was still my pride and joy that ended each nights performance.

It was the cloth I searched that was more problematic to find considering that I hunted for darker opaque material that was not the norm upon Atlantis. I knew that I would still visit the rest of the globe and needed to remain decent by their close minded standards. Eventually some of the clothiers started hunting for such items specifically for me as word that had bested Captain Ent in unarmed combat circulated the market place.

It was not the only rumours about me that had spread across Atlantis like wildfire. Many Atlantians changed their path to have a chance to glance and even greet me, the first stranger to set foot on Atlantis in nearly a thousand years even if I appeared as one of them. I touched their mind as I spotted them. They felt the honour that lay upon me as easily as they could see my white gossamer half-cloak that sat on the most unusual black armour. Some even believed that it was acceptable that I chose to be a shadow while walking the path of light that they saw Atlantis as being.

Oddly, one of those that accepted my darker selection was the Feline Guards' Captain that still studied me from afar with her replacement in tow. I sense from him that I was not the only being he was studying. He studied his Captain as closely as he studied me trying to discover why she had not approached me yet. His study of myself was to discern how I could have bested Captain Ent with and without weapons. Curd, the tiger replacement, worried how such an unassuming man like myself could have beaten a Captain of the Atlantian Royal Guards and what chances they stood if I turned against them.

Other concerns had Captain Hope watching and judging me thoughtfully. She would become Annianka's Honour Guard by next month and feared what disruptions my present would caused their Holiness. She believed from what she had gleaned from Annianka and others that their Heart would give me free reigns upon Atlantis as long as I showed affection for my little healer. If I would become a threat to Atlantis or their Heart Annianka, she would need a way to stop me before I had gain too much control here. She continued examining my movement closely unaware that I knew she was there.

Her mind was settle by the fourth morning of her vigil. She had decided that I would cause much darkness upon Atlantis but for noble and honourable purposes. I would easily harm the Heart of Atlantis' emotions as I challenged her while showing my nobility and honour to all that surrounded me. I had scared many already with my little stunts, as she saw it, facing off successfully against Captain Ent. Her thought betrayed her as she would have easily taken my place to prove Ent not as all powerful as he acted but Annianka had forbidden her that little action.

I stood in the shadows unseen by her reading all of these thoughts that formed in her feline mind. She wait unknowing that she had missed my departure from the residence I shared with Mekiliean and Sertian. My two proteges exited suddenly as true dawn touched the sky bringing her to her feet as they glanced around in panic. A growl rose in her throat as she realized her prey had escaped her this morning.

“It's not polite to growl at guests.” I reprimanded from the shadows. She turned slowly to face me without stopping the growl that rumbled in her throat. “Nor is it nice to follow someone with giving proper introductions, my Captain.” I added. I stepped from the shadows to stand facing her with a small mischievous grin on my face. Sert and Meli froze as they spotted us facing off.

“And is it polite hiding in shadows?” she growled at me. The growling subsided as she took a deep breath. “And I will chose my own time and place to make introductions Kestrel.” she added with great familiarity and calmness.

“Your over protective tigress nature is showing.” I returned softly. I had to look slight upward to glare into her golden cat eyes. Her black and white striped hair hung loosely like a mane that was odd for tigers to possess. I spotted Curd coming around the corner of my home on Atlantis. He glanced in our direction before shaking his head and slowly joining my retinue as they moved cautiously closer to us. “We may as well act friendly toward each other even if cats and birds never react well to each other.” I hazarded before the other entered hearing range. I held my hand out in an open offer of friendship to her. “Captain?” I added softly.

I sensed the same dread from the approaching trio of another battle brewing. They feared that this would not be a simple sparring session like my actions with Captain Ent. If we battled, one of us would not be living by the time the battle ended. Captain Hope reached up nicely but I sense she was not ready to accept to play nice. As our hands closed on each other, she sank her claws deep into my skin as she smiled challengingly at me. I smiled back with the same arrogance unmoved by the injury.

She stared hard into my eyes as her grip tightened sinking her claws deeper. I mental called her a foolish cat seeing in her eyes that she heard my words clearly. Her eyes widen but she held her firm grip as I created electrical charges at the tips of her claws. Her eyes remained locked with mine. Her golden cat eyes glaring into my amber raptor eyes. We held this position for a few minutes as the other three watched without understanding what was truly taking place. No drops of blood fell from my hand to show the aggressive nature of this supposed friendly gesture. I forced the electrical charge up her arm feeling it tingle as we stared unyielding at each other.

“I think you will be the perfect protector for Annianka.” I stated calmly. My smile soften as I slowly withdrew the electrical force I was pushing into her hand as her grip released at the same rate.

“Captain Hope.” she finally said. She drew her hand back showing no effects from the shocking damage she had suffered during this challenge of wills. “And thank you for words of encouragement Lord Kestrel.” she added without emotions.

“One day you will see me very differently than now Captain Hope.” I warned her. “But that will be a different lifetime for me, I think.” I continued. I sent her the flash I had seen as we challenged each other. It showed my face having amber cat eyes instead of my birdlike amber eyes. She tilted her head cat-like as I smiled shyly at her. “My gift at work and a warning you deserve to receive immediately.” I explained in conclusion. The other three stared at us still lost in the events taking place.

They slowly took their places by Captain Hope and myself now that the challenge had seemed to end. Sert and Meli remained silently at my sides while Hope introduced her replacement Curd to me with more warmth than is usually given to outsider of the feline prides. Curd showed the same detachment that most of the Feline Guards showed normal Atlantians. Sert noticed first then Meli spotted it. Captain Hope kept casting quick glances at my eyes to see if they had changed. Sert chose this moment to clear his throat and bring attention upon himself.

“Word arrived from the Council late last night that your new residence is ready and your new attache will be waiting for us at the doors this morning.” he informed me. He waited to hear a command from me to lead the way but I had to disappoint him this once.

Meeting One Guardian of Atlantis (4)

I walked into the foyer to gather Sert for a training exercise only to find him and Meli waiting for me. I examined them both physically and mental to discern if they had been awoken by some outside element. I hide the laugh that formed in my throat at my own paranoia when I spotted the basket of fruits, bread, nuts, and cheese Meli carried.

“Since we do not have a private garden,” she began shyly, “I thought a breakfast at the nearby pool would be acceptable substitute.”

“And I know that you would wish to start our training as quickly as possible.” Sert hazarded. “And visiting Atlantis would be another concern, sir.” he added.

“Very true on all counts.” I replied. “But is it prudent with the Royal Guard Captains seeking me out?” I continued. Meli had glanced questioningly at Sert but he simply shrugged nonchalantly at me. “We best be going then.”

The meal was filling but unlike anything seen outside of Atlantis. The churned soft cheese that is unknown in the outer world spread easily upon the simple and fresh bread. The variety of fruits and nuts that spanned the globe itself was an oddity in this supposedly closed culture. The segregated life Atlantis lead would have to change if it was not to be seen as a enemy to the rest of the globe. We did not speak during the meal more than simple statements of fact while my companions' minds buzzed with unasked questions about the foreign shores that I came from.

We arrived at the trainees' field after an leisurely hour of walking. This would be the first chance I had to see what my “honour guard” Sertian could do and show me where he needed to improve his skills. The field already held a detachment of guard trainees for the Council's military lead by a squad leader that appeared strict and close minded like most military personnel. Meli stood slightly behind us as we lend on the fence that enclosed the training area. We watched in silence as the squad leader had them repeating exercises of attack and defence while screaming warnings to them of the openings they showed to their imaginary opponents.

“Do not expect our sessions to be as structured or repetitive as what you are seeing.” I warned Sert quietly. “Not all opponents will try to best you honourably when in combat situations.” I added softer still.

“But without honour, the opponent shows their weakness and carelessness of proper rules of combat.” Sert returned.

“True.” I exclaimed. My eyes stay upon the the trainer as he pushed his men in this repetitive dance. “But honour will not stop a non-Atlantian leaving a dagger between your shoulder blades if you let them.” I continued out loud. Sert nodded slowly next to me as I felt a revulsion of acting dishonourably flowed from him like a breaking wave. “Whoever said that an honourable fighter cannot defeat a dishonourable foe without losing their honour?” I added with a chuckle.

“My first lesson?” Sert interjected.

“The most important lesson any Atlantian that would visit the outside world needs to learn.” I remarked casually. Sert nodded slowly once more as we continued watching the trainees going through their paces. It was nearly another two hours before the squad leader called a halt and pulled his trainees aside to discuss what they had learned during this session.

“Shall we?” I asked. My answer came in the form of Sert vaulting the small wall and waiting inside the enclosure for me. I hopped the fence chuckling before both of us walked to take our places in the middle of the field. Sertian placed himself in a sparing position as I stood calmly looking at him. My sword slipped forward from the scabbard to dart at my opponent. He easily tapped the sword aside with his own as he shifted into a fighting stance. I had remained standing calmly with my sword in hand as I nodded to him. I moved on him using a series of quick sword jabs testing his defensive speed. He parried the blows leaving minimal openings for me as we began circling each other in the training field cautiously.

The squad leader was drawn by the sounds of the clashing sword. He called his squad to the fence to watch this session calling it an “exercise of higher techniques”. The squad stood in awe at first as Sert continued to parry my sword thrusts as I increased the speed. Once I read from his mind that he wanted something new, I stepped back which he mirrored instinctively. He smiled at me easily as he watched my stance which was now defensive.

“Attack.” I ordered calmly. Sert launched at me with a series of quick jabs, thrusts, and slices showing a variety of techniques blended together flawlessly. I blocked the first half of his attacks before turning them back at him in matching form of his attacks. He rose to the challenge blocking the counter attacks at first before beginning to reply with his own counter attacks. His movement was fluid from attack to parry and into counter attack making me even happier at having been given him as a protegee in the military arts. We stepped away from each other again as a cheer rose from the trainees and their squad leader. They spoke loudly of the elegance, beauty, and nobility of the session they had been fortunate to watch.

“And now to play tricks.” I stated. A mischievousness gleamed shone in my eyes making Sert step an extra step back tightening his stance into a stronger defensive position. My sword doubled in my hands becoming twin blades in my grasp spinning in a closed arc before me as I charged at him. He thrusted his sword forward two handed in a blocking move to arrest both of my blades while aiming toward my throat. My blades locked crossed against his but this was the feigned attack as I continued moving forward lift his blade upward as I dodged under my weapons. The shrieking of metal against metal pierced the air forcing the trainees to cover their ears. As my swords touched Sert's sword hilt, I could see the confusion in his eyes at what I was attempting to truly do. To his benefit of training, Sert tilted his sword to shoot my blades over his head thinking it would advert my true attack. The oomph that escaped him as my head and shoulders drove hard into his mid-section between his chest plate and the top of his stomach knocking him off his feet easily.

I rolled away from him holding my blades close to my body before rising with a twist. My swords flipped in my grips to spring out at my side as i spiralled at him with the blades out ready to end it. Sert had but a second to realize what I was doing as he rose to his feet to face me. I felt the spark of a plan form in his mind as he was dropping once more to his knees to roll under my spiralling blades and twist to rise behind me. He held his sword defensively along his forearm while his out stretched hand was placed low ready to be used to grapple either sword or me armour in the next attack. I had stopped a few feet away with my twin blades lining my forearms defensively in a nearly flawless mimic of Sert position.

“Good recovery and thinking on and off your feet.” I commented with a crisp nod. The sudden silence from the sideline draw my attention as I felt it had done the same to Sertian.

“It is not dishonourable to avoid an attack that you do not know how to defend against or turn into a counter.” Sert replied. His eyes glanced toward the sidelines as mine were doing. The squad of trainees stared slack jaw at us while their leader had gone white as his mouth worked with no sound escaping him. I could read from the squad leader's mind the awe and fear of seeing me turn one attack into another without pause.

“Foul!” the squad leader finally bellowed. His squad turned slowly to face him with confusion that I felt as keenly as their leaders' anger at me. “Not allowing your sparring partner the chance to recover before you attacked again is a show of dishonour.” he continued. The squad of trainees glance from him to Sert and myself who had begun laughing at his words. He began moving at us still angered by my little test of Sert's ability to recover quickly.

“Did he dodge the attack?” I asked between chuckles.

“Yes, but you gave him no time to recover.” the leader retorted. His anger was palpable as he came nearer to us. Sert moved to stand by me with his sword still in hand ready to do his duty to me.

“I recovered enough to be able to dodge the attack.” Sert replied. I could feel the anger growing in him at the slight this man had placed upon me. “Therefore proper time was given to me squad leader.” he continued. The vehemence showed in his slurring the man's title as if he was beneath him.

“And in the world beyond the borders of noble Atlantis, they will not give you time to recover when they seek to remove your head from your body.” I stated calmer. My hand was ready to snatch Sert's wrist if he tried rectifying the man for his words. A tall armour man walked casually and silently toward the squad leader's back causing his trainees to clear the training field as Meli was marching to join us. The man glared down at the squad leader with wolfish eyes and his hand hug at his side showing claws having sprung from his finger tips.

“Captain Ent could judge if this attack was honourable or not.” Meli stated. She smiled up at the wolf that had become the squad leader's shadow on the field. The leader glared angrily at her not hiding his annoyance at her words. “Or is the Captain of the Lupus Guards' honour questionable to you?” she asked politely.

“What would the leader of a family of mongrels mating with beasts know of honour?” the squad leader retorted angrily. As he spat on the ground to show his vehemence, the squad of trainees fully vacated the field and stared in fear at the man standing behind their leader. Mekiliean curtsied toward us as Sert suddenly looked above the man he wished to put in his place. He nodded and half bowed before stepping back with Meli as she back away in silence.

“I would watch my words sir when the object of your derision stand behind you.” I stated calmly. The leader half laughed before staring around him realizing everyone had cleared the field with the exception of myself. “You would have lost your head by now if I was in his position.” I added quickly. I stepped back to give the man room to turn toward his nightmare. I heard him gulp hard as he turned to face the crest of “Royal Guard Captain” etched in the larger man's metallic chest plate. His eyes slowly rose to meet Ent's wolfish ones before feinting from the sudden fear that had taken his mind. A growling chuckle escaped the Lupus Guard Captain as he stood over the fallen squad leader.

“Let this be a life lesson for the recruits.” Ent stated loudly. “Always know who stands behind you when you are being belligerent.” he continued with a hearty growling chuckle. He stepped over the leader's unconscious form to stand before me. I held my ground holding a defensive position with my twin blades running along my forearms ready to spar against this larger foe. “You know how wolves and warriors think.” Ent added. His two-handed blade slide silently from the sheath as he held it one handed without problems as he took the stance of an attacker.

The flurry of blows, blocks, and counters blurred at the speed we combatants moved during the sparring session. Then we augmented the attacks by adding fists and feet in their moves. Ent stepped back and bowed defeat as I removed the sword he used from his grip. My twin swords return to a single blade in my hands that I tossed to the side of the field next to Ent’s two-handed sword. Placing myself in the stance of an open handed fighter, I waited patiently knowing that this fight was far from over.

“You think your simple hands can equal my claws?” Ent asked as the nails of his fingers and toes grew to full length claws as a low challenging growl rumble from him.

“Wolf claws versus bird talons.” I returned. My hands covered themselves with the scale that cover raptor birds' talons including a razor sharp nail on each of his fingers. “I am called Kestrel for a reason.” I added before launching into his attack.

While Captain Ent fought land bound, I airborne in my fighting style lifted by wings none could see. It was a short fight even with the incredible speed both of us had at our disposal. Ent found himself flatten to the ground on his stomach as I perched upon his shoulders with one lone claw at his throat. A growling laughter rumbled out from the defeated showing he accepted to ending of the battle in earnest.

“You fight well for a being not trained in Atlantis.” Ent stated with a sigh. I gently stepped off his back moving quickly to a polite distance from him. Ent rose slowly. He turned to face me bowing deeply at me as I stood in a feigned relaxed pose. The wolfish features of my sparring partner had slipped away from him except for the feral eyes that remained glowing in his calm and pensive face. “Maybe I should ask if you can give pointers to our guards about defensive styles against airborne attackers.” he mused out loud.

“I believe the Royal Guards do consist of a few aerial forms that could help with that without my intervention.” I returned easily. He nodded slowly at me showing this idea would be hard to sell to the others. “Or some of the allies of the winged type could be asked for assistance.” I continued mercilessly. The snort of laughter that escaped Ent showed the disdain the beastly guards had for their winged allies. “Or your Spirit Dragons could teach you land bound guards to be aerial the hard way.” I suggested with a sneer. Ent glared at me with a look of fear and nervousness.

“Nothing but another dragon would be foolish enough to spar against a dragon.” he stated in a rumbling voice. “And none are foolish enough to attempt pitting themselves against a Spirit Dragon.” he added quickly.

“And my honour would force me to accept and fight with all of my abilities against anything even a Spirit Dragon, if they challenged me.” I returned caustically. Ent's nostril flared as he searched for the smell of fear coming from me. His eyes widen in shock and fear as he smelt no fear coming from this strange Envoy that stood before him.

“Very well meet Lord Kestrel, oh fearless one.” he stated with a raised eyebrow. “And this comes not just from myself but from my full pack.” he added with a formal bow. The recruits stood staring in awe at me. I felt both their eyes and the mixed emotions bordering on reverence that washed through the recruits targeted at me as I stood in silence. Sert and Meli approached slowly as I felt the same shocked mix of emotion raging through them.

“You would be the second being in existence to have received that honour Sir.” Sert mumbled as he stared at Ent's retreating back.

“Her Holiness would be the only other being that the wolf pack has bowed to as a whole group.” Meli continued. The awe that warped her tones was even more clear to my ear than the strong emotions that flooded from her mind.

“Just more attention for me to face from the Council.” I whispered to them. Both nodded in silent agreement. We returned to our residence while I could sense the conflict within my retinues' minds on explaining this to Annianka without causing ill favour to fall upon Ent's shoulder. Neither had spotted the white tigress in human form that watched us with her new replacement tiger at her side.

Interlude: First Night (1)

Sertian and Mekiliean had remained in the small kitchen after Kestrel had bid them goodnight.

“What do you think of him so far Meli?” Sert asked in a whisper.

“For a being that seemed very prepared to visit, he asks many questions.” she replied. “He wishes to learn more about the normal life of the Atlantian than about possible items that could be used for trades.” she continued. “What have you discovered?”

“He speaks to the dolphins as we do.” Sert began. “He did not seem surprise by the simple fare we had for noontime meal nor did he question much about the sections of town we traversed to reach the armoury or this residence.” he continued slowly. “He appears and acts so much like an Atlantian, it is hard to remember he is a foreigner.” he concluded.

“Do you remember having ever seen a foreigner upon Atlantian soil before?” she returned quickly. “He arrives naked on the beach but does not morn the lost of ship or seamen to gain his entry.” she continued before Sert could reply. “We have not had visitors here since the usurper Queen took control of the island and had them all beheaded as enemies to Atlantis.” she reminded him.

“But is that truly a good thing for Atlantis?” Sert remarked. “Living in a world that we keep ourselves divided from?”

“Good or bad does not matter.” Meli replied hard. “Everyone will wish to meet this man that has come seemingly from the ocean itself to stand for beings that are above the gods themselves.” she continued. “And Annianka appears to like him.” she added half to herself.

“Has either of them mentioned how the know each other?” Sert asked.

“Her Holiness has said that he is a friend from before her life here.” she answered slowly. “And Lord Kestrel says that Annianka should be the one to explain those facts to us.” she continued frustrated. “He acts like she is above him while he stands higher than the gods because of his lofty title.”

“This is beyond anything I have heard before.” he returned angrily.

“Leave it be until one of them explains it Sert.” Meli replied softly. “Early morning picnic breakfast by the dolphin pool?” she suggested.

“Then time at the training field to see what we can discover.” Sert answered with a quick nod.

“Best we get sleep.” Meli continued. “We still have the Captains to worry about.”

“Agreed!” he interjected quickly. “But avoiding this place will not stop the Royal Guard Captains from finding him.” he reminded her. She muttered under her breath as she nodded to him. “Goodnight Meli.” he added before leaving the kitchen. Meli placed the kettle aside and prepared a basket for morning in silence before retiring for the night herself.