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.