Interlude: Report to Annianka (2)

Once Kestrel left with Colêsträ, Sertian and Mekiliean departed to report to Her Holiness Annianka without Kestrel's knowledge. The walked in silence not wanting others to hear what ran through their mind. Both still could not think of a way to explain to Annianka about the events with Captain Ent, Captain Hope, or Lieutenant Curd. They had but a few moments alone to discuss what they could or should reveal to their leader about Lord Kestrel's actions and those of her Royal Guard Captains. They still feared that anything they said would reflect badly upon Ent and his aggressive behaviour toward Kestrel.

“Why are we doing this?” Sert asked suddenly. He had stopped before the Royal Halls. “We cannot explain this without making one of them appear like the aggressor.” he stated bluntly.

“We state to Her Holiness what we have witnessed and let her honour guide her decision.” Meli returned calmly. “It is all we can do without lying to her about everything simply to protect all parties involved.”

“And what of the untypical behaviour we have witnessed?” he reminded her. “What will that cause if she has feeling for him as you have commented?” he added quieter. Meli stared at him for a moment in shock that he had heard her comment regarding Annianka's affection toward Lord Kestrel.

“I believe it was innocent and she will see it in the same light.” she reported softly. “And it may have been done for show to make Lord Kestrel more trusting toward our feline friend if she is to be Her Holiness' Honour Guard.” she suggested with a shrug.

“Best we get it done with quickly before he returns from meeting the Atlantian Council.” Sert replied. He started walking again striding faster to reach their gold. Meli had to quick march to keep up with her friend who was a head taller than her. “What if we see or discover something that would be best not to mention to her?” he tossed over his shoulder at her.

“We will decide that later Sertian.” Meli grumbled back. “Have you spotted anyone during this walk?” she commented softly. Sert looked around as he walked and his paced slowed. “I must believe that is a 'no' answer.” she continued. “Ideas?” she added as she fell in stride next to him.

“None at all but she may have an answer for us.” he returned with a shy chuckle. Captain Hope stood at the side gate that lead into the garden they were to meet Annianka in.

“Pleasant evening.” Captain Hope purred at them. “I am sure your walk was quiet and clear of possible eaves droppers?” she asked with a cattish grin.

“You had your Felines clear a path for us?” Meli asked in stunned shock.

“Orders of Her Holiness were to make sure you could reach Her when you wish it.” Hope replied still smiling. Curd stepped out of a nearby shadow to nod at them. “The Feline Guards obey orders very well.” she added nodding to Curd.

“I thank you for this favour Captain Hope.” Sert stated. He seemed to prepare himself to bow formally at her but hesitated. He suddenly straightened to his full height in a parade stance to deliver a crisp salute of the Royal Guards to her. “I may not be one of your troops but my heart will always side with those that stand for honour and righteousness mam.” he whispered. Hope's smile softened at his words as she returned the salute.

“If Lord Kestrel remains in Atlantis, I will speak with the other Royal Guard Captains about allow you to join in some of their training session upon your availability guardian Sertian.” Captain Hope told him. “And inform Lord Kestrel that Captain Rez will be visiting in the morning to speak with him.” she added. Meli stared at her face hunting for some sign of hidden motive but saw nothing.

“I will promise that the Felines will not use their claws that often.” Curd comment. The derisive chuckle that followed had Mekiliean grasping Sert's arm to stop him from doing something stupid. He turned his head to look at Curd.

“I would rather face them fully than be coddled by them Lieutenant Curd.” Sert told him calmly. Curd stared at him for a moment before nodding back to him. The sneer he had worn had disappeared to be replaced by a blank stare. “I also thank you for our safe passage sir.” he added quickly. Curd remained silently staring passively.

“She's waiting and I will warn you when Lord Kestrel departs the soiree so you may return before him.” Captain Hope stated, She held the gate open for them before taking a position with Curd next to her guarding it.

A few of Annianka's experimental sprouts lit the half cobbled pathway leading them deeper into the garden. Meli had taken the lead with Sert walking protectively at her back along the narrow paths. Annianka sat on a stone bench with a circle of a half dozen of her more mature glow plants giving the open space brilliant lighting. A pot of tea sat steeping on a small stone table with three cups ready to be used. Sertian bowed deeply to her while Meli curtsied at his side.

“Please have some tea and let us discuss what my little Kestrel has been up to.” Annianka stated without moving from her seat. Meli filled the cups and handed one to Annianka before giving one to Sert and then taking the remaining cup last. The two sat cross legged on the ground at Her Holiness' feet like children. “I have heard rumours that Lord Kestrel has meet Captain Ent and Captain Hope.” she comment softly to them.

“Lord Kestrel was giving me a training session upon the battle field when one of the Council's military trainers interfered.” he began slowly. “Captain Ent decided to take that moment to test Lord Kestrel's metal in combat.” he continued.

“And Lord Kestrel trounced him?” Annianka asked with a giggle. “Hopefully he did not injure him too badly.” she added. The mischievous smile she wore belittle the concern that sounded in her voice.

“Only his pride may have been injured as Lord Kestrel proved himself superior to him without weapons.” Meli admitted. She smiled as she spoke.

“Good that will have Ent convinced of Kestrel's abilities earning him respect.” Annianka commented half to herself.

“Good enough a showing to earn him greeting from Captain Ent's pack.” Meli stated softly. Her Holiness stared at her for a moment in silence. “I am not sure if he was being sincere with his greeting but it was done very publicly.” she added quickly.

“He was sincere Meli.” Annianka whispered. “My little bird will do much good for Atlantis while I can keep him here.”

“The meeting with Captain Hope and Lieutenant Curd was much less dramatic.” Sert continued quickly. Meli glanced at him spotting the hint of a blush touching his cheeks. “It consisted with a long moment of them holding hands as if deciding if they should shake hands or rip each others' arm off.” he continued at a more relaxed pace. “She then escorted us to our new residence while walking at Lord Kestrel's side holding his arm very politely.” he concluded.

“She acted as if he was a feline like herself instead of a foreigner.” Meli corrected. “She held his arm as a close companion or possible love interest would.”

“It is easy falling for that man's subtle charms.” Annianka whispered. A slow blush showed on her cheeks before she sip at her tea focusing on the liquid in her cup in silence.

“May we know once more how you know this man most Holy Annianka?” Sert asked. She stared into her cup as she spoke.

“Souls can be reborn in new lives if they are needed in the world.” she told them. “I was but a teen when I found him trapped in the form of kestrel broken and tattered nearly dead.” she explained. Her eyes lost focus as her face paled a bit making her blush glow brighter. “I healed him and watched aver him like when he was brought from the harbour.” she continued slower. “Then an army of raiders arrived ready to destroy the town and take all of us as slaves or worse.”

“Nothing in the history of Atlantis speaks of such dishonourable event.” Meli protested.

“We were not upon Atlantis during that lifetime.” she told them. Their eyes widened at her words. “Kestrel finally dropped his guise and showed himself for what he was smiting the raiders to the last man leaving a ring of ravaged corpses around the town.” she explained. “This is when the town turn on me for having such an unholy creature at my hand, calling me a spawn of unholiness because of him.” she whispered. Tears ran down her cheek unnoticed by her.

“But you are the Most Holy of all being the physical manifestation of the Heart of Atlantis itself!” Sert growled. A sad half smile came to Annianka's face.

“I may be holy here but back then things were different.” she replied. She closed her eyes causing the tear drops to become rivulet running down her face. “It was not enough that I sent him away.” she continued. “They were ready to burn me alive when I finally snapped and turned their fire against them.” she whispered. Her eyes became haunted as the memories of her actions resurfaced in her mind. “My fire turned the hamlet into a scorched crater from the power I unleashed upon them.”

“You annihilate a complete village?” Meli uttered in a strangled whisper.

“They deserve no less for their actions against you Holy Annianka.” Sert stated bluntly.

“I lay in the middle of the crater unable to move or think seeing the atrocity I had caused.” Annianka stated angrily. Kestrel return to me trying to get me to stand and leave that place but I told him to leave and never return.” she continued. “He whispered the words 'I am sorry' before leaving me to my sorrow.” she added.

“He saved the hamlet for you and they condemned you for it.” Sert stated back. “Why feel sorrow for defending yourself from such evil?”

“Because no one deserve to be utterly destroyed.” Annianka whispered. “It was not just their body I destroyed, I burned their souls out of existence.” she explained. “I lay for days there and let myself die for the crime I had wrought upon them.” she concluded.

Sert glanced at Meli seeing her skin turned white as Annianka's word sunk in. She mouthed the words “burned their souls” silently while Annianka stared into her tea cup silently shedding tears for those people that planned to do such evil upon her. He reached out to place a hand on Mekiliean's shoulder gently squeezing it. His other hand reached forward to touch Annianka's knee softly. Meli turned to look at her childhood friend still mouthing the same words again in a silent repetition. Sert glanced up but Annianka still stared blindly into her tea cup while tear continued to run down her cheeks.

“Lord Kestrel will not stay long in the company of the evils that live in our Council.” he stated slowly. “It is best that we return before he arrives to find us missing.” he reminded them. Meli nodded slowly still stunned to silence by Annianka's revelation.

“Yes.” Annianka interjected. “Quickly before he discovers your absence.” she added. She was on her feet helping them to theirs before Sert realized it. He ushered Meli quickly down the path leaving Annianka in the clearing alone. Captain Hope spotted them as Sert rushed Meli before him. Hope did not ask as she and Curd held the gate open for them to escape back into the emptied streets of Atlantis. Sert waited until they were out of hearing range of the two Feline Guards before stopping and forcing Meli to face him.

“Meli!” he called as he held her shoulders firmly in his hands.

“She did say she burned their souls?” she whispered back. She was still pale as she stared into his eyes trembling in his grip. “I did not dream that, did I?” she added a little louder.

“She said that but it could not be possible.” he told her. “We learned that as children that souls are immortal creations that link us to the gods above us.” he stated half to convince himself. “Correct?”

“Souls can die but it takes a lot to accomplish it.” she replied softly. “I am unsure if Her Holiness is powerful enough to destroy a hamlet full of souls.” she continued. “If she can, it explain why Lord Kestrel acts like she is above him Sertian!” she exclaimed. She shifted from foot to foot in a small imitation of dancing in place. “It also explain why she can manipulate all the five elements.” her words tumbling out. “She is a greater deity!” she added merrily.

“What?” Sert asked dumbfounded.

“It also explain why Lord Kestrel was sent here.” she continued as she ignored his question. She started rushing back toward their residence quickly. “To watch over her like he must have been doing in that past life she spoke of.” she prattled on. “It all makes sense now.” she added. She increased her pace now causing Sert to rush to keep up with her. They reached home in less time it had taken for them to reach the odd turning meeting with Annianka.

“I still do not understand all of that.” Sert admitted once they were inside the estate. Neither had spotted Kestrel returning only a few paces behind them. “But as long as one of us understands, it is good enough for me.” he added. The door opened at their back making both turn toward it. Kestrel smiled at them before asking them to speak with him in the garden regarding their knowledge of the Council.