Alternate Journal: Miss Hope's Worries (2)

I have decide to set my thoughts to paper since speaking with the Captains about these seem pointless at this time. Many small events have lead me to worry about Her Holiness' sanity since I have taking position as her personal honour guard. Most of the events went unnoticed since they were small and seen as unimportant but when compiled together, they cause me great dread.

I should start explaining from the beginning when I first noted a problem. It had been my first day as her new guardian when we visited the Heartstone Hall. Annianka walked before me as we entered. I stopped once inside allowing Her Holiness to approach the stone that is the centre of all Atlantian life and power. It was an oddity since, from all the reports and stories from our long history, the Heart of Atlantis would never revisit this place once accepted by our Heartstone.

“It is odd that he can close himself to me like that.” Annianka whispered to the stone. My feline hearing had captured the words and I nearly answered her. I held back as she faced the stone for her discussion. “My Kestrel may simply wish to keep us safe by not having other finding us?” she suggested. Her voice had risen to a normal conversational tone as she seemed to discuss with the Heartstone itself. “I know his heart and he would never hide anything from me intentionally!” she retorted.

I cleared my throat in warning earning me a shy look from Annianka as she covered her mouth while she blushed. I listened to her whispers as she continued speaking with the stone. She defended Kestrel but agreed that the Council would have to be cleansed. I listened but said nothing as I slip the information behind the feral half of my mind. This was my first warning that all was not right with our Holy Heart.

The next major item I have noted was the temperature changes when Annianka spoke with someone that she did not want to listen to. One of the faery ambassadors left the room as the floor frosted over under her feet. I had remain safe because of my fur as I stood with my breath coming out in slow puffs of mist. Others faced increased heat as sweat rolled from their faces as they excused themselves from her presence. This was why I had arranged to meet with Kachek in an open place.

I have spoken with the three Captains on the island and all agree that something has changed in our Holy Heart for the worse. More so since the outright attack on Kachek by her in a kind of deluded moment of rage. Since she has been sequestered, she has been calmer but I have caught her a few time still speaking to herself in two voices. I fear she is losing the battle with sanity as I have heard her agree more often with this second voice about the evil lose upon Atlantis. The only ones she still defends is her Kestrel and her Royal Guards.

Which brings forth my other fear. Most of these odd events and behaviour began nearly upon his arrival. I have spoken to others that noticed no strangeness to our Holy Heart prior to that man being discovered naked and nearly dead on the beach of our harbour. Annianka had nearly assaulted the other healers to reach him and tend for him personally. She named him Kestrel and gave him the title of Envoy of the Ones On High claiming he was a celestial being. I have felt his power and seen his visions but still cannot believe. He behaves so much like an Atlantian that I feel forced to trust him.

He acts like he has accepted the title upon his shoulder and is trying to live up to it but, from what I have heard from Rez, even Lord Kestrel seems unsure of himself. I know that all three of us that have challenged him find him worthy of our respect and trust but I see a darkness that follows him. It is that darkness that I see as the traitor in our midst but cannot link it to Annianka in yet.

The storm that destroyed his ship was noted by our people but it never breached our mystic network. Could whom ever that attacked him have infiltrated Atlantis? Could his enemy be what is sickening our Holy Heart's mind? If this is the case, it would explain why it seems to be trying to turn Annianka against him and acts up more when he is absent. It may be trying to turn the place he wishes to protect into a trap to snare him upon his return.

Add to this the insanity that seems rooted to the Atlantian throne and our Heartstone, where do we turn for a saviour? If the vision Kestrel allowed me to see is true, one of the felines must be the key to solve our woes. So many of the feline guards to chose from but still no sign of they being like Kestrel either physically or as gifted as he has shown himself to be.

I wish Jäzærha had returned but still only silence has been received form him. Many think he spends too much time away from Atlantis to be a good Captain but none of his forced would dare take his place. The other three Captains, like myself, may worry about him during these long absences but stand firm knowing he is of our calibre without question. He would have the proper words of wisdom we seek. He was always seeing beyond what we could even if he is the youngest among us.

I put these worries aside and return to watch over my charge. Her Holiness remains peacefully waiting in her garden often telling us that her Kestrel will return and put everything aright again. I pray to Odin nightly that this will be the case but doubts still linger.