As It Is Seen And Not Felt (60)

Cassis stood holding hands with Peles and Toma. I felt their spirits drop as they spotted me arriving with Nä'Tash-Dēn and the trio of cadets. Peles' eyes filled as he trembled visibly next to Cassis. Toma released her hand as he squared his shoulders. He gave her a single slow nod before moving forward stone faced to meet me. I watched as Cassis pulled Peles closer to her ready for him to clasp to her crying once more.

“How is she?” Toma stated to me directly. I could feel him barricading his emotions behind the stoney mask he wore ready for the worse news possible.

“Your mother's health is perfect Toma.” I told him. The stone mask crumbled as he smiled up at me brightly. “The sickness seems to have left her drained which is why she sleeps now.” I informed them. Toma still smiled as he nodded his understanding to my words. “We have transportation ready to carry her to the Healers' Hall if she needs to rest longer.” I continued easily. I notice Peles moving forward now. He still held Cassis hand firmly in his as he unconsciously forced her to follow nearly crashing her into Toma's back.

“Is she truly healthy?” Peles asked. I could tell from Cassis' wincing face that he squeezed her hand tighter while speaking.

“I can assure you Peles that no signs of illness remains in your mother.” I told him. Tears poured from his eyes as he smiled as brightly as his younger brother. “She still requires rest to return fully to herself.” I continued quickly. I crouched down to be closer to their height placing one hand on each of their shoulders. “Her Holiness wishes to ask more details regarding the illness she had suffered.” I explained slowly. “We are still in the dark at what illness affected her.”

“But she is well now?” Toma returned suspiciously.

“Lord Kestrel said she was well therefore she is.” Cassis stated harshly. “His honour would never allow him to speak half truths'” she continued harsher.

“I believe it is his worry for his mother's health and not doubting my words that prompts his question.” I returned calmly. “There is no sign of illness in her.” I assured the boys. “Which is why Her Holiness and myself are confused.” I explained softly. “One lone treatment cured her but she now sleeps deeply because of it.” I continued. “It suggests a long illness she was already on the edge of recovering from.” I added.

“Which could mean she was on the mend when we noticed it.” Toma stated pensively. “Her deep exhaustion made it harder for her to hide the illness?” he hazarded slowly.

“Like not being able to hold an element in shape because of exhaustion?” Peles suggested back. His brother nodded back slowly thinking in silence. I could read in his mind that he reviewed his memories of his mother for more information.

“Since we are going along the same path.” Cassis remarked suddenly. Before Toma could realize it, Cassis had a firm hold on his hand without releasing her grip on Peles'. The two boys smiled at her but only Toma blushed at her action. The barely perceptible glance he gave her showed feelings as clearly as my gifts could show me.

“They are returning to Holy Annianka's tower?” Nä'Tash-Dēn commented. I nodded before she waved us forward. We turned to follow the three children walking hand in hand as I took the lead. The trio of cadet formed a loose triangle at our back. I felt Nä'Tash-Dēn gently take my arm at the elbow casually as we walked. Her grip tightened as the distance shortened between us and Annianka's tower. I tilted my head toward hers.

“Why do you seem nervous as we approach Her Holiness?” I whispered to her. The children chatted and giggled behind us in the childish casualness opposing perfectly the mood of the woman on my arm.

“I fear she will want to wait for the boys.” she whispered back.

“Her attachment to them has grown much in a single day of tragedy.” I returned. Nä'Tash-Dēn's purring giggle answered me. “She seems like a compassionate soul which those boys need her strength.” I continued. She squeezed at my arm as I sensed the edge of her claws dimple my skin. “You fear she will want more than friendship with one of them.”

“More like the wrong brother will want more than friendship from her.” she replied. “She will not realize that she causes conflict between brothers.” she explained softly. I patted her hand in silence already knowing she would be given respite from this worry.

“Thank you for being at my side.” Peles stated to Cassis. “Even if you really like Toma more than me.” he continued easily. I heard a growl slowly building in her throat. “Do not get angry.” he chided amicably. “He likes you more than I do too.” he added in a half whisper. She turned her head to glance at him showing a crimson blush touching her cheeks.

“What?” Toma interjected in a high pitched voice. Cassis turned to look at him and her blush brightened to mirror Toma's blush.

“I believe they are trying to solve the problem themselves.” I whispered to Nä'Tash-Dēn. A purring chuckle crawled out of her as her grip loosened on my arm.

“I stand corrected.” she purred around the chuckles. “Those boys truly are the best for her heart.” she continued casually.

“Honour, wisdom, and enlightenment lives even in the hearts of the fledglings of Atlantis.” I reported. I looked ahead to spot miss Hope and a man I presumed must be the boys' father waiting at the doors to Annianka's tower. I waved at them receiving a returning wave from the tigress. The father stared at us for a moment before calling out to his sons.

“Toma! Peles!” he screamed. Peles shrieked releasing Cassis' hand to rush at his father. Toma waved with his free hand turning to signal Cassis to come forward with him. Peles hugged his father tightly that had dropped to one knee to meet him. I could see and feel the sparkling tears of joy in the boy's eyes as he held onto his father. Toma had beaten us without rushing to reach his father with Cassis standing proudly at his side. “Your mother is resting peacefully.” he told his sons quickly. “She will be transported to the Healers' Recovery House near our home.” he explained happily to them.

“This is good fortune to remove the worry cursing your sons today.” Nä'Tash-Dēn stated. I sensed a stiffness in her body and words. He glanced up to clearly see the fur touched face hidden under the white hood.

“Please do not hide in fear around me.” the father remarked. “Allow me to see the face of the noble bloodline that stands with my sons.” he continued easily. I heard Nä'Tash-Dēn's toe claws grate against the marble as she stepped back in shock.

“Cassis' mother is shy about her features.” Toma stated suddenly. “I just do not know why.” he continued at a lower tone. “And this is Cassis.” he said merrily. “She is our friend.” he added. He held up her hand still holding firmly to his. I did not need to see that they both blushed as the his father chuckled at them.

“It was plain to my eyes son.” he replied while chuckling. He glanced up once more at Nä'Tash-Dēn with a soft smile on his face. I felt her trembling at my side as her hands reached up to push back her white hood. “I thank you noble feline.” he stated. He bowed his head in a slow sign of respect to the feral Guards as he exposed the back of his neck to her.

“Never place yourself below an equal.” she growled at him. “Your sons show more understanding of my place than you do.” she continued angrily.

“Yours gave my grandparents a chance to remain living.” he returned firmly. He finally straightened to look her in the eyes. I felt no anger rising in him to meet Nä'Tash-Dēn's misplaced rage. “The pacifist grand-daughter of Täl-Dēn should understand the families that walked away from the Council.” he stated directly. “My actions returns to you the life spared by your bloodline.” he continued softer. “It is meant as a sign of respect from one that saved us and not as an insult of lesser beings.” he concluded. Even with the fur covering her face, the sudden blush of embarrassment glowed through.

“Many fear old clan symbols as acts of dishonour from modern outsider in their world.” I stated softly. “Let the true emotion and heart light behind any action be the judge.” I added easily.

“Pardon me for being blinded by an action commonly used in derision from the none feral.” she said softly. She curtsied to him as she smiled sadly.

“It shows your strength attempting another path than arms and armour Lady Dēn.” the father returned easily. He bowed once more to her as both his sons followed in kind. “But now we should prepare to walk with your mother.” he continued. “With your leave Ladies Dēn.” he added.

“Mother, I want to ...” Cassis started in a high pitched squeal. She stopped with a half-growl breathing deeply as Nä'Tash-Dēn looked quietly at her. She held tightly to Toma's hand while calming herself with her slow deep breath. “I wish to accompany them mother.” she stated slowly. “If you allow this mother.” she added formally.

“Only if you allow the cadets to watch over you.” her mother returned calmly.

“We are available.”the trio replied.

“I must believe your daughter was not received warmly at the Elemental School?” the boys' father replied. He stood scratching his chin as multiple thoughts formed and dispelled in his mind.

“The major issue is dealt with.” I remarked. “And reprimands have been issued in the name of Her Holiness.” I continued in mock casualness. I spotted miss Hope's raised eyebrow at my words. I flashed the event in the tigress' mind earning me a nod and a deep growling chuckle from her. “I will speak with the parents as I warned them.”

“I leave this in Holy Annianka's Right Hand.” Nä'Tash-Dēn replied quickly. The boys' father straightened to stare in wide eyed awe at me. The two boys giggled as their father's mouth worked soundlessly while his eyes remained locked on me.

“Lord Kestrel is unlike any nobles you have met before.” miss Hope told him. I bowed to him fluently as he stood still nervously dumbfounded. “He understands the honour and nobility in a person's soul.” she explained softly. The man's nervousness abated as the transport group exited Annianka's tower carrying the woman easily between four of them.

“Please stop?” she requested weakly. “I must thank Lord Kestrel for all he has done for me and my family.” she explained to her litter bearers.

“Your gratitude is misplaced on one that simply follows his duties to Her Holiness Annianka and the Ones On High.” I replied easily.

“Then I offer thanks once more upon Her Holiness and upon Those that have sent you to us.” she forced out of her exhausted body. Her head turned to look at her sons smiling at them. “Well done my little men.” she whispered to them. Her eyes closed as she drifted deep into slumber still wearing that soft smile on her face.

I stood in silence watching with miss Hope as the litter was carried away. Neither needed to speak seeing father and one son marching on one side of the litter while Toma and Cassis guarded the other side. Nä'Tash-Dēn followed the litter with the trio of cadet at her heels.

“It always amazes me seeing how some do not fear mixing bloodlines.” miss Hope whispered.

“I believe he sees it as an honourable thing for his bloodline that was saved by hers.” I returned softly. “Did Annianka discover anything about the vanishing ailment?” I continued easily.

“She muttered about a dozen possible illnesses but nothing specific.” she answered.

“Now I can finally give her my report and let her know about the incident at the school.” I remarked softly. “And I had hoped for a long quiet day with her.” I added with a mock sigh. Miss Hope chuckled at my side while we entered the tower again.