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This is how my life was turning out in Atlantis. The Captains would be waiting for me upon my return every time I left Atlantis after the incidents around Annianka. I did not give the ship time to dock leaping from the upper deck with my invisible wings' help as the mooring lines were being tossed from the Herald to the dock-hands. I aimed my jump thanks to my wings to land by the two Royal Guard Captains while ignoring the screams of protests from my companions.

“Was it a good trip Lord Kestrel?” Ent asked calmly.

“And productive for Her Holiness?” Rez remarked. I glanced at their smiling faces making my anxiety lessen.

“All went well including the special mission Her Holiness assigned me.” I replied. “Please send word to Holy Annianka that I will report my findings shortly.” I explained quickly. “Do we have an escort for Lady Mekiliean to the geneticists' laboratories?” I added.

“A path has been cleared for her already.” Ent returned. “Including an escort.” he added. I felt my trio joining us.

“Meli!” I snapped. “Get the samples to the geneticists' laboratories now!” I ordered bluntly. She nodded once quickly before rushing away with the case in hand and four Royal Guards around her. “Report to the Council immediately, Cole!” I continued brusquely. He dart away at my words. “Stay with me for now Sert.” I added.

“And all has been quiet here Lord Kestrel.” Rez reported with a quick salute.

“Good.” I interjected back. “We will return home now with the remaining gear.” I informed them.

“It will be our pleasure to escort you home.” the Captains stated in unison. I sighed as I nodded to them. They walked at our side while we retrieved the group's gear. It was a light load because it was a very short trip. We divided it easily between the two of us and calmly walked back with the Captains to our residence. As we walked, Atlantians approached us welcoming my return home. Merchants, or what passed for merchants here, came out with items I might be interested in or wanting me to identify in hand. This oddness of being treated as the most knowledgeable person regarding the outer world made me feel even more at home. I heard the words “He will return during the coming week to have a look.” coming from Sert. A feral glare from the Captains made the more insistent ones back out of our way. We did not rush while I revelled in the popularity I had gained over the last five years.

“The citizens often ask us your condition when you have not been spotted for a day or two.” Ent informed me in a chuckling growl.

“They still see me as Her Hand?” I returned quietly.

“More as Her Holiness life-mate.” he whispered back. “It is why they believe the Royal Guards will know why you have been absent on the streets.” he added louder.

“An the true reason I receive escorts when the Herald is asked to make ready to sail.” I remarked. A growling chuckle came from both Captains. “All that fuss to keep the Atlantians calm and happy.” I stated in mock dismay.

“Do not belittle your purpose and status among Atlantians.” Rez growled at me.

“I agree with Captain Rez, Sir.” Sert commented.

“He already knows that the Royal Guards stand in his service as much as to Her Holiness.” Ent stated easily. “His jest shows his natural ease while in a land that accept him as their own blood.” he added.

“Am I truly seen as a lost child of Atlantis?” I stated.

“The same view of Her Holiness because of her odd arrival.” Ent admitted. “A lost child returning home.” he added.

“Holy Annianka's arrival was more dignified them my own.” I said calmly.

“But your arrival naked born forth of the surf was unique Sir.” Sert remarked.

“And stating so has earned you extra time of intensive training.” I returned with false anger.

“Which will lead to me becoming a stronger warrior.” he stated easily. The Guard Captains laughed.

“Captains?” I interjected. “I will send Sertian for an hour's training with your best Guards today.” I told them. “Warn the Felines and the Ferrets it includes them.” I added.

“As you request Lord Kestrel.” the Captains returned in unison again. I heard Sert swallow hard as he realized exactly what I had ordered. This would truly make him stronger and keep him as busy as Meli and Cole would be. It gave me most of the day free of all three of my charges giving me time to spend with Annianka.

“I will wait for sir Sertian.” Rez replied. He smiled showing fangs and gnarled teeth at Sert. “My troops will be happy for the chance of playing with a normal person.” he growled. I commended Sert mentally for hiding the fear he felt.

“It would be a very instructive session for me.” Sert returned in mock calmly. He flashed his typical boyish grin while I saw in his mind reviewing all strengths and weaknesses of bears.

“I can remain to escort you to Her Holiness in the absence of you Honour Guard.” Ent offered easily. We reached the doors to our estate as he spoke. “If you wish Lord Kestrel.” he added.

“Leave the gear in the foyer.” I told Sert He nodded as he entered before me. My guard, as they called him, was already outside again before my packs hit the floor. I kept my hip sack on me as I stepped out to find Ent waiting alone. “I should be well protected on my own.” I told him. With one quick salute, he turned and prowled away in silence. I mentally scanned the space around me noting another dozen Atlantian Guards not including Captain Ent. I did not reprimand them as I leisurely walked down the streets. It was a short walk to reach Annianka's even if I expected her to be out for her daily visit to the Healers' Hall. Miss Hope stood at the entrance to Annianka's tower with a pair of children by her. “Is her Holiness occupied?” I asked softly.

“She is performing an emergency healing.” the tigress returned. I looked down to see the tear streaked faces of the boys turning in my direction. I knelt to be closer to their height as the Feline spoke. “This is Lord Kestrel.” she told the boys. “Their mother collapsed as we stepped out for Her Holiness' daily visitation.” she explained. “I was told to escort them to their classes in the mage district nearby.” she continued gruffly. I heard the underlined growl that accompanied her words.

“I will take them for you.” I retorted. The flash of relief flowed through the conflict this order caused her. “Return to Holy Annianka's side while I act as Her Hand, miss Hope.” I assured her. She curtsied at me before darting back into the tower. “Fear not for your mother; she will be well.” I told the two young boys.

“Holy Lady will fix her right.” the older looking one said. He put his arm around his brother's shoulder. “That and we have Lord Kestrel to walk with us.” he reminded the other. “Think what Cassis will think of us walking with the great Lord Kestrel?” he whispered unstealthily.

“And who is Cassis?” I asked calmly. Both boys blushed a deep crimson as they shyly focused on the ground between their feet. I chuckled at them. “Best we get both of you to class.” I stated with a smile. I reached out and took their hand in mine to spin them around to stand by my side. “Now which way to the school?” They two children giggled before pointing the way we needed to travel. They made small comments back in forth in half sentences close sibling use often. It was similar to the discussions between Meli and Sert when I first arrived here.

“Seem you and Toma got an escort Peles?” a blond headed girl purred. With a glance, I could spot the minor feline features in her face. I felt the grip tighten on the hand held by the youngest of the boys.

“You must be Cassis.” I replied calmly.

“Yes!” she interjected petulantly. I saw a hooded cloaked woman take a hesitant step forward. “And which Council puppet do you serve?” Cassis retorted. The woman took another step toward us.

“None.” I stated smiling. The girl eyed me suspiciously as the woman edge cautiously closer. I could sense the woman was preparing to pounce at me if I physical attempted reprimanding the girl. “I am Lord Kestrel.” I said loudly The woman straightened as the girl jumped back a pace from me. “Her Holiness requested I walked Peles and Toma to school while she healed their mother.” I explained slowly. The girl crept forward to take Peles', the elder boy's hand.

“What happened to your mother?” she asked softly. She gently lifted his chin to look into his eyes.

“She just fell down.” he answered in a small voice. He released my hand to suddenly clutch at Cassis with his head on her shoulder. “She just fell.” he repeated in between sobs. She held him to her not as tightly as she held back her tears.

“She will be fine.” Cassis purred softly. “Her Holiness will heal her.” she continued. These two phrases became a repeated litany as she gently stroked his hair. The cloaked woman moved forward to stand in front of me.

“Is this true?” a voice purred from under the hood. I felt Toma's hand pull away from mine as he moved to stand between the woman and myself facing her.

“She has not been well lately but my brother could not see it.” Toma stated. “She mentioned feeling dizzy twice during the walk.” he continued. I looked down at his back while seeing in his mind the logical thought process of a more mature brain. “I think she knew something was going to happen since she made us walk pass Her Holiness' tower.” he told the woman. "She made sure we were holding hands a few minutes before she collapsed to the ground.” he continued. “Just happy Her Holiness and miss Hope were so close to come to our aid.” he concluded. I placed one hand on his trembling shoulder. He turned and latched onto me as he finally released his tears.

“I removed the burden of getting them here from miss Hope.” I admitted to the woman. “It is best for her to remain with Her Holiness while I lend a hand.” I casually added.

“Your sense of honour extends to assisting others to keep their honour.” the woman replied. “My daughter sometimes forgets it.” she said softly.

“She seems to know when to give honourable comfort.” I stated. “You have doe well Feline to raise her in the magical world.” I continued easily.

“Thank you.” she returned shyly. “Where are my manners?” she fretted suddenly. “I am Nä'Tash-Dēn, Lord Kestrel.” she stated in a rush. She pushed back her hood enough for me to see her shiny golden cat's eyes, snaggle toothed smile, and small pointed nose all set in short golden fur of a cougar. As she replaced the hood with one hand, I moved to salute her in Royal Guards' fashion but she stopped my hand with her gloved free one. “Please do not do this.” she half growled at me.

"What is the problem here?” I returned in a whisper. “Even if you are not part of the military, you still deserve the proper greeting for your bloodline.” I hazarded. She glanced to her daughter as she moved to stand at my side. She leaned in furtively while casting weary looks around.

“She is the first in our line with magical gifts.” she informed me in a whisper. “And she has not been received well by some classmates.” she continued. She suddenly pulled back from me as a deep rolling growl formed in her throat.

“Oh, the mongrel has a boy friend!” an older boy stated loudly. He had arrived with a trio of older students comprising of two girls and another boy.

“Poor little boy who can only find an animal to be with him.” one of the girls remarked caustically. Nä'Tash-Dēn tensed next to me as I felt a blood rage rising quickly inside her. The other boy glanced at the silent girl at the back. I could not miss the look of disgust on their faces but felt that those last two directed their disgust not toward us. I moved to bar the cougar's path while sliding closer to the loudmouths.

“And who gave you this right to judge other Atlantians?” I bellowed. As I moved forward at him, my hand found my sword hilt.

“My father who sits on the Council.” he returned with a sneer. “And he will have you slaughtered in the street for your idle threat.” he drawled on arrogantly. I detected a dozen Council Guards that looked in awe at me unable to move. With a quick peak of his mind, I learned all the information I needed to make a fool of this boy and his girlfriend.

“All of Degguin's Guards would be the ones slaughtered by the man who bested Captain Ent in unarmed combat.” I retorted. The boy's eyes squinted in disbelief as he examined my face closer without losing his sneer. “I think young Degun should be explain what type of dishonourable dog he appears to Her Holiness' Right Hand.” I stated louder. My voice drew all the eyes of the students and teachers present to me. “Those without honour should never speak a word where Lord Kestrel can hear it.” I proclaimed. I smiled grimly at the boy as his eyes widened it sudden fear. The other two moved back from them to cross over to Stand by Cassis and Peles. “And I hear all that happens in Atlantis.” I added. Degguin's Guards moved quickly in now but grappled Degun and the girl that still stood with him.

“Master Degguin will be told of these actions carried out by his son Lord Kestrel.” the lead Guard told me. “He will be reprimanded for his lack of honour toward your personage.” he continued.

“He will be punish for demeaning his classmate or Her Holiness will have me train him in honour at the end of my sword!” I screamed into the Guard Leader's face. “As for Guisana, I will carry word personally to Council man Coltrish about her dishonourable behaviour.” I continued. “Have I made myself clear or should I tell Burdish about this?” I asked with false casualness. The Guard Leader had turned white as I spoke. He nodded quickly as he backed away from me. “Dismissed!” I added with authority. The Guards raced from my sight before I could even turn away from them.

“I thank you Lord Kestrel.” Nä'Tash-Dēn stated as she moved to stand with me. I lifted the edge of her hood to see her tear of joy streaking the short fur that covered her face. “You truly are Her Holiness' Right Hand.” she continued. Toma stood with her clinging to her gloved hand.

“Do not thank me for doing my duty to Atlantis and Holy Annianka.” I stated directly. “But I welcome you in Holy Annianka's name for your gratitude.” I continued quickly. I formally bowed to her receiving a graceful curtsy as reply. “I hope you do not mind me placing these two in your care Cassis?” I asked softly. She looked at me with a quick smile and slow firm nod. “Their mother or myself will be here at the end of classes to collect them.” I added.

“Sir!” Toma interjected. “Can you please stay with our mother until she is ready to retrieve us?” he half whispered shyly.

“Yes, Toma.” I replied. “And please assist Cassis minding your brother Peles.” I added. He moved to stand before me in his best imitation of coming to attention while saluting me. I could not resist smiling at the boy's valiant attempt at the Royal Guards' salute to me. I answered in kind to him slowly so he could perceive it better for his next try at that salute. Nä'Tash-Dēn moved to my side as she flicked back her hood. She saluted him in the same slow method I used to instruct the child.

“My kin will be told of your feral heart, cub Toma.” she told him. She turned to face me. “And of your words to those that shield their dishonour by falsely claiming Council's Right.” she said to me. I quickly bid them good parting while giving Peles' shoulder a gentle squeeze. He pulled himself back from Cassis and quickly wiped his face with a cloth he produced from his linen belt. He handed a second cloth to Cassis as he blushed. She shook her head with a shy smile. She waved her hand over her tear and snot covered shoulder as I felt the tingle of magic in the air. All the liquid splattered upon her shoulder lifted to form a ball hovering just under her hand which she the tossed to the ground. I walked away but discovered I was not alone. Nä'Tash-Dēn was at my side moving silently with me.

“Please do not confuse my actions as if I am escorting you.” she said as we walked. “My path simply matched yours.” she stated easily. “And you are good company even while being silent.” she added with a purring giggle.

“Thank you.” I replied. “But we are at the end of accompanying each other.” I told her. I stopped before the doors to Annianka's tower turning to face her directly. In a quick fluid motion I added a bow in the feral salute of the Royal Guards to her. She returned the salute while adding a curtsy flawlessly. I held back entering to watch her walking away. “Even if they are suppose to live honourably, some already show that the darkness has consumed them.” I muttered to myself. I cracked opened the door and silently slipped in letting it close without a sound at my back.