Chapter 6 – Rikki
My brother spoke first, “So what is our plan of action father? Surely it is not to sit here idly and do nothing. We need to prepare for whatever assault Drakkar has in store for us next.” Our father shook his head, “We know for a fact that he is watching us, but I believe we have an advantage over him finally, being that he thinks we are still clueless to his spying. Since he knows where we are, the only possible reason for him not to kill us is that he is waiting for something. That damned oracle keeps watch over his future thoroughly so surely she knows about my dream of meeting someone who can guide us home so he can meet his end. I believe he may be
waiting to see who it is that’s going to be our saving grace. If we let Drakkar know we are on to him, however, it could not only mean our deaths, but he may even destroy the humans, who are innocent of this treachery, just in spite. We cannot allow that. Rikki, my son, didn’t you say you had met a young lady tonight and that was how you found the footprints in the first place?”
My heart jumped at the thought of Kinsley, “Yes father. She is a bright, sweet young woman named Kinsley Preden. I was on the balcony when I heard screaming and she was running for her life when she ran into me. She says that she heard strange noises and may have over exaggerated, but after seeing the boot prints I know what she heard was not a cute little squirrel rummaging though the forest. I’m afraid I put her life in danger on accident because if he was that close to our house then I know he heard me talking to her. He may have even followed us while I walked her home. Oh no!”
I shot up off the couch like a rocket, but mother stopped me from walking out the door, “No son. You need your rest for tomorrow. I’m the only one who has nothing to do in the morning so I will go watch her house okay? I’ll call if I see anything suspicious. Then you can meet me over there in the morning and walk her to school. She will be fine. I’ll not let anything get to her, especially him.”
I gave her the directions to Kinsley’s home. She gave me a reassuring hug and raced out the door.
Father sighed, “I’m sorry children, but for now our plan must be to go about our days like normal and not let Drakkar suspect that we know he is watching, understood? Especially since there is now a human unknowingly involved. This is not your fault Rikki. I know you are blaming yourself, but if you hadn’t come to her rescue at the edge of the forest, who knows what that sick brute would have done to her just out of boredom? Gene, you and I will go to the docks in the morning. Rikki and Mag go to school. See if Kinsley will let you introduce her to us tomorrow so that we can see what she looks like which will aide us in protecting her. Also, her meeting us will probably make her more comfortable if she ever needs to stay here for any reason.”
The thought of Kinsley spending the night in my bed made me feel an electric jolt again, so I quickly nodded and went upstairs to my room. I walked out on the balcony to get fresh air and clear my head of the thoughts dancing around of Kinsley in my bed room. I looked over the trees and seen the outline of her roof and felt comforted that Kinsley would sleep peacefully with a former warrior queen standing guard over her tonight.