by Taki Drake
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“I can help with that. Just a moment.”
Jeremiah climbed slowly to his feet and walked over to a desk against the side of the room. Opening one of the drawers, he pulled out an envelope and returned with it to where TT still stood, lost in her memories.
Bending over, the witch quickly gathered the little pieces of the spell scroll and sealed them in the envelope. He then asked, “Do you want me to address it to Dascha or to her Witch?”
<< Yes, please. But I’m not sure how to tell her it’s from me. >>
Jeremiah gave her a surprisingly youthful grin and said, “You could always put a paw print on it. She would recognize that it came from a cat, even if she didn’t know it was you.”
TT lifted first one front paw and then the other, considering each one in turn. Noticing that her right paw had healed after the accident with the scar that ran across the main pad, the Persian looked at Jeremy and said, << I think she will know it comes from me. >>
Chapter 18 – Escape from the City
The Raven had been supplied with the sealed envelope. TT had carefully marked both the front and the back of the envelope with an inked imprint of her scarred paw. She knew that Dascha would immediately make the connection because her friend had been there when the paw had been ripped open.
As the Raven prepared to leave, he tilted his head once more to regard TT and the hovering Davin carefully. << You do realize that this house is being watched, don’t you? At least eight people are watching from different points. If I were guessing, I would say they’re pretty frustrated. >>
Davin immediately came to alert and moved up next to TT to confront the large bird. << Why do you think they’re frustrated? >>
<< I can see the barrage of spells that they keep slamming against the house protections. Some of them look like they are spy spells. They all have that little bit of creepy-looking gray to their aura. The others look like small attacks, searching for loopholes. >>
<< That is going make it difficult for me to get out of here in the morning to meet up with the caravan that I am supposed to join, >> said TT.
The Raven responded, << If you like, find a net that is easy for me to grasp with my talons. I can come in tomorrow morning and take you out in the net to wherever you need to go. >>
The discussion that followed pulled in Jeremiah as well as Dora. The woman was upset to understand that the house was under surveillance but Jeremiah told her that he had expected that.
“My house defenses have been tested over time by far stronger Witches than the ones that we have out there. They should not be able to find a way in, and they certainly aren’t going to overwhelm the strength of my wards.”
With that, the woman had to be content since the discussion shifted to the plan for getting TT out of the besieged house and on her way without the watchers being any wiser.
It was finally agreed that when the Raven was ready to leave with TT, that Davin would provide a distraction. Jeremiah would be positioned to assist Davin if needed, but the distraction would be enough to focus the eyes of the watchers on the front of the house while the Raven took off through the air from the rear garden.
With that plan in place, the Raven said goodbye and flew away.
<<<>>>
It was a tense night for TT. She made sure to convey her thanks to each of the household members for their care and assistance. Spending time with each of the children, she allowed them to pat and brush her while she purred her approval and appreciation. Once the children had gone to bed and were fast asleep, TT joined Dora and Jeremiah in the front room beside the warm fire.
Hopping up on the chair next to the woman, TT leaned her head against the woman’s forearm and purred as loudly as she could. Pushing her mental voice to the elderly Witch, TT said, << Please tell Dora how much I appreciate everything that she has done for me. I would’ve died without her. I am only a small cat, but if there’s anything I can ever do to help her, I will do so. >>
Jeremiah relayed the message to the woman who promptly burst into tears and gathered TT into her arms. The unexpected contact was so startling to the cat that she almost hissed. Stopping herself by force of will, TT was overwhelmed by the feelings that came through the skin-to-skin contact with Dora.
A jumbled series of emotions and mental pictures ran through the frame of the Familiar’s body. Shame, appreciation, enjoyment, gratitude, fear,… Flashes of her husband’s face and her children sleeping peacefully in the bed upstairs. Dora might think that her children had only received their magical ability from their father, but now TT knew better.
Allowing Dora to embrace her and pet her until the woman had calmed down, TT next went over to Jeremiah. Leaning against his lower legs, the small cat said, << Thank you for my life. You and Davin have been heroes not only to me but for Dora and her children. I have no words that are big enough to express my gratitude but know that anything I can do or have is yours for the asking. >>
The elderly Witch responded with a gentle hand and delicate strokes.
<<<>>>
The plan worked perfectly. It was early enough that the children were not up and Dora was still sound asleep. TT had been full of tension and thrumming anticipation for over an hour when the Raven glided into the back garden on silent wings.
The Persian moved over to stand in the middle of a square of strong netting. Jeremiah had thoughtfully threaded a cord around the edges so that TT was able to snag the end of the knotted cord and pull it tightly around herself. Surveying the cat who had effectively bagged herself, the Raven murmured, << Impressive. >>
<< Thank you. It was Davin’s idea mostly, and Jeremiah provided the hands. This way when you put me down, the cord will slip through, and I can get myself out of the bag without assistance. In the meantime, it lets you grab the whole thing easily. >>
<< Very impressive. However, it’s time for us to go. We need to move quickly. Right now the watchers do not look up, but hidden spies may very well change their focus as the light gets brighter and the dawn breaks. >>
Taking one last look around the garden that had quickly become a comforting and familiar place, TT drew a resolute breath and said, << I’m ready. Let’s go! >>
As the Raven Familiar launched his body into the air pulling the net and TT with him, the cat could hear sounds of shouting from the front of the house. As the Raven gained altitude, TT twisted around in the net to look toward the disturbance.
The last sight that TT had before the closely packed buildings of Paris hid Jeremiah’s home from view was Davin struggling to cross the street back to his home, dragging an obviously injured back leg. The trail of blood extended behind him, obvious even from a distance and TT’s throat tightened in fear for her friend.
Standing on his own threshold, the infuriated figure of an elemental Witch raised sheets of magic that twisted the cobblestones of the road and flung them at the men who had been so foolish to attack his Familiar.
Strain as she could, TT lost sight of her friends before she could make sure that they were safe. The thudding of her heart told her how great her fear was for their safety and the burning in her eyes signaled her sorrow at having to leave them.
Chapter 19 – Homeward Bound
The stench was horrendous. It permeated the air and coated the back of TT’s throat. Everything around the Persian stank. The combination of the smell and the lurching, swaying motion of the heavily loaded wagon had made the small cat nauseous the first day. At this point, she was so exhausted from the journey and the collision of smells and noises that accompanied the caravan on the road that all she could think of was trying to find a small moment of peace in her day.
It had quickly become apparent that TT had no hope of keeping up with the caravan unless she rode in the wagon. The friendly teamster that had agreed to let her travel with him had provided her with a small rag that she used to cushion her body against the wagon flooring directly behind the man’s seat. The rag, just like everything else, smelled of aged u
rine and other intense stenches. But the scant comfort of its cushioning presence quickly overrode the penalty of its rank nature.
The witch Matilda had been right when she said that the teamster was friendly, and so was his familiar, an immense, rough-looking dog whose head and stance reminded TT of Adelphia. Both he and his Witch had minimal mindspeech, but they were friendly. The occasional impact of his moist nose on her fur was a small price to pay for his protection and the warmth of his body at night.
They had been on the road for two days. Two extraordinarily long days of odiferous travel and the minimal interaction of a group that traveled together only for convenience. There was no sense of true camaraderie here, no sense of family. The people in this caravan were together to accomplish one thing, moving large barrels of urine collected in Paris to the tanning factories hundreds of kilometers away.
TT knew that another day would bring her close to her clowder. She deliberately kept her mind from dwelling on what would happen when she got there. But the closer she got, the more she worried.
What was she going to tell them? How is she going to explain what happened, and would they believe her? These were all questions for which she had no answers. So, the Persian disguised as a tiger-stripe ordinary cat curled up on her scrap of ratty, smelling blanket and endured. The ache in her body wore her out, but it was nothing to the whirring of her mind as she tried to see into the future. Trying desperately to see a future that was less than black.
<<<>>>
TT had not slept well the previous night. This was the day she was going to be back with her clowder, her family. Whatever else happened, she was going to find out what her family thought and if they would believe her or a Witch.
The caravan stopped at a typical journey waypoint. The readily-available water in the stream and the pleasant Meadow that provided browse for the oxen made the location of favorite rest point for many a traveler.
It was only late morning, and the caravan would continue on after an hour’s stop. Wagoners and teamsters walked around chatting idly and stretching their legs while determined oxen stuffed themselves with fresh grass. TT knew that it was time for her to leave. Less than half a mile away was the entrance to the tunnel that led to the clowder. She couldn’t put it off any longer, and she knew that moral cowardice would not get her very far.
Moving directly up next to the teamster Witch, she projected a simple message of thanks to him and to his Familiar. The good-natured man smiled at her and patted her clumsily, wishing her aloud a completion of safe travels and a happy day.
The hound was a bit more articulate, saying, << I will miss you. It was nice having someone to cuddle with at night. If our paths cross again, I will greet you and the thought of your companionship with pleasure. >>
TT was touched and purred her farewell back at him. Slipping to the grass, the small cat set off on a determined path that would take her home. Whether it was truly her home still remained to be seen.
Stopping just short of the clowder, TT recited the release cantrip for the illusion that had covered her since Jeremiah had cast it on her in Paris. The last thing she wanted to do was show up looking like a tiger-striped mixed-breed cat. She may not look pampered and refined, but she wanted to be honest about her appearance. The whole encounter was going to be hard enough as it was without letting dishonesty or disguises get in her way.
She had not gotten much further before she was challenged.
<< Halt! Who are you that approaches the Clawtip Clowder? By what right do you travel here? >>
<< I am Princess TT, once a Familiar to the Witch Lady Rosemary. I enter by right of birth and lineage. >>
<< What!? That is impossible! You are dead. >>
<< Not for want of someone trying, but I still continue to live. >>
Two cats rose from the concealing brush on either side of the tunnel. The larger of the two, a massive Tom with burnished gold eyes and plush black fur stalked up to TT and looked her carefully over. His only comment was a snort of disgust that TT could understand, although she didn’t appreciate it. Irritated, she commented to him, <
<< Quite a contrast from the big ceremony when you took off, right, Princess? Instead of everything but a marching band, you sneak back in all by yourself. I guess real life was not up to your standards. >>
Suddenly exhausted by the whole thing, TT responded calmly, << It was less that life was disappointing and more that I am trying to learn how to handle what life has given me. >>
With no word from the other cat, TT headed directly for the center of the clowder. She could feel the two guards acting as a rear escort but was too fatigued to protest. After all, if she were supposed to be dead, how would they know that she was not a danger to the clowder. And just perhaps, she thought in the deep recesses of her mind, her continued presence was dangerous to everything that they stood for. That sobering thought occupied her mind as she traveled the remainder of her journey to come full circle to her point of past departure.
<<<>>>
The guiding group for the clowder gathered quickly once TT’s surprise appearance was known. Expressions of dismay and disgust were evident in their posture and low-toned commentary as they milled around and got themselves sorted out.
Once all of the group had gathered, they began to interrogate TT on why she had returned to the clowder. Confused, she answered them bluntly, which only exacerbated their discomfort.
<< I would expect that to be self-evident. This is my home, and I returned here after an extremely upsetting and painful experience. >>
One of the elders, an immaculate seal-point Persian responded to her, staring fixedly at a point over TT’s shoulder. << I find it amazing that you would dare to return here. After all, you are nothing but an embarrassment. A disgrace to the clowder. You must have been the problem because we’ve had many other familiars that have done very well in bond with the witch. Yes, there have been others that have had problems, but they nobly died, faithful to the end. >>
TT tried to explain but was overrun and interrupted repeatedly.
Finally, out of patience, TT said with an assumed assurance that she did not truly feel, << The Witch Lady Rosemary attempted to kill me. She has been draining her familiars and literally threw me out with the trash. How can you defend someone who acts that way? >>
<< We simply can’t tolerate that sort of irrational speech. According to our laws, we have to allow you to come back and stay, but we don’t have to interact with you. Your incendiary speech and lack of comportment show a fatal flaw in your breeding and upbringing, >> sputtered the oldest member of the Council.
Another voice interjected, saying in an affronted tone, << Any defect certainly did not come from our side of the family. Any mental flaw or weakness of mind would have to be laid squarely on her father’s family line. The Familiars in the line have never had this sort of behavior crop up before. >> It was TT’s mother, and the Persian cat felt her heart slammed again as she realized her mother was attacking her. Rather than defending her child, her kitten, the older queen was abandoning and distancing herself and the rest of the family from TT.
Some part of TT had hoped that her clowder, or at least her family, would take her side. The immediacy of their abandonment and the rejection of everything that she had said was just another in a long line of blows that hammered her spirit to a damaged, fragile thing.
<< Mother, how can you say that? When I left here, you told me how proud you were of me, how beautiful I was and how much honor I would bring on the family. How could you change your mind like this? >> TT’s voice was pleading, a heartfelt appeal for understanding and the caring that she expected from a family. There was no verbal response. Instead, the weary Persian was treated to the sight of her mother and sisters all deliberately turning their backs on her.
So the shunning has started, TT thought to herself. I had hoped for better from my clo
wder and from my family. Unfortunately, I can’t say I’m surprised.
The aching in her bones and the exhaustion that underlay her whole being pulled TT down to the lowest ebb she could remember, short of skating on death’s edge. Sitting there surrounded by people that she thought would love and protect her, but who had instead turned on her, was a mortal blow to her spirit. She tried once more to appeal to them for understanding.
Walking up to her youngest sister, the kitten that had always looked up to TT and who had followed her everywhere, TT said, << Persephone, please don’t turn away. I’m still your big sister. >>
Without a word, Persephone stalked directly away from TT, tail held at a rigid angle and paws deliberately placed in an angry cadence of syncopated dance. TT’s mother, Jewel, spun to look at the Persian in anger, saying, << You may be so lost to proper feelings that you are willing to sacrifice her future. But we are not. Leave your sister alone, or you’re going to ruin everything for her too. In fact, you are no longer part of our family, you’re an orphan. >> With that cutting statement, Jewel followed her daughter away from TT leaving the bedraggled Persian sitting in the ruins of her hopes and confronting her fears.
<<<>>>
The elders had told TT grudgingly that she was allowed to remain. However, without a family, she had no existing place to stay. Jewel was well within her rights under clowder law to declare a former child an orphan. It was the equivalent of being disowned under human laws. As such, the only place that was open for TT to stay was in a partially-ruined shelter called the “Strangers’ Hut.”
TT remembered as a kitten asking about why the building was so unwelcoming and as to its lack of comfortable amenities. She still could recall the exasperation in her Aunt Diamonte’s voice when she hissed, <