by Fel
"Someone has to have it," she said. "Let's go find it, and then we'll go onto the field."
They were two ghosts flitting through the darkness, and despite the very heavy patrolling and human presence, they passed through the Tower grounds like shadows.
Moving with absolute silence, Tarrin and Allia crept along the buildings and through the clearings with guards all around them, moving confidently and quickly between gaps in their patrols. Allia was Selani, and they had developed hiding and the ways of stealth quite beyond the human ideas of it. She proved she was everything her race was said to be by keeping up with the Were-cat as he moved on padded feet that made no sound, using his ears and nose to ferret out the position and direction of the guard patrols so they could more easily work around them. Because he had been trapped there, Tarrin knew the grounds better than most of the guards, and he knew where every nook and cranny was that would allow the Selani to hide herself from sight. Tarrin simply changed form, and used his small cat body as a disguise. At a distance, the guards couldn't tell Tarrin from any of the other cats that roamed the grounds.
--How much further?-- Allia signed to him in the Selani hand code. She could understand him when he spoke in the manner of the Cat, but she couldn't reply in the same way. But it was a moot point, for her hand code was just as comprehensive as her spoken tongue. There was a handsign for almost every word in her language.
"Not too far, just past those buildings," he replied in the unspoken manner of the Cat, hunkered down in the dewing grass as they watched a ten man patrol march by with torches casting dancing shadows on a series of low buildings behind them. Some of them were wearing heavy cloaks, to hold off the autumn chill. Winter wasn't far away, Tarrin knew, and the cloudless night wasn't doing much to keep what heat was left from the cool day trapped near the ground. The first frost couldn't be but a few days off.
She made a slight whistling sound to make him look at her. --How far away is the house?--
"Now that I'm not sure of," he replied. "It's been a while since I came from there. I remember how to get there, but I was in cat form when I did it. The distances aren't the same to me, because it takes me longer to get places in this form."
--Ah. It still can't be that far away.--
"Suld's a big city, litter-mate," he said, using the cat's concept of the word sister. "But it didn't take me more than an hour to get to the Tower, so I figure that it'll take us about half an hour to find it. Alright, let's move."
Tarrin shifted back to his humanoid form, and the pair darted across a large open area, the last of them before reaching the fence, and then slipped between two low storage buildings that faced the perimeter fence. He looked to and fro, testing the air with his nose, straining to hear movement with his ears. There was no guard patrol nearby, and he thought that they had enough time to negotiate the passage through the fence.
They ran on silent feet up to the fence, and they immediately began a pre-arranged plan to get through the fence as fast as possible. Allia first reached out, to see if the Ward would prevent her from passing through it as Tarrin did the same, to show her where it was. Allia's hand passed through, where Tarrin's hand was stopped. Once they knew that, Tarrin bent down and put his paw out, and Allia stepped into it. After two silent hefts to prepare themselves, Tarrin vaulted Allia into the air, pushing her as she jumped off his driving paw. She soared up and over the fence, then landed and rolled gracefully on the paved street beyond. Tarrin pulled off his shirt quickly and tossed it down over the ward, between the bars of the fence. Whatever magic the bars of the fence held that kept others out, it didn't react to non-living things, so it did nothing to the cloth of the shirt. Tarrin changed form quickly and rooted under the tail of his Initiate shirt, then wriggled through and under the bars, squirming out of the neck on the far side of the fence as Allia took out a cloak with a deep hood from where it was tied onto her back, shook it out, then put it on. Then he changed form again, snatched up his shirt, and the pair of them sprinted off into the darkness.
They slowed down and worked the streets parallel to the fence until they crossed a street that Tarrin knew, and then Allia followed him silently as Tarrin backtracked the path he took to get from his little mother to the Tower. It hadn't been all that long ago, but his point of view was different in his base form, so it took some adjustment that slowed them down a bit. The streets were occupied, but as he thought, he didn't attract a great deal of attention. They simply took him for a Wikuni, albeit an unusual one, and that was the end of that. Allia would attract attention, were she not hiding herself in the deep folds of the long cloak and hood she was wearing.
It took him almost an hour, but he finally found the stately house behind its iron fence. In his humanoid form, he could appreciate how large and grand his little mother's house was. Tomas was a very successful merchant. "Is this it?" Allia whispered as Tarrin looked to see if anyone else was on the street.
"This is it," he confirmed, jumping up onto the top of the ornate iron fence, then reaching down and helping Allia up and over it. They worked through the almost dead garden, a garden prepared for the winter's cold, until they were at the front door. Allia knocked on it boldly as Tarrin stood off to the side, out of sight of the door. Janette was the only one that knew how he looked out of cat form, and he didn't want to startle or surprise whoever opened the door.
It was the matronly, gray-bunned maid, Nanna. "Yes, may I help you?" she asked politely as she took in the dark, mysterious stranger standing on the doorstep, hidden in the shadows of a cloak and deep cowl.
"I am looking for the Kaels," Allia said in her accented voice. "I was told that they would be here."
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you have the wrong house," she said. "This is the residence of the Kellers."
Tarrin quickly changed form, and then boldly walked out onto the porch in front of Allia. He meowed to get Nanna's attention, and the matronly woman looked down. Her eyes widened when she saw him, and then she gave out a gasp that turned into a smile. "Oh, he sent you," she said. "Yes, yes, please come in."
Allia entered in with Tarrin as he padded in through the open door. All the scents he remembered from the house were there, as well as scents of his parents and sister, and it washed a wave of nostalgia and misty memory over him. In many ways, the house and the people in it were family to him. His real parents, and the adopted family that had taken a nearly insane Tarrin and, with love and attention and giving him a quiet place to work through his problems, returned him to a balance with himself. Janette was only a little girl, but she held a place in his heart that only his mother, Dolanna, and Jesmind shared. He would kill for Janette, just as quickly as he would give his life to protect her. "Allia, tell her I'm going to change, so she doesn't get frightened."
"Madam, he's going to change. He doesn't want you to be frightened."
"Let me close the door," she said, shutting the door and throwing two heavy bolts. "He won't frighten me, my dear. I've already been told about him."
Tarrin returned to his humanoid form easily, and Nanna gave him an appraising look that almost made him feel uncomfortable. "I must say, you're very, large," she said with a charming smile. "I don't see how you fit yourself into such a little body."
"Magic," Tarrin said with a shrug. "I've missed you, Nanna. How have you been?"
"Things have been slow," she sighed. "Janette moped around for a while, at least until Janine got her another cat. I'm afraid that Socks isn't half as obedient as you were."
Tarrin laughed. "I'll have a talk with him," he promised. "Was there any trouble with my family?"
"Janine was a bit put out, but you know how she is," Nanna said with a wink. "But now she has two little girls to turn into little ladies, and she gets along rather well with your mother. Tomas and your father act like they've been drinking buddies for fifty years."
"I knew that they'd take a liking to my family," Tarrin said, with a relief in his voice that belied his words. "I'm just sorry I
had to send them here, but I couldn't think of anywhere else safe."
"It's alright, Tarrin," Nanna told him. "Tomas and Janine wouldn't turn them away, though Janine would complain about it a while. They're very good people." Nanna suddenly blushed. "And all that time, I thought you were a cat. I do hope that you'll be discreet?"
Nanna had a habit of talking to herself, and the things she said when she thought she was alone were very private. He fully understood why she blushed. "And what would I have to be discreet about, Nanna?" he asked in a direct voice.
She chuckled. "You're such a good boy," she said, reaching up and patting his cheek. "And this is Allia?"
"I see my parents talk," Tarrin said ruefully. "Allia, this is Nanna."
"A pleasure," she said, removing her hood, then unbuckling the brass buckle that held the cloak on her shoulders. She reached out her slender four-fingered hand confidently, and Nanna took it.
"Such a lovely young woman," Nanna said with a smile. "I've heard quite a bit about you, Allia. Tarrin's mother thinks of you as sent by the gods."
"No, I am not quite as important as that," Allia said with a rueful smile.
"Nanna, who's at the door?" Tomas' voice called, and he appeared beyond the entrance foyer. He looked just fine, much to Tarrin's relief, and he gave out a laugh and a broad smile when he recognized the visitors for what they were. "Well, look who drug in the cat," he said with a broad smile. "It's strange to see you that way, Shadow."
"Tarrin," he corrected with a grin, going over and taking Tomas' hand fondly. "I hope you don't mind that I sent my family here, Tomas. But I didn't know of anywhere else safe."
"They had to explain a bit as to how they knew who we were, but once we found out all the details, we were happy to accept them," Tomas assured him. "I've already made a few business deals with your father," he said slyly. "Do you know how much his apple brandy fetches in Suld? Not to mention his arrows."
Tarrin laughed. "You are a merchant to the core, Tomas," he said.
"Thank you," he winked. "And this must be Allia," he said, looking at the beautiful Selani.
Tarrin nodded. "Allia, this is Tomas, Janette's father," Tarrin introduced. "Tomas, this is Allia, my sister."
"I'll assume that the relationship isn't natural," Tomas said with a smile as he accepted Allia's hand.
"We were not born siblings, but we are in every other sense of the word," Allia said calmly. "Tarrin is like blood to me."
"Then you'll be like blood to us," Tomas said simply. "We've all but adopted Tarrin's family, and there's always room for one more at our table."
"You are most generous, Tomas," Allia said.
"What's the use of having money if you can't use it?" Tomas smiled. "Come, I know quite a few people who will be overjoyed to see you. They're in the parlor. Nanna, why don't you forget taking care of the dishes and come join us?"
"I'm almost finished, Tomas," Nanna replied. Though she was a servant, the servants in Tomas' house were very well treated, and almost like family themselves. Nanna never used titles for them when they were alone. When they had company was another matter. "I'll be along in just a bit. You know how messy Deris is when he cooks, and how much I hate dirt."
Tomas laughed. "Don't take too long, Nanna. And make Deris help you clean up his mess."
"I always do," she said with a smile. Deris and Nanna were married, and it helped make the house seem more like a family affair. Only the butler, Dernan, had no kin or family in the house. But he was such a sweet old man that everyone treated him with respect, courtesy, and a great deal of friendship. Janette called him Grandfather. Thinking of Dernan made Tarrin realize that it wasn't him that opened the door. "Where is Dernan?" Tarrin asked suddenly.
"He's gone to Three Forks to see his family," he replied. "His sister has taken ill, and they asked him to come."
"That's quite a journey. When did he leave?"
"Five days ago. He should be two days out of Ultern by now." Three Forks was a city south of Torrian, and they could have gone that way to reach Suld. But the river at Marta's Ford was much faster. There was a road that linked Three Forks to Ultern, but that was a fifteen day journey through unclaimed forest. There wasn't so much as an inn between Ultern and Three Forks, and it was a dangerous road. Tarrin hoped that Dernan was wise enough to travel with an armed caravan.
They entered the parlor, with its large fireplace where Tarrin had spent so many nights, the plush furniture and the tasteful portraits and art decorating the walls, but it was the people inside that Tarrin fixed his attention upon. Sitting in her favorite chair was Janine, a book in her lap, and in another chair near her was his mother, Elke, who was actually doing needlepoint. Eron Kael was sitting in a large chair by the fire, and Jenna and Janette were sitting on the bare floor off the rug, playing a game with metal jacks and a ball made out of a strange springy substance that made it bounce very high.
Jenna saw him first. She gasped and jumped up, startling Janette, and charged towards him. "Tarrin!" she cried, and he knelt down and let her fling herself into his arms. Jenna was a tall girl, but she still only came up to the base of his ribcage. Tarrin picked up his sister and twirled her around, then set her down as Janette managed to stand up. Elke was already halfway to him, and Janine had put her book aside as Eron struggled to his feet.
"I see you found it," Tarrin said to his mother as she embraced him.
"Your directions were lousy," she accused, going over to hug Allia. "How are you, Allia?"
"I am very well, kaisha," she said, which was a Selani term for mother. That Allia would call Elke "mother" was a clear indication of how she felt about Tarrin's parents.
Tarrin crushed his father in a fierce hug, and Eron winced a bit. "Still tender, father?" he asked, holding Eron at arm's length.
"A bit, but at least the Sorcerers fixed my knee," he said. "I don't limp anymore."
"Well, at least they're good for something," Tarrin said with a smile. He pushed his father aside gently and knelt as Janette approached him, almost warily. Tarrin held his paw out to her tentatively, emotion rising up in him. "Little mother," he said in a voice of the most profound respect and love.
She threw herself into his arms, and it was all Tarrin could do to keep from crying. The little girl meant as much to him as his own parents or sister or Allia. He enfolded her, surrounding her in his arms the same way she would enfold him in her protective embrace, and the same feeling of peace and security swept over him at her touch as it used to do when he was her pet.
She looked up at him with teary eyes, and he was amazed at how easily she accepted him as more than just her cat. She truly was a wondrous little girl.
"They gave me a new cat, but it's just not the same," she told him in a serious voice.
"I'll have a talk with it, little mother," he promised with a gentle smile.
Nanna brought out a plate of sweetmeats, and that gave them all a focal point. Tarrin folded Janine up in a warm hug as she came over, and she just smiled at him and swatted him on the shoulder. "I almost didn't believe her, until your parents showed up," she told him in an accusing voice. "That was a mean trick to play."
"It wasn't a trick, Janine," he told her. "I needed the time here."
"Your parents explained that to us," she told him.
"I hope I'm still welcome."
"Tarrin, you may have started as the family pet, but now you're family," she assured him in an uncharacteristically gentle voice. "You're just as welcome as my own mother."
"I've heard things about your mother," Tarrin winked. "That doesn't sound very encouraging."
Janine laughed. "Well, you're as welcome as my mother to me," she corrected. "How Tomas feels about it is another matter." She looked at Allia, who was busily trying to answer a million questions thrown at her by Elke. "This is Allia?"
"Yes, she's like a sister to me, and she's been completely adopted by my family," Tarrin smiled. "My mother adores her so much she hogs time away from my fa
ther and Jenna."
"Well, I'm sure she'll fit in here just fine," she said with a smile.
After the initial disturbance was over, everyone sat back down. Tomas and Janine sat in their favorite chairs, and Eron and Elke sat on chairs to the side. Jenna and Nanna sat down on the sofa on the other side, forming a box with the fireplace. Tarrin sat cross-legged on the floor with his back to the fire, and Janette was seated firmly in his lap. His arms were around her, almost protectively, and she was playing with the tip of his tail. Allia sat in a similar position beside him. Tarrin got serious, beginning to explain to his parents and his friends what was going on in the Tower. He left out a few things, like Keritanima's ideas about what happened to him, but he did make mention of the fact that the fight with the Doomwalker had altered his powers in Sorcery.
"It was you," Tomas said suddenly. "You scared off the bandit."
Tarrin nodded. "I used Sorcery, totally by reflex, because I'd been in cat form so long that I couldn't remember quickly how to change back," he told him. "That's why the knife was hot. I burned him with fire, and he ran back out the door." He looked down at Janette. "That was when I realized that I couldn't stay here anymore," he added. "Because I was afraid that I'd accidentally hurt you, or my little mother. That's something that I'd never forgive myself for, if it happened."
"While he was gone, I understood what he had been going through," Allia continued. "They paid me so much attention that I felt very uncomfortable. Members of the Council would ask about my progress, and they began to watch me at all times. I do not see how Tarrin endured it. They were about to drive me mad."
"Well, at least now you're pretty sure that they want something from you," Eron said.
"I've known that for a while, father," Tarrin told him. "But now it's getting serious. After the fight, and the accident--" he winced and closed his eyes. The memory of that pain was still fresh in his mind, and he couldn't think about it without shuddering. "Now that I may not be any use to them, they may decide that I'm not worth the effort."