“In short? The purple to signify high magical status, the duck to identify us as persons of many resources.”
“Are you? Related to someone of high magical status, I mean.”
Lorn snorted, contemplated the mountain of luggage and added another, smaller satchel to those he planned on carrying. He hoisted everything into his arms then turned toward the orange tom, obviously expecting him to pick up the carry-all. Toby quickly murmured the levitation incantation and followed his new companion as he set off for their new living quarters.
“It depends on who you talk to. Mother would say yes. Father would say no.”
“So why does your mother say you are if your father says you’re not?”
“Mother has never doubted Uncle Ribaldy’s innocence. Father, though, would rather disown him.”
The partners paused in front of the three buildings designated as Apprentice Quarters. Three identical pack-dirt paths led to each dark gray stone building. Two well-manicured bushes flanked each of the three iron-banded dark wood doors. Nine darkened windows stared mutely at the partners from each three story building. A brightly colored banner was the only differing thing between them. Toby looked hopefully at the mage. He’d been so wrapped in his thoughts about Terence’s future he hadn’t paid attention to what the head master had said after the partnerings were announced.
“I take it you weren’t listening either,” Lorn said.
“Sorry. Any ideas on how to find out which building we’re in?”
Lorn chewed his lower lip and scowled at the center building. His face brightened a moment later and he whispered an incantation Toby wasn’t familiar with. A bush in front of the building on the left burst into flames. The orange tom flattened himself instinctively, ready to flee, the hair along his back a spiny ridge. The carry-all thunked to the ground, missing the tom’s foot by an inch.
“Sorry about that,” mumbled the boy. “Happens sometimes when I use the finder incantation. Good news is I know which building we’ll be calling home for the next three years.”
Toby slowly pulled himself into a sitting position. He cast a sidelong glance at the seemingly unremarkable mage he’d been partnered with and wondered again what cat god had found it humorous to throw them together. Still, he surmised, there had to have been something in Lorn that had made the head masters decide he was a good candidate for apprenticeship in the academy. He gave his ruff a quick lick to help settle his thoughts.
“Well, now that you’ve found the building shall we go find our rooms?”
Lorn nodded. With only half a thought, Toby levitated the carry-all and started toward the building. The grounds keeper dragons were already busy putting out Lorn’s accidental blaze, their voices chiming like miniature bells. Toby hazarded a glance in their direction and decided most of what the small dragons were saying was not complimentary in the least. He wondered just how many times sometimes had been this week.
“Maybe I should find our rooms,” Toby said as they passed the smoldering bush.
“That might be best.” Lorn tried to shrink past the irritated dragons.
It took a few moments for their eyes to adjust to the dimness of the entryway. A wood stairway stood before them, a long hallway to the right of it. Neither had been lit well. Toby peered down the hall to see slightly darker shadows to either side, a small lantern just to one side of each. He assumed the shadows were doors to six separate living quarters. Looking up the stairs, the orange tom surmised the second and third floors were similar.
He hoped his luck was going to get better as he said his finder incantation, wishing the green arrow to direct them to one of the main floor rooms. His hopes sagged as the bright green finder pointed up the stairs. They fell flat when he discovered the arrow was leading them on toward the last room on the third floor. Toby watched Lorn struggle with the door latch while trying to keep his luggage from falling out of his grasp. The orange tom sighed.
“May I try?”
Lorn gave the door handle one last jerk, nearly dropping everything in the process. Toby waited patiently as the young mage juggled the luggage back into place, then stepped to the side. He took a moment to check the securing of the floating carry-all. The last thing he wanted was to look as inept to his new partner as Lorn had to him. He studied the door handle. It was a curious handle with a thumb-sized lever attached to the side of a curved handle. It made sense to Toby that the lever needed to be depressed to lift the latch. So why didn’t Lorn do that? Surely he could see you can’t just turn the handle. Satisfied that he understood the mechanism, the tom focused on the process and flicked his tail at the door.
The lever depressed, the handle turned, the door shuddered. It didn’t open. He tried again. The door stubbornly remained shut. His fur grew hot with embarrassment. He’d been positive he could open the door.
“Now what?” asked Lorn.
Toby relaxed. At least Lorn wasn’t going to be difficult about it. Unfortunately that didn’t make a difference in the matter at hand. They were still on the wrong side of the door.
“Need some help?” asked a cheery female voice from down the hall.
The partners turned to see a girl, perhaps a year or two older than Lorn, walking toward them. Her dark curls bounced in time to her step. The black framed glasses she wore made her look slightly owlish. Trotting daintily beside her was a small calico she-cat. Stepping to the door, the girl quickly depressed the lever, turned the door handle and gave a hard shove. The door popped open.
“I had this room during my apprenticeship,” said the girl, waving them into the room beyond. “Door’s great for taking out your frustrations, but it’s a real pain when you’re in a hurry.”
“Or carrying an armload of luggage,” said the little she-cat as she snagged the young woman’s trouser leg.
“Here, let me help you with that.”
The older mage reached to take the two satchels Lorn had tucked under his arms. He pulled away. The girl gave him a smile and a small nod, reaching once again for the luggage. This time the young mage yielded them to her outstretched hands, returning a tentative smile.
“My name’s Alie. This is Dora.”
“Pleased to meet you,” said the little calico, dipping her head respectfully. “Shall we enter?”
“After you,” said Alie, nodding the partners toward the door.
The room was dark, the only source of light coming from the space between the shutters on the window and a doorway at the back. Toby could smell just a hint of various herbs under the overpowering smell of cleaning agents. A modest fireplace sat next to the door at the other side of the room. Bookcases and shelving for magic supplies faced the wall opposite the window. In the middle of the room sat a large, scarred table of unfinished wood. The legs were as thick as Toby was long, the top as thick as he was wide. It was, in the young cat’s estimation, the perfect table for Lorn – indestructible.
“Welcome to your new home,” said Alie. “Your bedroom is back there. It’s rather drafty in the winter, but the fireplace has a nifty sliding door on the front and back, so you can adjust which room gets all the heat.”
Lorn nodded. Toby leaped to the table top. He waited patiently as his partner surveyed the workroom. He wasn’t sure why the young mage had yet to say a word. The silence grew more awkward with each passing moment. Toby rolled his eyes. Obviously it was going to be up to him to make their introductions. He opened his mouth to speak when Lorn turned and made eye contact with Alie.
“My name is Lorn and this is my partner, Toby. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“Oh there’s no need to be so formal,” Alie said and chuckled. Dora ducked her head, politely hiding her amusement.
“I’m sorry. I just–” The boy’s face turned scarlet.
“Let’s see. You’re upper me
rchant class, right?”
Lorn’s eyes widened. He nodded his head.
“Your father knows the value of money and believes in working hard, playing fair? Your mother plays the Lady of the Manor?”
The young man nodded again. Toby was fascinated now. He’d heard that some humans had the gift of reading others, but he’d never given it much credit.
“You grew up being told you must be polite and use formal greetings with anyone older than you or of a higher social class. Am I right?”
“Are you a Reader?” whispered the young man.
“We prefer Gifted Intuitive Telepath, if you please,” the young woman said, frowning and putting her hands on her hips.
“Oh. I-I-I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”
The girl’s mouth twitched. Dora turned to nip at her flank. Toby was reasonably sure the young she-cat wasn’t after a flea. Both females seemed to be trying very hard to keep a straight face.
“I think she’s teasing you, Lorn.”
Alie began laughing. The little calico she-cat leaped to the table beside Toby. Her whiskers were splayed wide in a cat grin.
“Hoo boy,” the young woman exclaimed between laughs. “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t help myself. You looked so awe-struck.”
“But–. You said–.”
“Better tell them how you did it, Al, or they’ll never believe another word you say,” chirped Dora.
“It’s pretty simple, really. I’m a Journeyman Liaison to the High Council and the Merchant Guild, so I could tell by your clothes that you’re most likely from a merchanting family. Nearly every merchant I’ve met believes in hard work and being fair, though a few will slit your purse strings if they can.” The delicate she-cat made a face as if she smelled something foul.
“Anyway, once I guessed that much, it wasn’t difficult to deduce from the matching luggage that your mother likes to play Lady of the Manor and — is that a purple duck?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” said Lorn. “Please don’t ask.”
“I see. Anyway it was easy to guess from all the clues why you reacted like you did.”
“Yes. And it doesn’t hurt that my mage’s favorite pastime is solving puzzles,” said Dora. Alie shrugged.
“Well, if there’s anything else I can help you with, let me know.”
“Actually,” Toby said, giving Lorn a sidelong glance, “we could use some help getting the rest of Lorn’s things up here.”
Alie’s eyes widened.
“There’s more?”
Toby nodded and looked pointedly at his mage. The boy slumped and shuffled his feet.
“Mother helped me pack.”
The girl nodded and cast a sidelong glance at her companion.
“Say no more.”
Moving Lorn’s luggage from the Human Commons to their new residence was a lot more pleasant with Alie and Dora helping. Dora showed Toby a trick to floating some of the heavier items. After Lorn burnt a hole in one of the larger bags, though, they all agreed he should just carry the other things. Before Toby realized it, it was time to make their way to the celebration. Suddenly all the fun he’d been having seemed empty. Terence wouldn’t be there, he was sure of it. Toby closed his eyes and tried to will the sadness away.
“Ready to go?”
“Yeah,” murmured Toby.
The brightly decorated ballroom did nothing to lift Toby’s spirits. The upbeat music clashed with the gloomy thoughts oozing through the young tom’s mind. He watched as several gaily clad nobles twirled past in an intricate dance. The lights bounced off their bejeweled clothing, leaving sparkles in front of Toby’s eyes.
“Hey, there,” said a familiar voice behind the orange cat. Toby twisted around, not believing his ears. Blinking the small gray and white cat into focus, Toby couldn’t stop the purr that burst from his chest.
“Terence! I thought you wouldn’t—”
“Come to the celebration because I wasn’t chosen? Nah. Mama didn’t raise no fool. Where else am I gonna get food like this?”
“I’m so glad you came. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
“Oh you can’t get rid of me that easily,” said the little tom. “I’m a street cat, remember? I’ve always got a plan or two tucked in my fur.”
“I guess I should have figured that out when you said you are going to become the first garden cat,” Toby replied, his whiskers splayed in a wide cat grin. “By the way, have you put your plan into action yet?”
“I got somethin’ even better.”
“Really? What could be better than becoming the first garden cat ever?”
“A loner-in-training.”
“You’re kidding. That’s great. I thought — when you weren’t called up – I mean –”
Terrence chuckled.
“I guess someone aroun’ here has a lot of pull ‘cause I was on my way to wait for a city coach when this big gray tom named Chivato walks up to me an’ says someone wants a word. I thought I was in deep manure ‘cause on the street a tom that big usually works for a Boss.”
Toby held his breath. His heart beat faster and his paws went numb. It seemed like someone had added three times as many lit candles in the room as the young cat’s pupils widened. As he listened to Terence’s story he saw a slender man in purple velvet pacing toward them. In the man’s shadow stalked a large gray tom.
“So this Gravin Arturo heard that someone had recommended me for loner-in-training and wanted to sponsor me. Even said he’d give me a job when I reach journeyman status. Talked the loner instructors into givin’ me a spot in the classes on a… what was it they called it?”
“I believe the words you’re looking for, young master Terence, are ‘provisional basis’,” said the man in a deep, rich voice.
“Yeah, provisional basis. That means if I do good they’ll re-evaluate my performance and I can complete the training.”
“Provided he continues to show progress, that is,” said the man.
“Toby, I’d like you to meet my sponsor, Gravin Arturo.”
“I was pleased to hear that you were chosen. The academy can only benefit from it.”
“You know each other?”
“I had the opportunity to get acquainted with young master Toby during a coach ride to the academy. An excellent sense of smell, as I recall.”
“Gravin Arturo, a pleasure to see you again.”
“And I’m sure you remember my companion Chivato.” The gravin waved his champagne glass in the gray tom’s direction. Toby dipped his head to the tom.
“Toby,” purred Chivato. “I’m so glad you were chosen, even if it is, like our young friend here, on a provisional basis.”
“Excuse me?” blurted Toby. The orange tom thought his heart had stopped. His sight narrowed to the large gray tom in front of him.
“Oh. I’m sorry. I thought you knew.” Chivato’s eyes widened. His ears swiveled outward. He looked up at Gravin Arturo. Toby looked up at the nobleman, too. The man’s gaze softened.
“I’m afraid that’s what we heard,” said Arturo. Toby looked back at the gray tom. Chivato nodded toward a group of mages.
“It seems,” he said, lowering his voice, “that there are some who do not think cats of lower status should be allowed in such a prestigious school as this.”
Toby watched the group of mages. They were laughing. One glanced his direction and raised his glass. Toby felt a soft tail fall gently over his shoulders. He turned to see Chivato watching the group of mages beside him.
“Perhaps that is why you were partnered with Lorn Ribaldy,” he murmured.
Chapter 4
Reginald stared across the room at Toby. Chivato had placed a fatherly tail across the young tom’s shoulders. The white cat’s fur bristled
. It wasn’t right. Being chosen was an honor. How could a cat from the Middle Districts, a commoner, ever understand the subtleties of such a relationship? Reginald stared at the orange cat who had somehow impressed his own mentor. The gray tom looked at him. Reginald lowered his eyes. He could hear the clink of glasses and rustle of robes. Laughter rang from across the room. It all made his stomach feel sour. He stared hard at the floor. A set of gray paws entered his line of sight.
“You don’t agree with the selection.”
The white tom looked into Chivato’s yellow eyes.
“I thought blood mattered.”
“It does.”
“Then why were they chosen?” Reginald nodded toward Toby and Lorn, his tail twitching.
“They passed the tests and are compatible, would be my assumption.”
“But they aren’t noble. Doesn’t that count for something?”
Chivato cocked his head to the side and stared at the young tom for several minutes. Reginald began to fidget.
“You feel strongly about this.”
Reginald licked his ruff. Did he speak out of turn? He looked back at the large gray tom.
“Father says it’s the commoners being brought into high positions that caused the problems in the High Council.” The white tom glanced at Toby and Lorn again.
“I think he is right.”
“I see. Your father is a very proud cat, one worthy of a seat on the High Council.”
“Yes, but he won’t have one, will he?” Reginald glared at the orange tom and his companion.
“Unfortunately this is true. Master Ribaldy saw to that before his insanity was uncovered.”
The white tom wanted to hiss. Another common partnering. What right did a commoner have to say who could or couldn’t be appointed to the High Council. And, once the King passed judgement, nothing could be changed. Ribaldy and his partner had been a worm in the King’s ear.
Apprentice Cat: Toby's Tale Book 1 (Master Cat Series) Page 9