On one place there grows one forest.

Truthfully, I could give you the exact location – geographic longitude, latitude, height, air pressure, composition of the ground and similar things, but I doubt you would understand and besides – it's a business secret. Let's just say that there is a forest and in the middle of that dark, gloomy, dangerous, unpleasant and-so-on forest stands a residence, all of stone.

Well, this is where I live. Specifically it's in one of the smaller towers, because for a familiar there's no need for much space.

Because that is, what I am. I'm a familiar – the helper – of the owner of the residence, a dark mage named Mort.

I should probably also add that a familiar can't be a human and I'm not one either – I am (so he says) a quite cuddly, nice, maybe a bit lazy red were-tomcat.

Well, heh, by the official rules of magicians I shouldn't be even that, but a normal animal, but you know, my master never really followed the rules. Only when they came handy.

It's really a villain of the worst sort; even the worst forest hag seems compared to him like a innocent little girl.

But I don't mind that much. Afterall, who's off better than the right hand of a villain?

I haven't met anyone yet.

And it's a truly interesting job – NEVER could I complain about being bored, ever since I was a little kitten.

What I've been through with him! You would be surprised, what plans he had. For example last time, when he wanted to get some sort of sword from a lake.

It didn't went out well – but we didn't get away with empty hands, we found a orc burrow full of gold.

And besides that he little by little collected magical power and energy and added it to his own, which already flowed over his head.

I can also testify I am a very good helper, so I am basically also his advisor and…hm, administrator? Of a certain part of his property. And a part of his kingdom.

Mort is a good ruler, even if almost all his land was gotten illegally. But nobody till now complained – and trust me, THAT is regularly controlled here. And where else than at the markets and taverns?

Yees, of course. After all they can be found everywhere and are always full of rumors and strangers. When I'm there, I don't know, what's better to listen to.

Mostly news about his family are interesting – but those are usually first-hand ones. If we're lucky.

His relatives are, hm… let's say, a bit less fond of him. Good thing spies exist.

Actually today one flied here too; a old good raven, which's name I for the world can't remember.

He knocked on the window early in the morning, it was still dark. At least I was awake.

,,Get up, carcass behind the stove!" he shrieked at me. ,,I have a great new for our lord!"

,,He's still asleep," I yawned and opened the window for him.

,,Well then I will tell you, if you won't forget."

,,Who do you take me for?" I snorted. ,,Let's see. What is it about?"

,,His great aunt – or what it was to him exactly – died. All her daughters, sons and others from the family already came all to her, she left a testament."

,,Ooh! Well that's called pleasant news. So, it seems there will be a trip," I grinned on him.

,,If you'll even wake him up after the night with water nymphs," the raven chuckled.

,,You miss nothing, do you?" I poked him.

,,Nope. Should I go help you with it?"

,,Noo, thanks. I'll make it… I hope," I called already on the stairs.

It wasn't really a new that wouldn't wait, but Mort really disliked, when he was the last to know.

I clearly recall a new that his cousin was coming to visit. Everyone knew about her except for him – you wouldn't want to see… a tower almost fell.

As I expected, getting him out of bed was hard work.

First I tried quietly, but it had no effect at all.

Then more loudly, but again nothing.

I shook him – I only earned a kick.

,,COME ON, MASTER! When you'll get sober again?"

I heard something like ,But it's still nighttime…'

,,That is, but a raven was here."

,,What about him?" That was understandable.

I sat on the edge of the bed.

,,Ooh… he brought a unimportant new…"

Now there was some cursing, so it worked.

,,If you're waking me up, then at least tell why!"

Aah, and you won't fall asleep again. Gotcha.

,,Your great aunt or something like that died."

He straightened like a spring.

,,Which one?"

,,And how many did you have, for God's sake?" I smirked.

,,That's irrelevant now!"

,,I didn't ask… but she left a testament and in her house the whole family got together, all brothers, sisters, cousins and Idunnowhatelse," I waved hand.

,,That might have been Medusa," he jumped out of bed.

,,Medusa?"

,,That's just a nickname- have you seen my-"

,,Under the bed."

,,And-?"

,,I saw it on the cupboard."

,,Oh."

,,And water nymphs kept the boots, as I know."

,,Are you reading my mind?"

,,No, I just know you like my tail."

,,If you know me, then don't lie there and go pack your things. We're leaving."

,,Whaat? Right NOW?" I almost fell of the bed.

,,Of course. We can't lose time in this matter!"

,,Running, master," I whined.