Allegiances

Cats of the Horseplace

Master- an unknown spirit of the Horseplace

Anemone- pale ginger and white she-cat

Bee- yellow and black striped tom

Star- golden tabby she-cat with golden eyes

Primrose- pinkish cream she-cat

Daisy- pure white she-cat with green eyes

Tigerlily- dark brown tabby she-cat

Waterlily- cream and brown tabby she-cat

Vine- heavily scarred dark gray tom

Winter- white tom with stormy gray eyes

Tulip- dark ginger she-cat

Orchid- cream she-cat with darker flecks

Poppy- tortoiseshell she-cat with white patches

Wax- dark ginger and black tom

Wind- dark gray and black tom

Blue- blue-gray she-cat

Flower- gray tabby she-cat

Peony- blue tabby she-cat

Fox- reddish tabby tom

Prologue

Finch opened his leaf green eyes. He realized that he was gazing at a pale blue sky. He squinted as a bright yellow orb came out from behind a cloud.

'Why is it so bright?' he thought.

"Finch! Finch! Where are you?" a mysterious voice called.

"Um, over here!" he called. "Who are you and what do you want with me?"

"Oh sorry. I'm Anemone!" she told him. "I was sent by the master of the Horseplace. He told me you were staying with us."

"Oh. How does he know me?" Finch asked.

"He knows everyone. Even though he's just a spirit. He is the wisest in the area. Now follow me and I'll show you your nest." Finch followed her. She led him into a giant, bright red structure that looked like an enlarged Twolegplace.

'The Horseplace, she called it?'

"Come on now. We don't have all morning. The master will want to see you. But first, get settled." She gestured to a nest of dark green moss and thrush feathers. Finch immediately pounced onto the soft moss. He curled up and almost drifted off. "Finch!" Anemone yowled into his ear.

"Wha-?" "We need to go see the master! Come on! He's waiting!" Finch stumbles up a bunch of haystacks.

"Ah. There you are. I've been waiting for you, Finch."

"How do you know my name?"

"I was cursed with knowledge and therefore I know everything about everyone. And their future. For you, Finch, you have a special destiny. I cannot reveal your entire future, because you might change it. Anyway, you must start here in the Horseplace. Anemone, introduce him to the rest of the cats living here."

"Ok!" she said cheerfully. Anemone nudged him forward. They stopped in front of a black and ginger she-cat. "Wake up! This is Peony."

"Hey. I've heard a lot about you." she meowed. They went around the entire Horseplace and Finch realized how many cats were actually living there. He met Bee, Star, Primrose, Daisy, Tigerlily, Waterlily, Vine, Winter, Tulip, Orchid, Poppy, Wax, Wind, Blue, and so many more. He looked up and saw a crimson sunset descending on the horizon.

"Ok! Let's get you to your nest for the night!" Finch trotted over to where his nest was next to Anemone's and curled up. He felt his eyes getting heavy and immediately fell asleep.