Finally, here is an update to this story! Enjoy :)


Chapter 1

Having communicated the essence of what he required ghost kitty's help for, the Green Rider apparition looked hopefully at the cat, looking for some sign that the creature might agree to help out. This involved Karigan after all, and it was obvious the feline was fond of her - or at least fond of her bed, which the ghost had drily pointed out would no longer be hers if she met with an untimely demise. The cat sighed - although it may have been just dislodging a stray furball - and resumed washing it's ears.

The ghost rolled it's eyes and drew in a non-existent breath. "You will help me, Felinius Rex".

Felinius Rex - for that indeed was the cat's name, or Felix to those who knew him - looked at the transparent form before him for a long moment, then carefully finished grooming the remaining ear. The ghost waited for an answer, the occasional flicker in his form the only sign of impatience. Apparently this was the way with this creature, and having been in immortal form for a good half a century he could afford to wait a few minutes. Finally the white cat sat up and looked intently at the ghost, who took this as a sign to start explaining.

"There are intrigues afoot in the castle which, if allowed to play out, will destroy all Sacoridia and our hard-won peace."

The cat rolled it's eyes upwards towards its furry brows, which the ghost took to be disbelief in what surely sounded like an exaggerated tale.

"No, it's true. The Gods have granted us a glimpse of the future, Sacoridia defeated, Zachary and his line all but slain, the Black One in power and all magic turned to his destructive purposes; the magic of the land drained and the eletians perished. Sir Karigan traveled through time and brought back the story, although I fear it did little good for her sanity."

The cat's tail had begun to twitch, seeming to now accept this, his pale eyes showing distaste for Mornhavon's planned rule of terror. That he showed no surprise at Karigan's part pleased the ghost, and he suppressed a grin at the thought that evidently the mysterious feline knew more than he was letting on.

"There are those within the castle now who are plotting to force the king into marrying, and while political games and intrigues are commonplace, this one will mark the turning point of the disunification of the king's Council, and will necessarily separate him from Karigan. Without her, the king will not have the motivation to win when the war comes."


The cat's whiskers quivered. He knew of the rider's struggle with her feelings towards the king, since she talked in her sleep, and he thought with disdain that the humans must be truly idiotic to value some obsolete birth ranking over her evident powers and sense of duty.

He flicked his ears forward as the ghost began taking again, his transparent outline seeming to glow even as it wavered and began to grow less clear.

"Felinius Rex, I must return... to the future I came from... you must stop those plotting against the king... I will try to return... good luck."

And with that, the ghost disappeared entirely.

Felinius Rex, indeed no stranger to adventure, gave his right flank a couple of long licks for good measure, then jumped lightly off the bed and walked to the door. The ghost was right, he did quite like this Rider girl. He sensed that she was more than she seemed, something to do with the beat of wings, and she smelt like last summer's dry leaves and tomorrow's frost. At least, that's what he would have said if asked.

Well, if the humans he needed were nobles, then he would find them in the south-east wing of the castle, and if he took the servants corridor to get there, the route would take him past the kitchens, where he might just be able to wheedle a couple of tasty morsels on the way. He found himself visiting the kitchens a little more lately, as he had befriended a couple of mice who lived in the corner of a large room the Second Empire humans had been using, and he would rather resist eating such a useful source of information. He pushed through the door and set off down the corridor, wondering if he had been wrong to allow an outside threat to blind him to this apparent danger within the castle.


His stomach nicely full of mackerel tails and cheese pie, Felinius Rex moved smartly once more along a larger, deserted corridor behind the kitchens, his claws clacking softly on the flagstones.

Reaching the corner where the servant's passage intersected with the main thoroughfare he paused, senses alert. His ears caught the sound of a small bird through a nearby window, but he let it go. His nose quivered at the cloying perfumes drifting on the air. Yes, he was definitely close. He sneezed once and shook himself. One of the doors nearby opened suddenly and a gaggle of young girls came out, talking and laughing. He launched himself around the corner towards them and hesitated theatrically, smirking to himself, as the closest girl kneeled down in an attempt to coax him closer.

"Here kitty, there's a good kitty". After a few moments of well-played hesitation he sidled over and allowed her to stroke his fur. Now all the girls gathered around, petting him and scratching behind the ears. Extraction was required once they got to pulling his tail however, (most undignified, thank you very much), so he wound himself a few times through their legs, then pretended to chase a ray of sunshine down the hall.

Once the giggling girls had gone out of sight he paused again. The thick rugs he was now standing on told him he was close to the rooms of the Lord Governors and other important nobles and he carefully retracted his claws so as not to get stuck in the threads. The closest rooms were silent so he continued on, finally hearing voices coming from one of the largest suites. The door was open a crack so he carefully nudged it open with his paw before slipping inside.


So, our hero has entered the fray! Obviously this is not a serious fic, just a bit of fun. I'd love to hear what you think. Thanks to Lady Julie Snape and Owlkin, who have reminded me that KxZ is still possible... At least in ff!