Disclaimers: See Prologue for more info.

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One-Shot:

Egypt

The light blasted brightly in the barren, sandy landscape. Another flash! Out popped Hakim, whose senses went berserk. He was smelling everything from cattle to camels to even desert hares.

What made this venture sad? Neither Raulin nor Merlin were in sight.

"What? What?" Hakim checked himself. He was all right, but Raulin and Merlin might be in danger. And yet, he was furious at Merlin for his spells. "Where in the blazes did you send me, Merlin?!" He whispered low. "I'm nowhere near home, am I? Where am I?"

There had to be a sign somewhere. There was! He found a signpost that said, Welcome to Egypt.

"Egypt? This is nowhere near Europe." Hakim huffed. "I'll get you, wizard! If it's the last thing I do." He trudged on, hoping that someone somewhere would take him in. But who would that be? Oh brother! He would just have to find someone and quick. He didn't know if he could survive the desert alone.

.

Hakim managed to track down a caravan. It was now or never. His mind returned to his master. Raulin could be anywhere in Egypt. If he wasn't in Egypt, then he must be somewhere else. Middle-earth, maybe? It was anyone's guess as to where Merlin sent his young apprentice.

He had to do something. He climbed inside a caravan. To his surprise, there weren't any humans. Just two Abyssinian cats. The female was a silver Abyssinian cat. The male had brown fur. They rested with ease on the red pillows.

"Who are you?" The female Abyssinian cat asked.

"Who are you?" Hakim asked in turn. He tried again. "How do you – how can you speak my language?"

"We all share the same language. Don't we? Or has that spell caused more trouble than it's worth?" The silver Abyssinian cat asked.

"Darling," the male Abyssinian cat whispered to his wife, "we don't know what happened."

"But he could have answers." The female Abyssinian cat said, serious.

"Who are you two?" Hakim repeated.

"I'm Tracker." The male Abyssinian cat introduced himself. He gestured to his feline mate. "This is Celestine. We're about two years old."

"Thank you, darling." Celestine said. She turned to Hakim. "Who might you be?"

"Hakim." Hakim answered.

"Pleasure to meet you, Hakim." Celestine nodded. "How did you get to the Third Period?"

"Third Period?" Hakim asked, stunned. "I'm sorry. I must have time traveled to the past."

"You mean you're not from this point in time!" Celestine gasped.

"So, you know what's about to happen?" Tracker asked, astonished.

"Now look, I only know as well as you what happens in Egypt. I'm not saying what happens now. Not in this time. Not while you're still in this time period." Hakim tried to explain. He gave up. "Oh boy. What have I done?"

"Take us to your time!" Tracker declared, standing upright.

"Look, I was just jutted by a spell. I'm sure Merlin can tell you more than me what's going on." Hakim said, serious.

"Merlin?" Celestine said, understanding. "Yes, that's the name we heard in the wind. He says you're a Wind Rider. That you travel through time with your pet human wizard to guide you."

"He's not my pet. He's my master." Hakim said, annoyed.

Celestine shrugged. "Same difference."

"Listen, I need to get home. Can we find a portal?" Hakim asked the two cats.

"We wait until the next stop. Then you'll see the magic of books." Tracker said, enlightened. "I myself did a bit of time traveling. I was in the Garden of Eden for a brief passing moment, and then jutted back here to the Third Period. Shame I didn't stay for too long."

"You're time travelers?" Hakim asked, concerned.

"No time for that. Our stop's coming up!" Celestine hissed.

Hakim turned his attention to the red curtain. Outside was another signpost. Thebes. The grand city in Egypt. Already, a crowd bustled outside. Now was his only chance to flee the caravan and head outdoors. But how was he going to get down? And where could he land?

"Now…" Hakim was cut off. He moved out of the way in time for Tracker and Celestine to land on a wall. He backed up a little. He could do it! He jumped outside, also landing on the stone wall.

He sniffed the air. It was so good to be back with nature.

"Come on! The portal's not far away!" Celestine said, guiding her husband and Hakim through the streets of Thebes. Hakim hoped Raulin was all right. He wondered what that wizard was up to.

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Thanks for reading. :)