Chapter 7. Its just Magic

Brenan lived among the dwarves for the next ten years. During this time he mastered his shapeshifting abilities until it became second nature. Brenan could now absorb the energy from the body of another, transform into anything he saw or could imagine. He could also reshape his body parts, like making his hand into a sword or his fingers into keys. Brenan could also break into people's minds, he could also reshape objects with his power, but that was even more taxing on him than shaping his body, and he had astounding agility.
He left the Dwarves and when he reached the desert Brenan transformed into a dragon and flew across the southern half of the desert. When he reached the spine he turned north and flew towards the island of Doru Arbea. When he landed on the beach Brenan became an elf and ran through the jungle towards the mountain city of Vroengard.
"I have come to pledge myself as a Vassal of the riders…" He said to the captain of the Vassals. Three days later Brenan stood before the captain of the Vassals swearing the oath. He could make the oath because before making it Brenan made another oath in the ancient language, "I swear in this language to pledge myself to the Riders as their vassal…"
Brenan became a favorite of all the teachers at the academy, Brenan moved freely in the academy because he could change his appearance and go anywhere in the fortress. He would often disguise himself as a master rider and sneak into the restricted archives where he learned the layout of the vault and the weapons it held, he learned the burning curse and the twelve words of death. Brenan also learned the six death phrases and the words of power. One night Brenan was walking through the forest returning from the lands of the giant owls. He was three miles from the city gates when a werecat leapt out at him.
The lioness transformed into a young teenage girl, "Stay your place halfling I wish to speak with you…"
"So you know what I am…"
"I have been searching for you ever since your father was killed by old King Paneer…"
"Why?"
"The werecats are looking for you… they know you exist but you never stay in one place for long and when you do you are surrounded by so much magic a god wouldn't be able to find you…"
"And yet here you are…"
"Well halflings have a smell that if one is looking for it… it can be detected… but to answer the question burning in your mind I found you by discerning a pattern… The last known place the hunters assumed you were was among the Elves… Then they found small traces of your presence in the Nightstalker Academy… When I learned this I deduced that you were traveling across all of Alagaesia learning the secrets of the races…"
He moved so fast that she hardly had time to react as he grabbed her by the throat, "If you have figured out what I am doing then the others…"
"No milord… I… Ha… ben… thro… wing… tem off…"
He dropped her, "Repeat yourself…"
She started speaking in the ancient language, "I found a way to mimic your scent through magic and I have been throwing them off by leading them astray…"
"What do you want?"
"To join you… To be your ally… Through you the werecats can rule the world… There is an ancient secret among the werecats… We haven't used it in centuries… werecats can be made… a normal cat can be blessed with the ability to transform… Make me your servant… your vassal… I will swear myself to you… and I swear I have not sworn any counter oaths before I have met you…"
Brenan sneered as he looked down on the sandy brown haired woman kneeling in front of him. "What is your name…"
"My name is Ticala…"
"Arise Ticala…" She obeyed. "My first order to you is this… keep the werecats off my tail… soon I will make my move… but I have many more preparations to make…"
"I obey milord… as I travel may I recruit others to your cause…"
"Not yet, but you may make one cat like us to help you…"