"They knew it was coming. The traitors somehow knew the guards were coming."
Rajiisha was talking to herself in her quarters. Soon she heard the gentle purring of a cat. It was rubbing against her leg.
"Where did you come from?" She picked it up and started to stroke its head. Then she remembered Achilles. "I wish you could speak like Achilles. I could use a little furry friend giving me advice and making me laugh right now."
"Meorow." The cat said. Now his purring was going full force. He arched his back as she petted it. Then suddenly it hopped down onto the floor. "Meorow." It looked up at her expectantly.
"What is it cat?" asked Rajiisha. "Are you trying to talk just to make me happy?"
"Meorow."
"I hope you are not a traitor."
The cat rubbed against her leg again and purred loudly. Then it walked toward the door.
"Cat, where are you going?" Rajiisha asked.
"Meoow," answered the cat, pausing as if it was waiting for her at the door. "Meoow."
"Okay, I might as well follow you. Do you have some kittens hidden away somewhere?"
"Meow!" exclaimed the cat.
"Oh, I see you are a male cat. So sorry."
The cat walked down the hall and down the back stairway. It paused occasionally to make certain she was coming. Finally it came to the kitchen. The door was open so the cat walked in. When Rajiisha followed all the cooks stopped what they were doing and looked to her. Melly, one of Rajiisha's favorites, walked away from her work and across the room to Rajiisha. She curtsied before the queen.
"Your Highness, is that your cat?"
"No, it just wandered into my quarters."
"Its been here all day, begging food off of us, hasn't it girls?" She looked back to other cooks who nodded in agreement. Melly reached down and fed the cat a few morsels. The cat began to purr and rub her legs.
"Melly, tell me. Have you seen anyone unusual or suspicious today?" asked Rajiisha softly.
"Why no. What do you mean, Ma'am?"
"Just what I said. Have you noticed anything at all unusual or out of the ordinary?"
"Well, now that you mention it. If you don't mind me saying so, I did. There was a young woman that came through the kitchen, looking for Princess Rinora. She said you asked her to look for her."
"Who was this young woman?"
"I don't know rightly, other than I heard one of the guards talking to her later. He called her Niasha."
"Have you ever seen her before?"
"Why, yes, I have. I have seen her a few times in the last few weeks, walking on the palace grounds. Do you know her, Ma'am?"
"No, I don't. This is very important. I don't want you to tell anyone we had this conversation. And if you see her again, you must come directly to me or to Garin. Is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"In no account should you mention this to anyone. And if you see anyone else suspicious or unusual, I want you to come and speak directly to me about it. Do not tell the guards or anyone else. Is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am. I'll do as you say. I take it you would like me to keep my eyes open for you. Am I right?"
"Yes, that is exactly what I want you to do."
"I would be glad to do that for you, Your Highness," said Melly softly, then raising her voice. "I'll be sure to do that. I'll bring your tea and pastries up shortly, just as you have asked."
"Thank you, Melly." Rajiisha picked up the cat and walked out of the room.
Rabadash jumped out of the pool into the woods. He looked around in a daze. It all seemed so fantastic to him.
"So this is the place Susan and Col spoke of." He talked to himself as he walked around and looked at the pools. "I was here so shortly before, and of course, I was under the spell of that witch." He keep wandering past all the pools. Finally he saw a door up ahead.
"That must be the door to the wardrobe." He approached the door. As he was about to walk through it, someone grabbed his arm. It was Cyan.
"Cyan, what are you doing here?"
"Oh King, I was about to ask you the same question," said Cyan. "Are you deserting your kingdom and your wife?"
"A king goes wherever he wishes and does not have to explain to anyone," said Rabadash. "I certainly do not have to explain anything to you. However, you must explain a few things to me."
Cyan let go of his arm and backed away from him.
"How is it that you were in my kingdom and followed me into this pool? You are forbidden to enter my realm on punishment of death."
"I was wondering in the valley and didn't know I had gone so far. When I saw you jump in the water, I thought I would rescue you."
"You are lying, as is your habit. I should take you back to the guards and have you executed."
Cyan backed away even further. In doing so, she stepped into the pool behind her.
Rabadash wiped his hands. "There is more than one way to get rid of a traitor." And he walked through the wardrobe door.
