Chapter 12
I opened my eyes slowly once we had arrived on the other side. We were in Marleybone, surrounded by brownstone apartments, large buildings, and the anthropomorphic citizens of this world. Ethan let go of my hand, and took out his spellbook, where a map of Marleybone was drawn on one of the pages.
"We seem to be in Regent's Square now," he told me. "I'm not entirely sure where, exactly, we need to look to find my father, though."
"Well, if he does live here now, then someone must know. We could ask around," I suggested. Ethan shook his head and closed the spellbook.
"Maybe, but I doubt very many people would know. I guess we can see what we find out."
So we took off down the street, guided only by the streetlamps that created spots of light on the cobblestone. It seemed to be always dark here, but there was still much activity in the streets. We asked a couple Marleybone citizens if they knew anything of Ethan's father, but so far we had turned up with nothing. We decided to pause our search and sit on the edge of a fountain in Hyde Park. I had to admit, searching was exhausting, especially when you didn't know where to look. Ethan placed one arm around me and pulled me next to him.
"We may have to call it a night, I'm afraid," Ethan said, turning his head to look at me. "There must a be a hotel or something around-"
He was interrupted by a caterwaul in the distance. He instinctively gripped me closer, and looked around for the source of the noise. Soon, we saw a group of lean cats saunter towards us, surrounding us. They looked smug, with smirks on their faces. The one leading them was much larger than the rest, and stood directly in front of us.
"Well, 'ello there, young wizards," he said, bellowing his greeting so his group could hear.
"Who are you?" Ethan demanded, standing up. I stood with him. I had heard about cat gangs in Marleybone, but it hadn't crossed my mind that we might encounter one on our search.
"Does that matter? Look, boy," the gang leader of the cats hissed, "we've heard you need information. We can give it to you... for a price."
"What sort of 'price'?"
"You see, we aren't the only cats prowling these streets. We have rivals. Recently, them O'Leary cats been causing trouble for us. Ever since Meowiarty was defeated, they've been actin' up, tryn'a steal our loot," the gray and black cat explained. "What I need is for you two to show them their place. After you've made a few of 'em run off, warn 'em that if they try anything again, they'll be taught another lesson."
Ethan and I exchanged uncertain glanced. "And what if we don't?"
"Then you'll be the ones bein' taught a lesson," The leader smirked. "Anyways, don't you want to know where your ol' pops is?"
"How can I be sure you know?" Ethan asked.
"Your old man has run into us a few times. Especially awhile back when the O'Learys ruled Marleybone and were helpin' out Malistaire. My boys have told me that he's come back. We know where he is," the cat paused with an evil gleam in his eye, "for future reference."
"I think he's telling the truth," I whispered to Ethan, who was obviously having doubts. After a few moments, he nodded.
"I suppose we'll help you," he said reluctantly.
"Aye, that's what I like to hear. Now, let's get down to business." The big cat began. "The O'Leary like to stick to the rooftops. You can get up there from most of these buildings. Alls you have to do is battle one or two of their henchmen, just enough so they get scared off, and let 'em know you're with the Clawes. Make sure they know Hyde Park is ours. "
"Okay. I think I got it," Ethan said, looking at me. I nodded to him to tell him I understood as well.
"Great. Off you go, then." The cat gang turned and walked off, disappearing into the shadows.
"It shouldn't be too hard, Ethan," I told him. "Afterwards, we'll find your father. And we'll be one step closer to saving the Spiral!"
Ethan grinned at me. "You're always so optimistic. Well, let's go find those O'Leary cats."
We set off to the nearest apartment building, climbing up the stairs to the rooftop. There were so many buildings in the area that all the rooftops formed walkways themselves. There were also ramps that had been connected to some buildings to act as a bridge. You could see a lot of the city from up here, and it looked lovely, but right now I was focused on finding cats.
Ethan suddenly stopped me, and pointed. I followed his finger and saw a cat, brown from what I could tell, wearing a dark robe.
"I have a feeling that's one of them."
I nodded in agreement, and, slowly, we sneaked behind him and ambushed him. The duel ring glowed around us.
"Who the hell are you?!" The cat growled.
"We're with the Clawes." Ethan replied, picking his first spell. I then picked mine; my Vampire spell.
"Clawes?!" He repeated. My spell hit him first, drastically reducing his health. We soon finished him off after two rounds.
"If you keep messing with them, let's just say they aren't going to be happy." I told the cat, who was backing off slowly. He then ran off in a panic.
"Well that went well." Ethan said. "Come on, lets find another one."
It didn't take very long to locate another O'Leary cat. He was even easier to defeat than the previous one, and we were able to scare him right off.
"Thank god. That was the last one." Ethan lowered his wand as the cat ran away, looking after him. "Let's get back to the fountain."
We climbed back down to the streets, and found our way to where we had first met the Clawes gang. The leader was there waiting for us.
"That was fast. But you did a very good job. I sent one of my henchmen to watch you, and I am pleased."
"So, where is my father?" Ethan questioned.
"Yes, yes, your old man. Give me your map."
Ethan opened his spellbook again to the map of Marleybone, and handed it to the cat. He took out a black pen and marked the page. "This is where he lives. Or where we last heard from him."
"Thank you so much!" I replied. The cat nodded.
"We Clawes always keep our word. See ya." And with that, he ran back into the streets. Ethan studied the map closely.
"He's actually not too far from here. Come on."
I followed Ethan through Marleybone, walking down a dark street. As I walked beside him, I felt him become apprehensive the closer we got to his father's house.
"Are you okay?" I asked gently. Ethan stopped abruptly and turned to me. He looked very worried, and I noticed his hands were trembling slightly.
"I don't know if I'm ready to see him again," he told me. "My father... he left me and my mother to work for an evil overlord. I was very young, so now I don't exactly have the kindest feelings towards him."
"Ethan, you know we need to talk to him. It's life and death. The Spiral is in grave danger."
"Yes, I know. I'm not saying we won't talk to him, but... I'm nervous." He searched my eyes.
"Don't worry, okay? It won't just be you and him, I'll be there, too." I placed my hand on his arm to comfort him.
Ethan looked off in the distance for a moment, spacing out. He nodded blankly. "Alright. Let's get this over with."
We continued down the street, and slowed as we neared his father's apartment. Ethan looked at each of the building's numbers until we came to the right one. He stopped in front of it, and looked to me. I could tell he didn't want to go in at all.
"It'll be okay," I reassured him. "I'll go first."
I walked up to the door and opened it, and we walked up to stairs to his father's apartment room. I stood in front of the door, with Ethan behind me. He nodded to me, and so I knocked on the door loudly.
I heard the click of a lock, and then heard a voice.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" It was deep and gravelly, but I heard the resemblance of his and Ethan's voice. I looked back to Ethan, who shrugged. I struggled to speak, but after a moment replied.
"Sir, my name is Scarlet GriffenRider. And, uh... I'm here with your son, Ethan. We need to talk to you."
There was a pause, and then I heard the door being unlocked. It was opened quickly. A man stood in the frame of the door. He was tall, with dark hair that hung over his equally dark eyes like vines. He was slim, and I could tell that he was well toned under the dark robes he wore. As with his mother, I saw some of Ethan's features in him.
The man, though, was staring directly at his son. His thick eyebrows were furrowed, and his arms were crossed.
"Ethan. I haven't seen you since you were... since you were four." He walked around me, and stood right in front of Ethan, who refused to look at his father. "Why have you come to see me now?"
"We need information."
The man watched Ethan a moment longer, then turned back, walking into his apartment again, and opened the door wider.
"Come in, then."
