Chapter 19: Discovering
Kitty ran to where Puss was, from the emotion she embraced him, because she was getting bored of so much searching.
- Again, it was in front of our faces - said the female cat.
- Usually, that's the way things are appearing - he said with amusement - Ready to go in?
- Ready - she replied.
Puss opened the door by forcing the lock on it, and when he opened it, there was a ladder. It was also very dark. Kitty was about to come down, but her boyfriend stopped her.
- What happened? - she asked strangely.
- I'd rather go down first - he answered in a protective tone and Kitty rolled her eyes.
- Puss, nothing is going to happen to me - said the female cat.
- But we don't know what's down there, it's been a long time since anyone's been down those roads - said the Royal Guard.
Kitty denied with her head - Fine, you go first if you can stay calm - she said resignedly. Puss smiled triumphantly.
The orange cat came down the stairs. As he did so, he found many cobwebs, he even had to spit because they had got into his mouth and whiskers, he used his hand to remove them. Once he reached the bottom, he warned Kitty to go down carefully, but she managed to go down with a torch in her hand and lit it once she reached her destination.
They began to move forward, they noticed that it had been a long time since they had walked the place and as they discovered. The tunnel at first had wood on the sides and a roof to support, as if it were a mine and for that reason they found old tools thrown on the ground, after a few meters this no longer appeared and gave way to a cave with firm rocks. Puss and Kitty could appreciate that some parts had embedded precious stones that shone with the fire of the torch.
- How beautiful - said Kitty delighted with the place. Her voice was heard as an echo, it was the only noise that was made, besides the footsteps.
- I had never seen anything like it - said the orange cat according to her.
They continued walking, holding hands and marvelling at the landscape. For the first time they were calm and not afraid of being caught, enjoying themselves.
At one point along the way they began to descend slightly, in the course of which they realized that there were more precious stones and one or another firefly, shining more and more, all very beautiful. The road continued to slope, they kept going for about half an hour when they reached the point of having to descend large and medium high steps, it was even felt that the atmosphere was more humid.
- Do you hear that? - asked Kitty sharpening her ear and Puss did the same. He could hear a sound like... Water? A waterfall?
- Yes, I think I hear it - he answered.
As they continued to walk, the sound of the water became louder and he felt a kind of mist brushing against their faces, they even felt that it was clearing.
How was this possible?
- Wow - said Puss in astonishment just like Kitty. Once the whole place cleared up, they had reached the limit of the road because from there a natural staircase began, where they could see the whole landscape, at the top there was a huge hole, where the sunlight came to illuminate an amazing place and the sky was a beautiful blue. It was an oasis and this had all kinds of trees, shrubs and a beautiful waterfall that gave birth to a medium river. How beautiful nature could be.
Kitty took out the map she had made to locate where they were walking.
- We are outside the kingdom - she said- There is no way out here, only that natural skylight, but it is impossible to go up there.
- Impressive - said Puss.
- Yes - she agreed - There are three ways according to this... - she added, tracing her finger on the paper.
- And where do those paths take you? - He asked, standing beside her.
- Look - she said - This one on the left leads to the middle ring, I think - she said.
- Yes, you are right, in fact, it leads you near the square - said Puss. - But I can't tell you the exact place.
-At least we have an idea," said the female cat, "but this other road leads to a longer stretch..." she said, looking at the map. It's near the prison! It's coming right up to us!
- I'm a little hung up... - said Puss, confused.
- Remember I mentioned that we'd need the prison break for the day of the escape? - asked Kitty.
- Oh right! - remembered her boyfriend.
- If we go through it, we can enable this passage so that they can escape! - she said enthusiastically.
- That would be great! - he agreed, excited - What else does the map tell us? - He asked, very curious.
- The path in the middle leads to... - said Kitty, very focused - I don't believe it! It's our lucky day! Puss look! - she said holding his hand and drew him towards her a little abruptly, he was practically stuck next to her.
- It's near the tavern! - exclaimed the Royal Guard happily.
- This will solve half our problems - said Kitty, and her boyfriend nodded in agreement and enthusiasm.
- Shall we go around the oasis? - asked Puss. - That way we know the place and get some rest.
- Sounds good to me - answered the female cat.
The two cats began their descent on the large natural steps that were there, were about twelve.
When they arrived at the bottom, they could see that, above that oasis, they could better appreciate that enormous natural hole, it seemed that it was a volcano. Both of them could feel the gentle breeze coming from outside.
- It's beautiful here - insisted Puss - Thank goodness it's hidden, so they don't damage it.
- Yes, that's right - she agreed and they decided to split up to cover more space.
Kitty chose a path that took her to a small forest and led her to a pool of water by the waterfall. She approached it and couldn't help but want to touch the water. To her surprise, the temperature was very pleasant, it was warm, apparently, it was almost thermal water.
Then she walked to the waterfall and climbed where she jumped until she reached the source of the water. From there the view was beautiful among so much vegetation, gave that place a beautiful touch.
She already felt she could touch the freedom, it was so close and so far, at once ... even the air felt different...
Kitty looked down and felt a little dizziness... she had an impulse that she couldn't help either; and even though it was against her nature, the female cat took one of the vines from the tree near her and threw herself without thinking. The emotion she felt was just as similar as when she met Puss after so long without seeing each other. Kitty screamed amusingly as she swung at great speed, and when she was over the water she threw herself at it with a somersault.
When Puss felt that he was splashed with a lot of water, he got a scare and jumped. He quickly ran to the shore to see what was happening, but saw nothing.
- Hello, my love! - shouted Kitty as she came to the surface and startled the orange cat again, sitting on the ground and she laughed willingly.
- Kitty! - he scolded her.
- I'm sorry! I couldn't help it! - she said with a wide smile. She swam closer to the shore.
- What are you doing in the water? - he asked. Kitty put one hand on her cheek and gave him a loving kiss.
- I know it's not normal, but the water is delicious - she answered - Do you want to get in?
- No, thanks - he said, shaking his head in amusement.
- Come on, don't be mean, come with me - asked the dark female cat.
- No, thank you – Puss said, he didn't like the idea of getting wet.
But Kitty wasn't going to give up, she was up to something... she pushed herself to go out and sit on the shore next to him, totally soaked.
- This I didn't expect - said Puss looking at her and Kitty laughed slightly. They stared at each other, and again she moved her face closer to kiss him, but she stopped before doing so, and looked at him again.
- What is it? - asked the Royal Guard, noticing that she stopped as he had closed his eyes.
- Nothing - she said and kissed him gently, but as the gesture lasted longer and deepened, they caressed each other lovingly.
Kitty, seeing that Puss was so attentive to the kiss, took her chance and held on tightly to lure him into the water, falling into the pool with him.
Again, the female cat laughed heartily. When her boyfriend came to the surface, he looked at her with a bad face and a raised eyebrow.
- You are a cheat - he said.
- Admit that the water is exquisite! - said Kitty.
- Yes... it's true... - he said finally, defeated. Puss lured Kitty by grabbing her waist, Puss kissing her affectionately - You owe me one.
- For what? - she asked innocently.
- You're doing it again! - the orange cat accused her.
- What did I do? - she asked again, pretending not to notice.
- Your look - he said.
- That's a lie! - the dark female cat defended herself.
- There's no point with you - he said, she laughed again.
They continued to enjoy the water, they swam together and even made competition, tricks around here, kisses and more tricks... They were like that, about half an hour. Then they came out of the water to dry off with the incoming sunlight, lying on the soft grass.
- Puss, I'll never forget this day in my life - said the dark female cat - It was the only day in my life I've ever enjoyed without feeling the pressure. This place is the most peaceful I've ever been...and what better than with you.
The orange cat looked at her in wonder, he felt exactly the same. There was no comparison, not even the tavern.
- I won't forget it either, my dear Kitty," he said, hugging her by passing one arm to her side, while the cat settled down on her chest. Taking the opportunity of every minute.
When they dried up after several minutes, they decided to continue walking around the area, they noticed that many years ago nobody passed by there, since they found very old utensils and in fact, the path that was there was not seen much, it was disappearing.
Another thing they did was to mark the three paths, determining on each of them, the beginning of the letter with stones. For example, C for prison, T for tavern and M for middle sector.
- What would be better? Go to the tavern? Or return to the house? - asked Kitty.
- If we go back, we'll lose more time - answered Puss. - We'd better keep moving, it'll take us less time to get to the tavern, plus we'll get to know the rest of the land - he added.
- You're right," agreed Kitty, and they made their way to the tavern, lighting the torch because it was getting dark as they walked away from the oasis.
- And after that what will we do? What will be the next step? - asked the orange cat.
- Another day we can walk the road to the prison, to clear that side - said the female cat - but the road in the middle... will be a bit complicated...
- Don't worry about that, I'll tell Joey to help me find just the entrance - said Puss - As for the other thing, we'd better find that way to the jail that coincides with a day off that I have.
- Good idea - agreed Kitty - "I'll see what excuse I can give, so I can be missing a whole day...
- We'll see how we solve that - said the orange cat - Besides, this place could be another meeting point. What do you think? - he asked - How we have yet to discover all this and still have to be informed.
- Yes, it's true, we can use it before the others do - said the female cat.
- We have to see how we organize ourselves - said Puss - There are many things to do.
- We leave that to my leader, they will take care of it, after you transmit all this information to Joey - said Kitty - Besides, I can't advance anything, supposedly I don't know about this.
- Exactly - said Puss according to her.
- With this, we won't have any trouble going to the tavern - said the female cat - We won't be able to go to the middle sector as before, but at least we have this escape - she added, and Puss nodded - The best thing of all is that you will be able to advance with the plan - said the Royal Guard.
- We can - corrected Kitty - You are with us now that you are involved in this.
- Right - he said - I am with you and I will help you get out of this evil kingdom.
She smiled - Would you help me find out about Princess Amelia once we get out of here? - she asked.
- If I'm in this... What do you think? - he said.
- You will - guessed the female cat.
- Of course, Kitty, I will continue helping you in whatever you need to achieve the freedom of this place - said Puss - Besides, we will have Joey and Claire's help and they will know about us.
- Exactly - said the female cat - Thank you.
- You are welcome - said Puss.
- Claire will continue to tease me for a long time... - she said funny - Sometimes I feel guilty for not telling her...
- If you want, we can tell them - he proposed the orange cat.
- No, I want to wait for that day, otherwise the emotion will be lost and when that moment arrives it will be ideal, it will be priceless their faces - she said imagining it.
- If you wish I will support you - said Puss. Kitty stood in front of him and gently brushed her head around his neck, purring slightly and the orange cat kissed her forehead.
- I love you Puss, more than anyone else in the world - said Kitty.
- I still do, my lady, you are the most precious thing I have - answered the orange cat. Again, they kissed passionately. When they separated, they held hands to continue, although it was not for long, as they reached the end of the road.
- That's it! We've arrived! - said Kitty.
- We took very little time - said a surprised cat, the truth that had been shortened while he was talking to his girlfriend.
- I think it is shorter this way - said Kitty once they were in front of the wooden stairs.
- Yes, that's good, it will take less time to get to the tavern - agreed Puss.
Kitty nodded and looked up at the exit.
- I'd better go up first, we don't know what we'll find - said the Royal Guard.
- All right, I'll wait for you here - said the female cat.
Puss started his climb up the stairs, and soon he was at the top. He had a little trouble opening the door, he lifted it slightly to see what he would find.
He discovered that he was not in the middle of the crowd, but was in a passage without an exit and it was very dark. The door was hidden among piles of boxes and barrels around it, a kind of cellar. The Royal Guard came out of hiding, he could see everything more clearly, it was definitely well hidden. He came out of the passage and saw that he was near the tavern.
Puss went back to look for Kitty and they decided to separate for a while to get to the tavern by different places, for obvious reasons they wouldn't enter together, they were left to meet on the usual balcony.
The orange cat was there, but before he could go there, the manager of the bar called him.
- Hello, how's Puss - he greeted him and the named one turned around - I need to talk to you urgently.
- Hello, what's going on? - he asked, worried and surprised at the same time.
- Come, accompany me to the cellar - said the manager. Take care of the bar for a while, I won't be long.
- Go ahead – answered his partner.
Once they had entered the cellar, Puss couldn't help asking immediately what was going on, it was eating away at his curiosity.
- You have to be careful, they've been following you for a while - he warned. Puss was puzzled.
- What?! Who?! - he asked - How do you know they're following me?
- It turns out that several weeks ago, a guy came to the front house to get access to the tavern... - he said - You know there are strict measures and not just anyone will be allowed access.
- So why involve me? - asked Puss.
- He shows up every time you are there or you arrive, this guy is always waiting outside - he said.
The Royal Guard was still perplexed. How was it possible that he was being followed? Who could it be? Could it be...
- I don't understand, I take every precaution to come here - said the orange cat.
- I don't think that character is behind this place, but he is looking for you, something he wants to find out - he said.
- Oh, damn it! - he said in frustration, he was getting the idea of where the matter was going - I will solve this problem as soon as possible, thanks for telling me.
- You're welcome, be careful - he said.
Puss nodded, said goodbye to a gesture and left quickly before Kitty could worry, since he was late. He hurried to the balcony.
Kitty was looking at the entrance to the balcony she was getting anxious. What was taking so long?
When she finally saw the silhouette of him approaching again, the first thing she thought was that something had happened, if there was no other reason for his delay. When she saw him in front of her, she knew immediately that this was the case his eyes said it all.
- What had happened? - she asked instantly.
- Nothing - answered Puss - I was only informed of a message.
- Puss, don't lie to me - she warned - I know that is not true.
- It's not important, really - He tried to convince her, although he knew Kitty very well and wouldn't give up, but neither did he want to tell her because she would worry too much. He didn't want to give her bad news after a beautiful day. So he decided to lie.
-They only asked me a favour... - He said - They want me to check if someone is investigating this place and since I am in the Guard... this character is from the nobility, then I can access there without problems and corroborate if it is true - explained Puss.
Kitty was surprised. Were they going to keep chasing them and spying on this place like that?
- But... - said the female cat.
- But nothing to worry about - The orange cat reassured her by holding her cheeks with both hands - I'll ask Joey for help.
That was true, in fact, he would talk to his friend about this and know what he thought, also ask him for help. He wasn't going to take the risk of being followed, since he could lead him straight to Kitty and that would be a great danger for her. The best way to protect her was to keep this from her, for now, when he was sure that all this was under control, he would tell her details, even though he would get an earful from her.
Kitty kept looking at him, she wasn't sure or calm about what she had told him and Puss noticed.
- Really, it's nothing to worry about - he insisted.
- It's all right... I'll believe you - said the dark female cat finally, and the Royal Guard embraced her warmly.
Puss looked into nothingness during the embrace, his mind was just thinking about the situation, more or less, he was getting an idea of who might be behind all this.
Who more than Dulcinea...