Chapter 22: New Plans
Puss could not help being tense, the sound of the waterfall adding the other sound of the other animals could not perceive where those steps came from. After a few minutes he could see a shadow approaching from the left path.
- Damn it, Joey! You could have warned me you were coming here! - He reproached him - You scared the hell out of me!
- Heh heh, sorry, I forgot to mention it - he apologized
- You idiot! - accused him and looked at him with a bad face - At least I'm glad you hit the entrance.
- Well yes, it was really hard for me - he said.
- Where was it? - he asked, trying to change the subject.
- This was in a basement of an old house - he answered, and then looked around. -Wow, this place is beautiful.
- Yes, it's beautiful - said Puss - Here we are on the outside of the kingdom.
- Great! - He said happily - Did you find out anything else?
The orange cat nodded - You see that one road in the background?
- Yes - he answered.
- That one takes you to the lower sector, to a very old house... I didn't want to go out that way - he said - While this middle road takes you to the tavern, the one I had told you about and finally the road that leads to the jail... is the one I haven't discovered, in fact, I'm on it.
- I understand - said his friend - Do you think I should go to the lower road and see that house?
- Yes, you'll go to see Claire while you're at it - He accused him and Joey gave him a bad look.
- Do you want help or not? - He asked raising an eyebrow.
- Yes, of course - he said laughing - You will find some high steps, but after that the road is light.
- Okay - he said with a nod - I'll see you later?
- Sure, see you later - said Puss, and Joey said goodbye. He waited for his friend to get far enough away so he could just get close to where Kitty was hiding.
- That was close - said the female cat, coming down from the tree.
- That Joey is an idiot. How can he not warn me? - he exhaled in frustration.
- Maybe love has him foolish? - she proposed and Puss laughed.
- It's a possibility - he agreed.
- But if it is true it was a good scare - she agreed, laughing - Although we must admit he helped us a lot in finding the entrance from the square.
- It's true - said Puss - We only have to go to the prison and report all this.
- I think the idea of coming here to spend time together won't work - said Kitty thoughtfully.
- Yes, it's just that this kept Joey very happy and he was very anxious to find out more," he answered.
- It doesn't matter, we'll have all the time in the world when we get out of here - said the dark female cat. - she said enthusiastically - Now! Let's get to work! - said enthusiastically.
- Apparently, you got the thrill from my friend - he said amusingly.
- In fact, he could get a job as a motivational leader - she said.
- I find you reason – Puss said in funny way - When I was in my early days and applying for the Royal Guard he motivated me a lot - he remembered.
- I see - she said attentively, listening to his story.
- He always helped me and teached me other things, he would be a good motivator - he said jokingly - Well, we'd better go - added her boyfriend, holding her hand as he walked down the last passage.
This one was similar to the other roads, but it went up and down and was a little longer and just as dark, with some sticks and pickaxes from time to time.
The couple could see that on the sides there were some old torch stands on the walls. More than likely, they used it to work there in their time and then they would take a look at it to see if it was in good condition.
They continued their little journey, they found nothing new, just a few small collapses did not hinder the path and that was slowly ascending.
Kitty looked again at the map to see where they were going, fortunately there were a few meters left. As they approached the top of the road, they were getting lower and lower to the point that they had to walk on all fours paws.
- It won't be very high, but at least it's wide enough to fit several - said Kitty.
- Yes, that's good, the height was worrying me - said Puss - Look! - He said -There's the gate.
- Finally! - supported his girlfriend.
- I'll go first - said the Royal Guard.
- Okay, but let me help you with that door at least - said the female cat as she saw his intentions.
- Yes, of course - he answered and she nodded.
- Ah and according to this - said Kitty checking the paper once more - This exit is relatively close to the prison be careful with the watchtowers.
- I will - he assured her - Thank you.
- You're welcome - she replied, and both of them started to work on opening the door, using their blades, swords, and even their claws to reach the smaller area of the locks. Once they managed, the Royal Guard came out cautiously.
Puss could see that it would soon be evening and was surprised that he was among some dunes and smaller hills, there were no houses nearby, only land, the closest thing to them were several meters away. He looked at his other side and saw the prison, he had never seen it so close...
- Kitty, there is no danger - said Puss, who went out and looked at the place - Is anything wrong?
- No nothing, I'm trying to locate myself from the time I came with Mike - she answered looking around.
- I understand - he said.
- No wonder they say that it's impossible to get out of here - said the female cat, she had just realized where they were walking. It turned out the jail was hexagonal and very far from the middle sector, the only part close was on the side where they had come to rescue the little ones and since it was night that time, she didn't realize how big the jail was nor how far away it was. Hills and higher dunes only surrounded the rest of the places. She imagined that it was a big wall to prevent escapes. The "only" possible escape route was the area near the houses.
They were in the upper area and it was a good thing they were, otherwise they would not have been able to see so much detail.
- This place is really fucked up - said Puss - It's very depressing, it looks like no man's land that's isolated.
Kitty nodded in agreement - I thought you had visited this place once.
- No, I've never been here, it's not our jurisdiction - he answered.
- I see - said Kitty,
- There are several squads, in fact... - said Puss - Inside the palace, there is the Elite, who are the family's backguards.
- I thought you were - she said thoughtfully.
- Something like that, but they make guards inside the palace, we are their support and we do all that kind of work, for example, the first time we fought in that caravan and you attacked us, they were there too.
- But I didn't run into any of them! - Kitty demanded.
- They stayed behind sheltering inside the carriages with the Royal family and we fought," she explained.
- Pff you do the dirty work - said Kitty -That was the reason that I only saw guards in their clothes and others different.
- Yes, exactly - answered her boyfriend - They are at ease, even the King's cousin, I knew it the day when that squad went to pry into our barracks.
Puss was interrupted, he had forgotten that he hadn't told her about that detail. She looked at him with a bad face.
- Did you think to tell me at any time? - she asked, though she knew it was not intentional.
- Yes... in my defense... I knew you would get like that - he excused himself with a slight laugh.
- Well, it doesn't matter anymore because they didn't find anything they should have found - said Kitty rolling her eyes.
- Thank goodness - said her relieved boyfriend.
- I'm not like Claire, I only get upset when someone hides things from me... that thing about having a spy hired by a crazy cat, for example - said the female cat staring at him.
Touché, again...
- I understand - said the orange cat resignedly, she smiled triumphantly.
- Let's continue - said Kitty, to point to the place of the blind spot - There it is, to our right at the end, that's the place where we went with Mike, according to him there are more around... - Kitty suddenly became silent. - Oh no! I summoned him! - she claimed when she saw Mike lurking in the sector.
- Ah! That stupid Joey didn't warn me about that meeting today! - Said Puss - Hide! He's coming!
- Oh hell... - she complained throwing herself to the ground and sneaking out to the entrance of the road.
Finally, Mike went to where Puss was, hiding from time to time so as not to draw attention to the prison watchtowers.
The Royal Guard was a little anxious, he was practically meeting his father-in-law and from what Joey told him, he was scrubbed... and finding him wandering around and worst of all he didn't know him...
What was he supposed to say? He shouldn't be there either... Although Mike belonged to the lower sector, he shouldn't be there either. Shouldn't he back off or hide?
Unless...
- What are you doing here? - Mike asked - Are you here to snoop around or what?
- This... I... - said the orange cat not knowing what to say.
- I'm not talking to you - he said roughly, and Puss looked questioning - Kitty, get out of there, now.
Oh
The female cat without a choice came out of hiding, shook off the dust as she stood up.
- Explain this to me now - ordered annoying Mike - What are you doing with this squirt?
- Wow, careful with all that sympathy - ironized Kitty - I could ask the same thing anyway - added the female cat, raising an eyebrow.
- It's none of your business - she answered.
- Neither is yours - she answered defiantly.
- It's different Kitty - said Mike - You're just like Claire, or what? - he demanded to know looking at both of them.
- You are wrong - she said quickly - We are helping with the matter of the road and the escape route for that day - she said - If you are referring to him, I don't know him, I was only designated to help.
- I'm a friend of Joey's, he asked me to help with this - he added neutrally.
- He did mention it to me - said Mike, he suspected him anyway.
- Then you don't have to worry - she said as naturally as possible - The only thing I'm going to ask you is not to tell Claire, she'll go crazy, she doesn't know I'm around. She knows I'm just doing research - the female cat asked him.
- You know that I won't stay calm with this - said Mike.
- And you know that I don't give a damn - said Kitty, usually they always fought like that - I can take care of myself.
Her "father" looked at her with a bad face and she only raised an eyebrow again.
- Can I continue with my work? - she asked.
- So why did you hide? - Mike asked persistently.
- I'm surprised that you ask me - said the female cat as if it were the most obvious thing - If I was caught here and I was literally dead, besides I hadn't seen you - she explained - it's also better they see him than me.
- Aha... - he said dubiously.
- Will you stop your paranoia? - asked the female cat.
- We'll talk later - he warned her - Now go back to where you came from, someone will be here soon to talk to me, and you'd better not be seen here.
- I think it's good, we'll see you, dear old father figure with an old hysterical complex - she said with an innocent smile - it's time to pay off some debts.
Puss had to bite his tongue to keep quiet, while Mike raised an eyebrow and looked at her with a bad look on his face.
- I'll disinherit you, I told you - he warned her - Go away - he said as the dark female cat shook her head in an amusing way.
The couple entered the tunnel again, closing the door carefully. Puss finally laughed heartily as Kitty looked at him in wonder.
- Is your relationship always like this? Or just this once? - asked the Royal Guard.
- It's always been like that, actually I'm surprised I haven't been so bullied - she answered - I think it was thanks to you, I treated you like a stranger and that helped.
- Yes, I think it did - said Puss - Now I understand what you meant, poor Joey.
- Poor me! - she said with a laugh - He treats Claire better and Joey got the worst of it when he found out about their relationship - said the female cat.
- Uff... then it's the tip of the iceberg - said Puss.
- Exactly - she agreed - But we'll worry about that later - added the female cat and her boyfriend nodded in agreement.
When they arrived at the oasis sector, unfortunately, they had to say goodbye, it was already late and Puss had to report everything to Joey. Kitty, for her part, had the meeting with her group to fine-tune the details of the plan.
Kitty hurried to the barracks, she had forgotten the detail where she had so many things on her mind: Her relationship in the first place, because she was still worried about the Dulcinea's harassment, even though Puss played down the situation, but with someone as obsessed as she was, it was to go in and worry. Besides considering the plan and its details, there were many things.
She sat down over there, most of the group had already arrived at the barracks and it wasn't long before the leader arrived.
- Good evening, everyone - he greeted - I wanted to give you the pleasant news; the families who lost their homes have already been relocated, some details are missing, but nothing that can impede us in continuing with the plans and retaking the pending tasks.
Everyone who was there applauded with emotion and others beat the tables celebrating. Then they remained silent to continue listening.
- Tomorrow I will have more details about a hidden access to this kingdom in order to continue - Because the constructions are planned for the kingdom have already begun.
- And what will they do? - asked one.
- Watchtower, it is already confirmed as well as the panorama platform. We won't have access to the middle ring as before, I recommend that you don't go there anymore until we have everything well planned to be able to do it - he answered.
They all denied it.
- That would be all, be aware because there will be more meetings like this, I know they are boring, but they are necessary.
After that, they talked about other topics, but Kitty left, she was very exhausted and did not feel in the mood to share. When she got home, she realized that Claire was not there and assumed she was with Joey, better that way, she would not ask her questions and would rest peacefully.
The days and weeks that followed were based on organizing and giving as much information as possible that they had acquired, for example, Puss commented on every last detail of the caves and oases with the respective paths. He did this in a meeting with Joey, Noah and Carlos, as well as Kitty's leader. They also organized a group on their behalf to tour it; which, the blue-eyed female cat participated in, where they worked on clearing the roads, closing the passage to the middle zone that leads to the square for prevention, only those who are authorized will be able to pass, while the area of the prison was with a warning. The only passageway allowed was the path that leads to the tavern. They also determined schedules and advice, but they still didn't allow it completely because only one thing was missing...
Kitty was casting furtive glances at Puss at that meeting, laughing slightly from time to time. First time he visited his girlfriend's group headquarters, plus Joey, Claire, Noah and Carlos, he was having a little trouble controlling himself.
- Thanks to the information they brought us, tomorrow they will begin to use the towers... - said the leader - Soon they will inaugurate the platform... But we are worried about one thing... we will need a special oil for the torches that are in the caves...
- Conventional oil has a short shelf life and we would have a problem with that supply to feed and illuminate the passages found - said Carlos, joining the discussion - But there is a special long-lasting oil that would solve that problem for us, since we do not have the exact date for the day of the escape due to the lack of some supplies and medicines, in addition to recent events to keep our guard down - He explained.
- Puss and Joey will help us find out where they store it and we will plan when to borrow it - said the leader.
- While we wait for this, the others will continue working on repairing and installing torches in the cave - Carlos added.
They continued to talk about details and how they would proceed to use the caves, among other things.
- Hey Kitty - her friend called her in a whisper.
- Tell me - she answered.
- What do you think about inviting Joey and Puss home for a while? Maybe we can think of something to get that special oil... - proposed Claire - Without detracting from this obviously, but when we were less it was easier to organize and we came up with more ideas.
The female cat thought about it in a moment, her sister-friend was right, besides it would make things very interesting.
- I think it's a good idea - she answered - As soon as we finish this, we'll go home.
- Ok, I'll let Joey know - said Claire getting up from her chair in a cautious way.
Kitty looked at her boyfriend in a complicit way, smiling slightly at him. Puss winked at her fleetingly capturing her message. The dark female cat quickly cut off contact before anyone noticed.
Just a certain character crossed in front of her, Kitty got up and grabbed him by his belt to stop him.
- Tadpole - she called him - So you like snooping around where you shouldn't, huh? - asked the female cat, while he got very nervous.
- No, it's a misunderstanding - he replied slightly frightened.
- Like this? You got me into a big mess, explain that to me - said Kitty calmly.
- No... it's just... I was surprised that you were with someone and well I thought... - said he remaining silent.
- Claire might know something, right? - she continued - Why are you always so convenient, Tadpole?
- Stop calling me like that! - he asked in shame.
- You are the youngest one in the barracks and we all went through that, get used to it - she said - And the other thing, it is not the first time something like this happens.
- I'm sorry! - he said
- And next time - she said, slapping him on the back of the head -I won't be so kind - warned Kitty.
- Ouch! - I understand - he added, in pain, as he left.
Puss was watching the strange scene of his girlfriend with her partner, he was surprised to see the scab that she had given him. Something must have happened as he thought, after seeing that, he laughed.
The meeting was over, the group went to Claire and Kitty's house, they went to buy a few things to eat, obviously the Royal Guardsmen bought, they didn't allow them to spend on something, that way they could have money as savings and could be used for later when they left the kingdom in any emergency. Of course, they refused at first, but then found reason and didn't claim any more.
They bought some freshly baked bread and milk from the best cow they could get in the lowlands, even though didn't have access to good food, they managed to get the vendors to come and sell them cheaper, this happened once or twice a week and of course on the sly.
- It's amazing that somehow they find a way to solve the problems - Joey said -Especially with these issues and the kingdom doesn't take them in consideration.
- That's the good thing about surviving... you adapt to anything - said Kitty.
- Right - supported her friend -The only thing that is really a problem is the medicine. So far, we still don't have enough supplies for the escape.
- Together with Puss, we will do everything we can to find a way to get it - said Joey -The trip will be long and we will need it.
- What is the nearest town or kingdom? - asked Puss.
- We will arrive at a village... I don't remember the name - answered the golden cat.
- It's about two days from here, if the weather is good - added Claire.
- Mmmm - said the orange cat thoughtfully - In that case it's urgent...but we must also be careful, since the inauguration is coming and we will surely have guests - he said and Joey nodded in agreement.
- We have to find out soon...I think it will be good to think about borrowing those things after the event, they will let their guard down because they will feel safe with their new security implementation and measures - said Joey and the others agreed, until then they didn't realize had come home.
When Claire came in, she didn't allow Joey or Puss to help make the tea, only Kitty, she said it was a way of saying thanks for buying the things. When everything was ready, Kitty sat down in front of Puss, again looking at him furtively while her friend sat next to Joey in the bigger chair.
- Now "in theory" things are better... - said the golden cat - we did get those supplies and oil, after the inauguration... besides having everything ready, it would be a good date to leave here after the Moon Festival.
- What festival is that? - asked Kitty, Claire had the same question.
- Oh, I'm sorry - he apologized - I completely forgot they don't allow you to participate.
- The Moon Festival is celebrated for the arrival of spring, as it is a change of season and the last days of winter, the moon will be at its peak, the belief is if you welcome the moon it will be a good harvest for the peasants and a prosperous kingdom. But that custom has been lost and is only celebrated for tradition - explained Puss.
- Ah I see - said Claire - It wouldn't be a bad idea, the weather wouldn't be that bad... a little unstable.
- I agree - said the dark female cat - We can mention it to Carlos and Noah.
- Yes, because today was crazy - said Joey - Oh! This is delicious! - he said while tasting the bread and milk just like Puss, he found his friend right.
- This is better than the stuff he gives us at the barracks - he said - I'll find out the date - he offered, returning to the topic.
- And I'll take care of the oil - said the golden cat - We'll try to do this as soon as possible.
- Please be careful - Claire asked - We are eternally grateful, but we don't want you to take any more risks.
- Don't worry love, we'll get it - said her boyfriend.
- What do we do in the meantime? - asked Kitty taking a sip from her cup.
- Rest, you''ve had a lot of work with rebuilding those houses and all that -' he said - Besides dealing with the people of the kingdom.
The female cat exhaled in frustration...and Puss knew immediately she did not want to be quiet for long.
- Worker - Claire spied on her.
Kitty gave her a bad look, wouldn't say anything... she'd pay for it later.
In between talks, they didn't realize the hour had passed, they even left quite late, before left they said goodbye.
The female cat would have loved to say goodbye to her boyfriend in another way... tell him she loved him very much and to be careful. Because she got the idea of how he would fulfill his new task... it would surely be in that stupid palace.
She hoped that Puss wouldn't go to that princess of the thousand devils again... Someone as obsessed as she is is to be careful, she's the closest thing to a dog, that is, a dog that doesn't let go of its toy...