The Canine Caper

By: ChocolateEclar

Disclaimer: Some characters belong to the magnificent authoress, Diana Wynne Jones. I just borrowed them for a while. She also owns the entire world she created (i.e. Ingary, Zanzib, etc.)

Claimer: I only own Wyn, Aidan, Nate, Nesta, Stephen, Oliver, Kamania and Chris Aprilian, Mr. Calypso, Professor Weph, Life, Death, Apocalypse, Rhys, Mackenzie, and Vihari and Mayuri Clavis. I also own the 'dog' and the country of 'Filar.'

Chapter 2: In Which the 'Dog' Meets Mayuri and Vihari

A nearby door opened and someone stepped inside. My ears perked up and twisted towards the sound. When I did look behind me, there was a young girl of about my normal age with the same brunette hair as the boy, but with lighter coffee colored skin. She was wearing a reddish version of the smock and pants I had been seeing and around her forehead and ankles were golden bands. She gave me a stern look and said to the toddler, "Vihari, I told you not to touch the dog."

I was amazed she had actually spoken in English. She did have a slight accent though that made the word 'dog' sound like a rolling version or more like 'daawwg' than anything else. I tipped my head slightly and gazed up at her.

Her frown deepened and she said to me, "You do look like those wanted posters."

I gave her a confused bark and swished my shaggy tail on the hard stone floor.

The girl turned back to the boy and muttered, "Word is, this dog's a Maoki."

"A real Maoki, Mayuri?" exclaimed Vihari.

"Indeed," came the simple reply. Mayuri studied me for a moment before taking out a small golden container out of her pocket.

I didn't know why, but seeing that cylinder made my insides boil and a low dangerous growl escaped my throat. Mayuri nodded and said, "Dog's definitely a Maoki. He even recognizes the Maoki Capturing Jar."

"Cool!" exclaimed Vihari.

Mayuri put the jar back in her pocket and I began to calm down. My tail, which had gone rigged when I had seen the cylinder, now lay back down on the floor.

What was a Maoki? I wondered. The word just didn't seem to be in my limited memory.

Seeing my perplexed stare, Mayuri explained, "In English, a Maoki is a wizard, dog."

I nodded my furry head. Well that explanation did help me somewhat. The only problem was, I couldn't remember what a wizard was! I gave a great human-like sigh. If only I could recall what had happened…

Mayuri kneeled so that her head was at my eye level and said, "You don't seem like a notorious Maoki who is going to bring about an apocalypse to me, but I suppose a novice seer isn't much of a judge."

A seer?! That word rung a small bell in my head, but I still couldn't place the meaning of the word.

"My name is Mayuri Clavis and this is my little brother, Vihari," clarified Mayuri, "We brought you here when you collapsed in front of our doorstep. The Tiluts are after you for being a Maoki."

The Tiluts? Who were they? Were they the guards that had chased me?

"Until we decide if you're innocent, we're keeping you in here," continued Mayuri.

Oh if only I could explain to her what happened!

"When you're ready, I'll read your mind," Mayuri added.

For some reason, the thought of someone looking around in my head didn't scare me. It just seemed like a rather normal thing someone had used to do to me… But who exactly had done that to me before, I couldn't remember. I bobbed my head.

Mayuri took the hint and said, "Then I'll do it now. Vihari, step back." The boy nodded and did as she told him while his older sibling placed her hands on my head and closed her sapphire eyes.

I felt a strange prickling sensation where her fingers rested on my skull and closed my own eyes. Even though my eyes were closed I could still see. I saw a dark infinite space devoid of all life except Mayuri and myself. She was pulsating with a golden glow and her eyes seemed to have a miniature fire in them. She turned to me and said, "How can you be here too, unless you're…"

Suddenly our eyes shot open and we were back in the shadowy room. Vihari was gazing at us wonderingly from his seat nearby. Mayuri stared at me inquisitively and questioned, "Your memory's gone, isn't it? When I looked inside you, it was as if all your recollections were locked away, even out of your own reach."

I nodded and gazed at her despondently. "I'll have to help you then!" exclaimed Mayuri with enthusiasm, "It would be great training and besides, you're obviously not the culprit. You can't even remember what you did yesterday!"

True. But what if I was really the culprit?

You're not. I can tell. Just stop worrying.

I gave a start and Mayuri smirked. "See, it works," she mumbled to me.

I sighed. I don't remember much of anything though…

Doesn't matter. This seems like a spell to me and I bet we can break it eventually.

Why are you helping me?

Because I hate this boring apprentice life. I'm learning to be a prophet, but my master won't let me try out my main powers.

I see. So you're a fortune-teller, also known as a psychic or soothsayer.

So you do know some things.

Naturally. I have been in this state for at least a few hours.

Do you know what a Maoki Capturing Jar is for? Your subconscious seems to be afraid of it.

Capturing?

Obviously. More specifically it's used for capturing wizards, witches, and the like. Except for seers, all magic users are either hanged or imprisoned in this country. Here we use these jars to capture them and take them to the Tiluts.

Where exactly am I?

In Filar. Can you remember at least what country or town you lived in?

That's a hard question. I seem to remember a lot of places, just not this one. I think I lived in Ingary though.

Ingary? That would make sense. That is a big magic country…

Right…

Oh, don't sound so glum. You'll remember eventually!

I suppose.

Can you remember any part of your name?

Not even a syllable…

Oh well. It was worth a try. Why don't you rest for a while while I get you something to eat.

What are you going to cook?

Fried squid guts.

Urgh!

Just kidding. I was gonna make a banana sandwich.

Fine. Geez, I'm tired.

Well, when we found you, you were pretty worn out and thirsty.

Mayuri stood up, gave me a small smile, and walked out the door. I gave her my own weak canine grin and dragged myself onto the bed again. Vihari watched me, a lopsided smile on his young face and said, "Night, night, doggy." Then he too left and I fell asleep.

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Later, in another room in the small house, I gobbled up the sandwich and drank half a carton of milk. I panted and said to Mayuri, 'Any more questions?'

Not really. Oh wait! How old are you?

I thought about this for a minute before answering, 'Eighteen.'

You're a year older than me?!

If you're seventeen, than yes.

She smirked and accused, 'Smart-aleck!'

I only shrugged in reply. I had learned Vihari was eight-years-old and that Mayuri was the only relative he had. I also discovered they had lived in the town of Midio in Filar for all their lives and that Mayuri had been training to be a psychic with 'Master Fode' for seven years now, or ever since their parents had died.

I liked them. Vihari was a sweet kid, always curious and it seemed he trusted everyone except Master Fode and the Tiluts. As for Mayuri, she had a sort of hidden strength to her and always appeared to brighten any situation. They were the only friends I knew…

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on the front door and someone booming, "Let me in, Clavis! Its time for the inspection!"

Mayuri gulped and before I could say anything she had clasped her arms around my waist and had practically thrown me back into the dim room. "Hide under the bed!" she whispered sharply before closing the door on me and going to the front door. I did as she told me and listened.

I could hear the man yelling, "What took ya so long, wench?! Now we need to check for the Maoki mutt." I stiffened at that. 'Why are they looking for me?' I silently asked Mayuri.

'They don't know. All they know is that you're supposed to be dangerous!' answered Mayuri.

I heard the door to the room open and I became even more rigid. I could hear familiar booming footsteps coming towards the bed and I almost growled. It was the first crimson guard I had seen…

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A/N: Hehe. Cliffhangers are fun. ^_- Can you tell who the 'dog' is yet?

A/N 2: Anyway, you'd better review or else!

Mayuri: Or else what?

Me: -_- Or else I'll…er… oh be quiet!

Mayuri: …

A/N 3: As I was saying, you'd better review! Bye for now! ^_^