3. In Which Someone Long-expected Arrives and We Begin Our Search
We finally emerged back into the bright sunlight after discussing further plans, such as where we should look and who should go. It was decided that we would proceed west from Olemer's kingdom since that was supposedly where his ancestor sent some warrior or other to hide the Royal Stick during some war or other to protect it from some evil guy or other...
As for who was to go, Daystar immediately volunteered, and Olemer had to go, it being his responsibility. I'm afraid I got dragged into it too. A cat would be so useful, we could use your talent, it was your idea...and so on. Both Morwen and Telemain wanted to go, but the other cats insisted someone stay home to feed them (and I would agree in their place. Leaving cats alone for too long is a dreadful crime), so it was decided that Telemain should stay behind and do what he could to slow the degeneration of the Forest.
We would set out the next day, so Daystar was about to take Olemer back to the castle with him. As he left the house Olemer peered around the corner to where the tower would have been if it wasn't a magic door. Try getting anything through that thick skull. I always thought it was a good idea of Morwen's to make a door to Telemain's tower. It was bad enough she had to marry him and it would have been unbearable for her to abandon the grey house.
Anyway, just as Daystar raised his hand to use the transportation spell, a huge green dragon landed in front of the house. Kazul, to be exact, finally home from her diplomatic trip down south. And who should be on her back but Shiara. I thought only cats got to ride dragons!
"Shiara!" Daystar shouted. "You're back!"
Kazul had been gone for almost a year, leaving shortly after Shiara's politeness curse had been fixed and taking Shiara, who was her princess after all.
"We were heading to the castle when we saw you here and decided to land." Shiara seemed different; a bit taller and prettier, and there was a wide smile on her face.
"You came back just in time. We're leaving tomorrow on a quest and I'd be so happy if you came." She looked flattered. "We'll probably be running into wizards and with your magic working now we could really use you."
Her smile vanished. "I should have known! You think I'm useful, that's all! Some welcome I get!" I take it back; she was exactly the same as ever.
"No, that's not what I meant--"
"Well I AM coming whether you actually like my company or not!" And she stormed into the house to say hello to Morwen and Telemain, one last protest from Daystar drifting after her, "But I do like your company!"
I had watched the whole scene from the porch, blinking slowly. I had to feel sorry for Daystar. He may be polite, but he needs help with tact.
He started after her, but I warned him, "Maybe you should let her cool down first. She's likely to take anything you say personally in this mood."
He sighed, but turned to Olemer to say they were going. I saw them disappear, or rather didn't see...you get the idea.
--
The sun rose bright on the dewy morning, and we gathered at the castle to begin the quest. Shiara was still decidedly uncivil towards Daystar, which surprised me since her temper was usually as quick to cool as it was to flare up.
Kazul had decided to accompany us. Cimorene asked, "You've already been away from the king's cave for a while; are you sure you shouldn't go back right away?"
"If the dragons up here have lasted this long I think they can last a bit more. Besides, I have to keep an eye on my new princess." An extremely knowing look passed between the King of the Dragons and her former princess.
Cimorene decided not to join the expedition. "My natural taste for adventure has been rather dampened after what happened last time—at least for now. I've been separated from Mendanbar enough to last me a long while, and he has his responsibilities here. You'll just have to give us a full account when you get back!"
Telemain, Fiddlesticks, and Scorn were there to see us off. The magician looked grumpy that he was being left behind with the cats. Scorn, on the other hand, said she was glad she wasn't being dragged on another trip. She had gone with Morwen, Telemain, and Cimorene to find the Sword of the Enchanted Forest eighteen years ago, and yes, witches' cats do live a long time--usually as long as their witch. Anyway, what with the Smoking Swamp and the six-foot blue flying donkey/rabbit she'd had enough adventures. She was so encouraging and morale-strengthening; enough to make me run back home and hide under the bed if I'd been a dog and not a spiky-furred, twenty-three year old tortoiseshell cat. I think she was exaggerating anyway.
Fiddlesticks didn't say much of anything and I figured at the time that he just came for the fish and cream in the kitchen.
It took us long enough, but eventually, after distributing weapons and a couple bottomless provision sacks, we were on the road north—not that there is a road, you understand, but—oh, never mind.
I'm normally not an impatient cat of course, but I'll admit my nerves were sufficiently rattled by some stories of Olemer's about northern terrors that I wanted to get the trip over with. If there's anything worse than danger it's waiting for it.
Obviously I got my customary place on Kazul's back (it's not every cat who's privileged enough to ride on the King of the Dragons) and the humans walked beside us into the depths of the Enchanted Forest...the dark, deep depths...