On the same day, just before sunset, the sky was clear, the first stars appeared in the sky, everything seemed so calm but it wasn't at all, the memories of the past day took their toll on almost everyone, Puss, knowing on the right brawl, was still hugging tight in his orange paws his black hat remembering what he witnessed, there were few things or moments that left such a visible scar in the mind of a brave cat, but this day turned out to be too shocking, and it's not about fighting pirates or even meeting the second confidant of souls who forever crossed the oceans of the world, no, today it did not make such a great impression on the green-eyed cat who clutched his hat tighter and tighter until a black and white paw lay on his right paw, which effectively made his grip loosen quickly.
- I can see that you are very thoughtful today. Said Kitty as she sat down next to Puss and looked out to sea with her bright blue eyes, having the same memories of what happened aboard their ship in her mind.
- I still can't understand it. Puss in Boots said as he put his hat on his head and feigned certainty looking out at the calm ocean with eyes full of determination, but his certainty was just a mask today because his coat said otherwise under his black coat, it was constantly standing up.
- what but what, who, because there is a lot of it today, and myself, well, it doesn't matter. Kitty said shaking her head as memories of that day hit her again, first the pirate fight, then Death and the Flying Dutchman, then the Gray Man, the Man in the Blue Suit who gave the virus warning, and the sick themselves.
- there's a lot of it, I didn't think Death had someone like him except he roams the oceans, but then this, the virus, you saw those red petechiae on the throats, this, this, it was scary but not more like him and his warning on how to wield the power of time. Puss asked, abruptly getting up from the side to cover the image of trembling front paws.
- what he did, he stopped time, just like that, he played with it, all of us. Puss added as his fur stood up even more for fear of nothing but the Man in the Blue Suit himself.
- he does not come from this world, but from the stars, he wanders there, but something else scares me more here. She said Kitty, getting up from the ship's side and walking aimlessly towards the once broken mast.
Puss, seeing the worry and the face of fear on his companion's face, quickly threw aside his own fear because he knew that everyone is afraid today, and even more so, Puss quickly followed Kitty and stopped her in front of the once broken mast only to see the face of fear that made her Kitty's blue eyes were trembling uncontrollably and she was mumbling something under her nose, and her words usually concerned an unknown constructor.
- Kitty, I, forgive me for what I'm going to do to you now, aarrrr. Said Puss in Boots wanting to hit Kitty in the face to snap her out of her strange state of lethargy but by the time his right paw reached the point of impact Kitty suddenly got dirty and her reaction was too fast to stop her, Kitty grabbed her right paw and twisted it together with Puss which first groaned and then, released from the grip, fell on the wooden deck with a visible hole left by the drenched wolf.
- I'm sorry, me. Kitty said as she helped her companion up.
- no, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that, you were in a strange state of lethargy and I wanted to, well whatever, Kitty tell me what scared you so much. Asked Puss, rubbing his right paw until he looked into the blue eyes of the black and white cat who helped him massage his paw, this moment made Puss and Kitty forget about what had happened that day, until the ship led by Perrito little the brown and white mongrel made a sudden and brief turn towards a strange light on the horizon, a light that was emanating from the Pasondus Harbor Lighthouse.
- Me, thank you, come on, I didn't deserve it, because I wanted it. Puss said.
- come on, I would do the same if something, but to the point, you know, I'm afraid of one more here. Said Kitty, now looking right at the image of a bright light in the night sky.
- what, say. Puss asked, his full attention focused solely on Kitty.
- the emergence of someone like him, this Man in Suit, but something else scares me, remember that man said something about the designer of this system, about fools who use the virus, or maybe it's that everything that's going on down south is actually a deliberate action aimed at, I don't know, destabilizing the kingdom and even the whole world!. Kitty screamed and her grip on Puss' left paw suddenly became so strong that the orange tabby cat jumped.
- i'm sorry, I'm forgetting something today. She said Kitty, returning to the real world despite terrible suspicions and guesses.
- no, nothing happened, and actually I think that everything has its wholeness as such, Kitty you're right, someone is spinning all this, maybe it's a kind of deliberate conspiracy and probably someone knows about it. Puss said this time taking full seriousness looking at the horizon where the sky full of stars was beaming with the light of flying.
- it is certain that the Man in the Blue Suit knows everything, the question is why he does nothing about it. Kitty said, putting her paws in front of her with a grimace on her face.
- it's impossible to understand him, but from what I understood, he doesn't take away free choice, and free choice has this virus, it's stupid, on the other hand, he gave us a chance to stop it, because we also have a choice, and maybe it's a big farce and apart from the virus he's playing us but one thing I'm sure of and it's not about the Man in the Suit because he's not the only one who knows it, I've seen it with my own eyes. Puss said, his green eyes full of determination staring only at a small point of light in nothingness, helping the sailing ships back to port.
Kitty, seeing her companion's paws suddenly clenched, saw something more in it, because her friend not only clenched his paws tightly to the weapon, but his fur stopped being frightened for a moment.
- Puss what do you mean.
- Kitty, and the fact that Death and Flying Dutchman knowing who this constructor could be, when he, this man talked about provocateurs, greed, all that, and of course about the designer of this system, they, I saw that they knew who it was. Puss said confidently, striking hard with his right foot and his boot on the deck.
- you think they know, but what does it change. Kitty asked.
- can make a big difference if they know then they should stop him or her or whatever it is but the virus itself and all that, I still can't understand how you can be so stupid, they're stupid, and this mysterious constructor. Puss said, and as soon as he returned to the subject of the builder and touched on the Man in the Blue Suit himself, his certainty failed him again.
- you're right, there are too many unknowns here, but we will find answers and even a cure, but first we must rest I guess, and tomorrow we'll see, hey Perrito, how are the winds. Kitty said, and a small brownish mongrel with a scarf around his neck barked a couple of times and jumped on top of the wheel.
- we are on the right track, that, I mean, we are going straight to the glacier?, no mistake, we are going straight towards the port. Perrito said as he turned the wheel, walking on it as if it were straight ground.
- that's good, if I take the first watch for today, and Kitty, please don't say no, I'll take care of it, if you can be next after me. He said Puss in Boots going to the wheel.
- you, as usual, yours, well, I will not replace you here if you want to show off again. She said Kitty as she passed the wheel, the two friends, and a winking eye at the orange cat, who tipped his hat and threw off his cloak, leading the ship south, where the Man in the Suit said the land of the first contamination was.
The cabin door closed as Kitty and Perrito disembarked and Puss was left alone on the deck looking with mixed emotions at the horizon and the great night sky full of stars, where an unusual colorful glow of colors and flashes had just appeared, but even this did not cloud the image in his head that day, the day that made so much change, that his world became completely different, the vision of the virus, the strange constructor of this system, and the image of the indescribable Man in Suit that had brought him this way, now it all hit him again to this to the point that Puss meowed slightly and his eyes grew large as if he was asking the unknown to solve everything himself, but he didn't.
A rumble, a bang on the door, all this made Puss suddenly open his eyes, jump up and grab onto the wooden ceiling, when he heard Perrito's voice, he shook his head and, letting go of the ceiling, he landed in his bunk again, looking slightly confused at the wooden ceiling.
- Wait, it's already day. Puss asked at the same time the door to the cabin was opened and Perrito entered, who, enjoying the new day, looked at the panicked cat.
- did something happen. Puss asked, suddenly standing up, picking up his sword and hat and his cloak from the floor.
- I think so, we're already in the port and it's noon. Perrito said, scratching himself to get rid of the unnecessary parasite.
- how we are there, but how, high noon, how much I slept. Puss asked.
- for a few hours, Kitty said that I don't want to wake you up, since you're so tired, I guess after yesterday and meeting him, this Man in a Suit, come on, I'm not afraid of this man, he's nice, and he scratches well behind the ear I can't do that. Perrito said, pacing around to scratch himself behind the ear like the man in the suit did, until Puss running up to the deck stopped him and took him under the arm.
Puss jumped off the deck and, stopping in front of a wooden footbridge, saw an extraordinary view of the city, built mostly of wood and mostly on great balls deep in the great beach where the beach was bordered by a long rock ditch running deeper into the ocean, and it was here that the harbor was located, but usually occupied by all kinds of merchant ships, but this day was different, the ships were few and those stationed in the harbor were now being unloaded from crates usually filled with pieces of leather or paper, now a necessary raw material for the production of the necessary face and nose coverings to stop the infection of the virus.
Puss In Boots, Perrito at hand, slowly disembarked by the great rock wall, looking first at the city and then at the great tower of pure white sandstone which at forty meters high usually shone light from dusk until dawn, and today, now at noon, light it was extinguished but not what was currently prevailing in the city, and it was a strange atmosphere of terror.
- What is going on here. Asked Puss, looking at the image of people, workers, fishermen and townspeople, who almost all of them, walking around the city, had their faces covered with dust and paper handkerchiefs, trying to stop a possible ignition.
- It seems to me that they are all afraid, all of them. Said Perrito being laid down by an orange tabby cat.
- but is that, wait, and where is Kitty, where is she. Puss asked nervously looking around the harbor.
- here I am, you have it, it's mandatory or we might have problems. Kitty said as he stepped out from behind four large crates handing one of the white face shields to his companion.
- Kitty, where, how, did you, how much did it cost. asked Puss, but before he got an answer, Kitty quickly put a paper shield over his face as well as Perrito just before the sudden and violent appearance of the six guards.
- don't whine, otherwise we'll get a ticket and it's a really big sum, besides I got it for free, you just need to be quick, you know how it works. Kitty said with her face covered.
The three friends looked back at the six guards in white blue cuirasses and silver helmets, with swords, shields and spears behind their backs, the six guards were just walking through the harbor watching the new arrivals including Puss and his two friends but seeing that they were as prepared as most of the townspeople the guards didn't even stop them because something else had happened, it was the guards who caught Puss and Kitty's attention when they started talking about a certain rebel and archaeologist.
- this madman will play someday, I'm telling you, he's the only one who doesn't want to adapt so far, but I have to admit to him, he can run fast, I haven't managed to catch him yet, but one day I will catch him and give him a post-doctoral kick. Said the first guard.
- he's a scientist, and an archaeologist, I don't know what he has in his head, but in my opinion, he has hay there, not brains, there were victims, they were infected, and now it's coming back in a different form, everyone did the same three days ago under myself, this is no accident, unfortunately my mother-in-law is doing well. Said the second guard, and Puss and Kitty, aside from the carefree Perrito, looked at each other feeling they had the first lead, if it was indeed a lead.
- Kitty, you heard, archaeologist, scientist, maybe this is our chance. Puss said in a whisper, adjusting his dark hat and upas weapon.
- that might work, I'll go ask them, you know, it's always easier for a lady. She said Kitty looking with her delicate joint.
- Hey, I have those big eyes too. Puss said.
- they sometimes don't work, especially when it comes to guys, I'll take care of it, and you're not jealous. Kitty said.
- No, of course not, rrrrrr. Puss said, wanting to sound confident, but under his breath he purred something that no one understood except for Kitty herself who poked him in the nose and laughed out loud.
- my envy. Kitty said and walked over to the six guards.
- She's different today. Perrito said, chasing his tail again.
- so different, but one thing she could let go of, well, it doesn't matter. Said Puss in Boots looking doggedly as Kitty questioned the six guards but luckily for him despite Kitty's flirtatious glances the guards paid no attention to her so instead they laughed out loud and one of the guards pointed out a place out of town as it turned out to be an apartment archaeologist.
- yes, our good friend, Kevin Jons, you will find him in a small brown house on the outskirts of the city, surely if he is not dripping from us because he is the only one not wearing a mask, he is surely working there with books or getting ready for some trip, what did he say recently that he probably will leave us and it's a pity because I was getting ready to catch him and give him a proper ticket. said the guard.
- and I'm not a bit surprised, after all, these prices for masks are now a real rip-off, before the pandemic, masks cost pennies and now how much these rip-offs are asking for them, one hundred percent more, these leeches know how to do business. Said the second guard, then shook his head and led his companions back to the city.
- Kevin Jons, you heard, Puss. Said Kitty before she was pulled by her paw by her companion who took Perrito under his arm.
- we don't have time, quickly, you heard it yourself, this certain Kevin wants to leave the city even today, faster. Said the running Puss leading Kitty through town and currently cursing the prices of masks, both leather and paper, which the ranger said were very expensive these days.
There were many voices in the city, residents, employees and a few guests talked loudly about the prices of shields against the virus, they were furious at the current prices that traders selling them mandatory goods, but there was no choice for anyone, pay and cry, on the other hand, the locals saw visitors, out of caution, dispersed before them, but no more so when someone suddenly sneezed or coughed, the reaction of people was almost immediate.
Puss, Kitty, and Perrito witnessed such an event when they entered the cobbled part of town beyond the beach and log houses, it was here in the small square that a woman in a green-blue shirt and sailor pants suddenly coughed, the reaction of the other residents and workers was immediate, some they turned away, some even left the queue and everything was soaked with another wave of fear and curses at the current conditions and the greed of the traders, it was a really strange sight that stuck in everyone's head.
- how strange this world is, unreal, full, I don't know. She said Kitty, looking at the strange state of Pasondus Harbor as she ran.
- full of fear and greed, but it's not random work as the man in the suit said, nothing is random here. Puss said, holding the leek in Perrito's right armpit.
- I agree with you on this. A black-haired man wearing a brown hat, a leather jacket, gray trousers and a backpack spoke suddenly, and his brown eyes emphasizing high intelligence were focused on the crowd of a large queue of people waiting for face masks at the shop, but when the mysterious man looked at the milking room he suddenly stepped back from two cats nervously clutching at the apple.
- What! Cats?, stand. Said the man as the only one with an uncovered face.
- wait, you're the archaeologist, Kevin Jons, right?. Puss asked, putting Perrito on the ground and taking off his hat, which caused Kevin to stop backing down and his fear of danger disappeared for a moment.
- and again another who is afraid for his apple, what's wrong with you. Kitty asked, looking at the man in the hat who was rubbing his throat again as he adjusted his knapsack.
- well, because when I was little, my mother used to scare me that cats would throw themselves at my throat, in those days I really wanted to have a cat, but my parents discouraged me from it, but it's old history, fairy-tale creatures, man, I haven't seen someone like that in a long time, I thought that you left some three hundred years ago when our engineers built a great dam in the south at the foothills of Fazberg. Kevin said.
- the dam at the feet of Fazberg. Ask Puss curious about this unusual world.
- yes, the dam at the feet of Fazberg, three hundred years ago a great dam was built that changed and drained the western bed of the Folin River, for the construction of a gold mine in the west, now Folin flows in the east creating a great lake Forder where our workers produce and burn bricks and a great reservoir of Fizgard where our farmers in koreon village, produce rice, we are probably the largest rice producers in the world. Kevin said, explaining the current state of affairs in the kingdom of Olimandokt.
- you've done so much, amazing. Perrito said, ending his statement with a bark as Kevin started stroking his neck.
- Yes, so many, but now it's different. Kevin said.
- right, now, today, let's deal with important matters now, Puss. Said Kitty passing the most important seasoning.
- exactly, someone told us about the current situation in Olimandokt, the virus, that's all and talked about finding a cure, it's supposedly hidden here somewhere, and you can help us. Puss said, and the archaeologist's brown eyes lit up with fire as the glare reflected in them, and for two reasons, the first was the archaeologist's plan, the second was the sudden appearance of guards in blue-and-white cuirasses and silver helmets.
- Stand, you there, Kevin!. Shouted one of the four guards who not so long ago patrolled the port and now passed people standing in line and ran to the smiling archaeologist who loves this type of thrill.
- I will say, I will help, you will also have to help me in the capital, in Lunkhald, but now run, run, follow me!. Kevin shouted and ran the long way between the wooden buildings.
- stop!, wait, you too, but now. The second guard shouted as Puss and Kitty also took off their masks and made silly faces at the guards before running away down the adjacent road with Perrito under their arm.
- Come back hooligans!. The leading guard shouted.
- separate quickly. The fourth guard shouted, drawing his sword.
Two running cats ran between walking people, women and men who, seeing two cats without masks, showed only fear, fear and even fear, the atmosphere of fear was too great but in its own way helped in escaping, when the running cats ran before the parting crowd running with them the guards bumped into people every now and then, having to make sure that their own masks did not fall off their faces.
- now, right, Kevin watch out!. Shouted Puss, running at the first right turn, seeing the fleeing archaeologist, Kevin waved his hand and disappeared behind the big building of the inn where three men were just leaving, and despite their precariously unstable condition, they also had masks on their faces.
Suddenly, the chased cats quickly turned another bend and he and Kevin stopped in place as the two teams of guards from both sides crashed into each other in a roaring collision, so strong and roaring that their cuirasses burst, a bang and a squeak all shook the inn and the four guards after a loud collision they looked at everything around with visible stars flying around their heads.
- cha that was brilliant, now follow me, I will finally leave this city full of fear and stupidity. Kevin Jons said waving his hand.
Less than five minutes later, Kevin Jons, accompanied by two cats and a small mongrel carried in his own hands, led everyone to the southern heart of the kingdom, having what he called naive stupidity behind him.
- understand, the last infected were recorded two weeks ago, but it was enough to have a constipation attack on 200 people in the kingdom in various places, and there was a rumor that the virus changed its course and business started again, and so it is again, our kingdom is soaked again it is because of fear and anxiety, and greedy people continue to make good deals, how sick it is. Kevin said as he walked along the well-trodden road between the apple trees, heading towards the capital.
- this means that for two weeks there have been no cases of this virus. Kitty asked and her blue eyes were full of hope that what was a terrible virus could be just a bad memory, but when Kevin let out a breath heavily and looked at the trampled road, her own heart began to tremble, and not only hers.
- did something happen, Kevin, tell us. Puss said, and Kevin lowered Perrito to the ground and paused for a moment, taking a letter from his friend out of the pocket of his leather jacket.
- it's not over yet, because six days ago, the king's daughter, Jessica, fell ill, now she has red blotches on her throat, and now she has eight days to live, because this damn virus kills in fourteen days, and there is no cure for it, and mine farmer friend Martin asked me for help. Kevin said.
- help, he wants to please the ruler, he wants a reward. Puss said as he adjusted his hat on his head but his confidence in judging a man he didn't know suddenly vanished as he saw a pair of archaeologist's brown angry eyes in front of him.
- what are you talking about, you know nothing, Martin is in love with the king's daughter, Jessica is the object of his affection, he knows well that neither Wingard, let alone Selena will give him his daughter, they chased him once, but what to do, Martin knows that she has no chance because of her parents but still wants to help her. Kevin said, and his momentary anger vanished completely as he remembered again his friend and the letter that had been sent to him and now held in his hands.
- that, that, I didn't know. Puss said lowering his eyes and head covering his face in shame with his hat.
- we will help, you have our word, my word. She said Kitty, looking at the archaeologist with a look full of determination and certainty.
- that's how it is, together we will help lovers. Perrito said, jumping in place.
- but how do you want to do it, Mr. Kevin, you have a plan, don't you. Puss in Boots asked, and Kevin first smiled at everyone, adjusted his brown hat and rucksack, then waved to everyone and set off immediately on the road south to the capital sharing his discovery and plan.
- there is such a thing, a magical place where love can work miracles, I found a change in a dry riverbed excavation, but to find the great moon, I need records from the capital, in Lunkhald, there is a great chronicle, a library, there is a chronicle and a map, describing the big moon on earth, the one who finds the big moon will be able to work miracles with his love, true love. Kevin Jons said smiling confidently with his eyes fixed on the horizon.
- so let's go, quickly to the capital. Puss said ahead of everyone in the march.
Meanwhile, off the west coast far beyond the lighthouse of the port city of Pasondus, on the shore where a single-decker ship with a black flag and three crossbones was moored nearby, a small boat led by three fat pirates stepped out of the boat, a pirate in black and red and his only working left eye pointed a band of standing thugs, mostly dressed in leather and quilted armour, a band of the chieftain of these lands who now stepped forward and met Captain Duncan.
It was Armon, a man in leather mail armor wielding two swords and his wildness in his unshaven face was perfectly visible, never shaved, black hair always greasy and disheveled, unwashed, you could say Armon hated personal hygiene, and the strange smell that spread around him, his wild gray gaze fixed on the pirate who had taken off his black hat.
- Armon, you really could wash you up sometime. Duncan said, waving his hat in front of him, and his business friend Armon smiled wildly, showing the world his yellow and sometimes hollow teeth, another sign of poor dental hygiene.
- Dunkan, you know perfectly well that this is our hallmark, we are a stinking bunch, but let's get to the point because that's not why you're here, right. Armon asked, getting to the point, and Dunkan stared at the sea with his sepulchral gaze.
- that's how I first met my ghoul, the Flying Dutchman, man, I've never been so scared as that day, then this thing, and now some two cats and their canine companion came here to find a cure for the virus, you know what that means Armon. Said Dunkan first explaining something that was rather incomprehensible to the wild man, but when Dunkan gave information about two cats and a dog who came together to Olimandokt to find a cure, it all suddenly hit the stinking bandit leader.
- not impossible!, the cure, but how, no, Norton needs to know everything. Said Chief Armon who immediately looked back at his band of thugs standing in the background of a small forest and waved to everyone giving an order.
- quickly, send the least smelly and let him warn our employer, Norton must find out about everything and we will wait for an answer. Armon said as his yellow teeth clenched in great anger, creating an unpleasant sound of grinding a blackboard with a penknife, and the least smelly bandit set off into the world, to the capital city of Lunkhald, riding a surprisingly always well-groomed white horse.
- what could this mean, is there really a cure for red abscess virus here?. Armon asked, stepping a little closer to the captain in black and red who immediately took a step back and started waving his black hat.
- I don't know, but I saw it, it must make sense, and we must stop them, and, of course, wait for our principal's reply. Duncan said.
- you're right, we have to wait, Norton, our master knows what he does in such situations. Armon said, scratching his black hair causing Duncan to jump on the boat ahead of the jumping lice from the head of the bandit leader.
- Armon, I told you, don't pick off fleas on me and my people, you really could wash up sometime. Duncan said, sounding rather malicious.
- and yours could lose some weight, see for yourself how they droop, their striped sailor shirts barely hanging on to their big fat bellies. Armon said, sounding just as mean, but it all ended with loud laughter from both sides.
L
This chapter is in a way a reference to the times that hang over us, the constant threat of the terrible virus that is Covid-19, what times we have all lived through, it's scary to say, but it must be said directly, much of what was said was true and a lie because it wasn't a coincidence that something like this was released, oh no, it was a conspiracy and so is the conspiracy of someone very evil to unleash a terrible virus in the magical world but who, that is the question.