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been taken from him. And then what would you do? Carry
him down the mountain on your back? Dump him at the
nearest ER?
No, he wouldn't let it come to that. Although, a bit of a
manufactured predicament, well timed, just when a certain
witch's grandson happened by...
It was time to begin moving the players into place.
"I think I'll go hunt for myself this morning. Just for a little
variety. You don't mind, do you?"
Willem looked surprised, but not offended. "No
problem. Don't tangle with any skunks while you're out
there. Or foxes."
"Please. I'm not a kitten, Willem."
"Don't hand me that. Even experienced hunters get
caught off guard. Just say you'll be careful."
"I do try." He padded over to rub noses with Willem in a
cat kiss, and then left the cabin before he could change his
mind. What he did today was to secure Willem's place in
the world. That was the thought he had to keep wedged
tightly over all the others. If he thought about the possibility
of failure, or perhaps even spectacular failure and his own
death, or even about Willem in someone else's embrace...
The task at hand, he had to concentrate on that to the
exclusion of all else. Distracted thoughts bred mistakes like
rabbits. He hurried through the woods, darting through
rabbits. He hurried through the woods, darting through
dense thickets of elderberry, his boots stirring up the scent
of wild mint as he crossed clearings. Foxes and skunks
were the least of his worries. He could communicate with
them, calm them, and gain safe passage. What he would
face later this day, he feared there was no bargaining with.
His heart slowed in its rapid staccato when he glimpsed
the slate roof of the witches' home through gaps in the
brush. The yellow house gleamed in the morning light,
welcoming and safe. Some of the peace of the place
emanated from the wards of protection surrounding it,
certainly, but much of it came from the good hearts that
lived there.
That peace bolstered both his courage and his resolve.
If he met disaster today, he wouldn't leave Willem bereft
and abandoned. The witches were, though they didn't know
it yet, his insurance policy. He spotted the eldest working in
the garden, perched on a low moveable bench, carefully
harvesting rosemary.
He checked his fur for burrs, smoothed his tail, and
buffed the shine back into his boots with the back of one
paw. Presentable and outwardly calm, he crossed the lawn
with a purposeful stride, one that said he brought news.
"Mistress Natt! Good morning!" He waited until the old
woman turned and raised a hand in greeting before he
approached. It was never wise to startle an old witch.
"Good morning, pretty kasha. How are you and your
master today?"
"Both quite well, ma'am." The chill clung to the morning,
but it was no longer unpleasant, so he settled to the grass
but it was no longer unpleasant, so he settled to the grass
beside her. "Would you like me to speed up the work? I
could, if you like."
The old woman laughed, a sound much younger than
her appearance. "No, dear, but thank you. I don't like to
introduce unknown variables into my spells or my cooking.
Besides, I enjoy working with the plants. As long as I can, I
intend to."
"Ah."
She snipped a few more branches, the snick-snick of
her garden shears a soft percussive counterpoint to the
birdsongs. "While I wouldn't mind you coming for a social
visit, I doubt that's why you're here. What can I do for you?"
"I'd like nothing better than to come just to visit. Maybe
after today, I can."
"Not nice to keep an old lady in suspense, you know."
"Sorry." Kasha gazed up at her face, kind and
impassive for now. He was certain her anger wasn't
something he wanted directed at him, though, so he hurried
on. "I explained your problem to Willem. He's more than
willing to help."
"That's good news. Did he have any suggestions?"
"Yes. He believes the quicker we act, the more likely we
will be to dislodge your unwanted houseguest. What he
suggests is that you let him lead the assault. Give him just a
few minutes to contain the monster, and then you and your
family come along a pre-agreed route at a pre-arranged
time. If all goes well, you'll be there in time to help him
destroy it. If something goes wrong, we'll know where you
are if he needs help."
Natt gazed at the woods with a determined frown, and
then she nodded. "So Ettie, Morgen and I--"
"Teddy, too."
"Teddy?"
"Yes. We can't risk leaving him alone at your house,
unprotected if things do go wrong and the ogre wants to
harm your family. I take it he lacks the natural magical
abilities the three of you have?"
"He does, poor boy." Natt sighed. "The men in our
family have never been magically strong. We can ward him,
but you're right. If he's alone, he's vulnerable. How does
your Willem plan on containing the ogre?"
"He doesn't share such things with me, ma'am. I can
only ask you to let us try."
She sat so still, he thought she might have turned to
stone. When she suddenly turned toward him, he twitched
in surprise.
"Let's go in. If Ettie and Morgen agree to it, we'll set up
time and route."
Kasha would have liked to believe his charming
personality won them over, but he suspected it had more to
do with their assumption regarding Willem's prowess as a
wizard. In their estimation, he had snatched a kasha from
the winds of fate to serve him; therefore, his magical
strength must be prodigious. Regardless of the reason, he
had their agreement and the details worked out within half
an hour.
Now for Willem...
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