The creature had come from that other world the same world that Goran had been leaving in for many years now. He had failed, he was weak and barely able to walk so he crawled. Crawled all the way to his lord’s castle, he needed to explain and seek forgiveness for his failure. Before he could even knock, the door opened, and two guards took him and dragging him the rest of the way. They were not gentle at all; his feet were dragging, hitting things left and right. He would kill them; how dare they treat him like so?
His lord awaited him, they picked him up when they entered one of the many libraries and unceremoniously dropped him in a chair. His lord was there and looking at the spines and reading the titles of the books in a bookshelf that shared a corner with a window. He was about to open his mouth when his lord spoke, “From the look of you, I would say that you were unable to finish the task I put before you. A disappointment, you have always been the best man for the job, and it seems that is no longer the case.” All this was said in a calm voice, a knowing voice for his lord had known that he would fail, had in fact seen it all in one of his scrying mirrors.
“Would you care to explain why you failed me? Have I not been a good master to you? Is it that you no longer care for my wishes? I gave your life, I gave you purpose again, and this is how you repay me?”
The hurt in his master’s voice, it hurt the creature beyond anything he had felt in hundreds of years. He had learned to love his master, something that he had not been able to do for any other. His lord knew full well that this would hurt the creature, knew that he had control.
The creature was his to do as he pleased, yet he had many such pets that he kept and disposed of with no more care than the fact that he could. In the wink of an eye their lives would end, and he would lose no sleep over it, the creature had thrown himself from the chair and had prostrated himself in front of his lord, “My lord I ask for forgiveness, I will not fail again. The boy he is strong, stronger than I foresaw, and he had help someone, an old man attacked me just before I could finish the boy.”
His lord knew all this, and he was already working on a plan to kill the boy and his uncle for he knew who the old man was. “All is well, you did fine, for the game has started and we will finish it. We will indeed and once we are done the opposition will be no more. Now I have new orders for you, you will leave once you have recuperated from this.”
And so, his lord gave him his new orders and several hours later he was on his way, and that smile and insanity in his eyes shone forth. His lord had not killed him, and he was on his way to lead an army that would destroy a nation and bring another land under his Lords rule.
After the creature had left his lord picked a book that he had already read, yet what was inside was worth reading again for he had to find the right spell to use. His pets where many and recently had acquired a new pet, and she was a lovely thing, deadly as a viper and beautiful as a rose. The creature did not know of this new pet, something that would change in the future, the door to the library opened and in walked a woman. And the lord was not exaggerating when he said she was a lovely thing, for indeed she was.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Goran awoke, what he saw confused him, he was in a room laying down on a sofa, this was not his home, he was somewhere else but where? It took him a few tries, but he finally remembered, the trip to his sister’s house. Yes, that was it, the stranger and his battle with him, and his nephew running outside and then passing out. Not the way he had planned the meeting between him and his new apprentice, or at least Goran hoped that his nephew would accept the proposal.
His sister’s house her living room, he remembered George her husband, a good man. They lived simply but it had changed since his last visit, which had been long ago, very long ago. He had not even come in; he had been passing by checking and renewing wards that he had placed the day they had moved in. He did not want to interrupt their lives as it was he was here to take their son, he was an adult now, but he was and would always be their only son.
The door to the adjacent room opened and Jove came in, he was carrying a tray with a sandwich and a cool glass of lemonade, saw that his uncle had woken, “Uncle, how are you feeling?”
He was feeling much better he had not been prepared to face the creature outside Jove’s house and the thin link that existed between the worlds had sapped all his energy. He sat up, “I am better, thank you. But my head, it feels like it may explode.” He sat up and Jove handed him the tray and sat down on what obviously was his father’s chair, the throne of his kingdom. From around the corner of the chair where Jove was sitting the head of a small kitten looked at Goran. The look he saw there was that of intelligence, this was no mere cat, he was a creature of magic. A creature that had found its rightful place among another who’s blood ran with magic, Jove.
Jove and Max looked at the man that would change their lives forever and what they saw there was a man of power not those that have power and wealth but something else he could not put his finger on. While he did not recognize what it was, it was still there, he did not realize it, but it was in him as well.
This power that he was not aware of was small compared to his uncle’s, yet his uncle saw the possibilities, with proper training and years of study, he would make a powerful wizard. Goran was a thin man of average height, his shoulder length hair all white, his face always clean shaven, he wore a pair of round spectacles that sat atop the bridge of his nose. His uncle had the look of someone from another century, the look of a man like those you saw in the history books, his face was slightly tanned as if he spent time outside in the sun. He was wearing a button up shirt and khaki pants, his shoes where comfortable leather shoes of a style that Jove had not seen before but where common in the world Goran had come from.
Goran ate the food his nephew had brought and felt much better, he knew he must ask about the stranger perhaps his nephew had seen him before. He needed more information he had a slight idea of who had sent the stranger and of who he was, but it just did not seem possible. They were from another world and their powers were limited here, and the amount of power that Goran had felt from the stranger was not possible. If he had been back in his home that other world, he could see since the magic from there was much stronger and could be tapped into by those that knew how.
He and others had to monitor the use of those energies those wells of power that in places where weak but in others were an endless supply. “Jove this is important the stranger that attacked us, have you seen him before?” Goran knew the answer, yet he had to hear it from Jove’s own lips, he said nothing, but the shake of the head was enough.
If he would have waited one more day everything would have been lost, Jove lost perhaps dead at the hands of a monster, and the amulet that had just found its way back to play a vital role in the future would have been lost. No, it was unthinkable what evil could be done if the amulet fell into the wrong hands.
Goran looked up at his nephew, “I am glad I did not delay my arrival.” Jove was also happy that his uncle had gotten their time to save him. His recent experience he would wish on no one, “Jove this will come as somewhat of a shock, or it might not but we have no time to waste we must leave immediately. Not just because you are in danger but because your parents will also be in danger if we wait.” Jove knew this already, but he could not leave without saying goodbye to his parents.
“I know, but I must say goodbye to them. I can’t leave just like that; I am sorry Uncle I can’t just leave them a note. They will worry that something has happen to me.”
He knew the boy was right, but this attack it was planned and they would not stop. His parents would worry, what parent wouldn’t? They needed to know where he was and with who, and that he was safe, “Alright but I suggest you tell them nothing of what has just occurred here today. Get your things ready and after you say your goodbye’s we shall leave this place behind us.”
Jove nodded once and went up pack he knew that he could bring very little since they had to leave fast, and he had already been planning what to take so he was somewhat ready. Now his plans would change slightly he knew that he would be unable to take his three suitcases, a backpack with the essentials some clothes, and his toiletries.
Uncle Goran downstairs meanwhile sat and ate, Max came out from behind the couch and sat looking at Goran. “Hello little one. What is your name?”
Max did not respond he just sat there examining his new Uncle. Goran thought that the kitten would say nothing at first and for a while he did not, “You are so old.”
This is not what Goran thought he would say, and he laughed, “Well yes I am quite old, not as old as I look but old enough compared to my young nephew.”
Max could see a slight glow around him, and he asked about it, he knew some things from his ancient memories, but he did not look at them he just asked the question, “Why do you glow? Is something wrong with you? I have not seen anyone else glow like you.”
Goran was not sure what to make of this he did not even know that he glowed as the kitten had put it. “Um, I am not sure. To tell you the truth I had no idea I could glow. What does it look like?”
To Max it seemed that it was a slightly bluish color, it was not a blinding glow just a glow that you could barely make out, “It’s kind of bluish, a light blue. Very faint, the stranger that was outside had a black glow if you can call it a glow, to him.” Max continued to look at his uncle, “So you are our uncle, I am Max, and I like Jove shall call you Uncle. You can call me Max or Maximilian, but I prefer just simple Max much easier to say, but you can call me either. Well, I am tired all the excitement of the day has done me in so I shall take a nap wake me when it is time to leave.”
Without a by your leave Max jumped on his lap and got comfortable and promptly went to sleep. “Well, I guess its ok for you to get up here and go to sleep.” But Max did not hear this he was fast asleep, and he would not wake until later that evening before they left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two hours had passed since the incident and Jove had finished packing and had spoken a little to his uncle, only asking how he was feeling and if he had had enough to eat. Max still slept on Goran’s lap and Jove sat opposite his uncle waiting on his parents to arrive. After the second hour ended George and Molly arrived not expecting to lose their son, or to see Goran sitting in their living room.
George opened the door for his wife, and called for his son to let him know that they had arrived, “Jove where home. We brought something for you to eat.” Jove got up from where he was sitting and went to his parents when they saw the look on his face, it was pale, and he had bags under his eyes as if he had not slept in days worried them. “Sons are you ok?” From his mother “What happen to you?”
He could not really tell them what had happen all he said was “I’m fine. Someone is here.” Both parents knew what this meant, and Jove saw it in their faces. They came forward into their living room and there sat Molly’s brother which they had not seen since that day, when he saved Jove’s life.
Goran did not smile he nodded his head, they were here finally, soon his journey could begin, “Molly, George I will not waste time on pleasantries all of us know why I am here. I would get up but as you can see Max is asleep…” Max knew this was his queue and got up and jump down from Goran’s lap he went and sat by Jove’s feet. He got up and went to his sister and brother-in-law, turned to Molly and saw she was crying “I’m sorry Molly. You know this day would come and we must all play our parts.” Yes, she was aware of all this, but it was too soon, Jove was her son and no matter how old he got that would not change and it was always too early for her dear boy to leave.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Looking at George, he could see that his brother-in-law was not happy, he had his arm around his wife’s shoulders giving her comfort. He liked George and wished that he could have had a better relationship with them both. He was the outcast the black sheep, even though he had done nothing that would earn him the title. To explain to those of his family such as Molly who he was and where he had been living for these twenty-three years, they would surely think him off his rocker and would have him committed. There was nothing he could do for the bad reputation that he had with his family. “I will be waiting outside.” Without another word he walked out the door.
Outside he sat down on the steps to his sister’s house and put his hand on his knees and his head down. He knew that Molly and George would hate him for this but what could he do? Nothing he could do nothing, and he hated it, even if he ever came forward and told them everything, he was sure that they would still hate him in the end.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inside Jove and his parents just looked at each other trying to memorize each other’s face. He would miss them terribly; he knew they would miss him just as much if not more. He would wondered how his parents where and his parents in return would wonder how he was. Finally, the quiet was broken “I love you both. I will miss you and in one year we will see each other again I promise.” And he would keep his promise.
His mother still crying, “This can’t be happening. Where not ready to lose you.”
She could not continue but her husband did with tears in his eyes as well, “Son be careful wherever you go. Stay safe for us. We will see each other in a year, that is not such a long time.”
When he finished all three moved towards each other and embraced. Now the tears were also flowing in Jove’s eyes he could not help it. They held each other for a time not wanting to let go, for they all knew that after that embrace was over, they would not see each other for a long time.
It was his mom in the end who broke the embrace, she knew that it was something she had to do, she would be strong for all of them, “Go son your uncle is waiting, I wish we had more time, but it is time for you to go with him. As your dad said take care of yourself.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With these last words they headed outside with Max walking next to Jove they waved goodbye as he and his uncle left the house. Jove did not turn back he did not want to let them see him crying or see them crying. His uncle walked and Jove followed, Goran said nothing, what more could be said? They walked to the train station where awaited a train leading out of town where it was going Jove did not even bother asking, all he knew was that once he boarded that train, he would be leaving his life.
He had not brought much with him, and his uncle carried only a small pack with a sling that could go around either shoulder, he stepped onto the train and handed over their tickets to the attendant. The man said nothing about the kitten, he did not even look down, Jove picked up Max and got on the train. The train was an old one, but it was well maintained it was one that ran into the mountains on a narrow railway.
The trains engine a steamed power engine was a relic that had been in service for countless decades. It still ran because it was great with the tourist that wanted to see and experience something from another time, something that was not possible in a big city. There was four cabin cars’ being pulled by the engine, the whole things had a crew of six plus the personnel it took to keep the engine in service.
There were not many people on-board mostly tourist that had paid to see the surrounding countryside. In one seat sat a couple in their mid-twenties that had heard it would be a great ride and that there was a lot of picture opportunities. There was a stop at a mine and then at a quarry that was no longer mined plus one stop at the very top before coming back down from the mountain. The first stop was an hour away, Jove said nothing on the trip and his uncle knew he could not start explaining anything to Jove or where they were eventually going. When they arrived at the stop his uncle suggested he should go and get something to drink and to bring him back a bottled water. Jove got off leaving Max asleep on the seat, but Max was not asleep he was waiting for Jove to go so he could talk to Goran.
“Go ahead, you don’t fool me young one I know what you are, and you know what I am and what Jove has a potential to be so spit it out.”
Max opened one eye and looked at Goran and knew by Goran’s look that he was being serious. “Well at least I can be myself. First, are you going to take him across? And your right I know what you are, and I can see what Jove can become. But he can choose not to do it”
He was expecting the questions since Max was no mere cat, he was not from this world, for one thing cats of this world did not speak. The magical creature had come here seeking a partner, the person that he would share the rest of his life with. “Yes, as you well know, I knew someone would eventually go after him after all they did it when he was born, but I was hoping that I could get him across and prepared. I am glad you were there to help him without you I may have been too late to save him.”
Max yawned, “I could not let him be taken he is our family. Without him I would be lost for a long time.” Max knew that he had helped in saving Jove and that if he would have been alone then he would now be a drooling shell, his mind lost in a hell created by the one that had attacked him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jove got out of the train car they were riding on and looked at the small store where was displayed the name of the county and small town they had stopped in. It had a list of small items you could get, various drinks, trail rations, pots, and pans. You could basically get anything you would need to camp out and in fact there was plenty of areas you could camp at. On one wall were bags, backpacks, sleeping bags, pots, and pans on display. On the opposite wall a small area with postcards and other souvenirs plus a small fridge with drinks, at the other end the cash register.
Jove did not see the owner, some of the tourist on the train browsing as well, one young woman perusing the postcards, a couple were looking at backpacks and sleeping bags they were obvious campers. He turned and almost ran into a very ancient woman, where she had come from Jove could only imagine, he had not heard anyone else come in and there was only one other entrance behind the counter where the cash register sat.
The woman looked at Jove and her eyes got large with surprise, “Oh, hello their young man, how may I help you?” She did not even give him a chance to answer, “Ah yes I see, follow me please.”
Jove did not say anything but felt that he should follow. He moved so that she could pass, she went behind the counter then through the door, Jove followed, “You will want the usual I take it?” Jove had no clue what the old woman was talking about, and she gave him no chance to answer. “Of course, you do silly me, getting slow witted in my old age.”
And she laughed, what Jove saw there and what he had seen when they had almost run into each other in the store was no old woman, perhaps in body but not in soul, the soul of this woman remained young even as her body aged. Who was this woman? And what did she know that he did not, he had no clue about what she assumed he wanted. She called out and surprised him he thought that they were alone back there, the room much larger than what you saw outside.
In one corner there was a desk with a small light, at the desk sat an ancient man the twin to the old woman in age. “Fineous where are you?”
He looked up but did not turn, “I am where I was when you left, where else would I be?”
She started muttering to herself as if Jove was not there, then called out again, “Well we have a customer, and he will have some of the usual.”
The old man turned and looked at what could only be his wife, they were of age, both gray haired and wrinkled, Jove put their age at around eighty-five or there about. “Woman can’t you see I am working and have no time for special orders.”
He winked at Jove, “Look you, insufferable old bag of wind I will not stand for that kind of talk around customers.”
The old man winked at Jove again, “Insufferable old bag? Come now woman you can do better than that, fine if I must, only to get you out of my hair, come young man I will set you up.”
The old woman left with a muttering of “I’ll show… Can’t believe I married… My sister tol…” Jove could only smile to himself.
“Well young man I see what you are, but I can see that you do not. Well not my place to tell you that, you will find out in time and your teacher will let you know soon enough. Let me see what we have for you. Ah yes.” The old man started to peruse a bin of all types of bags with tags that Jove could not read, they were read off, but Jove had never heard of any of the things, roots, seeds, and spices of some sort.
All Jove could imagine was that they were for cooking, and they were of a sort but not to cook food, he would not find this out until later. “There we are.” And he produced a bag as of out of midair, he started to put some of the smaller bags from the bins in the larger pack. He finished with it passed it on to Jove.
The old man produced another bag again where he was hiding it Jove could only guess. He reached for more of the ingredients almost at random. After filling it with more than the one he handed over earlier, he handed to him as well. “For your teacher.”
Jove had no idea what all the stuff was. all he had come in here to get was some drinks for him and his uncle and maybe something for Max. “Sir, um you have me at a loss here all I wanted was something to drink.”
The old man never lost the smile or the twinkle in his eye, “Of course, of course this way then my wife will take care of you.” And led him to the front where his wife was charging one of the tourists for the items they had picked up.
He came around the counter to ask about the water, but before he could utter a word the old woman brought out two bottles, “Here you go, your water.” And she smiled, how did she know? Must have been listening to everything that had been said in the backroom, that was the only explanation.
She reached behind her and produced another package, “and this one is for your little friend.” She wrung up the water and then added in for the two sacks and the small package. “That will be eighty-two dollars and fifty-seven cents. Oh, and we do not accept credit cards or personnel checks,” she smiled and pointed at the sign by the register, “can I get anything else for you deary?”
Jove could not say anything reached into his pocket and brought out some money, he fumbled through the bills and saw a one-hundred-dollar bill among the rest that he knew he had not had before. He handed it over without really knowing why he was paying for any of the stuff, but it could be a set up by his uncle as well as the one-hundred-dollar bill. The old lady packed it all up in a brown paper bag, “Here you go, and thank you for your purchases. Good luck with your training and we will see you soon.” He only nodded and was out the door and back to the train that was getting ready to depart.
In the train sat his uncle and Max waiting for him to return, Max again pretending to be asleep. Goran saw him with a bag and raising an eyebrow. Jove said nothing, sat and handed his uncle a water bottle. Max opened his eyes and looked at Jove with wide eyes, “What is it? Oh, it smells wonderful quick let me have it.”
Both could hear the excitement in Max’s voice, what had Jove brought that would ensue this kind of response from Max? Jove reached in and took out a small package and placed it on the seat. “Oh my, oh the smell,” And sniffed for a long time at the wrapped threat, “Jove this is wonderful, I can’t wait to eat some, please open it for me.” Jove did so, he could see the anticipation in the cats’ eyes as he slowly unwrapped it.
Once open he smelled it once more, the smell that came from it was slight to the two humans, but to felines like Max it was a treat that he could only recall one member of his ancestors having eaten a very long time ago. Max bit into it and then after a bit more looked up at Jove. “Put it away please, if I finish it now, I will probably have none in this lifetime. This is so rare that only one ancestor in my entire family has had it before me.”
Jove nodded and put it away without asking what the treat was. Even if he would have asked Max would not have been able to tell him because he did not really know what was in it all he know was that the taste was wonderful. For now, it did not mater the train was on the move again and would not stop until reaching its destination before making its return trip to town.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The train arrived at the last stop, there was not much out there, but someone had paid for the train track to go all the way up and continued to pay, so the train company was more than happy to do so. Only the three passengers got off at this final stop. There was a small inn where people could stay at and a few other buildings that were obscured by the darkness of night. Jove followed Uncle Goran into the small inn where they procured a room for themselves and dinner, all were hungry from the trip there.
Their luggage was wrought up to the room by a young man, “I will allow you gentlemen to freshen up and then bring your dinner.” he handed his uncle the key to the room and left. There were two beds, large and comfortable looking, sitting down it did not feel too firm or too soft. Two small dressers for those that might be staying for a while, which Jove did not believe was often. Maybe some climbers or hikers might enjoy it. There was also a small table with two chairs.
“If you want to use the bathroom first, I will be right back I have to talk to someone about our trip into the mountain.” Without further explanation Uncle Goran left the room.
He would not worry about that, maybe it was a field trip prior to them going wherever it was they were going. Ten minutes later his uncle returned. “Alright all setup, we will be leaving tomorrow around eight thirty, dinner should be coming up soon and we should get some rest.”
Fifteen minutes later dinner arrived on a small cart, they sat and ate, it was a good meal, they left the cart outside when they were done. Jove did not really feel like talking so they spent the rest of the night quietly. His uncle said good night and turned off the bedside lamp. Jove laid down gazing into the darkness after turning his own light off. He missed his parents already, he fell asleep thinking of them, a small warm bundle close to him.