Sunday June 21st - Finding Kitty

"Tell me again where Kane is?" Lord Glade asked dryly.

I shrugged, "He'll get here eventually." Lord Glade let out a sharp breath. "What? He lied to me! Why should I spend time with him?"

"It is dangerous this far from town. There are monsters and-"

"I do know how to fight, if you will remember our training sessions." I snapped, interrupting Lord Glade. He grimaced and turned forward, muttering to himself about his father.

We had stopped by Mrs. Martin's house that morning and gotten her directions to the last known sightings of the kitty, Sandy. Apparently, she was a mouser and loved hunting in the ruins of an old castle not too far from town. Mrs. Martin was kind enough to show us on our map where the ruins were located. She also gave us Sandy's collar.

I smiled at the containment enchantments on it. When Lord Glade didn't even mention them, my amusement increased. Now, as we rode and my eyes picked up on the burned patches of grasses, I felt certain that Lord Glade was in for an surprising acquaintance with Sandy.

Lord Glade urged his horse nearer to mine, "Be on your guard." He said softly, "There are several scorched places around. It's possible there is a hobgobin wizard around here."

I couldn't keep the smile off my lips as I nodded.

"It's not funny! You need to be prepared to run." Lord Glade pressed.

"Of course, my Lord, I was smiling wryly. My thoughts had of course turned to Kane being late in such a dangerous situation." I lied. Lord Glade bought my words and nodded appeased.

We continued on. Our road looped around the southwestern edge of a vast forest, called Occiosmead. It ranged from here, the western side of Viceria to the ocean in the East and even crossed the Rykal mountains in the North. The forest was huge. Legend had it that many countless treasures and mythical creatures could be found in its dark, shaded depths. Finding them wasn't a problem, returning alive once you'd found them was.

I longed to explore the forest one day. Just a month and a half and then the Mating Season would be over and I'd be fre- my hands tightened around my daggers as I remembered why I was angry with Kane and Ishmael. Rather than being disowned and becoming free in a month and a half, I'd have to return with them to the Essenvir estate. One day afterward, I'd become their mate. My hands white knuckled around my daggers.

"If something happens, I will protect you with my life, Miss Kylara." Lord Glade said placing a hand gently over my left hand. I blinked up at him. His statement was sweet, even though he'd completely mistaken the reason for my tension.

"Thank you, Lord Glade." I said with a small smile. He nodded and remove his hand as I returned to thinking about his upcoming run in with the 'Kitty'. That made me relax again.

After we rounded the tip of the forest, the ground began to slope upwards. According to Mrs. Martin, the ruins would be at the top of this rise on the edge of the forest.

As we traveled upwards, I focused my eyes on the crest of the slope and the few outlying trees on the hills' ridge.

Boom! On of the trees lit up, wreathed by fire. I kicked my horse faster, but was nearly thrown when the mare abruptly stopped running mid-stride. My forehead smacked into something solid, golden, and transparent. I rubbed my growing welt as I realized that this was a barrier.

Turning wide eyes on Lord Glade, I saw he was staring not at me but at the ridge behind me. I looked that way as well.

Then, I saw her, 'Kitty', the friendly, mousing house-cat, named Sandy. Her flame covered striped four foot tall three foot wide body catapulted through the air and disappeared from view. No doubt she was hunting some stray mice.

I turned back to Lord Glade, "What are you doing? Let me out!" I shouted.

"I will handle this on my own. You will stay here where it is safe." Lord Glade said weakly. His face was pale.

I crossed my arms over my chest and watched as he walked his horse up beside me. "And how exactly will you handle this?" I mocked. I knew full well that I had the enchanted rope of cooling we'd been given in my bag. Lord Glade's skill set was primary defense. Without the rope, he could do nothing.

I opened my mouth to tell him about it, but he shouted, "I'll think of something," and took off at a gallop up the hill.

I stared after him in uncertainty, before letting out a sigh and waiting for Kane to arrive.