Lynya's Wisdom

Aeralia learns that her cat is actually her mage's familiar.

Lynya jumped at me as soon as I walked in and purred happily, as if to say congratulations.  Congratulations, Mistress. 

I jumped.  “Who said that?” I demanded. 

I did, Mistress.  It’s me, Lynya.  You can’t have thought I was just a normal cat…  “Er…  Well, yes I did, actually.” 

You needn’t speak out loud, you know.  Just think it at me.  Well, it’s actually more complicated than that, but I suppose that’s the easiest way to explain.  Just do it.  Your lady-in-waiting will think you are mad. 

I thought back, She most likely already does.  No harm in trying this out, though.  Lynya purred even more loudly.  She rubbed against my leg. 

No offense, Lynya, but what exactly are you? 

The cat-that-was-not-a-normal-cat just looked at me with one green eye.  Why, your familiar, of course.  All mages, sorcerers, wizards, enchantresses, witches-oh you get the gist of it.  They all have a familiar, which is a companion, often with magical powers.  We familiars are constantly looking after you, Mistress.  You have an important role to play.  After that, Lynya said no more, no matter how much I pleaded and cajoled.  I decided to just lie down for a bit.

            I woke with a start, panting and sweating.  It was dark out, so I must have been asleep for a few hours.  I was sure that I had just had a nightmare, but already it was slipping from my mind.  Lynya jumped onto my pillow.  Mistress, what is amiss?  Does something disturb you?

             “No,” I said, forgetting to say it silently, “It was just a bad dream.” 

            Lynya stared at me in the way cats do and finally said, Very well, Mistress.  Call me if you need me.  I will hear, no matter where I am.  I am going to explore the castle.  

            I perked up.  Can I go?  I asked, this time remembering to think it. 

            No, Mistress.  That would not be wise.  With that, the cat slipped out of my room.

            Realizing that I wouldn’t be able to sleep anymore, I rose from my bed and changed into riding clothes.  Father wouldn’t mind, it was my tutors and courtiers and the Council of Elders that disapproved of me riding around unguarded in the middle of the night.  After all, they said, I was a princess, not some useless page or such.  I needed protection, they insisted.  Well, I disagreed.  I was quite able to take care of myself; in fact there were few people that could match me with a sword or a bow.  I strapped on my sword and carefully slipped out of the castle, heading for my horse.  I would spend some time in Cariza Forest (Cariza Forest was an enormous expanse of trees and wildlife-it stretched out for about a hundred miles before the trees began to dwindle).  It was next to Castle Elyorn, and it was our official hunting grounds.

            Whinnies and snorts greeted me as I walked into the royal stables.  “Shhhh.  It’s all right, it’s only me.”  The horses quieted down.  Walking to Alonwyn’s stall, I began to wonder if I should have called for Lynya.  In any case, it was too late now, or was it?             “Lynya, Lynya,” I called softly.  A white form came bounding into the stables.  Yes, Mistress?

            Ten minutes later we were on Alonwyn’s back, heading toward a little creek where I liked to sit and think.  Lynya hadn’t thought much of my idea to head out into the dark forest in the middle of the night without telling anyone, but I pointed out that she’d be with me.  Then Lynya relented and said nothing more.  She still looked anxious but she restrained herself as I sped up Alonwyn.

            Soon we came to the small clearing in which a small creek ran through.  Alonwyn knew the place well, and tossed his head and snorted upon reaching it.  “Thank you, Alonwyn,” I said.  Dismounting and taking off his bridle, I turned to Lynya.  What were you doing before I called you? 

            She didn’t answer me, choosing to go up the nearest tree and curl up on a branch.         I frowned, angry.  Lynya!  

            She hissed at me. 

            Lynya, answer me!  What were you doing? 

            Lynya turned away from me pointedly. 

            I, Princess of Aestarlin and Daughter of Agrenvr Dovmir hereby command you to answer me! 

            She now faced me contemptuously.  If you think saying that will get you whatever you want, you’re wrong.  Princess, you have much to learn.  That was all I could get out of her no matter how hard I tried.

            Sitting down by the creek, I dipped my fingers into the cool water, fuming.  Lynya had no right to speak to me like that; nobody did!  I was a princess and liked to be obeyed instantly.  I was angry, and I knew that I should probably try to calm down.

            “I’m going for a walk,” I said bluntly, standing up.  Lynya didn’t respond, but her tail twitched.  Alonwyn’s ears flicked forward, then backward.  Neither of them stopped me, but then, I wasn’t expecting them to.  Walking slowly along the bubbling creek, I took three deep breaths and relaxed.  Hoping to calm down, I walked further than I had ever gone before. 

            Suddenly, I heard voices coming from a thicket just ahead.  Normally, I wouldn’t have gone near it; I had been taught that eavesdropping was low and unprincess-like.  However, tonight I was in a bad mood, so I padded softly over and listened.

 

Author's Note

Constructive criticism and compliments gladly accepted