A Reunion

"SHORT!" Ursa bellowed, "I don't have all day I was in the middle of something before you turned up!"

"I'm on the run because I've got something someone else wants and they are not too far behind me. Now, "Christmas turned to the crowd to address them, "if you lovely people would be kind enough to help me I can make it worth your while!"

Ursa laughed, "They can't help you, they'd try their best I'd expect," she laughed, "bless them, The Army of The Try Their Bests." Letting out a cackle she taunted the crowd.

"I'm the only one who can help you here." Ursa yelled as she continued walking down the valley towards her, the rest of her troupe following. Purlean at her feet, keeping close.

"I don't think you can," Christmas turned towards Ursa heading her way, "but I can help you."

Ursa laughed as she continued her way while one of the cats in the crowd approached Christmas from behind and whispered something in her ear.

"What are you up to?" Ursa pointed a finger at her, "Wanna be stone?" 

The cat shook his head and slowly started edging back to the rest of the assembled cats, trying to merge into the crowd.

"What did he say to you? WELL I'M WAITING. AND I DON'T LIKE TO BE KEPT WAITING!"

Christmas smiled at the cat who had just whispered to her and mouthed a don't worry.

"WELL!" Ursa was now only a few meters away.

"I can help you, I really can." Christmas looked at Purlean and smiled. Purlean returned a quizzical look.

"I don't think I like you," Ursa spat, "Nothing but trouble you. I think I've had enough now." She raised her hand towards Christmas Peacock!

"NO! Wait." Purlean jumped up onto Ursa shoulder and wrapped her tail lovingly around her neck. 

"How can you help me?"

Christmas smiled, turned to her left, towards the gap in the forest opposite me. I followed her gaze but couldn't see anything.

She turned back to address Purlean, "Just wait a moment." and turned back to the gap.

Everyone looked in the direction indicated by Christmas's interest, silence fell across the valley. In the silence a pin could have been heard dropping, all I could hear was the sound of my own breath, today was turning out to be even stranger than I could have imagined. The whole place was a place of craziness.

"What are we waiting for?" I asked The Fly.

"Just watch it won't be long now."

Faintly to begin with then growing in volume "They're coming, THEY'RE COMING."

A rather handsome tabby cat came running through the gap.

Ursa's face looked confused. She turned to Christmas."What is this?"

Christmas smiled at Purlean, "A reunion, a family reunion."

Curiosity Is Not Just A Cat Curse You Know

"Blimey I wouldn't want to catch her on a bad day." Christmas Peacock! addressed one of the cats now gently touching the now stone cat.

She turned to Ursa, "You're vicious!"

Ursa smiled and nodded. "If you want my help," she turned to Purlean, "and let's face it I'm the only one here that could possibly help her." turning back to Christmas "you'd better spit it out, I was in the middle of things."

"Yes middle of a massacre by the look of it." Christmas spat back, "What on earth happened in your life to make you such a bitch?"

"Like you care." Ursa retorted.

Christmas smiled, "I don't, not in the slightest but as we're here chewing the cud..."

Without pausing and drawing attention to herself she tossed a small piece of paper on the floor next to the cat who had been looking after Ursa's first victim on the day. It didn't go unnoticed and the cat quickly scooped it up and opened it, careful not t get detected.

"ENOUGH of this nonsense!" Ursa screamed.

"I agree, " Christmas replied, "you see I also am in a hurry and this is all becoming very confusing. Now what was it I needed help with." she tapped the top of her head.

Meanwhile the cat had passed the note back to another cat at the edge of the crowd who looked down, took a read and passed it back.

"Oh yes, " Christmas took a couple of steps closer to Ursa, "I'm.. oh honey have you never heard of Peppermint, it's a great breath neutraliser." She put a paw over her nose and took a step to her left.

I turned to The Fly, "She's distracting Ursa's attention isn't she."

The Fly nodded back, "Clever isn't she."

"But how come Ursa hasn't put some sort of a spell on her?"

"Curiosity is not just a cat curse you know."

Ursa was smiling again. "You really have a way with words."

"I thank you." Christmas bowed, looked behind her, caught a glimpse from one of the cat that had read the notelet, who quickly nodded to her and poked a finger behind her. Christmas smiled and turned back to Ursa. Taking another step closer to her.

"Oh yes, that's right. I'm on the run and need you to help me hide.

That caught Ursa's attention.

"On the run." She took a step closer to Christmas, "Who from?"

Christmas sat down on a rock, took a handkerchief from her pocket, blew her nose, returned it to the said pocket and patted the stone next to her indicated to Ursa to take a seat.

"What would you prefer, the short or long version?"

Tear Of Mirth Dropped From Her Chin

I thought Ursa was going to implode with rage but it just goes to show witches are a different breed. She opened her mouth and cackled, her head flying back the cackle merged to a roar. Tears of mirth dropped from her chin. The dragon next to her retracted his wings and sat back down.

A few of the cats also started to laugh, the atmosphere felt less charged and more positive, the tension disappearing.

"Oh," she whipped a droplet from her nose, "it's been absolutely ages since I've laughed like that. I'm having so much fun and in a minute I'm going to take the remaining crystal, obliterate you all," she pointed to Christmas Peacock!, "maybe not you I have a vacancy for a court jester and I think you'll fit the bill perfectly and exact complete revenge on that bunch of villagers before taking over the world."

She clapped her hands, "Yes today is turning out to be a fabulous day indeed." 

She took a few more steps down the hill. "Now who," she address the crowd "is claiming to manage this bunch of moggies." 

The crowd gasped, the atmosphere of 30 seconds ago was long gone.

"I," a cat, a grey version of George stepped forward. "am the local elder, so you might like to look on me as..."

Before he could finish Ursa nodded at him, raised her hand and pointed her finger in his direction mumbling something under her breath. A flash of light filled the air above everyone turned to look the light bleaching everything in a white light, gone in a flash a lady screamed.

The elder man still there was not moving, his grey hair now grey stone.

Some of the crowd let out moans and cries, when one cat passes all cats mourn, a few fled into the woods where we were hiding but most just stood there staring unable to comprehend what had just taken place.

"Now," she turned to Christmas Peacock! "You said you could do with some help. I'm curious. what do you need help with, I've always been nosey!" A crooked smile spread across her face.

He Looked Back At Me, A Twinkle In His Eye - Isn't She A Scene Stealer

"What the!!!" I thought but Ursa said.

I turned to The Fly, I don't know if it was the tension of the situation or whatever it was but I really wanted to giggle. I knew it was not the time but still.

He looked back at me, a twinkle in his eye. "Isn't she a scene stealer." He smiled.

"Oh she's that alright."

By the time I turned back Christmas Peacock! had half a dozen cats surrounding her, trying to give her sips of water, a general hubbub of whispered chattering was rippling through the gathered crowd.

Ursa was staring down, hands on hips, defiant and irritated, the Dragon behind her now quiet but still breathing, his eyes reduced to slits.

I scanned the rest of the gang, Bob and The Darling, Darling had both moved a little closer to the kittens, Leopold was now by Purlean, protecting her as she wrapped herself around Ursa's left foot.

Ursa turned to the Dragon and back to the crowd, "Am I imagining this?" Shouting down the hill she got the attention of the crowd. "AM I IMAGINING THIS?"

Most of the crowd fell silent but hushed voices could still be heard.

Ursa turned to the Dragon. "Deal with this nonsense will you!"

The Dragon smiled, puffed out his chest and stretched out his wing, smoke coming from his nostrils he stood as if to get ready to take flight.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry I seem to have interrupted your little gathering." Christmas Peacock! was on her feet.

"Well that was a miraculous recovery!" I whispered out the side of my mouth to The Fly.

"Um amazing timing!" The irony in our voices not lost on the other.

"Now, " Christmas straightened the daisy in her hat. "Now who is the head honcho around here, I need a favour and I'm in rather a hurry."

Ursa looked shocked, a couple of the cat laughed only enraging Ursa more, the Dragon now calm, distracted from his orders.

"Are you..." she stepped a few steps closer down the hill. "taking the mick?"

Christmas Peacock picked of a blade of grass stuck to her shawl. Looked Ursa up and down, turned to the crowd behind her, turned to face me and The Fly again, winked again, this was becoming a habit and opened her mouth.

"No your stylist however ekk. Money back guarantee?"

Hello, I'm Christmas Peacock! I Need Your Help!

There I was side by side with The Fly, leaves on bushes and twigs on sticks snapping and opening as we made our way through the undergrowth towards the edge of the woodland around the edge of Parsnip Valley.

To my left to valley continued to dip down, a hill on the opposite side and valley floor was filled with cats, mottled and in varying states of attire, robes caps next to bear feet and bowed legs. The noise of their chattering a banging cacophony not single sentence unmuzzled. Cats turned and swung between conversations, constantly shifting positions, heckles and ganders up high.

To my right the valley rose to a peak and over the edge the trees on the top hung with flags stood Ursa, Leopold, Purlean, their children, The Darling, Darling and Bob.

Ursa proud and upright leering down, hair now slightly matted, Leopold stood in front of the children but a way back under the tree, safe distance. The children had grown a lot in the last month and although now still very small they were certainly stronger.

Bob fussed over a campfire he was attempting to make, flint on flint does not always produce a spark, especially at the top of a windy valley and the breath of thousands of cats hissing curses in the same direction.

The Daring, Darling sat next to Bob, by the look of her she didn't know whether to stay back safe from immediate peril or run down and lick all the cats in the valley until they gave in and loved her. For the moment she remained with Bob.

In the gap between them little bright lights like electric sparks whizzed around and disappeared.  turned to The Fly.

"What on earth is that?" My head jabbed towards the sparks.

"Tension in the air!" The Fly replied not turning away from something he was intent n looking for on the other side of the clearing. Finally he waved and turned to me.

"As I say tension in the air. It always looks like that. When you feel it it's there it's just it can't always be seen but this place..." he paused his face screwing up and taking a sharp intake of breath through his bottom lip for dramatic purpose, "...is something else!"

I just shook my head. Give me strength.

"Hang on." I suddenly remembered something. "Who did you just wave at?"

The Fly buzzed and sat on my nose. "Myself, I'm over there." He nodded towards a tree branch on the other side.

My head began to turn when a gasp from the cat gathering became a singing chorus. Ah the Cat Information Network, alive and strong even then. I turned to look in the direction drawing attention, the sky had turned dark but the sun was still out. A large sound of thuds and whooshes gathered volume on the other side of the valley tip, just out of sight.

Ursa turned away from the crowd following their gaze.

"On a previous tour. I always promised myself I would say hello to me, when the time came." The Fly ignoring the unfolding commotion.

"What?!"

The Fly laughed. "That's one of my earlier tours, look over there just passed me, another me a previous me waving at you and laughing over their, up on the branch behind. Can you see it, that little bit of grey? "

I peered my eyes following his directions. Yes there I could see something. I nodded.

"That was a lovely cat I brought on the tour way back, years ago. Smokey, lovely fellow. Anyway waiting for the beginning, much like we are now, back then I made a promise to myself to wave at myself from across the field, when the opportunity presented itself, to me, and I knew I had because as soon as I thought it and looked up there I was waving at me. I just had to make sure I did it which of course I had and it just today, turns out is the day, we're at exactly the right spot. Get it?"

"Kinda",

All this Time Consciousness stuff can play games with your sanity.

The Fly grinned.

"Now shush, you'll miss it."

The crowd were no longer in stunned silence, gasps and cries and noise had begun screams threading through.

I stared at them the fear in their eyes, some ready to fight some already given up.

I turned to the top of the valley and their stood the Red Dragon, now thrice the size it was last time we had seen him. The scales blood red, wings retracted tips sharp and glistening. A revolting stench avalanced itself down the valley each time he breathed out a grin of evil on his face, his eyes searching the crowd when eye caught his tongue menacingly poked.

Ursa stepped up and tickled his chin, ecstasy coursing through her veins.

She went to open her mouth and at that exact moment everyone as one turned to look towards the
middle of the field.

That gap in-between the two sides was now filled by an out of breath and slightly dishevelled cat running noisily through, arms in the air waving about from left to right.

She suddenly stopped, took two deep breaths, turned to her left, to her right and then straight at me and winked before turning and bowed to both sides.

"Hello, I'm Christmas Peacock! I need your help!" She turned to face us again winked, bowed, clutched her stomach and promptly passed out.

Some Very Strong Words

If I'm not plagued by flies trying to wind me up I'm plagued by bee's and now the bee's seem to have disappeared for the time being I'm being plagued by daddy long legs.

This one thinks it's funny to poke fun at me through the window, he thinks just because there's a plane of glass between us that he can buzz up and down laughing at me.

Well I tell you I shall be remembering his face and the next time I see him outside we are going to be having some very strong words!

Driving me nuts he is.

"Eat Up, It's Going To Be A Big Day"

I has no idea how long I'd been asleep but when I woke up the sun was shining bright, I stretched and yawned, I really needed that sleep.

"Good morning." The Fly cheerily dropped a strawberry at my feet, "Eat up, it's going to be a big day."

"Where are we?" I stood to take a look at my surrounding. We appeared to be in a wood, trees and bushes surrounded us, we were settled in a little clearing, no more than a meter square. The trees were different than those in the Enchanted Forest and the air although warm was clearer and crisper than I was used to.

"England, Parnip Valley is just through there." He buzzed a few inches in front of us, then backed up and sat on a stone on the ground.

Parsnip Valley the place where the 2nd Great Age of Cats began it's downfall. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Oh just a few hours your time, about a month in The Time Consciousness."

"A month!" I took a step back.

"Yes," The Fly responded matter of fact he bent down munched on some mouldy leaf on the ground. Sometimes he really did take the biscuit.

"Now eat up, we've got to leave soon."

"Leave! Where we going?"

"To watch the battle."

"How can you be so calm?"

The Fly turned back to me. "David, I've seen this so many times that's why I can be so calm." He must have seen the look of horror on my face because there was one. He came closer to me and tried to give a reassuring smile.

"David, this happened. This always happened, always will happen,there's nothing you can do about that."

"But so many could die, so many are about to die. I don't want to go and see this, I don't!"

The Fly looked back at me blankly, licked his lips and began to speak.

"David, what is about to happen is new to you but happened hundreds of years ago for them. It's all ancient history and because of what happens, because of what you are about to see and take part in forged the future, their future, the future of all catkind, your own past and your own future. It's not something you can stop but it is something that you can help with. Didn't Purlean ask for your help? Well help her then!"

"But I don't understand." I really was so confused and was way past wishing I hadn't entered The Time Consciousness but I had and now events were calling for me.

"Nor will you, nor should you until you are called." The Fly put a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry David all will become clear."

I looked at him, his hundred eyes smiled back. "Come on let's go, there's a big crowd waiting and," he laughed, "Time waits for no one."

"I've Been Waiting For You!"

"I've been waiting for you!" The voice was familiar and I opened my eyes. There right in front of me buzzing around was The Fly, grinning away.

What was going on? I was still in the air, I should have fallen by now and been enveloped by the sea but I wasn't, colour all around me.

"What's going on? And more to the point where have you been?" I looked at The Fly, angry and relieved both at once.

The Fly smiled back, "I told you I've been waiting for you." I could have swiped at him but I was glad not to be alone and also glad not to be floating around in the middle of the sea.

"You...!" I didn't know what to say to him.

He laughed back. "Oh come on David, how many times have I taken this tour, did you not think that I didn't see you'd be OK? You needed to take that part of the journey on your own but I've been watching over you the whole time, you needed to speak to Purlean and I don't think you would have done that if I was around."

"You mean you knew that was going to happen?"

"Well," he paused "Yes" Then giggled. He must have seen the look on my face. "Oh come on, I knew you'd be fine, I've seen you at the Parsnip Valley when I was on one of my other tours, and if you were there then you must have made it OK and as I said I've never been that far away from you."

"Where are we?" I looked around again, it was like the northern lights had descended upon us.

"Remember the magic that chased us through the forest?" I nodded, "Well we're right in the middle of it now, it's helping us get to where we need to be. Parsnip Valley, now get some sleep David, it's OK you'll be safe you are going to need your energy AND your wits about you when we get there!"

As annoyed at The Fly as I was I had a lot to process from my conversation with Purlean, and a lot to remember. And what did she mean by - one day you will remember and when you remember then you'll be free?

"You've Been Waiting for Me?"

"You've been waiting for me?" The shock in my voice plain for anyone to pick up on.

Purlean nodded, "Yes," she smiled, "I've been watching you for a long time now."

I shook my head, something felt familiar in her words but I couldn't remember what.

"I'm confused!"

Purlean pushed another piece of fish towards me, "It's no wonder little David, no wonder that you are confused."

"Huh?" I shrugged my shoulders.

"David-Shiro cat from the future, a witches familiar a decedent of mine, traveller of the Time Consciousness. Time travel in the way you have done it has it's consequences."

I was stunned. "How...?" I was stumped

"How do I know your name? How do I know your a Time Consciousness traveller? David-Shiro I'm a witches familiar, the first witches familiar." She smiled "Just the fact that you are here gives me great joy, it proves at least one of my darlings," she nodded over to her sleeping kittens."survives what is shortly to come."

Purlean's eyes twinkled, a tear glistened, happiness and sadness all at once.

"I know you know." Purlean brushed a piece of fish from my face as I hungrily snaffled another piece, I didn't realise how hungry I really was.

"I know what's to come and the terrible choice that's to be made." She paused, "The choice that is inevitable, the choice that two must make, you see it's the only way to stop her."

Purlean looked lovingly to a sleeping Ursa, snores vibrating the wood beneath her.

"Don't get me wrong I love my Ursa, she looked after me when no other would, when I was an outcast. But she can't be allowed to carry out her plan.I'm going to have to stop her and David-Shiro I always knew I wouldn't be alone in my task." She pointed at me;

"Do you think it's a coincidence that you are here now? Out of all the hundreds and scores of tours The Fly has taken that YOU are the one to find himself here on this raft with us now heading towards the final showdown with The Army of the Try Their Bests?"

I started at Purlean, my fore mother, a grandparents, grandparents, grandparents, grandparent. What generation from her I was I didn't know but we were linked, we shared DNA, we were both Witches Familiars.

"I guess not." I replied and Purlean smiled.

"The thing is darling David-Shiro you are a very special cat, a cat that has a special secret that even you don't know yet and it's because of your specialness that you are the only one that can help me."

I was surprised, yes I was a witches familiar but that's where I thought my specialness ended. "What do you mean I am special?"

Purlean smiled a smile of family love and took a deep breath she looked behind her. "Entering The Time Consciousness has it's consequences." She leaned "David, one day you will remember and when you remember then you'll be free!"

Her words seemed to freeze in my somewhere, my blood was ice rushing through my veins.

"But enough of that, that is for then. I'm going to need you help David, I can't tell you with what yet, to know would be dangerous, but the next day we meet I'm going to need your help. Will you help me?"

I nodded and Purlean smiled, her shoulders relaxed. "Thank you." She lent forward and gave me a kiss on my forehead.

I was feeling very confused and overwhelmed, here I was talking to Purlean the first witches familiar and he she was saying she needed my help, stuck on a raft in the middle of a sea hundreds of years before I was born without The Fly my guide agreeing to goodness only know's what.

"You trust me don't you David?" Purlean suddenly looked serious.

I nodded.

"Then David-Shiro you must jump off this raft and into the sea."

"What!" I quiet liked water I am forever playing out in it but to jump into the middle of the sea that was a different matter.

"You MUST jump into the sea David. You trust me don't you?"

I nodded again.

"Then trust me, jump into the sea you will be alright."

My eyes scanned the horizon looking to spot any shoreline, none could be seen. I looked back at Purlean.

"But we're so far from land."

Purlean nodded, "You trust me?"

I nodded again. Purlean stared back. I stood up and walked over towards the edge of the raft, looking into the dark night water, it seemed so deep. I looked back at Purlean to see if I could see anything in her eyes. I did trust her but this seemed madness, her eyes urged me on.

I squatted down a cat leaping position, if I was going in I wasn't going to enter cautiously, I was going to go for it. Down my back legs went, the adrenaline pumping in and up I bounced flying high in the air squeezing my eyes shut waiting for the impact and coldness of the water to wash over me

"Remember," Purlean called after me, "Remember!"

It's Fabulous People Watching

"Three days! Three days? What on earth did you do in that time?" Theo looked surprised. "There's no way I could have kept still for that long."

I smiled back and pushed a Dreamies out of the window.

"It wasn't easy but I'm had plenty of practise sitting very still and not being noticed, I do live with a dog you know."

Theo cracked a grin, "She's quiet cute though."

"Oh yes," I knocked another Dreamies out of the window and Theo popped it in his mouth. "She's lovely but sometimes you just wanna sit in peace and that's a rarity around here."

Theo nodded, "I can image. So what did you do?"

"I listened to their general chit chat, it's fabulous people watching. Bob can really talk, it doesn't really matter to him if anyone's listening he just gets lost in his own world. I heard all about his travels, as did The Darling Darling who I learnt is a surprisingly good listener and according to the general consensus she can do some amazing things with a pile of tofu and fresh berries."

"Um, I love berries." Theo licked his lips and eyed my Dreamies pile, subtle! I knocked a third out of the window.

"Leopold was also a quiet one, preferring to spend his time following Purlean around and playing with his kids but the biggest surprise was Ursa."

Theo's ears pricked up.

"She wasn't as much of a ogre as I first thought. Yes she as a bit of a grumbler and spent half the time wandering around kicking things and barking orders but it didn't seem to bother the others much they just did what they wanted to but every now and then she would sit down next to Purlean and just stroked her. The love in her eyes was obvious, love seeping out not afraid to show it's face and Purlean well she was in ecstasy rubbing her head again Ursa's legs hen she was having a particularly unproductive rant. They were the strangest of best friends."

"You sound like you liked her?" Theo looked quizzical.

"After three days of just watching I must admit I think I understood her a bit more. It couldn't have been nice to have been scorned and accused of being a witch by her villagers. OK it is what she became but what came first the chicken or the egg?"

He looked at me like I was mad.

"Never mind, I guess it wasn't all her own fault what she became although it didn't soften me enough to change my plans. No she had to be stopped and I guess I was the only one now The Fly had disappeared, to be able to do it, Catkind depended on it!"

My Heart Was Pumping The Taste Of Adrenaline In My Mouth

"I've something very important to tell you." George's face said he was being serious. "The treasures that Foxy Lectar is after, must not fall into his hands, it's imperative."

George has just come over and by the look on his face he'd been up all night.

"OK, I'm listening." Luckily River was playing out the back with Daddy so I had the house to myself although I didn't know how long I had.

"We've had trouble with this character before, although I thought we'd turned a corner, he worked with us when we had some trouble a while back but it looks like that truce is now over."

George's weepy eye glistened and he wiped a drop forming.

"There's something I should have told you back last Summer when you mentioned it but I thought that I was protecting you by not saying, ignorance can be a good safeguard sometimes but now the time has come to tell you."

My heart was pumping the taste of adrenaline in my mouth.

"The treasures that Foxy Lectar is after you have."

"I have!" I wasn't expecting that.

"Yes," George nodded, "you have. Do you remember back last Summer when you told me about meeting Greego."

I nodded. "Yes, he's still asleep you know I've not been able to get Doublay and Theo to reform the Coven of 3 yet, although I'm still trying."

George smiled and nodded, "You're a good boy David but you must be careful with that stuff it makes me nervous."

I wasn't going to stop trying but I understood where he was coming from.

"You mentioned the Little Red Dragon, that's the treasure that Foxy Lectar is after."

"What!"

"Yes, Lil' found it a while back and kept it safe. None of us knew what it was to begin with but now we know. Mogsie and I have been to see our old friend Ginger Cat and he told us. He saw it happening."

"What did he see happening."

George looked at me, "David you are not the only one who's been to The Time Consciousness, Ginger Cat has also been there."

"But I don't understand I was there and I didn't see anything about a Little Red Dragon."

"No you wouldn't have. Ginger Cat went later into Purlean's story than you ever did, he saw what happened after the events of Parsnip Valley, you'd gone by that time."

"I thought that was the end of Purlean's story."

"Oh no, no it wasn't, something very, very bad happened when they left to go to Manning Tree, something no one saw coming."

"But I don't understand." I was very confused.

"I think you and Ginger Cat need to speak, he can explain better than I can but I can tell you he was with you most of the time, up until you left to go over the sea he said."

"I thought I saw a flash of Ginger and have been trying to meet up with him for ages but events just overtook me and I guess it went to the back of my mind."

George smiled, "Something went wrong with his tour and he jumped in time a lot longer than he should have, The Fly was gone then and to find his way back he had to go to Manning Tree and seek Purlean's help in getting back. I'll get a meeting between you arranged, you two can then talk. But please, please you mustn't let anyone else know that you have the Little Red Dragon, keep it safe, all of our futures depend on it."

I nodded, "Of course I will."

George smiled, "I know you will David, I have complete faith in you."

Mogsie's Words Rang In My Head

"What!" I exclaimed out loud and quickly put a paw across my mouth, looking quickly to see if anyone had heard me.

Ursa was laughing and looking out to sea, Purlean turned back, I thought for a moment she had heard me but she just smiled and turned back to look out to sea with Ursa, she must have been looking at her children, running and laughing as they splashed in the water. 

Leopold and Bob continued collecting wood for a fire they were building and The Darling, Darling had settled on a patch of the beach, looking very tired, enjoying the sea breeze.

Phew I couldn't have been heard, relief spread throughout me. Where was The Fly when you really needed him. 

I couldn't let this happen, what about my Daddies. She said she intended to eliminate all human beings, throughout time.We were in the time consciousness, if something happened here then it happened everywhere at every time, look at what had happened to Tiger. She must be stopped but how on earth could I achieve that all by myself. Now more than ever I needed The Fly to help me. 

Mogsie's words rang in my head;

"For it was the day of the Summer Solstice, many, many years ago, that Purlean's family finally found her again. It was also the day the Coven of 3's magic was activated and the day she had to make a terrible choice, a choice that would affect all black cats through out the world for evermore and cause such debate as to whether black cats are lucky or not. That was the day black cat magic came into being and the seeds of the fall of The Second Great Age of Cats were sown, and watered."

Right think, think what did that all mean?

The Summer Solstice that was the day everything seemed to happen. I had no idea what the date was today, but was pretty sure it wasn't the Summer Solstice, not if they were making camp and had a journey over the sea to complete first and Purlean's family hadn't turned up, so I had a little time. I needed to find out the date, how I had no idea but it was a start, give me some idea of how long I had.

The Coven of 3 had been born but I'd seen no sign that their magic had been activated, not that I'd been with them all the time but I felt confident that was still to happen, I really needed to keep an eye out for anything strange around those 3 little kittens.

I knew I had protection magic but was that the same as black cat magic? Surely if it was The Fly would have called it that, but then again The Fly hadn't always been totally truthful to me. 

I wasn't even sure if we were in The Second Great Age of Cats yet or not, but Mogsie said it was about the beginning of the fall not the creation. Oh how I wished I'd learnt more about cat history, that might of helped, still no point in beating myself up about that now.

What should I do? Oh what should I do?

Then suddenly it struck me. I was in The Time Consciousness, a place where things could be altered. I still had very little understanding or indeed control over my own magic let alone anyone else's so I didn't feel confident in being able to use that effectively but the words of Daddy screamed in my ear. Prevention is better than cure. What if I could prevent Purlean's family from finding her, would that stop any of this happening? I had no idea but it was the only plan I had. Somehow I had to stop that from happening.

Oh Fly where are you?

I Was Lost

Seeing The Fly drinking suddenly made me realise how thirsty I was.

"Is there anywhere around here we can get a drink?" I asked

The Fly lifted his head from the daisy leaf;

"Yes, sorry I should have thought," he smiled, "there's a little river just a few minutes walk from here, you'll be able to partake there. Follow me."

Off he flew and off I followed. The bush was thick but being a nibble cat traversing the terrain was no problem for me, this was all good practise for me when I got back home, there's so many trees and woods and things like that around where we live and I realised my muscles had responded to all the exercise I'd been having since I came here, strange as I'd come here through connecting with the time consciousness, so I was here and at home both at the same time.

I'd had no idea how long I'd been here, yes for me a lot had happened and I'd slept at least once but I wondered how much time had passed back at home, but I didn't want to think of home too much as I wasn't finished on this tour yet and I feared thinking too much of home would take me straight back there.

 

The sound of tinkling water was all around me, The Fly wasn't lying we weren't too far from the river at all.

"Here we are!" The Fly proudly exclaimed and there just in front of him was the most beautiful site, a river surrounded by the most beautiful trees, red and pink and yellow blooms all around, a duck happily swimming by. My thirst, now that water was there right in front of me, was almost unbearable and I jumped forward, head straight lapping up the golden water.

I turned towards where The Fly had been, "You not joining me?" It was really was the best water I'd ever tasted but I couldn't see him.

"Fly. FLY!" I called out, suddenly very aware that this was the first time he'd not been there right by my side, panic tangoing the blood through my veins.

"FLY, WHERE ARE YOU FLY?" I turned left and right, nothing, nowhere to be seen.

I thought about turning back, to where we had just come from, then it suddenly struck me that I'd not really being paying any attention to where we were going, The Fly had always led the way. Even if I had been paying attention then I still wouldn't know where I was, I had no grasp of direction, the forest had turned into a wood and then a forest and back into a wood again, I was lost.

Right, I thought to myself, what would Daddy say in such situation? 

Don't panic. Yes that's what he would say at first, don't panic, try to calm down and analyse the situation. Easier said than done.

I was by a river and all rivers lead somewhere, generally to the sea or maybe a lake and where there's water there's bound to be people and maybe if I followed the river I could find some people and ask them for some help.

But should I stay where I was, The Fly knew he'd led me here and if he'd just gone somewhere for a few minutes surely he would come back to this spot to pick me back up?

Oh what a quandary, follow the river to look for help or stay and wait? What would The Wiseman say for he always had good advice?

I looked up into the sky, for the first time since being here the sun wasn't shining, dark clouds had started to form, it looked like it could rain, over in the distance I could see some mountains, the clouds above that were heavy dark, yes it had been raining elsewhere.

Listen, that's what The Wiseman would say, listen to yourself.

I sat and tried to banish the feeling of panic, breathing slowly and steadily, that helps, so that's what I started to do, falling ore and more into a relaxed state, my breathing getting calmer and calmer, the sound of the birds fading and getting quieter, crickets nearby singing to each other played a happy melody then...

...silence.

"Arkk, ARKK!"

I must have fallen asleep, how long I'd been out of it I had no idea but the sound of a flock of gulls crashing through the nearby tree's brought me back to consciousness.

I looked around, it was now very dark, I looked up, the clouds had blocked out the sun and a chill was in the air.

"Fly, FLY!" I called out, in case he had returned, nothing.

I turned back to call in the other direction just in time to see a huge wall of water less than 5 meters away from me, racing down the river.

Bang, it hit me before I could have time to react, tumbling and knocking me over, water all around, no time to think.

Whoa, What Just Happened?

"Whoa, what just happened?"

I must have ran for about 10 minutes as I was back deep in forest territory but I could hear The Fly following me, his buzz seemed louder than usual as he speed to keep up.

"I told you today you would taste your own magic." The Fly puffed as he sat on a daisy leaf catching his breath.

"But, but I don't know how to do magic!"

The Fly cackled, "You don't know how to do magic? I beg to differ, I think you just did a mighty fine job of showing everyone that you do know how to do magic."

I turned back, looking in the direction of the glade clearing although of course I couldn't see it, I'd run too far and the bush was too thick.

"But what I mean is I didn't mean for that to happen, Purlean and the rest couldn't see me."

"And?" The Fly looked at my quizzically but I wasn't about to say anything to break the silence and him avoid answering my question.

Finally realising that we were going to sit in silence for as long as it took he spoke;

"It's all a myth that magic needs spells and ceremonies and the like. While it's true that it can be called up that way for some, and that includes you," he pointed a wing in my direction,"have the ability to have it happen when it's needed, protection magic, just happening from nowhere," he paused, "As if by magic."

How The Fly laughed at his funny. I wasn't so amused.

"You knew that was going to happen didn't you, you've been here and seen as this before."

The fly, now drinking some water from the daisy leaf nodded.

"Oh yes, AND I know what's coming next but I'm not going to tell you, that would spoil the surprise!"

I was really beginning to think I'd had enough of all these surprises but something else within me was quite pleased, I have protection magic in me."

Magic!

I slowly opened my eyes, a shiver ran down my body as I stretched out and yawned.

"Good morning." The Fly buzzed around my head.

For the first time since arriving here I'd slept, how long I didn't know I must have fallen asleep and not even realised. Time here was so strange, not like at home, one day ran into another as we viewed Purlean's journey, for them it had been months but we just just jumping in and out of their time stream.

"Sleep well?" The Fly dropped a berry by my foot, I flipped it up straight into my mouth, an unusual mixture, sweet but not like anything I'd tasted before, Daddy didn't feed me anything like this, although I'd seen River eat the odd black and strawberry, I wondered if they tasted this good.

"Yes thanks," I smiled, "sorry I didn't realise I was so tired.

"No worries, I felt tired to so had 40 winks." The Fly winked 40 of his eyes and laughed, I grinned, I was really fond of him now.

"So what are we up to today?"

"I told you yesterday today is the day you try out your magic."

"How?"

"Ah I can't say that, spoilers!" He laughed again, "Don't try and think it just let it be, you'll know when."

"How's Purlean doing?"

"See for yourself."

I peered through the bushes hiding us, there on the little mound Purlean and Leopold were cleaning their children, Bob and The Darling Darling looking on.

"I can't see Ursa." I looked around.

"No she's gone for a bit of a walkabout in the wood somewhere, food collecting, it's really getting to her that she can't use her own magic here." The Fly buzzed up high in amongst the tree tops.

"No can't see her." He flew back down;

"All the better."

All of a sudden I heard a cry come from Purlean's little camp sight. Without thinking I jumped up, my ears pricked.

"No." I heard Leopold cry out.

"What is it?" The urgency and panic in my voice not lost on The Fly, sitting still on a palm leaf.

"The Darling, Darling, he's chocking."

My eyes must have been the size of my head, I was so shocked.

"No!"

The Darling, Darling was so like River that I guess I just didn't think and jumped through the bush straight into the clearing.

Bob was running around head in hand, sobbing. Purlean trying to comfort her babies all shaking in fear, Leopold thumping The Darling, Darlings back, The Darling, Darling coughing, his face contorted in fear.

Without thinking I ran straight over and with as much might as I could jumped on his back, knocking both The Darling, Darling and Leopold over. A chestnut flew straight out into the fire's ashes and he gasped again, air once more filling his lungs.

I suddenly panicked. Oh my I'd been warned about being spotted and getting involved in events and without even thinking here I was right in the middle of the campsite, with everyone looking in my direction. I closed my eyes, not regretting what I had done to help The Darling, Darling but scared rigid that I'd exposed myself to everyone.

"What happened?" Purlean called out to Leopold.

"I've no idea, it was like something just hit us both and made us go flying.

"Are you OK?" I slowly opened one eye, Bob was cuddling up to The Darling, Darling who smiled back.

"Yes I'm OK now. Thank you Leopold."

I opened my other eye. The three little babies were now licking The Darling, Darling and Purlean had moved closer and was looking in my direction.

"Hello." I said.

"Hello." Purlean replied.

I stood there very still, not sure what to say next.

"Hello?" Purlean again replied. "Is someone there?"

What!

I turned to face The Fly, who'd moved to a big daisy at the edge of the clearing and shrugged my shoulder.

The Fly mouthed back.

"They can't see you. See I told you, magic!"

I opened my mouth in a gasp and dashed for the bushes as I heard Bob laughing,

"Roast chestnuts, what a fabulous idea, I think I've discovered what to sell at the Summer Fair."

Blessed With Magic - Tomorrow Everything Changes

"Anyway," The Fly buzzed up, bushes all around us rustling with the movements of The Fly on previous and future tours, "let's give them some privacy."

The Fly's started moving off in all directions, his respective clients following, although I couldn't see them of course, we were all very careful of that.

"Ah but can't we just stay and watch them for another few minutes?" I begged, a cheeky smile forming at the end of one side of my mouth.

"No come on, you've got to rest up too you've got a big day ahead tomorrow!"

*Huh?*

*Huh? What do you mean I've got a big day tomorrow?"

"Oh tomorrow," He paused mid air as he spoke, "That's the day your own magic becomes activated."

"My own magic?" What the...

"Yes, YOUR OWN MAGIC. Goodness me, how many times do you have to be told, you are a witches familiar and all witches familiars come preloaded with magic. It's been there all along but you don't really believe it although you see it all around in others and believe without doubt,  tomorrow however you will believe that you are blessed with magic and that is all magic takes to work, belief. For you, tomorrow everything changes!"

The Time Has Come - The Coven of 3

In amongst all the chaos lay Purlean, short deep breaths, a softened painting.

Leopold's face was a mixture of scared rigid and full-on wonderment. Ursa was fussing with Bob by the fire, cursing under her breath that she couldn't use her magic here and get the fire going and the water boiling.

The Darling, Darling lay nearby, facing Purlean smiling, not a shadow of worry on his face.

I turned to The Fly, also beaming, before turning back to see Purlean prop herself up on one side, almost sitting upright.

She turned to Leopold and smiled. Ursa began to move closer, Bob holding on to her robe trail. Purlean smiled at Ursa and put a paw out towards her;

"No," she said softly, "this I must do myself."

She turned to Leopold, her eyes telling him not to worry.

"The time has come."

At exactly that moment a rustling in the trees behind me drew everyone s attention. The sound getting nearer. Ursa had taken a step closer, squinting to see if she could make out where the noise was originating from. Bob still holding onto her tightened his grip a little more and The Darling, Darling and Purlean looked at each other and both smiled, sharing a moment they both understood.

The fronds to my right suddenly parted and out of the wood came the coloured air I'd seen earlier on when we were running from Troubledom.

"Magic?!" I looked at The Fly who nodded back towards Purlean. The wood magic passing through her, invigorating and shining, everything frozen in slow motion. The magic brushed past the damp and into the wood on the other side, everyone's eyes following it, a slight grimace on Ursa's face.

A slight cry and we all looked back to Purlean for there in front of her lay three pure black kittens, wriggling like little fat worms.

Purlean turned back to Leopold now moving forward a look of astonishment on his face.

"The time has come." She repeated and nodded down smiling at the three kittens.

"The Coven of 3!" The Darling, Darling whispered to Bob, but I caught it, my heart jumped a beat. Bob looked back up at The Darling, Darling and grinned back;

"Yes. The Coven of 3. The time HAS come."

They both turned back to Purlean and Leopold forming a circle around them.

The Fly nudged me. "You see what you see there?"

"No?" I didn't know what he meant.

"The birth of your fore-parents, all black cats are descendants from these babies, oh yes and you've just witnessed the casting of the first cat protection magic spell. Why do you think cat's don't like to cross a circle drawn around them, it takes them away from the protection of those that love them most and when you are in that space no cats can ever be hurt. A wise lesson to take note of David-Shiro, you never know when it may come in handy!"

"Ahhh!" I nodded and took note this was mind blowing, WOW black cat magic in action. I'm so lucky!

Love Connected Them

"Ursa, Ursa." Leopold suddenly stood up, a worried look washing his face.

The Darling, Darling sitting nearby half stood up, looked and Leopold and looked back at Ursa, who stopped trying to get the fire to light and ran over towards Purlean, her face matching Leopold's.

Bob came running back from the undergrowth stopping next to The Darling, Darling, who moved slightly closer so there bodies touched.

Ursa lay next to Purlean, softly stroking her hair as a clearly terrified Purlean looked back. Love connected them, at that moment, a clear line, a wave of something visible yet clearly visible moving between them.

"BOB!" Ursa called out. "BOB!"

"I'm here Ursa, I'm here!" Bob hesitated not knowing whether to go closer to Ursa or stay where he was.

"BOB," she turned to face him.

"Get that fire working, we need some hot water, it's not long now, the first is on it's way."

Bob and The Darling, Darling instantly got up, Bob running over to the fire as The Darling, Darling hit the flint stone Ursa had been using to light a spark, with his nails, Bob blowing furiously on imaginary sparks.

"Why doesn't he just use the light from his lantern to start the fire?" I asked The Fly.

"Glow worms not real fire in that old thing, much more fuel efficient and the worms like it, now shhh!" He put his hand to my mouth.

I turned to face Leopold, frozen to the spot, not a clue what to do as he looked at Ursa, comforting her precious Purlean, nothing else in the world mattering.

Destiny's Turn

"Is she alright, how's she doing?" Bob was hoping up and down trying to get past The Darling, Darling blocking a direct path between Bob and a panting Purlean. Leopold was laying next to her, his body cupping hers, a warm blanket of hay wrapped around, softening her rest, Ursa was muttering to himself as she collected wood from the nearby shrubbery.

The Fly and I were hidden half way up a great oak tree, looking down at a pretty but otherwise unremarkable grassy mound. There in the middle lay Purlean, surrounded by waving wild meadow flowers, reds and yellows and delicate purples danced, a waterfall of falling green ferns sparkled as a backdrop. The blue sky above shining down, an full orange sun smiling bright, the early morning pink of the sunrise foretold a great day, weather wise. Summer was certainly on it's way here in the Enchanted Wood, for it was a wood again.

The sound of seagulls could be heard in the distance, water couldn't be too far away, maybe the ocean. I looked around to see if I could see anything although I've not been there yet but I have seen pictures and River told me all about her adventures at the coast so I was sure I would know if I saw it but there was a large hill blocking my site so I gave up and looked back down.

"Bob, it's OK, Purlean will be fine." The Darling, Darling licked the top of his head. Bob tried to look around her to see Purlean, The Darling, Darling laughed and stood to one side, Bob looked around but didn't attempt to run over to her.

"She's fine with Leopold, he's looking after her. We just need to be patient, it could be a long day."

Bob nodded and rubbed his chin, tugged at his trousers, kicking them a little, "Well we'll need some food then, best get onto it."

The Darling, Darling smiled and nodded, Bob smiled back and skipped off past Ursa, still mumbling as she continued with her stick picking up.

"Why doesn't she just use her magic if she's building a fire?"

The Fly settled on my head and whispered in my ear.

"Magic can't be used here, not witch magic anyway, I told you before this is Destiny's Turn!"

To Destiny's Turn

Phew. I was out of breath and had no idea where we were. The sun was shining down, gently warming my neck where it broke it's way through the tree's rooftop blanket.

All around were fire engine red, foot tall flowers, similar to the one's Daddy has at the back of the garden, these however shone neon, a luminescence the one's at home didn't possess.

The Fly was gently buzzing around collecting some liquid,

"I needed that." He wiped his mouth on his arm then licked the smear dry.

"They'll be here soon and I need to tell you something."

I looked at him a little surprised, The Fly was a good guide in every sense of the term, keeping his secrets this as the first time he said needed to inform me of anything, not since his warning about getting involved that was. Now by meeting Purlean I was now a part of the time line so I was anxious to here what The Fly has to say. I nodded an invitation that I was prepared, maybe this is what happened if fate had danced your way.

"We are nearing a time when things get really dangerous, nearing a place where things may be a little unpredictable."

He looked very serious and the heckles on my back pricked up.

"We are just outside an old sacred spot and there's no way around it, what's coming up is a crossing point, for Purlean and a turning point for us to lil David."

"Where on earth are we? And what do you mean about a turning point?"

"A place of a choice and a place where decisions are made. Just over the next hill is where Ursa, Purlean, Leopold, The Darling, Darling and Bob are all resting, Purlean's babies are nearly ready to join us. Just over the next hill is Destiny's Turn, now just a grassy patch but one of the most sacred places for all cats. Destiny's Turn is said to be the place where the remains of Byzan, who fought in The Last Great Cat War where laid to rest.whether it's true or not it's believed to be and thus a place of great spirituality, a place named after itself, a place where it's Destiny's Turn to take over. Ready?"

I shook my head, a small smile fighting one side of my mouth, a twinkle star burst forth from my eyes.

"Let's go." The Fly smiled back, and raised his hand in a mock toast, "To Destiny's Turn!"