AoPaSK chapter three

Ok so it turns out, I shall have a new chapter every Saturday. How do you like that? I am going to make this my weekend activity. YAYS FOR SITTING DOWN AND TYPING UP THIS OLD THING! So, I would really, REALLY appreciate feedback, as I am hoping to publish sometime in the future.

Chapter Three: In which Cat and Devon meet the mysterious cloaked Silent Guardian

On the morning of Cat and Devon’s birthday, Devon had gotten up early to help Mrs. Silvan with the decorations and breakfast. As she finished putting up blue, green and lavender streamers, Mrs. Silvan was finishing bacon and waffles, Devon’s favourite. “ Mrs. Silvan, Why don’t I go wake Cat before the others come down?” she asked sensing one of Mrs. Silvan’s monologues about botany coming..

“ That’s a great idea. Here, take up a tray and you both can eat up there if you’d like.”

“ Thanks!”

“ I’ll be out in the garden covering the plants if you need me.” Called Mrs. Silvan over her shoulder on her way out the door, but Devon was already on her way upstairs.

As Devon walked upstairs carefully balancing the tray, she wondered how she would fit through the trap door leading to the attics. She really hated how cumbersome it was just to get up to his room, let alone up to his inventing room above his. There’s got to be a way to do this! I just need to think… She soon spotted a set of boxes that could be stacked to reach the top floor to set the tray up there and then climb through her self. Just as she was about to open the trap door to put the tray up there, Cat poked his head through the door, bumping the tray and spilling tea all over the boxes, nearly getting Devon as well.

“Oh! I didn’t see you there! Here, pass me the tray. I’ll set it up here and grab a rag from somewhere up here… Sorry about that… Happy birthday though.” He said.

“ Here, we’re allowed to eat it in your room. I was on my way to bring it up.” She handed him the tray.

“ So I could tell. Cool.” He replied. He never, ever looked surprised, at least, never more than bemused. Devon, always slightly playful at heart, found this quite frustrating.

They worked together to clean the boxes fortunately nothing had been damaged. “ Happy birthday to you as well! How long have you been awake? I thought you would still be sleeping.”

“ Only for a few minutes. I think that’s the last of it. Need help getting up? “ He extended his hand and Devon took it willingly.

“ How do you manage to get up here without a ladder or anything to help you up?”

“ I’m taller than you.” He laughed.

"That doesn't take much..." she grumbled under her breath. Cat laughed quietly, just to inform her that he heard her complaint.

In the spacious, circular tower room, was a bed, two small round tables, two large bookshelves (rounded to fit the walls) that were filled with books and a perch for Paige, who flew over to Cat, landed on his shoulder, and started nibbling on his ear. His bed was more of a bunk bed, though instead of a lower bunk, there was a desk strewn with what appeared to be the homework assigned over the Christmas holidays. On the tables were lamps, books, and a notepad full of scientific scribbles. Where the walls were not obscured by furniture, there were huge ceiling-to-floor windows, from which the forest of Dean could be seen. It was an amazing view. Against the opposite wall was the stepladder that led through the trap door up to Cat’s inventing room. Devon knew that Cat would not want to eat down in his room, because he would have to clear the little tables. When he was in the middle of a project, he kept it all out all at once. Devon never understood this about him, but she got tired of fighting it. Cat signaled that they go up stairs.

“ Ill go up first and then hand me the tray. Ok?” suggested Cat.

“Sure,”

Cat went up first, and Devon passed up the tray and climbed up herself. “ Which should we use? “ indicating the many tables, all-full of books, small gears, blueprints, journals (for designing and tracking progress and scientific records), pens, pencils, scraps of paper and spare parts. She shook her head. He never cleaned up here, though; he did organize it to some extent. At least he knew where everything was.

The room was of the same dimensions of Cat’s bedroom (being a tower), but there were many differences. The walls were entirely windows from floor to ceiling. A few windows opened as a door onto a balcony artistically draped in ivy perfect for viewing the entire town and outlying farms. It felt to Cat like the sort of thing that would be described in storybooks.

“ Uh, I don’t thing there is much room up here… Outside maybe? There are blankets in a box under my bed…” he scratched his head and raised one eyebrow in contemplation. He cleared a spindly wooden table and pulled it out one of the swinging doors onto the balcony. Devon went back down to get the blankets.

When she returned, Cat had set up two chairs, and set out the tray (on top of a heated mat he used in inventing). They ate their breakfast in silence and then sat slight awkwardness. “ Dove, do you want to go out, well, I mean, go for a ride some time today?” he asked her tentatively a slight blush crawling up his face. “ And maybe, if I can find my skates, go skating on the pond?”

“ Cool, that would be great! Do you think we could get Ash to drive us over to the stables?” she wondered aloud.

“ He might… You go ask while I do the dishes and get out of my pajamas.’” He laughed. Devon hadn’t noticed before, he was wearing a dark tee shirt and green hand me down basketball shorts and a pair of black socks. He must be freezing! The blankets are warm, but not that warm! He is truly insane, she thought.

She stopped by her room which she was staying while she stayed at the Silvans’ to grab a warmer sweatshirt. Devon found a small package in brown paper wrapping hastily tied with twine. The tag said it was from her dad. How did it get here? Mrs. Silvan must have put it here when she came in to wake me. Curious that I didn’t notice it before now… she pondered. Opening it, she found a necklace. It was a small maple-esque leaf inlaid with tiny sapphires on a black leather strap. She thought it was vaguely familiar, but swept the ridiculous, impossible thought aside. She slipped it on under her sweatshirt.

Upon exiting the door, she bumped into Ash, who hurriedly apologized.

“ Oh! Ash! Could you drive Cat and me to the stables? Please?” she asked.

“ Sorry Birdie. No can do, kiddo. Mum has all hands on deck helping prepare for the party… You could ride your bikes. It’s not far. Have fun! “ He winked at her and added, “ Oh, and happy birthday,” he scruffed her hair as he walked away.

~•••••••••••~

Cat and Devon arrived at the stables, but to Cat, something did not feel quite right. He felt as though he was being watched again. Feeling paranoid, he tried to ignore it, to no effect. He cast a questioning glance at Devon, wondering if she felt it too. Understanding what he meant, she nodded apprehensively. He put a finger to his lips and walked noiselessly toward the ever-nearby forest.

The dense forest, coated in a blanket of fresh overnight snow. He walked nearly silently, an art he had perfected in many years of hiding from his two brother. Using the shadows as an aid to cloak his prescence, most people would be completely unaware he was there. An unfamiliar voice softly spoke directly behind him causing Cat to turn on the spot open-mouthed eyes wide in surprise.

“ Very well done. Very well done indeed Cat. “

“ Who are you?" he asked slowly, curiously and cautiously, and then added "And how do you know my name?”. Cat had no idea who it possibly could be who would know him. He really was amazed. Nobody had ever been able to surpass his skill. Finally recognizing the speaker as the cloaked figure that had been following him the week before, he added “ And why have you been following me?”

“ Here is not the place to discuss this. You both have horses?” inquired the older boy.

“Yeah, we do. Why?” replied Cat

“ Not here, as I said; we cannot talk here. Meet me at yonder oak in a twelfing, and bring your charming lady-friend with you. I will explain then.” He added noting Cat’s expression. He turned away and seemingly vanished without a trace into the dark interior of the forest.

Cat walked back to where Devon waited for him rather impatiently, a frown playing her face. She was very worried, he knew. When she caught sight of him, she darted to him and threw her arms around his neck. Devon self-consciously released him and mumbled an apology. They stood there awkwardly for a moment until Cat remembered what had happened just moments before.

“You took a long time. What took you so long? Are you okay?” She asked, breaking the silence.

“ Yeah, No time to explain. C’mon. Get Esperanza tacked up, I’ll get Cairo. I found the person who was following us.” Cat answered her question while hastily grooming his beautiful, black, Arabian horse, Cairo. Devon shrugged and proceeded to do likewise to her roan mare Esparanza. Once both horses were fully tacked, both Cat and Devon set off hurriedly to the oak leading their horses for it was not very far from the barn.

They found a young man in outlandish garb and tousled black hair grinning warmly at them and leaning against a massive long bow. As Devon scrutinized him, she caught the steely glint of what she presumed to be a knife. She also noted the queer grey-green cloak he was wearing. It blended into the snowy forest background, Devon wondered at it. At the foot of his knee high black, leather boots sat what looked to be a wolf puppy, of a foreign breed. It was white and scruffy with black tipped ears, feet and tail and glass blue eyes. Queer, it seem almost as if is trying to smile at me, but oh those blue eyes, they don't look tame...

Devon leaned over to Cat and whispered as quietly as possible “ Do you think it’s safe to have it so close to the horses without a lead or collar? “

“ Amiki? “ the youth laughed, “ She’s perfectly tame. Quite friendly really, and well trained.“ He responded, obviously hearing her. Devon blushed scarlet. Cat crouched down to stroke the wolf, glancing up at the boy, who nodded his ascent. Cat had a great affection for dogs of all kinds from an early age, though he was never allowed to own one himself. Amiki looked at her owner as if asking him May I? He nodded and she immediately jumped up and placed her paws on Cat’s knees in attempts to lick his face. Cat stood up and whipped his face with the back of his hand.

“ Now will you please explain why you asked me and Devon here? It’s not exactly warm out. “ asked Cat.

The boy, Cat realized, could not be older than 17, in fact, he was really quite young.

Before the boy could answer, or Cat could add more, Devon, who had been scrutinizing the older boy more carefully interjected “ You’re not from our world are you? “ It was more of a statement, not a question. Cat ogled her in disbelief. It was not like her to believe fairytalish things such as foreign worlds.

“ No, I’m not. Astute as ever, “ he replied grinning his charming smile. “ I really will tell you all that you wish to know, but not here. If you come with me to somewhere, where we won’t be overheard… “ He swung smoothly into the saddle of a dappled grey horse that Cat and Devon hardly noticed, due to the unsettling fact that it’s coat melded into the snowy grey winter background. Cat looked into the older boys grey eyes, searching, for something, the boy did not know what, but he recognized doubt on Cat’s face. Finally, Cat nodded and mounted Cairo.

“We’ll come, “ replied Cat at last, glancing at Devon who nodded also. The boy whistled and Amiki jumped eagerly onto his lap. Devon smiled.

“ Oh, I forgot! My name is Pimlico, Pim for short. Are you guys ready? “ he said pulling the deep cowl of his odd cloak low over his shoulder length dark brown hair. He turned around to his saddlebags and extracted two cloaks identical to his own. He tossed one to Cat and the other to Devon. “ Put them on. They are warm and render you essentially invisible. They are yours too keep. “

“ Thanks Pim… Uh why do we need them, other than the obvious point that they are way cool?” Asked Cat as he pulled the cowl over his head.

“ I will explain in a moment. Let’s go. “ He tapped his horses flanks lightly with the toes of his boots, which Cat noticed were completely made of leather, entirely without a rubber soles. He was indeed a very fine horseman, gentle, but his horse and he seemed to work in tandem, understanding eachother... again, queer, thought Devon

After twenty minutes ride, the group reached an open field with a creek running through it with a few old gnarled trees on its bank. There was little or no snow on the ground, but the creek was frozen solid. Near the band was a little hill, and a lowspot. They two children had used the place as a bunker and a secret base in their child hood snowball fights. it was quite hard to see behind the little hill if positioned properly. Amiki jumped down to the ground, wandered around sniffing the ground as Pim took the saddle off his horse, laid it on the ground, and sat on it. He gestured for the others to do so as well.

They all settles down in to the sleety ground. Pim pulled a canteen out of his saddle bags, as well as four small, ceramic bowls, into which he poured a brownish, steaming liquid. He offered it to the two graciously.

"What is it?" they both inquired simultaneously

"Just tea, I picked some up from the local merchant shop; a fantastically warm, pleasant place. Huge it was!" he replied.

Devon giggled, " Thats a grocery store!"

"Fantastic things, grocery stores" Pim mused, staring contemplatively at his feet.

They all sat in silence for a few moments, sipping their tea. Devon glanced quickly at Cat, who looked to feel just as awkward as she did herself. suddenly, Pim cleared his throat.

“ I guess the first thing I need to tell you, “ Pim started not looking directly at either of them “ Is that you, Cat, Devon, are siblings. Not just siblings, twins.”

“ That’s impossible, ridiculous! I can’t, we can’t…. Twins? “ Interjected Cat incredulously. Devon on the other hand simply nodded slowly, gazing intent into Pim’s eyes. She smiled almost imperceptibly.

“ You are related to us how? “ she asked calmly. Pim burst out laughing.

“ Devon strikes again! Yes! I am your elder brother! We have a sister too. Niccolette is married to a Russian noble somewhere…. You would be curious about our parents?” He smiled his charming smile again. Devon found him to be quite endearing. Cat on the other hand had no idea what to think.

“ So let me get this straight. Devon and I are twins, you are our brother and our sister is a Russian noble? “ Cat felt as though a rug had just been pulled out from under him, though, experience told him to keep a straight face.

“Yes. Our parents are dead. Niccolette is the oldest. Four years older than me. I haven’t seen her since you both were infants. When our parents were assassinated, we were all hidden in different parts of this world. Well, you three were. I traveled a lot with our uncle. He’s a Silent Guardian. I was his apprentice. “

“ A Silent Guardian? What’s that mean?” Asked Devon.

“ A Silent Guardian is a person whose job it is to protect the Kingdom and who has nearly as much authority as the king himself. We are known for our sharp shooting and swords mastery. As Cat may have noticed, we are trained to be experts in unseen movement. Silent Guardians are not commonly known about outside of our Kingdom. I am a Silent Guardian as you know, but don’t go shouting about it.” Devon nodded, now understanding his odd cloak and the massive long bow.

“ I am beginning to feel that nothing can surprise me anymore,” added Devon “ But there must be something more. Parents murdered, children hidden in another world, eldest daughter married to Russian nobility? A Silent Guardian sounds like a very important figure, not just an anybody if you know what I mean. What are you neglecting to tell us?” She raised one eyebrow and cocking her head to one side. Cat laughed because the look was so familiar.

“ I was hoping not to have to tell you yet. Yes Devon, there is something that I have avoided mentioning. Mum and Dad were the King and Queen of a country in another world called Monaterra,” He continued after seeing a confused look on Cat and Devon’s faces, “ That makes you Prince Cat and Princess Devon. And Cat, not only are you a prince, but you are the heir to the throne.” Pim could not help but smile wanly.

“ What about you? Wouldn’t you inherit the throne? You’re older than I am!” Declared Cat.

“Normally I would, but under the circumstances, well, that does not really matter… what matters is that I’m not, that you’re the heir. “ replied Pim awkwardly, a shadow of resentment momentarily flickered in his deep, dark eyes. Devon's face lit up with sudden compassion and understanding. Cat looked at her, and she shook her head; she would not say at the moment. This frustrated Cat further. By this time he was actually quite agitated.

“I half believed you for a while there, but this is bloody ridiculous! You have got to be joking! I cannot be a prince! And other worlds? You are out of your mind it’s truly impossible!” Cat looked insulted and betrayed. He swore. Devon slapped him.

" What was that for?!" he cried out.

"Shut up, at least let him finish! He is telling the truth... I think, I have done lots of study on the possibility of other dimensions, and it seems quite plausible what he says" she snapped. " Please continue," she finished with a small smile directed at Pim.

"Oh Drat! I must dash. I really will tell you all you want to know. Meet me here, tomorrow evening. I will have more for you then." replied Pim as he swung unto his saddle, signaled for Amiki and rode off. "Remember, be safe, stay inside, do not risk yourselves. Don't go out alone, stay in public. There may even already be scouts from the Others searching for you. They will kill you. They are not safe. You are not safe. Take care, and act as though nothing happened, play it cool, do whatever you would normally do. It will protect you," and he disappeared in to the forest once more without a trace, leaving both Cat and Devon speechless.

"What do we do now?" asked Cat, and for once in her life, Devon didn't have the answer. They slowly mounted and rode back to the stables and then went home, feeling as though reality had just shattered around them.