The Spell of Rosette - Kim Falconer [70]
Sounds like we are going on a trip to meet an old friend.
‘Or being offered an apprenticeship with the Sword Master!’
I’d like a trip.
She laughed and brushed her hair, wondering what supper with the Sword Master would be like. They certainly hadn’t struck an even stride with each other yet. What would they talk about?
I will come too.
‘Only if you like, Dray. It’ll be a quick bite and either good news, or a lecture about using magic during training.’
You did?
‘Not today. That’s why I’m so beat up!’
Drayco picked up a paw and licked it. I’ll come anyway.
‘Are you sure?’
She says I may.
Rosette shot him a look. ‘His familiar?’
Her name is Scylla.
‘I can’t wait to see this!’
CHAPTER 9
Drayco sat statue-still beside Rosette, a formidable companion. His black tufted ear and long whiskers brushed the top of her thigh as she knocked lightly on the Sword Master’s door.
Her hand dropped to the top of his head. I’m glad you’re here.
Me too, Maudi.
Slipping off her boots, she let her toes dig into the fine, plush mat and knocked again, this time a little louder.
‘Enter,’ the Sword Master called.
Rosette straightened her shoulders, wincing slightly as she turned the knob. She stepped over the threshold, Drayco by her side.
‘Close the door behind you,’ An’ Lawrence said without looking up from the hearth. When the latch clicked, he turned around, staring at Drayco. ‘This’ll be interesting.’
‘You didn’t say not to…’
Before she could finish, a warning hiss came from the rafters, answered immediately by Drayco’s throaty growl.
It’s her! It’s Scylla, Drayco boomed into Rosette’s mind.
‘Oh boy,’ she whispered, following his gaze up to the ceiling. ‘Maybe I should have asked first…’
Smaller than Drayco, this temple cat—if that was what she was—had long buff-coloured hair and a bobbed tail. Her ears had tufted tips that looked like black feathers and her paws were huge and shaggy. She hissed like a viper and sprang to the ground in front of them, hackles up.
‘Steady, Scylla,’ An’ Lawrence said, putting his hand out in front of her face. The bristling feline moved her head to the side to see around his fingers and hissed again. ‘These are invited guests.’
He stroked her hackles down only to have them shoot back up. ‘May I present my familiar, Scylla from the South Tuscian cliffs.’ He turned and spoke in a formal tone: ‘Scylla, this is Drayco of Dumarka and his mistress Rosette of whom I have spoken. They’re welcome company.’
He emphasised the last two words, and slowly her stance relaxed and her hackles went down. The nape of her neck seemed much smaller now, almost delicate.
She’s beautiful, Drayco crooned.
That she is. I’d watch the temper, though, if I were you. ‘Pleased to meet you, Scylla,’ Rosette smiled. ‘I heard you had a familiar, Sword Master, though I’ve never seen her. Drayco has sent her messages but says she almost never replies.’
‘She keeps to herself. She keeps to me.’
‘I know what that’s like.’
He waved Rosette to the large oak dining table. ‘Hungry?’
Very! Drayco replied loudly in her mind, although he did not look at the table, or even sniff towards the hearth. He was all but inhaling Scylla. They cautiously sniffed each other from a safe distance.
‘Don’t even think about it,’ Rosette replied aloud.
‘Pardon?’ An’ Lawrence frowned at her.
‘Sorry. What did you say?’
‘I was asking if you were hungry.’
She had been famished, but now that she sat at the Sword Master’s table, she didn’t know if she could eat. A wave of exhaustion washed over her. The smell of supper, the intimacy of his lodge, the warmth of the fire and the glow of the candles all conspired to mellow her senses. What she really wanted was to hear that she’d secured an apprenticeship and then go home, close her eyes and fall asleep.
She didn’t answer.
‘You’re exhausted,’ he said.
‘I’m fine.’
‘I can’t get through your mind-shield any more. Good work, but I know how to add up.’
She looked at him blankly.
‘You’ve been thrashed every day for a month in the arena.