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!

Supermoon

I've just looked out of the window, something within me was calling and I discovered why for as I looked up in the sky the moon was bearing down on me, larger than I've ever seen it before, shining and tinkling, calling my soul within.

For tonight was the Supermoon, a blood red supermoon, a moon that calls the Witches Familiar in me to act for tonight is the day my magic powers are to be activated as foretold when I was with The Fly on the tour of Purlean, the original Witches Familiar.

Some Very Important Matters

What a beautiful day it is today, the sun is shining, one Daddy is in bed with River and I'm not sure what the other one is up to but I have the whole of the downstairs to myself to enjoy the sun.

I think it's very good the way that Twizzle takes her daddy for a walk, sharing such lovely weather together. I see she hasn't be swayed by George new hair cut and decided to give herself a radical new make-over.

Talking of George what with all his news I forgot to ask him if he'd get a message to Ginger Cat for me, I really do have to speak to him about some very important matters.

Very Trendy

Brilliant, for once I was grateful for all the noise River made when Daddy came home. While she ran around outside, barking and jumping around in backward circles, I jumped up to the open window, the fresh air is fabulous for waking you up.

There as chance would have it, sitting outside in the last bit of the days sunshine, was George doing some cat yoga.

He said he'd popped over to see how I was and to show me his new haircut.

Very trendy, not only is one side of his head shaved, so is his neck, a definite fashion statement. It's great to see him getting back to his old self too.

You Can't Outsmart A Cat

Our new bed is surprisingly comfortable, I must admit to being a little disappointed initially that Daddy moved all our stuff from the chair in the window to the settee but now I've tried it out, I think he's done a good job. 

I'm keeping very still though as I can see River has her eye on me and Felix, her toy and my pillow for today. If I make the slightest movement I know she's going to come bounding over here and demand we play chase and to be honest, I'm just too tired to even consider playing for at least another two hours. You can't outsmart a cat, no matter how hard you stare!

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My Jaw Could Have Hit The Floor

I was just digesting my dinner, chicken and crunchies with a few Dreamies as a dessert when I spotted George out of the window on the other side of the road.

I'd not seen him for ages and luckily Daddy still had the window open so I jumped up there and called over a hello.

"Hi," he shouted back.

"How's things going? I've not seen you in ages, what you been up to?" 

Well I wasn't expecting his answer.

"I've been in hospital and then when I came out I was confined to house rest, I was only let out yesterday."

My jaw could have hit the floor.

"Are you OK? What, what on earth has happened to you."

George smiled back, "Don't worry I'm properly on the mend now, I had a head abscess, can't you see they've had to shave half my head. I think I quiet like it, a bit of a new take on a mohawkan."

How he could joke about such a thing I don't know, he's made of tough stuff that George.

"I'm so sorry you've been through all this, as long as you are OK now."

George smiled back and nodded. "Please don't worry, really I'm doing so much better now and you know my mum and dad, I don't think it's possible for anyone to give me better care. I got lucky with them although I think I've put Mogsie and Twizzles noses out of place a bit, I'm getting the main bed at the moment."

A cheeky grin spread over his face and he winked, that's when I realised he was OK and I think secretly he enjoying getting one over on Mogsie, I've heard tales that those two have a bit of a love hate relationship.

The Things I Do

The things I do just to keep River clean and tidy, crumbs everywhere!

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Cat Dreams

*Slowly breath, slowly breath*

Sitting on my Daddies lap, ah soft stroke, no not there that's right side of my head, ah, yes perfect, must do this more, carry on, do it more. What's that noise? Never mind, fish for tea, and Dreamies, yes Dreamies, love Dreamies. Running along the back wall and fly, fly through the air, super cat, most nimble cat in the world, all the way to the top of the tree AND sit. Can they see me, no, no chance. I can see another cat, who's that? Don't know them, ha they can't see me from here but I can see them. What they doing? Don't care, lovely up the tree, must come here more, lovely and sunny, lovely and hot. Ah perfect!

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Careful

Not actually the most comfortable for me there River, would you mind moving your foot from my stomach?

Careful as you go. CAREFUL...

...Ahhh, help me River, I'm falling off!

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A Wonder Of The Natural World

I was just having a lovely play and cuddle with River when all of a sudden a great clap of thunder that sounded like it was coming through the roof jolted us both.

I immediately jumped up, making sure River was OK of course, and ran to the window to see what was occurring.

Oh dear it's a massive storm by the looks of it, I know River hates them, she gets so frightened bless her, best place for her, cuddled up with Daddy.

I however love them and am going out to really experience it, I'm not too much of a fan of the rain part but the dramatics of the sky, a wonder of the natural world.

 

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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!"

I Hope You Know What You Are Doing!

So you're moving the little lemon tree out here are you? Well I hope you know what you are doing!

The Best Spot

Oh my this really is the best spot in the garden and I never realised.

Not only can I see everything out the back of the garden, from this position, I can also see all the way through the house right out into the front as well!

Mogsie is having a bit of a scratch and Twizzle is out for her evening stroll.

Oh how on earth has it taken me so long to discover, the absolute best spot in the whole of Catworld?

The Element Of Surprise

What a glorious evening it is today, the clouds have gone away just in time to enjoy a beautiful sunset, perfect for cat spotting, 

I'm sure I saw Ginger Cat running through Squirrel Tree earlier. I really need to speak to him and this spot is perfect, if he was going that way earlier, he'll have to come back this way to go home and I'm partially hidden by Daddies new fence, so I have the element of surprise!

The Secret Weapon

My heart was pumping, there was something about all this running around and the danger of the situation that I was finding very exhilarating. I was doing my best not to get to caught up in the drama, I never imagined life could be like this when I first came to live in the the peace and quiet of my home in Catworld.

There strolling bold and strong was Purlean's secret weapon, The Darling, Darling.

Purlean ran up to him and whispered something in his ear, he looked at her and smiled. None of the residents of Troubledom had noticed, they were too busy berating and shouting at Ursa, who was standing still smiling at the hullabaloo around her.

"What's going on?" I asked The Fly.

He put his little hand up to his mouth "Shh, just watch."

The Darling, Darling sat down as Purlean started to walk towards the crowd. When she was a few meters from the edge of the throng she called out;

"People of Troubledom, I have a proposal for you."

One of the few ladies in the town heard her and turned around.

"Hey look, it's the Witches Familiar come back to rescue her." Her voice was loud and a few people around her started to turn and laugh. 

Purlean continued on, confident and proud, the crowd parting as she walked towards Ursa, now looking in her direction and smiling even wider.

"What harm will it do to hear me out?" She called above the mocking of the crowd.

"Ah what harm will it do?" One of the men nearest Ursa mocked as he bend down and picked up a stone, throwing it in Purlean's direction.

I looked quickly between Purlean, to make sure she was OK, The Darling, Darling who was now standing but still not moving and Ursa, a glint of anger flashing across her face.

"Why doesn't Ursa do something, call the Dragon or something?" I urged The Fly.

"She can't." He replied. "Look at the ground beneath her, they've laid a circle of salt all around her. A circle of salt protects, at the moment Ursa is powerless."

I gasped and turned back to see Purlean now just a few meters from Ursa, standing on top of a pile of disgarded tomoto boxes.

"I have a question for you." Purlean looked one of the men direct in his eye.

"What if I could free you? Free you from your purgatory, would that be something you would be interested in?"

Boo's and gears came back, a few of the crowd laughed.

"What can you do little cat?" One of the women laughed.

"You would be surprised." Purleans eyes flashed green.

"Hey Tom Widdleson, " She called out, "Tom Widdleson, wouldn't you like to be back with your family, to see you son again?"

A man in the crowd pushed through to the front and raised his arms to silence the crowd.

"What do you know of my son?" The crowd, still making some noise began to quieten.

"Shh, QUIET!" Tom Widdleson yelled and stepped towards Purlean.

"I said what do you know of my son?"

"Lionel Free," She called out into the crowd, "Your mother, she misses you. Ever since your brother died she's fended for herself and she's frail, the fields are no easy place for her anymore, wouldn't you like to be able to return home to help her?"

A face in the crowd changed, lost in thought.

"Maisie Thribble," Purlean scanned the crowd, a lady moved forward, "You are here an innocent woman, we both know it, set up by your sister so she could steal your husband, your children, your life but no way of proving it, wouldn't you like to get your life back"

By now the crowd was silent.

"How do you know these things?" Tom Widdleson asked.

I turned to The Fly who smiled at me and nodded towards The Darling, Darling "Well travelled that one."

"I am the Witches Familiar," Purlean bellowed, "And I know much, included a way for you all to return home, back to your lives, your wives and husbands, children and parents. A way for this living hell to be over;"

"Hey you," she nodded to another of the men, "You could start your journey this very afternoon, wouldn't you like that?"

He nodded.

"I simply need two things to make this happen." No one in the crowd was mocking anymore.

"One. I need The Ruby of Mar. Two I need, you to trust me."

"How can we trust you?" Tom replied.

Purlean turned and faced him square in the eye.

"You and I both know that Ursa here cannot escape the circle of salt and she has no power, no magic while trapped in it, leave her there until I prove myself, we all know it can only be undone by those that did it." 

She leaned in closer to him, "How do I know I can trust you to clear it after I've freed you? I don't, but I do have belief that you will. If I'm willing to take that chance, I think it's only fair that you are too! and I promise you on the name of a Witches Familiar Ursa shall not harm any of you"

Purlean faced the crowd again, "Go talk, discuss, make up your minds and let me know, your decision.

"I want to go home." One of the children cried out.

"Don't trust her," called another man.

The crowd started getting restless, calling yes and no until Tom stood up.

"A vote, a vote that's what we shall have, a majority wins, no question. I've been here for years, this is my home now, I'd settled on that, but it's not the home my heart cries for. I never dreamed I could return to my family but now I've been given even the slightest hope that I can, it's something the very blood in my veins is urging. So I say yes, let's give this Witches Familiar a YES and if she lies what have we lost? Hope that has been around for just a minute, but if she's telling the truth just think, what then!"

Tom started to move to the left of Purlean, "Anyone that's with me, then come stand by me. Anyone against, move to the other side. The we shall see and a decision shall be made."

I was engrossed, a bowl of popcorn would have been a nice edition.

People moved back and forth as the crowd talked and urged each other, moving to the left and right of Purlean. 

"It's decided!" Tom turned to Purlean, "And if you are lying, I shall kill you myself."

Purlean smiled and turned to face The Darling, Darling who came running up and positioned herself over Purleans back.

Purlean smiled at Tom, "I'm not!"

With that she bent down slightly, closed her eyes and quickly lifted her back up touching The Darling, Darling. 

Boom! 

The air around The Darling, Darling wobbled, like ripples through the water when a stone breaks it's surface, extending outwards, faster and faster.

I turned to The Fly eyes wide open before rapidly turning back to the crowd, now hugging each other, tears falling from the face of some, laughter coming from the throats of others.

"You are now all free to go home, purgatory done!" Purlean called out.

Tom stepped forward and kicked a hole in the circle of salt, "Go fetch the Ruby of Mar," He said to the man next to him, "We're going home!"  

"What just happened?" The Fly was grinning.

"Purlean used magic and her secret weapon, love. The love of The Darling, Darling, total, pure love, amplified to everyone here, she's cleansed them all, they are now all free of hurt and anger and hate, free to allow themselves to lead a love filled life, a kind life, cured so they are all free to go home again."

I kissed The Fly, "I think a little of that love magic has touched me too."

He smiled back, "You had enough already." and gave me a little kiss on my cheek.

"Now come, we must hurry, time is running out!"

How Rude

How rude.

I was just looking over Daddies shoulder waiting for a drop of cream to fall off the cake he's been stuffing in his mouth for the past five minutes, no that's not the rude part not sharing the goodies around, when that cat called Chameleon caught my eye coming down the pathway opposite.

I was so excited, he was looking straight at me and heading in my direction, River was out the back barking so the coast for a chat was clear. I gave myself a quick face wash down, I wanted to make a good impression, we've not been formally introduced.

Up I looked to see him glare at me, ignore my "Hi" call-out and carry on walking by.

How rude!

Perfect End To A Perfect Day

On the sofa, cuddled up with Daddy and River, perfect end to a perfect day. I think I like this birthday business.

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I Am Going To Thrash Her Though!

There's a rule in this house, I overheard my Daddies, when it's your birthday you can do EXACTLY what you want and today after breakfast and cuddles with Daddy and River I scooped myself off to bed, only getting up to have a mid afternoon stretch before settling down again.

Dinner was fresh roast chicken with a double dose of Dreamies for dessert before deciding that it was time to come and be a bit sociable.

On my was to Daddy for a stroke and who spots me, River, bending down to give me a kiss. I could tell she had missed me and wanted to play.

Yes that's OK by me, I am going to thrash her though!

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Today I'm One

I didn't know what on earth was going on this morning. 

Everything started as normal, we all got up, I went out to have my morning explore but when I came in River was more excitable than I think I'd seen in such a long time,jumping up and kissing me. I could tell there was something on her mind but every time I tried to get her to open up and speak to me she just giggled and kissed me.

Then Daddy put down a massive bowl of milk and the largest pile of Dreamies I think I'd ever seen.

What on earth is going on today, I thought?

Then River came running up with a party hat on her head and licked me all over.

Wow, it's my birthday, today I'm one! 

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It's True What They Say

It's true what they say, us cats are ingenious. Tired? Don't feel like washing your hair? 

Simple, just dip a bit in some steak juice and let the nearest little doggie do the rest.

Perfection!

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I'm Keeping My Head Down

I'm keeping my head down, I don't want to be disturbed and River's on some sort of a stolen good high.

Daddy is chasing her around the back of the house to try and get something she shouldn't have out of her mouth and I'm catching as much rest as I can, I can see she's not going to take later as an answer today!

A Taste And Already I Was Hooked

We rushed back through the forest, following exactly the same path. I was looking out the whole way to see if we were going to cross magic's path again but we didn't. I was rather sad, a taste and already I was hooked, craving more, a dangerous thing, I felt it instinctively.

I'd heard Daddy saying before that magic comes with a price, to balance, I wonder if my craving was the downside? It was too early to know but I could speculate, I needed to keep my head and stay in the moment, we were heading back, from last look, a riot and a lynching, a mob of criminals and a determined witch, not a happy combination.

As we approached Troubledom I could hear the mob still calling out, a huge crowd gathered in the main market square, touches ablaze, laughing and jeering and their in the middle on a podium was Ursa, flanked by a couple of men, smiling away not in the slightest bit concerned, if the look on her face was anything to go by.

I felt The Fly nudge me, I faced him and followed the direction his head was nodding.

There by one of the houses right in the market square sitting totally unnoticed was Purlean, calm and composed.

"What's she doing?" I whispered to The Fly.

"Waiting." He grinned.

"Waiting for what?" I looked back at Purlean, still watching the crowd and Ursa.

"Her secret weapon!"

"Secret weapon?" I turned back to The Fly.

"Yes," The Fly drank some daisy pollen, "Her secret weapon, shhh here comes The Darling, Darling."