Flash Fiction #595 --Buffy the Princess/12

 

The herald was about to formally introduce them when the trouble began. Serena felt a prick of magic somewhere to the right and then another to the left --

"Buffy -- up and pinpoint them!" she shouted, grabbing the cat and tossing her into the air.

Buffy spread her wings, used some of her own magic, and sailed up into the high ceiling rafters.  By then, Serena felt another four spots.

"They're trying to make a net, your highnesses," Buffy warned.  She caught one strand of the web with her own magic and burnt it to ash.  People yelled and started to rush toward the exit.  "Stay where you are!"

They did.  It shocked Serena.  No one ever listened to her at home.


More people were popping up with magic.  Far more than she could handle.  One thread got past her and grabbed the King, but she pulled it free and destroyed it.  

"All of you behind the thrones," she whispered.

"Out the secret door?" he replied just as softly.

"No.  Traps on the doors.  Someone will trigger one soon, and we'll have more panic.  I will create an illusion so they don't realize it at first. Mom and Dad will be here soon."

He nodded and leaned over to the Queen.  The Empress was already in her lap.  She kept an eye on them and fought off the web.  However, the sense of something greater about to happen worried her.  The moment the King began to move, she created the image of them still there.  More webs came at them -- but then they changed direction and came at her.

Bright balls of magic started flying through the air.  People ran for the door again and set off that trap.  A colossal web and spider filled the opening. Men and women screamed and were in danger of hurting themselves.  Balls of magic bombarded her, and she almost lost her hold --

The princesses gathered around a slimy-looking, thin man whose hands moved in intricate patterns.  He looked up and smiled with yellow teeth and narrow gray eyes.  Others were still tossing out balls of power and lines of webs, but this was the real enemy.

Serena knew she didn't have enough power to fight him.  Mom and Dad had to be near -- yes, they were trying to get through the door without hurting more people.

Slimy lifted his hands and called up pure lightning, flashing so bright around him that even the princesses backed away in fright.

"I'm with you," Thomas said, suddenly at her side.  "Let's get him."

"I don't have the power --"

"Can you help me throw that table at him?"

Serena didn't ask what good that would do.  It was a plan.  She grabbed at the table, and Thomas did the same -- but he also caught several bowls of punch.

Lightning and liquid was not a good combination.

A quick look around found Buffy swinging from a chandelier and throwing pieces of it at people.  Mom was just squeezing through the door, and Dad would soon follow --

And Slimy stood up.  His clothing and hair let out puffs of smoke and his yellow smile showed several teeth missing.  His left eye twitched, and his arms trembled as he began to shout another spell.

Mom had not been prepared, but she tossed a distraction his way.  Dad prepared something more serious.  Thomas stayed at Serena's side.

Buffy threw things at Slimy.

And annoyed him.  With a shout of a spell, he grabbed Buffy from her perch and threw her at the wall. She hit once, twice -- but Thomas, who had outsprinted Serena, caught hold of the cat and held on tight.

Serena changed direction and headed for the enemy.  It was probably lucky that Mom and Dad got there first.

After that, things calmed down.  Mom and Dad had already fought a squad of enemy soldiers who were heading for the ballroom.  That had slowed their arrival.
 
Thomas explained that Slimy was a disliked local Lord working with the enemy.  His accomplices were related to him, and none were strong with magic. They were no trouble.

Buffy had been bruised but not badly hurt.  And since it wasn't midnight yet, the King called everyone back, and they prepared for a feast.

"Feed everyone and get them happy again," he said.  Serena thought he really liked the feast and refused to give it up.  Good.

Empress Fluffy Kitty took her place on her throne.  The room fell quiet when she cleared her throat.

"Princess Buffy?" she said.  "Please step forward."

Buffy all but danced forward, her fluffy tail up with a slight curl at the end.  She even made a respectable kitty curtsy before the Empress.

"My dear daughter," the Empress said with a regal bow of her head.  "I cannot say how proud I am of your intelligence and bravery, Buffy.  I would like to offer you a top post in my own court."

Buffy made a slight yelp of surprise and then turned to Selena in surprise, which soon turned to panic.  She was already shaking her head when she turned back to the Empress.

"Thank you so much for your offer, but I fear, with the life I have led, I could never fit into a courtly role."

Serena managed not to sigh with relief.

"You would do fine, my dear," the Empress replied.  "You are perfectly polite and well-behaved."

This time, Serena had to fight back a giggle and didn't entirely win.  She clapped both hands over her mouth.

Mom laughed aloud and looked appalled at her break in decorum.  "Buffy.  Well-behaved..."

Buffy giggled.  And then Serena did as well.  The King and Queen, and even the Empress, began to laugh.  A few minutes earlier, everyone had been upset and afraid.  Now, laughter spread throughout the room.  

It was the best kind of magic.

The End

Flash Fiction #594 -- Buffy the Princess/11

 

As Serena and her group continued, the guards began to check all the scones.

"Well done," Mistress Tillie said.  "And usually only the king comes this way."

They walked in silence.  Did Serena just save their magic-less King's life?  Someone's life, maybe, since it had been triggered by movement and not by recognition of a specific target.  Dangerous and inefficient.  It had the feel of someone who had not trained well.

Serena looked at Thomas.  She was surprised to find him carrying Buffy, but he looked grim.  When Mistress Tillie directed him to one door, he handed Buffy over to Serena.

"Be careful," he warned and paused by the open door, looking around worriedly.  "Whoever created that trap has magic. They're going to know you stopped it with your own power."

"Everyone must have heard that I have magic by now."

"Hearing about it and seeing it in action is entirely different.  Trust me."

"I am putting Serena and Buffy in the suite across the hall. Get cleaned up and rest for a while, Tommy."

He gave a sigh -- probably at the name -- and nodded.  In a moment, he had disappeared into his room.  Mistress Tillie led them a few more steps and pushed open another door with a nod.

"Can you tell me if there has been any word about my parents or the others?" Serena asked before she went into the brightly lit room.

"You poor child," Mistress Tillie said and hugged her, with Buffy protesting squished between them.  "Everything will be fine.  This is Lina and Enya.  They'll take care of you.  Rest while you can.  This will be a long night."

The older woman hurried away.  So there was no news.

"I've never had anyone take care of me but Mom," Serena confessed.    "I confess, you are on your own."


They did fine and seemed to enjoy having free reign over how to get both her and Buffy clean and pretty.  They were also quick and gave them time to sleep before the late festivities started.

Serena didn't feel in a festive mood.  She was exhausted and fell into a light slumber with Buffy in her arms.

"Serena?  Buffy?  We need to talk."

"Mom?" Serena said, blinking.  Then she reached out and caught hold of a hand.  "Mom!"

Mom hugged them both, and Buffy didn't complain about being squished this time.

"I am sorry we had to worry you," Mom said as she pulled back.  "Let me tell you the story.  Someone from the western lands has infiltrated the court.  A rumor from outside the city said a plot would hatch on the night of the festivities.  The King had hoped we would figure it out first.  But then the ship came under attack, and he had to sweep us all up --"

"He.  The King," Buffy said.  "He has magic.  But --"

"He's hidden his power," Serena guessed.  

Mom nodded and hurried on.  "Something will happen tonight.  You two and Thomas will be on the lookout for it at the ball.  Use your usual spell to draw my attention as soon as it hits.  Your father and I will be on the roof.  It won't take long for us to reach you.  Your father is explaining it all to Thomas now."

Mom stood and moved off to the door.  She paused.  "You have a good sense for handling trouble, both of you.   Be careful."

Then she left.

"Merp?" Buffy said with a shake of her head.

"We better do this right.  And I don't dare look too happy, or someone might guess about Mom and Dad."

Lina and Enya returned and enjoyed getting Serena into her ball gown and fixing her hair in a lovely tiara.  Even Buffy had a jeweled collar.

"This must be horribly boring for the two of you," Serena offered as they began to try to find shoes that would fit her.

"Oh no, Princess," Lina answered.  "Boring would be standing by to help Princess Risha, who will change clothing five times and purposely ruin things to make her maids look stupid. The Queen has threatened to take all the maids away, but Risha doesn't behave for long.  There!  Your hair is perfect."

Enya handed her a looking glass, and Serena took a quick glance and then looked again. It could not possibly be her with her hair in little ringlets around her face, and her eyelids shaded in sparkling blue to match her dress. And where did that little circlet of gold come from that now looks far too much like a crown. This could not possibly be her."Wow," Buffy said as she walked in front of her and looked up. "You look great!"

Serena realized she had to trust Buffy on this one. And besides she didn't want to be Risha and start ordering another set of clothes.

They left the room a few minutes later.  Serena was glad to hear that Thomas had already headed downstairs.  She felt clumsy and was soon out of sorts -- until she saw Mom and Dad waiting for her at the first turn of the stairs.

"You look lovely," Dad said as Mom hugged her carefully.  "Go in and get the introductions done.  You two be careful."

"I feel this won't take long," Mom added.

Serena hoped so.  The tension from worrying about everything was starting to bother her.  This wasn't like their other adventures.  The King's life might be in her hands.

And they were on show the moment they stepped into the ballroom.  The sparkling chandeliers, crystal goblets, and jewels on every hand surprised her.  Even Buffy stumbled and barely recovered.

Three thrones stood across the room where the King and Queen sat with a smaller throne between them.  Oh yes, that was Empress Fluffy Kitty, beyond a doubt.

"Let's get this over with," Buffy mumbled as they crossed the room.

Flash Fiction # 593 --Princess Buffy/10

 

Thomas's plan worked.  They were soon in the warehouse area, just three more ragged-looking people.  This was not how Serena -- Princess Serena -- had imagined entering the royal city.

Serena had to admit she was tired of adventures just now.  She wanted to go back home. At least Thomas got them through the Sea Gate and the Inner East Gate with no trouble.  

People walked everywhere on the streets, some of them dancing and singing.  Acrobats appeared near fountains.

New Year's Eve.  She kept forgetting.

The third gate led into the palace grounds.  There, they stopped and waited with a dozen other people. They were primarily merchants, she thought.  Annoyed merchants at that.

"Meow!" Buffy shouted so loudly that everyone jumped. Serena looked at her in shock.  "I want food!" the cat complained.

"Do I look like I have food for you?  Or me?  Or Thomas?"

"I want food!"

It worked.  One of the guards gave her a piece of cheese.  She acted insufferable afterward.  Or maybe it wasn't an act.  Buffy had always been a drama queen.

Buffy's act kept the notice of the others, which Serena appreciated.  It allowed Serena to study the building with towers and arched windows beyond the gate. She had never seen anything so large.  The guards patrolling the upper level hardly looked real. In fact, everything about the place struck Serena as wrong.

"Princess Serena?"

She looked at Thomas with a start, but he hid his mischievous smile behind a very proper bow of his head.  "The king would like to see you now."

"And me!" Buffy shouted.

"And you, cat."

"I have a name!" Buffy growled and leaped at Thomas.  Serena caught her in midair.

"Please come along.  The King is not used to waiting."

"But I look awful"! Serena suddenly realized.

"You look remarkable for someone who survived a ship sinking," Thomas replied as they started away.  She heard whispers behind them.

"And me, too! Buffy exclaimed.

"And you, too, Buffy," Thomas agreed with a slight smile.

"I wouldn't have bitten you," Buffy whispered.  "Well, not too hard."

Thomas almost laughed, and it did lighten the mood.  Serena considered a little magic to clean up but changed her mind.  If this made her look like a helpless, overwhelmed young girl, all the better.  She had to remember to be worried about her parents, though.

It was hard to remember anything once they stepped into the magnificent building. Light shined through colored glass leaving rainbows scattered around the room.  Plush furniture lined the walls of the entry hall, obviously places to sit and rest.  They were all filled with older men and women, none of whom smiled.

Then she saw the cluster of six young women arranged so artfully on a long sofa that Serena glanced around, looking for the artist painting the scene.

None.  This was all for show.

"So pitiful," one of them said and didn't even try to lower her voice.  The others giggled.

"Ladies," one of the royal guards said with a glance.

You would have thought he'd called them street scum from their reactions of shock and anger.  One stood.  The others followed.  They stomped their way out of the room.

Thomas sighed.  "That was some of your cousins."

"Oh," she said, although she had guessed as much already.  The girls turned one way, but Serena went on straight.  Good.  "I should clean up, though."

"No time," the guard said and stepped back to walk beside her.  He gave Buffy a wary glance.  "The king is meeting with General Gellis right now, but he wants to see you immediately afterward."

"Does this mean I get to sit down soon?" Serena asked.

She did, and for a long time.  The little room where the guards took her had no one else around.  Thomas took the chair across from her, gave one slight nod, and fell asleep.  Buffy climbed up in her lap and did the same.

Serena napped off and on, startled awake by any odd sound, especially any voice from the next room. Doors opened and closed from within there, too.  More voices came, some of them loud.  She was sure she had heard the rude Princess at least once.  That annoyed Serena, who wanted her own meeting to take place and let her go clean up and rest.  This meeting didn't have to be right now, did it?

She almost said something, changed her mind, and returned to sleep.

Everything went quiet.

Then, a woman came into the room. "Come along, come along.  We'll get you ready for the New Year's Gala tonight."

Serena had forgotten the celebration.

"Mistress Tillie?" Thomas said, still blinking away the sleep.  "The King --"

"Will see you at tonight's meal," she replied and helped Serena up as soon as Buffy jumped down.  

She gave the cat a polite nod.  Then she opened a hidden side door and signaled them inside. It took them a few steps and then out into another hall.

Thomas stepped up beside her.  "I think the King just wanted to keep us out of sight," he said.  She couldn't see if Tillie nodded in agreement.

"I am just not used to places like this," she admitted and feared she sounded too childish.  "I suspect I'll be better after a few days."

"I imagine it has been a trying --"

"Down!" Serena shouted.

The others obeyed.  Serena lifted her hands and faced the ball of fire that had appeared.  It grew more extensive, and she could feel the heat. Serena shoved the ball of magic at the wall to the right, where it splattered, and the flames died.

The others had just gotten to their feet when a dozen guards arrived.

"Someone saw fire down the hall!  The burn marks are still hot."

"One of the scones suddenly erupted, but it died down immediately," Serena said.  "No one was hurt."

Areas near a scone did still glow.  They believed her.

Flash Fiction #592 -- Buffy the Princess/9

 

 

Serena screamed, spun in the air, and threw herself at the area where Buffy had disappeared. She hit Thomas, who held an already sputtering and enraged Buffy.

All three of them ended up underwater.  At least it wasn't deep.  Thomas grabbed Buffy and surged back to the surface before Serena pushed off the sandy bottom and shot back to the surface.

"I've got her. She's fine," Thomas said, heading for the shore. "I'll get her out of the net. Can you follow the gulls?  Carefully!"

"Buffy?"

She answered in a growling hiss of cat words that made it obvious she was okay.  Thomas had a good idea, but the seawater had soaked her wings and everything else.  She fought her way to the shore, used a small spell to dry off, and took to the air.  

A flock of noisy gulls had headed off over the ocean, too obviously trying to entice her.  Serena swept in a circle and spotted two gulls heading across the island. Serena turned that way.

It wasn't far over the island. Even so, by the time Serena reached the other side, she only found a backlash of magic and some debris. That proved to be primarily papers, and she grabbed as many of them as she could catch before they disappeared into the sea.

When Buffy and Thomas arrived, she sat on the beach and sorted sketches from scribbled words.  A few large shells held the papers down.

"They were gone, of course," she explained.  "This was all they left behind, and none looks helpful."

"We need to go," Thomas said, looking more worried than before. "See that rocky peninsula straight ahead? It is just a line of black.  Around the curve from that is an enormous bay. The capital is there."

"That close?" Buffy asked and looked suspiciously that way.

"Far too close," Serena replied, and Thomas nodded.  "And that's the direction our attackers went, too."

"I am not surprised.  Serena, I don't mean to take over, but --"

"Yes, time to go," she agreed.  "But I suppose that flying in is not the best idea."

"Mom wanted us to keep our wings hidden," Buffy added.  "The king would be unhappy enough about our magic."

"She's right. We're lucky that there isn't much in ocean traffic right now --"

"The weather has been too strange," Serena pointed out.  "And a lot of people will know it is magic. I sure wouldn't be out here if we could avoid it."

Thomas gave a nod of agreement. "We need to get to the palace as soon as possible. Before we are there, we have to figure out what we will tell the others."

"You're always telling me to tell the truth," Buffy said as she stood up and headed toward the water. "So why don't we try starting with that? The ship went down in the storm. Thomas found us and got us to the palace. We have no idea where the others are or if they are even alive."

"Good idea, Buffy," Thomas said, following her toward the sea. It was, she decided, a good place to start with their story. "But for now, I will have to be very upset. We can't hint that we know Mom and Dad are alive."

"Or maybe," Thomas began, pausing as he kept walking. Just before Serena was about to protest, he started up again. "Or maybe we can hint that I had some help finding you and thought it might have been something from your mother."

"And Serena had a message, too," Buffy added. "That makes it more plausible. But nothing for me. I am just a little furry familiar. Since no one in this area should be used for seeing someone like me, it won't surprise them if I act stupid. Besides, if Mom and Dad are in the building somewhere, I will most likely find them without using magic."

"And what am I supposed to do?" Serena asked as she stood at the edge of the waves, where they just barely tickled her feet.

"Keep the attention away from us," Thomas said. "I'll go back to my usual haunts, which mostly means staying out of everyone's sight as much as possible. Some friends on the staff will let me know if anything unusual happened while I was gone. We shouldn't play this game for long, though. I think we'll all be happier if we can find your parents and get this straightened out. Including the king if this is aimed at him."

"Who else could it be aimed at?" Serena asked.

"Your parents would be my first guess," Thomas replied. "Your family is the kingdom's best-known group of magic users, let alone in the royal family. More than a few of your relatives mistrust you for that reason. The fact that the two of you have made something of a legend has not helped."

"First, we are not legends. And second, I had no idea I was related to the king, and I only barely remember that he doesn't like magic."

"I believe you," Thomas replied as he stepped into the frothy water. "I doubt very many other people will. If you told them they were eating eggs for breakfast, they would swear it was potatoes. Your link with magic can work against you in that case. But we will get around it. Now, give me a chance to get a few miles ahead of you. The two of you can fly far faster than I can swim. Come in on the backside of that peninsula and watch for me on the shore. If anyone is around, just find the best spot you can."

And then he swam off.

Flash Fiction #591 -- Buffy the Princess/8

 

Under other circumstances, the early morning flight would have been perfect. Light clouds and a pleasant breeze kept them from getting too hot.  The calmness of the day finally gave Serena a chance to think clearly about what had happened.

Serena went through everything she remembered of the disaster and afterward. This included the storm (magical), the ship coming apart (also magical), and the magical message from her parents.

Thomas and Buffy were right. Everything, except the shortness of the message, pointed to Mom and Dad not being in immediate danger.  Also, they were together.  How Mom got that dress from the ocean raised new questions, but overall, it looked better than expected.

They had an enemy to deal with, though.  Time to turn their attention to finding out who was behind this trouble.

"There it is!" Buffy shouted and did a spinning dive toward a dolphin.  She must have been practicing, but it did not impress the dolphin when she used his head as a launching point.

Serena started lecturing the cat, but there was no point in it now.  Buffy had been higher in the air and had spotted their goal first.

Straight ahead stood a green-covered island outlined by the sea and sand. Seals had control of one beach, but others were clear of all but gulls.  Those took exception to Buffy flying straight over them and shouting, but they took to the air and disappeared over the island's ridge line.

Buffy made no friends there.  And they would not be impressed that she was a princess, either.

Thomas found the beach where they had landed and sat down by them with a sigh of relief as he tried to wring water from his hair. Serena suspected that he might be a bit of a dandy when he wasn't a fish. She mimicked Thomas and tried to force water out of her hair.

Buffy just shook herself vigorously and never mind where the water hit.  Serena again brushed drops from her face.

"Now what?" Buffy asked.

"I've been thinking about that divan and the pillows," Thomas said as though they were still in that conversation.  "I've seen them, maybe at the palace. You've never been there."

"Never," she agreed.  "Though Buffy must have been there as a kitten."

"I don't think I remember."

"It doesn't matter," he replied.  "Besides, I am obviously not a member of the Princess Club."

"The what?" Serena and Buffy chorused.

Thomas laughed. "The two of you even have the same expression sometimes," he said. Then he frowned and shook his head. "I don't want to say anything more. You can make up your own minds about the girls."

"I wouldn't mind a bit of warning about something that might be a problem," Serena replied. Buffy watched a pair of gulls that swept in closer.

Thomas still frowned, but then he gave a quick nod. "You know the king doesn't trust anyone with magic, so it's been a genuine surprise that he asked you and your mother to return to the palace, even for just a visit. Princess Neva, the leader of her little clique, has been making rude remarks about the country girl and her wise woman mother. The other princesses follow her because she's the only entertainment they have. Besides, it's a good way to stay out of being the subject of her vicious little temper. But really, you need to make up your own minds about her."
"We have girls like that back home," Serena replied. "But if they don't have magic, they can't be part of this problem.  Thanks for the warning, though.  I would hate for that behavior to come as a surprise."

"I know where I saw it. The divan," Thomas explained, but he looked troubled. "But it makes little sense. I've been to that room before, which is at the palace. It's the king's private sitting room."

"This could be a real problem," Serena replied. "There was no sign of the king being there, and he couldn't be the one doing the magic. Why would someone choose that room to make contact with us?"

"I don't want to think that something happened to the king. Besides, your parents didn't look at all upset. Well, except that they were worried about you and Buffy."

Serena wondered if anyone worried about Thomas. He had been with them for several days, and he didn't mention his parents and what they might be doing. She almost asked questions, but that would just be a distraction.

Like the gulls moving in closer, first two and then several others swarming not far behind.

"Buffy."

"I see them," the cat replied, slowly stretching out her wings. "I'll --"

The first two gulls screamed and dived at her, perfectly in sync and with a net attached to their webbed feet. Before any of them could react, the gulls had trapped Buffy and were flying off with her.

Buffy yelled not-too-helpful insults at her captors while the rest of the gulls swarmed in after Serena and Thomas.  Although they did not have nets, they drove the two back.

"No!" Serena waved an arm and sent a number of the gulls tumbling and crashing into the sand.  "Thomas --"

"Follow her.  Be careful.  These aren't ordinary gulls. I'll see what I can find."

Serena ran but quickly took to the air where her size alone frightened off almost all the gulls, although they screamed in protest.  She didn't care where that group went as she followed the two who carried Buffy away.

Buffy had stopped cursing and was now frantically biting at the net, trying to tear it open and get out. When her head poked through, the gulls suddenly changed direction and flapped frantically out over the ocean.

And they dropped her.

Flash Fiction #590 -- Buffy the Princess/7

 

Serena would have preferred something softer, but that was just feeling sorry for herself. Besides, they found several pleasant areas filled with sand and as comfortable as anywhere they had slept in the last couple of days. It was easy enough to get rid of little biting bugs. It was one of the first spells mom had ever taught her, and Serena could see now why it was always so important.

Thomas had only climbed partway on the rocks and looked around as though testing the site for an upcoming battle. Serena supposed she should look at it the same way, but she was just too tired to care right now. Besides, if the enemy came to them here, they would at least know what they were up against and how to deal with them.

"I'm going to spend the night in the water," Thomas announced. It didn't surprise Serena; she almost complained before he went on. "I can feel magic better in the water than in the air. If anything comes our way and touches the water, I'll know it."

Serena nodded, realizing that this also meant Thomas thought they could take care of themselves. He had his unique talents and was willing to use his abilities to help them.

Thomas gave a little bow of his head in farewell. He turned around to walk back down to the beach. Buffy had moved over to sit with Serena as they watched, and she wondered what the cat thought about this mess. Serena would have asked, but she was just too tired now. Buffy was her best friend, and she knew the cat would stand with her and help her.

"Buffy," she said in a sudden surge of fear. "Promise me you'll be careful. I couldn't stand to lose you, too."

"We have lost no one yet," Buffy replied, settling into Serena's lap.

"You believe Thomas?"

"We were both there. Did you see anybody in the water? Did you hear anyone? I'm not saying it will all be perfect if we find them, but it would have been far easier to let everyone drown if that was the point. I think we chanced not to get caught in the net."

Serena tried to believe those words.  She stared at where Thomas walked into the waves and disappeared.  Despite Buffy by her side, it still felt scary being so alone.

Serena didn't sleep well.  For most of the night, she had nightmares of the ship pulling apart and all of them drowning.  Buffy was always in her lap and helped ease her back to sleep. They had no trouble that night, and just before dawn, Serena had an entirely different type of dream.

Mom and Dad sat on a divan, close together and holding hands.  They both stared at her, looking intense and not happy.  Serena feared what she had done wrong.

But then Mom smiled.  "There you are.  And Buffy, too.  Thomas?"

"In the water," she answered as though this were an actual conversation.

"Yes.  Good.  No time, Serena.  Stay safe.  This isn't -- someone --"

A flash of light and everything went away.

"Damn," Buffy hissed.  "Mom was just about to tell us something!"

"That was real?" Serena asked and panicked because she hadn't done very well.  "Mom!"

"Calm down.  Oh, here comes Thomas.  Good.  He must have had the same message."

He had and was as happy as Buffy about it.  "We need to compare what we saw," he said. "We might figure out where they are."

That did sound hopeful.  So, as the sun rose, they laid out what they saw, step by step.

"They sat on a divan, side by side," Serena began.  It was dark green and had a gold pillow pushed to Mom's side.  Both were dressed normally, I think."

"Yes," Buffy said.  "That dress Mom wore should be at the bottom of the ocean.  That is odd.  I had the impression of at least one other person in the room - a sort of shifting of shadows as they talked."

"And I don't think the magic to reach us came from either of them." Thomas looked around, and that made Serena nervous.  "I didn't think they were fighting it, though."

"I felt they were safe," Buffy added, but didn't sound entirely convinced. "There was no tension except that the connection was too brief."

"Was it lack of power?" Thomas asked.  "Or did someone cut them off?"

"Or did someone try to listen in?" Serena asked.  "I think we better go."

Neither Buffy nor Thomas argued.  They climbed back down the rocks, and she hoped the other two had gotten more sleep than her.

"Where do we go?" she asked.  "Not far if we can help it."

"There is another small island -- though larger than this one -- about seven miles to the west," Thomas said.  "I was going to suggest we head there anyway since I found a freshwater spring and some fruit.  I think we should be able to see the mainland shore from there, too.  It was dark, so I wasn't certain, and I didn't want to go any further."

Both sounded wonderful.  "Buffy and I will fly this time, but stay low.  Is there a problem with you swimming there?"

"None at all."

"Then let's go."  Buffy all but shouted.  She took to the air but only circled.  "Come on!"

"Yes, Princess Buffy," Thomas said.  He walked into the waves and disappeared.

"Serena!  "Let's go!"

"Yes, Princess," Serena replied.

This would be a problem, but that was for another time.  They had enough problems right now, though.  If someone had caught that communication, it might already be too late to get away.

Better to fly rather than stand here and wait for it to happen.  Serena took to the air, but she and Buffy stayed close to the water.  She watched everything.

Flash Fiction #589 -- Buffy the Princess/6

The sun was starting to go down. Where were they even going to sleep tonight? She looked around and decided some big leaves would make beds and blankets. It wasn't that cold, after all.

Thomas returned first. She saw him stand and fight past the waves and up to the sand. He looked pleased to see her.

"Buffy should be back soon," Serena said. "I should have told her to come back before sunset."

"She's smart. She'll -- there she is!" He pointed up at the sky and sounded as relieved as Serena felt. That was kind of sweet.

Buffy made a show of landing, of course. They all hurried into the cover of the plants. Serena gave her leaves for bedding. Buffy didn't much like it, but she looked likely to fall asleep on her paws.

"I think whoever was after us had to be in the east, directing the storm in our direction."

"Yes, that makes sense. There isn't much out that way, though."

"I saw nothing in that direction," Buffy admitted. "I thought I felt a trail of magic heading northward, but it died out, so it was probably an errant wind from the storm."

Both humans agreed.

"How did you end up with one of Queen Anna's special cats?" he asked. "I didn't think she ever parted with any of Empress Fluffy's litters."

They both turned and stared at him.

"Mom brought her home from one of her trips," Serena said. "She was a tiny thing, but Mom said she would make an excellent familiar. She was right."

"Special cats?" Buffy squeaked. She stopped so suddenly that Serena almost tripped over her. "I'm a special cat?"

"I can't imagine you could be anything else," Thomas said while she preened. "You look just like Empress Fluffy Kitty."

"If my mother is Empress Fluffy, then I must be Princess Buffy!"

She laughed with delight and skipped on ahead of them.

"Now you've done it," Serena said with a shake of her head. "And mom brought her home after a long trip. I was just old enough to train with a familiar."

She stopped talking, but they still followed Princess Buffy. Serena sniffed and shook her head.

"Serena?"

"I am worried about what happened to Mom. And to Dad. I am not used to that part, you know. But I want them both back!"

"I'll do my best to help you find them," Thomas promised. He even put a hand on her arm. "They disappeared. I think we didn't because we were inside the hull. That's a good thing, Serena. As worried as you are, I believe we'll be more help out here rather than wherever they were taken."

Serena looked at him and back at Buffy. The cat had stopped prancing, and she returned with a look of determination. Serious, too.

"We will find them," Buffy declared. It might even be a royal 'we' that she used. Serena only nodded, still feeling as lost as she had before. "Look," Buffy said and drew lines in the sand. "We sailed northward from home, most of the time with the shore in view. We were far closer to our destination than to home. The attack came from the east, but I suspect the person behind it was on the mainland, pulling together the storm farther out at sea."

"Someone strong," Thomas said and looked westward, but they were not close enough to see the mainland. "Someone willing to risk being caught, too. We are close enough to home that many people with powers could have caught a hint of it."

"Are there a lot of people with magical ability?" Serena asked.

"Far more than the King realizes," Thomas said, looking around as if he expected someone to hear him. That worried Serena about going to this place, and even Buffy looked uneasy. "It is kind of an open secret with just about everyone else. It is safest to keep quiet about any powers unless someone else shows they have magic. Even then, it would be wise to be quiet."


"The more I hear about life in this castle, the less I think I'll like it," Serena admitted.

"There is a reason why Mom never talked about the castle," Buffy said. "And she clearly doesn't want to live there."

"We should never have wanted to go!"

"The king mentioned, in the middle of a feast, that he wanted to meet you, Serena," Thomas admitted. "We all thought it a bit odd. Personally, I think he did it to annoy the princess gang."

"Who are they?" Buffy asked as he started walking away again.

"They are the topline princesses and related to Serena and me. I mentioned Thina, their leader. There are seven of them. They act as though they run the castle. A couple of them have bored the little magic that I wouldn't trust them very far."

"Could they be behind all of this?"

They walked a few more steps in silence. Then Thomas stopped and sighed. "I don't like to say they're stupid, but all of them are a few gems short of a crown."

Serena didn't ask why Thomas didn't like his cousins, but she felt she wouldn't like them much either. Buffy looked from one to the other and offered nothing, which Serena found both perplexing and worrisome. The cat always had something to say.

Thomas held up a hand and stopped them both. "I think we can find our best cover for the night there in those rocks," he said, pointing towards the boulders set back from the shore. "They look a lot more sturdy than those bushes did. We seem to be mostly out of the wind at this corner of the island. We only have to worry about another storm, but I don't think that will be a problem."

 

Flash Fiction #588 -- Buffy the Princess/5

 

It seemed to take forever, but the island finally grew closer. Serena paused to look at it sometimes and give herself a brief break. Thomas had gone ahead as a fish, intending to ensure it was a safe haven.

Not that it mattered. Even Thomas was starting to show signs of exhaustion. Buffy had slipped off twice, but at least she could swim until one of them grabbed her.

The island looked like paradise. A small paradise, but it had golden sand and green trees. There might be food ... after they slept.

She swam again. Onward. Rest soon. Just get --

Something grabbed Serena by the arm. She twisted --

"It's me," Thomas said. "We're there. You can stand and walk from here."

Selena lowered her legs and tried to stand, but they felt like jelly, and walking would not happen. Thomas kept her moving, and as soon as the water only reached her ankles, Buffy jumped down, hissing and growling all the rest of the way.

"It's a good thing I don't speak cat," Thomas said. Serena wondered how he could still be in a good mood. "Just a bit farther. We don't want to be too low on the beach when the tide comes in."

Serena wanted to protest, but they didn't go too much further. Thomas carefully lowered her to the beach, and then he fell face-first into the sand. Serena turned his head so he could breathe and not just so she could see his face.

Buffy walked between them and plopped down, looking straight into Serena's face.

"Enough of this human silliness," the cat said, staring straight into her eyes. "Get control. We have a lot of work to do."

"Yes," she agreed. "After a nap."

Buffy purred at that idea.

Resting in the sun while she dried out was wonderful - right until the storm hit.

Buffy was on her feet and yowling at the clouds before either human stood.

"I was afraid this might happen," Serena admitted. The breeze was cool, but no rain fell yet. "All that magic stirred things up. Buffy, stop yelling. We must find cover, though I suspect we'll still be wet."

Thomas nodded in agreement and stared out at the clouds. "The storm could also be cover for a sensor spell, though. It's good we've all been too tired to use magic."

Buffy walked back to them. "Someone is going to be sorry I am this miserable."

Serena didn't doubt it.

They retreated to the line of bushes growing on a slight incline of sand, rock, and dirt. They had to make their own path, but they did so carefully, hoping no one looking around would notice. Serena wasn't surprised to see no sign of people on such a small piece of land, but they did have enemies. She just didn't know who they were.

They soon had enough plant life between them and the wind that it didn't feel so cold. Even the rain got diverted by the tall, leafy trees. Serena couldn't name them, but they were welcome. Somewhere around the middle of the island, which was only a few minutes from the shore, they found a tall, broad tree wide enough at the base to shelter them.

They sat there as the storm raged over them and passed on. Birds of many types had gathered in the limbs, and Buffy eyed them with a bright gleam in her eyes. Then she yawned and went back to sleep.

Serena tried to straighten out her ruined dress and wished she had a way to fix her hair until Buffy climbed up on her lap, put both paws on her shoulders, and stared her in the face.

"If you don't stop, I am going to bite you on the nose, and that will put an end to your primping."

"I am not primping! No one could possibly primp in a place like this. Besides, I've never primped in my life, and you know it --" She stopped protesting because it had only set Thomas laughing.

"You two are wonderful," Thomas said. "So much better than your cousins."

Buffy sat down and purred for a while. It helped. Serena and Thomas had a serious discussion about what to do next. Recognizance by sea and air seemed the best idea.

"But if Buffy is flying and you are swimming, what will I do?" Serena asked and tried not to sound annoyed.

"Assume that neither of us will spot anything," Thomas answered. "Come up with what we should do next."

 There was a daunting task.

Serena went with them back to the shore, though she stayed under cover. Buffy spread her wings with a sigh of contentment, took a running leap, and took to the sky. Thomas waded out into the waves and disappeared.

Serena didn't like being left alone, but it made sense that she stayed out of notice. A spell to make her invisible would have helped, but the magic alone would have drawn attention. If neither found anything, it might be time to use magic to get them out of the area, if not to safety.

How could they find safety if they did not know who worked against them? How could they find Mom, Dad, and the others?

All her new clothes had gone down with the ship. Even that horrible book on Royal Linage was gone. It angered her to tears.

She fought that useless reaction to an end. Time to think this through. Maybe looking for safety wasn't as wise as looking for their enemy. If they knew that person's location, it could keep them from blundering into there.

Serena thought she at least had an idea of the direction.

They were gone for hours. Serena paced the area near the shore and scanned the sky. She did not curse, but she wished strongly for both of them to return now.

Flash Fiction #587 -- Buffy the Princess/4

 

 

And that is what he became, his fishy tail splashing Buffy.

"He did that on purpose!" she growled.

"Yes, I think he did."

She grumbled but stopped as the light came back, the bright circle swinging over them and back again. The wind picked up and had a definite feel of magic and anger. Even Buffy knew that wasn't a good mix. The rowboat bounced on the waves, splashing into their little corner of safety and seeming to steal away the air.

 But the feeling of magic died away, and the light didn't return. By then, Serena could barely keep herself afloat. She was going to have to use magic for both of them.

Thomas's head popped up about a foot from her. She screamed and went under. Thomas grabbed her by the shoulder and yanked her back up.

"Sorry," they chorused.

Buffy snorted, and Serena couldn't decide if it came from disgust, amusement, or seawater up her nose.

"They're gone," Thomas said. "We better head for shore while we can. I don't want to be here if the person, or people, regain their strength."

"The others from the ship!" Serena protested. "Mom! Dad! We have to look --"

"Everyone but the two of you were grabbed in a magic cloud and taken away. I don't know where to go, but I think they are safe. Otherwise, it would have been easier to leave them here. I think they missed you and Buffy -- and maybe me -- because we were underwater."


"But -- but --"

"It makes sense," Buffy said. She still looked demented. "Let's get somewhere we can do something to find them."

Serena still wanted to argue, but she said no more. She supposed it would be hard enough to survive without her being unreasonable.

"Buffy, you will have to play at being my fur collar for a while," Serena said and forced herself to be calm again. How far are we from shore? I assume you can find it?"

"No problem," Thomas said.

He even helped get Buffy situated before he shoved the boat's edge up, and they all three escaped. Serena worried they wouldn't find anywhere safe again.

"Where are we?" Buffy asked after a while. It was possible she hated the silence or the fact that they'd left the debris behind. As low as they were in the water, it was impossible to see very far.

"We should be about ten miles from shore and a couple days south of the capital. It is a long way to shore, but I'll do my best to get you there. I have some magic --"

"So do I," Serena replied. "And Buffy has some gifts of her own."

"Oh. Yeah. I have to remember that just because you weren't raised at the palace, that doesn't mean you know nothing about magic."  Thomas swam a few strokes in silence. "If even half of what we've heard is true --"

"That hardly seems fair," Serena said before he could go on. Buffy sighed. "I didn't even know I had cousins."

"There are too many of us, and no one gets along. Well, except for Thina's gang, but they only follow her to see what trouble she'll cause next."

"Sounds unpleasant," Selena answered.

"She's not my favorite person," he admitted. "And her friends are worse. Although maybe I shouldn't say such things. You should judge everyone yourself. Never mind what I've said."

"I'll trust your judgment until I learn otherwise. Tell me about more of them."

They talked for a long while. Buffy slept. The day passed quickly, at least.   It was easy not to be scared when she had Buffy and Thomas to talk with. She tried not to worry about her mother, father, and the others. It would have been easier to kill them at the wreck. They were alive somewhere.

"The water pattern changed. We're near land. An island, I bet." Thomas sounded excited. "At least we'll have a chance to rest!"

"That would be good," Serena agreed. Buffy made a hopeful sound. "And if we can dry out, Buffy and I can fly. We need to dry out and warm up."

"You really can fly? Since you haven't, I assumed that part of the story wasn't true."

"Just too cold, wet, and shocked. Besides, we had just promised Mom that we wouldn't unless there was a real need. I think this is it."

"I can do some recognizance work," Buffy suggested. "I'm less likely to be spotted."

"Yes, that's true. But you must be careful."

"I will. How far to the island?"

"It feels like maybe a mile. It can't be big, or we'd have seen it by now."

"Out of the water is all we need," Serena replied and felt a sense of hope coming back to her again. Of course, Mom would consider this important enough to break the rule about not flying, and not just because she was in trouble. Serena had hoped to spend at least a day at the castle before she broke that rule, though.

Then suddenly, the island was there. She could see it, but neither movement nor magic seemed possible now, even though she desperately wanted to reach that beach and those trees.

Serena just closed her eyes ...

"If you drown now, so do I."

Buffy always knew the right things to say.

Flash Fiction #586 -- Buffy the Princess/3

 

 

 

 Thump, thump, thump.

"Your cousins know all about your adventures. You two are legends at court --"

"ACK!" Serena and Buffy chorused.

Thump-thump-thump-thump --

Mom threw open the door. Water and a single fish washed in on them. Mom grabbed the startled fish and held it in front of her face. "What the hell do you think you are doing, Thomas?"

"Warning?" the fish squeaked and gasped. "Down, down, down!"

Mom let go.

Splash.

A young man rose where the fish had been. He wore a tunic and pants but no boots. He was, of course, as soaked as the rest of them and giving little fishy gasps. When Selena started to say something, he held up his hand to stop her. Fish scales fell off his fingers.

"This is your cousin Thomas, Serena. He's from the shape-shifting side of the family."

"A poor relation," Thomas added and stood up straight. Thin, dark curly hair, dimples. How close of a relative, she wondered. "I can only shape-shift to a fish. Not helpful usually."

He also had a nice smile.

Buffy bit her on the ear. Mom turned away and coughed. Serena felt her face go red, and Buffy snickered. Serena dropped her in the water. It didn't make her any wetter, but she sputtered in surprise.

"Thomas?" Mom said.

"Oh, sorry, Aunt Lidana.   I heard Princess Risha say she was sending a storm at you, but that was not the worst. She almost caught me, so I didn't dare stay and try to learn more. And the king is unsettled about something, so I couldn't go to him."

"Unhappy about us coming to the palace?" Mom asked.

"I don't think so," he answered and sounded sincere. "His worry has been building since last year. And there have been more messengers from the West than usual. I think something is going on."

Mom nodded in agreement just as Captain Vane -- Dad -- arrived. He gave Thomas a startled look.

"I should have expected you, Thomas. It is that bad, is it?"

"Serious enough," Mom replied. "We are not wanted at court."

Serena looked in surprise as Dad laughed. Mom gave him a stare that would have sent Serena to her room as quietly as she could have moved.

Dad stared her down. It was interesting to watch, although it made Serena and Buffy nervous. Thomas, though, didn't seem to know any better.

"The storm was the first attack," Thomas pointed out again. Mom and Dad both looked at him, startled. "I don't know what the next problem will be, but maybe the two of you could --

"Whales ho!" voices shouted from somewhere on deck.

"Damn," Dad mumbled.

And then all of them headed for the deck. Just as Serena arrived, she saw something huge heading straight at them. It hit with a wood-shattering crunch that sent everyone flying. Instinct alone made her grab Buffy as they tumbled into the water amidst all the dangerous debris. Serena couldn't get her barrings, and even up and down looked the same.

If it hadn't been for a familiar-looking fish nudging her in one direction, she and Buffy might not have made it to the surface. The fish, who must have been Thomas, splashed his way back into the water.

The last vestiges of the storm were still strong, the wind kicking up waves, foam, and debris. A plank hit her shoulder, and Serena grabbed it. Buffy dug the claws of her right paw into the wood, but she did not let go of Serena with the other.

Serena tried to find sight of any of the others, all the while dreading that she would find someone dead. Instead, she heard something peculiar.

A loud, cackling laughter filled the wind. Serena had thought it was a gull at first, but then she saw a circle of light moving back and forth over the water as if looking for someone. Was that someone looking for her? She tried to turn the plank in that direction --

And Thomas popped up in human form to stop her.

"Not that way. They sent the storm and the whales. I think they took everyone else, too. I don't know where, but it might be better if you two don't go with them."

"How?" Serena gasped.

Thomas looked around and then nodded behind her. "There's a rowboat upside down. There should be some air trapped under it. I'll get you close and wait until the circle of light gets close before you go under it. Stay there until I come back -- or until you don't have enough air."

"Thomas --"

"No time."

He caught hold of the plank and dragged them as fast as he could toward that small spot of safety -- if it was enough cover. Where were the others? Who was after them?

They reached the boat and waited. Then they ducked under cover just as the light reached their area. The glow filled the water around them but not under the boat. Serena pulled her legs up as best she could, and Buffy dug claws into the wood. Neither spoke.


Fish darted in and around her, odd faces looking up as though wondering what kind of fish she might be. The light still swept around and gave her a mesmerizing view of shapes and colors she would never have imagined.

Thomas slid under the overturned row boat as well. Buffy hissed and grumbled as she dug claws into a piece of the wooden shell and pulled herself out of the water. Then she clung to the wood like a demented, long-furred, wet bat.

The surrounding water glowed. Serena held her breath as it lingered too long. Then, it finally moved on, but not too far.

"Can't stay," Thomas whispered. "Use too much air in this form."

"Be careful," Serena whispered and wished she didn't feel so panicked.

"I won't go far."  He smiled. "Just another fish in the sea."Thump, thump, thump.

"Your cousins know all about your adventures. You two are legends at court --"

"ACK!" Serena and Buffy chorused.

Thump-thump-thump-thump --

Mom threw open the door. Water and a single fish washed in on them. Mom grabbed the startled fish and held it in front of her face. "What the hell do you think you are doing, Thomas?"

"Warning?" the fish squeaked and gasped. "Down, down, down!"

Mom let go.

Splash.

A young man rose where the fish had been. He wore a tunic and pants but no boots. He was, of course, as soaked as the rest of them and giving little fishy gasps. When Selena started to say something, he held up his hand to stop her. Fish scales fell off his fingers.

"This is your cousin Thomas, Serena. He's from the shape-shifting side of the family."

"A poor relation," Thomas added and stood up straight. Thin, dark curly hair, dimples. How close of a relative, she wondered. "I can only shape-shift to a fish. Not helpful usually."

He also had a nice smile.

Buffy bit her on the ear. Mom turned away and coughed. Serena felt her face go red, and Buffy snickered. Serena dropped her in the water. It didn't make her any wetter, but she sputtered in surprise.

"Thomas?" Mom said.

"Oh, sorry, Aunt Lidana.   I heard Princess Risha say she was sending a storm at you, but that was not the worst. She almost caught me, so I didn't dare stay and try to learn more. And the king is unsettled about something, so I couldn't go to him."

"Unhappy about us coming to the palace?" Mom asked.

"I don't think so," he answered and sounded sincere. "His worry has been building since last year. And there have been more messengers from the West than usual. I think something is going on."

Mom nodded in agreement just as Captain Vane -- Dad -- arrived. He gave Thomas a startled look.

"I should have expected you, Thomas. It is that bad, is it?"

"Serious enough," Mom replied. "We are not wanted at court."

Serena looked in surprise as Dad laughed. Mom gave him a stare that would have sent Serena to her room as quietly as she could have moved.

Dad stared her down. It was interesting to watch, although it made Serena and Buffy nervous. Thomas, though, didn't seem to know any better.

"The storm was the first attack," Thomas pointed out again. Mom and Dad both looked at him, startled. "I don't know what the next problem will be, but maybe the two of you could --

"Whales ho!" voices shouted from somewhere on deck.

"Damn," Dad mumbled.

And then all of them headed for the deck. Just as Serena arrived, she saw something huge heading straight at them. It hit with a wood-shattering crunch that sent everyone flying. Instinct alone made her grab Buffy as they tumbled into the water amidst all the dangerous debris. Serena couldn't get her barrings, and even up and down looked the same.

If it hadn't been for a familiar-looking fish nudging her in one direction, she and Buffy might not have made it to the surface. The fish, who must have been Thomas, splashed his way back into the water.

The last vestiges of the storm were still strong, the wind kicking up waves, foam, and debris. A plank hit her shoulder, and Serena grabbed it. Buffy dug the claws of her right paw into the wood, but she did not let go of Serena with the other.

Serena tried to find sight of any of the others, all the while dreading that she would find someone dead. Instead, she heard something peculiar.

A loud, cackling laughter filled the wind. Serena had thought it was a gull at first, but then she saw a circle of light moving back and forth over the water as if looking for someone. Was that someone looking for her? She tried to turn the plank in that direction --

And Thomas popped up in human form to stop her.

"Not that way. They sent the storm and the whales. I think they took everyone else, too. I don't know where, but it might be better if you two don't go with them."

"How?" Serena gasped.

Thomas looked around and then nodded behind her. "There's a rowboat upside down. There should be some air trapped under it. I'll get you close and wait until the circle of light gets close before you go under it. Stay there until I come back -- or until you don't have enough air."

"Thomas --"

"No time."

He caught hold of the plank and dragged them as fast as he could toward that small spot of safety -- if it was enough cover. Where were the others? Who was after them?

They reached the boat and waited. Then they ducked under cover just as the light reached their area. The glow filled the water around them but not under the boat. Serena pulled her legs up as best she could, and Buffy dug claws into the wood. Neither spoke.


Fish darted in and around her, odd faces looking up as though wondering what kind of fish she might be.
The light still swept around and gave her a mesmerizing view of shapes and colors she would never have imagined.

Thomas slid under the overturned row boat as well. Buffy hissed and grumbled as she dug claws into a piece of the wooden shell and pulled herself out of the water. Then she clung to the wood like a demented, long-furred, wet bat.

The surrounding water glowed. Serena held her breath as it lingered too long. Then, it finally moved on, but not too far.

"Can't stay," Thomas whispered. "Use too much air in this form."

"Be careful," Serena whispered and wished she didn't feel so panicked.

"I won't go far."  He smiled. "Just another fish in the sea."

Flash Fiction #585 -- Buffy the Princess/2

 

Later...

The bunk jumped upward and came down violently, which meant no sleep for anyone. Buffy mumbled something so low that it might as well have been a growl. She snarled at Serena as they both tried to untangle the blanket and get up.

Serena bounced once more and unintentionally rolled off the bed. "Ow"

The door crashed open, and Dad stood there, his hair dripping and his face grim. She and Buffy froze, waiting for what certainly must be bad news.

"Good, you are up. A bad storm, probably not natural. Your mother needs help, Serena. Buffy --"

"I go with Serena," she answered and leaped from the bunk to Serena's shoulder.

Serena tried very hard not to wince as the claws dug in. She almost complained before she realized how serious Buffy had been. It was sweet. And a bit painful.

Dad had looked back out the window and at the two again.

"Fine. Stay with her, but both of you be careful. Fly if you have to, but there is --" A bright flash illuminated the room, followed by the rumbling argument of the gods. "There is lightning. Be careful."

And then he left without even closing the door. The outer hall ran with rain, and they heard him scramble up the short stairs and out into the storm. That door was not closed, either.

Serena watched in shock. She wasn't used to taking orders from Vane, who was practically a stranger.

"Mom needs our help," Buffy shouted over the sudden howling storm. Then she grumbled. "The idea of spending the New Year's festivities at court doesn't sound like so much fun now."

"I know," Serena agreed.

Being on a ship may have been boring, but being on one in a nasty storm -- wasn't boring. It was much worse. Serena grabbed Buffy so tightly that the cat squeaked but did not complain.

"There is a lot of magic in this," Serena said before taking the last steps onto the deck. "No wonder Mom is having so much trouble with it!"

Buffy mumbled something but didn't repeat it loud enough to be heard as they stepped out into the storm's fury.

And it suddenly got worse. Much worse, and focused on the two of them --

"Back behind a wall!" Mom shouted and shoved them both back toward the stairs.

Serena lost her footing and would have fallen down the steps if Mom hadn't been so fast with a spell to break the fall. Buffy just held on tighter and gasped with a muted meow.

Mom followed and shoved the door closed against the wind and water. Everyone else was up on the deck, and Serena found it scary being down here without any of the crew. Fresh seawater had coated everything, making it challenging to keep to her feet as the ship lurched from one side to the other. She and Buffy both went down.

Two tiny fish flopped around on the steps, looking increasingly panicked as the water retreated. Mom grabbed them both and held them before her face, staring into their eyes.

"Yes, you are fish," she decided, got the door open, and tossed them out into the deluge.

Then Mom followed Serena and Buffy down the steps, her fingers moving as she spread magic in her wake. She looked both drenched and enraged. Serena scrambled to her feet, and Buffy tried to burrow under her arm, almost putting her off balance again.

"What is going on?" Serena asked, her voice hardly louder than the storm. "This isn't natural!"

"Someone doesn't want us at the castle. That spell is specifically hunting the three of us out."

"Me?" Buffy said, her head lifting and her ears back. "Why me?"

"Because you and Serena are a team."

Despite the situation, Serena smiled. This was the first time her mother had admitted it. Buffy even let a little burp of a purr out.

"Don't let it go to your heads. You have, however, done excellent work together. I suspect someone in the palace doesn't want you two showing them up."

"That's crazy," Serena replied. She noticed the storm had lessened, though. "If that person can toss out storm spells like this, I can't be any threat at all!"

"It isn't just about magic," Mom answered with a distracted glance at the door where something thumped. "You belong to a volatile age group from court --"

"Others my age?" Serena asked, startled by the idea.

"I haven't met all of them," Mom said. She tried to keep her voice neutral, but Serena could tell she didn't think much of the others. "My best guess is that they won't be happy to see you, Serena. They are a very closed group."

"You can use the word snobs," Serena offered. "I won't be shocked."

Her mother laughed, which was rare at Serena's jokes. But then the wind pounded the little ship and sent waves crashing over the deck and spilling through the cracks around the door. Buffy made an unexpected sound of fear, so Serena held her close. Mom even petted her, but she looked worried.

"We all sense magic in the storm," Mom said with a shake of her head. "More than just aiming it at us. I almost think there might be a fight over who controls it."

"That might help," Buffy said, though her voice was muffled in Serena's blouse. "Let them fight it out."

"Good plan, but I think we're caught in the middle," Mom said. "Maybe. Everything is too diffuse to tell."

Something hit the door.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump!

Flash Fiction #584 -- Buffy the Princess/1

 Although she didn't say so aloud, Serena agreed with Buffy, her cat familiar, that they should have taken a flying carpet to the capital rather than her father's pirate ship.  Serena had never realized how boring life could be on a boat or how long a journey could take. Serena's mother, who was determined that Buffy would know every nuance of court etiquette and every tedious detail of history, only made it worse.

"Today we start the reign of King Mushrin the twenty-third --"

"Not another one!" Buffy hissed.  She leaped from the bed to the table, her tail fluffed and her ears back.  "Do these mushrooms have no imagination?"

"Mushrins," she corrected with a frown. "Be polite.  They were the longest run in kings any land has ever seen, with sixty-seven generations --"

"No!" Buffy yelled and fell over on her back, all four legs kicking in the air.  "No, it is not possible!  We aren't even halfway through them!"

"Do you know why they survived so long?" Mom asked.

I nodded.  "They were so damned boring that no one cared."

"Serena!  Such language!"

"But it is the truth," Serena continued.  Boredom always drove her to insanity.  "I can tell you 23's life.  He was born in the castle, married whom he was told to marry, let the council rule, and had five to ten baby Mushrins.  He died in his bed.  Twenty-four took over."

Mother frowned and scanned a few pages.  And then a few more. The frown grew.   She finally closed the book with a snap, startling Buffy into a jump -- but she did not unfold her wings.

Mother had warned them about the problem. That didn't stop her from repeating it.

"The King is more than a little paranoid.  He could easily decide that a cat with wings must be a spy.  Especially one who can talk. He won't much like wings on you, either, Serena."

That had been the most straightforward warning Mom had given them. This was serious.  

"The hiding spell is in place," Serena replied, far more serious now.  "Neither of us has flown since we stepped on the ship."

That hadn't been easy for either of them.  Serena suspected Buffy slipped out at night a flew for a while, but she didn't say so.  Buffy looked incredibly innocent right then, a sure sign she was up to something.

Mom stared at the cat but said nothing, either.

"No one is really going to quiz me on this stuff, are they?" Serena asked with a tap on the book.

"The king won't, but your cousins will be a problem. They'll do their best to make you look like a fool."

"Cousins?  I have cousins?"

"Several, but you only need to worry about the five girls who live at court.  They do not like anyone to draw attention away from them.  You are a threat.  Not only are you pretty -- no, you are -- but you are smarter than them.  And you know magic.  They know it.  What magic they know is child's play."

"Why have you never told us about this?"

"First, I wanted your father there.  That proved more difficult than we expected.  But mostly, you had to grow up first.  I can only imagine the havoc you and Buffy would have caused just two years ago.  I trust you now."

Serena threw herself into her mother's embrace.  She didn't feel grown up and wasn't sure she wanted to be, but it still felt good to have her mother say so.

Even Buffy pressed herself into the embrace.

And then the door opened.  All three of them gave a startled yelp.

Dad had put one foot inside the room.  He leaped backward and must have hit something. He didn't yelp, he cursed.  Then he dared the door again and peeked in.

"Everything alright?" he asked.

"Fine," Mom replied with a wave of her hand.  We were all back in our places now.  "Tell me that we don't scare you."

"Fear the three of you in one room? Terrified."

Mom laughed.  Serena wasn't so confident that he joked.

The two of them went off to tour the deck arm-in-arm.  She thought it sweet, even if she couldn't yet call that man Father.

She and Buffy went back to studying the book.  They stumbled across the appendix and much more exciting material about battles and scandals.

Not to mention assassinations and secret societies.

"Not such a boring place after all," Buffy said.  "But I can't say I like it better.  Serena, I think we're in for some trouble."

"I am starting to think 'died in bed' is a euphemism for 'someone made it past the guards,'" Serena added.

"Maybe we should make our own accommodations."

"Or at least not both sleep at the same time."

Buffy made a sound of indignation.  "I'm a cat.  I sleep.  I can't imagine you'll stay awake fifteen hours or more to keep me safe."

"I would try."

That softened Buffy's mood, and they both decided to nap while they still could.  It was pleasant to curl up on the bunk and escape from tales of Mushrins and others.  Serena had never realized ruling could be so dull.

They both slept for now.  Serena kept seeing assassins in her nightmares, many looking like Mushrooms with swords and knives.

It was not a restful sleep.  She finally got back up and stood by the porthole.  Buffy sat up suddenly, looked around until she found Serena, and then went back to sleep.

After a little while, Serena went back to bed as well. It was time to rest while she could.  Despite what they thought about the upcoming visit being boring, she knew how fast that could change.

At least the nightmares disappeared for a while, although Buffy snarled and hissed in her sleep.  She didn't even complain when Serena woke her up.

Then, they both slept for a while.

And things changed.

Flash Fiction #583 -- Neko's Vacation/9

 

"Ocean!"

Neko threw himself onto the dashboard and flattened his face against the glass.  They were driving through a canyon, working their way downhill, and the ocean came in and out of sight so often it made Neko breathless.

Colin found the first spot he could park and they headed down to the golden beach.  Neko dashed out into a retreating wave and back again to grab Luna's shoes when a larger wave rushed up over them.

All three laughed with delight, but they found a spot on the dry sand to rest.  Colin magicked blankets and food, and they sat in the warm sun.

Neko stretched out on his back and fell asleep.  He could hear his companions talking and noted when the breeze came up.

"Sleep well?" Luna asked as the cat stood and stretched.

"I love the sound of the ocean," Neko admitted.  "I can't really remember, but I think I was born on an island.  I might have been a bit like Marla -- young and with some power.  I suspect that drew both Minau and Maude to me."

"You know Minau?" Colin asked, surprised.  "But she would never have given you to Maude!"

"She didn't.  Maude tricked her into believing I was dead."

"Minau?"  Luna asked.

"The Goddess of Mischief and Cats," Colin explained.  "She's well known in many realms, but not here.  Still, you could have called on her, Neko.  She is honorable and would have --"

"I couldn't reach her.  Maude cut me off from her from the start.  I might now, but matters have changed."

Before either could speak, Neko started chasing gulls again.  The sun was already casting a fiery red haze over the ocean.  A shark had come too close to shore, and Neko wasn't the only one to stay out of the water.  A helicopter patrolled the area, but Neko thought it unlikely anyone would want to go swimming now.

Far out on the horizon, a large ship drifted by, looking like something from another world.  Books about ships had been among his favorites, although he had never cared for the idea of hunting rats and other vermin from their decks.  Jobs for cats -- even talking ones -- were limited at sea.

When Neko looked back, the two appeared to be deep in a serious  discussion. Since those conversations bored him to tears, Neko kept chasing gulls until Colin called him back.

They were both smiling.  Good.

"I am going to stay with you for the trip back to the east coast," Luna announced.  She was all but bouncing. "I was only going here to escape the problems -- but I'd have to hide here, too.  And my local relatives were just as bad as the east coast ones.  Besides --"

"Hold on," Neko said.  "You really don't think I am going to complain, do you?"

"I -- I didn't think Colin would offer.  I am used to people preferring not to -- never mind!"

"I am going to do a few readings," Colin said as he stood.  "Then we'll find a place to stay and a nice restaurant."

That sounded good.  For now, though, Neko curled up beside Luna and napped again.

Neko had been ready to go back to the bookstore, and without the car trip.  He realized now that the thought of losing Luna had badly depressed him.

He suspected the same had been true for Colin -- and for Luna.  Now they would all be together for at least a few more weeks.

Then, over a wonderful meal of shrimp and steak, Neko had a brilliant idea.

"Luna, how would you like to work in a historic bookstore full of odd books, a bit of magic -- and an attic overrun with Pixies?"

Luna looked shocked by the offer and looked at Colin --

"Neko owns the building and the store.  It is his decision -- and a really good one, I think.  You've both heard me talk about going back to the fae lands for awhile.  Dorian has to go as well, so no one would be around to keep Neko company or run the shop."

"I'd love to help out!"

So they talked about that for a while.

"I will be back when I am done reporting all we've found.  With Neko's permission, I am going to suggest the bookstore as a regular meeting place on this side of the veil. A safe house and a place to leave messages."

"I like that idea," Neko agreed.

They started out the next day by heading north, intending to take a more northernly route back to Rhode Island.  The morning proved gray and damp, a thick fog lying along the shore line and the sun hardly penetrating it.

They laughed and joked. Colin even hinted that they might head into Canada and maybe all the way to Alaska.

"What is going on?" Neko asked.  "This is far too much --"

"Exactly," Colin replied.  "Far too much is going on.  Too many creatures on this side -- ogres, pixies, tree trolls, gargoyles -- and those are just the ones we happened to wander upon in our journey.  Unless we get the trouble under control, this reality is going to be drastically changed.  Before long, humans won't be able to ignore the magic that is coming with the others."

"You think there is something behind these beings showing up here," Luna said.

"We fear so.  I am making this trip to see if I can stumble across anything.  Marla threw me off the work, but we did need to get her settled."

"You don't think her suddenly awakened power is part of the trouble?" Neko asked.  

"It might be, but that's Dorian's problem now."

So they headed north, as content as they had been leaving the east coast.

Neko suspected they were in for a lot more fun.

The End

Flash Fiction #582 -- Neko's Vacation/8

 

Colin shook his head at the suggestion.  "Not until we're certain of what we've found.  That might only take a few more minutes."

Neko thought that sounded reasonable.  Luna must have as well.  She drove on, and magically (thanks to Colin) found a good parking spot.  Neko put the halter and leash on with Colin in 'control' of him.

Some people didn't approve.  Neko wanted to lecture them, but he didn't.  He could feel magic just like his companions.

And what he felt was not good.

Neko stopped.  Colin picked him up and put the cat on his shoulder.

"Unhappy, tired child," Neko said when Luna came closer.  "Powerful.  Petrified parents who realize something is going on."

"Darion," Colin whispered.

And there he was walking toward them.  Colin whispered everything we knew and Darion heard it and nodded as he came to a stop.

"You found the trouble faster than I had expected," Darion said.

The ground lurched.  Some people gave cries of surprise and many rushed past and headed for their cars.

Neko thought that sounded like a good idea.

"I got it," Colin said, but breathlessly.  "I think I see our quarry."

Neko looked beyond Darion to the path where a family headed their way.  The father, a tall, dark-skinned man, carried a girl of no more than four or five.  She was several shades lighter, matching the woman who must be her mother.  The adults looked terrified.

The ground trembled.  Trees swayed.

"Kitty!" the child shouted as they neared.  "I want the kitty!"

"Marla, dear," the mother said with an apologetic look at Colin and the cat.  "You know you can't --"

"I want the kitty!"

And Neko found himself in the child's strong grasp.

"Colin!" Neko gasped.

The child's hands tightened, one around Neko's neck.

"My kitty."

"Not yours," Colin said and deftly retrieved Neko, handing the cat to Luna.

"How did you do that?" the mother asked in an awed whisper.

"The same way Marla got hold of him.  Your daughter is gifted with certain powers --"

"THE KITTY IS MINE!"

The entire world seemed to move.  Geysers exploded into action everywhere.  Colin lifted both hands and slowly turned, settling everything around them.

"NO!"

The ground moved again.  Colin took a deeper breath, but didn't lose his control.  Neko felt himself pulled toward the girl , but Darion stepped between them.

"I think it is past your nap time, child," he said.  He reached out and touched her forehead, and then grabbed her under the arms as she started to tumble back.  He swept her around and into her mother's arms.

"She's ... she's asleep," the woman whispered.  "Marla never sleeps!  How did you -- what is going on?  What happened to our sweet little girl?  About two months ago, everything went crazy!"

"Marla is gifted," Darion said. He looked around.  People still rushed to get out of the area, but Colin swayed.  Dorian barely caught him before his legs gave way.

"We need to talk," Colin said and pulled free.  He gave a nod to where a picnic table and benches stood.  Neko was certain they had not been there until now.

If the parents thought there was anything odd, they didn't say it.  Neko supposed they had enough oddness with their daughter, and he suspected finding people who might help overrode everything else.

Marla looked sweet now that she slept.  Her parents were trembling and any odd sound set them both off.  The cat tried to imagine life with a child like Marla.

He did his best not to shiver.

Colin and Dorian explained the situation to the Nelsons, complete with small shows of magic.  No one else paid them any attention.  Neko took the time for a quick catnap, so to speak.

"It won't hurt her?" the father asked softly.

"I suspect she won't even notice," Colin said.  "Continue with your vacation.  We'll keep an eye on you to make sure the seal works.  We are not trying to cut out the magic -- that would be harmful.  Instead, we'll lock it away and in a decade or two, when she's older and wiser, we'll assess and see if she and magic are compatible.  If not, the seal stays."

The two parents nodded.

"We didn't know what to do," Father said with a tired sigh.  "The neighbors were starting to notice odd things happening around Marla.  Getting her away seemed the best idea."

"It was wise," Dorian agreed.

"And one more suggestion," Colin added.    "The crisis occurred when she wanted Neko and was denied.  May I suggest --"

"ACK!" Neko shouted and tried to climb into Luna's jacket.

"May I suggest you find a Siamese kitten for her?  Calm down Neko.  I wasn't going to give you away.  Do you really think I would?"

"To save the world?  Yes.  I would give myself away for that reason," Neko said, his head peeking out of the jacket.  "But I wouldn't like it."

"We don't give friends away," Colin said and smiled first at Neko and then at Luna.

The Nelsons took their sleeping daughter away, unaware, Neko realized, that the fae had also tagged all three of them to keep watch over the family.

"The kitten was a brilliant idea," Dorian said.  "It will certainly help when Marla's little sister is born in a few months."

"Oh my," Luna said with a laugh.  Then she frowned.  "What are you going to do now?"

"The three of us are going on to the Pacific ocean," Colin said.  "I don't expect to find more trouble now that Marla is heading back east, but we have been finding odd things.  This might become a long term project."

Dorian nodded.  "Say a few weeks each year?  Finish this run and when you get back to the bookstore, we can look at other possibilities."

No one argued.  Neko was glad they had found Marla, but he suspected they had a lot more work ahead of them.