Of course, the chain caught on something.
They both worked their way down closer to the water, although neither was interested in getting wet. Still, they tried to work the chain free. It was obvious neither trusted the apparent lack of magic in the area.
Dorian joined them.
"Just curious what is going on," Dorian said. "Since you two aren't sending up reports. Oh, that must be it."
"Caught on the skeleton," Colin grumbled. "I can --"
What he could do, apparently, was fall into the water, where the skeleton suddenly came to life and grabbed him.
Neko through himself into the water, grabbed the bone creature by the shoulder, and shook it until it released Colin and went for him. By then, Dorian was pulling both cat and fae upward.
Neko snagged the chain. He was not coming back for the stone.
The skeleton followed them. Dorian used his magic to bring all three up as quickly as possible, but the skeleton kept close by, nipping at all of them, especially when they reached the top. The head snaked up over the edge --
That was a mistake. The ogre grabbed it by the neck and threw it across the well and to the wall. It broke into thousands of pieces. Then he stomped on them.
"Well," Colin said as Dorian used magic to heal his wounded shoulder. "Thank you, Neko. That was brave of you to take on that creature. Now we'll just wait until Dorian, and I regain some magic, and then we'll try again --"
Neko gave the chain one more quick yank. The end was still wrapped around the stone, and it flew up over the edge and landed at the ogre's feet. He grabbed it up, chain and all, and hurried away with cries of delight.
"Well done, Neko!" Colin said. He didn't attempt to get up, and Neko thought the floor beside him looked perfectly fine for sleeping...
Later, Colin carried Neko back to the shop. The fae had already fixed the door and re-shelved many books. Neko felt a little flutter of fear as they went through the doorway, but he didn't feel trapped. He relaxed again as Colin put him on the counter and turned to Darion.
"Now what?" Colin asked. He sounded weary.
"I'll go over the veil and report the situation. The ogres are happily heading home, but I am certain they were not alone in coming through. So, I'll be back around soon. You'll be here?"
"Oh yes," Colin said and gave a weary nod. Neko felt an unexpected surge of pleasure. "I like bookstores, and this seems like a good place to settle for a while. Emerald Clan wants more contact with humans again, anyway. That was one of the reasons I came here. That and Neko's hidden stash of magic books. They should be interesting reading and better studied here rather than boxed up and moved."
"Good points, all of them," Darion agreed. "Besides, there is a talking cat. Just keep in mind the legend."
"Oh, I do," Colin agreed as Darion and the other fae left.
Neko turned to him. "Legend?"
"Something about a cat someday ruling the fae lands," he said with a wave. "Fae legends are full of stuff like that."
Neko nodded in agreement. He'd read a lot of fae material down through the ages. Most of it was filled with fanciful delusions.
Still, it was something to consider.
Life changed over the next few weeks. They took walks. They discussed humans. The shop did better business, and Neko decided that came from Fae charm, not Fae magic. Neko was better at computer work than Colin, and together they managed to track more magical books. They both found them intriguing. There were some fascinating pieces on human magic. They often discussed them on their nightly walks around town.
It was a whole new world for Neko.
Almost a year passed before they heard from the ogres that Maude had escaped again. Darion brought them the news. The fae were disgusted, but Neko found himself shrugging it off. He'd had one go at her and didn't have that fire of revenge anymore -- at least as long as she kept her distance.
"She would be a fool to come here, especially since we no longer have her book," Neko pointed out. "Just make certain she doesn't get her hands on it. Does she have magic again, even if she can't clearly say the words? Colin and I found reference to movement magic -- harder to do, but effective."
"Humans are too inventive," Darion decided. "Can you send me the info? I have to go guard the book."
"I'll get what I can," Colin promised. "Good luck."
They closed early that night and visited their friends in the attic. It was one of Neko's favorite times of the day.
The pixies hadn't wanted to return to the fae lands, a place they didn't remember. They had spent years with Maude and centuries trapped in a book. The fae lands, they said (usually all of them at once), were too big and scary. They liked the attic. Colin made certain no one could see them from outside. They made their own world there, complete with a miniature forest of pines that reached all the way to Colin's waist and was filled with tiny jewel-like birds. Nestled in a mossy green area, they'd built a village of stones collected in the neighborhood. A few more pixies found their way to the building. At night they played sweet music. It was a magical place.
After the news about Maude, Neko spent nights on the stairs and guarded. He expected Maude because she had a temper and a long memory of wrongs.
So he wasn't surprised when she showed up, sneaking up the stairs ... until he tripped her like any self-respecting cat would do. She fell and broke her neck, and that was the last of Maude.
And Neko lived happily ever after.
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