Part 7

A fight in the Central Quarter?!

You see an enemy sneaking up on Ray.

Without thinking, you dash forward!

"It's never dull with you around--"

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Chapter 1

I reached down to grab one of the cats as it tried to escape and run toward the fight.

(Hang on!)

I saw movement just beyond Ray's shoulder, and I shifted a little to look closer.

A man was sneaking up on Ray and Fenrir from behind, and neither appeared to have noticed him.

He was gripping a wicked-looking flail in his hands, and his face was twisted with anger.

(Not good!)

Kiera: Sorry, stay here for a sec.

I hastily put the cat back down on the ground with the others.

Man: Go to hell, King of Spades!

The man in front of them yelled loudly, distracting them as the man behind them raised the flail, its iron ball swinging ominously.

I grabbed the first thing I saw-- a broom-- and set off at a run.

Kiera: Ray! Duck!

Ray: What?!

But despite Ray's confusion, he did as he was told, and I swung the broom at the man with all my might.

Man: Geh!

The shock of the impact traveled up my arm, leaving me trembling, but the flail was no longer a danger to Ray.

Man: Huh?

(I got him! I really got him!)

(Wait, he's glaring at me. I should say something!)

Kiera: Sorry! But, you know what?

Kiera: It's really cowardly to attack someone from behind!

Kiera: If you're going to fight, fight fair and square!

Man: What?!

Fenrir burst into loud, raucous laughter, his expression delighted.

Fenrir: Kiera's right!

Fenrir: It's so uncool to attack people from behind!

Fenrir: And you're so pathetic you got wiped out by a broom!

Man: Why you little--

(Uh-oh!)

The man was swinging the flail again, but this time it was aimed at me.

(Oh no!)

I stumbled backward, squeezing my eyes shut almost without thinking.

Ray: I got this.

Ray's voice was closer than I'd expected, and I opened my eyes again.

His broad, strong back was right in front of me, protecting me.

I looked further and realized that he was blocking the flail with his sword.

Ray glanced over his shoulder at me, his eyes dancing with amusement.

He began to laugh out loud, and I stared at him.

Kiera: Ray?

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Chapter 2

Ray: You weren't kidding, were you?

Kiera: About what?!

Ray: About women being strong once they make up their minds!

Kiera: Oh! Right!

Ray: It's never dull with you around, huh?

Ray's lips curved upward in a satisfied smile as he met my gaze, and my heart skipped a beat.

Ray: Hey, Fenrir! You're not gonna let Kiera best you today, are you?

Fenrir: No way! So, you wanna take 10 each?

Fenrir: Say, 10 minutes to finish this up?

Ray: Don't be stupid!

Ray: We only need 3 minutes.

Fenrir: Got it, boss!

Fenrir smirked delightedly, and began to dart around, firing off his magic guns left and right.

(Whoa, whoa! Wait a minute!)

Fenrir: Ohhhhhh yeah baby! Come to daddy!

Ray: He enjoys this way too much.

Ray: Keep out of the way, okay?

-

Are you sure you don't need backup?

-

Kiera: Okay, but are you sure you dont need backup?

Ray: I appreciate the thought, but no.

Ray gave me a fearless grin, and then turned and leapt into battle.

Three minutes later--

Ray: Our work here is done.

Fenrir: What a sorry bunch. I was hoping for a bit more fun.

Fenrir: I didn't even get to try out my new weapon!

(You two are amazing!)

The man were all fleeing, their faces pale with terror, and all that was left behind was a few rusty weapons.

Ray sighed as he hurried over to check on the cats, one by one.

Ray: You're all fine. No cuts, no scrapes, no bruises.

Ray: Thank goodness.

Ray crouched next to them, stroking one of them absently on the head as he looked up at me.

Ray: Are you okay? You're not hurt?

Kiera: I'm fine! Not so much as a paper cut!

Ray: Good. Whatever else you do, just try not to get hurt.

Kiera: Well, sure, but--

Ray: That's our deal, remember?

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Chapter 3

(As if I could ever forget. The memory of that whole first day here is forever seared into my brain!)

(I promised to use my magic to help you when you need it.)

(And in return, you and the Black Army promised to protect me.)

Kiera: I remember.

Ray: Well just remembering it isn't enough.

Kiera: What do you mean?

Ray: You have to actually let us protect you.

Ray: That generally means not running into a sword fight with a broom.

Kiera: Hey! I was in a hurry-- it was all I could find!

Ray: Sure, sure.

I realized then that he was laughing, and he'd been laughing at me this whole time, and I pouted.

Kiera: Stop laughing! Next time I won't help you at all!

Ray: Are you bringing a broom next time, too?

Fenrir: Hey, you two-- have you forgotten that I'm here?

Cat: Meow!

Fenrir: They have, haven't they?

Cat: Meow--

The three of them were completely unaware of a shadowy figure watching them from a distance.

???: Well, would ya look at that.

???: I knew she was going to make things more interesting.

The man's eyes gleamed like a cat's as he narrowed them slightly.

???: I bet Harr will be angry with me if I meddle too much, but--

???: I need to properly introduce myself to our new Alice.

He was holding a cat in his arms, stroking its fur gently.

???: And I think I've found the perfect opportunity to do that.

That evening--

(Okay, I think that's everything off the line for now.)

I took the laundry basket inside, and then stepped outside again, stretching.

I spotted Ray not far away, and I stopped for a moment to watch him.

He was walking slowly, looking around him, a faint frown on his face.

Kiera: Ray? What's wrong?

Ray: It's probably nothing.

Ray: I'm just looking for my cat.

Kiera: There's a cat here, too?

Ray: Yeah. He wanders an awful lot, but I haven't seen him at all today.

Kiera: I'll help you look! What sort of cat is he?

Ray: He's a Russian Blue, and his eyes are the same color as mine.

Kiera: Okay, got it. I'll start looking now!

Ray: Thanks.

Ray and I parted ways, and I headed around behind the main building.

(It doesn't look like he's here, either.)

I was so busy watching the ground at my feet for a cat that it took me a while to realize I'd strayed into the forest.

(I think I've gone too far. He won't be out here.)

(I should get back.)

I started to turn around, but all of a sudden I realized someone was standing right in front of me.

Kiera: Ahhhhh!

???: Good evening, Alice.

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Chapter 4

???: Good evening, Alice.

The man in front of me was dressed different from anyone I'd seen so far in Cradle, and I stared at him.

(We definitely haven't met, have we? And what's with the cat ears?)

(Wait, if you called me Alice--)

I opened my mouth to speak, wanting to know how he knew me, but suddenly--

Kiera: Oh!

I realized he was holding a cat in his arms, its wide green eyes blinking at me.

(That's a Russian Blue! And his eyes are the same color as Ray's!)

Kiera: Oh, that must be Ray's cat! Where did you find him? Were you bringing him home?

???: I was, but--

Kiera: Thank you so much!

I stepped forward to take the cat from his arms, but I stopped again as I noticed something.

(Wait a minute, are you bleeding?)

It looked as if he had a bad scratch or a cut on his hand, and I frowned.

Kiera: I'm sorry to be so forward, but--

???: Hey!

Kiera: I was right! You're bleeding!

???: It's no big deal. I just scratched it on a branch coming here, but if I lick it--

Kiera: That won't stop the bleeding!

(I hope I brought my handkerchief!)

I breathed a sigh of relief as I found my handkerchief in my pocket, and I quickly wrapped it around his wound and tied it gently.

Kiera: There, all done.

Kiera: I know it's not a proper bandage, but it should help for now, at least.

The young man was silent, and I looked up at him finally.

He was staring down at the handkerchief wrapped around his hand, as if I'd done something strange.

???: Are you sure you should just be helping me like that?

Kiera: Why not?

???: You have no idea who I am.

???: What if I was here to hurt you?

Kiera: Well--

I met his gaze quickly, but he was only watching me intently, and so I shrugged.

Kiera: You're right. I don't know who you are.

Kiera: But that's no reason not to help you.

The man tilted his head slightly, but he continued to stare at me, saying nothing.

Kiera: And besides--

I looked down at Ray's cat, purring happily in his arms, and then up at him again.

Kiera: If you really were a bad person, you wouldn't have come all this way to bring Ray's cat back so late at night.

The man's mouth fell open, and then he began to laugh, a loud, hearty laugh that shook his whole body.

I waited, but he just kept on laughing as if he couldn't stop, his eyes bright and full of mirth.

Kiera: Um--

???: That's good, yes-- that's so good!

He reached out suddenly, the tip of his finger pressing lightly against my collarbone.

(Wait a minute--)

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Chapter 5

I tensed immediately, and as we stared at each other, I finally noticed that his eyes were different colors.

???: You're so honest, so direct, and so sure of the best in everyone!

???: I've really taken a liking to you, little Alice.

Kiera: Um--

He was leaning closer, and I didn't know what to think, but his gleaming eyes had me entranced.

Ray: Get away from her.

A deep voice broke me out of my daze, and then someone was pulling me away from the man.

Kiera: Ray!

???: Look closer, Ray. It's me.

Ray: Loki?

Loki: Oh yes, it's a fine evening, isn't it?

Loki smiled widely at Ray, but with all his teeth showing, it almost seemed like a grimace.

Ray: What are you doing here?

Loki: Come now, can't you tell just by looking?

Loki: I came to bring Belle back. And then I just happened to run into Alice here.

Loki: I was just introducing myself.

Ray: That didn't look like an introduction to me.

Loki: It's my specialty, you know, getting up close and personal with people.

Ray shrugged, his gaze still suspicious, and Loki began to laugh merrily.

Kiera: Is he a friend of yours, Ray?

Ray: Something like that.

Ray: I met him while playing the cats, and we talk sometimes.

Loki: That's right, that's right!

Loki: Which means I really should introduce myself properly.

Loki handed the cat to Ray, and then took hold of my hand.

Loki: My name is Loki. Loki Genetta. They call me the Cheshire Cat.

Loki: But you can just call me Loki. That would make me happy.

Loki: I'm a merchant of sorts-- you could say.

Before I could react, he raised my hand to his lips and kissed it.

Kiera: Hey!

Loki: It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Alice.

(You are so unusual, Loki.)

Kiera: Well, it's nice to meet you.

Loki: Indeed.

Loki: Well now, I've done what I came here to do, so I guess I'll head home.

Ray: Thanks.

Loki: You're most welcome.

Loki looked back and forth between the two of us, and his smile suddenly faded away.

(Hmm?)

Loki: Hey, Ray.

Loki: Let me give you a piece of advice, for the sake of your sweet Alice here.