Apprentice Cat: Toby's Tale Book 1 (Master Cat Series)

by Virginia Ripple

  “Flatten your fur, son. You’ll draw unnecessary attention to yourself.”

  Reginald looked around. No one was looking at them, but the gray tom was right. This was a celebration, not a dueling arena. Slowly his fur began to lower. He took a few calming breaths, remembering the ritual exercises his tutor had made him practice until he wanted to snarl. Finally he was able to get his temper under control.

  “Forgive me, Master Chivato.”

  “There is nothing to forgive. You are a loyal son. It is only natural that you would feel your family’s slight so keenly.” The gray tom studied Reginald. The silence between them was punctuated by more clinking of glasses, more laughter. The young feline could hear Chivato’s tail thump rhythmically on the floor.

  “If you want to earn back a spot on the High Council for your family, perhaps I can help.”

  Reginald’s eyes widened.

  “How?”

  Chivato leaned forward, closing his eyes to slits. The young cat leaned closer, afraid to miss a single word.

  “As you know, Master Ribaldy was working closely with a loner before he was captured. That loner was young Toby’s father. My companion and I suspect Toby to be part of a scheme the traitor set in place to remove key members of the High Council. We need someone here at the academy to maintain a watchful eye on him.”

  The young cat glanced over at the partners. They were in deep conversation with a young woman and her calico she-cat. Reginald thought he remembered seeing them at the High Council last time he and his father had visited Master Chivato. If they were connected to the council, then Toby very well could be part of a conspiracy. Who knew how far this conspiracy had leeched into the Council. That orange pest needed to be watched.

  “I could do that.”

  Chivato leaned back, giving the young cat a considering look. He shook his head.

  “No. It would be too risky. Forget I mentioned it.”

  Reginald swung his eyes back to the older tom. His paws prickled with the need to convince his mentor that he should be allowed to have this mission. The young cat stepped forward, his eyes wide with excitement.

  “But you said this could help my family. I can do this.”

  Chivato closed his eyes and sighed as his head drooped to his chest. The older cat’s whiskers were clamped tight, his ears flattened to half mast.

  “If anyone discovered what you were doing, it would mean humiliation for your family. I could never ask one of my House to suffer their title being stripped simply to satisfy my curiosity.”

  The gray cat’s voice cracked. Reginald could imagine the heart ache the gray tom was feeling at the very idea. He was there when they chose someone else for the High Council. That’s what he’s remembering. I know it. But I could change that if he’ll just help me.

  “But what if you’re right? What if Toby is a spy for Master Ribaldy? I would be a hero. I could bring honor back to my family.”

  The gray tom cocked his head, looking at the ceiling.

  “True. That would put your father in a better light as far as the High Council is concerned.” Reginald held his breath. Chivato looked back at him. The tom’s whiskers slowly spread into a cat grin.

  “Are you sure you’re up to such a task?”

  “Yes.”

  With a nod, the older tom stood and motioned the young cat to follow him.

  “Well, then, let us discuss how you might go about this counter-spying adventure, shall we?”

  They were late again. Toby jumped onto a stool at the back of the classroom as Lorn dropped into the seat next to him. This was becoming a habit, one Toby didn’t like. The first week of classes had been much like orientation. Hurry to be first in line for meals. Swallow food un-tasted. Race to class. Repeat. Of course, racing along next to Lorn was like running with a turtle. Toby supposed the young human was as quick as anyone of his species, but it was painfully clear to the orange tom that four legs would always be faster than two. Master Meredith glanced at the two as they took their seats, continuing her lecture without so much as a pause. An hour later class dismissed with the chiming of the noon-time bell.

  “Toby. Lorn,” called the head master cat. “Master Jalen and I would like to have a word with you.”

  Toby tried to ignore the snickers of passing students. His skin grew hot. A quick glance at Lorn revealed his skin turning pink. Master Meredith slowly followed the students as they made their way up the stairs toward the exit. She waited at the door until every student had left except Toby and Lorn.

  “Follow me, gentlemen.”

  Through the hall, down the stairs and out the building, the partners followed the head master cat. Not a word was spoken. Toby’s imagination played scene after scene through his mind of what his mother would say when he arrived home in disgrace. Although he’d sent her a letter letting her know he’d been chosen, he’d left out the part about being on a provisional basis. He also hadn’t told her who his mage was. The door to the head masters’ shared office opened as they arrived.

  “Good day, gentlemen,” said the head master mage. “Please sit down.”

  The partners seated themselves in the two straight-backed chairs facing Master Jalen, who sat behind his large ornamental desk. Master Meredith landed lightly at the head master’s elbow. They stared silently at the partners as the fire in the fireplace crackled and popped. Toby’s fur felt too thick and hot.

  “Do you know why we’ve called you here?” asked Master Jalen.

  Lorn fidgeted. Toby could feel his skin growing hot again. He stared at his paws, his whiskers clamped tight.

  “Well?” prompted Master Meredith.

  “We’ve been consistently late to class,” murmured Toby.

  “That is accurate—”

  “Oh please, sir, madam,” blurted Lorn, scooting to the edge of his seat and gripping his hands together. “It’s my fault. I get everything ready for first class the night before, but I always seem to forget something the next morning and have to go back for it. Toby could easily run ahead to class without me, but he refuses to. I’ve tried to make him. Really I have.”

  Master Jalen raised a hand to cut the boy off. He looked at Toby.

  “Is this true?”

  “In a sense, yes, sir.”

  “Would you care to explain what that means?”

  “Well, sir, Lorn does get everything ready for first class the night before, just as he said. And we do have to go back for something nearly every time. Lorn has tried to convince me to go ahead and go to class, but it just doesn’t seem right. We’re partners. Partners are supposed to work together at all times. If I went to class without Lorn then that defeats the whole purpose of putting us together in the first place, doesn’t it?”

  Master Jalen gazed at the two youths sitting before him. He turned to Master Meredith, who cocked her head slightly. It reminded Toby of how his mother and father often sent silent messages to each other through that secret parental look. With a small nod, Master Jalen turned back to the apprentices.

  “Although we don’t approve of your unfailing tardiness, that is not why you are here.”

  “It’s not?” they asked together.

  “No,” said Master Meredith. “It’s not.”

  “Before we begin, I must warn you that what we are about to discuss is highly confidential. It’s not something to be spoken about beyond this room. Is that understood?”

  “Yes, Master Jalen,” they agreed.

  “Good.” The head master mage leaned back into his wing-back chair. “Meredith?”

  “Last spring your father, Toby, was ordered on a special mission. How much do you know about that?”

  “Not much. It had something to do with my father being sent on an information gathering mission by the High Council because h
e was a loner. I remember mother being very upset and them arguing about why he had to go, but that’s about it.”

  “As I thought. And you, Lorn, how much do you know about your uncle’s situation?”

  “Situation? You mean his treachery, don’t you?”

  “Some would say it was treachery, yes,” said Master Jalen. “However, we do not believe that to be the case.”

  “What? I don’t understand.”

  “First things first, Apprentice Lorn. Please, tell us what you know,” said Master Meredith.

  “Father said Uncle Ribaldy went crazy while working on one of his schemes and tried to blow up the High Council while they were in session. If Master Kiyoshi hadn’t stopped him we’d be out not just a grand master mage, but the entire governing body as well.”

  “And what does your mother say?” asked Master Jalen.

  “She says Uncle Ribaldy was working on a secret mission for the High Council and was set up somehow. She thinks someone on the High Council is covering it all up.”

  “Your mother is very astute,” said Master Meredith.

  “Mother?”

  “Excuse me, head masters, but what does this have to do with us?”

  “Toby, I understand you recently talked with Gravin Fedelis Arturo and Master Chivato on your coach ride to the academy. Do you remember what it was you visited about?” asked Master Meredith.

  “Gravin Arturo was on his way here to lobby for the shadow arts classes to be kept. He said his county was having problems with illegal dragon willow trading and that there was a “mage hunt” going on. He got very upset when I asked him about it all.”

  “That would be expected given the gravity of the situation,” said Master Jalen. “Did he mention what county he is gravin of?”

  “Hielberg County, sir.”

  “And did he say anything about knowing your father?”

  “No, sir. He seemed anxious to find out who my father was, though.”

  “Did you tell him?”

  “No, sir. Master Chivato told him that he was being nosy, so he stopped asking questions.”

  Toby watched as the head masters gave each other that look again. He glanced at Lorn who seemed as confused about everything as he was.

  “It seems we may still have time,” said Master Meredith.

  “Indeed, but how much?” asked Master Jalen.

  “At this point there’s no way to know. All we can do is go ahead with the plan and pray.”

  Master Jalen made a noncommittal noise, staring off into the space just to the right of Master Meredith’s whiskers. The head masters sat unmoving, each lost in thought.

  “Excuse me,” said Toby.

  The head masters jerked their gazes toward the orange tom as if they’d forgotten the apprentices were still in the room.

  “May I ask why Lorn and I are here?”

  “You are here because we believe you can be of service to your King and country,” said Master Meredith.

  “Us? How?” asked Lorn.

  “I’m afraid, gentlemen, that we must ask you to do something that would normally be asked of fully trained masters.”

  “Or a loner,” added Master Meredith. She regarded Toby with an intense gaze.

  “We need you to gather information.”

  “What kind?” asked Toby.

  “Anything on the shadow arts market in Hielberg County. It won’t be easy, but we think you two are our best choice based on your families’ histories and your own unique skills.”

  “Unique skills?” inquired Toby, glancing at Lorn. He wasn’t sure accidentally setting hedges on fire and exploding homework counted as a skill.

  “Apprentice Lorn,” said Master Jalen, pointing at the young mage, “unless you use magic, which I strongly urge you to refrain from until you’ve gained more control, you seem completely average. Yet in orientation you displayed a keen sense of understanding how seemingly dissimilar pieces of information fit together to make a complete picture.”

  “You, Apprentice Toby,” the head master continued, pointing at the orange tom, “have the same ability to find similarities in dissimilar information. You also have a unique ability we believe you inherited from your father.”

  Toby looked from Master Jalen to Master Meredith. He thought back to what he could remember of Victor. Nothing stood out as unusual. He blinked in confusion.

  “Toby, do you remember what you had for breakfast on the first morning of orientation?” asked Master Meredith.

  “I think it was some tuna and creamed peas.”

  “Do you remember how you knew tuna was on the menu?”

  “I could smell it.”

  “Precisely when did you smell it?”

  “While Terence and I were on our way downstairs. Why?”

  “As I recall, Terence said you were only about half-way down the stairs when you told him you could smell the tuna.”

  “Terence?”

  “It seems you made quite an impression on the young tom. During his final interview he made a point in mentioning that you had said having a good sense of smell wasn’t a requirement for admission to the academy.”

  “A good sense of smell? I don’t understand.”

  “Toby, you don’t just have a good sense of smell,” Master Meredith said. “Your nose is exceptional, just as your father’s was. In fact, based on your reaction to the incorrectly spelled potion during orientation, I would hazard a guess that you share the same magical allergies as your father.”

  “I’m sorry. I still don’t understand.”

  “You can sniff out bad magic, Toby,” said Lorn. “Is that it Master Meredith?”

  “Very good, Lorn. That is correct.”

  “I think I see where you’re going, ma’am. Toby and I can find answers to your questions because we have connections and we’re less likely to be seen as an enemy. Who would suspect two apprentices, right?” asked Lorn.

  “Indeed,” answered Master Jalen with a slight smile.

  “If we find someone or something involved in the shadow arts market a quick sniff and Toby’ll know because of his allergies, right? So all we have to do is sneak around a bit, ask a few questions and there you have it.”

  “Something like that,” said Master Jalen.

  “Hold on,” Master Meredith admonished, turning a sour look upon her chosen. “This is a very dangerous mission we’re asking these young ones to take on. They need to know what could happen.”

  Master Jalen’s expression darkened.

  “Meredith is right. This isn’t a simple game of strategy, boys. The person or persons responsible would be just as likely to kill you as an adult.”

  “In fact, that is exactly what we believe happened to Master Kiyoshi. I believe you are both aware of a species of spider called the Gargantua Felis Asesino.”

  The apprentices nodded. A shiver ran down Toby’s back as he remembered the lecture his father had given him about the Great Cat Killer’s ability to kill a feline with a single sting. It was the last lecture he’d ever received from Victor.

  “It seems that is what killed Master Ribaldy’s companion. We believe it might also have been used to cause your uncle’s current madness.”

  Lorn sat back. His face suddenly pale. Toby’s tail fluffed to twice its normal size.

  “Is that what happened to my father?” he whispered.

  “We don’t know that for sure, Toby, but that is most likely,” said Master Meredith. The she-cat’s gaze softened.

  “If there were another way, son, we would gladly choose it. As yet no other options have arisen.”

  Toby looked at Lorn. The young mage stared back, his brown eyes wide. Could they do this? Toby thought about the courage the large black tom mu
st have mustered to jump into the coach that had taken him to his death. Toby watched as similar emotions played across Lorn’s face. Lorn’s mouth hardened into a grim line. Toby narrowed his eyes in silent agreement.

  “We’ll do it.”

  Toby sat rehearsing what he was going to say to his mother. He’d put off calling her since orientation, but now he had no better option if he wanted more information on his father’s mission. With a sigh, he stared into his reflection and recited the mirror call incantation. The image wavered like a rippling pond. When the ripples cleared Toby could see Master O’dorn’s receiving room with its shabby chairs. Mariam was scrubbing the worn floors.

  “Hello,” he called.

  “Master Toby,” squeaked the housekeeper, dropping the scrub brush as she spun around. “You gave me a fright.”

  “My apologies, Mariam. Would you happen to know if my mother or Master O’dorn are available?”

  “Th’ Master’s workin’ with Mrs. Tucker agin, but I’m sure the Mistress is about. Would you like me to fetch her?”

  “No need for that,” replied Toby, thinking his mother was never fetched for anything. “If you could just tell me where she might be I’ll switch mirrors.”

  “I believe she’s in your family nest, sir.”

  “Thank you, Mariam.”

  “Your welcome, Master Toby, and congratulations on being ‘prenticed.”

  Toby nodded, then turned his attention to moving the mirror call down the hall to the mirror just outside the family nest. He pictured the tarnished brass frame hanging from the dark wooden walls. It was always slightly cockeyed. Slowly he sent out tendrils of willpower through the mirror he faced until he felt them catch on the frame he wanted to use as an anchor. The mirror rippled again. He concentrated, sending more will toward the other mirror. The image was beginning to clear. His mother’s stern gaze stared back at him. Instantly the image evaporated and he was looking at himself again. He groaned. As quickly as he could, he re-called the mirror in Master O’dorn’s receiving room and asked Mariam to tell his mother he was calling from the public mirror.