Chapter Five
"The squires were those who were brought in the castle to learn all sorts of great things from the other humans, such as how to protect, fight, and what I believe to be hunting. Although I can recall a few certain squires who learned about healing and entertainment instead," Haven shook her head in amusement, "it was always entertaining to watch the youngins do their strange little dances for the lady who took care of me. They were trying their best of course, but sometimes I could even tell they were still a little clumsy on their paws."
Twotime let out an amused purr at this. "Strawberry tried to teach me to hunt before! The mouse got away though, and he had to catch it for me.." They frowned. "I really wanna learn how to do all those things though!"
"Twotime dear, I didn't learn how to catch a mouse until moons after I arrived at the castle, and even then I still wasn't perfect. Don't worry about not being the best right away, with some more training I know you'll be an expert at whatever you want to do!" She looked thoughtful. "If you'd like, you can be my 'squire'. It wouldn't be the first time I've taught a kitten how to find a mouse before, after all. Little Bug was always clumsy on his paws, and he managed to catch a rabbit once! I may be blind now, but that doesn't mean I can't give tips or hear a little critter scurrying around. What do you say?"
Twotime's eyes were wide with shock when Haven mentioned a kitten catching a bunny. Rabbits were HUGE, and so fast they were impossible to catch! Nobody at the barn had ever caught one before when they were there. If Haven could help a kit catch a rabbit.. Twotime was super excited to learn how!
"Yes, Yes of course I'd like to be your squire! Thank you thank you Haven!" They grinned, prancing around in excitement.
"We'll start tomorrow then, if we haven't found your parents then yet. That way you can show off your skills to them once we find them, okay? For now, let's continue on our way. Tomorrow I'll have another story for you as well!"
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"Haven, you mentioned yesterday that squires trained to be the best at different things. What happens after they've done all the training though?? Are they squires forever?" Twotime paused halfway through their hunting crouch, to glance up at the molly who sat nearby. The training had gone well so far, Twotime was already getting good at listening for little mice scurrying around the castle halls. They tended to stop in the moss to nibble at the little sprouts most often, Twotime recalled.
"Oh no dear, that's not at all what happens, no worries! You won't be a squire forever, if that is what you thought. No no, squires often went off and became knights, or hunters! Remember the big silver human we passed earlier? Those odd things are what they usually put on before going out on their horses- or hoofbeasts, as you know them by. I never got why, those things were so large and loud they would surely scare all the mice away. Humans have their silly ways of doing things, but they are smart." She swished her tail to the side, ears pricked to listen for any sounds of prey to direct Twotime towards.
"Remember that cat I mentioned yesterday? Bug was a hard worker, but despite his rabbit catching skills he never seemed interested in what the knights were up to. In fact, I often caught him sneaking off to watch the bards and their musical games."
Twotime stood up from their clumsy crouch. "What's a bard? Did he go join them, then?" This question made Haven chuckle.
"The bards were those who entertained the rest of the castle, often called the fools. I thought they were rather intriguing to watch, despite the jingling noise they constantly made when dancing around in their colourful fur. Alas, Bug wasn't interested in joining them in their dances from what I could tell. He enjoyed telling me about the funny things they did though, often prancing and hopping around to demonstrate. No, he was more interested in the apothecaries work. He'd always return to me smelling of the flowers and other oddities they used, chatting nonstop about what he saw there." Haven pointed with a claw towards one of the mossy patches nearby, lowering her voice. "There."
Twotime angled their ears in the direction, listening. Oh! They could make out tiny squeaks from a mouse. Could this be their chance? Getting back into the crouching position, they held their curled tail still before slowly sneaking closer.. closer.. and.. bam! They brought a paw down on the mouse, and a few moments later they had done it! They caught their first mouse!! They bounced around with it in one of their mouths, before going over to Haven and dropping it in front of her. "Haven, I did it! I caught the mouse! Thank you thank you thank you so much for the help!!" They purred, as did Haven.
"Wonderful job Twotime!! I knew you could do it, I'm so proud of you!! You've done oh so well today, how about two stories tomorrow?" This made the kit very happy, and they quickly agreed.
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"Very good Twotime! I believe that was something the apothecary used back when they were around the castle still. Wonderful finding job!" Haven praised the young cat, who had just brought back a small bundle of different flowers and plants they had found around for Haven. It was a late evening, and Haven had just finished telling more about the castle and those who used to live there. They had told Twotime all about the sires and lords, the well respected helpers and older humans who both played important roles in the castle.
Twotime was really enjoying listening to all these stories, it was very nice to hear about what life used to be like here. It did make them wonder just how long ago this all happened though- when they mentioned the rumbling street monsters, Haven had been rather puzzled and had no knowledge of those. Nonetheless, the castle walls had started to grow on them and became much more nicer to walk around in then when they first arrived here. The fear and unfamiliarity had turned into warmth and a sense of belonging, almost.
They were brought out of their thoughts as they turned their attention back to Haven, who was continuing the apothecary story.
"We had a lovely apothecary at the castle, and he even knew how to help cats a bit. I remember when I hurt my forepaw on a rock in the courtyard, Bug helped me through the castle and took me to the apothecaries room. He was a determined little cat, and despite his small stature and size he easily helped me up the winding stairs."
She sighed, and Twotime heard a hint of sadness in this sigh before she continued on with her usual kind tone. "The apothecary was the one in the castle who knew how to fix every scratch or sickness, no matter how severe. If anyone felt unwell, they went straight to him and they'd be fixed up in no time. Isn't that neat?" Twotime nodded, before yawning. They were exhausted. Haven noticed this and curled their tail around them.
"Come on then, I believe it's time we both get some good rest. I've got one story left after all! Goodnight, Twotime."
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The two cats made their way slowly down the hallways once more as the midday sunlight shone through the windows onto both of them. It was peaceful, and it was nice. It was also time for another story, which Twotime had been looking forward to all day! Haven began to speak once more as the story began.
"Now that I have told you about all the other roles and people in the castle, I suppose it is finally time I talk about the woman who took care of me. She had an important role too, if not the most important. You see, the woman who took care of me was what the others called a monarch," she purred, "no, not like the orange butterfly bug. She was the Queen of the castle, and she ruled with a loving heart. Although she did not fight beasts like the knights and hunters, work tirelessly to heal those of the kingdom like the apothecary, or play music for all to hear much like the bards did, she was a brave woman, and the kindest of all. She never turned down someone in need, and as ruler she made sure everyone had a place in the castle where they would be safe and happy. Everyone had somewhere they belonged, even little Bug and I." She smiled. "You see Twotime, one does not need to be the strongest or the most powerful to be a good leader. All it takes is one who has compassion for all, and who is understanding and kind to everyone no matter their flaws or who they once were. The greatest leaders know that others deserve a chance to change and grow, and know themself that sometimes all one needs is a safe home where they can be themselves without worry." Haven paused, looking up towards the ceiling briefly before their gaze rested towards Twotime.
"You have demonstrated all of these things, Twotime. I know that wherever you may go in the future, and where your paws might take you, that you will bring good things to those around you," she sniffed the ground in the room that the two had arrived in after their long journeys in the halls. "It appears as if you've been here before, judging by the scent. I believe this may be the end of our adventure- I know you probably wish to leave now, and find your parents. I want to thank you, Twotime, for keeping me company and listening to my stories. If you ever wish to hear more, I will always be here. I promise not to go far! I've got my own thing to find, after all." She chuckled, although Twotime could detect a hint of sadness in her tone as well.
She had been right though. This was the room Twotime first arrived in when they arrived. It was time to go. Sharing one last gently headbump with Haven, they made their way towards the hole in the wall where the exit was. They could hear the river from here, so they knew it must be the right one. Braving the darkness once more, they headed out.
..or so they thought. This was.. not the right tunnel. They should have been out by now, where was this going? It was dark, and hard to see. They suddenly felt like a helpless kit again, lost. They let out a cry for help, hoping Haven would hear it.
She sure enough did, as Twotime heard the old cat making her way down the tunnel. They could make out her faint shape as she now stood by Twotime's side, purring reassuringly. "There there, it's alright dear, you're safe. It appears you just went down the wrong path..." She trailer off, sniffing the tunnel. Her meow was filled with unbelievable surprise. "It.. it can't be.. Twotime, follow me."
She lead the kit down the tunnel further, sniffing the air as she did. A few moments and a turn later.. and Twotime saw a warm light at the end. The two cats made their way to the glow, before entering into what appeared to be a small room, with an even smaller window up high in which light came through.
Twotime stared up at the room in awe. It was small, but it was filled with many trinkets and bright oddities, some similar to other things they had seen in the castle. A few things stood out, however- a skeleton of a large cat adorned with shiny gemstones upon a stand of sorts.. and a very, very old chair of sorts in the middle of the room. On the chair rested a multicolored blanket, which Twotime could tell from where they stood that it looked extremely soft. Upon the wall they noticed a sign, and could make out the word 'HAVEN'.
They were snapped out of their thoughts and wonder however as Haven started speaking, her voice filled with a nostalgic sort of sadness, but great happiness too.
"When I first met the queen, she was just a little girl, as I was just a little kitten much like you. She took me into the castle, ruled by her parents at the time, and the first thing she did was make a wonderful coloured blanket. I remember she'd always laugh when I tried to lay on the blanket before it was even finished yet.. and when it was finally done, she saw how much I loved it and gifted it to me. I'd always bring it over to her on those chilly winter nights, and we'd rest together in her favourite chair. She cared so much for me, as I did her. She meant the world to me, and we grew up together, side by side on all of our adventures." She had to pause her story, grief filling her voice.
"When I became old and finally passed, it was in her gentle, loving arms. The Queen cried, and cried, and cried until her mournful tears formed a river that circled the castle and it's grounds- the same river that brought you here. I couldn't just leave, I knew I had to be there for her. I knew she couldn't see me, but she knew I was there."
"Twotime, ages have past since and I've been wandering these castle walls, calling for her and searching. That's what I've looking for all this time, as I mentioned. You found it though, Twotime. You helped me find the room I've been looking for all this time. I can not thank you enough for this, dear. You gave me hope by coming here, and look, we found it! I'm so proud of you, and thank you, thank you so much dear. I can finally be at peace now- but please, will you stay for one more night? One final rest."
Twotime agreed, and brought Haven over to the chair and blanket, as they both curled up in it, quickly falling asleep as they both purred.
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Twotime blinked. Everything was fuzzy.. it must be a dream of sorts, they thought. An interesting one for sure- around them, they saw tons and tons of cats, all talking amongst one another. They couldn't reconize any of them, but strangely enough.. they felt at home in this dream, amongst all these strangers.
They looked up in the dream, and realized with slight shock that they were once again in the castle, in one of the large rooms they had discovered the other day with Haven. Any feeling of fear or being lost was completely gone now, seeing the scene in front of them filled them with a loving warmth. They took another glimpse in the crowd, spotting two recognizable faces. Could it be.. Strawberry and Daisytrail! They quickly bounded through the crowd who moved out of the way kindly as they bowled into their parents, purring. It was so good to see them again.. even though this was a dream, this reassured them. They knew with their whole heart that their parents were alive and well, and they'd meet again one day.
This was no farm like their old home, but they knew their future was wonderful here as the dream faded and they knew that they were waking up.
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The kit blinked awake in the chair as they quickly stretched, before hopping down and looking around. They had to tell Haven! Alas.. where were they?
They then noticed a faint glow from beside them, and turned to see the figure of an old kind faced lady, and in her arms was resting none other than Haven. By her feet Twotime saw a little cat, with messy silver fur. They knew this cat had to be Bug, despite never meeting him before. Twotime looked up at the three.
"Haven, I know where I'm supposed to be now! The castle.. I know now why I came here. I've found a new home, Haven, and the home is here."
Haven did not speak, but they saw the old cat nod in understanding at them. They watched as all three sat down in the chair, Bug and the Queen cuddling Haven with smiles on all of their faces, before they started to fade away. Twotime knew that they were all at rest now, but this wouldn't be the final time they saw them.
Haven had found her family, and Twotime had found their haven.
They had an odd but comforting feeling that they'd be around, and the kitten purred as they meowed one last so long, but not goodbye, at the trio.
"Thank you."
