18 July 2012
The crystalline wind from the open window blew the hair back from my face as I approached the Royal Kitten on her satin pillow. As usual she sat looking out over the land.
I handed her her morning peanut butter sandwich, the jet black kitten licked the edges with a purr.
"What is my mission today, Your Highness?" I asked.
"You and the other knights must patrol the edge of Dark and Light, I hear the Crooked Tree of Pixie Town is suffering in this drought." She turned her bright emerald eyes to mine, was that a trace of worry that made her whiskers quiver?
I bowed and left the kitten to her perch. The Palace of Light was grand, built by trolls with the finest silver limestone brought down on dragon-back from the high mountains of long ago.
In the Palace armoury I put on my boiled leathers and quiver of arrows, checking the Phoenix-feather fetching was tight. My bow had been freshly waxed, I whispered my words, ones unique to the Shapeshifters, to make it strong for the journey ahead.
Finally I slipped my dagger, that held the mark of my guild entwined with that of the realm, on to my belt.
Out in the courtyard I whistled for my great, chestnut stallion. He came trotting towards me, all ready tacked up and looking pleased with himself.
As I sprang up in to the saddle I heard the familiarly dainty foot falls of a unicorn approach. I turned to beam at her rider...
- Next three words are: Bear, treacle and teacup
The Opuss Tale Part 2 • Opuss № I