The Mage's Familiar

04. Seeker Stone

It was not until Summer fell over the kingdom, burning away the dewy cool mornings of springtime, that their luck began to change. They had wandered far from the cottage in the early morning so that Olwen could collect rare herbs on the mountain to the West. Their first day of travel was exhausting but uneventful. Nas trotted happily beside his master through the green fields and shadowy forests on their route and that night they slept beneath the stars, telling stories late into the night.

On the second day they rose very early, just before sunrise. Olwen carefully packed her knapsack and Nas draped himself across it begging to be carried. She consented as they approached a large outcropping close to the peak. The elevation was difficult to adjust to and they rested frequently, giving Olwen time to gather the more common mountain flowers and herbs she needed for her potions. As the sun began to rise they finally reached their destination. The outcropping was much more lush than the mountain's face which at this elevation was almost devoid of plant life. Only brittle shrubs and the scattered skeletons of trees erupted from the rock where soil still clung to it. But this outcropping was different. It was covered in lush moss and colorful lichen flecked with tiny flowers. Nas dismounted from her pack as she set it down and wandered happily through the small oasis lazily hunting insects. Olwen busily gathered the rare plants she had come for but was soon exhausted and went to the edge of the outcropping, laying back on a bed of moss with her knapsack beside her. Seeing that she was resting Nas joined her, curling up on her lap.

They looked down onto the valley below which was hidden beneath an ocean of clouds that tumbled over one another in the golden light of the rising sun. Birds burst into the light like leaping dolphins, trailing slender tendrils of white mist behind them that were quickly blown away by the wind. It was beautiful, a sight that Olwen could not compare to any other she had seen. This felt unlike any other morning she had come here on her own. The presence of Nas brought her a peace that she was almost unfamiliar with. As they watched the sunrise, the cat could feel her happiness.

"It is beautiful here, Master." The low, sweet tone of his voice filled her mind.

"Yes," she replied. "I hadn't noticed it before."

"My sight is better in this form but it does not allow me to appreciate this. Cats cannot see as far. And the colors are dull." His voice echoed in her head. It was wistful and she could hear his disappointment. She smiled at him, though he was gazing into the clouds below them.

"Then you should use your other form," she said casually. Nas was hesitant. She had been afraid of his human form when he had first shown it to her. He could not be as close to her when he was larger and more intimidating. As a cat he could lay in her lap and accept her affection. But he could not resist the lovely scene below them. With a small noise like a sigh he transformed, his cat form replaced with his human one. This time he was prepared and was dressed, wearing a white tunic and linen pants. His feet were bare and his long white hair was pulled back away from his face. He faced the sunrise and was humbled by its beauty. He could see farther into the distance with these eyes and saw that the shining gold sky was streaked with pinks and purples. He had not seen a sunrise in this form for many years. Without thinking he leaned heavily against Olwen, his face nestled into the hollow between her cheek and shoulder. Her breath caught in her throat but she pushed away her hesitation and let him stay close. Even Colden had never been allowed this kind of familiarity. It felt strange but also very natural. Her bond with him made it easier to let go of her anxiety. He was even more handsome than she had remembered and his pale skin was warm where it pressed against hers. Her face flushed but the sunrise hid how red she had become. Nas hummed contentedly as they sat quietly together. Their hands met and he instinctively intertwined their fingers, closing his eyes as the sun broke free from the distant horizon and began its triumphant procession across the sky. Before it had reached its peak both Olwen and Nas had fallen asleep, cradled by the moss and still holding hands with the sun on their faces.