The Mage's Familiar

12. Jealousy

After the assessment, Olwen resumed the routine that had begun to shape her days with Anya and Nas. Anya spent much of her day training with her former peers but when she returned in the evening she and Olwen would share a meal and have long, spirited conversations. It was a pleasant and home-like atmosphere that put both of them at ease. Nas appeared to be the only one that was unsettled. He had become used to being Olwen's only object of affection and her fondness for Anya was a source of constant annoyance. He did not hold it against the child but his distaste for her was obvious. When Anya was accompanying Olwen he kept a distance, not allowing the newcomer to interact with him directly. At first this behavior had been easy to ignore but as she began her education and was away from their room more often, Nas became desperate. He hissed at Anya when she entered the room one morning and Olwen's eyes flashed angrily in his direction. She exited with Anya without bidding Nas farewell and hurried along to her morning instruction, bubbling with irritation.

When they returned in the evening Nas was apologetic but she continued to ignore him, banishing from her bed where he usually slept beside her.

"Master, I only wish to spend time alone with you," he whined in her head, placing his front paws on the side of the bed where she was lying alone. "I regret blaming the child. Please let me be beside you."

"No," Olwen replied in a low voice. "You are unreasonable. Sleep somewhere else. If you cannot behave yourself I cannot give you any privileges. I have endured your rudeness long enough. And so has Anya."

She was exhausted after a long day of etiquette lessons and fittings for uniforms and her patience was wearing thin. It took Nas nearly an hour to convince her to even look at him. He shifted into his human form and rested his chin on the bed from his position on the floor. It was difficult to resist him when he was in this form, but Olwen glared down at his pretty face.

"Master, I am sorry," he said gently. "I will apologize to the child. I am restless trapped here in the palace."

"Her name is Anya," Olwen grumbled.

Nas rose tentatively to his feet and crept towards her on the bed as she turned away.

"Forgive me, Master," he whined, resting his head beside hers. It was only a few minutes before she consented and allowed him to wrap his arms around her waist. He buried his face in her hair and sighed. He was becoming unruly and Olwen wondered if allowing him to have more freedom might make his confinement easier. He had been trapped in this same room for almost a week and despite its elegant furnishing and multiple rooms it was logical that he would be bored. She resigned to allow him to wander in the gardens the following day but insisted that he not be seen. A few cats did roam within the palace to control the population of pests, but they were few and very secretive. She had only seen one since their arrival and it slinked swiftly into the shadows as soon as she set eyes on it. Nas agreed, and when Olwen and Anya departed the following morning, he slipped out of the open window and sauntered across the bridge and into the garden. It was a fine day, sunny and warm, with a cool breeze that ruffled the leaves on the trees. Butterflies and bees fluttered among the densely planted flowers and a beautiful fountain in the center of the garden bubbled exuberantly, coaxing Nas to investigate it. He spent much of the morning and afternoon napping and exploring, finding himself many convenient hiding places. Before he knew it night was falling and the sunset was beginning to fade. Knowing his master would soon return he sought the garden's exit and made his way there at a leisurely pace. But as he approached a trellis of honeysuckle crowning the walkway he heard low, hushed voices just off the path. Unable to resist his curiosity he followed the sound until he came upon two figures, partially obscured by shadow magic and wearing dark hoods, conspiring together in an obscured glade of tall thin trees. They both appeared agitated, speaking with animation and excitement, and completely unaware of Nas who was concealed in the underbrush. He listened closely and was able to recognize some of their speech.

"The Keeper demands a report, Ena. It has been too long. She grows impatient."

"The Emperor suffers following every Collection," Ena replied in frustration. "If I arouse his suspicions we can never reap the rewards of our scheme. I must be frugal." She threw her hands up in defeat. "I will try and see him tomorrow. The Keeper must be able to wait at least that long."

"The Keeper does not wait, Ena. You know she will find a replacement for you if there are no results and you will have no way to pay off your debt. The hour grows late. I must go now. Return to your bed, little knight."

With a low laugh the unnamed figure slunk into the shadows and Ena was left alone. She groaned in frustration, kicking a toadstool growing at her feet. She exited the glade quickly, adjusting her cloak, and hurried back towards the main palace. Nas followed her at a distance, stepping silently in the darkness behind her, until they came to the part of the palace that housed the knights. They had their own courtyard which opened into the main garden through a tall fence with an iron gate. Nas did not pursue her past this barrier and did not yet know the significance of what he had discovered. But he knew he should tell his master. He hurried back to their room and climbed the ivy snaking its way up the marble walls of the palace to re-enter through the window he had exited earlier that day. Olwen and Anya had returned and were enjoying tea by the crackling fireplace. The weather was warm but the evenings still chilled Olwen, who had spent so many of her evenings in front of her own fire. It was a welcome familiarity. As Nas approached and hopped into her lap she smiled, pausing for a moment to pet him before returning to her chat with Anya.

"Master," he whispered in her head. She barely hesitated as she spoke but her eyes flashed down to him for a moment. "I must speak with you when the chi- when Anya returns to her room. It is important."

Olwen patted his head in confirmation and tried to hide the concern on her face until Anya had gone off to bed.