changing future: book 1 through time

Chapter 11: the calm before the storm.

Ombric and North had left early that morning, before even the sky started to brighten up. They had gone alone, only bringing with them some food, a few weapons, and the Djinni.

They had left so early so as not to feel the guilt of leaving behind young Katherine for her own safety. To make sure that she would not follow so recklessly. Katherine had woken up tired from crying the night before, instantly taking note of how quiet the old tree was without Ombric's distracted humming or North's laughter at casting a new spell that she had become so accustomed to over the months.

Katherine sighed, taking note of the small box with a note on it. Curiously, she picked it up, wondering what was inside. Just before she opened the note or the box, a mug of what she assumed was hot chocolate levitated towards her. She blinked at it once before picking it up. It was still very warm. Too warm to have been left sitting around waiting for her to wake up.

Tentatively she took a sip, pursing her lips before she stared at the mug in confusion. It was hot chocolate as she suspected. But it was a little different to what Ombric or North would brew. Ombric always made it with a little bit less chocolate than North did- North always put in just a little more than necessary. But this brew... was nothing like she'd ever tasted before.

She swirled the mug in her hands just a bit as she watched the brown liquid stir and swirl around. It was strange. For where Ombric and North made hot chocolate as a drink, this one was more of a dessert! There was a layer of whipped cream on top and as she had drank she had chewed on something soft and fluffy- marshmallows, she assumed.

She actually quite liked this brew. And so she downed the whole thing in one go before her eyes landed on the small box again. She suspected it was from North as Ombric would have wrapped it up at least.

A small smile tugged at her face as she started to open the box. She reasoned with herself that this was their way of saying they'll miss her and an apology for upsetting her the night before. She didn't feel as angry at them for not including her in their adventure anymore but she was starting to realise this was their way of trying to keep her safe.

Inside the box was a small round device. It was gold and weighty like a clock with one hand and no numbers and on the tip of the hand was one letter. N. She blinked at the device then frowned before turning to open the letter left behind for her.

Dear Katherine,

If there is trouble, you can always find me.

The arrow will point the way.

Yours,

N.

Smiling at the small show of trust which she knew was a test of her own willingness to follow orders, she huffed and strung the compass's chain through her buttonhole and admired it once more before getting out of bed. She was going to stay with Petrov and the Bear and keep an eye out for any signs of trouble. Still she couldn't help but wish there was a small smidgen of trouble today just so she could go after the two wizards.

That's when a loud clattering sounded all across Big Root that made the young girl jump and rush out to see what it was. It took her a moment to find where the noise came from, but eventually she found herself in the kitchen staring at a very amusing situation.

In front of her, sitting down in a heap of pans and pots with an annoyed expression was the astral boy. He had his arms crossed glaring at something at the end of the dining table with bacon and eggs on top of his head.

"What's going on?" She wondered out loud, making the boy of light turn to face her, his face turning a bright shade of blue at the embarrassing situation as he pouted.