Unfamiliar Territory [Book One]

Chapter Twenty-Two | Unfamiliar Responsibility

As Kat, the children, and I approached the cabin, I thought about something Mr. Mallard had said. About how the Knowledge was as unique and varied as the people who could wield it. After everything I'd seen so far, I guessed a talking owl wasn't so out of left field.

Something about that German Shepherd, Hero, made me think he was more than just a dog. I bet, if he had been so inclined, he could talk too.

But talking animals aside, why was Hornroot and its 'Lady' so interested in me? Gust said I was supposed to be friends with the owl, but most of the things he said did not make much sense. Like being enemies of Kat and his dad.

His dad was probably the sanest person I've met in a while and even if Kat and I were having some problems right now, I wouldn't consider her an 'enemy'. She already risked herself to save my life more than once; I wouldn't consider someone who would do that to be an enemy.

So then, what did I consider her? Maybe more importantly, what did I consider myself? I still had little idea of how I fit into this nightmare, despite being of a great interest to a variety of people.

Hero always seemed to be keeping a close eye on me. Fawn was appalled when she somehow discovered I was with Mr. Mallard. And now this Hornroot was very displeased that I was in the state I was in, even though I had never met him before.

Mr. Mallard, Kat, Mutt, and Stallion did a lot of questionable things to ensure that I would do what they wanted. At first, I thought it was just because they needed Mary back with them, but they kept me around even after she was brought back into their fold. And I haven't been exactly the most willing participant. However hard it was for them to hold on to me, I made it that much harder by being so understandably unwilling. So much so they had to resort to keeping me near death.

But, why?

As I continued to think back, there were so many opportunities where I could have died. But every time, Kat, Mutt, or Stallion would risk their own lives to save me. Why? It was hard to believe they did it because we were friends. I still knew next to nothing about them and, after everything they put me through, I haven't exactly been showing them my softer side. They probably considered me a friend just as much as I considered them as one. Which is to say, not at all.

So then, why?

I was interrupted from my train of thought when Kat and the kids reached the large cabin. Dr. Quincy was already sliding open the glass door, drying his hands with a dish cloth, and looking quite worried.

"Kat," he greeted, looking between her, his kids, and then finally to me. "What happened?"

"Daddy, it's the fox-!" Gust began to say, until Kat cleared her throat- silencing him immediately.

"I do not think it is wise to keep secrets from me, Master," Kat said. The even way she spoke, with a hint of malice, sent shivers up my spine. Dr. Quincy's expression told me he was feeling a similar level of uneasiness.

"Maple, why don't you take your brothers and sisters inside and help daddy start making lunch?" Dr. Quincy suggested.

Maple, still holding her brother, looked back up at him, studying him with those probing eyes. Dr. Quincy looked back at her until she seemed satisfied and nodded. "Thank you, sweetie."

"But, daddy-"

"Go with Maple, Gust. Your daddy and Miss Elizabeth have some things to talk about."

Gust made another one of his sour faces but eventually followed his siblings. Though, he made sure to slam the sliding door shut as hard as he could as he left.