Flight

Prologue

Flight

Prologue

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Rain was a peaceful thing at times, showering the meadows with its light sprinkles, and bringing a coolness that was a blessing in the summer, but it was also dangerous. It could bring monstrous storms that were usually feared, create destruction that could wipe out an entire nation. It was only these times when one cat felt safe.

The dark clouds covered the entire sky, the water falling out of the sky in light drips. He needed to leave now or the storm would get too powerful for him to carry on his usual routine. The snow white cat trotted quickly on the insides of the tower he called home. He grabbed many things with his powerful jaws, like clothes to keep him protected from the weather. He slipped on a metal emblem that rested on his soft, fluffy chest. Dark red beads as wide as a coin were attached to the top red corners of this thing, circling around his neck like a chain. Deep gray and purple ribbons were also tied to this silver and red square, the ribbons, wrapping carefully around his back and forelegs. A light gray cloth was draping from behind these ribbons, making his shirt complete. The cat trotted over to a table, and slipped on a ring made of the same dark red beads on his tail. He walked over by his front door before he left, grabbing a purple cape outlined in silver and a small brown basket. Tossing the cape on top of him, he pulled the hood over his long, brown and purple hair, forcing his ears against his head.

Now don’t be confused, dear readers, all cats have hair, and they all wear clothes, so do not freak.

The cat picked up his pace until he was a dial away from a full run. He dashed down the dirt path, swerving gracefully on the narrow turns. Then he stopped, halted entirely in his tracks. The marketplace. Cats of all colors were dashing to the nearest roof, trying to avoid the incoming rain. The cat watched in amusement as most cats feared the rain because they didn’t want to get wet. He trotted forward through the path that lay in between the booths, scanning the area trying to find what he was looking for. Candles, paper, chairs, jewels and gems were just the few things the marketplace had to offer.

Smiling, the cat turned to the stall he’s been looking for. He walked up placing the basket on the counter looking around. It was food. He was ever so hungry since his cabinets were empty. The clerk almost immediately recognized  who was at his shop. Fear dripped from him as he stared at the cat.

“D-d-d-do you need something?” he stuttered, his black ears facing the wall behind him.

“Yes,” the cat went over in his mind on what he needed to buy before saying anything, “I would like two heads of lettuce, five tomatoes, a bag of apples, three pounds of beef, two potatoes, a bag of cheddar cheese, and two things of noodles please.” He grinned, causing the shopkeeper to shiver.

“That’ll b-be twenty-five gold coins p-please.” The cat dug around in the pocket in his cape, counting up the coins before placing them in the keeper’s spotted black paw.

“Th-thank you…” his voice trailed off as the cat placed the items in his basket before turning and trotting away.

“Sure thing,” the cat winked his only bright purple eye before turning to move on to the next shop. Walking to the other side and down a couple of stops, he walked up to a wood shop. It held all kinds of wood, from cherry to spruce to even bamboo! This place was awed by the most crafty of the Starite Kingdom. The clerk here, however, was so startled by the cat’s sudden appearance that she jumped so high she might of gone to the moon if the ceiling hadn’t blocked her path.

Reaching in the back, the she-cat dug out enough wood to last the cat a few months worth of warmth and properly cooked food. He once again searched his pocket for the forty gold pieces he owed the clerk. Placing the coins on the table, he snatched the wood without saying a word and left. On his way home, he noticed the frighten stares of the cats nearby, trying to avoid him as best as possible. If only that stupid rumor that the cat murdered another cat in cold blood didn’t exist, things would be different and he wouldn’t be forced to leave his house only when rained.

As he continued to run back to his tower, the rain started coming down in buckets, drenching the cat to the bone almost immediately. Squinting his multi-colored eyes, his feet became covered in mud from running in puddles that were forming on the path. He was about to turn another corner when something caught his attention. A white blur heading straight for the trees behind the tower. His eyes widened, his one chocolate brown eye and one purple eye full of confusion and surprise. He hasn’t seen anything like this!

Digging his claws into the ground as he ran, he went past the front door, and into the large, never ending forest. His cape became caught as a lone branch tugged at the fabric, making it tear, revealing his bright red and purple wings. Yes, you read it right. Wings. The cat could care less now that he was in a forest where no one could see him, something had caught his attention and he needed to see what it was. He ran around a tree only to stop dead in his tracks.

The sight was unbelievable.

It was a she-cat with light brown fur and long dark brown hair. Her tail tip and slightly exposed belly were white, but not as white as the cat’s fur. Her pelt was covered in mud and was soaked so much that when her fur stuck to her sides, you could see her ribs. Clearly she was starving, but it wasn’t that, that made the cat halt, no, it was the fact she had wings, just like his, but were bright white.

Jumping back in reality, the cat took action, placing the basket down on the ground, he used his head to pick up the unconscious she-cat onto his back. He grabbed his goods before leaving the forest entirely, walking much slower back to his tower before things got worse.

He set the items on the floor once he got inside, before he walked up a flight of stairs to the second floor. Resting her ever so gently on his cat bed, the cat inspected her for any cuts or scratches. Sighing happily when there were none, the tom made soup for dinner that night, using a potato and a tomato he had gotten from the market. The soup held four servings, enough to last him and the other cat with two meals. He poured even amounts into separate bowls, leaving her bowl next to her on the floor, while the cat ate at the table downstairs before cleaning up and sewing his cape back together. He hung it on the coat rack and laid down next to his enchanting table in his brewery. The place was slightly messy, but he wished to give the other cat some privacy for she wore no clothes, which in the Starite Kingdom, a cat without clothes is odd and disturbing.

Closing his eyes, he fell into an uncomfortable, dreamless sleep.

Oh, and his name you're wondering, is Seto.