Chapter five in which Josie assists in her own rescue
That afternoon, Maggie explained to the boys what she had experienced in the cave, meeting the ghosts of old cats, her reunion with old friends, and learning of the prophesy. They found a series of stones to cross the creek, and marched another day to the Meezers’ camp.
The Meezers were very untrusting, having orchestrated their own coup years ago. They ruled from the palace, but had built a secret encampment protected by a series of bramble mazes that even the wiliest of rabbits would get lost in. But with one touch from Fluffy, Maggie had been shown the way. She guided Jasper and Bear through a series of crouches and leaps and crawls, easier for her than for the larger boys. She had to restrain herself from getting too far ahead. Finally, they emerged with just a few lost patches of fur, and slinked around in the shadows to a rear entrance of the fort.
Bear took the lead, Jasper the rear, as they entered the door into a rear access hallway. They managed to travel one corridor from where Maggie was told they would find Josie when a laugh broke the silence.
“Jasper No-claws. I didn’t think you’d have the nerve to even show your hide again.” Jasper knew the voice immediately, his old rival from the guard.
“I’ve got this,” Jasper said, turning to face the scruffy tomcat emerging from the shadows. Bear and Maggie moved toward the door, entering to see Josie across the room bound up and gagged, and the Meezer Trinity gloating.
The largest of the Trinity stood near Josie, and belted out, “We expected some rescue attempt, but is this it?”
Then he spun, surprised to hear Josie’s voice. “This is just what I’ve been waiting for.” Josie had freed herself from her bonds, but was just waiting for the right moment. She launched herself, claws out, and with a mid-air blood-curdling hiss, indicated, “it’s on!”
At that same time, Jasper moved toward the tomcat. The tomcat chuckled, “Whatcha gonna do?” But his laugh turned to a dull oomph as Jasper brought both paws across his jaw, then wrapped his arms around his neck, spun onto his back, and, using his back paws, launched the tomcat four feet into the air and against the wall, unconscious, all before the tomcat even knew what hit him.
Maggie darted toward the smaller of the Meezers as he started to circle on her. She pounced, dodging a swipe. Then, in a blur of gray and brown, bit his flank, swiped at his legs, danced on his head, and finally gave a rabbit kick under the jaw until the Meezer could take no more and curled in submission in the corner.
Meanwhile Bear was approaching the third Meezer, who saw Bear’s massive bulk,and turned and ran. But Bear surprised him, as he surprised many who assumed he was slow, and was soon upon him. The Meezer turned his head when he felt Bear’s presence at the tip of his tail, and miscalculated his location, missing a quick turn and knocking himself silly against the wall.
All this took place as Josie was descending on the largest Meezer, the leader of the Trinity. He was stunned by her sudden assault, tumbled backward, and lost his breath as Josie landed squarely on his chest. Josie extended one claw under his chin. “We need to talk.”
Chapter six in which balance is restored
It was apparent to the Meezer Trinity that individually they might be able to beat Josie, Bear, Maggie and Jasper, but that they were no match them when they combined their strengths. The Trinity were exiled, the true Meezer judges were returned to make the rules again, and peaceful, fair rule was returned to the lands.
Josie’s followers were ready when she took the throne as the new queen, and took command of security, ensuring no other uprisings or coups would occur. The cats across the lands celebrated Queen Josie, Prince Bear, Princess Maggie, and their wise advisor, Jasper, and tales were told of how a little cat with one eye helped restore peace to a land in turmoil.
Jasper became Head of Security, and taught the guards that it takes more than sharp claws to win in battle. “You must use your wits. That is our gift as cats,” he lectured to his troops. “And the occasional back paws to the chest helps, too,” he added with a wink.
Huggy Bear still preferred to be called just Bear, and was regarded as one of the most fearsome warriors around. But, while he was a strong knight, that reputation was spread mostly by those who did not know him. Those who knew Bear knew that he was more Huggy than Bear.
Although Maggie was now a princess she still enjoyed the rough and tumble play of her childhood. On warm, sunny afternoons, after napping in the sun along the creek near the palace, she would challenge Huggy Bear to wrestling matches and chases through the fields and woods. Onlookers would watch, amazed, as this tiny princess would go nose to nose with the legendary dark knight. They would playfully nip, and tussle and chase until dusk began to settle on the afternoon. Then, tired and hungry, they would return to the palace to dine with Josie and Jasper.
Over dinner one evening, Jasper looked around at the other three as they shared a meal. “It’s nice to be back together again,” he remarked.
“It’s good to be home,” Maggie replied as Huggy Bear and Josie purred in agreement.
Maggie lifted her head from the blanket, looked around, and realized that she was sleeping at the foot of Mom and Dad’s bed. Huggy Bear had joined her in bed, sleeping against Dad’s pillow at the head of the bed. Josie’s foot stuck out from under the covers on Mom’s side. She could hear Jasper’s snores from under the bedside table. She raised up, walked over and curled up beside Huggy Bear. Then she stretched out one paw and rested it on Josie’s exposed paw, making sure she didn’t go anywhere, happy to truly be all together.
The End
Chapter four in which a prophesy is revealed
Jasper, Bear and Maggie marched for three days and nights with very few breaks. This amount of walking without long breaks or naps was more than Maggie was used to, so when they stopped alongside a creek she was relieved. Jasper appeared to be slowing a little, too. Bear had a glisten of perspiration on his fur, but adrenaline and purpose were driving him on.
"We'll stop here for the night," Jasper said. "You'll need your strength tomorrow, Maggie."
They found a large, spacious bush to sleep under. Maggie curled against her brother, resting her head against the fur of his chest. Jasper stretched out closer to the front of the bush. He puffed his fur a little as if to send the message to anyone who stumbled upon them that they don't want any of this fight.
The next morning the three began their hike again, following the creek upstream. Maggie enjoyed watching the dragonflies dance along the reeds growing on the banks of the creek, the frogs swimming in the current, and the schools of tiny fish. These were all calming distractions from Jasper’s words last night: You’ll need your strength tomorrow.
They walked for about an hour before both Huggy Bear and Jasper suddenly stopped. Bear let out a low growl toward the ground and stepped back a few paces. Jasper puffed his fur and turned sideways, making himself appear large and imposing.
“What is it?” Maggie asked, looking around confused.
“The grass is flicking at my feet like flames,” Bear said, his words rolling out in a growl.
“There are figures in the air, appearing, disappearing, quickly,” Jasper said, turning his body to check his blind spot. He sidled back toward Bear. “This is where we stop, and you continue on,” Jasper said to Maggie. “Hear the rush of water? Go toward the waterfall.”
“But I don’t understand,” Maggie said.
“This land is protected,” Jasper explained, still looking around cautiously. “There are visual tricks to confuse us, to keep uninvited guests out. But you can pass. You have just one eye and are able to see through the tricks. The elders knew this, and expected this, which is why they sent you to us.”
Maggie nodded, now understanding a little more. “So this is my mission?”
“Part of it,” Jasper confirmed. “Follow this path, under the waterfall.” He indicated a spot on the map. Then Maggie turned and headed off, alone, nervous, looking for the flaming grass and figures floating in the air that she could not see, that really weren’t there, but she felt should be there now. She walked a short while longer, waiting for some surprise that never came, and followed the creek as it widened and bent until she came to a moderate waterfall, about 20 feet high.
The mist of the waterfall beaded up on her short hairs and rolled off. “Water,” she said in disgust. Then she saw a small path, barely wide enough for her small frame, and slick from moisture and moss. She extended her claws, raised her tail for balance, and carefully followed the ledge that lead under the waterfall. About halfway under the water she saw a small opening, squeezed through, and entered into a cave lighted by a blue glow, seemingly coming from nowhere.
She looked around, this time seeing figures in the corners, in the air, appearing and disappearing. A trick, the thought, but then she recognized faces from her past, old neighbors and villagers that had crossed the Bridge when she was younger. Familiar faces, as real as they were intangible, welcomed her deeper into the cave. Then one cat came forward, one Maggie had never seen, never known, a gray and white cat, with long fur.
“Maggie,” he said in a strong, knowing voice. “It is good to see you. I am Fluffy. I advised your parents long ago. And I alone was entrusted with the prophesy.”
“Prophesy?” Maggie asked, confused.
“A long time ago, a prophesy foresaw the Meezer Trinity’s coup,” Fluffy explained, “but we still failed to stop them. But there was a second part to the prophesy, that the four would reunite, and return order to our lands. There is much for you to understand.” And then the figure of Fluffy placed a paw on Maggie’s forehead. Despite appearing as little more than air, the paw felt solid too. Maggie shivered, then her eye twinkled as the plan was shared in an instant.
Thirty minutes later she was following the creek back, nearing where she left Bear and Jasper. The boys raised up, excited to see her again. Maggie flicked the remaining water from her fur, then said, “I know what we need to do.”
---
A little about this chapter... Dad said he could have easily doubled this chapter. He liked the idea of a place where Maggie could go to interact with the cats who came before, like Mom's Fluffy. He had to reign himself in to keep the chapter from getting too long, though.
Chapter three in which a great warrior joins the quest
“I take it you recognize Bear,” Jasper stated the obvious.
Maggie pounced atop the black knight, playfully, lovingly wrapping her paws around his head and giving him a big wet lick across his head, quickly followed by a kick to the chin and a laugh. “Bear? Huggy Bear is more like it,” she said, a flood of memories coming back.
“No one calls me Huggy Bear anymore,” Bear growled, but couldn’t help smile with the reunion of his sister. “I have a reputation to uphold, you know.” This time, his voice sounded a little softer, kinder, more playful, a tone Jasper had not heard since Bear had joined him at the cottage shortly after his family had been sent away.
Huggy Bear used his imposing size and strength to build a reputation as a great warrior and dropped the “Huggy” to empower that reputation. But deep inside, Huggy Bear remained, the playful big brother of Maggie, who used to watch out for his little sister, and take her on tomboy adventures.
“Maggie, it’s good to see you,” Bear said, “but your timing couldn’t be worse. I’m preparing to leave to rescue Josie.”
“We were just waiting for you,” Maggie exclaimed.
“We?” Bear asked, glancing at Jasper. “A retired warrior-turned-scholar and my one-eyed little sister? No offense, but for your safety you should stay here.”
“I can hold my own,” Maggie argued. “I have for most of my life.”
“With neighbor cats protecting you all the time, without your knowledge,” Bear said. “You’re my sister, and I can’t bring you along. This isn’t just for fun this time,” Bear stated, remembering the games they would play in the old woods and along the babbling stream, and the trouble they would get in when they returned wet, or muddy, or covered in brambles.
“I would agree with you,” Jasper spoke up, “if it weren’t for this.” And he revealed the map that Maggie had followed to the cottage. The cottage was just one stop along the map, a midpoint on the way to what appeared to be a waterfall and a cave.
“Bear, you know this place, as do I, and you know she has to come along.”
Bear shook his head, resigned to the fact, but not happy about it. “Maggie, you can come, if you must,” he said, “but you do as we say. Deal?”
“Deal,” Maggie said, hardly able to hold in the joy trying to explode from her chest.
Maggie walked all morning and afternoon, keeping beneath the shrubs and off the road. At one point, a Trinity soldier patrol came by and Maggie huddled quietly in the shadows, her brown and gray tabby coloring blending in well. Although she didn't know why, she had a hunch she didn't want to be seen.
As the afternoon neared dusk, Maggie came to the glade on her map, and saw the cottage tucked near the woods. There was dim light coming from the windows. Maggie slowly approached the cottage, staying low to the ground, keeping to the shadows when possible. Once she was at the cottage, she peeked into the window and saw a large orange cat, regal and strong. He stretched like a lion, and his shadow arched and covered the opposite wall. Then, slowly, he turned his head to the window and said, in a deep voice, but not quite a growl, “Little Maggie, I’ve been expecting you.”
The inside of the cottage was modest. Mostly there were books and tuffets and blankets for resting and relaxing and reading. “I am Jasper,” the large orange cat explained to Maggie as she found a spot to sit. “I knew your family, and spent a lot of time with you as a kitten, although you probably don’t recall me.”
Maggie shook her head, acknowledging that she doesn’t remember this big orange cat, and felt that she surely would. Jasper dropped some dried salmon for Maggie to snack on then said, “There’s a lot you need to know.
“You’ve grown up in that small village, probably feeling mostly along, but that was for your protection. You see, you come from royal bloodlines, but your family was overthrown years ago.”
“Royalty? Me?” Maggie asked, amazed. “You mean my family was overthrown by the evil Meezer Trinity?”
Jasper nodded. “But don’t judge all Meezers by the action of those three. You see, when your family was in charge the Meezers were the lawmakers, justly applying rules throughout the land. But then three of these judges got power hungry and plotted to overthrow your family.
“At this time, I was a junior member of your family’s court, not much older than you are now. We got wind of the coup just before it happened, and managed to get you in hiding where you would be safe. We tried to resist the coup, but failed and you parents were forced from these lands.”
Jasper looked and saw Maggie wipe a paw slowly across her left eye, sweeping a tear away. “I never knew,” Maggie cried. But it wasn’t a sad cry. It was a strong, determined cry. “Then Princess Josie?”
“Your older sister,” Jasper nodded. “She refused to hide. Braver than I am, I would say. While I retreated to this old cottage for a safe life of study Josie has been out there gathering supporters to return the family to their rightful thrones.
“But yesterday a mole revealed where Josie was, and, instead of letting her supporters fight a futile fight, she surrendered.”
“That’s awful,” Maggie said. There was a twinge of pride in her voice, though, for her sister’s valor. “We have to free her.”
Jasper lit another lamp to ward off the oncoming night. “Of course,” Jasper agreed, “But after the uprising I was very distraught, and removed my claws when I decided to give up the fight and turn to a life of philosophy. But there is another who I know will join us.”
At that very moment, a shadow darker than the night emerged from the darkness. A warrior cat, large, full-chested and powerful emerged from the night. This dark knight’s demeanor commanded respect, an air that dared any other to challenge him in combat, and few did. Most trembled in his presence. But not Maggie. Instead, a joyful laugh erupted from the tiny cat, because, while she didn’t recognize Jasper, there was no denying the eyes of this black cat. “Brother!”
Chapter one in which Maggie's adventure begins
It was an unseasonably cool night for Columbia in mid-spring. Maggie scampered up the stairs to the master bed, leapt up and curled in a warm nest of blanket and comforter. Her lone left eye blinked slowly, lingering closed a little before reopening, then slowly blinking again until finally her eye closed and she drifted to sleep.
A loud clamor in the street brought Maggie out of her slumber. She licked her paw then wiped it across her left eye to rub the sleep out. With a stretch, she rose from a straw mattress in a small, dimly lit cottage. Outside she could hear the cries of the village cats, outrage and concern that Princess Josie had been captured by the soldiers of the Meezer Trinity.
Maggie quickly rose and glanced out the window and down the street. Distraught cats filled the lane, consoling each other. Maggie started to exit into that street when her neighbor burst in the back door.
"Maggie, the soldiers are flooding the village. You need to go right away," he said is an urgent growl.
"Go?" Maggie asked, confused why the soldiers of the Trinity would be interested in her.
"There's no time to explain. Just follow this map," he said, slipping a scroll into her bag. "Now go, and stay in the brush."
Maggie nodded, trusting but confused, then grabbed her bag in her mouth and darted out the back. The loud thuds of the soldier cats knocking door to door faded as Maggie disappeared into the woods, vanishing into the dusk.
As the night turned to dawn, Maggie found herself farther away from her village than she could ever recall. Her entire life had been spent in her small village. Maggie was independent, living by herself, but under the watchful eyes of her neighbors.
She found a bush with an airy hollow beneath, removed her map and studied her route. She was approaching a range of foothills, and her path led her to a glade not far from her village. After a brief snack she took a quick glance at the map, "Just an afternoon away," she thought to herself, "then answers."
We lost a good friend today, and we are so sad. Poor sweet Bonnie Underfoot, gone so quickly. We are stunned and saddened for you and your family and little Victor Tabbycat.
We really liked sitting in the old brown paper bags, and even licking the plastic bags. But these red Target bags are even better because after we put out stink on them, we get to keep them around.
This bag even has little black birdies on it and a tree made out of Target targets. I hope Mom and Dad leave a few of these bags around for us to play in some more ... maybe bags filled with treats!
This is Maggie's head from when she was napping in the office. We're much easier to draw when we're sleeping.
Does anybody know what time it is? Well, first of all, it's not the right time, because Dad just turned it on for the picture, but if you asked Maggie, she'd tell you that it is 4:03:17 according to the clock. (I guess Dad was pretty savvy to know if he put the clock in the computer chair that Maggie would come and tell him what time it is...)
