Legends Lost Tesnayr

  * * *

  Ernayn walked softly through the trees. She knew the cat was there, but couldn’t find him. She hated these games of his. Why can’t he be visible like other animals?

  “A pleasure to see you again, Ernayn,” said a voice.

  Ernayn turned around and found Turyn seated on a tree stump staring at her. “I was never able to surprise you, Turyn,” she greeted.

  The cat yawned in boredom. “What is it you want, sorceress? I have important business to tend,” said Turyn, impatiently.

  “I know what you are all planning,” said Ernayn.

  Turyn’s ears perked up. “Is that so?”

  “There are too many of them. You will never succeed with the small number you are taking.”

  “Why are you telling me this?” question Turyn.

  Ernayn paused. “I do not want to see you fail.”

  “And why is that?” asked Turyn.

  “I have my reasons.”

  “You always have your reasons. Come on, Ernayn. Tell me. Why do you care if we fail?”

  “Because the fate of the world depends upon the success of freeing Tesnayr.”

  “Oh, really? The fate of the world? How noble of you to care about the world.”

  “Stubborn cat,” said Ernayn. “What do you want from me?”

  “The truth.”

  Ernayn let out a long and steady breath. “If the orcs are not stopped, they will destroy the five kingdoms, including my home.”

  “So now we get to it. You fear death,” said Turyn.

  “A sorceress may live for centuries, but even she must perish in the end. I have no intention of doing so at the hands of the orcs. Why do you help these people Turyn? A cat who has the gift of speech.”

  “I help these people because I find Tesnayr interesting.”

  Ernayn frowned. Typical feline answer. “Heed my warning. You are outnumbered.”

  “That is our concern,” said Turyn. “Of course, you could join us. But you won’t. You never do. Always playing your games. Always wanting people to abide by your wishes. When will you learn that you cannot manipulate the world? Someday, you will have to make a choice.

  “I wish you well, Ernayn, Sorceress of the earth.” Turyn bounded off through the underbrush.

  “Until we meet again,” said Ernayn, annoyed that her warning went unheeded.