Memoirs of Kitty Siam Ch. 17

Teela washed my back, and then I washed hers. We did the same for each other's hair also. It was when I was washing her hair that I decided was the right time to express my concern about the plan that was put forth to keep her and I safe. I told her that I did not know who to trust here and she agreed that she could not trust anyone that did not work directly for her owner the Reeve as he had hand picked them all himself from his home village, or directly from his family. We both agreed that since the army and the army reserves came from places outside this castle, and from other provinces of the country that we would both have to be very careful around them. I suggested to her that instead of going to the planned farmhouse that we find another safe location that had not been announced to anyone. My first thoughts were of the cave that I had lived in, and even though that was a very secure location, it was too far away from her owner to be permitted.

We kicked ideas back and forth and then Teela came up with a location that she thought would be perfect for us. Her long deceased uncle had a hunting cabin in the woods about 10 miles or so North of the castle walls. Being that she was the last of her family left alive after her village was sacked, no one else should know of the cabin other than her and her owner. To me this sounded like a good place provided that it was of sound enough construction to still be usable. She assured me that it was, as she would go there from time to time when she needed some time alone. Together we came up with a plan for leaving the city, gathering supplies, and convincing the Reeve that our plan would work better than the one proposed.

After our bath we dried each other, then sat in the sun for an hour or so brushing each other's hair. When Teela settled in behind me and took hold of my hair, she remarked that the scars on my back were even less noticeable then when we entered the pool. I just made an off the cuff remark about the water and the sponge doing wonders and washing away the dead skin cells. She was not sure what I meant by "cells" but she accepted my answer and began working the brush through my long black hair. She did remark during our morning or bathing and preening that some of my ideas and mannerisms seemed much more advanced than what she was used to from her village and from other areas of Kreet. I answered her by mostly changing the subject but at times I would answer truthfully as I could without letting her know that I was some sort of space alien with retractable panther claws.

After our morning bath we donned our clothing and made our way to the kitchen for our morning meal. Speaking of getting dressed, the white linen dress that Teela had loaned me was a bit abrasive against my still healing scars, and since I had used the wardrobe collar to store and resize the simple frock, it was easy enough with a few taps along the band of the collar to dress myself in the same style, but instead of linen I substituted a much softer silk. I had to make an excuse to return to my room to make the change before joining Teela for breakfast.

Well, it was actually more like lunch or to use an old Earth term, brunch. She was not too high on me wanting solid food just yet so I got more oatmeal, then after I finished that I was treated to a couple slices of soft bread and what appeared to be an apple, but it was an odd purple color and did not look much like an apple. Anyway, breakfast was filling enough, and even though I was craving some orange juice, I was given something that resembled tomato juice. It was not too bad, but did require a little bit of salt and pepper to make it go down a little better. Seeing me doctor up the juice got me a raise of an eyebrow and a snicker from Teela. At least she did not give me the disapproving looks that Shilka would give me when I did things my own way.

We spent the day talking, napping, and refining our plan to get out of the castle. We decided that after dinner we would propose our plan to Teela's owner. It was a lovely evening, so instead of eating inside, Teela set the dinner table for us out on the patio in the center of the garden. We had decided that if her owner were going to approve our plan, he would have to be convinced that Teela would be safe. While Teela occupied herself in the kitchen with the preparation of dinner, I went to my room to retrieve a few items that I had stored in the wardrobe collar, then went back out into the garden to arrange my bow, arrows, and several sharp throwing weapons on a table out of sight from the table Teela had set up for dinner. As I was looking over the weapons I had assembled, I had remembered back to what Teela said about women possessing weapons. I was hoping that this was just limited to swords and knives or perhaps I might end up back in a cell by nights end.

Dinner was uneventful and filling, and I was finally and properly introduced to Sir Lauwin Tausin the Reeve of Grimsod Shire. We had what appeared to be a very tasty beef stew, with a loaf of fresh baked bread. During dinner both the Reeve and Teela remarked about my dress, how soft it was and how the fabric shimmered in the flickering light of the torches. I explained to them where silk comes from and how it is made. I learned from our conversation that they have nothing like silk here. I explained to the Reeve how some things differ from this country and mine, and then let that segway into Teela and I discussing our plan with him, but before we put forth our plan, we begged the Reeve to dismiss the guards so that only the three of us would have knowledge of our proposal. The Reeve stood and ushered the guards out, then locked the heavy wooden gate behind them. While the Sir Tausin removed the guards, Teela and I removed the dishes and set out dessert. Over dessert Teela and I proposed our plan. Her owner looked on and listed, and the more detail we gave the more impressed he became. Once our plan was laid out the questions began, and for every question he asked, we had a solid answer for until he looked Teela straight in the eye and asked her, "Do you honestly believe this little foreign girl can protect you?"

His jaw dropped when she responded, "yes", and went on to tell him about my rescuing her from the charging beast with just a knife.

I knew it was now my turn to sell the plan as I stood at the table and begged Sir Tausin to join us at the side table I had prepared. He stood next to me looking over the items that I had assembled, and I could tell by the look on his face he had never seen anything like this. When he looked at me I started my presentation.

Sir, as you know my home is a far distance from this country, and our ways are perhaps somewhat different than what you are used to here. In my position as consort to the Emperor and his family, I am also charged with their protection. On the Emperor's order I have been trained in many weapons used for offense and defense. I was waiting for the obvious question to be asked, that being how I got these weapons into his house but for some reason that never came up. I was prepared for it though and was going to say that not knowing what they were; the guards must have left them for me with my other possessions while I was unconscious.

Sir Tausin looked at me, then to the bow and asked me to show him how these weapons worked. I moved in behind the table, picked up the bow and one arrow from the quiver and asked him to pick a target. He pointed down the path that split the garden at a tree near the back of the garden. Two branches up and to the left there is a knot on the branch. I nodded to him as I readied the bow and notched the arrow to the bowstring. Since the target was in near darkness, I switched to my feline night vision. I took a deep breath, left half of it out as I pulled back the bowstring, took aim and let the arrow fly. I picked up a second arrow, took aim and fired, then did so with a third arrow. A dull thud was heard as each arrow impacted the tree. Sir Tausin grabbed a torch and was first to walk down the garden path followed by Teela and myself.

When we stopped at the tree and sure enough, in the specified knot there were three arrows in a about a four inch grouping.

The Reeve turned to me, put his hand on my shoulder and as he looked down at me from his greater height said, "very well done. You have impressed me greatly".

Sir Tausin instructed me to demonstrate the other items on the table, and I did as requested. The other items were not as impressive as the bow, but the two shuriken and spike that I had thrown at the fence post picked by the Reeve all hit their mark. It did not take long after that for Sir Tausin to approve our plan.