Chapter 31: Kylado

After the tearful reunion, Zentarou introduced his mage friends to his family; his father, Zentor, his uncle, Rycharde, and as they could probably guess his twin brother, Zantar. None of the three mages were quite sure how to handle this situation, or the sudden revelation, but Zentor acted first, approaching them and extending a friendly hand.

"Thank you for your assistance. It was fortunate for us you and your dragon arrived when you did. I'd not like to think what would have happened to my people or my city if you were a little later. We are in your debt." They returned the handshake, something in the cat king's tone and attitude telling them that he was a sovereign that didn't stand on formalities.

"Honestly, it was sheer dumb luck we arrived when we did," replied Dregan with a smile. "But that's for another time."

"I agree," said Rycharde, a much larger, broader figure than the other three cats. "Such as after we get back to the castle and I can get out of this armor. It's comfortable - as comfortable as armor can get, anyhow - but it's no match for elvenweave." Zentarou chuckled.

"One thing first," he asked of his family as he pulled out his cursed gate cube. Once all four were out, he pressed the next blank side. It changed as Orko's had, to a rich purple streaked with bits of grey.

"If our theory hold," Vivi commented, "then we've got twelve hours." At this, Zentarou's family looked alarmed.

"Brother," asked Zantar, "you aren't going to be taken from us again, are you?" Zentarou gave them a gentle smile.

"Yes, but I'll explain things, everything, that's happened." Zentor put an arm around his son's shoulders.

"Well, you're home now, that's what matters. Lets go." Zentarou dismissed Natar, and as they headed in the northern gate Dregan and Vivi exchanged glances.

Makes me miss my family, Dregan commented privately to the only other father of the group.

Me too, replied Vivi. Dregan patted his shoulder.

We'll find your home next, don't worry.

I know we will, and your home too. Just then, they passed into Kylado.

Directly in front of them was a lovely park, complete with a small wooded area. To the left was a coliseum that looked large enough to hold almost all of the populace, made of tan stone that appeared to be the common building material of the city. There was something odd about it, as well as with the outer walls, but Zentarou didn't comment about it when asked, just smiled. They cut diagonally through a portion of the park, to pass between the white building on the left and a cemetery on the right, one heavily adorned with spring flowers and not at all somber.

As they stepped onto the cobbled street that, to the right, swerved to the castle, Zentarou paused.

"There's someone I should see first," he said, heading to the white building.

The instant the newcomers entered the building, they knew it was a temple. It wasn't so much the carved arches, nor the tapestries and paintings, not the benches for worshipers. It wasn't really even the alter, decorated with an altarpiece of seven colored rings, one inside the other like a target with a ruby sphere center. Rather, it was the feel of the place, and the aura of the person who stood slowly when they entered, aided by a large male panther with her. He was dressed in clerical robes of white edged in gold, quite a contrast to his ebony fur, and physically looked more like a fighter than the priest he was. The lady was an elderly female panther, dressed in robes that were made elegant by their simplicity, the fabric white, gold, pale blue, and pale green that marked her as someone of prestige. A feeling of holiness radiated from her, and her eyes were kind and gentle as Zentarou approached, the others staying a few pews back. He knelt to her, taking her hand and kissing it gallantly.

"Zentarou," she spoke in a gentle voice, full of warmth and affection as if Zentarou was one of her own children, as she stroked his head. "I prayed night and day for your safe return to us." Zentarou stood and gave her a hug, which she returned.

"Those prayers surely guided me home, Priestess Lynea," he replied. She nodded - then abruptly reached up and gave his right ear a twist. "Ow!" Zentarou backed up a step when she released him, rubbing his ear.

"Don't ever scare us like that again, do you hear me?" she scolded, shaking her finger at him. Zentarou looked to his family for support, but found none as they were quietly trying to suppress laughter. Even Dregan, Vivi, and Orko, assured that there was no offense or insult involved by the Cat family's reaction, were chuckling softly. At last, Zentarou smiled too.

"Okay, I deserved that." He gave her another hug. "Though I maintain my innocence as to the actual misdeed." She chuckled.

"I know you weren't responsible. You're too kind, and too smart, to do something like that. Though you did scare everyone something awful."

"I know, and I'll never do anything like that again on purpose ever again, I promise." She gave him a motherly kiss on the cheek, then gave him a gentle shove.

"You should go to the castle. I sense you are not through with your journeys, and you need to rest as much as possible." The fact that she knew this startled the three non-native Bretheren, but Zentarou just nodded.

"The Lioness' Grace continue to shine upon you, Priestess Lynea."

"And may she keep you, Zentarou." They left the temple, and followed the four cats to the palace.

It was a lovely structure, a walled castle that actually rested on three small steps over which flowed water, like a fountain. Stair led over the water up to the main entrance, and up these they walked.

"Amazing," Vivi said, looking at the water. "It's like the castle floats on the water." Zentor chuckled.

"Exactly the illusion our ancestors desired. The water flows up from a lake under the castle through elven steel pipes. Then it's pumped out over the steps. The bottom step is slightly sloped towards the front, towards these steps, where a grate returns the water to the lake below, cleaning it in the process. Plus," He grinned. "as an added bonus the water keeps the castle itself comfortable." He affectionately patted the stone of the gate as they passed through, past two guards who smiled at them.

Zentarou, now that they were able to see into the courtyard and see the keep itself, turned to his mage brothers and smiled.

"Dregan, Vivi, Orko, welcome to Castle Vimmorrelle."