Kraken purred and bumped his head against Fin’s forehead. His witch had deserved a night of fun, rest, and romance, but it was time to rise. They needed to get to the kitchen. Rodents and bugs needed to be hunted, and while the cottage was lovely for a night of rest and relaxation, work needed to be done.

The cook groaned, and rolled onto his side, oblivious to the time or world outside of his sleepy state.

Kraken let out an indignant sigh. Stepping over to the witch’s pillow he bent down and began grooming the redhead.

“Alright alright! I’m up!”

‘Good. It’s late as is, and the kitchen is probably cold. I need breakfast.’ Kraken thought to himself as he patiently waited for Fin to sit up, rub his head, and stand.

“Gods, I had the weirdest dream. I was in the woods, and Lady Jenoure was there… Not sure I recall the rest though.” He shrugged wearily.

‘YOU DON’T REMEMBER?!’

Kraken wished Eric had been present to tell the witch how much of an idiot he was. That child had the most common sense of anyone in the castle! Though he doubted the boy would call anyone an ‘idiot’- he was far too kind.

Fin yawned, and slowly made his way to the doorway, giving a lazy snap of his fingers at the dirty plates on the table from the previous night. They whizzed out of the window that had magically propped open on its own, and floated down to the nearby river in the woods with a bar of soap. They cleaned themselves off hastily, and once they’d returned, stacked themselves neatly back on one of the spare shelves in the cottage. Fin waited for the task to finish, and checked to see if there was any water around. Sadly there was nothing, and once the dishes had been put away, the cook set out for his day.

Kraken sauntered beside the redhead as they exited the cottage, and headed up the dewy lawn in the blush of dawn. The sun had not yet broken the horizon, but it felt as though it would be another warm day.

The cat was still mulling over his grave disappointment in his human’s loss of memory regarding the progress he’d made with the female.

The witch needed a mate and human kittens… It was integral to his being-more so than most of his humankind due to his magic. Kraken could sense it.

For some reason, Fin only had one female that suited him, and she was a tough one. The woman in question smelled strongly of spices, and felt like a good huntress to the feline. She had brought him to his witch, which was already a good start as it showed she had good taste in companions. She was clearly the best potential mate, but why did the witch have to be so selective?! It made things so much more difficult…

The pair entered the kitchen, and sure enough, the fireplace stood cold and empty, but worst of all… the room was a sty.

The maids that had taken over with the footmen to cover Fin’s duties, had returned the room to its former disastrous glory, making the cook give out a pained groan while briefly doubling over.

Kraken wasn’t a fan of dishware and food being floated around the room, so he decided to make himself scarce before it started. It was too early for the small human named Eric to come anyway, so the cat decided to head out and look for his gang.

Trotting out the garden door and back across the lawn, Kraken spied some rustling grass in the distance, and immediately slowed.

The hunt required stealth… agility… a sharp mind… and-

'MINE!’

Kraken shot at the unsuspecting rat, and enjoyed his surprise breakfast in no time at all.

*

At long last the castle cat entered the perimeter of the city of Austice. Kraken had only visited the nearest six buildings to his home, but had found himself a gang that let him know the happenings of the town easily enough (for a cost of course).

As the witch’s familiar rounded the first building, he saw Fat Tony lying on an overturned crate, grooming his paw lazily. The head of the gang was an aptly name ginger cat that Kraken had never seen run, or make any sudden movements yet, he was revered in their circle.

“What’s the purr Tony?”

The leader stopped his work, and glanced bored at new arrival.

“That depends. Did you bring any other bread?”

A mangy tabby cat suddenly leapt over the wooden gate that blocked off the back of the shops, and landed nimble behind Fat Tony, making Kraken’s fur stand on end and his back arch, as he backed away instinctively. Scrappy Carl always liked to make an entrance.

“My witch just woke up. I’ll be back later. I just figured I’d check while I have time.”

Scrappy Carl was a tabby with big yellow eyes, and a small scar across the bridge of his nose. He had earned the mark from taking a nip at the shopkeeper’s wife when the woman had tried to confiscate the fish he had rightfully stolen.

“No information without payment. Which is a shame… I was plannin’ on a nap later.” Fat Tony announced as he crossed his paws and trained his gaze on Kraken whom was growing larger and fluffier everyday.

“I brought a bread roll the other day, but you didn’t have anything to report.” Kraken’s tail swished as Scrappy Carl sat on the opposite side of the alley from Fat Tony.

Most cats wouldn’t ever be able to argue with the leader, but as a witch’s familiar, Kraken already got a leg up in feline society.

“Hmm… You make a good point- though you had taken a couple bites out of it first.”

“That was just from when it fell out my mouth on my way to you.” Kraken lied smoothly.

Fat Tony grumbled quietly as golden morning light filled the street behind the familiar.

“Very well. I will tell you the first part of what I’ve heard, and you’ll get the second part later when you bring me more food.”

Kraken blinked in understanding.

“I heard from Jerry, you know Jerry? Cat on one of them foreign boats? Anyway, Jerry says the purr on the docks are that the ships are leavin’ with fewer humans than when they came. Meanin’ some of ‘em are stayin’ here, but no one knows where.”

Kraken’s pupils widened. This wasn’t good.

“I also heard, one of the passengers had been a witch. That’s all I’m tellin’ you though until I get more food.”

The witch’s familiar gave a small bow to Fat Tony, but never took his eyes off of him in thanks and farewell.

Scrappy Carl had a suspicious grin on his face that Kraken didn’t like one bit.

The black fluffy cat turned and scampered out from the alley, but as he crossed by the front of the establishment, got distracted by the oh so familiar, and oh so delicious scent of…

“Sylvia.” He turned and saw her sleek gray fur gleam in the morning sun. She was a minx by nature, and Kraken knew he should stay away from her, but she just… smelt so good.

“Finished talking with my father?” She purred sweetly.

“For now, I’ll be back later. How’ve you been?”

Sylvia slinked down to him, and brushed her long skinny tail under his nose, captivating Kraken’s full attention.

“Bored. Mind if I visit you at the castle sometime?” She glanced over her slender shoulder with her big yellow eyes innocently.

“Not at all. Though are you sure Tipper won’t mind?”

“Why does Tipper matter?” Sylvia turned and rubbed her head under Kraken’s chin.

“If he’s no worry to you then… I suppose it’s fine.”

Sylvia sauntered away, and Kraken let out a breath that he hoped would help his heart rate calm down.

He had bigger fish to eat, but Sylvia was one distraction he decided he could allow himself.

Turning back towards the castle, Kraken set off, hoping that Fin had finished with the cleanup by the time he got back.

*

The kitchen was back in order when the black feline crossed the threshold, though Fin sipped his coffee looking extraordinarily exhausted, and pale.

He appeared to be preparing a simple breakfast for the castle’s resident’s of eggs and fruit. Fortunately, most of the hunting party was taking their time returning, so the work was still manageable, even while hungover.

Kraken didn’t see anything worth stealing for Fat Tony yet, so he decided to relax until the small human came.

He jumped into the middle chair, and Fin gave him a small nod of acknowledgment.

“Give me some food. I’m hungry.” Was what Kraken had said, but it came out as a ‘mew’. His alpha ‘meow’ was coming along, but still not up to par in the cat’s mind.

Fin seemed to understand all the same though, and made a kissing noise while setting some eggs on a small plate.

The sound was annoying, but Kraken knew that it meant food, and so decided not to make a big fuss about it.

The cat was halfway through his breakfast, when the door opened, and Eric walked in crying.

“My… my dad… wouldn’t… let me…see… my mom.” The boy sobbed while rubbing his eyes.

This wasn’t good.

Kraken bounded over to him and immediately began rubbing his supremely silky fur against the child.

'The silk fur rub heals all.’ Kraken mused wisely.

Eric fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around the cat, sobbing into the black fur. Fin hastily dropped everything he was doing, rounded his table, and knelt down beside the boy and feline to scoop them both into a hug.

“Your father is just scared, Eric. Your mum and sibling are sick, and he is so worried he doesn’t know what to do.” The witch soothed.

Kraken let out a small snort as his lungs were squashed in the arms of a seven year old. It couldn’t be helped. He hated getting wet, and hated being squeezed, but the youngling couldn’t be left unattended in such a slobbery state.

Even though he was a young cat not fully grown, he had to look out for the more infantile humans- especially the good ones. He could feel how important this belief was to his witch.

When he was eventually released, and the boy had begun speaking normally with the cook, Kraken scampered out of the open door leading to the castle. He had to help solve this new problem, even if it did cut into his naptime. Upset small humans were not a good thing. His presence was needed to fix this.

Several servants gasped and whispered at the sight of him, and even a noble or two appeared surprised by his presence, but he didn’t let that deter him. He darted through the shadows as nimbly as a spirit, and once he got to the fourth floor, went to the door he could see in his Fin’s mind.

His witch had gifted him some very special talents to already add to Kraken’s existing incredible skills.

The witch’s familiar could convey his general mood and sentiment to his witch (when the man was paying enough attention to him), he could always feel when Fin called or needed him, and on occasion, strange images that had no business being in the cat’s head would appear. Kraken had eventually learned that these were places that had become burned in his witch’s subconscious, and they would appear to him when the human was worried about someone or something tied to it.

The feline sat in front of the door associated with the witch’s worry, and pawed at the wood relentlessly.

It was the only way humans that weren’t his witch figured out there was an annoying barrier between himself, and his destination. People weren’t very clever, but at least they weren’t oblivious all the time.

After a quarter of an hour, a man Kraken recalled seeing with the pretty shiny spikes on his head, flung the door open angrily.

The cat made a mental note to rightfully snitch the gold trinket later. Perhaps he could get Fin to resize it for him? Then again it could make him more noticeable while stalking prey on his head, but perhaps he needed a new challenge anyway…

Kraken darted into the room through the King’s legs as he thought about the logistics of rightfully taking the spike hat- as the current owner quickly realized the visitor to his chamber was shorter than his knees.

“What the- No! No no no no!” The King swung around to watch the swift mass of black fur leap up onto the bed where the Queen remained propped up on pillows, her nearly gray complexion appearing waxy in the daylight as her hands rested on her belly. She still hadn’t fully recovered from her harrowing evening the previous night.

“Oh! Well… hello!” The Queen stared down into Kraken’s brilliant green eyes, and lifted her hand to allow him to sniff it.

“I will remove him, pardon me dear.” The King lunged for the cat, but the feline had been prepared for that, he leapt over the Queen’s body outside of the King’s reach, and began rubbing his cheek against the woman, making her chuckle.

“You must be Kraken. I have heard all about you from Eric and Royal Cook Finlay Ashowan.”

‘Of course. I’m the best part of this castle.’ Kraken purred as the Queen reached over and scratched under his chin, her smile softening her tired features.

The King stood frozen watching his wife visibly relax as she petted the animal.

“That cat must be Finlay’s familiar.” Norman reasoned aloud. The wariness in his tone made the Queen raise her brightening brown eyes.

“I like the cook Norman, why are you so mistrusting of him?” She continued petting Kraken whom nestled down next to her bump, though he was a little skeptical of it- the mound would occasionally shift of its own accord. The kittens in her had to be strong.

“I do… to an extent. Ainsley, he claims he isn’t powerful, but that is contrary to what I’ve seen from him. However, if he is in fact accurate in his belief, that would mean that there are greater forces in this land that could become a far larger threat than we’ve ever known.” He explained while sitting on the bed beside his wife.

“I understand but, witches have been around for thousands of years, and there has never been such an uprising. There have been the odd cases that have cropped up, but for the most part they have never been a problem.”

The King’s eyebrows lifted.

He hadn’t thought of it that way.

It was true, in all of history; the cases of violent outbursts from witches were incredibly rare. Perhaps Fin had been right about there being more weak witches, but if he had been right about that…

‘He was wrong about his own power.’ The ruler surmised to himself.

Kraken watched the monarch try to reason out his feelings towards the Royal Cook peacefully at the Queen’s side. He knew humans were sometimes even crueler than cats, and so it could take a long time for them to warm up to one another.

Meanwhile, Ainsley’s troubles were gradually fading away thanks to Kraken’s purrs and warmth at her side. She didn’t understand why entirely (seeing as her problems still existed), but having the calm, unperturbed animal definitely helped.

“Is that cat drooling?” The King’s astonished voice broke the temporary silence.

The Queen looked down, and burst out laughing at the growing puddle on their sheets.

Norman responded by rubbing his face tiredly. There was no end to the insanity anymore.

“Let’s talk about something other than the cook. How are the preparations for the festival?” Ainsley asked good-naturedly.

The King leaned his elbows on his knees and gazed out the window tiredly.

“Nearly completed. This is our seventh year doing it, so we know the process a lot better than when we first started. I forget how busy the summers are with the celebrations, festivals, Eric’s birthday… then throw in a war…”

The Queen nodded thoughtfully.

‘’Focus on my cheeks! Why is this conversation more important?!’ Kraken wondered indignantly as the woman’s scratches and strokes grew slower.

“I’m glad you decided to still do it this year. I know we already have a lot going on, but I think the staff and cities need a bit of a morale boost.”

“I know, I just wish Hank was here helping. It was his idea after all to host an annual ‘Royal Employee Appreciation’ event.” The King briefly closed his eyes at the memory of his old friend, and let out a soft sad sigh.

Kraken felt as though he had lost the thread of the conversation, and so decided that he best not waste time trying to find it again…

As much as fun as chasing loose threads were.

Speaking of, perhaps he could find some threads to pursue after lunch?

What time was it?

'I have too much to do these days… these silly humans and their issues… why bother with so much nonsense when you can nap, eat, and hunt?'

Kraken jumped over to the night table that held a porcelain basin filled with cool water. He drank from it, making the Queen laugh quietly, and the King to glare.

When he had had his fill, he jumped down, and headed to the door. He needed to find his witch’s future mate, and have her slap some sense into him so that they could make kittens, and let him get have more catnaps.

Kraken sat in front of the closed chamber door, looked back over his shoulder at the King, and mewed.

“I think he wants to go back outside Norman.” The Queen observed with a twinkle in her eye.

“Well he can just deal with it. He spent ages pawing at that door to get in. He can live with his decision, he’s just a cat.”

Kraken glared, making the King take a step back.

The monarch had a brief insane notion that the cat understood him, but shook his head dismissing the crazy thought.

Humans had no respect for the supreme schedule of cats.

‘Well, I guess we have to do this the hard way. I’ll remember this, pointy hat man.’ Kraken thought coolly.

He began pawing the door avidly making the Queen snort again.

“Dear he could need to relieve his bladder.”

The King moved purposefully towards the second largest nuisance in his life that belonged to the first largest nuisance in his life. He opened the door abruptly, and after the fluffy black haunches scampered away triumphantly, the ruler turned back to his wife. The rigidness in his chest softened at the sight that met him; his wife was smiling and looking more like herself than she had in days.

‘Why is everything to do with that witch both helpful and annoying?’

*

Kraken did his best to find Lady Jenoure that day, but for some strange reason, she was nowhere to be found.

As dinner dishes were delivered to the banquet hall, he returned to the kitchen wearily. He still needed to steal food for Fat Tony, or he wouldn’t be able to find out more about the ships…

Upon entering the room, he gazed up at his witch who didn’t look much better than he had that morning.

“I will never again take my mother’s healing abilities for granted.” Fin mumbled to himself as he drank deeply from a goblet of water.

Kraken eyed the pile of fat near the edge of the table that had been carved off the sirloin being served for dinner that evening.

That was purfect. Fat Tony would love it.

The feline was beginning to sidle up to the table to retrieve his food, when Fin in his less than ideal state, idly itched the back of his neck, and felt a small scab beneath his fingers.

“What the- When could I have get cut on the back of my-” The alarm in his voice, and his abrupt halt in his outer monologue made Kraken freeze, his paw less than an inch from his prize.

Looking up, the witch’s familiar saw a pale look of realization dawn on the human.

“Oh no… Oh Gods… oh no!” Fin’s hand dropped to his side for a split second before he began rubbing his eyes furiously.

Kraken saw his chance, and immediately took the largest piece of fat, though promptly dropped it again when Fin exploded in a shout while doubling over grasping his still aching head.

“SON OF A MAGE!”

Kraken grabbed the fat off the ground once he had recovered his wits, and darted out of the kitchen through the open garden door. He was willing to wager one of his nine lives that the witch had finally regained some of his memory from the night before.

More curses erupted from the kitchen into the otherwise quiet evening, as the cat continued dashing across the castle lawn.

Perhaps he would get a better nights rest staying over at Sylvia’s…