The Worlds of Katherine Kurtz

FanFiction => Alkari's FanFic => Topic started by: Alkari on June 12, 2010, 04:37:56 AM

Title: Saint Camber's Tiger Chapter 1
Post by: Alkari on June 12, 2010, 04:37:56 AM
Author's Note:  Oh, and Briony manifests healing like Evaine and Rhys' daughter.   That was one of BalanceTheEnergies' wishes on the "Stories we'd like to see" thread.  The comment inspired me, though I am not sure this is exactly what was wanted  :D

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Saint Camber's Tiger


"So - we're supposed to carry a kitten all the way from Rhemuth to Coroth?"  Alaric waited until Richenda dismissed her maid, then kicked the door to their bedchamber shut and regarded his wife with amused resignation.

Richenda smiled and started loosening her hair.  "Yes dear.  We'll find a proper basket.  It won't be any trouble on Rhafallia."

"Coroth has plenty of cats and kittens.  In fact, I sometimes suspect the castle has more cats than rats."

"Then one more will make no difference."

Alaric snorted.  He and Richenda had taken Brendan for a short visit to Marley in the weeks following Kelson's wedding.  The journey normally took at least four days, and would have been longer if they'd travelled with the younger children.  So they'd gratefully accepted Meraude's offer and left Briony and Kelric in her care, assisted by a nurse and two maids.  With Sivorn and her children also staying in Rhemuth for a while, there were plenty of playmates.  

They had returned to discover that Meraude had given away four kittens (the most recent litter from a favourite cat) to Eirian, Amelia, Siany and Briony.   Alaric had duly admired the small ginger-striped creature with white paws that his daughter proudly presented to him.  Tiger was definitely a handsome little thing, the nicest of them all according to Briony, but carrying it back to Coroth ...

"I don't know why I agree to these things."  

"Perhaps because it's your daughter's kitten?"  

"Hmph.  Clearly I am becoming much too indulgent."   He unbuckled his sword belt and removed his wrist dagger, placing them on a nearby chest.  "I suspect I am being managed by two beautiful women."  

"Of course.  Only you are not supposed to realise it."

"And next year we're having another one!"  Alaric rolled his eyes in mock horror, then crossed to put his arms round Richenda.  

"Yes."  She leant up to kiss him.  "And when she's old enough, I'm sure she'll want a kitten too."

A very long time later, Alaric gave a contented sigh and snuggled closer to his wife.  Travelling with a family now meant at least a day of preparations, and lots of packing and unpacking.  Not to mention the fuss if a favourite toy was mislaid.   "Darling - that basket ..."

"Mmmm?"

"Make sure it has a secure latch," he murmured into her hair.  "I don't think our little Tiger can swim."

________


Chapter 2 here
- http://www.rhemuthcastle.com/index.php?topic=576.msg1630#msg1630
Title: Re: Saint Camber's Tiger
Post by: Evie on June 12, 2010, 10:59:04 PM
At least kittens are pretty portable.  More so than hound puppies in a basket strapped to a saddle.  (Yes, guess what part of CM I just gone done reading....   :D )

What makes this story even funnier was that, when I first read it, I was checking this forum via my cell phone, and my own "ginger-striped creature with white paws" was trying to get my attention by purring loudly, bumping his head against my hand, gnawing on the corners of the phone, licking my fingers with his raspy tongue, etc.  All I could think was "Run, Alaric, RUN!!!  THIS is what those pesky critters grow up into!!!"   ;D