The sidewalks were wider there. No, wait. They weren't wider, just less crowded. As in, no street vendors or cafe tables set out on the walks. The path was left clear for people who needed more elbow room than others.
That meant no nibbles for us, but the stores there sold fascinating items that made up for the lack of snacks. I made Kaspian stop often so I could inspect wing jewels, clothing that wrapped around wings, and flying accouterments including strap-on glasses and boots with hooks on the heels. Kaspian explained every item to me.
At last, we came to the carriage.
Hapsedes sat on the driver's ledge eating something from a paper cone. He crumpled the cone when he saw us and jumped down. “Your Majesty, are you ready to return to the castle? I see that you still have your furry companion.”
“Yes, we'll see if he decides to continue his adventure.” Kaspian took me toward the carriage.
Sir Vadron opened the door for us. I got in first. Before Kaspian could follow, the cat jumped in. I chuckled as he got up on the bench, then climbed onto my lap. He peered out of the window beside me, then curled up, and went to sleep. I gave Kas a smug look when he got in.
“We haven't started moving yet,” Kas pointed out. “You may want to prepare yourself for getting scratched.”
The door shut, and we started rolling. The cat didn't even flinch. He slept on as we drove through the White Feather District and up to the castle gate. Frankly, we could have walked. The castle gate was in the Okon neighborhood. It took less than ten minutes to get there.
“He's a bold one,” Kaspian said as we rode through the gate. “I think he needs a bold name.”
“I hadn't thought to name him.”
“You can't keep calling him 'cat.'”
“What's a bold name here?”
“Besides my own?” Kas smirked.
“Ha-ha.” I looked down at the cat. “How about Hercules?”
“Hercules?” Kas cocked his head. “I like that.”
“He was a hero from Greek mythology—the son of a god.”
“More of your stories. Did this hero fight dragons?”
“No, but he did kill a snake woman called Medusa.” I grimaced. “I never liked that story. Medusa was just minding her own business when Hercules came along and cut off her head. She couldn't help that she had snakes for hair or that those snakes could turn people into stone. In fact, she was a normal human until a god—I think it was Poseidon—raped her on the steps of a goddess's temple. She cried out to the goddess for help, and the goddess got mad at her—Medusa, not Poseidon—for defiling her temple and cursed Medusa, turning her into a monster. Not that monsters who are born have a choice in what they are, but still. Medusa was the victim.”
We stopped before the castle steps.
“Hey, buddy.” I stroked the cat. “You must be tired, huh? You want me to carry you?”
The cat jumped onto the carriage floor and stretched his forepaws out, lifting his butt. I could almost hear him yawn. When the carriage door opened, he jumped out first.
“A moment,” Kas said to the knight who opened the carriage door. He looked back at me. “One of your godsrapeda woman, and a goddess punishedthe womanfor it?”
“Yeah. Bunk, right?”
“Bunk indeed. Medusa was transformed into a snake creature that could turn people into stone?”
“Yup. Then Hercules was told by his daddy that Medusa was protecting some magic armor. So he went to steal the armor and killed her.”
“That poor woman. She was tormented until the very end. How unfair.”
“Yup.”
“And you want to name the cat after her murderer?”
“Well, now that you put it like that.” I grimaced. “I guess we need another option.”
“Maybe you should stick with 'Cat' for now.”
