Page 42 of Journey to the Elderoak
A large exotic feline chirped at the sight of Casimir and prowled up to them. Dark gray fur contrasted the black spots that shimmered when the sun hit its hide at the perfect angle. Its bright pink eyes evaluated Ava as she held out her hand, allowing the cat to sniff her, and a loud purr sounded in its throat as it relaxed and let her scratch behind its ears.
“This is Bale,” Casimir said.
“I love him,” she said as Bale plopped onto the ground and rolled around, begging for belly scratches. Ava obliged as she knelt. “So the big brute general volunteers at an animal rehab, huh?”
Casimir sat down across from her as another large cat plopped down beside him. “This is Willow.” He rubbed her face. “Why is that surprising? We all care for animals here.”
“Well, yes, but do the others come here to help on a regular basis?”
Casimir shrugged. “No, but they’re busy. Thorne does finance this place though.”
“You’re the general. I’m pretty sure you’re just as busy, if not busier.”
“I make time.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s something I love,” he explained. “Ever since I was a young boy, I’ve always found hurt animals and nursed them back to health.”
Ava studied him, unable to look away at the kindness which always surprised her whenever he showed it. She didn’t know why it was surprising; he was never cruel or mean, just calm and quiet most of the time. But underneath the gruff exterior, he was generous. Like the time he let her sleep in his tent even though he had just met her, or the fact that he noticed she struggled to eat when she was stressed. And the way he took care of her after she was attacked in Saxumdale.
“I used to do that too,” she said quietly. “With my mother.”
They sat in silence for a while, petting the two cats who were on cloud nine from the attention.
“So, the general loves tea houses and helping injured animals…What other things does the general like?” she asked.
“I like to read. You were actually reading my favorite book this morning.”
“Seriously? That was a romance novel.”
“Brutes can’t like romance novels?”
Ava laughed. “You’re a hopeless romantic, huh?”
He gave her his usual half smile. “Perhaps.”
They remained quiet for a moment, unable to break eye contact when Bale got a burst of energy and pawed at Ava. He rose and head butted her so hard, she fell back onto the grass. The massive cat licked her face with enthusiasm, seemingly ready to play.
“Oh!” Ava exclaimed as she tried to push him out of her face.
Casimir let out a laugh as he reached over and pulled Baleoff. He stood and grasped Ava’s hand to help her up. “He gets like that sometimes,” he said, still laughing. “He likes you.”
She laughed along with him as she wiped the drool from her face. “Then he’s a good judge of character, I guess.”
“Indeed,” Casimir replied as he watched her. He cleared his throat and looked away. “Let’s keep going. There are dozens more animals.”
As they exited the enclosure and walked along the dirt path, Ava asked, “So why are the animals here and what happens to them? Do they get released?”
“Various reasons. Bale and Willow were orphaned and unable to live on their own. They’ll have to stay here. Others have an injury or illness and once they can fend for themselves, they’re released.”
She couldn’t stop smiling as they walked into the next cage. She was in heaven with all these animals, something she didn’t realize she needed until today. A day to be Ava. Not the princess or the savior of Eorhan, training to defeat their enemies, but herself. The animal obsessed wildlife nerd she was back in the human world.
They stepped into the tree covered space and a strange creature flew toward them, landing at her feet.
“What kind of animal is this?” she asked.
It was the size of a large dog and covered in blue feathers. It had a black curved beak, a long feathered tail twitching like a cat, and four legs ending in taloned feet. Its bright blue eyes regarded her as it tilted its head and tucked in its wings.
