Cerulean Apprentices

Biz sat upon the rock, licking her paws and preening herself beneath the warm, fabricated blue light of the cavern known as Trayvan’s Playground. Two of her three eyes were closed, and Biz trained the other upon her twin brother Vis. Vis was a katryx like her, a perfect amalgam of leopard, deer, and magic. As she relaxed, her ears twitched toward the sound of movement; Vis rose, stretched, and began pacing. As he did so, his split tail twitched from side to side, and his ears laid back; he was annoyed.

“We have a fortnight to choose a champion from all the humans, someone clever enough, curious enough, and crazy enough to become our master’s new apprentice.” He fumed, “we custom-built him a race of his own last time; why does he think humans would be any better?”

“I don’t know, Vis,” Biz shook her head, licking her paw and using it to brush her whiskers, “Maybe, because they are not so innately magic? Maybe they will be less jealous of power.”

“It’s not for us to decide, Vis; Trayvan gave us orders, and we are to follow them. However, we have remained here this far because of our inclination toward procrastination.”

“You’re right, but I do not like it.”

“Your disdain is noted,” Biz chuckled, “Now, we cannot walk around the mortal world as our beautiful selves, can we?”

“I suppose not; if you transform me, I will transform you.”

Both katryx nodded. Standing, the katryx called upon the magic gifted to them at their creation. Their third eye opens wide, and sparks of cerulean light bathe both of them, shrinking them to the size of average house cats. Using their combined power to open a portal to the mortal realm, Biz was a beautiful blue-gray, and Vis was black and white.

“See you back here with a mortal,” she muttered telepathically, “let me know if you get into any trouble.”

The siblings parted ways, Biz heading toward the market district, sure she would know the correct champion as soon as she saw them, while Vis meandered through the homes scattered around Krayton, less confident. Biz watched with keen eyes the markets as people came and went.

Something was happening in the city, but Vis neither knew nor cared past the point of his own safety. Instead, his third eye, invisible to those unattuned to magic, swept the streets looking for anyone who might meet his master’s requirements. Then, his gaze locked onto an iron cell. Inside sat a young man with deep blue eyes and feathery gray hair. Curiosity got the better of him, and he moved toward the boy.

No one paid attention to Vis as he slipped through the cage bars, “don’t worry, I’m not going to bite you. I’m a nice kitty.” Vis’ voice flowed into the child’s mind like a ship’s wake.

The boy’s eyes grew wide, “Did I just hear you talk?” The boy asked, all fear wiped from his face. He crouched as much as the cage would allow a closer look at the cat.

Vis allowed the boy to see his third eye, which did not frighten him. Instead, he leaned in closer, “What is your name?” Vis inquired.

“Zariel, you?” The boy responded.

“Zariel, my name is Vis. Would you like to get out of this cell?”

“What kind of question is that?” Zariel scoffed, “Of course, I want out of this cell, but I don’t see how a peculiar cat could help.

“Leave that to me; I am anything but a peculiar cat.” Vis winked his third eye at the boy, “Whatever you do, don’t make a sound.”

Zariel obeyed as the portal opened beneath him to the katryx lair. He felt his stomach drop from one cell to another. The cavern did not have an exit he could discern. Vis had closed the portal behind him and slipped back through the bars, pleased that he knew the one master would want. All he had to do was find Biz.

Biz sat upon the windowsill of the local bakery, it had taken some effort to get up onto the second story, but she managed with the help of a tree. A young woman had stormed into the bakery; the action practically demanded her attention. As she watched, the young woman paced her bedroom enough to wear a hole in the floor. Biz watched, amused for a short time, then she leaped into the girl’s window.

Startled by the sudden noise, the girl backed up until she saw it was a cat. Then, she knelt on the floor and gave Biz some scratches under her chin, “Where did you come from?”

“I am Biz, envoy of Trayvan.” She introduced herself, sliding the words into the girl’s unguarded mind, “What is your name?”

“I’m Rosie,” The girl replied, “You can talk?”

“Yes, my brother and I have a proposition for you if you come with me to hear us out.”

“Anything to leave here.” It was all the answer Biz needed; she opened a portal with her nose, dropping the girl into the katryx lair.

Quickly updating each other, they opened the portal to Trayvan’s playground, pleased with themselves. Their master would have his choice of an apprentice when he awakened. As they crossed the barrier, they assumed their primary forms, and both children stared in awe. Rosie and Zariel showed no sign of fear; instead, they were both curious.

“What are you called? I’ve never seen anything like you before in my life.” Zariel whispered, looking to Rosie as she agreed.

“We are katryx, servants of the old god Trayvan; he wants a competent human apprentice. We will decide which of you is worthy.” Biz purrs.

“What kind of tests? What happens if we fail?”

“Don’t worry,” Vis reassured them, “If you fail, you will go home,”

“Without a memory of this place,” Biz added.

The two apprentices nodded, “Now, we begin.”

All six of their cerulean eyes glow.