'We are, but it'll take at least that long for Cimorene and Telemain to convince Mendanbar that he can't go. Run along, now. I've got to pack.' With that, Morwen pushed open the front door and went inside.
Slightly less than half an hour later, Morwen walked out the back door into the garden. The sleeves of the bleach-speckled robe had been emptied and disenchanted, and the robe itself dumped into the rag basket. She had transferred the sleeve spell to her new robe (identical to the old one, except for the bleach speckles) and packed both sleeves with magic supplies and a variety of everyday items that might come in handy, including several lemons, a small collapsible bucket, and a bottle of liquid soap. Spells or no spells, Morwen did not intend to take unnecessary chances. Since she did not know how long they would be gone, she added an extra robe, a blanket, and several chicken-salad sandwiches. She considered putting in a few bottles of cider as well, but there were limits to what the spell would hold, and her sleeves were growing heavy, a sure sign that the limits were close.
The cats had already collected in the garden, lolling in patches of sun, perching in the branches of the largest apple tree, or stalking along the garden rows, as if they had all intended to be there for reasons of their own.
Smiling slightly, Morwen sat down on the back step next to Miss Eliza.
In a few minutes, the other cats drifted over to join them.
'I'm glad you're all here,' Morwen told them. 'There's been some trouble, and there'll probably be more.'
'Scorn and Jasper told us,' Murgatroyd said. 'Wizards.'
'Revolting creatures,' Miss Eliza said.
'I'll kill one for you, if you want,' Trouble offered.
'I don't think that will be necessary,' Morwen said. 'Telemain and I hope to retrieve the King's sword and put a stop to this nonsense once and for all. Trouble and Scorn will come with me. The rest of you will stay here and guard the house and garden.'
'How long will you be gone?' Aunt Ophelia asked.
'I'm not sure. At least a week, I expect, unless we're very lucky.'
'You should take us all,' Chaos said, crouching and lashing his tail fiercely. 'You might need us. Wizards are tough.'
'Hah,' said Trouble. 'Wizards aren't tough. You just have to know the right place to dig in your claws. Ogres, now, ogres are-' 'We are well aware of your talents, Trouble,' said Miss Eliza. 'This is not the time to brag.'
'I would prefer that you stay here,' Morwen said to Chaos. 'It's possible that Telemain will be bouncing us around with his transport spells, and he's not used to dealing with a crowd. I'd worry about someone getting left behind.'
'I'm staying,' Jasmine announced with an enormous yawn.
'Telemain's spells give me motion sickness.'
'Moving gives you motion sickness,' Trouble muttered. 'But the rest of us–'
'Several of you should stay here in case the wizards show up while I'm gone,' Morwen pointed out.
'I'll be ready for them.' Fiddlesticks jumped onto the window ledge, where he balanced precariously, trying to look fierce and watchful without stepping on Jasmine. 'I won't let them in, even if they offer me some fish!'
'You are an example to us all,' Miss Eliza said. It was impossible to tell from her tone whether or not she meant it to be sarcastic.
'He'll do better than Jasmine would,' Murgatroyd said. 'She didn't hear a thing when the mirror went off a bit ago.'
Morwen frowned. 'Someone called while I was out? Why didn't you mention it?'
'It was that fellow you don't like,' Trouble said. 'The one with the long name that you won't turn into a toad.'
'Arona Michaelear Grinogion Vamist?' Morwen said incredulously.
'That's him. He was annoyed when he didn't see anyone but us.'
Trouble's tail whipped sideways, up, and then down onto the ground with a thump that showed what he thought of such lack of taste.
''Us'? How many of you were in my study when he called?'
Several of the cats shifted uncomfortably and looked away.
'Oh, never mind,' Morwen said. 'Vamist will have to wait; I haven't time for him now. The fate of the Enchanted Forest is much more important than his idiotic notions.'
'She sounds cranky,' Fiddlesticks said to Jasmine. 'Do you think she'll turn him into a toad after all?'
Before anyone could answer, there was a loud thwump from the other side of the house. Fiddlesticks fell off the window ledge, and all of the rest of the cats except Jasmine jumped. The moment he landed, Trouble leapt for the back door with an angry growl, Chaos and Murgatroyd close behind.
'Wait for me!' Fiddlesticks yelled, scrambling to his feet. 'Wait-' 'Morwen!'The shout came from the front yard as Morwen rose unhurriedly to her feet.
'That sounds like Kazul,' Scorn said.
I suspect it is,' Morwen said. 'Come along, Scorn. It's time to leave.'
9
In Which the Expedition Leaves the Enchanted Forest at Last
The rest of the cats, even Jasmine, followed Morwen and Scorn through the house and out onto the front porch. Kazul was standing in the center of the yard, along with Telemain and Killer. The donkey was still floating a good six inches above the ground, and he looked extremely uncomfortable.
Standing beside him was Mendanbar, who was frowning ferociously, and Cimorene, who seemed to be trying to suppress a satisfied smile. With some dismay, Morwen noted that Cimorene now had a small pack slung over one shoulder and a slim sword belted to her waist.
The cats flowed across the yard and converged on Kazul. Making little noises of satisfaction, all nine of the cats scrambled up the dragon's sides.
Their claws rasped against Kazul's scales, making Cimorene wince, but neither they nor the dragon seemed to notice.
Morwen looked at Telemain while the cats draped themselves contentedly all over Kazul. 'I thought you were going to explain to him why he couldn't come along,' she said, nodding sideways at Mendanbar.
'I did,' Telemain said grumpily.
'Then what is he doing here?'
'Making trouble?' Scorn suggested from a comfortable perch on Kazul's left shoulder.
'He'd better not be,' Trouble said. 'That's my job.' He stretched himself full length along the lower part of Kazul's neck, beside her spinal ridges, his tail and one front paw dangling lazily.
'I'm taking you to the edge of the Enchanted Forest,' Mendanbar said.
'I can do that much, at least, even if I can't come with you. My magic will get you there faster than anything else, and you'll be safe from most of the things that live in the forest if you're with me.'
'I see.' That explained Telemain's bad mood: he hated having to admit that anyone's magic was better than his, even the King's. Morwen looked at Cimorene. 'What about you?'
'I'm coming with you,' Cimorene said. Mendanbar scowled fiercely as if he wanted to object, but before he could, Cimorene hurried on, 'I have to.
Otherwise you'll have as much difficulty with the sword as I hope those blasted wizards are having right now.'
Kazul snorted angrily, sending out a large ball of smoke, which made everyone in front of her cough. 'If they aren't having trouble now, they will soon.'
Morwen gave Kazul a stern look over the tops of her glasses. 'We are going on this expedition to recover Mendanbar's sword, Kazul. We aren't trying to destroy the entire Society of Wizards.'
