Young Writers Society

And just like that, Ky was distracted. This garden was so fascinating and it felt like every time she came into it, she saw something new. She examined the intricate details of the horse — everything immaculate, down to the horse shoes carved in place.

She forced herself not to linger, though, and kept searching for Marcella.

There were many, many places a little girl could be hiding, though most would have required lighter clothing to do so. She couldn't be seen in this area.

Ky hesitated, looking around. She was pretty sure she’d be able to see Marcella if she was here — but there were so, so many hiding places. She was a little nervous that maybe Mattathias had been correct and she wouldn’t be able to spot her. But she’d keep looking. She continued down the path.

(Ky: *sweating nervously as she plays a preschooler's game*)

There were more amazing sculptures here, one of which was of a mountain cat. It was larger than the life--bigger than the horse. Its head was about the side of Ky's torso. The spiked mace tail was poised to strike.

(Hahaha ky: the preschoolers are going to make me look dumb cause I’m dumb)

That made Ky stop to gawk. Were mountain cats really this big? That was even more horrifying than she’d thought. She stared into its eyes, trying to envision being monstrous enough to want to turn one loose on someone. But she couldn’t. She’d never turn one loose on someone. Not even on Aleth.

"Quite something, isn't it?" said a voice behind her. It was Wick, hands clasped behind his back as he gazed up at the sculpture. "There was one prowling about our village a few years back; took some of our sheep."

Ky started; whirling around on him. She used to be so edgy no one could sneak up on her. Was this a sign she was finally starting to settle? She wasn’t sure. But it was enough to startle her this time. “That’s horrifying.”

(Ky: but why are they real, tho?)

Wick sighed. "It really was. My poor lambs were screaming for weeks until the Reeve had some hunters bring it in. It wasn't nearly as big as that monstrosity there; I'm not sure they come that big anymore. That'd be a sight to see, eh?"

Ky shook her head vigorously. “That is very much a sight I don’t wish to see.”

"But imagine having one as a pet!" Wick bounced his arms behind him, and there was a giggle from beneath his cloak. "Its fur looked very soft; I'd like to see if anyone can tame a mountain cat. It'd have to be taken from its mother very young, of course."

Ky looked down at the sound of the giggle, smiling slightly, then decided Wick was far more exciting than hide and seek. She looked back at his face. “I hear it’s possible to capture them alive, if you try.”

"I can think of only two people in the Realm who might have done that. Who told you about this?" Wick's arms were visibly trembling with the weight of his hidden cargo. A pair of little hands shifted on his shoulders.

“Lord Ash,” Ky answered. “Who can you think of?”

Was it Tarr? Or Brogan? Or some other horrible person she hadn’t heard of yet?

"Lord Tarr, naturally. He's killed one before, I think. Why not tame it?" Wick gave her a wary look. "Michael tamed one, did he?"

“Um, I don’t think he wanted it tame, no,” Ky said carefully. She shouldn’t have brought this up.