Chapter 1

PIASPM Chapter 1

Deep inside the Espin Forest, a cool wind traveled and circled around a peculiar shaped building that resembled a humble inn.

The impenetrable forest surrounding the inn started to react violently at the passing wind, and the fervent rustling of dry leaves against each other produced loud noises that broke the delicate peace of the area.

However, it was not only the cold wind which was busy running around the inn, from a distance, a black cat could also be easily spotted, it was rubbing its cheek against a window which was located at the third floor of the inn.

The cat’s eyes seemed to be caught by something, as it was looking at the leaf stained grounds beneath it. Suddenly, it leapt out of the window and started traveling down.

Millen, who was reading at the table perched beside the window, swept her hair up as a few strands went loose due to the incessant prodding of the outside wind. She then raised her eyes to stare across the horizon, it was still early in the afternoon but it seemed as though the breeze had carried a couple of dark clouds with it.

Millen gave a brief glance at the place where the black cat had disappeared from before returning her attention back to her task.

The old book she had in her hands was filled with cryptographic letters and pictures. Before she could fully immerse herself in the written words, soft cat voices from her window started to grow louder by the second.

‘Meow, meow…Meow, meow…’

Millen suspected that the cries came from three or four cats, and judging by the sounds, the cats were at quite a distance, still she wondered, what was the reason behind the mild ruckus outside?

Millen stood up from her seat and approached the window.

While sticking her head out, she casted her eyes downward to the direction where the sounds were coming from. She squinted her eyes and spotted a pair of black cats as well as white cats who were engaged in what seemed to be a head to head fight.

Seeing this, Millen called the name of the cat she recognized, it was the same black cat that she had been with just a few moments ago.

“Alex!”

Millen’s scream caused all the cats to stir and look up. It seemed that her call managed to capture the cats’ attention as the three male cats were now looking at her with gentle faces, except one of the black cats, Alex was the only one who was not focused on her.

“What’s going on there?” Millen asked.

This time, Alex seemed to have heard her voice, and it started to climb up.

Alex pounced on the window railings of each floor, until it got closer to where Millen was waiting. Finally, Alex arrived at the third floor’s railing, it was only two sponges wide, so Millen looked at it with a bit of worry in her eyes, while Alex only met her with a soft, ‘Meow’ as it stared back at her.

Upon hearing the sound, Millen tilted her head to look at the skies. She could see just a few white clouds dancing on it.

‘Meow…’ Alex called out to her again and Millen sighed.

Millen then nodded her head at Alex who gave her a knowing look, “I understand, Alex.”

She then picked up a hat that was perched on the table. It was a simple but wide brim hat that was adorned with bright flowers. When Millen put it on, it swept and covered her thick locks instantly. After her beautiful lavender-colored hair was neatly tucked inside the hat, Millen hurried out of the room.

As she was making her way down the stairs, Millen called out, “Linda! Thanos!”

At the sound of Millen’s voice, Thanos, a bear-like man with a big build and a thick beard, appeared from under the stairwell and met her. He stared at Millen with quizzical eyes.

“A storm is coming.” Millen informed him, and Thanos nodded his head at her.

“I understand, I’ll go and tell everyone.” Thanos then turned on his heels to do as he told her.

Millen was grateful that he believed her even though any sane man would be suspicious after being told that a storm will soon be borne from clear skies.

Thanos did not even try to squeak out a protest. Instead, he accepted what Millen had told him without any doubt in his eyes. Rather, he responded by quickening his pace and calling out the names of their other companions.

For her part, Millen decided to help with the laundry.

She rushed out towards the garden and looked up at the still clear blue skies. Though she could see that there were some gray clouds, they were still barely noticeable. Despite this, Millen knew that once again, Alex was right.

“It’s a fickle day.” Millen commented to herself.

Shortly after she said this, she heard footsteps coming up from behind her.

The rustling of fabrics and soft muttering came from a woman named Linda; she was Millen’s nanny.

Linda brought a basket with her, she was going to use it to carry the laundry. Millen approached her and also began helping her with the task.

“My Lady, how long will it rain today?” The older woman suddenly asked Millen while wearing an expression of both concern and curiosity.

It seemed to Millen that Linda did not believe her when she said it was going to rain.

“I reckon we’ll be met with a lot of rain and strong winds. It’ll probably go on from late afternoon, until the early morning of tomorrow.”

Despite having answered her question, Millen could still see the doubt in Linda’s eyes. After all, the latter could not see the light shadow of a coming storm that Millen saw.

The reason why Linda could not see the signs was not because the nanny had poor eyesight, but rather, it was attributable to Millen’s special eyes which was particularly good at seeing things most people would normally miss.

“Is it really? The sun is still shining bright right now…” Linda’s voice squeaked out, but upon seeing her mistress continue silently on her task, Linda quickly grumbled out, “What strange weather.”

The older woman then moved her hands busily. Despite her short height and stout body, she was a strong and dependable housekeeper.

“Alex clearly told me that it would rain.” Millen said to herself like an afterthought.

Linda glanced at Millen’s direction after hearing her speak, and for a moment the former struggled with a reply, before finally settling with saying, “I should probably hurry. I have to gather the herbs that I hung out to dry this morning.”

Millen only nodded in reply before the two proceeded to quickly fold up the remaining laundry. After which, they headed back inside the inn using the back door while carrying the basket between them.

The backdoor led to an annex that opens up to the kitchen.

“Ahin!” Linda called out as they arrived in the kitchen, “If you’re done, will you come this way?”

Ahin was at the corner of the kitchen’s room and was busy locking the indoor windows with her small arms. She pulled at the chords tightly so as not to let any of the rain pour in and flood the kitchen when the storm comes.

When Ahin came to greet them, Linda told the former to take two baskets with her and to accompany her outside. Ahin did as she was told and the two went out to collect the dry herbs and left Millen behind.

Just then, the kitchen doors opened, and a young man entered.

He carried some firewood with him, and upon seeing this, Millen turned to him and asked, “Kai, what can I do to help you?”

Millen stared at him expectantly, but Kai only threw her a bashful look.

Even though Kai had already been working in the inn for some time now, he was still not used to Millen’s eager attitude. After all, it was rare to see a lady enter the kitchens and offer to help with the work.

“Don’t worry my lady, I’m done.” Kai informed Millen and gave her a broad smile. He then started to carefully stack the pile of dry wood in the kitchen. Kai could sense that Millen was unconvinced that there was nothing for her to do, so Kai led her to the kitchen’s table.

“You don’t have to help my Lady, just sit in front of the table instead.” Kai insisted and Millen did as she was told but still gave the young man an anxious look.

“Just wait here my Lady, and I’ll brew you your favorite rose tea.”

Kai remembered hearing Linda reciting those same words to Millen like some old habit she picked up on over the years.

“Am I being bothersome?” Millen asked with a grumble as she sat down on the table.

Millen’s pleading eyes followed Kai as he threw some firewood to the now burning stove. The young man then responded in a calm voice, “You’re good at magic, my Lady. So there is no need for you to concern yourself with other things. You really don’t have to do anything else.” Kai reiterated in a tone that reminded Millen of adults consoling children.

After washing his hands, Kai started to get a teapot. As Kai started to put the water in clumsily, Millen flashed him a smirk and started to laugh.

After placing the water on the stove to boil, Kai then calmly pulled out a chair and sat across Millen while she waited for her hot water. Millen then turned to ask Kai, “We don’t have any customers left now, do we?”

“Yes, everyone has no more work after the noisy man left this morning.”

Millen then clapped her hands together and exclaimed, “Then let’s play a cat naming game after dinner.”

On days when there were no customers, she would sit around with everyone, and they would just talk or play. There was nothing grand about the activity, but somehow it was comforting. It was like having a bit of reprieve, a small piece of happiness in their ordinary lives after a hard day’s work.

“It sounds good.”

Just then, Millen noticed that the ribbons under her chin had started to itch. She was still wearing her hat and it seemed like she wore it too tightly. Millen started to pull and loosen the strings and then untucked her hair.

Millen’s beautiful lavender-colored hair now cascaded freely over her shoulders. The soft hues of Millen hair were rare, it was a color that was barely seen in their kingdom, therefore, it made Millen special.

After completely setting the hat on the table, she faced Kai with a relieved smile.

“Lady, what will the prize be this time?”

At Kai’s question, Millen found herself briefly lost in thought.

Each time Millen hosted the ‘Cat Naming Game’ there would always be prizes. After all, any game was more enjoyable if something was at stake. Furthermore, she also enjoyed giving gifts.

“I heard that the fruit store in town started selling an exotic fruit that was just delivered this morning. How about we make that fruit as a prize?” Millen suggested.

“Alright.”

Just then, the kettle started to whistle, announcing to them that the water had finished boiling. Kai stood up from his seat and started to set a teacup down before Millen. Then he brought a teapot and put it on the table as well. Just as Kai started putting the rose petals in, the kitchen doors swung open, and Linda and Ahin walked in.

The two had just gotten back after collecting the herbs, as they entered, their light chattering suddenly filled the room.

“My lady, the weather out there is no joke! The skies are already full of dark clouds, it also started to rain just as we were heading back. Some of the rain even fell on my nose bridge just now.” Ahin narrated and Millen looked at her with wide eyes.

“Is it raining already?” Millen asked the young girl who nodded her head fervently.

“If it weren’t for you, the dried herbs would have been ruined. Thank god we collected them in time!” AS Ahin was excitedly talking, Linda passed behind her while shaking the basket she carried in her arms.

Linda shook the basket as if intending to push out the dirt that was mixed with the herbs. In the process, the older woman slightly gave Ahin a push and the younger girl gave her a sulky look.

“Ahin, go and prepare dinner, while I clean out the laundry that we just took.”

“Yes, nanny.” Ahin responded as she marched into the kitchen to do her bidding.

Shortly after, a loud booming sound could be heard from the distance, followed by a bright flashing light.

‘Boom!’

Thunder and lightning had come to announce their presence with the storm.

At the sudden loud noise, Ahin crouched down and shouted, “Oh my! It’s thunder and lightning!”

Just as Ahin finished saying that, Thanos arrived. He came from inspecting the premises of the in. As he stepped inside, he roughly shook off the raindrops from his shoulders and walked deeper into the kitchen where everyone was gathered.

Millen started to look at Thanos curiously, she wanted to ask about the outdoor cats who roamed the outside of their inn freely. She wondered if they would be doing well on their own.

“The cats went inside the house through the private entrance.” Thanos answered Millen’s question even before she could voice it out.

He then looked out from a small window to gaze at the state of the forest. He wanted to remain vigilant and observe the ways of the storm, at present, it seemed to grow stronger by the second.

“I’m going to clean the laundry with Linda.” Millen announced as she stood up from her seat. She then walked out of the kitchen while humming a soft tune. As she arrived near the stairwell, Millen gathered up her skirts and started to climb the steps cheerfully. Even though they were currently experiencing the onslaught of wind and rain, Millen was not afraid at all, for she was fully prepared to face it.

Their inn may not be as grand as the ones in the main cities, but it was sturdy and could withstand any heavy storm that comes their way.

Linda followed after Millen as they made their way to the laundry room.

Back in the kitchens, Ahin took out the ingredients and started to trim the vegetables while Thanos continued to keep watch outside. For his part, Kai started to look for something to do as his companions busied themselves, he decided to make some bread instead.

“Hmm…” Thanos let out a low sigh as he stroked his shaggy beard.

The sudden drop of the temperature in the air became more apparent and Thanos realized that the storm was more serious than he had expected.

Earlier today, the sky had turned black in a second, and heavy rain started to pour out from it. The rain had engulfed the forest in thick clouds and mist that it became hard for Thanos to even see while he was out there.

Suddenly, there was a loud banging sound from the main doors as the attack of thunder and lightning continued on. In this weather, Thanos knew that no one would be crazy enough to go outside. Still, there was a prickling feeling rising from his spine and making all his senses tingle against the cool wind. Finally making up his mind, Thanos grabbed his raincoat again and put it on. He wanted to look around the inn once more and make sure the premises were safe.

“Ahin,” Thanos called out to the young girl, who looked up from the chopping board with the mention of her name, “I’ll look around for a moment. If they look for me, tell the Lady that I’ll be back by meal time.” He informed her before he left the room.

“I will do, sir. Have a safe trip!” Ahin called out to his retreating figure before casting her attention back at peeling the potato in her hand.

‘Bam!’

When Thanos opened the front door, he was greeted by the deafening sound of thunder. Then lighting quickly followed and created a large white crack in the dark clouds, it looked as if the sky was going to split in half.

Thanos was certain that once the rain stopped, the forest’s heavy terrain would become tougher for travelers to tread on.

He was certain the water of the valley would rise instantly, and the soft grounds of the slope would collapse easily and block most of the safe paths. If one gets lost or is swept away by a flood, one won’t be able to find their way until the rain stops, if at all.

Thanos wore a hat over his raincoat and his grip on the spear which he was carrying tightened. He then stepped out into the heavy rain with a solemn face.

Inside the inn, Linda and Millen had already arrived back in the kitchens after finishing their task.

Linda was teaching Ahin how to cook, but the young girl could only talk about the new fruit in town, “…at first its outsides will appear black, however when you peel its skin, the flesh will show, and it’s supposed to look as white as alabaster, and tender like a baby’s skin…” Ahin chatted while Linda stirred the meat stew to a boil. The spices were floating around as the ladle in her hand continued to create circling motions.

“..they say that in the southern region of this country, you can eat this fruit all year round.”

While talking, Ahin’s mouth started to water and she swallowed in an attempt to quell her hunger. Their lot had been conversing about the exotic fruit that just arrived in town for a while now, and Ahin couldn’t stop herself from imagining how the fruit would taste, and her stomach only grumbled some more. The young girl’s appetite was clearly awakened, but not by the meat stew that was in front of her eyes.

“I will allow today’s winner to eat a whole basket of that great fruit,” said Millen, who saw the look of longing in the Ahin’s eyes.

Ahin, who was putting a plate on the table, looked up excitedly and asked, “Oh my! That must be very expensive. Are you fine with spending that much, my Lady?”

Then Linda casted Ahin a reproachful look, “Ahin, you’ve caused trouble for our Lady again…”

“No, I’m not in trouble at all.” Millen insisted.

“I actually made several bracelets.” Millen informed them while grinning proudly, “Furthermore, these bracelets are more than just aesthetics. I also enchanted them with magic that makes its wearer happy each time they put it on. So if we take these bracelets to the shopping district, I am sure they will sell easily.”

For some time now, Millen had been making and selling bracelets and other types of jewelry using the various gemstones brought by Thanos for her. When she was done fashioning them, the latter would then bring them to town and sell them in the shopping district. Due to that side business, Millen’s finances had also improved.

“But are there any side effects?” When Linda expressed her concern, Millen merely scratched her nose and smiled vaguely in response.

Millen was a wizard who was knowledgeable in various areas of magic. However, she couldn’t say that her magic was perfect. This was because her magic often came with subtle side effects.

“The soup is done! I think we’ll be able to eat as soon as Thanos comes back.” Linda told them as she gazed happily at the large steaming pot.

Though Ahin was more excited to know the taste of the new fruit they earlier talked about, the delicious smell that came from the meat stew still beckoned to her.

The quick-witted child then ran into the small door next to the kitchen, wherein Kai was baking bread in stone ovens.

Kai for his part, had heard the quick pattering of Ahin’s footsteps and just pulled out a batch of freshly baked bread from the oven. He then placed them into a basket. When Ahin arrived, the bread was already sitting peacefully in its place.

“The food is done now, Kai! Let’s go and eat.” Ahin excitedly said as she took a whiff of the comforting scent that emanated from the freshly baked bread.

The young girl then carefully carried the basket with her and led Kai to the dining room where Linda and Millen were setting up the rest of the food.

Dinner that night was rather hearty.

They had plenty of meat stew, hot bread, salad mixed with fresh vegetables, and even fruits for dessert. Indeed, it was a small feast for everyone.

Everyone started to gather around the table.

Their small group was composed of Millen, the young owner of the inn; Linda, Millen’s nanny; a young man named Kai; and a young girl called Ahin whose life was recently saved by Millen.

If Thanos, who was still out patrolling their borders, returns to join them, their group would then be complete.

Others may not understand the dynamics of the people who live in the ‘Cat Inn’, because they were people who lived together despite not having any blood relations, and though they were born of different status. However, regardless of their birth and bloodline, they were as close as can be, like a real family.

Which was why it was unnerving for them that Thanos still hasn’t returned.

Everyone’s eyes were filled with worry as they waited silently.

There was still no sign of Thanos, not even his shadow, even after the soup had grown cold; and so their group began to grow more anxious.

“It’s getting quite late. Why hasn’t Thanos arrived yet?” Millen voiced her worries.

Kai stood up from his seat, and then he headed for the wardrobe and took out his raincoat.

He was thinking of going out and following Thanos’ trail, as he suspects the older man must have gotten himself in some kind of trouble. After all, Thanos would usually arrive in time for dinner after he finishes his rounds.

However, that night he didn’t return even after they waited for a long time.

‘Bam! Bam!’

The main doors of the inn rattled with the sound of heavy knockings.

A loud and familiar voice came from the other side of the closed doors, “Kai! Open the doors!”

Hearing this, Kai quickly donned on his raincoat and ran straight to the front doors.

“Kai! Come on!” The same voice shouted more incessantly.

Millen was a little surprised because Thanos, who rarely made loud noises, was now urgently raising his voice and screaming for them to open the doors. So she too jumped up from her seat, and without realizing it, she followed Kai to the doorway.

At Thanos’ urging, Kai hurriedly opened the door, while screaming back, “Yes, yes! I’m opening it!”

Just then, Millen heard the loud gasp come out of Kai’s mouth, “Huh?”

Kai, who opened the doors, stepped back slowly.

Due to the young man’s peculiar reaction, Millen’s interest was also piqued and she approached the front door with curious eyes.

“What’s going on?” She asked.

Thereafter, three men who were soaked and dripping wet from the rain, entered their inn.

-To be continued