Cat and the Other
A Novella by Marylois Dunn
Edition Used for Analysis:
[Tales of the Witch World 1] (1989) Published by TOR, PB, 0-812-54757-8, 978-0-812-54757-3, $3.95, 343pg ~ cover by Victoria Poyser
Synopsis:
Cat (very much a capital C) awakens from a nap on his favorite pillow in the window embrasure of the castle feeling a "presence" inside his body. When he makes to move, in some agitation, the "presence" urges him not to show any sign of a change inside himself. Turns out the Witch, to prevent a boy, Kharis, from persuading a Witch-Candidate from eloping with him, has cast a spell that took Kharis's spirit out of his body and cast it into one of the pigeons on the roof of the dove-cote just outside the window--she missed! Cat and Kharis both agree that the boy's spirit needs to be returned to his own body, so they go upstairs to the Witch's chambers to consult with White Cat, who has lived with the Witch all her life, therefore MUST have picked up some knowledge of magic. She has, and agrees to reverse the spell, if Cat can bring the pigeon holding the boy's spirit to the bedchamber where Witch and Lord of the Castle have placed the body. Knowing he needn't catch a specific pigeon, Cat catches the one he thinks will be easiest to carry up the stairs to the tower. While Cat holds the stunned pigeon on Kahris's chest, the White Cat casts an incantation and undoes the original spell.
NOTE: I don't consider this truly a Witch World story; the Witches of Estcarp don't have this power. Nor would a Witch be on such (implied) terms with the Lord. ~ SL
Timeline Points:
- Witches mentioned assume sometime before The Turning. If it were after, the witch's cat would have made sure the girl became a witch no matter what. If it is after The Turning, it would have to be a long time after when the Witches aren't desperate for new blood.
The Sorcerer’s recommend that you read next: Yellow Eyes
