Yesterday’s episode. \u00a0My migraine is finally gone, so it’s time to get caught up – after my game today.<\/p>\n
Saturday, December 13<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, mistress. Might I purchase some of the famous CrossWinds Books cookies from you today?\u201d<\/p>\n
The boyish voice floated through Schrodinger\u2019s ears as he dozed by the cool iron stove, accompanied by a dry, dusty smell that made his nose twitch and woke him from his nap. He raised his head, looking for the source, but couldn\u2019t see anything in the tea room. Whoever it was must be in the front room.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, Molly\u2019s not here, but I can definitely see what she has boxed up.\u201d DC\u2019s voice got louder as she spoke, which meant the clerk was coming into the tea room. Whoever was with her was coming along too.<\/p>\n
Schrodinger stayed where he was, his eyes focused on the entrance to the tea room. The dry, dusty smell grew, and he wasn\u2019t surprised to see Caliban\u2019s servant follow DC into the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut where is Miss Molly?\u201d the servant asked diffidently.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, she\u2019s out having lunch with her fiance,\u201d DC answered, smiling at Schrodinger as they passed him. \u201cHe came down and whisked her off for a special lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLove is a beautiful thing,\u201d the servant agreed, not looking at the CrossCat directly. \u201cShe is lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, she is.\u201d DC said. \u201cWait here, and I\u2019ll go see what she has for sale.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan I not see the kitchen?\u201d the servant asked. \u201cI would love to see the place where she makes her magic.\u201d<\/p>\n
The kitchen is off-limits to customers,<\/em> Schrodinger said sharply. It\u2019s against health rules.<\/em><\/p>\n DC gave him a quick look, but nodded. \u201cYes, I\u2019m afraid so. Wait here, please.\u201d She went into the kitchen, leaving Schrodinger and the servant to look at each other.<\/p>\n The boy (he couldn\u2019t be more than 14, if he was human – Schrodinger wasn\u2019t sure on that point) looked around the room, not meeting the CrossCat\u2019s eyes. Schrodinger, for his part, sat down on his bed, not moving forward as he might normally. There was something wrong with this whole thing.<\/p>\n He noticed the servant had one hand in his pocket, holding on to something. His money? Perhaps. But why was he so nervous?<\/p>\n Why are you here?<\/em> Schrodinger asked him quietly. It\u2019s not just to buy cookies.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d the servant said, still not looking at him. \u201cMy master wished for cookies from the bakery.\u201d<\/p>\n There are bakeries in Stumpleton,<\/em> Schrodinger said. Your master has a personal chef with him. Why are you here?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBecause my master wished for cookies from the bakery here,\u201d the servant said, and the hand in his pocket twitched. \u201cI must do as I am ordered.\u201d<\/p>\n And what else were you ordered to do?<\/em> Schrodinger was sure there was something else going on. Leave something in Molly\u2019s kitchen, perhaps?<\/em><\/p>\n The servant flinched just a little, but didn\u2019t say anything. Schrodinger was going to say something else, but DC came out of the kitchen with a box in her hands, and the moment was gone. \u201cMolly has gingerbread cookies,\u201d she said. \u201cWill your master like that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d The servant handed over a small pouch. \u201cPlease to give Mistress Molly my master\u2019s regards, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Schrodinger waited until he was gone, then he went over to DC. What else is in the pouch?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d DC asked, picking the pouch up from where she\u2019d laid it on the counter. \u201cIt just had money in it.\u201d She held it out to him. \u201cSee?\u201d<\/p>\n As soon as it came near him, Schrodinger could smell magic. Hot, dusty, heavy air came from the pouch, and he could almost hear Caliban\u2019s voice, wheedling and cajoling. Without thinking, he grabbed the pouch from DC\u2019s hands and ran out the front door.<\/p>\n \u201cSchrodinger, what are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n DC\u2019s voice was lost as he tore down the street, the pouch clamped in his jaws. His gums were starting to burn from the magic by the time he made it to the harbor, but he didn\u2019t falter.<\/p>\n Goldie was on guard duty, but he didn\u2019t challenge Schrodinger as the CrossCat ran up the gangway – he just stepped aside and shouted, \u201cOpen the Capt\u2019n\u2019s door!\u201d<\/p>\n One of Pavel\u2019s sailors jumped up and yanked open the door to Pavel\u2019s quarters, startling both Pavel and Jack. Schrodinger ran in and dropped the pouch on the floor, then wheezed, Jack, can you destroy this?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d the spirit asked, then hissed as he felt the magic from it. \u201cWhere did you get this?\u201d<\/p>\n Caliban left it for Molly,<\/em> Schrodinger replied, lying down, his sides heaving. He sent one of his servants to buy cookies. Paid with money in that.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cGood thing you got it away from the store,\u201d Jack said, studying the pouch. \u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n My mouth hurts,<\/em> Schrodinger admitted. And I could hear Caliban talking.<\/em><\/p>\n Jack left the pouch and knelt down in front of Schrodinger. \u201cLet me see,\u201d he said gently.<\/p>\n The CrossCat opened his mouth, and Jack probed with surprisingly gentle hands. \u201cI can fix this,\u201d he said finally. \u201cIf you will permit me.\u201d<\/p>\n Schrodinger blinked. Of course. Thank you.<\/em><\/p>\n Jack laid fingertips on each side of Schrodinger\u2019s inflamed gums, and in a moment, a cool feeling, like a fall rain, washed over him, sweeping away the dry, hot inflammation. After a minute or so, his mouth felt better.<\/p>\n Thank you.<\/em> Schrodinger said, purring. Can you take care of the pouch too?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely.\u201d Jack surprised Schrodinger again by stroking his head. \u201cHe didn\u2019t leave anything else, did he?\u201d<\/p>\n No, I kept him in sight the entire time. But he wanted to.<\/em><\/p>\n Jack looked at Pavel. \u201cWe\u2019ll need to talk to Molly and Drew,\u201d he said, and the pirate nodded. \u201cIt looks like Caliban is done playing nice.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Yesterday’s episode. \u00a0My migraine is finally gone, so it’s time to get caught up – after my game today. Saturday, December 13 \u201cGood morning, mistress. Might I purchase some of the famous CrossWinds Books cookies from you today?\u201d The boyish voice floated through Schrodinger\u2019s ears as he dozed by the cool iron stove, accompanied by …<\/p>\n