“Are you serious?”
“If you don’t believe me, I could rescind the offer,” Rivern replied with a chuckle.
“No, no,” I said, “it’s just…you generously gave me Hermestra only a few weeks ago and now this.”
“I wouldn’t do this unless I trusted you and that I knew you could take care of them.”
I just looked back at Rivern, still stunned at his gift. Then I turned to the cats. There were six of them, resting in the cave. Exquisite violet fur with white stripes covered their powerful bodies. Larger than the usual frostsabers Rivern watched over, these Wintersaber Frostsabers were trained by him to be mounts. Now he was allowing me to take one as my own. It was just a matter of which one.
“Besides,” Rivern added, “you walked over here. You need a mount. Is Midnight not getting better?”
I sighed. “He was already an older cat when he joined me. When we almost died in the blizzard, he took the brunt of the storm. He’s still very strong but his joints have stiffened up and he’s not as fast as he used to be. The cold of Winterspring does not suit him. I sent him back to Darkshore where the mild climate will ease his recovery.”
“He’ll recover,” Rivern tried to console.
“I have no doubt,” I replied. “And to be honest, he welcomed the return to his old homeland. The last time I visited Auberdine, he was pursuing a number of moonstalker sires.”
Rivern laughed. “Maybe he faked his injuries?”
Chuckling, I replied, “I suppose as my mount it was mostly all work and no play for him.”
“Then this is a good time for you to choose a new cat,” Rivern said as he led me to the six cats.
Immediately all six stood up, muscles tensed. Rivern waved his arm and softly whistled which seemed to calm them down. Still, they continued to keep their golden eyes upon me.
“Choose,” Rivern said.
I stepped a bit closer to the cats and closed my eyes. To me, choosing the right animal companion was more than just taming them. As a beast master, I needed a spirit bond with my companions. That is why I can communicate with Maya, Midnight and now Hermestra. They belonged to me as much as I belonged to them.
Maya is the daughter of Naya, my previous moonstalker cat so the bond was formed almost immediately. When I decided to acquire a mount, I studied the cats available to me. Midnight was not the youngest or the strongest but I sensed his spirit. I knew he could only serve me a few years but I was not going to deny the bond.
Hermestra was unique. She was given to me by Rivern. Yet, when I got her to the cabin she spoke to me. I was surprised at the revelation. But I’m sure Rivern had something to do with it. He knew my disposition and he knew his cats. He clearly chose the cub that he felt would bond with me the best.
And now, here I was standing in front of six magnificent cats waiting for a bond. It’s difficult to explain and I have no real control over it. I just had to wait and let the voices enter my head. There was no guarantee that any of these cats would link with me but if one did, I would hear their thoughts and they would hear mine. If there was no link, I would have to tell Rivern I would not take a cat. I will only travel with an animal companion whom I can communicate.
A few minutes passed and there was nothing. One of the cats yawned and rested her head on her front paws. I was beginning to realize none of these cats would bond with me. I turned around and then I heard the voice.
Faust.
“What?” I exclaimed. Rivern turned his head puzzled. I waved him off to let him know everything was okay.
I said Faust.
“What is Faust?”
My name is Faust. Did you have another name in mind because I already have this name and I’m kind of fond of it.
I smiled. This Faust definitely had an independent streak. “Only if you did not have a name,” I replied.
Well I do. So, why should I offer myself to you?
I smirked. “What makes you think I have chosen you?” I began to scan the cats looking for a sign of awareness and I saw it from one of the cats in the middle. His eyes were focused on me. I knew this was Faust.
Because I am a handsome cat and I will only improve your reputation.
I had to laugh. Cats were generally vain but Faust was clearly even more so. I could already imagine Maya clashing with Faust.
“In that case, how can I refuse?” My experiences with cats taught me to just humor them.
Very well. I will accept you as my master.
I turned to Rivern with a big smile. He continued to look at me with a confused look.
“I want that one,” I pointed to Faust.
“You sure?” Rivern asked.
“Very.”
“Alright then. He’s yours,” Rivern said. “But between you and me, I swear that one is full of himself. The other day I know I saw him checking his own reflection on the ice.”
I chuckled as Faust walked over to me, nestling his head in my stomach. I scratched behind his ears and he purred. He looked up at me and into his eyes I could see courage and loyalty that would go beyond his vanity. I smiled again knowing I had made a good choice or I would assume Faust thought he made a wise choice in choosing me.
