Secrets of the Malkin: War of the Malkin series, #1

By Virginia Ripple

Can a naive young social worker feline heal the widening rift between humans and cats or is Nadine doomed to be one more victim in the war?

After a narrow escape from orphaned teenagers determined to use her for target practice, Nadine, a feline social worker, is left terrified and wondering if there's a way humans and felines can live together in peace in this post-plague world. She finds the answer in a story about a magical cat called the Baruhk Sh'Toole. Unfortunately, she disappeared years ago, taking her secrets with her. With only a map of the queen's last known location and a vague story to go on, the she-cat leaves for an adventure to the Outer Reaches, a place where the trappers will skin a cat alive and then consider killing it. There she must befriend a priest and hope he knows where to find the cat who can heal the world, but doesn't want to be found. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Virginia Ripple
• Release date: Apr 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781498964463

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Secrets of the Malkin

War of the Malkin Book 1

Chapter 1

The woman clasped her white knuckled hands in her lap and crossed her ankles beneath her tattered skirt. She wasn't sure which was more irritating, her woolen stockings rubbing against her legs or the old preacher nattering on about vagrant children going missing. Why did he have to take so long? And the Elders, they must see this man's problem wasn't that big of a deal. Street urchins went missing all the time. Everyone knew they hitched a ride south for warmer pockets to pick. She had some real news, something that would affect the entire village.

Squeezing her knees together and chewing on her lower lip, she tried not to fidget. She was the last petitioner of the day. The few villagers left in the cave-like meeting house wasn't the audience she desired. She glanced back toward the benches, noting the apothecary was still there. That made her smile. Keb wouldn't be able to hide his incompetence this time. She would have him cornered, outing his secret.

She looked back toward the Elders sitting behind a large wooden table. The old man was still trying to sway them to his argument. The woman looked at her hands in her lap to hide her grimace. It wouldn't do to seem irritable or impatient now. She took a deep breath and exhaled it, doing her best not to make a sound, then turned her attention back to the proceedings. At last the Elders told the old man they'd check into it and he took his seat. The woman scooted to the edge of the bench.

The Elders recognize Elsa Goodwife.

Elsa jumped from her seat and strode toward the panel of elected officials, two men and a woman. The oldest man, sitting in the center, shuffled his papers, then looked up at her.

Please state your complaint.

The woman gripped her hands at her side, straightened her back and jutted out her chin.

There are cats living in the valley just beyond the village. I want to know what you're going to do about it.

The oldest of the officials shoulders sagged. He looked to the man on his right, who was rubbing his forehead as if he had a headache. The Elder turned his gaze on the woman at his left, who shook her head and threw her hands up in a helpless gesture. The man looked back at the woman who stood in front of them, chin raised and hands on hips.

Elsa, we've been over this before.

But --

Elsa, dear, interrupted the woman, holding her hand out and leaning forward, you know where we stand on this issue.

You can't believe that leaving them alone insures our safety. If that were true then my Henry and little Eva would still be here.

Henry was a good man and your little girl will be missed, too, but we cannot go out into the wilderness to hunt for some wild cats.

But I have news about them.

What news? asked the older man.

Elsa raised her chin a little higher. They've been seen stealing.

The younger man slammed his hand on the table, making the defiant woman jump.

By the One, you know as well as we do that cats steal. So what? asked the younger elder.

Elsa shifted forward onto her toes, glaring at him. She wanted to grin. Not only was she going to throw open the healer's dirty secret, she was going to put that fool constable in his place for allowing the theft to happen. He should never have been elected to Elder, she thought.

Fish, yes, but from the apothecary? She whirled around and jabbed her finger in the healer's direction, then turned to glare at the Elders.

Ask him. Ask him what they stole.

There was an audible gasp from behind her, thrilling the woman. For once, she wasn't the last to know what was going on in the village and it felt good. She reveled in the mumbling going on behind her. The older Elder's eyebrows rose as he looked toward the apothecary.

You never mentioned that someone stole anything from your store.

The thin healer half-way stood, looking apologetic. I didn't mention it because it wasn't anything that would harm anyone. Just some stomach soothing herbs and catmint.

No willow bark?

The healer shook his head. More muttering, this time accompanied by a few relieved chuckles. Her cheeks burned, but she kept her eyes on the Elders. Let the rest of them cocoon themselves in ignorance. Those cats wouldn't deceive her. The older man dipped his head toward the apothecary.

Thank you, Keb.

The apothecary waved his hand in dismissal and sat back down. The Elders turned dark stares onto the woman. She returned their stares with her own black gaze.

You see? They're plotting something.

We all heard Keb. What they took couldn't be made into a weapon.

The woman whirled toward the few assembled village folk, bending at the waist and throwing her arms wide. She stared into their complacent faces, hoping her next words would stir them into considering their fate if the cats were ignored.

Isn't that what we thought about willow bark? And yet that is what they used against us. How do we know these beasts haven't concocted a new way to kill us with our own medicines?

Elsa was satisfied to see a few nervous glances and hear muttering. She turned back to the front, fighting a smile. The younger of the Elders jumped to his feet and leaned against the table.

That is enough, woman. If you continue using these scare tactics to try to get your way, I'll whip you in the square myself.

The oldest official reached a hand toward the younger man, keeping his eyes on the woman.

Elsa, this must cease. You know as well as the rest of us that the cat responsible for the plague was captured and that he died from his own misdeeds.

Oh yes. That's what we've been told, but what about what we've all heard?

She turned toward the villagers seated on the hard benches, waving her hand to include them all. The grumbling increased and several nodded.

What do you mean, dear? asked the woman.

He was working with someone, another cat, she said, turning back to the Elders. That demon didn't just die because he accidentally took his own poison. His partner killed him. What about that cat? Are we safe from him?

Those are rumors, woman, and you know it. We cannot base our lives on hearsay.

If it's nothing but gossip, then why did the High Council create the Office of Kingdom Guardianship? They aren't investigating fluffy bunnies.

They created OKG to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. Nothing more. Nothing less, said the older man, laying one hand on top of the other.

Then you admit that there could be a danger lurking out there.

The young elder dropped back into his chair, shaking his head. He turned toward the other officials, gesturing toward Elsa with his palm raised toward the ceiling.

There's no reasoning with her.

The female elder looked from one man to the other. She does have a point.

Not you, too.

The woman shook her head. No. What I mean to say is that the OKG wouldn't have been created if the High Council didn't think there would ever be another threat.

What do you suggest, my friend?

Perhaps it would behoove us to contact someone there to find out if there is anything we need be watchful for.

The older man nodded. You may be right. Being in the Outer Reaches has its disadvantages. If there's news to be had, we're usually last to hear it.

He looked at the younger man who shrugged.

If it'll keep the peace, I'm for it. I have enough on my hands with real bandits and our local pranksters. I don't need the rest of the village getting panicky.

Elsa's mouth curved into a small smile and she clasped her hands together under her chin. The oldest of the Elders frowned at her.

You are persistent, Elsa, I'll give you that. For that reason, and because you have given us cause to believe there may be more information that we need to know, we hereby decree that we will make an official inquiry to the OKG.

The woman's hands dropped to her sides as her mouth fell open. It took a moment for her mind to comprehend what the Elder had said, then a moment more to find her voice. She squinted her eyes as she stared at them, trying to understand how they came to that an inane idea.

An official inquiry? That's all? They could be laying a trap for us right now.

That's enough, Elsa. Our verdict is made. This session is dismissed.

She watched the three Elders stand and walk toward the side door, hearing the shuffle of feet and scrape of benches behind her. It couldn't be over. Not yet.