Two carriages stopped outside the Montablinlock Manor.
"Young Master Annan, a gift has arrived for you."
A servant handed Annan a Wooden Box. Inside lay a Magic Scroll.
"Friend of Animals. It lets the user hear animals' thoughts for a while," Alice identified it.
When Annan asked who had sent it, the servant said it was a sorcerer who claimed to be a friend.
The Vicious Web?
The Wooden Box suddenly felt hot in Annan's hands. He hurried to the Old Ancestor, who confirmed that the Magic Scroll held no traps. It contained only a High Spell whose effects lasted a month.
Maybe the Vicious Web wants to contact me through animals?
Annan used the Magic Scroll beside the Old Ancestor. He didn't see Olin; at this hour, she was probably busy with matters on Black Hat Street.
"Where's Lily?"
"By the woodshed. Little Lily's made a few new friends."
When Annan reached the woodshed, Lily was talking to two cats.
"Names are the source of our clan's strength," said a mottled calico cat. A black patch above its mouth looked like a little mustache.
"What are your names?" Lily asked, sitting up straight.
"Roarer," said the mustached cat.
"Princess." A white cat with a bow around its neck elegantly licked its paw.
"I... I'm Legendary," Lily said.
"Lily, what are you doing here?" A voice came from above her head, and Annan scooped her up. "Say goodbye to your new friends. We're going home."
The calico and white cats watched the human carry their new friend away. "Hahahaha! Hallie!" The two cats clutched their bellies, laughing delightedly.
Back in the front garden, Annan saw Dean Breichim greeting the Old Ancestor.
"It feels like you've hardly been here at all..." The Old Ancestor held Sienna's hand, reluctant to part like