Free Pools of Darkness by James M. Ward, Anne K. Brown Page B

perimeter of the clearing. And to answer your next question, you didn’t smell the magic because I’ve been working on a version of the spell that’s virtually undetectable, even by magical creatures like you. I see that it worked. So much for trying to outfox the fox, eh Gam?”
    Gamaliel blinked at her, looking hurt, but Evaine had seen his practiced look too many times before. This cat was unique, all right. Ignoring his ploy, she changed the subject. “Let’s see what you brought us.”
    The cat carried a small brown rabbit—and a gleaming silver trout that weighed close to twenty pounds. Both were held carefully in his huge mouth.
    “Way to go, hunter. I see we have some variety on the menu tonight.” She took the rabbit from him and scratched his chin. Gamaliel carried the fish to the other side of the campfire.
    She knew the answer to her next question before asking it, but posed it anyway. “Um, Gamaliel, do you want that cooked?” The cat didn’t respond, but he answered her by wordlessly starting on his dinner. She shrugged and turned to prepare the rabbit for the fire.
    By the time supper was cleaned up, Gamaliel was already snoozing on the bedroll. Evaine rubbed him gently, coaxing him into making room for her. She had banked the fire into a heap of glowing coals that would provide heat the entire night but not enough light to give away their whereabouts. The bedroll was warm from the fire and the dozing cat. She crawled under the blankets, grateful for the comfort after her adventurous day. She would sleep soundly with her warding spell in place and the giant feline snoozing between her and the dark trees. If anything were going to attack her, it would have to get through her magical protection as well as two hundred pounds of muscle, claw, and fang.
    A few stars flickered through the cloud cover. Evaine made a mental list of the work she and Gam would have ahead of them over the next few days. “Phlan. We’ll be in Phlan in a couple days, Gamaliel. Then we can find the pool of darkness and figure out how to destroy it.” She grimaced at the thought of another pool. Hunting the evil artifacts and destroying them had become her vocation, but each such endeavor came with its own anxiety.
    Sleep cut her planning short. As Evaine drifted off, she murmured to the cat, “Afterward … maybe you and I can take a little vacation, away from monsters and evil pools.”
     
    Evaine slept so soundly that she didn’t hear Gamaliel get up from the bedroll and creep into the woods at first light. He was back after only a short time, carrying another enormous fish and a fat quail. Evaine was still sound asleep, so the cat padded over to her, purring loudly in her ear. She awoke with a start, but was pleased to see her companion. Sitting up, she hugged him around the neck and got a wet face from his muzzle. He was still damp from fishing, and it was then she noticed the fish and the quail.
    She laughed. “You certainly are efficient, Gamaliel. This is the closest thing to breakfast in bed that I’ve had in a long time. But I suppose we should get moving.”
    Some of us are early risers, Evaine. We don’t waste the whole day sleeping late. The cat’s green eyes sparkled.
    Gamaliel couldn’t resist putting on airs at every opportunity. He and his mistress both knew the sun was barely up.
    Evaine was used to his attitude, and didn’t mind his feigned arrogance. “You and those green eyes. I always know what you’re up to. When you’re mad or upset, your eyes turn golden. But when you’ve just stuffed yourself with fish or had a fun romp in the woods, they’re greener than any emeralds.” After all the years she had spent with the cat, this singular feature still amazed her.
    The sorceress patted the cat’s head, stretched, and crawled from her bedroll. She built up the fire, cleaned the quail, and put it over the fire to roast. Gamaliel had learned long ago that poultry cooked quickly, and he knew to hunt