BOOK NINE
THE BOOK OF RED CAT
Chapter One
Now, in the 957th Season From The Beginning, a young Speaker from
Northern was elected First Speaker. At first he was a good First
Speaker, but as the years passed he became laxer and laxer.
Those he chose for advisors were not of the best quality, and
many he appointed to positions of authority were more interested in
money than duty.
2 There was no city that was absolutely corrupt, but there was
corruption in every city. Red Cat had one good adviser, though. His
name was Shy Fox, who was his High Warlock.
3 Constantly he brought The First Speaker petition of complaint which
The First Speaker half-heartedly listened to, gave quick judgments
on, then hurried off to an ale house, or, a house of pleasure.
4 Many nights he was carried back to The First Speaker's House and his
second mate, Thorn Blossom, would put him to bed. Everyone knew of
these activities and many frowned on them. Very few women came to The
First Speaker seeking children. Those that did either quickly went away
without giving a reason, or left fulfilled but telling of strange
things in The First Speaker's House.
5 The First Speaker's first mate spent most of her time visiting the
rich and made fun of Thorn Blossom in her efforts to help the poor.
"Little miss goody-goody," she called her. "I don't know why he keeps
you, anyway. He's hardly ever in YOUR bed. Our brave young Warlock
usually keeps it occupied."
6 Thorn Blossom would often snap back, "Red Cat