Lestat leaned back, allowing Black Cat to look at the wound. He was
sick of talking. He hadn’t really meant to accuse his friend of being in
league with a murderous sorcerer or whatever. It had been more out of fear
than any true suspicion that he had mentioned the event at all. Still, now
that his thoughts were on the subject, he began to wonder anew just how
Black Cat could speak in the first place and why he had access to a dagger
that could ward off demonic wolves. Even more puzzling was his reluctance
to speak of a man, and a handsome man at that, who could only have been
his master. Had the beautiful Louis once been a sorcerer? That would
explain his ownership of a talking cat in an enchanted castle surrounded
by ever-changing weather and silent, invisible servants.
Yes that must be it, Lestat thought to himself as Black Cat sniffed the
wound. Louis was a sorcerer of some kind. That would explain a lot of
things.
“There does not seem to be any infection. My servants treated you well,
and just in time. The bleeding seems to have stopped and I really don’t
think you could be in much pain.”
Lestat snapped back to reality, looking at Black Cat indignantly. “Well
if you ask me, you’re a pretty poor physician. I remember that wolf taking
a good bite out of my thigh, and of course the stupid one that attacked my
foot.”
“It seems to me,” stated Black Cat calmly, “that had the stupid wolf
not tried to bite your foot, you would be a feast for a pack of demonic
wolves. And while we’re on the subject of foolishness, let me draw your
attention to the supposed wound in your upper leg.”
Chagrined, Lestat looked at his leg. To his surprise the wound was
almost completely healed, leaving little more than a series of small
puncture-shaped scars where the beast had sunk its fangs. Black Cat
continued, “And are you in any pain, Lestat?”
Lestat poked at the scars, wondering at how this could have come about.
He could have sworn he was injured not long ago. “No, not really.” He
shook his head. “I could have sworn… how long was I asleep after I came
here?”
Black Cat chuckled, leaping down to the floor. “Really, Lestat, you do
amaze me in your silliness. I should say you have been asleep for a week,
then sulking for another two days. No, you have not missed your father’s
seemingly annual judgment day. You have not failed in your quest.”
The youngest of the Marquis’ sons sat up straighter in shock at the
eerily accurate account. “How did you know? You are a wizard, I knew
it!”
Black Cat shook his head. “Lestat, cher, you talk in your sleep. I came
to visit you each night as you lay recuperating and you spoke often of
this new quest. The only thing I do not know is what you search for this
time to appease that annoying braggart of a Marquis. Is it the largest
dragon in the world, or perhaps a man with the power to turn all things he
touches into gold?”
Lestat flopped backward on the bed miserably. “He says I must find the
most beautiful woman in the world to be my wife.” He clutched his hands
into fists. “Of all the things in the world, he asks me to find such a
woman that he can deem beautiful. No matter who I bring, he will say
Augustin or Jean-Luc’s brides are the more attractive.”
Black Cat nodded solemnly, his eyes riveted to Lestat’s body as he
griped and complained. “Oui, beauty does lie in the eye of the beholder.”
He sighed heavily. “So it is to be a wife, then. Lestat, do you ever
consider forgetting your foolish quests and remaining with me?”
“Oh, Black Cat, that I cannot do! It would be tantamount to giving up.
I can’t abide defeat.”
Black Cat thought for a moment. “If Louis asked you to stay, were he
still around to ask, would you remain?”
Lestat stared at his friend curiously. It was a strange question, and
one he did not know how to answer. Louis was most definitely the most
attractive and magnetic man he had ever beheld, and this from a mere
painting! There was no telling how the man had been in life. “Didn’t you
say Louis was dead?”
“Yes. But were he to ask, would you stay?”
“Well, I’d have to say yes. He’s so very attractive and I just…” he
paused, looking to his friend. “Not that you’re hard on the eyes or
anything, Black Cat. It’s just that… well… he is human. Or he was.”
Black Cat nodded. “I quite understand you. It makes more sense to me
than you can know. But come, you have a year to relax and enjoy all I have
to offer. Forget about the wolves, Louis, and even your quest. Here, take
wine with me.”
Black Cat gestured to a bottle or wine upon the nightstand, accompanied
by two glasses. Lestat shrugged, pouring the rich red wine for both of
them. When he drank, he forgot about everything except Black
Cat.
