“We have heard some things about Mereklar,” the mage replied, “but perhaps you could fill in the missing details?”
Shavas smiled slightly, nodded her head. “Nobody is certain of the origins of city, except that it apparently survived the Cataclysm untouched. Unfortunately, its inhabitants did not. When the people living in the surrounding lands fled to the city, they discovered that all of the buildings were empty. Mereklar’s citizens—if there were any—had disappeared.”
“What do you mean, ‘if there were any’?”
“There are those who believe that the city dates only from the Cataclysm. That it wasn’t here before then. Absurd, I know, but I thought I would mention it to you.
“Where was I? Ah, yes. In time, some of the families took over key positions of state, helping everyone live together in this new place.”
“And your family was among them?” Raistlin asked.
‘That is correct. My family have always been councillors, those who direct and guide all aspects of the city. Lord Brunswick is the Minister of Agriculture and keeps track of the lands that produce our food. Lord Alvin is Minister of Property. The others are lords and ladies of their respective spheres, such as the Sergeant at Arms, Master of the Libraries, and similar functions. There are ten in all.”
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Shavas shifted languidly in her chair. Her hand gracefully drew the folds of her clinging gown away from her throat, revealing her long, arched neck and marble-white skin. The brothers stared, transfixed.
“When I say that there were no signs of the former inhabitants, I am not wholly correct,” Shavas murmured, her fingers toying with her opal necklace. “We found the prophecies, which were discovered in every home, without exception. These books were here, in the library. And then there were the — ”
” — cats!” Earwig cried.
Raistlin and Caramon both started, the Render’s voice causing them to awaken from dreams of desire.
“Yes, that’s right, Earwig.” The councillor smiled at the kender. “The cats. Thousands roamed the streets freely. They were always friendly, and they seemed glad to have people around. The new citizens of Mereklar took the felines to be a sign from the gods.”
“When did you start noticing the disappearance of the cats?” Caramon asked, clearing his throat.
“A little more than a month ago.”
“How did you know they were gone? I mean, there’s still a lot of them wandering around. . . .”
“It was, of course, difficult to tell, since there were so many cats already in the city. But people had made pets of the cats— or perhaps the cats had made pets of the people, it’s difficult to tell sometimes. They noticed that the cats were disappearing, and then we saw that the total number of cats in the city had decreased alarmingly.”
“And you’re sure that they are not hiding somewhere? Or just walking outside the city walls?”
Shavas’s brows came together slightly. “We are not fools.”
Caramon flushed bright red. “I didn’t mean — ”
“I’m sorry, sir.” The councillor sighed. “Forgive me. I — This has been a very trying time. Yes, we are sure. We
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would not have offered the reward otherwise.”
“Just what, exactly, do you want us to do?” Raistlin asked.
“Why, we want you to discover what’s happening to the cats and stop it,” Shavas said, looking surprised.
“You say ‘we.’ Am I to assume that the other members of the city council want our aid as well?” Raistlin regarded the woman carefully and thought he saw her grow slightly paler. Her eyes fell before his.
“Some are reluctant … to hire outside …” Shavas hesitated completing the sentence.
Raistlin’s lips twisted in a grim smile. “What you mean to say, lady, is that the other members of the council do not want a sorcerer in their town because they think their problem is the fault of the magical community!”
“Don’t be angry, Raistlin!” Shavas gazed at him with pleading eyes. “The other members of the council do blame wizards for the cats’ disappearance. For the moment. 1 have convinced them, however, that your help is needed, that not all magicians are evil. Won’t you help us? Please?”