Enchanter-Miniseries nos. 1-3 of 8

By Catherine Yronwode

Cub is tracking a Jackalope, Haricorn not knowing how difficult they are to capture. Cup doesn't give up though, and gets his meal, then is distracted by a dragon coming in at a dive for a bite. He's helped by a hooded figure, who he believes he recognizes, Cecimuir declaring he only wants Cub to be grateful he helped, then shows he looks normal before deciding they should prepare a meal. Beneath Mt Athos, it stinks of death as Markisham (who isn't ID'd til later) walks through the darkness to discover his pop, Xantharn, asleep.

Upon waking, Mark admits he hasn't informed his ma he'd come there. Mark admits he'd developed his painful powers, but doesn't expel them hatefully, but rather up into the sky, as relief. His pop argues how ignorant villagers tend to discriminate even when helping with powers like theirs, continuing to rationalize his decision to lash back. Mark q's why Xantharn has sent his bird for him, his pop revealing his wish to share his magicke knowledge, to which Mark scoffs.

Before he teleports himself away, he makes clear he doesn't plan to accept his pop trying to rekindle a relationship with himself or his ma. Xantharn regrets leaving his son to his ma, but would attempt to prevent harm from occurring from Mark's ma, again. He disrobes and becomes a wild cat, stalking outside into the snow. It takes Mark 4 days to get home and to his ma, who is inside the home intruded, and lying on the floor.

Mark buries his ma with the most heavy rocks, then remembers his ma's history, getting raped, and still loving him. She confesses his pop's ID once, when Mark is in school age, he making her forget for the pain it caused. When he goes into his ma's house again, he sees the cat fur and considers the meaning before walking back out. He follows the tracks as it starts snowing, and follows them to where he must fight the bear which'd made them, magicking it to sleep.

Except after following the tracks through a cave, realizes the footprints change into a human foot. This gives Xantharn away, and in a grungy city called Grimrock, a wild cat tears up a citizen as he's putting up posters. A lady servant of Xantharn gets her orders from his raven before it's summoned to him. Meanwhile, Cecimuir is eating and answering a q on his name actually being a title, and coming from the people who had cared for him as an abandoned child. He hopes to search for his parents for answers. Cub also vaguely shares his history, and having odd talents, which after their candid chat, helps them bond.

Cecimuir wakes in the morning, eats some blackberries off a bush and befriend a buck, at least til Cub gets up, wondering how he'd gotten so close. Ceci confesses of all animals bonding with him, but he can't use his likability to trick a rabbit for Cub to hunt, so invites him along to Grimrock, walking partway, and riding a canoe, goofing off when they both capsize in the calm river. In M'Nac, a Goblin fortress, Lady Adine is given entry as Xantharn's ambassador. The trio of goblins within aren't happy with Xantharn not paying them last time they helped him, and plan to dismember her as a response.

Adine doesn't take the threat of aiming their swords at her lightly, so cuts them down. The leader, she breaks a box of his pay over his head, and relays Xantharn's demands before walking out. Villagers plan on killing the wild cat, the raven overhearing and going to Xantharn, only to be told to return and look after the people whilst he spies on Mark. Cub and Ceci stake out the city from a roof, til Cub decides to go for a drink at a bar, Ceci joining him merely as company.

An overheard remark from Cub gets the barkeep giving him unwanted attn. The large goblins strongarm the 2 to their punishment of a wheel, it being where bets would be accepted as Cub is bound onto it.

Intriguing start, can't wait to discover the rest!