After saying that 3 times the voice stopped. “That has never happened before,” said Fjola shaking. “Just more scare tactics,” said Mikkael, “now they want to scare you away so you will not help us.” “Well, they will not succeed in that one,” I said, “we are going to find out what is going on around here.” “And as for you, you miserable witch,” he yelled at Sigurbjorn, “go back to your room! That is the third time you failed to stop those men, you are totally useless, I don’t know why I keep you here!”

“Yes sir,” she said quietly with her head down, and she began to leave. “Wait Sigurbjorn,” said Fjola, “I want you to help me make breakfast for everyone if you do not mind.” “I will gladly help,” she said trying hard to produce a smile as she went to the kitchen. “And if she goes, so do I,” said Fjola to her husband as she went to the kitchen. “And you can eat after we are finished Sigurbjorn!”, he yelled.

“I want her eating with us,” I said firmly, “she knows more about this place than you do, otherwise I will have to talk with her alone.” “You can eat with us,” he yelled back to the kitchen, “you will find that thing is totally useless and just makes up stuff to sound important!” “I will be the judge of that,” I said, “and do not ever call her a “thing” again around us.” He just grumbled and went outside. It was daylight, the sun was shining nicely, but it was still a bit cool.

There is definitely something going on here and something that Mikkael does not want to tell us. I called Annelie and asked her to do some checking of these people, and also Sigurbjorn. I think she is holding something back as well, though it may not be anything serious. Oddly Mikkael seemed to be a totally different person at breakfast. He was talking pleasantly and even joked a bit and laughed a lot.

I asked more about the people that had attacked us since that was something they all neglected to tell us about before. “They never do any harm, at least not until this time,” said Mikkael, “but they have stolen some things from us. Sigurbjorn thinks they live in one of the caves down at the end of the path. But do not go in those caves, you will get lost for sure.” Sigurbjorn said the same thing, it was just too dangerous.

But those other people live there, or do they? Perhaps they just make it look like they do, then when no one is watching they double back to a different place where they live. That way they will not know who they are. Later I got alone with Mikkael to talk with him while Kat and the girls talked with Fjola and Sigurbjorn. Unknown to me, however, Sigurbjorn went off by herself. Muffin spotted her though and followed her.

She found her off behind one of the buildings, sitting on a large flat rock, and crying. Meow,meow?=Why you cry? You are hurt maybe? Sigurbjorn looked all around then looked at Muffin. “You really can talk,” she said, with a quaking voice and a faint smile. Meow,meow.=Yep, me say that before, all us cats can talk, we special cats. But only nice people can understand us. “I am so sorry little Muffin,” she said, “I guess I did not believe you.”

Meow,meow.=That okay, everyone like that first time. But why you cry? Sigurbjorn took a deep breath, “I am just very lonely, I see all of you and know that you are all good friends, I can see that, and that is something I do not have.” Meow,meow.=We can be your friends, you my friend right now. Me give hug? “Oh, I would love that precious Muffin,” she said with a real smile now. Muffin gave her a big hug and started purring loudly.

“Oh my, that purring is so lovely,” she said, “I wish I could have a cat like you, but my boss would certainly not allow that.” Meow,meow.=He not very nice man, he say bad things about you. Sigurbjorn put her head down. “Well, maybe he is right, I am useless, and terrible,” she said. Muffin’s ears went straight up! Meow,meow!=No! That not right, he very wrong, he not know, you are very beautiful woman and super nice too!

“Aww, thank you so very much precious Muffin for saying that to me,” she said smiling, “it means much to me.” Meow,meow?=Me ask question, not need to answer. Why no friends when you so nice women people? “Well, some people just have the right personality for making friends,” she began, “and I guess I just do not have that personality. I did have my family, a sister and parents, but they died in a house fire 5 years ago. Right after I was offered this job and decided maybe it would be good to start my life fresh away from the city where I grew up.” Muffin’s ears went straight up again when she heard that. She knew that could not be coincidence.

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.