Something was missing, Skitterlump thought as he sipped his lurkel stew. Shrugging he pushed the crock from the hearth. Suddenly his hovel door slammed open. Without turning Skitterlump sprinkled a little ground peppercorn over the bubbling concoction.

“KittyKisses, I said knock,” Veloriel said frantically fluttering its massive Snow White wings. “Begging a thousand pardons, Master Skitterlump, we can arrange for that to be fixed.

Boom! The massive round door lurched off its hinges and smashed onto the earthen floor. A few more of Veloriel’s feathers worried loose. Skitterlump ladled soup into his mug. Marching in, a pink and purple patchwork kitten leapt on the kitchen table. The monster walked to his easy chair.

“I told you chicken wing that he’d be home. Grab your stone axe, monster. Bunchie’s been kidnapped!” KittyKisses said.

“Please, you agreed to let me handle this. Master Skitterlump, I am Veloriel, a celestial guardian, and you know Marchioness KittyKisses. We have come for a mission of upmost importance to all the realm. A future seer, Abelina Moon, is gone.”

Over a steaming mug, Skitterlump paused. He began blowing on his dinner. In a huff, the stuffed toy batted a spoon off the table. Veloriel pleaded with its eyes for Kitty Kisses to calm down. Grumbling, the toy licked her back.

“Master Skitterlump, Abelina Moon is a vital part of the future of Brightland.”

The monster took a spoonful. KittyKisses caterwauled

“Angel all children are vital. Each and everyone,” the monster said.

The angel spluttered.

“Naturally.”

“Natural my big blue arse. Maybe the immortals have forgotten the value of life but I have not. That is why I now serve as an Under Bed to teach children to face their fears. I’m no longer a soldier for hire. Take that ragamuffin and find another pawn,” Skitterlump said.

“Master—“

Roaring, the monster flung his mug at the angel’s face. Veloriel threw up a golden shield blocking most of the pottery. A shard scratched the angel’s forehead. It looked at its blood in surprise. KittyKisses stopped cleaning her paws and leapt to its side.

“You’ll live, bird brain. I told you this pathetic creature has no fight left. I comforted Bunchie since she was a babe. She is mine and I’ll rip the skin of this world to find her. This lily-livered long whiskers can’t even teach a six year old not to walk off with a Cruncher. Let’s hit the Green Goblet and buy an army,” KittyKisses said and bounced out of the broken door.

Veloriel followed holding its healed but still sore head. The monster could heard the toy cat’s plan to overthrow the Crunchers. Abelina Moon was one of his many charges. Scrawny yet fierce, she’d follow anyone who she believed needed help. How could he let anyone of them be taken? Skitterlump chewed his lip. He pounded his fist on his armchair. Quickly Skitterlump readied for a journey.