The young town of Khiran Brook was just beginning to prosper... verdant farm fields beginning to show around it, and new houses being constructed nearly everywhere you looked, as more people moved in with their families, traveling from the newly named City of Khiranseth, capital of this green world, Khir Khira. Villagers and merchants traveled along the well worn dirt road, moving between the two settlements, exchanging supplies, and harvests for coinage and food.

The world was still young in its settlement by humans, having moved 150 years earlier to this one from a dying world. New towns and villages sprung up all around in this new place.. but Khiranseth and Khiran Brook were special.. they were the point of first arrival for the settlers. And they would always be remembered that way.

The young boy, Geremy, well into his 5th summer, strolled along near the Khiran river, which flowed past the two settlements, and across the road then deep into the Khiran Brook forest. He skipped along lightly, his feet splashing in the shallows of the gently flowing river, pausing to pet a bug on a rock.

He picked up a short dried up stick from within his reach, prodded at the bug, giggling slightly as it crawled frantically to escape the stick. Geremy grinned hugely, then squashed the bug against the rock, and looked up, seeing the edge of the forest up ahead. He caught a glimpse of some movement in a bush.. slowly he crawled up to investigate, wondering what new creature he had stumbled upon.

He heard a slight hissing sound, followed by a squeak as he approached the bush. All was silent for a moment, then his eyes grew wide with curiosity as the bush rustled again. He crept forth slowly, seeing something furry through the leaves.

He crept nearer to the bushes, when all at once, the bushes seemed to explode outwards, a huge grizzly, rising to its hind legs, roaring loudly, scaring Geremy into motionlessness.

Rannis smirked as the angry knight bolted after him across the street and into the darkened alley. Rannis was an alleycat. Covered with sleek black fur, and endowed with luminous green eyes. The tip of his tail was slightly bent and his ears were tattered. In his mouth was clutched by a chain, a money pouch, which he had just liberated from the angry knight, which belonged to a farmer some distance away.

Rannis smirked as he ran up against a brick wall, "Oh how poetic." He turned to face the knight who chased him. He twitched his tail in preparation to use his magic as he stared down the knight, unafraid.

A flowerpot crashed down from a window above, spraying Rannis with shards of dirt. Looking up, he spied a townsman loyal to the cowardly knight, shouting, "Durn cat! Give Sir Douglas back his pouch!"

Rannis muttered beneath his breath, "Oh, just what I needed. The Douglas fan club to show up." Continuing to mutter and not wanting to have to use magic against an innocent, albeit misguided townsman, he was left with no alternative. Silently, he swore to return the farmer's coins as he twitched his tail, disappearing in a scattering flash of white lights even as the knight bore down on him.

Rannis reappeared in a gathering flash of white lights, in this new place... standing in a grassy meadow near a looming forest, a short ways from where he stood. He twitched his tail and the air beside him shimmered as his carrying portal appeared. He stashed the money pouch before withdrawing his head and closing the portal once more.

He heard the loud roar of a bear, to the left, towards the entrance to the forest, followed briefly afterwards by the shrill scream of a frightened child. Rannis's ears perked and he looked in that direction, spying the source. The child made the mistake to run and the bear even now dropped to all fours to give chase.

"Gee, just what I needed.. a romp through the woods with Yogi, to save Boo Boo." Rannis smirked then bolted off towards the bear, attempting to cut him off from the child. He swatted at the bear's leg with his paw, forcing a jolt of energy into the bear with the contact. The bear growled then stopped, looking briefly at this new threat. "Yeah, that's right. You want food? I got your burrito right here pal." Rannis took off at a sprint, the bear following at a lumbering dash.

As Rannis ran, his eyes glowed slightly, then an aura enveloped him even as his body began to change. It grew larger, more powerful, and more muscular as he took on the form of a black panther. He turned quickly to the lumbering bear with feline grace and let out a long deep roar, stopping the bear in its tracks. Rannis slashed the bear across the nose with a heavy panther paw and it drew back, then, blood trickling from both nostrils, it made a hasty retreat into the forest, whimpering.

Rannis smirked, his eyes glowing once again as he returned to the alleycat he was. "Guess I should go check on the little twerp," He muttered to himself, swishing his tail through the air behind him. He padded along slowly to where he saw the child disappear to and spied him, curled up on the grass in a tight ball, sobbing.

The cat padded up lightly to the child, then stooped, thrusting his face into the boy's. "Meow?" Was all he said. The child looked up slightly at the cat sound, and, seeing Rannis, his eyes grew wide, and he inched back slightly. Rannis smiled reassuringly, then licked the boy across the cheek, exclaimed, "Meowr!", pressing the top of his head against the child. Geremy cautiously reached a hand up to stroke Rannis's fur, to which Rannis responded by pushing himself against the boy's hand, purring slightly. The child cracked a smile, then, as Rannis licked his fingers, broke out giggling. He sat up, then drew Rannis into his lap, stroking his fur vigorously.

Rannis looked up, and licked the child's chin, then meowed again, insistently. Geremy looked down at Rannis, then, giggling slightly said, "Kitty-kat want miwk?" Rannis smirked inwardly, but continued his affections towards the child. Geremy suddenly stood up, taking Rannis with him, and, carrying him awkwardly, with Rannis's forepaws draped across his arms, held tightly to the child, with his lower body hanging down, the boy carried Rannis towards a farmhouse.

The small house was as plain on the inside as it looked from the outside. For chairs, the family used stumps of wood, and a crude wooden table was constructed. The house was a single room with straw beds laid out in one corner. A cooking fire and chimney was in the center of the room and a weary-looking woman toiled at churning a pot hanging over the blazing flames. "Sheesh, talk about central heating," Rannis thought to himself, watching with his luminous green eyes, looking miserable in Geremy's grasp.

The woman looked up as they entered and exclaimed suddenly, "Geremy, no! Don't bring that smelly flea-ridden animal in here! Are you insane, child?" Rannis smirked, "I think I resent that," he thought to himself. "But momma, kitty want miwk!" was the child's answer. "That mangy stray? I'll not see a good bowl of milk wasted to that vermin! Take him out of the house immediately or your father will deal with you when he finishes in the fields!"

Rannis smirked inwardly, thinking, "In fact, I KNOW I resent that." Geremy reluctantly carried Rannis outside, then plopped him on the ground, stooping to pet him, "Sowwy, kitty. Momma says I can't give you miwk." Rannis curled up a paw, licking the bottom of it as the child continued to stroke his fur. An aged man, hunched over, walked past, not escaping Rannis's notice for a powerful aura of magic surrounded the man. Rannis, sensitive to the energies, looked up with curiosity at the wizened sage, dressed in white robes, and clutching a wooden staff in gnarled hands. The man stooped near the child, looking down at Rannis with laughing eyes as one hand parted from the staff to lightly stroke Rannis's head alongside the child's.

"Why hello there, little one. What's your name?" Asked the man, looking at Geremy. "Geremy.." Came the cautious response. "Hello Geremy. I'm Charit. Is this your cat?" "uh huh" Said Geremy, drawing Rannis into his arms, and hugging him possessively, much to Rannis's dismay. "He seems very nice, Geremy. Does he have a name?" Charit's eyes twinkled as he looked at the child, his hand moving back to his staff. Geremy considered for a moment, then looked up at Charit and exclaimed proudly, "Sir Kitty!" Charit laughed lightly, the youth in that old man's laugh astounding. "Take good care of Sir Kitty, Geremy. I feel he is special."

Charit winked slightly before walking away, vanishing out of sight behind some houses. Rannis scowled. 'What did he mean by that??' he thought 'could he know?? No.. there must be another reason... Rannis, you're reading too much into this. Get a grip, geez, you're beginning to sound like you're on a bad trip of catnip'. Rannis looked up at the child, pushing his head into the boy's hand as he continued to stroke him, enjoying as the boy petted him harder then scratched behind his ears.

The clattering of hooves and men clad in armor sounded suddenly from one end of the town, punctuated sharply by the scream of a peasant as a sword was pushed into his gut. The armed men were dressed in grey tarnished armor and brandished longswords. The sun glinted from them slightly as they rode. The leader grinned evilly, his sword stained with a sickly red. "Kill em all! Burn the bloody town! Leave no one! In the name of Miratias!" The leader shouted, as his men began to scatter into the town... about 50 of them in total, but enough to raze the entire town as there was no official town guard... and the only soldiers remaining on Khir Khira dwelled 2 days ride at Khiranseth.

The soldiers began their slaughter, as men and women alike dropped what they were doing, running for a place to hide. Geremy's mother, upon hearing the commotion and seeing Geremy, still with the cat cuddled in his arms and watching the scene with wide eyes, ran outside in a panic to her son to pick him up. She nearly made it, but was cut down as one of the men brandishing a hand-crossbow fired a bolt at her, piercing her throat, sending her sprawling to the ground.

Rannis looked at the dead woman in alarm, quickly cast 'Energy shield' around himself in the boy, stopping the warrior's sword with a resounding clang as he struck down at the frightened child. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size, pal??" Rannis shouted up at the knight even as he cast 'Shrink' on him, reducing him to 5" tall, dropping him to the ground. Rannis smirked, looking at the small human, "Like a mouse."

The human squeaked, dropping his sword at the sight of the gigantic cat, then ran for his life, which was ended soon after Rannis began his pounce, chomping down on the soldier, wringing his flailing body from side to side until it went limp then batted playfully at it as he tossed it to the ground. The child stared wide eyed at the talking cat and the tiny bloody human.

Rannis stuck near the child, not wanting to use his magic, but seeing no other way to protect the town... which he felt was now his duty. He aimed his tail at a soldier and was about to fire an energy blast, when suddenly a bolt of fire blazed through the air, slamming into the soldier, toppling him screaming to the ground. The old man from before, Charit, came into view, his eyes blazing like dying embers of a fire. His staff clutched in one hand, out to the side, the hand which had discharged the fire held in front of him, still pointed at his target. Rannis smirked, "Not bad for an old man."

As the men of the town began to fight back at the soldiers, Rannis helped where he could, staying beside the child, but casting attack spells into the fray. Lightning and energy met fire and ice as Charit and Rannis worked their magics, preventing the soldiers from overwhelming the townspeople. Then townsmen began to prevail as the soldiers began scattering, their numbers diminished and unable to counter the spells thrown at them. Even before the soldiers began their retreat, Charit gripped his staff and hobbled across the way to Rannis and the boy. He looked down sternly, but with twinkling eyes, "Tis unwise to use magic in the view of the public here, Sir Kitty."

Rannis smirked up at him, "First off I'm not a knight. And I sure ain't lame enough to be called Sir Kitty. Name's Ranarak. But most call me Rannis. And not a bad job over there for an old man."

"Old does not always mean, incapable, my young friend, Rannis. But tis unsafe to tarry here. Come. And bring the child." Charit looked around quickly, checking that none of the townsmen paid them attention yet, then began a slow walk behind the houses, out of sight.

Rannis looked at the child, who sat frightened, paralyzed with fear. He smirked slightly, then twitched his tail, casting 'Levitation' on the child, making him rise a few inches off of the ground. Rannis moved around behind him and nudged him in the direction Charit disappeared in. "All right kid let's go. Nothing to see here." Rannis nudged the kid next to Charit then canceled his spell, dropping the kid to the dirt, "All right.. here's the kid. I got something to do. Buh bye." Charit tapped Rannis lightly between the ears with his staff, "Not just yet Rannis. Don't you wish to learn what I plan for the boy?" Rannis's face contorted in disgust, "You are one sick Old man, you know that, don't you?" Charit chuckled lightly, "Ah yes, the sarcasm and close mindedness of youth. Cherish it, Rannis." Rannis smirked, "Unless you're gonna resurrect that boys mother and give him back to his family, that wasn't sarcasm, old man."

Charit smiled, but didn't respond. Instead, he traced a withered finger through the air in a circular pattern. A swirling blue portal opened beneath his touch, its depths seeming infinite. He reached down, smiling to the terrified child, "It's okay, little one. I'm taking you somewhere safe. It's okay."

Rannis looked at Charit with curiosity only a cat could possess as the child placed his hand in Charit's, trusting him completely. Charit then took a step towards the portal, but stopped and looked in Rannis's direction, "Come, Rannis. I wish to show you something... perhaps offer you something."

"Oh? I don't think you've got anything I wanna see, old man. Unless it's a youthful granddaughter. Um.. is it?" Rannis grinned, looking up hopefully. "Tsk tsk," Said Charit, shaking a finger at Rannis, "Tis not mere pleasure I offer you.. but an opportunity."

"Yeah, well I'd consider a granddaughter a real promising opportunity, personally. But whatcha got?"

"Come, and I will show you."

Rannis smirked, "All right. I got nothing better to do. But try anything funny, and you're cat food."

Charit smiled, "I believe you will do just fine, Rannis."

Rannis smirked at that comment, but followed Charit through the portal. The portal opened onto a world such as Rannis had never seen.. a crimson sky and a ground formed of shimmering ethereal. Buildings rose out of the ground and people, beings of all shapes, sizes, and colors went about their business in this odd place. Rannis looked around in amazement, blinking, never having seen such a place before.

He looked up at Charit quizzically, his luminous green eyes full of curiosity. Charit smiled down at Rannis, "Tis the Village of Circles, Rannis. In the Circle Realm in the outerplanes.. Home to the Circle of Spellcasters." He moved forward slowly, towards a tower at the end of the main street, which seemed to vanish into the crimson sky above. The child, Geremy, looked about with wide eyes, still clutching Charit's hand.

Rannis padded alongside Charit, sniffing the strange scents in the air, and marveling at the sheer magnificence of it all. Many of the busy citizens stopped quickly to say hello as Charit passed by. He smiled, greeting each of them by name, as they drew nearer to the tower.

The door of the tower was large, made of a glowing oak, and decorated by an ugly gargoyle door knocker, its tongue lolling out of its mouth, and a large brass ring through its nose. As they approached, Charit spoke aloud, seemingly to the door, "Hello there. Charit of the 5th Circle, bringing the wild mage, Geremy, and possible candidate, Rannis to see the council... Might I pass?"

Rannis smirked, "If you want in, old man, its called a doorknob. Like tha--" He was cut off abruptly as the gargoyle came to life, and spoke, "Pfft.. of course ya want in. Everyone wants in. What if I don't wanna let you in??" "Then you will be replaced with a more cooperative doorknocker, I'm afraid," Charit said, the smile not leaving his lips for a moment. "I'll be good."Came the knockers response, and the door swung open to reveal a swirling blue portal.

Rannis looked at the portal, then the knocker, then back at the portal. He smirked as Charit motioned him forth into the portal. Rannis cocked his head to the side to look at the doorknocker and stuck his tongue out at the gargoyle then bounded into the portal, disappearing into its depths. Charit followed soon after with the boy and the door closed.

Rannis looked about, finding himself in a darkened, seemingly endless room, lit by some unknown source. Ahead of him, there was a long table, behind which sat various people of various races, many with a certain glowing aura about them. Situated at the center of the table was an ancient man, seemingly so old that if he moved, he'd flake to dust. He was attired in white robes, like Charit and his eyes were locked on Rannis as he entered. He looked behind Rannis then spoke, "Charit of the 5th... what is the meaning of bringing this miserable stray into the council with you? I'm sure you know the rules about familiars and pets."

Charit waited for the mage to finish, then bowed his head, "Yes, great one. But he is no ordinary cat. Nor my familiar. His name is Rannis, great one. He seems quite adept at magic. He aided me in driving the raiders from the town of Khiran Brook. I have brought him in the hopes he would be offered membership into the Circle."

The elder considered, running a gnarled finger over his chin, "Indeed? And who would sponsor this... feline?"

"I would, great one. Charit of the 5th Circle. I would be held responsible for his actions and teach him everything he needs to know about the Circle, great one."

"Whoa, wait a minute here, pal." Rannis spoke up, a bit miffed that they weren't asking his opinion.

The elder shot an icy glare to Rannis and Charit's smile faded to a worried frown.

The elder spoke in an angry, booming voice, "Who gave you permission to speak, cat?"

"Permission? Pfft. Yo momma." Rannis curled up a paw to lick it.

The elder fumed then fired a glare at Charit, "See to it that he's disciplined properly!"

"Yes.. great one.." Charit bowed his head slightly, then raised a hand towards Rannis, firing off a small bolt of lightning, zapping into Rannis, sending him jumping back.

"SON OF A--- What the hell was that for??" Rannis looked at Charit, angrily.

"One doesn't speak unless spoken to in the council chambers, Rannis," Charit replied lightly, then bowed his head, once again facing the elder.

"Yeah, well I'd kinda like to have my opinion asked about joining your little party here. I mean, it sounds nice and all... and don't get me wrong... I LOVE having my ass shocked off with bolts of electricity. But I got somewhere to be, if ya know what I mean."

"Ranarak Tarandis, do shut up," Said the elder, his voice echoing through the hall.

"H--how did you know my real name?" Rannis stammered, his forepaw tapping nervously against the floor, tail twitching, hovering behind him.

The elder smiled, "We know many things, Ranarak. We know how you came by your longevity... we could know who you spent the night with a thousand years ago."

Rannis smirked, "Really, no kidding? Even I don't know that."

"We also know you search for information about your 'curse' as you have so often put it before. We can help you in your search, Ranarak, but only if you allow us to. And only if you join."

"Call me Rannis," He twitched his tail in annoyance.

"Rannis... will you join? It could be of benefit to us all."

Rannis cat-shrugged, "I guess. Couldn't hurt... got any fish?"

Charit chuckled lightly despite himself then looked back down at the boy with him. He cleared his throat softly and the elder returned his gaze to him.

"Charit of the 5th.. what have you there?"

"Tis the wild mage, Geremy, now orphaned, his father and mother killed in Khiran Brook. I request permission to enroll him in the Academy, great one."

"Of course, Charit of the 5th. All wild-talent children are welcome there. Leave him here, and I will have someone take care of it. In the meantime... Charit of the 5th, you will show Rannis of the 10th around the town, and explain the ways of the Circle to him. Is that understood?"

"Yes, great one." Charit said with a nod.

"Dismissed then. May the Circle guide and protect you, Charit of the 5th."

"And you as well, great one." Charit bowed, then quickly ushered Rannis from the room with him, ending up once again outside the tower.

Charit looked down scoldingly at Rannis, "One should never.. NEVER mouth off to the council, Rannis. Is that understood?"

Rannis smirked, spoke sarcastically, "Yes, great one!"

Charit smiled lightly, shaking a solitary finger at Rannis, "Come now. Tis the proper way to greet the high elder... most powerful sorcerer in the realm."

"Yeah... whatever.."

"I'm sure I will enjoy having you around, Rannis." Charit chuckled lightly.

"I hope you mean, for company's sake, old man."

"Rannis, I truly believe you'll go far in the Circle."

Rannis smirked, looking down at the street for a while, thinking. Finally he looked up, "Hey Charit.. "

Charit smiled down warmly to him, "Yes?"

"Charit.. there's something I gotta do. Ever hear of a place called Q'lelle?"

Charit looked thoughtful for a moment before responding, "Yes, Rannis. Why yes I have."

"Can we go there? Just for a moment.. I got something I have to do.."

"Well... I am supposed to show you around... but. yes. Yes Rannis, I will take you there." Charit waved his finger through the air, opening a shimmering portal. He motioned Rannis through before stepping through himself.

It was night time in the world of Q'lelle... with its twin ivory moons peaking in the sky above, watching down over the silent land. Rannis padded lightly into a small farmhouse just outside of town, a money pouch clutched in his mouth. Charit waited outside as Rannis hopped up lightly on a crudely carved table and set the money pouch down on the surface, whispering, "Just call me RannisClaus." He hopped off of the table to join Charit, who stood silently, clutching his staff, looking up at the stars.

"What is it?" Rannis said softly as he approached.

Charit looked down silently, snapped from his reverie, "Oh... n-nothing.. I was just remembering."

"Care to talk about it?" Rannis asked, sitting on the ground in front of Charit, curling his tail lightly about his legs.

"Rannis... do you wish to join the Circle? Truly? Or was I assuming too much?"

Rannis considered, looking up at Charit with his luminous green eyes,

"Well.. I'd never thought about joining a group or anything... Hell... I don't even know what the Circle is or what it stands for... but that old guy in the council... he said he could help find out more about this curse.. And no matter what.. I can't pass up that opportunity."

Charit looked down at Rannis and nodded in understanding, "I assure you that we will do all we can to help you. I think you'll enjoy the Circle, Rannis. I truly do.. " Rannis smirked, "I doubt it. Any organization where they shock their members for speaking their minds can't be all that great" "Just in council, Rannis. Only speak when spoken to... Remember that." Rannis looked up at Charit, his luminous eyes betraying their sincerity, "I will.. "

Charit looked up at the stars once more, sighing heavily, before turning back to his portal, hobbling towards it. Rannis licked his paw once, then trotted along on Charit's heel, disappearing into the depths of the portal.

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