Mythlands: THE HEIST

The Glass Cat is Not Amused

George stuck out his hand. 'Ah, the infamous Glass Cat I presume. Allow me Sir, to present myself. I am ...'

Bungle cut him off. 'You are another stray and we have our limit. I advise you to escape back the way you came and quickly, for as soon as a gingerbread of my acquaintance makes toilet, then our toils here are at an end and we shall be departing ... without you.'

The bespectacled George lowered his hand but continued to smile. 'But my dear fellow, I am not just another stray. We have I believe, a mutual friend. SC told me that were I ever to run into you, I was to offer his respects and ...'

'I know not of this SC.'

'Now what were the exact words of the message? Ah yes I was to impart 'Greetings from the cat you shared the box with, at the performance of Swan Lake.''

The Glass Cat blinked and was still for a moment. 'Swan Lake you say? Very well, I have no time to argue. You may accompany us, if Professor Moriarty, you will lay out the five green rings. Renard, roust the Gingerbread Man from the chamber yonder and see if he has filled the chamber pot. Five yellow stools are required.'

Renard looked disgusted and started to slowly get to his feet as The Cheshire Cat smirked at him. However he quickly sat down again when Goldie volunteered for the task.

Jessica and The Hare leaned casually against the inner door-frame as Goldie knocked on the door and called out. 'Ginge, ya decent?'

The voice of the psychotic shortbread came through the thick oak. 'All done. One second.' She heard the sound of a key being turned on the other side and as soon as the door was unlocked, stepped through.

Closing the door behind her, Goldie was relieved to see the Gingerbread Man drying off five newly washed yellow rings. 'Finished?'

He grinned. 'Yeah, a bit of a strain keeping seven rings up my jacksy, but they're all out now. Talking of which, I did what you asked.'

The Gingerbread Man produced a green ring and a yellow ring, which Goldie quickly secreted about her person.

'You sure they didn't know about the extras Ginge?'

Her biscuit based lover pawed at Goldie's breasts and winked. 'I was first here. Punchinello didn't get a good look, so the only person who knows there were six green rings and six yellow is Ketterley. We're alright unless he starts talking, but why the hell should he? The bloke doesn't owe Glass Cat any favours! Tell me again why you wanted us to have our own pair?'

Goldie batted his hands away. 'Not now luv. Insurance,' she answered his question. 'Trust me?'

The Gingerbread Man gave her a lascivious look. 'Yeah.'

They exited the room and proceeded to hand over the five yellow rings to Professor Moriarty, who bade the group huddle around the crate, on top of which he had placed the five rings.

'Pay close attention. These rings will facilitate our escape from Narnia and take us halfway to our ultimate destination – a place called the Wood between Worlds. This is accomplished by use of the yellow rings and from there we have access to other worlds, but those can only be reached by utilizing the green rings.'

Griffin coughed. 'Er excuse me Professor Moriarty, but I have read the book Professor Ketterley came from and it distinctly stated that a person ... or cat ... or fox or ... whoever, would be transported just by touching the rings. How was the Gingerbread Man and Miss Lochs able to ... er hold them?'

'Would you care to answer that Ketterley?' Moriarty fielded the question to the sullen Narnian.

'If I must,' grumbled the wild haired professor. 'The original rings were destroyed but I had enough material to recreate them and thanks to my experiments I was able to refine the process. The flaw that made the rings activate on contact with skin has been eliminated; now you need to put on the ring and will it to work. Very simple – just 'want' to be on your way and you will be.'

The Glass Cat glanced at the door. 'We must soon away, so follow my instructions carefully. Human-like fingers will work best, so Moriarty, Miss Lochs, Miss Bunny, Renard and ... Hare, take a yellow ring and prepare. Do not place the ringer on your finger until I say so,' he rhymed.

The Hare had been startled, as was Jessica. He had almost blurted out 'You'd trust me with a ring?' but had wisely resisted. Moments later Cosmo had grasped his arm and Atom had done the same to Jessica. So they weren't completely at liberty it seemed!

But then Bungle had explained that in order to transport the whole group, they all had to be touching.

Cosmo used his super strength to tuck the crate under his arm while Atom lifted up the Golden Goose and the head of the Cheshire Cat. Bungle himself hopped into Moriarty's arms while Renard scooped up Griffin. The Gingerbread Man put an arm round Goldie's waist, while Bulgy, with Boo in his arms, held her other arm.

Reluctantly Jessica picked up Punchinello and allowed George to grasp her spare arm.

Bungle turned to Ketterley. 'Take Moriarty's arm my dear Professor, unless you care to stay – but be forewarned, I will leave no witness behind so depart alive, or remain, dead.'

Ketterley exercised the better part of valour and placed his hand on Moriarty's arm. His face was a picture and oddly The Hare wished he had a camera to record it.

***

Several minutes earlier ...

Leo looked over at Bruin. 'Rabbit man? Can it be!!'

Bruin was in no doubt whatsoever. 'The Hare is here!!'

Ariel screamed. 'Avaunt ye Narnians!! There be rapscallions most foul in thy midst! Sound the bells and let the cry ring out and the terrorists be hunted to ground, forthwith!!'

The High King Peter had speedily arrived and now knelt by the stricken Reepicheep. 'What else can you tell us oh faithful champion?'

The stunned mouse was amazingly trying to rise to his feet. 'B Bulgy Bear was with them.'

The King frowned. 'Why was I not informed? He was supposed to be in the Hinterlands guarding ... Ketterley!!! Guards, go to the Professor's rooms. Arrest anyone you find inside!

Reepicheep staggered forward, pulling out his sword. 'None but Reepicheep shall enter first!!'

Bruin scooped the mouse up and placed him on his shoulders. 'You'll be first, but Ariel and I will be next. This time The Hare doesn't escape!!' He then began to lope off down the corridor at a run.

***

'Place your rings on your fingers,' ordered the Glass Cat. 'Concentrate. On the count of three. One ... Two ... Three.'

Suddenly the room was empty.