Discovery of the Cartographer's Cat

"I only wanted a map over Agia. I never imagined the hassle of getting one from the famous Neria K. Her cat..."

— A note from Aewydim Scibodaeth

During my research for this book, I found out I needed a map over Agia. I started looking at other famous and recently made maps, and quickly discovered they were all made by the same cartographer, Neria K.
11th of Autumdref Temyn, 989 AGD: I made a young apprentice of mine find her home for me, as I was busy researching Queen Renala Nareith of Atlasé. I stayed in Nimble Feet during this time, and had offered my apprentice accommodations as well.

13th of Autumdref Temyn, 989 AGD: Today, I discovered that Renala did perform in this inn. I even saw the punch mark in the wall, where her father supposedly had hit in anger after discovering his daughter had dressed up as a bard and was performing with Ionas.

In the evening, my apprentice entered the inn, parts of his clothes torn, and he had small rifts on his and and face as well. I immediately rose from my seat to ask him what had happened.

He looked at me shockingly, and answered something I would never had imagined could happen. Apparently, the cartographer's cat had attacked him out of the blue.

"I found the cartographer's home, and asked her to make a map for you. She said, only if her cat had accepted me, she would make one. I told her time was at the essence, and told her money was not a problem. Suddenly, a black cat jumped me and the next thing I know, I was running away."

17th of Autumdref Temyn: Today, I have travelled to Anmodren both to research Renala's life at the castle, and to have a talk with the cartographer. My apprentice had followed me reluctantly, I cannot blame him, the last experience he had with the Cartographer was not a pleasant one.

18th of Autumdref Temyn:Curiosity got the worse of me, and instead of focusing on my research on Renala, I found myself walking to the Cartographer's home in Anmodren. I entered her home, which apparently was also her shop.
A woman appeared from a curtain, probably leading to her private area in the little home, and immediately notice me. She approached me and ask who I was and what my business was here. I told her I needed a map over Western Agia. She picked up a black cat lying on a table in the small sunlight streaming through a little window.

"It all depends whether my cat accepts you or not. No matter how much I want to make a map for you, my little Panther is very selective towards my customers, often ending in tilted ink over the maps or completely destroyed maps. You are very picky about customers, are you not Panther?"

"Meeoooow"

I slowly approached the black cat and held out my hand to let it sniff it. For a moment I was frightened it would scratch my hand or bite it, but it simply rubbed its head against my hand. I was accepted.

"It looks like you will get a map. Expect it to be done in about three months." The Cartographer said, and I thanked her, paying her in advance and returned to my original research about Renala.

25th of Parcyntas Temyn:

I have been sick for a week now, and asked my apprentice to fetch the map for me. He was not pleased to meet the cat again, but seeing how ill I was, he saw it was necessary.

I waited for hours upon his return, and when he finally entered the room, I saw ink on his hands and a couple of scratch marks again.

"I was fetching the map as you wanted, master, but that cat... it knocked down a bottle of ink over the map, and when I tried to save the map from the ink, it just scratched me! The Cartographer told me that she will make a new one, but you should pick it up yourself."

5th of Annodyn Cyradtus: I have now been well for about two months now and have continued my research in good health, although the cold is hard my passion for researching burns inside me, keeping me warm enough to continue. I know the Cartographer had said my map should be finished within three months again, I was caught up in my research.

It had been six months since I last saw the Cartographer, and feared her cat would ruin my map once more. I entered, and to my surprise, the cat immediately rubbed itself against my leg. I had nothing to be scared of, and the Cartographer handed me the map of Agia. I did not ask her how she knew such details about the Lands of Myths and Legends, and even if I had, I do not think she would have told me.

Medium

Paper

Agia

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