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Description
Once upon a time, in a tower on a hill, there lived a wizard with eighteen cats.

His name was Rufus Montejay, and he was an eccentric even before he became infamous for his collection of felines. With his flyaway white hair and shabby, second-hand clothes (he always spent what little money he saved on obscure magical talismans, spellbooks, and the like), and his tendency to walk about madly flailing his arms talking to unseen companions, he more resembled a possessed scarecrow than a licensed practitioner of magic. People were divided on the subject, though some believed he was both, which was not far from the truth.

What could not be argued with was his affection for cats and his enthusiasm for magic of all kinds. Surprisingly these two did not go very well together. Although witches will insist that having a feline familiar helps greatly with general spellcasting and to create a magically charged atmosphere, Wizard Montejay found them nothing short of confounding. Ginger really had been ginger, until he got a little too interested in the latest potion Montejay was cooking up, and was now bright green. In general they were always getting underfoot, and Croaky insisted on riding on his shoulder whenever he went about casting spells. And then there was Nilla, who would always turn up, smack in the center of his mage's circle, when everything was finally ready to go.

It would have driven him crazy, except, as he cheerfully pointed out, he already was.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This picture is hereby dedicated to ~sugarauntie and all the kitties who ever got underfoot.

Prismacolor pencils on 9"x12" paper. 10 days, lots o' work. This picture appears on page 76 of my Black Book. 8 1/2" x 11" glossy print available for $5.00 + shipping and tax (CA only) at the Eltsar Press Prints Gallery. Art and story © me.
Enjoy.

Description
Once upon a time, in a tower on a hill, there lived a wizard with eighteen cats.

His name was Rufus Montejay, and he was an eccentric even before he became infamous for his collection of felines. With his flyaway white hair and shabby, second-hand clothes (he always spent what little money he saved on obscure magical talismans, spellbooks, and the like), and his tendency to walk about madly flailing his arms talking to unseen companions, he more resembled a possessed scarecrow than a licensed practitioner of magic. People were divided on the subject, though some believed he was both, which was not far from the truth.

What could not be argued with was his affection for cats and his enthusiasm for magic of all kinds. Surprisingly these two did not go very well together. Although witches will insist that having a feline familiar helps greatly with general spellcasting and to create a magically charged atmosphere, Wizard Montejay found them nothing short of confounding. Ginger really had been ginger, until he got a little too interested in the latest potion Montejay was cooking up, and was now bright green. In general they were always getting underfoot, and Croaky insisted on riding on his shoulder whenever he went about casting spells. And then there was Nilla, who would always turn up, smack in the center of his mage's circle, when everything was finally ready to go.

It would have driven him crazy, except, as he cheerfully pointed out, he already was.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This picture is hereby dedicated to ~sugarauntie and all the kitties who ever got underfoot.

Prismacolor pencils on 9"x12" paper. 10 days, lots o' work. This picture appears on page 76 of my Black Book. 8 1/2" x 11" glossy print available for $5.00 + shipping and tax (CA only) at the Eltsar Press Prints Gallery. Art and story © me.
Enjoy.