Catherine's face held compassion as she looked into my eyes. "They have rules also, they would not do that without telling you. They had a few things to remind me of before I came back. They also could feel your anger, so they hurried."
"I was fearful that I had failed you Catherine, just like I had when my family was killed. I..." I stopped. There was no sense in saying this when I knew that she didn't feel the same way.
Then again Catherine's face held hope and something else. Thing is, I couldn't really tell what it was, I really didn't know much except war and killing. It was what I was trained for, what I was good at.
I guess Catherine could see the pain on my face, "You haven't let me down, master. If anything, you have saved me from that, I thank you. Are you hungry, master?"
This brought a smile to my face, lately she seemed to know how to lighten my mood. "Actually I am. What do you say to Italian?"
"Any particular place?" She asked. "I know of a place in Rome."
I thought about it, I hadn't been to Italy in a few years. "Sounds good to me," I said as she smiled, then snapped her fingers.
A moment later, we were at an outside café on the outskirts of Rome. The picturesque setting seemed perfect.
Hell, even the waiter that came out was good to see. Finally, I truly relaxed for the first time all week.
"So, no matter how long we are gone, we appear at almost the same time as when we left?" I asked.
"Yes, master, it is always that way unless you wish differently. Though there cannot be two of you at the same time, you may observe but not interact," Catherine explained to me.
Hmmm I thought this could make for some very interesting trips back. We finished our meal as I complimented the chef.
I was thinking of going back when I thought, what was the hurry? I looked at Catherine a moment, then nodded.
"I'd like to go to a few places, though I want you beside me. No more of this disappearing when we get there, OK?" I asked.
"I am sorry, master I thought that it was what you wanted. I now know the difference, though I will ask more than I usually do," Catherine said.
Good I thought she has learned, "I have always been interested in historical battles," I said.
Catherine was listening closely as I thought about it.
"I have always wondered about the battle of Waterloo in Belgium. Yes, I would like to go there," I told her.
"Anything else, master?" Catherine said, about to snap her fingers. I thought about it, then shook my head, then remembered too late as we appeared in a tent. I forgot to tell her I only wanted to observe.
I saw Catherine sitting in a corner smiling at me. I was about to ask her to let me observe when Napoleon Bonaparte walked in.
I had to hold my mouth closed as the man walked up to me. "So, Michel Ney, Prince. Are we prepared to defeat these dogs that wish to crush France underfoot?" He asked.
For a moment I was afraid to actually speak, then nodded, "we will do all that we can."
"Good it shall be a great victory at Waterloo. We must teach them that France is not a weak nation," he said, then saluted me about faced then left.
OK, I thought, this wasn't good. "Catherine, I only want to observe." I said as beside me the real Michel Ney appeared.
Much better, I thought, as I watched the man plan an attack, one that would succeed. I knew that he'd secure a victory. Though against England, Prussia, the Netherlands, Brunswick, Hanover and Nassau, Napoleon was doomed.
I mean really 73,000 against five armies. 120,000 in one, 68,000 in another. Then they were backed up by 50,000 of the Prussian army.
I looked over to Catherine, "alright, let's go," I told her.
She looked at me with a smile and said, "Yes, master, where to?"
Hmmmmm I had to think a moment, that was a good reason. I really didn't feel like going back to the base yet. There wasn't really anywhere in the US or Europe that I wanted to go. Wasn't that hungry, then I thought, "can I see where you are from?"
For a moment her face dropped, then her smile returned as fast. "Of course, master, though there like you did here, you can only observe. Are you sure master?" She asked.
This made me hesitate for a moment, was that fear I saw on her face? OK, now I wasn't so sure if I really wanted to go. Unfortunately, Catherine took no answer as a confirmation, and we were there in a moment.
I blinked as I saw what appeared like a modern third world marketplace. I looked around, finding Catherine huddled against me, ok this was not good.
"Alright, take us to the camp," I said as she sighed, then snapped her fingers.
Right after we left, there was a huge crack of almost thunder. A moment later where we had stood, a male Jinn appeared. At first, he had a confused look on his face, then a look of evil crossed his features.
His hand snapped out as he ripped another male to his face. "I can feel that she was here, where is that bitch? She is mine to use 'til there is nothing left. I will breed her 'til she is dead!" He then sniffed the air, "ah she has a master, of no concern from what I can feel. Good, I need a human to kill, to warm up on."
More than a few people were shaking when the evil-looking male suddenly popped out of sight.
In the Jinn realm, the same two that had watched Catherine and me were looking at the evil Jinn.
"So it appears that it has started far sooner than we thought," the Jinn councilor said.
"Yes," Catherine's father said. "As you said, I hope that her master can release her of the curse."