The continuing adventures of Dawn, the canine familiar in training!
In this next part she finally makes it to the mysterious Sanctum itself and makes several new friends, as well as a powerful enemy.
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Part 1: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/4740567/

Sanctum: School for Familiars
Part 2. Guiding Lights

“My destiny?” Dawn narrowed her eyes.
She was still getting used to the concept of wearing clothes, let alone the loose fitting and difficult to negotiate robes she’d been provided by the kindly in keep. Seemed Templeton had a lot of contacts in the village, and any one did what he said once they got a look at his staff. The robes were a pleasing white color but seemed cheap material. Not that she would have minded silk or cotton either way but it did itch somewhat. In addition she now wore clogs on her back paws, appendages she was still trying to convince herself to call ‘feet’.
“It’s a fancy way of saying what you get to do.” Templeton winked.
“So…an obligation then.”
“Anyway you slice it you’re stuck with the cards you’re dealt.” The rat pushed the second rough-hewn mug across the table. “Drink up.”
“You know” Dawn smacked her lips and smiled. “This toast thing with milk on it is quite good as is.”
“Get used to the mead. It’s the regional beverage.”
She took up the cup and sipped the amber liquid carefully, swished it around in her mouth.
She stuck out her tongue.
“Touch…heady.”
“Get used to it.” Templeton nodded. “Everybody drinks it around here.”
Dawn nodded back.
And nodded.
And kept nodding until she realized what she was doing and stopped.
“Destiny.” She said at last.
“Yes. First off realize you’re not a ‘dog’. Not here. All familiars are…well familiars. We take on the shape of that common animal and a few of their traits in the second world.”
“Huh.”
“Was that acknowledgement or expressing confusion?”
“Hmm?”
“Thought so. Most of this will get filled out at Sanctum. Did you attend obedience school on the second world?”
Dawn thought. For some reason not only was the mead tasting better with every sip but her already frazzled mind was becoming more and more frayed at the edges.
“That’s where the men in orange vests give you treats?”
“Um…sure.” Templeton drained his mug. “Sanctum is like that, only with real work. You’ve got a gift missy and you’ve got to learn how to use it properly.”
“Gift?”
Dawn looked at her half full mug, shrugged, and proceeded to down it as Templeton had done, even as the rat reached across the table to stop her.
“I really wish you hadn’t done that.” Templeton slumped back into his seat.
Dawn had to squint to focus now. Funny, she hadn’t before.
“You were tipsy after a few sips. The powers only know how you’ll be now.”
“I feel fine.” Dawn murmured.
Sure speaking was a chore now but she did feel good. Really good.
Brought a big happy smile to her face.
“Mead was a mistake.”
Templeton withdrew his pocket watch.
“Okie doke. Portico to Sanctum is set to open at the standing stones. Can you…walk?”
“Sure.” Dawn hiccupped. “Not sure if I can run though…”
“That’s too bad. Up you get.”
A scaly paw gripped her hand and lifted her to her wobbly feet. While the villagers starred she was dragged along up the rolling green hillside, first at a trot and then speeding to a run after the rat got another look at his watch.
“Theodereiks keeps a tight grip on the portico scheme. If we miss the gate…”
“Slow up!” Dawn panted. “My legs seem to be falling asleep...”
Templeton said nothing, just continued to tug and pick up speed, his clogs beneath his robe clattering on the flagstone path.
She looked up, eyes struggling to piece together two drifting images. Both were of a collection of seven standing stones jutting from an upcoming knoll.
“Outta the way!”
Dawn had no means not to topple over as Templeton’s hand left her paw. He had been briskly sideswiped by a small figure dressed in a purple robe.
“Of all the…!” the rat nearly swore, righting himself from his stagger with his staff. “I ought to give you flippers for a week!”
His arm shakily aimed his staff at the figure’s retreating back, but just as he drew a bead there was a blaze of light.
The figure vanished leaving the rat to smile bemusedly.
“How about that. Right on time.”
Dawn pushed herself to an uncertain stand, shading her eyes against the glare. A circular patch of pure luminescence was centered between two of the largest stones.
“Well” Templeton pointed at the portico. “In you go.”
“What about…”
“Everything will be provided for an made sense of on the other side. Quickly now.”
“My wooziness.” Would have been Dawn’s question but the time was clearly now for action. She broke into a faltering run, raised her arms to shield against the glow…
“Watch it!” The little white dog said as Dawn stumbled into her.
“Sorry.” Dawn muttered, promptly turning around…and smacking into a rabbit in sky blue robes that looked more hurt then affronted.
“Beg pardon.” She looked at her feet.
“Don’t worry about it.” The rabbit said with a pleasant little smile. “My fault probably.”
“Nah. Should have looked where I was going.”
“Any idea where we are?” the rabbit asked.
Dawn could have hugged her.
“You don’t know either?”
The rabbit shook her head, pink eyes taking in scenery Dawn hadn’t quite gotten around to viewing herself. When she did her jaw dropped open like someone had released the catch.
They were standing in the middle of a vast room with a high ceiling, partially filled with robed animals milling about, talking amongst each other or admiring the many decorations there were to see. Statues of animals and humans alike loomed large on marble pedestals, portraits of men and woman in costumes from all periods in history lined the stone walls, each figure holding or near an animal.
“That’s David Copperfield!” Dawn squeaked, pointing at one of the portraits.
“It is, isn’t it?” the rabbit cocked her head. “That’s Davino, his cat.”
“I didn’t know he had a cat. Master always enjoyed watching him on the TV.”
The rabbit blinked.
“T…v?”
“Yeah. The small screen. The boob tube. The idiot box.”
The rabbit had the beginnings of concern on her delicate features.
“The…” Dawn narrowed her eyes. “You’ve never heard of it at all, have you?”
“Nope.” The rabbit colored. “Is it a second world thing?”
“I guess so.”
“I’ve never been there.” Her eyes widened. “You’ve been to the second world?”
“Born and raised! You’ve lived here all your life then?”
“Amergin. Yes.” The rabbit extended her hand. “I’m Strawberry.”
Dawn couldn’t quite manage to screw up her face enough to keep her sniggering hidden. Strawberry frowned.
“What?”
“That’s…” Dawn gasped for breath. “That’s really your name?”
“Yeah.” Her ears drooped slightly. “You…don’t like it?”
“No, no. Its cute!”
“Familiars need second world names when we go there to aid a human magician.” She indicated a satchel hanging by a strap from her shoulder. “I’ve been reading up.”
“Well my name’s Dawn so Strawberry’s a step up, isn’t it?”
Strawberry laughed. It was an odd chattering sort of sound intensely irritating to the dog but she remained politely quiet.
“Maybe. Well met.”
Their paws met.
Dawn’s eyes roved around the room. A great staircase rose to what must have been the building proper but no one stood on it or even near it, clustering instead against the walls and in the middle of the floor. She looked back to see the portal but where it had shown now rose two heavy wooden doors.
“So…um…what do we do now?”
“I was wondering the same.” Strawberry admitted. “This is my first day at Sanctum.”
“So THIS is Sanctum.” Dawn grinned sheepishly. “I had wondered.”
“Any dumber and you’d wonder how it could walk!”
Strawberry and Dawn pivoted at the sound of high-pitched laughter.
“Mirabel.” Grumbled Strawberry. “I had hoped that particular part of my life would remain a bad memory.”
It moved as one being but in reality it was a clutch of several cats, each a different coat but all wearing black cloaks. Their leader was a black cat making her blend uncannily into the darkness of her hood, making it appear as if two green eyes floated in the shadows beneath. When she spoke the pink of her mouth showed as well.
“You regret your brush with greatness then, Shortcake?”
“Strawberry…” the rabbit snarled.
“Whatever.” The black cat flicked her wrist dismissively. “I’d be depressed too if I saw perfection at a distance and wasn’t looking in the mirror.”
“How could you? They keep breaking when you look in ‘em.”
Mirabel chuckled. She was a head taller then Strawberry and fairly loomed over the girl when she approached. Her wall of tittering disciples was all the more imposing; wall off Dawn and the rabbit alike with slow, measured steps that made no sound. She could see even their tails waved as one.
“You’ve got a cute little mouth.”
Maribel took Strawberry’s chin in her paw, gently, almost lovingly.
“Shame if I scratched it from that grubby little face.”
Strawberry was seething.
“The second I learn magic I’m gonna…”
“You’re going to…what?”
The cat smiled, her fangs a ribbon of pearl in the black.
“You’ll know when it happens.” The rabbit muttered lamely.
“IF you do learn magic, maybe you can do something about your…” Mirabel struck Strawberry in the chest. “Shortcomings. Of course the autumn moon will crash into Amergin before you learn some much as how to pull yourself out of a hat.”
The rabbit looked at her modest assets.
Then, burning she looked to Maribel’s prodigious front.
“You…” her little white paws balled into fists.
“Leave her alone!” Dawn growled, baring her teeth.
Now Maribel and her following advanced on her. She felt self-conscious in the extreme as the dark robes slide closer. This outburst had drawn the attention of other robed animals in the hall who turned to see what all the commotion was about.
“So…” the cat’s voice smoldered in Dawn’s ears. “A newcomer. Never seen your face before. Might explain why you wear this unspeakable thing.”
She tugged at the dog’s white robe, sneering.
“Might mop up when I’m through with your just punishment for speaking out of turn.”
“You leave her alone.” Dawn repeated.
“Or?”
“You’ll have to deal with me.”
“Trust me I’d love to.” Mirabel purred. “But commencement is probably in just a few minutes. Otherwise I’d enjoy teaching you your first lesson in this place.”
She turned with a swish of robes.
“We’re done here. Leave the filth to collect in the corner.”
“What’s the matter?” Dawn grinned wickedly. “Are you a scaredy cat?”
Mirabel turned so fast there seemed to be no transition between her back being turned and her piercing green eyes fixed in a death stare.
“How are you with latency, bitch?”
“Huh?” the dog’s shock was palpable.
“She’s good enough to whip your tail!” Strawberry spouted.
“We’ll see.” Mirabel glanced side long at one of her companions. “Hortense will be my second.”
“I’ll be Dawn’s.” the rabbit said grimly.
As the black cat moved a little ways away, removing her outermost robe and passing it to one of her followers Strawberry considered Dawn carefully.
“You…really don’t know what latency is?”
“No.” sweat beaded on her forehead. “What is it?”
“Latency.” A clear voice piped. “The innate magical powers granted to every familiar by virtue of their species.”
He walked casually into their line of sight, draped in dark green robes. Unusually for any of the others present he wore a pair of glasses perched on his snout. Dawn was fascinated immediately by the arrangement and dizzying variety of black spots on his white fur.
“I believe what that slinky creature is asking for is a duel of latent powers.” The Dalmatian continued. “Normally these manifestations of spur of the moment magic pose little threat as they lack the potency of trained spell craft, but studies have shown that latency driven by strong emotion can be the most powerful, if erratic, form of sorcery there is.”
The two girls were stunned by the verbal onslaught for moments afterwards but eventually came to, curiosity overtaking confusion.
“And you would be?” Strawberry asked, somewhat bluntly.
“What’s in a name?” the Dalmatian made a theatrical gesture. “Would a rose by any other name not smell as sweet?”
“I…guess.” Strawberry raised an eyebrow. “What does that have to do with…”
“The Bard.” He said as if not hearing. “Human magician of majestic prose. He owned a ferret familiar lost to history but still remembered in the annals of…”
“What is your name?” Dawn snapped.
“Oh.” He began playing with his paws nervously. “Well if you must know its…Spot.”
“Figures.” Strawberry sniffed. “Can you move aside please? My friend is about to hand little miss whiskers over there her twitching tail.”
“Doubtful.” Spot said. “I overheard your charming friend say she was unfamiliar with latency at all. Mirabel prides herself on natural latency of devastating power. She uses it to refine her bullying.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Dawn said under her breath. “Any suggestions then?”
“Well, if I had a week I could train you in the finer points of…”
“We have more like a few seconds.” Strawberry said coolly.
“Oh, then if my research is any guide it helps to relax and do what comes naturally.”
“I’ll be sure to do that.” Dawn’s eyes were fastened to Mirabel, dressed down in her less restrictive undercoat, egged on by whispered encouragement from her devotees.
“How long must I wait?” the cat hissed. “Or will you forfeit now and save your hide?”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Dawn shot back.
She had nothing to remove since her robe constituted her entire costume but she remembered the one and only dogfight she’d been in and it gave her encouragement. Certainly the ‘fight’ had been barking through a fence but she recalled the energy of battle, the ferocious delight she had taken in the contest. She adopted a carefully tailored war face, throwing in a rumble in her throat for good measure.
She had always hated cats.
“All right, new girl.” Mirabel raised her paw in front of her. “Catch.”
In an instant Dawn was hurled into the air, made a complete revolution, and fell in a heap. It knocked the wind out of her and she lay for a good while, long enough for Strawberry to rush to her side.
“Dawn!”
Her eyes crept open.
“No…more…mead…” she burbled.
“Classic signs of a simple force charm.” The black and white blur above her droned.
“You want to see the classic signs of me shutting your yap?” the snowy white blur muttered.
“Just trying to help.”
A paw drifted down into the fog and she grabbed hold. When she finally stood it was most of what Dawn could do at all to remain that way.
“Ha!” Mirabel scoffed insufferably. “Is that all you have to show me new girl?”
“You just wait!” Strawberry shouted. “Mirabel you just wait!”
“I’m waiting.” The cat purred. “And I’m not impressed.”
“Remember, try to relax!” Spot said somewhere behind her. “Focus, but let it flow.”
Slowly Dawn raised her paw. The sight of this only made Mirabel laugh harder.
“You want to play, do you?”
“Yeah.” She said, furrowing her brow. “Catch!”
It felt like a rush of wind and the ripple along her fur she always got during a thunderstorm in one smooth sensation. The hair stood up on her arm and something invisible but powerful shot from her paw, some strong it caused her arm to jerk.
Mirabel was unprepared but spotted the incoming distortion before it was too late. She raised her arms crosswise in front of her and Dawn’s blast shattered against them, the force dispersing causing her black fur to undulate.
But some of it got through.
Her emerald eyes bulged moments before she screeched and feel over backwards. After much spitting and fizzing she was back up, but a small trickle of blood was oozing from her nose.
“I’m so sorry!” Dawn said quickly seeing the damage done. “I…didn’t mean to. Are you alright?”
Mirabel ran a paw along her nose, taking the blood with it. She never once lowered her eyes from her enemy. Raw hate was shimmering behind those bright green spheres.
“You’re dead.” She said quietly.
Then she raised both paws, screamed, and let loose.
It was like a hurricane condensed into a singular discharge, a whirling screaming ball of energy hurling at Dawn before she could do anything but gape. As if in slow motion Strawberry ran forward at her side and Spot too rushed towards her. Whatever it was that Mirabel had unleashed it was dangerous in the extreme.
But there was no time to do anything.
A single tear sliding down her cheek Dawn raised her arms.
WHOOSH!
SMASH!
When she opened her eyes she was looking into slit pupils lying on their sides set in warty skin.
A hush had fallen across the assembled robed animals.
Saquaro was sanding before her, holding her in a searching gaze.
“Saquaro.” Dawn found herself saying.
The frog nodded. At last he spoke.
“This is hardly academy caliber behavior, Ms. Dawn.”
She bowed her head.
“I’m…sorry sir.”
“You should be saying that to this young lady.”
He extended a webbed hand towards Mirabel.
“But…!” Dawn sputtered.
“And you Ms. Mirabel.” Saquro turned to stare her down even as she began to smirk. “Apologize to Ms. Dawn.”
“But professor!” the cat protested.
“Apologize.” He said, his voice lowering in an octave low enough to shake the windows.
“Sorry.” Dawn said, waving feebly at Mirabel.
“Me too.” Mirabel said, not looking directly at Dawn.
Saquaro nodded coldly and grunted before walking towards the stairs without another glance backwards, staff clicking against the floor. The robed animals parted respectively before him. Now she could see the robed figures she had met before in their myriad of colors and staff designs were alighted around the stairwell. The onlookers had their eyes fixed on them.
When she was certain Dawn was looking in her direction Mirabel drew her finger across her throat but she paid the cat only a moment’s attention, turning to the front along with all the rest.
“Rowdy group.” The red robed figure said to Saquaro as he took his place.
“No more so then usual.” The frog replied.
“Did you see behind her? The window shattered. The very stones broken apart.”
“Yes.” Saquaro’s fat lips pursed. “And not a scratch on her.”
“Intriguing.”
“We shall see.”
Suddenly there was another flare of brilliance and another figure stood at the center of the stairs. He wore a longer robe then the others, golden and spangled with silver stars.
When he drew back his hood the gathering below drew a breath of amazement and awe.
Dawn couldn’t understand why. All she could see was a slightly threadbare parrot looking back.
There was something she liked about his kindly, wrinkled smile though.
“Welcome!” the parrot boomed in a voice at once arresting and reassuring, aged but strong. “Welcome one and all to Sanctum, school of familiars!”