John Cortes Junior was twelve years of age. A member of the Romani populace that had come to live at Quebec Castle, he was a dark-haired boy of average appearance and slim build. Wearing a blue jacket, a red cap and black-trousers he sat before three-year-old Clark and two-year-old Orion, with a bored expression upon his countenance. Alexander sat next to Young Cortes, not bored but uncertain of what to do with people so young. Emma was quite content with giving the little ones kisses as only canines can give, but what could he do?
Approaching the two young Petits, Alexander sniffed Orion, the child's black hair no different in colouration than that of Peter's fur. He then felt the child's hands upon him, gently stroking his reddish-tan fur. Well, there was something that could be. Be petted by the children, but what else could be done?
Hearing a sound, the Northern Caracal jumped over to a nearby window and looked out to see an automobile pull up. Timothy Covington had arrived with his wife Colette and their dog Harold, a son of Cnut and Emma.
As the window was connected to a room on the ground floor of Quebec Castle, all Alexander need do was jump out onto the ground and approach them. The moment Harold saw Alexander, the canine barked happily, jumping from the automobile and proceeded to spin around in a circle, still barking, and then run over and proceed to lick the feline. Cnut and Emma were not nearly so energetic, but Harold was still a puppy.
Hearing Timothy say "Hello, Alexander!", the Northern Caracal looked up at his master's former student. Like Verna and Herman, Timothy and Colette were members of Captain Smith's first batch of students and being a member of that first batch were nineteen years of age.
"Hiya, Timothy!" Alexander turned his head to see Young Cortes standing at the window, a smile upon his face. "What are you doing here today? The wedding isn't until tomorrow and besides you live here in Oshawa, what reason do you have to show up a day early?"
"Colette and I just wanted to drop by, make sure everything was going alright!" Timothy answered, walking over to the window. "How are your parents, John?"
"Oh, my mom is very good." Answered Young Cortes with a nod. "Dad is a bit disgruntled though."
"Oh, why's that?" asked Colette, walking on over while Alexander and Harold played together.
"Captain Smith wants Peter and Catherine to pull the wedding carriage that he and Miss Lombard will be in, which everyone is in agreement with except for my dad because he says a black stallion and a chestnut mare have no business pulling a wedding carriage! The horse or horses must be white he says, but I saw if a black horse was good enough to be the mount of Alexander the Great then a black horse is good enough to pulling the captain's wedding carriage!"
Hearing some clapping, Alexander and Harold both ceased their playing for a moment and looked over. It was Timothy and Colette who were clapping while Young Cortes smiled proudly.
"Bravo, John!" Colette cheered.
"Now, speaking of Captain Smith…" began Timothy. "Where might he be on this fine autumn day?"
"He's in his office, Timothy." Stated Young Cortes. "He's got his fellow grooms and the brides with him showing off a new game he's invented!"