The Mark of the Cat — Andre Norton

The kotti is a sacred and magical animal... but to young Hynkkel, the kotti called Mieu is more: treasured companion, friend, and kin.

Then Mieu is cruelly taken from him--and Hynkkel, heartbroken, must travel into the unknown in the test of survival known as Solo. With only a red-gold sandcat pendant to remind him of his loss, he begins his trek. He does not know that it will take him to the secret world of the cat ...

And to a trial that will mark his destiny.