The Dance, page 4
Drawing in a deep breath I tried to puff myself up a bit, “The fuck are you doing here?”
The human blinked a couple of times before she spoke. Sighing: “I’m not exactly sure, to be honest. One day I was doing my job. Business as usual in the lab—”
Feeling my fur bristle, I lowered my body as if to pounce. “Lab, you say? What was your job there?” Yeah, okay, it was a bit curt, but I’m sure you can understand why I’d be guarded around this—this lab-working human.
She blinked before dropping her eyes to the floor. “I know you are, or were, one of them.”
I raised my chin to look down my nose at her. “Of course you do. You were one of those who did this to me.”
The human woman raised her eyes to meet mine. She studied the thick collar with its bright disc hanging around my neck for a moment before replying, “Yes. Yes, I was.”
I resisted the urge to snarl. Drawing a paw over my nose in a vain attempt to quell my rising anger, I stared at her. Hard. “Ya know, I could just swipe at ya with my claws and—”
“But you won’t.”
My whiskers jammed back as my ears flattened. “And you know this, how? Do you really think you have any idea what I and thousands more like me have been through?”
“No. But if you intended to attack me you would’ve done it already.”
Annoyed as Hell, I turned in a half circle, stopped, then looked over my shoulder, “Ya got me there.”
The woman’s shoulders dropped. “Yes, I’ve got you there. Again.”
Okay. She was really beginning to piss me off. “So, what are you gonna do to me now, huh? Have at it. I have nothing left to lose.”
Again, the cold stare. She hesitated a bit longer than she should have before replying, “Actually, Kuro Neko, you do.”
I backed up a little, “Okay. Out with it. What the Hell are you talking about? And that’s not my name!” She looked at me, sans expression. I pushed harder, “Uhhhh… this better not be like one of those buddies on the road things, cuz I’m not into that. Just sayin’ I mean, I have no freaking clue who you are— other than the fact that you were a real, honest to goodness lab drone who more than likely had a hand in what I’ve become. And here you are staring at me, and I am so not cool with it.”
She sighed and dropped her eyes again, “I’m sorry I had no—”
“Oh no you don’t! Don’t give me that crap. Do not for one second think that I will believe you were just doing your job. This ain’t Nuremberg and you sure as Hell ain’t Adolf Eichmann, so you’ll need to do better than that.”
The woman sighed, “You’re right. I’m not that man, nor do I wish to use his excuses. I was tasked with trying to discover inter-species intelligence. That part of my research was fascinating. We—or I, specifically—wanted to focus upon communication.”
I eyed her closely, “Go on…”
She cleared her throat. I knew I had her cornered. She’d either give in or come out swinging. She straightened, adjusted her posture, and tried to puff herself up. “Look,” she managed as her voice cracked, “I was totally focused upon the work in the lab I was assigned to. We had deadlines that needed to be met and it was all hands-on deck. I had also been tipped off about a research award, so you can bet the rent I was super focused on that stuff. Scoring a prestigious award from the Government? Of course, I’d be all over that!”
“Huh, I bet you would. But let’s cut to the chase, shall we? Why don’t you get to the part where some clowns in a neighbouring lab or facility poked the plague bear with a stick?”
The colour drained from her face, “I don’t know what you mean.”
I bit my tongue before responding. Rivulets of blood pooled in my mouth before escaping, “Yes, madam, you do. Come on! The plague is big business for population control but ya know what’s even bigger? Yeah, the possibility of finding a fucking cure! There’s big bucks and a shit-ton of notoriety attached to the lab-coated saviours who figured out how to cure the Bubonic Plague.”
“Okay, stop. Just stop. Yes, what you have said is true. We would be out of work if we found a cure, but did you take into consideration the fact that while we were studying the effects of the plague, we were also discovering new—”
I raised my paw, cutting her off in mid-blab. Strangely enough, she capitulated yet again. “Spare me. If my paw pads could make more noise, I’d gladly give your little speech a slow clap, but they can’t, so I won’t. What I will say, however, is that you scientists really have no clue as to what your work does on your experiment subjects, do you?”
Her face fell again, “Well this is certainly pointless, isn’t it? Here I am being harangued by a foul-mouthed feline in a bombed-out bomb-shelter—”
I raised my chin and stared down my nose. If I could’ve slapped my knee and laughed like a human, I would have, “Sorry, lady, I’m not interested in your pity party. Not one bit. So, if you’re going to high tail it outta here, I suggest you do that right now.”
Thrusting her hands on her hips, the woman tried to tower over me, but that didn’t work: I leapt to a higher shelf. Ducking, she snapped back at me. “Look you scruffy fur bag, this place isn’t safe for either of us so why don’t we—”
If we cats could laugh, I would have, “Wait, what? You want me to go with you?”
Letting out an exasperated sigh, she nodded her head. “Did I stutter?”
I felt the muscles in my face relax a bit, my whiskers pushed forward, “Okay, where to, madam?”
“I’m not sure yet, but if we are going to make this trip together, I need to know your name.”
I regarded her closely for a moment. “I don’t have one. I was just a number.”
Raising an eyebrow: “May I?”
I took a step backward “May you what?”
“May I have a look at your collar? Please.”
I backed up another step, not knowing if this was the right thing to do. Ah, to hell with it. I needed to get out of here. I shut my eyes tight as I felt the warmth of her hands touch my neck, “I just need to make a couple of adjustments…”
As her voice faded away, I opened my eyes, yet I felt as if I was blind. My tail twitched three times. Darkness enveloped me as the sounds of the explosions faded into nothingness. Silence. But only for a few minutes. I found myself sprawled in the darkness on something warm. Kicking my back legs out, I rolled over. What was I lying on? Splaying my paws, I felt grains. Sand? In an instant, my retracted claws burst forth. Scrambling to my feet, my weakened legs protested. How long had I been like this? Better yet where was I? A gentle breeze swirled tiny tornados of sand around my paws. Distant voices—human voices—rumbled. I couldn’t make out what they were saying. As the sounds drew nearer, my ears pricked up. Drums. Yes, those were decidedly drums… and laughter! Laughter! A parade! It was a freaking parade! With chanting? What sort of event was this?
Blinking, I rubbed my eyes with my paw, things slowly came into focus. The night sky shone with stars, more than I’d ever seen; before me, the lights, music, and fires rivalled the stellar light show above. As the revellers drew nearer, I could see the women in short skirts, many with their chests bare. But their eyes—their eyes were heavily lined with black eyeliner and stunning deep iridescent blue shadow over the lids. Something in my head whispered: The eyes of Horus… Many of the women carried torches, twirling them around the dancers and musicians. A couple of women had these neat torches on leather or some sort of rope and were spinning them overhead. It was the coolest thing I’d ever seen! I wanted to join them. Why not? I pulled myself to my feet and shook the sand from my fur, well, as best I could. Something told me I’d better be on my best behaviour.
Then, I saw her. She looked familiar, her reddish-brown hair resplendent with long braids… cornrows, I think they’re called, woven with bright, shiny beads. My heart raced and my pupils dilated to dinner plate size, but I resisted the urge to go bounding after her. No pre-emptive strike butt-wiggle. My body shuddered as I shook my head, trying to quell the urge to hunt. Nope. Can’t be chasing those shiny things.
I took a few steps forward, but out of the corner of my eye I caught my reflection in the flowing water. The river was wide, swirling and filled with boats. My fur was still black as night, yet my collar…what was up with my collar? With the moon riding high and the illumination of torches, my collar had changed. Boy, had it changed… bright green leather—no, wait—I had to get a better look. Torches’ reflections danced on the water. I trotted over to the riverbank and gazed into the illuminated surface. My collar didn’t look like leather… Was it snakeskin? Wow. I sat down again and raised one of my paws to feel it. I couldn’t take my eyes off my reflection. It was snakeskin. Snakeskin adorned with blue stones streaked with gold and green shining with blackened swirls. In the middle, a silver piece dangled. What was this? It looked like a cross but while it had a long straight piece and one shorter horizontal piece intersecting it near the top, above the intersection of both the horizontal and vertical bars lay a beautiful oval. Its brilliance, reflected in the dancing torches, dazzled my eyes. Great Goddess! I smashed my paw to my mouth as if I’d said something untoward. Suddenly, I didn’t know whether to be elated or completely freaked out. Someone had adorned my collar with the Key of Life.
The voices, drumming and music grew louder. As I tore my gaze from my reflection in the water, the tiny Ankh at my throat clattered as it struck the gemstones on either side of it. I backed up a little, in spite of myself. Blinking, I now could see the whites of the revellers’ eyes. The music stopped. The dancers and celebrants, silent now, slowly changed their stance. Not a word was spoken as the crowd encircled me. Terrified, I felt my fur stand on end. My tail shot up, flicking in defiance. What did they want from me?
A low murmuring hum rose over the crowd as some of them began to step back, parting like the Red Sea. Out of the darkness, a woman strode purposefully towards me. Her melodious voice rang out like chimes upon a breeze: “Do not be afraid.” I backed up a few steps, not knowing what to do. Great gasps from the crowd did not affect the woman. “Come here. Come to me, little one.”
As she stepped forward into the illuminated circle, I beheld one of the most beautiful creatures I’d ever seen. Her alabaster body was tall and slim. Her silver robe, edged with shimmering gold, hung off one shoulder, and her hair was hung in reddish braids that framed her delicate feline face. Barefoot, she strode toward me and knelt, patting the sand with her right hand. Silver bangles jangled with each soft strike of her palm, their jingling holding me transfixed. “Do not be afraid… You bear the collar of my priesthood, and you have appeared to me in your purest form. Thus, you are doubly blessed.” This could not be real! For I was but a humble cat…
Around the woman, the crowd fell to their knees. This was as good a time as any to ask just what in the Gods’ names was happening. Gathering all the strength I could muster, I put one tentative paw forward. “This is quite the celebration, pray, tell, what is the source of such jubilation?”
The crowd, with their eyes cast downward, drew in their breath. The beautiful woman before me threw her head back with melodic laughter. “To think that you would be asking that!” Her expression suddenly shifted, her voice lowered, “He has been caught and soon, the lives of the murdered and lost will be avenged!”
My eyes narrowed, yet I could sense my pupils dilating again, “Of whom do you speak?” I asked, trying to sound as officious and brave as possible, yet failing miserably.
The woman regarded me closer, taking a breath before speaking, “He has no name—at least none that he will reveal, despite torture—”
“Torture? Torture? You tortured a man—”
Her expression fell as her eyes blazed at me. “Yes. It was but a small price to pay for what he has done to us!”
I sat down on my haunches in a vain attempt to act casual. “And you want me to do what about this?”
At that moment, a young woman, clad in similar yet simpler robes, rose to her feet and moved toward the feline-faced woman, standing just behind her. “My Lady,” speaking her words slowly yet not without resolution, the young woman stated, “Mafdet has been safely delivered unto us. She stands here before you, not as a subject, but as an equal.”
What in the name of Bast was this woman talking about, and who in the world is this Mafdet?
The young woman spoke, her voice cracking with nerves. The woman clad in silver and gold rose to her feet. Without turning around, she whispered over her shoulder to the young woman, “Shera, bring forward ‘Mafdet’s Claw.’”
Now this is getting interesting.
The young woman turned away to receive something handed to her from a servant. It sat on—what was that? A leopard skin. She handed it to the woman in silver as a smile broke cleanly over her face. Puzzled, I hesitated before stepping forward. I could feel the tip of my tail twitching in anticipation. The woman named Shera bearing the item named “Mafdet’s Claw” nodded her head to the lady clad in silver as she made her way toward me. Bowing her head and averting her eyes, she knelt on both knees, placing the blade on the warm sand. Without meeting my gaze, the Claw was pushed toward me. Wordlessly rising to her feet, keeping her head bowed, she backed away behind the woman clad in silver and gold, disappearing into the darkness.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the sickle-shaped blade. I cleared my throat before addressing the woman who towered over me, resplendent in glittering jewels. “Lady, forgive me, but I do not believe we have been introduced.”
A chorus of horrified gasps rang out over the crowd, falling silent when she raised her hand. “Indeed, we have not, little one,” she smiled. “You have known me for thousands of years. I walk with you on this plane and on the next…” Pausing for a moment, likely for dramatic effect, she continued, “You shall address me as Bast. Know that we are kindred, Mafdet.”
I gasped and backed up a step before realising there was no place for me to go. Sensing my fear, she knelt before me again: “The blade before you is so named because of your service to the kingdom—”
Now, wait a minute… “My service? I don’t understand.”
The woman with the feline face sighed, but caught herself before showing any annoyance. “There are those—those souls who need to be avenged, for they have been struck down. Our kind are the protectors. We slay the cobras which invade homes, harming the humans within. We protect the mothers and their babes… We hunt the vermin that invade the granaries, thus protecting the food sources of our human companions. The weapon that sits on the sand before you is but a tool for vengeance.”
My tail twitched. “And you are expecting me to use it?”
A half smile from her was all the confirmation I needed. I glanced at the blade once more. This time, I noticed there was a piece missing. Steeling myself, I tried to stave off the tightness in my throat. “Where is the other piece? The shaft?”
A glimmer of appreciation flashed in her eyes. “Ah, yes, you do know this weapon.”
My tail twitched faster as I felt my hackles rise. Motioning again to someone in the crowd, the woman smiled at me as she commanded, “Bring forth the staff!” Murmurs arose from the crowd as, again, a few of the celebrants stepped aside to let a young boy emerge. His hands tightly gripped the dark, gnarled rod nearly twice his size. Thrusting the upright staff forward, he averted his eyes as he fell to his knees. Wordlessly, she took it from him. Rising to his feet and spreading his arms wide, his eyes remained downcast as he backed away into the crowd. The murmurs rose again, then fell silent.
Then, I felt them. Slow vibrations emanated from my collar. Her eyes grew wide for a moment before recovering. Did she know more about it? Did she have knowledge of this damned collar? “Wait a moment, I’m not touching that thing!”
Bast thrust her fists into her hips. “Oh yes. Yes, you will, for you are—”
“I’m what? What or who do you think I am?” Bloody good job! I’ve now pissed off a Goddess who is surrounded by her people! Good show!
Her voice fell to a growl. “You are decreed by Pharaoh and the Gods to—”
“To what? What have,” I waved my paw dismissively, “Pharaoh and the Gods decided that I must do, huh? You seem to think I’m this—this Mafdet—whoever the hell she is—and that I’m going to do what now? Do away with some poor dude who you people believe is responsible for a plague or something?”
Bast moved closer to me and cast down her steely-eyed stare, but this time I didn’t back down. Nope. “I’m not doing it. I’m not Mafdet. It’s not happening!”
A shock from my collar caused me to choke, but it wasn’t a hairball choke—it was a real one… I felt my windpipe constrict as tears stung my eyes, but I stood firm, planting my paws in the sand, meeting her gaze full on. Bast knelt before me, but this time she averted her eyes.
Resting both palms upon the sand, she sighed before raising her eyes to meet mine. “Is this your final decision? To not carry out this man’s execution to appease Pharaoh and the people of Egypt?”
Now wait just one second!
The Goddess continued, her voice solemn and forlorn, “You are right, of course. In my desire to seek vengeance for those the nameless one had slaughtered, I—I—”
I raised my paw to silence her. (Ballsy move, huh?) “Shhhhhh… There is no need for sorrow here. Lady, I understand what you were trying to do. I even get why. The thing is, and I know you know this—is that we cannot stanch the flow of evil without riding the tides of good. I don’t know what life is like with you—with all the Gods who dwell each within their temples, but I do know this: we cannot stop the evil that plagues us all, but we can do our best to do what is right. I am certain you understand that from my perspective, humble as it may be, that this is not right, it would be pointless for me to take his life using a ceremonial blade such as this. What good would that do in the long run?”
A glimmer of recognition flickered in her deep-set eyes. Casting her gaze to the sand for a moment, she slowly raised her eyes to meet mine, “You have passed the test, young one.”
