Mark of the Cat and Year of the Rat Read online

  Haban-ji, whose death had in a roundabout way brought me before this mirror, had been well known to have played these treacherous games with much success during his reign. Who would believe that a simple herd boy out of Kahulawe could defend himself against such intrigue? Therefore any that I met within this palace, who outwardly paid me allegiance, might very well be the one to watch the closest.

  Nor, if it became obvious to me that I was destined prey, could I keep Murri with me. He must return to his own kin in the stark outer lands.

  I was facing now the first public duty—greeting the five Queens plus the leading nobles of Valapa and the outer Queendoms.

  Turning away from the mirror, I looked at a company which I could not be sure I would ever join. On a long shelf at the far end of the chamber was set a line of figures, the height of my forearm, seeming so aware, and staring so intently at me, that they might be alive. The past emperors—some twenty of them, each in his own way deserving respect.

  Murri pressed closer to my side, bringing with him inner warmth. For now at least my blood brother, whose wary talents were far beyond those of any men, would be alert to any peril to come.

  There suddenly came a soaring series of chimes, exceeding all others I had heard, a summons. Reluctantly I moved to the door, using all my strength of will to assume an outward guise of complete ease and power, which I must ever fight to hold in the sight of the world as well as I could.

  Allitta,

  Sometime apprentice to the Doll Maker Ravinga:

  I stood under the light of Ravinga’s strong lamps, doll-stiff, as my mistress slowly encircled me, using the same intense stare as would be turned on any work of her hands before it was allowed to go out into the world. After some years of freedom of dress, I had again been bound, laced, latched into heavy court robes until I wondered if I could ever manage to walk freely again.

  At last Ravinga gave a sharp nod. Her three Kottis, who had been sitting watching us both with the measuring eyes of their kind, arose and stretched. I wished I might have a like relief from my present ordeal. Now I actually dared to ask the first of the questions, which were haunting me.

  “Mistress,” I paused to favor a throat dry with foreboding, “it has been a long time since the House of Vurope has appeared at court. It was banished from among the Six Families and struck from the rolls by the Emperor’s own hand. How dare I come before this new ruler and demand recognition?”

  She frowned, in a way which had been a form of rebuke I had early learned to dread. “I should not have to tell you this again, Allitta. This is the Law from the beginning—Those who were reduced, their House disgraced, can, on the first throne day of a new Emperor, ask to be restored. You are also lucky in this—your reinstatement will not make any new enemies, for the fortune of Vurope was not given to another House, but has remained in the hand of the Emperor and can be restored easily on his recognizing your House. Therefore, you are the one to claim back your rightful destiny.”

  “And if I do not want to tread again into the tangled nets of their intrigues, can I not choose to remain as I am, your apprentice? You have fostered me beyond my hopes, Mistress—I am content. I will be doubly satisfied to remain as I am.”

  The set of her mouth, the blaze of her dark eyes, gave me her answer even before she spoke.

  “The Essence ever rules. There is the Power of the Outer Regions, our native Power. We do not question as to the why of action, but face what we must. The Circle of the Six has been broken these many years. It is your duty, Allitta, to mend what you can.

  “You are not lacking in curiosity, and in basic understanding. You guessed long ago that there is another purpose to the making of these dolls. Life for all of us does not remain ever the same. There are ends—and beginnings. We are facing both now in the Outlands. You will take up the duties to which you were born and await what comes.”

  She turned away to take up a polished and carven box from one of the shelves behind her. I could not translate the carvings—such learning had not been mine—but I knew that they had meaning, perhaps a dire one. Several such boxes were in the inner, secure cupboard, treated as one might treat a treasure beyond price.

  Ravinga took from that chest two dolls. One was clearly meant to be Allitta, as I now stood, wrapped about by a rich robe, the color of the last gleam of sunlight—a pale rose fading into gray, lit with a diamond star here and there.

  The other, which companioned this, was—I do not know why I suddenly shivered; I am not one, or thought so then, to strive to peer into the future. Only, to study now this man clad in the splendor of a coronation robe—no. That gem-bound, wide-skirted sweep of blue did somehow become him! He was a puzzle to me now. When I had first met Hynkkel I could dismiss him as a servant. It had been well known that even his family found in him no cause for their pride.

  Yet—everyone also knew that one who could survive the five trials had strength and courage beyond ordinary reckoning. Also he was one with a Sand Cat that all who had sense avoided. Yet it had been hard to regard him as more than an untried youth, less than those who rode as warriors.

  “Why—?” I raised an arm heavy with the gemmed bracelets Ravinga had placed there, to indicate, first, the image of myself and then that of the man who was Hynkkel-ji, the new Emperor.

  Ravinga laid her hands upon the heads of the figures.

  “Listen, girl. These came to my mind to make in secret. None shall know of them save we two. But all such drives to create are sent to us by the will of the Essence, which formed us, enfolds us and our land. You may be sure that I speak the truth when I say that a new life faces both of you—not because of what has happened already, but which will come.”

  I remained uneasy but I realized that I would have no real answers, that I could only await what would face me. I had learned early that one might not foresee in honesty what lay ahead and I must accept that burden—though I could not do it with serenity.

  Thus I obediently followed Ravinga, not into the shop where I had been at peace, but by a way which we had seldom used, coming to a court behind the familiar rooms. There were those who arose and made obeisance when we came, first to Ravinga, and then, a fraction more deeply, to me.

  Since I was about to claim headship of a House, those who waited were not the usual escort. Instead of guardsmen, these were women—though they were dressed as warriors. They moved to a decorated carry chair, four of them taking their places, one to each of the corner poles. Four others stood waiting to provide a guard and the last held in one hand a small diamond mobile and in the other the staff to which was fastened the bannered device, which had been erased from all record more than ten years earlier.

  She, who led our procession of pomp and pride out of the dull courtyard into the street, brought us to the court and perhaps a future I would find difficult to handle. Before me the mobile chimed. I could hear it, in spite of the clamor of others like it, which were placed before each building. And the House banner was held high while the bearer called with a carrying voice, “Vurope!”

  The more we advanced toward the palace the more crowded the streets became. One could readily believe that the entire population had turned out. Yet there was a way opened for us in answer to that cry from our leader. Nor was mine the only chair to be seen, or the call of my house the only one to be heard.

  Since my curiosity had been awakened by the scene, which had never before in my lifetime been enacted, I stared around me, wondering if any one noted that the banner of a blighted House was being boldly displayed. Slowly I became aware that indeed my passage was noted, several times by young mounted nobles, one or two of whom pushed their way closer, to stare in a rude intrusive fashion.

  I have never come into heat nor have I desired to do so. Those youths and men I have met were lesser in my eyes than such women as Ravinga and others with talents they resolutely apply.

  On my many market trips to the farther Queendoms I had met with those I admired for what they had
developed. It had always seemed to me that those whose lives had been altered by mating, had lost an important part of themselves by that change in body and employment.

  Thus I now was irritated by the notice from these bold and pushing warriors; I was glad that, by custom, my immediate household would be of my own sex.

  The First Court of an Emperor is held always in the huge amphitheater, which is the very center of the palace, walled in on four sides by a three-story rise of the building.

  An expansive flight of stairs at the far end served to support the wide seat of the throne. Two steps below this exalted position there were the lesser thrones of the five Queendoms. And, farther down, the backless stools of the court officials and higher nobility, mainly representative of the Five Families now in existence.

  These were already filled, with those in robes of blazing colors and many gem badges of their rank, while the lowest area was nearly filled with the carry chairs and dismounted warriors, their pa-oryxen having been left without. I began to doubt, seeing that crowd, that I could ever get close enough to mount the steps when time came to make my plea. However the leader of my small party seemed adroit at accomplishing this and I was brought to within a short distance of the throne steps.

  We had only reached that position when there arose such a clash of diamond chimes as drowned out all other sounds.

  Hynkkel-ji:

  Murri stood close, his attention partly for my other assigned companion—the great blue leopard who, in other reigns, had been the closest to the Emperor, his lip lifted to show the points of fangs as regarded Murri. That also was a difficulty to be solved. But I had no intention of bidding my cat-brother to depart.

  Before me, curtains heavy with gems and metallic embroidery parted and I found myself standing, half concealed by the high back of the throne itself, while the chancellor held up a hand and the clamor of the chimes died away. Silence followed. Three times the Grand Chancellor of the Outer Regions lifted her staff to bring it down on the step of the throne. Then her voice, somehow heightened and strengthened to reach across the packed space, carried the invocation, which would formally begin my reign.

  “By the Will of the Essence shall Hynkkel-ji of the House Kaverel of the Queendom of Kahulawe comes now to the Throne of the Outer Regions. Be it so!” Once more she brought the butt of the staff down against the stone of the steps.

  Having been so proclaimed, I rounded the throne and seated myself there, Murri to my right and the Blue Leopard to my left. Unlike the rulers before me, I carried two rods of office—against the will of most of the court. But none could dare to question an Emperor’s choice. In my right hand was the staff Ravinga had wrought for me and which, oddly, felt lighter and more my own than the Imperial, which bore the likeness of the Blue Leopard, whereas my own was crowned by a Sand Cat.

  Now it was my turn to speak and I hoped that my words would carry as well as those of Giarribari.

  “By the Will of the Essence do I sit here. Only by such favor may I rule; to It I shall ever listen, and I do swear that I shall ever be guided by It. Thus do I proclaim that at this hour and day I welcome all pleas and will aid that which is best for our people and lands.”

  It had sounded loud enough as did all the other vows of Queens, Lords, great families and court officials. The words were old and formal. But when it came time for those in the arena to add to them, there was a kind of roar as if great cats had raised voice.

  Allitta:

  He made an impressive appearance, did Hynkkel-ji; certainly one looking upon him now would not see the wanderer I had known. When there came an end to the ritual he arose, and he brought down both of the staffs he carried.

  “From this day the Essence abide strongly in me,” he said. “Now do I call on any who wishes for justice by the Law.”

  I had already slipped out from the carry chair and now I moved forward. As those standing close to me discovered what I would do, they opened a path for me, which led to the foot of the stairs.

  He moved in turn and the Queens had arisen, now clustering behind him as he passed their lesser thrones, the great cats matching their pace to his.

  “Who calls upon Justice—” I saw his eyes widen, as he must now know me.

  “I do—in the name of the Essence—for the return of the House of Vurope of the Queendom of Valapa. I be Vurope-va-Allitta, Head of that House by rightful birth. Thus I ask that this House be fully restored to the rolls and recognized.”

  There was still a shadow of surprise on his face. But he raised both wands as he answered:

  “May the Essence be evoked. Vurope-va-Allitta, your House is reborn.”

  With his staffs he pointed to me. His feline attendants flowed down the steps and came to stand on either side of me. Ravinga had coached me well. I reached out hands, right to Murri, left to Blue Leopard, resting on their high held heads. I bowed my head in curtsey and said:

  “By the Essence, I Vurope-va-Allitta, do swear my loyalty to Hynkkel-ji. My House, to the August One, shall take up its duties, being once more alive.”

  Thus I sealed myself to a future, which I still gravely mistrusted.

  CHAPTER 2

  Hynkkel-ji:

  Though dusk was a curtain outside the window before me, my duties were not over. There was still the feasting. The Queens, the major lords of each land who had appeared before me this day, would be the honored guests.

  Honored guests—for one reason that had the sour taste of wilting algae for me. I had, after a goodly space of time, seen my father this day. Indeed he had been forced to the duty of swearing loyalty to me. He had worn his old uniform of a Commander of an army—an army long since disbanded—perhaps to impress on me the belief that I was not fit to meet him so. A son who was weakling by his measure—one who was no warrior—I must still be unfit.

  We might never have met, by his attitude, the cold reserve with which he looked at me. I could only trust that at our short meeting I had displayed none of my own feelings.

  My brother had not appeared, or else not chosen to swear faith to me. But I had seen Melora-Kura, my sister, and had arranged that she would come with my father for this feast.

  The bubble lamps about the room were responding to the lessening light from without, their jeweled colors growing stronger. Somewhere one began to play a kifongg—a soft melody such as would lead a weary one to sleep.

  My time now would be, I was sure, steadily occupied. However, I fully intended to follow my own path whenever I could. I thought about my needs. This, and this and this to be done now. It had been my intention to check upon Ravinga—and perhaps Allitta. But she was now well provided for. I had been startled by her appearance, for she seemed so remote, as if the rich garments she wore walled her from the Allitta I had known in the past, an apprentice to a doll maker.

  I would somehow make my sister known to both Allitta and her former mistress. Melora-Kura; my hand went to my right wrist. When I had assumed this Imperial splendor early this day, I had been presented with a soft hide bag, one on the side of which was painted the symbol of our House. It had contained a wide armband with an intricate design using of the gems of all the Queendoms—the emerald of Twahihic, the sapphire of Kahulawe, the diamond of Valapa, the topaz of Azhengir, and the ruby of Thnossis. It seemed to me as I slipped it on that its touch held the warmth such as my sister alone had shown me. And the work was truly her best. This was my own; no other ruler had worn it before me and I intended to let Melora know just what her gift meant to me.

  The chiming of the mobiles was growing louder. I shrugged to settle the weight of my outer robe firmly and strove to manage my train. Murri arose and blinked. At the other side of the room Akeea, the leopard, was already moving towards me. That was another problem I must deal with. Some kind of acceptance must be made between Murri and this proud royal guard. I must meet with the Sand Cat and all the leopard guards as soon as I could.

  Allitta:

  We of the Outer Regions were always we
dded more to the cool of night than the blaze of day. As the cat people our eyes adjusted well to darkness. But all the buildings were lit by the bobbing lamps, some of which floated free, perhaps accompanying some inhabitant. Often they had the appearance of great feline eyes. I passed under a cluster now on my way to a duty I would happily resign if I could. But with the return of Vurope to join the Six Families, I must take my place calmly in a society for which I had no taste, one I might even fear. Now I must eat and drink, and be on guard for some difficulty which could indeed come from a poorly chosen word. There was no one under this roof now to whom I could look for companionship. I blinked as one of the eye lamps swung noiselessly by. It might have been taken from the skull of some giant Sand Cat. Murri! Hynkkel-ji at least had his brother-in-fur and was not all alone.

  The door of the feasting chamber stood open, crowned with bubble lights in rainbow colors. And the guests were gathering. I slowed my pace—I had no wish to attract attention by being an early arrival. The woman before me also walked alone without escort. She did not take the small steps of a court lady but rather strode with the certainty of one used to trails and freedom of the outer world. Her robes were rich, but they looked less bundlessome than those near stifling me. Sapphire blue—Kahulawe. She turned her head a little, apparently admiring the tall cat figure of golden stone, diamond collars flashing under the lights. She—but! I knew her and, of course, she would be here this night. This was Hynkkel’s sister, a gem worker of high repute. Her creations were well known and were treasured by those lucky enough to have them. I had an impulse to speak with her but stifled it, though I had a sudden feeling that this was one with whom I would feel at ease. There was long table facing us within. A finely worked cover of those special yarns spun from the wool of the small yaksen, the softest possible, patterned with a scatter of diamond stars, was nearly hidden from sight by the many plates, bowls and goblets of highly polished silver. Chairs were in place along both sides. However at mid-table, facing the door through which I had come, was a high backed seat, raised a little above its neighbors—that was for the giver of the feast. Many of the chairs were now occupied but one of the seated women, to my surprise, raised her hand in a beckoning gesture to me: Yuikala, the Diamond Queen, she to whose secondary court I would be attached. I could not understand her interest in me save it must have something to do with the recovery of the House of Vurope, and she wished to find out what manner of woman had taken over that once disgraced clan line. There was nothing to do but obey.