Mark of the Cat and Year of the Rat Page 54

  “By the power of the Light and the Essence—be gone!”

  My answer came in a shower of bones that gave eloquent testimony: the Dark Will remained no longer!

  On the Steps of the Palace:

  She, who was Ravinga in the here and now, stood before the great doorway at the very edge of the steps leading down to the battleground. Water drained away now, carrying the bodies of rats. Countless numbers still lay heaped like dunes of noisome offal. Those of the Outer Regions who had died defending the freedom of their land lay in the Palace behind her, decently prepared for ever rest. It was the gray of first twilight and she was stooped, as well she might be, as though a burden greater than any guessed had fallen from her. A questioning trill, a pull at the hem of her robe—she reached down and Wiu settled against her.

  “Done, little one, and well done—here! But all is not yet finished.” She had spoken aloud and another who had come to join her hesitated. “What remains—? Is there still evil in the Desolation?”

  “There is another evil, more to be faced, House Head of Vurope.”

  “That being?” Hynkkel had joined Allitta.

  “There is rebellion in the home lands. We shall be met with hostility when we try to return to Valapa.”

  “Yuikala,” said Allitta.

  “Shank-ji.” Hynkkel did not echo her but spoke another name.

  Then he added, “If so, we lose when victory appears ours. Yet,” his shoulders raised in a shrug, “I am pledged to my duty before the Essence. I hold no others to fight my battles—Already I must answer for those who died here.”

  Hynkkel-ji:

  There is a point past which a man may bow his head, drag his feet, yet, because he is a man and has given his word, he must go on. I accepted this on the fifth day after our battle with the Dark One. Only a portion of my task was behind me. That I would go on, perhaps to my death, I did not question.

  Two others of my followers were sore wounded, though I was certain that Ravinga’s tending had drawn them back from death. My brother went with a bandaged shoulder; Ortaga’s right hand lacked three fingers. They refused to yield to their wounds, but ever followed me as I explored the Palace.

  There were supplies in plenty. We could remain here for months if we chose, but I did not. When Allitta described to me the going of Murri, I had a hope that I must not nurse, that he had gone to rouse the Pride for our help. But I must not count on such good fortune.

  My father, I was certain, had the force of our Queendom and others loyal to the Emperor alerted. He might be already engaged with the rebels. How many warriors he might gather I could not even guess.

  I must not linger here much longer, though I longed to watch as this land came to new life. The water, which had broken from the earth, had largely drained from the city to gather in a pond larger than any I had ever seen. Around its shores sprouted greenery, growing so swiftly I truly believed the Essence was at work changing our world.

  Kalikku and Jaclan rode to scout that poisoned and dreary land, which was all we had ever seen of the Plain of Desolation, for we knew we must somehow cross it on our return. They reported that the land had been deeply churned and a large stream was breaking from the base of a rocky spur to flow south. No longer was there any noxious odor in the air.

  We saw no more live rats. A number of the larger ones we had found among the dead. And man-rats were discovered limp and dead during our explorations of the city, as if they had perished with their creator. Ravinga studied these closely and retired to solitude for a day. She had only emerged within the hour and I was able to ask my questions.

  Yes, we have those who choose to retire from the usual life of our world to serve only the Essence. But this maker of dolls was not one such. She held apart in a way that instilled awe in me.

  “You knew this place before; you knew that dealer in evil. Who are you? Who was he and what is the truth about this?”

  “This is the lost sixth Queendom,” she returned calmly, then turned to Allitta. “Give, my Heart Daughter, that which lies upon your breast.”

  From the breast of her travel robe Allitta obediently produced the ball of light that had served me. I had thought it a fashioning of crystal, but now it was opaque, and surely much larger than I had remembered.

  Ravinga took and held it out for us to see well. I realized that it was unlike any gem I knew, even those which are deemed to hold spirits. Though it was white, beneath its surface swam knots of color: red, green, blue, and warm gold. Each might have been a spark from the crown of a Queendom. Ravinga turned it around—those sparks came and went.

  “What—” Allitta did not complete her question.

  Ravinga smiled. “It is what has not been seen since the Dark set its brutal shadow on this land. Men once called it an opal.”

  She handed the gem back to Allitta saying: “Keep it until there is need.”

  Allitta:

  I received for the second time that talisman and understood that I had become thereby a guardian of a treasure.

  We waited still to count off some ten days until the wounded, under Ravinga’s tending, were healing. The triple horned oryxen were, by Hynkkel’s order, turned loose. We found others, which were thriving, having been sent to graze by the pool where greenery continued to spread.

  At last Hynkkel summoned a council that included all of us, even Kassca and Wiu, who settled with us. Not counting the seriously wounded there were only ten of Hynkkel’s followers remaining. We also had four of Shank-ji’s force. (He had left, we learned, earlier). The remaining ones we found chained in one of the underground pits. Their treatment had changed their allegiance—for they went on their knees before Hynkkel after being found, praying forgiveness, offering their lives to serve him.

  Hynkkel had stared straightly at each in turn, copying a trick I had seen Murri use. I caught a hint of thought search and shied away, as this was Hynkkel’s task alone. He made his choice and took them under his command.

  We had gathered in one of the state rooms of the ancient Palace and now Hynkkel laid before us his decision.

  “I must go forth from here, back to Valapa if I can. There is still conflict in our land that must be met and the city must be made harmless. We do not know what has been happening elsewhere. There may be many changes to come for the Queendoms and the Empire.

  “I am sworn to what I must do, but I lay none of my duties you. There are supplies in plenty here, water wealth beyond belief. As you have seen, the weapons of the Evil One have, during the past few days, rusted and are unusable. No rats have been sighted, nor any of the monsters developed from them. If you choose to remain, do so. I can offer you no safety beyond the Plain, only danger and of a kind I can only guess.”

  He stood silently staring down at his hands where they lay on the table. Then he lifted his head and, without looking at any of us, said: “Choose!”

  Thus it was that our company rode out of the Plain of Desolation that once was, none remaining behind. The wounded rested in padded slings between pairs of oryxen.

  Clearly even the desert lands were altered. For a space we traveled along the stream sighted by our scouts, beside running water that no man had ever dreamed could exist. Along its banks abounded fresh green growth, which our mounts greeted with honks of delight.

  It was Hynkkel’s plan to return first to Kahulawe for the sake of the wounded. However, on our second night beyond the Plain we heard out of the shadows of the dunes an ear-splitting yowl. Many cat voices must have joined together. Hynkkel slid from his saddle and plunged through the sand to where Murri came to meet him, followed in turn by his awesome sire and dam. Having embraced his furred brother, he was brought to his knees by Murri’s weight. Standing again he went to the huge Myrourr and his equally massive mate Maraya to pay them royal homage.

  In our second council the great cats joined and Hynkkel questioned the coming of the full Pride—in a camp of their own just beyond ours. He pointed out if they were to go into battle for
him, the old hatred between man and Sand Cat would resurface, perhaps worse than before. They agreed reluctantly that Murri would go with our party as would be expected, but their force would keep out of sight. However Myrourr stated firmly by thought touch that they would not let one of their kin, their sworn brother, go into danger alone.

  They also brought news. Shank-ji had gone to Valapa. There had been a rebel rising there and the Queen had given command of the city force to him, saying Hynkkel was surely dead and Shank-ji was by blood right and warrior training the proper choice.

  There had been fighting in the streets. Hynkkel’s father, with only a small company, most of them the guards he commanded, had been sent to scour the desert for Hynkkel and search for rats. So General Meguliel had been driven out of the city and was now encamped a day’s journey from Valapa. Kalikku volunteered to ride ahead to their camp. With our wounded to care for, we could make only a slow pace.

  The Sand Cats became our eyes, sweeping out in three directions to make sure we were not trailed, or flanked by any enemy. It was not known whether any of the other Queendoms had joined in the revolt and sent their guards to swell the rebel army. I served Hynkkel by collecting the reports of the Sand Cat scouts.

  It was a weary time of waiting for enemies or reinforcements. The latter came first. At daybreak on the fifth day we overtook a caravan bound for Valapa. The caravaners greeted Hynkkel with more than just recognition. I saw he was rather overwhelmed by their rejoicing over his survival, since he had braced himself to believe most of the Outer Region dwellers saw little that was promising in him.

  The caravaners took our wounded to transport in greater comfort. Seven of their company swore guard oaths to Hynkkel and we were loaned a number of extra mounts, so now we were able to make better time.

  Still, save for our own company, we seemed now to travel through a deserted land. Then Kalikku returned with an officer of his father’s command to say that though Shank-ji’s force of rebels remained on the great rock island of Valapa, there were signs that they were close to action.

  Hynkkel now rode with this small division of the Imperial Army. Ravinga and I rather withdrew to ourselves.

  For the first time since I had left the ancient city I felt less duty-ridden. Soon I could think of a future. But what future? What had I to return to if Shank-ji and the Diamond Queen were finally defeated? Hynkkel had named me before the court his chosen Companion—assuring me that it was only temporary action, which would cease to exist when trouble was behind us.

  I was House Head in my own right but, I discovered now, I had little desire to return to that standing. Well, I could only wait and see.

  Hynkkel-ji:

  For the first time in my life I met my father as an equal, man to man. He listened without question or interruption to my story. I realized that much he must have already heard from my brother. Also it was told in segments, for we had major plans to make concerning Valapa. He slowed his gait when I mentioned that the Pride of Sand Cats followed us. I hastened to assure him that their part of our army would not attack unless ordered. It was my hope that seeing such an array of one-time deadly enemies might have a daunting effect upon the rebels.

  To my surprise he seemed to find that amusing. He smiled as he shook a finger at me. “You have a desire to see some squirming in the enemy lines; is that it? Well, you may; you may.”

  I now regretted stops for food and rest—to get there—to face this encounter—to come through it or fail—that was my only wish. If once in a while a vague dream of the future intruded, I walled it away at once.

  CHAPTER 31

  In the Desert Land Near Valapa:

  The Diamond Queen and her guards had put their mounts on a hard climb to the top of one of the smaller rock outcrops. Below them stretched a relatively level space that even lacked any drift of dunes. There were the forces she had helped to assemble. With them was one whose banner man carried both the Imperial Banner and that of her own Queendom on a single standard. Shank-ji had not waited for his messengers to the other Queendoms to bring in more recruits. Let this barbarian General from Kahulawe make his move—all he would win was his death—a dishonorable one, since the army below marched in the name of the Emperor. She had no doubt that by night Shank-ji would take the throne unchallenged.

  Between two north dunes there was movement as a mounted party appeared. Four riders moved, but only one came to the edge of the proposed battlefield. By either side of his oryxen paced Sand Cats. She had seen many skins, but these two desert dwellers were near as large as the oryxen. Now she could sight a third beast, one nearly as large, pacing as a rear guard.

  Though she could not discern the rider’s features—he wore no uniform but the worn clothes of a common desert roamer—she knew him. Her mouth twisted. So—he had survived.

  No flag of truce fluttered beside him. However, as rider and cats came to a halt facing the assembled army, one of the officers urged his mount forward and drew up a short distance from the man of the desert. She burned to hear what was being said!

  Hynkkel-ji:

  The last time I had fronted Shank-ji had been when the two of us dared the leap for the crown of empire—the last and most dangerous of the trials. He had lost a hand to the swinging plates of the great mobile. I had won—not that I wanted to. Now his standard bearer edged out of the first rank and came a short way into the open behind his leader so that the double display of flags was clearly visible.

  I waited. Let Shank-ji declare himself. Yet it seemed he was in no haste to do so. Perhaps this also was a test. He wished to goad me into speech. If so, I had won again, for at last he raised his voice to the pitch of a field commander.

  “Lurker in the dunes, you and yours come no farther.”

  I deliberately sent my oryxen forward several paces, the cats moving sedately with me. His mount snorted at their approach.

  “You speak for whom, Shank-ji?” I hoped my mildness of tone might rouse his temper. An angry man is less than one under control.

  “For the Empire of the Outer Regions, for the Diamond, the Ruby, the Emerald, the Sapphire, the Topaz—”

  “And these all follow you now, Outlaw?”

  There had been no movement in his force when he had listed those allies. He held the Diamond, yes, but I saw no others.

  “Usurper!”

  I answered ever more mildly. “You show me an army. It is my turn to reply.”

  I then whistled as an outland herd keeper to alert his charges. I could not see what was behind me, but I well knew that those I faced could count. Our pitifully small troop was following me into the open, but in such a way as to suggest it was but the advance of a larger force. While on the tops of the dunes, walking with consummate skill, came the pride of the Desert Cats parading with inherent dignity.

  There was a stir in the other ranks. Oryxen, unused to cats, bucked in fear as their riders strove to keep them from bolting. The line at attention broke and there was a confusion of shouted orders, cries and the bellowing of beasts.

  “Murderer,” Shank-ji shouted at me, “you would set the cats upon us? We have all hunted them. Their skins line our dwellings; we tread them under our boots!”

  My three companions growled deep in their throats. I did not look but I was sure fangs appeared, claws extended into the sand at our feet.

  “They will defend themselves, even as you would, Outlaw. There will be no fangs at your throat unless you invite them. You made a common cause with rats and the Dark One who commanded them. So, you have no right to curse as enemies those of the Pride.”

  My companions threw back their heads and their combined roar brought to a halt for a moment the tumult behind Shank-ji. I might have used the weapon of the Dark One to silence his warriors. I raised my voice so that those in the rebels’ front ranks might at least hear me.

  “Is this one your choice of a leader, Men of the Diamond? One who made a pact with Evil, served the Dark One, and later ran, leaving men who foll
owed him faithfully to torture and horrible death? Let those he abandoned now testify.”

  I did not move but from either side rode those we had discovered in chains, waiting to be transformed into man-rats at Quinzell’s pleasure.

  They advanced at a slow walk until they were lined in front of Shank-ji, facing the army.

  “Do you know these?” My voice rasped now.

  “Yes,” one of the three shouted. “Do you know me, Almik? I have shared storm shelter with you.”

  “And me?” shouted one on his left. “We ate together before the Devil One’s monsters dragged me away, Jibben! We joined the guard on the same day.”

  The third of their company pressed a fraction past the others. His arm went up. With a forefinger he jabbed the air in Shank-ji’s direction.

  “I gave allegiance to you, Lord. But did you raise your voice to save me when the man-rats took me to be added to their company? You, Kelash, who are of my own House.” Now he pointed to the line. “And there stands Kwaku also—”

  “Now I am known to others.” He waved his hand toward where I sat my mount. “I am known to the August One who found me in chains; the one who slew the Dark One with the Great Power he commanded. I know the August One; I know those who follow him.”

  The man who had spoken first took advantage of all eyes being on the speaker. He brought his mount around and with the skill of a well-trained fighter made it leap toward Shank-ji. In his own hand he held a knife. But he did not reach the rebel leader. Shank-ji was on the move—at me—a sword in his left hand.

  “No!” I shouted at the cats, already crouched to spring. I had no sword, but I would fight my own battle to the end. I slipped down to my wrist the armband my sister had fashioned for me. It was heavy and it was truly mine. Into its making had gone, I knew, all the good fortune Melora could wish me.

  The cats obeyed but, though my mount was used to their presence, Shank-ji’s was not. It reared before it reached us and its rider had to fight for control, dropping sword to grab at the reins tight looped about his handless wrist. The oryxen, plainly terrified of the cats, reared again, and this time its hind hooves skidded in a patch of sand. It came up against my mount who snapped with ready teeth and bellowed.