Of Cats and Men

The human was escorted into the temple. The air was warmer inside, heated by oil lamps, braziers and incense clouded the air. Inside the temple people sat huddled together for more warmth. They were all feline, but they were all thin, so painfully thin. Their large eyes seemed darker as the orange light flickered across their gaunt faces.

“Take a good look, Schwenk………you’ve caused this!” Jaada said bitterly

“Caused? I’ve never been here….hell, I’ve hardly been outside the city…….this can’t be anything to do with me……” he shrugged.

“You still do not understand, do you………”

He was led up ornate stone steps to a pool of water, and in that pool was a statue that, in the flickering light of a hundred torches kind of looked like Jaada. The statue was kneeling in genuflection, it’s arms outstretched. The distance between the tips of the fingers was fifty feet, more or less. It was big and impressive. On the statue’s right hand was a crystal, a virtual twin of the stolen crystal.

“So you’ve got two of those then?” Schwenk asked

“We had two……everything works in balance, human…….that crystal is pure, the other is impure….Therefore the pair do not work……”

“I’m sorry…..but it’s a crystal…..a light show on an impressive statue……it’s…..not that important…..” he had a feeling his mouth was doing something awfully bad. The tiger acolyte saw a flicker of a signal from Jaada and instantly raised him by his throat. It was a grip of steel.

“Not important?? Clearly not to you…..the crystals are pure, the pool is pure……The pool is pure and the temple is pure. The temple is pure and the people thrive because the grace of the goddess is upon them. You defile the crystal and everything else rots! Look around you Schwenk! These people have homes to live in, but seek sanctuary in the temple, praying for forgiveness…..No! Begging!!” she roared. “..and you think this is nothing?? It’s a great pity you only get to die once” she sneered aggressively.

“….and so my blood being spilt makes things all better?”

“I sincerely hope so! But there is another problem, Mr Schwenk…….you have to be sacrificed…….with your blessing……We cannot steal the blood…..”

“Oh…..oh now you’re shitting me?!” he snorted. “Some goddess she is…..do this, do that…..do the bloody impossible…..Let me tell you something…..You’ve spent time in the city, you know it’s a godless place…..and yet we all live, and thrive……So…my advice is, ditch the temple and the wonky statue…..live in the city…….Deities are SO overrated!”

Jaada shuddered with rage, her face flushed. “Oncan…..” she said with cold steel in her voice. “He’s an assassin, he’s right-handed……Crush his hand!”

“No…Wait!!”

It was to late, whilst the tiger held him by the throat the jaguar placed Schwenk’s right hand in his huge hand. The jaguar may as well have been crushing a flower. The crunch of bones and the screaming of Schwenk echoed in the temple.

“I’ll never……give you……my blessing……you stupid…….bitch….” his ragged breathing rasped through his tears.

“Oh…I think you will…..” Jaada said with quiet confidence. “Bring her out!”

Two female leopards brought out a handcuffed, dishevelled figure.

“What the? Who’s that?” Schwenk asked

“SCHWENK!!!!” the voice rang out in anguish.

“MYRA!!! Oh Myra!!” Schwenk felt sick, the agony of his hand briefly took second place to the pain in his heart.

“You will give you blessing….or you’ll watch her die slowly…Imagine your hand, but all over her body……”

“Don’t do it Schwenk….don’t you dare do it!!” Myra hissed.

He was torn, Jaada played a cruelly efficient game.

“Myra….my love…..”

“Once I knew you had the crystal we waited for Myra……A kind of insurance policy!”

“But…..she was already late before I told you about the crystal…”

“Yes…..the goddess’ fortune smiled…….her transport and been delayed a few days……”

“..and back at the inn…..you said I could’ve walked away had I not asked questions….”

“I lied…..you’d have walked until the point we needed you……..I’m so glad it was you who had retrieved the crystal…..You’re reliable and predictable…..typical human, in fact……..”

“Please….Jaada…..if I did do this…I’m truly…..I’ll gladly give my blood, enough to purify the crystal……..”

“All of it!” came the flat response.

“NO!!!!!” Myra roared in a rage as she struggled.

“But…….we can compromise…….”

“No…..All of it……”

“Schwenk……do not say the words…….DO NOT!!!”

Jaada spoke to the jaguar.

“Oncan……….snap both of her arms at the elbows……”

“NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!” Schwenk wailed in desperation.

Jaada held her hand up, the jaguar stopped by Myra.

“You have something to say?”

“I’ll kick your human arse…..” Myra spat.

“I’m sorry…..” he sobbed. “You….you have my blessing…….” He said softly.

Myra burst into tears and struggled like a tigress possessed. “How could you Gaston….”