Of Cats and Men

“Tiger……take him to the altar, bind him…….”

The tiger nodded and walked to the large, dark stone altar. Schwenk was carried by his throat, like some strange ornament that the tiger carried. Schwenk lay motionless, his energy spent, his life worthless now that Myra was held hostage. He’d given the words and now it was nearly over. He winced in pain as the tiger bound him to the cold altar with rough rope that bit into his flesh. Jaada walked up and unsheathed a cruel looking curved blade.

He sighed. “I hope you’ve washed that…..I might catch something……”

“You never shut up do you?” Jaada replied. “Bring the tigress to watch…..”

“No….please……” Schwenk begged.

Myra was escorted over and stood at the foot of the altar. She continued crying, unable to believe what she was witnessing.

“I’m sorry Myra……I’m so sorry……but I have no choice…….You’ll let her go……You promised……” he spoke directly to Jaada.

“We’ll see……Promises are…organic things……”

“NO!!”

“Gaston, love…..without you I’d rather die anyway……we’ll be together…..” Myra wept.

Between his feet was a deep bowl carved into the stone, Jaada placed the crystal at the bottom of it and started chanting.

“Bloody hell……in my last moments on the planet can we dispense with the sing-song?” Schwenk groaned. The tiger growled and strode towards him.

“Ahhh….whatcha gonna do tiger that’s worse than this???”

The tiger stopped, thought and then returned to his place.

Schwenk allowed himself a small moment of victory, then the chanting stopped. Jaada walked to the side of the altar and addressed the people.

“Children of Tyrus, the goddess has spoken to me. The infidel will die…..Will be sacrificed for you. His blood will purify the dexter crystal and balance will be restored……”

A huge cheer echoed through the temple.

“What it is to be popular? Aurelio will be SO pissed off he thought…….”

Jaada raised the blade above his sternum, and the people chanted.

“Shit….” Schwenk closed his eyes.

But darkness did not thrust itself upon him, there was no pain in his chest. His eyes snapped open as pain blossomed on his left wrist, then moments later his right. His eyes opened. A cheer roared throughout the temple again.

“You’ve got to be kidding…..” Schwenk shouted at Jaada. “A slow bleed…….”

“It’s the best and most efficient way for the crystal……..”

“It’s not bloody efficient for me….” he strained at the bindings.

“Let him go, you monster!!” Myra hissed, hatred in her eyes.

At this point the proceedings descended into pandemonium. First the jaguar fell, clutching an arrow that had dug deep into the left side of his torso. Then, a leopardess holding Myra echoed the move. One hand was all Myra needed as she raked her free hand across the remaining leopardess’ face, piercing her eye and near enough removing her nose. She didn’t suffer for long as her throat was torn out. Myra the Red had come to the party.

Lani feathered another arrow and loosed it at Jaada, it hit her left shoulder, painful but not nearly fatal enough for Lani’s liking. She slung the bow across her shoulders and unsheathed her twin sais and took on any acolyte who dared get close. The pitiful masses in the temple watched on, afraid but too weak to attempt intervention. Whilst they would’ve been gratefully received, Myra needed no bows, arrows or swords, she had twenty claws and plenty more teeth. But most of all, she had a belly full of fire. She ran after the fleeing Jaada.

“Erm……hate to be a wet blanket, but I’m bleeding to death here……” Schwenk groaned. Myra and Lani had their hands full and over his face appeared the tiger acolyte, the curved blade in his grasp.

“Uh oh…..” he closed his eyes. His wrists stung as the bindings were cut. The tiger reappeared above him.

“I really should stop closing my eyes…..I’m missing so much detail……”

“We have no need for all of your blood…we have enough….Jaada was wrong to pursue human sacrifice……the goddess is angry, she had sent the red-headed devils to punish. He unleashed an unearthly roar that shook the temple. Instantly all of the fighting acolytes dropped their weapons, retreated and dropped to the floor in submission. Myra, who had returned empty handed and Lani looked somewhat confused and then looked at Schwenk. “No more fighting……” he got off the altar and fell to the floor unconscious.