Part 8
"Maggie", Alonzo said and let her in through the back door. "What are you doing here?"
"I need your help my dear boy", the old queen answered and took the offered chair and sat down tiredly. "It's Coke." Coke was her ninety year old mate.
"What is wrong?"
"He is nearing the end of his life dear and I don't want him to end it here."
"So", Alonzo asked while he prepared a cup of water and a blanket. He put the blanket around her thin shoulders and handed her the cup. But her paws were shaking so much he had to hold them with one paw and put the cup in her paws with the other.
"Thank you my dear", she said and smiled warmly at her.
"So what do you want from me Maggie", Alonzo asked and sat down before her.
"I want my Coke to leave this land and I know you can help him."
Alonzo felt a lump in his throat. The last time he'd helped a grown, well almost grown, cat escape it had ended with both of them being injured. Just the thought of Coricopat standing protectively before his sister when the spear hit his back made him feel anguish.
"Maggie…"
"Please Alonzo you are his only hope. Diana told me how you helped her twins."
"Truth is Maggie", he looked into her old and kind eyes and saw the hope in them. "That I wasn't hesitating at all. What do you want me to do?"
She breathed a sigh of relief and hugged him so hard her weak arms could muster.
"Thank you my boy", she sniffled. "Thank you. You are a saint and a gift from the Everlasting cat."
"Yeah", Alonzo mumbled. "They say that…"
"You know who it is", Skimble yelled at the twins.
"We think so", Coricopat said and put his paw on his sister's shoulder. "The way you described him makes us think we know him."
"Do you remember anything else", Tantomile asked.
"I've dreamt about that tom before", Pouncival said. "He was talking to us…"
"Did he call you anything?" Sierra asked.
"Yeah", Pouncival said and yawned. "Sorry. He called us Black, Patch, Pirate and White."
The twins looked at each other.
"It is him", they said.
"Who", Tumble asked and yawned.
"I think it can wait until tomorrow", Sierra said. "You four need to sleep it is very late."
"No", the four young toms complained and yawned.
"We will tell you tomorrow", Coricopat said and put on his cloak and handed his sister hers and their father his. "Now even mystical cats as ourselves needs sleep."
"Thank you for coming Sierra", Jenny said and took his paw. "How Deuteronomy can live without you there I don't know."
"Jenny old Deuteronomy is and always will be lost without others to talk to", Sierra said as he slung his cloak over his shoulders and pulled up the hood. And in one swift movement the three mystical cats left the den and left the others to sleep.
"You two tell me this instant", Sierra said as they walked over the dark yard.
"His name is Alonzo father", Tantomile said.
"He is son to Hadey and Velari", Coricopat said.
"Malicious' mate and advisor", Sierra stated. "Follow me."
"Where are we going", Tantomile asked as their father changed direction.
Deuteronomy sighed and looked at his two sons. His youngest looked a bit worried and confused while his oldest looked determined and stubborn.
"Munkustrap for the hundredth time Melodious is not behind those killings."
"Then why weren't there any kittens in his land, why was every cat working in his mines, why did he force a young tom to burry a dead kitten and why does he let his guards whip those who oppose him?"
"Munkustrap Melodious may not know what is going on outside the palace walls."
"Much like you then."
"Munk", Tugger exclaimed.
"It's the truth Tugger. Father should have left with mother to learn what kindness is. Father you are so obsessed with how Kind and Melodious can't be the ones behind these killings. I do not think Kind was but Melodious is. I believe that he was right."
"Who?" Deuteronomy asked.
"Sierra."
"Do not mention that name!"
"Why because you know that he is right?"
"I'm telling you now Munkustrap that if he was here right now I would say-"
As on cue the doors slammed open and in came three cloaked figures. The one who'd slammed the door open had a black cloak with the hood folded down and they could clearly see his face.
"Sierra", Deuteronomy said and rose from his throne.
"I don't think that is what he would say", Munk grumbled.
"Do not raise my lord", Sierra said tiredly. "Because I think that I will soon have to leave again. I am here to tell you yet again the truth."
"The truth about what?"
"The dead kittens."
"Sierra-"
"Do you remember the four kittens Skimbleshanks found in that basket?"
Deuteronomy was taken aback by the question but he nodded.
"Did you know that they have a brother?"
"No", Deuteronomy said. "I did not."
"Lord Sierra", Munkustrap asked and the mystic turned his amber eyes to him.
"Yes sir", Sierra said softly.
"Who are they?" Munkustrap pointed at the twins.
"Oh forgive me", Sierra said. "Deuteronomy, princes this is my children. My son Coricopat and my daughter Tantomile."
The two strangers let their hoods fall and Tugger felt his cheeks go hot when he caught sight of the queen.
"She is out of your league", her brother growled at him.
"Your children", Deuteronomy said in awe. "Oh yes you told me about them."
"Yes sire I did", Sierra said. "Now as I was saying the four kittens in the basket have a brother, an older brother actually."
"Yes."
"He is in the same age as Munkustrap and his parents are Hadey and Velari."
"Melodious mate and advisor", Munkustrap stated.
"Correct sir", Sierra grinned.
"And why is that important", Deuteronomy asked.
"His name is Alonzo."
Munkustrap's eyes widened and Tugger looked at the former head mystic.
"Are you sure about that", he asked.
"Yes, sir Tugger I am", Sierra said. "Munkustrap did you not say that a young tom named Alonzo told you that there were no kittens in that tribe?"
"Yes lord Sierra."
"Oh enough with the lord stuff. I left the court sir so I am not a lord anymore."
"Sierra", Deuteronomy sighed. "There is no proof of-"
"My lord", the door flew open again and in came Manty and Sapphire. They were supporting a very old tom.
"Manty, Sapphire", Sierra said in shock. "Who is this?"
"This is Coke Lord Sierra", Sapphire said. "And he has something to tell us all."
I was lying in my bed when the door opened and my mate Maggie entered our den. She hurried up to me and said:
"Oh Coke I have found a way to help you get out of here." She took my paw and pressed it against her cheek. "You will not have to die here."
"Maggie", I asked. "What are you talking about? I know I told you I wished to leave this place before I die."
"I found someone who can help you." She looked over her shoulder and I saw a young tom enter the den. The moonlight showed me what he looked like. He was a white and black patched tom with long bangs and the marks of a salve. I knew him, who didn't? Before me stood the tom who had since before tom-hood been forced to such a horrible task. Poor, poor Alonzo oh what that boy has suffered.
"Hi there Coke", he said gently and took my paws in his in a gently greeting. "I'm here to help you."
I sighed and pulled one paw free and traced his face and felt scars from whips and claws.
"My dear boy", I said almost crying. "This is not fair on you. On one such young."
"I'm young Coke but I will always care and help those who need me."
"Your heart is made out of gold boy."
"I'm not so sure if it was I would kill Malicious. But he does not disserve to die… but he do not deserve to live either."
"Yes some cats who dies disserve to live and some who lives disserve dying but it is the ones in the middle that is the worst."
"Yes. Malicious have been so cruel he does not disserve living but if he is killed it will mean he would escape easily."
"You mean he would escape suffering."
"Yes."
Maggie watched us talk, I could see her through the corner of my eye.
"So how exactly are you going to help me Alonzo?"
"Follow me", he said and held out his paw. "It is still dark and they will not see you."
"Here", Maggie told me and handed me my cloak. "I love you more than anything." She hugged me.
"I won't need it I will melt into the dark", I said softly.
"Then take it to remember my scent by."
I complied and kissed her. I notice young Alonzo smile as he tore his eyes away from peeking outside for a moment.
"Come now Coke", he said and took my arm. "It is time."
We ran as fast as we could until we reached the river. Oh how alive I felt. Alonzo took me to an old boat lying near the tunnel. He told me to creep down into it and not come out until I was out from the tribe's land. As he was about to push the boat out in the water I grabbed his paw.
"Dear lad is there something you want from me?" I asked. "Let me repay you some way."
He smiled warmly.
"Coke", he said. "This river will lead you to the Jellicles. Tell them of what is going on here. If they don't believe you don't give up. I beg you don't give up. That prince who was here knows the truth. Find him and Everlasting cat… make him come back."
"I will do my best boy."
"Thank you Coke that is all I ask. Now farewell. Live happy."
"I would be happier if my mate could follow me but she would never abandon her children and grandchildren."
He smiled and pushed the boat out and I was on my way. I got to you Jellicles and I have told you how I got here. All I want from you is that you listen to me.
"Then tell us what you want us to know", Deuteronomy said kindly. The old tom sat in a chair in his throne room and with them was Sierra, his children, Deuteronomy and the two princes.
"Kind was murdered by his own son Melodious", Coke said. "To his tribe known as Malicious. Malicious thinks that the ground underneath the tribe's land is filled with gold. He tried convincing his father but Kind would not believe him. He said the grounds were too dangerous to dig in. So in the middle of the night Malicious murdered him."
"That is not true", Deuteronomy said. "I have known Melodious since birth. He was never so bad."
"Wasn't that what you said about uncle Grimul father", Munkustrap asked coldly. "And yet he went and killed his mate and kittens."
"That's another thing."
"Greed can do much to the minds of cats", Coke went on. "Malicious took the power. But he noticed that when the mates in the tribe got kittens they couldn't work as effectively."
Tantomile and Coricopat growled lowly.
"They were there", Sierra told the old tom.
"Aw yes I remember you Diana's children." The twins nodded. "Wonderful girl I must say. Anyway Malicious found this 'great' solution and ordered that every cat under the age of two was to be slaughtered."
Deuteronomy gasped in horror, Tugger went pale and a bit green and Munk looked furious.
"He told his guards to cut their throats and dump them in the river", Sierra said and closed his eyes. "Sometimes the fathers were forced to do it."
"Yes", Coke sighed. "My own son was… As soon as a kitten was born he or she was slain. But word is around that four escaped."
"Alonzo's brothers", Tantomile said. "He found out about the plans and saved them."
"He put them in a basket in the river so it could carry them to safety", Coricopat said. "And for that his punishment was and still is to be the one to dump the kittens."
"Like you saw Munkustrap", Sierra said.
"Aw yes", Coke sighed. "Such a horrible burden for one so young. But Alonzo and his friends will not give up. They fight Malicious every way they can. And they go in and out of that jail frequently."
"Are they still suffering", Deuteronomy asked. "The slaves I mean."
"Oh yes. They will suffer forever Deuteronomy."
"Father we must do something", Munkustrap yelled.
"No", Deuteronomy said. "We do not have enough power to do so Munkustrap. We can't marsh in there. Too many civilians will get killed. If what you all have been telling me is true Malicious will use his tribe members as shields and hostage. He will kill them if we try anything."
"If you won't act", Munk growled. "I will do it myself." With that he stormed out of the room.
TBC
