Author´s note: I feel much better today. And so, the story goes on. Poor Papyrus does not know the full extent of the problem. But he will soon find it out. Thank you all for your concern. Next week, I hope to be up and kicking! Song belongs to the wonderful movie of Sensei Miyazaki, Spirited Away
We are about to meet a very peculiar character so stay tuned!
12. Hell Hounds.
After hours of walking, Papyrus gives out a smile. The river! They made it at last. And judging by the shore, they are very close to the burned village. The monkey squeals with excitement. But the raven is flying in circles and cawing nervously. Before they can prevent it, some armed men come out from the papyrus in the shore.
"Well, look who´s here. The humble little fisherman. You are lucky that we want you alive. Otherwise, we could kill you right here." They surround the boy. "And don´t try anything, or the old man gets it." Papyrus swallows. Do they really have Ratopher? The raven pecks the head of the man before having to duck a sword blow. With anger, the bird flies away while the monkey has to run for his life.
"By Horus! You are nothing but murderers."
"Leave the sword, boy. And come with us without trying anything. Then you will see the old man." The boy has no other choice but to obey. If he wants to save Ratopher, is his only chance. He puts the sword in the ground gently. A blow hits him from behind and his world goes dark. "Leave the blade there. We only need the boy." They grab Papyrus and head for the ship where Chepseska is waiting.
Once they are gone, the monkey comes out of his hideout and follows them, but not before waiting for some friends that come out of the woods. Just the first one has six glowing eyes in his face but his fierce appearence is no impediment for him to take the sword and carry it in his jaws. The whole pack behind him sets out to follow the boat that goes towards the burned village.
Better leave the bad guys to get cocky.
XXXX
Papyrus opens an eye. All around him is white but as things get clear, he listens to a huge waterfall that is very near. And what is more strange, there is a big white and black cat looking at him with his amber eyes.
"Yo!" Says the old feline and Papyrus shouts in surprise. The boy runs blindly until he reaches the edge of the building, seeing then that he is on a strange house suspended over a huge waterfall in a place he has never seen and jumping will surely kill him. "Will you please calm down and listen? I have things to talk to you." Says the cat moving his long staff.
"Who are you? Did Seth send you? Did.." He realizes he does not have the sword with him.
"Will you just let me talk, kid?" He is old but is not going to let some boy talk to him like that. Papyrus keeps on trying to stay away so the cat hits him in the head with the staff. "That´s enough." Big sigh. "Now. Will you be so kind to sit down and listen?" He obeys. "Thank you."
"Who are you and where is my sword?"
"I have many names. But you can call me Neko and we are even, Papyrus. And as for your sword, you will soon get it back but not here. This is my home and I do not allow weapons."
"Am I dead?"
"Nope. You are just knocked out. Those men have taken you into a ship but your mind is here. I called you in order to talk about a few things." He takes down a teapot that hangs from the staff.
"That figures. But, Ratopher is on that ship, I have to..." Another staff hit on the head.
"Don´t tell me you really fall for that one." Which means that...
"You mean..."
"He is on that ship as much as I am a dog." They were lying. Those monsters. "Anyway, can we go now to the point?"
"Yes. By Horus! If he is not there, where?"
"You´ll see. But now, let´s just have tea and talk. I am too old to be running around."
"How old are you?"
"Why, I am a god, you silly boy!" Almost hits him again. "The problem is that things in Egypt are far too bad, even for me. Maybe your gods think this is only a matter of finding the lost jewel but it is not. Anyway..." The cat opens a little bag full of something similar to pita bread. "Want some?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." The boy is quite hungry. While he eats, Neko giggles to himself. He is so much like his grandfather at his age. Perhaps, Ratopher was right and Papyrus can fix this problem. "Ok. Since you were beaten so hard by those guys, how about if I give you a lesson or two? A friend of mine can help us with that. And in exchange, I will tell you things about your grandfather."
"You will?"
"If you can touch my tail with the staff I am going to give you, I will." The cat points his furry limb that looks like a brush, all white with the edge in black. "Is a promise." He crosses his chest with one of his claws.
"Then let´s do it." This makes Neko smile. No doubt about it now, they are the same. When that boy first came to learn meditation, he was also very lively and headstrong. This makes Neko happy.
"Somewhere, a voice calls, in the depths of my heart
may I always be dreaming, the dreams that move my heart.
So many tears, of sadness, uncountable through and through
I know on the other side, of them,I'll find you
Every time we fall down to the ground, we look up to the blue sky above
We wake to its blueness, as for the first time
Though the road is long and lonely
and the end far away, out of sight
I can with these two arms, embrace the light
As I bid farewell, my heart stops, in tenderness I feel
My silent empty body begins to listen to what is real
The wonder of living, the wonder of dying
The wind, town and flowers, we all dance one unity
Somewhere, a voice calls in the depths of my heart
keep dreaming your dreams, don't ever let them part
Why speak of all your sadness or of life's painful woes
Instead let the same lips sing a gentle song for you
The whispering voice, we never want to forget, in each passing memory
Always there to guide you
When a mirror has been broken, shattered pieces scattered on the ground
Glimpses of new life, reflected all around
Window of beginning, stillness, new light of the dawn
Let my silent empty body be filled and reborn
No need to search outside, nor sail across the sea
'Cause here shining inside me, it's right here inside me
I've found a brightness, it's always with me."
While they wait for Neko´s friend, the cat explains to Papyrus that they are in the Superior Haven, world of the very first gods and stars of the sky. The waterfall brings the water for the rains and the River God. And if he is a North god. Well, Neko is a god for all people. They probably can´t tell who he is just by the word Neko (Cat) but he is very important. After all, he was born in the Fire Ocean and has watched over the world since its very first day.
Neko is the father of the god of Cats and yes, has many things to tell us.
What does he know about Ratopher? And Papyrus grandfather?
Who was that student? And who is this mysterious friend?
Be right back at you!
Next stop: The top of the world
