About 4 hours later, the trial took place. But, about half an hour before that, I had an unexpected visitor.
I had been fast asleep, but then, I heard someone call my name, & I sat up - to see Munkustrap at the entrance to the chamber I was in. Hissing madly, I jumped up & backed away, but he made no move to spring on me, or even come after me. Instead he just sat down in the 'doorway', & looked at me with pleading eyes. After a moment or 2 of throwing hate glances at Munk, & him not reacting, I cocked my head, & crouched down, giving him the evil eye. Still, he didn't respond, & that's when I noticed that his eyes were shiny with tears. Slowly, I relaxed slightly, & sat on my haunches, still fairly tense, waiting for the attack that I was sure would come. It never did. Instead, he gulped, then said, quietly "Tugger, I-I'm so sorry!"
This took me totally by surprise.
"You what?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't know Mac would go that far."
Once again, I gave him the evil eye. "You 2 planned that attack?"
He gave a shuddering sigh.
"Yes. Mac told me that we were going to teach you a lesson. Naturally, oh, I agreed, but I didn't know what he had in mind. I never even dreamed he'd threaten to kill you!"
Still, I continued to eye him suspiciously. He looked me once in the eye, took in the scars on my face, & then started crying. Silent though the tears were, I could tell that he was sincerely sorry, & as I watched him my heart softened - just a little, but enough to let me almost forgive him (but not quite!).
That sentimental moment didn't last, though. Just as I was considering approaching him, there was shout, & the next moment, Jelly, Jenny & Skimble came rushing into the chamber looking horrified. Jenny & Jelly rushed protectively in front of me. Skimble yanked Munk to his feet, & was just about to give him a serious scolding, when I yelled "NO!"
Jenny & Jelly started, & turned to look at me, & Skimble actually let go of Munkustrap, whom he'd been holding by his shoulder-fur. Giving the 3 adults blank looks, I walked up to Munkustrap & looked him straight in the eye. He gave a small sob, but held my gaze. After a brief pause, I nodded to show that he was forgiven. He gave another, more audible sob, then took us all by surprise by flinging his arms around my neck. I staggered awkwardly - I'd always been useless at comforting - but Munk was sobbing heavily into my shoulder, whimpering, in a real kitten voice, how sorry he was. The adults had all been stunned into silence, but then Jenny, who'd got over her shock 1st, came over, pulled Munk firmly but gently off of me, & took him away to see Old Deuteronomy. 10 minutes later, I heard that Munkustrap was 'off trial', & if I was surprised to find that I was pleased, I was even more surprised to find myself taking Munk off my 'get revenge on' list (now it was just my mom, my dad & Macavity!), who was still going to be tried for what he had done to me.
Sure enough, about 20 minutes later, the Jellicle Tribe had gathered around to witness the trial of Macavity, who didn't seem at all sorry for what he'd done. I noticed Munk wasn't there - I expect he didn't want to see his brother be sentenced.
Jellylorum led me to sit down by Deuteronomy, then went to sit with Jennyanydots. Then, the trial began.
Looking down on his son, who had his hands tied behind his back & was being held by Skimble, Deuteronomy said, solemnly "Macavity, do you know what you have done?"
In answer to this, Macavity said, coldly "He deserved it!"
I was amazed at Deuteronomy's calmness, as he said "No Macavity, Tugger did not deserve what you did, & said, to him!"
Macavity scoffed. "Oh, yes he did," he said, speaking loudly & coldly. "He's a mangy cur. I can't see why you even let him & his whore of a mom into this tribe in the first place!"
At this, Deuteronomy stood up abruptly, but Macavity wasn't finished.
"That cunt shouldn't even have been born, let alone let anywhere near this tribe! Be warned, Tugger," he threatened, turning to me, "if I'd had it my way, you'd be dead right now. Mark my words," his voice rose to a yell, as he was dragged away to be exiled, ", I'll get you Tugger, some day soon!"
After this remark, he allowed himself to be dragged away. Deuteronomy turned quickly to me, & that's when I realised that I was shaking. Deuteronomy had Jelly lead me away, & that was also when I realised that I had got myself a deadly enemy, one who would never rest until he saw me dead. And it was at that moment that I swore to rid this world of the filth of Macavity…