Chapter 28

Coup

The Cat slept the peaceful slumber of the content, in a king sized bed with three cat girl servants, under his royal purple silk sheets. Waking to the sounds of shouting and fighting in the halls the Cat chose to ignore the general chaos that seemed to run throughout the embassy where he was currently residing.

The male Outcats were in the hall battle along side the Tabby guards against an unknown enemy. Slate nor Pebbles were anywhere in sight and for some reason all the female attendants were locked in with the Cat for safe keeping. He felt safer all ready. He lifted his head under the purple king size silken sheets, making a tent out of them, using his head as a mid post.

"Girls," he started. I don't know what's going on, or who's out there."

He looked from one to the other. They were all wearing nighties, with their hair down, and were cuddling together in fear. The Cat suddenly forgot what he was talking about and his libido took it from there.

"Ladies, as much as it pains me to be the one to inform you all of the tragic news I have to bear. These may be our last moments together; we don't know what horrors lay behind those doors." He paused, smiled and said.

"Perhaps you'd all be less frightened if you all cuddled around me?" The girls moved like frightened kittens, scratching the Cat as they held on to him.

That is how they were found, four wreathing bodies that couldn't be told apart under a sea of purple. When the sheets were lifted off the foursome by a burley Red Hat solider, the Cat was the last to notice they were not alone. Several superiors of the Red Hat faction were in the room as well as their leader, he spoke;

"I am Lord Pious the Third of the Red Hats."
"Hi," said the Cat. "You are not going to believe this, but I am so glad to see you." He smiled, "I'm not who you think I am, they got the prince out, I'm a double." He could see they weren't buying it, so he started fresh.

"Remember those attendants, the Outcats. Mean looking dudes with unkempt hair and breath like old nappies, they snuck him out."

"Bring in the prisoner," commanded Lord Pious.
A second set of guards entered the room, one holding a chain. The two attendants to whom the Cat was referring were bound in it.

"These two attendants?"
The Cat got up and walked over to the prisoners. The girls didn't move.

"Yea, yea, yea. Those were the guys." The Cat grabbed one by the collar.

"You better confess buddy. It's your only chance." Then he winked at him on the sly.

"Well," said Lord Pious. "Is this true?"
The prisoner did not answer.

The Cat got close to the bound men and said. "Come on talk. Tell the truth." Still they said nothing.

The Cat could see that the Red hat guy who was in charge still wasn't buying it. So he tried one last desperate gamble, and hoped for the best.

"Hey Lordy Pious, why don't you torture these guys? Then they'll have to tell you the truth."

The two Cat prisoner's eyebrows did like a man bending over and ripping his pants. So did Lord Pious', but for different reasons.

Both prisoners said in unison. "It's him. He's the prince."
Lord pious smiled pleased with himself.

"I cannot believe this," the Cat said, astonishment branded on his face. After all I've done for you. This how you repay me?"

The Cat soldiers, with a nod from Lord Pious, led the prisoners out.

"Lord Pious." The highest ranking solider addressed him.

"Will you be accompanying the prisoners to their cell?"

"I'll be along shortly," he said looking in the direction of the three cat girls who had managed their way back under the silken covers. Like the kittens they were they had a natural inclination to crawl in tight confined spaces.

"After I've had time to interrogate these three prisoners." He said as he licked his lips.

"Very good sir," the solider paused. "Will you be needing any assistance with the interrogation?"

"No, I don't think so." He turned to face the soldier. "I want you to personally guard the prisoner until he is safely in his cell. Do not let anyone know where you're bringing him. Let nothing happen to him. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Sir! Very Good, sir." And he was out the door, roughly handling the bound Cat as he went.

"Now my lovely ladies," smiled Lord Pious as he pulled the sheets off the cowering cat maidens. "I'd like you to show me everything you know." The giggling could be heard echoing in the Cat's ears as he was led down the hall.