Requiem III: The Search for The Truth

by Bonnie Eagan & Alisa Joaquin

Part 38: Luring Two Tigers

Kwai Chang Caine led his father and the Ancient through the levels of the arena to where Tan's temple resided. They also found other passages less obvious that were unguarded. The obstacles that had been a part of Tan's challenge were not present with this adversary, but what waited for them could be just as deadly.

The three men walked in silence. There was no need for speech between them. What they faced was not going to be easy, but they knew if they did not, this adversary could very well succeed where the Dark Warrior had not. The thought was a sobering one.

When they reached the level of the arena, Kwai Chang Caine called a halt to his small expedition.

"We must be careful. There are tigers loose in the arena."

"And they are hungry. This Master must learn to take better care of his pets," Matthew quipped.

"I have something that will appease them," Lo Si stated. No one had noticed that the ancient priest had been carrying a brown pouch very similar to Caine's. "One of you must lower the cage. The other must get them to follow you with this." Lo Si pulled from his pouch a large bundle of herbs.

"Is that what I think it is, Master?"

"It is. All cats are attracted to this herb. But you must be careful Kwai Chang Caine. The scent is very strong and if you were to get some on your clothing, the cats will not be able to resist you."

"I shall see if I can lower the cage, my son."

Matthew made his way around the arena until he found the right entrance that led to a stair going upward. It wasn't long before he found that catwalk that crossed over the arena. The sight of the temple below caught his breath. It was so much like his own temple as well. He shook his head in sadness at the man who died here, a renegade priest who sought power rather than enlightenment. True power came from within one's soul and from the light, but all Tan saw was darkness and an elusive way of life that he could never have. He corrupted the ways of the Tao and so his life had ended in a duel that had been doomed to failure. His son was right in destroying the evil that was in Tan. The cycle of Tan's lives had to stop, and Matthew also knew that the Master's life cycle would also have to end.

As Matthew looked around, he spotted the mechanism for lowering the cage. As he crossed the catwalk, he briefly looked down. The tigers were sleeping, each resting on an area of the steps. It would not be an easy task for Kwai Chang. He would have to traverse the stairs and get ahead of the tigers without them sensing him, and Kwai Chang would be carrying the Ancient's special herb.

Matthew watched as his son entered the arena. Not a sound of his son's footsteps could be heard in the large open space. He watched in fascination as Caine stepped into the tiger's midst without disturbing their slumber. It reminded him of when an old friend of the family had described a scene where his father walked through a pit of rattlesnakes. As Caine made it to the floor of the Tan's temple, Matthew watched as he brushed the herb along the bottom step. Matthew's heart jumped to his throat when one of the tiger's raised his head.

*Father, I will signal you to raise the cage when I am ready. Lower the cage now.*

Matthew was startled out of his transfixed gaze as his son's thoughts came to him. He quickly recovered and pushed the button to lower the cage to the temple floor, all the while Kwai Chang was backing toward its location and brushing the herb along the stones.

The tiger that raised its head sniffed the air then rose. The scent that it caught tickled its nostrils and had an enticing aroma. It wasn't long until the other tiger also caught the scent. Both rose and sauntered down the steps and stopped at the first patch. Both sniffed the area and one of the tigers leaned in and tried to rub his head along the floor. The other cat tried to do the same thing, but the patch was not wide enough for both. The first tiger batted at the second then raised its head again catching the scent a second time then followed it to wherever it led.

Kwai Chang Caine watched the tigers behind the cage and made his last scent patch, this time inside the cage. He then dropped the herbs into the bottom of the cage. He watched as the tigers approached each patch scent. He could not help smiling to himself as he was reminded of another similar scene from the temple. He would have to share it with his father some time. It wasn't long until both tigers quickly caught the scent and bounded into the cage. Swiftly, Kwai Chang closed the cage door and with his chi, locked it in place. The big cats did not seem to notice, so bent were they in rubbing themselves in the herb.

*Father, you can raise the cage.*

Matthew complied with his son's thoughts and the tigers were no longer a threat.

"Very good Kwai Chang Caine," the Ancient appeared at the top of the steps. It would take Matthew Caine few moments to reach them the two.

"Master, what was that herb?"

"An herb most cats find appealing, and humans find quite relaxing. It was catnip," the Ancient said with a smile.

Kwai Chang shook his head at so simple a solution.

"Come, we must make preparations. The Master knows we are here. As far as he is concerned, we have walked into his domain. He will be here soon."

Continues with Part 39