The Burning Man of the Desert

“Answer me this, Sha-Dow. Why do cats paint?”
The Burning Man’s voice had boomed out over the desert and it was the question that had guided Sha-Dow’s quest ever since. He had journeyed so far and so wide and seen such things but he still felt no closer to wisdom. His sensei, Oran-JeDesh, had cuffed him and called him a fool but Sha-Dow knew that the in the answer lay the end of his quest. If only he could unravel the riddle!

Now here he was again, many moons later, in the midst of the trackless wastes and the Burning Man lay broken in front of him. Sha-Dow had tried to hold back the angry mob but there were too many and their pitchforks had been cruelly sharpened. He had had to watch as they broke him and took his burning brands leaving nothing but a smoking wreck.

“Come closer, little Sha-Dow,” the smoking man whispered, as the last of his strength drained away.

“But why did they do it? Why did they hurt you? What harm had you done them?”

“It is their nature. They fear what they do not understand, they…” the man paused to cough, his chest nothing but soot. “They stole my fire to torch more strangers. Still, they have stolen more than they realise. Fire creates as it destroys.” His voice trailed off and suddenly Sha-Dow felt that he almost grasped the answer. Why do cats paint?

Sha-Dow nuzzled the remnants of the Burning Man, comforting him in his final moments. He felt rather than heard one last, almost grateful sigh as the Burning Man’s fire went out and, suddenly, there was nothing left but ash. And then Sha-Dow smiled because suddenly he knew the answer. He knew why it is that cats paint and he knew what he must do.

As he turned to leave, the ashes stirred in the wind and although Sha-Dow did not see it, for a second, they formed a smile.

Poisoned!

Two Vine Weevil, the grand high vizier grinned ominously as Sha-Dow took the cup. “You will not enjoy this but, rest assured, I will,” he cackled.

Sha-Dow held the foaming mug gingerly. He knew that the Vizier was up to something but the butterfly witch had warned him that if didn’t drink that he would not be able to complete his mission. He also knew that he must give Weevil no hint that he suspected the truth. Bravely, he said, “My mother always told me that the best medicine always tastes the worst.”

“Drink your medicine, then, and thank her for her wisdom.” Weevil spat out the last word derisively but Sha-Dow pretended not to notice. Instead he simply said “tails up” and downed it one.

The noxious liquid burned in his mouth. He felt his eyes water and it was all he could do to keep it down. He so badly wanted to be sick but with a tremendous force of will he kept it down.

“Any more where that came from?” Sha-Dow’s bravery cost him dear, coughs wracked his body and he felt himself sinking to his knees.

“What’s the matter little grey princeling?” The Vizier taunted him. “No strength in your legs? Feel like a little sleep?” He giggled like a giddy girl.

Sha-Dow could hardly keep his eyes open and the roaring in his ears all but drowned out the Vizier’s words. He must stay awake long enough. It all depended on him but did he have the strength? He was starting to black-out. The Vizier was saying something but he couldn’t hear! He could almost feel his old Sensei, Oran JeDesh, cuff him impatiently. JeDesh! The Vizier had mentioned JeDesh. Sha-Dow tried to concentrate.

“…your sensei won’t be able to save you now, not while he’s trapped in the well of…”.

Sha-Dow could not hold on any longer. He must remember what little he had heard. The well. JeDesh was down a well.

As the world went dark he tried to bite down on the potion hidden in his cheek. He was so weak, he could hardly move his mouth. He must! He must!

“What’s that little Sha-Dow? Trying to say something? Do you honestly think I didn’t know the Butterfly Witch’s plan?” The Vizier giggled as Sha-Dow breathed one, last time. Then, everything went black.

King Rat

Sha-Dow was tired and paw-sore. The endless days of questing 'neath burning sun, through trackless wastes and steaming, malevolent bogs had taken its toll. His once fluffy grey coat was matted and streaked with dirt. His left ear throbbed from the cruel tear, the wound that the Butterfly witch said would never heal. He had not slept for three days, nor eaten for five but his spirit was undimmed and he held his tail high. He would show no fear. Not now. Not when he was so close. For in front him towered King Rat.

The creature was huge. Its skin crawled with bugs. Some of them it picked off and ate: crunching and slobbering as it did so. Some it flicked to its gibbering court of rat demons who devoured them hungrily, hissing and spitting at each other all the time.

"Hungry Sha-Dow?" King Rat taunted him. It knew what he had undergone.

"No thanks. I ate last week." His answer was brave but even Sha-Dow could hear the quaver in his voice. King Rat's question was meant to remind him of Red but Sha-Dow had vowed then that he would be strong and would continue his mission.

And so he had. And now he was here. Surrounded by enemies with time fast running out.

Sha-Dow had but one chance. One chance to save them all. His long lost mother. His brave sensei. Even the hapless Twolegs.

"I challenge you, King Rat!" He summoned all of his strength; he would show no weakness. "I challenge you in the names of the Duke of Cati, the Five Dragons and the Seven Hills."

Sha-Dow heard the rat demons gasp. They hadn't expected him to know the secret words. Even King Rat seemed momentarily stunned. He knew he had just seconds left to complete his challenge.

"I have defeated the Carpet Muncher! I have found the unfindable Secret Movement beneath the Earth and caught the Uncatchable Red Spirit! My claws are sharp! My eyes are clear and my heart is strong. Face me by the Ford of the sacred river Az or your cowardice will be sung down the ages and even the mice will laugh at you."

Sha-Dow hardly dared breathe as the Rat King howled its anger; the walls of the palace shook and the demons raced for cover from the falling masonry but Sha-Dow did not flee. Instead he made a show of deliberately cleaning his paws as if he had not a care in the world.

"I accept your challenge, Little Sha-Dow." The Rat King spat out the word "little" but Sha-dow ignored the bait.

"I will see you at the hour before sun rise. Make your peace with your gods for you will say 5am just one more time before I send you to the bowels of the cattery. And this time you will not escape!"