Wednesday, November 28

Chapter 4 - Lavender returns

Penchance, my lovely queen, what terrible thing has befallen our colony, called Lavender as he strode toward her. The sun is ready to rise as it always does, and you and all the cats I've seen, appear healthy and strong. What could possibly cause such anxiety in your features? O Lavender, our worst fear is upon us, the danger I've always felt would come, has happened. Whiteflower Field's future is lost . Both young princes were taken from the church ruins two sunrises ago...by humans.

How could this happen? What carelessness caused the princes to be in harm's way? started Lavender. Stop...do not seek blame here, ..certainly not with Bella or the guards. They are distraught and Bella is inconsolable. Her kits have been taken from her weeks before nature intended. They were barely weaned and were never outside the den in the church. They have no idea of humans or the dangers to be found in their world. If these humans abandon them, they will be lucky to survive. We must find them and bring them home. Penchance started to pace back and forth in her den.

Penchance, you have never been further than the edge of the forest north of the cemetary. You have no idea of the size of the world, or the distances humans can travel in one day. It will be nearly impossible to find the princes ourselves. These are smart young tomcats. We will go into the countryside to look for them and they will look for us. We will speak to the neighboring colonies and ask them to be on the lookout as well. Be thankful it is in their nature to seek their homes. They have their Memories and if it is Godswill, they will return to us one day.

Now, I must report to you, Bella and the entire colony, of other terrible happenings. Go, George and sound the alarm. Tell all cats you see to gather together in the church in 30 minutes from now, after the sun is risen. We must make a plan to secure our safety. There is much danger and sadness in the world for cats now. What the humans call "War" is happening once again all over the country. Humans are killing each other and every living creature within reach with bombs and guns. For what reason, I cannot fathom. Nor can I begin to describe the horrible tales I have heard in the City, in the 10 sunrises since I last left the colony.

What do I care about war among humans, siged Bella. I have lost my only kits. These wars are nothing new. My memories tell me of much hunger and sadness many generations ago. Mother, you know it was a human war that led to the raid on our colony and sent your father to the bridge. Humans are vile creatures unable or unwilling to recall the Memories of their ancestors, so to avoid such dreadful times.

Exactly right, replied Lavendar. That is why we must be prepared. If what I hear is true, the bombs and guns will soon be falling on England and may well find their way to our colony. If that time arrives, we must be ready to fight. We will need to find a way to secure food and safety for everyone here. But even more important, we must be prepared to help those homeless creatures who will be leaving the cities and seeking safety and comfort in the countryside. Not all of those who come this way will be our friends. Some will see our homes and want them for themselves. Hunger, cold and fear are terrible foes and will cause many creatures to do unspeakable things to leave these things behind.

See now, the sun is rising, we must be on our way to the church. Come Penchance, Come Bella, my plan requires much from you. So saying, Lavender strode over to Bella, gently butting his face against hers, and licking her face with his raspy tongue. Yours is a pain that fills your heart, and makes it almost impossible to go on, this I know, but I also know that you must stand now with your family and the whole colony purred Lavender. You must do your part. Your pain will be your armour. Wear it bravely.

Chapter 3 - The 2nd Naming Ceremony

Margot and Fred, along with their friends and the pastor, moved quickly down the pathway, towards the hired car waiting to take them back into Nottingham. Leo and Luke, except for an occasional shiver of fear, were perfectly still inside Fred's jacket.

Once the newlyweds were settled in the car heading towards the city, Fred, with a twinkle in his eye, took Margot's hand in his and said "Well Mrs. McLeod, I hadn't planned on choosing names for our children for ages yet, but what do you suggest we call this one?" Fred reached inside his jacket and pulled out Leopold. "Aren't you just a beautiful little boycat" Margo cooed softly, brushing his face against her cheek. Suddenly, Leo wasn't quite so scared anymore. This human smelled really nice, and her voice was soft and gentle. Before he could stop himself, his tongue popped out and he licked her nose. Hey, Mischief maker that's my wife you're kissing, laughed Fred. "Mischief sounds like the perfect name for thislittle boy" said Margo. Leo voiced his agreement by making a little squeaking sound.

When he heard that, Lukas began squirming wildly around in Fred's jacket, searching for a way out. He poked his head out between the top two buttons on the jacket, then squeezed himself as hard as he could through the gap. He tumbled and rolled, but managed to land with all four feet firmly under him and his claws, like straight pins, poking into Fred's leg, right through his trousers, Ouch, Fred yelped, then disentangling Lukas' claws from the fabric, laughed and said, well if the first one is Mischief, then this one is certainly Mayhem. And so, just as easy as that, they had the names by which they would be known for many years to come.


Fred MacLeod was a member of the RCAF stationed near Exeter in southwest England. He and Margot had met just 3 months earlier when Fred had taken weekend leave in Nottingham with several of his new English mates. He and his mates were attending a tea given to welcome the Canadian fighting squadron to Britain, by the ladies of Nottingham. Fred was balancing china teacup in one hand and a plate containing a dreadfully soggy egg salad sandwich in the other hand, all the while trying to carry on conversation with a councilman's wife, when he first noticed Margot. She was all the way across the garden, presiding over another table loaded with plates of similar tea sandwiches. He also noticed several other young officers were heading towards that same tea table. Thinking quicky, he downed his sandwich, and finished his lukewarm tea with one desparate gulp while marching purposely towards the prettist girl he had ever seen. The rest as they say, was history, and now Margo was his wife. He was sure he was the luckiest man in entire British Commonwealth.

It was a just a short drive into Nottingham, but for Fred and Margo, who knew Fred was leaving on the 6:00 train to meet his fighter squadron, it seemed impossible to believe that this would be the only time they would spend together for three months. Before they knew it, the day had flown past and they were standing on the platform watching the train pull into the station. Margo clung to Fred's arm, knowing that in a moment she would be just like thousands of other British wives, waving goodbye to her husband and wondering if she would ever see him again. However she was certain she was the only wife in England whose husband was smuggling a tiny black and silver tabby pointed kitten onto the train, while she snuggled his blue and cream brother in her purse.

Chapter 2 - Danger, Danger

Penchance was restless this morning, as she patrolled the perimeter of the colony with her guards and advisors. New memories were surfacing in her mind every day, and had been since the Princes' arrival 6 weeks ago. Every breeze in the air, every blade of grass, every raindrop that fell, whispered to her, Danger is coming, be ready. Today there was a frighening, metallic, smell in the air which triggered an nearly uncontrollable sence of urgency. Whatever was going to happen was almost upon them. Would she be ready? Would the colony be ready? Would Whiteflower Field still be here after she was gone?

Whiteflower Field Colony wasn't easy to find. In fact, even one with the Memories was unlikely to find it easily. The colony made its dens beside a long forgotten cemetary, that every spring was carpeted with tiny white lilies of the valley. The flowers peeked out from under overgrown bushes and trees near the edge of the cemetary in early spring and left a beautiful frangrance everywhere. In the summer, the lilies gave way to dense clumps of white clover that grew up between the headstones. And in late fall, early mornings would find heavy white frost lingering in the shadows cast by the ruins of the church in the center of the field.

The broken down stone fence surrounding the cemetary provided ample nooks and crannies where the cats built safe, cozy dens to raise their kits. The grass was full of plump tasty fieldmice, moles and other delicious creatures to eat. There were even find wild honeysuckle bushes growing along the fence in the far corner, which some of the adult cats nibbled once in a while.

Yes, it was certainly a beautiful place and the community of cats living there when Lukas and Leopold arrived had called it home for more than 20 generations.
Penchance, of course, knew Whiteflower Field was the envy of many. Her Memories reminded her of many battles her colony had fought to defend their home. She remembered all those who crossed the bridge before she was born and all the struggles the colony underwent through the generations. As a newborn kit she survived the most terrible raid in the colony's history. It took the lives of her father, the King, and many other cats and kits. Penchance knew, and this was a memory which she had never disclosed to anyone, until that morning six weeks ago, when she entrusted it to Lukas, that terrible times were coming again for her colony, and that every kit of the royal family would be directly affected by it.

You see, Penchance was born on the eve of that Great Raid, and her father the King had crossed the bridge before he could entrust her with his memories. Penchance had only her mother's memories... So while she knew everything about her colony, she knew nothing of her father's lineage and had no memories of how he, or those of his colony, protected their families and homes. Ever since she could remember, she knew she would be called to battle some undescribable enemy, and ever since she could remember, she feared she would be unable to protect her family when that day arrived.

These were her thoughts..as she made her away from guard post to guard post. Suddenly, over in the corner by the honeysuckle bushes, she saw George, the kindly old ginger tomcat who carried Leopold to them. He was hunkered down close to the ground, ears close to his head, eyes staring straight ahead, not moving, barely breathing. What was he looking at? Could he see the danger she felt all around her? A scout came swiftly back to them, purring rapidly, tail twitching. There are humans on the old lane, 5 of them that we can see. They are on the way to the ruins of the church. They don't appear dangerous, but we must be on guard. Penchance nodded. She must get to the ruins before them. This was the day that Bella was going to bring the kits out of her den in the steeple of the old church. The kits would be playing there and would be in grave danger any minute now.

Penchance called out to George. "Go. Now. Find Lavender and tell him he must return today." "I fear an unknown danger has befallen our colony and I seek his guidance." Without asking a single question, George turned and together with 3 of the scouts, trotted out of the cemetary, heading north down a pathway know only to a few, towards the City, where Lavender had gone less than 10 days earlier.

Penchance virtually flew across the cemetary towards the ruins in the centre of Whiteflower Field. She could hear the humans, talking and laughing as they made their way to their destination. One of them, a female, had stopped and picked some of the Lilies of the Valley and they were entwined in her hair. In her arms she carried a bouquet of dozens more of these tiny flowers. The other female carried a smaller bundle and one of the males had a tiny sprig tucked into the lapel of his jacket.

As the humans approached the ruins, they stopped laughing and talking, and one of them, the oldest male, brought a tattered book out of his pocket. He spoke quietly to the younger humans pointing and gesturing towards the ruins. All nodded soberly and the males headed towards the raised area near the front of the ruin. One of them took an instrument out of his pocket and raised it to his lips. A female opened her mouth and filled the cemetary with song. Penchance stopped in her tracks. What was this? It was such a beautiful, sad sound the two humans were making together and it echoed off the walls of church and seemed to bring it to life. How could anyone who could make such a glorious sound be dangerous. Or was this part of the danger?

Bella and the kits heard the flute song too. The kits had been jumping around, attacking each other and playfighting with their shadows since dawn. Luke and Leo knew this was the day they were going to leave the den's safety for the first time and go outside. They just couldn't wait another second. Both of them scrambled out of the den, and down the stairs, towards the sound. Stop boys, take cover, cried Bella, but it was too late. Just as Penchance stepped over the threshold, Luke and Leo tumbled into the main body of the ruin and landed at the feet of one of the human males.

What's this, he called out...Look Fred, look, two kittens...It seems like there will be a couple more witnesses to your wedding to Margo today. Fred smiled, This was a definitely a very good omen. He reached down, and before either could move, scooped them both up and popped them inside his uniform jacket. Luke and Leo almost stopped breathing they were so frozen with fear. They had never even heard tell of humans before and didn't like being inside that pocket, not one bit. It was very dark in there, and it smelled of...peppermint. While it didn't feel dangerous exactly, it definitely didn't feel right.

Fred stepped towards the altar, with the kittens still motionless inside his jacket. He smiled tenderly at Margo as she walked towards him. At that moment Fred didn't care if he was in a strange country, training to fly an airplane full of bombs into battle with a terrible enemy. That was tomorrow. Today he was going to be blessed and bound forever to the woman he loved. Margo and Fred knew this ceremony was foolish. They knew that Fred was leaving tonight on a very dangerous mission across the English channel. They knew he might never come back. Many had gone before and few came back safely. They knew this was the only chance they'd have to be married for a long time to come. Making a decision Fred took both kittens from his jacket, handed them to the minister and said, "We didn't have enough time or money to purchase rings. Please bless these kittens and they will be what binds us to each other until we are together again".

The minister thought for a moment, then nodded his head in agreement. These were terrible times, there might not be a future for anyone after today. Why not let these two young lovers bind themselves together in whatever manner was available to them. He silently blessed the two kittens, then taking Leo, handed him to Fred, saying...this kitten serves as a living token of your love for Margo. Do you entrust him to Margo this day, to care for and love, just as she loves you? Yes, I do. I love Margo with all my heart and know she will watch over this kitten and me always. Frank responded happily and handed the kitten gently to Margo.

Then taking Lukas, the minster turned to Margo and said Will you entrust this kitten to Fred, as a token of your love for him, knowing he will nurture it and care for it just as he plans to do for you. O yes, I will love him always as I love him today whispered Margo and handed Lukas carefully to Fred. The minister then declared "Although you begin your lives together at a dangerous time, you have promised in God's house, and in the presence of his creatures, to love each other and have agreed to care for these helpless creatures as proof of your love for one another." I now declare to all those present and to all England, that you two are now one in the eyes of God. So it was done.

Penchance and Bella remained motionless and horrified in one dark corner of the ruin. What were these humans going to do with the colony's young princes. Surely they would put them down as soon as the ceremony was over. But no, they did not. The humans kissed each other, the female tossed her bundle of flowers towards the other female and then they all ran down the aisle of the ruin, outside and across the cemetary. What was going on? Where were they taking the princes?

Tuesday, November 27

Chapter 1 - On the First Day

It was just a few minutes before midnight, on a clear moonless night when he was born. He was a singleton and his momma expected he would be the only kitten she would ever give birth to. But, she purred to herself, he was definitely a keeper. Less than a minute old, he was already wobbling around, head bobbing and nose twitching, looking for something to eat.
After breakfast and his first bath, momma Bella curled herself into a ball, with him snuggled into the middle, and wrapped her tail around both of them to keep everyone warm and cozy. Bella knew they must rest now. She was expecting important visitors before daybreak The news of this baby's birth would be all over the colony by early morning and all the others would want to meet him.
Sure enough, it felt like she just closed her eyes, when she heard the rustle of the first visitor settling down beside her. Ohh, I'd love to have a few more moments of peace and quiet, before it starts, she thought, but...Good morning Momma, she purred sleepily as the Queen of the colony made her presence known. I hear he's arrived, stated Penchance. May I see him?Of course Momma, Bella murmered as she uncurled from her warm nest. Here he is.
Penchance, closed her eyes, and prepared herself for her first look at her grandson. O my he is very handsome, she purred when she opened her eyes again. He had dark, solid dark tabby stripes on his legs, face and even on his miniscule tail. She could see the definite shape of the double crown markings on his forehead. His ears, while barely visible, and still tucked very close to his head were dark and, yes, they showed the promise of tufts on the tips. He was definitely a prince. Perchance smiled to herself Perhaps this was the one the colony had been waiting for.
What will his name be? whispered Bella. She knew this kitten's name was crucial to his wellbeing and to that of her whole colony. That's why naming was always the responsibility of the king and queen. They were the holders of history. They alone recorded the stories of the entire colony in their memories and it was their duty to pass this history to the royal kittens. This must be done by daybreak on the day of the kitten's birth, or dreadful hardship would befall the colony for many seasons. And it was especially important on the birth of a royal tom kitten, because he would go into the world far beyond the boundaries of his birthplace and find a mate from another colony when he was grown. This was the way of all cats and all cats recorded history in this way from the beginning of time.
His name shall be, Queen Penchance started to say...when suddenly she was interrupted by a commotion at the entrance to the den. Wait! a voice growled from the darkness. Do not name this kitten until I have seen him with my own eyes, and know him for a prince. O Gracious Keeper of our Lives, sighed the Queen, it's your father the King, Bella. Apparently he's back from his latest tour of the pig stys and slop shops in the outskirts of the city and wants his part in naming your kit. I'll deal with this...The Queen rose calmly from Bella's bedside and strolled towards the voice. What on earth do you think you're doing, she said, keeping her eyes focused sternly on the tomcat. Do you not realize the fate of our whole colony resides with passing on our memories to this youngster before day breaks. What possible interest do you have in naming him? You, who return to your colony once or twice per season and spend the rest of your time doing goodness know what, with little thought for your responsibilities.
My interest in this kit, is that of a grandfather, no less than yours as its grandmother. growled Lavender, the King. However, before I make the acquainteance of our new prince, I must tell you my uncommon news. Three hours past, as I was making my way home, I came across a young kit crying and alone by the roadside. He was barely more than newborn, his mother lying dead in the grass, a victim of some animal of the night. As King, I could not leave this kit to die from cold or starvation, or some other horror, nor could I safely bring it to this colony until I was sure he was properly named and had received the living memories.
What have you done you old fool? hissed Penchance, losing her composure for a few seconds. Do you mean you have given this waif our colonies memories, before our long awaited prince received his. Do you realize the significance of this... You have given away your grandson's birthright. You well know it is the liferight of the firstborn grandson to receive both grandparent's memories in order to maintain the link to the others in this world and to those in the world beyond the bridge.
Of course I know this, my lovely Penchance, but what could I do? Cats must always watch out for each other. This kit would have died several hours back had I not taken him in. And just look at him, my dear, I believe he is well suited to become part of our family. Lavender waved his paw and out of the darkness, stepped a scruffy ginger-striped tomcat carrying a tiny bundle gently in his mouth. Penchance stared at her husband, her green eyes brilliant with curiosity, then opening wide with astonishment. The baby kit before her was an identical twin to the one in Bella's paws, except his tabby marking were blue/grey in color and he had a tiny white tip on his little tail.
Quit arguing your two and bring the baby to me, Bella murmered, I can see he's freezing and hear him crying for food. I will never have another kitten and I have plenty of milk to feed two babies. The king and queen looked at the kit, then at each other, and realized what would be done, was already done. This kit already shared the memories of the colony and had received his name. There was very little else they could do, but accept that fate had made this choice for them and love both kits as young princes of Colony Whiteflower Field.
What ridiculous name have you chosen for this new prince? asked Penchance. His name is Prince Leopold the Plucky and Brave, declared Lavender, with just a hint of mischief hiding behind his whiskers. And what name have you chosen for our other grandson? His name, since before this and five other lifetimes has been Lukas, First Prince of Loyalty and Honor, decreed Penchance. So saying, the queen walked over to Lukas, placed him gently between her front paws, close to her heart and nuzzled him quietly on the tummy, the forehead and the chest, while purring steadily. After a few moments, she spoke softly to him, saying, "it is done, my beautiful grandson. These memories are yours to share with those who come after you. " Then, she licked him softly on the nose and carried him back to his mother, while Lavender quietly placed Leopold beside his brother. Both kits immediately remembered they were hungry and after just a few seconds, quietly settled down to their second breakfast of the day.
Bella, both of these are your kits and kits of our colony. We and all cats of Whiteflower Field bind them to us from this day forward. It is our honor and duty to care for them and watch out for them, now and in all our lives, decreed Penchance and Lavender, in harmony, while Bella nodded her head sleepily in agrement.
Come Lavender, we must leave this new family to rest. And, we must prepare the announcement of their arrival. I think they're asleep already agreed the Old King, winking at her with another one of his famous grins hiding in his whiskers...perhaps you'd like to settle down with me for a bit of a nap with me before the day begins? Get out of here, you silly old tomcat, laughed Penchance, walking nonchalantly toward her own den, her tail, curling elegantly across her back. Don't you think you've made enough of a nuisance of yourself for one night?