| "The Story of Rathkanar" Chapter 1 "I am the king of this mountain!" young Rathkanar shouted, standing atop a small hill. "None shall pass without a fight." "Not if I can help it!" little Mari exclaimed, pushing Rathkanar in the back, knocking him down the hill. Other little cat children joined in this little game of "King of the Mountain." Their mothers and fathers looked on as Rathkanar and his playmates ran around the hill. Rathkanar and Mari were the best of friends, even at the age of only 8 ladurs. They went to lessons together, and played all the same childhood games, and almost always were seen together. "Our children have grown so much," Juvid said. "It's so beautiful to see my daughter playing with your son, Asmodo." "I know," King Asmodo said, looking on. "One day he will lead this kingdom; I am proud to be a father. Who knows? Maybe he will make your daughter his queen." Juvid and Corsine laughed. "Let's not assume he will, master," Juvid said. "They are too young to understand love." "Perhaps," Corsine interrupted, "but not too young to understand friendship." At night, King Asmodo would tuck his son into bed and kiss him goodnight. He wished for him always to be a happy child. Mari's parents would often say the same thing to their daughter; they wanted Rathkanar and Mari to be together forever. A few ladurs went by; both the prince and Mari entered their 12th ladur. It was at this time that Rathkanar and Mari made up a little game with a ball. It was played with many cat warriors of all ages, and made use of the trees in the forest. A cat warrior would throw a hard, leather-covered ball at a tree to see which way it would bounce; if the ball hit the ground before someone could throw it again, that person was out of the game. They called it "treeball," and it was a very successful game; Rathkanar, Mari, both of their parents, and many of the villagers would play for hours on end. One afternoon, Rathkanar gathered his parents and all of his friends, and some of the other cat warriors to play treeball outside the newly-built cat warrior stronghold. Rathkanar would often boast about how he was the greatest treeball player in the kingdom. Often people laughed at him, especially Mari. As people batted the ball up and down in the trees, Lyna hit the ball in such away that it bounced off a tree in a strange, unexpected angle. Rathkanar, who was not paying attention, was struck in the side of his head, knocking him to the ground. He did not cry; instead, he covered head with his hands and writhed in the wet grass. His father panicked. "Rathkanar!" he cried, running to his injured son. He knelt down beside him. "Son, are you all right?" Rathkanar tried to speak, but he couldn't talk above a whisper. "My head hurts, father," he moaned quietly. All the villagers gathered around as Asmodo tried to figure out what to do. He quickly gathered Rathkanar in his arms and rushed back to the stronghold with him, with a few of the villagers following behind him. Asmodo heard them running behind him. "Go to your homes," he commanded, sternly. "There is nothing that you need to see here; my son is injured. I must take care of him." At that moment, Mari burst into tears. Corsine, her mother, led her home. Most of the villagers were very upset; others were convinced that he would recover in a day or so. Later that day, Asmodo arranged for a tiger man named Brom, the royal healer, to come to the stronghold to try to heal Rathkanar's injury. He entered Rathkanar's small bedroom as Asmodo was comforting him. "Good day, your majesty," Brom said. "I came as fast as I could. How is your son doing right now?" Asmodo shook his head in discontent. "He is not well at all," he sighed. "He still complains that his head hurts." Brom sat down next to the bed Rathkanar was lying on. "What else does he say?" Brom asked. "He keeps telling me that he's seeing things," Asmodo said, "but he can't describe what they are." Brom stood up and looked at Rathkanar. There was a large bruise on the side of his head. The healer reached down to probe it with his finger, but as he touched, Rathkanar moaned. Asmodo prompted him to stop. "I don't know what to tell you, master," he said. "For now, let him rest. I can do no more. If I think of anything, I will not hesitate to let you know." "Thank you for your help," Asmodo said, smiling. "I bid you a good day." Brom was led out of the stronghold by a few of Asmodo's guards. For the rest of the afternoon, Asmodo kept close watch over his son. No one came to visit for the next few days, but Rathkanar's condition improved. He was able to stand and walk without assistance, and he could now talk in his normal tone of voice. Everything seemed to be fine. At the end of the week, after lessons at the cat warrior grammar school, little Mari came to the stronghold in a tan dress and a black cape. The guards escorted her to the door of Rathkanar's bedroom, which he had not left for four days. She knocked a few times; in a few seconds, Asmodo arrived at the door. "Good day, Mari," he said, smiling. "Good day, your majesty," she said, smiling and bowing. "Can Rathkanar come out to play?" "I'm not sure," Asmodo said, turning around. "Let me see if he is feeling up to it." Asmodo walked over to Rathkanar, who sat in his bed reading one of his school books. "Rathkanar? Mari is here. Would you like to go play with her? Are you feeling well enough to?" Rathkanar's face brightened. "Yes!" he exclaimed. He quickly jumped to his feet and changed his clothing. Goodness, Asmodo thought. That boy of mine is as good as new! Both of the little children were overjoyed. They bid farewell to the king and ran out of the stronghold into the forest to play. At play with Mari, Rathkanar seemed just fine; he ran and jumped wildly through the forest with Mari, not even stumbling; nor did he complain about head pains. It would almost seem as if he had been completely cured just by staying in bed. They played all afternoon until it was too dark to continue; joy had been returned to their young hearts. Chapter 2, part 1 |