"I thought soul robbers things of legend only-stories told to frighten children. If you knew about them, why didn't you protect Master?" Rasson cried in anger and fear.
Who knows when soul robbers will attack? A long time has passed since they last ventured forth-longer than either of our memories. Soul robbers strike at random, after dark. Cat Prosh leaped down and pattered back into the kitchen. Last night I was outside exercising Hound. He needs it.
"I should've been here-I would've saved them."
Where were you? Prosh's ears perked.
"In the woods catching glowflies," Rasson answered, hanging his head down in remorse and feeling as if he wanted to cry.
Did you catch any? The boy nodded, and Prosh added, Good. Put the glowflies in a lantern and take them with you on your quest. Their light will guide you at night.
"Please, Prosh, I need you to help me free Master and Cook," Rasson said. A thought struck him. He stopped and blinked down at the big gray cat. "Oh, no! Do you think they got Mistress?"
"Meooow!" screeched Prosh.
Prosh darted up the stairs with the boy scrambling after, Rasson reaching Mistress Sunlee's chambers seconds behind the cat.
Rasson knocked lightly. No response. He cracked the door open and Cat Prosh swished past to pounce upon the bed. There, stretched out like exquisitely carved ivory, lay Mistress, her golden hair spread out over the pillow. She slept deeply as if she had abandoned the living world. Prosh wailed so loudly, Rasson jumped. Though aware Cat Prosh adored Mistress, it still startled the boy to hear such deep anguish from the normally aloof feline. "Don't grieve, Prosh. We shall free their souls and bring our people back to life." The boy picked up Prosh and carried the trembling cat away from Mistress and back toward the kitchen. "I'll find us something to eat, then we can plan the rescue."
Prosh emitted a weak meow as Rasson put him down by an empty bowl and disappeared into the pantry. Soon the boy came out with Cook's prize cream instead of plain milk. He poured most of the cream into the bowl, then gulped down the remainder from the bottle. He divided a chunk of smoked fish between himself and the cat, glad to see Prosh eating and acting normal again.
As their fish disappeared, the boy began to chatter. "Once I told Koge that you talk to me. He didn't believe me. Why can't Koge hear you like I can?" Rasson said, remembering how the older boy had laughed and ridiculed him.
I don't wish to talk to that ruffian. Cat Prosh finished off the cream, then sat back to lick his whiskers. Why you speak to Koge, I'll never understand.
"Koge says I'm crazy if I think cats talk. I told him you don't say words out loud, you say them into my head, but he just called me stupid."
If you were stupid, boy, I would not bother talking to you. Prosh turned attention back to the fish, nibbling delicately at a small chunk of it. Is there more of this?
"Yes, but you'll get sick if I feed you too much."
No, boy. Store it in your pack with water and foodstuffs that humans eat. Don't forget the glowfly lantern and a blanket. Prosh began licking his fur with his rough pink tongue. Also you need to gather dahi blossoms, wild fluta, and bloka leaves from the woods before we go.
"Does this mean you're coming with me?"
Of course. Mistress Sunlee needs me and we might as well save the other souls, too.
"I'm ready," Rasson announced breathlessly, a short time later. He stood by the door, clutching a knapsack bulging with supplies, determined to rescue the people who, in great kindness, had taken in the small orphan boy. He could not fail them.
About time. Prosh swished his tail. Did you pick the herbs?
"Yes, here they are." The boy touched a leather pouch hanging from his belt. "But why do we need them?" Just a little cat magic. You'll learn when it's time. Come, let us go before more of the day passes.
They journeyed west, using the ascending sun as a compass. Sometimes the cat trotted ahead, making Rasson break into a run to catch up to Prosh. After a few hours, the boy took the lead. He darted past ferns and wild berry bushes, calling, "I see something shiny and bright in that clump of olla flowers. Maybe it's a jewel that someone dropped."
No, boy, don't touch it! Prosh admonished, reaching Rasson as the boy stretched a hand toward the shimmering gold spot among pink flowers.
"I found it, so it's mine," Rasson replied, annoyed at the cat for trying to keep him from his treasure.
SSsSsst! The gold spot undulated with shiny scales as a hooded head raised up hissing, a forked tongue darting from the snake's mouth.
Horror flooded Rasson as he heard Prosh caution, Do not move. Stay completely still. Glimmer snakes are poison. The boy held his breath, too terrified to move. From the corner of his eye he saw Cat Prosh circle in closer while the snake held Rasson prisoner with a cold black gaze. The snake reared back its head, preparing to strike. "I'm doomed," Rasson whispered.
At that moment a cat paw knocked the snake's head. Before the serpent could recoil, the cat snapped jaws over its midsection and pulled it from the flowers. Prosh swung the squirming snake, whipping its head against a boulder until he beat all life out of the golden serpent. The cat dropped the dead snake to the ground.
You are greedy and impulsive like all of your kind, Cat Prosh told Rasson, before moving away to wash the snake scent from his fur. I should have let the snake bite you.
"But you need me," pleaded Rasson, ashamed of himself. He offered the cat some water in a small cup and placed a piece of smoked fish next to the cup. "Forgive me for being so foolish. Next time I shall help you, Cat Prosh."
The cat regally accepted the boy's offering, but as he nibbled the fish he replied, I do not need you. A cat does not need a human.
"Wait and see," Rasson promised. "I will prove useful and you will be glad you saved me." He tried hard to think of something he could do for Prosh besides the offering of food. Nothing came to mind, but Rasson vowed he would find something during their journey.
The afternoon wore on as they traveled westward, the countryside changing from flat wooded ground to hills strewn with boulders and fallen rock. The sun blazed hot, sometimes glaring right into Rasson's eyes and he couldn't help wonder how Prosh felt under all that fur. The boy stopped to sip from his flask and watch the cat trot ahead. Rasson gazed around the strange countryside, thinking how different it was so far from home. The next hill looked more like a mountain and he wanted to explore it. Up the trail, he noticed the cat slowing down.
Cat Prosh surveyed the rugged terrain, glancing back at Rasson. The feline stretched and yawned under the shade of a waala bush where fern leaves fanned the air. Boy, you scout a ways up the mountain and I'll keep watch here.
With a hop and a skip Rasson started off to hike up the rocky trail until he stood by a big boulder at the cliff top. "Look, Prosh! I can move this big rock."
The dozing cat meowed a protest before opening green eyes to stare as the boy teetered the precarious boulder to and fro. Be careful, it may roll off the edge, Prosh warned, then curled himself in the other direction and closed his eyes again.
"On my way up I passed a cave, not far from you," Rasson yelled down at the cat. "Can we sleep there tonight?"