Page 40 of Blacktail

“We…” Enki began, panting with the pain. “Ah, that is to say…”

“Shut up.” She furrowed her brow in concentration. “No. I rather doubt that that was it. I think, instead, that the two of you are exceptionally stupid. What do you think?”

They were too frightened to speak. They only looked at her.

“Yes. Yes, I’m sure that must be it. Very well, then. Let me try again. This wolf is not to be harmed. He is not to be threatened. He is never…ever…EVER…to be treated with anything but the utmost courtesy. For any reason. Are you with me so far?” She eyed them avidly, waiting for an answer.

“Yes, Mother,” Anki whispered. “We understand.”

“Very good. Then let us continue. He will sleep soundly, and for some time. While he sleeps, the two of you are to guard him with your very lives. Let me say that again: with…your…very…lives. When he wakes, he will have forgotten how you offended him in flagrant disobedience of my direct orders…though I, of course, will not. We will speak of that later. However, if he wakes up hungry and decides to gnaw off your forepaw as a snack, I will require not only that you sit perfectly still as he does it, but you must also offer him words of encouragement from time to time. You must congratulate him on his appetite. You must thank him when he is done. Is that understood? Anki?”

“Yes, mistress.”

“Enki?”

“Yes,” Enki said, biting back a scream, “mistress.”

“Very good. I believe you are beginning to understand. But I will repeat myself once again, since you are so very, very stupid.” She paused. “Are you paying attention?”

They swished their tails in unison, wincing at the pain this brought.

“There is nothing…absolutely nothing…in this world so important as the safety of that wolf. You are charged with his well-being. It’s worth more than just your lives if you fail. You are to protect him as if he were the last kitten on earth, before yourselves, before even me. Am I understood?”

“With our very lives,” they said in unison.

“Excellent,” she said. She looked down at Blacktail, then back up at them. When she spoke next, her tone had softened somewhat. “In truth,” she said, “I do not expect trouble. But if it does come, it will be up to you to handle it. I spoke harshly to you in order to make my point, but I would not have chosen you to serve if I did not know you to be strong.” She walked over to a nearby oak, which was tall and vibrant. “I am sorry for this,” she whispered to the tree, “but it is necessary.” Then, to Anki and Enki, “Come here.”

The Old Kitty Mother scratched at the tree, then turned and swatted Enki with her paw. Enki winced at her touch, but a moment later his face relaxed and he no longer seemed to be stifling a scream. “Better?” she asked.

Enki swished his tail and let out a long sigh. “Much.”

She turned to Anki and healed him in the same way. When it was done, the tree was dead.

“Move away,” she said. “In a moment the branches will begin to fall off.” They did. “I trust that in the future you will pay closer attention to my instructions? The Farts of the Dragon are among the least of the corrections that I might inflict upon you.”

“It shall never happen again,” Anki said.

“Oh, truly,” said Enki. “Never, ever again.”

“I am pleased to hear it. You were fortunate, you know. Normally I would have let you heal in the natural way, but I require your services immediately. You must watch over me now. I am placing my life in your care. Mine, and many others as well. More than you know.”

“We will give the matter our full attention,” Anki said. “You may depend upon that. But what if, well, something happens? We can handle bears and suchlike, but…”

She considered this, then swished her tail in acknowledgment. “You have a point.” Then, under her breath, she said, “Larkspur.” She made it sound like a curse.

“Beg pardon, Mother?”

“Hmm? Nothing. I was thinking of an old apprentice of mine. Never mind. If my enemies choose this moment to move against me, you may wake me with a word. But be careful to use it only in direst need. This business I am about is more important than you know.”

“We understand,” Enki said. “Well, we understand enough.”

“I believe that you do. Very well. The word is dominion.”

The Old Kitty Mother studied them for a moment, then purred, satisfied. Gingerly, showing the pains of age, she lay down next to Blacktail. A moment later she was asleep as well.

ii

The Old Kitty Mother padded up behind Blacktail, silent under the moonlight. “Ah!” she said. “There you are.”