Chapter 4

Boris and Zaedus having crashed through the vortex find themselves in a strange place

Chapter 4: Of Felines

“Where are we?” Boris asked as they walked into an unfamiliar place.

“You think I know?” Zaedus replied looking at Boris, “Another cave obviously, but that’s about it.” They continued to walk led by the light of Cindy. They came upon a fork in the path.

“Which way?” Boris pointed at both.

“Left, always left,” Zaedus replied as he walked down the path.

“Why left?”

“Because other people would go right, it’s their strong hand and therefore a safer direction by some sort of flawed logic. I dare to be different.”

“You’re a lizard, you’re already different,” Boris cracked back.

Zaedus sighed, “Don’t call me that; I’m much more than just a lizard,” Zaedus paused, “Got that monkey?”

“Hey!” Boris yelled.

“Be quiet…something’s coming,” Zaedus cut him off and ducked into a depression in the cave wall. He pulled Boris in after him. “You’re not very fleet of foot for a thief?”

Whatever is it was approached them slowly as if just passing by. Cindy shut off her light and it became dark once again. It carried a torch unlike the beasts they had encountered previously. It was close now. Its steps grew louder, but still remained faint. As it stepped in front of them they saw more.

It was almost human but not quite. It was digit grade, walking on its toes like some sort of cat. It was taller than the average human, female and the hand that was not carrying the torch had foot-long claws. It looked in their direction for a moment and they saw her slit pupils. It was no doubt this creature was some sort of cat, but the likes of which, they had never seen. Zaedus continued down the cave pulling Boris behind him. They crept slowly along through the darkness. Cindy gave them just enough light to see.

They reached a large chamber. Judging by the amount of tunnels exiting it, they assumed it was some sort of hub going to many locations. It was well lit by a glowing orb in the center, but the layout of the room was not as important as who sat in the center.

Upon a throne of stone sat another cat woman and she had four other cats around her. She was apparently in conversation with them but it was impossible to hear. Zaedus motioned for Boris to get back.

“Get out of sight,” Zaedus whispered, “Back through the vortex if you have to. Just don’t get seen, heard, or …smelled.” Boris retreated into the darkness. “What should I do? I need to know more about these…cats…and what they are doing, but I can’t sneak in and I’m outnumbered…”

“Walk in casually wave and say hi?” Cindy joked.

“Ok we’ll do thing your way today,” replied Zaedus.

Zaedus sheathed Cindy, stood up straight and walked towards the cats. He waved casually. They looked at him with cold unforgiving eyes.

“Bad, bad idea Cindy,” Zaedus mumbled and then spoke to the cats, “Hello. Just passing through; I don’t mean any trouble.”

“Seize him!” The one on the throne yelled, “If you fight you will be killed, understand?”

“Yes,” the small militia of cats outnumbered Zaedus. Each one of them was well equipped with long claws. They were weapons Zaedus was not prepared to deal with. “Like I said; bad idea Cindy.”

“We’ll see,” Cindy whispered back.

Using their non-clawed hands, they grabbed Zaedus and pushed him down before the leader. Zaedus was brought to his knees before her, a position that was very uncomfortable.

“I have no quarrel with you, Reptile,” She said as she looked down upon him.

“Finally someone who doesn’t call me a lizard,” Zaedus replied as he met her gaze.

“What is your name?” She asked.

“My name is my own,” replied Zaedus, “You can have it if you give me yours.”

“I am Anexia, The White Queen. You have entered my kingdom! Now speak your name!”

“I am Zaedus!” He stood up and thrust off his captors. “And you should respect me, Queen, for if you want death I can bring it to you!” Zaedus drew Cindy from her sheath and brought it to the Queens throat. A voice came from his left.

“You are a fool, Zaedus, to think all Queens sit upon their thrones,” claws came to bear on his throat. “Lower your sword or the real Anexia will end your life.”

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