Konè, Shadow of the Tiger
Chapter 3
Raising a stray cat
«Meowm!»
This was the first word that the child had
learned. It took her only a few weeks, and after that she never called Astell
in another way. She smiled every time she used that name: “meowm”, adorable, despite the little lisp.
In a few months she managed to understand
many words and phrases, even complex, and after a year she was able to express
herself excellently. The only blemishes were suffocated meows, altered words
from an involuntary “meow”, but
Astell repeated with conviction that she should’ve not be dejected.
«To have something different from the others
isn’t always a bad thing. I think listening to you it's very nice, and with this
accent you also look exotic and mysterious. So do not worry about it anymore,
right kitten?»
It was enough to call her “kitten” or “little cat”, accompanying those nicknames with caresses on the
head, to make appear smiles radiant as rainbows.
The girl walked gracefully, having an
excellent posture. She ate slowly, without getting dirty, and was very
obedient. The Countess had cared her education in every detail, treating the
child with so much love and attention, behaving as if she was the daughter she
had lost so many years ago.
For many months Astell inquired in vain,
trying to bring out the real name of the little girl from her confused and
fragmented memories. Unfortunately, she did not remember anything. The woman
thought, or perhaps hoped, that one day her name would’ve returned to the
light, emerging from the darkness that had buried it. Therefore she avoided to
give the girl a name that was not hers.
She called her “sweetheart” or “little one”
until was twelve, then she used almost exclusively more formal titles as “young lady” and “my dear”. Astell made the kid understand what it meant to grow,
before she found her place in society. Surely it was an important concept, but
hardly comprehensible for someone who was not allowed to leave the house during
the day.
Certainly the nobles close to the king had
quickly discovered that Countess Writegland offered hospitality to a humble child
of unknown origins and would’ve moved to get her away from Engble as soon as
possible. Therefore, to avoid upsetting exceedingly the more irate members of
the Court of the Sages, Astell had decided to prevent her to play out,
especially to get away from the estate. She took care not to make her miss
anything, however believed that precaution was necessary.
When, at the evenings and late afternoons,
mages retreated into their warm and cozy homes, the little girl went out in the
garden under the watchful eye of Phenste, each time in the company of Miracle
and Whip. The two cats were her only friends for a long time. Only with them she
could show that dominant side of her personality that would've never abandoned
her.
She could make herself clear with simple
meows, for her far more natural than human speech. She rolled in the grass and
dirtied to become almost unrecognizable. Over the years she managed to hide
better her wild nature, important fragment of the mysterious mosaic around her,
but which showed no sign of disappearing. Perhaps it was what exerted a
constant attraction for Astell’s cats, who had shown a desire to protect the
girl since they had found her.
The noblewoman was worried, unable to
understand what magic had originated the strange aura of wild empathy that came
from the child. She thought of having to be even more severe, and yet when she
looked at her playing calmly and peacefully was reassured, believing that she
was doing the right thing.
Her happiness lasted until all noble mages
she invited at home, for conversation or just to enjoy a different company,
attacked her, wondering how much longer she planned to play at being a mother
for the brat she had found. Although she kept her it in the house, the
disregard for the laws of Engble and for the social standing of its inhabitants
were worthy of great reproach. She remained stunned, because those accusations
came from people who had always considered friends.
Sometimes the discussions degenerated into
real fights, with screams and heavy insults. Even with the head under the
pillow and the bedroom door closed, the little girl could not keep away the
hatred coming from downstairs, and that spread in the house as a disease. She
tried to ask what was happening to her “meowm”
but she was always vague, or changed the conversation more or less abruptly
depending on how she was down in the dumps.
Astell then chose to isolate herself,
keeping secret her own problems. Unfortunately she could not do anything to
avoid meeting the king when he appeared in person. In the same room where many
years before he had shown clemency and generosity he returned to assert his
authority, stooped over from the weight of age.
«The voices in the city did not subside for
months, Countess. The nobles don’t want this girl continue to live in Engble.»
«I understand, my lord. They must be really
intolerant to hate a child that I hid for more days than I can remember.»
«Do not be sarcastic» said the king,
sternly: «Your son is serving mine good, and I have but to rejoice for your
new-found wealth. However the general dissatisfaction has been brought to my
attention, so you understand why I am here».
«Was I happy for too long?»
The woman's face was painted of melancholy
resignation. Even knowing that that day would’ve come, she was not ready to be
alone again. Tired, she slumped into the nearest chair.
«I will not send her away» she finally said,
with a faint voice.
«I'm sorry Astell, but you have no choice. I
came here to give you an order, not a suggestion. You'll have to bring the kid
back to Rhuddem and choose another family to which entrust her.»
The woman shook her head, repeating: «No. I
will not do that!».
Behind the door ajar, the girl with the
golden hair held back a sob. It was the first time she was eavesdropping a
conversation and thus felt a deep sense of guilt. Yet her actions stemmed from
a spontaneous desire, that was understand what was happening to her quiet daily
life.
After the second refusal of Astell, the
house was shaken by a tremendous vibration.
«Your king has spoken, Countess.»
Silence followed. The king of Engble had
shown that his authority was not only placed in the crown he wore. Despite the
old age had stolen a lot of energy he was still extremely powerful, much to
have to be respected and feared.
«You have not even given the child a name»
continued, sounding strangely calm: «How can you expect to convince me if you
first are still not sure to love her?».
In the hallway Phenste moved stealthily, as
usual. Hidden in the discretion of silence had often found behind the right
doors, but was savvy enough to keep his ears open and his mouth shut. When he
saw the girl curled up on the ground approached, holding out his hand to invite
her to follow him, to walk away from there.
«Why are all angry with meowm?» she asked:
«Is it myow fault?».
«Yes, young lady» said the butler. He was
honest not because believed that the little girl needed to hear the truth. It
was just a selfish and petty act. Besides, that's how people are: envy those
who have a bit more and despise those who have nothing. Phenste was no
different from the many servants who manage to harbour only envy and hatred
toward those who have had more luck.
With bowed head, the child asked one last
thing as she walked toward her room: «Would she be better if I went away?».
«Undoubtedly she would suffer for your lack,
young lady, but certainly the nobles of the city would cease to haunt her.»
Footsteps chanted the beating of her heart,
while she was brooding in silence on what should do. Was angry with herself for
the problems that had involuntarily caused to the woman who had built for her a
new life from nothing. Would have done everything to demonstrate how grateful
she was, even give up on everything she had received.
«Good night, young lady» said the butler,
leaving ajar the door of the room that usually closed without interest.
She did not answer, perhaps because
instinctively perceived the man’s hypocrisy.
The meeting of Astell with the king of
Engble lasted several hours, until he was too tired and decided to leave.
Although they failed to reach a compromise, the king told her that soon would
have obeyed even against her will. That night, alone in the wide bed, the Countess
huddled up under the duvet and cried herself to sleep.
At the morning was awakened by Miracle and
Whip, who abrade against the door of her room meowing loudly. Not at all
relieved from her headaches after the long night, ran to open to the two
animals, who snapped up fast to the girl's room.
Astell followed them, still sleepy and numb,
wincing after having spread out the door half open: the bed was empty.
A letter was placed on the pillow.
