“It’s --- different,” Cheshire answered between potholes.
“It was built by the company my dad works for,” David explained.
“ Really?” Chesh took renewed interest in the vehicle.
A half mile down the road David turned on to a side road marked with a sign which read “Saint John’s Church”. A short distance down the road they turned into a driveway. The landscape opened up from a thickly wooded forest to a series of well-manicured gardens that surrounded a large stone church.
The statue of Christ standing with arms outstretched immediately caught the cougars’ attention. Both Cheshire and Leana gasped and crowded to the side of the vehicle that faced the statue. After they hopped out of the SUV both cats walked reverently up to the statue and sat down in front of it.
“You have a memorial to the Master!” Cheshire gasped.
“We thought you would like this. I am glad that the church was not attacked before you got here,” David commented.
“Who would dare attack a place set aside to the Master?” Leana exclaimed indignantly.
“Unfortunately, the church just down the street had its signs destroyed last week,” John added.
The thought of anyone willingly defacing any place devoted to the Divine Master was one that neither cat could understand nor accept.
“Lea, I think we should help,” Cheshire commented after thinking the matter over for a moment.
“I agree. It is our duty to fight the Dragon.”
With that settled, the two cougars returned their attention to John and David.
“We would like to help protect the church. Who do we report to?” Cheshire asked in a resolute tone and with a serious expression.
“You would have to ask Father Peterson when he returns from the town meeting,” John answered after checking a church bulletin.
Seeing that their guests were serious, both John and David sat down under a shade tree to wait while Cheshire and Leana returned their attention to the statue.
****
After the Louisaburg incident the Department of Defense had created a special command within the Army. Armed Dimensional Activity Monitoring, often referred to as A.D.A.M. , had been created to protect the nation against any dimensional breaches that could let hostile forces enter U.S. soil. Captain Carpenter had left the Chaplain’s Corps to join the A.D.A.M. program. He had been put in charge of the Northern Virginia unit, a position he happily accepted.
Captain Carpenter stood in front of a section of the wall that featured a large black circle. Within the circle a pair of green eyes stared out into the briefing room. Underneath the circle was written A.D.A.M. A group of rangers dressed in combat gear sat and waited for orders. After reviewing his orders, Captain Carpenter stepped up to the podium.
“Yesterday afternoon the National Weather Service reported a sudden outbreak of violent weather. The storm system quickly dissipated. Early this morning A.D.A.M. Command was informed that there was a sky crack. The Sky Crack transported 2 mountain lions. According to the witness they are roughly the size of tigers on earth,” Carpenter briefed.
“ Do we have anymore intel?” Sergeant Scholl asked.
“Can we tag and bag them like a safari?” another added.
“The visitors are the Marquis of Cougars and his assistant. If found and confronted they are to be treated with respect. Diplomacy first Gentlemen,” Carpenter replied.
CHAPTER 32
Leana had not met many humans. She had never seen human works of art. She did however recognize the statue made in the likeness of the Master. All of creation knew about the thorns and nails that the Master had endured in order to draw his creation closer to him. The detailed statue of the Master in the garden captivated Leana from first glance. It was a carved wooden statue of the Master standing with arms wide open ready to embrace his creation.
“True, it is just an object, but it is a reminder of divine love and grace,” Leana thought to herself as she sat admiring the statue. After a few more minutes of admiration Leana turned her attention to Cheshire. Seeing Cheshire’s expression of cub-like wonder brought back many warm memories - memories of cat scratch tournaments, tag, and the innocence of youth.
Unfortunately Leana could not even set a paw in memory lane without memories of her deal with Jeremiah coming back to haunt her. Remembering the deal she had made with that scoundrel Jeremiah made Leana feel ashamed. The feeling started small and grew quickly. Finally, when she felt she could stand no more, Leana asked to be excused; and then she began to explore the church grounds. Leana wandered aimlessly through the gardens trying to cope with the feeling of shame that seemed to be crawling through her. Wearily she padded into the gray stone sanctuary.
From the moment she stepped into the sanctuary she was captivated. Her eyes traveled over the flagstone floors and the garden that seemed to sprout up around the stone altar. As she raised her eyes to look upward she saw the candles burning brightly on the altar as if reaching for the sky. After surveying the room Leana slowly walked toward the front of the church, stopping in front of the altar. The sunlight flooding in through the rosette window above the altar beamed down on her. Leana felt the spirit of shame climbing up to her throat as she stood alone in front of the Lord’s table.
“Heavenly Master, I can’t take living like this anymore. I cannot continue this tortured silence!…To have Chesh look at me and treat me like I am above claw!…You know I am the one who is flawed…I know that if I confess and repent that I am forgiven, but I need strength to come up to claw,” she prayed in a wavering voice as she released her burden to the Lord.
CHAPTER 33
John and David had told Cheshire about their return to Earth. They had been found by searchers and had been questioned by their leaders. The boys said that they were invited to be guests on a TV news show called 20/20. Cheshire did not really understand all of the things that they talked about. It was, however, obvious that the meeting of their two worlds had been a big event.
Cheshire had been startled when the teens had called Evermore superior to Earth. He quickly reminded John and David that they were created in the Master’s image. The residents of Evermore were not.
Troubled by his dream Cheshire wandered deeper into the garden in hopes that the peaceful surroundings would help him sort everything out. The dream was terrible. In his dream Cheshire had unknowingly slain innocent coyotes. He had also seen himself bound to an altar. The creature being worshipped was himself, or more specifically his pride.
“ Master, I have tried so hard to fight my pride on my own. I need your help and guidance. I have changed. I am nose blind and I need your help,” he prayed.
“ I am nose blind and I need to stop reacting as if I were hiding a deadly disease.”
Cheshire felt better. He had never verbally spoken of his condition as anything other than a curse. It was a limitation, but the Master had given him so many wonderful gifts. He had lived through the Battle of Eastern Pass. He was up and about. His pride ignored all of these things and focused on his nose. It was time that he knocked pride down.
“My name is Cheshire Cougar. I am nose blind,” he announced to the world. Deep down his announcement unnerved him, but he felt free at the same time.
“Cheshire, who are you talking to?” Leana interrupted.
Cheshire turned to find Leana standing behind him. Leana looked nervous and uneasy. His behavior lately was enough to make anyone cross, so he assumed he was its inspiration.
“ Leana, Thank you for all you have done. I am nose blind and will need help. I have been cross with you and I am ashamed of it. I would not blame you if you did not want to help me. I hope that you can forgive me.”
“Forgive you?” Leana asked in surprise.
“Yes, back in the meadow I was very rude to you. I am sorry.”
“I can forgive you Cheshire, but...” Leana began but fell silent when John and David returned. Leana wandered around the perimeter of the garden
with her tail almost dragging the ground.
Cheshire watched his friend as she meandered. Her steps were light and her stride was timid. Her movement appeared labored. Cheshire was accustomed to Leana gracefully gliding about. The most alarming change was her smile; it was gone. Leana’s expression was one of fear and concern. John and David noticed it too.
“I’m going to see if Lea is ok,” Chesh announced quietly. The boys stayed behind.
“Lea, are you ok?” he asked after matching her pace.
“Uh-Chesh, I need to talk to you,” she stated in a nervous tone. The stricken look on her face alarmed Cheshire the moment he saw it.
“Sure,” he answered.
Seeing that Leana was genuinely upset about something, Cheshire found a quiet spot in the prayer garden where they could talk without being disturbed. Having made sure they were alone, Cheshire turned his attention to Leana.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
“I need to tell you something. It may make you angry. I will resign when we get home if you wish,” she began.
“It can’t be that dire.”
“You know when you went to help that fawn…”
“Yes…”
“While you were gone I noticed Jeremiah’s scent and followed it. He was in a clearing with a group of others from neighboring clans. They were discussing your decision about me and were looking for a way to get you voted off the Council. I stood up and accused them of mutiny. Jeremiah said that he and the others would hurt my parents and brother if anybody found out, so I remained quiet. I am so sorry for hiding this from you, my friend. I do not deserve the trust that you have placed in me,” she reported in a shame-filled tone. Then Leana looked nervously to Cheshire who sat with his eyes closed, busily kneading the earth with his claws.
Anger had started to build up when Cheshire heard Leana’s confession, but it was quickly snuffed out by a flashback of his own behavior. He knew all too well how his injured pride about his nose problem had caused him to be less than approachable. No wonder she had feared coming to him. After a moment’s reflection, Cheshire opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and emitted a short, low growl which caused Leana to cower.
“I am not angry at you,” he said after finding his voice.
“Really?” Leana asked, and she seemed to relax somewhat. She was much relieved that her friend had not rejected her in a wave of righteous indignation.
“I can see why you held out so long. If it were me I would have been terrified of the way you would take it.”
“Oh my! I feel so relieved,” Leana sighed with a thankful smile. She was free again.
CHAPTER 34
A gray wolf had been about to enter the prayer garden when he smelled Cheshire and Leana. The wolf was tall and skinny and it’s stride had been slowed by hunger. The familiar scent of Evermore spiked the wolf’s curiosity so much that it made him seek out its source. When the wolf first caught sight of the two cougars, he ducked into the underbrush and watched them with keen interest. Suddenly the larger cougar looked in his direction and asked the other cougar to check the front of the church.
“You can come out now,” the larger cougar called out to the wolf. After a moment of hesitation the wolf nervously stepped out from his hiding place. The wolf had become a stranger to himself. How could he have even hoped to predict reactions from others outside his species who may or may not have known him during his period of darkness?
“You are from home!” the wolf cried out nervously. At least he had found somebody whom he dared to speak to. Fearfully, with his tail between his legs, the wolf walked slowly toward the cougar, searching for words to express himself. Having not spoken to anyone in the last two years, he did not know where to even begin.
“Stop!” the cougar ordered the wolf to halt before getting too close. He did not allow the wolf to get within striking range; but the wolf knew well that he himself was standing within the cougar’s pouncing range. This could be a dangerous place when dealing with a cat you do not know.
“Is something amiss?” the wolf inquired nervously.
“Yes, my nose. You do not smell right,” the cougar answered after pausing to sniff the air a second time.
“I have been here a long time.”
“What’s your name?” the cougar asked after taking a moment to consider the wolf’s answer.
“My name is Pilate.”
Before any more words could be exchanged the smaller cougar, a female, returned, causing Pilate to step back closer to the safety of the brush. The female cougar was surprised to see her friend staring down a wolf, and she gave both of them a questioning look.
“Good heavens! I came to report all is well, but is it really?”
“He…was hiding in the brush. His name is Pilate,” the larger cougar answered with a nod in Pilate’s direction.
“I was not hiding! My healing depends on coming here. And who are you two?” Pilate asked indignantly.
“I am Cheshire the Marquis of Cougars, and this is my assistant Lady Leana Longclaw,” Cheshire answered.
“What healing?” Leana added.
“When I first found myself here I was like you, clear minded and undiluted. Soon I became hungry, so I started eating what the humans harvested. Then the darkness started to come over me.”
“Darkness?” Leana interrupted.
“The food the humans eat is harmless to them, but for us it has a blinding and maddening effect. When it took hold it was like all that I knew was frozen, and I wandered. Next I gave way to idol worship. All in all I do not know what I did. The chemicals and fallen nature of my food and surroundings seemed to consume me. I did not have a moment’s rest in my compromised state. Then one day I scavenged in this church garden and the pure nature of the plants I ate here started to dilute and clear the fog from my brain. I was able to think again, and I was able to see what I had become. I have been coming here day by day and eating. I am almost back to being who I once was. Please allow me to pass. I will not return to that living nightmare. I will not stand down if pressed, but I truly do not want to fight. I fear there has been more than enough violence already.”
Both Cheshire and Leana had been moved by Pilate’s tale, and their compassion had already set their minds into motion.
“We won’t stop anyone with pure intent,” said Cheshire.
After Leana sniffed the air and declared Pilate to be venom free, both cougars stepped aside and let Pilate pass, and then they followed him to the vegetable garden.
CHAPTER 35
“This is the only safe food to be found in this area,” Pilate informed Cheshire and Leana between mouthfuls of tomato.
“We had human food last night and I had an unbelievable headache,” Cheshire mentioned, remembering his illness the night before.
“Me too. It felt like my mind was burning,” Leana added. After hearing about each other’s illness, both cougars developed a healthy look of concern.
“That would be your bodies rejecting the chemicals that humans put in everything they eat,” Pilate explained in an attempt to put them at ease.
After a few minutes of watching Pilate eat, both Cheshire and Leana joined in. First they attacked the grape vines.
“It almost tastes like home,” Leana said after sampling a few grapes.
“Almost! Sure beats the pain from last night,” Cheshire added after tasting the grapes.
“The entire garden is all natural,” a man’s voice caught their attention.
Not wanting to be taken by surprise, all three animals turned in the voice’s direction and found themselves staring down an older man in a clerical collar and black shirt. The priest standing before them had approached them without the fear that John’s mother had displayed at seeing such creatures. Cheshire and Leana had never seen a human that had hair with two colors intertwined, all on one head. Brown laced with silver was a fascinating combination. The man met their quizzical expressions with a friendly smile.
Pilate stood safely behind both cougars nervously glancing toward the forest.
“I never thought that I would have such distinguished guests in my garden, but here you are. I am Father Peterson.”
“Father, it is an honor to meet you. My name is Cheshire Cougar, and my friend Leana Longclaw and I represent the Cougar Clan of Evermore.” Cheshire stepped toward the priest for the introduction.
“And I am Pilate,” Pilate added in a tone that betrayed his relief at being able to speak without being hunted.
“I had just climbed out of my car when John, David, and the elderly church secretary met me in the parking lot. The boys told me that two cougars from Evermore were here and wanted to see me, and the secretary was screaming about savage animals destroying the garden. The poor lady is not that keen on surprises, I am afraid.” Father Peterson gave the group a rundown of events since his arrival at the church.
“Father, while we are here we would like to help protect the church,” Cheshire offered his and Leana’s help. The priest considered the offer a moment and seemed to take encouragement from it. After a moment of prayer, the pastor returned his attention to the group.
“You two are an answer to prayer. I had been considering hiring guards,” he said in a relieved tone.
****
After giving his guests a tour of the church offices, classrooms, and sanctuary, Father Peterson led Cheshire and Leana to a classroom that was not in use at the moment. There Chesh, Leana, and the Father could talk without scaring the elderly church secretary.
“Chaplain Lewis would love to see this,” Chesh commented.
“Chaplain Lewis is your priest?” Father Peterson inquired.
“Yes, he is our spiritual leader. Chaplain Lewis cares for our clan. He’s a great cat! Chaplain is always willing to pray with anyone who needs prayer, and he often walks through the village visiting our neighbors. His den is always open to anyone that has a problem,” Cheshire explained.
Peep! Father Peterson’s wrist watch alarmed, reminding him that he had a counseling session in five minutes. Both cats stared as he silenced the alarm.