Kria sniffed. “I won’t muddy my paws in the swamp.”
Tara hissed her rage. “Are you better than the Chosen? Is the mud of the swamp worse than the filth of the alleys? Listen to me, all of you, your pledge to me is worthless unless it includes the dragon and the girl.”
Kria bowed her head in shame. “All right, I pledge.”
The other cats murmured agreement, but those who weren’t yet sworn muttered. “A dragon, yes,” said Cylar, a gray-and-white female from the village. “If the humans hate him he must be all right. The human girl is another matter. Perhaps the kitten is too young to know about how humans are—”
“Am I? The girl’s own mother would sooner drown me than look at me. How dare you—”
“Gently,” Orion said silently. “This wins no one.”
Tara hissed out the last of her rage. “I apologize, but any cat who thinks I don’t know about humans, speak now.”
The grove was silent.
“All right. I know that trying to work with humans is a big risk, but I’m taking it. I’m not asking you to live with them or do anything but be on the girl’s side.”
“But we aren’t you,” a black cat said. “You’re Chosen, and we’re just ordinary cats.”
Tara thought about that. “So was Misha an ordinary cat, but many of you will remember that only a few days ago she told us that any cat can have faith. Any cat can have greatness. The Mother doesn’t care about Chosen or unChosen. She wants every one of you to be all that you can be. We’re all in this together, even the ones who don’t know it yet.”
“You mean the humans?” the black cat demanded. “They’re part of this ‘One’ you cats keep on talking about? If that’s true, their evil is part of us. No way, little Chosen, you can chase your tail until the world flies apart before you’ll get me to believe that.”
“Hold on,” Orion said. “We’re not at that stage. Maybe it’s too soon for you to see the big picture, but you don’t have to see it or even believe it to protect one human girl.”
“A very nice girl,” Tara said, “a girl who, I believe, has always had trouble being a human.”
“That speaks well for her,” Senti said. “No one is asked to trust humans, only to trust the Chosen.”
“All right, one human,” the black cat said.
“And the rest of you?” Orion asked quickly.
More cats pledged.
Senti growled his approval. “Take one step, and the next will follow. I didn’t want to pledge to humans, either, but every day my steps grow bigger. Think about it, cats. We’re chosen as a species. Let’s show that we deserve it. No more hissing and yowling. Let’s not be like the humans.”
“By the Golden-furred One, that is a fine sentiment,” Tomo said. “And now let’s hear more about the human plans for the swamp.”
“The one called Malvern Frost wants to kill the dragon,” Senti said, “The others, led by the one called Guardian, outvoted him and reserved discussion of killing the dragon until some time in the future. So, Chosen, you may have planted within him seeds that grew.”
“So it appears,” Sekhmet said. “Senti is a good observer, and I’m not backbiting him when I say that I’ve been trained to understand communication on many levels. I sensed that the Guardian’s doubts were profound, partially because he suspects that Malvern Frost is organizing to overthrow him.”
“We’ve got to learn more about this,” Tara said. “I think we want the Guardian to stay where he is.”
“Yes,” Sekhmet said, “but it’s no fur off our backs if the humans are divided regarding the swamp. Let me continue. Beyond his suspicions, the Guardian has other, deeper reservations, which he doesn’t understand and therefore pretends don’t exist. He has no memory that the Chosen implanted in him the notion that the dragon is linked to the survival of humans, but that seed has taken root.”
But would it flower, Tara wondered, in a time of drought?
“To work,” Orion said. “Village cats, organize yourselves into teams to stalk Malvern Frost. Patrol his home in the country; follow him as he walks through the streets; listen to his conversations.”
A black female named Bora spoke. “This human has a large, fierce dog who takes special pleasure in killing cats.”
“I wouldn’t say no to goring his hide with a tooth mark or two,” a tough-looking tom said. “We’ll travel in teams.”
After the village cats disappeared, Orion asked Tara, “And what will you do?”
“I’ll return to Serazina tonight,” she said. “We’ll visit the dragon as many times as it takes to discover what we’re supposed to do next. But, Orion, I’m worried. I feel that the plots of this Frost are many and deep. I fear for the dragon, for the girl, and even for the Guardian.”
“So do I,” Orion said, “but fear, as we’ve discussed countless times, is an even bigger enemy. Rest, sleep, when you wake up your thoughts will be more clear.”
Tara closed her eyes, but dark forms pursued her in her dreams.
Chapter 21
As Serazina walked back to the house, the mist of contentment that filled her slowly dissolved, as if dried by the rays of a too-hot sun. Now alone, she faced the knowledge that, except for a few renegades, she was the only human in the world who had seen the vision of a green and golden goddess and the only one who knew the truth about the dragon. She’d never been so lonely in her life.
Serazina felt worse than lonely when she saw her mother standing in the doorway, desolation graying her eyes.
“Your father has disappeared,” Fiola said in a low voice. “His assistant has called the Healing Center and the Missing Persons department. They think the Earthers may have abducted him. Search parties have already gone out.”
The anguish her mother wouldn’t express assaulted Serazina. “Your words tell me this is terrible news, but your voice—at a time like this, you don’t even cry. I can’t bear it.”
“How dare you? I’m not like you—and where are your tears for your beloved father? What’s that look on your face?”
“I’m . . . shocked. I can’t believe it. Where are they looking? Are there any clues?”
Fiola ‘s eyes narrowed. “You never could lie. You know something. For the love of Zena, tell me. Could it be any worse than what I’m imagining?”
Serazina hadn’t expected to be unmasked so quickly. She should have prepared herself by rehearsing. What use was it to conjure up a vast roaring sea in her mind when her feelings danced all over her face?
She bit her fist, and Fiola grabbed it. “Tell me!”
Maybe if she told Fiola slowly, the dreadful news would be easier to take. “He woke me up last night to tell me he was leaving.”
“Leaving? Does he have another woman? Tell me, Serazina. All his meetings late at night—sometimes I wondered, but he always said he had to take care of an emergency in the field office. I never checked. I trusted him. Does he have a woman?”
“He would never do that!”
“What has he done? Is he in trouble?”
Serazina hung her head. “He’s in terrible trouble. He’s gone to the Earthers in the forest.”
“No. No! He wouldn’t do that. He’s a good citizen. He’s loyal to his country. He’s never broken the law. He’s not a traitor. “
“Mother, I’ve told you the truth, I swear it.”
Fiola leaned against the wall, her face gray and suddenly worn. “I should have known. For all that he was an exemplary Supervisor, he felt too much. How many times did I catch him stroking that kitten of yours or smiling tenderly when he heard birds sing?”
She brushed away the single tear that rolled down her dark cheek. “Why didn’t he tell me?”
“Because you would have tried to keep him from going.”
Rage dissolved Fiola’s temporary vulnerability. “As Zena is my witness, I would have. He’s ruined himself and he’s ruined us. If I want to keep my job, I’ll have to denounce him. He’s set himself against everything
Oasis stands for, hundreds of years of hard work and sacrifice. My husband. You’ll have to denounce him, too.”
“Never!”
“You will, by all that is logical and reasonable. This is no time for misplaced loyalty. You’ll denounce him, or you have no future in this world and no place in this house.”
“You’re throwing me out?”
“I’ll threaten anything that will bring you to your senses. Do you want to end up in prison . . . as your father surely will? Prison or worse.” Fiola bit off a wail with a snap of her teeth.
Serazina pushed past her. “I’ll never denounce my father.”
She went upstairs, stumbling in her grief, turning to scream, “I hate you! How can you do this to me?” For a moment, the image of the Green Mother mocked her. Forget all mothers, she thought. This is what happens when you relax your guard and trust.
Serazina threw some clothing into her travel sack, thinking, Poor Father, poor Dragon, poor Tara. They’ll have to save the world by themselves. Where will I go? What will I do?
She sat on her bed and wept until shadows of night stained the sky. Her mother came up the stairs, wearing a mask of calm.
“I apologize for letting my emotions rule me. I set a poor example at the moment you needed guidance from one parent to face the treachery of the other. If you’ll sleep on your decision, I’m sure that in the morning you’ll realize denunciation is the only possible choice.”
Forgive me, Father, I don’t know what to do. “Maybe. I’m very tired and upset right now. I’ll see what I think tomorrow.”
Serazina slept restlessly that night, her dreams populated with cartoon-like dragons and prancing kittens, the fronds and moss of the swamp waving in languid counterpoint to the mad dance.
The last thing she remembered from her dreams was the Green Lady whispering, “No one knows anything.” That gave her an idea.
She went downstairs and said to her mother, “Please listen to my suggestion. Let’s say the authorities become suspicious that Father is an Earther and ask us. We claim to know nothing and say we need evidence of this.”
“That would be deception. He told you.”
“But, Mother, what if he comes to his senses? Is it wrong to give him a chance to restore himself to reason?”
Fiola’s brow furrowed, and Serazina sensed the surge of her desire to adopt this viewpoint and the love that battled duty. “Maybe not. They still believe him abducted. The workers who respect him would be demoralized by learning the truth.”
“Think of national security,” Serazina said.
Her mother’s forehead smoothed. “Yes, who can imagine the repercussions? Perhaps you’re right. All I know is what a silly daughter who may have been dreaming told me. I would never repeat unconfirmed rumors.”
* * *
Phileas and Romala sat in his living room. For a long time, they’d been discussing the preliminary intelligence reports about Malvern Frost, and the wooden chair on which Phileas perched seemed harder than usual.
“I’m astonished by the size of his spy network,” Romala said. “And how is he financing the payroll?”
“That’s an important question. Do you think he’s sold off sections of the swamp in advance?”
“They’re not his to sell.”
“No, but let’s say that Malvern, as the leading citizen in Oasis West, positions himself so that he has the power to choose who can buy which parcels.”
“Of land no one’s ever seen?”
He paused to consider how well their minds worked together, how perfectly her questions sparked his answers.
“We think no one’s seen it. Even if that’s so, he could sell promises to make the most desirable land available to the highest bidders. Obviously, the buyer would be taking the risk that the dragon will be killed, the land razed and drained—lots of unknowns, and maybe Malvern would have to repay the money if it doesn’t work out.”
“Which would make him more determined than ever to push through his plans. Are we choosing to ignore the illegality of this?”
“Not at all,” Phileas said. “Let my spies find even a hint of illegality, and I’ll order a public investigation, and Malvern will find himself cheek by jowl against prison bars.”
He paused at the sound of clattering footsteps and a woman, shouting, “Unhand me, you savages!”
Janzi? He flung the door open and saw several peace officers, Malvern Frost, and Head Peace Officer, Renzel Dal’Rish, who held his handcuffed mother.
“Phileas, do something about this,” Janzi said.
“Not much he can do about a proven traitor,” Malvern said with evident satisfaction, “but, don’t worry, Guardian, not too many people will hold it against you that your mother went loony.”
“May I know what this is about?” Phileas demanded in his iciest voice.
“Of course, that’s why I insisted on accompanying the officers,” Malvern said. “You won’t have any complaints about not being notified immediately. We’ve unearthed a nest of Earther leaders in the woods. No point keeping them in the local lockup. They have too many sympathizers in Oasis West. Besides, they threaten our national security.”
Dal’Rish interrupted Malvern. “The others are in the downtown jail, but the former Chief Healer insisted on seeing you.”
“Because I’m sane.” Janzi said, her eyes knives, “and I can prove it, even if these cretins don’t believe me. Frost, you big spider, I’ll hang you in the center of your web.”
Dal’Rish examined his polished boots. “Guardian, I leave the decision about your mother to you. I hope I didn’t do the illogical thing.”
“You’ve acted correctly. Who else was arrested?”
Dal’Rish listed a string of names, all of them men and women respected in Oasis West.
“Johar Clare?” Romala gasped.
Malvern shook his head. “I don’t know what this country is coming to, but I’m afraid we have more bad news. The informant who’d cleverly infiltrated the terrorist cell reported that Clare’s daughter has been meeting with the dragon.”
Phileas laughed. “Oh, really, Malvern, you go too far with your lies. Give me proof that this is true, or I’ll have you locked up with the Earthers. Have you forgotten that this girl saved my life?”
“Hopefully, that’ll reduce her sentence,” Malvern said. “Guardian, I have the informant sequestered, but you’re welcome to question him at your convenience.”
“And so I will. What about the girl? Why haven’t you brought her?”
“They haven’t caught her,” Janzi said. “She’s not an Earther. She’s far ahead of us. When she pulled out that beautiful scale—”
“Scale?”
“From the dragon; he gave it to her. Phileas, you need to speak to her at the first opportunity.”
Phileas felt almost as sick as he had after his cactus brandy binge. “Commander Dal’Rish, I want the girl brought here as soon as she’s apprehended.”
“I’ll see to it.”
Janzi grabbed his arm. “Phileas, I have more to say to you. Get rid of these people.”
Malvern harrumphed. “That seems unwise—”
Phileas whirled on Malvern. “Kindly remember who is Guardian. Commander Dal’Rish, please send your men to the jail and make sure the Earther prisoners are treated well. They are not to be interrogated until I can do so.”
“Very good, Guardian.”
“Enjoy your authority while it lasts,” Malvern said, his fingers fluttering in mockery. “Sometimes, power floats away like dust.”
After they left, Phileas slammed the door. “What an odious man,” Janzi said. “How did he ever crawl onto the Council?”
“Leave Malvern aside for the moment. Sit down, Mother, and let’s discuss what you’ve been up to. You look well. Life in the woods obviously agrees with you.”
“Healthiest I’ve been in years, but I give most of the credit to my mind.”
“Really?”
“Drop the i
nterested, professional tone. I’m as mentally balanced as you are and probably more so. Phileas, that girl is our future. I’ve been out among the people lately, as you’ve probably heard, and they long to hear what she can tell them.”
“Which is?” Romala prompted her.
“That the dragon is a kind and caring being. He looks after all the animals in the swamp. And though Serazina didn’t say it, clearly she’s won his heart. Imagine that.”
It was all too dizzying. Phileas lifted his feet to make sure the floor was still beneath them.
“What do we do now?” he asked her.
“Since you’ve arranged for my friends’ comfort, we can move on to some important business. I’m certain that the coming hours will challenge you as Guardian in ways that you’ve never been tested before. For your sake and the sake of Oasis, it’s time for you to read Zena’s Last Testament.”
* * *
After Fiola left for work, Serazina called Berto. “I’ve got to see you.”
He came over a few minutes later and hugged her. “I heard about your father. Do you think they want a ransom?”
She couldn’t lie to Berto. “He wasn’t kidnapped, but I can’t talk about it here. Let’s go for a walk. I’m waiting for the kitten. Here she is.”
Tara came panting down the path to the house. She issued a series of trills that were meaningless until Serazina reminded herself that the cat was speaking. She listened carefully.
“I have much to tell you,” the kitten said. “We must act quickly.”
“I’m going to fill up her water bowl,” Serazina said to Berto. She went inside, and the kitten followed.
“Did your great-grandmother die?” Serazina asked.
“Yes, very sad, very inspiring, and we can talk about that later, but I have urgent news first. Cats have heard that the Councilor called Frost plans to kill the dragon.”
“How can we stop him?”
“We have to go to the swamp at once. Can you get rid of the boy?”
“No.” Serazina made up her mind. “I want to tell Berto everything. I already told my father about the dragon. I saw him in the woods with Earthers.”
“Was that safe? Did you know everyone in the group? What if a spy was among them?”
“I thought I detected one, but the Green Lady told me to trust Her.”