by Richard Wood
Jesse looks at Kyle with a puzzled expression. “Kyle”, he says, “Do you have a son? I don't exactly know what you're trying to tell me”. “No boy”, Kyle snaps harshly, “Dararro is my Peace Cat”. Jesse’s eyes widen. He looks all around the cave but sees nothing. He sits quietly for an instant then asks Kyle, “You have a Peace Cat that you ride? That's not a good idea is it?” Kyle becomes frustrated and shouts, “Of course it's a good idea, how do you think I get around out here? Dararro is a Peace Cat boy, not a pack of wolves. He's peaceful, that's why they're called Peace Cats. Be quiet boy and let me finish. I raised him from a baby as I found him alone. I don't know how he got separated from the others, but he did. So, I decided to keep him. He's a real good Peace Cat but I'm getting too old for all of this. I'm ready to go to the other side of life now boy, but I don't want to leave Dararro alone out here so I'm going to send him home with you. You're the son of Eli and I know you will take good care of him”. Jesse’s posture becomes very rigid, he raises the palm of his hand toward Kyle and says, “Wait a minute sir. I don't know anything about Peace Cats, besides, I'm starting back toward Payne today and I don't need anything slowing me down”. Kyle raises his face upward and gives out a howling laughter. Looking at Jesse with a delightful face he says, “You’re funny boy, Peace Cats are the fastest thing on land. You're going to slow him down!” As Kyle rises from his place at the fire, he looks at Jesse and says with a giggle, “You stay here boy, I'll be right back”. Walking toward the exit of the cave, he slaps his stomach and howls with laughter, “He doesn't want the cat to slow him down!” While walking, he waves his hand in the air and shouts, “Stay right there boy, I'll be right back”. After leaving the cave, he's gone for what seems to be a long time.
Still sitting at the fire, Jesse hears Kyle calling from outside, “Boy come out here”. As Jesse leaves his place by the fire and walks toward the caves mouth, he looks toward the outside of the cave. Their standing next to Kyle is the most frightening and majestic animal Jesse has ever seen. It was a massive, snow white lion with pure white fur and beautiful feathers where his mane should be. It had a deep baritone purr that echoed throughout the cave. The animals stood at least five feet at the shoulders. Its muscles looked like they were chiseled from stone and as he shifted position, they flexed and twitched with strength and power. When he breathed, it sounded like a strong wind blowing through a grove of dead trees. Had Jesse not seen Kyle standing there next to him, he would've been beyond terrified.
Kyle waves him over and says, “Come on over here boy. Come and say hello to Dararro”. As Jesse cautiously approaches, the Peace Cat turns to look at him. As Dararro’s sapphire blue eyes meet Jesse's, a deep kinship was awakened in Jesse, almost as though he had some kind of perfect connection with Dararro. What Jesse didn't know at the time, was that this is not unusual for Peace Cats. When they love, they love completely. All concern of danger instantly melted away, replaced by the fulfillment of a long and enduring friendship.
“Come on boy”, Kyle insists. “Here, scratch him behind the ear. He really likes that but scratch him hard so he doesn't think you're a bug and scratch you away”. As Jesse scratches Dararro behind his ear, the Peace Cat turns his head and licks Jesse's arm and leaves a bald spot. Jesse looks over to Kyle and says shockingly, “His tongue is rough. It took the hair right off my arm!” Kyle bursts out in laughter and says, “Well boy, I hope he wasn't tasting you!”
“Don’t worry boy, Dararro accepts you as part of his family. This is his home and he let you approach him and he didn’t react at all”. Kyle pats Jesse on the shoulder and says, “Boy you wait to right here with Dararro, I need to go inside and get his harness”. A minute passes and Kyle returns finding Dararro lying on his side and Jesse standing not far from him. Wagging his finger, Kyle exclaims, “No boy, no! I can see that you have a lot to learn about Peace Cats. You see how he’s lying down there?” Glancing down to Dararro, Jesse replies, “Yes, I see. Is there something wrong with it?” “Yes”, Kyle replies harshly. “You should be down there with him. Peace Cats love to be held and loved, now get down there and watch out for his claws”. Jesse lays down on Dararro as though he were a bed. “No boy”, Kyle shouts, “Cuddle, you half to cuddle”. Pausing for a moment to calm down, Kyle smiles and says, “Ok, I can see that I can’t let you go anywhere with him until you learn how to take care of him. So you’re not going anywhere for at least the next few days”.
Jesse devoted all his time to studying the duties of Dararro. He learned the Peace Cats likes and dislikes. One thing Kyle said over and over again was, “Remember Jesse, Peace Cats will protect their home and family. That means your family and home are now his too. So no one should show hostility toward your family or home. Dararro is a Peace Cat, Jesse, and he will kill them”.
On the seventh morning of his time with Kyle, Jesse woke and found his pack full of food and lying next to his staff and Kyle was nowhere to be seen. Dararro was harnessed and standing at the mouth of the cave. Somehow Jesse realized that this was Kyle’s way of saying, “You’re finally ready”. It’s time to take Dararro and start for home. Jesse reaches down for his pack and staff. As he walks toward Dararro, he puts his pack over his shoulder. Laying his staff long way down the center of Dararro’s back, he slights it partially under the harness. After leaping up and mounting Dararro, he hangs the pack from his neck like a necklace and grabs both steering hoops on Dararro’s harness and gives the order, “Dararro go!” In an effortless burst of power, Dararro leaps forward. Jesse turns him into the southern direction and Dararro’s snow white body goes into a blaze of movement. That tall, flowing green grass becomes a green blur as Dararro flies along the ground. As his massive claws grip the surface, his powerful legs move like loaded springs and his massive muscular body stretches and flexes. He leaps the boulders and crevices of the mountains of Light and Shadow and in no time crosses the tree lines and the chilly river, leaving behind massive prints and the occasional strand of white fur. Like a giant white ghost, he maneuvers the cliffs of the dead valley. As they hit the dry lands, he pulls Dararro to a stop and dismounts allowing the Peace Cat to rest.
As Jesse sits on a smooth rock, he reaches into his pack and pulls out some food that Kyle left for him. Looking over to Dararro he gives a firm command, “Dararro hunt!” The Peace Cat turns and runs into the dry lands. As the dust clears, Jesse watches as Dararro takes a crouched hunting position. Lying still for a few moments, he suddenly leaps forward then settles down to eat his meal. After a short time Dararro returns and his mouth has a pinkish hue from the animal’s blood. Dararro sits next to Jesse. After eating, Jesse mounts Dararro and after grabbing the hoops he issues the order, “Dararro go”, and once again the powerful Dararro is on the move through the dry lands. Soon the valley of Dreadston is in view them in no time the valley is behind them. Soon the journey will be behind him and Payne will be in sight.
Jesse sees the cliffs of his home village and then Payne comes into view. Pulling back on the steering hoops, Jesse slows Dararro to a stop. It’s then that he realizes that he must hide Dararro in the tall brush against the cliffs and walk into the village alone. He will then call the Elders together and explain Dararro’s capabilities and the dangers of approaching Jesse’s home and family.
Starting Dararro into a strolling walk, he takes the long way around the village. Walking into the tall shrub, he finds a comfortable place for Dararro and allows him to lay in the cool of the shade. As Jesse dismounts, he walks to the front of Dararro and gives him a firm order, “Dararro, stay!” Dararro lays his head on his feet and falls into a restful sleep. Jesse runs from the shrub and into the village border. A local village woman spots him and shouts, “Jesse, hey everyone, it’s Jesse. He’s back!” She turns quickly and runs to the village well. Several locals are there getting water. Jesse watches as she points over to him and speaks excitedly. They all look over to him and separate, beginning to spread the word all through the village. Soon, an excited crowd
surrounds him then one by one, the Elders show up as well.
The excited crowd shouts questions from all directions. Raising his hands, Jesse shouts, “Friends, thank you so much for your wonderful welcome. I have missed you all and am glad to be home with you. I have many stories to tell you about my journey but right now I need to speak with our Elders. Please quiet down, would the Elders come to the front please?” They all quickly make their way to the front of the crowd, then Jesse asks them respectfully, “Do any of you know what a Peace Cat is?” A white headed, thinly built Elder raises his hand and says, “Why yes Jesse, I have heard of them. I have heard that they are a peaceful and loving animal and that they are as powerful as they are peaceful. I remember hearing stories about them when I was just a child but I never had the chance to see one myself”. “Thank you sir”, Jesse replies, “Today you’re going to be able to see one. I have one and I am his rider”. The Elder looks at Jesse totally shocked and says, “I’m sorry, but did you say you are the rider of a Peace Cat?” “Yes sir”, Jesse says smiling proudly. The Elder shakes his head whispering, “That’s not possible”.
Jesse looks out over the crowd and says calmly, “Yes, it’s true. I have a Peace Cat and yes, I am his rider. His name is Dararro and he will be staying with my family and me”. Waving his hands to catch everyone’s attention, he says, “Ok friends, you can never approach my Peace Cat. I am going to get him, he’s resting right now but very soon you’re going to see him. You can never come around him without me going with you, it’s his nature to protect those who belong with him. Our Elders will meet with you and explain everything, but for now, you have to stay away from Dararro. I’ll be right back, everyone stay right here”. Jesse turns and runs out of the village and into the tall shrubs.
Making his way to the shaded area, Jesse sees Dararro lying on the cool ground still resting and sleeping but every bit as powerful and as imposing of a site. “Dararro wake”, Jesse says. Dararro’s ears point into the direction of Jesse as he opens his eyes. Jesse walks over to him and scratches behind his ears, “Up Dararro”, Jesse orders. The Peace Cat rises and Jesse mounts into place. His staff is still nestled in place under Dararro’s harness, the place his staff will soon always be found if it’s not in Jesse’s own hand. Jesse grabs the metal hoops and gives the order, “Dararro slow”. Dararro strolls from the shrubs and trots the distance between the shrub and the village border. As he passes a hut, Dararro comes into the vision of the villagers and a sudden reaction of desperate fear shutters the crowd. Children hide behind their parents and wives clutch their husbands.
Then suddenly an innocent, curly headed girl runs from the crowd and stands right in front of Dararro. Smiling up at Dararro and Jesse, she stands swaying from left to right. Her precious childish voice breaks the village silence as she says, “Hello Jesse sir, I missed you a whole lot”. Dararro lowers his snow white head toward her and sniffs her softly. She moves to Dararro’s left front leg and wraps herself around it, rubbing her soft face against his snowy fur. Jesse reaches down and grabs the back of the little girl’s shirt. Raising her up, he sits her on the Peace Cat with him and says, “Dararro still”. Plucking a snow white feather from Dararro’s mane, he gives it to her. After taking it with delight, Jesse lowers the little girl back to the ground. The girl runs back to her parents showing her feather proudly. Jesse then looks at the crowd and says politely, “See friends, Dararro is a Peace cat. But never approach me, our home, or him unless I’m with you or Dararro will kill you”. As Jesse rides past the crowd and toward his home, an awe of respect fills the crowd. One of the Elders remarks, “Somehow that boy always comes back with more than he left with”.
CHAPTER 7
Pala’s Dreadful Secret
As Jesse turns the corner of the village street, he sees the comforting site of his childhood home. He breathes and deeply and closes his eyes. As he exhales, his strong body relaxes. He reaches down to patch Dararro on the shoulder and whispers softly, “We’re home boy”. Directing Dararro forward, he trots toward Jesse’s home. Jesse leaps from his Peace Cat and orders him to lay down. Dararro obeys and his huge white body stretches out on the ground looking like a pile of fresh snow. He relaxes and is soon asleep. Satisfied, Jesse turns and looks again at his welcoming home then turns back to the crowd of villagers. Watching at a distance Jesse’s every move, they are amazed and full of disbelief as the giant cat submissively obeys Jesse’s every command. Jesse waves to them then last out loud, delighted by the astonishment of his village family. Then pointing to Dararro, Jesse gives one last order, “Dararro stay”. He said it mostly for the comfort of his friends. His companion Dararro was already fast asleep. Smiling, Jesse walks almost skipping to the front door of his home.
Jesse’s father Eli had a wonderful tradition. Every night as he came home, Eli would swing the door open and shout, “I’m home!” It was a tradition that Jesse had always planned to pass on to his own family. Now that his father is gone, Jesse is the patriarch of the family now and an “I’m home” welcome would be a good way for Jesse to keep the tradition and express his leadership role. Jesse grabs the knob and quickly turns, swinging the door open he shouts, “I’m home!” Cheers of excitement fills his home as family and friends welcome him in. Valcor comes running, his massive body looking like a bear running on his hind legs. Having Jesse, he says with a smile, “Glad your home J, I’ve been watching over everything for you!” Something that Jesse already knew would be the case. Then Valcor steps back. Looking up into his face, Jesse sees something he can’t believe. Valcor has the look of a frightened child. The massive Valcor points out the door and says in a voice of desperation, “What is that thing?” Turning to look out the door Jesse sees Dararro still asleep on the ground and laughs hysterically. Turning back to Valcor, he pats his powerful chest. Still laughing, he manages to reply, “That’s my Peace Cat Valcor, and his name is Dararro”. Wiping the laughter tears from his eyes, Jesse says with a kind voice, “I’ll explain it all later but right now I want to see my mother, is she Ok?” Still staring out at the Peace Cat Valcor answers nervously, “Yes J, she’s sitting over there. But Pala isn’t here, he’s still at the shop”. As Jesse walks past Valcor to go see his mother, Valcor still nervously says loudly, “J, that thing isn’t coming in here is it?” Snickering, Jesse replies, “Oh yes, and guess what Valcor? He loves Valorian stew so he’ll probably eat you right away”. Valcor’s eyes widen and his mouth drops open. Jesse Pat’s him on the shoulder and says half laughing, “Just kidding Valcor, he won’t hurt you, he’s a Peace Cat. But he will hurt people who try to hurt you. In his mind, you’re part of my family and that makes you a part of his family. Believe me Valcor, you are very safe with him. Actually, he will protect you to his death”. Instantly, something happened in the heart of Valcor that had never happened before. A kinship understanding was somehow struck between he and the Peace Cat and he knew. This was not just another animal, Dararro had the same commitment to family as he did. Valcor himself would love and protect those he loves to his death.
Jesse turns to walk back out the front door and waves to Valcor, “Follow me”, he said, “I’ll introduce you to him”. Together they walk to Dararro. The Peace Cat hears and his ears instantly turn toward them. Dararro raises his head and opens his eyes. As they reach him, Jesse scratches Dararro behind the ear and tells the Peace Cat, “Dararro, this is your brother Valcor”. Jesse steps back and instructs Valcor, “Scratch him behind the ear but not too softly, he’ll think you’re a bug or something”. Valcor, no longer fearful, reaches behind Dararro’s ear and gives a good scratch and in a calm and pleasant voice says, “Good boy Dararro”. The beautiful Peace Cat sniffs the air, turns his gaze toward Valcor, then lowering his whiskers he lays his head back down onto his paws.
Padding Valcor on the back, Jesse smiles and says, “Ok, now I want to go see my mother”. As Jesse walks back into his house, he turns left and passes through another doorway into the house’s main room. There sitting
on a cushioned chair is his mother. Looking downward, her shoulders were drooping and her hands were folded together in her lap. She is thinner and looks slightly unkept. Jesse walks to the chair and drops to his knees in front of her. He cupped her folded hands into his. As he stares into her saddened eyes, he searches for anything that might show the slightest glimmer of his joyful mother but all he got was a lost stare. It was as if she didn’t even know he was there. As Shaira sat there looking past her only son, Jesse’s mind drifted back to Dreadston. The savage beatings and ruthless accusations delivered to him from those villagers was a nightmare. But even that wasn’t as devastating as his loving mother’s empty face and hollow stare. The tortured cries of the dead valley were nothing more than a hungry child’s cry when compared to the silent cries of his mother’s shattered heart. Jesse closed his eyes and slowly lowered his head. His body begins to shake as his tears splash against the floor. Bent over onto all fours, Jesse bursts out in a bitter moan. The house fills with silence as the sound of his brokenness fills the air. Jesse clinches a fist and begins to beat the floor. In agony, he screams out, “Where is Elamor! Where are the Secret Guardians! Why have you let this happen to my family?”
