by Richard Wood
Realizing that he must keep his sword a secret, Jesse walks back to a darkened corner of the shop. He digs a hole in the corner large enough for the sword. Wrapping his sword in some discarded cloth, he puts it in the hole and fills it back in. Then going back to the shop entrance, he lifts the wooden box, carries it to the darkened corner and lays it over his buried sword. Satisfied that his treasured sword is out of sight and the area blends flawlessly into the shop, he leaves, shutting and locking the doors behind him.
As Jesse approaches his home, he sees Dararro laying lazily against the house. Cutting his hands around his mouth, he shouts out his Peace Cat’s name, “Dararro!” Dararro raises his head and looks into the direction of Jesse. In one perfectly graceful move, Dararro turns onto his belly and rises to his majestic stance than trots over to his companion Jesse. Jesse welcomes his furry giant with a customary embrace. Patting Dararro on the shoulder, Jesse says, “Good boy Dararro!” Leaping up, Jesse sits firmly on him and reaches for the steering hoops. Dararro spins, lunges for the village border, and disappears into the dry lands. After a successful hunt, Jesse and Dararro return home. Dararro is placed into the Blacksmith shop and Jesse heads home for dinner with his family.
As Jesse wakes the next morning, his mind is on the sacred sword buried away in the shop. His father did work with, and for, a master leathersmith in Duesburg. This tanner leathersmith is the most skilled in all his area of Paradore. He could craft a sheath that would be fitting the honor of the sword. Thinking to himself, Jesse says, “I can’t leave my sword with the leathersmith so I’ll make an exact copy out of tempered steel and leave that with him instead”. Clearing his mind, Jesse raises from his bed and hears the beginning sounds of a commotion building outside. As he stops to listen, Jesse realizes his village family is expressing concern about Dararro. He knows now for sure that he has to meet with the village Elders and then with the villagers themselves. He will have to show them all that Dararro is not a danger but a protective force for the village. This will be the first step to fulfill his promise to the Secret Guardians to protect families. His first chance to turn the hearts of people to his companion Dararro. Raising from his bed, Jesse opens his bedroom door and goes into the center room. There, his mother Shaira is already up sitting in her chair and waiting quietly for breakfast. He walks to her chair and gently kisses her on the cheek then heads for the front door. Outside, he sees a small group of villagers talking loudly with Valcor and Pala. One angry man spoke out and said, “But what if our children are playing in the streets and this cat of Jesse’s thinks they’re his prey? What if this animal kills one of our kids?” Jesse steps between Pala and the crowd and promptly replies, “This village is Dararro’s home and you are all part of his family. Peace Cats don’t attack their own, they protect them. My brother, you don’t realize it but being a part of this village doesn’t put you and your family in harm from Dararro, it put you under his protection. You are safer with Dararro here than you would be with him gone. You are all part of his pride”. Looking at the confused crowd, Jesse pauses and points to a hut a small distance away and says, “I am going to meet with this Elder right now and request a village meeting then I will show you all that Dararro is no danger to any of you”. Leaving the crowd, Jesse goes to the hut of the Elder. He is welcomed in and the crowd watches as the door closes behind him. As the villagers stand silently watching, several minutes pass and the door opens again. Jesse exits going in one direction and the Elder exits going the opposite direction leaning on his cane as he goes. Sometime later, all the Elders assemble at the village well and a call is sent out for a village meeting.
As villagers gather around the village well, adults begin to talk among themselves, some boisterous and others quietly. Suddenly, attention is drawn to the Blacksmith shop as the doors quickly swing open. Slowly, Dararro’s huge snow white body emerges. On top of him sat Jesse and his mother Shaira. She sits in front of Jesse, who has his arms wrapped around her and his hands in the hoops. The villagers all come to an instant hush as Dararro trots toward them. Then coming to a stop next to the well, but a short distance from the crowd, Jesse carefully dismounts but leaves his mother on top of Dararro. Then scratching Dararro behind the ear, Jesse begins to speak, “Friends and family, you have known me all of my life. Many of you were here the day I was born. You celebrated with my parents. A few years later, the village was invaded by the Horde of Quygon. I was just a child then, barely young enough to leave my mother’s side. In a victory none of us can yet explain, I defeated the Horde and saved our village. Our shop has served this village well, in fact, most of you still owe for services are family rendered you but we have never come to you demanding payment. My father served our village well as head Elder. He settled arguments and kept sacred your secrets. There are many other sacrifices we have given on behalf of you our brothers and sisters. My family and I have always aided and never failed when it comes to our village home. That spirit that lives in us is also very much alive in my Peace Cat Dararro and today I will prove it to you. I’m going to leave my mother on top of my Peace Cat and I ask any of you to strike my cat. You will see, not only will he keep my mother safe but he will also refuse to attack you back. You will see that you too will put your faith in my companion”.
The crowd is silent, not even the bravest of them had the courage to test the Peace Cat. Then the Elder that invited Jesse in to his hut spoke up, “I will strike the Peace Cat!” Leaving the company of the other Elders, he slowly walks to the front of Dararro. Raising his cane, he shouts, “I trust Jesse, the son of Eli!” Jesse steps back and watches, fully expecting the elder to strike Dararro’s leg or chest. He swings forcefully though and strikes Dararro directly in the center of his nose. The crowd winces as Dararro quickly lowers his head and snorts, then in an act of subtle compassion, the Peace Cat looks up at Shaira to see if she were still safely atop. The crowd stares in unbelief as Dararro sniffs the Elder then looks over to Jesse. “You see”, Jesse shouts, “The Elder is unharmed and the reason is that Peace Cats never hurt their own. The Elder is under his protection. Brothers and sisters, you and your family’s are safe. Your children are free to run and play, they are even welcome to play with my Peace Cat”. Suddenly, the crowd is full of excitement and questions. One man asks, “How old is your Peace Cat and how long will he live?” An older woman asks if she could have his shed fur. Someone else asks if they are all white. In no time, children are hanging on to Dararro’s legs and trying to catch his tail. The fear of Dararro is gone and the Peace Cat is now free to walk the village. Jesse pulls his mother from Dararro, walks her back to their home, and sits her in her chair in the center room.
Jesse returns to his room and begins a printed designed for the replica of his royal blue sacred sword. Taking the design outside, he looks at it in the light. Nodding his head he whispers, “That’s it!” Turning, Jesse heads toward the Blacksmith shop. As Jesse enters the shop, he stops in begins to giggle. Pala has found the wooden box in the corner. Standing there with his hands on his hips, he stares at the box cautiously. Jesse slowly places the sword plans on a shelf and claps his hands loudly. The sound startles Pala, who leaps from the ground. Jesse bursts out in laughter. Pala turns quickly and points toward Jesse and yells, “Jesse don’t ever do that. You almost killed me!” Jesse again bursts out in laughter then reaches for his sword plans. Waving his hands Jesse remarks while still laughing, “I’m sorry Pala, I just couldn’t resist”. Walking over to Pala, Jesse hands him the sword plans. Still half laughing, he tells Pala, “I have to go somewhere tomorrow. Could you make the sword in this plan for me? When you’re finished, I’ll take it to Duesburg to the leathersmith there and have a sheath made”. Pala grabs the plans, still upset about the scare and the blue metal and the wooden box. He says roughly, “Yeah, I’ll do it. How many do you want made?” Smiling back, Jesse replies, “Just one, it’s for me. From now on, I’m going to start carrying a sword”. Looking puzzled, Pala replies, “Ok Jesse. Are you
alright?” “Oh yes”, Jesse admits, “Tomorrow I’m going to Lake Revel. Dararro will hunt there. I might even meet a Revelion. Father always said they were a backward people”. As Jesse leaves the shop, Pala shouts, “I’ll start your sword tomorrow”. Jesse waves a hand in agreement as he disappears through the open doors.
In the street, Jesse watches as Dararro gives children rides on his back. Other kids are pulled behind holding onto his tail. The village people will one day agree to have an annual Dararro day, in honor of their new friendly Peace Cat. The village will kill a goat or scrub deer for him. They will clean his feathers and massage his huge muscular body but until then, it’s rides on his back and pulls from his tail.
The next morning as Jesse wakes, he sees a small beam of light shining from a tiny hole in the wall. The beam of light is centered on his father’s staff standing in the corner. Jesse grabs the staff then sits up in bed. As his eyes once again focus on the beam, he follows it until he sees it centered on his birthmark. “Huh”, Jesse thinks, “What if I carve my birthmark onto my father staff?” Reaching for a knife he keeps on a stand by his bed, Jesse spends the next hour carving the intricately designed mark into his staff. When he is finished, he admires the staff. The carving somehow makes the staff even more meaningful to him. He rubs his thumb across the design and says, “Looks good!”
Laying his staff on his bed, Jesse heads for the center room. As he opens his bedroom door, he hears talking. Stepping into the center room, he sees four people; his mother Shaira, Valcor, Pala, and a lightheaded, sad faced, middle aged woman Jesse has never seen before. Valcor, Pala, and the other woman all look into Jesse’s direction. “What’s going on?” Jesse asks. Pala speaks up, “Jesse, this woman’s name is Chloe. She says she’s from Duesburg and that you know her”. Jesse looks at her closely but doesn’t recognize her. Stepping from the doorway, he moves closer to her but still doesn’t recognize her. Pointing to a chair, Jesse asks the woman, “Would you like to sit down?” As she sits, Jesse takes the seat next to her. Looking up to Valcor and Pala, Jesse asks, “Could you get her something to eat and drink?” Both embarrassed by their total lack of courtesy for the woman, they both turned and scurry about. Minutes later, a bowl of soup and a glass of fresh water are set before the woman. Famished from hunger, she goes right to eating without saying thank you. Then looking up to Jesse, she says sadly, “I’m sorry Master Jesse, it’s been days since I’ve eaten”. Smiling back to her, Jesse replies, “You’re fine madam. You’re in our home now, don’t worry”. As the woman sits back in the chair and drinks the cool water, Jesse asks kindly, “You said I know you, but I’m afraid I don’t recognize you. Can you tell me where we met?” Looking toward Jesse, she replies shyly, “We met in my village of Duesburg, Master Jesse, when you were younger. I was in a choir of four. My Elder in Duesburg was mauled by a lion as a child, which left him unable to speak. We as his choir, sang his thoughts”. Jesse interrupts, “Oh yes, I remember. I still don’t know why they had to die. Your village lost great Elders that day”. “Yes, Master Jesse”, she replied. “Madam, Chloe is your name”, Jesse stated. “Yes sir”, she replied. “Chloe”, Jesse continues, “What has brought you to our village?” Chloe hangs her head and begins, “After my Elder died, I became unneeded in my village. I spent so many years learning the ability to sing my Elders thoughts that I never learned the skills of keeping a family. With only the ability to sing the thoughts of a dead Elder, I suddenly had no value among my people. Finally, my village threw me out Master Jesse. I’m too old to bear children and too young to be accepted as feeble. I have no place with my people. I don’t know what to do, so I came here to you. I knew you were a good man. I believed if I could make it to you, you might be able to find a place for me”. Jesse reaches over and kindly pats her hand and says, “Yes Chloe, we do have a place for you. But first, let me ask you, would you like another bowl of soup?” “Yes please”, she replies with an excited smile.
Jesse grabs her bowl and hands it up to Pala asking, “Pala, could you get Chloe another bowl and some bread too if we have it?” Chloe’s eyes light up as Pala turns to get another bowl then she says joyfully, “Thank you Master Pala!” Walking to the pot, Pala smiles. He recognizes her from Duesburg but she doesn’t recognize him as the beggar outside of the village. The idea of her calling him Master was a humorous change of roles to him. He laughs quietly as he stands at the soup pot. As Jesse looks kindly into the face of sweet Chloe, he earnestly answers her plea while patting her hand, “Yes Chloe, we do have a place for you”. Pointing to his mother Shaira, Jesse announces, “This is my mother. She has never been the same since she saw my father murdered. My mother looks, but never seems to see you and since my father’s death, she has never spoken. There are so many things that my mother needs that only another woman could understand. I would be very grateful, Chloe, if you would stay with us and serve my mother”. Chloe turns and looks at Shaira. As she sees the need of Jesse’s mother, her shuffle eyes take on a deep, soulful, and compassionate gaze. Putting her hands over her mouth, she replies choking back her tears, “You will trust me with your mother, Master Jesse?” “Yes”, Jesse replies with a joyful grin. We will put a bed in her room for you”. Bowing down at Jesse’s knee, Chloe breaks down in tears. “Thank you Master Jesse”, she replies, “Thank you”.
While still on her knees, she crawls into a kneeling position in front of Shaira. Looking deep into Shaira’s eyes, Chloe crisscrosses her fingers and lays her hand in Shaira’s lap. Instantly, a holy silence filled the room. Then the heart of Shaira and the heart of Chloe opened until gently, quietly, and invisibly their two hearts united. Shaira raises her hands, still staring off in the distance, and cups her hands over Chloe’s. Then in a gentle, motherly voice, Shaira others one word, “Child”. Pala, still standing by the pot of soup staring at them, drops the bowl. Valcor plops down into a chair and Jesse’s eyes fill with tears. A single tear trickles down Jesse’s face as he says, “Thank you Chloe. You will forever be a sister to this family”. A moment passes and Jesse moans and rubs his eyes. Clearing his throat, he announces, “I have to take Dararro out to hunt, I’ll see you all later”.
Then going back into his room, Jesse grabs his newly carved staff and heads out the front door. Looking to his left, he sees his companion Dararro lying flat on his stomach watching a butterfly that has landed on one of his paws. Leaving him to his butterfly, Jesse jogs to the shop. Reaching into the building. He grabs Dararro’s harness hanging on the wall and shouts out, “Come Dararro”. The Peace Cat jumps up onto all fours and playfully prances to Jesse. As Dararro’s steps into his harness, Jesse Pat’s him on the shoulder and announces, “Today you hunt at Lake Revel. It’s an hour’s run boy, but we will rest halfway”. Jesse slides his staff under the harness and leaps up on Dararro, grabbing the hoops. In an instant, Dararro is out of the village and into the dry lands headed east to the plateaus. After a half hour of a full run, Jesse pulls Dararro under a stand of trees.
As he dismounts, Dararro lowers himself onto the cool, shaded ground. Jesse sits at the foot of one of the trees and leans against its trunk. Looking up into the tree, he watches as a single bird flies from its branches then suddenly an entire flock flies off behind him. As he stares off into the east, he sees large groves of trees and plateaus on past them. Covering the slopes of the plateaus are patches of bright yellow wildflowers. It was all a beautiful site. Breathing in the fresh air, Jesse thinks, “What a great place to build a village if I ever decide to do so”. Glancing down at Dararro, he sees his Peace Cat in a deep sleep. Breathing deeply, his bodies relaxed and resting, the image of resting royalty. Leaning against the tree, again Jesse looks up into its branches. As the soft wind blows against the leaves, they slightly flicker. The sun reflects off of their waxy surface, creating a dazzling shimmer. Then looking back down to his companion Dararro, he sees Dararro looking back up at him. Smiling at Dararro, Jesse whispers, “Rested up, huh boy?” Raising his voice, Jesse shouts out, “
Ok then let’s go, you need to hunt”. Rising to his feet, Dararro waits as Jesse leaps up and takes the hoops.
Turning that Peace Cat due east, Dararro leaps into a full run toward the plateaus. Blazing up a slope, he tops the first plateau. Another full run and leap and he’s on top of the second one and then the third. Soon, Dararro and Jesse find themselves standing on the last plateau before the plains of Revel. In the distance, the sun shines like shimmering diamonds across the lake. Lush green meadows are dotted with patches of yellow, white, purple, and red wildflowers. Birds rise and fall among the reeds and cattails, while rabbits and lizards scurry about. It was a living world, alive with nature. Jesse closes his eyes and the cool breeze blows against his face and catches his hair. Then in a burst of enthusiasm, Jesse shouts, “Dararro go!” The Peace Cat leaps from the plateau and hits the slopes in a blur of speed. In no time, Dararro comes to a sliding stop at the banks of Lake Revel. The smell of moisture in the air is refreshing. Jesse breathes deeply, filling his lungs and holds in the cool air. Then exhaling, he opens his eyes and watch is as little waves splash against the rocks, creating the pleasant sound of smacking water. Frogs croak in the distance and dragonflies fill the air. It was a sight of rare beauty.
Dismounting, Dararro instantly lowers his head to the water and begins to drink from the lake. Suddenly, Jesse feels an uneasy feeling and looks around carefully but sees nothing that sparks of danger. He looks at Dararro, his feathers our erect and slightly fluttering. The Peace Cat looks down both sides of the bank then goes back to drinking. Slowly his feathers fall back into place and Jesse relaxes. After having his fill of water, Dararro raises his head and turns toward Jesse. Jesse pats his companion on the shoulder then pulls his staff from under the harness. Patting his friend once again, Jesse smiles and gives the order, “Dararro hunt”. The Peace Cat spins to his left and flies past a clump of cat trails. Jesse laughs out loud as his friend runs, crouches, and then runs again. While watching Dararro, Jesse sees movement in the stand of cattails. Looking closer into the stand, he sees wisps of curly black hair moving in the wind. Raising his staff, he taps the stand of reeds and says kindly, “It’s Ok if you come out, my Peace Cat won’t hurt you as long as I’m Ok”.
