The Stone Lions

by Gwen Dandridge

  The sky was rosy with light illuminating the scene as the sun began it’s climb: a tortoise-shell cat crouched in a corner, spitting furiously. The wazir, looking disgusted, kicked at it, but it darted between his legs, escaping as the voice of the muezzin rang out. The call to prayer, Fajr. The wazir slammed his fist against the wall and then hurried away. Ara and Layla quickly got their prayer rugs and, facing Mecca, began to pray.

  Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds!

  The compassionate, the merciful!

  King on the day of reckoning!

  Thee only do we worship, and to Thee do we cry for help.

  Guide Thou us on the straight path,

  The path of those to whom Thou hast been gracious; with

  Whom thou art not angry, and who go not astray.

  From under the tousled bedcovers, Ara heard Suleiman perform his devotions.

  Washed and scrubbed after their baths, the girls returned to their sleeping quarters. Su’ah had left earlier to watch over Dananir’s small son. Layla went directly to the bed, wanting to collect Suleiman before they left for breakfast.

  “He’s gone,” Layla whispered. Panic lurked in her voice.

  “He can’t have disappeared.” Ara grabbed the covers, looked under them, and then started searching the room. “He knows we need him to be with us when he changes, and half a day has already gone by. He’s a very smart cat. Or, at least, he was a smart tutor,” she amended.

  Layla ran to the window to scan the yard below. “Where could he be?”

  “I’m here,” Suleiman announced, slinking into the room. The fur on his neck stood out.

  Layla rushed over to him and cradled him in her arms. “Where did you go? We were worried.”

  Suleiman shivered. “I went to speak with the Lions, feline to feline. We have much in common. They are magical lions, and I am a cat transformed through magic. I hoped they might advise me on how to break this spell faster.”

  “What happened?” Layla asked. “Didn’t they help?”

  He wriggled, wanting to get down. “The power they hold is overwhelming. Being near them is like staring at the sun too long. Even partially bound by the wazir’s magic, they radiate. They pulse with power. They knew, of course, that I had been transformed.” He leapt to the floor and paced.

  “They scolded me for wanting to change back to my human self. Me, a Turk of the tribe of Qizilbash! The lions, Wisdom and Reason, said I should take the opportunity to learn from each transformation. I was too prideful, they said.” He flashed the girls a look of indignation before twitching his tail.

  Neither girl spoke, uncertain what to say. Suleiman continued pacing. Both recalled him in his human form: smart, competent but very pompous.

  “What are you supposed to learn?” Ara asked.

  “They said that I was wasting valuable magic by not using the time wisely, that each animal shape I turn into had lessons to teach. They were not sympathetic.” He bristled.

  Suleiman continued to pace while the girls snuck quick looks at each other.

  “Did they hint at what they thought you should learn?”

  “Humility,” Suleiman spat. “I believe that was the first lesson.”

  Ara winced. Layla considered that for a moment, then said, “What about sympathy for those who are powerless?”

  “What about it?” the cat snapped.

  “That was something you learned as a lizard. Maybe that’s what they meant.”

  Ara looked at her cousin in amazement.

  Suleiman’s tail flicked in annoyance and Ara thought he was going to dismiss Layla’s suggestion. He reached up to the weaving hanging on the loom and sharpened his claws. “Perhaps that’s true. Maybe the lions are right. There is something to learn here. I need to think on this.”

  “Please, could you think about it without destroying Su’ah’s weaving?” Ara implored.

  “Your pardon,” he apologized, self-consciously removing his claws from the material. “I need to go for a walk and consider Wisdom’s words.”

  “But we need you here!” Ara protested. “You need to help us find the translation symmetry.” The cat stared at her and flattened his ears. Ara grasped at a thought. “Was Wisdom my lion’s name? Was he the one you spoke to?”

  “Your lion didn’t stoop to introducing himself,” Suleiman huffed. “Yes, a walk is just what I need.”

  “You can’t leave. It’s not safe,” Layla said, a plea in her voice.

  Suleiman gave her a look that would curdle milk. “I’m a cat—I come and go as I please. I escaped through cunning yesterday—I can do it again.” He arched his back in what seemed a casual stretch before trotting toward the door. “Don’t worry, you won’t have trouble finding translation symmetries. There are too many to count in the Alhambra,” he said. “If I see the broken one, I’ll let you know.”

  And he was gone.

  Ara was the first to recover. “I might guess his lesson is independence,” she said.

  “Now what?” Layla asked.

  Ara picked up her lute and headed for the door. “We have classes to attend. I guess we continue on. We have until Asr, three hours before sunset the day after tomorrow to find this symmetry. We must wait for his return, otherwise we won’t know what he changes into.”

  After an unhappy look at the door, Layla grabbed her dance clothes and calligraphy stylus and followed Ara.

  Neither could look at the other. Unspoken was the fear—what if he never returned?

  Chapter 29

  By early the next morning both girls were beside themselves with worry. Suleiman had not returned, and only a few hours remained. Ara had found a translation right outside their room. But it was whole, not broken.

  “Look what I found at the fishpond.” Su’ah walked in the room with a large gray tabby curled across her thin arms. Jada trailed along behind her. “I’m sure he must belong to someone. He came right up to me and purred.”

  Ara thought she would faint from relief.

  Su’ah sat down and continued petting the cat. “I saw mouse droppings on the floor a few days ago. This will take care of that problem. He looks like a good mouser.”

  Suleiman gave them a don’t-get-me-started look. Ara snorted, trying to cover her laughter, while Layla rushed to Su’ah’s side exclaiming, “He’s wonderful,” to both Suleiman’s and Su’ah’s delight.

  “I thought you might like a cat, Layla. Your mother said you wanted a pet.” Su’ah scratched Suleiman under the chin, and his eyes glazed over with pleasure. “I knew you wouldn’t want one of those noisy parakeets that the Infidels brought Rabab. They flit all over the place, never sitting still for a moment.”

  The purring stopped, and Suleiman was immobile. A glint of light came from a slit in his eyes, and abruptly it disappeared.

  “I’ll call him Hannibal—he looks like a good, quiet cat. Here Layla, you want to hold him? Sit down here, and I’ll set him in your lap. Jada, you sit next to her, and no pulling his tail again!”

  Ara doubled over in laughter at the two former adversaries snuggle. After all their past disagreements when both were slaves and human, Suleiman now, in his cat form, seemed quite pleased by the affection.

  Su’ah placed him in Layla’s lap, where he continued to purr. “Ara, what are you carrying on about over there? I see nothing funny. Well, maybe he is a little heavy,” Su’ah conceded, looking at the cat with a calculating eye. “Someone must have been overfeeding him. He’ll slim down quick enough when he has to forage on his own.”

  Suleiman glared at Su’ah, his tail twitching.

  “Have you ever seen a cat so smart looking. Why, I’d almost believe he can understand me.” Suleiman’s eyes narrowed, his tail twitching faster. “Layla, you must be petting him too hard, he doesn’t seem to like that.”

  Suleiman dropped into a quick catnap and, pleased that her mouser was settling in so nicely, Su’ah left to take Jada back to her mother.

  Ara shook the cat awake as soon as sh
e was gone. “Where were you? We were worried.”

  Miffed at the rude awakening, Suleiman snarled and made a perfunctory swipe in her direction. “I was out thinking. The lions have a point.” He yawned and stretched. “There are important lessons to learn.”

  Ara waved his comment away. “But our time is almost over. The sundial out on the portico says we have only two more hours. We needed you here.”

  “Well, yes,” he agreed acidly on his way to the door, “in a perfect world I would sit beside you and wait on your pleasure. But I have one more important task to do. I’ll be back in plenty of time.” Before she could grab him, he streaked out of the room.

  Chapter 30

  Ara once again found herself looking out the window. At least Layla had found the broken symmetry and promptly covered it with a tapestry so Ara wouldn’t see it and risk another transformation until Suleiman returned.

  But time was running out. Noon had long past and the time for Asr was near. The shadow on the sundial crept to the mark faster and faster.

  Allah take that cat!

  Thump, thump, thump—Suleiman bounded into the room. “Hide me quick, they’re after me.” They heard footsteps pound up the stairs.

  Fear streaked across Layla’s face. “Is it the wazir?”

  “No, worse! Rabab and Zoriah,” Suleiman spat, racing around the room, looking for a hiding place. “Hurry, they’re almost here.”

  The girls looked to one another and realized what they needed to do. Layla ran to the tapestry and flipped it up. As Ara gazed at the symmetry, it rapidly realigned itself. She felt a tingling throughout her body as the Alhambra healed. Deep within the walls she heard lions, many lions, roaring.

  Zoriah rushed in, a gasping, limping Rabab not far behind. “Have you seen a cat?” Zoriah demanded, looking around the room. There on the rug sat a yellow dog, leisurely scratching his ear.

  “Where did that come from?” Rabab wheezed, pointing. She said down on the bed, panting from exertion.

  Zoriah, momentarily distracted, stared at the hound. “That can’t stay in your sleeping rooms. Whose is it?”

  Ara walked over and wrapped her arms around him. “He just appeared. Please don’t make me put him outside.” The dog perked up his long velvety ears and, wagging his tail, gave her a sloppy lick on the face.

  Zoriah winced.

  Rabab recoiled at the sight. “Mohammed tells us dogs are dirty.”

  Ara held up the dog’s long ears. “But not salukis. They are hunting dogs, favored by Mohammed.”

  “We’ll discuss this once we have resolved our search.” Zoriah looked at the girls suspiciously. “Have you seen a cat? Su’ah found a cat this morning, a gray cat.”

  Avoiding looking at Suleiman, Ara said, “The cat ran out of here some time ago. We couldn’t catch him.”

  Rabab, finally regaining her breath, burst out, “The horrible creature tried to eat my parakeets. I heard their squawks and ran into my room. There he was pinning one of my little birds against the cage with his paw. Once he saw me, the beast scuttled out the room. We followed him here.”

  Ara looked at the dog before responding with a slight edge to her voice, “Maybe he’s gone now. You know how cats are. They never stay where they belong nor wait on anyone’s pleasure but their own.”

  Suleiman’s ears folded back.

  The older woman bent awkwardly to check in the bedding. “You’re sure he’s not in here?”

  “Rabab, there’s a dog sitting over there.” Zoriah’s voice was dry. “Do you really think a dog would just be sitting there if a cat were in this room?”

  Ara quietly thanked Allah that Layla had found the broken symmetry. She watched as Layla placed her foot on top of a lone yellow feather.

  Rabab pushed herself upright. “That’s true, of course. But I was sure I saw him head this way. Where else could he have gone?”

  She looked around the room again, stopping at the dog that had found Layla’s slipper and was chewing on it. “I don’t think we should allow dogs in the harem—they’re dirty.”

  Zoriah studied the dog one last time. “Ara, I’m going to have to talk to your father about that dog. You can’t keep him in the harem. He looks flea-ridden, he’s grimy—he could be vicious.

  Suleiman stood and wagged his tail. Ara could hear the plea in her voice as she spoke. “You can see he’s gentle. I’ll give him a bath, and he won’t be any trouble. Please, just for a few days.” Ara gave her a wistful smile.

  Layla crossed the room to join Ara. “Could we at least take him to see Tahirah? She loves animals.”

  Suleiman perked his ears and thumped his tail.

  The thought of the immaculate Sufi cavorting with the hound seemed too much for Zoriah. “Somehow, although it seems beyond all possibility, it just might be so. Tahirah could be amused to see a dog.” Her expression fell. “But I’m afraid not. I saw her before Dhuhr prayer on her way into Granada. She had to go to the khanqa, the Sufi hospice. One of the Sufis there had taken a turn for the worse and needed her comfort. She’s not expected back until after the evening meal. You can visit with her tomorrow.”

  Ara’s eyes widened. “Tomorrow? But that’s a long time from now.

  “Exactly,” Zoriah agreed, focusing once again on the girls. “And you need to help us find that cat. Until Tahirah returns tomorrow you’re responsible for that dog. But then he must go.”

  Rabab’s brow wrinkled. “Where are all these animals coming from, anyway? First a cat, and now this dog. At least it seems friendly.” She moved over to the door. “He probably belongs to someone. See how he looks…he’s the fattest hound I’ve ever seen.”

  Zoriah shook her head. “Lately, nothing is going as it should. The wazir has been asking odd questions of all the servants. I don’t understand.”

  Ara and Layla didn’t move. Suleiman curled his tail between his legs.

  Su’ah slowly ambled through the door and gave a start of surprise. “What’s that dog doing here?” With a sour look, she returned to the door and called out, “Here, kitty, kitty.”

  “That cat almost ate my parakeets.” Rabab glowered.

  Su’ah stood with her hand on the door. “That cat is going to rid us of vermin. That’s much more important than any silly birds. Can’t have mice running around all over the place. Hannibal! Here, kitty. Come, puss.”

  Layla walked over and placed a gentle hand on Su’ah’s shoulder. “Though I believe that particular cat no longer values his independence, I’m not sure he will return.”

  Su’ah snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous. Cats always come back. You know the expression, ‘Feed a cat, own a cat.’ I’ll put out some goat milk for him. You’ll see.” She nodded as she left.

  Zoriah yanked a strand of her hair in exasperation. “We will help find the cat now.” She gestured firmly toward the dog. “I’ll deal with this situation later.”

  Rabab and Zoriah left the room, dragging the girls in reluctant tow in search of a missing gray tabby. The dog stayed behind closed doors, worrying a slipper.

  Chapter 31

  When the sun had barely begun its path across the sky the next morning, the girls raced to the Palace of the Partal where the Sufi stayed. Tahirah stood at its entrance, smiling at the sight of the hound trotting happily beside them. He waved a found stick around in delight.

  “This is a splendid stick!” He dropped it in front of them. “You know, I wouldn’t mind if you threw it.” He waited, ready to chase. While both girls were pleased with this new and cheerier Suleiman, neither wanted to throw the now drool-covered thing. Suleiman finally grinned and grabbed it again. “Still, it’s a great day and a wonderful stick.”

  He carried it high in the air, tossing his head in pleasure until he spied Tahirah. He dropped the stick. “There she is. I can’t believe it. What a thrill.” He raced full out toward her, leaping and dancing around her until, to his delight, she laughed out loud.

  “I missed you so.” He danced around in a circle
once again and ran back to get the stick. “Did you see my stick? I found it on the way here. Isn’t it a great stick?”

  Tahirah reached for the stick and, after a short playful tussle with Suleiman, threw it with a practiced arm. Suleiman bounded after it. Ara and Layla hugged Tahirah, then stepped back when Suleiman returned bearing the stick.

  Ara watched his antics with mixed emotions. “I’ve never seen Suleiman this happy.” Under the circumstances, it didn’t seem right that her stodgy tutor should be so lighthearted, even if he was magically transformed into a dog’s body.

  “It is wonderful, is it not?” Tahirah threw the stick again. “There’s a lesson to be learned from dogs. Life is fleeting. Enjoy it to its fullest.”

  Layla nodded. “That’s what the lions said.”

  Tahirah stopped. “You spoke to the lions?”

  Suleiman returned again with his stick, dropped it at Tahirah’s feet and panted. “No. I spoke to the lions. Or,”—he looked confused—“the cat did, anyway.”

  “I think we need to go into my rooms for a more private conversation.” Tahirah said, then led the way. Servants nodded politely with only a few raised eyebrows at the hound trotting happily alongside.

  A few moments later, enjoying tea and flaky sweets, they lounged on the cushions. Suleiman stood at Tahirah’s feet, catching pitched morsels of food.

  “So, how did you come to speak to the lions?” she asked.

  His ears went down, and he whined slightly. “I went to confer with them. They were disdainful of me.” He thought a bit. “Of course, I too would be disdainful of a small cat were I a grand one. Perhaps that was the real problem.”

  Tahirah hid her smile. “Perhaps, but let’s explore some other avenues. Think back. What did the lions say to you?”

  Suleiman sat down and scratched his ear before looking at her plate, his head tilted. “I told Ara and Layla already.” He glanced at Tahirah. “I would remember better if you gave me one more of those little pastries.”

  Her lips twitched as if amused but she replied in an uncompromising tone. “No blackmail, thank you very much. If you don’t choose to tell me, the girls will be happy to do so. I wanted to give you the chance to tell your story yourself.”