Chapter 2: The Land of Tajir
Two hundred and seventy- four years passed since the mournful day against Shavron. In the land of Tajir, in a city call Bal-Malfest, a kitten dashes through the stone paved streets, carrying a package on his back. He ducks and dodges between tigers to get to his destination. He turns his head frequently to glance at his friend who is right on his heels.
"Stay close and hurry up we‘re already late." said the kitten.
Now this kitten, which seems to be distressed over his punctuality, is called Yohan. Yohan was born in the land of Tajir. His parents called him the spotted-child because although his siblings‘ fur was of one pure color, parts of his fur were dappled with black, white and brown. His red jacket flapped in the breeze as he continued to run. His friend, who was also carrying a sack on his back, is a young kangaroo named Maligo. Maligo was born in Tajir as well, but he was treated quite differently than Yohan because he wa a Shavronite. Both children were becoming winded from the athletic effort, but Yohan spotted a tiger pulling a cart full of clay jars. He signaled for Maligo to follow him. The kitten ran up to the back of the cart, being careful as not to be seen, and jumped in. He looked to see if Maligo was behind him.
"Maligo," he whispered, looking over the sides of the cart, "Maligo where are you?" The cart hit a dirt road and dust rose from its wheels, but there was no sign of his friend. Yohan continued to look over the sides of the cart like a mother who had lost her child. But little did he know that behind him Maligo climbed quietly aboard. He tipped toed over and pulled Yohan‘s tail. The kitten gave a short shriek just before he got control of himself. He grabbed the kangaroo by his cloak and they hid amongst the jars, just in time to avoid the tiger‘s glance. The tiger was unaware of the hitchhikers. He snorted and continued his trotting.
"Hey next time you want to get my attention just call me," Yohan whispered.
"Oh there‘s no point in that after seeing the look on your face," Maligo said with a giggle, "I think I‘ll be doing that more often."
"Very funny. If that tiger saw us, or should I say you, you would have been in deep trouble."
"Those tigers are a bunch of cruel misfits," said Maligo. " One day we Shavronites will revolt and kill all of them,---at least that's what my mom says. I hate how they treat us, and I hate them Yohan."
"I wish it wasn‘t so. I also wish that one day you can walk free in this land. But let‘s just keep our focus on dropping this delivery off. I feel we are already late and I don‘t know how the tiger will react when we get there."
"Probably grumpy as usual." said Maligo.
"Exactly, that‘s why I‘ll do all the talking."
The cart went on for some time, longer than the children wanted it to, until it passed close to their destination. Both children jumped out. The cart went away in a cloud of dust until it was out of sight. When the dust settled, the town in front of them was luxuriant. Most of the homes were of brick or of decorative wood. The tigers there wore fancy clothes and their attitudes were quite fancy as well. Yohan proceeded in, and Maligo followed.
The tigers paid no attention to the youngsters, although some of them gave the young kangaroo a nasty look whenever they saw him.
"Hey, do you remember the address?"
"Yup, I'm good at remembering things," said the kitten, " It should be the home up yonder. Let's hurry!"
It was not long before they reached the house. Yohan and Maligo proceeded with caution onto the porch. Yohan went forward and knocked on the door. There was great grumbling and stomping inside. Maligo was not feeling well at all. He was hoping that no one was home, but he was soon disappointed. The door swung open and an old tiger stood at the door with a drowsy look on his face. His fur was graying and a tooth stuck from out of his mouth. Yohan took two steps back to his friend.
"Hel—hello sir. Uh, we have your packages right here," he said taking the bag off his back, "That will be twelve silver coins please."
The tiger, who was already annoyed from being awakened from his sleep, was not inclined to give them anything.
"Coins?" said the tiger wiping the sleep from his eyes, " Do you know how long I've been waiting?"
"Waiting? You've been snoring you old coot," Maligo said under his breath. Suddenly the tiger caught sight of the kangaroo.
"What is this Shavronite doing on my doorstep? Scoot, before I have the authorities take you away!"
"Hey he's with me," said Yohan stepping in front of his friend. " We're both working during the summer months at the letter house. We're just trying to make a little money."
"Where are his papers? I want to make sure this Shavronite is legal," said the tiger.
Maligo was reluctant to comply. He stood strong with a crossed look on his face. The tiger's voice rose as he demanded to see the papers again.
"Come on. Just show him the paper so we can leave," said the kitten.
Maligo reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. The old tiger snatched it out of his hand and began to inspect it. Now I must explain the meaning behind the paper if you have not already figured it out. You see when the Tigers conquered the Shavronites they did everything in their power to belittle them. So laws were made to make the tigers feel that they were above them. One law permitted that every Shavronite upon his or her seventh birthday was to be branded with the king's seal on his or her hand. The papers were another law which limited the travel of a Shavronite in a single day. The tiger, after finding no mistakes on the paper, gave it back to Maligo; but just before he placed the paper in Maligo's hand, he let it drop to the ground. The young kangaroo was stiff as a plank of wood.
"You better pick it up," said the tiger with a challenging look. "That is if you want to be legal."
Maligo picked up the paper and placed it in his pocket. As he did, the tiger noticed that his hand was wrapped in a bandage. It was a custom in Tajir that every Shavronite was to be braded with the kings seal on their seventh birthday.
"Well, well looks like it's your birthday," said the tiger with a proud smirk. "Tell me how does it feel to be the king's property?"
"Please sir, can we just have the twelve coins and leave?" Yohan said trying to change the subject.
"Watch yourself little cat," said the tiger. "Although you are not a Shavronite, this is my home and I'll tell you to leave when I'm good and ready. Now," looking back at Maligo, "Tell me what do you think?"
"It--it feels good to owned by the king and to wear his mark," he said almost coming to tears.
"You wear that mark well. As you grow older we tigers will treat you well or at least how we feel that you should be treated," the tiger said with a grin.
"That will be twelve silver coins," Yohan said quickly to changing the subject again. The tiger went in, without closing the door, and returned presently with a few coins in hand.
"Here are six coins for you young cat---and two for the Shavronite."
"Hey we get paid twelve coins with every delivery made," Yohan objected, " six for me and six for him!"
"Come now. This Shavronite would probably waste the other four on candy and foolish things. He wouldn't use it for better things like you and I. Isn't that right, young cat?" he said with a wink of his eye.
Yohan said nothing.
"Isn't that right?" the tiger repeated more sternly.
"Yes, sir," he said cringing from having to utter the words.
"Now hurry along and enjoy your day. And young cat, don't get to friendly with this Shavronite. They are conquered creatures. We are a step above them, keep that in mind."
"Yes sir. Come on, Maligo."
Later that day, they went to a lake where many of the inhabitants went for rest and relaxation. Today the lake was empty, which was a comfort to Maligo. Yohan went to skip a few pebbles. He noticed that his friend was sitting along the bank a few feet away.
"Don‘t let that tiger get you down. Things will get better." said Yohan.
"Yeah, when? In five years? How about in fifty years?"
Yohan took the eight silver coins out of his pocket. He divided the sum up evenly and handed Maligo his share.
"Thanks. You‘re a good friend." Maligo said smiling.
"One day I‘ll be old enough to help you and all the Shavronites. I could become a senator and change the laws. Or I could start a revolution and overthrown the tigers," he said as he balled his fist and punched in the air.
"Yeah," the kangaroo said jumping up. " You and I could secretly free everyone right under the tigers‘ noses. That will show them who's the wiser."
Both began to laugh.
They were nice playful dreams, but dead ones. Both settled down again and then Maligo asked Yohan something.
“Can you pray for me?"
The kitten stood bewildered by his friend‘s proposal.
"Can‘t you do it yourself?"
"Well yeah, but the Shavronites do it to show that friends care for one another. I pray for you, can you do the same for me?"
"Yeah!" Yohan said excitedly. " We‘re best friends. Is it like what the tigers do with their nightly rituals?"
"No. It's like--well you just talk to God."
"God? The tigers teach me to bow to many gods. Which one will I be dealing with?
"The real one," said Maligo.
"So I just talk to him?"
"Yup." said Maligo.
"No dancing, shouting, or fire to make him listen to you?"
"Nope, just talk."
"I think I understand. Consider it a done deal."
"You Promise?" said Maligo.
"Cross my heart." said the kitten doing the motion across his chest.
With that promise in his heart Yohan returned home. His house was a nicely built home on the outskirts of town. Yohan's family did well for themselves. His father worked at a trading post, while his mother stayed home. Yohan was not the only child. He had two brothers and an older sister. Yohan opened the door; and before he knew it, he was tackled by his brothers.
They tumbled and wrestled on the floor, and in the process they broke one of their mother‘s vases. All wrestling came to a halt when mom came in the living room.
"Timothy, Nathan, Yohan, what did I tell you three about roughhousing in the house? Up all of you! There is nothing worse than hard-headed children! When your father gets home from work he‘ll hear of this. Now you three clean up this mess, and come to supper."
Their sister was standing to the side with a smirk on her face. Timothy, Nathan, and Yohan stuck out their tongues. Their sister rolled her eyes, sucked her teeth, and followed her mother into the kitchen. That night, just before Yohan went to bed, he remembered the promise he made. He crept out of bed and stood in the middle of his room. He was looking out of his window into the night‘s sky. It was awkward for Yohan, especially having never prayed at all. So he started slowly, but surely, and began to talk.
"Hey how‘s it going up there? It‘s Yohan, your lovable kitten from Tajir--- no that sounds stupid! Let me try again Your Great Eminence," he said in a deep voice, dropping to his knees and bowing, "I bring you my prayer, O Great One."
This wasn‘t any better and Yohan sighed in frustration
"I don‘t know how to address You," said Yohan looking upward. "Maligo used God so I guess that‘s your official title. He asked me to pray for him and I will because he‘s my best friend, I care about him. He had a hard time today, God; in fact his whole life has been that way ever since I‘ve know him. The tigers treat all of the Shavronites horribly.
Can you help Maligo? Can you help all of them? I don‘t know if you hear me, but I really hope you do."
Yohan returned to bed. As the night went on, he began to dream a strange dream of a picture, and then the picture became more fluid and looked like a map. It was so clear and crisp to Yohan, but little did he know that this dream would begin the freedom of the Shavronites.