Chapter 3: A Discovery Made
The next morning, Yohan was in a hurry to continue his summer trade. He rushed out of the house, not before receiving some advice from his father and hugs and kisses from his mother, towards the letter house. The letter house was busy and unruly as usual. Tigers and a few other cats ran to and fro, grabbing letters and packages without any thought.
Once he arrived he checked in with the boss. He was an old tiger named Boegal, but he was fully energetic: for whenever he received a bad report about one of his messengers, he would promptly cuff them with his cane. Yohan, although new at the trade, avoided the old tiger‘s discipline. Boegal was glad to see the young cat. Deep down he regarded the new employee as if he was his son. A big smile came over his face as Yohan entered the office.
"Yohan come in, come in. How are you today?" said Boegal.
"Fine, sir."
The old tiger propped himself up with his cane and walked over to Yohan.
"A young cat with so much potential. I wish all my messengers were as diligent as you. It‘s a shame you are only with me for the summer months. Ah, but I digress. I have a very important assignment for you. It seems that I have received a letter that is address to the king‘s palace. Have you ever been there?"
"No, sir." said Yohan.
"Good. Then this will be a treat for you. I have only been once myself. The king is quite particular of who knocks on his doorstep if you understand me."
"So I‘ll be able to meet the king himself," Yohan said, overjoyed by the thought of it.
"Uh no. But the letter is address to his chief scribe, and going to the palace is good enough."
"Great! I‘ll go get Maligo and --"
"Maligo will not be going with you," Boegal said cutting Yohan off. "Why?"
"I have been getting complaints about hiring a Shavronite, too many complaints. I had to fire the young kangaroo. I sent him home, now--"
"What! Maligo didn't do anything wrong."
"You're young, you don't understand the way things are yet," said Boegal. " When you are older your way of life as a Tajirian will be evident. No more arguing, Yohan," he said hitting his cane on the floor with a sharp blow.
Yohan gathered his emotions and stood quiet.
"It is very important that you mind your manners in the palace of our great and mighty monarch. If you happen to cross him on your way, do you know what to do?"
"Yes, sir. My parents told me to fall prostrate until he passes out of sight." said Yohan.
"Good, your parents have done you justice. Now off you go."
Yohan left the letter house distraught over Maligo's termination. He did not believe he would ever understand the way things were, but maybe Boegal was right. After removing any bad thoughts of the tigers, he continued to the palace to deliver the letter. The young kitten, enjoying the sunny day, had a whistle for his tune and a spring in his step. He had heard of the king many times from other tigers. They spoke of him as a great warrior, a noble leader, or the Czar of the jungle lands. Yohan was hoping to meet him, if only to get a glimpse of this great tiger. The palace was about ten miles away from his hometown. To lessen his burden he received a few rides from tigers that were headed in his direction. At the palace gates he was met by a line of armed guards. They were clad with silver helmets and golden-plated armor. Each carried a lance by his side. None of the tigers addressed Yohan when he tried to talk to them.
"Well if none of you are going to talk I‘ll just show myself in," the kitten said walking over to the gate.
One of the soldiers jumped in front of him and pointed the lance at him.
"What business do you have here?" said the guard.
"I'm here to deliver this letter," Yohan said pushing the spear slowly away, "It‘s for the King's chief scribe."
The tiger took the letter, looked at it, and gave it back to Yohan. "Follow me."
The guard escorted the cat up a long marble stair case. Along the sides of the stairs sat orange trees that held the finest oranges in the land; the smell of the orchard's fruit filled his nostrils, tempting him to grab one of them to taste the sweet juice inside. At the top the tiger opened a large golden door. Inside, Yohan was taken into the most beautiful building he had ever seen. To begin with, the floor itself was made of marble; the walls were made of stone, but the motifs of tiger soldiers and weaponry gave the walls balance with its cold, strong appearance. The ceiling was painted with colorful frescos, depicting romantic scenes of chivalry. Yohan was in awe. He circled the grand hall as he gazed at every vibrant image, but his admiration was soon interrupted.
"You are not here to lollygag," said the guard. " Keep up!"
The guard took Yohan through another hall, up a staircase, and into a corridor. There were so many twists and turns that he wasn't sure if he would ever get out. Finally, the guard stopped and tapped on a door. There was no answer. He tapped on the door once more, and then a growl came from inside.
"What do you want?" said the voice behind the door. " I am in the middle of my studies. Do not disturb me! Leave me alone!"
"But sir there is someone here with a letter--" replied the guard. "LETTER!" came the excitedly.
"Yes sir. The young cat says it is for you."
"For me! Well send him in."
"Once you are done I will take you back," the guard said pushing the door open.
Inside the room was filled with pillars of books and paper stacked nearly to the ceiling. Yohan could hear someone mumbling, scratching, and writing vigorously. He made his away around one stacks of books; and, sitting at a desk, was a skinny tiger. He was flipping through a large book while he scribbled notes in another. The tiger paid no attention to the cat. Yohan tapped on the desk to get the tiger's attention; he received no response. He tried again with the same results. Finally he spoke up.
"Ex--excuse me sir."
"WHAT," the tiger growled, baring his teeth.
Yohan was speechless; but upon seeing the letter that the cat carried under his arm, the tiger removed his savage look and closed his book.
"Sorry, young cat. Sometimes my studies preoccupy me," said the tiger pardoning himself. " My name is Vladimir. And who are you?"
Yohan gave his name.
"Well Yohan what do you have for me. Oh a letter! Let me have it."
Yohan gave the tiger the letter. He quickly tore away the envelope and read the doctrine. His eyes traveled along the page with fervor. Vladimir started laughing.
"THIS IS IT, THIS IS IT! My studies are nearly complete." said Vladimir shaking the letter with elation.
Yohan had no idea what he was talking about. All he wanted was to get paid for his work.
He asked for six silver coins, but the tiger was already busy with writing and scribbling in his book once again. Yohan thought that if he started conversation with the tiger he may be able to get paid in the process.
"Sir, what are you studying anyway?"
"The mind, dreams to be exact."
"Hey I‘ve had a strange dream last night that is clear as the day in my mind." said the Yohan.
Vladimir‘s ears perked with excitement. The tiger was a connoisseur of the mind and he was always took interest in the dreams of others. He turned his book to an empty page and asked to hear the dream.
"I'll tell you for six silver coins." the kitten said smiling.
"You clever little cat," Vladimir said giving Yohan the coins, "Now tell me your dream"
"Well, it‘s a map. I see a trail on the map across Tajir into a region that is unmapped. I also see scenery that may be apart of the map. It's really eerie. Also in my dream, I saw a horn that you could play---a silver horn. It‘s like a rams horn decorated with five holes for the finger‘s. The end of the horn is fashioned in the likeness of a wild cat--sort of lie a cougar. And the funny thing is I know which way to go to get it. Do you know what it means?"
The tiger was writing vigorously. At certain times he would look up and think as if he knew of something in Yohan‘s words, but when he was finished he simply said,
"Your dream is probably a deep desire for you to seek success in your life nothing more."
"Oh, well I guess I‘ll be going."
"Bye, bye now," said the tiger.
When Yohan left, Vladimir continued to ponder over the little cat‘s words. The tiger left his room and made his way through the palace. Through one of the doors in the corridor, he entered into a dark stairwell. The stairwell ended in a room full of books and annals of Tajirian history. There were two other tigers reading over old scrolls. They stood up as Vladimir became present. Vladimir paid no attention to them. He went up and down the many isles looking for a particular history book. Once he found it he sat down and careful flipped through the pages. The book was about Shavron‘s history. Vladimir flipped through the pages until he got to the place where Gabriel was made the first king of Shavron. The silver horn, which was placed in the hand of the statue of Gabriel, was mention and that took Vladimir to another book, which he read voraciously. As his eye scanned through the pages a cruel yet tantalizing grin appeared on his face.
He closed the book and returned to the first floor of the palace. He came across one guard that was sleeping on the job. Vladimir stomped on the tiger's tail. The guard, after yelling, returned to his position of attention.
"Where is the king, lazy bones?"
"He is the royal garden, sir." said the guard.
In the garden walked a large, white tiger. He looked as if he was contemplating future military strategies or new ways to rule over the kingdom; but no one truly knew the thoughts of the king, and he was very cautious in whom he confided in. The tiger wore a dark blue jacket threaded with gold. On his arms he wore golden arm braces and on is tail he wore a golden tail ring to show his royal status. He was a potent tiger; there was no other tiger that could match his stature or strength. His name was Aznar and he was the sixth king of Tajir. The tiger paused for a moment, standing still as stone among a bed of roses. Vladimir approached the tiger carefully, trying not to make a sound, but he didn‘t do a very good job. The tiger addressed him to Vladimir's surprise.
"Why are you disturbing me, Vladimir?"
Vladimir chose his words carefully. He knew that the king hated being disturbed during his time in the royal garden; another scribe did the same and was never heard from again. He spoke very softly and prudently.
"My great king, may you live forever, I have news that cannot wait."
Aznar turned around slowly. The look on his face made Vladimir cower inside.
"It better be good. I hate when my thought pattern is disturbed and right now you‘re on my bad side."
Vladimir cleared his throat.
"O king, I have discovered something about the Shavronite history that would be a great asset to the our land. Under my studies, of many days you see, I have come across mystical treasure and it is quite extraordinary if I say so myself and –"
"Get to the point!" shouted Aznar.
A chill went throughout Vladimir's entire body, he nearly dropped the journal.
"In short, there is a treasure known as the silver horn. History says that it can open a different world than our and in that world the Unicorn---Dranus dwells there. With the power of the dragon---"
Aznar stomped up to Vladimir, who quickly shut his mouth. Aznar began to circle him as if he was about to strike his prey. Vladimir clutched the old journal awaiting the king‘s words.
"I know about that the world of night from school teachers---and you telling me that horn actually exist? When my forefathers conquered the Shavronites, they made sure not to leave anything of value behind. Therefore with those facts established, I came to two conclusions: the silver horn is a myth, or the Shavronites have destroyed it. I have tortured many of them and none have revealed the whereabouts of it."
"But sir," he said trying not to sound offensive, "I believe there is someone who knows exactly where it is."
Aznar scratched his chin; Vladimir made a good point and Aznar wanted to capitalize on it.
" Fine," Aznar said rolling his eyes, "Bring the Shavronite to me immediately. I will torture---"
"He is not a Shavronite, sir," said Vladimir. " A young kitten, native born, knows the way or at least he says he does. He was here just a few moments ago."
"My royal scribe seems to be a royal idiot. The kitten made it up. It was a childish daydream, nothing more."
"But the kitten," Vladimir said getting over the rude comment, "said he saw a silver horn and described the features of it to the exactly!"
"If that is true, why didn't you bring the cat to me immediately?"
"Because y