Chapter 9: The Conspirators
Down the darken alleyways of Middle Shavron walked a lonely figure dressed in a black cloak wrapped snugly around him. He paid no mind to the shady creatures that lurked down the narrow paths, whose purpose was just as filthy as the crags they dwelt in. Down the alleyways he went, turning left and right as if passing through a maze, until he stopped by a rusty metal door. He tapped, and then knocked harder when he was not answered right away. A slit in the door was opened.
"You‘re late," replied a voice from inside. "No point in having a meeting if the leader won‘t show up."
"I‘m here now," said the husky dog, annoyed from the rebuke. "Just open up."
"Can‘t."
"Why?"
"I need the password," replied the doorkeeper in a whisper.
"Whose stupid idea was that?"
"Well---it was your idea."
"Oh, yeah," said the husky dog.
He thought for a moment before saying correct word: mid-night.
The slit was closed and the door was opened. Inside waited ten creatures, all of different natures, sitting and standing around a table. The room was lit with a host of candles that were nearly used up. The ten creatures watched as the dog removed his outer cloak. His black and white fur gave him an astute appearance among his peers. He took his seat amongst them, caring little for the glances of displeasure he received. The dog‘s name was Angus. He was commonly known as a rebel among the lower class, and he had done his best to conjure up small rebellions that had little if no effect for social change. The others in the room waited for Angus to speak, but from his relaxed posture he was not inclined to talk anytime soon.
"Come on, Angus!" replied a mongoose, "We didn‘t come here for silent reflection."
"Patience," said the dog, "You must understand the value of it, for that is our best weapon for the plans I have for this country."–everyone crowded near to listen– "The upper class have for too long ruled over us with their money, snobbish attitudes, and injustice. It‘s time for a change."
"What do you speak of ?" asked another.
"Revolution, my dear friend, revolution," said Angus.
No one was really surprised by this proclamation. Challenges against the upper class were made before, but those names were quick forgotten under punishment of the whip and the gallows. Silence hung about the room until Angus jumped to his feet.
"What are you all gawking at? It‘s a good plan...it‘s the only plan!"
One from the group, a character you‘ve already met, stepped forward to challenge the husky dog. Poe, the owner of the Golden Seal inn, had joined this shady crew for no other reason to change Shavron, but his heart although sincere, was leading him into wicked schemes that he could not foresee.
"Hold on there, Angus," said Poe, "I came to stop the injustice of the aristocracy by taking lawful means– not vigilantism. I‘ve heard about other countries that went through this revolution. Many creatures are killed–– especially innocent ones. Besides all of the upper class are not evil. Some of them use to be peasants and worked hard to earn the place they hold today, you‘ve got no right to take that away from them."
"I‘ve got every right," growled Angus, " When they beat a servant to near death for making a mistake, I got a right! When they spit on us for existing, I‘ve got a right! DON‘T TELL ME WHO‘S GOT NO RIGHT!"
The rest of the group quickly sided with Angus, but Poe refused to be bullied.
"OK, let‘s say that this wicked plan of yours comes to light. What are you going to do?" A wicked grin came over the husky‘s face as if he was waiting for the question to arise. Poe needed no answer.
"Just as I thought: all you want to do is spread blood all over this land; to bring a curse upon us from God Himself. Does your lust for blood also include the young and old?"
"No, no Poe" Angus replied with a grin. "We can keep this clean if we work together, no blood, I promise, but you have to be there for us. You‘ve already come this far. It will be a revolution, and it can be a civil one."
Poe perceiving Angus to be truthful, consented.
"Good since we gotten that settle," said the mongoose, " how are we going to bring this movement to life?"
"I‘ve been thinking," said Angus, "You know that farmer, uh, what‘s his name?"
"His name?" said Poe, " Where have you been for the past weeks? His name is Kleos. News have been circulating around the land telling about his healing the sick and the words he spoke at Eldos Lake.
"He has nothing to do with our cause," replied a shaggy, old marmot.
"Actually," replied the dog slowly, "he does."
Angus‘s brain went to work, keeping his comrades on edge. Playing his game of patience once again, he nearly caused most of his companions to succumb to a fit over the wait.
"Listen to this," he said appeasing the group, "If this Kleos is winning the hearts of the Shavronites, he could be the catalysis we need. One of us, no two, will find him, mingle with the crowd if you will, and will find a way to persuade him to our side."
"Why two?" asked the marmot.
"Just in case one of starts going soft; the other will keep him in line." said Angus.
"Who‘s going to go?" said Poe.
The decision was made to draw sticks. Each pulled a stick until the two with the shortest one were known. Angus started to laugh as he looked at the little bar of wood, and he gave his companion Poe a swat on the shoulder for drawing the second. The very next day, Angus and Poe went to their appointed task. Poe met Angus at his inn; and after leaving the Golden Seal Inn in charge of a faithful employee, they began asking around about the panda‘s next appearance, but he found little to help them. Kleos was not a performer as Angus had thought, although such assumptions were widely spread in the minds of those who could not believe that a mere farmer would be the Son of the living God.
The minutes and hours went by, leaving both bewildered of the farmer‘s next move. Down the city road came a group of five citizens talking enthusiastically. Angus took the time to listen to the group as they passed by. Not only did he hear how the panda healed more sick, but that he was only a few miles away.
"Perfect." replied the dog happily, " We got the scent."
"Finally," said Poe, "Let‘s hurry."
The husky came up behind the group to make himself friendly.
"Hello there, friends, I hear you‘re headed to see the farmer."
"We sure are. It‘s amazing what he‘s been doing," replied a short, stocky raccoon.
"Yesterday they say he took a bear‘s hand, that was decrepit, and healed it completely."
"Yeah, and the day before he gave a keeper the tongue lashing of a lifetime. I‘ll tell ya this, it was good to see one of them walk away with their tails between their legs," replied an old basset hound.
"Can you take us to him, we would like to see him," replied Poe.
A jolly group of one hundred were laughing and telling jokes under a large apple tree. The laughter was so loud and frequent that it gave the impression of an unruly crowd. Angus covered his ears as he approached, but there was something that disturbed him even more than the merriment. Among the crowd was a few rich citizens, and the one who made the most merriment was Kleos himself.
Angus could not believe his eyes.
"I have never laughed so hard or long in my life," Ricco said wiping the tears away.
"Those jokes were good," Priscilla said trying to control herself, " But I got a few whoppers myself."
"Ok, let‘s hear one." said her husband Priscilla stood up, clear her throat, and said:
There once was a bear name Snead. Who cuffed a skunk on the head.
The skunk took it as vice.
And did something not so nice. Now Snead is smelly instead.
"Delightful," Kleos replied clapping and laughing at the same time.
There were many other silly sayings that brought joy to the hearts of everyone. Poe and Angus, still with a greater endeavor in mind, found themselves laughing too. The next day, both were surprised to have Kleos command them to walk with him. But Kleos that one of them, whether Poe or Angus, was a true deceiver.