Prince of Cats by Susan A. Bliler

weeded the garden.  She stood at his approach and he smiled at her as h e made to grab her arm.  His hand was swiftly grabbed by a fellow Cat that appeared from behind Neomee.  The fellow Cat whispered in the smiling Cat’s ear and the handsome Cat’s smile faded as he turned and walked away from Neomee without so much as backward glance.  She hadn’t been offended.   Her goal was to blend in the best she could until the Honoring of Osiris festivities when she would make her great escape. 
    She’d b een squirreling away fruits, vegetables , and nuts for week s.  Most slaves that attempted escape died from dehydration half way across the desert or were caught as they attempted to steal food from the local merchants.  Neomee knew that if she had plenty of food and water the n her chances of escaping the village and surviving her trek to the next village were exponential.  
    She hadn’t slept the night before and woke with a sour stomach.  Her nerves were fraught with tension as she thought of her escape. 
    Amon, please let all go as planned. 
    Lost in her thoughts, Neomee sat back on her heels and looked up from her tilling, dropping her stone spade to wipe the sweat from her brow.  Her eyes locked on Bray. 
    He was standing on the garden wall watching her.  Over the past few days she’d often caught him there, staring down at her intently. 
    Neomee quickly dropped her head and got back to work .  The last thing she needed today was to get caught up in some foray with the Prince of Cats.  She could feel his eyes upon her as she worked.   She prayed that her change of attitude from defiant slave to an obedient one had gone unnoticed. 
    If he has noticed, w ith any luck , he’ll think it is his fault.  He’ll think that he broke me that day in the slave’s quarters .  Just as well, it must have been his goal.  Now he has no reason to torment me.  
    Neomee was distracted from her thoughts by the sound of rapid ly approaching footsteps.  Sticking to her role as a “good slave”, she forced herself to keep her eyes on the ground. 
    She was grabbed by her arms and hauled up from her work as Bray angrily bit out , “ What is happening?”
    “Master, I know not of what you speak.” Neomee fought to keep her eyes down.
    “Don’t lie to me, lily , ” Bray barked, “I can smell it, sense it, I can see it.  You look like you haven’t slept in days.  Something’s wrong and I demand to know what it is.”
    Neomee refused to raise her eyes , “Master, I have had a change of heart is all .  I am trying my best to perform my duties obediently .   It has taken some adjustment.  Please forgive me if I have upset you in any manner .”
    Bray leaned down as he pulled her to him and growled in her ear, “I don’t buy it for a second.  You reek of fear and it’s not of me or of the new Slave Master .  You’re up to something.” 
    Bray growled deeply as Neomee shook her head withou t looking up.   “Look at me damn it!”
    Neomee looked up.
    “I don’t know what you’re up to, but I am watching you.”
    No, no, no, this can no t be happening.  Not today!   “Master please,” Neomee pleaded, “What can I do to convince you that I have learned my place?  Name it and it shall be done. ”
    Bray put his lips to her ear and whispered, “Yes, it shall!”  He released her abruptly and walked away.
    Amon, what does that mean?  Why?  Why today?  I’ve got to fix this!
    “Master!”  Neomee yelled at Bray’s r etreating back.  She heard audible gasp s from the other slaves in the garden.  So much for playing the part of the “good slave.”  
    With her eyes down, Neomee quickly approached Bray who had turned at her call.   “Master, please!  I assure you I have done nothing wrong. ”  Come on Neomee, play the part.  Conjuring up tears, she continued, “Master I cannot have more attention brou ght to me.  The new Slave Master does not hate me as the last one did,