Chapter Text
Shamura startled awake, their head immediately in pain from the mere movement of sitting up. They had dreamed of crowns, power, and betrayal, but now that they were awake they found their memories were fuzzy. Their head throbbing as they tried to remember anything.
The last thing they could recall was camping somewhere in Silk Cradle with their siblings. They had just celebrated Narinder’s tenth year when they had to flee their settlement due to a conflict between the old gods. Kallamar had heard rumors of a settlement untouched by gods and safe from their violent disputes. A place their family could be safe. Did they manage to make it there?
They wanted to rush to find their siblings, but such action could be dangerous. They needed to assess the situation and themself first. They paused, taking a deep calming breath. First they simply had to look for clues.
They were dressed in pajamas that fit them. They were a healthy weight, their claws neatly trimmed, their fur was clean and only disheveled from sleep, and the only injury they could detect was their bandaged head.They did not appear to be monitored by anyone, or physically restrained. It was unlikely they were a prisoner or intended to sacrifice. Had they been injured by heretics and brought to a safe haven?
The hut was decently sized, containing a bed, desk and chair, a dining table with six chairs, and a small kitchen area with a couple cabinets, sink, and a stove burner. There were small personal touches around the house such as weaving supplies, some books on the desk, a cloak hanging by the door, various trinkets around the house, some intricate weavings on the wall, and some artwork that appears to have been made by children hung on the wall. The house clearly belonged to someone.
They stood up and looked closer at the artwork. Most were pictures of trees, huts, flowers or animals. A few were indistinguishable squiggles. However, the last one caused them to pause. It was of a purple spider and a black kitten with three red eyes having tea.
They did not recall Narinder drawing such a picture. He had recently lost his last milk tooth and declared he was “too old” for such things. He had even refused to eat his birthday cake until Kallamar pointed out that Shamura had traded a weaving for it.
Shamura let out an amused huff while thinking of the kitten. He had always been so eager to grow up. He wanted to learn how to read and write only using the books Shamura read. He desired to use a sword before he even had the strength to lift it. At every village he would seek out a job even if Shamura told him it was unnecessary. But despite his claims to the contrary, Shamura saw how much he enjoyed playing games with his younger siblings, sneaking snacks, and cuddling next to the campfire with Shamura.
They took the cloak and decided to venture outside. From what they could determine, it appeared they were injured in a fight and were placed here to recuperate. Whoever saved them intended for them to stay for a while, possibly intending Shamura weave to earn their keep. Their injury was likely severe for Narinder to draw such a picture for them. Hopefully their family would be placed in other huts nearby.
–
The first thing they noticed when they exited their hut was how green the trees, bushes, and grass were. Was it already spring? Last they knew, it had been towards the end of Winter. Had they been unconscious for weeks? Before they could ponder further, they saw what they had hoped for. Off slightly in the distance was a young black cat with three red eyes.
“Narinder!” Shamura cried out while rushing towards the cat, “Narinder! You're safe!”
The cat looked at Shamura in confusion before realization crossed his face. He smiled softly, “Good morning, Shamura. Are you feeling well today?”
“I'll be fine now.” replied the spider, “I'm glad to see you're safe. What of the others? My memory has failed me. I can't recall how we came here.”
The cat held out his paw, “Come with me, and everything will be explained.”
Shamura grasped the paw with their claw and started to walk with the cat towards the temple. They let out a light chuckle, “My wound must have been severe for you to offer to hold paws. You have not done so since you demanded I stop referring to you as a kitten.”
The other let out a small laugh, but only pulled away when they reached the temple doors. The doors opened to reveal a marvelous temple, but Shamura didn't notice any of it. Their attention was solely on the tall black cat standing near the podium. The cat's three red eyes only briefly looked at Shamura before settling on the smaller cat, one of his eyebrows raising in a silent question.
“Shamura mistook me for you. I thought it best to bring them here.” The smaller cat replied.
“You did well.” The larger cat stated before looking back at Shamura, “Shamura, how are you feeling?”
Shamura looked between the two nearly identical cats, their eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “I … do not understand. Y-you are Narinder?”
Narinder smiled, “Yes. This is Crocell, my firstborn.”
Shamura’s eyes widened, two of their claws fidgeting together. How much time had passed? Last they could remember Narinder was but a kitten himself. Now they're being told he is a father. They had so many questions swirling through their head, and knew not where to start. They startled when they felt a hand on their back. They looked over to see Crocell smiling at them gently, as he tried to soothe them.
Narinder waited patiently as Shamura calmed down before continuing, “Much has happened. Come and I will explain everything.” His left ear twitched for a moment as a bemused expression came over his face, “But first… Danta, come out.”
A small white cat pounced down from the rafters towards Narinder. He caught the culprit in his arms with the ease of a parent used to handling unruly children. The child appeared young, only 4 or 5, and had short white fur with two ruby red eyes. Narinder let out a small huff before shifting the child to straddle his hip with only one arm being needed to support them. With his free hand he reached up to pet the child’s ear as he lightly chided them, “You've been told not to climb in the rafters.”
The child sent him a beaming, unabashed smile before lurching up to rub their cheek against his, their arms hugging his neck. Narinder rubbed his cheek against the child's for a few moments before pulling back and setting the child on their feet. The child giggled for a moment before running over to hug Shamura’s leg with another large smile, “Mura!!”
Narinder let out a sigh, a hand rubbing his temple, “That is Danta. Another one of my children.” He looked at Crocell, “Take your sibling to the creche before attending your lessons.”
Danta released Shamura and threw a pouting look back at their father. Crocell took their hand and pulled them towards the temple door. Danta stopped at the entrance and turned back, energetically waving, “Bye Mura! Bye Papa! I love you!”
Crocell shyly added, “... love you, dad.”
Narinder smiled at his children, “And I, you.”
Once the children had left, Narinder directed Shamura to a pew. It took Shamura a moment to follow Narinder, their mind still trying to process everything. Once they were both seated, Narinder took a breath before starting, “I am aware you must be overwhelmed. Your memory occasionally fails you as a result of your injury. What is the last thing you remember?”
“We were in Silk Cradle just after your tenth year. How much time has passed?” Shamura asked.
“Eons.” Narinder answered before continuing, “You found a crown in your web shortly after that. You became a god. We all did.. but we are no longer.”
Shamura touched their head at the revelation, “How I was injured?”
“There was a dispute. I…” Narinder swallowed deeply, his eyes closing in shame as his paws tightening into fists. Shamura’s memory rarely failed them since the Lamb cleansed their relic. Still, it had not grown easier for Narinder to confess he had caused the injury that still plagued Shamura. Every time it felt like the guilt would eat him alive. Suddenly, he felt a claw rest on one of his paws, gently squeezing it.
He opened his eyes to see Shamura gently smiling at him. They glanced down at the scars around Narinder’s wrists. It was clear something traumatic had happened to their family. They did not wish to make him relive it. Narinder opened his mouth to speak only for Shamura to put a claw to his mouth, signaling him to remain quiet as they asked “Are the others here, as well?”
At Narinder’s nod he continued, “And we are safe? Happy?” Narinder nodded twice more before Shamura pulled their claw back. “Then the details of the past matter not. Tell me of our lives now.”
For the next few hours Narinder told Shamura of their family - Leshy’s improvement to the fields and marriage, Heket ruling the kitchen with an iron fist but being more lenient on one particular sous chef, and Kallamar creating a new medicine and his drama filled harem. He told them of Shamura's life reading in the library, weaving as the pleased, and telling stories to the children of the cult.
He spoke of how the cult was safe from danger, how food was plentiful, and how little hardship remained. Finally he spoke of his own life - His work as a high priest, his marriage to the last god, his adopted twins exploring the world together, Crocell showing remarkable intelligence and magical talent, Danta getting into mischief with her Uncle Leshy, and how his youngest was recently born.
The temple doors opened as he was finishing up. The Lamb walked inside, a baby sleeping in their arms. They slowly made their way over to the pair. Narinder stood up, placing a soft kiss on the Lamb's temple with a soft “My Lamb.”
The Lamb smiled, placing one hand on the back of his neck to pull him lower before kissing his cheek in return. The Lamb then turned to Shamura and silently offered for them to hold the baby. Shamura took the child on their arms, lightly stroking the child’s cheek and soft white curly fur with a single claw.
For so long they had wished for nothing more than their family being safe and happy. To no longer have to flee from violent, temperamental gods. To never worry if they could provide for their family. It was clear their family had suffered, but their family was still together, living each day peacefully with each having something in their lives that brought them joy. As Shamura looked at the sleeping infant in their arms, they knew their wish had come true.