Page 144 of Tiger's Dream
Ana spoke to Kelsey about the fruit and then inquired where Ren was and also questioned her about the tiger at her side. I frowned, wondering why she’d ask such a question. Before I could form a thought, the black tiger facing me changed into my human form and approached the goddess. “Dear lady,” my old self said, “I am also a tiger.”
The goddess laughed as he smiled.
Why are you so amused? I asked with irritation.
His, I mean, your thoughts are open to me in a way I’ve never experienced with you.He’s…relaxed.I can see to the very depths of him.He hides nothing.It’s very different from how you are now.I find I enjoy it.
He doesn’t know any better, I groused.
Unlike you, he seems to be very happy to see me.
I’m happy to see you, I countered.
Yes, buthelikes me.
What warm-blooded man wouldn’t?
She flinched. It was the wrong thing to say. Why did I always put my foot in my mouth around Ana? I thought about it further as she stroked Fanindra.
Ana said to Kelsey, “I sense you are sad and troubled, daughter. Tell me what causes you pain.”
I glanced at Kelsey. Her eyes were red. She hadn’t been sleeping, I remembered. That she worried over Ren constantly was obvious.
Kells explained about Ren, and I could feel Ana’s swell of sympathy as Kelsey said, “But without him, finding the objects would hold no meaning for me.”
Ana paused a long moment and I wondered what was going through her mind. Finally, she leaned forward and caught one of Kelsey’s tears. She used her power to transform it into a diamond and gave it to my old self. Then she spouted some of Kadam’s rhetoric about saving India, how vital the quest was, etc., etc. She promised to protect Ren and then she froze.
What’s wrong, Ana?
I don’t…I don’t know.Someone else is here.
Who?
I’m not certain, but I can’t move.
Time stopped and Kelsey and my old self became as still as statues. The air swirled near us and then Kadam appeared. “Hello,” he said. “Is everything going well?”
I would have answered but found I couldn’t.
“Ah, yes. Sorry about that. I came to help. Can’t have you in more than one place. You needed a third person for this one.” He had the scarf with him and he used it to transform himself into the Divine Weaver. “There,” he said. “I believe I am ready. If you will fashion me a loom and a stool?” he asked. When Ana did, he took a seat, picked up the shuttle, and said, “Please continue, my dear.”
Time sped up again and Ana said, “Oh…I see. Yes…the path you take now will help you save your tiger.” She stumbled through some more words, answering Kelsey’s questions vaguely until Kells asked about the airy prize mentioned in the prophecy. Ana answered by saying, “There is someone I want you to meet.”
She pointed in Kadam’s direction and he effectively captured their attention. He always seemed to know more than we did, so we listened to him just as attentively as Kelsey and my old self did. He didn’t disappoint.
Kadam played the part well and wove on the loom as if he’d been doing it all his life. I heard the truth in his words when he answered Kelsey’s question. “The world, my young one. I weave the world.” Kadam truly did have his fingers wrapped around the threads of fate. He was the one orchestrating everything. When Kelsey touched the fabric, I realized it was the Divine Scarf she touched. I saw it rippling beneath her fingers as it responded to her touch.
When he warned Kelsey to step back and visualize the whole piece, I knew he was no longer talking to her. He’d locked eyes with me when he said, “If you focus only on the thread given to you, you lose sight of what it can become.”
I had spent a long time bemoaning my fate. Thinking that the thing I wanted had been stolen unrightfully away from me and the universe had left me with nothing. Ana touched my back, her fingers trailing lightly over my fur. Standing next to her felt right and yet I knew we still had a long way to go.
“Durga has the ability to see the piece from beginning to end,” Kadam said. “You must trust her.” His next words sunk into me, carving a place for themselves in my heart.Patience.Devotion.Understanding. If I could give those things to Ana, then perhaps we could fashion something splendid, something wonderful, together. Maybe the fabric we wove would be truly magical.Is such a thing possible?And more importantly, do I deserve such a gift?
When he was finished, Kadam winked at us, and Ana waved her hand as both he and the loom faded from sight. His voice echoed in our minds,And that advice goes for the two of you as well.
Ana looked down at me and I rubbed my head against her thigh. Her smile was soft but there was something troubled in her eyes. The niggling doubt that played at the back of my mind began circling, ripping up my hope and raining it down on me like so much confetti.
Ana rotated the weapons and presented Kelsey with the bow and arrows. My other self stepped forward, eager to receive a weapon, too, and, perhaps, the favor of the goddess. “Patience, my ebony one,” she said. And I sensed she was talking more to me than to the man standing in front of her. “Now I will choose something for you.”
