Page 50 of Tiger's Tale
“As for me, I don’t care much about the morality of such things. In my experience, I judge most everything and everyone evil until they prove themselves otherwise. Trusting others is not easy for me. But I will do anything to help them. And if that means leaning on the two of you,” he concluded, glancing at the priest and Danik, “then I’ll suffer it. For their sakes.”
Zakhar said nothing for a beat, and then he stepped forward. To Nik’s surprise, he put a hand on his shoulder, offering him an understanding smile. “Someday, my new friend, you are welcome to share the history that led you to become the man you are today. I am more than happy to hear the tale. If you wish to invoke the seal of the confessional, you may. I am always at your disposal.”
Taking a step back, he straightened his cassock and bowed deeply. “My royal tsarevnas... no...tsarinas. I am deeply honored to welcome you to our humble cathedral and will endeavor to make your stay here as comfortable as possible. In addition, I will devote every mental faculty at my command to the resolution of your extremely interesting dilemma. Please grant me forgiveness for my awkward and most embarrassing display.”
He straightened abruptly. “You must be famished! Danik! You should have said something,” he hissed testily, punching his friend in the arm as he quickly exited the stall. “I’ll be right back. I just need to raid the larder.”
They heard his footsteps running to the barn door and then the sounds of him heaving it open. A moment later he returned. “Er... how do they feel about the preparation of the food? Should the meat be well done or partially cooked?”
Danik snorted. “Tigers usually prefer it raw.”
“Right, right.”
He ran off again, and Danik called out, “I just fed them rats and mice, so don’t overthink it. Just bring them somethingbig.”
“Yes, of course,” Zakhar said as he pulled the barn door closed.
“And don’t forget to keep this to yourself!” Nik added.
True to his word, Zakhar brought them a huge roast for dinner that evening. It was cooked rare.
* * *
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, the storm didn’t blow over for many days. Though Zakhar kept them fed, he wouldn’t be able to hide how much meat had gone missing from the kitchen stores for long. Danik promised he’d hunt some big game as soon as he was able to, after the weather broke.
Zakhar appeared one night, when they’d been there about a week, very eager to share a discovery he’d made.
“So what is it you want us to do, exactly?” Danik asked.
“It’s as I said. I have taken vows not to touch the sacred texts or enter our school of study after hours, but you have not.”
“But don’t you consider yourself breaking vows by having us do it for you?” Nik asked.
Zakhar paused and thought about it for a moment. “Perhaps this is why you are here. God’s laws should not be broken, this is true. But not all laws are God’s, though there are many who would make the unlearned believe otherwise. It is for this reason I decided to study the doctrines of the church. Don’t misunderstand me—I have a deep and abiding faith. But I have seen those in high positions abuse others and take monies, offering forgiveness to those who have no intention to change or display any feelings of penitence. I study because I wish to follow the Lord and His law, not necessarily laws instituted by men, especially those I deem unjust.
“Still, our bishop is a good man. And I honor my word. Yet I know the texts. Christ was able to save the woman taken in adultery while not breaking a law technically. He also paid a tax with a coin from a fish’s mouth. In this case, I feel I am not strictly breaking a law I have promised to obey, and yet I am still helping those who need my help. This is a charity and a kindness, is it not? I feel in my heart it is the right thing to do.”
“I like the way you think,” Nik said. “So what are we looking for?”
“I asked our bishop if he knew of any texts related to tigers. My expectation was that he would say no. However, when he took a day to consider it, he recalled one. It was not contained in a book, but it was an ancient scroll kept in a golden box. Not even he had ever read it, as it has always been handed down and kept secret. He has sworn to protect it and never to open it. The vault it’s contained in must be opened with a key he keeps on his person or on his bedside.”
“I can do it,” Nik said quickly. “With the boots, he won’t even see me.”
“But how will you know where to find the box?” Zakhar asked.
“Simple,” Nik said. “Draw me a map.”
17
A STORY IS SOON TOLD, BUT A DIFFICULT WORK IS NOT SO SOON COMPLETED
It didn’t take Zakhar long to return with a pot of ink, paper, and a blotter. Working by lantern light, he quickly sketched out a very detailed drawing of the cathedral. Both Nikolai and Danik were amazed at the precision and neatness of his work. When they commented on it, he said, “This is much of what we do for our studies. We copy old texts, translate books from one language to another, and occasionally add our own artistic flourishes. I’ve been able to commit many passages of scripture to memory through duplicating pages over and over again.”
Nik pointed to the outline of the cathedral. “This looks like...”
“A cross?” Zakhar suggested. “Yes. It is meant to look that way. This is a double cruciform or two-piered cathedral. It is a symbol of Christ. When you enter the doors, the mind should be drawn to holy things.” Zakhar paused for a moment, then straightened. “There is much symbolism found within the church and the ornate rituals therein. I confess I delight in the exploration and study of such things, but unlike most of my brethren, I also find signs of our Lord in the more natural and simple things of the earth, such as the birds that sing in the morning outside my window or the flowers that bloom in the springtime.”
“For me, God is in music,” Danik said, clapping his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “When I want to feel close to God, I just imagine I am singing with His angels. Perhaps that isn’t good enough for some, but I’ve found it is enough for me.”
