Three Wise Cats Read Free Page B

front paws. The human cursed and pulled at some ropes the creature had tied to its fur, while the thing it dragged tilted and nearly fell. Frightened, Ira lost his wits for a moment and cowered as the huge beast staggered closer and closer to him. Abishag began scrambling back down the tree.
    Kezia ran out from the burrow just in time to see the huge creature standing and trembling with all four paws back on the road’s surface—and Ira lying in the dirt. With a cry, she ran to the black cat’s body. Abishag joined her and they began calling their foster brother’s name, frantically pawing at him and licking his face.
    â€œWhat kind of a warhorse are you, you fool?” Lavines Gracus shouted at the creature. “The gods would not have you for a pack animal! You enter battles bravely enough and yet nearly kill me because of an outsized mouse!” He called to his servant, Citus, who had scrambled from the chariot when it first began to sway. “Take the reins!”
    He stepped down from the chariot and took off his helmet, running a hand through the thick hair beneath it. He glanced at his centuria , his company of soldiers who had halted, still in formation, when they saw their commander’s horse panic.
    Kezia and Abishag were too worried to notice anything going on around them, still trying to determine if Ira lived.
    Ira finally roused himself, protesting, “Stop it, girls, you’re going to lick off my eyebrows.” Then he moaned softly. “Ow, that hurts. I feel sick . . .”
    â€œWhat’s wrong? Where are you hurt?” Abishag stopped licking his face and stepped back to get a good look at him. His left front leg was at an odd angle.
    Just then, the Roman centurion turned and saw the three cats beside the road. His face paled.
    â€œBy Mars’s shield,” he said breathlessly. “My dream—it must be an omen from the gods.” He pointed to the group of cats with one hand and motioned his servant over with the other. “I dreamed about these three just last night. Two black cats and one striped tabby.” He frowned. “But none of them were injured. I hope I have not offended any of the gods, so that they take their favor from me.”

    Gracus approached the cats quietly, speaking in a soft voice. “All is well, little ones. I dreamed about you; you were meant to be on this road today. And I hope I may assist you so that the gods will look favorably upon me.”
    Kezia and Abishag eyed each other. “Should we run?” Abishag asked.
    â€œRun in different directions,” Ira advised. “That way he can’t catch both of you. And I’ll bite him if he comes near me, so you may then escape.” And he laid his head back on his right paw; his other front leg hurt too badly even to share the weight of his small head.

    The centurion dropped to one knee, looking at Ira. “My horse has broken this small one’s leg,” he observed, noting the hoofprints in the dirt. “If the ground had not been soft, the limb surely would have been severed. And yet he bears the pain without complaint. He must be a small soldier himself.”
    At that compliment, Ira’s eyes opened and he tried to purr. Gracus heard him. “He answers me! Bring my shield!” he called to Citus.
    Carefully the two men picked up the small black cat, using the shield as a stretcher. “Pitch the tents beside the road,” the centurion commanded. “We camp here tonight. Lepcis Magna and our garrison must wait until this small one has had his injuries tended.” He turned toward the two other cats, who were fidgeting nervously as they saw their foster brother about to be taken away. “Come, you must stay together as I dreamed of you,” he told them gently. “I will bind your brother’s wounds and care for him in a manner befitting a soldier. And you two shall also come with us.”
    He set Ira’s