From: smccoy@dw3g.ess.harris.com (Scott McCoy)
Newsgroups: alt.romance.chat
Subject: CASTLE: Tz'u gets a clue...
Keywords: castle, tzu
Date: 5 Oct 92 12:43:02 GMT
Organization: Harris Corporation Information Systems Division


Tz'u appeared on the small ridge overlooking a green, lush valley.
There was a large stream running through the valley, and a grand old
gnarly oak tree standing proudly at the water's edge.  Across the
stream, he could see a rolling meadow.

Glancing down at himself, Tz'u had to smile.  He was once again a man!
He looked at his hands, his legs, his feet.  What a relief, he
thought.  He did a few knee bends and swung is arms around, just to get
used to the feeling of being a biped again, rather than a quadraped.

With a somewhat silly grin on his face, Tz'u headed down the hill
towards the tree.

*WHOOPS*  Tz'u tripped over a rock, and still a bit uncertain of his
balance, proceeded to tumble, bum over bonnet, down to the bank of the
stream.

*oof*  *ouch*  *help*  *ouch*  *ooo*  *yikes*  *groan*  *splash*

He finally came to rest, woozy, and covered with grass and dirt, with
his feet laying in the water.  He heard a soft giggle from the tree
above him, and the sound of two delicate hands ironically applauding.

"Really, Tz'u", tittered the Goddess, "you do have a way of making an
entrance!"

Tz'u just looked at her sheepishly, and continued to shake the grass
and dirt from his hair.

"Goddess, I wanted to talk to you."

"You are concerned about the incident with the ManLion...", she
ventured, "and your quest...and the folks at the Castle?"

"Uh, yes,"  Tz'u stammered, forgetting for the moment that she was a
goddess, after all.

"Well, let's cover them quickly, as you need to get back to the
Castle...

"First, the slaver: actually, you were convenient and I needed a little
pesticide done, so...", said the Goddess.

"But what about the boy?", he asked.

"You know, Tz'u", the Goddess smiled, "there was a time when you
wouldn't have been concerned.  The boy is back with his family."

"The Lady Elaine mentioned the battle with the Evil One.  I suppose my
fein form would have been helpful in the battle?", Tz'u queried.

"Tz'u, as a ManLion or fein, you would have been a great help in the 
battle.  But, it wasn't your battle!  The gentle people of the CASTLE 
needed to defeat their own demon themselves."

"But, I could have helped!  I might have saved...", Tz'u pressed.

The Goddess just sighed again.  "Tz'u, you have a role to play.  No one
ever said it was the central role!  In any case, about your quest for
your faith, tell me what you have accomplished."

Tz'u started to answer in a bit of a daze, while it sunk in that he
wasn't the center of the fight against good and evil.

"Well, I have travelled to the centers of the three great faiths, and
have studied with some of the leaders of those faiths.  Getting around
appearing as a talking cat was difficult.  But in the end, none of
those faiths really appealed to me."

The Goddess shook her head sadly.  "Tz'u, if that's what you think your
faith is, then you are mistaken.  I sent you on a quest to find your
faith in yourself, not in some mystical supernatural rubbish.  It is
the belief in yourself and your abilities and your place in life that
you lack."

Tz'u just sat there, with his mouth open.  His eyes clouded over, as he
remembered the years of travel and toil he had endured.  And all for
the wrong goal!

The Goddess sighed softly.  "Tz'u, go back to the Castle.  Find the
Feral Knight.  Talk to him.  Rest at the Castle.  They are good people,
and they can help you.  But only if you want to be helped, and you are
open and honest with them."

"um...uh...huh", Tz'u just sputtered.  His world view had just been
seriously revised!

"Oh, and Tz'u...there are easier ways to make an entrance!"

Tz'u gently vanished from beneath the tree.

		--0--

A brilliant golden light rose up once more to surround the Feral Knight
and when it had faded, the Castle of Romance bulked against the starry
sky before him. He had come home!

The Goddess's voice came to him faintly.  "Jame, take care of this
one!"

Before he could reply, a Cat appeared before him, about two feet off
the ground.  With a small poping noise, the Cat began to fall.  The
Feral Knight reached out and caught the Cat, who looked a little
dazed.  The Cat was a Persian, with grey/silver fur, like the sheen of
a well used sword or armour.  He had the strangest green/grey eyes --
eyes that appeared wise and kind, but reflected a deep echoing
sadness.

The Cat shook his head, and looked up at the Feral Knight.

"You know, there are easier ways to make an entrance", the Feral Knight
chuckled.

The Cat slipped from his arms, and turned back to face him.

"er..um...*cough*..uh", said the Cat, still sputtering.

"Come along, my little friend, let us go the Castle. I have been away
too long, and someone is waiting for me." Feral said.

Tz'u, a faraway stare still upon his face, followed the Feral
Knight as he strode off towards the Castle.

Shortly, the strange pair reached the Castle gate.
Newsgroups: alt.romance.chat