Ra the Mighty: The Crocodile Caper

Let me set the record straight. In case you're like Kia and you have some funny ideas about felines, cats don't wear clothes. Okay, okay, they wear a little jewelry sometimes. I admit, I'm quite attached to the bead necklace Pharaoh gave me when I was a kitten. But clothes? Never, ever! Try telling that to Kia, though. Rah, baby, how about we put on your headscarf first? Headscarf? You're going to look so cute with your ears tucked under it, Kia chortled. Did you hear that? I yowled to Kepri and Mew. Get me out of here! I squirmed and clawed at the linen. Rah, be careful, Mew warned me. You don't want to hurt her. Remember, you're one of Bastet's own, sworn to protect children, especially the children of your very own family. With her torn ear and grizzled coat, Mew looks like a tough customer, but her heart's as soft as they come. And she was right. I'm one of Bastet's own. All cats are, but me more than most, since I'm one of the great cat goddess's direct descendants. Still, it took me a moment to remember my royal duty and retract my claws. Silly Rah, baby, Kia smooched me. Now let's put on your veil. No claws, I told myself. No claws, no teeth. No claws, no teeth. Kia! A voice boomed, a voice that made me pull my claws in as far as they could go, a voice that made Kia jump. I twisted my head back and there he was, standing on the deck. The ruler of rulers, the lord of the two lands, the high priest of every temple, also known as Pharaoh, Kia's father. He was my human, and the moment I saw him, I knew something was wrong. Chapter 2 Rah, Baby Kia, what are you doing to poor Rah? Pharaoh demanded. I'm dressing him up, daddy. Kia held me so her father could see. Well, I don't think he likes it, Kia. Sure he does, daddy. He's my Rah, baby. I twisted in her hands and bolted down the deck, leaving the headscarf behind. She gathered the linens and started to stalk me. Here, Rah, baby. Come and play. No way. I leaped onto the roof of Pharaoh's royal cabin. Leave Rah alone, Kia, and come here. I have news for you. Pharaoh motioned to a tall boy behind him. And for daddy, too. Maybe you've heard of Ramses Deremos, Pharaoh's oldest son and heir? We call him Daddy, and he's the great son, the crown prince. Not that he looked too princely that morning. He was just a twelve-year-old boy with long, skinny legs and a thoughtful expression in his eyes. Still, I was fond of him. He had a real talent for mischief, like his sister. But fortunately, he had a smidgen more sense. For one thing, he had never tried to dress me up. Kia skipped over to Pharaoh. What is it, daddy? I have to stay here in Thebes for a few more days, Pharaoh said. Something has come up. Daddy, no, Kia cried. Daddy looked disappointed, but not as disappointed as I was. What about my oxtail? Never mind, Pharaoh told his children. There's no reason why you two shouldn't sail today. The festival is over, and your royal mother will be longing to see you. Well, that would put plenty of distance between me and Kia. I stifled a yowl of delight. Pharaoh added gravely. Besides, Thebes isn't the best place for you to be right now, under the circumstances. I couldn't agree more. Thebes was definitely not a good place for Kia to be. Not while I was in it anyway. What circumstances, daddy asked. What's going on? Nothing for you to worry about, Pharaoh said. The point is that you will set out today. Lady Satea has invited you to spend the night at her palace on the Nile. Lady Satea? Daddy wrinkled his nose. I wrinkled my nose too. Despite her beauty, Lady Satea isn't the kind of person who warms anyone's heart, including mine. I don't think she even warms Pharaoh's heart.