Lili Tigre
“First Power & The Temple of Blood”
By
D. D. Stoy
Published by
FABELHAUS
Smashwords Edition
ISBN 978-0-9872169-9-1
This is a work of fiction. Characters, places and organisations mentioned in this work are the creation of the author, or if real, are utilised in a fictional context. All characters and events other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblances to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Copyright D. D. Stoy 2010
The moral Rights of the author have been asserted
First published by Fabelhaus in 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission in writing of the publisher nor be otherwise circulated in any form, binding or cover other than the one in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed upon the subsequent purchaser.
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Lili Tigre – The Legend and the Legacy
In too many places, too many children suffer.
From major cities to the wildest and most remote areas of the world, Lili Tigre champions abused and disadvantaged children everywhere – especially girls. Whatever the odds, she fights for fairer futures, dignity, equal opportunity, compassion… and hope.
She also helps protect endangered cat species around the world. It helps that she has a unique power to somehow communicate with all kinds of felines.
Join in the journey...
Forthcoming Titles
Lili Tigre – A Pussy Cat In New York
Lili Tigre – Le Chat Chocolat
Lili Tigre – Princess of Siberia
Lil Tigre – Slaves of the Samarkand
Chapter 1
Where secrets can remain secrets for hundreds of years… it was that kind of jungle, covering wave after wave of mountains lost in towering monsoonal clouds. Deep within that jungle, behind its massive stone walls, the ancient temple of Boromando held its own particular secrets.
Now with the early afternoon sun at its hottest, all was still. The Grand Ceremonial Gate in the middle of the East Wall of Boromando looked out over a clearing crowded with construction equipment, machinery and materials. Not a person to be seen or heard.
A small old car rattled into the clearing from the east, emerging from the jungle on the narrow access track. It negotiated its way through the construction equipment and squealed to a stop in front of the Grand Ceremonial Gate.
“Wow, this is truly amazing,” said one young tourist to the other, staring through the windshield while reaching for a camera.
“Awesome…” said the other, reaching to open her door while rummaging for a bag on the floor.
The car door would not open.
She looked up to see the smiling face of a monk in saffron robes. His strong arms held the door closed.
On the other side of the car another smiling monk had appeared, holding the other car door closed.
“Sorry, you not see signs?” asked the first monk. “This is dangerous construction zone – not for public.”
“You must not come here,” said the second. “You not see signs?”
“Big construction. Big danger!” resumed the first, still smiling eagerly.
“You must go back, go back. Read signs please.”
The tourists smiled back desperately. Where had these people appeared from?
“We thought the signs might be out of date; you know, old, no good?” the driver offered.
They had of course seen the signs prohibiting entry to the narrow access track that turned off from the main regional road 2 kilometres away. But curiosity had got the better of them, and so pushing their luck, they ignored them and headed west to go exploring.
“We thought the work was finished… we wanted to see… this magnificent temple,” tried the other tourist.
It was not going to work. Strong hands remained firm on the doors. No one was leaving the car. No one was taking any photographs.
“Sorry, not possible. Not today. Not for long time,” said the first monk.
“You go back, thank you,” said the second, pointing in the direction from which the tourists had arrived.
A modern looking van with dark tinted windows now appeared from the access track and drove towards the temple, stopping some 25 metres away. An electric window glided down to reveal a man cradling what appeared to be an M16 rifle. One of the monks turned to wave the van on. “Is OK, is OK, you go, you go!” he called to the man with the gun who replied with a thumbs-up. The window closed and the van slowly moved off towards the North Wall and disappeared around the corner.
“I think it might be time to go,” said one of the tourists.
“I’m with you. Now would be good,” the other replied.
“OK, sorry, we go now, we go now,” the driver smiled, starting the car and turning back towards the access track.
“Thank you, goodbye,” his companion called back, waving as they drove off.
From the top of the East Wall, Boromando’s security cameras had observed every move. In the Security Camera Control Room next to the Main Control Room above the Grand Ceremonial Gate, the Head of Operations in her white lab coat crossed her arms and flicked her eyes across video screens displaying images from various parts of the temple. She asked the Security Camera Operator to pan across the clearing one more time. Apart from the two monks going back to their position under the Grand Ceremonial Gate, there was no one there.
“Perfect!” she said. “Dressing as monks really is a really clever idea.”
“Training them to be polite and friendly but firm is an excellent policy eh?” smiled the Security Camera Operator.
“Even if people disregard the signs, it is better not to make them suspicious. Just be polite, be friendly. A little chat and off they go! Everybody happy.”
The Security Camera Operator laughed. “The perfect excuse! Reconstruction of a major cultural treasure and dangerous construction work.”
“Exactly!” replied the Head of Operations. “Just leave us alone to do our work. No one needs to know what we do in here – including our own guards, particularly from the outer circles.”
“People know what they need to know to do their job – that is enough.”
“So, everything looks quiet and secure?”
“Everything OK,” replied the Security Camera Operator.
The two tourists were just over half way along the access track back to the regional road when they noticed a van following them – very much like the one that had arrived at the temple a few minutes earlier.
“OK, OK, we’re leaving, we’re leaving,” said the driver of the little car.
“Keep driving, just don’t stop,” said his passenger.
The van did not appear to be trying to catch them. It stayed some 20 metres behind them until they reached the regional road intersection. From here the regional road meandered northward through jungle covered mountains before passing through farmlands and the occasional small village, finally reaching the nearest township some 15 kilometres north. In the other direction, the road led to the capital some 50 kilometres south.
“We head for the big smoke?” the driver asked his companion.
“The faster the better,” she replied as they turned south. “Won’t be doing that again, eh?”
The van stopped at the turnoff and watched the tourists drive south. It then turned north towards the local town.
It was like the jungle had swallowed Boromando again. It remained hidden until the very last corner of the access track. Few knew the monster even existed. And so the hidden temple of the divine remained a secret house of horrors.
Chapter 2
“We have not had unexpected visitors for a long time,” said the Security Camera Operator.
“Systems are better now,” replied the Head of Operations. She grinned. “Pity however, no ‘special treats’ for our tigers for a while now.”
“No,” laughed the Security Camera Operator, “No tasty visitors at all. Only what we shoot in the jungle now… wild pig, monkey, pythons or whatever.” She leaned forward to switch and adjust cameras. “Here, want to look at our pussy cats?”
Several listless tigers in separate cages appeared on two screens in grainy black and white. The cages appeared to be indoors - there was no natural light. One of the cages held a mother and her cub.
“Look healthy enough,” observed the Head of Operations. “Good. Everything must be productive. You know our investors always ask for more. All should be OK for the next period now; for both bio-production targets – tigers and humans.”
“So children’s production is now at right levels too?”
“Very close,” replied the Head of Operations. “I think we can keep Boss Doctor happy, but she and investors always demand so much. Hey, she might even come from New York to see us.” She looked back briefly as she walked towards the door. “But you did not hear that from me OK? She is a hard, hard woman.”
“And mysterious eh? We never know her plans,” replied the Security Camera Operator. “How many places like Boromando eh?”
The Head of Operations shrugged. The Security Camera Operator could not tell whether her boss did not know, or just would not say.
“I know security must stay tight,” the Security Camera Operator continued. “Which reminds me, some of our security camera equipment needs attention; over the West Gate looking out into the jungle for example.”
“OK, will put through a request for you,” the Head of Operations called back as she left the room. “But you know what it’s like… nothing in any complex anywhere can be traceable back to suppliers or ourselves, so it takes time to go through security protocols and procedures and leave no evidence. Will see what I can do.”
Chapter 3
“This has been the longest plane trip,” Lili yawned, turning to her father in the seat beside her. Niko Nestrel was scanning his laptop, peering through his glasses, stroking a small goatee beard that was just beginning to show a first few hints of white.
“Nine hours on an international flight is hard on anyone, especially hyperactive thirteen year olds,” he smiled, “but you’ve been surprisingly patient Lili.”
“Nothing to it,” she replied with a theatrically monotonic show of mega-boredom. “Having… the… time… of… my… life…”
Niko smiled fondly at the feisty, sharp eyed girl as she toyed with her single long plait of tawny orange hair. In the darkened cabin, most passengers were asleep. “Find anything interesting?” she asked.
“So happens I have,” he replied, teasing her chronic curiosity. “Images of those mysterious ancient temple complexes hidden in the jungle up in the mountains. Indo China really is a fascinating part of the world.”
“Wow, they look pretty spooky,” murmured Lili.
“Don’t know that my work will take us near them though,” replied Niko. “Imagine we’ll be stuck in the township. But we might be able to sneak off for a bit of sight seeing. I hear they might be restoring a few of them. Good for the local culture as well as tourism.”
Niko was on assignment for an international Aid Agency. He had to research the impact on local people of various economic initiatives. There was considerable international interest in the area, especially natural resource developments such as mining, timber and agriculture, as well as tourism. While these could help major infrastructure developments, they could also cause social disruption. “People seem to be turning up from all over the world, looking to make fast fortunes,” said Niko, “but all too often local people get used up and left behind. I have to advise how local people might get their fair share.”
“Pity we only have a few weeks,” said Lili, “but it beats having the school holidays at home. Especially if we can get out into some real, wild jungle… that would be sooo goood.”
“You know, some of these old temple complexes are still the most extensive religious constructions ever built anywhere on the planet? Many of them have not been used for years, just abandoned and forgotten in the jungle.”
“Mmm, wow,” murmured Lili, her mind elsewhere. “Whatever… but,” and she held her hands up like cat claws, “I’m sure if there were some wild tigers or leopards or something like that in the jungle… that would make it really interesting.”
“Ah Lili, you and your cats, cats, cats! I’m sure we’ll find some cats somewhere… or knowing you, they’ll just as likely find us!”
“Mmm, well, that would be good too,” she smiled and winked.
The main lights in the aircraft cabin flickered on as a flight attendant announced: “Ladies and gentlemen, we are due to land at the International Airport in approximately one and a half hours. Breakfast will be served in approximately 15 minutes. Buses will take passengers to connect to regional flights. If you have any queries, please speak to your friendly cabin staff. One and a half hours to landing ladies and gentlemen.”
“Time for a quick nap,” grunted Niko, switching off his laptop computer and closing his eyes. “Wake me in fifteen will you?”
“Perhaps,” Lili responded cheekily, “perhaps…”
Her father opened one eye and smiled, “Thank you little daughter, thank you,” playfully tossing a pillow at her just before closing his eyes.
Her response was like lightning! He had barely closed his eyes before she caught the pillow and whacked him across the head with it not once, but several times!
“OK tiger, OK… you win, you win,” he laughed, fending her off.
“Oops, sorry, really don’t know what came over me,” she laughed as she smoothed her father’s thinning hair and adjusted his glasses. “Just instinct…” she shrugged and giggled.
“Glad you’re on my side little wildcat, glad you’re on my side…”
“Always and forever, you know that.”
He looked at her curiously. “You really are one of a kind, little daughter, one of a kind.”
“I know… I know… I know…” she responded in her most bored of bored voices. “Like father, like daughter, whatever…”
Niko laughed, shook his head and tried to get comfortable again. “Have to catch that local flight soon as we get off, suggest we both get some sleep, OK?”
Like a rag doll, Lili instantly slumped into a deep mock coma, her head flopping to one side, her tongue hanging from one corner of her mouth, her eyes turned up into her skull.
Her father drew a deep breath and laughed, “What am I going to do with you Lili? What could anyone do with a daughter like you?”
Her yes rolled down and focused on Niko as the cheekiest smile spread across her face. “Take me to the wildest parts of Indo China?”
Now it was her father’s turn to theatrically turn instantly comatose - and he also threw in some repulsive loud snoring.
“Thank you,” she laughed, throwing the pillow at him. “Nothing could be that boring!”
But neither of them had any idea of how profoundly the next few days would change both their lives.
Lili leaned back and closed her eyes… and thought of old Captain Lollipop back at school.
Chapter 4
Lili was not the most popular kid at school. Well not really, really un-popular, just a bit different, bit of a daydreamer who loved animals and the outdoors more than fashion and gossip. While not very big for her age, she was certainly quick and strong. Clever enough, and with a wild streak…
Now old Captain Lollipop was the most colourful pedestrian crossing supervisor at Lili’s school, if not the world! He liked the way Lili was a bit different, and she was also particularly fond of him. Rumour was he used to be a sea captain. He certainly looked like one with his bushy white beard and curling moustache. He seemed to have lost the lower part of one leg which had apparently been replaced by prosthesis. He also had a walking stick which he occasionally used, but which seemed to be more of a theatrical prop. He also wore an old sailor’s cap at a crazy angle and seemed to have a vivid memory – perhaps he just had a very colourful imagination? Whatever… just to look into his dancing eyes was to be transported far, far away…
Although he looked like an old buccaneer, he was the most caring and ferocious protector of his pedestrian flock. Heaven help any car driver that broke the rules at HIS pedestrian crossing!
Suddenly that walking stick became a deadly weapon! He had been known to use it to devastating effect to whack the fronts of the most ostentatious and expensive cars to set off their airbags and thus immobilize, embarrass and infuriate their self important drivers. So what were they going to do? Beat up an old man with only one leg who was looking after schoolkids?
Now and again he would stop all traffic, just to allow children to safely look up and see hot air balloons, or an interesting aircraft or birds. He would even encourage drivers who had been thus forced to stop, to get out of their cars and join in the viewing. He once stopped absolutely everything and everyone to allow a mother duck and ducklings to cross the road. “Be curious, look, learn, understand and enjoy,” was just one of his many mantras.
Ever encouraging, he was treasured by everyone except the most curmudgeonly. An inspirer and philosopher with an infectious and irreverent sense of humour, he would often ask his flock of pedestrians – as well as any motorists within earshot - questions such as: “So where are we adventuring off to today?” or “What is going to make THIS day so special?” or “Just some back from Madagascar have we?” Every day he enticed with yet more adventures to be had in yet more far off places…
Captain Lollipop had travelled far and wide when he had been a real sea captain. Now he travelled on the internet – often to places most people had never heard of. He knew all sorts of strange things and was still in touch with people in obscure places all over the world. Friends like Billy Weatherspoon for example, who now lived somewhere in Thailand, or was it Vietnam, or Cambodia, or Laos… who really knew? But Captain Lollipop knew how to find him online…
Lili had been keen to surprise Captain Lollipop with the news of her trip, so when he teased her with “where are you off to next my little adventurer?” she took the greatest delight in answering, ever so nonchalantly, “Oh, nowhere for the next few days, but then…. (and she really made him wait… and wait, just to make sure she had his full attention)… “the wildest, wildest wilds of Indo China!”
Now that stopped him - for a few seconds at least. Lili nearly burst with delight. But then he squinted at her with one eye closed, held up an admonishing forefinger and said, “ah, yes, a fine choice, a very fine choice… I remember the last time I was there… but people tell me things are different there now… just be careful my dear little girl, be very, very careful… and stay in touch…”
Chapter 5
“Ladies and gentlemen” announced the flight attendant “We are now just 15 minutes from the international airport, could you please fasten your seatbelts, ensure sure your trays are folded away and that your seats are in the fully upright position.”
Lili looked down at the thick green jungle below and smiled with delight as she remembered the surprised look in Captain Lollipop’s eyes when she’d told him where she was going. “Tell you all about it when I get back Captain, I might even email you from there,” were her parting words to him.
The plane landed with a bump. “At least we’ve got this far safely,” smiled Niko.
“I was just thinking about Captain Lollipop,” said Lili. “He seemed to know something about this place; didn’t say much though, just warned us to be careful. Actually sounded a little serious. Don’t know what about though.”
“Guess we’ll find out soon enough,” said Niko as the plane taxied towards the terminal.
In the late morning light, the jungle along the edge of the runway was quickly replaced by buildings. Far beyond, Lili could see steep blue green mountains disappearing into towering clouds. She put her head back and closed her eyes, remembering the strange incident with her little kitten at home.
Lili had made a safe and comfortable place for the mother cat and her four new kittens in the old garage in the garden behind her rambling old house. All the kittens’ eyes were still closed as they nuzzled their mother, pawing her belly for more milk, mewling softly.
One kitten suddenly stopped, sensing something different, somehow aware that someone was watching. Its little head seemed too big for its tiny body, but it stopped feeding and struggled to face Lili, trying to control its wobbling head while its brothers and sisters kept nuzzling away.
Even with its eyes still closed, the little cat faced her directly, listening carefully and somehow sensing Lili’s presence. Lili watched it struggling to open its eyes, wishing she could help somehow. And then, as she reached out to it, one little eye opened slightly, blindly staring directly at her. And then, a little more slowly, the eyelids parted to reveal the other eye.
Both eyes were now blearily but intently fixed on Lili. Slowly and gently, Lili picked it up and brought it up in front of her face. It miaowed softly.
The mother cat watched from the corner of one half opened eye. Quite relaxed, she somehow knew she could trust Lili with her precious little ball of fur.