Chapter 26 The Same Ritual
After Remi finished explaining in thorough detail the ritual she had learned in Egypt, the two women looked at each other in surprise, smiling, and Moira took Remi’s palms between her own, speaking in a calm, natural tone:
"The very same ritual was what we were about to propose ourselves, dear girl, even though we did not yet know that you are the White One. The fact that you learned this elsewhere only strengthens our convictions. Cats, especially white ones, possess their own magic. They cleanse negative energy, sense illness, mediate the transition from one dimension to another, from one world to another, and can be anchors—powerful anchors for life. You are special. We know, we know that you are not truly the Morrígan, but you are just as special, even if you do not yet know your true worth."
They had all seated themselves on various benches around the two fever-stricken girls. Eithne was completely unresponsive, but Aveline was not. She watched and listened to them quietly whilst the women changed her compresses or gave her a few sips of water.
"Dawn is breaking," Anemo said. "Before we begin any ritual, let us bring the children here. Boo and Cian, Sirocco... we cannot leave them alone, they are too small. Remi and I will go to fetch Boo and Cian from Ri’s house, whilst Mistral brings Sirocco and Aeolus. What do you say?"
"Go!" Aveline urged them, her voice faint.
"Go!" Moira and Row repeated in unison.
***
The children had been fed and settled on a bunk near the sick girls when Anemo pulled the Collar of the Two Heavens from his pocket, ready to place it around Remi’s neck.
"Are you sure you want to wear the collar again, Remi? It took you six months to escape that white cat’s fur..."
"I am sure! besides, we do not have to worry about me remaining a cat... we are in an era without technology. Have you forgotten? I will be able to transform at my own sweet will, just like our little one, Sirocco."
"I want to be a little boy!" Sirocco’s thin voice piped up. "That way I learn more and more by the day, and I can play with Boo. Do not stay too long in that wall of 'ester', Miss Remi!"
"It is pronounced ether, not ester, kiddo! I don't know how it is that you are always learning, yet you remain... a dummy !" Mistral felt compelled to intervene, but Arr, standing right beside the black tomcat, nudged him with her shoulder.
"You are being spiteful, Mau! Explain it to him, Aeolus!"
"Your super-cat is right, Mistral! Let the little guy be a child, now is the time for it. He will have plenty of time for philosophy and siestas... in his old age!"
"Are you implying that I am old?" le chat noir bristled.
Remi, with the collar in hand, stood up in the midst of them all, adopting the posture of a strict schoolmistress, and within two seconds, she scanned them all with her piercing blue gaze.
"Are we going to behave ourselves today? It seems to me that some of us are not taking the present situation seriously!"
"Right you are, boss!" Aeolus added, curling up beside Aveline. "Do not be afraid, beautiful girl, I shall stay here with you."
Moira went to each of them, skilfully binding a hand or a paw. Anemo glanced at his modern, smart wristwatch, which still had battery power, setting the alarm to ring in exactly sixty minutes.
Remi fastened the Collar of the Two Heavens around her neck, and once transformed into the white Angora cat, she settled herself directly upon Eithne’s chest.
"You may count down, Anemo!"
"Ten, nine, eight, seven..."
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