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    The Prophesy of Hermes: A Modern Greek Cat Becomes the Prophet
    The Prophesy of Hermes: A Modern Greek Cat Becomes the Prophet
    The Prophesy of Hermes: A Modern Greek Cat Becomes the Prophet
    Ebook148 pages1 hour

    The Prophesy of Hermes: A Modern Greek Cat Becomes the Prophet

    By Paul Watson

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    About this ebook

    Three cats, four friends — the Great Rat Plague spreads across the Mediterranean as Hermes, Ajax and Artemis sail from port to port on a rusty old ship. If cats are to survive, these three must solve the twin riddles: Where are the rats coming from and how can they be stopped?

    Storms at sea, rat armies and tunnels connecting past to present create an intricate weave of challenges the cats must overcome. Can Hermes and his young recruits solve the twin riddles? Can they end the most powerful challenge cats have faced in 500 years? Read The Prophesy of Hermes and find out!
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBookBaby
    Release dateOct 31, 2014
    ISBN9781634432849
    The Prophesy of Hermes: A Modern Greek Cat Becomes the Prophet
    Author

    Paul Watson

    Paul Watson is the youngest international football coach in the world. Before taking up coaching, he worked as a journalist for Football Italia. He lives in London.

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      Book preview

      The Prophesy of Hermes - Paul Watson

      Watson

      Prologue

      Cyclades Islands, Hermopolis town

      Destiny Brought the Sailor & Cat Together

      It was destiny I suppose, but no one would have guessed it at the time.  On that day, walkers pulled their hats down and collars up against the cold and drizzle. A small grey tiger striped kitten huddled against a wall, hunger clawing his belly, his future doubtful. Only blocks away, a sailor named Stefan strutted down the gangway of a ship. He walked past the Diogenes and turned the corner to his favorite coffee shop.

      Stefan walked right past the kitten and reached the coffee shop, but the image of that cold little boy haunted him. He went back. Huge hands lifted the kitten and shoved him into his sea bag. It was warm inside and smelled like the sailor.

      This book is not the story of how Stefan raised the kitten to become Hermes, the most influential and traveled tom in the Mediterranean³. Rather, this story occurs later and tells how Hermes trained Ajax the warrior and Artemis the spy. This is the story of how Ajax and Artemis helped Hermes fight the most dangerous enemy cats have faced in a thousand years.

      A full list of stories about Hermes follows:

      Book 2: The Prophesy of Hermes  (A Modern Greek Cat Becomes the Prophet)

      Book 1: Hermes of Carthage  (A Modern Greek Cat in Ancient Peril

      Naxos Island: Home of Nadia and Obelia

      Syros Island: Birth place of Hermes

      Wharf Rats

      S.S. Cyclops steamed slowly into a North African port. Within moments of reaching the dock, a burly seaman was running back and forth on the wharf with heavy ropes. Other men worked up on the ship as the rusty old freighter was secured. Some of the men were quite close; but, they barely noticed the tiger striped tomcat Hermes sitting on the deck.

      Hermes studied the ship, the wharf and the ropes that bound them together. Once satisfied, he jumped onto one of the big ropes leading to the shore. With his tail twitching, he walked down to the landing.

      He walked down to the landing…

      He trotted across the wooden dock before disappearing under the wharf. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, the acrid smell of urine told him to move cautiously because someone, or something, lived down there.

      He crept farther under the wharf, gliding stealthily among half seen obstacles. In the dark, the uneven ground was hazardous; but of far greater concern was the thousands of hiding places it provided. He saw no life; but, had the feeling he was being watched. In time, he came to a deep ditch. Looking cautiously over the edge, there were shadowy forms moving below. While he would have liked his visit to remain secret, there was no choice. He sprang over the ditch, landing softly on the far side. A rustle of many feet far below told him he had been observed. The ‘enemy’ was alert.

      Hermes kept looking over his shoulder as he worked his way deeper to the ancient dock area.  The rat smell was strong, but he could not see them. With his belly low, he slunk forward, listening intently before each step. His head jerked suddenly around at a slight noise. The glow of eyes revealed an enemy blocking his escape. A quick glance forward now showed darkness replaced by hundreds of angry red eyes. Seconds later, the mob charged across uneven ground. Shadowy forms and glowing eyes heaved like ocean waves.

      Hermes turned and bolted from the trap. Large rats lunged at his face and legs. One sweep of a powerful paw knocked an attacker away from his face.  Strong hind legs launched his body through the narrow opening. Instantly, he was running for the outside world. He dodged left and right to avoid large pilings as behind him, the pursuing mob slowed as it crowded though the narrow way. The cat slowed a bit to conserve his strength.

      Hermes loped in solitude through the murky underworld until he was almost to the ditch. Sunlight filtering down between timbers revealed rats climbing up from below, preparing for battle. He swerved left to avoid them, but they followed. Hermes went to a dead run, outstripping his enemy; but, the ditch only got wider. He was forced to turn back, rushing headlong toward his enemies. Grimly, he wondered how many he could take down before they got him. Suddenly, on the left was a large timber spanning half the ditch. He veered and leapt. His front legs caught hold and he scrambled up.  A second great jump carried him across the ditch. Hermes paused for a moment, looking back at the angry mob.

      There was little time to waste. He dashed slightly right, heading for the exit. Far ahead, was the glimmer of daylight. The cat slowed as he got closer. Over the last few yards he crept with his belly low, and his senses flowing out. Suddenly, Hermes sprang, landing squarely in the middle of the surprised guard. A paw full of claws raked them as a second great leap landed him in freedom’s door. He was through in an instant and bathed in sunshine.

      Once outside, Hermes paused to catch his breath and thought how lucky he was not to be trapped down there. His suspicions were confirmed. Here, as in other ports, the rat population was exploding.

      After a brief rest, Hermes ambled back to the ship. Each step brought a twinge of pain from deep bites in his foot and leg. He stopped at the edge of the dock and looked up the long rope that ended on the ship.

      There was no choice; he began to climb the unforgiving rope.  One paw carefully followed another until he reached the top. Exhausted, he crept slowly to Stefan’s cabin.

      He was safe at last. He frowned as he thought of the ‘burnie" chemicals that Stefan put on bites. Hermes backed his ears and licked the bites carefully before curling up on an old sweater.

      Later that night, the sharp click of the cabin door awoke Hermes. A familiar man smell rolled through the cabin as his master slid into bed.  Hermes climbed up on the man’s chest and a hand soon slid down the cats back, pausing at the injured foot.

      Well old scout, I see you’ve been in another scrap! No worries lad. Next stop is Naxos. Your lady friend Obelia will be glad to see you!

      Soon after, Hermes curled up on the bed by Stefan’s feet and slept deeply.  But for the second time in his life, he dreamed of a huge wave and the rising sun.

      The Four Hunters

      Four hunters peered out from the jungle curtain. The enemy looked big and tough; but, he was alone. Cautiously, they emerged from the jungle.  Bellies low, they slunk across the open ground unnoticed.

      Hermes lay by Obelia in the vegetable garden of a small stone house. It was the one place he felt totally safe. He was mostly asleep and his eyes were two narrow slits with a glint of green. He felt Obelia’s warmth and the rhythm of her breathing.

      Without warning, two of the hunters landed on his tail as others went for his neck. Needle sharp teeth sank into his tail, as he shrieked RATS and catapulted skyward. Hunters were thrown this way and that. Obelia lashed out knocking one of them down. Enough children!, she snapped. Hermes is just back. Show some respect!

      The four looked a little embarrassed as they retreated into the tomato vines and basil of their jungle. Hermes stood awkwardly, trying to get his tail unfluffed as he searched for a way to get Obelia lying down, just so, as she had been moments before.

      Calm gradually returned. Obelia settled down and Hermes returned to his old position; but, something just wasn’t quite right. Human voices leaked from the open window. He recognized Stefan’s voice immediately. Human talk was usually boring, but today it was different. They were talking about business --- Cat Business that is.

      Yes Nadia, Stefan rumbled. But we really don’t know for sure where those kittens came from. Hermes couldn’t quite make out the woman’s irritated response before Stefan continued. Maybe we are just a couple of sailors, but I like to think we’re more. But you are right. The garden is swarming with cats. Look, I’ll take Ajax and Artemis back to the ship with me. The others may be useful here. There’s just too many rats these days.

      Hermes glanced at the window, wondering just how much his master knew. He shuddered at the memory of those red eyes, surging in his direction. Looks like Hermes will get some help; but,

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