A Cats Tale IV-Diana

By Robert Dixon

A Cats Tale is the adventures of a cat that was born in ancient times who gained favor with, but was also cursed by the Egyptian Goddess Bast for helping to restore her worship in the temples of prehistory, but failed to follow a simple rule that all cats know.."Do not speak to humans!" Our cursed hero, Amun, violated this rule and is now cursed to live 8 extra lives serving Bast in the accomplishment of righting wrongs or helping to advance some aspect of modern civilization. This adventure takes place in the later days of the Roman Empire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Dixon
• Release date: Feb 24, 2012
• ISBN: 9781465888440

Robert Dixon

Retired Military living in Northern New York with my wife Sue. The inspiration for this book series came from Isabelle the black and white cat that seemed to always know when my wife was upset and needed attention. Currently work as a crisis hotline counselor and when the weather is nice we play golf, swim, camp and play tennis. When the weather is not so nice we play golf, (on snowshoes) and crosscountry ski. Writing is very part-time and I am grateful for the fans of Amun and, yes, I do plan on completing the series, so please be patient with me.

Book preview

A Cats Tale

The Nine Lives of Isabelle Book Four: Diana

Published By Robert Dixon at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 Robert Dixon

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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A Cats Tale

Or The Nine Lives of Isabelle Book Four: Diana

By Robert Dixon

Introduction

When we last left Amun/Isabelle he had returned from his mission in Rome where he helped establish a faith that would become widespread throughout the globe. After a pause in the Garden, which for him and other animals is better described as Heaven, to catch up with family and friends… and shred snakes, which he will always despise because one ended his first life, the Goddess Bast decided it was time for his mission to correct wrongs to continue. She closes a veil of darkness around him that can send him through space and time to be reborn in an area or place that his mission will take place, always born to the Goddess, who briefs him, nourishes him, trains him then leaves him. Isn’t that what they do?

Chapter One

As the mist lifted from the darkness I heard Bast saying something about cruelty and the persecutions of the former Jews, now called Christians.

But, Bast I interrupted, I thought I took care of that in my last mission!

I heard Bast let out a little chuckle and then she explained to me that my new mission was not that far into the future. The current times were still steeped in resentment and anger towards the Christians and more and more followers of Jesus were being tortured and killed.

Don’t get me wrong, Amun, she explained, there is more tolerance towards them and they even have established what are called churches around the Roman Empire, but the vast majority of Romans to include the politicians and Emperor Claudius still consider them a weed that needs to be pulled.

Hey! I just remembered something you said before everything went black! I interjected to Bast, No! I did not see an orange tiger cub before I left!

Is there another? my thoughts screamed, or are you just teasing me like Ra did?

Hush child! Her words came back like a blast that made me cower a bit, You have a mission at hand. We will talk again once it is complete!

I knew better than to drag that line of thought out any further and simply replied. Yes Ma’am!

As I was saying, she continued, the Christians are more tolerated in this time but some still defy the orders of the Emperor. It has taken long years for them to get to this point.

Bast then tried to catch me up with history I had missed out on in the blink of an eye while I was in the Garden. Nero was gone, but not forgotten, due to his very close destruction of Rome.

Thank you very much! I remarked, but she just scolded me again.

Galba lasted for a year before he was murdered to make way for a new Emperor.

So, things pretty much went back the same! I thought, but regretted it, Sorry, please continue.

This Emperor, Otho, lasted only six weeks in office till he lost a battle with his rival and killed himself. Next came Emperor Vitellius who fared no better in remaining the head of Rome and was dragged from his hiding place disguised in dirty clothes off to the Forum and killed.

Peace and a stable government returned to Rome under the leadership of Emperor Vespasian. He, unlike his predecessors died in relative peace declaring before he went, Oh my, I must be turning into a god!

Most of the emperors that followed worked for the good of the empire and the corruption that led to murders and revolts subsided. A few noteworthy Emperors came along such as Hadrian who ordered the construction of a wall to divide the Isle of Briton. This aided the Roman forces greatly in defending the empire lands from the always-invading Scottish barbarians. Portions of the wall still stand in modern times.

Bast heard the sounds of gentle snoring and gave up on trying to educate me in the ways of ancient times. I heard her come through my peaceful sleep saying, Rest, Dear Amun. You will discover the world soon enough.

I discovered that I was back in kitten form once again and nestled up to my Mother for warmth and food till I could fend for myself. Soon I also discovered that my sense of smell had returned and almost wished it hadn’t!

Phew! I thought, What rotten pig sty are you raising me in?

You will get use to it, Dear Amun. Bast answered, This is just one of the places that continue the cruelty and torture of not only the Christians, but to humanity as well. It is called a prison.

Ick! I exclaimed, And I thought Nero smelled bad!

Over time the assault on my senses began to fade as I began to grow. Bast briefed me, this time, on the current world in which we had come back and explained to me the mission.

"You have been born in the time of Emperor