The Spell of Rosette - Kim Falconer [26]
There will be other cubs.
At this comment she spun on her haunches and lunged at him, claws swiping towards his face. He leapt aside to avoid the raking.
She returned to her vigil.
Maudi, Drack tried again, he’s bonded now. They will both benefit from the union.
I didn’t allow it for their benefit.
I know, but it’s comforting just the same.
Not to me.
There was no sign of the birds, though a curious sound echoed in Rosette’s head from time to time as she ran. Maudi? Maudi?
She flipped her hood back as sweat trickled down her neck. Throwing open the gate, she ran up to the cottage door.
‘Help, Nell. Quickly!’
Nell swung open the door and Rosette stopped just before ploughing into her.
‘It’s wounded,’ she said, gasping for breath.
Nell pulled Rosette across the threshold, boots and all, and closed the door behind her. She pried the staff from her frozen fingers and leaned it against the wall, noticing the blood on Rosette’s gloves.
‘You’re hurt?’
‘I’m fine.’
‘Are you being chased?’ Nell looked out the window.
‘Not any more,’ Rosette stammered. ‘It’s a cub—a kitten.’
‘Where?’
‘I found a huge baby cat.’ Rosette patted the bulge under her coat.
The colour drained from Nell’s face. ‘Show me.’
Rosette knelt on the rug next to the glowing hearth and unfastened her coat. She opened her sweater, button by button, until the feline’s head popped out between her breasts, one swollen eye making it look as though it was winking.
‘Goddess of the woodlands,’ Nell whispered. ‘That’s not a kitten.’
‘It is…it’s just really big. Look at the paws, the size of its head. It’s a baby for sure.’
‘That’s not what I meant, Rosette. Where did you find it?’
‘A fair way into the woods. Two birds were fighting over it. I chased them off, grabbed him and ran for home.’ She smiled. ‘Oh look, it is a “him”.’
‘You found him in the Dumarkian Woods?’
‘Yes, Nell, of course I did. What other woods are there?’
Nell looked into Rosette’s eyes. ‘Deep breaths now. He will be less frightened if our movements are calm. These creatures are very dangerous.’
‘He’s a kitten, Nell.’
The older witch gave her a sharp look. ‘Even at this age—and this damaged—he could tear your hand off with his claws. Now calm yourself.’
Rosette spoke softly. ‘I’m calm, but you certainly aren’t. What’s wrong? Will he be all right?’
Again the strange sound filled Rosette’s mind. She thought her ears must be ringing from the cold. Maudi? Maudi?
She turned her attention to the little animal. ‘It’s okay, baby cat. You’re safe with us.’
Rosette kept her hand on the kitten while Nell examined it. She counted his heartbeats, checked the gum colour, palpated the twisted foreleg and gently pulled open the swollen eyelids. All the while Rosette talked to him in a comforting voice.
‘We need a basin with hot water and clean cloths. I want Golden Seal, Coptis and Hypericum, mixed in equal measure. Also that ointment I gave you this morning. We’ll use that too.’
Rosette got up. ‘What else?’ she asked as she followed the directions.
‘My splinting sticks and bandages. They’re in a box under the long bench.’
‘Got ’em.’
Maudi? The sound was plaintive as the little animal turned its good eye towards Rosette.
‘We’re going to help you, baby cat,’ Rosette said, stroking the crumpled body when she returned. ‘Nell’s going to fix you up. She’s the best healer ever.’
Rosette went back to the kitchen to mix the herbs. ‘He’ll live? He’ll be able to run and jump, won’t he, Nell? Hunt? Both eyes will see?’
‘I think so, darling. Let’s just get him treated and give him something to eat. Bring a cup of milk to warm, and the hot-water bottle. He’s still cold.’
‘Meat?’
‘I have lamb in the oven that he can try later.’
Rosette smiled at the thought, her mouth watering.
Nell cleared her throat. ‘Can you hear him?’
‘Like a bellowing bull. Nothing wrong with his vocal cords. He was screaming and spitting in warrior fits until he went unconscious.’ Rosette returned, handing the herb mixture to Nell and setting the milk on the hearth.
‘A good sign, but that