~Chapter 7~

Julian was embroiled in a game of hounds and hinds when a scream emanated from the kitchen of the Purple Cat.  He was the closest to the door and was the first on the scene.

The young girl was holding her hand against her chest and her eyes were filling up with tears.

The cook was trying to see the injured hand.  "Easy Ana love, you poor little dear, let me see how bad it is."

"Let me see."  Julian knelt before the girl.

Blood was soaking her shirt.

"What happened?"  Geeva burst in.

"Ana cut her hand."  The cook said.

Ana finally let Julian see the wound.  "The knife slipped."

The knife had cut deep into her palm.  "I'll take her up to the Healer's."  Julian said as he wound a clean towel around the wound.

Geeva stroked Ana's hair.  "Thank you."

Julian gave Geeva enough coin to cover his meal and wrapped the silent girl in his cloak and carried her through the streets.

"Don't worry kitten, the Healers will patch you up quick."  Julian assured her and tucked her head against his shoulder.

"I'm sorry."  Ana said softly.

Julian sensed something more was wrong than just a cut.  He felt her forehead, she was burning up.  "You have a fever."

"No I don't," Ana protested, "I just feel a little funny."

Julian picked up his pace and didn't even stop to speak to the guard.  He grabbed the first Healer he saw.

"She cut her hand and she has a fever."

The Healer led them to the first open examination room.  "Set her on the table."

Julian obeyed.  Ana had a vague look in her eyes and was cradling her hand. 

The Healer examined Ana and a worried crease formed between her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"I can't read her."  The Healer admitted as she pulled him off to the side.  "I don't know what is blocking me.  She has a fever that is much too high for a human to survive and her cut is half healed."

Julian glanced over at the little girl.  She still seemed a little out of reality.  "Any theories for what's wrong?"

A strange vibrating sound interrupted them.

"What on earth is that?"  The Healer asked.

Julian looked over at Ana.  "I think she is doing it."

~*~

Wynne was perched on a rock looking out over the snow bound chasm.  It was a breathtaking sight.

:Wynne, where are you?:  Daire asked.

:On the mountain.  There is a herd of goats just across from me, they smell wonderful.:

:I just spoke to Rolan.  He says to tell you your niece is at the Healer's.:

That caught her attention.  :What happened?:

:Well, she cut her hand and has a high fever.  And apparently she is purring.:

:Purring?:  Wynne gave a feline smile.

:What does it mean?:

:It means someone gave her catmint tea.:

:I beg your pardon?:

:In Halflings catmint induces a state of euphoria and causes a fever.:

:And what would it do to you?:

:You don't want to know.  How soon can we get back?:

:It has only been a month and a half, you are ready to return now?:

:Yes.:  Wynne leapt from rock to rock until she was close to small cave they had claimed.

Daire was inside and waiting for her.  :If we leave today it will take nine days.:

Wynne shifted.  "I'll be ready in a few minutes.  The path is still clear."

Instead of dressing she packed everything into a saddlebag and tacked up Daire. 

Becoming a snow leopard again she led the way outside into the dawn and down the path.

:All Companions should have such a useful Herald.:  Daire teased.

:If they have hands, they are useful.:  Wynne teased in return.  :I should have told Geeva not to give the children catmint.:

~*~

The Healers refused to release Ana until they knew what she had and what she was.  Julian found himself spending most of his time at the Healers when he wasn't teaching his history class. 

:Don't worry, her aunt will be here tonight.:  Tevren, his Companion, assured him.

:I hope she has some explanations.  How do you know?:

Tevren's sending was tinged with amusement.  :I think you will be very surprised.:

Ana was waiting for him in her small room with a book of poetry on her lap.

"Wynne will be here tonight."  Julian assured her.

Ana gave him a smile.  "I doubt it.  She was sick of Haven."

"When the Companions say someone will be here, they are never wrong."  Julian assured her and unwrapped the berry pie he brought.

Ana's eyes lit up at the sight of the treat.  "Is that for me?"

"I couldn't eat it on my own."  Julian assured her and pulled out a chair.

She tossed aside the book and scampered over to the table.

There were only crumbs left of the pie when Wynne appeared at the door. 

"Hey Kitten."  She smiled fondly.

"Aunt Wynne!"  Ana ran over and gave her a hug and rubbed her cheek against her torso.

"You must be her aunt."  The healer appeared.

"Yes.  Why haven't you let her go home?"  Wynne demanded.

"She was brought in with a very high fever."  The Healer started to explain.

"Does she still have a fever?"

"Well, no, but we can't read her, we have no clue what caused the fever."

"So you terrorised a little girl?"

"That wasn't our intent at all."  The Healer started to protest, not expecting to be put on the defensive.

"Aunt Wynne, can I go home now?"

Wynne cocked an eyebrow at the Healer.  "Can she?"

"I suppose…"

"Excellent.  I'll catch up with you kitten."

Ana dashed from the room, eager to escape the four walls.

"Your niece was very ill."

"No, she has an odd reaction to some herbs."  Wynne dismissed it and started after Ana.

Julian hurried after the pair.  "Liawynne, can I speak with you?"

"In a moment."  She said through clenched teeth.

Once she was outside she turned to him.  "I am sorry you were inconvenienced."

"It wasn't a problem.  Ana is a darling.  What happened to her?"

Wynne ran her fingers through her hair.  "I would rather not go into it."

Daire appeared beside her and muzzled her cheek.

Julian was stunned.  Tevren had been right when he said there was a surprise in store.  "You were Chosen?"

"Yes.  I have to make certain Ana gets home alright."  She turned and ran after the girl.

:You look stunned.:  Tevren teased.

:I am.  What is she going to do about the Purple Cat?:

:I don't know.  Maybe have it held in trust for the children.:

:Didn't Daire go out six months ago?  She only left two months ago.:

:She is very hard to sense.:  Tevren explained.  :Perhaps you should go after her.:

Julian didn't need more urging than that. 

~*~

Wynne could smell and hear Julian behind her. 

:He does do a number on you.:  Daire teased.

:Yes, he does.:  Wynne tried to control her breathing slow and regular.

The twins and Elwin appeared in the door as she approached.  "Aunt Wynne!"

She gathered them together for a family hug.  Absently she stroked each of their heads and listened to their stories.

Julian and Daire both stayed back.

"What did you see?"  Elwin asked.

"Lots of goats and snow.  I have big news though; I am going to become a Herald."

Geeva was stunned at this bit of news.  Almost immediately she looked worried.

"Don't worry, I am going to have the tavern transferred to the children with you as the trustee."  Wynne assured her when she scented the concern coming from the other woman.  "I will set it up so that part of the profits goes to you on the condition you are their guardian."

Geeva gaped.  "That is very generous."

"Hardly."  Wynne shrugged.  "I better get going."

The children all hurried back inside after promising they would come up and visit.

Wynne turned to face her obsession.  "Do you need a ride back?"

"If Daire doesn't mind."

:I don't mind.:  Daire assured her.

She swung inexpertly into the saddle and waited for him to mount behind her.  When his arms wrapped around her waist she quelled the urge to rub her shoulders against his broad chest.

:Easy Kitty.:

:Quiet Horse.:

"When were you Chosen?"  Julian asked.

"A few days after I left Haven.  Daire was kind enough to let me finish my little voyage before dragging me back here.  How long have you been a Herald?"

"I was Chosen thirteen years ago and earned my Whites seven years ago."

Wynne cleared her throat before she started to purr.  "I am a little worried about my classes.  I was terrible when I went to the temple school."

"Don't worry about it.  Everyone manages."

Wynne wasn't so certain.  She had problems learning when she was sitting still inside.  If there was a window she would stare out the window, if there was no window she wouldn't be able to stay still and would actually become frantic if she stayed in there for more than a few minutes.

:I hope they know what they are in for.:

:They will adapt.:

~*~

Wynne opened her window even though it was Midwinter.  She striped and shifted.  She didn't need to sleep until just a little before dawn and she almost always slept as a cat in one way or another.

She padded along the ledge just under her window until she reached a garden wall, from there she leapt to the ground.  The snow chilled her paws but did bother her much.  She was restless and was feeling predatory. 

A slight scuffling caught her attention.  A mouse was using the snow as protection against predators.

:Oh great mouse killer, care to join me in the field?:  Daire asked.

Wynne debated it for a few heartbeats and decided she would rather visit Daire than hunt.  Once she was across the river she shifted into a snow leopard and easily ran across the snow towards Daire.  Several Companions stared at her as she passed.

:You are going to be the talk of the Collegium tomorrow.:  Daire warned.  :Perhaps you'll be called the great ghost cat.:

:Let them.:  She rubbed her head against his leg.  :Which one is your father?:

:The one who is coming over here now.  That is my mother with him.:

:They seem concerned.  They don't think I am hunting you do they?:

:No, I didn't tell them you were a Shifter and they are still worried about why we took a detour into the mountains.:

A very strange smell reached Wynne, a mixture of human and large cat but not that of a Shifter. 

The mare and stallion stopped just a few feet from them.  They looked at her in askance and seemed to have a discussion with Daire.

:They don't know that's you.:  He said with a bit of humour.  :They think you are a pet or something like that.:

If Wynne could laugh, she would.  She did leap carefully onto his back and sprawl there with a contented sigh. 

:You prefer if I told no one of what you are, right?:

:If it won't get you into trouble.:

:It won't.  We all keep secrets about our Chosen.:

The stallion shifted his blue stare to her and she could feel him try to probe her mind.  When he looked away she assumed he had seen what Daire called the wall, some sort of natural shield that protected her.

:He still thinks you are just a really big cat.:

:Good.:

:You can trust us.:  Daire reminded her.  :We won't be horrified by you.  Most Heralds will think it wonderful.:

:Maybe in time.:  She closed her eyes to focus on the interesting smell that clung to Daire's mother.  It was more than just a human who pet a cat, it was a melding of the two that told her it came from one creature.

She heard the soft crunching that told her another creature was joining them, from the smell it was a baby Companion.  She opened her eyes and saw she was correct.  He was staring at her in fascination.

:Where is his mother?:

:Working with her Chosen.:

Wynne jumped the ground and slowly approached the baby, trying not to appear she was stalking or hunting.  Daire's parents tensed and were ready to attack if she made one wrong move.

She used her paw to toss snow at the little one.  He quickly thought it was a game and danced gleefully out of the way.  She felt her restlessness ebb as she indulged in a game of 'catch me' with the colt.

She led him a merry chase around the field then turned the tables and chased him.  He thought it was all a great game.  The scream of fury and the thudding of hoof beats alerted her to the baby's mother she dodged the first attack, using her tail to keep her balance.

:No, she is only playing.:  Daire came to her rescue.

The mare studied her, still ready to attack.

:I'd purr, but I can't in this form.:  Wynne remained ready to dodge any attack.  A Herald with a bow stopped just within shooting distance.

:Ah damn.:  Wynne said.  :See, good kitty, pretty kitty…:

:I think you may have to shift to stop them.:

The thought of revealing herself to a human made her every instinct scream.  :Not a chance.:

The colt pranced closer, not understanding why the game had ended.

:Time to play 'ghost cat'.:  She crouched as low as she could to the snow bank and shifted to house cat.  She quickly burrowed into the snow, out of sight.

The snow was deep and cold and house cats were not designed to burrow like mice.  She heard the Herald exclaim and run over.  The Companion mother investigated the deep tracks.

:I am surprised they don't smell me.:  Wynne said as she held herself perfectly still.

:Our sense of smell isn't as keen as yours.  They smell a predator and can tell it's a cat, but no more.:

:I finally convinced her you are friendly.  She won't attack now.:

:Good, I am cold.:  She shifted to snow leopard and looked around. 

The Herald dropped his bow as she appeared beside him.

She looked up and made the only squawking sound she was capable of in this form.  He smelled like someone she would like to know but didn't incite the fever Julian did.

He gingerly scratched behind her ear and exclaimed over the softness of her fur.  "You certainly are a beautiful cat, how did you get in here?"

Wynne gave him the 'wise cat' look and rubbed her head against his hand.  :He is good at this.:

:Hedonist.:  Daire teased.

:So?:

The colt pranced closer eager to continue the game.  She obliged by loping easily away from him.  She heard the Herald laugh at their antics.

A candlemark later she was feeling much more relaxed and curled up between Daire's hooves for a little rest.  The colt had been taken off to bed by the much friendlier mother and the Herald had scratched under her chin again before he left. 

:When do your classes start?:

:When the other students return.  The Dean has given me some books to read until then.  He said he didn't know if they would be able to teach me sword fighting since I am so old.:

:With your flexibility you will probably be declared a natural.:

Wynne groomed her tail absently and she considered what the future held.  :I should let you get some sleep.  You need more sleep than I do.:

:That I do.:

:I'll bring you a treat in the morning, you deserve it after nearly two months of making do.:

:It would be appreciated.:

Wynne shifted back to a house cat once she was in the gardens and used the walls to get back to the ledge under her window.  Once inside she closed the window and gathered some towels and left the small room.

The Dean had shown her the large bathing room and she had almost had raptures there and then.  Thankfully there was a series of small windows near the ceiling otherwise she would never bathe.  There was no one in there so she took the bath in the corner and filled it with hot water. 

The wonderfully hot water was the cap to a mostly wonderful day.