The night was a particularly cold one. Icy breezes cut through the lofty tower like machetes. Even Quasimodo shivered under his bedclothes. In his sleep he could'nt help but consider patching up the cracks in the tower. Down in her room Anatefka clutched Demone close for warmth.

Slowly and with much difficulty, everyone managed to get some sleep.

Finally morning arrived. But there was no sunshine. Instead it was cold and gray. Freezing drizzle seeped from the clouds. It collected in large droplets on the stone statues and gargoyles that dressed the cathedral. Quasimodo awoke and immediately gasped in the cold air. Blowing on his hands he painstakingly lit a small fire in the hearth.

While waiting for the flames to grow, the hunchback went to fetch Anatefka. He knew the warmth would do her good after such a cold night.

"Oh no..."

He found the girl sprawled out on the floor in an unnatural fashion. It was hard to tell if she was even alive. Quickly Quasimodo enfolded the swaddled little creature in his arms and ventured out of the cathedral.

He had long since lost his fear of the outside world.

The bellringer had performed many courageous feats atop the dizzying heights of the cathedral.

With the help of a tiny map on a woven pendant, Quasimodo found his destination.

The Court of Miracles.

Climbing down a passage way under the false mausoleum, Quasimodo found himself once again in the old catacombs. The foul smelling, ankle-deep sewage sloshing around his feet.

Suddenly several strong hands grabbed him from behind. The Court's guards. Donned in skeleton costumes, they apprehended any trespasser that came their way.

Roughly they shoved the bellringer into the main hall where, seated atop a raggety old chair, was the King of Beggars himself.

Clopin Troullifou.

"And just what do you think you are doing?" the gypsy king demanded. "Don't you remember Quasimodo? He helped us win the great siege!"

With that, the guards released the hunchback. As spry as a grasshopper Clopin jumped down to greet the startled hunchback.

"So what brings you here, Quasi?" Clopin chimed.

"You wouldn't happen to have an infirmary in your Court, do you?"

"Of course we do... Who's the girl?" Clopin said, glancing at Anatefka

"She's very ill. Can you help her?"

"I'll send for Nefaltia. She's our top healer. A real miracle worker."

Moments later he returned with a young woman. Warm gray eyes lit up her charming face, while a colorful scarf hid her onyx hair.

"Here, give her to me" Nefaltia smiled. "Don't worry, she'll be alright". Reluctantly Quasimodo handed over the child.

"I think I know what will make you feel better" she said to the child.

Gently she placed Anatefka on a table and filled a large wooden tub with steaming water. She was as filthy as ever.

Her body was covered in dirt, grime and dried blood. The mud paint took more time to deal with but was eventually scrubbed away.

Much of Anatefka's hair was unsalvageable. It was dead, frizzy and would never be beautiful. Nefaltia's only recourse was to cut away the excess, giving her a short curly bob.

By the end of her bath, the water was the color of coal.

Toweling her off Nefaltia dressed the semiconscious Anatefka in a nightshirt and lay her to bed in the infirmary.

"She'll be alright".

For days Anatefka languished in her sickness. Her body and spirit so weak, she offered up no resistance when handled.

Every day the gentle bellringer returned to The Court to check up on his stange little friend. Taking a seat by Anatefka's cot, he would run his thick fingers through her hair.

"She's doing much better" Nefaltia reassured. "She actually managed to eat something."

Quasimodo sighed with relief.

"My guess is her illness stemmed from exposure and something she ate." she said.

The healer and the hunchback watched quietly as the wild girl stirred in her sleep. The scruffy hide of Demone curled up next to his little mistress.

"How did he get in here?" asked Quasimodo.

"The dog? Guess he followed you here" the woman mused. "So would it be safe to asume you're the girl's gaurdian?"

"Me? Oh... I dont know... I suppose, since I found her." Quasimodo stammered.

"Well if it's alright with you, I'd like to study her further" said Neflatia. "There must be a little bit of human in her somewhere."