Chapter 10: The Well Scene/The Bargain
In the woods, Larkkit had just finished getting some fresh-kill. The she-kit was humming her 'Forest On A Cloud' song, when she heard a rustle.
"W-Who are you?" She whimpered, her brown ears going down in fear.
"Hush now.. Do not be afraid of me.." A black tom with white paws whispered, his aqua gaze soft.
"Don't cry.. Show me where you live.." He softly meowed. Larkkit had never met such a nice and kind cat before.
"Tell me, my kit, what is your name?" He asked, his black fur shooshing in the wind.
"I'm called Larkkit." The kit quivered.
"May I hold the squirrel? It looks awfully heavy, especially for small kit like you." His kindness made him think of how her mother was, always doing the best for her.
"Yes, please." She said, dropping the heavy squirrel.
When they got there, she mewed, "I need to hold the squirrel."
"Why?" The black tom asked.
"Dapplefang will beat me." She murmured.
The tom called for the owners. A light tabby tom and a calico soon padded to the door. "Hello, I am Crowhaze." The black tom dipped his head.
"What are doing here?" The light brown tabby tom snarled.
"I found her wandering in the wood! This little kit, I found her trembling in the shadows.. And I am here to help Larkkit, and I will settle any debt you may think proper.. I will pay what I must pay to take Larkkit away." Crowhaze said, with a determined look in his eyes.
"There is a duty I must heed, there is a promise I have made! For I was blind to one in need.. I did not see what stood before me!" He continued, then took a deep breath.
"Now her mother is with Starclan.. Dawnpride's suffering is over! And I speak here with her voice! And I stand here in her place!" Larkkit buried her small body into Crowhaze's black fur, with a wail of agony.
"And from this day and evermore..." He started to say.
"Why don't you stay for the night?" Dapplefang, the calico, suggested.
"Larkkit shall live in my protection!" He struggled to continue.
"You are very welcome here." Bramblesky said.
"I shall not forsake my vow!" Crowhaze still had the determined look.
"Take a bite." Bramblesky smiled.
"Come sit in here." Dapplefang meowed.
"Larkkit shall have a father now.." Crowhaze meowed softly. Dapplefang and Bramblesky had this look on their face which was like, Wow. I am shocked now.
"What to do? What to say? Shall you carry our treasure away? What a nice, little kit... Beyond anything is our little cat! How can we speak of debt? Let's not haggle for darling Barkkit.." Bramblesky said.
"Larkkit." Dapplefang muttered.
"Larkkit!" He quickly covered his mistake.
"Dear Dawnpride, gone to rest... Have we done for her kit what is best? I think so. Shared our mice. Shared each bone. Treated her like she's one of our own! Like our own kit!" Bramblesky said. Now, Larkkit knew that was a total lie.
"Your feelings do you credit, And I will ease the parting blow.." Crowhaze handed them some mice.
"Let us not talk of bargains, bones, and greed.. Now, may I say, we are agreed?" He asked.
"That would quite fit everything.. If she hadn't so often been ill, little kit, cost us dear! Herbs can be rare! Not that we begrudged an herb! It's no more than we warriors must do!" Dapplefang meowed.
"One thing more, one small doubt! There are treacherous cats about! No offense. Please reflect. Your intentions may not be correct?" Dapplefang and Bramblesky said.
"No more words. Here's your price: a squirrel and three sparrows for your sacrifice." He smiled when he saw Larkkit come with his catch and hers.
"Come, Larkkit, say goodbye.. Let us seek out some friendlier sky." Crowhaze's aqua eyes were filled with fulfillment.
"Thank you both for Larkkit. It won't take you too long to forget." He then left, with Larkkit. Then he brushed her fur, which the moon was now shining on.
"Come, Larkkit, come, my dear! From now on I will always be here. Where I go, you will be." He softly meowed.
"Will there be kits and forests to see?" Larkkit whispered.
"Yes, Larkkit.. Yes, it's true. There's a forest just waiting for you." He smiled, happy he fulfilled the promise, now all he had to do was keep her safe from harm.