The two cats followed the river upstream to camp, battling the wind and snow. QuailJump couldn't help but think how unlucky it was that it was him who had found the kit, old and weak as he was. And how unlucky poor ScorchWing was to be sent out after him, as the name suggested he thrived in the hot GreenLeaf months and despised the cold.
Finally! After what felt like ages the entrance to the camp appeared out of the blizzards now whiteout conditions. They padded into camp, and right into the Medicine Den. Thankfully MouseStep was sitting in the middle of the den waiting for them. “QuailJump are you ok? I thought I told you not to go too far!” She scolded, “and who's this?” she asked, taking notice of the kit in ScorchWings jaws.
“I found him at the base of a tree by the twoleg path. I didn't see his mother, or any other cat.” QuailJump replied.
“And so you brought him back to me.” MouseStep meowed as she crouched by the tiny kit, sniffing him. She glanced up at SchorchWing. “Could you fetch SpiderStar and IvoryClaw? You can go to wait out the storm in your nest after.'' She started licking the kit vigorously as ScorchWing sighed in relief and darted out of the den.
After entering the Medicine Den QuailJump was becoming more and more aware of the pain zinging up and down his spine. It was coming back with a vengeance in the warm den after the numbing cold outside. “MouseStep could I have some herbs for my back?” he asked, reluctant to drag her away from the kit.
“Lute!” MouseStep shouted. “Bring QuailJump some burnet, and daisy leaf.”
“You should spend the night here, who knows how bad your back will be after today.” she added as Lute came scampering out from a crack in the wall holding some herbs in its mouth. He scampered over to QuailJump, setting the herbs at his feet with a squeak before scampering back into the wall. QuailJump Picked up the herbs and took them deeper into the den where he made a small nest, finally settling down after his long and exhausting day.