A red fox stepped out of the shadows before Cat and he stopped, dropping the kits from his mouth between his front paws. He bowed his back and hissed.
Easy. Easy, friend cat. I thought the dogs were coming for me, but it seems you have the same thought. I have never seen you here before and I know the forest well. Would you trust me to take you away from the dogs?
Cat allowed the fur to lay down along his spine and relaxed slightly. Do you know the castle on the plain where the sun rises?
The fox gave a delicate cough. I have been there. They have good hounds and we have had some interesting chases. Is that your destination?
Yes, Cat said. It is on the other side of this river. Is there another shallow ford? I do not swim well.
Certainly not carrying two kits. I know a good crossing farther down. Allow me to carry one of the kits and we will move faster.
I am not sure I can trust you, Cat said.
The fox sat down facing him, its white paws together, tail curled around them. I know that. Decide. I will help you, or I will leave you alone. As you choose.
Is this creature our friend? Shado whispered.
I'm sure I don't know, Cat sat down and licked his aching pads. But I think I trust him.
Her, the fox said. I have had kits of my own. I will take good care of yours.
They aren't mine exactly, Cat said, but that is a longer story than we have time for here. All right. We will take your help and be glad of it.
The fox stood as she said, Then let us be off. The dogs will soon cross the river and start back on this side. We do not want to lose our lead.
She reached between Cat's paws and picked up the trembling kit.
Cat picked up Shado and followed the fast moving fox as she slipped into trails he would not have seen had she not been leading. In a little while, they came to a log that lay across half of the river. The fox leapt onto it and walked over to where it ended, waiting until Cat caught up. Do you mind getting wet?
Of course, Cat said.
I'm afraid it can't be helped. There is a branch that goes to the other side, but it is under water a couple of inches. I think we can keep the kits dry.
Cat looked at the difference in their heights and growled to Shado, Curl yourself up as tight as you can. You may get wet anyway.
I've been wet before, Shado said.
The fox led the way over the slippery branch through the swift water. Cat was almost swept away by the current but quickly learned to walk with claws unsheathed, almost as if climbing a recumbent tree. They reached the other side with the kits only minimally wet.
Better than the first time, Shado murmured.
Hush! Cat said between his teeth and kitten neck. What he wanted most to do was drop Shado, sit down, and give himself a good wash, drying the cold water of the river from his fur as best he could. The fox's tail disappeared into the underbrush beside the river and Cat could do nothing but follow as fast as he could.
In a length of time that seemed much shorter than it should have, they reached the edge of the forest. The fox stopped under a clump of broken conifer limbs, putting the kit down carefully between her paws. She spent the time waiting for Cat to catch up washing the kit, massaging with her large fox tongue to get the circulation flowing again. After awhile, Cat came up and began the same treatment on Shado.
With both kits cleaned and curled together in sleep, Cat began his own long-overdue toilet. He began at the tip of his tail and worked his way methodically toward the final lap, ears and whiskers. Finished, he looked around to find the fox as meticulously grooming herself as he had.
Thank you, Cat said and the fox stopped in mid-lick.
My pleasure, the fox replied. I like to see a family stay together and I did not think you were going to get far trying to carry two kits at once.
Cat smoothed his whiskers again with a clean paw. I'm sure, he murmured. But I couldn't come back for the other kit. You heard the hounds.
I do believe we left them at the river. I haven't heard them in some time.
You really do know these woods. Are you as familiar with the castle?
Goodness, no. I have never been in the castle. The hounds would scent me in a moment. The fox made a sound which could have been taken for amusement. Wouldn't that stir the stale air inside those walls? Can you manage from here?
Thank you, Cat said. I might not have escaped the dogs without your help. What may I do for you in return?
I don't have a need at the moment, except for dinner. All this excitement has made me hungry. The fox looked at the kits with her mouth open, tongue curled.
Both kits drew back into Cat's shadow. Cat understood that the fox was making a small joke and took no offense. Do you know the declivity across this meadow where there is a city of mice?
The fox looked across the meadow. No, I have not hunted there. A city of mice?
Holes everywhere. Follow the line of the forest. When you reach a small hill, go carefully as you pass over it. On the other side you will find many fine, fat mice for your dinner. If there is ever anything I can do for you, send word to the castle. I will hear of it and meet you in this spot.
With a final poke of her sharp nose at the kits, the fox disappeared into the forest in the direction of the mouse haven Cat had described to her. Cat was hungry himself and knew the kits were as well, but food would have to wait. First, he must get them into the castle and up to Cat's domain.
The shadows of evening were long across the meadow. Cat picked up the two kits and, following the darker shadows, made his way to the castle gate. He waited until the humans had gone inside to their evening meal before he carried his double burden under the gate and up to the kitchen entrance.
I'm hungry, Shado muttered as they slipped through the kitchen and toward the stairs.
Don't think about it, Cat mumbled. First, safety. Then, food.
Cat tried to keep to the shadows and out of sight of the other cats and the stupid dogs. He was not altogether successful. One of his hunting companions, a black and white tom with only half a tail, came out of the kitchen just as Cat started up the stairs. The torn raised his hackles and hissed in mock horror, What is this? Cat, Lord of the Castle, swinging not one, but two kits. Where are you taking these little beggars? They look like something our companions would toss to the dogs.
Cat felt the little ones tense with fear. Be still, he said to the kits. You are perfectly safe with me from both the dogs and from cats whose manners are as short as their tails.
The black and white torn hissed and bowed his back, but he was not close enough for Cat to take a swipe at him, so Cat moved up the curved stairway, the kits swinging as he climbed.
He isn't following us, Shadow stretched his neck to watch the stairs behind them.
I would be surprised if he did, Cat said. He does all his fighting with speech. Perhaps having part of his tail missing makes him feel inferior. He rarely throws himself into a real fray.
Do the other cats tease him about his tail? a soft voice asked and Cat realized the little sister had spoken for the first time.