Clan of the Eclipse, Amanda and Tabitha [the little red hen ebook txt] 📗

you to if she wants it for herself.”
She raced out.
“Go get some moss and soak it, Pepper. She’ll need something to drink.”
He sped out of the den almost as fast as Frost. Eclipse had a feeling he liked River in a way Frost never could.
Eclipse spoke quietly to Bramble.
“Tribe cats called it green cough, though my humans called it cat flu. The tribe cats called it green cough because of the fluid that is running down her nose and eyes is green. She may also cough up the same green fluid. The symptoms most noticeable are cough, fever and fatigue. I don’t think she’ll be able to eat much, and the couching will cause her throat to be very sore, so we’ll need tansy – that was a good call, just not for the reason you gave it to her. River remains in this den, away from the other cats. Green cough is very contagious. It’s treatable in this stage with catmint, but we can’t let it progress – there’s no way I could help her if it does.”
“This is bad, then?”
“If she doesn’t respond to the catmint, it’s fatal. But most cats do; I’ve treated them in my human camp when the humans couldn’t get them vet medicine. They recovered quickly enough.”
“Have you ever had a cat not respond?”
“Only one. He died because he was old and sickly anyway. There was something wrong with him that even humans couldn’t fix before he got the cough.” She replied. “But our biggest issue is how we’re going to care for a sickly cat with so little prey. Especially if we’re attacked by a fox or another cat.”
“Then we’ll have to make sure she always eats first and that we’re extra careful whenever fighting.”
Eclipse sighed. “I suppose that’s all we can do.”
Frost appeared.
“Here’s that mouse. Sure this will be enough?”
Eclipse nodded. Frost dropped the mouse at River’s paws.
“Alright. I have something very important to tell the cats. Gather at the rocks to cross the river.”
Frost bowed her head and left.
“Oh, Pepper. Hey. She wants everybody at the rocks after you’re finished, alright?”
“Alright. Thanks, Frost.”
“Wait out there, Pepper.” Eclipse meowed.
Eclipse came out, took the sopping moss and went back in, flicking her tail for both thanks and dismissal. She set the dripping bundle at the grey warrior’s paws. The sick cat was picking at the mouse.
“Let’s leave her to her meal, Bramble, and explain how contagious this is.” They left her in peace. “I don’t want even you coming in until she’s well again. I’ll come in only to bring her food, water and catmint. Otherwise, I’ll make it clear she’s to be left alone. We can’t afford another sick cat.” She meowed on their way to the gathered cats.
She hurdled herself onto the largest rock. The cats were subdued.
“What’s wrong with her?” Pepper demanded.
“Why did you have us gather together? Is she bad?” Frost asked.
She waited a moment, as much to allow other questions as to gather her thoughts. No more questions came.
“First; River has an infection called green cough by the tribe cats, and cat flu by humans. She’s very ill, and is contagious – she will spread the disease to others very easily. River will be fed the first piece of freshly caught prey, and it will be our job to protect her. She cannot leave that den, and nobody but me is allowed in there. This isn’t to hurt or isolate her; it’s to make sure the sickness doesn’t spread. It could quickly kill each and every one of us. I will provide her something to eat every time something is brought back, and will give her the proper herbs to cure this green cough. There will be water provided for her at all times; I may even need to request cats to fetch it while they’re out hunting. I also need Maya and Pepper to patrol and guard the area for animals like foxes, raccoons and badgers.”
“What about Otters?”
The other cats looked at her with curiosity.
“Oh…otters are large furry creatures that live along the river. They eat our fish and will sometimes attack us. River leaves them alone during the hot weather, but when the frost comes in they take too much, so she makes sure they know this piece of river and land is ours. She has to remind them every year.”
“Alright. Watch out for them, too, then. Bramble, every time they go out to hunt I want you to ac
Imprint

Publication Date: 01-25-2012

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
This is dedicated to Ghost and Smokey, who both died all too early.