Silver Winds

Chapter 34

"Liva?" Astra asked, watching the small, dark kitten come out from behind a tree. Evening sunlight flittered onto Astra's skin as she sat at the edge of the river, laying down with her face toward the sun. Rune had told her to get some sun, so she was up at above the cave.

The small cat meowed, and bounded toward Astra. She licked Astra's cheek while the girl scooped her up into her arms, and purred while Astra kissed her on the head.

"I'm sorry I forgot about you," Astra murmured. "Everything was crazy today, you know? But I think it'll turn out all right." She held the cat close to her chest, and stroked her on the head. The cat's soft fur brushed against the rough skin of Astra's hand, and the vibrations coming from her chest appeared to shake the still air. Everything felt calm, especially compared to earlier.

"I think it'll turn out all right," she repeated. "And you'll be happy staying here now, right? Right near me. Maybe I can get them to let you stay with us in the cave."

She stiffened, and looked at the water. Astra chuckled, not considering for a moment that a cat knowing the area already was a bit strange.

"You don't like water, do you? Well, you are a cat. My father told me they hate water."

Liva let out a yowl, and Astra patted her on the head. "It's all right," she assured her. "I won't force you to go in there."

"Astor-Astra!" Rune called from below. "Who are you talking to?"

"Just a cat!" she hollered back, covering Liva's ears so as to protect them. "Hemming gave her to me to take care of!"

"Why a cat?" She heard him complain, but she decided not to reply. She scratched behind Liva's ear for a moment, and consoled her with small whispers and sounds. Liva continued purring like she hadn't realized she had been insulted.

A cool sensation covered Astra's skin, and she looked up to the sky. Clouds had covered the sun, and shade fell over her. She held Liva tight to her chest as she rolled into a sitting position. Discomfort shifted through her abdomen, and she couldn't help but grimace for a brief moment. She peered at the sky. Then she brought herself to her feet, cuddling Liva in her arms.

"I don't like the look of those clouds," she murmured in the kitten's ear, "so we're going to go inside."

Astra picked her way down the steep incline that led her farther away from the cave because she didn't want to accidentally hurt Liva. The small kitten held onto Astra with her claws, and although Astra was bouncing a bit, she didn't seem to mind. Astra protected her from the water droplets as they passed by the roaring water and moved into the cave.

"Rune, I think it's going to snow hard," Astra announced as she entered their living space, thinking about the angry gray clouds outside. Kay laid on her stomach in the corner, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the stone. Rune was sorting herbs, stacking them in various piles. Nikolaus sat next to Rune, pointing and speaking about the leaves and roots. "So I'm bringing Liva in here."

"Cat?" Rune asked, turning from his work. His eyes were narrowed and they closed even more when he saw the little bundle of black fur that was nestled in Astra's arms. "We can't keep a cat in here."

"I promised Hemming I would take care of her, and I can't just leave her out in that." Astra's tone was firm, and she let Liva down onto the stone. The black kitten scampered over to the fire at once, squeaking. She curled up next to Rune, who scowled and pushed her away from him. He then wiped his hand on his pant leg. Astra could see tears rising in his eyes. She rushed over to him, frowning.

"Well, if you're going to cry over it . . ." Astra started, lifting the happy kitten away from her warmth. The purring abruptly cut off, and Liva meowed in Astra's face. Rune wiped at his face with the hand that he hadn't touched Liva with.