Challenge #04871-M122: Clutch Clowder

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A basket of kittens is left at the doorstep at one of the rare times that Wraithvine's portable tower is visible to those around hir. The mother had died of illness, and the person caring for them finds they don't have the skill, patience, or fortitude, to bottle feed and tend all six. Which requires getting up every couple of hours to feed them, then tending to them to get them to go to the bathroom, then keeping them warm, and feeding them again, over and over for a long period of time, until they can take solid food. -- Anon Guest

Elves only need four hours' rest. Everyone knew that. They had used that time in centuries past to learn more and do more than other intelligent creatures. Those others basically had to cheat in order to slip the Elven yoke. Nevertheless, Elves knew things and Tari knew that much.

Which was why she approached what appeared to be a humble little cottage that had sprung up overnight on the side of the road.

That sort of cottage had to contain the kind of magic he needed. Tari almost collapsed with relief when he saw the patchwork Wizarding hat atop the elegant Elven head. He held up his burden. Box, blanket, kittens and the pathetic tools he had attempted to use to save their tiny lives. "Please," he begged. "Their mam died just after the last one come out. I need t' save 'em but I'm awful at it."

They weren't mewling. They weren't moving around. One was barely breathing.

Wraithvine said, "Come in, and I will see what can be done."

Tari set the box down where the great Wizard bade him, and watched as the world's fluffiest cat inspected it, then settled in on the tiny creatures, licking each one.

Wraithvine was brewing a small potion with the help of something invisible and one ghostly hand. Pots and vials floated around a central cauldron, before small vessels filled with the results.

"Lilbit has taken care of their warmth and their bowels," said Wraithvine, "but she lacks the capacity for their nutrition. That is our job." Wraithvine handed Tari a syringe that had soft cloth affixed to its tip. "Pick a kitten. I will show you what do do."

Empires had fallen at the wave of hir hand. Armies had laid down their arms at the sight of hir hat. Yet ze approached the salvation of newborn kittens with the same devotion and dedication as all hir other tasks.

Tari followed as best he could with shaking hands and weary eyes. He had been working to save these tiny creatures since the wee small hours of the morning. He began to flag long before the sun eased towards the horizon again.

Wraithvine caught him the third time that Tari fell asleep whilst attempting to feed a kitten. "Rest by the hearth. You can help me when you wake. There will be a meal waiting for you when you wake."

Tari gave his latest kitten a soft stroke on its tiny head before falling into the cot by the hearth and from there, into unconsciousness. He couldn't tell how long he slept, only that all was peaceful when he woke up. Wraithvine was meditating by the box with a small mechanical timer ticking on a nearby table.

Lilbit was snoozing and curled around eight tiny patches of fur, which were also snoozing. Alive. Thank the gods, they were alive.

Tari got into the stew and bread set aside for him before anything woke up and demanded his attention or intervention. It was the best stew ever made by the hands of the living. He had time to finish off the tankard of light ale before the timer's little bell rang.

Wraithvine drifted down to hir cushions as ze opened hir eyes. "Ah. Good morrow. Lil'bit's began helping the kittens, and the formula is ready. This is going to take four weeks, and then they can wean onto soft, mashed foods."

"You'll stay here for four weeks? What if the world needs you?" He plucked a kitten away from Lilbit's merciless tongue.

"I've spent centuries in someone's oubliette. The world may have needed me, but other heroes tend to rise to the occasion. Four weeks is an eye-blink in comparison." Ze too, selected a kitten that Lilbit was done cleaning. Two fed. Six to go.

For four weeks.

Tari considered the work ahead of them both. Caring for such small things just because he said 'please'... while the world could be in drastic peril.

Wraithvine, seemingly sensing his thoughts, said, "The world is always in drastic peril. I learned a long time ago that I cannot be everywhere nor can I solve every problem. I can only do what I can where I am. And I am here. With you, and these small lives. Now."

Save the world, or save eight lives... it was improving the world, regardless.

[Photo by The Lucky Neko on Unsplash]

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