The Spell of Rosette by Kim Falconer

into Rosette’s eyes. ‘Deep breaths now. He will be less frightened if our movements are calm. These creatures are very dangerous.’
    ‘He’s a kitten, Nell.’
    The older witch gave her a sharp look. ‘Even at this age—and this damaged—he could tear your hand off with his claws. Now calm yourself.’
    Rosette spoke softly. ‘I’m calm, but you certainly aren’t. What’s wrong? Will he be all right?’
    Again the strange sound filled Rosette’s mind. She thought her ears must be ringing from the cold. Maudi? Maudi?
    She turned her attention to the little animal. ‘It’s okay, baby cat. You’re safe with us.’
    Rosette kept her hand on the kitten while Nell examined it. She counted his heartbeats, checked the gum colour, palpated the twisted foreleg and gently pulled open the swollen eyelids. All the while Rosette talked to him in a comforting voice.
    ‘We need a basin with hot water and clean cloths. I want Golden Seal, Coptis and Hypericum, mixed in equal measure. Also that ointment I gave you this morning. We’ll use that too.’
    Rosette got up. ‘What else?’ she asked as she followed the directions.
    ‘My splinting sticks and bandages. They’re in a box under the long bench.’
    ‘Got ’em.’
    Maudi? The sound was plaintive as the little animal turned its good eye towards Rosette.
    ‘We’re going to help you, baby cat,’ Rosette said, stroking the crumpled body when she returned. ‘Nell’s going to fix you up. She’s the best healer ever.’
    Rosette went back to the kitchen to mix the herbs. ‘He’ll live? He’ll be able to run and jump, won’t he, Nell? Hunt? Both eyes will see?’
    ‘I think so, darling. Let’s just get him treated and give him something to eat. Bring a cup of milk to warm, and the hot-water bottle. He’s still cold.’
    ‘Meat?’
    ‘I have lamb in the oven that he can try later.’
    Rosette smiled at the thought, her mouth watering.
    Nell cleared her throat. ‘Can you hear him?’
    ‘Like a bellowing bull. Nothing wrong with his vocal cords. He was screaming and spitting in warrior fits until he went unconscious.’ Rosette returned, handing the herb mixture to Nell and setting the milk on the hearth.
    ‘A good sign, but that’s not what I meant.’ Nellflushed out the wounds, covering them with the soothing ointment.
    ‘What did you mean?’
    ‘I was wondering if you could hear his thoughts,’ she said, making a compress for the swollen eye. ‘Hold this over his face. It may sting a little. Be ready.’
    ‘It’s going to hurt?’
    ‘We have to get the swelling down to protect his optic nerve. Talk to him.’
    It’s okay, baby cat. It might pinch a bit, but it is going to help you heal. Trust me. I won’t hurt you. She thought the words, applying the warm compress to the feline’s face.
    Trust…me…Maudi.
    Rosette’s eyes widened when she heard the sound in her head. She looked first at Nell and then at the injured cat.
    ‘He’s communicating already, isn’t he?’ Nell whispered.
    Maudi?
    She stroked his back. ‘He called me Maudi,’ she said, her eyes welling.
    ‘Answer him then, reassure him. Keep your thoughts flowing!’
    Rosette started babbling at the kitten.
    ‘They don’t have to be aloud,’ Nell said.
    Rosette closed her mouth. I’m here, little one. Maudi is here. You’re going to be fine. Are you hungry? She turned to Nell. ‘I can hear him. It’s impossible.’
    Nell shook her head. ‘After all our work this summer, you still think that some things in this world might be “impossible”?’
    ‘But this…I just wasn’t expecting…this.’
    ‘Nor was I.’
    Rosette turned back to the feline and wiped the crusted blood and leaves from the black fur. A tiny, sputtering, rumbling sound vibrated in its throat.
    ‘Nell! He’s choking. He must have an obstruction. Quick!’
    Nell smiled, stopping her hand. ‘He’s not choking, Rosette.’
    ‘What then?’
    ‘He’s purring.’
    ‘He’s happy?