It was decided that the afternoon would be a good time to show the new arrivals some of the valley.
Seraphina walked with Nicole, and Cosette and Bren walked beside Taniki and Kyron.
“Our valley extends from Mystic village all the way up to the cliffs we will be visiting,” Nicole said. “It also reaches west, downstream from the village to where the trail we were on first entered the valley. We call that place, ‘The Fishing Spot’.”
“It’s not a huge area,” Kyron told Bren, “but there’s plenty of game, and the stream is full of fish.”
“The rest of the valley, from the Fishing Spot west, belongs to the Hungry tribe,” Taniki told Cosette. “They’re good neighbors, and we support each other completely.”
They enjoyed the walk along the stream and eventually came out into a clearing facing the cliffs.
“Is that the waterfall with the cool mists?” Cosette asked, walking toward the plunge pool. “And is this the ‘Bonding Pool’?”
“Well, we hadn’t named it that,” Taniki said, giving Kyron a secret smile, “but yes, it is.”
“And that,” Nicole said, pointing to the giant tree next to the cliff, “is how we get up to the cave with the drawings. Come on, Seraphina, just follow me.”
It looked a little strange with all six cats standing in a line along the ledge.
“Alright everyone,” Nicole said, “get out your shiners and follow me into the cave.”
They used dim shiners to maximize the effect of the colorful drawings.
“Incredible, stunning, so beautiful,” were all heard, and Seraphina actually started to cry.
“I know you told us what they would look like,” Seraphina said, wiping away tears, “but you have to actually see them to appreciate how beautiful they are.”
Nicole then walked them along the walls, pointing out how the drawings brought the legend to life.
“Our next project, which we will start as soon as Chantel gets back,” Nicole said, “is to copy the carvings on the standing stones at the History Tree site.”
“And that’s what this part of the drawings refers to?” Seraphina asked, moving to that section of the wall.
“Exactly,” Nicole agreed, then pointed to the preceding drawings. “We’re still looking for the cave that the cats are carrying things into.”
“This valley is full of adventures and mysteries,” Bren said. “No wonder you need more help.”
“It is more interesting than the same old daily routine,” Kyron said. “If you want boring, you’re in the wrong place.”
Back down in the clearing, Taniki couldn’t help but smile at Cosette’s fascination with the plunge pool.
On the way back to the village, Taniki and Cosette took time to collect a few herbs and spices that they spotted from the trail. The boys were considering catching some fish for a fresh fish dinner that night. They decided to go down to the Fishing Spot and do their fishing there.
Later that evening, as the village cats gathered around the large central fire pit for their evening meal, things were handled a little differently. Instead of the usually communal meal being prepared in the village cookhouse, which hadn’t been rebuilt yet, the meal had become a potluck affair. Each cat who could cook would bring something to share. After a few bad experiences, the cat’s who couldn’t cook were encouraged to bring nothing.
After a satisfying meal, Nicole stood and clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“I’m sure you all know that we recently returned from a trip to Falling Waters,” Nicole said.
“I was hoping to recruit some help for our work with all the ancient drawings and carvings we’re discovering. I came back with my lifelong friend, Seraphina, who is probably the best artist that Falling Waters has ever produced.”
“Say hello to Seraphina,” she said, holding out a hand to her friend.
After a round of greetings, she continued, “Del and Vitto are also from Falling Waters and they went with me on their own mission. I’ll let them tell you about that.”
Del handed her plate to Vitto and stood up. “You’ve all been keeping up with what the cave drawings have been telling us, as well as the questions they present.”
“One section of the drawings refer to an army that came to defend the valley and disappeared when the danger is past.”
She went on to relate what Torin had revealed from the old tribal legends.
“So that clears up who the army was, and more importantly, we now know who we can call on for help if we need it.”
“There is a second part of our story, but I’ll let Vitto tell that,” she said, sitting down as Vitto rose to his feet.
“Without making this a long, meandering tale, I’ll stick to the important points,” Vitto said.
“When I arrived at my parents’ place, they were in their backyard working in their garden. They’d never been into gardening as long as I can remember.”
“Later in our visit, when I asked them about that, they told me how Kyron’s friend, Bren, had gone out and found a pretty young cat who was crazy enough to follow him home. When my parents visited them, they were amazed to see that she had created a beautiful garden in their backyard. Her enthusiasm for the garden made them want to try growing one of their own.”
“When Del and I went to visit them, we found the same beautiful gardens. In talking to them, it sounded like they might want to start their life together, not in her village, nor in his where they were, but in a completely new place.”
“Well, I know fate when I see it,” Vitto grinned, “so I told them about our valley and Mystic village.”
“I promised to keep this short, so let me introduce Bren and Cosette.”
The two cats stood and waved to the group, then quickly sat down, being too shy to say anything.
Kyron stood and said, “I think Cosette and Bren are a little overwhelmed, but I thought I would tell a little about what they might contribute. As my dad was saying, Cosette can grow just about anything, including flowers. I think that might be important. And Bren, well, he’s been my hunting partner for as long as I can remember, so he’ll be helping keep you all fed.”
“And, like all of you,” Taniki said, standing next to Kyron, “they’re good people.”
Later, Cassy and Baxter approached. “Hello Cosette, how’s your mother?”
Looking up in surprise, Cosette exclaimed, “Cassandra, is that you? What are you doing here? I mean, I didn’t know you were here.”
“I mean, Oh shoot,” she said, jumping up and giving her a hug.
“It’s good to see you, Sweety,” Cassy said, returning her hug. “and with a husband no less.”
“This big lug is my other half,” she said, smiling back at Baxter.
“Bren, Cassy is from Sunny Meadows,” Cosette said, “I’ve known her since I was a kitten.”
The evening gathering finally ended with the cats scattering to their individual homes.
They made absolutely sure that the fire in the fire pit was completely out.