Walking back from their visit with Torin, Dante asked, “Do you really think we might need to be an army again?”
Vitto thought for a minute. “If history repeats itself, then yes.”
“But the only thing that’s sure to repeat is the plague. Every two hundred years, the plague returns, and cats die.”
“The last time, though, a cure was found, though not in time to save all the cats. Also, a large number of the violet flowers, needed for the cure, were apparently deliberately destroyed.”
“If we can rediscover how to make the cure from the flowers and secure enough of them, then, success! All the cats saved, no attacking tribes, and no need for a defending army.”
“So, really,” Del said, “we need three things to happen… find the cure, plant lots of flowers, and prevent their destruction.”
“You mentioned the destruction of the flowers before,” Anya said. “What’s that about?”
“I wish we knew,” Del replied. “The cave drawings state that it was deliberate. That means there must have been a group of cats that wanted the plague to run its course.”
“That was two hundred years ago—do you think they’re still around?” Milo asked, looking concerned.
“We’re looking for clues about who they were,” Dante said. “If we can figure that out, we might be able to find out if they’re still here.”
“Why would anyone want to sabotage the cure?” Daria posed, upset at the very idea. “They must be crazy.”
“Crazy and dangerous,” Vitto said with a frowned.
“Changing the subject, Dad,” Vitto said, brightening a little. “When I saw you out back of the house, Mom and you were working in your garden. Since when do you have a garden?”
“Interesting story, that,” Dante replied. “You remember Kyron’s friend Bren? Well, he decided it was time to see the rest of the world and, surprise, surprise, he found a sweet young cat at Sunny Meadows. It turns out that she’s an excellent gardener.”
“When Bren brought her back to the village, we stopped by to welcome her. While visiting with the new couple, I mentioned that Daria and I had a lot of spare time now that we weren’t teaching anymore. She suggested we might try putting in a small garden. So, with her helping, that’s what we did. It’s relaxing and a good way to spend time out in the sunshine with your mother.”
“I’m glad you brought that up, Vitto,” Daria said, “I think we should go visit them.”
“It’d be nice to see Bren again. Before we left, Kyron and Bren spent so much time together, it was almost like having another son. But why do I think you’ve got something in mind?” Vitto asked.
“Just wait and see,” she grinned.
“I hope we see you two before you leave again,” Milo said turning for their house. “I’ve finally got something interesting to talk to the boys about, and I’m sure Anya has plenty to gossip about with her lady friends.”
After they left, Del and Vitto walked with their parents to find Kyron’s friend Bren.
Bren, a cat with black stripes marking his russet fur, greeted them outside his newly built, small house. “It looks like my whole ‘second’ family has come to visit. Is Kyron with you?”
“Hello, Bren, it’s good to see you again,” Del replied. “No, Kyron is busy keeping our new village feed.”
“We hear you’ve found someone to keep you out of trouble,” Vitto smiled.
“I try, but it’s a losing battle,” a pretty young cat said, stepping out into the sunshine.
Bren straightened and, with a proud smile, introduced the small cat whose bright blue eyes set off her light yellow fur.
“Please meet Cosette,” he said, reaching out to hold her hand. “We are bonded.”
“Well, obviously,” Del laughed. “It’s nice to meet you, Cosette.”
“Come around to the back of the house,” Bren said. “It’s more comfortable there.”
The area in back of the house was completely covered with growing plants.
“Welcome to my garden,” Cosette said with a sweeping gesture. “There are chairs over by the small pool. Make yourself comfortable while I get some refreshments.”
“We’ll give you a hand,” Del and Daria said, following her into the house.
“Well, young Bren, you got the urge to wander,” Vitto said with a grin.
“You know how it is,” Bren replied. “You get to a certain age, and you start looking at the girls with more interest.”
“And all the available cats are your cousins,” Dante said. “Yeah, I remember how that is. I was lucky, though, and found a pretty young artist girl.”
“And it absolutely scandalized my parents until they got to know you,” Daria said, walking out with a tray of cool drinks. Del and Cosette followed with plates of vegetable sticks and dipping sauce.
“I hope you like this new sauce,” Cosette said, setting her tray on one of the low tables. “I’ve been trying some changes to my Mom’s old recipes.”
“You’ve created a beautiful space out here, Cosette,” Vitto said, looking around at the plants and pool.
“It reminds me of my home at Sunny Meadows,” Cosette said quietly.
“It must be quite a change moving here with Bren,” Del said.
“All of Bren’s family are so into their martial arts training, even the girls. It’s just not what I’m used to.” Cosette said with a sigh.
Turning to face Vitto and Del, Bren asked, “Tell me, how does Kyron like his new life at Mystic village?”
“Honestly, I’ve never seen him happier,” Del said. “He’s got a whole new valley to hunt in, and he’s even getting back into his carvings.”
“He hasn’t admitted it yet, but he’s found a very nice lady to spend time with,” Vitto said with a grin.
“Why the interest?” Vitto asked Bren.
“Well, the thing is,” Bren said, glancing at Cosette, “I kind of lost my position with the tribe while I was gone. I was a hunter, but, as you know, there’s always more young cats wanting to join the hunting parties than there’s room for.”
“I’ve kept busy building this house and helping Cosette with her garden, but I’m not sure I fit in here anymore.”
“I can see the question that you’re building up to,” Del said. “You want to know if there’s a place for you at Mystic village.”
“Let me tell you about some of what’s going on at the village. As you know, Kyron is doing most of our hunting, but as more cats move to the village, it’s becoming harder for him to keep up. His lady friend, Taniki, our village chef, is always looking for fresh vegetables for her cooking. She doesn’t have time for more than a small garden. Now, mind you, everyone tries to help where they can, but there’s more than enough going on to keep everyone busy.”
“That’s just a light description of some of what’s happening at the village,” Del said. “Do you think there’s something there that might interest you two?”
Bren looked at Cosette with an eager smile. “What do you think, Hon?”
“It almost sounds too good to be true,” she said with a tentative smile.
Sensing her hesitation, Daria said, “Why not give it a try? You can always come back if you don’t like it. Dante and I can look after your garden while you’re gone.”
“You’d do that for me?” Cosette asked.
“Of course,” Daria said, “we already think of you as family, don’t we Dante.”
“Vitto and Del always said that Bren was like a second son,” Dante said, “so I guess that would make you our granddaughter.”
Cosette rushed over, giving Dante and Daria each a big hug. “You don’t know how much that means to me,” she said through happy tears.
They spent the next while talking about their new plans.
A few days later, six cats began the journey back to Magic Valley.