Kestrelkit is ill

"Kittencough is the most likely candidate. And while all those herbs do treat for the symptoms, a simpler method would have been coltsfoot and a bit of tansy. And maybe the honey you used mixed in with it all. " The calico spoke calmly as though he was speaking of the weather. "There is no problem for little Kestrelkit if she eats a variety of herbs. Except maybe her tongue may loathe us. But what else is borage used for, Emberpaw?"

Icekit waddled into the nursery "can I help with anything?" he said in a soft voice, glancing around.

Kestrelkit watched as Emberpaw and Gorsefeather spoke to each other about the herbs. She saw Icekit as he came in. "Hi, Icekit," she greeted hoarsely.

Emberpaw thought for a moment at his mentor's question, not noticing as the other kit walked in. "Doesn't it help queens with something?" he replied. "It's for nursing queens, but I forget what it helps them with." The ginger tom looked over at the star-shaped plant as if gazing at it would give him the answer.

"It helps nursing queens produce milk, which is essential when it comes to new queens or older queens. Where is this herb found? And how many queens does Windclan have right now?" There was a point to Gorsefeather's impromptu quiz, the calico wasn't simply quiz him for fun. There was a lesson to be learn here.

"Gorsefeather? Emberpaw? Can i help you collect herbs?" IceKit asked, yearning to get away from the busy camp and run through the empty moor.

"I believe it is found in Thunderclan's territory; forest areas." Emberpaw closed his eyes imagining the nursery. he knew it inside and out like the back of his paw. "There is two queens; Meadowfall and Feathertail." At the sound of a kit's voice, Emberpaw turned around. "Icekit, when did you come...oh, never mind. I'm not sure that kits are allowed out of camp, but it depends on what Gorsefeather says."

"Okay..." Icekit replyed in a sad voice his head down. "It's just, i don't like being in the busy and crowded camp. But okay Emberpaw. Maybe I could keep Krestrelkit company?" He said perking his ears up.

"Kit's are allowed outside camp, but only with a warrior accompanying them. We are not warriors, Emberpaw. Also you cannot remain here, Icekit. Kestrelkit is ill, do you want to catch Kittencough as well?" Though he had limited patience at the moment, Gorsefeather tried not snap at the kit. He understood that camp could be stuffy at times, but it was ones of the joys of being a kit. You simply had to cope.

Moving on, he continued to his apprentice. "Yes, there and the Twoleg farm's land just beyond our borders. To get a mouthful of borage is a day's trek, and it isn't the most abundant herb in the world. While there may be no problem in Greenleaf, in Leafbare it's a different story. There are other herbs that have the same fever reducing properties and grow more abundantly in our territory. While it is great that you want to do everything you can to heal cats, you must think more long term. Or in Leafbare, you will regret it."

Kestrelkit sighed as she stared around the medicine den. She had been officially sick for not even a full day, and she was already bored. However, the herbs had already seemed to begin to help. Her throat felt soothed for the time being, at least. Despite this, she began to feel sleepy. She curled up in her nest and fell asleep.

Emberpaw nodded his head. "Okay, sir," he purred. "I'll remember that for next time." He looked over at Kestrelkit and couldn't help but smile and purr. "Gorsefeather, I can watch over Kestrelkit. She can stay here for a night or two until she is well enough to go back to the nursery. I'll be responsible for her; it will be good practice for caring for patients. And, may Icekit please stay? I don't want to be disobeying your word, but he would be good company and I'll make sure he doesn't touch anything. If he does, then I'll clean the elder's den for a moon." He really wanted Icekit to stay, the poor thing looked lonely.

"Sorry to bother you, just ask me if I can be of any assistance and hope you feel better Kestrelkit" Icekit replyed with a timid smile as he walked out of the den.

Kestrelkit didn't hear when Icekit wished her well. She had only closed her eyes moments before, but the sickness had drained all her energy, so it didn't take her long for her to drift off to sleep. However, it wasn't quite a deep sleep yet. It was a peaceful, yet dreamless sleep.

"If you don't want to disobey my word, then you'll do as I say, Emberpaw. What part of he could catch kittencough as well, do you not understand?" The tom hissed, keeping moderately quiet to not disturb little Kestrelkit. His tail flicked in annoyance as he turned away, putting away the borage he'd collected for the new queens in camp. "You can look after Kestrelkit, but remember to give her some coltsfoot when she wakes up. You've given her enough herbs though, that she'll only need a mouthful. I'm going out."

"Yes, Gorsefeather," Emberpaw said sadly, ears against his head in a sad manner. He walked over and sat down next to Kestrelkit.