At Two River Hold, there were a number of small-to-medium sized felines kept to keep vermin out of the beast stables and away from the storage areas. To the east of the main hold buildings was a sturdy shack, built with a sturdy door that latched high up. It was impossible for a human to get locked inside, but it was fully capable of keeping feral canines out. About a meter from the ground was a ledge, which led to a strangely built opening through which any feline could fit, but not human or canine could get in. It kept the rain out, no matter how the wind blew.

Six months ago, the felines that protected Two River Hold weren't protected. They slept in the haylofts or wherever else they could find a sheltered nook. This, obviously was the work of Kerintin, a young man whose only passion in life was taking care of the felines. But why had he done it? And where is he, anyway?

The sun rose, and with it, the half dozen felines who regularly slept on Kerintin's cot. Of course, Kerintin didn't mind the furry and purring company. He loved cats. The day started just like any other, with the felines orbiting him as he readied to face the day. His feline, the spotted Temmini leapt to the desktop and yawned. "Meyat!" Temmini said authoritatively.

"Yes Temmini. Whatever you say." Kerintin said, giving the spotted feline a shove off the desk. She sneezed at him disdainfully, and sauntered off to the sleeping area, and leapt up onto the bed.

Kerintin picked up the sheet of hide, and dashed out the door and down the corridor to the dining hall. "Good morning Kerintin!" The cooks chimed.

"Good Morning!" he responded, skidding to a halt near the message board. He tacked up the neatly lettered, if somewhat worn hide and ran off. Two of the felines were expecting... again. The notice was posted so visitors would know about when the new felines could be taken home. Kerintin loved seeing the little ones go home with the children.

As Kerintin weeded the rather large herb garden, he thought over some things, trying to decide where Avana and Deminov would nest. "Kerintin!" one of the aunties called from the kitchen doorway, "Bring some thyme and sage when you come for breakfast!"

Kerintin waved to acknowledge that he'd heard, then bent to his task. A very big Avana waddled past, rubbing her furry body against Kerintin's legs, purring. Kerintin rubbed the dirt from his hands before he scratched her head. "W'ren would be pleased, you know." He said to the feline.

"Prraaow." She responded, then went on her merry way.

After the midday meal, Kerintin went looking for Deminov. She was further along in her pregnancy than Avana...

A chill ran through Kerintin as he found signs that a whersport had found a meal here...

Kerintin was disturbed to find the nest of Deminov beneath a berry bush, when there were more comfortable spots in or near the hold. He was even more disturbed to fins one kit, shivering there alone. Deminov had borne and raised three litters. She wouldn't abandon one now, would she?

Kerintin scooped up the mewling kitten, and deposited him in the big chest pocket of his coveralls. Kerintin swept his eyes over the area, and what he saw caused him to reach for his beltknife. The whersport had done away with Deminov, and now had a newborn kitten in each of it's foul talons. With practiced aim, Kerintin threw his blade at the whersport. It sunk in to the hilt, killing the beast. The four kittens were already gone. IN his pocke the kitten writhed, crying for the lost Deminov. "Don't cry, Minovito. I'll find you some food." Kerintin promised, retrieving his knife and burying the whersport and kittens in a rocky grave.

Upon returning ot the hold, Kerintin found some milk and a tiny spoon and fed Minovito drop by drop. Goat milk didn't have what feline's milk did, but there were suplements that could be added - at least until Avana littered. Kerintin hoped she would accept this kit as one of her own, and nurse him.

Plans for the feline hut began that very day, so the felines would have a safe place to stay. Why? Because Kerintin couldn't face losing another furry friend. It took him several days to get a builder to help him design the building so it would be strong enough, and nearly three sevendays more to build it. The builders and the farmers and the herders would have been willing to help, had it not been a very busy part of the season for them. No one had a problem with Kerintin. He was a helpful boy.

Kerintin worked hard - a labor of love. When Avana littered, she chose a dark corner cabinet in Kerintin's room, which greatly relieved the 14 turn old boy. The building took a long time, but Kerintin didn't give up. After he slipped from the roof and nearly fractured his ankle, the healers wouldn't let him back outdoors for nearly a sevenday. When they finally let Kerintin get near his project, it was all but done. W'ren and J'rin had come, along with S'rino and Jeniae and Im'mel. The roof was all but done.

"How can I ever repay you for this kindness?" Kerintin asked, looking at the dragonriders.

"No need." S'rino said.

Im'mel grinned. "Your dedication is enough reward.

J'rin whispered something to Jeniae. "If you insist on doing something, go pack. Amitath says you'd makea good candidate." Jeniae grinned at the boy.

"You're kidding!" he said.

"Amitath never kids." J'rin said, grinning.

Kerintin's eyes went wide. "I'd be honored to go. Falas Weyr? Or ...?"

"Falas." Jeniae confirmed

"Hey, wait." W'ren said, climbing down from the roof.

"What?" Im'mel said, looking to his 'second.

"I want to see Avana and her kits."

Kerintin grinned. "They're all in my room, W'ren." He said, "And the kits are just old enough to lave her if you want to bring one home to the Weyr."

W'ren's stoic face softened and the corners of his mouth might have curled in a smile, but on one could be sure.

Temmini paced in her travel case, and the fluffball Minovito ha become sat in a corner, tail lashing. He wasn't ver pleased.

W'ren petted Avana and played with the kits. "Who's the father?" he asked.

"The big grey tom, we think." Kerintin said, putting the last of his things in a bag.

W'ren picked up the nearest kitten, a male. "I'll take this critter. Hirlath will like him."

Kerintin smiled.

Kerintin's Story Continues!