Chapter 59

Her curiosity piqued, Maxi followed Riftan past the stalls. Horses pricked up their ears as they passed. Soon, they reached the innermost stall, which housed Talon. Intimidated by the stallion's bulk, Maxi stuck close to Riftan. He patted her on the back before approaching Talon. She followed suit.

As she drew closer, her eyes grew wide in surprise. Something was squirming on the pile of hay next to the warhorse.

"I found them when I came to see Talon this morning," Riftan whispered.

Maxi stared, transfixed. Three kittens the size of her palm lay curled up on the hay, sound asleep. Riftan crouched down in front of them.

"I noticed Talon pacing around and found them after rummaging through the hay. No signs of the mother cat, though."

"D-Do you think th-they were a-abandoned?"

"It seems like it. The stableboy said he hadn't seen any cats around. A feral cat must have sneaked in to give birth. Must have been quite a shock for Talon to come home and find these trespassers."