Kate watched him eat half the food, shape shift to a small tabby, then hop on the bed next to her. The mage avoided the urge to hold Jasper. She finished her plate as he curled up beside her, "Jasper, your adorable as a Tabby. In this form you will heal faster and I can carry you. I will not allow Papa, Johh, Sara and my friends to meet you until you are better. Papa will want to interrogate you and Jonn, I am not sure how he will react. They can wait a few days to see you. Your terrified enough, I need to get you winter clothes and a coat. This is your home and I want you to see all of Wildwood Shire. Your health is important to me. You need to have your teeth checked. I will take to the mage guild school and have Grand Master Mage make sure you have no internal injuries. I need you meet him, he is kind and gentle. I will not be out of your sight. I will not allow anyone to harm or hurt you. We are going to my favorite bakery. The bakery is a shop where you may have sweet treats and taste the best hot cocoa in town."<br/><br/>Kate lightly touched the top of his right paw and her finger moved over his orange fur. "I know all this scares you. Jasper, I need you see that not all people want to harm you. The doctors here are painless as they are experienced mage healers. You will feel much better by the end of the day. Stay here while I get dressed and you may make a nest in my knap sack. I have a soft blanket in there and you should feel safe. You can look around or hide. If you wish, I can hide you in my cloke. We will travel in my father's coach. His driver is named Peel and he understands the life you have experienced. He is a man you can trust."<br/><br/>Kate swung her legs to the left side of the bed. She slowly stood up then scurried  toward the door. A   large, embroidered, nap sack sat in a corner beside a writing desk.  The mage picked up the sack by the arm straps then gently sat the opened sack beside Jasper, "You may like to be carried in this. It is warm, soft, and safe. The large backpack is made of light weight, embroidery, cotton The bag is lined with soft fleece and a red plaid fleece blanket filled the inside.  You may investigate it while I dress."<br/><br/>The red-head gathered a dark blue long wool skirt; two heavy cotton petticoats; white corset with front closures; white, cotton and lace chemise; white, longs sleeve, button down, blouse;  matching wool waist coat, bloomers, heavy cotton stockings, and a dark blue, mage robe. She dressed behind a screen to dress. Kate picked up a pair of  fleece-lined, brown, leather, boots. that stood beside an antique dresser. She strolled to a pillow covered desk chair and donned the boots.<br/>"I can wrap you up in the blanket before we go?" May I or do you want to cover yourself. I do not want you cold. I will not close you in it. You will be able to look out. If you want to be held, just ask."<br/><br/>The mage very gently scooped the tabby in her arms and for a moment held him. She smoothed her chin over his head and kissed the top of his head. "Relax, this how you should be loved and petted. I love you purrs, easy, Jasper, I got you. I told you, you will be treated well my gift." Slowly Kate placed him in the bag and covered him. "Comfy...off we go."<br/><br/>Kate slowly picked the satchel up and held it in her hands. "Do you feel safe and secure?"<br/><br/>The fox human exited the room and took him to the back door. "Ann, tell Papa an going shopping and taking the carriage. Do you need anything?"<br/><br/>Ann replied while rolling dough in the kitchen, "No Dear, will go later. I hope you both have fun."<br/><br/>A girl of 12 came bounding down the hall, "Where you going Kate?"<br/><br/>Kate turned to her sister as she donned her wool cloak and mittens, "I am going into town have errands. We will all go shopping for Winter Fest later."<br/>Kate picked up the bag and headed for the stable.<br/><br/>She called to Peel, "Will you drive me to town? I have errands and will not be back until supper."<br/><br/>The driver was a stocky man of 50 and hooked a team of four horses. Peel opened the carriage door and caught a glimpse of her back pack. "Is that a new pet, Kattie."<br/><br/>Kate smiled and took Peels hand, "He is not a pet, Peel, he is my companion, Jasper. Please stop at the Snead's clothier first. I have a dress ready. I will be a while getting clothes for our ball. I need to see Dr. Hadley the dentist. Plan for lunch at Heidi's inn."<br/><br/>The fox-human entered the carriage, set the satchel on a velvet covered, leather seat. She pulled a quilt from the overhead rack and covered herself. "Jasper, would you like me to hold you?"<br/><br/>Peel climbed into the driver seat and slowly headed for the front drive way toward the main road to town. The landmarks, Kate showed to Jasper. The coach windows were uncovered and snow from the previous night blanked the landscape. Kate pointed the fenced pasture; the road to the 500 acre lake; and the town keep.