Sialuk made her way around the mountain range to the copse where
@Meerkat and
@Njord planned to build their village. Sixsix circled above her, having made his way back after some time of absence. She had not known where he had gone, nor did she know how to ask. After her revelation with Orca, she felt even more connected to the black bird who had been a constant throughout much of her life. She did not know if he would always be there, but she was appreciative that he was still there.
The starwoman slowed, the crudely-wrapped bundle of herbs that she carried in her mouth swinging gently. The scent markers here were strong. Sialuk saw the first snowflakes begin to drift downward now, and she blinked as one rested on her brow. Panuk and Rolayne would need to go home soon, she thought, before the snow became too deep for their unaccustomed legs. She paused a moment longer, then called for her village sister, hoping the gift of medicine would bring good luck to the village.
She told her mother to stay in the copse as long as she liked, though Towhee insisted on heading east for a few days. She wanted to fetch a skin she’d left in The Heartwood. Meerkat walked her to the northern border and waited until her swarthy figure vanished before deciding she might as well patrol while she was here.
The woods were very quiet this morning. Meerkat felt a little lonely but she reminded herself to revel in this peaceful solitude. It wouldn’t last long, as the village grew (including newborns in the none too distant future), so she told herself to savor it.
And she did. She circled the entire copse, ending up where she’d begun, and felt a deep sense of
rightness with the world. She did want to go find
@Njord, though before she had the chance to seek out her mate, someone approached. The very same moment Meerkat recognized the visitor as Sialuk, snowflakes began to drift down from above.
Sialuk!
Meerkat exclaimed, her voice overly loud.
You brought the snows with you,
she quipped as she closed the distance, minding her friend’s bundle as she went in for an embrace.
Meerkat was close by, and the brown of her fur was a welcome sight. She had not been gone from the village long, but still Sialuk felt the distance was there. She reminded herself that it had not been a long journey to get here, and their visits would be plentiful. The starwoman returned the embrace, wrapping a foreleg atop Meerkat's shoulder and reveling in the meeting of an old friend. When she pulled away, she set the bundle down between them and smiled. It was good to see Meerkat feeling well, and even better to see her friend in what seemed to be high spirits.
From Moonspear's peak to your own village,
Sialuk said with a glint in her eye. The tip of the mountain was often covered in fresh white snow, but only in the coldest months did it permeate all the way down to the lower slopes. I brought supplies. Things to cool fevers, keep infection away.
Simple things that could hardly be mishandled even if one took too much or too little.
Is there anything in there that’ll keep predatorial men away?
Meerkat asked, the words just slipping from her mouth.
There was an incident,
she quickly explained, adding,
But I’m not worried,
which was only a slight fib.
Wolves like him will always exist. But soon our claim will be strong. The copse belongs to us. It’s our home now. And I know our allies will always have our back.
Realizing she was babbling, Meerkat smiled apologetically. With just Njord, Towhee and herself here, conversations were sparse and quite often redundant right now. It was nice talking to someone else for a change. She knew Sialuk would be interested in the news, though she didn’t want to make this visit all about herself.
Refocusing on the bundle, she acknowledged,
Thank you so much for the housewarming gifts. Let me show you around a bit. We can find someplace to store them and you can tell me how everyone in Moonspear is doing.