in the middle of the ravine there was a pretty place, a rise of red boulders scattered with tiny flowers, not at all far from the den.

with the red paste at his side once more, zoug invoked the clan spirits of old.

"this man calls the spirits of Wind, Air, Earth, and Water. look upon this tribe. know the ones given into your care." his motions were eloquent, silent all for a grunted word here or there.

with a flourish, zoug gestured his children forward. 

gaara was painted first, a stripe of wet red earth running from forehead to nosetip.

"this boy is gaara. he is given into the protection of the Hare."

second, aylah.

"this girl is aylah. she is given into the protection of the Spider."

third, ebra.

"this girl is ebra. she is given into the protection of the Rattlesnake."

and fourth, brac.

"this boy is brac. he is given into the protection of the Owl."

zoug had mediated for a long while on these protective spirits for the children, allowing images to form and to dissipate within his mind. and he had done it for the others too, knowing each shade which might follow the children of the tribe.

he looked to s'ari now, one eye warmly encouraging if her own children wished to come forward. and with the say of his mother, little harta would have his own ceremony when he was older.

the sun was warm upon them.