Sun Mote Copse A safer car, baby smiling in back seat

Photo reference of the grove: 

Since he had spoken to Eshamun, Ar-Khalba knew of his duty. He thought of it often. As Kurvat, he needed to find a grove -- his own dominion to rule, to organize, and to oversee. Yet, with his cautious nature and his tendency to err toward perfection, Ar-Khalba had yet to find a place fitting for such an endeavor. And with Asherah's due date inching closer and closer, Ar-Khalba sometimes found himself distracted in his pre-natal care.

Some time had passed, yet Ar-Khalba had not forgotten.

As evening fell over the Sun Mote Copse, the Kurvat-to-be set his course south. There was a place among the wood where the trees grew thick and the leaves had turned a rusty shade of brown and orange. The setting sun peeked through the tree line to Ar-Khalba's right. With the light catching in the branches just right, the tree tops seemed to be ablaze. This place, it spoke to him.

This was it. This was grove he sought. He tipped his head back and immediately called for @Eshamun.

ar-khalba would become her kurvat, and be elevated unto leadership. and so she waited, having sent him out into the land to discover the grove for the malkaria. she herself grew busy with the work of training asherah and guarding her gates. there was a man among them, a new creature -- eshamun was amused with considering how he would fit into their encampment.

she was both surprised and not when her lover called to her, and drew forth into a wood shot through with gold and firelit. eshamun's breath left her -- she stared at the sun-made conflagration around her, how it gilded each tree in riches, and presently she turned to ar-khalba. "this shall be our grove. you have done well. what spoke to your heart; why did you choose this place?"

It was not long before Ar-Khalba was joined by his queen. She took her place at his side and looked around, assessing the merit of Ar-Khalba's discovery with the same awestruck wonderment that he had prior. The grove was nothing short of beautiful, thought Ar-Khalba, especially during the golden hour of evening such as this. His gaze fell from the tree tops and landed upon Eshamun's face. Just as the sun's rays filtered through the leaves, the golden light caught in the fur of Eshamun's face. It glowed; surrounded by a god-like halo.

Briefly, their eyes met as she turned to him. Ar-Khalba diverted his gaze slightly downward. "Look to the sun," he replied. Not directly, of course, but that was beside the point. "Now close your eyes and listen. Hear the whisper of the wind pass though the leaves. Hear the quiet that surrounds; that passes through you -- through me. There is peace here. Calm." He smiled, knowing this place fit him well. "I will get much work done in this place."

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eshamun did as ar-khalba bid, lifting her face toward the aureate glow of the great orb and closing her eyes. she did indeed hear what he had guided her to sense, the rustle of the crisp breeze through the multi-hued leaves, the serenity that slid to envelop her with velveteen arms. "it is a blessed place indeed, ar-khalba." a smile came to her then.
"a woman must bring her lover here, to consecrate your grove. who will it be, khalba?" eshamun inquired, turning to him with a gentle look of affection.[/tr][/td][/table]

The grove was to be consecrated. Ar-Khalba nodded slowly, knowing the importance of the brief, passionate ritual that would shortly take place. Eshamun sought his gaze with affection, and when she found it, Ar-Khalba  gave his lover an answer. "You," he replied, succinctly as always. A brief pause followed and Ar-Khalba felt the rest could probably go unspoken...

But, for good measure, he made his intention clear. "With me." Though it was the way of the Malkaria to take many lovers, the thought of Eshamun lying with another man caused Ar-Khalba's stomach to twist into knots. He was a jealous creature at heart, but he did not let on. These feelings scared Ar-Khalba in many ways, as he knew they could one day prove to be problematic.

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a light played through the ekar-aji's eyes; she dipped her head beneath the gentle want of khalba's words. did he know she loved him, deeply and with a great truth? her own heart had broken the edict of the malkaria, but eshamun did not chide herself for it. and surely khalba was aware of this — she stepped forward into his embrace with a nod. "it shall be done. i will come to you when it has been consecrated."
there was a welling within her, a desire to bear his children, and rear them beneath the light of molech -- all of them. it would be some time, the canaanite supposed, but her dream would stand firm. ar-khalba's jealousy was noted, but he did not let it affect his service to the malkaria, and it was for that eshamun loved him also.[/tr][/td][/table]

By her own edict, it would be done. She drew close, and as always, Ar-Khalba allowed her touch to play across his cheek. His eyes slowly shut and his face flushed with warmth. In truth, Ar-Khalba knew the love his queen held for him -- he was an observant, detail oriented wolf after all. Eshamun regarded him with a warmth that she bestowed upon no other. It was an affection at Ar-Khalba coveted intensely.

"When?" he asked in a whispered hum. He wanted her now. But the ritual, the consecration, needed to take place on her own time despite how eager he may have been.

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"when the snow falls," eshamun whispered, laying her muzzle along ar-khalba's strong shoulder. the unfamiliar word for the white falling flakes rested on her tongue; she was not sure if she liked it, or feared what the word mean for the malkaria. her lust was briefly replaced by great feeling of intimacy with the man, the surety of the rightness in her love for him. when? she did not know. "molech will tell you when the grove is ready," she murmured. "and then i shall come to you, and after -- you shall be our first kurvat."[/tr][/td][/table]

Winter approached fast, and soon, the time would be upon them. Already, Ar-Khalba could feel the bitter chill of the winter season setting in. And though the approaching season scared him -- the coming winter gave Khalba hope for a strong litter, born in the spring to the woman he loved. They had paid their toll in the litter they had returned unto Molech. Now, and only after their heartwrenching sacrifice, could they live under the blessing of the One Who Consumes.

He spoke not and simply nodded in affirmation as he silently offered his whole heart unto her.