Northstar Vale feel your mother at your side

After days of drying, curing, and chewing the leather… the marmot pelt was ready to be presented to @Viskani along with other items Seal had gathered. She carried her wares toward the matriarch’s den, hopeful they would be favorably received.

“Viskani? It’s Seal. I brought you a few things,” she said before the matriarch’s den. “May I come in?”

A voice she was not so familiar with yet reached her ears are stirred her awake from her light nap. Yes, come in my dear. She responded lifting her head, ushering the girl inside. It was far too cold to be standing out in the open. Careful not to strain anything she adjusted to lay on her side. Her pregnant belly had swollen to what would - hopefully - be it's most by now. The litter could not be far off.

Not yet had she become well acquainted with Seal, but Chaudry had spoken highly of her. As much as her son bothered her these days, she knew that he was not one to dole out his praise lightly.

Seal tip-toed into Viskani’s lair politely. The light was dim, but there was enough to spy her brilliant yellow eyes and the curve of her belly. It would not be long now!

She set down her goods and unfurled the plush marmot pelt. “I’ve trained in the ways of healing. Midwifery,” Seal explained, hoping her skills would be some use to Viskani - to pay her debts to Chaudry depended on it. “It’s what I’ve always wanted tae do… since I was a wee girl.” She gestured a paw towards the items.

“Lakeweed,” she pointed, first, to a small of wet, vibrant green plant. “It’s full of minerals. Good for your bones and heart.” Next, a sampling of wolf charcuterie: gelatinous bone marrow, minced deer organs, and quail haunches. “Fat for energy, organ meat for strength, and bird meat and bone for digestion,” Seal explained.

She only wished she had stores of dried herbs: chamomile, basil, or raspberry. The memory of Alaric’s vast garden was vivid in her mind.

“And this pelt – a gift for your soon-to-be newborns,” she added with a smile and passed the marmot baby blanket towards Viskani.

She listened with a quiet focus, pulling apart each word and movement the young girl made. It was important here. Are you asking to be ranked? If so, you certainly came prepared. She says with a gentle smile. If healing and midwifery is what you want to do, I will help you. After all, Montagne de Cigue was certainly in need of someone competent with herbs.

Looking to Seal expectantly now, she waited for her confirmation before she would continue. Not everyone wanted to be ranked, it made a pack feel too permanent for some - Viskani did not want to talk at someone who was not interested in listening.

Are you asking to be ranked? the matriarch inquired directly.

Ah! Did Viskani think Seal was prospecting? The young woman became bamboozled and tried to gather the words to convince Viskani of her genuine sincerity. Seal cared little for the prestige of a higher position in a pack’s hierarchy. Healing and helping were all that mattered to her.

But even in the dark, Seal could spy the queen’s knowing smile. In a way, it reminded her of Kukutux.

Eventually, she found her voice.

“Yes,” the young woman said and shifted closer. “It’s all I’ve wanted tae do since I was a wee lass.” She paused. “But… I dinnae believe I deserve tae be ranked. I’m still repaying you for what I stole…”

She gave a gentle shake of her head. You are not in debt to me, my dear. Young wolves make mistakes, it is a matter of life. She saw no sense in holding anything against Seal. She had behaved herself since, and apologized for her mistakes.

The more important question is where you want your focus to lie. The difference would be subtle at this point in the pack's life, but the distinction was important. Midwifery, or pure herbalism.

Viskani was not particularly skilled in either, nor was anyone else in the vale. Except for Seal.

“But-” Seal began to protest. For surely she still needed to make things right!

Yet the matronly expression on the matriarch's face, and her kind words, said otherwise.

Seal chewed her lip as she pondered Viskani’s next question.

Must I choose? she wanted to ask – but thought better. Viskani had already been kind enough. Seal should know better than to complicate things further.

“Which do you ken is more helpful?” she asked. If there was a need in Viskani’s mind, then Seal would fill it.

Seal asked her to choose, and Viskani decided to entertain her. She took a moment to consider.

Herbalism. She responded. Midwifery is well and good, but I can handle my birth with or without. Though she was not so sure about Pala. We will need someone to treat the injuries of older wolves, I've heard that the coyotes can be brave in these mountains.

A few bites and cuts were no big deal, but they could always evolve into something more. She knew that well.