Sun Mote Copse poinsetta

Honey did not seem to take solace in Asherah's words, but the red woman understood. She was saddened that the woman did not name her child, though, saddened for the boy. Asherah understood that not all in the Malkaria had taken to Molech and the ways as she had, but still, this was Honey's child, sacrifice or not. Her eyes flickered unsure from the boy to the woman, not liking this part for them. She had smothered Bachir in affection and sent him to Molech's arms with her sweet whispers in his ears.

Belief in Molech or not, sacrificing this child would allow the other to live. Eshamun would have killed them both if Honey had refused, Asherah believed this in her soul. She was less sure she could have ripped the children from their mother's side herself, but found that the idea was just. Molech was a harsh god, and it was not religion that made leaders kill pups that were not allowed.

"As you wish, sweet mother." Asherah said finally, after allowing Honey more time to bid her son farewell. She lifted the small boy and turned and strode away from the den. She moved to the water with the small bundle in her mouth, but paused beside it before entering. She lay the boy down and then bent herself, to whisper prayers in his ears, soft encouragements. Carnation too would eventually grow within the Malkaria knowing that a sibling of hers had died. None of these children would forget the price that had been paid for their lives, the luck and misfortune both they had for not being the one to join Molech right away. Asherah would make sure they were thankful to the souls gone before them. It was only right.

With this promised to the unnamed child, she picked him up again and strode into the water. She held him beneath the flow with determination and she found herself not teary eyed. She too had paid this price, her child had died as well. It was slightly frightening to know what Eshamun had felt of her Bachir, though, the tiny struggles turned to stillness. Yet she reminded herself that in that stillness lay Molech's embrace. She lifted the lifeless body from the water and made her way towards the shrine, so that he may lay rightfully with the others. She dug the grave herself, cleaned him of the water, and buried him with more prayer.

She did not return Honey's den, knowing the woman wouldn't want to know all was said and done. Perhaps later she would show her which grave was his, if the woman liked.