Blackfeather Woods i've got a little black book with my poems in

Maegi!

A call that would have brought her upright, spine straight and eyes alert, in any other mindset. As it was, Maegi only lifted her gaze from Nirgali to stare blankly at the approaching form of Parvati, as if she were a mild curiosity—a leaf on the wind, say—rather than a packmate in trouble.

This blank stare continued as the woman explained her predicament, frightened, trembling. The Melonii impassively watched her writhe for a moment, then nodded, once, as if passing judgment. Like Caesar—thumbs up or down. What verdict had she reached with Parvati?

You are pregnant, she said, voice like an automaton. Congratulations, Parvati. More joy will come to our forest. Her mouth broadened, quite suddenly, in a smile. They'll get to play with Nirgali and Ninazu. My sons. That's exciting, Parvati.