Broken Antler Fen Nice Dream

Upon realizing it was Wraen, Ibis gave a quick look around to make sure Akavir and Liilitu were out of earshot; she trusted her husband would keep their remaining daughter safe and happy for the time being, but the rest of the pack would catch on to the heightened neuroticism that Ibis exuded.

On a good day she was overprotective; in this instance as she climbed from the den, she was so distracted by the act of keeping busy that Ibis did not even shake the dirt from her shoulders, or try to tidy herself up at all, as she moved closer to Wraen.

The woman's observation was followed by a question, slowly chipping away at the weak veneer of Ibis' calm. No, she half squawked, then as Ibis took a breath to steady herself a barely contained cry burst from her chest. She's... She's missing. It hurt to admit it out loud. Hastily the young mother adds, We can't tell Lilitu, it would break her heart.