Moonspear doomed

Sialuk patted Meerkat on her back as they embraced, and Sialuk hoped that her sister could find true peace here upon the mountain. She would never begrudge a mother wishing to strike out on her own and make her own path, but Sialuk also yearned for family to stay close. She wondered also if her own child would want to fly the coop someday, to branch out on her own as even Towhee's children had done at such an age that they were. Perhaps it would be better to guide Maggak on that path before she began to think of it herself. In this, Sialuk wove a plan. As soon as little Maggak was ready, they would begin trips to Moonglow. And when her legs grew longer and her muscles stronger, they would visit Moontide as well. Branching out, little by little, under the guidance of Sialuk herself. It was not so different from how Sialuk had learned the world.

It is easy to be unkind to our past self, Sialuk said, a kind smile toward Meerkat. Village Moonspear is lucky to have a councilor who is wise beyond her years. And one with a wise husband! she grinned.