Moonspear The painful tears of goodbye

She waited at the ulaq, with Maggak and Acrux tucked close. The painful, grief filled cry that came from the borders, paired with the faint scent of blood and birth, set a twisting feeling in her gut.

Something had happened. Something tragic. She knew Sialuk's extended family to be large. Several of the women in sister clans expecting children of their own. She could not stand to think of the pain of the loss of a sister. Of a grown daughter. Of newly born life. Of the two lives that would never know the love of their birth mother.

Her lips moved in a silent prayer. Fighting back the wetness at the rims of her eyelids, she gathered herself. Made sure her son and daughter were settled and content. She did not know what to expect, but prepared for the worst. She waited, her inky head peeking outside. Tense with concern.