Moonspear no place like home

Njord planned to attend the upcoming hunt, perhaps taking Reki with him. Although Meerkat had agreed to this—which meant staying behind, all by herself—she grew agitated as the departure day approached. She kept thinking waspishly of her parents' decision to settle at Moontide. Meerkat knew she was being uncharitable, just like she suspected her hormones were shifting. She said nothing to her husband nor their young novitiate, not wishing to spoil Njord’s excitement in particular.

When the invitation came to attend Seal’s coming-of-age ceremony, it did quite a lot to dispel the black cloud lingering over her head. Although she felt like a heel leaving Reki behind at the copse, Meerkat was grateful someone would be staying there. Besides, she would relieve him in no more than a day’s time. And he could still head off to hunt with Njord and the rest, though Meerkat would be pleased if they could keep each other company.

Clearing her throat presently, Meerkat put all that aside to focus on Seal’s face. She was a strikingly beautiful young woman, full of immense potential. Meerkat was biased, of course, but she couldn’t be prouder. She glanced at Njord’s face, mutually marveling at this incredible person they’d brought into the world. She wasn’t the only one of course—Meerkat particularly missed Orca just now—but today, her mother’s love would focus wholly and completely on Seal.