Hushed Willows [m] But don't stop dancing, don't dare stop

the cry had kukutux turning sharply from her perusal of moss upon the border even as faele whispered. exchanging a look with the woman, she strode on, her carrying-pouch of herbs jostled almost violently. 

reverie's growl accompanied her at last-arrival; she saw minnow's chosen and the hearthwood healer there. she dropped her pack and lunged forward.

"igal! igal!" kukutux snapped, rounding on tuft with a pinch of her teeth if she caught him. it was in defense of reverie inside the den. "go to your woman. stay away from this place," the duck growled to the man, who had continued to prove himself brash and unmindful. 

"faele. stay with nasamiituuq." kuktuux said firmly, motioning to the granddaughter who had followed them both. the moonglow woman was unknown to reverie, and this was not a place for the child to witness birth. 

in this moment, she did not send for boone. men who were worried brought an energy to the place of birthing that a woman simply did not need.

"reverie," moonwoman murmured, slipping into the den. for a moment she did not move, allowing the young mother to realize it was she who entered. the iron tang of blood was thick. "reverie," she said again, stepping closer when she felt her visage had become known. "please lie down. i will stop the bleeding."

 "reina," voice carrying to the healer who guarded outside. "bring water." and then it would be time for her to join the duck. "when you have come back, get the rattlesnake root and chew until it is fine," she instructed, gesturing to the pouch of many things, including the new moss, still cool to the touch. 

she herself took from it a strip of soft hide and a mouthful of plucked rabbitfur, setting them nearby. "i am here. reina is here. you are not alone," kukutux murmured, meeting reverie's eyes, voice soft.

it was not early for birth, but this was not how a birth should begin.