Verdigris Ravine (M) And wrens have begun to sing an old song in the mouth of your kettle.

S’ari tried not to physically recoil at the thing that Towhee had just birthed. Her own guts were now roiling at the sight and the smell. Gods, the smell.

Towhee sank to the ground after claiming she was not a threat, and S’ari glared at Zoug as if this whole thing were his fault. Leave S’ari’s friend alone, she warned the coyote.

Water, Towhee begged, and S’ari felt her heart twist in her chest.

She’d get it herself, but pregnant as she was, she wasn’t fast enough. She stepped around Towhee and stared at Zoug. Zoug. Bring water. Lap it up into your mouth and hold it there and bring it back. Or S’ari will do it, but she is slow. This wolf will not hurt us. She is good and kind, and— And she is dying.

S’ari opened her mouth to continue giving Zoug instruction, but her guts twisted inside her again, though much lower down than before. Something splattered on the sand between her legs. Feeling suddenly cold with dread, she looked down to see water there. Shit, she hissed.