Noctisardor Bypass jusdreinen

Anselm had never seen childbirth -- nor the rituals that precluded it. As Heda sped to the den, he noticed a thickening of scent in the air; adrenaline, and some other hormone he could not name that pierced beyond the heavy veil of rain.

He understood it was not his place to hover in the den. While Heda fought the pains of childbirth, Anselm hung restlessly outside. He could not piece together -- not yet -- if these children were his or someone else's. It'd caught him off guard to see Heda's form rounded when he came back to Rivenwood - but he'd told herself that she'd taken care of it.

Maybe she hadn't.

He grit his teeth as the sound of struggle sounded from within the den. Chamomile and blood wafted out; Anselm wanted to stick his head in, but he knew he could only listen, wondering if Etienne or Glaukos would show, and if so, when.

Sodden and tired, the hours wore on. An abundantly cold night sky opened itself up to Anselm. He counted stars and watched clouds move past.

At last, stillness. The quiet sound of mewling. Anselm knew if he poked his head in the den, he might lose it -- and so waited outside, wondering how many, and if Heda had made it through the ordeal.

Thank fucking god he didn't have a uterus.