Cedar Sweep First Light

Asivaq had left the children to their own devices as she prepared their brother for his final resting place. She was only a second away if anything were to happen, but kept a distance and shielded their eyes from the sight of their sibling. She was somber as she examined her third-born and carefully placed flowers and bones around his body; she hoped he would find these playthings in the dancing lights.

She carefully began wrapping a beaver fur around his body, but she took her time, knowing this would be the last time she'd see her son's face. My son, she murmured to herself in the language of the sunshine people, feeling tears well in her eyes as she looked upon him, feeling an overwhelming force of grief crash upon her. You had so much life to live ... It was unfair that he'd been taken from them so quickly. He still had so much life to live! She bowed her head and shook it, hesitating to cover his face.

Malguk's laughter shattered the still and silence that'd settled in the den, and her heart skipped a beat as she turned to see what was going on. There was a look of panic upon her, despite the happy notes her daughter chirped, as she studied the situation. Her worries dissipated in one long exhale as she realized there was nothing wrong—it was the opposite, actually!

Finally, her daughter's eyes had opened.

She quickly finished wrapping up her son before she stood and moved to join her children. Aya! she praised, eyes still brimming with tears but with a happier emotion behind them. My sweet girl! Look at you! You can see! She said, curling around her middle child and gently grooming her head. I am so incredibly proud of you.