Dawnlark Plains bead fern

sun eater kept himself far outside the fringe of trees which surrounded his wife's snow shelter. the women knew he was there, certainly, but he did not dare to cross the threshold, nor did he speak.

great formations of stone rose from muddy soil and straggled pine the further he traveled from the birthing den. he traded nearness for vantage, climbing one such rock to peer worriedly in the direction of where star eater labored to bring their children to the world.

"ice raven. i ask you to guard the lives of my woman and the young ones," he prayed in a mumble. "ice raven. i ask that you keep them whole."

a vigil of hushed whispers, shoulders hunched against the wind.