Herbalists' Cache to tell of joys in storms

at the trudge of other shore's step, sun eater turned to watch her impassively. in truth, he was frightened for both star eater and their children. stillborns were a sad fact of life, and the death of mothers in childbirth was something that happened enough for lanzadoii healers to institute several taboos around the treatment of pregnant wolves.

at his feet was an amulet, a small charm of caribou underhair and three dewclaws. it was for protection, and sun eater had begun to make it as soon as tiny cries carried to his ears upon the wind.

he was fearful, and so he appeared even more frostwound than before, rigid, straight-legged. he had not heard his wife crying in the snow shelter, and tried to read in other shore if she meant to bring him news of a tragedy.

four. four!

the draconic nostrils flared with surprise. "star eater is well?" the chieftain asked gruffly when he had found his voice, a note of pleasure and deep worry sliding into his tone. "sons? daughters?"

he watched other shore again, this obedient girl who star eater had taken beneath her wing. no. she would not be so calm if something had befallen his mate, and so the lanzadoii hunter was free to let out his breath in a shuddering exhale.

his nose stung. his throat was constricted. the man who cried never felt it in his eye, the overwhelming terror and joy coalesced into one undeniable emotion.

four! four! he wanted to go to her, to embrace her; he wanted to kiss her temples and whisper that she was more to him than any other.

other shore spoke again, barring him on wife's word from the den. "it is her right," he said simply, though he understood that gjalla and black hawk were with her and might have influenced such a decision. still. the choice remained to her. he would wait, single eye lifting fiercely to the snow shelter.