Herbalists' Cache When the levee breaks

star eater let the weight of ridgeback’s grief settle between them, a heavy thing neither could lift, but they could bear it together. her muzzle brushed against his temple, firm, grounding. he was still here. he would endure.
she exhaled, a slow breath, turning her gaze to the fragile peace of her snow shelter. other shore, black hawk… a pause, her voice quieter, more measured. nutuyikruk. his captive, maybe. her expression hardened, then softened again, something unreadable flickering in her pale eyes. darukaal are not enemies to us. they only want… her throat tightened. him.
her tail curled protectively around the tiny, wriggling bodies nestled at her belly. her children. his children. and yet, she would raise them as her own, not as weapons, not as pawns.
she pointed to each, voice steady. caan. her eyes fell upon the boy with a lighter underbelly. a strong name. ghe’naya. the girl with the star upon her forehead, the one who bore her mark, her legacy. c’ede’. pale, white like frostbite. and fa’liya, her voice softer now, naming the smallest, the darkest—twin to him.
ridgeback wanted to know them. she would let him. her ears flicked at his humor, at the attempt to lighten the air thick with grief. her lips curved, just slightly. i will not choose for you. her voice was quieter now, edged with something almost warm. but you will know them soon enough.