Moonspear You made me fall from Heaven

Birds chirped loudly as Treepie tidied the ulaq, rearranging the skins she’d so recently washed and organizing all the wares her grandmother had brought. She smiled as she worked, though the expression slid from her face when an unfamiliar voice called from down the mountain, summoning her by name.

She stepped outside with a frown, trying to place the voice as she began her descent. But it was only when she clapped eyes on the figure near the borders that she realized it was Pala. Treepie halted when she saw the young puppies gathered beside their mother, her heart jumping into her throat.

She hastened to meet them, ignoring the urge to sweep the babes into her arms. Oh, she still adored babies! But they were not hers to claim, of course, and her yellow eyes fixed on Pala’s face, her own brow furrowed in concern. Both mother and children looked fine at first glance, but…

Pala, what’s going on? Pie demanded in a soft voice.