Ankyra Sound [m] but i do it for the kids

eight footfalls fell in step behind her. sobeille’s auburn ear cut back, noting the male’s tread was just slightly slower.

good. her gaze turned resolutely to the distant grotto. the grotto, with its magic aura. the grotto, exuding saltsong and blood and generational power —

another contraction seized her, lasting longer than the former and nearly bringing bile to her throat. sobeille didn’t notice the abundant caution treepie took catching up to her; she was too busy counting a trail of industrious ants on the dappled forest floor.

determined to continue, sobeille took a shaky gasp and resumed waddling. would her wide load even fit through the grotto’s enterance?

i need, each of sobeille’s words was punctuated with terse pain: to make it to dat grotto, she pointed at the dark hole in the hazy distance, its face surrounded by stones. though she didn’t admit it, she was grateful for treepie’s presence — only moments before she’d resolved to face this most harrowing of experiences alone.