Arrow Lake requiem

if her joy at being among family again had been nearly at its peak, Tahani's health had plummeted to its lowest levels yet. she was happy, but god. . .so tired. she'd expended all the energy she could yesterday in being useful, gathering herbs and spending time with children and speaking with her siblings. it had been a very good day. a good day for Tahani.

she gathered rosemary and watched the stars. so aromatic, rosemary was. Tahani would never get used to how bountiful this land was, even if it was so hot. to find greenery within the ice of the north was a boon; here, plants seemed to grow from every nook and every cranny. it was a good place, despite its fallbacks.

the healer fell asleep in the few hours before dawn while sorting the herb, on a slab of rock overlooking the lake, rosemary tucked under her chin. she was drawn into the most wonderful, vivid dreams. . . of running with Shivali and Siarut upon an endless plane of snow. of whelping children of her own flesh, drawing them close to her breast. of climbing high into misty mountains with Currituck at her side, the girl a constant, steadying presence.

i love you, she said to her daughter, and she caught the loving flash of olive-hued eyes, felt the young woman's nuzzle against her cheek.

somewhere within all of these dreams, Tahani's body gave out. she drew in a breath and let it out, and stirred no more. and as the sun burst over the horizon, over the crags, its blood-orange glow would engulf the ivory form in warmth, in flame. if one looked close enough, they would find the ghost of a contented smile curving the healer's lips, frozen for eternity.

a peaceful end for a peaceful woman.