Lion Head Mesa As promised

As promised Ash Paw trekked towards the borders of what was Akashingo. She had stopped by BDP to get herbs she wanted for her birth. 

She lifted her muzzle for the sweet princess @Toula and waited. Tired eyes, protruding belly she was very near to birth, but she was still okay if she moved slowly. Her multicolored pelt glittered in the morning light and at her feet lay some herbs to take back.

grief had shattered her. and though she had cried, and cried, and cried at the rivers edge—to Iset!—no amount of tears caused the waters to rise, caused the previous Pharaoh to return to her. to them.
but Iset did give Toula back pieces of Herself, pieces that might have been forever lost if not for Her. and today Iset seemed to bring another healer to her—one that Toula knew, and adored! placing another gift at her patron Goddesses temple, Toula bowed her head in reverence before being escorted by the fellahin—
but not before grabbing the one of the gifts she had for the woman! another fur, and wrapped in it was a crude stone in the likeness of Tawaret. for ash paw, and for her safe delivery!
Toula was announced to her friend, but one soft look and the introduction quieted. though Toula ached from her mourning, it was as though ash paw herself had some power to make her feel at ease. Toula would have embraced her, but thought first to be sure she was well! placing the gift down, Toula looked the woman over. welcome to Akashingo, ash paw! would you like to come inside, and rest? her eyes did not miss the gifts she had—and Toula felt gratitude fill her!
there was more for ash paw, too—inside!

Ash Paw didn't know of the sadness that lay upon the mesa. But she could see care spots where there hadn't been before.

The mage would have taken the embrace had she known it would help ease more of the girls grief, but she didn't know.

Hello Princess. I suppose I can stop for a moment.

She stood on tired paws, pushing her body upwards and taking a breath to help center the extra weight she now carried. So soon they'd arrive.

She lifted the herbs she had brought, some rare some common. She'd offer them to the girl as they moved inward.

Toula felt relief, and happiness too, to know that ash paw was willing to come!
she had built a place for visiting mothers, all in the womans name. a place where Tawaret looked over, for she had seen to it that each corner was blessed. it was unassuming, but warm and comfortable and welcoming; also in its corners were bundled gifts for ash paw to take, if she wished—some perhaps the same as what had been brought, but also offering the great variety of Akashingo thanks to its traders.
ash paw brought with her, though, plants not yet here! once they arrived to the warm and comfortable space, as spacious as the place ash paw had shown to her, Toula settled inside and gestured to the furs there for her to lay upon, and bid a fellahin come to them with an assortment of meats for her friend! and it would be with her teacher that Toula brought comfort and coziness here; she hoped ash paw would love it well.
and only once she was settled did she open her gift to ash paw, and nosed it gently toward her tutor. this is our Tawaret, an amulet to be placed within the homee... a stone found, and further shaped, in her likeness. She and This brings protection, during a time of child bearing and rearing. it has been blessed by our priests and myself, all toula wanted was for ash paw to be protected, to be safe!
she drew in a breath. she could not think of losing another, and worked hard to not burden ash paw with the wounds of her own loss in a time meant for them, and for joy.
oh! a delightful thought warmed her, to think that Pharaoh might be born again... perhaps even by her tutor!
hope lit her from within. whether or not it might be true, Toula felt a strange sort of peace in the maternal presence of ash paw. as though Tawaret looked through her—or was with them—
and remembered only then that she herself was a girl, still. protected still by Her. was your journey difficult? she wondered, aware of her current state! the fellahin returned to place dried game alongside them.

It would be a lie, would she say that she was not glad for a rest. What had once been a swift easy journey was no more. It was long and arduous and her body not feeling correct and ill fitting.

Ash Paw couldn't stop the small sound of delight at how cozy the resting place was. It reminded her of her den on the pleateau and a small inkling of bittersweet grief briefly colored her thoughts, but she was soon taken back to the present.

A gwntle sooty paw reqched out to trace the lines and grooves of the shaped rock. She inspected it with curiosity and intrigue and smiled withacceptance colored in grace.

Thank you. It's lovely.

A small nod. A bit, but i wanted to come now for in the coming weeks I will be unable to leave the whelping den.

please, stay for as long as you need, she urged, knowing it was within her own power to permit this place of rest, especially as the dreadfather had once opened his own home to her in the same way! she would never forget their kindnesses.
resting herself, near to ash paw, Toula breathed, oh, I thank you for coming at all! where is it you have settled? would it... would it be alright if I visited you, there? when you are ready? a shy request, but Toula dreamed already of the life within ash paw! she glowed with it; Toula hoped to be fortunate enough to be permitted to see and meet them.

Ash paw smiled at the girls glowing words. She wouldn't stay long. Only as long as she needed. She would not get her little princess in trouble with her family for alloqing a guest. A guest whose leaders hated Akashingo. There in lied the rub. And how anyone could dislike this tiny ray of light next to her. She couldn't fathom.

Ash Paw knew the girl was a princess but she moved and allowed room for the girl to snuggle against her if she so wished. Though she did speak.Would you like to feel them? They are quite active?

I have settled in a pack known as Riverclan. I don't know if my leaders would allow you in the borders, but I can meet you outside of it with the babes sometime or at the edge and we can check. But I would like them to know you.

Toula lit up from within at the request, as though she had swallowed the rays of light Ra offered each dawn! sure it was alright, Toula did draw nearer to Ash Paw and rest her head gently upon the rotund side of her tutor. nothing, and then—
oh! I feel—is this them?! Toula delighted, doing her utmost to keep her voice low as to not break any sound barrier with her enthusiasm. this was life! this was the power of Iset! Toula was awed, and reverent, and thanked the Goddesses for this moment, this blessing. prayed that They would always look after ash paw and her young, too!
she had meant to ask about the unique herb ash paw had brought, but had entirely forgotten in lieu of the brilliance the woman had shared. may I... sing a hymn for them? she asked, wondering how they might like such a thing! would they hear her? could they understand? she thought she felt them dancing as she spoke, and she giggled softly.
Riverclan. Toula did not yet know it, and nodded her head in understanding. not all strangers were permitted inside of Akashingo, either! and fewer were indulged as Toula did for those she cared for, but many would know of the opulence of their halls when welcomed. she felt honored that ash paw would wish to know them in the ways that she could permit it. if that is alright with you, that would make me the most happy! she murmured, voice still gentle as to not disturb those that might be listening within ash paws belly!
Gods, how did they come to be in there...?
another question for another day; Toula instead imagined what the young of ash paw might be like... and dreamed too of ways to befriend those of Riverclan, so that perhaps she might be welcome to visit too!

This child, sweet and kind. Lit up as if a new dawn. It made Ash Paw so very happy. She was a miserly woman at the best of times. Proud, haughty cruel in her words, but she couldn't do so with this child. This absolute gift of a being.

As if summoned, they moved quicker, almost painfully so to brush against the small jawline of the brilliant princess.

Ash Paw gave a soft laugh. Yes it is them. You may.

She didn't know if they could hear her, but she herself sang, spoke and whispered to them.

So it will be. They will know you.

this thread makes me happy! <3 I love Ash Paw!

oh! so it was! Toula imagined how many there might be. they were so strong! Toula would bless them and ash paw with a hymn, the song as much for her tutor than for the children within. she closed her eyes and sang, with the whole of her heart:

To Taweret who is great, I offer my praise.
Taweret, holder of the sa, bearer of the torch,
mistress of the birthing-house, friend of the mother
and of the newborn babe, best of goddesses,
defender of humanity, in times long gone
your name was known in every household,
your might was known by all who dwelt within.
Women in their travail may call on you
and you will hear their cries, O Taweret
who listens to the prayers of all, who guards
the gate of every home, who keeps evil at bay.
Taweret who is the protector of children,
to you may we turn when all else seems lost,
in you may we seek solace, O goddess;
in you may we find comfort. I pray to you, great lady.

her voice was light and lilting, imbued with the power of protective energy she willed surround both as paw and those within. when finished, it echoed against the walls of the place she had made for ash paw, and for Tawaret, and she looked to the woman and wondered, are there songs of Atka, and of Sos that you know? while all of their stories might not be known, perhaps this thing ash paw might know—and share with her, if she was able!
she looked down to the belly of her teacher. I cannot wait to know them, she smiles, looking back up to the uniquely beautiful ash paw.

hymn credit <3

THank you and I love Toula <3

Ash Paw could not do many things anymore for the girl, but she could give her this. A glimpse into a life she didn't know. A glimpse of little ones that hung there suspended until it was time to come forth into the world. And then she could give her a glimpse of how to raise, how to love to rear.

Ash couldn't sing, but she could hum. Once she had the melody of it. She joined in with a small smile.

Ash Paw shook her head. Mine gods are vastly different from the egyptian ones. If there were songs of them, they were long ago lost. I believe I am one of teh few that still follow the religion of the bears.

Ash Paw smiled and on a whim pulled the young girl into a hug. She didn't know if this was allowed and she didn't think on it, until afterwards, but she offered an apologetic smile.

I apologize if I am not allowed to do that, but I Felt it all needed a hug. And I will be glad they know you as well.

Ash Paws voice with her own was a comforting thing. It made the song more beautiful, Toula felt. Warm, and happy, and at peace... Toula felt Tawaret must have heard the hymn, must be among them. Toula felt safe once more; she did not know, though, if this was due to the Goddess or ash paw's own independently comforting presence.
not for the first time, Toula found herself wishing the woman could stay. but she would not press it! not when ash paw was due so soon.
ash paw spoke of her Gods, and how she might be the last of them to carry the faith. Toula pondered if she would teach her own cubs, and hoped that she would if she wished it; perhaps ash paw could create a resurgence of her faith, all with the help of her progeny. and perhaps, too, one who knew it well would come along to teach her more!
but if this never happened, Toula would help ash paw how she could with her own faith.
pulled then into a hug, Toula nearly started at the unexpected touch; the head of a fellahin peered in, in time to see Toula lean against the woman, newly salt-limned eyes blinking furiously to work away the overwhelming emotion that overcame her. Toula had needed that embrace, wished it every day from her departed mother (where had she gone?), and the absence of her was like a gaping wound, unfillable and impossible to heal without first aid...
Toula pressed herself into the calico furs of ash paw, swallowing her tears and only hoping that ash paw would not note the wetness there. Toula was unable to remove herself then, as ash paw apologized. Toula did withdraw, though, smiling warmly to ash paw. how short she had known her for, but how fiercely Toula cared for her already!
there is nothing to forgive, Toula gently said, your hug was a gift. I felt the power of Tawaret, Toula breathed, truly grateful. ash paw, touched by something maternal, had made her feel a way in which only Treva, only a mother, could! I think that you will make a wonderful mother, she hums happily, tail stirring behind her.

There was a softness to the girl and to Ash herself. She felt taht perhaps this was what was needed for both of them for some reason. Ash who was so worried she may fall short as a mother. 

Ash Paw hummed softly again and then chuckled. Tell me Toula what have you learned since you saw me last? Are you happy and learning?

Ash would run a paw along their girls downy fur a gentle mother's caress. She would give what comfort she could to the girl and would offer what she could to make her feel comfortable and happy and safe.