Moonspear telepath

It was as if one chapter of a book had finished.

When Sialuk sang her last verse, Samani had been delivered to Sedna and to the land of dancing lights. Rolyane and Panuk were with their father, at home in Moontide. Mother and Father settled their new land in the Hinterlands. The pack had returned home to Moonspear… however, @Orca II was nowhere to be seen.

Perhaps she had gone on an adventure, Seal told herself optimistically. There was no sign of a scuffle and their borders hadn’t been touched. Had she answered the call of the wild, Seal wondered.

The young woman took a deep breath of mountain air and ordered her thoughts to prepare for the winter ahead.

She was past due for a visit to Moonspear. Meerkat couldn’t wait to see her daughters. In fact, she was in such a hurry, she forgot to bring the bundle she’d lovingly put together the day before. Halfway to her destination, she realized and circled back to fetch it. She planted a flustered kiss on Njord’s cheek and scooted away again, fighting down her frustration at all the precious time she’d wasted.

By the time she reached the foot of the mountain, she only felt eager once more. Meerkat set down her parcel and howled for Orca and Seal. Anyone else who overheard her would be welcome too, of course.

Seal heard her mother’s call and went running.

“Momma!” the girl shouted and practically lept into Meerkat’s arms.

She squeezed her tight. At that moment, the young woman realized just how much she missed her parents.

“We just returned from Moontide,” she managed to say when their long embrace ended. “Sialuk brought Rolyane and Panuk back to Rodyn… and Sialuk sang the death songs for her sister.”

Sister.

Seal’s ears fell to half mast. “I havenae seen Orca since before we left. She isnae here… and I dinnae ken where she’s gone,” she said sadly.

When she heard Seal’s cry, Meerkat wondered if she’d ever heard a sweeter note. As the girl—young woman, rather—flung herself at her mother, Meerkat laughed out loud and clutched at her. Her arms wrapped around Seal’s shoulders as she tucked kisses wherever she could reach.

When they pushed apart, Seal hurriedly provided some news. Meerkat’s eyes glimmered as her daughter spoke of the bittersweet visit to Moonglow. Although a foot or two separated them now, she reached out to grasp one of Seal’s paws, holding it gently between both of hers.

I’m glad you were able to be involved with that, although I’m sure it was… Meerkat paused, searching for a word, deciding on, heavy.

But there was no opportunity to discuss the details of that excursion any further. In the very next breath, Seal informed Meerkat of Orca’s absence. Not only was she gone, she quickly gathered that she hadn’t spoken a word to anyone about where she was going.

It felt as though Meerkat’s heart froze in her chest. She suddenly gripped Seal’s paw so tightly it must hurt, though she wasn’t aware of it. She tried to think back to her last conversation with Orca. She’d been a little upset about her parents’ move, which was very understandable. It had been difficult to leave both girls behind, though they’d wanted to stay at Moonspear.

So why would she leave? Meerkat struggled to make sense of it, wondering if perhaps it was some form of rebellion. That didn’t seem like Orca at all, though the girls were essentially teenagers now. And she took some comfort from that. At least her wayward daughter wasn’t a helpless child any longer.

I’m sorry, she whispered, gently releasing her grasp on Seal. I think she was more upset about the move than we realized. Maybe she needed to be alone with her thoughts. She shouldn’t have left without saying something to you—or to anyone at all—but hopefully she’ll come back when she’s ready…

She wiped the back of her paw at the tears gathering in her eyes, gazing wetly at Seal. Of course, there were the more nefarious possibilities, though Meerkat refused to entertain them. Orca was nearly a woman now, who could look after herself.

It did hurt when Meerkat squeezed Seal’s paw, but her daughter did not flinch. She felt small tears bead in her own eyes as she watched her mother fight to keep her composure and clutched her paws together tightly.

Seal sniffed back a tear. “Yeah… I ken, in my heart, she’ll be back soon,” she agreed with glassy eyes. “Orca’s strong. A lot stronger than me. She’s okay. I know it.”

Seal took a shakey breath to steady herself and rubbed one of Meerkat’s arms.

“Come, let me show you what I have been working on. Then, I want to hear all about you, Da, and the Copse.”

Seal led her mother back to the Sveijarn-Corten ulaq where she had taken up residence. There, the small skin of a brown rabbit was laid out upon a flat rock, partly worked and prepped for tanning.

Seal’s words of reassurance helped to further calm Meerkat, though Orca’s unexpected absence still threw a wretched pall over her heart. She swallowed thickly and tried to marshal herself so she wouldn’t waste this entire visit sulking over her wayward daughter. Seal deserved better than that.

She nodded wordlessly at Seal’s invitation, plucking up her gift and following the young woman along a very familiar footpath. When they arrived at the family’s former ulaq—now Seal’s alone—Meerkat was glad for the bundle in her mouth. She hadn’t expected this swell of emotion, including a powerful homesickness.

Gently, she set the item on the ground and took in a breath, eyes turning to the skin her daughter had been prepping. She actually laughed at the sight, despite her inner turmoil, then finally drew Seal’s attention to her gift. It was a rabbit skin held together by a piece of switch grass pinched around it like a twist tie. This Meerkat clipped with a tooth, allowing the wrap to fall open.

Inside was an array of flowers, herbs and other such things she had gathered from around the copse. Meerkat had taken care to choose two of everything: one for each daughter. She tried not to dwell on that as she motioned for Seal to take a closer look.

Your skin looks much better than mine, she noted with another light laugh, looking between the two. You’ll have to teach me how to get those smooth edges. Mine are so ragged. It gets the job done, I suppose, but I would love to make it look as nice as yours.

Together, they gathered inside the ulaq where Meerkat opened her parcel. Seal’s expression brightened at the sight of so many lowland plants! “Is that comfry?” the budding herbologist excitedly exclaimed as she paged through all the dried leaves and flowers. “Thank you momma!” She made a mental note to visit the Copse in the spring to take advantage of the bounty.

She put a paw over Meerkat’s and squeezed as they shared a moment.

Then, Meerkat noted the rabbit pelt. “I’ve been practicing a lot,” Seal explained, full of pride. She was grateful to have her hard work recognized. “You should take it back to the Copse,” she suggested. “One day, I want to tan a whole elk for you!” Seal laughed.

"How are you and Da?" she asked when the giggles subsided.

Is it? I just gathered what looked like it might be useful, Meerkat replied, pleased. You’re welcome!

Seal spoke of doing plenty of practice. Meerkat was glad it was going so well. Her daughter really was quite skilled. It was a funny thing, being eclipsed by one’s own child. It made her so proud, it practically ached.

Oh, I’d love to. But first you have to wear it around for a little bit, so it’ll smell like you, Meerkat insisted, eyes aglow.

It made her think of Towhee, who often toted a rather tattered skin around with her. Meerkat was pretty sure it had been a gift from Caracal… no, that wasn’t right. Maybe it had been Jack. Either way, she understood Towhee’s attachment even more now. This skin would be a prized possession.

We’re doing good. It’s still just us, though that suits us just fine, really. We’re on the lookout for a young couple to help out, maybe. But soon enough, we’ll grow the village ourselves. I hope you’re ready to be an older sister in the spring.

“Mooooooommmmm,” Seal jeered in faux embarrassment. She nudged her mother with a paw as if to say I’m not a baby anymore! Then, a giggle. “Alright… but only if you let me keep this one.” She gestured to the skin Meerkat had brought. “It smells like you an’ Da….”

She leaned against Meerkat for a few moments and basked in the comforting feeling of having her mother at her side.

“I ken you an’ Da will find someone,” she interjected optimistically. “Maybe Chickadee an’ Kivaluk will want tae branch out. I heard they’re engaged.” It made Seal wonder what a wedding ceremony of the sunshine people looked like. Would it be as grand as the Pharoah Toula’s coronation?

But when her mother alluded to new, wee brothers and sisters Seal’s face beamed. “Oh, mom! Really?” she exclaimed, overjoyed. Seal clutched one of her mother’s paws in her own. The tenets of Seal’s life were solidifying and the most important, central pillar was family.

“I cannae wait!” her eyes glistened. There was curiosity, too. She knew Sialuk to be a midwife, and perhaps her path would take her that way too. “How many do you wish for?” Seal scooted closer and felt the strong presence of spirits around them.

The word “engagement” immediately threw her back in time, to visions of pink seashells and the dais near the roja den. Meerkat inhaled sharply, the memories only slightly less bitter than sweet, and gently pushed them back into the corners of her mind.

Meerkat was very curious about the young couple Seal named. She trusted her daughter’s judgment implicitly, though she wondered if Seal knew them personally. What were they like? She would table the question for now, focusing on the topic at hand.

Yes, really, she replied with a chuckle, endeared greatly by the young woman’s warm response. I’m so glad to hear that, she murmured, pulling Seal into yet another hug. I know you’re going to be a brilliant older sister.

Even though she wouldn’t be part of their daily lives, Meerkat knew the packs were near enough that Seal would be a fixture. She would be a wonderful influence. And it would be great experience for her, should she choose to be a mother herself one day.

I never wish for particulars, she admitted. I don’t care if they’re boys or girls, or if I have one or eight! Well, that might be a bit much, Meerkat acknowledged, laughing even as she thought dimly of her poor younger brother. I just want them to be born healthy and whole.

Now her mind turned to Narwhal, naturally. Meerkat missed visiting his grave every day, though she’d co-opted Towhee’s idea and set up a little cairn for him in the family’s graveyard at the copse. Just because her son’s body wasn’t there didn’t mean his spirit wasn’t. She carried that with her wherever she went.

“Eight!” she guffawed, astounded by the notion. She felt any woman might burst if she carried a litter that big!

Then, Seal’s eyes sparkled as she admired the warm expression that came to her mother’s face as she talked about the future.

“I hope I can be there, tae help you if you need it,” Seal proposed. “I’ve been learning lots from Sialuk… though I ken I still have a ways tae go… many years before I am just as skilled.” A glint in Seal’s gaze alluded that she would persevere no matter what.

“For example, this comfry is verrae good for soothing wounds an’ aches, either eaten or applied.” Then, she picked up another plant. “This is ragweed. If eaten, it can give you strength if you are weak.”

“Though, hmmm…” she touched her paw to her chin. “I dinnae ken if its safe for pregnant women.” Seal would need to refer to her mentor for guidance.

That line of thought made her mind drift. “Does it hurt a lot?” she asked “Havin’ bairns, I mean.”

Meerkat remained quiet as Seal hinted at a future in midwifery, eyes bright as her daughter mused about the medicinal uses of the various plants she’d brought. She was glad she’d delivered items of merit and so, so proud that Seal was clearly learning so much from Sialuk.

I’m sure she knows, Meerkat concurred, drawing in a breath as she considered the subsequent question. I think that experience is a great teacher, so quite possibly you’ll become an expert long before you know it. After all, you could feasibly have bairns of your own just a little more than a year from now…

But to answer your question, she continued with a smile, yes, childbirth is very painful. But the end result is very much worth the hardships of pregnancy, labor and delivery. I can’t think of any greater joy than bringing new lives into this world. I hope you get to experience that firsthand someday, if that’s something you want for yourself.

Fade here?

Ever since she was little, Seal was no good at enduring uncomfortable physical conditions and so the prospect of motherhood frightened her! Wasn’t it ironic that she hoped to be a midwife, but at the same time fear such a natural thing?

And so soon!

In a year she could bring children into the world. The day seemed to be approaching so fast – though it still felt distant. Seal tittered nervously like a songbird when Meerkat didn’t sugarcoat childbirth. Yet, at the same time, she made the process sound very fulfilling.

Seal’s face became contemplative as she thought of Kukutux’s story of her first love. Would she find a partner like like? Like her Momma and Da?

For now, Seal was focused on becoming the best medic of all time and this left little space to entertain thoughts of what she really wanted her life to look like.

“Thanks Momma,” Seal said sheepishly, knowing her mother only wished the best path for her daughter.

“Oh, I ken Argent left a big cache of meat nearby,” Seal remembered suddenly. “Let’s go eat lunch!”