Firefly Glen vuulnax ❦

a sadness-spirit seemed to enter toad amelia for a moment, flickering in her gaze. kukutux too looked toward the glowing insects, listening to speak of this dead sister. dread entered her, for such talk was forbidden. you did not say the name of one who had passed, lest you call them back to earth. 

fox. it weighed stonelike upon her ears, and kukutux was momentarily breathless with horror. she clung to the thread of reminding herself her ways were only her own, and nodded with a forced warmth through her caution at the broken taboo. "she sounds strong. perhaps she will guide your steps if you ask her." 

the ways of the spirits were great. there had been a time, after howl, and before jarilo, that the duck believed she might become their speaker. but it had not been meant to be. now she was mother in moonspear, given the name of a great clan. and while many parts of her still felt foreign within those fierce borders, she had not forgotten the teachings of her mother.