Duskfire Glacier universe everything's wrong

Even though Tuwawi's love was assertive, insistent, and desperate, the orphaned Sveijarn received it with open and wanting arms. Pitchy whines cooed from the mother's throat as she smothered her daughter with attention, noting just how much she had grown. No longer was Maera's fur soft and peachy or her body small and chubby. At half a year she was nearly a woman grown. Rich, ember hair was sleek against her svelte body and bright hazel eyes were placed like gemstones upon a slender face. Though the smallest daughter was created in the image of her dam, hints of Njal peppered her appearance. Grizzled locks of soot flippantly intermingled her topcoat — a gift from her northern sire.

A potent blend of guilt and joy caused Tuwawi's chest to tighten. Her crime was beyond apology. What Tuwawi had inadvertently done - effectively depriving Maera of a parent - was unforgivable. 'You came back!' Maera squeaked with relief. Yet a sharp, biting remorse went into the ember like a dagger. Her child's words were incriminating.

The Sveijarn's best intentions had gone awry, as if no good deed went unpunished, and the life created besides Njal had quickly splintered apart. The weight of Larus, Jokull, and Valtyr's loss was too great for Tuwawi to bare... but the doubt - the fact she should have stayed by Maera and Njal's side - haunted her constantly. It was, at the same time, overwhelming. Truly, there were no rights or wrongs in these situations but Tuwawi would not - could not - blame her child if she thought otherwise.

Suddenly, Maera pulled away and uttered a cursed exclamation. "Maera!" Tuwawi scolded, shocked. She moved forward automatically with the intention to grasp her muzzle - discipline for such language - but stopped short when she realized where her daughter's gaze was fixated. The metal and leather tugged painfully at her ruff as and she swallowed hard, breath suddenly scarce.

Tuwawi was a strong woman and a proud creature, but in that moment it became nearly impossible to maintain her composure in front of Mae. Her ragged lip pulled into a tight frown, maw quaking with effort. Children should never be burdened by their parents strife... but she had a right to know. "They took me," Tuwawi said with shuttered breath, still horrified by her abduction, "and I lost them. Your brothers. Your sister." She paused to collect herself, "Your father."