She was up early on the day after the storm, just as she was every day. If any were to ask, she would admit that the days rest had been good for her, and she felt revived, and eager to work, to see the wagons moving again.
Stepping from the wagon she had slept in, she was pleased to see that Rook had gathered some help, and almost had the covering to her main wagon repaired. Now it was time for her to do her part. After eating, she gathered juneau up to help her go through the other wagons to find things that she needed that she might have in storage. Newer furs were gathered up, hung up to air, and the old ones were tossed out. She had found the cradle board and basket that she had used with Tug, and had them moved to sit beside her main wagon, to go inside once the covering was repaired. Finding a bag of baby clothing, she set one of the girls to washing and mending it. In essence, she was in nesting mode, that state that women sometimes get into when they are with child.
By the end of the morning, the covering was replaced, her wagon was scrubbed until not a mote of dust or dirt remained, and she was beginning to settle in again. Now all she had to do was keep her temper and not throw everything out again, but she thinks she is past that. In her mind, this is a new beginning for her, Tug and the child that she carries. Live moves on, and she will move with it. That is just how she is, and she has spent too much time grieving, and it stops now.
At the ending of her afternoon, she felt the need to walk, to take deep breaths of the clear air, and to release some of the negative feelings she has had. Ciegue materialized beside her. For some unknown reason, he had decided he was not a kaiila after all, but a pet sleen, and wished to shadow her steps constantly. In a way she again found it comforting and endearing, and walked along the grasses, her hand on his neck, speaking to him in low tones. She also found it a bit odd, that when he walked with her, it always seemed to be with his blind side to her. Did he truly see more than many thought? At one point, she had stopped to stare out over the plains, and his head dropped, the side of it coming to rest against her swollen middle, a low growl coming from his throat. She watched him, and wondered what thoughts were passing through that kaiila brain of his. She grew still, as the baby choose this exact moment to move and shift. She had expected the beast to balk, but he did not. He just nudged her stomach gently and snorted. She laughed, and allowed that they were making friends already. Pushing him away gently, she began to walk again, watching her people.
As they walked, she looked to all the activity, the repairs being made, and even lifted her hand to wave to a group of hunters that were returning. It all made her smile. along. These were her people, how they survived. Throw adversity at them, they found a way to overcome it. Pride swelled in her heart as she thought on all of this. In her thinking, there was not a single person living behind walls, that could have this same sense of pride and freedom as she does right now, and she felt pity for them.
She stopped for a time near the remains of a wagon that was beyond repair, gazing off towards the north, hoping to see some sign that the others were catching up. At one point, she thought she saw movement beyond the massive carpet of black and brown that was the bosk herd, but finally decided it was simply wishful thinking. The Central Fire was beginning to sink towards the horizon, and the first twinkling of stars began to appear. Giving one more look to the north, she turned and began to walk back towards the wagons, humming softly to herself.
She missed them, some more than others, but they were missed, and at his point all she could do was hope for their safety. Tomorrow they would be on the move again, and she was getting anxious to do so. It was ingrained in her to long for the southern grasses this time of year, and that longing was strong, and growing stronger each day.
Stepping from the wagon she had slept in, she was pleased to see that Rook had gathered some help, and almost had the covering to her main wagon repaired. Now it was time for her to do her part. After eating, she gathered juneau up to help her go through the other wagons to find things that she needed that she might have in storage. Newer furs were gathered up, hung up to air, and the old ones were tossed out. She had found the cradle board and basket that she had used with Tug, and had them moved to sit beside her main wagon, to go inside once the covering was repaired. Finding a bag of baby clothing, she set one of the girls to washing and mending it. In essence, she was in nesting mode, that state that women sometimes get into when they are with child.
By the end of the morning, the covering was replaced, her wagon was scrubbed until not a mote of dust or dirt remained, and she was beginning to settle in again. Now all she had to do was keep her temper and not throw everything out again, but she thinks she is past that. In her mind, this is a new beginning for her, Tug and the child that she carries. Live moves on, and she will move with it. That is just how she is, and she has spent too much time grieving, and it stops now.
At the ending of her afternoon, she felt the need to walk, to take deep breaths of the clear air, and to release some of the negative feelings she has had. Ciegue materialized beside her. For some unknown reason, he had decided he was not a kaiila after all, but a pet sleen, and wished to shadow her steps constantly. In a way she again found it comforting and endearing, and walked along the grasses, her hand on his neck, speaking to him in low tones. She also found it a bit odd, that when he walked with her, it always seemed to be with his blind side to her. Did he truly see more than many thought? At one point, she had stopped to stare out over the plains, and his head dropped, the side of it coming to rest against her swollen middle, a low growl coming from his throat. She watched him, and wondered what thoughts were passing through that kaiila brain of his. She grew still, as the baby choose this exact moment to move and shift. She had expected the beast to balk, but he did not. He just nudged her stomach gently and snorted. She laughed, and allowed that they were making friends already. Pushing him away gently, she began to walk again, watching her people.
As they walked, she looked to all the activity, the repairs being made, and even lifted her hand to wave to a group of hunters that were returning. It all made her smile. along. These were her people, how they survived. Throw adversity at them, they found a way to overcome it. Pride swelled in her heart as she thought on all of this. In her thinking, there was not a single person living behind walls, that could have this same sense of pride and freedom as she does right now, and she felt pity for them.
She stopped for a time near the remains of a wagon that was beyond repair, gazing off towards the north, hoping to see some sign that the others were catching up. At one point, she thought she saw movement beyond the massive carpet of black and brown that was the bosk herd, but finally decided it was simply wishful thinking. The Central Fire was beginning to sink towards the horizon, and the first twinkling of stars began to appear. Giving one more look to the north, she turned and began to walk back towards the wagons, humming softly to herself.
She missed them, some more than others, but they were missed, and at his point all she could do was hope for their safety. Tomorrow they would be on the move again, and she was getting anxious to do so. It was ingrained in her to long for the southern grasses this time of year, and that longing was strong, and growing stronger each day.
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