The past couple of hands had been difficult for her. Being pregnant is no simple ride on the plains, but being pregnant and the mate of a new Ubar, had it's own problems. She understood his need to make a journey to the outer wagons, but that did not mean she did not miss him. And, it brought home the fact that she came way down on the list of his priorities these days, which was to be expected. At least, this time, she has a basic idea of where he is, or she thinks she does.
There is an air of tension in camp. For the most part, the wagons are readied for the move, but they do not move yet. Was the Sky testing them, with holding the omens that would bless the move as punishment for what happened with the move South? The longer they delayed, the more difficult the trail could be, especially if the cold rains came, or the temperature dropped suddenly, as it was known to do this time of year.
Even the bosk knew it was time. Their coats were growing thicker, shaggier, and she had heard talk of how the out riders were having a more difficult time keeping them together. It is almost like they have an instinctive, internal year keeper that was whispering in their ear that it was time.
Animals and insects are like that, they just know. She had sat on the platform of her wagon, watching the flocks of birds that flew in that unerring pattern towards warmer climes. One had come to her, grabbed her hand, talking about something she had to see. Walking with him, she listened as he went on and on about the bugs. He led her to a wagon, where a group of children were standing around, in awe.
On the surface of the wagon, were probably more lady beetles than she had ever seen in her life. They were everywhere, and filling the air, crawling up the side of the wagon, on the ground, just everywhere. She had heard tell of this before, but she had never seen it with her own eyes. Her mother used to tell of a time when the move was late, and how the same thing had happened, and how they had ended up with them in the wagons when they arrived in the north. Her hand dropped to caress her sons' head and she explained to him that it was sort of a sign that colder weather was approaching and that when his father returned, they would probably be moving very soon. A young woman walked up, held her hand out and it was soon covered with the tiny creatures. She nodded, and spoke softly. "The Sky is sending us signs that she will soon give us the omens that will tell us to move" She turned to look at her oddly, no recognizing her, and asks what makes her think that, and the young woman gave a small giggle, and turned to walk away, admiring the glove of ladybugs on her hand, and replied. "The Sky talks to us all the time through her messengers, the earth, the breeze, the way the water flows in the stream, and how the smaller creatures act. We have but to listen."
She stood, a bit stunned, and watched as One ran after the woman, asking her name. The woman stopped, put a finger to the bugs on her hand, separating one from the mass and put it on the tip of One's nose. "Noelani. I am Noelani." Then stepping through the wagons, she walked off. One returned, his eyes crossed trying to watch the bug that was crawling on his nose, and allowed that he liked the bug lady.
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