She had cried until the point of retching. Flying from the wagon, she found the trenches, lost what little was in her stomach then retched until she had dry heaves. The old Oralu had followed her, placing his hand on her shoulder, to have it shrugged away as she whispered that she was fine. He knew better, but he also knew when to leave her alone. Stumbling steps took her back towards her wagons, and he asked gently if she needed anything, or if she needed for him to find a healer or her mate. Her eyes snapped at him. "I am fine, and I need no one" Climbing back into her wagon, she tried to sleep to no avail.
Finally, she had gotten up, washed herself, changed her skirt and vest and stepped outside and began her day in the darkness before dawn. She did not even wake the slaves yet, but made the morning meal for her part of the camp on her own, needing the solitude. When kasra did finally venture to the fires, she watched the woman closely trying to figure out what she might do to try and ease the mood. It was unusual that the woman did not greet her, and she took that as a cue to remain very, very quiet and tend to her duties with as little fanfare as possible.
While the men age, she fed the boys, and prepared them for their day. Rook approached her and told her that he would take One to the herds with him, and she simply nodded. When they were fed, she put Also into the carrier, slung it on her back, closing her eyes for an ihn, as the boy was growing heavy. Taking Another's hand, she moved off towards the storage wagons. The first order of business today was to see that things in them were secured and ready to move.
She not only had their personal wagons to prepare, she now also had the wagons where they stored the staples for the tribe to make ready. There were wagons that held nothing but sugar, flour, spices, teas and blackwine. Others held the sacks and jars of dried and salted meats that would become so important to them while on the trail, while others held dried fruits, berries and nuts, that would add a variety to the meals.
There were wagons of extra furs that would be dispersed to any that needed them. One held nothing but wagon covers that were ready to be attached if one tore while enroute. There were even wagons that held nothing but spare wheels and strip of metal to be used for repairs, and wagons that held extra harnesses, saddles and bridles. The Ubar, and those of the first wagons were the ones that were responsible for such things. It was a simple system, if someone had a need on the trail, they came to the circle of the first wagons to fulfill that need. Since Ba'atar was busy with the herds, the scouts, the men and getting them all prepared, it was her duty to see that all of these wagons were in good order and ready to move.
Through the day, she checked on these, talked with those of the wagon makers, the leather workers, the metal smiths and the slaves that were lashing the contents down. From time to time, she would sit on a platform, and ease Also off and let him play for a time on the grass, and let her back rest, but she did not tarry long in one spot, she had too much to do and time grew short.
It was mid-morning when she returned to her own wagons, to fetch some things that she wanted to carry out to Aamon and Birmmah's wagons. Her brow lifted seeing guards still posted around Ba'atar's wagon, then her head shook as she moved on by. Gathering what she needed, she had the slaves to follow her to make the deliveries. The girls were fortunate that they walked behind her so that she could not see the looks that flowed between the two of them. With the mood she was in, someone would have gotten beaten.
She did not tarry long at the wagon's of her mate's parents. She was not in the mood for Birmmah's constant lecturing and advice, so she made her deliveries and left. Aamon had picked up Another and walked with her for a time, not saying much, but watching her. When they arrived back at her wagons, he did not relinquish Another, and motioned for her to take off the sling so that he could take Also. Shrugging out of it, she smiles to him and thanks him softly. As he positioned the boys to carry with him, his last words to her were..............
"You know, occasionally, every man needs a skillet upside his head........even Ubars."
With that he turned and walked away, singing in that deep, mellow baritone to his two grandsons.
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