Gifts from a Friend.

She had been working at the pens since long before the first rays of dawn had peeked over the horizon. What use was it to lay abed, when sleep was no longer your friend and confidante? You do as she does. You get up, you work, and you go through your life with a determination that rarely falters.



She had been sharpening and cleaning Ciegue's claws when the young spex walked up and leaned against the fence, saying that the kaiila was like her...very special. Laughing softly she shook her head and told the young woman that she was a simple woman, and he was but a kaiila, but that she would agree with her that he was special.



Their conversation segued into a conversation about her dreams. She had already spoken to Tarra about it, and would not talk to Mezoo. Her greatest fear right now was that the evil that stalked her during the darkest hours, would turn it's intentions on her children, and that would simply not do. Tarra had told her that they could make protections talismans and spells to keep her children from harm. If this was done, she could continue her personal battle with the thing on her own.



Mezoo had a special connection with her children, even from the beginning when she first met them all. It was an astonishing thing to watch, how she related to them and how they each, in their own ways, found something special in the young spex, even her daughters who were so young that most people in their world were safe.



From there, the talk turned to love. It was no secret that the Ubar and the young spex were in love. It simply radiated off of them like the warm rays of the Central Fire. It brought peace to most that saw it, and for the ones that it did not bring peace too, perhaps they should inspect their jealousies and motives more closely. If you really claim to love someone, then you only wish to see them happy, whether it be with yourself, or someone else. If you do not feel that way, then it was not love you felt to begin with, and your jealousies will devour you from the inside, and you will never find true peace and happiness.


Mezoo seemed a bit puzzled that she would be happy for them, most probably because she was going on the actions of others. Cana had smiled at her as she spoke softly.



Why would I not be happy? Mezoo, just watching the two of you, restores my faith in love, and how it should be. You have put a smile on a man's face, where I never thought to see one, and he has put a bit of color into your cheeks. I am very happy for you.



I'm crazy about him, I have fallen in love with him, I love him day and night and all the times in between. I want to be there through it all, no matter what he faces. I want to be there through it all, no matter what he faces


Reaching over, she had place the palm of her hand against the spex's flushed cheek. "And I cannot think of anyone that I would rather see by his side, than you Mezoo. There is just something about the two of you, that is so beautiful, it is hard to watch at times. Beauty does that you know? Sometimes it is to strong, so bright, that it is hard to watch for us mere mortals. Savor what you have found with him, protect it at all costs.


Sometimes the rest of the world dims in his presence and I have to struggle to remember it is there outside of us


::She had smiled and patted her cheek.:: There will be time for that. If you wish some advice from a woman that has been there, then here it is. Always find time for just the two of you. I don't care if it is only a few, stolen moments, find time for them, relish them, and savor them. That is what will keep your love strong.



Talk made its' way around to what might happen when Ba'atar returns. She explained that if her dreams were any indication, that he was having a difficult time, and that he would need time to heal not only physically, but mentally and emotionally, and that she planned on being by his side through it all.


With that wisdom that the young woman seems to possess naturally, she said that time and distance can sometimes make strangers of even the closest of people, and that how they came out of this, would maybe me more of a test of their love than his absence.


Finally, Cana looked at her and smiled gently. Now, you can ask that question that I know that is on many minds. The one about what will I do if he does not return.


I do not know what you are going through. I have only waited a short time for my Father's return but I do know how it felt. I asked it of Ayguili and yes, I was going to, Cana.


She looked out over the plains as she thought. I will live my life as I know it. I will work with my clan, I will devote myself to raising our children, and I will try my best to be an asset to my people. What else can I do? Will I curl up and die? Will I walk around as some do, going woe is me, I am alone? No I will not. I will not dishonor Ba'atar in that way. I will be strong, I will stand tall, and I will carry out the plans that we had for our children. In time, I will heal and I will keep his memory alive for our children.



I believe he will return Cana She shrugged there That may make me the crazy woman but I do feel it. I am hoping you know because that will mean I get more time with Ayguili and he and I will be just a couple more Tuchuks. Selfish .. very selfish of me you see.


She had turned and looked at the young woman, and brought up the subject that perhaps Ba'atar would not wish to take back the grays when he first returned. That he would need time.


She had watched the young woman's face, and could almost read the thoughts in her mind, and put those thoughts into words. Mezoo was afraid of being Ubara. Mezoo spoke of her fears, of the feeling she was not ready, and Cana did her best to calm them. No woman was ready, often they had it thrust upon them, and the only advice she could give, was for Mezoo to have patience, and to be true to herself. That was the most important thing, to not change, to stay yourself. It was hard to find that balance, but she had faith that the young spex would do well.


Their talk turned to lighter matters when the young spex presented her with a present that she had gotten for her at the merchant stalls in Turia. Unrolling the parchment, she began to laugh, truly laugh for the first time in a long time.


It was a painting of a lizard. But not just any lizard. This fellow was colorful, whimsical, and had this look of mischief in his beady little eyes. She knew that the singers had sang of the story of her, Tayco and the lizard, but this was better than even having a song of it. This would be a treasure for her, always. One that someday, she could pull down, show to the children of Tug, and tell them of their grandfather. No gift could have made her any happier.


But the most precious gift of that day, was the time spent with a sister and friend, and the sharing of secrets that were not shared with just anyone.


That was the gift of friendship, and family.