Jeanne G'Fellers - Sister Lost, Sister Found (17 page)

Sharillia sniffed and arched her back against the baby’s sudden roll. “She wouldn’t have any kind of life with me. You want her?”

“You say that like you’re disposing of garbage.” Fearful her emotions would stress the fetus, Jewel removed her hand from the Autlach’s stomach. She’d been hoping the offer would be made, but now felt Sharillia considered the child dispensable. “Of course we’ll take the child. What other choice do we have?”

“About as much as I do about being here.”

“You’ve the option to leave at any time.”

“And go where?” Sharillia looked to where her children were clustered around Myrla, listening to a Taelach folk tale. “My children come first.”

“Glad to hear we agree on something.” An uneasy silence fell between them as they completed the baking. Then Jewel, after bidding Sharillia to return to bed, ventured to the livestock chamber. Kaelan was cleaning the nassies’ triangular hooves, her pick scraping one of the packer’s bars. She looked up at Jewel and smiled, happy to hear the ringing laughter drifting from the family cavern.

“The children are doing well.”

“They’re fine,” Jewel sighed. “It’s Sharillia that concerns me.”

Kaelan dropped the hoof wedged between her knees. “What has she said now? Rankil stays so livid I’m surprised she hasn’t asked to sleep out here.”

“It’s not what she’s said, it’s how she said it.”

Kaelan tossed the pick into an empty bucket and drew Jewel into her arms. “What did she say to disturb you, love? Whatever it is, we’ll fix it.”

“She offered us the child.”

“And this upsets you?” Kaelan stared at her mate. “I thought you wanted the babe.”

“I do.” Jewel pushed her head into the hollow of Kaelan’s shoulder. “She offered like the baby was a burden, garbage. Why do Aut women think such a way? I’d give anything to bear a child.” She shuddered as Kaelan pushed a comforting, calming phase.

I know you would, Jewel, and as much as I would adore seeing you in that fashion, it will simply never be.
Jewel tightened her hold in response.
Does it matter how the child comes to us?

No, it’s just that—

You’re a little jealous of biological differences you can’t control?

More than a little
. Jewel’s grudging admission broke the phase. “Is Rankil still having problems with Sharillia?”

“I’m afraid so.” Kaelan lingered in her embrace. “They can’t agree on anything. Anything!”

“Sharillia provokes it.”

“Rankil doesn’t help matters by taking offense at everything she says.” Kaelan brushed flour from Jewel’s sleeve. “Though I do appreciate the way she stopped Sharillia from picking on Myrla.”

“Archell had a hand in that as well. He reminded our guest her behavior could land her in the cold without her children.”

“Congratulations, Archell.” Kaelan laughed. “It’s good to hear he’s got backbone when required.”

“And Rankil can have too much.” Jewel grinned. “Did you see—?”

“Her take Myrla’s hand at the evening fire?” Kaelan returned her lover’s smile. “I suppose it’s time I versed her on proper behavior.”

“So you’re opposed to it?” Jewel’s pale face drew in mild surprise. “Remember how my raisers tried to keep our relationship supervised until I came of age?”

“And we sneaked around to do more than we should, didn’t we?” Kaelan’s face warmed with memory.

“Yes, but—”

“Want them to do the same?”

“No, but Rankil is younger than you were.”

“Rankil is mentally older than I was at eighteen. It came to her out of necessity. She’s no child, and she adores Myrla.”

“But, Kae,” sputtered Jewel. “Myrla is—”

“Like her mama—intelligent and highly aware for her age.” Kaelan held up her hand. “And you must remember that Rankil was raised under Aut standards. You’ve had many birthers her age and younger. We have to give some allowances for such things.” She caressed Jewel’s face. “I’m not saying we allow them to do whatever they take the notion to. I say we give simple recognition to their emotions—holding hands, time together at the fireside, an occasional kiss without fear of retribution.”

“A kiss?”

“Yes, my love, a kiss like this.” Kaelan’s lips brushed her cheek. “
Not
like this,” then bent her back in an engulfing, body-feeling taste. “Notice the difference?”

“Just a little,” Jewel pushed from Kaelan’s eager embrace. “Behave. We must set a good example.”

“So, we’re back to sneaking around?” Kaelan retrieved her pick.

“Of course not. But we must demonstrate acceptable affection in front of the children. We’re their only influence at present.” Jewel glanced at the winter sun that crept into the cavern. “Rankil should be back soon, shouldn’t she?”

“Hey now, steady on.” Kaelan grasped the resistant nassie’s hoof a little tighter. “Stubborn beast. I can’t pull the pebble from that split without a little discomfort. Yes, she should be back any time. Game’s becoming scarce for the best of hunters. She’s had to expand her snares to keep up with the added demand.” Kaelan flicked the intruding rock from the animal’s foot and greased the hoof to prevent further splitting. “Can’t have our packers going lame.” The speckled-rump nassie gave an agreeing snort and nuzzled into Jewel’s outstretched hand, lips reaching to nibble her tunic cuff.

“Watch your fingers. This one bites. Ask Archell.”

“This one drew the knot on his back?” Jewel shied from the creature’s wild gaze. “Not gelded, is he?”

“Nope. I’m hoping to breed him to the milker as soon she finishes weaning the colt.”

“You’re going to halter break it?” Jewel retreated to the gentler milker, stroking the grateful animal between the ears.

“No. Rankil is.”

Jewel nodded. Serpent tradition bid the breaker of a nassie became its owner. “You’re helping her build a base for Myrla’s sake, aren’t you?”

“We all need a helping hand at the start. Eeham provided me with two colts when I pursued you. Rankil deserves the same opportunity.”

“I thought you won those colts in a foot race.”

Kaelan blushed as she was caught in misinformation. “I was trying to impress you. Leonor had won three and had given you a gold bracelet. I was desperate.”

“Leonor got the bracelet shoved up her fat nose when she got too fresh,” said Jewel. “Acknowledging Rankil’s affections will make some see Myrla as grown. Rankil may not be up to the competition when the others arrive.”

“I don’t know if I’d call it a romance.” Kaelan hung the pick and joined Jewel by the milker. “Neither one of them are ready for that. I’d call their relationship a close friendship.”

“The first sounded better to me.” Rankil stepped into the cavern. Snow had driven deep into the folds of her head wrap. She held out two slim hoppers and a long, black-bellied tree snake known for its succulent meat. “Hunting’s thin.”

Jewel took the game. “We’ll make do. And do you truly know what our recognition of your intentions means?”

“It means you know I want to be with Myrla when we both come of age.” Rankil shook the ice from her cloak. “I’ll do whatever you want. Just let me be by her side until then.”

“We’re talking about two passes until Myrla comes of age,” reminded Kaelan. “Two sounded like forever to you a while back. You have the patience?”

“An endless amount where she’s concerned.”

“But do you have enough self-control?” asked Jewel. “Announcing affections means you can’t explore yourself with the older, single gentlewomen when you come of age. It’s generally how a broadback perfects her pleasure phase.” She peered hard at Kaelan, who looked away.

Rankil held her head high in conviction. A discussion of sex was not what she had wanted to stumble into. Her emotions, while they commonly lingered on intimate thoughts, went further than the physical and phase. She wanted to be Myrla’s confidant and defender. “If she can wait, so can I.”

“Can’t argue with that.” Kaelan clasped Rankil’s hand. “You’ve got my permission.” Her hand then landed on Rankil’s shoulder, where she squeezed hard. “Within certain guidelines befitting your ages, the first being she agrees.”

“I think I can vouch for her,” said Jewel.

“Second,” continued Kaelan, “your actions will stay polite and tasteful.” Kaelan leaned close. “In other words, suitor Rankil, you misbehave, and I’ll see to your personal misery.”

Kaelan had succeeded in taming Rankil for she shifted her feet and smiled sheepishly. “Anything else?”

“I’ve a few questions.” Myrla stepped around the corner laughing, and flew into Rankil’s arms to kiss her cheek. “First, the bread is done. I pulled it from the heat. Second, does this mean I can wear a headscarf and, third, how long does a fifth birthing take? Sharillia’s water just broke.”

Prematurity: that which reminds us how fragile life can be.

—Taelach Proverb

Hestralandra came into the world feet first, her scrunched, lanugo-covered face being the last to appear. She landed in the loving hands of her gentlewoman raiser, looked up at the world and wailed. Jewel cleaned fluids from the infant’s passages, counted her fingers and toes, then swaddled the bare handful and passed her to Kaelan, who gave thanks for the precious gift and held the baby for all to see. Hestralandra lay quiet in Kaelan’s steady strength until Jewel called for assistance, then was content to be passed to Myrla.

“The bleeding has slowed.” Jewel stroked Sharillia’s pale and sweat-streaked face. “She’s weak. Help me move her closer to the fire.”

Sharillia voiced discomfort as they transferred her to a warmer, cleaner spot. She fell into a deeper unconsciousness, never asking for her child. “The baby will fare better if you can convince her mother to nurse.” Kaelan tucked a fur around Sharillia’s feet.

“She’ll have no part of it,” replied Jewel. “We’ll have to phase her out and put the child to her.” She bundled the soiled birth bed and carried it to the cavern spring for soaking. “Did you find the colt’s bottle feeders?”

“They’re ready as are two nipples I modified. But the baby needs her mother’s pre-milk, not thinned nassie.”

“I know. Do you think her other children will notice if we keep her in a healing sleep for a few days? Mother knows she needs it.”

“They’ll be told she’s recovering from a hard birth, which she is.” Kaelan stooped by Jewel’s side and helped dip the blood-caked linens into the spring’s gentle flow. “You’ve done it before, Jewel. Hestralandra came early. She needs all the help she can get.”

“She is small.” Jewel motioned for Kaelan to glance over her shoulder at Rankil, who held the infant. “Looks like she’s held one or two in her life.”

“Undoubtedly,” mused Kaelan. “She has younger siblings so I’d say she’s held plenty.” The topic closed as the newborn gave a little hunger-ridden screech. “Take her to her birth mother and see she gets her first meal.”

“Join me?” Jewel brushed her wet hand across Kaelan’s face then hurried to Sharillia. “The child needs to bond with you as well.” Kaelan followed and helped roll Sharillia on her side. “Bring me the baby, Rankil. She needs to be fed.”

“Sharillia’s going to nurse? Didn’t think she’d consider such a thing.” Rankil, her brow raised, relinquished her bundle and retreated from the fireside, knowing this event was for the elders alone.

“She’ll never know.” Jewel eased Hestralandra’s seeking mouth onto her mother’s breast. “The Taelach do this with most premature births. There’s no greater guard against disease.” She lay behind Sharillia, her chest to the Autlach’s back, her hand clasped in Kaelan’s, who was on Sharillia’s other side, supporting the baby. Sharillia’s features were covered by a light headscarf, forcing the infant’s eyes on Jewel’s hovering face. The association of nourishment went to Jewel and an instant maternal bond was formed. Kaelan burped the child while Jewel rolled Sharillia to the opposite side and the process concluded with a suckling Hestralandra drifting off in Kaelan’s hands.

“Put her in the basket, Jewel, then come eat. Myrla made soup.” Kaelan helped her make the infant comfortable then settled her on a ground mat with filled mug.

“I’m so tired, I’m half sick.” Jewel pushed the food away and placed her head on the cold stone, hoping to soothe her splintered nerves. “I’d forgotten how exhausting a birthing could be. Let me sleep for a while. I’ll eat when Hestra rises.”

“You’ll eat now.” Kaelan shoved the mug back in her hands and held a bit of bread to her mouth. “Eat then we’ll rest until Hestra wakes. I want to help again.”

Jewel sat up, sipped from the mug and looked about the cavern. She hadn’t realized the time. “Where are the little ones?”

“Archell and Myrla put them to bed. They were tired beyond thought, worrying for their m’ma.” Kaelan pointed to three forms tangled in one bedroll.

“And where are my bigger little ones?”

“Sand scrubbing the bedding.” Myrla supervised as Rankil and Archell twisted water from one of the blankets. “They didn’t want to disturb the bonding.”

“Thoughtful children.” Jewel knifed the meat chunks clinging to her mug then cleansed the container with her final bite of bread. “We need to keep Sharillia phased, except for eating, for a cycle or more. Hestra needs the nourishment. She’s far too skinny to be here yet. I’d say she was a good cycle, maybe a cycle and a half early.”