Ella's Wild Beasts

CHAPTER 24

Tarak looked shocked and in awe when she showed him into the non-food supply room. Feeling proud she showed him where she kept the bedding. She had already decided to put the family in the fire room so the child wouldn't be sick but it was a cramped room so she figured Tarak would have to settle for the far side of the main chamber. The best spot would probably be where the family was currently sitting so they made up their bed first. He started getting a little more vocal as they worked. He asked questions on what was in the stores and why they had so much extra. Then on the furs her family was wearing and had shared with the females. It was only then did she remember all the stag men where still naked. Blushing she left him so continue arranging the bedding as she retrieved a loincloth for each of them and told them to put it on.

   Confused they complied, she heard more chuckles from her males. Sighing she got back to work. She showed him that if they laid some pelts over the mosses and leaves it was warmer and more comfortable. By the time they finished the family's nest dinner was complete. She sat the family down by their new nest, which Arya was inspecting with a happy look. Asha was starting to stir at the light of the fire and smell of food. Ella got all her bowls and cups out, happy she had just enough. Tarak was near her males now, quietly questioning them on the food and fire. They looked amused and patiently answered the increasingly chatty stag.

   Ella passed out cups of water and then one by one filled bowls with a portion of soup. They would need to forage and hunt every chance to keep up with the extra mouths. The stags looked at their containers confused and giving cautious sniffs. Caius seeing their delima took a drink of soup from. The bowl and followed it with a sip of water. After the demonstration they all began eating, Arya helping little Asha with her food. Caius was rewarded with a kiss to his shoulder and a whispered "good boy" from Ella. His tail was thumping the ground hard, seeing the pouty look on Ravis face she gave his arm a quick peck and praise. "You did very good today too." Both males beemed as they ate. The stags seemed to absolutely love the food.

   "What is this?" "It's delicious!" "Do you eat like this everyday?" "Can you teach me to make this?" Her males chuckled and cuddled closer to her as they answered questions while eating. She occasionally absent-mindedly stroked them. Ravi and Caius hadn't received this much physical attention in awhile. After she finished her food she stood quitly as they were all in animated discussions while eating and child playing on the bed. When she returned she had a bundle of dried comfrey she found and a bowl with a little water and a rounded oval stone for grinding.

   Everyone gave her curious glances as she slowly added more of the herb to the water as she kept grinding until she had a bowl of paste. She then went and got a separate bowl of water and one of the strips of cloth she had recycled her clothes into. Ella started with Caius, cleaning the wounds and dried blood and applying the paste. After finishing with him she moved to Ravi and continued working. Her males weren't entirely sure what she was doing but the paste felt good and she was cleaning them.so they didn't really care. "Um, what is that stuff for? What are you doing?" She heard Bruno ask. "Oh, this is a paste made with the herb comfrey. It's good to help wounds heal faster and stop infection. I learned a couple of the basic common herbs when I was younger." Looking shocked Atlas moved forward a little. Now looking embarrassed he asked "I know you've already given us so much and we will make sure to pay you back, but can I have some to help Arya?" Ella had forgotten the cuts on the woman's body and frowned at the memory.

   Thinking that must be a no he immediately backed off. "Sorry, of course you can have some. I just felt bad because I forgot you she was hurt too. You're all hurt." She finished up with Ravi then slid the bowl for cleaning the wounds over then the paste. "Clean the wounds first and then put on a thin layer of the paste. Try to not rub it off and have it stay on as long as possible." While they treated their wounds Ella and her males went back to the main chamber. They really needed to talk but first Taraks bed. With their help she quickly completed it and went back into the fire room to see them all. Clumsily slathered in the herb. Stifling a chuckle she said. "Come I'll show you where to do your buisness then it'll be time for rest. We've all had a long day." They all followed her and Ravi outside as Caius prepped the fire for the night.

   Once back inside and the family settled in their nest Ella led Tarak to his. "I get one to?" "Of course did you think you would sleep on the floor or outside?" "Yes." He said simply. A little shocked she just nodded at the nest and went outside with her males to discuss.

...

They had a long discussion about resources and time lines. How everyone felt with the burrow crowded and boundaries. It seems her males were a little wary of having an unclaimed male so close when they hadn't been mated yet. By the time they made it inside after figuring everything out everyone was asleep so they decided to relay their decisions in the morning.