The Wolf, the Butterfly, and the Kraken

Chapter 12

Ygr stood before me, and I didn't have to tell him. He flexed his arm and left the tub. He wrapped his furry arms around me in a hug, tears running down onto my shoulder. "You did it! You did it! There's no pain Auntie!"
We laughed, both of us crying. Then he realized he was naked and went to dry off. I left to give him privacy. Vam saw me. His ears perked up, and I nodded. He ran to fetch Iara.
That night we feasted and laughed. Stories were told, songs were sung. Ygr challenged his younger brothers and won. Word was sent to Oyarg and Vam's mother brought a holy man to bless Ygr for future battles, which was like a coming of age gift. Ygr would now be able to train for warrior status.
The holy man watched me in silence most of the night. I approached him with a dessert later on and asked if he would care for some. "No," he replied flatly.
"Is it because I am Veneran? Because Iara made this." I couldn't get a solid read on his emotions. "Do you disapprove?"
"Immensely." His eyes landed on Ygr, "And no."
That was when I noticed his eyes were just like Ygr's. So was his fur. "Oh my," I whispered.
He was shocked that I knew. Then he cast his eyes on the ground, "I never thought I would thank an Veneran for using their sorcery to do what mine could not. I tried everything. I failed them."
"All I did was try my best. That is all anyone can give, and that you did too will not be forgotten. Family is important." I had known people who just walked away in times of trouble. They weren't worth anything to me. But the ones who had tried, even if they failed, had wound up being the best friends and family anyone could hope for."
He grunted agreement and took the dessert. I felt Iara and Owda's relief at this simple token of acceptance. He left shortly after, then Iara and her children did too, after she gave Owda a meaning packed look.
Owda helped me clean up the table while Vam and Kauhl were deep in discussion. She carried the heavy pot inside and appraised my belly, "You have just over a month, I would think."
I nodded, "Late summer I am due."
"You have enough time for a Meron."
There were still plenty of words I did not know and asked, "What is a Meron?"
"Women have them before they plan to conceive a child, normally. Sometimes there are accidents and the mother has them after conception, but before the litter is born. It is a spiritual cleansing where your spirit is removed for a time while your cubs are blessed. If they are meant to be in a warrior caste or priest caste will be determined then. With this blessing your cub will have a future in our society. Without it your cub will be an outcast, unable to inherit or purchase land, and not allowed in the temples. They will not be allowed to battle either. They become beggars and thieves, quickly killed for being dishonorable."
"So there is really no choice then. But- my mother never had a meron ceremony for me. How can I enter the temple?"
Owda just blinked slowly at me and said, "You have made a friend."
"What do I do for this ceremony?"
Owda shrugged, "It was different for each of my litters. Only the priest can tell you what he needs at that time. One litter I sat near an incense until it was done burning. Another I stood in a storm. The last I rubbed myself in tree sap-"
I had always thought that at times Vam smelled like applewood, "Applewood sap?"
She smiled, "You know more than you think you do daughter. Yes, applewood."
"When should I have the meron?"
She eyed my bulging belly, "Soon. I will take you. Men are not allowed in the meron section of the temple unless they are holy men."
"Will you be with me?" I felt nervous about being in a public place without family.
"I must leave you at a certain point. You should be fine." She pricked her ears towards the door. "It is time for me to leave. Our family will never forget how you have helped Ygr."
"He is my family too. I couldn't not help him."
Owda smiled, "I will come to get you soon."

* * *
For the first time in my entire life father came to speak to me. The children were playing and the women talking of women things. It was a fine evening. Father watched me watching Iara's cubs for a bit. Then he said, "There is nothing like it, fatherhood. There is much joy and consternation. They will drive you to do better."
Somehow he knew. I had been having doubts that I could provide for us with this tiny farm. "What can I do to make their life better?"
Father said, "You can raid-"
"No, I can't. Our families are joined, but I have never been to her home or met her folk. I do not wish to bring dishonor and death."
He nodded thoughtfully and was quiet for a time. "That leaves you fishing, or farming more land. You have no fishing boat. You could acquire more land."
"I have no money father. I would have to owe favors and money for most of my life." I was ashamed of this and studied the wood grain on the table very closely.
He grabbed a piece of fruit from a bowl on the table and eyed it. "You would not have to owe if you made improvements to an inheritance that I need help with."
Was he offering what I thought he was? He had bought a fine piece of property for himself and mother to raise their litters on. There was a great deal of forest, a small river, and hills full of brush and trees. I met his eyes, "What would you wish me to improve?"
He shrugged and eyed the fruit, "Farming, growing things, was never something I learned. I only reaped scars. What might be the most profitable improvement you could make for the short term while working on long term goals?"
"The hills could be terraced. Grapes and berries could be planted there." Then I realized it was the middle of summer. Clearing the brush and terracing the hills would take time. The plants took time as well. "Maybe some beans, and harvest them in fall. They help the soil too."
Kauhl nodded, "Then it will be done. When did you want to start?"
The more I terraced the better off we would be. But Joann was very close to the end of her pregnancy, and she really should not be in the fields here.
Father was reading my mind, "Ygr could help out. Maybe Syl and Yarin too at times."
I nodded, "The day after tomorrow you can expect me. And I give you my thanks."
He nodded and went to collect mother. I watched them leave, feeling good. My mate was inside and father had left me much to discuss with her. When I went in she was washing a bowl thoughtfully. "What has Mother been conspiring with you about?" I jested.
"Why didn't you tell me about the Meron ceremony?" she was not happy.
"Because you are Veneran. You would not be admitted to the temple. I figured we should not worry about it when there was nothing to be done about it."
She blinked, "Your mother and Iara have arranged one for me."
"Truly? That is amazing! Our cub could inherit land, or be a warrior, or anything."
"What do you know about this ceremony?" she asked.
She was scared.
I shook my head, "My love, it isn't anything to worry over. Every woman who enters the temple leaves again, completely whole." I held her close to me. "I have some good news. Father is allowing me to work on my inheritance early. I will be terracing some land and planting beans starting the day after tomorrow."
She smiled, "That is good." Then she sighed sadly, "I wish we could celebrate all this good news properly. I'm not sure I can move like I want to."
I smiled, "Hmm, this? This I can help with." I lifted the tunic from her body and carried her to bed. Once she understood, which only took a moment, she shifted a bit and soon we were both having a rather pleasant evening.