The Wolf, the Butterfly, and the Kraken

Chapter 13

Her eyes rolled back and her back arched. She was eased to the planks of the pier by the elder priest. It was not a pleasant thing to see, and I had already seen it once today. The tentacle lightly touched her and a voice that was not hers came from her mouth. It was very deep and resonating. "I am Oarhu. Any who attempt harm on this family will be destroyed. This child is of two worlds and will make all of it a better place. Stand aside or the filth will be sucked out to sea." Then her eyes closed and the tentacle slipped back into the sea. Her eyes opened and found mine. She had a lot on her mind.
I went to her and helped her up. Even with the tentacle gone I felt the presence of the kraken watching us. On top of that everyone in town and all the priests watched us. "Are you okay?" I asked her.
She whimpered and whispered, "There is so much Vam. So much. And it is vital. Warrior training. All types of crafting. Spirit quest. Right and wrong. So much."
I did not know about all types of crafting, but I knew warrior training did not just happen, and it was extensive. You did not just become a warrior. I, myself, had never qualified for it. I also knew that acolytes did not just go on spirit quests. "One day at a time. Come on, lets leave." Then I realized I might be acting dishonorably towards the elders, "With your blessing, of course, elders? She has had quite the day."
They all agreed. Elder Harl said, "Keep them close young man. Also send a missive a few days after the child is born. I am certain I am not the only one who wants to bestow a blessing."
They parted way for us to leave. Joann looked like she was going to be sick at the sight of all the crushed Lycants we had to make our way through. Some of the people we passed looked angry with vengeance dancing in their eyes. One acolyte did not heed the warning.
We were halfway through town when he tried to attack us with a blade. A long, watery tentacle snatched him up in a heartbeat and he was gone. I later heard he had been pulled under the water never to be seen again. We made it home safely with no more incidence.
Ygr came in from the fields, wondering where we had been, and proudly reporting that he had figured out how to milk the goats all by himself. Then he saw us. "Is something wrong?"
"We need time to think about the meron Ygr. Would you be alright by yourself the rest of the day?" I asked him.
He blinked, "Of course, as much as you need me uncle." Then he headed back out to the field.
"How many people died today?" Joann asked once the door to the den closed.
"It all happened so fast. We might not know the numbers for a few more days." They would probably have to do a head count of all the priests.
I had heard tales of krakens that swallowed even large boats whole. I had heard stories of battles where thousands had died in an afternoon. I had never seen it. Never smelled it. Never heard of so many lives being snuffed out in a second. That was not glorious battle. That was massacre.
"I may never sleep again," I confided to her.
She nodded, then started crying. "I didn't ask for this, just a child who could have the right to make their own way."
I held her softly, "I know. But we will deal with it. Mother Moon doesn't give us more than we can handle."
We made plans to move to my parents home as her time drew near. Ygr would have the help of his younger brothers and Iara would check in with them while she and Nara took care of their home and small business. I did not dare tell Joann how dangerous and sly the priests were. She was worried enough as it was. She worried whether we should have a seperate room for the baby called a nursery. She kept gathering flowers to 'spruce things up'. She cleaned everything three times over and tried taking on tasks too large for her.
I told mother this. She calmly announced it was, "Nesting. Bring her to my home. We are closer to the midwife. You can still work." We found a quiet corner in my parents home and my mother kept her busy with simple tasks.
One day my father joined me in the field. He said nothing, but started digging out the roots of some brush. I had never seen him dirty his claws this way. "Is she-?"
"Yes." When I started back to the den he said, "You don't want to be there, even should the midwife let you in."

* * *
I felt childish, but I wanted my mother. Hours passed and the pain did not lessen. I had seen a couple of births at the plantation, and logically knew what was happening. Great Spirits it was not easy though.
Owda and the midwife gently guided me through it all. The sun set and the moon started to rise when I pushed for the last time. There was a small whack and a cry. It was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.
"Girl or boy?" I asked.
Owda was beaming as the midwife wiped the baby down and started swaddling, "You have a son! He looks just like his father." They cleaned him off and I got to see him for a moment before delivering the placenta. He was beautiful. He weighed a whole 7lbs 3oz. I cried. I was so filled with joy and love for this tiny little miracle. Vam was finally allowed in to see our child. He looked at me questioningly. I held our son out to his daddy, "Meet our son, Oceanus."
He nodded approval and held him tenderly. He murmured something to the baby softly. The baby opened his eyes. They were the color of the ocean right before a storm, also the same color as my father's eyes.
That day was all family, except for one haircut and diaper delivery from Kiro. At first everyone was astounded that I was letting him cut my hair, but I was a bit relieved honestly because it would be one less thing for me to worry about. Kiro took the baby's measurements, happily chatting away about how handsome he looked, then he left to make an outfit.
Little Syl was most curious. Then he said "Don't worry Auntie, I will protect my little cousin from the evil priests!" He puffed out his chest and raked the air with his claws.
I was about to dismiss this as 5 year old behavior, but then all the adults, and even his siblings gave him a 'shut your mouth' look. This took all puff out of his chest and made his little tail sag.
I held my baby and faced Vam squarely, "Do you think he is in danger from the priests?" He tried looking elsewhere and I slammed a hand down, "Answer me! I deserve to know the truth. That I only get hints at it from a child, before my mate, is not good, not right. Tell me."
And so it was that I learned a bit about the sorcery performed within temples. One acolyte was not much danger by himself, but as they worked in larger groups bad things could happen. They could curse a person, or their farm. One priest could do what 10 acolytes could. When they got into groups of 10 they could curse bloodlines. The masters could start or stop storms.The elders could defeat armies, or bloody the stars
It started to sink in, "And they don't all like me. A god of the oceans wiped a bunch out like they were bugs. Even if there were plenty who didn't care then about us, after that they will hate us."
I looked at my tiny bundle, "And he will have to eventually work and learn alongside them." Everyone was silent.
Kauhl said, "Warrior training is very vigorous. Perhaps he can skip the part with the priests."
I shook my head, "No. He must learn more than all but the highest lords of Venera know about crafting. He must know how to be a warrior. He must know how to be a priest. He must know right from wrong." Oarhu had been very firm on all points.
It was young Nara who offered, "Oceanus doesn't need to fear the priests. Oarhu will protect him."
In the days that followed hundreds of priests, high priests, and the elders came to bestow blessings, give best wishes, and sate their burning curiosity. After a while they stopped coming and we were able to try and establish some sort of normal routine.
Becoming a mother was not easy. I forgot what sleep was. Being peed and pooped on became commonplace. Spit up was part of my wardrobe. My sense of smell died, but my hearing became acute. My entire day and world revolved around the baby.
Iara arrived one day, took one look at me, and shook her head. "Go help Vam with the harvest. You need fresh air, sunshine. I will watch the baby."
This was a new concept for me. "But how will he eat?"
"I will come and get you. Go."
I felt guilty as I walked out the door. Then I felt a rush of fresh air on my face, and warm sunlight. I saw Vam showing Ygr, Syl, and Yarin how to harvest the grain. It was a beautiful sight. I went down to the field and helped. It was hard work, but it wasn't diapers or inside the den, and my world grew a bit bigger.
After a bit Iara came outside with a crying Oshie. It was his lunch time. I smiled in satisfaction at what I had accomplished and went back inside. From then on I knew it was okay to take a break.