Painted Flowers

Chapter 29 - The Way of the Future

"Go on... tell her. You can do it."

Feoria turned her head to gaze into Kichea's sweet face. Her hazel eye sparkled warmly, contrasting with the nervous tears emerging from Feoria's golden ones. The mamoyo swallowed tensely and nodded, too choked up to muster anything. She feared she would face the same reaction when she entered the makeshift royals' den in the temporary camp.

Kichea leaned forward, licking Feoria's cheek. The latter gave her a smile in return, and inhaled deeply, knowing that no amount of preparation would improve this situation.

A horrible cough erupted from the den, causing Feoria to flinch and squeeze her eyes shut. She hadn't even stepped one paw inside yet. "I don't think she's in a state to...to listen," she murmured.

"She needs to know," Kichea told her gingerly.

If I don't tell her now...if I keep waiting...she may never hear it, Feoria thought grimly. Her mother had suffered multiple moon cycles now of endless coughing. It was no secret that Xenia's condition was worsening, and at this point she may never have the strength to return to her home--when and if it was safe to do so.

With one final nuzzle from Kichea, Feoria made up her mind. Gathering her courage for the last time, she crawled her way into the dim hole underneath the thorn bush.

Of course, Barke was in there as well. He refused to leave his mate's side when she was in such a state. At Feoria's approach, he lifted his head, his smile weak and forced. So be it, then--her father should probably hear this as well.

"Hello, dear," Barke rumbled.

Feoria's heart pounded. "Hello, Baba...Mama. May I speak with you?"

Raising her head from the ground, Xenia looked over at her daughter with an exhausted and dazed expression. She opened her jaws and seemed about to respond, but her hacking once again overtook her, leaving her seizing in her nest. Feoria closed her eyes as she waited for her fit to finish.

She had waited with her announcement in the back of her mind for what felt like forever out there in No-pack Land, day after day, for Xenia's condition to improve. But it never did. It seemed sometimes as if the queen could hardly hold her head up.

"Sorry, Feoria, Mama still isn't feeling her best," Barke sighed. "She's really in no condition for a chat. But you may speak with me."

"No, Baba...I need her to hear it," Feoria muttered. "It's important."

Barke paused momentarily before nodding stiffly. This time Xenia didn't attempt to rise, but she waved her ears to focus in Feoria's direction.

"What is it, my daughter?" she questioned hoarsely. Feoria's heart hurt at the sight of the queen fallen so far from her usual grace, though this was unfortunately a sight she had grown used to. Xenia had been fighting for the entire time they had been at the temporary settlement, and the rest of the royals had been forced to pretend to the Pack of Falling Ash that their queen just needed a little more time and would be back to normal before they knew it. Feoria herself tried to believe this, to at least keep her spirits high, but it was such a difficult feat.

Before she could stop them, tears poured out from the princess' eyes and streamed down her muzzle. Her parents gawked at her worriedly, but she just couldn't make them stop. "I'm sorry," Feoria burst out. "I'm so, so sorry."

"My, what for?" Barke gasped, leaning forward to brush against her.

"I've failed," Feoria sobbed. "I knew I could never be the healer our pack needs...that Mama needed."

Barke looked at her firmly, turning her away from her mother to speak to her directly. "No, Feoria. Xenia grew gravely ill during the devastation of the eruption. Your mother is strong and brave, but this is a fate any elder could face. It's nobody's fault."