The Mender

Death and Birth

Zura spoke first, "Barsa, stay with Nat and Dara. Saba and I will go to Wilki and help Nagar. Let's hope the others will be back soon. We need many hands right now. Send Esri to me as soon as you see her."

Saba and Zura found Nagar encouraging Wilki to breathe slowly. The women helped Wilki walk to the birthing place they made near the river. Birthings went better when there was water close by to wash mothers, babies, and birth-helpers, and make teas.

Nagar gathered the salves and teas that she and Zura had prepared to help Wilki. They knew their preparations would provide only small comforts for the birthing and hoped that Wilki's labor would not last long and that there would be no complications. Saba would provide most of the assistance to Wilki while Nagar explained what was happening, and who should do what and when.

Nagar was disappointed that the others had not yet returned. As with Skywatching, she wanted to share her birthing knowledge with many, men as well as women. And right now she could use extra hands to support Wilki, tend the fire, warm water, and sing songs for the new life coming into the world.

The women made Wilki as comfortable as possible in the birthing place. The contractions were powerful but still spaced far enough apart that Nagar knew the birth was not imminent. She showed Saba how to feel the position of the baby, what to look for in the dilation. They kept talking to Wilki, assuring her that all was normal. Between contractions and moans, they encouraged Wilki to join their birthing chanting and singing.

And then the contractions picked up their pace. Wilki squatted while Nagar and Zura held Wilki's arms on either side. Saba positioned herself in front of Wilki. They rocked and chanted with each contraction. Nagar kept repeating, "Slowly, slowly, little mother, let the little one come." She didn't want Wilki to push too quickly, trying to prevent her from tearing badly. A large tear could take a long time to heal, and sometimes it didn't heal well and the mother died.

Just then the hunting party returned to the camp and saw and heard that Wilki's labor had begun. They hurried down to the birthing place. Nagar was relieved to see them and started giving orders. "Jolim and Grayla, come take Wilki's arms. You are stronger and can give her better support. Dagan, look after the fire. We need some good coals. Riga, make tea from these leaves. Kai, use the coals from the fire to warm water in these bowls. Wilki and her little one are working hard. We will do everything to help her. The baby is well positioned but needs a little more time."

Zura took Esri aside. "You must go to Nat. Dara died."

"Oh no, poor little Dara. Poor Nat."

"Barsa is with Nat. They are grieving for Dara. And Barsa is worried that Nat will now go back to Marim's grave and give up wanting to live. You need to help them."

"What can I do?" asked Esri.

"Nat listens to you. He went on the hunt."

"Not because of me," Esri said. "You should have seen him, Zura. He sees so far and moves like the big cats. Nat and Dagan's spears brought down the eland. Nat was the first to see the eland. Without him, we would not have made a kill."

Zura said, "Go now. We need Nat to stay at Flat Rocks and he needs us, but he can't move beyond his grief with Dara gone. He may be lost unless something keeps him here. Dara was still alive when he returned. She died in his arms."

"I will go. I don't know what I can do, but I can help prepare Dara."

Esri found Nat still holding onto Dara with Barsa at his side. Barsa was singing quietly. Nat's face was filled with pain and sorrow. He said to Esri, "I shouldn't have gone on the hunt."