(OOC: Sorry I didn't see this sooner. I had become accustomed to not
checking. :( )

> "Someone get Drov, the baby girl lives."
>
Aza jumped up and ran to get the Leader. She almost threw herself at
his feet when she found him talking to Dorg and some other men.

Dorv looked down at Aza and, for just a moment, thought about not
tapping her shoulder. He sighed to himself. One could not make bad
news go away by ignoring it. He tapped.

Aza kept her head down but began to sign. "This woman regrets to
inform the Leader of the Medicine Woman's death while giving birth.
This woman also regrets to inform the Leader that the Medicine
Woman's child is a female." Those words were the hardest Aza had ever
signed in her life.

Raising his head to look over at his hearth, Dorv's heart sank. Kora
dead and a baby girl with no mother to look after her? Even through
his sadness, though, Dorv's mind worked as a Leader. He knew it would
be no problem to find a nursing mother to care for the child. He
should go look at her now and make a pronouncement. Nodding his head
at Aza, Dorv made his feet move to his hearth where he was awaited.

Tag: Roba

OOC) Hopefully this will get some people posting again :)

First Rooka tried black haw to stop the labour but black haw but it
proved ineffective.When it was evident that the labour could not be
stopped a tea of cotton wood bark was steeped to establish the
contractions. Then they had to turn their attention to the
hemorrhaging for which a concoction of alfalfa, nettles and cayenne
was brewed.

The contractions grew closer together and with each one Kora grew
visibly weaker. They all soon had to face the fact that she was going
to die. With every route exhausted Rooka finally turned to red
raspberry leaf tea to ease the dying woman's labour pains. Then they
waited.

Eventually the urge to push overcame Kora and she began to bear down
with the last of her strength. For a moment it seemed her will to live
had returned and excitedly Roba signed, "the head is crowning." In all
the excitement and flurry of motion no one noticed that Kora had taken
her last breathe.

"Come on Kora, one big push to get the shoulders out." Roba looked up
encouragingly at her only to find her features lax. "Kora?" There
wasn't much time to act. She had heard once of someone cutting open a
woman to deliver the child but the babe had already descended.
Thinking quickly she called for a knife. Then, almost savagely she
sliced at the skin of Kora's womanhood until she could pull the child
out of it's mother.

It was blue and Roba took it for dead but still she wiped a finger
through it's mouth and wrapped it in the waiting deerskin. The group
sat stunned for a moment, defeated. All of that for nothing when they
heard a little mewling. Roba ripped open the deerskin to see the large
open eyes of the baby and for the first time noticed the sex of the
child. A girl. A girl to carry on Kora's line.

"Someone get Drov, the baby girl lives."

TAG
--- In TheClanRPG@yahoogroups.com, "Jennifer" <xoisme2002@...> wrote:
>
> Nodding, Aza poured a cup for Dorg and took it over to him. She
> wondered if she should set it in front of him and leave like she would
> any other man. But she wasn't sure if he would see it or not. So,
> daringly, she gently took his free hand and put the cup into it. Dorg
> looked startled for a moment as he stared at her and then the cup but
> then he relaxed and nodded to her before taking a sip. The sweet tea
> spread warmth throughout his body and his body lost some of its
> tenseness before he began speaking to Kora again.
>
> Aza went to pour Kora a cup and set it down beside the Medicine Woman.
> Roba would make sure Kora drank some soon, she knew. Returning to her
> place beside Roba, Aza nervously hoped that Rooka could impart some
> wisdom to Suba so that Kora might not suffer overmuch during her labor.
>
> Tag
>
> --- In TheClanRPG@yahoogroups.com, "Katrina van Kessel"
> <lady_of_kessel@> wrote:
> >
> > Roba sipped at the tea, savouring the sweetness of the honey, "I think
> > it would do him some good. Bring a cup for Kora as well; it won't hurt
> > to keep her hydrated." She looked outside at the snow blowing around
> > the mouth of the cave and for the first time noticed just how dark it
> > was. She knew it was night but she hadn't realized it was that late.
> >
> > TAG: Aza
> >
>

Nodding, Aza poured a cup for Dorg and took it over to him. She
wondered if she should set it in front of him and leave like she would
any other man. But she wasn't sure if he would see it or not. So,
daringly, she gently took his free hand and put the cup into it. Dorg
looked startled for a moment as he stared at her and then the cup but
then he relaxed and nodded to her before taking a sip. The sweet tea
spread warmth throughout his body and his body lost some of its
tenseness before he began speaking to Kora again.

Aza went to pour Kora a cup and set it down beside the Medicine Woman.
Roba would make sure Kora drank some soon, she knew. Returning to her
place beside Roba, Aza nervously hoped that Rooka could impart some
wisdom to Suba so that Kora might not suffer overmuch during her labor.

Tag

--- In TheClanRPG@yahoogroups.com, "Katrina van Kessel"
<lady_of_kessel@...> wrote:
>
> Roba sipped at the tea, savouring the sweetness of the honey, "I think
> it would do him some good. Bring a cup for Kora as well; it won't hurt
> to keep her hydrated." She looked outside at the snow blowing around
> the mouth of the cave and for the first time noticed just how dark it
> was. She knew it was night but she hadn't realized it was that late.
>
> TAG: Aza
>

Roba sipped at the tea, savouring the sweetness of the honey, "I think
it would do him some good. Bring a cup for Kora as well; it won't hurt
to keep her hydrated." She looked outside at the snow blowing around
the mouth of the cave and for the first time noticed just how dark it
was. She knew it was night but she hadn't realized it was that late.

TAG: Aza





avoured the tea--- In TheClanRPG@yahoogroups.com, "Jennifer"
<xoisme2002@...> wrote:
>
> Aza cast her eyes down for a moment. She didn't want to complete Roba's
> sentence, even in her own mind. Since it seemed as though they were
> going to have some time, she began to sit down but then thought better
> of it. "I'm going to go make us a nice stimulating tea," she told
> Roba. "We'll probably need it."
>
> Going back to her hearth, Aza quickly put together a tea that contained
> hawthorn berries and a few other herbs that she had learned over the
> years were good to strengthen and sustain the body in times of stress.
> Ones that would keep them awake, too. When the water had gotten hot and
> the herbs had steeped, Aza added honey liberally to the tea and took it
> back to the First Hearth. "Here you go," she said to Roba as she poured
> her a cup. "Do you think it would do any good to give Dorg a cup?"
>
> Tag
>
> > She's in active labour but just. It goes quickly for women
> > that have had many children but the last child Kora brought to term
> > was Kord and he is a man now. We could be up all night before she is
> > dilated enough to push and by then she ..." Roba didn't finish her
> > sentence.
> >
> > TAG: Aza
> >
>

Aza cast her eyes down for a moment. She didn't want to complete Roba's
sentence, even in her own mind. Since it seemed as though they were
going to have some time, she began to sit down but then thought better
of it. "I'm going to go make us a nice stimulating tea," she told
Roba. "We'll probably need it."

Going back to her hearth, Aza quickly put together a tea that contained
hawthorn berries and a few other herbs that she had learned over the
years were good to strengthen and sustain the body in times of stress.
Ones that would keep them awake, too. When the water had gotten hot and
the herbs had steeped, Aza added honey liberally to the tea and took it
back to the First Hearth. "Here you go," she said to Roba as she poured
her a cup. "Do you think it would do any good to give Dorg a cup?"

Tag

> She's in active labour but just. It goes quickly for women
> that have had many children but the last child Kora brought to term
> was Kord and he is a man now. We could be up all night before she is
> dilated enough to push and by then she ..." Roba didn't finish her
> sentence.
>
> TAG: Aza
>

Roba set about cleaning Kora while Aza looked for the receiving
blanket and the leather thongs.
Kora, a daughter of the old line of medicine women, was almost
infantile now, and Roba cleaned her much like she had her own
children. She washed the blood away and replaced the blood soaked fur
under Kora with a fresh doe skin and by that time Aza had returned.

"I think that is about all we can do for now," Roba signed, hiding her
signals from Dorg. "We can't move forward until Suba returns with word
from Rooka." She paused for a moment as she lifted Kora's legs to put
the leather thong on to absorb anymore blood. "We have some time to go
though. She's in active labour but just. It goes quickly for women
that have had many children but the last child Kora brought to term
was Kord and he is a man now. We could be up all night before she is
dilated enough to push and by then she ..." Roba didn't finish her
sentence.

TAG: Aza

Aza nodded to Roba and went quickly to her hearth. She scooped up the
several rabbit and squirrel skins that would be needed to keep Kora and
the baby clean. She put them in a basket and then draped a few larger
skins over her arm. She took the hide pot of hot water off the fire and
carefully carried the whole lot over to the First Hearth. Setting her
load down near Roba, she signed, "Here these things are. I'm going for
the rest now."

Looking over at Dorg, she started to ask permission to enter his
hearth, but the way he was looking at Kora and talking to her made Aza
stop. She knew Dorg would not mind her going into his hearth if it
would benefit Kora. Aza's heart bled for Dorg. He was such a good man.
She wished she could take some of his pain from him. Bowing her head,
she went in search of the receiving blanket and leather thongs. She
felt a little strange entering another's heart without them present,
even though she'd been in and out of Dorg's hearth for many years. The
leather thongs were not hard to find. Most women kept them to the back
of their hearths so their mates wouldn't accidentally stumble onto
them. It took looking into several more baskets for her to find the
receiving blanket, though. When she did, a lump came into her throat.
Dorg must have gone out and killed a fawn for the blanket and Kora had
worked it to downy softness. Abruptly shoving aside her emotion, Aza
took up the thongs and blanket and hustled back to Roba. Her hands
shook a little as she set the things down but otherwise, she appeared
calm. Kneeling down next to Roba, she asked, "What more do we need? How
far along is she?"

Tag

--- In TheClanRPG@yahoogroups.com, "Katrina van Kessel"
<lady_of_kessel@...> wrote:
>
> Roba nodded, "The hot water and the hides first, I will get her
> cleaned up while you look for the receiving blanket. When you go to
> Kora's hearth look for the absorbent leather thongs used during the
> woman's curse as well." Then she turned back to Kora and very nearly
> lost all composure.

Roba nodded, "The hot water and the hides first, I will get her
cleaned up while you look for the receiving blanket. When you go to
Kora's hearth look for the absorbent leather thongs used during the
woman's curse as well." Then she turned back to Kora and very nearly
lost all composure.

Dorg was reliving their life together and all Kora could do was
squeeze his hand or nod in response. She looked at peace with him
there, however and that comforted Roba just the tiniest bit. "You're
doing good Kora," and her eyes seemed to say it to Dorg as well. "I'm
going to see how dilated you are, okay, so you know there will be a
little discomfort."

Roba propped Kora's knees up and spread her legs a little farther
apart until she could see her birth opening without obstruction. She
wiped up the fresh and dried blood as best she could with the dry fur
underneath Kora and then inserted two fingers into her vagina until
she could fully spread them; Kora was in active labour. The mucous
plug was gone as well, most likely having gone unnoticed even by Kora
as the hemorrhaging would have made it impossible to tell.

Roba let out a sigh as she wiped off her hands. The only thing they
could do now was hope that Rooka knew how to stop the bleeding because
nothing they could do would stop the baby from coming tonight.3

Tag: Anyone

Eba watched the anxious bustling about Kora and stood to back away.
There was tension in the air, and from the few snippets of signalings
she caught from those in the hearth, things were not looking good for
Kora... The thought made Eba ill and she wanted to run from the cave.
She was too curious to do it, however, and backed her way nervously
from the group. She settled herself back at the main fire, not far from
their recent guest. Despite having moved away from the first hearth,
she couldn't help but stare in Kora's direction.



> From where she had been waiting patiently by Agra, Aza suddenly
sprung
> into action. She went to Roba and said, "I have hot water on in my
> hearth and I have set out some soft hides. Do you want me to go to
the
> Medicine Woman's hearth and look for the receiving blanket?" Every
> woman made a receiving blanket of soft hide for their child to be
born
> onto. Then the baby would be cleaned and wrapped in even softer furs
> and the receiving blanket would be used to wrap the afterbirth in so
it
> could be buried away from the cave.

From where she had been waiting patiently by Agra, Aza suddenly sprung
into action. She went to Roba and said, "I have hot water on in my
hearth and I have set out some soft hides. Do you want me to go to the
Medicine Woman's hearth and look for the receiving blanket?" Every
woman made a receiving blanket of soft hide for their child to be born
onto. Then the baby would be cleaned and wrapped in even softer furs
and the receiving blanket would be used to wrap the afterbirth in so it
could be buried away from the cave.

Tag: Roba

> Then, as if suddenly remembering there were other people in the
> hearth, she turned to them all, "I need leather thongs, a basket of
> clean, warm water, and new furs."
>
> TAG: Anyone...let's get Kora comfortable here people!
>

Dorg nodded and looked at his mate. He spoke her name word firmly, but
with much affection. When he thought she might be focusing on him, he
began to sign. "I am so glad that Kord is safely mated, aren't you? The
son of my heart looked so strong and handsome standing up there this
morning. Oh, I know we are not supposed to brag about the children of
our mates, but I am going to anyway. I want you to know how proud I am
of the son you brought to my hearth, Kora. Do you remember when he was
born? Of course you do. But you remember it as his mother, but I
remember it differently. I was so proud that I couldn't breathe when I
learned you had had a son. For a moment I was afraid that I was going
to die from lack of breath! Except for the day we mated, that was the
best day of my life. I was so happy you were safe and the baby was
healthy. When Garv, the Mog-ur, named him and made him a member of the
Clan...well, men don't have much better days than that. I hope Raza
gives Kord children soon so he can experience that feeling. Just as
much as a Manhood Hunt, it really makes a man out of you..." Dorg
talked on and on to his beloved mate - remembering their lives
together, telling her things he had somehow forgotten to tell her
before and wouldn't get the chance to tell her after today.

Tag


> Kora looked over at her mate and let out a relieved but jagged sigh
and then began to close her eyes again. "Dorg," Roba called the
benumbed man's attention back to her, "you're going to have to talk to
Kora. It doesn't matter what it's about, you just have to keep her
awake and focused. Talk to her about Kord and the matings today or
about the weather - anything!"
>
> Then, as if suddenly remembering there were other people in the
> hearth, she turned to them all, "I need leather thongs, a basket of
> clean, warm water, and new furs."
>
> TAG: Anyone...let's get Kora comfortable here people!
>

Suba watched all that the brother of her mate, the Mog-ur, had to
tell her, then she bowed her head in acknowledgement and grief. Kora
was going to die. If Brac said it was so, then it was so. Suba wanted
to howl her sadness to the whold clan but she had been given an
order. Turning, she went as quickly as she could manage to Dar's new
hearth. Standing outside the boundary stones, she tried to get
Rooka's attention.

Tag: Rooka

> "Suba," he said to her.  "The spirits are decided; Kora will join
> them today.  Rooka will not be allowed out of her isolation because
> it won't do any good, and we don't want to anger the spirits
further
> by breaking Traditional Law.  But you are a woman and with the
> blessing I am about to give you, you can go to Dar's hearth and
speak
> to Rooka safely.  You will explain the situation and what I have
said
> to Rooka and ask for her advice as a medicine woman as to how to
ease
> Kora's pain. Do not enter the hearth and do not look at Dar," he
> added.
>
> Brac then drew aside the top of Suba's wrap and, first closing his
> eyes, he drew several symbolic gestures just to the side of her
> breastbone, over her heart. Then he said, "You are protected.  Go
> now."
>
> TAG  Suba, Kora, Dorg, anyone else in the First Hearth.  AND folks
in
> Roog's hearth who had the leader and mog-ur suddenly walk through
> the `wall.' haha.
>

Roba had tried her hardest to ignore what was going on in the first
hearth despite the foul stench of Death that clung to the smoke of the
innumerable cave fires; she simply did not want to spoil the good luck
she had felt hovering around her and her two eldest daughters all
morning. There comes a time, however, when Death demands recognition.
It was the grave motion of Brac's right arm traveling across his chest
that brought Roba to her feet and almost as if in a trance she left
Awa and Dob without another word.

Almost ethereally she walked by the men at the central fire without
even a glance in the direction of the stranger, slipped through a
throng of restless children left unattended by their mothers, brushed
past Vara, and finally crossed the boundary stones into Drov's hearth.

She could have gone another hundred years without seeing what lay
before her. A withered Kora lay by the fire, her head lolling to one
side, the glow of the flames dancing off the sweat gathered on her
brow. Her legs were splayed open and the white of her thighs and the
furs under her were stained red. It wasn't the pallor on Kora's face
or the blood that made Roba's heart grow heavy, though. It was Dorg.
Dorg looked like a lost child next to the shell of his mate, clutching
her hand as if in a game of tug-of-war with the spirits.

"Everyone back up!," it wasn't Roba who roughly signed this command,
only someone that looked like her. She bumped her way past the cluster
of women, past Gada and Suba, even past the great twins, Brac and
Drov, until finally she took up a position by Kora's side. "It's hot
enough in this cave without the lot of you standing around! Give her
some room." Then, as if none of the others had ever existed, she
turned her sole attention to Kora, "Kora. Kora. Come on now. Wake up."
She shook her gently until the medicine woman's eyelids lifted.
"Kora!," her name word was spoken almost gleefully, Roba having fully
expected not to get a response from the labouring woman. "You have to
stay awake for me okay. Dorg's here." Kora looked over at her mate and
let out a relieved but jagged sigh and then began to close her eyes
again. "Dorg," Roba called the benumbed man's attention back to her,
"you're going to have to talk to Kora. It doesn't matter what it's
about, you just have to keep her awake and focused. Talk to her about
Kord and the matings today or about the weather - anything!"

Then, as if suddenly remembering there were other people in the
hearth, she turned to them all, "I need leather thongs, a basket of
clean, warm water, and new furs."

TAG: Anyone...let's get Kora comfortable here people!

There were so many bodies in the First Hearth it was difficult to
move around.  Drov took his twin brother by the shoulder and half-
lead half-pushed him out of the hearth. With so much pressing on
their respective consciousnesses, without thinking they crossed the
stones which separated Drov's hearth from Roog's instead of leaving
through the `exit' as they were supposed to.  Dikna and some of the
children were there, but Drov purposefully ignored them, pulling his
arm over Brac's shoulder and facing the wall, essentially creating a
tight, impenetrable, un-eavesdrop-able, two-man scrum.

Drov's eyes spoke for him as he looked into those of his brother's.
They said, "What say you, mog-ur?"

Brac signed with one hand.  "I will have to have a closer look at the
Medicine Woman.  They women have their own opinions but I will only
trust my own eyes to know whether she will live or die."

"Can you know if she will live or die?" Drov asked in spite of
himself.

Brac inclined his head in a slight bow, but it was not without a
touch of hubris. "Yes, Brother, I can.  And I will tell you what I
think is best for keeping the spirits of the Clan happy.  If Kora can
be kept in the world of the living by the help of her sister, then I
will get an amulet of Power for Rooka to wear which will offer us
some level of protection while she assists Kora.  It will not be
without risk; if this is what we do, we men will all have to
congregate at the mouth of the cave and face away from the direction
of the First Hearth so we have no chance of laying eyes on her."

Drov nodded in understanding, a touch of hope to his stance.

But Brac continued with a firm, serious tone, making certain he was
understood.  "But if I see the Spirit Glow on the Medicine Woman,
then nothing Rooka could do would save her.  No good would come from
allowing her out of isolation; we would only be allowing Rooka to
break Clan Law for the second time in one day.

"The spirits are angered, Brother," Brac continued. "And I don't yet
understand just why.  But I will tell you that I discovered a
terrible omen when I was searching for props for when we planned to
re-tell the story of our Manhood Hunts; do you remember, back just
before we were men, when I told you about finding the piece of scalp
belonging to an Other?"  Drov's eyes looked to the floor while he
remembered; then he nodded cautiously, as though afraid of what mog-
ur would say about it.  "Well, it followed me back to the cave.  I
was sure that Garv destroyed it, but I found it in a pile of furs in
my storage alcove."

Drov was stone silent.

Brac said, "I will give Kora whatever magic I can if her fate isn't
sealed and prepare for Rooka's release.  But if her fate is already
spoken, for worse or--- Ursus the Highest willing—for the better,
Rooka must stay in isolation.  Until I know why the spirits are angry
we must all do all we can to not deviate from proper action. You must
follow my advice on this, Brother."

Drov took several and painfully thoughtful breaths, looking at the
dirt floor of Roog's hearth.  "I understand your words, Brother, but
I'm not sure I can condemn Kora to suffer based simply on omens.
Even if Rooka cannot help Kora live, she can ease her suffering and---
  Spirits forbid it--- her passing.  Have some compassion, Brac.  Were
it not for certain events which took place around the time we earned
manhood, she would have been my mate, or yours."

"I am not made of stone," Brac insisted.  "And I don't make these
recommendations lightly, believe me.  But if Kora's fate is already
sealed and we flaunt traditions and anger the spirits even further
anyway, how many more might they take, Drov?  Already we will have to
go out in a snow storm to hunt to replace the meat that was destroyed
by mold."

Drov sighed as though he had almost forgotten about that.

Brac went on.  "I am thinking of the greater good, the good of the
whole Clan."

"I know you are," Drov said, dragging one fist slowly up his
chest.  "And so must I.  Alright, we will do as you ask. But if
Kora's fate is sealed, I still want advice from Rooka about how to
ease her pain.  I know that it is less dangerous for a woman to speak
to another woman during isolation."  Brac nodded, so Drov
decided:  "So if Kora must die, I will send Suba into Dar's hearth to
bring information back and forth from Rooka."

"I will give magic to Suba so she will be safe," Brac said, followed
by an imitation of the gesture of confirmation.

The two men re-entered the First Hearth.  Drov hung back, forcing a
sense of security with his strong presence while Brac crossed the
space and squatted in front of the laboring, bleeding woman. Brac was
careful not to touch the woman's blood.

Dorg was on one side of her, as was the new woman and several others,
but Brac purposely did not let his eyes meet theirs.   Instead, he
lifted Kora's chin and forced her to look into his face.  He put an
open palm (the left) over her heart while he put his other hand (his
right) on the top of her head.  Women almost never attended
ceremonies and so weren't used to having their minds opened by a mog-
ur, but there was always something special about Medicine Woman of
the Ancient Line like Kora.

Brac reached out with his Will it and entreated gently past the
personal ethereal protection of Kora's spirit—or at least that was
what he meant to do.  But Kora now, as she looked up into his face,
had no shell, nothing housing or protecting her spirit in the way the
flesh houses the inner organs.  It was simply hovering, around and
above her.

Brac breathed deeply of it and he Knew.  He felt the immediate
presence of Kora's mother, Gava, not too long in the spirit world and
still close to the cave.  Behind her was Nida, mother of the medicine
women of this clan as well as Korb's, and behind her was Gorda, the
last of the line he had known in his lifetime.  But behind Gorda were
still more women, stretching back in an endless line of mothers-and-
daughters; there was Toba; there was Zama; there was Ora; there was
Vica. And on and on, to the beginning of time, to the beginning of
Clan.

And the line faded and became blurred, and for a brief moment, Brac
skipped over to a place he hadn't seen before, having never truly
looked closely into the soul of a Medicine Woman before.  Here was
Hazaka, named for the Fire she breathed; before her Lohata, named for
the spirits of the lakes she controlled.  Women who were Clan and yet
not Clan, women of incredible power before whom men and spirits alike
cowered.

The Ancient, Original line of Medicine Women respected by the Clan
today was begun as a matriarchal line of female mog-urs. Brac took
his hand away from Kora's head and simply looked at Kora, and he
knew.  All of this female Power hovered around her now because she
would soon join them. And Izha the ice and Somha the snow, the
elemental spirits generations ago set free by Mog-ur One-eye and who
now toed the line just outside Brac's consciousness, shared their
presence with him and he felt them smile.

Brac stood up.  He could not look at Dorg.  Instead, he simply went
over to Drov and with a grave heaviness he drew his fist across his
chest, the sign for "No."  Then mog-ur went to Drov's second woman
and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Suba," he said to her.  "The spirits are decided; Kora will join
them today.  Rooka will not be allowed out of her isolation because
it won't do any good, and we don't want to anger the spirits further
by breaking Traditional Law.  But you are a woman and with the
blessing I am about to give you, you can go to Dar's hearth and speak
to Rooka safely.  You will explain the situation and what I have said
to Rooka and ask for her advice as a medicine woman as to how to ease
Kora's pain. Do not enter the hearth and do not look at Dar," he
added.

Brac then drew aside the top of Suba's wrap and, first closing his
eyes, he drew several symbolic gestures just to the side of her
breastbone, over her heart. Then he said, "You are protected.  Go
now."

TAG  Suba, Kora, Dorg, anyone else in the First Hearth.  AND folks in
Roog's hearth who had the leader and mog-ur suddenly walk through
the `wall.' haha.

Vara nodded and patted Kora's hand gently, a poignantly wry look in her
eyes. "Yes, Kora," she signed even though she doubted the woman saw her
motions. Suddenly, it was all too much for the heavily pregnant Vara.
Giving Kora's hand one last squeeze, she heaved herself up and left the
hearth. How would the clan deal with the loss of their Medicine Woman?
Would the inexperienced Rooka be able to do the job as well?

*********
Dorg looked down on his mate, the woman he had been devoted to for so
many years. For a moment he closed his eyes and pictured her the way
she was on the day of their mating. Until this moment, he had seen her
that way every day of their lives. That was the way he wanted to
remember her. Happy, busy, wise in the ways of medicine, looking at him
with love in her eyes. He lifted his hands to speak but dropped them
almost immediately. Instead, he went to the side that Vara had just
vacated and sat down beside her. He took her smaller hand in his and
sat there stroking it. He did not care if the other men thought him
weak. His mate was dying, for Ursus' sake. They could understand or
not. At that moment, nothing mattered to him but Kora.

*********
Aza had looked in on the activity in the First Hearth and retreated
back to the hearth she shared with her mate, Yon. He was still at the
cooking hearth with the other men and the stranger. Aza sat down on her
mat by the fire and stared into the flames. Memories flashed through
her mind, one after another. Memories of her life with Kora in it. Kora
had been mated to Dorg a couple of years after she had been mated to
Grouv, Dorg's brother. It had taken no time at all for Kora to be a
much-loved member of their family unit. Aza had shared the most
important times of her life with Kora either in her role as Medicine
Woman or friend. Now Kora was dying and Aza felt...guilty. She was the
older of the two. Should she not be the one passing to the world of
spirits? Many moments passed before Aza shook herself sternly and got
to her feet. She walked back to the First Hearth and stood back by
where Agra sat. If the Medicine Woman was able to deliver the child she
carried, perhaps they would need an older woman to help.

At first Kora protested, not wanting to make a scene, but the
severity of the situation and exhaustion finally let her be coaxed
towards the first hearth and she went lax in the arms of her childhood
friend and Suba.

      The furs of Drov's hearth were the softest and most delicately
tanned in the cave, as was to be expected, and Kora could only
whole-heartedly welcome them as Gada laid her back. She had never had
the opportunity to enjoy such fine bedding and she was a little sad,
but more perturbed, that it was at this moment, with contractions
wracking her body and anxiety engulfing her mind, that she finally
knew what it was like to be the mate of a leader; of course, the
humour of the thought wasn't lost on her either. Her brief respite
from the real world didn't last long though. She was bolt up-right at
Suba's suggestion that someone be fetched for her (she could only mean
Dorg!) and Gada's prodding only added to her discomfort. "No, no! It
is fine. I'm just spotting," but she winced in pain as the muscles of
her pelvis contracted. "You shouldn't worry anyone needlessly. Just
get some Valerian from Dorg's hearth" she could have easily referred
to it as her hearth but even in times like these Kora was very much
prudent about the proper decorum expected of a clan woman. "Just the
root, though. Cut it up finely and let it steep in cold water for a
little bit. That will have me up and about in no time," she signed
light-heartedly but it was useless, the two were ignoring her and in
her incapacitated state she couldn't stop Gada from leaving the hearth
and getting Dorg.

     Dorg – poor Dorg; the only man she had ever really cared for aside
from Roov. The look on his face hurt more than the pains of labour!
She would have given anything to prevent him from seeing her like
this. Anything. She glanced over at Gada, who was looking like she had
just done the sweetest thing for her, and could not help but feel
angry and betrayed. She was the only woman in the cave with status not
received from a man and no one would listen to her!

    "Kora? Is it the baby?" he knelt down beside her but directed
everything to Suba. "You must save her. Even if it is at the expense
of the baby. Save my mate!" His words and expression unnerved her but
she did her best to compose herself, "Dorg," Kora said his name word
firmly, something she didn't do often, "everything is going to be
fine." It was getting harder to say that now. "Suba is making me
something to help with the contractions. They should stop soon and I
will be back in the hearth to make you supper." She gave him a
reassuring look but just like the others he paid her words as medicine
woman no real heed and he was off at Gada's request almost as quickly
as he had arrived.

    By now most of the women of the cave had congregated around her and
the air was stiflingly hot. She was becoming less and less aware of
the pain in her abdomen and pelvis and more acutely aware of the
fatigue that was taking her over. The last thing she said before
drifting off was, "Vara, you wouldn't have those leg cramps if you
drank that chamomile tea I gave you everyday…"

TAG Anyone
OOC) No, she isn't dead yet but the blood loss is starting to take its
toll.

Suba flicked her eyes to Dorg before she answered her mate and Leader.
She wanted him to know how much sympathy she had for him, even though
he may or may not have cared how she felt. It was obvious that his
thoughts were all for his mate.

"Kora is in labor too early, Drov," she said in a formal and most
respectful tone. Now was not the time for familiarity. "As you know,
premature babies do not often live and when they do it is only with the
efforts of a Mog-ur and a talented Medicine Woman. We could deal with
that, though, if that were all. But, unfortunately, the Medicine Woman
is ill as well and we do not know what is wrong with her." Finished
with her speech, Suba bowed her head and sent a prayer to her totem
that Rooka might be allowed to come to Kora's aid. Even though she
hadn't had the ceremony to make her a medicine woman, Rooka was trained
and would most undoubtedly know more of what to do than the rest of the
women did.

Tag

> Drov lead the mog-ur and Dorg back to the First Hearth.  He nodded at
> Gava and called to her with his eyes, but seeing as she had actually
> birthed children before he directed his question at Suba, not
> Gada.  "Suba, tell me exactly what is going on with the medicine
> woman," he ordered in a firm but kind voice.
>
> TAG  Suba, Dorg.  or anyone else in that hearth
>

Vara sat down beside Kora and took one of the woman's limp hands. When
it was time for the Medicine Woman to bear down she would need someone
to hold onto. Vara admired Kora very much. She had made Vara's first
delivery so comfortable and she had been so knowledgeable.
Unconsciously, Vara rubbed her belly. She could go into labor any time
now. What if Kora couldn't help her deliver her baby? What would she
do? Her thoughts caused her muscles to tense up and suddenly a leg
cramp attacked her. She dropped Kora's hand to massage the cramp out
with her strong fingers. But as soon as she could, she took Kora's hand
again. To relax both herself and the Medicine Woman, she began a
monotone croon, the same croon that she had soothed Voor with when he
had been an infant. Looking up, she saw the Leader, the Mog-ur and Dorg
come into the hearth but she didn't stop the low sound.

Tag

Dikna's expression softened. She had always had such a sweet and gentle
personality that when she had first become a mother it had been
difficult for her to be firm with her daughter. But knowing that
disapproval from the rest of the clan would be harder on Deeka than
from her own mother, she had forced herself to assume that role. Still,
it was hard for her to stay upset for very long.

"Finish your snack," she signed with softer hands. "Then you may go
play. I suppose if you play the rest of the day without getting into
any trouble, I won't have to speak to Roog and Tib." Dikna looked at
her daughter with eyes filled with love yet tinged with worry. Deeka
was a very intelligent girl with loads of curiosity about everything.
Dikna worried every day that Deeka would become too curious and get
hurt or come into some other kind of trouble. Still, Dikna was so proud
of her daughter and she knew Roog was, too. Roog thought the sun rose
and set with Deeka.

Tag

--- In TheClanRPG@yahoogroups.com, "Blodyn" <missspock3@...> wrote:
>
> Deeka sort of froze, looking at her feet.  She wasn't usually a ill-
> behaved girl, she was just so wound-up over the excitement of the
> visitor. Somehow, he was even MORE interesting to her because
> speaking to him was forbidden; when that woman Eba had come there was
> nothing stopping Deeka from speaking to her, so it wasn't quite as
> fun.
>
> "I apologize, Mother," she said.  "Please don't tell Roog."
>
> Tirn just kind of fidgeted.  As a boy, he knew that no matter what
> happened his punishment would never be as harsh as Deeka's, and that
> fact made him happy.
>
> TAG
>

Eba followed Vara to sit at Kora's side, patting the laboring woman
gently and somewhat affectionately on the shoulder. It was hard for
Eba to witness such torture and pain. It reminded her immediately of
her miscarriage, and she was torn by the thought of it. Feeling sorry
for herself did no one any good, however, and she tried to push back
all of the memories in order to be strong for Kora.

As she sat in silence, Eba watched the other women around her. The
tension in the air unnerved her, but it was understandable. What were
they to do when the medicine woman labored? What a horrible time for
a learning medicine woman to be in isolation. What timing....

When the leader and Mogur approached the hearth, Eba lowered her
head. She did not move though, in hopes that her hand on Kora's
shoulder, and the group of women in general, may help calm the woman.

TBCB any in the hearth

> After sitting her mother down so that the old woman could come to
> terms with her own thoughts, Gada wasn't sure quite what to do; she
> kept glancing over her shoulder to see what was keeping Dorg so
> long.  Drov was a strong leader but fair; Brac could be a prick but
> he was caring, too.  Surly they would allow Rooka to come and help
> them.
>
> Soon, other women began gathering in the First Hearth to offer
their
> support.  Vara came, her large belly swaying much like Gada's; Eba
> came with her, and though Gada was too stressed to actually feel
> happy to see their reticent visitor moving about, it was a positive
> thing to see.  Hopefully all these people helped Kora rather than
> stressing her; she would keep an eye on it.
>
>> Vara followed quickly right behind Eba. The child she was carrying
> felt
> > so heavy that she was huffing and puffing when she arrived at the
> First
> > Hearth. She caught Suba's eye and waved a little at her before
> > signing, "We'd like to help, if we can!"
> >
> > Suba nodded, looking a little tired and worn around the
edges. "You
> can
> > go sit with her and give her some support. She needs it."
> >
> > Vara nodded and went to sit near Kora as the woman labored.

The two faces of the Leader and the mog-ur, so alike by genetics but
altered by character and life's experiences, each changed at seeing
and hearing Dorg's words.  Drov's face immediately scrunched-up with
concern; he knew how much Dorg cared for his mate (even though he
would never shame the man by saying it aloud) and he could empathize
with his fear.  He remembered how he'd felt every time Suba had given
birth, and he remembered how he'd felt when Gada had told him she was
with child at her age.  "We will be sure to do what we can," he said.

Brac's face, however, scrunched darkly with far more than empathy.
He spoke directly after his twin.  "Rooka has *already* been out of
isolation," he insisted.  "I'm not certain that allowing her out
twice in a single day will do anyone any good.  If the spirits are
angered, it will only make Kora's situation worse." Specifically to
his brother he added, "I think we should speak to your mates, and get
Kora's own opinion if she is able, and see the specifics of the
situation. I don't want to make a rash decision which could back-fire
later."

Drov nodded his head heavily. "You have a point."

Brac pressed on. "We cannot risk upsetting the spirits, brothers," he
said to them both.  "They are already in a foul mood-- look what
happened with the meat stores and with the sudden change in the
weather."  He didn't voice it, but Brac also remembered finding that
ill omen earlier. He knew that even though technically it was Drov's
final word, they were dealing with the area of *his* jurisdiction,
and in a practical sense it was his decision to make. And he did not
want to break the isolation taboo.

Drov lead the mog-ur and Dorg back to the First Hearth.  He nodded at
Gava and called to her with his eyes, but seeing as she had actually
birthed children before he directed his question at Suba, not
Gada.  "Suba, tell me exactly what is going on with the medicine
woman," he ordered in a firm but kind voice.

TAG  Suba, Dorg.  or anyone else in that hearth




> Dorg tried to act casually in front of the Leader but was only
> marginally successful. He knew that Drov saw how upset he was.
Standing
> straight, he signed, "My mate is in labor and according to both of
your
> mates, it doesn't look good. I come to request of the Leader that
Rooka
> be allowed out of her isolation to care for Kora as she is the only
> woman trained in medicine in this cave." Dorg's hands were steady
as he
> made his request even though it was difficult to say that it didn't
> look good for his beloved mate. He allowed his posture to lean just
a
> little in toward Drov, though, so that the Leader knew how
important
> this was to him.
>
> Tag
>

After sitting her mother down so that the old woman could come to
terms with her own thoughts, Gada wasn't sure quite what to do; she
kept glancing over her shoulder to see what was keeping Dorg so
long.  Drov was a strong leader but fair; Brac could be a prick but
he was caring, too.  Surly they would allow Rooka to come and help
them.

Soon, other women began gathering in the First Hearth to offer their
support.  Vara came, her large belly swaying much like Gada's; Eba
came with her, and though Gada was too stressed to actually feel
happy to see their reticent visitor moving about, it was a positive
thing to see.  Hopefully all these people helped Kora rather than
stressing her; she would keep an eye on it.

TAG anyone else in the hearth: Kora, Suba, Vara, and/or Eba




> Vara followed quickly right behind Eba. The child she was carrying
felt
> so heavy that she was huffing and puffing when she arrived at the
First
> Hearth. She caught Suba's eye and waved a little at her before
> signing, "We'd like to help, if we can!"
>
> Suba nodded, looking a little tired and worn around the edges. "You
can
> go sit with her and give her some support. She needs it."
>
> Vara nodded and went to sit near Kora as the woman labored.
>
> Tag
>

Deeka sort of froze, looking at her feet.  She wasn't usually a ill-
behaved girl, she was just so wound-up over the excitement of the
visitor. Somehow, he was even MORE interesting to her because
speaking to him was forbidden; when that woman Eba had come there was
nothing stopping Deeka from speaking to her, so it wasn't quite as
fun.

"I apologize, Mother," she said.  "Please don't tell Roog."

Tirn just kind of fidgeted.  As a boy, he knew that no matter what
happened his punishment would never be as harsh as Deeka's, and that
fact made him happy.

TAG




> "Stop!" Dikna said. That was a spoken word and she said it with
> authority. "You are both children and you will both improve your
> behavior immediately. Neither of you will bother our visitor or
speak
> to him unless he speaks to you first." She looked at them both
> sternly. "I really am going to have to speak to Roog and Tib."
>
> Tag
>

The words spoken by the stranger were totally unexpected for Grol.
His own clan respected him, certainly, but this person was treating
him almost with reverence, like he was The Mog-ur or First Leader.

Well, he thought, he might as well be; he was their brother after
all.  His chest puffed out a little bit.  Really, he could care less
about whatever it was that was going on in the First Hearth but he
wanted to communicate that he, the favorite advisor of his brothers,
had concern for the regular members of his cave.  He said, "That is
kind of you to offer, Grog-- far too kind. The honor you show my
family is unwarranted, surly.  We have women who could do that work
if the child becomes distracting.  But no, I will wait until the
Leader or the mog-ur asks for my help; it's likely simply a woman's
problem and doesn't really need my attention."

Grol then leaned-in over Grog and the baby.  The figure that Zara was
holding was strange, like nothing he'd ever seen before.  Without a
second thought he took it from her; when Zara's lip curled in shock
Grol growled, "Quiet." Zara remained so but her expression still
maintained the utmost betrayal from the man of her hearth.

Grol looked at the little stone; actually, it looked eerily like a
mammoth.  "Where did you find this stone, Grog?"  Grol asked.  "I
can't believe how much it looks like a mammoth!  Sometimes I've seen
rocks or pieces of wood whose shape sort of resembles animals
but . . . " He shook his head, unable to finish.  The little figure
was too realistic; it gave him the creeps.  So he gave it back to
Zara, not wanting to touch it anymore.

TAG Grog



> "Ah, but she has 'expressed her appreciation' for the gift, Grol."
> Grog used his name almost as it was a title of respect.  Continuing
> Grog said, "Is she not sitting here on my knee while enjoying
playing
> with the toy?  Words of appreciation are all well and good but
seeing a
> gift being enjoyed or used is better."  Grog turned very serious,
> saying, "I can't help but see that there is an urgent situation
going
> on, and that you are an important person in your cave.  I am only a
> guest here and am unworthy of the honor you are giving me, but
please,
> if you need to see to the situation with the others, I will remain
here
> playing with Zara."
>
> Tag Grol
>

"Ah, but she has 'expressed her appreciation' for the gift, Grol."
Grog used his name almost as it was a title of respect.  Continuing
Grog said, "Is she not sitting here on my knee while enjoying playing
with the toy?  Words of appreciation are all well and good but seeing a
gift being enjoyed or used is better."  Grog turned very serious,
saying, "I can't help but see that there is an urgent situation going
on, and that you are an important person in your cave.  I am only a
guest here and am unworthy of the honor you are giving me, but please,
if you need to see to the situation with the others, I will remain here
playing with Zara."

Tag Grol

She headed toward the first hearth.
>
> Tag

Vara followed quickly right behind Eba. The child she was carrying felt
so heavy that she was huffing and puffing when she arrived at the First
Hearth. She caught Suba's eye and waved a little at her before
signing, "We'd like to help, if we can!"

Suba nodded, looking a little tired and worn around the edges. "You can
go sit with her and give her some support. She needs it."

Vara nodded and went to sit near Kora as the woman labored.

Tag

Eba had stared after Agra in shock after the old woman had gotten up
and moved off in a quick fashion. After such a strange spell, seeing
the seemingly frail woman scamper off like that was the last thing Eba
expected. Feeling still responsible for watching out for Agra, Eba
nodded quickly to Vara. "We probably should help if we can. Looks like
they may have their hands full over there," she signed. She wouldn't
deny her curious nature either. Following Agra would give her a chance
to look in on the commotion politely. She headed toward the first
hearth.

Tag


> Vara looked over at Eba in surprise when Agra got up and stomped off
> spouting confused yet aggravated words. Humor filled her eyes and she
> shrugged helplessly. "Do you want to join her and see if we can be of
> help?" she asked Eba.
>
> Tag
>

> "Of course he will, it's winter. Stupid head!" Tirn said. "But you
> can't go near him because you're a girl and girls are dumb.  But I
> can talk to him-- and I will, tomorow!  And I will ask him all about
> his homeland and I won't tell YOU!"  and he blew a raspberry.
>
> Deeka lost it and pushed Tirn on his shoulder.  "Be quiet, child,"
> she said. "You're not a man, you can't talk that way.  I'll tell
> Vida!"
>
> TAG (lol sorry, Dikna!)
>
"Stop!" Dikna said. That was a spoken word and she said it with
authority. "You are both children and you will both improve your
behavior immediately. Neither of you will bother our visitor or speak
to him unless he speaks to you first." She looked at them both
sternly. "I really am going to have to speak to Roog and Tib."

Tag

Vara looked over at Eba in surprise when Agra got up and stomped off
spouting confused yet aggravated words. Humor filled her eyes and she
shrugged helplessly. "Do you want to join her and see if we can be of
help?" she asked Eba.

Tag

He got up and went over to where Dorg was standing rather than asking
the man to come to him so that they could talk in private; whatever it
was couldn't be good and Dorg's embarrassing distress didn't need to be
broadcast.  Brac was the only one who turned his head back and up to
watch the conversation, concern in his eyes.  Drov asked Dorg, "What's
the matter, Dorg?"
>
Dorg tried to act casually in front of the Leader but was only
marginally successful. He knew that Drov saw how upset he was. Standing
straight, he signed, "My mate is in labor and according to both of your
mates, it doesn't look good. I come to request of the Leader that Rooka
be allowed out of her isolation to care for Kora as she is the only
woman trained in medicine in this cave." Dorg's hands were steady as he
made his request even though it was difficult to say that it didn't
look good for his beloved mate. He allowed his posture to lean just a
little in toward Drov, though, so that the Leader knew how important
this was to him.

Tag