Blasts of holy earth

Eyrún had been laying low since coming to Habari. This was not her home - she knew no one here other than Recluse, and she was concerned first and foremost to staying healthy and having her litter somewhere where she felt protected. Anywhere was safer than on her own. These children were family of Recluse's anyway, even if distantly related. Although Eyrún didn't have the faintest idea what she was doing here, she knew she'd landed here for a reason. She'd figure out what that reason was eventually. Today she had no time for figuring out anything right now other than how she was supposed to survive childbirth. The contractions wracked her suddenly and without mercy, and she braced herself against a small redbud tree as she lowered herself carefully to the ground.

Somehow she weathered the hours alone. More than once she swore the pain itself would split her straight in two. But she persevered, only reaching her head up to let out a weak howl once she was certain the worst of it was over. There were three children, two boys and a girl; one looked strong, one of the boys, but the others didn't look terribly well... not that she had much experience with children. They wriggled and writhed against her belly as she curled them close to her, waiting for someone to come, someone who might have a better idea how to handle things. Mostly she was just tired, the sort of tired that she felt deep in her soul, and she doubted she'd be able do anything but rest for the rest of the evening.