rockabye baby

As she set her paws on flat ground in the bottom of the ravine, the Empress herself called to her. Luce lifted her head and cast Deathbelle a conspiratorial smile. It was all about her now, the glow of pregnancy. What a wondrous thing. "Empress," Luce replied, dipping her head. "You're looking splendid these days," the younger Klein added. She resisted the urge to fawn further over her sister, otherwise she'd never get any work done today.

"Why don't you keep resting while I gather?" Lucretia said, setting about looking for the primary herb she was after today: motherwort. It would serve the most useful in the coming weeks and months. The others on her list were merely secondary boons. Ideas had rolled around in her head for the past few months, but Luce knew Deathbelle would like an active hand in her own treatment. Perhaps a honeyed tonic, also filled with fresh fruits? Nutritious and soothing in multiple ways. They had studied together once, but that seemed like a lifetime ago.

No matter. A new lifetime was about to begin, and perhaps in a few years' time, this day would also be a distant memory. Shaking off the past and looking eagerly to the future, Luce began to track the faint scent of the herbs. She had never had a reason to find this particular plant before; she figured it might take a bit longer than something she was familiar with. "This place would make a wonderful spot for a den..." Luce said over her shoulder. It was secluded and easily protected from siege. A fine, safe place to raise a family. "Where are you thinking of settling?" She wouldn't ask her the obvious just yet.

word count: 287
cumulative wc: 831/1500