What About Everything?

Just as all of her boys were, Strix tried to downplay the severity of the situation, claiming that it wasn't a big deal. Wasn't a big deal?! Her son had been attacked on their own island home; of course it was a big deal to the worried mother! She tsked her headstrong son and shook her head, doing her best not to pay attention to the way he hissed and recoiled from the antiseptic she dabbed to his cheek. The mother in her didn't like knowing she was hurting him or causing discomfort, but the healer in her knew it had to be done. "Sometimes in order for something to heal properly, it needs to hurt first," Ali explained to her beloved Strix with a tender smile. "This will get those cuts cleaned up, then I'll patch them up for you." At least Chimera had the wherewithal to know to send their children to her for immediate medical attention. As stubborn and pigheaded as her mate could be at times, he was no fool and he was a good father.

While Aliana worked on Strix's face, the boy began to regale her with the tale of how he had obtained such injuries in the first place. When he said "jaguars", Ali felt her heart stop beating for one terrified second. Her knowledge and experience had told her these injuries were caused by a big cat, but did it have to be jaguars? The momentary panic faded from the cloudy queen's face while she finished cleaning and disinfecting her child's wounds, satisfied that they wouldn't become infected. Then she turned and picked up some lamb's ear she'd fashioned into a small banged and smeared it with yarrow paste to help stop the bleeding and seal the wound. "I'm just so relieved you're okay, sweetheart," the calming queen replied with a heavy sigh. Practiced paws applied the bandage to Strix's face, making sure it stayed put before examining her work. "Now, leave that on the cuts for at least until bedtime tonight to let the medicine do its work. You can take it off before your bath."

Strix might have thought he was helping to put his mother's nerves at ease by explaining how his brothers had been there with him before Chimera showed up to save their lives, but all that did was make the cross mother realize she'd have to give two of her other sons a scolding too. Gods be good, they had blessed her with six reckless and brash boys in her life! "Your father was right to step in. Jaguars are extremely dangerous, Strix. Trying to fight them on your own was not a clever thing to do," she scolded her son, her gentle voice missing much of the anger and edge that Chimera's had, but nonetheless getting her message across clear as day. But as worried and upset as she had been, all of that began to fade when Strix gave her those big puppy eyes and slid in to cuddle up to her, his sweet voice apologizing for worrying her.

Aliana took in a deep breath, held it, then let it go. She wrapped her arms around her son, cradling him with all the love a mother could possess while she tried to not let the panic at the thought of losing her children bring her to tears. "It's okay, Strix. I forgive you, and I love you very, very much." She had to make sure she always assured her children that no matter what they did, she would always love them. "Jaguars are very dangerous, my little shadow. They can kill you in a single second. I know, because..." Another deep breath from the queen as haunting memories returned to her. "...because your father had to save me from one when we were younger. A jaguar very nearly killed me too. I only want you to be safe. You and all your brothers."

"Aliana"