PEACHES

Eyes would scowl after the departing alpha, Othello was caked with sweet and Orchid needed that water, and she needed it now. She could only hope the boy wouldn?t dawdle. Another face would peek through the cave entrance and she was fully prepared to snap away the newcomer. When the face of Scorpion appeared she gave a nod his way as a hand swiped gentle circles over the swollen belly of the mother. ?Hey, Lover boy? she murmured softly to Othello?s mate, and Orchids brother. She grinned softly at him and indicated he should take a place besides Othello.



She couldn?t pay any further attention to Scorpion as the first pup made its way into the world. She moved to its side, checked its pulse and waited to hear its cries ? cries where a sign of health, of good lungs and she was pleased with what she heard. She bit of the cord with a quick snap and very gently grabbed the bundle by the scruff of its neck and eased it further onto the soft grasses she had nestled. Othello would cry out again and Orchid was forced to return her attention to the mother. ?Clean the baby? she told Scorpion as her eyes moved once more to Othello?s belly. Her command was unnecessary however as Othello moved her head past the swell of her belly to do this work herself. Easy, Othello? Orchid code, nudging the woman with her head to indicated she should lie down once more. Her attention was moved to the newest pup, but no cries would ensue from its lungs.



Orchid?s voice was both gentle, and hard now ?Lie down Othello, you need your strength for the living? she told the mother and very gently picked up the stillborn and moved it from sight. ?Where not done yet? she continued to coo, placing more Motherwort against Othello?s lips. It was not unusual for there to be at least one stillborn in a litter, and already there was one healthy pup at Othello?s feet. She needed the woman to concentrate on that, and on the pups to come.



At last Crucifix would return to the cave with a fresh batch of water. She commanded him with a paw to come to her side and she pointed to a fissure in the cave wall. ?Moss. Lavender? she ordered, and the items was quickly placed in her paw. She Gently broke up two petals of Lavender into the water, the scent and touch of it on her belly should help to calm her. She swiped two pieces of moss into the water, one she began to rub gently against the stomach, the other she handed to Scorpion to wipe against Othello?s forehead. She brought her head to Crucifix?s lips and told him to bury the stillborn. This done her attention would return the living ? a lesson all healers must learn, that there was time and strength only for those with life.

"Speech"