Loss - Part 3

"You want me to do WHAT?!"

Several nearby tribespeople looked up in surprise at the Sa'uuk Mo'at's inexplicable outburst. They were used to seeing Fey'qua'ri deep in conversation with Shas'tan. The Sa'uuk Mo'at and anu'at often discussed matters of the clan together, but while Shas'tan might roar and snarl in disagreement or displeasure, it was rare that Fey'qua'ri raised his voice. Uncannily seeming to realize almost at once that they were staring, those in close proximity went back to their tasks, most finding reasons to move elsewhere.

Shas'tan scowled, backing his ears, and curtly motioned for Fey'qua'ri to follow him. The two past the outskirts of the village and wandered down a path heading toward a nearby stream. Neither said a word for some time as they walked beside the gently flowing water. Shas'tan glanced furtively at the Sa'uuk Mo'at, taking in his flattened ears and the stubborn set of his jaw. This would not be easy. Fey'qua'ri would not be readily swayed, and Shas'tan furrowed his nose, growling resolutely in his throat. He was anu'at of the Ra'van'ti, first Ro'at of their tribe, mate of the Mo'at, Fan'tara! And he would make Fey'qua'ri listen to him, if he had to pin his ears back to do it, Sa'uuk Mo'at or no!

Fey'qua'ri must have noticed his rising anger, for the Sa'uuk Mo'at stopped abruptly. Shas'tan walked forward several paces before he noticed and halted as well. Glancing balefully back at his old friend, he growled, "I do not think it an unreasonable thing to ask."

"I do."

Shas'tan kept himself from snarling, but his ears went to half mast and he chuffed deep in his throat in annoyance. He needed to settle the matter of the orphaned she-cub, and quickly. Fan'tara was becoming increasingly attached to the youngster. Shas'tan shook his head ruefully. His mate had always wanted a girl child and would probably not mind keeping her, but they already had three growing sons, not to mention their duties as Mo'at and anu'at. There were a few other possibilities among his clan, but putting the child with Fey'qua'ri seemed the least burdensome to the tribe as a whole. And for some reason Shas'tan couldn't quite fathom, it just seemed right. The fur on his broad shoulders bristled and he shook the preternatural feeling away. Canting his ears back, he considered the Sa'uuk Mo'at thoughtfully as the elder Cathar remained quiet, his manner petulant. Roars, growls, and snarls would fall on deaf ears, Shas'tan knew. Very well, he would try to find out what the objection was.

He sighed, bringing his ears up. "All right. Why?"

Fey'qua'ri looked nonplussed at the question. His ears flicked in agitation. "Why?!" he exclaimed, flustered. "Why?...Because...I...I have no mate, that's why!"

Shas'tan waved the objection aside. "We have had occasion where children were raised by one parent, when the other was called to Sa'uuk due to illness, accident or the like. All the tribe helps to assist families in such a situation. You know this."

"I am too busy! I am Sa'uuk Mo'at for our tribe."

"I am anu'at," Shas'tan growled dryly. "My mate is a Mo'at. And we have three sons."

Fey'qua'ri turned irritably away with a low growl of his own. He cast an anguished look Shas'tan's way, and the anu'at stepped toward him, laying a hand on his shoulder.

"My friend," Shas'tan said gently. "I know you lost your mate and the child she carried. And I know you still grieve for them, but consider...perhaps this child could be the daughter you were denied those years ago."

Fey'qua'ri looked away, uncomfortable, his ears flat. He said nothing.

Shas'tan thought a moment, then added. "I am no Sa'uuk Mo'at. But perhaps...perhaps Sa'uuk wishes for you to raise this child."

Fey'qua'ri looked sharply at his anu'at. His fur bristled and he growled. "What do you mean?"

Shas'tan looked the Sa'uuk Mo'at squarely in the eyes. "Did you not tell me you had a Sa'uuk vision about this child while she was still in the womb? Were you not the first to know her name? It was no surprise to you when Syr'nat and Ya'lan presented her to the tribe and told us she was to be called--"

"Shre'ka...," Fey'qua'ri murmurred, his fur bristling again for an entirely different reason. He blinked, his ears canting back, then pricked them up. He looked at Shas'tan a long moment. "I will accept the child, anu'at," he said.

To be continued...