Sorry this (and the last) chapter took so long. I've been having some technical difficulties over here.

((passes out cookies to readers)) Enjoy!

…((winks at Rilly)) How could I say no to a bribe like that? ((please-Teir-eyes))


Her target was stock-still just within range. Slowly she drew an arrow from her quiver and knocked it. Lining it up with her target she drew back on the string and let the bolt fly.

"AGH!"

She winced, "Sorry!"

Teir smiled wryly as he gazed over at a terrified Skot and the water skin that had seconds ago been in his hand, but was now held fast to a tree by Rayek's arrow, "At least you hit something other than snow this time."

Rayek blew out a sharp breath and glared at first her teacher and then her own bow. It had been an eight of days since she asked Teir to show her how to use the weapon and still each shot went wild. She heard Skot grumble something about 'crazy life-bearers who had no business shooting a bow when they couldn't even hit the broad-side of a mountain' as he stomped of to hunt in a safer place.

"I think that now would be a good time for a break."

She frowned at Teir, "I can do this. I just need more practice."

Her smiled softly at her, "I don't doubt it, but we've been working on this since the sun rose and if we don't rest you'll pull a muscle, that is if you don't faint from hunger first."

Still frowning she let him lead her back to the lodge, wondering how he always won any dispute that came his way.


"You and Kahvi really don't get along do you?"

Teir shrugged, "She's always thought I was too dreamy-headed. And when I gained my magic with animals and refused to use it in the hunt… well you've seen us."

"That I ha- OW!"

"What is it!"

Rayek winced and pressed a hand against her lower back, "Kidney shot."

Her companion chuckled, "Your fawn has good aim. Maybe she'll take up the bow."

She shot him a wry glare for the jibe, "Still convinced it'll be a girl?"

"Of course. Vaya and Skot think so too."

"Oh they do do th- OW! High Ones I'm going to have to exact revenge once this little- ooh!"

"Violent little thing isn't she."

Rayek turned to face him slowly, an odd expression of half shock, half joy across her face. "Shows how much you now oh great hunter."

"What?"

She staggered to her feet, "That last one wasn't her."

His eyes widened, "You mean…"

Rayek grinned at him, "The baby's coming."

"Now just stay relaxed, everything's going to be fine. Vok, keep playing that flute. Ready air-walker?"

"Mhm."

"Good, now just bear down. Like that, good. A bit more, almost… almost… there we are."

Rayek shivered softly.

"It's a girl. A strong, healthy girl."

She looked at Urda as the kindly Go-Back handed her a tiny bundle of fur-wrapped baby.

"Oh Brownskin… she's so beautiful!"

Rayek stared at the baby in her arms, not fully believing that it could actually be hers. The brown-skinned little girl yawned widely then looked up at her with a pair of rich purple eyes. Rayek slowly reached to caress her head, a head that already had a dusting of silver hair.

'My kitling… you're so perfect!'

"What's her name?"

She cradled the babe gently, tears beginning to appear in her eyes as she looked down upon her child. A child who she would not have to watch grow old and die. She smiled, "Renya. Her name's Renya."