CHAPTER 9

When Sessa was born he stared at her as if his new daughter was a strange beast, a creäture of unknown origin, of which he could not possibly have sired. But it was obvious, even as a newborn, she was his. The blue eyes, full but firm mouth, and even a slight flare of nostrils, much like her father, were visible. Even more evidence lay in Sessa's boisterous scream of rage at having been pulled from the comfort of her mother's womb.

Jon was accepting but disappointed.

He had counted on a third man-child. He knew how to handle young males, teaching them the fine art of spear throwing, hand to hand combat, and where to attack prey in a place that would do the most damage. He enjoyed the company of his offspring, even if Lena thought he was often too rough with them. Jon reasoned that his sons needed harshness sporadically to learn the basics of survival in this ferocious world where they lived. And there was no denying their worship of Jon, despite his often severe ways. They sought his approval and were appreciative when they received it. They were faithful issue and would do anything to make Jon proud. He was their chief, father and champion.

What was he going to do with a female child?

Her mate's disillusionment was clear but Lena did not care. She was delighted and would teach Sessa all she knew. Perhaps the child would grow to be a healer, a reflection of Lena as Koen and Jime were their father's child-warriors. Sessa would truly be hers, or so Lena thought, and she would love her like her sons but perhaps more because, although Jon did not know it, Sessa would be their last baby. Lena knew, through her gift or merely instinctually, she could not have another child.

Jon had watched Lena hum, gurgle, and purr over the little one only a few hours after the difficult birth and decided, as only an arrogant leader would, that he would allow it. The she-child made his woman happy and he supposed he would find some use for Sessa at a later time. She had to have some merit. After all, she had been made by his seed.

Keli and another female she had assisting her did their job well and, watching their chief, the girls could almost smile. He seemed totally confused by this development as he turned and walked into the common cave area to commune with his people, to tell them their queen was well and the child born.

Lena missed her mother at a time like this but also wondered how she would have reacted when learning Lena found herself with child again, despite the precautions she had taken. Would she have given her something to stop Jon's seed from growing? Perhaps a potion to dispense with Sessa altogether? Looking down at her little one Lena could never imagine allowing such a thing to happen. Ultimately, Sessa would become a ray of sunshine in an all too bleak world for Lena.

Ever since Jon had become Chief, that was five summers ago, he spent very little time being a generous companion. They shared a grotto, they mated, often communicated, and he even occasionally tried to be kind. But Jon was no longer hers. He belonged to everyone else, his focus on his people, his progeny, and an ever-growing need for something elusive. Lena often saw it in his eyes when they were outside and he stared at the horizon. He took risks and he wanted it all. It frightened Lena but more often it saddened her.

Sessa grew.

Many in and out of their tribe feared Jon but his girl-child, despite the chief constantly shaking her away and hardly ever looking at her, often found the toddler underfoot or clinging to his leg. Eventually he inwardly admitted he did feel a fondness for her. When she was old enough, he thought, and if she looked anything like her mother, Sessa might be an enticement to a neighboring tribe. He could trade her for power and supplies; give her to the son of some powerful chief …

But then, as he watched her grow, as the three then four winter-old came to sit on his lap during meals or pretty much anytime she felt like it, as she unashamedly placed her arms around his neck and did not let go, adoring him, Jon's stance changed. He decided if she would be used in such a way, given to a chief or his son, the male he allowed to be her mate with better be special. No, not just powerful but a superior warrior. Then, Jon's mind supplied, if her man ever hurt her in any way he would have to seriously damage him.

Lena watched the progression as Sessa sprouted. And, despite the fact she was her father's daughter, more warrior than healer, her mother felt warmed.

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One morning, very early, Lena awoke from a dream that was very strange. She saw strange birds in the sky. They made loud noises and from them emerged a very odd tribe wearing thin, ill-chosen skins. She saw hunters throwing spears at these birds but the weapons would merely bounce off the sides of their tough skins. It was strange and frightening.

In the dream she could hear herself screaming. She was furious and grieving. And there was another emotion involved, the feeling that something very precious had been taken from her by an entity that was unworthy yet still a significant threat.

She hated her and wanted her dead.

Shaken, Lena sat up and looked over at her children. The boys were deeply asleep and little Sessa, laying closer to she and Jon, was a bit more restless but also asleep. Lena touched Jon's shoulder but after a day of exploring the forest he would not be disturbed. She could talk with no one about her vision, if that was what it was, and once again Lena missed her mother. She would have understood. Lena did not know that before she passed away her mother had the same dream.

One week later, entering once again into the warm months, Jon and his two male-children were fated to go deep into the forest. It was time for his eldest to make his first kill. Koen was still young but old enough to catch small prey. Jime would do well to observe, to learn from his brother's triumph and mistakes. Both of Jon's young were excited.

Sessa want to go but Lena told the little one she could not, there was no room for her. This was her father's time to bond with his male-young before they became men. Instead, Lena urged, Sessa should stay behind and observe her mother, Keli and the other women and offspring, help them crush small stones, leaves and flowers into fine mystical powders. Sessa was angered, crying when her chief and brothers left her behind. She stamped her feet and ran to her bed of furs and skins. She threw herself down and refused to move for hours.

Again, Lena was reminded of her mate's temper. Both she and Jon, and many of the tribesmen, had spoiled Sessa. One day, Lena feared, she would be forced to discipline the child severely if she continued to misbehave. Better her than Jon, Lena thought with a smile. Jon allowed Sessa to do whatever she liked, within reason. She was his beautiful but annoying little princess.

Looking at the girl beside her, Lena remembered Keli's mother, Ceta, and how well her friend dealt with her female children. Keli was a wonderful example of a little one being brought up right. Soon, Lena knew, she would be ready for mating. It was sad that her mother was not here to show her the way. Everyone, including Malk, grieved deeply when Ceta had passed. Lena decided early on she would show Keli the way, how to be a good woman, and she hoped Keli's eventual mate would not just desire her but would also be kind and respectful.

Lena looked over to where Sessa's lump of furs lay. The girl had not moved a muscle for a long time. She was probably resting, having cried herself to sleep. Lena returned to her grinding when a thought came to her. She looked up again, observing the unmoving furs, and then she tossed her tools aside. Quickly, Lena made her way into the grotto. She pulled the skins aside and realized Sessa was nowhere to be seen! Lena cried out, panicked, and began searching the immediate area. Several women and a few men came to see what the emergency was and Lena lifted the girl's bedding skins, showing the tiny one was missing.

She gestured frantically that everyone should comb the caves but it quickly struck Lena that Sessa must have wandered away, out of their home, following Jon and the boys on their adventure. She was determined to go with them … and for a child who had not yet seen five winters the creatures that lived in the fog meant death!

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She was lost for two full days, the entire clan searching for the child, and she was eventually found near the lower river, lying on the damp grass, coughing and shivering, benumbed and barely alive. Malk had brought her back to an agitated Lena. She tended to her child the best she could. She wrapped her, gave her warm drinks and sprinkled the girl with bright healing powders. She cooed to Sessa and sang gently, rocking her in a restorative and encompassing embrace.

There was no improvement.

Jon and the boys had returned the morning of the third day from their hunt, Koen proudly holding his kill, three small rodents. Their chief, having discovered what happened to Sessa, was furious and on the warpath. Why hadn't his hunters tracked her down sooner? Who could he punish? He growled and snarled. The children, women and some of the men cowering, stayed away. A few brave souls sat close to the common fire but most hid-out in their own grottos.

Sessa became conscious for a while and there was hope as her father leaned forward and she groggily lifted hands and pulled at his thick beard. Unhappily, one week after her return the little girl died. Although she had not been attacked by a beast she had been exposed to the elements for too long. There was nothing anyone could do.

Lena's grief was so deep she would not allow Sessa to be taken from her arms. She was her beloved and reason for living. Sessa could not be gone. Lena wailed, screamed and hissed when Jon tried to take the child away to be given a princess's funeral. She would be burned; her spirit would fly high in the sky for the gods to take into eternity.

Jon growled at Lena, exasperated. His own grief had made him gruff and inconsolable. He did not know how to empathize during this time of anguish. He had never felt such despair. Even before, long ago, when he had thought he lost Lena, there had still been hope.

Finally, young Keli reasoned with Lena and made her give the girl up, wrapping her with deep reverence, and giving the tiny body to Jon who, holding the bundle, took her outside and gently lay her on the stack of sticks that had been piled high the day before.

The wood was ignited and the tribe came out to watch, including Koen and Jime who had a difficult time understanding how a female child they had grown up with for nearly five winters was no longer alive. The old ones who went away, they understood, their time was done. But Sessa had been so little … smaller than either of them.

Lena came weakly out of the cave, having eaten very little while she nursed Sessa. She was helped by Keli who held Lena by the shoulders and patted her hair gently. Lena had been there for her when her mother had passed. Keli would be there for Lena.

The sun was setting, the dark sky approaching, causing the flames and sparks to cast eerie shadows all about the cave entrance and forest beyond.

Jon looked over at his woman and for the first time in his life he felt inadequate.

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Nearly two weeks later Lena would finally show signs of coming back to herself. She turned over in her furs one night while their male children slept. She cuddled close to Jon, finally accepting his warmth. He was a wake and had touched the tracks of tears from her eyes and gave what comfort he could, holding her and stroking her hair. He would not make a demand of her even though they had not mated for a long time. Oddly, he was not in the mood. It was an odd sensation since he almost always wanted his woman.

Two days later he would follow Lena to their falls, to the place that held memories of both ecstasy and a triumph over a bitter foe. They would clean themselves, undress, touch and mate. For a time, while not truly happy, they were at least pleased to be in each other's company.

Sessa would never be forgotten but they would move on. They had to.

In the distance, as Lena and Jon stepped from the water, redressing in their skins, they would hear those strange sounds, the ones from Lena's dream or vision; sounds from those strange big birds. Lena would realize menace was now stirring. She would look at Jon, his eyes alight and expression suddenly excited. Lena would feel fear for she recognized that something Jon was searching for had come.

They would all take on a transformation. The clan would be themselves but also different people …. And the change would prove life changing for Lena, Jon and their entire tribe.

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Conclusion coming soon.