Throughout the journey to the healer-den, Morwenna clutched the Moonblessing token as though it were her very lifeblood.
I held my mother's ice-cold hand, unable to stop the tears streaming down my face.
In the reflection of the carriage mirror, Kael drove with an expressionless face.
Morwenna was already counting heads.
"Twenty wolves in the pack. Five thousand resource shares each..."
Ronan spoke up eagerly.
"Can I get my portion now? I've had my eye on a new communication crystal..."
"What's the rush! We'll claim the full blessing at the Council Hall tomorrow!"
I closed my eyes.
All I could hear was the sound of their scheming.
My mother was rushed into the healing chamber.
My father sat in the corridor, holding Liri close on the stone bench.
The others chattered and laughed among themselves.
Vesper announced loudly.
"I want ceremonial furs—I've been eyeing a set for ages."
Ronan added.
"After the crystal, I can upgrade my hunting gear too."
Morwenna smiled indulgently.
"Fine, all of it is fine!"
At that moment, a healer's assistant approached with parchment.
"Family of Selene Ashvale—we need ten thousand resource shares as a deposit."
I turned to Kael.