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It looks like everyone's here I see the brothers Pashov and Zennek with their father, Borran Pashov's got their youngest, Tash, in a carrier strapped to his chest Vadren sits with them, and Marlene's little Zalene is in the elder's lap as Marlene chatters excitedly to Ariana Zolaya has Analay next to hi his mate a break

I look to Analay's side and sure enough, there's ht swirls She loo a ets her face painted by Tiffany Salukh and Lukti look like they're painting cranky old Drenol's face, and the elder has a surprisingly tolerant expression I'htful little Lukti

A person limpse of roup, talking to Hemalo as Asha feeds Shema and talks with the healer, Maylak Kashrem holds their littlest and seems content to listen in

"I saved you a seat Coroup

I laugh, pleased "It's so crowded in here Every ti the tribe has gotten" I let her lead s, toward a spot that's not too close to the fire, but just close enough The awnings on the longhouse have been rolled back to let the slitter It's a clear, perfect night Inside the longhouse, it's toasty warm, and I take off my top layer of furs and set it on the rock that Claire saved for esh to squeeze in next to et tired, and I shoot her a sirl Relvi the ie and Vektal nearby, even as Talie, Vekka, and Erevair race past, nearly knocking a bowl out of Vektal's hands The chief sighs heavily and gets to his feet, chasing after them

I sit down on the rock, and the rateful look "Thank you I forgot how exhausting it is to have a new baby"

"No worries" Claire adjusts Relvi in her ar up at reat job on their tunics They look adorable"

They do I can pick their bright hair out of the group, and I'm not entirely surprised to see that Anna's still with Analay, though she looks to be the instigator of that particular conversation I watch as ives her the shyest, sweetest smile For a moment, he looks just like Ariana, who is an absolute sweetheart, and I feel guilty for worrying over his “seeing” so much I want Anna to be her own person, but Analay's just a kid I can't be s he thinks he sees

As if he can sense ht smile, and he returns it, his round little face happy as ht yellow streak on his nose

Even if he's right about his senses, I suppose it's not the end of the world I just want Anna happy, and it's clear she adores him

A hungry wail crests over the huesh cuts through the crowd, heading toward me with Esther, and he settles her in , , my pretty one?"

"A couple of the latkes once this one finishes eating?" I ask I' just seems to whet my appetite

"I will get soesh insists, then cuts his way across to the fire and talks with Keood mate I beam at his backside, utterly content

Claire leans over and gazes at ht eyes She's a beauty And so plump, too!"

"She's definitely a chunk," I say proudly I suspect Esther's going to be big like her daddy, whereas Anna and Elsa are ood addition to the tribe"

"Every addition is a good one," Claire says cheerily We talk about nothing in particular for a while, mostly how to season the sa-kohtsk meat that was cached for the brutal season It tastes bitter and stringy, but it's a waste of so ure out a way to make it tasty Claire wants to tryback a chunk of haunch and has been experis and a ton of herbs "The longer the better," she tellsi"