Part 2
Dark eyes scanned the objects on the table before Kadriye. A rune covered bowl of pure water for washing the skin and a similar but separately marked one with lightly scented for rinsing an infant's hair. Both would be refilled as needed from jugs resting under the table. Jugs that she and Eshe made sure were clean and refilled on a regular basis.
Soft sun warmed towels for drying the little ones as well cloths to wrap them were folded neatly beside each other.
A small assortment of vials lined the too of the table they contained normal herbal remedies for younglings born with a cough, rash or the like. All of them had been made by Kadriye over the past few months as part of her training. Each mystic had their own supply of medicinal and ritual potions and concoctions. Kadriye did not know everything yet and some things only Eshe was allowed to know how to prepare but she worked day by day to improve upon the lessons she had learned and the duties she did have.
Another quick sweep of the table and it's various contents assured Kadriye that she was ready to deliver the triplets and prepare them them to enter the tribe and meet their family.
~
"I'm sorry you don't get to do this after all your work, I promise I will be gentle." Kadriye's words were a soft and reverent promise to Aisha. She would have to take the large blossom from the great mother and open it herself. Were Eshe here they could grab all the babies as the petals unfurled but alone there was too much risk one might be dropped or slide away. On occasion lotus had to be disconnected from Aisha to deliver twins as well though not was ofter.
Ever so carefully Kadriye reached down to the base of the blossoms with one hand on each side and pulled. A shiver ran through her body and her antenna twitched furiously as she slowly pulled it free. "I'm sorry" the prentice whispered again before she hurried back toward the table with the heavy jade coloured lotus held in front of her.
Even as she placed it on the table she could see a fluid leaking from the base and it was a struggle not to get distracted by the idea that she had made Aisha bleed. Today was not about her feelings and concerns but doing Eshe proud and showing her mentor that she would serve the Alkidike as best she could.
~
"Thank you for this blessing of new sisters Aisha, for giving of yourself to create a family and make the Alkidike stronger. Welcome little sisters to the tribe." Kadriye spoke the language of the trees, the language of the alkidike people that all sisters learned as they grew. The large petals of the lotus were pealed back one by one as the words flowered from her lips.
The first of the triplets emerged from the lotus and was quickly placed into small basket filled with soft cloth for them to rest upon. Kadriye would clean and test them once all the younglings were brought out from within the lotus.
Eager to be free a second wriggly infant was pulled from within the opening. The little sister was slick witch nutrient residue and very insistent on trying to grab the sun overhead. "Perhaps one day you will be the first Alkidike to reach the skies," Kadriye laughed as she laid the little one in a basket next to her sister.
A soft cry from within the lotus made Kadriye's heart race. That didn't sound quite right. Reaching in she gently pulled out a third sister . The sight of which made her eyes widen she was smaller than a normal infant and far too thin. Aisha had not been able to make sure all three children were getting all they needed to grow.
"Please be okay, please don't make me.." Kadriye did not finish the thought. She must not dwell on the dark unless it need be.
Her antenna pressed to the little ones chest and she focused heavily. There! a heartbeast a little fast but strong and the babe's chest rose and fell with steady breaths. Kadriye could feel weakness but not the sort that meant they were broken inside and unable to live. Relief washed over the young woman, this would be no easy task but this occasion would not end in tragedy.
"Qi" she called out, knowing that the sprite was never far from her even if he wasn't in sight. " Qi I need you to go to the waiting area and tell the parents it will take some time as the babies need extra tending. I trust you to get the message across politely," the young woman's voice was firm and commanding as she spoke. This was no time for the pale skinned sprite's usual shenanigans and pantomine when he was trying to send a message but didn't care to be direct and write in the sand or dirt.
It was not often that Kadriye took a serious tone with Qi but today she need her friend to listen and obey if she was to pull this off and if all parties were to come out safe and happy. The tribe relied on it's mystics and elders and that meant that in situations like these communication was important. Leaving Aurel and An'seran to wonder what was happening for hours would distress them and perhaps make them less likely to trust Kadriye in the future. One day there might be secrets she needed to keep from the tribe for their own safety but today was not that day.
~
Assured than Qi would deliver her message Kadriye set about testing the health and reflexes of the babiest starting with the smallest. As she wiped the infant down with a damp cloth she tested the sister's grip, if her head follow sounds and eyes followed motions. Reactions were sluggish but not absent which was a good sign. "I'm going to get some food into you and then check on your sisters" she wanted to keep all three close together for easy observation and in hopes that the bond they'd developed inside the lotus would help them stay strong .
Using mortar and pestle Kadriye ground several herbs together and poured the resulting power as well as bonemeal and fresh fruit juice into a hollowed out Radaku horn tipped with a leather n****e.Alkidike moved on to mushy foods fast but all had a few weeks where they relied on a special liquid formula to grow and thrive.
Picking up the smallest baby again Kadriye cradled them to her chest and set them to feeding while she focused on much more difficult task. Healing was primary skill for a mystic and one they would be relied upon for more than anything else. It was vital that Kadriye know how to use her magic to help others if she was to fulfill her purpose in life,
This time she pressed her antenna against the flat on the little one's. An intimate gesture but an important one for the way she preferred to work healing magic. Closing her own eyes, though listening carefully for any sound of choking, Kadriye imagined the magic inside of her, a swirling vortex of light that surged through through and and traveled through they connection to bathe the child in strength and ease any hurt it had suffered. Kadriye wished for her magic to seep through every pore of the sister's skin and erase any wounds and strain it might find. It was hard to heal with no true directive but the young mystic did her best.
After several minutes when she could offer no more of herself safe Kadriye lifted her head and smiled down at the baby "You will be just fine now." Not so much as a marking or hair looked different but Kadriye could feel the magic still flowing inside that would protect the sister while she grew for a bit longer. Faced with a happy full gurgle and a yawn from the infant she reluctantly set the child back in her basket and went to tend to the other two triplets.
words 1387/2000
total: 2097
OOC 
