Welcome to Gaia! ::

It was still so odd to call these lands 'home'. Even if the Ild'vann had converted the once sprawling expanse of an estate into a proper village there were still traces of the grand manse left. Serving quarters had been turned into homes, but held their old facade and some of the pillars of the main house were now gateways into newer, more modest homes. It had been years since Sylvirah and Zyphire had brought her people down from the mountain, but bit by bit they were rebuilding.

Still, today was a day for rest. Or as much as she could get with two children. The pair of them had been attached like leeches for most of the morning and if she hadn't sent them off for chores Sylvirah feared she would go mad. Now that they were gone she moved outside and gathered her bow. A quick trip around the border wouldn't hurt and she could mark new areas for herds. She thought for a moment about riding Ada, but really, she needn't bother for such a small trip.

So, Sylvirah started out and came to a relatively quick stop. Someone was approaching her house - someone familiar - and yet...off. At this distance Sylvirah couldn't make out the details of it, but she knew Iriyana's curls well enough to know it was her sister - in - law. So, she called out to her and jogged closer to meet the woman halfway.

The closer the huntress came to her closest friend the wider her eyes became. "Av åndene, Iriyana! I thought for sure you were packing furs, but look at you!" She couldn't have been happier if she were the one with child. "Are you sure you're carrying a babe and not a mammu calf?" As thrilled as Sylvirah was to see the new life growing within, she couldn't help feeling sympathetic for the other woman. Iriyana definitely looked larger than Sylvirah had been when she carried, or maybe she was just further along? Had she really been so out of the loop with Zyphire's return that she missed this much?

"Hopefully working on chores like I told them to." If she could keep Ziya from flittering off and Yngvara focused on something other than the mountains Sylvirah would consider it a win. For a moment she thought about stepping closer, but thought better of it. Instead Sylvirah searched around them and found a suitable stone that had been covered by sticks that could serve as a makeshift seat. It was a bit of a hassle to clear off, but hopefully it would be enough for Iriyana to catch her breath.

"If you'd written me I would have been the one to visit you." Still, they both knew the truth of it; Sylvirah barely knew her letters and catching one of the children at home to translate for her was as rare as a warm day in winter.

"Spirits, I'd say." Sylvirah couldn't help barking out a laugh. Whether it was the salves and tinctures she'd sent to their home, not-so-subtly of course, or other methods it seemed as if the pair were finally going to be parents. "Come and sit for a moment. Catch your breath and then we'll go to the house." Nudging the other iceling toward the stone, Sylvirah kept her eye out for the children. They might be busy doing their work, but they should still be within eyesight. If they were she knew no matter the task they would drop it to see their family.

Rolling her eyes, Sylvirah let out a snort. "Let 'im panic, then. A good walk and a stretch is good for you. It'll make it easier when the birth comes so long as you don't overdo it." She'd been well over halfway through her pregnancy with Ziya when she'd trekked up the mountain and fought for her people. While she wouldn't recommend nearly that much activity she also wouldn't advocate for sitting on her bum for nearly a year! A little walking each day would be good. "You did good to come here and we'll take the cart to bring you home when you're ready. If you want I can always ask Yngvara to take Ada into town as well to let him know you're here?"

Sylvirah got a good, solid look at Iriyana as she sat. "It's possible. My guess is a large child, though, so you should be careful. Birth won't be easy." It never was no matter the infant, but a larger babe could resist coming into the world. While she had no intention of scaring her sister-in-law, Sylvirah also wanted to make sure there would be someone around to help her if the worst were to come.

She waved a hand and moved to sit by Iriyana. "He always panics; if he didn't it wouldn't be Ergon." The iceling rolled her eyes. There was so much she didn't understand about him, though the feeling was likely mutual, but she did wish that he would calm. Just a bit. "If asked I'll tell him I came for you in the cart and save us both a headache."

The thought brought a calming grin to her face. "You may do more than that. With Ziya I threatened to take Zyphire's manhood." She held her hand out with the palm facing the sky and made a 'squishing' motion by quickly closing her fist. The things she'd said to that poor man when the pain had been at it's highest wouldn't be forgotten anytime soon.

"Well, for starters we have three new members." Sylvirah stated proudly. While the vast majority of those who sought refuge with the Ild'vann were exiles from the main settlements, as long as they proved themselves Sylvirah never judged them. If they tried to do harm, however.... "A single father and his sons. He was born into the tribe before I was and his mother left. When he heard we were thriving he came back." She sat up a little straighter on the stone. "One of his sons has the personality of mud, but the other is sharp. He's around Ziya's age so I'm hoping they can get along."

That wasn't really gossip worthy though, was it? And yet, what she said next was. "The children's mother might also be a married councilwoman. One of the boys let it slip, but his father won't respond to rumors."

"Ah, of course." Since she'd taken off from her home she didn't have the pack she normally toted around her waist. Still, Sylvirah pulled out a smaller satchel and handed it over. Inside were a few sweet roots, loose grains and dried berries. "I also have some mammu jerky if you'd like, but I'm not sure how you handle scents. With Ziya just having meat around me was enough to upset my stomach" She'd often claimed hat her 'husband' at the time used it to torment her.

"We should head home once you're up to it. I can make a true meal and you can see the hide that Yngvara's been tanning. She's quite proud of it." It wasn't the most professional of leathers, but considering the girl was still learning Sylvirah was happy enough with it. It wouldn't catch eyes for the right reasons but it also wouldn't mold.

"Actually...have you been having cravings at all? Sweet or salty?"

"I've had some experience knowing what expectant mothers want and spirits willing I will again." It was no secret that Sylvirah wanted children to expand the village. Not only was it the easiest way to breathe life into the old ways, but she also just genuinely enjoyed motherhood. This time around, however, she would have a little one to coddle without having to carry it or being woken up in the middle of the night. Just as her kids were as much Iriyana's to spoil she assumed it would be reversed.

When Iriyana was stable on her feet, Sylvirah rose as well and started walking back to the estate. "Tangy, hmm? I'm sure I've got something for that." If anything she would send the children out for it; they likely still had energy to burn. "They have been! Well, Yngvara more so than Ziya. He's taken to caring for the mounts and spending time conversing with traders. I should have known he'd take after his father." She shook her head with a dramatic sigh. "Yngvara spends all of her time training, though. I rarely see her some days."