A Period of Adjustment
A small jade bird fluttered around Bjorke’s head. Whatever Soro wanted must be urgent. She took the message from the ethereal creature. “I need to see you.”
When Bjorke and Edrick arrived at the shrine outside Shattrath, they found Sorowyn holding the baby, her face drawn and tired. While this would be normal for any new mother, there was an edge to Soro – a look of desperation. When they drew closer, Bjorke could see Soro’s arms were covered in scratches, and her nails were more like claws.
“Hold her, please, Bjorke.”
Taking the baby awkwardly, Bjorke looked closely at the woman. Her hair was a mess, tufts of fur poking out from her hair, and her eyes glowed yellow, like a cat.
“I’m having trouble, controlling my forms,” Soro explained quietly, embarrassed. “It’s worse at night. I need your help.” She wrung her hands, unable to look at her friends, or her baby. “I want to ask you both something… if something should happen to me…. Or to Ava,” she added, almost as an afterthought, “would you consider taking care of Atolli for me?”
Bjorke swallowed hard, but Edrick spoke up without hesitation. “Of course, Sister.” He looked at Bjorke. Bjorke wanted to say that nothing would happen to them, but she knew better.
“Yes, Soro. If you need us, we are here.”
“Can you keep her at nighttimes? That’s when this is the hardest.” Her voice cracked, almost growling.
Instinctively, Bjorke backed away, and Edrick stepped between Soro and her child. The protective gesture triggered an animalistic response, and she lunged, shifting into cat form. Her claws sank into Edrick’s arm. He roared, throwing his arms wide, seeming to grow even larger. He did not want to harm the woman he called “Sister”, but clearly, she was not herself, and the child must be protected.
Bjorke slipped into shadow with Atolli, and moved to the bushes. She crushed the fragrant leaves, hoping to mask their scent. Sorowyn’s nostrils flared, and she paused, sniffing the air. She lunged again at Edrick, knocking him to the ground, her head swiveling back and forth as she tried to find her child. Bjorke tossed some pebbles behind the fighters, and Soro heard the distraction. The moment’s hesitation was enough, and Edrick caught her around the neck, his arm across her throat. He held her, rolling over so his body pinned her to the ground. He prayed to Krathore that she would subdue before he had to snap her neck.
The baby began to whimper, and Bjorke slipped her finger in Atolli’s mouth, letting her suck for comfort. She held the small bundle close, barely breathing as she watched two of the people she cared most about fight each other. Sorowyn struggled, and then went limp, shifting back into her elf-form, tears streaming down her face.
Edrick carefully loosened his hold, and helped her to her feet, watching her carefully. She would not meet his eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Brother.”
“Soro, you must seek help for this. I know you do not trust that Druid,” Edrick practically spat, “but perhaps another could help. Leiwyn is a druid, and one of our Order. Put your trust in her.”
Bjorke revealed herself and Atolli wailed: she wanted her mother. Bjorke’s heart wailed silently, aching. “We will keep her safe, but we are not her parents. She needs you whole, Soro.”
The tall elf nodded, blinking at the tears. “Let me say good night to her.” Bjorke stepped forward, watching carefully as the woman bent and kissed the child gently. Atolli looked up at her mother, her eyes filled with the innocent adoration of a child for its mother.
Soro stepped backwards, and with a loud screech, transformed to bird-form and flew off. Bjorke looked at Edrick, her face filled with apprehension. Were they about to become parents? Edrick smiled at her, confident in his bride. She drew strength from him, and her mind started to think again. “I can put her in that box I keep vials in. With some mageweave in the bottom, she will have a place to sleep tonight.”
Edrick nodded. “I’d best get to work on a cradle for her. She can’t sleep in a box forever.”
Bjorke laughed. “No, but it was good enough for me as a babe. She’ll be fine for now. Here: hold her while I call Blastit, and we’ll head for home.” Bjorke summoned her goat and got herself seated, then reached for the small bundle. Atolli looked even more tiny in Edrick’s large hands. She tucked her inside her tabard, and snugged her belt around her. Secure, they set out for home.
