Inevitability

Bird Sings At Dawn had not and would not tell others of his spiritual and physical connection to Sha-Red and The Designer, the true Gods in whom his faith was based. Earlier, Designer, once again taking a raven's shape, had reassured him that difficulties in Shimmering Mist's pregnancy would seem insurmountable, but that he and Sha-Red would intervene if necessary. Bird Sings At Dawn had not known of what they had spoken and paid little attention to the comments until the pains before birth had grown so severe as to require strong medicine to put Shimmering Mist in a trance in order to escape the pain. A faint scream reached his ears and his heart jumped. Prowling Cat was asleep between skins and did not stir. It was followed by two more, each more desperate than the last. "Please watch over Prowling Cat, I must go to her," Bird Sings At Dawn explained as he stood up and hurriedly exited the warmth of the shelter. Running through the rainy, cold night, he prayed to Designer to intervene while secretly hoping that his beloved wife would still be by his side. By the tie he reached the birthing hut, it was over. Shimmering Mist was weak and covered with sweat but she smiled at him and held their new child out for him to see and cuddle. Again, Bird Sings At Dawn felt the strength of the emotions of new parenthood. This one was different, though. It was smaller and made no sound other than a rapid, shallow breathing. Bird Sings At Dawn cuddled the baby closer to his chest, tears welling in his eyes. He looked at Shimmering Mist - eyes full of questions he dared not ask. "The worry is as natural as the love," Shimmering Mist replied. "The child will survive. It is a she though I am too tired to see her strengths so I can name her." "I see in her, all that is good and strong in you. She has arrived during a great storm and you have weathered a great storm to bring her to life," said Bird Sings At Dawn. "Many of our friends have commented that they did not think you or the baby would survive such storms. I shall call her ...." At that moment, a great, crackling flash of lightening split the sky and showered sparks on the little family. It was followed by the loudest clap of thunder ever heard. Bird Sings At Dawn smiled at his wife and said, "It appears that the Gods would name this one and her name shall be 'Sparks From Sky'." He handed the baby to the waiting nurse and turned to leave. Then, he turned back and embraced his beautiful wife. "You have made me complete in ways I am still discovering," he whispered.