The New World (The Last Delar) by Matthew Cousineau

in nervous silence, both pondering whether there is a connection between the Feather Runner and Black Claw's early beckoning to work.
    Dirty Hands tells Half Moon that he is sure it is nothing to worry about.  He then takes his leave, asking Half Moon to tell Black Claw that he stopped by.
    "Of course, Dirty Hands.  Say hello to your wife and tell her that I have seeds for her." Half Moon opens a pouch and it gives to Dirty Hands.  They wish each other good health, and Dirty Hands leaves Half Moon alone with her children.
    Taeau and Ven continue their evening journey to Taeau's hut, bantering playfully.  When they break from the edge of the woods and enter the boundaries of the farm, they notice that Taeau's mother is outside in the yard tending to the livestock and enjoying the evening's cool air.  She has gained weight in the years since Mia-Koda brought Taeau to her.  The dark circles under her eyes are gone, and her hair has once again grown thick and long.  She sings to herself with only happiness in her heart.  When she looks up from her chores, she spots her son and nephew running across the clearing.  She tries to put on a stern face to scold Taeau.
    "I thought I told you to be home by sunset."
    "Hello, Mother Dirty Hands, good to see you," greets Ven.
    "It is nice to see you too, Ven. TAEAU! What is wrong with your face? Why are you bleeding? You got into a fight again with those younglings, didn't you?" She takes a rag from her waist and starts to wipe his face.
    "Mother, stop! I'm fine.  Why do you always do this? It is not a problem"
    "Don't you tell ME what is or is not a problem! Look at your eye.  It's already starting to change color."
    "He took on two of them at once, Mother Dirty Hands," says Ven, trying not to laugh as he watches Taeau's mother clean him up.
    "Two! You fought two at once? Who do you think you are, huh? Some kind of tough, strong Meno warrior? I have had it with this fighting.  I will have to talk with their parents."
    "What? Are you crazy? Don't you dare! If you think I have it bad now, see what happens if you do that.  I'm fine, really.  I'm okay."
    Meadow stares at her son.  "Okay, since you're such a big boy now, I won't interfere . . . but if it gets worse .  .  .," she warns as she shakes her finger at Taeau.  "How late do you plan to wander the forest tonight, I wonder?"
    "Well, since Ven just got up, and I have been doing my chores all day, I was wondering if I could be home as the moon sets."
    Meadow grabs her hips and looks at them both. "You can stay out 'til the moon is almost high.  Take your mischievous wolf, Carn with you.  Your father said he saw some animals roaming in the woods, so be careful." Taeau's mother turns her back and notices that the wood has still not been piled.  "What chores did you do today, Taeau?"
    Taeau does not wait for her to figure it out, "Thanks, mom, see you later." Taeau calls Carn, and they race off into the forest.
    Taeau runs as fast as he can through the forest with Carn at his side.  Ven, as usual, follows from the treetops.  The night is dark, but with the full moon there is enough light for the two boys to see.  Ven, being nocturnal, has natural night vision, but Taeau's uncanny night vision is not as natural.  The other younglings noticed these differences in him early.  At one of the Menoli changing-of-the-season festivals, a youngling noticed that Taeau's eyes reflected the moonlight.  The others teased him constantly, saying his mother mated with a deer, and they refused to play with him after this.  Taeau's parents became isolated as well.  Dirty Hands was rarely invited to meetings, and Meadow was excluded from gatherings of the women.
    At first, Taeau thought he should try and play with the older younglings, hoping they might be more likely to accept him.  Unfortunately, they only used him to do things that always got him into trouble.  They teased him as well, and what was worse, Taeau didn't understand