We are

wild flowers. We grow in beauty in conditions that many others would find impossible. In fact, we thrive in these conditions. We are Tuchuk women. We are not those flowers that grow in the Dweller gardens which must be so carefully tended less they die. We can put down our roots to grow strong anywhere.

I was talking to Mezoo and Cana. It was just talking among women, but sometimes it is good to speak among women. We talked about the joys and sorrows of being a woman. Cana spoke of the pain of having outlived two Mates. It is a pain any one of us face. Life is dangerous, and our Warriors are certainly not going to back down from those dangers, either. It is not in their nature. If they do not survive confronting the dangers of life it falls upon us, the women, to go on.

Cana is hurting right now. Apparently her Mate has been missing for quite a while. I only hope that he finds his way home the way Sahli and I found our way back to each other. The only real thing I can do to be of help is be there. Help her with the children, listen, and be a friend. That is what we do. We help each other. That is part of being Tribe, and it is part of being friends. I did realize that yes, we are women. In many ways we are now here near as strong as the men of our people. I also realize that we are far stronger than they might think. We are women. We are Tuchuk. We are beautiful and we are strong.