Dragon Clan #7: Shell’s Story

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After finishing a dinner of his mother’s heavy mutton stew filled with carrots, onions, and turnips, Shell washed his bowl and placed it on the shelf with the other two. Jammer, his younger brother, was eating with friends again, and his mother was conducting family business.

She entered the hut, gave him a peck on his cheek, and glanced at the remaining stew.

Avoiding her eyes, but wanting to speak before she departed again, he said in his steadiest voice, “I request you call a council meeting tonight.”

A stricken expression whipped fleetingly across her face, but it quickly dissolved into blandness almost as fast as it had come. She appeared calm and non-committal as she began slicing carrots laid parallel to each other. His mother would add them to the stew for tomorrow's meals, and she said in a soft voice, “You’re leaving us.”

It was not a question, nothing to debate or linger over. Shell’s mother always knew his innermost thoughts as if they shared a single mind. As a child, when he’d done something wrong, she often knew it as soon as he did—or it seemed that way. He’d learned early not to lie or attempt to conceal things from her. His mother waited for his response with sad eyes.

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