Life was simple for little Faolán. All he knew was the warmth of his mother, the steady presence of his father, and the comforting press of his sisters curled against him. The world had once been nothing but darkness, but now things were changing. Eyes were opening, ears unfolding, and suddenly everything felt so much larger, so much more overwhelming.

The fuzzy figures around him were strange and uncertain, though their scents were comfortingly familiar. He blinked his newly opened blue eyes, caught between fear and curiosity. His mother noticed his hesitation and soothed him with gentle nuzzles and a soft lick atop his head. He decided he liked that very much.

Mmm. Bahbah. Hmph. He tested his voice for the first time outside his cries for care. The sounds felt odd on his tongue, but his mother’s delighted reaction drew a sloppy little smile to his face.

Something wiggled at his side, and he turned to see the hazy shapes of his sisters. With a happy squeak, he wiggled closer and playfully nibbled at Eilidh ’s tiny ear. But Saerlaith was just out of reach, so tantalizingly close, yet too far for the little bean.