The peak of the great rainy season passed quietly.
Nina stood beside the bed, staring at the three remaining eggs. Worry clouded her face.
"Odian," she said softly, "why haven't these three hatched yet? They're already past the expected time."
Logically, all the eggs should have hatched during the height of the rainy season. Yet three still lay there, smooth and silent. The longer they remained unchanged, the more uneasy she felt.
"Don't worry," Odian comforted her gently. "A small number of cubs do hatch later. It doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem."
Kith added warmly, "Many late hatchers actually turn out to have exceptional talent. There's no need to worry too much."
"I just hope they're healthy," Nina murmured.
Her greatest fear was that something might be wrong—that perhaps they hadn't received enough nourishment. She watched the eggs for a long time, silently wishing for their safe and healthy hatching.
When the rainy season finally ended, the sun returned.
