The young woman peeked out of the hut. The last woman had come to collect her child a few minutes ago, but several of the hunters had yet to return.
Arysta looked back towards the small child playing quietly in the corner. She smiled faintly at her beautiful daughter. Lyra had her father's eyes and his good humor. 
The three year old saw her mother looking and her and stood, her hand on her stomach. "Mommy," she said. "My tummy is hungry."
"I know Lyra. The hunters will return soon. They'll have fresh meat for us to cook," Arysta said, picking her child up and cuddling her close.

It was a hard life for a widow and fatherless child. The hunters spared what they could, but they had their own families to think of. If her husband had still been alive he would provide for them. They would never have to go hungry.
"Mommy?" Lyra said, touching her mother's face gently. "Don't be sad Mommy. Please?"
Arysta forced a smile. "I'm sorry my angel. I'm not sad. Just thinking."
Lyra gave her a look that seemed too wise for a small child and laid her head against her mother's chest. 
If Kane were here... if only...

Footsteps in the snow alerted her that some of the hunters had returned. Both mother and daughter peeked out.
"It's Kil-na and Jamzz!" Lyra said, mispronouncing their names as only a child could.
James had some kind of large animal. Good. Large meant a lot of meat, hopefully enough to share a little. A widow in the clan depended on the kindness of others. Thankfully Kane had been well respected and greatly liked so the clan didn't seem to mind taking care of his wife and child when they could. But during hard times a lot of people had to go without, especially those who didn't have a means of caring for their needs. Several times Arysta had gone hungry to that Lyra could eat, and even then she wouldn't be full.