Porcupine Ridge auntblood

the seal hunter listened as his eyes watched the world beyond, as his mind filled with thoughts of tullik and marina and raiyuk, home where he wished to be.
dutch spoke true, with a man's heart and the confidence of a hunter. it was what chakliux's ears needed to witness, to hear. 
his throat had grown thick.
"he will find no rest," he said though tight teeth, though his shoulders relaxed and he at last let out his breath. "i thank you, dutch. your voice is strong."
sleep would not come easily for the seal hunter.
but the dawn would rise sure as his heart raced that night.