Ocean's Breath Plateau dentalium

not her fault—?
how could he say such a thing when — ice mother sees us all, everything we do, and while she is loving she is not merciful. she will bring justice to those who displease her. and i have, red leaf swallows, suddenly yanking away her paw and tucking it to her chest. i have done a horrible thing. it doesn't matter if i did not harm him directly. i let a boy die, chakliux, i--
a steadying breath; a glance. to the sharadoii, a boy's death after the first moon phase but before he reaches manhood is-- it is one of the worst crimes. ice mother would not take a boy like that. he is sent back to her for a reason. and she will get revenge.
now chakliux was beginning to frustrate her. it was patronizing, the haunted magenta gaze. her stare grows hard. why was he so insistent? i will be done with my repayment when ice mother decides i am done. all i can do is hope she does not bring her wrath to akiak.
and now she begins to fully realize the danger of this situation, this strange man laid in her den with her son. her hackles flare as she flicks her tail up over her newborn's back, acting as a blanket. she says nothing else as an ugly dread creeps up from her stomach and into her chest.