In time Kigipigak had navigated around the mountain range in the north, to the river, where he picked up the trail of the herd once more and followed it further.
Every so often he would come across an obvious path and a less obvious path; one which was clear and wide, while the other meandered and tapered in odd places, which was lost more often than not. He knew to keep an eye out for these meandering paths because the sick caribou moved differently from the healthy ones.
One such path cleared the frost-heavy meadow and moved in to the depths of a maple forest. Here Kigipigak would have the most trouble. There was frost along the outer limits of the wood, but enough ambient warmth from the sunlight that the rest would melt. The paths were lined with dulled browns, some sparks of gold, and enough patches of darkness that Kigipigak's keen eyes would struggle regardless.
He could not smell the caribou here but he could not pass it by. The mindless way that these sick creatures moved meant there was less logic to follow while tracking them. He moved in among the trees and began to investigate.
lost. again. this time inkalorë was not blissfully adrift among a series of whimsical fleeting raindrops of awareness; this time, they were quite stranded in the here and now. mom! lómion!
the star-child called as they frantically wove among trees with dirty paws, fur ruffled and flecked with debris. with each hour they'd grown more careless and sloppy, eventually leading to their current state of complete dishevelment. vairë! wilwarin!
someone? please???
After some searching Kigipigak could declare this place free of caribou. If any had dawdled in the shade he likely would have missed their presence; the sick ones were quiet, unbalanced, and easy to miss given their likeness to withered winter trees.
As he moved to the north once more with the intention to return to Duskfire village, or at least one of the camps of Moonglow, he had to stop. A small voice carried among the trees: it called out names that Kigipigak recognized.
Intrigued by this, Kigipigak shifted his trajectory and his speed, hiking around one copse or another, until a bundle of golden fur met his eye.
The child called, Vairë! Wilwarin!
Kigipigak swept closer, remaining alert in case other adults were nearby. He called back, Do not worry, I am here!
Kigipigak's booming voice was bright and as friendly as he could make it, and he hoped he did not startle the child. You are far from camp! How impressive!
Cue his usual grin, and a wave of his tail.
hey! they found someone! a big snowy mountain of a man with a voice just as big, booming out praise with a merry face. ink's eyes grew wide and round, and they immediately forgot their woes. their tail started to whir happily, and they shifted their weight from paw to paw in a happy in-place dance.
HI! I'M INKALORË! WHO ARE YOU? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
they quizzed him happily, instinctively matching his loudness. it didn't fit their voice quite as well, though, and sounded much more like a yell.
The shouting of the child's voice, which was at times hard on the ears, made Kigipigak laugh. He did not know why the pup was shouting and did not clue in it was because of his own loud voice.
I am Kigipigak. I am a hunter for Moonglow — and you, you are one of the children of Lote.
It struck Kigipigak as he said this, that the pup might be seeking their mother, or their siblings. I thought you were in need of rescue. Was I mistaken?
wow! he recognized them! and he had such a cool name! KIGIPIGAK! YOUR NAME IS SO COOL!
they shouted, still matching the huge man's voice. I WAS LOST, BUT YOU'RE HERE, SO NOW I'M NOT! HOW DO YOU KNOW MY MOM?
inkalorë grinned up at kigipigak, tail waving. he was so big! he probably hunted the biggest caribou!
The child continued to shout and gradually Kigipigak's sense of novelty over the encounter wore down. He did not correct the pup either, though. It did not feel right to stop them from expressing themselves.
Your mother is a friend of mine!
He went on to explain. And she is a good friend to Kukutux, who is my family.
Which was a half-truth, as they did not share blood but they were close enough that Kigipigak was confident in saying it.
He began to herd the wayward child. Did you have a good adventure, Inkalore?
He grinned down at them.