The day came that he descended from the ice to venture in the lowlands, through the adjoining forest. It was here he stood out the most, between the many shades of autumn. The man listened as the wind drew its way through the trees and made them whisper. He was reminded of the ocean's own sound—until a shriek high in the trees gave him pause. A raven sat there, croaking, watching him from a vantage point he could not spy.
The trader paused long enough to taste the wind and began to move on. Had he been a spiritual sort, the pause would have been long enough for a silent prayer. Kilgitsuk was not. He waited for the bird to grow bored of its warnings, and when silence resumed so did his wandering.
Ajei didn't travel far from home and today she had, but she was already regretting it. She found herself in a forest so dark it made nighttime look like day. She ahuddered as she stood frozen looking around. It was beautiful, but dark. Wouldn't she be almost frightened half to death if she ever stumbled upn the deep weald.
Green eyes looked around, heart currently beating so hard she felt it. How she wished one of the boys were here or her mama. She whimpered softly and looked around for the way she had come, if she could just get to where she had entered.
There was a quiet sound within the grove. Kilgitsuk slowed his pace and turned his attention to a fallen log as he passed it, thinking that there might be something hiding within the moss-choked walls of it. He sniffed around the rotted opening, then along the moss, but found little trace of anything worth giving chase to.
The sounds came again and this time a little bit louder. They tugged at something deep and primal within Kilgitsuk which he hadn't felt since he had last been home with his boys, something reserved for mothers and fathers. This paternal instinct drew him through the woods—but at first he side-stepped around the ruddy red-brown bundle that was Ajei, as the girl blended in well with the autumn leaves.
He stopped again to gather his bearings.
Something great and white traversed through the forest. He smelled like no one she knew. So he didn't belong to the moons. Yet he seemed to be searching and he had a kind face. Though he sidestepped her as if she wasn't even there. Her ears fell to hwr skull, maybe he wouldn't help her.
She sniffled and then lifted her voice a slight waver.
Mister. Do you think you could show me the exit?
Then she settled her tail to her leg and shivered a little. What if he was a mean wolf. Heph told her there were mean wolves. Would she ever see her mama or the boys again? She had to see, to try.
Although the red fur of the girl was hard to notice among the piles of multifaceted leaves, the blaze of white upon her cheeks brought attention to her face, and her voice - shivering, but strong - made Kilgitsuk stop.
Ah! I did not see you,
he was apologetic, but also warm. He moved so that he was not looming so obviously over her. Yes, Ignik! Come.
He bowed his head and took a few steps, giving her space. She could make up her mind to follow him or not; but Kilgitsuk would do no harm.
AJei had found strength of her spirit when she needed too. It was very hard sometimes to be this way, but she was trying her hardest. She was. And she knew if she really needed too, she could protect herself a little. Mama had made sure to teach her the basics, but goodness. She really didn't want too.
She recognized that word and ears slid up to her skull and poised upright, quivering a little.
You speak the tongue of Moonwoman.
She bowed her head gently and smiled softly. She had been favored today to find someone who she could recognize a kindred spirit in. She dipped her nose.
I'm Ajei, daughter of Shikoba and Inutsuk. Thank you for helping me.
His language is the same as Kukutux's isn't it? If not I can edit this, so that she recognizes it sounds familiar but not quite the same. Just let me know in a pm.
Together they would walk! Kilgitsuk kept his pace measured so that the girl could keep up, but it was difficult as he was much taller. He loomed over her like some iceborn creature, a yeti, whereas she was the flickering fire of autumn. He stood out the most against the backdrop of ruddy trees and would serve as a beacon as they made the journey.
I know them!
He answered. Talking would make the girl forget about her fears, and make the travel feel less arduous. Shikoba is a find hunter. Sometimes the wolves of the moon village go north to hunt the caribou, and sometimes I am there to help.
Reminiscing over this gave rise to memories: Natigvik, and the various hunter's camps throughout the taiga; the flash of Sakhmet's face, which he pushed away.
One day you will join us. Are you a hunter like your mother?
Ajei noticed hia measured steps and she appreciated it. He was a large wolf. She wondered briefly if he even rivaled sun man or rodyn.
He reminded her of Massaraq with his ice fur. A brief thought of warmness for the boys if moonwomam and aun man and she wished them well again in her head.
Ajei looked down. Ears to skull. No, I'm afraid I'm not like mama really in any regard nor pop. I hunt rabbits and small game. But it is not something i love. I prefer fishing.
Shame hard and hot blew across her heart. That she wasn't like her parents caused her no end of agony, but she could not push herself into a corner she refused. Even if it hurt and felt disrespectful to those who had raised her.
Fishing! That is a fine choice,
he offered as encouragement.
There are many ways to help your family. You do not have to do exactly as your mother or father, in fact, it is good to be different.
He said this as if he were some authority on the subject, rather than a failed husband, father, and alpha in his own right. The girl did not know this — she only needed positivity to ward off her doubts.
You could travel all over to catch the different fish of the world. There are different ones in rivers, in lakes, and in the sea! Have you ever been there? To the seaside?
She grinned thrn. It was nice to know that fishing was considered a good choice.
Titl an ear forward as she lidtened, and picked her way through the wilds. She was indeed different. She had that in the bag. But her psrents didn't seem to mind.
A small nod. Yes. It is quite large and so salty. Some of the fish taste okay, but some.
She wrinkled her nose. But I do like crab.
Kilgitsuk thought back to the last time he had seen a crab, and smiled. I remember when I was your age, I had not seen a crab before. They did not live where I lived. It was a place of more ice than anything; very cold, and very white. In the warmer season when the ice cleared, on very few beaches, my people would scavenge. I did not see my first crab until I was almost grown!
They can be a challenge to hunt.
He commended the girl for her ability. Their claws aren't as quick as ours, but their grip is nothing to scoff at!
She listened with ears forwsrd amd curiosity on her fwce. She liked hesring stories of other liges. It made everything so pretty.
She nodded and made a soft oh sound. They really are. I saw onw hold stick very tight. I have not been clawed, but i do my best to keep nose away
Ahe listened to his deacription of home. Home sounds cold, but Massaaq and Arrluk, moonwomans boys would probably sit well they ste white white like snow and black too in Arrluk's case. So is Kassaraq.
Ahaha! Yes, being the color of snow does help,
he answered with a booming mirth to his voice.
He thought of how different Tartok and its encampments were to the moon villages. How well-suited most of those northern wolves were to the life upon the ice, and by contrast how varied Kukutux and her people had become. They were so different, yet Kilgitsuk felt at-home with both of them. Or, he had — of late he'd been a trader, unable to settle anywhere or find peace within himself.
They came through the trees to a bare expanse, together. Kilgitsuk paused to gather his bearings and he let out anther laugh. You are almost home! Look, there.
He motioned towards the next rise, where the path clarified and headed towards the village outskirts. It would not be long now before Ajei was home again.
It was good to meet you, little Ignik! If I come this way again I will be sure to visit. If that is something you might like.
Ajei smiled happily. She was pleased that she had found common ground with the trader. And glad to hear the laughter in his voice. IT made her feel as if she had done something good on this day.
She knew that many packs were different. Even the moon packs were varied and different. Some of sea, mountain, wood. IT was all a melting pot of loveliness and she enjoyed that she was part of it. Truly.
Her tail wagged when the swells of home came into view and she gave a soft sigh of relief. She looked up at the trader.
Thank you and yes I would like that. I will give you fish.
He was pleased to hear it. A grin spread across his face as Kilgitsuk motioned her towards that path home, and he said as she departed his company: I will see you again, little fire! Safe travels.
And from here he would keep watch of her, on her way, until she was safely across the invisible boundary of the village. Only then would he turn and go off again, pleased with the exchange.