"taktugugaa uvulvaak," kukutux mumbled to herself, the syllables familiar and easy to a tongue still stiff in the common tongue. it was good to speak the way she had been taught, and the duck was careful to say as many words to herself as was possible, when she could be alone. she refused to forget the last tie to her people.

now she rose, singing a hunting chant. the spirit sighed askance at her. it was a men's hunting chant, and therefore forbidden. but those words were for sea animals. this far inland, the duck reasoned, she could not offend the seal and the walrus, the great whales that sometimes beached. here it was nothing more than a child's song. still. you should be respectful, kukutxux scolded herself, even as she quickened her pace and grew louder, not spotting the wolf-shape of smoke that had pulled away from the cloud until she near collided with him.

"oh!"