vaire and her children had come home. kukutux hoped for rhaegal to return, to find them in the home of their grandmother. 

until this moment, they were given solace. from the first day, moonwoman gave herself over to tending @Ipiktok, @Salaksartok, and @Nasamiituuq, fairly spoiling the trio with whatever tastes of berries and fat they sought from her. allowed to freely roam about her ulaq, kukutux saw their presence as the sunglow of each day, as her heart continued its grieving.

each day had been counted. "island water girl, your children will soon be among us again."

each day must go on, even if she woke with sickness in her belly.

sialuk was to be married.

sivullik was to be married.

ariadne was to make a village of her own and would need a mate of her own.

massaraq, arrluk, and kassuq would leave upon their spirit-journeys and return men.

kukutux drew other names into her mind; orca, seal, ajei.

once the sons of this year sought their own ulax, or perhaps chose to roam, they would decide of their own accord when they would find interest in wives.

that was put aside for the present, and now kukutux smiled, to think of the seven cousins born this year at last soon to see the faces of one another.

and yet, a daughter had not remained in moonglow to carry its name.

she would worry on this another time.