Ouroboros Spine He'd put me deep, deep under so that he could work

Paws carrying her back to the border of Moonglow after all this time, Waawaashkeshi paced a small patch of the territories edge with a new coyness that was not there when she last left. She expected no sympathy, and she did not want it; most packs would make the fair assumption that her sudden disappearance meant she had left. She was only here to look for Nasamiituuq; she had mentioned enough to her captors that if they wished to look for her, it would do no good to hide in Moonglow.

Mustering up a courage which had been so ungraciously taken from her moons ago, Waawaashkeshi released a howl which called for her friend, or anyone who could tell her where she may be. She could not assume that Nasamiituuq was still here, after all.

Forcing her pacing to pause itself, the gilded woman stood staring into the territory which she briefly called home. She would wait as long as it took to get her answer.

moonglow changed, grew, quieted.

arrluk hunted a bride price for ajei. sialuk had gone from moonspear, and she did not know how long the mountain would stay claimed by moonblood.

moonsong. moontide. now moonspear.

but what a time it had been. she clung more fiercely to such memories now, reliving them on the small walks she tended now to take alone.

waawaashkeshi had been gone a long while. the searching for children and woman had at last faded, though still her green eyes looked when she trailed the great bear herself.

"it is good to see your face," said the duck with feeling when she had come upon the girl, young still to her ageing sight, but changed. "you are well?" kukutux wished to ask why she had gone, and where, but she did not.

her granddaughter also — the spirits had led her to other paths.

The woman she knows as Moonmother from Nasamiituuq's word joins her. She has not seen her since she got the chance to participate in woman's circle.

I am better now. My travels were long, but it gave me a chance to replenish myself. She had refused to appear on the edge of the pack hungry and thin as she had been; she would not take from them now when she had nothing to contribute. I need to go West, there are men who search for me here.. but first I want to know if Nasamiituuq is here. I need to see her. Her words wary, she searches Kukutux's face for an answer she is not sure she will recieve.

She would not ask Nasamiituuq to go with her when they met again, she would not dare. Her friend still had much too much learning to do. Waawaashkeshi had been made to grow up in a few short months.

"who searches for you?" kukutux asked, unable to stop herself this time. would such hunters come here to moonglow. "nasamiituuq is not here. i have the thinking that she has gone on another healing journey."

moonwoman offered a gentle look. "even if you do not wish to stay, the village is open to you for rest and eating."

who were these men? the girl had changed, that much was seen by green eyes.

A young one took me from the mountains and carried me far east. She offered a brief explanation, her nose scrunching in a form of disgust as she continued. I was to be his wife. That was what she had understood, at least.

It was disheartening that Nasamiituuq was away, but the sunflower girl was sure they would be reunited when the time was right. When she was better.

I will not take anymore from you when I cannot contribute. Her gaze drifted to the west now. There was still more ground to be covered today. Moonglow is no longer my home. I am to establish the traditions of the Summerwalkers once more at the end of my journey. My home. Because good lord could the wolves of this land learn something from it.

If you were always moving it was difficult to catch you, so there was that too. It was the right decision in this moment.

Summer months are the trading season. I will visit with goods. Without a truly proper goodbye, her paws carried her away once more. She needed to make the most of the remaining sunlight.

she had been taken; she had changed. kukutux saw these things, but waawaashkeshi did not mean to stay for the offerings of the village.

she bowed her head to this, acceptant even as her heart sang with the pain of another granddaughter's dispersal from birthright.

"walk with Sedna. i will see you when the sun is hot, waawaashkeshi."

greenjade eyes watched as the girl departed, and then she turned away, back and back to what she knew, what must be.

something came.