Totoka River she's dancing with strangers

Offerings and prayers were all a matter of personal preference, although Shearwater Bay had celebrated named moons in different ways. March was Bison Moon, a time of prayer and sacrifice, but there were no associated rituals. It would be difficult to explain the Pump the significance of Bison Moon without any associated rituals to refer to, but she made an earnest attempt nevertheless.

"By offering Them things They like. Some seasons are better for Them than others, and require different offerings. They like different plants, animals, and stones depending on the moon, and we prayed to Them daily." Sos and Atka had never let Shearwater Bay down, either. When all the heathen wolves from another land had come to claim all the free territory of the Seahawk Valley, the Bear Gods had one by one removed them, until Shearwater was again liberated of its intrusive neighbours. Even Tartok, the swine of the mountains who claimed to be elite, had left, yet the Bay still stood.

Thinking of the Bay compelled her to glance out toward the sea, and it was then she noticed the sun beginning to sink. "Forgive me," she mumbled, with a polite look in Pump's direction, though in reality she knew there was nothing to forgive. "It's getting late. I must be back." She began to walk away then, pausing only once to turn her head over her shoulder and say, "it was good to see you, Pump." I hope Akhlut improves, she thought about adding, but in the end chose not to. The reality that she didn't actually think Akhlut could or would succeed in his role was best not to be muddled with well wishes on his part.