Grouse Thicket my bones can be scorched

he was a tall creature, imposing, but his voice did not suggest he would do harm to her. still, kukutux maintained a healthy wariness as she dipped her head low before him. stranger or no, he was a man, and she would pay him the proper deference, as she had been taught.

"this woman greets you," kukutux whispered softly, slipping once more into the formality one would give a newcomer or perhaps a trader. she wanted to study him more, for in his face she had seen the glint of knowing gold, but it would not be seemly. and so for now she was silent, waiting for him to return her greeting. or perhaps laugh at her — the wolves here still did not understand her ways.