Shadewood maquktuq ⛈

the awareness that she could never belong to cry now washed over kukutux like a wave. but its impact did not hurt, its strike muted by the fact she had found something in gwen she had thought was lost. the duck knew she would be wife again, and even if she must put aside her depth of feeling for the shaman, surely it would be worthwhile in the end.

"i had a sister once," kukutux began shyly. "our mother was training us to become healers." all at once, the telling became too great for her heart; she turned away, swallowing hard. "will you tell me of how yourself, and cry, decided upon this place?" shadewood was truly beautiful, and kukutux was thankful that gwen did not expect her to leave it. for some time they spoke, parting ways on a warm note that the girl carried with her for some time.