Arrow Lake lux aurumque

things had progressed more quickly than she had anticipated. one day an abnormality, something within her body that had not been there before. only five moons ago. and as her condition began to deteriorate, Tahani knew that it was time to find her family again.

physically, she was not up to the task of a journey south, particularly in the late days of summer. but fall was coming, and winter at its heels. she could feel the winds coming down from the north, even farther north than she'd situated herself. and so she followed them, weary but determined. each dogged step carried her further with each day.

she asked around, in her halting common tongue. white wolves, northern names? Shivali, Siarut, Takiyok. . .? when she passed by the glacier, she knew she was near. the sight of the great white expanse—so beautiful, so dangerous—sent a dagger through her soul. there, she had loved. there, she had lost.

some she encountered had answers that encouraged Tahani; they sent her toward the mountains, mentioning they'd heard of a Takiyok there. who else could it be? what other northerner would come this far south?

the healer staggered up the steep slopes, eventually cresting the rise to face a broad alpine lake. her eyes, still dark but now dull, swept over the glittering surface. her nostrils flared and she found her sister's scent, and others. even. . .no, it couldn't be—Sadiq? why was he here, too?

why had they all come to this too-hot place?

but then, she had come here by choice, not once but twice. with a gusty sigh that belied her exhaustion, Tahani planted herself at the borders, trembling on her paws. she gave a delicate yet insistent call to Takiyok and anyone else who would heed her howl. . .and then fell silent, utterly spent.