Raven's Watch illuktuk

He saw the white of her smile first, then the gold of her crown, the flash of russet as her tail swayed; she was perfect in that moment and the smitten boy was pleased to find her in such good spirits. Kigipigak moved in close to taste the scents upon her nape, boldly combing his teeth through her flame-licked scruff as she moved to grasp at his muzzle.

There are many tribes in the valley, Kigipigak explained, falling easily in to the native tongue they shared. A forest tribe is most appealing. There is a woman there willing to come to us. Her name is Simmik—she is a northerner by blood but her people have been bound to these southlands so long, she knows little of her home. She wants to learn of her people. She is willing to come to us for a time, but... Any child she produces would go back with her, to the forest. It is not a perfect arrangement. But he wondered if it needed to be; Valmua wanted her brothers distracted and this woman would make a suitable mate, however, Kigipigak worried she was too strong. She would contend with Valmua.

Before the woman could respond to this news, Kigipigak went on to speak of others. He thought primarily of the mountain where Kukutux lived. There is a southwest chain of mountains from that forest and two tribes live together there; the tribe of the lowlands is new and full of young blood, dispersals from the mountain. I met a woman on the mountain who knows our language and our ways—Kukutux. I spoke of a desire to find women for the future. I can... Return to her with news, if you have interest. And to Simmik, if her arrangement is good.

All that said, Kigipigak finally shut the hell up. He did not doubt Valmua would have opinions about his travels, and finally gave her a moment to consider everything and speak her piece.