Moonspear xii mikigak

she listened. some part of the duck's heart wished that her mother and sister would come into her own dreams. but they would not, for she had observed the proper mourning and never spoken their names again. it had been so long that kukutux did not believe they would come even if she whispered.

but she would not, and so fought the pinch of anguish deep in her chest at his words. she enjoyed kigipigak's next dream, of coursing elk that he could outrun. "it is your totem, perhaps. tuktu is very fierce. he comes to strong hunters. he runs long with his brothers. perhaps you see the similarity," the duck grinned, enjoying the way that he had detailed his dreams for her.