Ouroboros Spine ted

anaa lived. she blinked and her raindrop was there; sialuk's scent was strained with stress and fear. kukutux sank down into the snow, nursing the fore-ankle on the right, broken within. 

she lived. her raindrop lived! "sedna be praised," kukutux gasped out, clutching sialuk as closely to her as she was able. 

there was only the scent of soot and ash between them. everything, gone. the ulaq that had nourished her family. the cured furs, the dried meat. the medicine. 

and out there on the ruined mountain, perhaps saviguk lived. perhaps jarilo lived. she had called and called and had not heard an answer, but then again, kukutux had walked near to the spirit place in her sleep. 

the duck glanced around, voice weak as she whispered, "we must find a better place and dig an ulaq, my daughter. we must stay here. we must wait here."