Ouroboros Spine ted

After a few paces, Sialuk realized anaa was worse off than she had originally thought. She paused when her mother did, worrying over her, reminding herself of the words she had given Elke.

Elke, who had lived on the mountain. Who had been meant to go on a journey to find peace. Sialuk wished that her peace was not the dancing lights, so young was her cousin.

I will build an ulaq from the snow, she said. That would give them more flexibility. The ground was much too hard and frozen to dig through. The snow would keep them warm, would keep them safe. Rest. Eat snow to soothe your throat and keep water within you.

It felt so strange to have their roles reversed like this, but was that not what she had been raised to do? To care for her loved ones?

Sixsix removed himself from her shoulder, perching on a branch nearby as Sialuk went to work tirelessly in the snow, digging out a small, compact space where anaa could regain her strength.