Ouroboros Spine nature of life on earth

The winds had pushed the dark clouds in to Meerkat's throat, just as they had done to her mother. For whatever reason, Sialuk had managed to avoid it, or it just wasn't affecting her as much.

Eat the snow; it will help with the cough. Sialuk wished that she could have her herb stores back. Goldenseal or mullein would have lessened the effects. Perhaps wild ginger, too. Alas, she had to work with what was available. At least snow was in ample supply.

She gave Meerkat a chance to do so before asking a question.

Did you travel alone? If more had been with Meerkat, perhaps they had survived, too.