Moonstone Quarry quqsuqtaq ⋞

"i think so too," kukutux said with a teasing tilt to her head toward her kinsman. kigipigak's recitation of what the man had said drew her smooth pale brows together. "perhaps he means to test you. he makes himself weak so you will attack." it was not so deceptive; the gambit was that a man not in his best years could win against a man who had them.

"but you say he is old. has more years than you. if you think he is wise, then he told you this for a reason. but only a man could find out the message in another," kukutux joked, though it was more deprecating than anything, reminding herself that even in this new land, she could not tread so close to impropriety. not even with a hunter who was kin.

she rolled her pristine shoulders. "perhaps your home did not hold the sort of woman who would be best for you." kigipigak had shared his dreams with her. he would tell kukutux if he had ever loved anyone in the village of his childhood, she assumed.