Moonstone Quarry quqsuqtaq ⋞

kukutux thought of the secrets in the woman's circle. such talk was forbidden even kigipigak, who she had come to adore in her heart. but the revolution of village around mother was not unknown to her, nor an unkind thought. without mother to give babies in barter for man's protection, a pack, a village, a territory would be nothing.

the silent message of kukutux' submission was that she meant to do it. that she had been taught to control the attitude of the hunters around her through their traditional deference. that was why always, in the end, mother made the final choice, though father would often believe it had been his choice.

she meant to teach sialuk the same. the duck hoped for girls this year, suddenly. saviguk she loved with her soul entire, but her love could not teach him the equally sacred way to be a hunter. "if the spirits put before you a new land, a new home, and perhaps a wife, kiggavik, then the spirits have chosen you for such things. we do not question that. they feel as though you have earned their blessing. take what they have given you."

he had realized, kukutux felt, that the untethering of man from mother was important and began with his first strike into the world. she watched kigipigak delicately, enjoying how open he had become with her; it brought more free things to her tongue, words she spoke to his ears.