Ouroboros Spine bewitched, bothered and bewildered

As he approached with no black fur behind him, Sialuk knew long before he spoke that he had not found them. Taataa and brataa were gone. Eaten by the strange storm along with the rest. No more souls who had once lived on the spear still walked this earth. Tonight, she and anaa would begin to sing the death songs. The raindrop quivered, but she did not collapse under the weight of this news. In her heart, she had known, even though anaa had said to hold hope.

It is not take, but gift for you, she said, pushing the muskrat toward him. It was not much, but it was what was promised. We make an exchange of gifts. I thank you for searching. The star—did you find the one that lit up the sky and caused the strange thunder?

Speaking of this was easier than speaking of what had happened after. It was what Adrastus had gone in search of for his own reasons.