Ouroboros Spine atikluk ⦚

branched shadows embraced the duck, dappling her fur with the warming whitehawk sun. they returned each year to nest in the cliffsides, and so this time was called kilgit tatkiat. it was the time by which she had meant to find sialuk an ugi.

did such matter now to the girl? all moonglow bore were hunters of marrying-age. no boys not yet hunters among them. but, kukutux considered, sialuk was a woman who hunted fiercely, with a spirit that would not be shattered. perhaps she was too worthy now for a bedraggled boy. her heart ached to think that sialuk would step over this time within her life, but the mother had spoken, and had put them here.

her eyes beheld pine raring proudly on either side of a stream, widening as it approached the lake. here she settled, and after a moment, tilted back her head to call for @Keyni and @Merrit. there was hope in her that they were yet near.