Lost Creek Hollow of the men

Sequoia's dismissal had left Kigipigak feeling odd. He did not have a name for the sensation he felt yet, although it reminded him of the betrayal he experienced when Stjornuati left him, or the strikingly strong emotions he had experienced when his sisters had gone back on their arrangement with him. He felt belittled. It was not something that the prideful Tartok warrior had much experience with and so the taste of it was unsettling. He took to patrolling more frequently to keep himself distanced from the woman.

That said, Kigipigak's mind did not leave the topic of marriage so easily. He went over the offer that Mahler had initially made to him, and then the conversation he held with Kukutux, the blessing he had received from both of them. He thought of his mother; what would she think of all of this? Kigipigak, youngest named of his village, kinslayer, pining over possibilities like a love-sick girl?

A flash of something silver-white draws his eye. Kigipigak almost moves on regardless. He recognizes Praimfaya immediately and weighs the pros and cons of interaction — maybe all the women of the bypass were the same, he thought. Kigipigak did not want to put himself through further emasculation. He was near enough to offer a friendly chuff but far enough away to let them both pass without issue, leaving the decision up to the woman.