Ouroboros Spine katjanik ⋖

"sivullik only has the meaning of first," she explained. adrastus asked many questions, and for this she was grateful. but kukutux had only the answers for the inner circle which which she had been raised.

"when we first came to this place, raimo hunted for us even when we did not trust him. when moonglow came to live, he had become firsthunter here. he has my respect, but the ways of those who hunt and are men are decided only by men. i do not choose. i only honor those who hold their place here."

"if you wish to become first, and to choose who hunts and what prey will be followed, go to raimo. take from him his title. or bring better meat. kill for furs. bring more to moonglow than he has." a roll of her shoulders. "he can only stay as he is when he has the eyes of the other hunters upon him. zane will not challenge you, i do not have that thinking."

she suspected the swaggering man would rather run away than face the teeth of the polar giant. her green eyes were soft now as she turned them upon adrastus. "our ways are different. but it is for a good purpose. this way i leave much choice to the hunters. firsthunter's tasks are many. he chooses the prey. he chooses those to follow. he may bring wolves into moonglow. he is guardian to the body and spirit of those who are at the head of his village."

kukutux had spoken so much; she paused now, as much from chagrin as from tiredness.