Ouroboros Spine The time I knew what happiness was

He had not known the warmth of Kukutux' body for some nights now. Rarely did he visit her ulaq these nights and even so, it was to pass close but not to linger. Raimo felt abandoned; she did not want him, the daughter did not trust him, the rest of the village did not look upon him with any respect — and now Adrastus had returned to them carrying a tribute!

It was almost too much.

Raimo found comfort beneath the watching shine of stars; a clear dark sky hanging over him. The moon, waxing gibbous - not yet full, but growing. This night it was unusually cold, as if winter were rising from its sleep to reach for him.