Ouroboros Spine evening star

"i am not a witch," kukutux said firmly, loudly, cutting through the piggish snuffle of the boy an the way he groveled beneath the purple eyes of the crimson girl. "witches steal." her jadeite gaze now rested upon nuak, who she had given meat and hospitality. 

the boy did not owe her for these things, but if her brother lived in him, he would know the polite elegance of the ostregas who had made him. it was his to learn, so long as he made his sleeping place within the mountain. 

"i am moonwoman and atsak of this village," the pale woman continued, her steps forward resolute. "he is nuak to us. but it must be his choice if he stays," and now she too put her eyes upon the boy, angered by the desecration of the totemic item. and irritated by the harsh banter of the near-wordless girl. 

why did he act so, and wear so much strength? perhaps she had put a spell upon him. perhaps nuak had enraged the foxes and they had bound him to their fur. she was watchful, but kukutux would not be ignored and insulted upon her own borders.